Saturday, 15 September 2012
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Things I wish I Knew Before Pregnancy
When I had my pregnancy confirmed, I pretty much only heard “congratulations! Here’s your prescription for vitamins & your follow up appointment." I was away from home at the time with no trusted people to talk to (personal issues, ugh) so I had to learn as I went. I got a good book & found some legit online sites to frequent. Still there’s a lot they don’t tell newly pregnant women. I learned a few things the hard way. I feel a lot better coming into my second trimester, so I figured I’d share the things I learned along the way:1) Pee at every urge, even if it’s a tinkle. In my line of work, holding your urine in a skill. Sometimes I hold it up to the last second but you shouldn’t do that while you’re pregnant. UTIs are easily treatable (antibiotics won't hurt the baby) but it’s best to avoid them altogether. I went to the ER at 9 & a half weeks because I caught a cold & my asthma was acting up & I found out I had a UTI. At the time I was asymptomatic & in denial because I’d been drinking water like mad to flush out the cold. I was told it’s common in pregnant women & that I should urinate as frequently as possible. Untreated UTIs can lead to bladder or kidney infections & can put you in preterm labor.
2) You get VERY itchy. Yes we know the stomach will itch but I get it all over! I put Palmer’s lotion on every surface of my body from the neck down!
3) Eat even when you aren’t hungry. I don’t mean this as pig out. Even if you aren’t hungry, the baby still needs to eat. Not only that, nutritional changes kick in the second you’re pregnant. It’s not enough to just take prenatal vitamins. There’s fun ways to get you daily requirements in so it doesn’t feel like a chore. Smoothies are easy to make at home & are a good way to get your calcium, fruits & veggie servings in. Cheese sticks & yogurt are good too.
4) Carry snacks & beverages with you. I used to go all day without anything & I'd have one big meal & maybe a snack & I would be satisfied. My appetite shot through the roof since I’ve been pregnant & I try to eat little meals & snacks through the day. If I don’t, I get a bad headache & lightheaded (not to mention cranky because I’m starving). Sometimes you wont be near someplace to get a quick snack so it’s good to carry some nonperishable healthy snacks & some juice or water with you.
5) You may have to change your skincare routine. I found out it's recommended to stop using products with retinoid & acne medicine when pregnant (which seems cruel to me since I’ve gotten some painful acne in my face since being preggo) but the safety of the baby comes first.
Some of this may be “DUH! Obvious…” to some of you but I’m new to this & I found these out on my own. Even books don’t tell you everything. I’m just glad I’m back near mom & that I have doctors who feel no question is stupid.
What would you tell a first time pregnant mom? Did you learn something interesting along your pregnancy journey?
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About the Author
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- From: Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga
- About Me: *~Te quiero. Me gusta tu voz. Me quieres? ¿Tienes novia? ---Mi Amor~* Hola. This is Mina! <3 I smile when I feel like it so don't force me <3 As with cheeses and fine wine, I get better with age but I dont act the age I am. LOL <3 Proud Lady of Cherokee, Blackfoot, PR, German & Black decent. Haters stay away! <3 If you want to talk to me, speak to me like the lady I am & leave the street talk where it belongs, in the street. Mommy raised me better than that! <3 Single but not desperate <3 Anime & Manga fanatic for life! <3 Love me or leave me because I won't change for anybody. I've lost friends over this but then again they weren't my friends if they treated me that way right? "You may feel alone when you're falling asleep, And everytime tears roll down your cheeks... But I know your heart belongs to someone you've yet to meet. Someday you will be loved... ---Ghost Girl"
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Comments (27)
i see a high-risk OB (AKA: MFM) as well as a regular one, and the MFM said being pregnant is like being on your period for about a year, because of the hormones and moodiness. my first pregnancy was all euphoria and bliss, and my second is a completely other story.... and not a good one. everyone says "Every pregnancy is different," and WHOAH -- you ought to take that seriously. :-S
You are pregnant?? Congrats.
