This post is for the partners. It's not unusual in pregnancy, for partners to feel somewhat disconnected to the pregnancy and the process. You're feeling changes happening in your body but your partner isn't. This is often especially true in the first two trimesters. Many partners at this point occupy themselves with more of the practical concerns of pregnancy. How will we be able to afford a baby? Is our home big enough etc.
Here are some things to think about as the non-pregnant partner.
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Have you started to think about maternity clothes yet? Likely your bump isn't very noticeable yet but you may be finding that your jeans no longer fit. It's time put some thought into what you're going to wear for he rest of your pregnancy.
Many pregnant people can't wait to get rid of their maternity clothes at the end of pregnancy, so you may not need to spend much or any money at all. Try asking in your local neighborhood groups or Buy Nothing group to see if anyone is done with their maternity clothes and looking to pass them along. When investing in some pieces, consider some capsule items that you can mix and match to make several different outfits. You're going to be wearing these for several months so having a variety of options to choose from is helpful. Consider what you may already own that could double as maternity clothes. Do you have any baggy shirts or sweaters that can accommodate a growing bump? Pair them with some maternity leggings or pants and you've got a few outfits sorted already. Buy some maternity underwear. There is nothing worse than underpants that are too tight! You might also need to go up a size with your bra or buy a bra extender if your bra no longer fits. Getting a professional fitting for a nursing bra can be helpful, but know that your breasts will likely grow again once your milk comes in, so you may need more in the future. Do you need some more dressy items for work or events but don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes you're not going to wear for long? If so, you might consider a monthly maternity clothes rental company such as Rent the Runway or La Belle Bump. (I have no affiliation with either company btw). Select clothes that you can also wear postpartum, as your body will take a while to return to it's pre-pregnancy shape. Many maternity items are designed with nursing features, offering you more bang for your buck. Wishing you comfort and joy in every stitch of your maternity wardrobe! Today I want to talk about body changes. Your baby has been growing pretty rapidly and you are probably feeling the skin across your belly and sides stretching along with it. You may also be starting to notice stretch marks along with that feeling. This week, we'll delve into understanding stretch marks and explore gentle ways to manage them. What Are Stretch Marks Stretch marks, or striae gravidarum, are a form of scarring on the skin. They typically occur during rapid growth or stretching of the middle layer of the skin, and can happen on the abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs. Embracing your Growing Body Stretch marks are a testament to your body's incredible ability to grow and nurture your baby. They're a badge of honor so please don't feel embarrassed by them. You're growing a whole human in there. Talk about superpowers! There are some things you can do to help support your skin as it stretches:
Overall though, remember to celebrate the strength and resilience of your body as it moves through all of the changes towards parenthood. Stretch marks are merely an outward sign of this strength. Wear them with pride. Somewhere between 18 and 22 weeks, you'll likely be getting your much anticipated anatomy ultrasound. This is a big milestone for a lot of pregnant people as you'll get to take a really in-depth look at your baby.
Here's what to expect: The ultrasound itself will take about an hour; maybe longer if your baby is in a position that makes it difficult for the ultrasound tech to get the right pictures. You'll be asked to drink a lot of water before the appointment so that your bladder is full. That makes it easier for the ultrasound tech to see your baby well. They'll let you empty it about halfway through. The tech will be taking a ton of measurements of different parts of your baby's body as well as looking in depth at their brain, heart, lungs, kidneys and bladder to make sure everything is developing as it should. They'll be looking for any birth differences such as spina bifida, cleft palate or down syndrome which may all be able to be seen by an in depth ultrasound. They'll also be able to tell the baby's sex, so if that's something you don't want to know, be sure to let the ultrasound tech know that before they start. They'll also take a look at the location of your placenta to make sure it's not close to, or covering the cervix, (a condition called placenta previa), and they'll take a look at the amniotic fluid levels to make sure they are where they need to be. It's totally normal to feel anxious about this visit, but if you can, try and enjoy it too. This is your chance to get a good look at your baby so use it to really connect with them and each other. Your ultrasound tech may point out different body parts etc, but won't be able to tell you anything about their findings.You'll get all those results from your doctor. And make sure to ask for a print out of the ultrasound to take home! Let's discuss an important milestone in your prenatal care, and one that you've likely been thinking of....the glucose tolerance test..
This test is typically scheduled between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy, and it’s designed to check how your body processes sugar, helping to identify gestational diabetes. Why is the glucose test important? Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. While it usually disappears after birth, it does increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Early detection through the glucose tolerance test allows for management of blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and sometimes medication. What to expect during the test You will be asked to drink a very sweet drink containing 50g of glucose. An hour later, your provider will draw your blood. This will tell them how well effectively your body is managing the glucose. What happens if I don't pass the test? If you fail the first test, it doesn't automatically mean you have gestational diabetes. Instead you will be invited back on another day to do a three hour test. You will consume a 100g glucose drink and then your blood will be tested several times over a three hour period. If you do not pass that test, then you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Should this be the case, ask to be referred to a nutritionist so you can get some education on your diet going forward. A book that many people find helpful is Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols. Are there alternatives to the glucose drink? Some people don't want to drink the drink provided at the test because they don't want to consume something synthetic or with that much glucose. They may have had it in a previous pregnancy and been nauseated by it. If that's the case for you, talk to your provider about it. Some will let you eat jellybeans instead. (I know, they're not exactly healthy but what sugary thing is?). If that's the case, 29 jellybeans = 50g of glucose drink. Not all providers are on board with this alternative but many are so have a chat with yours about it. Feeling anxious? It’s completely normal to feel a bit anxious about medical tests. Remember, this test is a routine part of ensuring both your health and your baby’s health are monitored closely. In Seattle the weather is so changeable that people who live here have a saying, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes”. In the course of an hour it could go from overcast and gray to pouring rain to blue skies and sunny.
