THE MOM IN ME - 10

Every woman's labour is different. So pinpointing when yours begins isn't really possible. However, some specific changes take place in pre-labour, early labour and established (active) labour.

In pre-labour or early labour (the latent phase), you may have:
Persistent lower back pain or abdominal pain, with a pre-menstrual feeling and cramps.
Painful contractions that occur at regular and increasingly shorter intervals, and become longer and stronger in intensity.
Broken waters. Your membranes may rupture with a gush or a trickle of amniotic fluid. Either way, call your maternity unit to let them know.
A brownish or blood-tinged mucus discharge (bloody show). If you pass the mucus plug that blocks the cervix, labour could be imminent, or it could be several days away. It's a sign that things are moving along.
An upset tummy or loose bowels.
A period of feeling very emotional or moody.
Disrupted sleep.

How you will feel in the pre-labour or early labour phases depends on:
Whether you've had a baby before.
How you perceive and respond to pain.
How prepared you are for what going into labour may be like.
When should I call my midwife?
You have probably talked to your midwife about what to do when you think you're in active labour. But if you're not sure whether or not the time has come, don't be embarrassed to call. Midwives are used to getting calls from women who are uncertain if they're in early labour or active labour, and who need guidance. It's part of their job.

A midwife can tell a lot by the tone of your voice, so talking helps. She'll want to know how close together your contractions are, whether you can talk through a contraction, and any other symptoms you may have.

If you're planning to have your baby in hospital or in a birth centre, she may ask you to come in so she can make an assessment.

If she thinks you're still in early labour, she is likely to encourage you to go home until you're in stronger active labour. Her decision will depend on how you're coping and whether you've got a birth partner to support you.

You should contact your midwife or doctor if:
Your waters break, or if you suspect you're leaking amniotic fluid.
Your baby is moving less than usual.
You have vaginal bleeding (unless it's just a small amount after a membrane sweep or the blood-tinged mucus of the show).
You have a fever, severe headaches, changes in your vision, along with abdominal pain.

See our list of other pregnancy symptoms you shouldn't ignore, in case anything else is worrying you.

You and your partner could also watch our video on how to help you understand pregnancy strains.
What should I do early on in labour?
This will depend on what time of day it is, what you like doing, and how you're feeling. Keeping calm and relaxed will help your body to release the hormone oxytocin that you need for your labour to progress and will help you to cope with the contractions. Do whatever will help you to stay relaxed.

This could mean watching your favourite film, going for a walk, pottering around at home, or asking a trusted friend or relative over to keep you company. You could alternate between walking and resting, or try taking a warm bath or shower to ease any aches and pains. If you can, try to get some rest to prepare you for the work ahead.

During early labour, you may feel hungry, so eat and drink if you feel like it. This will help to comfort you and may even help your labour to progress more smoothly.

Early labour is a good time to try out different positions, breathing techniques and visualisations to see if they help you to cope with the contractions. If you've got a TENS machine, early labour is the time to use it.
Can I have contractions and not be in labour?
Yes. You can have pre-labour contractions. These help your cervix to go through the changes it needs to before it starts to dilate. During dilation, your cervix moves from the back (posterior position) to the front (anterior position). It will also be shortening and thinning (softening and effacing).

These changes may take place without you noticing over the last few weeks of your pregnancy. Or you may experience hours or days of cramps or contractions. These may be progressing the early changes in your cervix, even though they may not be dilating your cervix yet.

A midwife can confirm whether cervical changes have started during an examination. At your 40 week appointment your cervix may be firm and unyielding, while at the next appointment it may be "paper thin" and starting to open.

If your baby has his head down but his back to your back, it can take longer for his head to engage and for labour to start. Your contractions may be erratic and low in intensity, and you may have backache.

Your midwife will advise you about ways to cope at home until labour becomes stronger. You could take a dose of paracetamol or try a warm bath or massage to relieve the pain. If your baby is back-to-back, getting into an all-fours position, on your hands and knees, for half an hour or so now and again can help relieve backache.
Can I tell if labour is about to happen soon?
Maybe. Signs of the approach of labour include:
Lightening, when your baby's head begins to drop into position in your pelvis. You may be able to breathe more deeply and eat more, but you'll also need to wee more frequently, and walking may be more difficult.
Heavier and more mucus vaginal discharge.
More frequent and noticeably more intense Braxton Hicks contractions.
Mood swings and a surge of energy.
A sudden urge to clean your home!