The peeing thing, I definitely wish someone would have warned me about that one. Babies can kick hard. I am surprised my son did not crack my ribs. The hunger that comes out of nowhere. People need to be warned about that. I would go from being fine to I am starving get me some food right now in a nanosecond.
Drink LOTS of water. It prevents pre-term labor and cramps.
I'm 30 weeks now and if I don't have enough water during the day I'll get severe cramps in my right calf that make me scream. No fun.
I'm currently pregnant for the second time, due in the middle of October, and these are great tips. My first pregnancy was very easy for me and it's been the same this time around, but it helps to know what to expect and to hear advice from other pregnant women. The itching thing has been driving me crazy lately, it's something I didn't have the first time around so it was an unpleasant surprise when it started happening. But as for any advice (or warning sounds better!) one important thing is the baby really MOVES. On tv and movies they show someone putting their hand up to the stomach and the woman asking if they can feel it, but in reality the farther along you are the more and more they will move, obviously. And you will be able to see it, and it can sometimes be very uncomfortable when the baby gets in an odd position off to the side. I remember being surprised and a little scared at just how much my baby would move around and how much my stomach would physically move with it. It's normal though. Also, not all woman experience it, but heartburn can be awful! I never had it before I got pregnant, but each time it's always been there. It can be really bad and I don't like to take tums or anything like that so milk is a must for me! I guess the reason it happens is because the baby takes up so much space inside us that certain things, like the stomach, can become a little cramped, and when that happens it pushes up the stomach acids and stuff that cause heartburn. If it gets too bad though, your doctor will be more than willing to prescribe something for it. I actually have it right now! UGH! Lol. Thanks for posting this!! And I hope my comment can help a little too for any newly expecting ladies out there reading this. =)
Morning sickness can make you want to sit around and not do much, but don't! You need to be up and moving. I speak from experience - my second pregnancy, at 10 weeks, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, aka a blood clot in my lung. I was SO sick that I wasn't moving much, just up to the bathroom and back to the couch or bed, and that caused the blood clot to form in my leg and break away and go to my lung. I was lucky, it could have gone to my heart or brain. Baby was fine, I was put on blood thinners for the rest of the pregnancy and for any pregnancies after that.
So move it!
@marzish@xanga - Oh yes, the moodiness....I wanted to go homicidal one day because my husband came home without bananas. Then there was that time I sent him to mcdonalds at 11 at night. We dont have a car so he had to take the bus. LOL but he didnt complain.
@Erika_Steele@xanga - Thank you! I get like that too with food. Oh yeah & the kicking thing....I actually saw that a woman got kicked so hard, the baby broke two ribs. I wonder if she was pregnant with superman's kid!
@Still_Bruhaha@xanga - Oh believe me, fluids are my best friend right now. I get a bit of cramps & pain in my legs when I lay down but nothing monsterous yet (or ever I hope!). When my husband gets here, he promised me endless leg massages. I miss those, especially in my calves!
@kaitlove__xx@xanga - Thanks! I'm still early in (12 weeks & 1 day) so no heartburn but man oh man, I get gas so bad! If I'm not burping, I'm passing gas. I dont care because I know from medical standpoint if you dont fart, burp or pass your wastes, something is wrong. I just get upset I cant have things I like. It almost completely went away when I stopped drinking soda so I avoid it. When I need something bubbly, I drink sparkling juice or carbonated water.
@Mandi - I'm glad you're ok!!! Wow that's scary. I somehow avoided morning sickness, thank God & knock wood but I used to get such HORRIBLE back pain!! I know it was from ligaments loosening & stuff but it was so bad, I would cry & moan & my poor husband felt bad he couldnt help me. So one night I told him how to make a rice sock & heat it up. I dont remember what happened after but he said after he put it on my back, I was knocked out. With that & my pregnancy pillow, I've been able to sleep. When I'm on the computer, I make sure to get up & move around after I've been sitting a while so I dont get leg swelling & I elevate my legs a bit at night. I'm
As a pharmacy student, I am SO GLAD you mentioned #5. So many people don't know about this, but it is really important. ANY retinoid cream containing retinol, retinal, tretinoin, tazarotene, isotretinoin (that one's obvious since that's what's in accutane), and adapalene should be discontinued as soon as a woman finds out she's pregnant.
