Journey towards parenthood

Not fully sure of what to expect when you are pregnant? Well, the below gives you a few insightful glimpses at the journey towards parenthood!

Remember, if you have any concerns, speak to your healthcare provider as he/she knows your situation best!

Trimester 1

Once conceived, your fertilized egg, called a zygote commences the journey to being a fully developed little human within you! During the next 12 weeks, your healthcare provider will examine you for body weight, blood pressure, urine test, previous medical history, blood tests for sugar levels, possibly perform Down syndrome screening and, the Doppler foetal heart monitor to hear the sounds of baby’s heart! Baby’s essential organs start forming and working …

Trimester 2

The little one has developed its organs and growth continues. The risk of miscarriage is now reduced. In this trimester, you will start feeling much better and start signs of ‘showing’.

Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your progress and through Fundal measurement will approximate a due date of baby’s arrival. This measurement is used to assess the foetal growth and amniotic fluid development.

It is a good time to start researching the services of a Doula (see below), a midwife and looking around for ante-natal classes (even if your healthcare provider has determined you medically require a Caeseran Section, these classes aid you & your partner in preparation of the baby). If you missed your blood screening test in the first Trimester, your healthcare provider should perform one during this period. This is when mom’s blood is checked for things like protein levels.

The test can help identify any risk of the baby having a neural tube defect or Down syndrome. You will also have had your first scan and seen baby’s little shape.

Trimester 3

The last stretch … you will find yourself a bit more tired, emotional and may be urinating frequently or breasts may begin to leak. Lower back pain is common in this trimester but if accompanied by severe cramps; bleeding; vomiting – contact your healthcare provider immediately. You may find your hands and feet swell in this trimester – if the swelling is excessive, contact your healthcare provider as your swelling might be an indicator that you are developing pre-eclampsia.

The ideal weight gain for the entire pregnancy is 12,5kgs. Maintain healthy eating habits and do keep up with your Kegel exercises, counting baby’s kicks, take short walks/rests. Do find out about pain relief options for the birth and what you will prefer. From the 35/36 week of pregnancy you will most likely see your healthcare provider weekly. In the 36th week, your healthcare provider may do a vaginal examination to check for Group B Strep – a bacteria that can live around the vagina or rectum. Chat to your partner and healthcare provider about whether you wish to have your son circumcised at birth.

Birth

The big day! Remember that if you did a birth plan, not all plans go accordingly and this is no-one’s fault. Your healthcare provider will assess the best and safest methods for you and baby. Breastfeeding is best as breastmilk contains essential antibodies that help baby’s immune system. Initially breastmilk is a yellow, creamy substance, this is called colostrum. This is vital food that will nourish your baby during the first few days of life. Speak to your healthcare provider regarding breastfeeding if you are HIV positive.

Vaginal bleeding after birth can continue for two to up to 6 weeks! Should you have a bad smell, temperature; tender stomach or are still bleeding bright red after the first week – advise your healthcare provider immediately. Get to a hospital immediately if you soak more than one maternity pad in an hour; or there are too many large red clots.

As soon as baby has arrived, an AGPAR test will be done which gives your health specialists important information about baby’s health. AGPAR stands for;

• A – appearance: Indicates if baby’s lungs are working well and sufficient oxygen levels are being carried in baby’s blood;
  
  
• P – pulse: Strength and regularity of baby’s heartbeat.
  
  
• G – grimace: Checking if baby is responding to stimuli.
  
  
• A – activity: Baby’s movement is checked to see if muscle tone is good.
  
  
• R – respiration: Indicates if baby’s lungs are healthy and breathing is regular and steady.

Here are some essential do’s and don’ts for mom during pregnancy:

Do:

• Speak to your healthcare provider so that you can commence with folic acids as soon as you know you are pregnant. Folic acids contain important B Vitamins for baby!
  
  
• drink 6 glasses of water per day – this helps aid against constipation, heartburn and is good for you anyway!;
  
  
• Eat dry biscuits or rusks to combat any nausea you may be feeling, known as ‘morning sickness’ (which can occur at night as well!);
  
  
• Start using creams or tissue oils for stretch marks as early as your first trimester;
  
  
• Go the dentist for a check up (tell them you are pregnant) as gums may soften and become prone to infection;
  
  
• Eat healthier: include fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, lean meats/ fish/ chicken, hard cheeses/ yoghurts.
  
  
• Know your Rh status (Rhesus negative or positive) and HIV status. Any concerns should be talked through with your healthcare provider;
  
  
• Eat smaller more frequent meals per day (6) to aid heartburn and avoid spicy, greasy foods.
  
  
• Contact your healthcare provider if you develop strange cravings for eg. chalk – you may have a condition known as pica;
  
  
• Do your Kegel exercises by squeezing your bladder in, hold for 10 seconds, release and repeat – commence these in your second trimester or soon;
  
  
• Count baby’s kicks (foetal kick counts) from your 28th/29th week and ongoing until birth. Baby should move at least 10 times in her/his “busy time” during a two hour period. Record this and contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns/deviations.
  
  
• Relax and enjoy your pregnancy! You will possibly experience tender breasts, some emotional mood swings, frequent urination, leg cramps, stuffy noses; mild heartburn and even headaches. These are normal ailments during pregnancy. If you have any severe cramping; abdominal pain; bleeding; smelly discharge; or sharp pains in buttocks or thighs – contact your healthcare provider immediately!
  

Don’t:

• Smoke, take any drugs or drink alcohol!
  
  
• Have sex if you or your partner suffer with any sexually transmitted diseases – first speak to your healthcare provider;
  
  
• Drink fizzy, caffeinated liquids;
  
  
• Ake any medicines or herbs without consulting your pharmacist or doctor beforehand – as some may be potentially dangerous for baby;
  
  
• Douche; take hot baths or saunas;
  
  
• Don’t clean out cat litter baskets. Wear gloves & a mask if you have to.
  
  
• Eat uncooked or raw meats; pate or seafoods (can carry bacteria that will cause listeriosis); raw or soft cooked eggs (carriers of salmonella bacteria); raw fish or shellfish (carry bacteria and parasites).