Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sorry,
I have not posted any updates for almost a month. busy with work, which I hope can be passed to my collegue without any problem.. just incase .. you know.. incase of anything..since I'm already in my 3rd trimester now.
nothing much since I last posted. except for 3 things.
1. Constipation & hemorrhoids
about 4 weeks ago, for the first time in my second pregnancy.. i went thru this 2 complications.
Constipation:
Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.
Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, normal stool elimination may be three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person.
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their life, and a poor diet typically is the cause. Most constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief.
source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/
cause: hormone progesterone
• Eat high-fiber foods such as cereals, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Add a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to your cereal in the morning and follow it with a glass of water.
• Drink plenty of water — at least six to eight glasses a day. A glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, can also be helpful.
• Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming, riding on a stationary bike, and yoga can all help ease constipation and leave you feeling more fit and healthy.
• Listen to your body. Never put off going to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
• Ask your healthcare provider about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or switching to an iron supplement with less iron.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/836.html
in my case, I didnt do any of the above.. haa! no wonder!! ..
Hemorroids:
straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids,
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins — blood vessels that have become unusually swollen — that show up in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids typically range from the size of a raisin to the size of a grape. They can be merely itchy or downright painful, and sometimes they can even cause rectal bleeding, especially during a bowel movement.Sometimes the enlarged veins protrude through the anus. When this happens, you'll feel a soft, swollen mass.Hemorrhoids are relatively common during pregnancy. Some women get them for the first time while they're pregnant — and if you've had them before pregnancy, you're quite likely to have them again now. They may also develop during the second stage of labor, while you're pushing. Either way, they often go away on their own — or with the help of some simple measures mentioned below — soon after you give birth.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/244.html
Alhamdulillah.. these 2 problems didnt last long, & it happened only once..
2. contraction/braxton hicks - a bit too much
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Sometime after midpregnancy, you may start to notice some tightening in your uterus from time to time. Before 37 weeks, these Braxton-Hicks contractions should be infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless.Call your provider if the contractions are accompanied by lower back pain, if you feel more than four contractions an hour (even if they don't hurt), if they're coming at regular intervals, or if you have any other signs of premature labor.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/204.html
I had more than one contraction within 20minutes time (this was last Monday, May 14th 2007). thats too much at 28th weeks pregnant. I took off early from work, & went home to rest.. Alhamdulillah.. the contraction stoped.
what to do if you have contractions ?
A pregnant woman experiencing contractions, either painful or painless, anytime during pregnancy, that occur more than four times an hour or are less than 15 minutes apart should report this activity to her physician or midwife, and be prepared to answer the following questions:
- When did the discomfort start?
- What is the type and frequency of the contractions?
- What were you doing when the symptoms began?
- Do you have any other signs or symptoms such as:
- menstrual-like cramps that may come and go
- abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
- backache that is dull and may radiate around toward the abdomen
- vaginal discharge increase or a noticeable change in color
- pelvic pressure that is constant or intermittent
While waiting for her provider to return her call, the woman should:
- lie down with her feet elevated
- drink two or three glasses of water or juiceThese two activities sometimes cause contractions to subside.
If symptoms do not lessen within one hour and the woman is not able to get in touch with her health-care provider, she should go to the nearest hospital for further evaluation.
source: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00127.html
Wednesday, 16th May, my monthly checkup with my gynae.. she gave be bricanyl to avoid premature labour that may happen due to this contractions.
what is Bricanyl?
Bricanyl (brik-an-ill) is a medicine which is used in asthma, bronchospasm and premature labour. Bricanyl contains terbutaline. It is made by AstraZeneca UK Limited.
The information in this Medicine Guide for Bricanyl varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
source: http://medguides.medicines.org.uk/document.aspx?name=Bricanyl§ion=homepage
Again, Alhamdulillah these contractions didnt occur as much as it did on May 14th..
3. Pelvic pain @ Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
This started yesterday, May 21st 2007 .. I'm still in pain (on & off) I assume, the position of the baby caused this pain.. but my research below explain the truth about SPD.