Always consider topicals when your OB asks if you take any medications!
@cody_ashby@xanga - That goes for everything, not just pregnancy. Some people think intradermal meds dont count because it's on the skin but it gets in your blood stream like everything else. I wear gloves when removing it from clients because it can have an adverse affect on you & you never know until you pass out. Being pregnant now & knowing that gloves dont even protect 100%, I may refuse to do those patches on a job.
I wish there was an all natural alternative to acne because the bumps I get are heard & extremely painful! I look like I have a skin disease!!! It's not all over but they pop up in odd spots on my face or right on my cheek. I'm not vain, I dont care about the look but the pain is horrible, especially when I accidently scratch one!!
@marzish@xanga - With my first pregnancy (miscarriage), I told a friend of mine, "It's like being a teenager on her period, with terrible cramps, and having the flu at the same time, but it will all be worth it if I end up with a happy, healthy baby."
I wish someone had told me I would cramp... badly. The cramps scared the crap out of me because I knew they were a sign of miscarriage. I did end up miscarrying at 11 weeks, but it was a 'missed' miscarriage and the cramps had nothing to do with it.
I felt like you..I was given vitamins and told not to drink, smoke, change the litter box, and get my meats cooked well-done. Are you kidding?! There are about 15,000 other things I needed to know. Thank God for google. :)
Congratulations to all the newly pregnant ladies here. It's a real turning point in your life, beit your first, or your 10th. I had hyper-emesis with number one, and worried if the baby would survive, since I gained no weight for 7 months. Number two was easier, but looking back, I should have stayed away from chocolate more. A lot of heart burn. If nothing else, pick 10 or 15 or more minutes each day to do something nice for yourself, because as each new child is born, your time for yourself diminishes. Maybe a warm bath, or a couple of chapters in a good good, or lying on the bed to meditate to pretty music. We don't realize how much self time we lose until our babies are grown and we look back and realize that being a mom is the equivalent of two full time jobs, and we didn't figure out how to carve out a little time for ourselves.
These are good points- and congrats on your pregnancy! There are so many gross and unpleasant side effects of pregnancy that aren't discussed much outside of pregnancy groups. Same for postpartum. The itchiness is a great point- I had hives in the my first trimester with both of my pregnancies. People expect morning sickness, but with your body's weakened immune system, you'll just get sick more easily. I had constant colds and flu into the second trimester. Other things I'd wish I'd known- enjoy the second trimester, it's such a sweet break in between the 1st and 3rd. In the 3rd, everyone will tell you to enjoy your rest before the baby's born and you'll want to punch them in the face, because between heartburn, waking up constantly to pee, leg cramps, crazy dreams and just an inability to get comfortable, 3rd trimester "rest" is not all that restful. And also forgetfulness! And then postpartum...a whole other messy story- bleeding for up to 6 weeks, worse than any period. Weepiness from when all those hormones suddenly leave your system...I could go on and on. But every second is worth it when you meet your little one, and then you "forget" it all. I'm 35 weeks now with #2 and getting more anxious by the day!
What would I tell a first time pregnant woman? "Sorry. That sucks." Each time I see a lady with a baby belly, I'm disgusted to the point of almost throwing up in my mouth.
I learned something along my pregnancy journey - I'll never make that mistake and let a pregnancy occur again. Wish the age limit on tubal ligation wasn't 25, cos I would've gotten it done when I started having sex 5 years ago.
@LondonsMommy - Oh yes!! I googled almost daily. I registered with a few good baby sites & I started my registry. My mom & sister hijacked my baby shower. LOL But it'll be great.
@Pollypinks@xanga - That is so true. I always hate people who give parents crap for "leaving their children & being selfish". Wanting time alone to do something for yourself isnt selfish unless you do it in the form of child neglect. Having your parents or a trusted friend/relative watch your kid(s) while you have a mini vacation is hardly selfish. I told my husband we're having a babymoon before the kid comes because I know once the baby gets here, I'll be on leave & he'll be working, then when I start again, we'll be on alternating shifts.
