Though this condition is more common in the third trimester, it can occur any time after 20 weeks, and catching it early is crucial. Your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose preeclampsia by checking your blood pressure and by testing your urine for protein levels.
If you notice any of the symptoms of preeclampsia, including vision problems such as seeing spots, a persistent headache, sudden swelling in your feet and hands, feeling nauseous, sudden weight gain, or having trouble breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately. If left untreated, preeclampsia can cause decreased blood flow to your placenta, and can affect your kidney, liver, brain, and eyes. Get to know the signs of preterm labor , just in case!
Preterm labor is when labor starts before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Signs include a constant lower backache; vaginal discharge that is watery, mucus-like, or bloody; pressure in your pelvis; abdominal cramps; diarrhea; regular contractions; and your water breaking. Do you have older children?
If yes, now could be a good time to start preparing them for the arrival of their baby brother or sister. They may have lots of questions about where babies come from, so be prepared for unexpected reactions! Would you consider giving your child a name based on a specific theme? Perhaps something fit for a prince or princess? Or a name inspired by your favorite flower?
Or perhaps a name that sound strong and powerful, inspired by mythology? Check out these lists of baby names, curated by theme: o Floral names o Royal names o Mythological names o Biblical names. What is the heaviest amount you can safely pick up at this point in your pregnancy? What is the safest way to lift an object? You could hire a professional photographer, or ask a friend who you know takes lovely pictures.
You could create a love-heart shape with your hands and place them over your bump, or place mini mittens over your belly. It's called the mask of pregnancy or melasma because it appears as a mask-like configuration on the face.
Rest assured, you won't be playing masquerade for much longer. All these skin changes will fade within a few months after delivery. In the meantime, bring on the concealer — though not the bleaching creams, which won't work anyway. Now's a great time to learn some soothing relaxation techniques — and not just because they can help you cope with pregnancy worries and, soon, labor contractions.
They'll also come in handy during those new-parent moments when baby won't stop crying, the phone is ringing and it's just you and your little one in the house. Yoga is a fabulous de-stresser, if you have time to take a class. But here's a pregnancy meditation technique you can use just about anywhere, anytime, to soothe your soul:.
Sit with your eyes closed and imagine a relaxing, peaceful scene, like a sunset over your favorite beach, waves gently lapping the shore or a serene mountain vista with a babbling brook. Working your way up from your toes to your face, concentrate on relaxing every muscle one-by-one.
Breathe deeply through your nose, exhaling through your mouth, and aim for 10 to 20 minutes if you can swing it. It can be almost as hard to get a good night's sleep when you're pregnant as it is when you're a new parent. In fact, according to one study, a whopping 78 percent of women experience sleep problems at some point, or many points, during pregnancy.
If you find it hard to get comfortable, try sliding a pillow between your legs and resting with your knees bent. Keep a bottle of water by your side at all times. Staying hydrated helps maintain your additional blood volume, renews amniotic fluid and bolsters milk production. A general rule of thumb: Try to drink between eight and 10 8-ounce glasses of water a day, though it really varies based on your body type and size, how active you are and so on. Now that it's being squished by your growing uterus, your bladder makes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria — and that can lead to a urinary tract infection UTI.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your chances of developing a UTI during pregnancy. Drink lots of water and cranberry juice though the second remedy has mixed results , ideally one that doesn't contain added sugar. Check your urine color — if it's dark, not straw-colored, you're not getting enough fluids and could be setting yourself up for a UTI. Other tips: Don't hold it in — pee as soon as you feel the urge and can find a bathroom. Concentrate on completely emptying your bladder when you go to the bathroom, and try leaning forward when you pee.
Wipe from front to back. Lastly, clean your genitals and the areas surrounding them, particularly after having sex. Wear all-cotton underwear and take showers rather than baths whenever possible. Now that you've passed your first trimester, are you thinking about getting your hair straightened or curled at the salon? You might want to reconsider.
There is the possibility that your hormone-infused locks will respond oddly to the chemicals — for example, you might end up with a ball of frizz instead of a crown of ringlets. There's also a slight chance that the substances can be absorbed through the scalp and into your bloodstream. But ask. An ultra-cautious practitioner or stylist may recommend against any chemical processing until after your baby is born.
You can't go wrong by filling your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables — whether they're organic or not. Still, organic foods may have a few benefits, including fewer pesticides in organic produce than conventional fruits and vegetables if there's any at all. Organic foods are also free of artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives.
Organic produce does tend to be more expensive than conventional fruits and vegetables and can have a shorter shelf-life. Remember, what's most important is choosing a wide variety of nutritious foods and fresh, ripe fruits and veggies in a range of colors. And no matter what kind of fruits and veggies you buy — conventional or organic — you'll need to wash your produce meticulously in cold water before eating it.
Everybody and their pregnant neighbor is doing it — but is Pilates the right exercise for you? Absolutely — and it's not a stretch!
This mind-body discipline focuses on strengthening your core and elongating your muscles, increasing tone, strength and flexibility — just what you need when you're exercising for two. Best to practice them with a Pilates instructor, preferably one who specializes in prenatal exercises. Popular links under Pregnancy First Trimester.
Popular links under Baby Baby Month by Month. Popular links under Toddler Toddler Month by Month. Baby Products. Swollen ankles and feet. Some puffiness is totally normal. Deal with it by putting your feet up as much as you can, taking regular walks and drinking lots of water. Call your doctor if you get extreme or sudden swelling, which can be a sign of a dangerous pregnancy complication called preeclampsia.
Braxton Hicks contractions. Drink plenty of water and change positions frequently to stay comfortable. Sorry, but lingering backaches are to be expected, as your growing baby starts to bend your spine and stress your back muscles. Backaches are especially common for women who are 23 weeks pregnant with twins. Pain, on the other hand, could be cause for concern, so tell your OB if it really hurts.
Pregnancy hormones increase your blood flow, making your gums more likely to swell and bleed. If your mouth is feeling more sensitive than usual, switch to a soft bristle toothbrush and continue flossing with TLC. And stick with your normal dental exam routine, seeing the dentist at least every six months.
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