Your pelvis is a kind of a circular bone that goes all around and almost meets in the middle in front. The two sides do not quite touch; there is a small gap between them connected by fibrocartilaginous tissue reinforced by several ligaments. This area is called the Pubic Symphysis. This is important for helping your pubic bone to move freely, stabilizing the pelvis while allowing a good range of motion. [An illustration of the pelvis can be found at http://omie.med.jhmi.edu/weblec/templatev1/lec11.html.]
The Pubic Symphysis and the Sacro-Iliac joints (in the back of the pelvis) are especially important during pregnancy, as their flexibility allows the bones to move freely and to expand to help a baby fit through more easily during birth.
In fact, the pregnancy hormones relaxin and progesterone help the ligaments of your body to loosen and be even MORE flexible than before, so that there is plenty of 'give' and lots of room for the baby to slip right through.
Because of these hormones, it is normal for there to be some extra looseness and pelvic pressure in pregnancy. This is good---it means your body is getting ready for birth! It's loosening up to give you maximum space and flexibility, and to help make things easy for you and your baby.
Symptoms
The symptoms of SPD vary from person to person, but almost all women who have it experience substantial pubic pain. Tenderness and pain down low in the front is common, but often this pain feels as if it's inside. The pubic area is generally very tender to the touch; many moms find it painful when the doctor or midwife pushes down on the pubic bone while measuring the uterus (fundal height).
Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is especially excruciating. One woman wrote, "There were days that I didn't think I was going to be able to get out of bed and actually had to roll out of bed and onto the floor to be able to do so!"
Tips for Coping with Pubic Symphysis Pain
Although the best idea may be to resolve chronic SPD pain through realigning the pelvis girdle and soft tissues, most women have at least some residual pubic and low back pain stick around for pregnancy and the early postpartum weeks because of hormones. Therefore, tips for coping with pubic pain tend to be a focus of many SPD websites. Many of the suggestions include:
-Use a pillow between your legs when sleeping; body pillows are a great investment!
-Use a pillow under your 'bump' (pregnancy tummy) when sleeping
-Keep your legs and hips as parallel/symmetrical as possible when moving or turning in bed
-Some women also find it helpful to have their partners stabilize their hips and hold them 'together' when rolling over in bed or otherwise adjusting position
-Some women report a waterbed mattress to be helpful
-Silk/satin sheets and nighties may make it easier to turn over in bed
-Swimming may help relieve pressure on the joint (many sites recommend avoiding breaststroke but Kmom did not find it to be a problem at all for her; see what works for you)
-Deep water aerobics or deep water running may be helpful as well (there are flotation devices to help you stay afloat easily during this; you do not need to know how to swim in order to do this)
-Keep your legs close together and move symmetrically (other sources recommend a very small gap between the legs with symmetrical movement)
-When standing, stand symmetrically, with your weight evenly distributed through both legs
-Sit down to get dressed, especially when putting on underwear or pants
-Avoid 'straddle' movements
-Swing your legs together as a unit when getting in and out of cars; use plastics or something smooth and slippery (like a garbage bag) on the car seat to help you enter car backwards and then turn your legs as a unit
-An ice pack may feel soothing and help reduce inflammation in the pubic area; painkillers may also help
-Move slowly and without sudden movements
-If sex is uncomfortable for you, use lots of pillows under your knees, or try other positions
-If bending over to pick up objects is difficult, there are devices available that can help with this
-Really severe cases may need crutches, although these should probably only be used as a last resort
-Sciatica may be helped by stretching the hamstring muscles with a stirrup around your foot (long piece of rope, two neck ties tied together, etc.) See the Elizabeth Noble book for directions (resources)
-Back pain can often be helped by resting backwards over a large gymnastic or 'birth' ball (see resources)
-Some women report that pelvic binders/maternity support belts are helpful for pelvic pain; brands in the U.S. include Prenatal Cradle or BabyHugger or the Reenie Belt. However, if the pelvic bones are really misaligned, some women report more pain with these. Listen to your body on whether to use these
source: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm
okay. thats all for now.. take care mommies & mommy to be!
