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Sweet Pea ​Births
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Stay Safe and Cool Through Your Summer Pregnancy - Part 1
| Posted on June 7, 2016 at 9:31 PM |
comments (166)
|
 Ideas to Have a Safe Pregnancy During the Summer Months - Hello, Mr. Sun!My friend and colleague Tina Lebedies suggested this topic. As it turns out, there is a lot to write about when it comes to coping with
the heat while you are pregnant! So this is how I am going to organize this topic: I am going to split in two parts. Today I am going to share
why it is so important that you take extra care – be a Drama Queen when it comes
to taking care of yourself if you are pregnant in the summer. Then I am going to list the concerns with
their symptoms and suggestions to ease the symptoms. Check back on Friday for Part 2 of this post. I am going to share some ideas
and give you some tips to stay cool and live smart through the summer months. We are lucky in Arizona – to stay cool we head indoors or
get wet and then let our skin air dry.
In humid climates, the added moisture makes it harder to stay cool – I
am glad we live in a dry heat! I had three summer pregnancies that lasted through July, and two went through September!! We are not good planners in that department - LOL. At least, now I am well-versed in finding to cool off and stay cool – for that I will count my blessings. It comes in handy now that I am toting four Sweet Peas through the hot summer months :) The first thing I am going to point out as a Bradley Method®
instructor is that keeping track of your diet and fluid intake is of utmost
importance, even more so in the summer. Eat between 80 – 100 grams of protein per day, and include
salt in that equation to keep a balanced diet. I cringe when I read pregnancy articles that
suggest a pregnant woman should reduce her salt intake if she is swelling. Cutting back on salt can cause a decrease in the amount of
blood circulating through your body and placenta (a condition called “hypovolemia”),
thus reducing the supply of nutrients passing to your baby. How will you know if you are not getting
enough salt? Too little salt in the diet
leads to leg cramps and fatigue, so if you are experiencing these symptoms
exclusive of the heat factors I am going to write about below, try salting your
food to taste and see if those symptoms are minimized or go away altogether.  BE A DRAMA QUEENI assure you that you are not the only pregnant person who
is feeling just a tad hotter than usual this summer. It doesn’t matter if you are still in your
first trimester – you will be a little hotter even though your body doesn’t
show your pregnancy yet. In some ways
it’s even more important that you protect yourself because it is a time of
crucial development where overheating can have devastating effects on the baby. If you have already been making your coach
take care of you and he or she thinks you are being over-dramatic, then have
them read this post, or any of the “official” articles I reference at the end
of the post. Why You Feel Hotter There are several reasons why your core body temperature is
elevated: 1. Your body is
undergoing hormonal fluctuations. 2. You are carrying
the extra weight of your baby, and if you are like me, you have extra padding your
body insists on adding on, no matter how well you eat and how often you exercise. 3. Your body is
working to cool your body, plus the body of your growing baby. 4. Your increased
metabolism also increases your body temperature, and it works harder as your
baby demands more from your body. Why You Need To Insulate Baby Your baby’s body temperature is 1°C (almost 2°F) warmer than
your body temperature, and they cannot sweat to cool themselves down. The only thing cooling your baby is your
body’s knowledge of how to grow your baby.
If your body starts to heat up and it can no longer work to keep your
baby’s temperature down, there are many things that could happen. Whatever the trimester, your baby’s heart rate could start
to go up. In regards to the first
trimester specifically, studies have shown that babies are especially susceptible
to heat stress in the first trimester of pregnancy when the major body systems
are developing. An elevation in the
pregnant mothers body temperature above a safe range has been associated with
birth defects such as heart problems, abdominal wall defects, nervous system
malformation and neural tube defects.
