Answers To Common Pregnancy Concerns
By: Julie Fletcher
During your pregnancy you will no doubt have many questions and concerns. While it is impossible for one article to address every question you may have, we will try to discuss the most common. No matter how much research you conduct during your pregnancy, you should always consult your doctor or midwife about your concerns. Perhaps you feel that some of your questions are silly or insignificant, but rest assured that your practitioner has heard everything!
Almost as soon as you have had a positive pregnancy test, you may begin to wonder about weight gain. How much will you gain? What is normal? Have I gained too much? Too little? All very common questions that nearly all pregnant women think of. Usually during the first trimester a woman gains about one pound per month, then afterwards this number can go up to one pound per week. Most doctors recommend a gain off between twenty eight and thirty pounds. Here is a very generalized breakdown off the weight you may gain:
Baby: 6 ½ to 8 pounds
Breasts: 1 to 3 pounds
Womb: 1 ½ to 2 pounds
Placenta: 1 to 1 ½ pounds
Amniotic Fluid: 2 pounds
Other fluids: 2 to 4 pounds
Extra Fat: 6 to 8 pounds
Extra Blood Volume: 3 to 4 pounds
Keep in mind that these numbers are a rough estimate of what is considered ‘normal’. What is normal for one woman may differ widely from what is normal for another. There are women who gain very little or even lose weight during pregnancy. Losing weight can be a cause for concern, just as too much weight gain can be. Your doctor can give you advice on how much weight is right for you.
The changes that your body will go through aside from weight gain can be frightening to contemplate for first time moms to be. Hearing horror stories from their mothers, friends, and even strangers can drive many women to tears. Cramps, stretch marks, morning sickness, and the other common symptoms of pregnancy are only the ‘bad’ things that some people like to dwell on. Pregnancy symptoms such as these are normally not health threatening. Even the most severe symptoms can usually be controlled by diet and occasionally medications prescribed by your doctor.
Hip and other ligament pain can occur at any time during pregnancy. The ligaments in the hips soften and can give a feeling of weakness early in pregnancy. Most notably common in second and later pregnancies, ligament pain severe enough to cause trouble walking upon rising from a lying or sitting position is common. Rising slowly and using acetaminophen to relive pain may help. If the pain is severe, talk with your doctor.
Your emotions can go on a roller coaster of highs and lows throughout your pregnancy. Hormonal changes cause emotional symptoms much like those experienced during the premenstrual cycle. Unlike PMS, hormonal changes in pregnancy last the entire term and after. Because of these changes, women can feel very worried that they are ‘losing their minds’. This is not true in the large percentage of pregnancies. In a small percentage, women can experience severe depression and need extra help from medications to control third emotional distress. A doctor can help determine which medication is right. All medications carry some sort of risk to a pregnancy, but with severe emotional issues, the benefit may just outweigh the risk.
An ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy outside of the uterus is a valid cause for concern. When an egg that has been fertilized implants itself outside of the womb, this is an ectopic pregnancy. Some occur in the fallopian tubes and others may somehow find their way into the abdominal cavity, attaching to internal organs. These pregnancies must be ended for the health of the mother. A positive pregnancy test that is followed by pain in the abdominal area should be examined by a doctor. This is a rare occurrence and can be detected by an ultrasound. Some cramping is normal in pregnancy, even early on, so do not panic, but do inform your doctor of any pain.
Probably the most common concern of all couples, ironically usually the male half, is that having sex will somehow damage the pregnancy, baby, or cause a miscarriage. This is simply not true. Sex is safe during pregnancy, unless your doctor specifically asks you to not have intercourse. If you and your partner are very worried about having traditional intercourse, there are other options that can be satisfying, such as oral sex or mutual masturbation. Orgasm causes contractions off the uterus and may worry you, but are safe as long as your doctor has not warned you to not have an orgasm to stimulate contractions, such as with preterm labor risks.
Any and all concerns you have can normally be relieved by speaking with your practitioner. A safe and happy pregnancy will result, as long as you do not panic over every cramp or old wives tale that is passed on to you. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy, soon enough you will have a lovely baby to cuddle, no matter how many legends you are exposed to.