It is difficult to put into words the joy of anticipating motherhood. Pregnancy alters so much in a woman's life, gifting her with a natural miracle and that ‘healthy glow'. But along with the positive changes can come some difficult ones such as physical discomfort and a ride on the emotional rollercoaster. Studies have shown that by empowering themselves with knowledge, women can significantly benefit their own health during pregnancy as well as that of their child.
Pregnancy should be a time of happiness for a woman; it is important that you equip yourself with sound knowledge and focus on enjoying your pregnancy as much as possible. With the plethora of information available out there it is easy to become bogged down with worrying about following the ‘rules', not to mention conflicting advice offered by friends, family and colleagues.
As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to provide moms-to-be with some valuable information on how to stay healthy during pregnancy, thus enjoying one of the most precious experiences in a woman's life.
Below are some important points that you should know to help you keep those stress levels at a low:
Take the test
Before you make the decision to get pregnant there are some tests, which you should take. Firstly, for the sake of your child's health as well as your own it is important that you know your HIV status. If you are HIV positive and decide that you still want to have a child, your doctor will be able to tell you about the many drugs that can prevent transmission to the foetus. There are some diseases that are also a concern for pregnant women such as German measles, Toxoplasmosis and Syphilis for which you will need to be tested. Contraction of these can be highly dangerous for mother and baby; your doctor will advise you as to the tests and precautionary steps you will need to take. You will also need to undergo a blood group and Haemoglobin test, and if any difficulties are experienced during the pregnancy then your iron stores should be checked.Nourish your body
It is vital for your own health as well as that of the baby that you receive all the nutrients you need. A healthy eating plan that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein, whole-grains and lots of water will stand you in excellent stead. Even with a very healthy eating plan, you will require supplements as well. All pregnant women must take folic acid supplements, preferably from before conception and then throughout the pregnancy as it helps to prevent spinal defects in the baby. Every pregnancy is different, but most women also take an iron supplement. Talk to your doctor about what supplements you should be taking over the next nine months.Don't throw caution to the wind
This is a time when another life depends upon your responsibility. Smoking and alcohol can be extremely damaging to your baby's health and can result in premature and underweight babies. It has also been proven to result in learning disabilities in children. Likewise, the high toxin levels in many drugs, such as strong painkillers, can result in birth defects if consumed often. It is most advisable to avoid the use of such medicines at all unless absolutely necessary.Watch what you eat
There are certain foods that should be avoided during your pregnancy. Swordfish, shark and king mackerel may contain high levels of mercury and could be risky. It is also advisable that raw or seared fish is avoided as the lack of exposure to high cooking temperatures means that it may contain harmful parasites. It is also highly recommended that you avoid rare and cured meat, smoked fish, soft cheeses such as brie or camembert, and raw or soft egg yolk. This is to protect you and your baby from salmonella and other harmful bacterial infections. If this type of infection does occur it can be harmful to the foetus, and in some cases cause miscarriage or stillbirth.Be weight-wise
This is not an issue that should consume you at every mouthful, but it is important that you gain enough weight for a healthy pregnancy and at the same time not gain too much. If your weight is healthy for your height when you conceive, you will probably need to gain just over a kilogram a month. You should definitely not gain more than 12 kilograms during the pregnancy. Consult your doctor regularly about your weight gain throughout the nine months and you should be fine. Remember that while you are supporting yourself and your baby it is important that you maintain a healthy weight and the ‘eating for two' philosophy can lead you down the garden path to gaining more weight than you need to. From your lips to your hips! Now more than ever you should eat healthily.Go back to school
Empowering yourself with knowledge is one of the most sensible things you can do and it will give you the reassurance you need throughout the process. Attending pre-natal classes will help you to manage your pregnancy and birth, and by following these with post-natal classes you will ensure that you know exactly what you're doing when your bundle of joy arrives in the world.Exercise
While some mothers may have special conditions preventing them from doing any exercise, it can be highly beneficial to most. By raising the heartbeat slightly your body can produce endorphins which make one feel happy, as well as keeping you toned and fit and feeling confident. Naturally, you should not push your body past its limits, so if you were fit before you fell pregnant then you will probably be able to do more exercise whereas if you were not then you should be gentle with yourself and gradually build up a routine. Mild exercise is good to do: water aerobics, gentle forms of yoga, swimming, mild cycling and walking. Also, pelvic floor exercises before and after delivery are extremely helpful in preventing prolapse and incontinence. Consult your doctor about healthy exercise for you.Don't worry, be happy
It is so easy to stress when pregnant and often it is not worth it. Concentrating on being happy is essential, for yourself and for your baby. Try not to worry too much about the changes in the way you look; pregnancy is beautiful. Also, be aware of the fact that some emotional tensions may arise between you and your partner or family but this is totally normal. The mood swings you will experience will probably affect those around you at some stage and that's alright, it will pass. And don't get too stressed over worrying about whether or not you'll be a good mother; the fact that you care is a good sign; it would only be a problem if you didn't care.It is extremely important that you try to enjoy your nine months as much as possible because pregnancy is one of the most precious life experiences that a woman can have. Remember that each pregnancy is different and that if you stick to the basics given above, practice your common sense and follow your instincts, your way of doing it is the best way for you.
