Pregnancy

4.3 K following

Ask our experts about Pregnancy

Feed

How do I manage urinary incontinence during pregnancy?

Expert

Incontinence is common during pregnancy, but it can be managed with the right habits. Schedule your bathroom breaks. There’s no way around it: When you’re pregnant, you’re going to have to excuse yourself to use the lady’s room more often. It is recommended to use the bathroom at least every two hours. Practice Kegels. Kegel exercises help to strengthen the pelvic floor and help you avoid leakage, but you need to practice in order to do them properly. You can start by stopping the flow of urine the next time you urinate. The contraction of those muscles is how you do a Kegel, and you can do Kegel exercises any time throughout the day, whether your bladder is full or empty. Simply contract the same muscles you would to stop the flow of urine, hold the contraction for a count of 10, and then release. It is recommended to do Kegel exercises 10 to 20 times in a row two or three times a day. Kegel exercises really do help with incontinence.Keep in mind that it takes about four to eight weeks of doing them regularly before you’ll see results. Watch the weight gain. Studies show that women who weigh more when they get pregnant or who gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy are more likely to experience urinary incontinence.

Read more

Write a reply

What should I know about intrauterine growth restriction?

Expert

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to a condition in which an unborn baby is smaller than it should be because it is not growing at a normal rate inside the womb. Delayed growth puts the baby at risk of certain health problems during pregnancy, delivery, and after birth. They include: Low birth weight Difficulty handling the stresses of vaginal delivery Decreased oxygen levels Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Low resistance to infection Low Apgar scores (a test given immediately after birth to evaluate the newborn's physical condition and determine need for special medical care) Meconium aspiration (inhalation of stools passed while in the uterus), which can lead to breathing problems Trouble maintaining body temperature Abnormally high red blood cell count In the most severe cases, IUGR can lead to stillbirth. It can also cause long-term growth problems. The main symptom of IUGR is a small for gestational age baby. Specifically, the baby's estimated weight is below the 10th percentile -- or less than that of 90% of babies of the same gestational age. Depending on the cause of IUGR, the baby may be small all over or look malnourished. They may be thin and pale and have loose, dry skin. The umbilical cord is often thin and dull instead of thick and shiny. Not all babies that are born small have IUGR.

Read more

Write a reply

I had a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) after my first born. What is it and could it happen to me again?

Expert

Postpartum hemorrhage is when a woman bleeds excessively after delivery. If you have it in your first pregnancy, there is a higher chance of it happening in your subsequent pregnancies. Do let your doctor know so that he/she can make the necessary arrangements and precautions.

Write a reply

I am feeling increased pressure in my lower belly. I feel I can't take this pressure any more. What should i do?

Expert

As your uterus grows, the ligaments that support it are pulled and stretched. This can cause dull or sharp pains on either side of your belly. These pains are most common between weeks 18 and 24. To prevent or relieve pains: Avoid moving quickly, especially at the waist. Bend toward the pain to help relieve it. Rest or change your position. There are some abdominal supports that are designed for pregnancy that can help.

Read more

Write a reply

What is meconium and meconium aspiration syndrome?

Expert

Meconium is the passage of the baby's stool. It is a bowel movement that baby makes which doesn't usually happen before delivery unless the baby is stressed during delivery and usually is in the amniotic fluid. Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) happens when a newborn has trouble breathing because meconium got into the lungs, causing a reaction in the lungs. Meconium can make it harder to breathe because it can: clog the airways irritate the airways and injure lung tissue block surfactant, a fatty substance that helps open the lungs after birth

Read more

Write a reply

What could be the complications of meconium aspiration?

Expert

Meconium is the passage of the baby's stool. It is a bowel movement that baby makes which doesn't usually happen before delivery unless the baby is stressed during delivery and usually is in the amniotic fluid. Meconium in the lungs can cause inflammation and infection. Meconium can also block the airways, which can cause lung over expansion. If a lung over expands or inflates too much, it can rupture or collapse. Then air from inside the lung can accumulate in the chest cavity and around the lung.

Read more

Write a reply

I feel that my tummy is getting smaller and the baby is falling. What is this?

Expert

We call this lightening, where the baby's head descends into the rim of the pelvis. This is an important step during the pregnancy journey.

Write a reply

I am not able to walk properly, as i feel to heavy to walk. Is this normal?

Expert

Trouble walking during pregnancy is nothing new. It’s a symptom of pelvic girdle pain or PGP, a pregnancy discomfort. During pregnancy, the growing baby causes a woman’s center of gravity and posture to change. This, along with pregnancy hormones, can cause the pelvic joints to become unstable leading to a variety of mobility issues ranging from minor discomfort to significant pain and sometimes the inability to walk. So it is completely normal

Read more

Write a reply

My stretch marks have turned red. What do I do?

Expert

The reason stretch marks turn red is because of rapid expansion and stretching of the skin. Best way to prevent it is to use creams and moisturisers. Since stretch marks occur from skin stretching, the resulting red marks are most common in certain parts of the body at risk for stretching. You can think of new stretch marks as small injuries to your skin. Your skin then has a mild inflammatory response as your tissues try to adapt to the stretching effects. This explains why fresh stretch marks are red. The redness doesn’t last forever. As stretch marks heal, they’ll eventually turn white and start to become less noticeable as they fade over time.

Read more

Write a reply

What is bloody show and what does it look like?

Expert

The bloody show refers to vaginal discharge that occurs at the end of your pregnancy. It’s a sign that your mucus plug has loosened or already has been dislodged. During pregnancy, the cervix is covered by a thick plug of mucus that helps protect the baby. The mucus literally “plugs” your uterus. This prevents any bacteria or other sources of infection from getting past the cervical barrier.

Read more

Write a reply

Load More Posts

Home Topics Pregnancy