A pregnant woman’s health is affected a lot by the hormones produced during the pregnancy. The hormones can make you teary eye or even leave you with a bad memory. The good news is that once you deliver, you will normally return to your old self again. Below are the five major hormones that play an important role during your pregnancy.

Progesterone

This hormone relaxes the muscle in the womb and also stimulates the growth of the breast tissue. This hormone will cause you to feel tired and bloated. It also causes breast tenderness, hip pain and acid reflux. You will begin to feel the effects from the beginning of pregnancy until before birth. The good news is that your energy levels will pick up in the second trimester.

Estrogen

Estrogen helps the fetus and your milk glands to develop. It gives you that special glow but it heightens your emotions as well as your sense of smell. If you suddenly sense that you are being too emotional over something, blame it on this hormone. The placenta will continue to produce this hormone throughout the pregnancy period but it will be less severe from the second trimester.

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

HCG assists in maintaining the levels of the two hormones above. This hormone causes morning sickness and makes you want to visit the loo often. The levels are high in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Relaxin

Relaxin affects your joints and helps to soften your cervix and ligaments to accommodate the baby’s progressive growth. During pregnancy, this hormone is 10 times more concentrated in the body. The bad thing is that it also affects other joints in the body and may be one of the main reason for your back pain.

Oxytocin

During labor, this hormone helps with your contractions and to start the milk production. It also induces bonding with your newborn. The levels fall off right after the delivery of the baby.

Prolactin

This hormone is present throughout the duration of your pregnancy and prepares your body for breastfeeding. It will be present even two weeks after birth as your breastfeeding will ensure continuous production of this hormone. At the same time, it helps to suppress menstruation.

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All parents love to have intelligent kids. There would be less worry about bad grades in school and of getting a good education. Therefore, it is not uncommon to do an IQ test on them to see how intelligent they are.

Lower IQ linked to prenatal pollution

Do you know that air pollution can lower a child’s IQ? A research done in New York City concludes that pregnant women exposed to urban air pollution in the last few months of pregnancy, had children with lower IQ scores. The women were from low income areas like South Bronx and were exposed to certain levels of air pollution. Examples of urban air pollution are exhaust smoke from cars, buses and trucks.

The kids were given an IQ test at age 5, just before starting school and those exposed to the highest pollution had an average of 4 – 5 points lower compared to kids with less exposure. This difference is big enough to have an effect on the children’s performance in school.

In another research, the results showed a possible link between prenatal exposure to air pollution and genetic abnormalities. Examples are smaller head size for newborns, reduced birth weight and the increased risks for cancer. The research focused on the types of pollutants that can cross the placenta, known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These pollutants may come from exhaust smokes of vehicles as well as factory emissions.

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More research is underway to confirm the above findings. In addition, the research will continue to monitor the kids’ school performance and other long term effect. Most women will find it hard to avoid urban air pollution as it is a part of everyday life. I know that I am exposed to it daily especially during travelling to and from work. What we can do is to minimize the exposure by not opening the car windows while driving and by staying indoors.

This article will reveal true and interesting facts about pregnancy. You will be amazed by the following facts and it just goes to show you the unbelievable things the human body is capable of.

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#1: Milk production

Upon conception, your breasts get ready for milk production. This starts as early as week 13. Your nipples will undergo some changes, i.e. become larger and darker and the veins will be more obvious as more blood is pumped to the breast.

#2: Womb size

The woman’s womb is about the size of a small pear before conception. The womb will grow bigger and reach the bottom of the rib cage by the time of the due date which is 500 – 1000 times bigger.

#3: Placenta

Your placenta does a lot of things for the baby. Something new I discovered is that it also produces heat to keep your baby warm, about one degree warmer than the mother’s body.

#4: Girl wonder

If you happen to carry a baby girl, she already has about two million eggs inside of her at only 13 weeks. The number of eggs will drop to about one million over the next two trimesters.

#5: The baby’s eyes

The eyes will develop on the side of the baby’s head in the beginning. The eyes will move closer together from week 12. The baby can move the eyes from left to right by about week 20 and open them by week 22.

#6: The baby’s heart

The baby’s heart will beat twice as fast as yours. By week five, all four chambers are fully developed. The baby’s heart is capable of pumping as much as six gallons of blood per day by week 16.

#7: Fingerprints

Your baby’s fingerprints are in place by week 13. The fingernails only start to grow from week 12 and she may even scratch herself in the womb.

#8: Hiccups

Do you know that your baby may hiccup while still in the womb? I experienced this with all of my three pregnancies and it was amazing! Your baby starts to practice breathing, inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid by week 16. If some fluid gets into the windpipe, it causes the baby to hiccup.

#9: Natural heating

Your baby will develop a special kind of “brown” fat in the nape of her neck in the last weeks of your pregnancy. The cells are special for giving heat during the first few weeks after birth.

#10: The baby’s bones

In the beginning, your baby has supple cartilage which transforms into bones by week 17. However, the bones will remain flexible to prepare for her journey through the birth canal.