Exposure to extreme heat could also increase the risk factor for
experiencing a miscarriage or pre-term labor. CONCERNS DURING PREGNANCY DEHYDRATION Dehydration – a condition in which your body does not have
the fluid it needs to maintain healthy body function. When you are living for two, staying hydrated
is even more important. If you are
dehydrated, it could cause the baby’s heart to beat too quickly. It can also increase your risk of pre-term
labor. The decrease in blood volume
causes an increase in the concentration of oxytocin. Oxytocin the hormone that causes contractions
to begin and intensify, and an excess of oxytocin is not a good thing unless
you are supposed to be in labor. One of the first signs that you are dehydrated is feeling
thirsty. If you are feeling like you
really could use a drink, then you are already dehydrated – find a
non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage ASAP and drink it! Other signs of dehydration are dry or chapped lips, dry
skin, fatigue, constipation or decreased movement from your baby. If you are experiencing these symptoms, get
yourself to a place with cooler temperature, have a seat and drink some water
or fruit juice. If your symptoms don’t
improve, or your baby doesn’t start increasing their movements within the next
hour, call your care provider and ask for further instructions and/or head to a
hospital emergency room. Fluid Retention and Dehydration A pregnant woman carries an average of 15 pounds of extra
fluid to support the physiological changes during pregnancy. This is considered to be a normal amount of
fluid increase, sometimes called physiological edema. A little more than half of that fluid is used
to replace the amniotic fluid (it is replaced every hour by using about a cup
of water that is stored in the body), it helps to hydrate and nurture the cells
of the baby and the placenta. The rest
of it is used in the bloodstream to carry more oxygen and nutrients to the mom
and the baby, and to remove waste products from the mom and the baby. Interestingly, fluid retention, as opposed to the fluid
increase I described above, may contribute to dehydration. If you are retaining fluids, the fluid is
absent within the cells where it is needed.
Instead, the fluid is retained in the space around the cells, causing
the pregnant mom to look puffy and swollen. Whether it’s normal physiological edema or fluid retention,
you may notice that your feet and ankles are uncomfortably swollen. This happens since your legs are lower than
the level of your heart. It’s harder for
blood to work against gravity even when you are not pregnant, so add pregnancy on
top of that and you start to swell. Add in
the fact that your growing uterus puts pressure on the veins traveling up
towards the heart, and voila, you have swollen feet and ankles. You can relieve this swelling by making sure you are
drinking enough water. Believe it or
not, drinking water can reduce your swelling!
While it doesn't seem like it makes sense to get rid of fluids by taking
in more, the extra fluids will help flush out your system of waste products
which may have increased the swelling in the first place. On the flip side, I should also tell you that it’s possible
to get too much water, also known as water intoxication. In this case, the extreme saturation of water
in your body dilutes the necessary electrolytes too much. This can cause fatigued muscles, muscle
cramps and even unconsciousness in the extreme cases. Use good judgment when it comes to your fluid intake – at
least 8 – 10 glasses of water a day if you are moderately active, and more if
you are more active. As I mentioned
above, if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Have that drink of water even if it means
it’s the 12th or 13th drink you have had that day. If your thirst persists, it may be time to
call your care provider. Here are some other things to do to decrease swelling and
its discomforts: take rings off swollen
fingers, use flat and/or open toed shoes, and avoid prolonged sitting or
standing positions that allow your blood to pool. If your activity or job requires you to stay
in a standing position for an extended period of time, you can get up and take
a five-minute walk or march in place to encourage circulation. If you must sit,
do it in such a way that shortens the distance between your heart and your
feet, such as propping your feet up on a bench or footstool. The best sitting
position for circulation is tailor sitting, so sit on the floor when possible,
or armless chair if you are at a desk or table.
No matter what the activity, you can also try a maternity belt to lift
your uterus up and allow for better circulation. My favorite way to reduce pregnancy swelling is resting in a
side-lying position for 20 – 30 minutes at a time, at least twice a day. When you lay down, elevate your feet. You can do this by putting a rolled up
blanket or towel underneath your mattress, or propping your feet up on
pillows. It is easier to find time for this
if you are expecting your first child – use the time to meditate about the
upcoming birth and fill your mind with positive thoughts and affirmations. Even if you are mom of other children, find the time to lie
down twice a day and invite them to join you.
