Setting off – Taming morning sickness

Morning sickness can take you away from the celebration of your conception in a number of ways. These include preventing your body from receiving adequate nutrients required for you and your baby. Consider the following tips to keep the first trimester from being overwhelmed by morning sickness.

• Eat frequent smaller meals, so that you are never too hungry or too full at one time. Try not to skip meals either.
• Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluids daily to avoid dehydration
• Sip fluids frequently in between meals, rather than with meals, to avoid stomach fullness at meal times
• Munch on small snacks during the day
• Eat crackers, bread or toast, cereal, or other bland foods especially when you wake up in the morning
• Get up slowly and do not lie down right after eating
• Avoid highly seasoned/spiced dishes
• Avoid fatty or fried foods
• Opt for cold dishes, which give off fewer aromas
• Try drinking chilled or frozen fluids
• Sniffing lemons or ginger can sometimes relieve an upset stomach
• Eating salty potato chips can help settle the stomach enough to eat a meal
• Check with your doctor if you are having problems with keeping food down

The second trimester is the most physically enjoyable time for most women because most of the pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness and nausea have now reduced. You will begin to notice your swelling abdomen and feel your baby’s first kicks.

Get into a mild exercise plan, of course with your doctor’s go ahead. This will be helpful during labour and delivery, to manage labour contractions and the pushing business during delivery. As your uterus continues to enlarge because of the growing baby, your normal clothes become smaller. Start shopping for comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Elastic waistbands and a larger bra may feel better than your usual clothing.

Your balance may become affected with your shifting body weight. So walk carefully to avoid stumbling or falling. Eat healthy and take vitamins. Get a balanced diet and drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Avoid more than a cup or two of coffee or tea daily.

Don’t overdo it. Women who feel better during their second trimesters sometimes tend to forget they are pregnant and that they should take it easy. They may take on too many activities or too much work. Keep doctor appointments. Just because you feel well doesn’t mean you don’t need to see your doctor. Monthly visits will ensure you and your baby stay in good health.

As the belly expands, some women may develop stretch marks. These occur in approximately half of all pregnancies and half of pregnancy. If you do get stretch marks, don’t worry since most of them will fade away after delivery and are barely noticeable.

Nevertheless, here are some tips to help prevent them:

• Keep your weight gain steady and under control
• Promote elasticity in your skin by nourishing it with a good diet
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
• Use a stretch-mark cream or a prevention cream

They say it is darkest before dawn. No wonder the last trimester comes with a number of challenges. The following are encounters that can make your third trimester really difficult, and how to keep them away:

Heartburn:
Pressure from your growing foetus can constrict your digestive tract, forcing stomach contents back up through the oesophagus causing heartburn. Eat small, regular meals, chewing food thoroughly. Eat slowly and don’t lie down for at least an hour after that.

Appetite loss
The pressure of the growing foetus in your abdomen leaves less room for food. Eat small and more frequently; say a snack every 3 to 4 hours. Don’t accompany a meal with water or juice. Liquids are likely to fill your stomach quickly, taking up room for solid food you need to eat.

Constipation 
This happens a lot in the first trimester, but again often reappears in the third trimester. Try take your required fluid intake-when you are not eating, and laxative fruits like paw paw and food that has a good amount of roughage which would help in moving bowels.

Fatigue & breathlessness 
Pressure of the stretching uterus on your respiratory system can cause shortness of breath even with mild activity. Go easy on your activities. At this stage the grown belly can make it hard to get the most comfortable sleeping position-and thus the sleeplessness that results into fatigue. Pregnancy sleeping pillows can come in handy.

Oedema 
This is the mild swelling, especially in your legs and feet expected during pregnancy. It can be influenced by gene types. Make a point of taking in more water and resting raising your legs up after activity. Check with your doctor to rule out high blood pressure.

High blood pressure 
If your oedema is more serious, it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Eclampsia is a severe condition associated with high blood pressure (HBP). Even women who usually don’t have high blood pressure sometimes develop HBP in pregnancy. This can restrict blood flow to the placenta and rob your foetus of oxygen and vital nutrients. Should it happen, stay off your feet and keep close contact with your doctor.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
In the third trimester UTIs can have grave effects like developing into kidney infection. Kidney infections can provoke pre-term labour. See your health care provider as soon as you notice any UTI symptoms.

END: PG 33 /40-41