THE MOM IN ME - 9

Your next trimester sets in with more changes and more eagerness for you to want to see your baby.

At the end of the seventh month of pregnancy fat begins to be deposited on your baby. Your baby is about 36 cm (14 inches) long and weighs from about 900 - 1800g (two to four pounds). Your baby's hearing is fully developed and he or she changes position frequently and responds to stimuli, including sound, pain, and light.If born prematurely, your baby would probably survive after the seventh month of pregnancy.

Eighth month of pregnancy is when...Your baby, who is now about 46cm (18 inches) long and weighs as much as about 2.27 kg (five pounds), will continue to mature and develop body fat reserves. You may notice that your baby is kicking more. Baby's brain is developing rapidly at this time, and he or she can see and hear. Most internal systems are well developed, but the lungs may still be immature.

The ninth Month of Pregnancy is all about walking towards the end of the third trimester ...your baby continues to grow and mature. His or her lungs are nearly fully developed. Your baby's reflexes are coordinated so he or she can blink, close the eyes turn the head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light, and touch.Your baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down in your pelvis, and usually his or her head is facing down toward the birth canal.By the end of this pregnancy month, your baby is about 46- 51cm (18 to 20 inches) long and weighs about 3.2kg (seven pounds).

On a more serious note .. i did mention in my previous blog about the more sever complications associated with pregnancy. This is a more important part coz this is something I PERSONALLY WENT THROUGH. Although i must insist and request that do not get scared or disheartened with pregnancy.. no matter the problems it still is the most beautiful journey coz the destination will be your reward.

So im going to tell you about a syndrome called as H-E-L-L-P.
 HELLP Syndrome is a series of symptoms that make up a syndrome that can affect pregnant women. HELLP syndrome is thought to be a variant of preeclampsia but it may be an entity all on its own. There are still many questions about the serious condition of HELLP syndrome. The cause is still unclear to many doctors and often HELLP syndrome is misdiagnosed. It is believed that HELLP syndrome affects about 0.2 to 0.6 percent of all pregnancies.
The name HELLP stands for:

• H- hemolysis ( breakdown of red blood cells)
• EL- elevated liver enzymes (liver function)
• LP- low platelets counts (platelets help the blood clot)

It is often assumed that HELLP Syndrome will always occur in connection with preeclampsia, but there are times when the symptoms of HELLP will occur without a diagnosis of preeclampsia being made. About 4-12% of women with diagnosed preeclampsia will develop HELLP syndrome. Unfortunately since the symptoms of HELLP syndrome may be the first sign of preeclampsia, this is what can often lead to a misdiagnoses. The symptoms of HELLP may cause misdiagnoses of other conditions such as hepatitis, gallbladder disease, or idiopathic/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP, which is a bleeding disorder.)

THIS IN PATICULAR IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS NOT DIAGNOSED EARLY AND ALSO I WAS A PIH PATIENT.. SO THROMBOCYTOPENIA IS WHAT HIT ME IN THIS CONDITION.

The most common symptoms of HELLP syndrome include:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting that continue to get worse (this may also feel like a serious case of the flu.)
• Upper right abdominal pain or tenderness
• Fatigue or malaise

A woman with HELLP may experience other symptoms that often can be attributed to other things such as normal pregnancy concerns or other pregnancy conditions. These symptoms may include:

• Visual disturbances
• High blood pressure
• Protein in urine
• Edema (swelling)
• Severe headaches
• Bleeding

TREATMENT IN HELLP:
Because the symptoms of HELP can mimic many other conditions or complications, you'll be made run a series of blood tests, including liver function, on any woman experiencing symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy. HELLP syndrome may occur before the third trimester but it is rare. It also may occur within 48 hours of delivery, although symptoms may take up to 7 days to be evident.
Blood pressure measurements and urine tests to check for protein are often monitored when diagnosing HELLP syndrome.
Low PLATELET count is what is the most significant... thus the body has no or less immunity to fight the disease.
On a more personal front i must mention that MY PLATELET count on diagnosis was only 9000.. so ..
The treatment of HELLP Syndrome is primarily based on the gestation of the pregnancy, but delivery of the baby is the best way to stop this condition from causing any serious complications for mom and baby. Most symptoms and side effects of HELLP will subside within 2-3 days of delivery.
If the pregnancy is less than 34 weeks gestation, doctors usually try to evaluate lung function of baby to see how well delivery would be handled.
Treatment’s that may be used to manage HELLP until baby is delivered include:

• Bed rest and admission into a medical facility to be monitored closely
• Corticosteroid ( to help babies lungs develop more rapidly)
• Magnesium Sulfate ( to help prevent seizures)
• Blood transfusion if platelet count gets too low
• Blood pressure medication
• Fetal monitoring and tests including biophysical tests, sonograms, non stress tests and fetal movement evaluation

If pregnancy is over 34 weeks gestation or the symptoms of HELLP begin to worsen, delivery is the recommended course of treatment.

CAUSE OF HELLP:
 It is still unclear what exactly causes HELLP syndrome. Although it is more common in women who have preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension, there are still a number of women who get it without previously showing signs of preeclampsia.
The following is a list of factors that are believed to increase the risk of a woman developing HELLP syndrome:

• Previous pregnancy with HELLP Syndrome (19-27% chance of recurrence in each pregnancy)
• Preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension
• Women over the age of 25
• Caucasian
• Multiparous (given birth two or more times)

If HELLP syndrome is undiagnosed or untreated, it can result in life threatening complications for both mother and baby.
Due to this syndrome I went through a lot of other complications like

Pulmonary Edema ( fluid buildup in the lung)

Adult Respiratory distress syndrome (lung failure)

Acute renal failure

The maternal mortality rate is about 1.1% with HELLP syndrome. The infant morbidity and mortality rate is anywhere from 10-60% depending on many factors such as gestation of pregnancy, severity of symptoms and the promptness of treatment.
Because there is not a known cause for HELLP syndrome, there is also no identified way to prevent it. Early identification and treatment is the best way to keep HELLP syndrome from getting serious.
Since HELLP syndrome is believed to be related to preeclampsia, staying vigilant about diet, exercise and a healthy blood pressure can only help things!

Why i write about this syndrome in so much detail is because i went through it and i know how much i fought to survive ... and only because i survived this i am being able to exprience the bliss of motherhood.

THE MOM IN ME - 8

With your second trimester in flow more new aspects will b a part of this phase.

Like I have mentioned before..now comes the time where your curvature starts showing its little bump. So increase in clothes size is in order.

During these two months i.e. the sixth and seventh .. your body is going to start getting adjusted to the increase in the foetus size. So don't forget the tips I have given in my previous blogs. This is also the time when your look will be the obvious  'pregnant'. So girl enjoy growing all the way.

This phase is also the time of extreme care. This I say not to scare you but to educate you. Most problems that tag along with pregnancy start showing their ugly heads on your reports! The most common problems are high sugar levels and high blood pressure. Both of these being or rather sounding minor ..are still a point of extra care.

Diabetes during pregnancy can cause deformities in the foetus. So having your meds is very important. Although its a common thing in the new world of today .. with the kind of lifestyle we lead, yet being careless with it is not a good attitude. The drawback of this condition is that food intake and the form of food intake will have to be kept on check.

High blood pressure during pregnancy is termed as PIH -Pregnancy Induced Hypertension. If the range is not too high it does not cause too much damage but in many cases it has many risks. Few being .. in PIH moms the thought of normal delivery is jeopardized. This is because of the risk of heavy bleeding or any vessel rupture. Also the foetus is at risk  of having pressure on the kidneys and so does the mom. The common signs of PIH are swelling of feet. So if you are a PIH mom try not to be standing for long an sit with your legs stretched straight on a table. Also while sleeping keep a pillow under your feet to help reduce the swelling. Reduction in sodium intake in your food is a compulsion!

Also there are lot more complications that arise with PIH that is severe in many moms. In my next blog I will give a detailed understanding of few such complications which if treated on time can help in many ways.

More to come in my next blog.

About me- My name is Ruhi and am a mom of a lil toddler. These are my expriences of being a mom and the expriences that have been shared by my near and dear ones. Hope it helps mothers in some way to enjoy their motherhood.