You can use this time to tell older siblings their birth stories, look
at pictures of their birth and talk about who came to visit them when they were
born. This can serve to open the lines
of communication and talk about their feelings about the new baby, whatever
they may be. Finding time to talk to
your children is something you will always treasure. HYPERTHERMIA  Hyperthermia, or over-heating, is one of the most dangerous
conditions of pregnancy. It can start
with something as seemingly benign as heat cramps; proceed to heat exhaustion,
and quickly progress to the life-threatening condition of heat stroke. May I remind you again? It’s okay to be a Drama Queen when it comes to
staying cool and comfortable during the summer months.These are the warning signs of hyperthermia. As with any sign that your pregnancy is
moving outside of normal, it is important to get rest and replenish your
fluids. It is imperative that you call
your care provider if you experience any of these symptoms and it’s not close
to your due date, and you know you been exposed to intense sun and/or heat. If these symptoms persist after rest and
fluid intake, ask yourself if you should be heading to the nearest hospital: 1. More than five
contractions or cramps per hour 2. Bright red vaginal
bleeding 3. Acute or
continuous vomiting 4. Low, dull backache 5. Intense pelvic
pressure 6. Swelling or
puffiness of the face or hands – this could be a sign of preeclampsia Heat Cramps Heat cramps are the earliest warning sign of hyperthermia. This typically follows after heavy
perspiration. The loss of electrolytes
leads to muscle spasms. If and when you
experience any cramping after a lot of perspiration, listen to your body. Take steps to reduce your body temperature
immediately and replenish the electrolytes in your body. If you can recognize and ward off a dangerous
rise in body temperature at the beginning, you may be able avoid the other
dangers and complications of hyperthermia. Heat Exhaustion Heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged exposure to high
temperatures, a restricted fluid intake or the failure of the body’s mechanism
to regulate your temperature. Signs that
you might be experiencing heat exhaustion are: - Skin that may feel cool and moist and appear pale - Headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness, faintness,
light-headedness, fatigue, exhaustion, mental confusion, anxiety, muscle cramps - Rapid, weak pulse - Breathing may be fast and shallow or it may feel like you
have shortness of breath - Blood pressure may drop I will repeat, the best thing to do if you experience any of
these symptoms or warning signs is to take steps to reduce your body
temperature immediately and replenish the electrolytes in your body. These are more serious signs, so please don’t
hesitate to enlist the help of strangers to assist you to a cooler place and to
bring you water or other fluids, such as juice or an electrolyte drink. Heat Stroke Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires
immediate medical attention. When you
experience any of these symptoms due to prolonged exposure to high
temperatures, a restricted fluid intake or the failure of the body’s mechanism
to regulate your temperature, the impact on the body is much greater. As a Bradley Method® instructor we cannot
give you medical advice, what we can and always will tell you to do in these
situations is to call your care provider and get yourself to the nearest
hospital to ensure that both mother and baby are attended to as soon as
possible. Signs of heat stroke: - Body temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) or hotter - Mental confusion - Combative and bizarre behavior - Staggering - Faintness - Strong and rapid pulse (160-180 bpm) - Skin will become dry and flushed - Sweat very little - Quickly lose consciousness and have convulsions The two conditions I described today, dehydration and hyperthermia, can become medical complications that can compromise both you and your baby if you don't take simple steps to prevent them. It bears repeating that staying hydrated, getting rest, and staying out of the heat and direct sunlight as much as possible are some of the simple yet effective steps you can take to stay safe and cool through the summer months. Check back on Friday for a detailed list of ideas that you can use ranging from clothing to fluids and foods to sun safety. Many of the ways to stay cool take minimal effort and do not require you to spend a lot of money. Frugal is good in these interesting times! Disclaimer: References: http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-pregnancy.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52172 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51783 http://www.pregnancytoday.com/articles/healthy-safe-pregnancy/pregnant-during-the-summer-months-3185/ http://www.suite101.com/content/coping-with-the-heat-in-pregnancy-a129230