@vlinder_farfalla@xanga - Thank you so much!! :) I know it's worth it all, I love the baby aspect of pregnancy but some of the side effects are killing me. I was getting pissed at friends who kept telling me "oh morning sickness can start anytime up to 14 weeks". Thanks for the support guys...not. LOL Then another one said I shouldnt eat spicy food because it would make the baby go blind. Old wives tales are killing me. I think for the next baby, I'll do like my friend & just annouce the birth on facebook when it happens. LOL
Have you gotten people that tell you "you should be grateful you're pregnant & stop complaining" yet? That annoys me. I'm grateful as all hell but this is a major change, physically, emotionally, financially & whatnot. Who wouldnt be stressed! My husband worries more than me. Aside from the itching, acne & random skin bumps, I'm SUPER happy!
@Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga - oh, I've never heard that about spicy food, how absurd. The only reason to avoid it is if it gives you heartburn. With my son's pregnancy I ate TONS of spicy food all the way through! This time I do get awful heartburn so I avoid it. Oh, but don't stress about morning sickness either. Again, with my son, didn't really get it. I had a few quesy afternoons, but nothing bad. This time I'm having a girl, and it was much worse, but sea bands can help (they put gentle pressure on a pressure point on your wrist and decrease the feeling of nausea). And eating small amounts on a regular basis (like, 6 times a day+), and especially before you get out of bed in the morning help too. As for the complaining aspect- I'd definitely recommend joining a due month group online somewhere. Those were my saving grace! I really liked having other mamas at the same place in pregnancy to compare feelings and symptoms with. I don't ever want to complain publically about pregnancy side effects because I know how many families struggle with infertility, so I liked having a "safe space" to go, where everyone "got it". And I actually still keep in touch with some of the women who were due with me, and that was 3 1/2 years ago! Another thing people don't talk about- being pregnant, even when planned/happy puts stress on your relationship! Even if the stress of pregnancy is coming from a good place, your roles are about to change, your relationship with each other will never be the same! It's a HUGE change, and that's stressful! You have the right to feel that and deal with that and go through that! And men experience the stress of pregnancy in their own ways, believe me.
Anyway, keep on keeping on with it :) Being pregnant is a great exercise in choosing how to "hear" advice anyway, because it only gets worse once you're parenting (I mean, strangers giving you advice, like I am now :) )
@vlinder_farfalla@xanga - haha! Thanks so much for all the advice! I totally dont mind strangers giving advice as long as it's not in a condescending or rude way. You know, like if I were to be out & I was patting my baby on the back to burp him/her & someone comes over & says "you're doing it WRONG! I do it THIS way". That would get on my nerves. If they came like "try this way, it works great for bad gas", that's different. You're offering advice without coming off as a know it all. I already know not to take advice from some older family members because I've seen first hand how "well" they raised their kids yet they always had shit to say about me. I can proudly say I finished school & got married before I got pregnant (not to say people who arent married but pregnant are bad, to each their own, I just wanted to be married first before I had kids. :D).
I do eat small meals & snacks throughout the day though because we I got pregnant, my appetite shot up so bad! I especially have to eat first thing when I get up or I get a headache. I'm not dieting but I make sure to dance or move around after I eat so I dont just mindlessly gain alot of weight because it's not good to gain too much & I put on weight easily.
I'm gonna try some due date groups! :) They will be awesome until I start parenting & breastfeeding classes. I tried asking mom about a few things but she says she cant remember back that far! LMAO!!
People are amazed by pregnant women (even those who already have their own children). If you're newly pregnant, please be prepared to be a magnet for hands and open to lots of random questions!
All good and reasonable advice :)
I tell pregnant moms, first time or not to tell their doctor about any discomforts they have, even if it's par for the course in pregnancy. Like heartburn. I brought it up during my second pregnancy at an appointment, thinking I was just complaining. Turns out, pepcid is okay to take during pregnancy for most women. It was a lifesaver! I also complained about my back pain and my Dr. sent me to the chiro. Also a lifesaver.