Scans of a six-month foetus below.

THE MOM IN ME - 7

Your fourth and fifth months will be where a lot of changes will be visible. The moms who had been going through nausea for these months will find a decrease in the discomfort and by the fifth month the nausea will disappear completely in 90% women.

Also I forgot to mention that folic acid tablets will be discontinued by the end of the fourth month and you will begin your regular dosage of calcium and iron tabs. Like I've mentioned before please do not miss out on your tabs. They are very important. Also I've mentioned In my blogs before that forgetfulness is gonna be a part of pregnancy so.. if you tend to forget your tabs or other important chores you can use post it paper and write on it and stick it on your dresser or your refrigerator so that you can remember.

During your fifth month a visible increase in your stomach curvature will be there. This is because of the increase in the size of your uterus which now has a bigger and a well developed foetus. The size of the placenta will also be bigger and the amniotic fluid will have a reasonable amount of quantity in ratio to the size of your foetus. Around the mid to the end of your fifth month you will have your next ultra sound. Do not miss or delay this ultra sound. As this is the most important ultra sound in your maternity period. In this ultra sound there will be a detailed study of your baby .. it's vitals, it's growth, it's approximate weight, amount of amniotic fluid, check on any physical or metabolic abnormalities... so make sure you too get a detailed explanation from your gynac about your baby's stats. In India we tend not to study or learn about our medical needs and just trust blindly. There is no shyness or shamefulness in asking your doc about the life your incubating.. its your baby after all!!!!

Now on a more lighter front.. exercises can start in the right manner from this month. Pregnancy yoga will take a different level with the new trimester setting in. Also the new age moms are very used to wearing jeans as they are comfortable.. but with your size changes in order regular denims and jeans should be avoided ..actually stopped. The reality being that you will start feeling uncomfortable and suffocating in them. So buy maternity wear where you'll find the right type of jeans for your curvature to fit in. And don't try to fit or rather adjust yourself in oversized clothes.. your pregnant so there is no shame in flaunting that natural incubator your holding!!! So flaunt that new curvature... coz this the only time you'll  be called  'ROUND AND BEAUTIFUL'.. !!

More to come in my next blog.

About me- My name is Ruhi and am a mom of a lil toddler. These are my expriences of being a mom and the expriences that have been shared by my near and dear ones. Hope it helps mothers in some way to enjoy their motherhood.

Few pictures of fifth month ultra sounds.

THE MOM IN ME - 6

We have now understood what fathers will do to make pregnancy memorable for you. With your ultra sounds the preparations on future plans many a things will be on your mind.

Right now during your third month things will be more observable and more well analysed by you as you start getting used to the new life in you with a conscious mind. This is generally a good time to ask your doc about your vaccinations. Keeping a tap on it is very important. Also if you keep a check on it, it helps to make it a habit when you have to know your baby's vacation chart in future.

When it comes to ultra sounds the most memorable part of it will be the sound of your baby's first heart beats. Its a magical moment. A magic of nature that makes us women lucky to nurture a life in us. The beats you hear will be like hearing a horse run a race! And as you hear it the feeling of the existence of your baby inside you will be more conscious.

Every moment that you experience .. you must engulf it as it will never return. This is - I believe One of those times in a woman's life when she won't mind growing in size. Rather this is dat time of her life where the want to look beautiful and round comes into play. It won't b surprising to see yourself looking in the mirror and try to imagine your tummy protruding out.

Also as we have come to the matter of size .. well that is gonna be of great concern with months to come. Growing of breast size is very normal .. so it's good to be prepared by buying a size bigger and keeping it before you go through days of pain from your bra straps digging into your skin. A good tap on your weight is also very important. Generally during pregnancy it is safe to say that you put a minimal of 7-8kgs and a maximum of 17kgs. Not putting on weight is not a happy picture either. And too much weight causes many other medical problem's too.

More to come in my next blog.

About me- My name is Ruhi and am a mom of a lil toddler. These are my expriences of being a mom and the expriences that have been shared by my near and dear ones. Hope it helps mothers in some way to enjoy their motherhood.