http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_health_fitness/hot_summer_safety.htm
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/jun/18/staying-cool-pregnant-women-face-greater-risks/ http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pampering/summer-pregnancy-issues/?page=5 http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pampering/summer-pregnancy-issues/?page=6 |
Waiting For Baby
| Posted on May 27, 2016 at 8:54 AM |
comments (321)
|
 Originally posted Fall 2011 - sharing today since some of our Spring 2016 mamas are starting to approach their EDD's)So
your estimated due date is approaching...or maybe it has passed. Those
little ones we are carrying are happily ensconced in their warm, loving
homes. To us “carriers”, it feels like we have been pregnant forever!! I
remember that feeling very well. We have always had the good fortune
of having our babies before our due date. I am mentally preparing for
this baby to be the one that teaches us how to wait...and since we are
not planning to have any more children after this, reminding myself to
treasure every moment of the pregnancy...I’ll get back to you on that
after our baby is born. (Our youngest was born at 38 weeks - got lucky again!) As
a reminder, if you are a first-time mom, there was a Harvard study
published in the June 1990 edition of the medical journal Obstetrics
& Gynecology that demonstrated that we are probably not allowing
enough time when estimating due dates (read more). We give a copy of
this article to our students on the first evening of class. It is a
retrospective evaluation of pregnancies between April 1, 1983 and March
31, 1984. The
conclusion of that study was that the median estimated due date for
primiparas (first-time mothers) should be 8 days later than Naegele’s
rule (the 40 week date used to estimate due dates - it’s been around
since 1830), and that multiparas should have an estimated due date that
was 3 days later than Naegele’s rule. Per their study, if you are 41
weeks as a first-time mother, your baby might just be arriving to the
point when he or she is ready to be born. For
some of us, it is hard to be in the last two weeks before your due
date, wondering when labor is going to start. If you are personally
tired of being pregnant, it is hard to remember that every day your baby
is inside your womb is a day he or she needs to finish their
preparation for “life on the outside”. Because you are big, hot and
uncomfortable, and you are ready to be done!! I cannot even imagine
what it’s like to go past your estimated due date and then have people
you know constantly asking, “Is the baby here yet?” or, “Have you had
that baby yet?” At
that point, you might as well get a t-shirt made that says “Obviously
STILL Pregnant”. If your family and friends are constantly calling to
check on you, you could screen your calls. Change your phone message to
say “Still pregnant - don’t call me, I’ll call you! Leave me a message
if you are calling about something else.” All
kidding aside, here are some ideas that have been shared on our Facebook page that I hope
will help you pass the time as you wait for your baby to arrive safely
into your loving arms. From a Series 2 Coach: “[We] Reviewed Bradley® material,
continued to think about our own birth plan and contingencies,
continued to exercise (Kegel), and practiced relaxation techniques. Bags
packed, gas tank filled, friends/family/support group info programmed
into phone, phone charger? We also enjoyed the peaceful time we shared
as a couple and thought about our soon to be family of 3. Slept a bunch
too. Ahhhhh..... sleep.” From a reader in Phoenix, AZ: “My
confession: I had gathered supplies to bake birth-day cupcakes during
early labor. At about 10 days past ''due date,'' I caved in, baked the
cupcakes, and ate them! Our son arrived two days later. Despite our
Bradley® training, I was a bit impatient and I definitely learned my lesson!” From one of our Bradley® teachers: “The other kids kept me busy. Eating out is always a help.” From moms in our Series 2 and Series 4: “Retail therapy!” I
know one of our students from our Spring Series 5 is busy quilting a
blanket while she waits for her labor to start - they are already “past
due” their estimated due date by seven days. To
piggyback on the advice from our Series 2 Coach, it is vitally
important that you keep up with your exercise and relaxation practice.