I have not posted any updates for almost a month. busy with work, which I hope can be passed to my collegue without any problem.. just incase .. you know.. incase of anything..since I'm already in my 3rd trimester now.
nothing much since I last posted. except for 3 things.
1. Constipation & hemorrhoids
about 4 weeks ago, for the first time in my second pregnancy.. i went thru this 2 complications.
Constipation:
Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.
Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, normal stool elimination may be three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person.
Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their life, and a poor diet typically is the cause. Most constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief.
source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/
cause: hormone progesterone
• Eat high-fiber foods such as cereals, whole-grain breads, and fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Add a couple of tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran (available at health food stores) to your cereal in the morning and follow it with a glass of water.
• Drink plenty of water — at least six to eight glasses a day. A glass of fruit juice every day, especially prune juice, can also be helpful.
• Exercise regularly. Walking, swimming, riding on a stationary bike, and yoga can all help ease constipation and leave you feeling more fit and healthy.
• Listen to your body. Never put off going to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
• Ask your healthcare provider about taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or switching to an iron supplement with less iron.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/836.html
in my case, I didnt do any of the above.. haa! no wonder!! ..
Hemorroids:
straining during a bowel movement or passing a hard stool can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids,
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins — blood vessels that have become unusually swollen — that show up in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids typically range from the size of a raisin to the size of a grape. They can be merely itchy or downright painful, and sometimes they can even cause rectal bleeding, especially during a bowel movement.Sometimes the enlarged veins protrude through the anus. When this happens, you'll feel a soft, swollen mass.Hemorrhoids are relatively common during pregnancy. Some women get them for the first time while they're pregnant — and if you've had them before pregnancy, you're quite likely to have them again now. They may also develop during the second stage of labor, while you're pushing. Either way, they often go away on their own — or with the help of some simple measures mentioned below — soon after you give birth.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/244.html
Alhamdulillah.. these 2 problems didnt last long, & it happened only once..
2. contraction/braxton hicks - a bit too much
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Sometime after midpregnancy, you may start to notice some tightening in your uterus from time to time. Before 37 weeks, these Braxton-Hicks contractions should be infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless.Call your provider if the contractions are accompanied by lower back pain, if you feel more than four contractions an hour (even if they don't hurt), if they're coming at regular intervals, or if you have any other signs of premature labor.
source: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/204.html
I had more than one contraction within 20minutes time (this was last Monday, May 14th 2007). thats too much at 28th weeks pregnant. I took off early from work, & went home to rest.. Alhamdulillah.. the contraction stoped.
what to do if you have contractions ?
A pregnant woman experiencing contractions, either painful or painless, anytime during pregnancy, that occur more than four times an hour or are less than 15 minutes apart should report this activity to her physician or midwife, and be prepared to answer the following questions:
- When did the discomfort start?
- What is the type and frequency of the contractions?
- What were you doing when the symptoms began?
- Do you have any other signs or symptoms such as:
- menstrual-like cramps that may come and go
- abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
- backache that is dull and may radiate around toward the abdomen
- vaginal discharge increase or a noticeable change in color
- pelvic pressure that is constant or intermittent
While waiting for her provider to return her call, the woman should:
- lie down with her feet elevated
- drink two or three glasses of water or juiceThese two activities sometimes cause contractions to subside.
If symptoms do not lessen within one hour and the woman is not able to get in touch with her health-care provider, she should go to the nearest hospital for further evaluation.
source: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00127.html
Wednesday, 16th May, my monthly checkup with my gynae.. she gave be bricanyl to avoid premature labour that may happen due to this contractions.
what is Bricanyl?
Bricanyl (brik-an-ill) is a medicine which is used in asthma, bronchospasm and premature labour. Bricanyl contains terbutaline. It is made by AstraZeneca UK Limited.
The information in this Medicine Guide for Bricanyl varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
source: http://medguides.medicines.org.uk/document.aspx?name=Bricanyl§ion=homepage
Again, Alhamdulillah these contractions didnt occur as much as it did on May 14th..
3. Pelvic pain @ Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
This started yesterday, May 21st 2007 .. I'm still in pain (on & off) I assume, the position of the baby caused this pain.. but my research below explain the truth about SPD.