THE MOM IN ME - 5

So all my gals who are blooming moms .. so far things are ok I mean, moderately exciting. But after your First Ultra Sound... it'll be something you never anticipated!!!

The first picture of your baby, is not comparable to anything!!! The little wonder so tiny, so delicate... don't be surprised if u find yourself wiping a  tear drop from your cheek.. or finding it difficult to let your eyes blink. Believe it, feel it and let it sink in. These are the few moments when it feels great to be born as a woman.. not that its not great otherwise.. but yes it's that feeling you know, no man can ever know or experience because he was not designed to have a womb.

But that is no excuse for not being excited on being a father!!! We as women experience our babies since we conceive, men on the other hand start a clock in their life.. a clock that is ticking towards their new life which they are getting ready to embrace as Fathers. They too will have their own unique way of care and concern. Some will be over careful ('most'will be more appropriate word, hope you girls agree). And some clueless and confused. Yet,  all this apart, they will have their own way to show the baby that they are there. It thus can't be a coincidence that, as fathers symbolise to be the strong shoulders that protect, this journey of protection starts as the care, concern, understanding and learning of the clock of pregnancy. Their support makes you content. It completes the woman nature in you that feels happiness in seeing others happy around her.

From all that I have seen and read fatherhood is a bigger wait. They wait longer than us. The fact being that their real experience will only begin after the baby's birth. Till then it is their longing that makes them go through this long wait to touch the miracle of life. It's about making themselves into a father is what counts. Listening to their thoughts of how they would want their child to be,  what they would want to do and go through for them is all a part of their genetic arrangement. Many a times  it will be noticed that they build more dreams than women.. because those dreams will make their fatherhood come alive and learning at every step will only make them more confident.

More to come in my next blog.

About me- My name is Ruhi and am a mom of a lil toddler. These are my expriences of being a mom and the expriences that have been shared by my near and dear ones. Hope it helps mothers in some way to enjoy their motherhood.

THE MOM IN ME - 4

We have spoken about hormones running wild in your "new life dwelling state "and about the stages of the growing foetus.

The first three months generally and most commonly are filled with many common adjustments like don't bend suddenly or take it slow etc. Also around 60% women go through nausea or more commonly known as "morning sicknesses". This trimester will be learning period of the do's & dont's of pregnancy. Thus this will be the time for you to gather as much information as u can , of what you must or must not do.

Appetite increase won't be a part of this trimester if you are in the 60% slot. But if you are not, then yes appetite increase will  be a visible part of your metabolic change. It will not be voracious but with time will increase more.

If by any chance you have performed the dont's and produce spotting after the 6th week, don't be alarmed and also don't panic. Just visit your gynecologist asap. Why do you think I told you not to panic??? Because spotting is assumed to be a miscarriage very easily. Well, that is not the case every time. In most cases it is the reduction of the flow of an important hormone called 'PROGESTERONE'. This hormone helps keep the pregnancy in continuation. Thus you will be prescribed hormone tablets consisting progesterone. Which will have to be taken by you till the 4th month when you will have a look at your baby's world inside you... your First Ultra Sound.

The general thought process is.. Oh no! ! Hormonal tabs!! .. But it isn't so. These supplements are important for carrying on your pregnancy, so take them without fail according to the dosage prescribed to you.

Also around this time you will be going in for your first ultra sound. No matter if its your first or second .. the first ultra sound is always very precious. Ultra sound or sonography , I believe has been a big boon to field of medicine & to that of the birth of babies it's a different gift in all. Why I say gift is because this one of the only times when you enter a doctor's clinic with a smile and exit with an even bigger smile.. One time where your not scared of an examination and where when you have butterflies in your stomach and the want to see your child and experience the miracle of life being born out of a single cell. The thought of its very existence makes you do all you can for it. All the world stands aside when your born is to be protected. That is only when you become a mother you'll know how to be the tallest mountain that will stand in the way of the harsh winds.. when you will be the softest pillow to take over the bad dreams ... and when your hug will take away all the pains in the world. So girl don't underestimate motherhood so easily!!

More to come in my next blog.

About me- My name is Ruhi and am a mom of a lil toddler. These are my expriences of being a mom and the expriences that have been shared by my near and dear ones. Hope it helps mothers in some way to enjoy their motherhood.