Exercise is important to keep your stamina and your energy up, as well
as keep your circulation going. Some moms experience swelling in the
last weeks of pregnancy. Doing regular cardiovascular exercise will
make sure that things are circulating through your body as needed. The
pregnancy exercises will continue to keep you in good shape for your
athletic event, whether you have a “sprint” or a “marathon” birth. It
has been proven that exercise also produce endorphins. These “good
guys” will be a great asset to you if you are feeling a little cranky
about being uncomfortable. Anything you can do to stay positive will
help you have a better labor. Relaxation
practice is another key for coping with an approaching or passing due
date. It helps both mom and coach increase in their confidence to
manage their natural labor. If mom knows that coach knows what they are
doing, it will help her achieve deeper relaxation to manage the
discomforts of labor. If coach knows they know what they are doing,
they are confident and unwavering in their support. Relaxation
practice also helps keep mom’s blood pressure lower. If you go past
your due date, your blood pressure will be monitored every visit. The
better your reading, the less likely you are to be pressured to “do a
little something to speed things along” or schedule an induction. I
spent the last two weeks of our first pregnancy preparing Puma’s
pregnancy scrapbook. The attention to detail and the loving touches
made the time worthwhile. To date, she is the only one with a real book
- that was the last time I have made the time to work on one. The rest
of the kiddos have their items gathered and labeled...one of these days
there will be time again. If
you have older children, I find it’s important to spend one-on-one time
with them, too, wherever you are in respect to your due date. I do
have virtual albums made for each of the kiddos - they are a great help
as we prepare to welcome our fourth child. I use our special time to
look at their pictures with them, tell them their birth story, and
remind them that they were once babies, too. The
albums show their birth and their first year in our family. The
pictures show them how we took care of them, and we can relate how we
will be doing things for the new baby. You can also remind them that
you will always love them despite the fact it will seem like you are
spending most your time with the new baby. It may feel like the baby is
going to be a baby forever - showing them the pictures of their quick
progression may help demonstrate that this time will pass and soon they
will have more of your attention again. “Banking” some special time
with them now may help decrease the jealousy after baby arrives. I
would also suggest making time with your spouse. Create special date
nights for just the two of you, for it will be the last time you are
just the two of you, or “the parents of # children.” This is a time you
can spend talking about the plans for your birth, your hopes and dreams
for your children, and reminiscing about the days you fell in love.
Although it will feel like there is less “couple time” after your baby
is born, I hope that you will be as blessed as we are with the birth.
Inexplicably, we are more and more in love with each other after each
birth when it seems like we just couldn’t love each other any more than
the overabundance of love we felt already. Have you documented your pregnancy yet? Make time to have a belly-cast done, or have some pregnancy pictures taken. You can share some laughs with the person doing your belly cast. Find a fun place to take pregnancy photos - maybe a botanical garden, the zoo, a historical building. Not only will you have a good day trip, but your child will have some great stories to hear some day when you tell them about the pictures. If
you are artistic, you can dedicate some time to writing, painting or
drawing. You can dedicate your art to the new baby, or explore your
feelings about your pregnancy through your art. These pieces will
probably become treasured keepsakes to your children. If
you are so inclined, you can also sew, knit, or crochet a blanket or
baby clothes. Older siblings might enjoy having an item of clothing or
outfit made out of the same fabric or yarn to show that they are all
going to be part of the family now. Just wear your “STILL Pregnant”
t-shirt when you go to the fabric store! It has been my experience that
the ladies at the fabric counter love to chat up pregnant customers. Best wishes to you if you are near or past your due date. Please feel free to drop me a line at [email protected] if you would like us to pray for you. Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It
is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical
advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider
to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own
situation. This blog contains information about our classes available in
Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The
Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily
reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of
Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Reference: Harvard Study: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Vol. 75, No. 6, June 1990, pgs 929-932 |