Pregnancy over 35: Know the facts
For centuries women over 35 have been having healthy, happy babies. But over the last few decades gynaecologic and obstetric research and developments have occurred in such leaps and bounds that we now have a wealth of knowledge about advanced maternal age and pregnancy health.
This knowledge is power to the woman of today. She is not only free to have a career but is often driven in pursuing it. We have seen a notable rise in the number of women having children over the age of 35, delaying pregnancy in order to be fully dedicated to their work.
Every pregnancy requires care and attention in order to be successful, and pregnancy for over 35s is no different. While opting to have a baby later in life can hold many benefits, it can also pose some risk and the pregnancy therefore requires greater care and attention. Fortunately, medical science has evolved and there is now also more information available that can not only help the woman over 35 to make a decision about having children, it can also protect her from some of the dangers that she may be faced with.
One of the more significant issues to consider in opting for a later pregnancy can lie in the possibility of falling pregnant. Fertility starts to decrease in women in their thirties for several reasons. Firstly and most notably, women over 35 tend to ovulate less frequently than younger women meaning that their chances of conception can be reduced. Some of the problems more common in over 35's that contribute to infertility are endometriosis where the endometrial cells grow or fuse abnormally, blocked fallopian tubes and fibroids, which are benign ovarian tumours. However, most of the time this simply means that it may take women over 35 a little longer to conceive. Fertility treatments are also available, making pregnancy over 35 a possibility for most women.
So while falling pregnant for women over 35 is usually not a problem, there are some risks that need to be taken into account. Women over 35 are slightly more susceptible to miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth as well as other complications such as gestational diabetes, a blood glucose problem in pregnant women previously undiagnosed with diabetes that can lead to birth complications. However, this condition can be treated. Another is pregnancy-induced hypertension, which may prove dangerous to the foetus but this can be closely monitored and mothers can prepare themselves by selecting a hospital with advanced life support for babies in case of birth complications. It is important to remember that the health of the woman in question has a lot to do with the success of her pregnancy, and women who smoke, drink excessively, consistently take prescription medicine or suffer from obesity are far more likely to encounter difficulties during pregnancy.
What all this means is that women over 35 simply have to take more precautions than their younger counterparts and one of the best ways to determine your situation is with screening. All women must undergo a screening test at 12 weeks along with nucal fold thickness and blood tests whereby the risks of birth defects and complications can be determined. If the tests show that your baby is at high risk of having chromosomal birth defects then you can go on to have an amniocentesis - a diagnostic birth defect test. Fastidious prenatal care is important for all pregnant women but especially for over 35's. Your doctor will tell you exactly what you need to do for your pregnancy and there is every reason for it to be perfectly healthy.
While there are some extra precautions one needs to take when having children later in life, there are also some great advantages to being a slightly older mother. By having a child when you have established your career and are financially more stable, you reduce a lot of the pressure and stress that is commonly felt by younger mothers, enabling you to enjoy your pregnancy and your child even more. Mothers in their twenties and early thirties sometimes feel overwhelmed and mentally under-prepared when their babies arrive in the world. It is also often the case that younger mothers feel like they've missed out on a part of their lives that they can never get back. Being older, you have already achieved many of your life goals and will probably feel far more confident and content in settling down with children.
It can also be hugely beneficial having a more experienced view on the world as your parenting skills are more likely to be grounded in personal knowledge. You will probably be able to make wiser, more measured parenting decisions than you would have five years ago. You are also more likely to cultivate a strong sense of self and identity in your children, having had time to fully grow into who you are.
As with most big decisions in life it is worthwhile weighing up the pros and cons. Naturally there are some aspects to being pregnant over 35 that require more attention than younger pregnancies, but most of these issues can be dealt with fairly easily. The benefits of being an older mother far outweigh these issues.
www.americanpregnancy.org; www.webmd.com; www.pregnancy.about.com
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