You may be feeling on top of the world now that you are pregnant. However at the same time, you may also have some worries on the changes your body is going through and whether it will return to its original form. The best way is to ensure that your body is not overly affected by pregnancy, take the following precautions early.

Sagging boobs

Apply moisturizer to your breast to prevent sagging. It is mentioned that using a moisturizer containing CoQ10, a powerful antioxidant, helps prevent collagen degradation. It is the ‘net’ to hold the skin up and maintain the firmness.

Wear a proper bra for good support. A good bra will stop your skin and ligaments from stretching. Normally, a maternity bra should have wide straps, deep sides and an under-bust band. Avoid under wired bras, which may affect your milk ducts.

Stretch marks

Moisturize regularly to keep the stretch marks away and especially use products that contain essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega 3, 6 and 9. Take vitamin E to nourish your skin. If the stretch marks do show up, blame it on your genes and hormones, which are beyond your control.

Flabby tummy

After 12 weeks into your pregnancy, it is not advisable to do sit-ups. What you can do is a milder version by getting on all fours and alternately squeezing and releasing your stomach muscles to tone it. Have a good diet to get the proper nutrition instead of empty calories.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are due to the increased pressure on the veins in your legs. The increased blood flow, the additional weight as well as hormone changes, are all contributing factors. What you can do is to apply witch hazel or distilled water to tone the veins. To stimulate blood flow, alternate between hot and cold shower or bath.

Pelvic floor

It is no laughing matter to wet yourself when you laugh. The increasing weight and also due to the hormone relaxin are straining your pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles before delivery helps to reduce the severity of the problem after you have the baby. Hence, exercise your pelvic floor muscles frequently.

A miscarriage is something a women dreads when it happens. It creates a fear of another potential loss. Statistics show that one in five pregnancies may end in miscarriage.

The causes of a miscarriage are generally unknown and most happen in the first trimester. It is generally believed that a miscarriage happens due to the embryo that did not develop normally from the beginning.

Below are some of the possible causes of a miscarriage:

• Women who have irregular periods and find it difficult to conceive have higher risk of a miscarriage

• Some women have immunological problems where the immune system attacks the fetus

• The blood supply to the placenta may be restricted causing problems

• Infection such as German Measles

• Anatomical problems like an irregular-shaped uterus or a weak cervix

Women who have miscarriages still go on to become successfully pregnant. They are advice to keep the risk in perspective. Research data shows that a baby’s heartbeat detected at 6 weeks gives the pregnancy a 78% success rate and at 8 weeks, the success rate increases to 98%. This success rate means the chances of the pregnancy continuing to full term.

You are pregnant and feeling amaze that you are carrying two babies instead of one. After the excitement, you may start to have questions or concerns about your pregnancy. Generally, expectant mothers will discover their special condition at their 12-week scan.

The parents can expect identical twins when the fertilized egg splits into two. Non-identical twins will result when two separate eggs are fertilized by two sperms at the same time. Below are common questions from expectant mothers of twins.

#1: Will there be enough space for two babies?

Yes, the womb can stretch to accommodate two babies easily. Twin pregnancy is considered full term at about 38 weeks instead of 40 weeks as in a single pregnancy. During the first two trimesters, twins will grow about the same rate as a single baby. However, from weeks 26 to 28, the growth will slow down.

#2: Will the mom be bigger in size?

The expectant mother will not be twice the size but the bump will be bigger. The mom will also show earlier at about 11 weeks with twins compared to 13 weeks for a single baby.

#3: Will the mom have double the morning sickness?

Pregnant with twins may cause the mom to suffer the usual morning sickness and may be slightly worse and for longer duration.

#4: Will the mom need to eat for three?

Expectant mothers do not need to eat for three people like having three slices of cake, three servings of meat, etc. In the last trimester, the mother only needs about 600 more calories per day. It is important to eat nutritional foods like nuts and yoghurt instead of taking in empty calories only.

#5: Will the mom need a Caesarean section?

The delivery process depends on the position of the babies. If the babies are in breech or transverse position, i.e. lying across the uterus, normal vaginally delivery is difficult. Your doctor will monitor your condition and decide the best option for you.

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In Part I, we covered the possible reasons for a scheduled induction or caesarean section (c-section). Instead of waiting for labor to start naturally, the doctor will initiate the induction process using several methods. When a doctor begins an induction, the goal is to have a vaginal delivery of the baby.

What are the potential risks?

There are potential risks involved when a woman opts for an induction. Some of the risks are:

• Fetal distress.

• There is an increase risk of infections to both the mother and baby.

• There is a risk where the umbilical cord comes out before the baby or it is compressed.

• There is a risk that the induction may fail resulting in going for surgery or c-section. There will be added risk from the anesthetic and the surgery itself.

• In rare cases, a circulatory failure may happen due to the flow of amniotic fluid into the circulation.

• Also rare is a possible prolapsed of the umbilical cord which may require an emergency c-section.

Hence, it is very important for a pregnant woman to consult closely with her doctor if she decides to go for an induction or planned labor. Her doctor will be the best person to monitor her condition to ensure the labor is smooth and that both the mother and baby are safe.

