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Week 21
Tips for Mom It is very obvious you are pregnant and complete strangers have probably started asking you when you are due. Your uterus is approximately 8 1/2 inches above the pubic bone. You may beging to notice swelling in your legs and feet from time to time. Getting enough downtime and being able to put your feet up more will usually help reduce the swelling. If you are standing for long periods, you may notice the swelling intensify. Your hands may also be swelling now and your rings may not fit as good. Make sure to get plenty of water intake. As strange as it may seem to drink water when you are already retaining water, the water will help rid your system of impurities and help to keep swelling down. If you notice severe swelling in your legs and it is painful, warm and red, contact your physician! Blood clots can be a real problem in pregnancy and you need to have it checked out. You will probably have 2-3 ultrasounds in your pregnancy, depending on your OB. Midwives tend to do one, if any, ultrasounds and question the importance of them as well as any complications that may arise from having them done, but doctors tend to be more on the side of using them. An ultrasound can be beneficial in diagnosing issues that may arise but often tend to be more just to "look" at the baby than to diagnose or treat anything. For an article and debate on the importance and necessity of ultrasounds visit Our Pregnancy Message Boards
A woman who smokes a pack of cigarrettes a day will take inhale over 11,000 times in the duration of her pregnancy. Your baby is also getting the same chemicals that you are getting everytime you smoke, the difference is that your baby is stilli n critical devlopement stages and is very susceptible to the smoke. If you are still smoking, now is the time to stop. Talk to your OB about your options and work hard to continue your pregnancy smoke free. EXERSICE Exercise is always beneficial, but in pregnancy it needs to be modified and not increased to a level of a marathon. Many women around mid pregnancy start seeing thier weight go up and begin to panic and therefore start to exercise. Walking is the best exercise for most, healthy, pregnant women. Talk to your OB about the best exercises for you to be doing at this point in your pregnancy. SEX What about sex? This one of the most common questions that women wonder, but are often too embarrassed to ask. What a great time for a sexual relationship with your spouse. Many women find this time completely enjoyable as they can relax and not have to worry about failed contraception or about the riggers of trying to get pregnant. They can actually lay back and enjoy their partner. As your body changes, your preferences may too. What once felt good may now be uncomfortable so this can also be a great time to experiment a bit with new positions. Your baby is completely protected inside the bag of waters and normal sex will generally not harm the baby. In fact, you may notice that after sex your baby gets more active or may even go to sleep. Studies have shown that babies enjoy the gentle rocking of the fluid during and after sex. Remember to avoid any sort of oral sex that causes your partner to blow into the vagina. This can create air pockets and can be harmful. If you or your spouse has fears or concerns about sex during your pregnancy, talk openly about it. If you notice bleeding or strong contractions (not braxton hicks contractions) after sex, talk to your OB. |
