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Week 32 Welcome to Week 32 of the Kid and Parent Pregnancy
show. You might have gone breathless with joy at being pregnant initially but breathlessness
becomes sort of a daily routine later on. In this show, we will discuss the reasons
of breathlessness and how to cope with it. We will also talk about normal and c-section
delivery.
Changes Taking Place in Mother You may find your aversions or cravings to
food getting stronger. It is very important to maintain a healthy diet for both yours
and your baby's health. Do not give in to any unhealthy food. Your hips and ligaments
are loosening to prepare themselves for delivery. The blood volume in your body increases by
about 50% compared with prior to pregnancy. This is to support your baby in the womb.
You may experience pain in your lower back or buttocks. Your center of gravity keeps
on shifting and you may tend to trip. Take care to avoid falling as this could harm your
baby. Make sure to consult your doctor immediately if you feel any unusual pain from this week.
Start packing things for your baby to avoid last minute rush. Finish buying all the things
you will need in the hospital and the baby afterbirth.
How is Baby Doing ? Your baby has very less space to move about.
However, you can feel his kicks becoming very prominent and vigorous. He starts turning
his head and may even be able to dream. He continues to gain weight and becomes stronger.
He has smooth finger nails and toe nails.
Breathlessness Breathlessness can happen early in the first
trimester and/or later in the third trimester. This is usually harmless. However if you find
yourself breathless along with other problems such as dizziness, chest pain, rapid heart
beat and pulse rate, fever, worsening asthma and vomiting, contact your doctor immediately.
Hormone progesterone increases the amount of air taken into the lung with each breath.
This helps more oxygen to be transported by your blood. In the second half of pregnancy,
your uterus starts pushing the diaphragm against your lungs. This prevents the lungs from expanding
downwards with each breath and you may suffer from breathlessness.
How to ease your breathlessness 1. Maintain a straight posture while sitting
or standing. 2. Slow down your movements and reduce the
pressure on your lungs. 3. Sleep with your head and upper part of
your body raised on a pillow. 4. Change your positions often.
5. Avoid foods rich in fat, sugar and salt and maintain a balanced diet.
6. Do yoga or walking exercise after discussing with your doctor.
7. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation. With the help of a trainer, do
breathing exercises such as abdominal breathing.
Can I have fizzy drinks/soda during pregnancy ?
Many soft drinks are a source of caffeine. Excess caffeine in your blood is not good
for the growing baby. Besides, soft drinks have no nutritional value. So it is better
to avoid them.
Delivery Methods Nature has prepared the body for childbirth
of the baby. Vaginal delivery is the natural way to deliver your baby. This is also the
most common method of delivery. Sometimes a woman has to undergo cesarean section delivery
due to various reasons.
Vaginal Delivery Methods * In some cases to help the baby come out
foreceps are used that is called forceps delivery. * If baby's head is not able to come out,
a vaccum cup is fitted and the baby is sucked out, this is called vaccum delivery.
What is C-Section ? A cesarean section is a surgery performed
when the normal vaginal delivery may pose a risk to either mother or baby. Incisions
are made through a mother's abdomen and uterus to help in delivering the baby.
Some Factors for Cesarean Section 1. Prolonged labour.
2. Fetal distress. 3. Placental problems.
4. Uterine rupture. 5. Breech or transverse positions of the baby.
6. Failure of induced labour and delivery using instruments such as forceps and ventouse.
7. Large baby. 8. Umbilical cord abnormalities.
9. The mother has *** which may pass on to the baby through a vaginal delivery.
10. Complications in pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia and hypertension.
Drinking more water, not less helps in preventing water retention.
Have a nice week with this humorous thought by Rita Rudner
Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside.
Rita Rudner