@MomWithoutaMinivan@xanga - I dunno. I have migraines. I got one during my pregnancy with my first, nothing atypical. And I told my dr because I didn't honestly know what I could take to try and relieve the pain (because man, Tylenol I laugh at your pathetic insult to my migraine).
I ended up in the ER getting an effing spinal tap while 7 months pregnant for a freaking normal migraine with NO medication because my dr said a "headache in pregnancy could indicate meningitis which could be deadly" to me or my baby. I decided never again to tell my dr about a normal migraine.
@sarahsmurfette@xanga - That's not cool. I had problems with a constant headache during my second pregnancy and was prescribed a headache med that actually took care of it. I forget its name. I guess it depends on the provider. When I was pregnant for the first time, I saw midwives that basically wanted me to suffer through every ailment because well, they were birkenstock wearing tree huggers. During my second pregnancy, I saw midwives again, but it was in a different town. They addressed every discomfort I had and prescribed something for it. I just had my third baby and I live in yet another town. My healthcare choices were slim and I didn't have a choice to use a midwife this time. My doctor kind of dismissed every discomfort I had, including immobilizing back, hip and tailbone pain during my second trimester. I had to beg her for a chiro referral, but I got one. I say if you have the option to do so, don't hesitate to switch to a provider that will actually address your problems.
@MomWithoutaMinivan@xanga - Yeah, you live you learn. Definitely. And THAT is good advice for a first timer. If you are dissatisfied - find another provider if that's possible.
I didn't use that group for my second pregnancy. I wish I had known enough, or had been empowered enough, to change providers during that migraine debacle.
@meaganbme93@xanga - Haha, oh yeah! I get that alot! Especially now that I'm showing (which AMAZED me!! I'm 12.3 weeks & I have a bit of a belly already. They said sometimes bigger ladies show more. Imagine me on my due date....o.O I worry I'll be too fat for clothes since I had to buy new stuff almost right away from bloating but now I feel my tummy getting firmer. The shirts I got less than a mother ago are riding up my tummy so my mom bought me some new ones. I'm dying for maternity jeans but I'm waiting until I'm 6 months then I'm getting the underbelly ones. No sense in spending $30-50 & they only work for a month right now.
@VictoriousHearts@xanga - Thank you! I have enough info for more posts but I didnt want to write a novel. lol
@MomWithoutaMinivan@xanga - Oh trust me, I will not skip on that part. I've always been the type to tell the doctor all my problems. I'd rather be temporarily embarrassed than uncomfortable. I'm scared to stretch like I used to because I dont want to pull a ligament & hurt the baby so I'm gonna ask what I can do or if yoga is ok (never did it before but I'll do ANYTHING to get the kinks out my back!!).
I mainly want him to see if it's twins because I'm insanely big to be only 12 weeks & 3 days. I know I wasnt skinny before I got pregnant but geez!! It'll be great to know now so I can plan ahead!!
@Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga - The baby bump was more prominent earlier on with each consecutive pregnancy for me. I've had 3.
I don't wish someone had told me, as it's one of those things you have to experience to learn, I think, but I wish my expectations for pregnancy had been more realistic. I thought that I would be so overjoyed to be pregnant, none of the symptoms would bother me. Instead, the pregnancy hardly feels real, I am miserable every day, and it's hard to even be excited when I tell people because I feel so sick and tired all the time! I feel the same emotions women who didn't choose to get pregnant feel-- inconvenienced by the baby's demands on my body, like I don't ever want to be pregnant again, and, well, just miserable! I want this baby more than anything, but that doesn't prevent me from feeling sick and exhausted all day, and depressed because I feel so bad. And things like weight gain and acne do make me feel ugly, even though I thought I'd embrace whatever side effects I had to for being pregnant! lol Needless to say, my expectations were through the roof, and I wish I'd been a little more grounded about those. Great topic!