A lot of pregnant people find a similar thing happening with their emotions. One minute they’re happy with not a care in the world, and the next they’re bawling into the couch cushions because of a cute dog in a Super Bowl commercial. This is completely to be expected during the first trimester, but some pregnant people find it continuing and escalating into prenatal anxiety or depression, even with a very much wanted pregnancy. Postpartum depression is talked about a lot, but prenatal depression really isn’t so people don't realize it’s a thing. It’s actually the biggest prenatal complication suffered in pregnancy. if you are feeling anxious or depressed and it lasts two weeks or more, please reach out for help. And if it’s extreme, please don't wait the two weeks. Your OBGYN or midwife should be able to refer you to a perinatal therapist and may also check your thyroid. You can also contact Perinatal Support International who can refer you to therapists and support groups in your area. Prenatal depression is not something to be ashamed of and is absolutely something you should seek help with, in the same way you would for any other pregnancy complication. In my birth classes, I encourage families to download this app and take the test every week throughout your pregnancy and the first few months of your baby’s life. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day every week and take the test. Suggest your partner takes it too. Partners get prenatal and postpartum depression too and are less likely than pregnant people to seek help. Are you planning a babymoon? Now is a perfect time to take a short trip with your loved one(s) before baby arrives. Whether you're planning a local destination that you can drive to or one further afield, here's my top tips for traveling at this stage of pregnancy.
Check in with your provider Check in with your medical provider and let them know of your plans. They know your unique medical situation and may have advice for you. Plan walk around breaks If you're driving, make sure to plan stops every few hours so you can out of the car and walk around. As you're probably noticing these days, being in any position for "to long" makes your back and legs hurt. You know you'll need to pee anyway! On a plane If you're flying to your destination, make sure to get up and walk the plane aisle every hour or so. You'll also benefit from wearing compression socks to minimize swelling and help prevent blood clots. Make sure to check with your airline when booking to find out what their cutoff date for flying when pregnant is ass this can differ between airlines. What to take Make sure to take with you your medical insurance details in case of emergencies. If traveling abroad, remember to take out travel insurance. Pack your prenatal vitamins and a good pair of comfortable walking shoes. And know that while you're pregnant, you're more susceptible to sunburn, so make sure to pack a strong sunblock if appropriate. Have a great time! How can you stop waking up in the middle of the night with hip or lower back pain during pregnancy?
Are you waking up in the middle of the night with sore hips or lower back? 🤰💤 This is because the ligaments that hold the uterus have to work harder as it grows, causing strain on the ligaments that run from the back of the uterus to the sacrum or lower back, and that support the front of the uterus in the pelvis. This can result in lower back pain and hip pain cursing you to wake up and need to turn over several times a night.. 🛌🤕 The good news is that using pregnancy pillows can help alleviate these symptoms and provide much-needed support to the body. Full-body pillows vs. smaller pillows: which one is right for you? There are two types of pregnancy pillows - full-body pillows and smaller pillows. Full-body pillows are designed to support the entire body and come in various shapes, including U-shaped and C-shaped pillows. Or you could choose to use several smaller pillows instead to support specific areas of the body, such as the hips, back, or belly. How to use smaller pillows to support specific areas of the body If you choose to use smaller pillows, you'll want one between your legs to support the upper hip, one to hug with your upper arm, and a smaller pillow or wedge for under your belly. This helps to keep the weight of the uterus evenly distributed and reduces the strain on your ligaments. 🛌💕 The benefits of hugging a pillow while pregnant Using a pillow to hug keeps the shoulder more open and reduces shoulder pain and swelling in the hands. My hips hurt when I sleep! A little wedge pillow for under the belly gives the uterus a little lift, which takes some of the strain away from your lower back. That in turn helps your upper hip from pulling forward. It's incredible how much difference such a tiny pillow can make! 😴👍 So, what pillows do you use? Share your pillow hacks with us in the comments below!👇 |
AuthorEmma is a childbirth educator, prenatal birth and postpartum massage therapist, doula and overall pregnancy and childbirth junkie living and working in Seattle WA. She's British too which is where the tea bit come from. In England, if you want to have a chat with your friend about anything really, someone puts the kettle on for a nice cup of tea. It doesn't matter what the topic is, a nice cup of tea relaxes everyone, makes the conversation flow easier and generally makes everyone feel good. So you're invited to brew a cup of your favorite herbal tea, pull up a chair around Emma's kitchen table and let's have a good chat, (or chinwag as we say in the UK), about birthy stuff. Archives
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