Your pelvis is a kind of a circular bone that goes all around and almost meets in the middle in front. The two sides do not quite touch; there is a small gap between them connected by fibrocartilaginous tissue reinforced by several ligaments. This area is called the Pubic Symphysis. This is important for helping your pubic bone to move freely, stabilizing the pelvis while allowing a good range of motion. [An illustration of the pelvis can be found at http://omie.med.jhmi.edu/weblec/templatev1/lec11.html.]
The Pubic Symphysis and the Sacro-Iliac joints (in the back of the pelvis) are especially important during pregnancy, as their flexibility allows the bones to move freely and to expand to help a baby fit through more easily during birth.
In fact, the pregnancy hormones relaxin and progesterone help the ligaments of your body to loosen and be even MORE flexible than before, so that there is plenty of 'give' and lots of room for the baby to slip right through.
Because of these hormones, it is normal for there to be some extra looseness and pelvic pressure in pregnancy. This is good---it means your body is getting ready for birth! It's loosening up to give you maximum space and flexibility, and to help make things easy for you and your baby.
Symptoms
The symptoms of SPD vary from person to person, but almost all women who have it experience substantial pubic pain. Tenderness and pain down low in the front is common, but often this pain feels as if it's inside. The pubic area is generally very tender to the touch; many moms find it painful when the doctor or midwife pushes down on the pubic bone while measuring the uterus (fundal height).
Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is especially excruciating. One woman wrote, "There were days that I didn't think I was going to be able to get out of bed and actually had to roll out of bed and onto the floor to be able to do so!"
Tips for Coping with Pubic Symphysis Pain
Although the best idea may be to resolve chronic SPD pain through realigning the pelvis girdle and soft tissues, most women have at least some residual pubic and low back pain stick around for pregnancy and the early postpartum weeks because of hormones. Therefore, tips for coping with pubic pain tend to be a focus of many SPD websites. Many of the suggestions include:
-Use a pillow between your legs when sleeping; body pillows are a great investment!
-Use a pillow under your 'bump' (pregnancy tummy) when sleeping
-Keep your legs and hips as parallel/symmetrical as possible when moving or turning in bed
-Some women also find it helpful to have their partners stabilize their hips and hold them 'together' when rolling over in bed or otherwise adjusting position
-Some women report a waterbed mattress to be helpful
-Silk/satin sheets and nighties may make it easier to turn over in bed
-Swimming may help relieve pressure on the joint (many sites recommend avoiding breaststroke but Kmom did not find it to be a problem at all for her; see what works for you)
-Deep water aerobics or deep water running may be helpful as well (there are flotation devices to help you stay afloat easily during this; you do not need to know how to swim in order to do this)
-Keep your legs close together and move symmetrically (other sources recommend a very small gap between the legs with symmetrical movement)
-When standing, stand symmetrically, with your weight evenly distributed through both legs
-Sit down to get dressed, especially when putting on underwear or pants
-Avoid 'straddle' movements
-Swing your legs together as a unit when getting in and out of cars; use plastics or something smooth and slippery (like a garbage bag) on the car seat to help you enter car backwards and then turn your legs as a unit
-An ice pack may feel soothing and help reduce inflammation in the pubic area; painkillers may also help
-Move slowly and without sudden movements
-If sex is uncomfortable for you, use lots of pillows under your knees, or try other positions
-If bending over to pick up objects is difficult, there are devices available that can help with this
-Really severe cases may need crutches, although these should probably only be used as a last resort
-Sciatica may be helped by stretching the hamstring muscles with a stirrup around your foot (long piece of rope, two neck ties tied together, etc.) See the Elizabeth Noble book for directions (resources)
-Back pain can often be helped by resting backwards over a large gymnastic or 'birth' ball (see resources)
-Some women report that pelvic binders/maternity support belts are helpful for pelvic pain; brands in the U.S. include Prenatal Cradle or BabyHugger or the Reenie Belt. However, if the pelvic bones are really misaligned, some women report more pain with these. Listen to your body on whether to use these
source: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm
okay. thats all for now.. take care mommies & mommy to be!
Labels: 29th week, complications, gynae visit, health
