Expectant Moms Focus for Women's Health Week
Whether this was your first Mother?s Day as an expectant mom, or you?ve been pregnant before, each and every pregnancy is different. Your body goes through a lot of changes as it adjusts to carrying and growing your baby. But what changes are normal and when should you be worried? Let?s take a look at some expectant mom tips to celebrate Women?s Health Week, which also coincides with Mother?s Day.
The phrase ?morning sickness? is a misnomer; don?t be alarmed if you?re feeling nauseous and even vomiting during all hours of the day during your first trimester. This is normal as your hormones are rapidly changing. However, if you start to have flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, aching, etc.) or the nausea and/or vomiting is severe multiple times per day every day, you should consult your doctor. Otherwise, avoiding large meals, eating bland, easy-to-digest foods, and drinking lots of water can help keep morning sickness at bay.
Many women feel itchy during pregnancy, mostly around their abdomen, although red, itchy palms and soles of the feet are also common complaints. Pregnancy hormones and stretching skin are probably to blame for most of your discomfort and it usually goes away after delivery. Try switching to mild, scent-free soaps and lotions, avoiding hot baths or showers, and itchy fabrics. However, if you?ve tried all that and the itching persists after a week, it might be a symptom of something more severe and you should consult your doctor.
Swelling is also a common symptom of pregnancy that should be monitored closely as it could be a sign of preeclampsia. Also known as toxemia, preeclampsia can occur in pregnant women after their 20th week of pregnancy, causing high blood pressure and problems with the kidneys and other organs. Symptoms include sudden increase in blood pressure, too much protein in the urine, swelling in your face and hands, and headache. If you?re experiencing any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
A flu shot is also important to get when you?re pregnant. Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum) more prone to severe illness from flu, as well as to hospitalizations and even death. Pregnant women with flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery.
In addition, the CDC recommendations pregnant women get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy irrespective of the pregnant woman?s prior history of receiving Tdap. To maximize the maternal antibody response and passive antibody transfer to the infant, optimal timing for Tdap administration is between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation although Tdap may be given at any time during pregnancy. Tdap vaccination help prevent instances of pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and diphtheria. Pertussis is especially dangerous for newborns, so anyone planning to be around or care for the newborn should be vaccinated too.
Can?t get in to see your regular doctor for a common illness such as a cold, allergies, strep throat, to get your blood pressure taken or get a flu shot? Don?t worry, The Little Clinic treats pregnant patients!
