Prepare for a Positive Birth with THE BIRTH CLASS
What is infertility?
The Two Week Wait
What is Pre-eclampsia?
Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
What is Shoulder Dystocia?
5 Tips for a Calm Birth
Cracked Nipples: Causes, Treatment and Prevention
5 Tips for Travelling With Kids
Feel like you could sleep all day? Deep fatigue is really normal for the simple fact that your body is working so hard to grow your baby and an entirely new organ – the placenta. You can read a bit more about pregnancy fatigue here.
A lack of nausea and vomiting doesn’t indicate that there’s anything wrong with you or your baby. However, varying degrees of nausea and vomiting is very common in early pregnancy and can be as mild as feeling a little queasy on occasion to persistent nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Unfortunately for some women, it doesn’t abate in the second trimester. If you find yourself unable to keep water down and your symptoms are intensifying, it’s best to present to the emergency department at your local hospital where they’ll likely give you IV fluids. An appointment with your GP is also advised and you can expect a discussion around medication and, perhaps, a diagnosis of Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) which is severe pregnancy sickness. You are the only one that knows how you feel; be open and honest with your care provider.
This is often one of the first symptoms that women notice; tingling, sensitive and sore breasts, sometimes accompanied by shooting pains into the nipple.
Not unlike mild period cramps (although they’re not persistent), abdominal pain in early pregnancy is often due to the ligaments stretching to stabilise your uterus as it expands to make space for your baby. This pain should not persist and if it’s accompanied by pain while passing urine or opening your bowels, or if it’s accompanied by a sharp pain in the lower abdomen or in the tips of your shoulder, it’s best to see your GP or go to your local hospital without delay as your symptoms may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.
Your pregnancy hormones are doing so much work and progesterone is one of them. It builds the lining of the uterus and encourages uterine contractions so your body accepts your growing baby instead of rejecting it. It also slows down your digestive tract which can easily lead to constipation. Aim to drink up to 2 litres of water a day and move your body gently to encourage digestion.
The pregnancy hormone, hCG, makes your kidneys work more efficiently and as your baby grows and your uterus expands, there’s more pressure on your bladder. This will ease somewhat in the second trimester when the uterus moves into the abdominal cavity. If you notice a stinging sensation when you wee, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) so it’s best to see your GP.
There are momentous hormonal shifts in early pregnancy that can lead to hormonal headaches. They’re often exacerbated by dehydration and nausea (there’s a bit of a vicious cycle) so staying hydrated is essential. If you find that they are becoming persistent and debilitating, it’s best to talk to your GP or care provider.
WELCOME TO THE FIRST TRIMESTER is a 5-part audio course featuring interviews with a range of perinatal health specialists. It’s an informative and comforting guide (like having a knowledgeable friend on hand) that discusses:
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Pre-eclampsia is considered a serious pregnancy complication that requires prompt medical attention. It occurs after 20 weeks gestation and in rarer cases, can develop after birth (this is called ‘postpartum pre-eclampsia’). Between five and ten percent of preterm births in Australia are due to pre-eclampsia and its associated symptoms.
Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a blood screening test that determines the risk of your baby being born with certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13. It’s commonly called the Harmony Test and is done at 10 weeks gestation. It’s also an opportunity to find out the sex of your baby earlier than an ultrasound. In these stories, women share the reasons why they opted to have a NIPT.
Following your 12 week combined screening test, results may show low PAPP-A. This isn’t uncommon but it’s also not something that’s commonly discussed between friends or in pregnancy forums, hence it can be overwhelming at first.
If you are preparing for your glucose tolerance test between 24 to 28 weeks (or earlier if you have a history of insulin resistance), you may be wondering what gestational diabetes is and how it affects your pregnancy.
Chances are you’ve never heard of cytomegalovirus, even though you’ve likely had it. It’s a very common virus in the herpes virus family with 50 per cent of Australians having been infected by young adulthood and up to 85 per cent by 40 years of age.
Pregnancy is a common experience but we can’t forget how miraculous it is. The fact that you’re growing new life within you - and a whole new, temporary organ to sustain that life - is mind blowing when you stop to *actually* think about it. And for these reasons, it’s so important that you prioritise rest in pregnancy because it’s true - your body is working so hard to grow and sustain your baby and keep you healthy and energised, too.
If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, you’re likely taking note of every little twinge. It can quickly become allconsuming, especially if you’re past your estimated due date and well and truly over being pregnant.
The Miles Circuit can be used as a tool to encourage your baby into an aligned and ideal birthing position.