Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting - and challenging - times in a woman's life.
Of course there's the excitement and anticipation, but there may also be fear and anxiety - as well as the many physical challenges such as morning sickness, weight gain and pregnancy aches and pains.
Being a mother of four beautiful daughters, I can say the pregnancy journey is different with each child. With one pregnancy, you crave sugary things and all the junk in the world, while with the next, you only need vegetables.
It is important to understand the different stages of pregnancy and the issues you are likely to face. And this has definitely been made easier by the Internet.
That said, nothing quite beats a firsthand account. So here are my top tips for a happy pregnancy.
The first trimester
This is the period between conception and week 12 of pregnancy. Your body goes through many changes thanks to all the new hormones and these may lead to nausea, mood swings, vomiting, and cravings.
There are women who do not experience any of these things but I experienced vomiting in all of my pregnancies, and it was one of the most difficult and uncomfortable stages. Taking lots of water and sour-tasting fruits (lemon) helped quite a deal.
Staying healthy
It is important to stay healthy and keep your strength up in this trimester, and I would suggest doing the following:
- Make an appointment with the doctor to start the care of the baby
- Take prenatal vitamins to help your developing baby
- Work out your pelvic floor by doing kegel exercises
- Eat a diet high in fiber with plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Drink lots of water
- Eat enough calories
Things to avoid
While it's important to stock up on the good stuff, it's equally important to avoid anything that could be harmful to your baby, such as:
- Alcohol
- Too much caffeine
- Smoking
- Recreational drugs
- Unpasteurized milk or raw dairy products
- Swordfish, shark, or white snapper which may contain high levels of mercury
- Cat litter - it can carry a harmful parasite known as toxoplasmosis.
The second trimester
This is categorized from week 13 through week 27 of pregnancy. Most women begin showing a bump and report having an easier time as compared to the first trimester.
In this period, the organs of the fetus are fully developed. They develop a sleeping and waking pattern that a mother can detect. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the baby is around 14 inches and weighs about 2 pounds.
What to look out for
In this trimester, you may experience:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness as a result of low blood pressure
- Movements of the baby
- Stretch marks on your belly, thighs, or buttocks. I used to apply cocoa butter lotion liberally to my belly and thighs and never got any
- Itching.
Preparing for baby
It's important that you keep taking your prenatal supplements, drink lots of water, exercise regularly, continue working out the pelvic floor by doing kegel exercises, and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
During this trimester, you should also think about taking classes on breastfeeding, infant CPR, first aid, and parenting.
Educate yourself with online research and also watch birth videos that don't traumatize you! Watching these videos on YouTube empowered me for childbirth.
Also, a visit to your hospital or birth center is advised and preparing a nursery in your house or apartment is also recommended.
Common second trimester symptoms
There are people who experience other common issues that include:
- Constipation: You are advised to drink lots of water, and eat whole grains and high-fiber foods like beans. Speak to your doctor if you're in discomfort
- Gas: Slower moving intestine muscles mean that your digestion slows down. This may lead to a build-up of gas in the abdomen, causing belly pain, cramps, burping and flatulence. To solve this, drink lots of water, cut out fizzy drinks, eat more fiber and try some light exercise
- Heartburn: Pregnancy hormones can make the valve at the entrance to the stomach relax so that it doesn't close as it should. And this means acid leaks back into the esophagus. Try some ginger or papaya. Elevating your pillows in bed helps reduce heartburn at night.
The third Trimester
The third trimester lasts from week 29 to week 40. In this period, the baby grows quite rapidly and should change position, ready for birth. The baby can smile, cry, and even suck a thumb.
Some of the things I experienced during this trimester were:
- Insomnia: I couldn’t sleep in this trimester. Developing a reading pattern would eventually help me fall asleep
- Abdominal pain: With the baby taking up much space in your abdomen, you become uncomfortable at night
- Breast enlargement: During this trimester, the breasts enlarge and may leak. Putting on a supportive bra may help ease the weight off your back
- Backache: The extra weight may cause pressure on your back. Sleeping on your side with pillows between your thighs may help ease the pain in your back
- Frequent urination: The pressure of your baby’s head on your bladder may cause a little leak when you laugh, cough, or even when you exercise. Avoiding fluids before bedtime may help reduce frequent peeing at night
- Hemorrhoids: These are swollen veins in your lower rectum which can be quite painful. You may need to sit in a warm tub to help ease the pain
Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum recovery is a journey every mum embarks on, whether you've had a vaginal birth or a C-section. You will have a follow-up appointment with your consultant six weeks postpartum to make sure you are recovering and healing properly.
Some of the things you will experience after birth include:
- Vaginal bleeding: The bleeding is perfectly normal and typically heavier and bright red for up to 10 days after giving birth. It then transitions into lighter bleeding or spotting that can last up to six weeks after delivery
- Stiches: A vaginal birth may cause a tear that could result in an episiotomy. Sitting in a warm bath really helps on this one. I had a severe tear during the birth of my second child, but good care, antibiotics, and sitting in warm water helped me heal quickly
- Sore or cracked nipples: This is common if you are breastfeeding. Using nipple cream and applying your own milk on the nipple can help ease the pain.
Support system
Having a good support system can help during pregnancy and after birth.
It's important to eat well, stay hydrated and rest when you can.
The Mommy Diaries is a monthly series in which Caribbean moms open up about their personal experiences and unique journeys to support, inform and inspire other moms.