For my third pregnancy, I decided on a planned labor where I chose a fix date to have it. One of the reason is relating to work and the other is I did not want to be caught unawares. Therefore with my doctor’s advice and consent that I was healthy to go for a planned labor, I decided to go for it. There were no surprises and everything was prepared and carried out accordingly. I was happy with the whole process. I had no complications and I went home after spending two nights at the maternity medical center.

Do you have a “labor” story or advice to share?

Nowadays, with modern medicine and technology to assist us, we can choose how and when to give labor. A woman may choose to schedule her labor due to various personal or health reasons. She can choose to go for an induction or a caesarean section.

Of course, the doctor’s consent is necessary before the labor is induced. In cases involving health risks, the doctor will be the one to advice to induce or schedule a labor. An example of a health problem is if the mother has pre-eclampsia, a blood pressure problem or she has diabetes or other medical conditions; the doctor may advice to go for a planned delivery. If a pregnancy is overdue (over 42 weeks) and the placenta is observed to be not functioning well, then this is a good reason to have one.

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A woman may also request for a scheduled delivery for practical reasons. For example, her partner may be working long distance most of the time and therefore, a fix date for delivery is practical.

Choosing an auspicious date and time

The Chinese can be very particular about when to give birth. For example, they will try to avoid giving birth during the hungry ghost month. If they are believers of feng shui, then they may also tend to choose an auspicious date and time to give birth rather than waiting for nature to take its course.

What is the procedure for an induction?

An induction means the doctor starts the process of labor using superficial methods. The methods may include sweeping the amniotic membranes, breaking the water bag, applying prostaglandin gels or suppositories or by administering an oxytocin drip. There are also natural ways to induce labor according to housewives tales such as making love or having sex, consuming castor oil, drinking coconut water or raspberry leaf tea or by nipple stimulation.

There are risks involved when a woman decides to go for a planned induction or c-section. This will be covered in Part II of the same title.

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Pregnancy is a time of great expectations which however can be plagued with various health problems. Who has not heard of morning sickness, mood swings, dizziness and feeling tired all the time? Normally, pregnant women will get a lot of advice and tips on how to cope and get through the difficult period. What you seldom hear are the reasons or explanations for the various conditions. Below are the answers to why the conditions happen.

Morning sickness
Morning sickness can happen anytime of the day and normally during the first trimester. The culprit is your body’s rapidly changing hormones. It worsens when you also have a heightened and sensitive sense of smell and increased acid in the stomach.

Mood swings
Feeling emotional during your pregnancy is normal and again blame it on your hormones. Your emotions are affected by the level of neurotransmitters in your brain which in turn is actually affected by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The neurotransmitter levels will be constantly fluctuating and hence your mood swings from happy to sad and vice-versa.

Dizziness
There is an explanation for having the feelings of dizziness, faintness or light-headedness. Since you are carrying a baby, there is a constant blood flow to your baby. Hence, your blood vessels relax and widen causing blood pressure to drop. This will cause you to feel dizzy. Another reason is if you have a low blood sugar level caused by changes in your metabolism. Other explanations are when you are stressed, feeling fatigue or hungry.

Unusual tiredness
A usual complaint during pregnancy is having the feeling of being unusually tired and having lack of energy. Hormonal changes can cause extreme feelings of tiredness. In addition, your body is doing extra work of nurturing a baby.

Frequent urination
I had this problem with all three of my pregnancies. Hormone changes are again to blame causing the kidneys to produce more urine. As the uterus grows bigger, it can also cause increase pressure on the bladder. In addition, there will be an increased of blood supply to the pelvis also making you want to urinate often.

What problems did you face during your pregnancy? What would you advice other pregnant women?

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Babies who are born between 24 and 37 weeks of gestation are defined as premature babies or preemies. A normal full term baby is born between 40 and 42 weeks. About 10% of all babies are born prematurely. There are various possible reasons that induce a woman to go into an early labor. Some of them are:

• It is a multiple pregnancy, carrying twins or more.

• There is a history of premature births, stillbirths, infertility or abortions.

• The baby inside the womb may not be growing well due to the placenta not providing enough nourishment.

• The woman’s age is a factor. Those under 18 or above 35 are at higher risk.

• If a woman’s cervix is weak, it won’t stay close.

• If a woman is overweight or underweight, there is an increase risk for premature birth.

• The woman has a health complication such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

• Being tired or overworked all the time can lead to delivering early.

• There is substance abuse of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

A woman may also elect to have an early delivery based on the advice of her doctor. Her baby may not be doing well or her health may be in danger.

The following can help to prevent a premature labor although there is no guarantee that it won’t happen:

• Stop smoking
• Avoid a stressful lifestyle
• Don’t drink alcohol
• Maintain a proper and healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy way of life, get enough rest and exercise
• Keep all your appointments with the doctor to ensure your pregnancy is progressing normally

I am fortunate that all my pregnancies were normal and full term.The good news is that medical technology is very advanced nowadays to ensure that a preterm baby is able to grow up into a normal child.