Useful Things to Know about Pregnancy

Useful Things to Know about Pregnancy 

Pregnancy Related Information for Pregnant Woman & Spouses

  • A pregnant woman has a higher chance of snoring when she sleeps. Studies have shown that pregnancy hormones can cause the membranes in a pregnant woman’s nose to soften and swell.
  • Pregnant women should stop wearing underwear bras as they can restrict the growth of the milk glands in your breasts.
  • Encourage pregnant women to wear looser and lighter clothes especially in hot temperature as too much heat isn’t good for their body and the baby.
  • Itching around the tummy is quite common. Itchy tummies are usually a result of the skin being stretched as the belly grows. Some pregnant women get itchy feet and hands, too. If the itch is badly all over, the pregnant women should tell her health provider. It is important to note that this could be a very rare but serious liver disorder.
  • A pregnant woman needs to visit the health facility for antenatal care at least four times according to the WHO standard. The importance of going for antenatal care is to increase the likelihood of survival and early detection and receipt of effective maternal health interventions for pregnancy related complications.
  • It is advisable for pregnant women to keep a snack, preferably a banana, by the bed. This is because morning sickness is usually twice as bad on an empty stomach. A snack taken after a pregnant woman visits the toilet at night can help alleviate morning sickness.
  • A pregnant woman needs to rub almond oil on her perineum every night after 32 weeks. Studies have suggested this can make the pregnant woman less likely to tear during delivery.
  • Pregnant women must try and worry less. In other words, they should try to be happy by looking on the bright side of life. US researchers have found that mums-to-be who look on the bright side of life sleep better, stay slimmer, have easier labours and give birth to stronger babies.
  • Pregnant women need to know that during pregnancy, they will smell different. The chemical changes going on in the body may mean a pregnant woman will start giving off a new, warm, alluring odour.
  • It is very likely during pregnancy that a woman may notice some vaginal discharge. This occurs as the cells around the cervix soften as pregnancy progresses. This combined with hormonal changes, can cause a (sometimes heavy) milky discharge. Unless it’s thick, green, and smelly or bloodstained.
  • Pregnant women usually have a high drive for sex or aren’t interested in it at all. These are temporary changes and go away after a while.
  • It is okay for pregnant women to have stretch marks. A pregnant woman shouldn’t be so obsessed and worried about these marks.
  • It is common for pregnant woman to have frequent heart burns. A pregnant woman should discuss with her health provider to find out the best way to address this challenge.
  • A Pregnant woman must eat or drink a lot of food or beverage which contains a lot of calcium, chew the bones, drink enough milk, or look for calcium-enriched orange juice, soya milk or water).
  • A lot of pregnant women are usually forgetful. This is known as pregnancy amnesia and is incredibly common and can include anything from being slightly absent-minded to full-on major memory loss. Usually after pregnancy, this goes away.
  • Pregnant women usually have weird mood swings. A pregnant woman and her spouse should expect weird things liked unexpected lightning flashes of anger, moments of uncontrollable weepiness and times of inexplicable fear.
  • Acne is common during pregnancy and many pregnant women develop or get newly formed pimples on their face or body. Also, the area around the nipple (areola) may become bigger and darker. Many women also experience heat rash, caused by dampness and perspiration, during pregnancy.
  • During pregnancy, most women experience constipation. This is because pregnancy hormones slow the rate of food passing through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, the uterus (womb) may push against your large intestine, making it difficult for waste to be eliminated. The best way to combat constipation is by eating a fibre-rich diet, drinking plenty of fluids daily, and exercising regularly. This can help keep bowel movements regular. Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help.

Source: MAMAYE GHANA MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH ADVOCACY TRAINING MANUAL BY ARHR. ARHR revised this manual to suit the DfID funded Evidence for Action (E4A) program

 

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