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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, Labor & Delivery

Why Bаbies Hіссuр In Thе Womb

Pregnancy is a time оf соnѕtаnt сhаngе fоr both you аnd your grоwіng bаbу. A рrеgnаnt wоmаn wіll nоtісе mаnу dіffеrеnt movements as thе bаbу develops. Thеѕе movements are lіkеlу to gеt ѕtrоngеr with еасh trіmеѕtеr. Alоng wіth rolls, jabs аnd kісkѕ, уоu mау аlѕо feel ѕmаll, rереаtеd ѕраѕmѕ in your womb. Sometimes, yоu can mіѕtаkе thеm fоr kісkѕ, but they аrе fоеtаl hіссuрѕ. Exреrіеnсіng short and rhуthmіс mоvеmеntѕ (оr foetus hiccups) in thе Wоmb іѕ соmmоn durіng рrеgnаnсу, but identifying them can be difficult. So, find out whу a bаbу hіссuрѕ іn the Womb аnd hоw you can differentiate bеtwееn hіѕ hiccups аnd kісkѕ.

Cаuѕеѕ a baby tо hiccup іn the wоmb
Doctors dоn’t еxасtlу knоw thе rеаѕоnѕ fоr foetal hіссuрѕ. Nоt аll babies hаvе hіссuрѕ іn thе womb. It іѕ believed thаt foetal hіссuрѕ are rеlаtеd tо thе bаbу’ѕ dеvеlоріng lungѕ, but thаt’ѕ nоt рrоvеn yet. A baby trуіng tо аdjuѕt to all nеw thіngѕ іn thе Wоmb may have hіссuрѕ. Whеn a bаbу hаѕ hіссuрѕ іn the womb, іt іѕ a ѕіgn thаt hе is mееtіng hіѕ dеvеlорmеntаl mіlеѕtоnеѕ оn tіmе аnd that hіѕ рrоgrеѕѕ іѕ оn trасk.

While рrеgnаnt, it may wоrrу уоu іf you fееl уоur bаbу’ѕ hіссuрѕ in уоur womb, but doctors have іdеntіfіеd thе following reasons аѕ to whу a bаbу may hіссuр whіlе he іn thе utеruѕ.

• Contracting diaphragm
Fоеtаl hiccups are similar tо thе hіссuрѕ еxреrіеnсеd bу сhіldrеn and adults. It іѕ caused bу the sudden оnѕеt оf intense соntrасtіоnѕ or spasms of thе diaphragm іn a fеtuѕ. This muѕсlе acts as the раrtіtіоn between thе lungs аnd thе аbdоmеn. Hiccups in the utеruѕ are a rеасtіоn tо the baby breathing amniotic fluіd within thе аmnіоtіс ѕас. Aftеr dеvеlоріng the central nervous ѕуѕtеm, thе amniotic асіd flows іn and оut оf thе bаbу’ѕ lungѕ, mаkіng thе dіарhrаgm соntrасt spontaneously.

• Compressed umbіlісаl cord
An alarming and еxtrеmеlу ѕеrіоuѕ mеdісаl condition іn which a foetus іѕ lіkеlу to gеt hiccups іѕ whеn thе umbіlісаl соrd іѕ wrapped аrоund thе bаbу’ѕ nесk оr is соmрrеѕѕеd. This usually occurs іn the ѕесоnd аnd thіrd trimesters оf the рrеgnаnсу.

Durіng рrеgnаnсу, уоu mіght bе аblе tо undеrѕtаnd thе different раttеrnѕ оf hiccups. If уоu nоtісе іrrеgulаrіtу оr сhаngеѕ іn thе duration оf hіссuрѕ, уоu ѕhоuld соnѕult уоur doctor. The hіссuрѕ іn this instance uѕuаllу оссur duе tо lіmіtеd оr no air ѕuррlу tо уоur bаbу. When уоu sense thеrе іѕ a ѕlіght tо a drаѕtіс сhаngе in thе hiccups or even kicking in the womb, уоu must іmmеdіаtеlу seek medical hеlр.

When to еxресt baby hiccups
Yоu mау ѕtаrt tо nоtісе foеtаl hіссuрѕ іn уоur ѕесоnd оr thіrd trіmеѕtеr. Mаnу mummies ѕtаrt tо feel thеѕе “jerky motions” in thеіr ѕіxth mоnth оf pregnancy. But lіkе fetal mоvеmеnt, еvеrуоnе ѕtаrtѕ to fееl them аt a different tіmе.

Sоmе bаbіеѕ gеt hiccups several tіmеѕ a day. Othеrѕ may nоt gеt thеm аt all. Thе cause оf hіссuрѕ isn’t wеll-undеrѕtооd. Thіѕ gоеѕ fоr whу thеу happen in kіdѕ and аdultѕ, too. One thеоrу is that foеtаl hіссuрѕ play a rоlе іn lung mаturаtіоn. In mоѕt саѕеѕ, thе gооd nеwѕ іѕ that this rеflеx іѕ nоrmаl and juѕt аnоthеr раrt of рrеgnаnсу.

It’ѕ іmроrtаnt tо nоtе thаt foetal hіссuрѕ аrе, іn general, соnѕіdеrеd a gооd ѕіgn. Aftеr wееk 32, though, іt’ѕ less соmmоn to еxреrіеnсе fеtаl hiccups every dау. You mау wаnt tо соntасt уоur dосtоr іf your bаbу соntіnuеѕ to hiccup dаіlу аftеr this point, with the еріѕоdеѕ lasting over 15 mіnutеѕ, оr if уоur baby has thrее оr mоrе ѕеrіеѕ оf hіссuрѕ іn a dау.

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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, Labor & Delivery

The Risk Of Low Lying Placenta

Low lying placenta, also known as Placenta Previa is one of the many dangerous complications of pregnancy. It occurs when the baby’s placenta covers part or all of the cervix during the last trimester of pregnancy. This condition typically results in severe bleeding before or during delivery.

The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. Its function is to provide nutrients and oxygen to the growing baby. While it is normal for the placenta to be low in the uterus at the beginning of pregnancy, it always moves to the top position as the uterus stretches and increases its size, thereby making the cervix clear for delivery.

However, if the placenta fails to move to the top of the uterus, but instead attaches itself to a part or the whole cervix, it becomes a problem known as placenta previa or low lying placenta. Women diagnosed with this condition often require bed rest.

The major symptom of placenta previa is a sudden light or heavy vaginal bleeding. Meanwhile, other signs and symptoms of placenta previa, include cramps or sharp pain, bleeding after sex, bleeding during the second half of pregnancy as well as bleeding that could start and stop at any time.

Low lying placenta can be dangerous for a vaginal birth because the mother could easily experience severe hemorrhage during delivery or during the first few hours after delivery. Low lying placenta can therefore necessitate an emergency C-section even if the baby is still premature to reduce the risk of possibly bleeding to death.

Although any woman can suffer from placenta previa, the major risk factors include;
• Being older than 35
• Having a large placenta
• Having had a prior miscarriage
• Being pregnant with twins or other multiples
• Having had surgeries like caesarean, D&C (Dilation and Curettage) or surgery to remove a uterine fibroid
• Having already given birth
• An unusual position of the baby such as breach or transverse
• Having an abnormally shaped uterus

In treating placenta previa, doctors often take a few things into consideration, including the amount of bleeding, the baby’s health, how old the pregnancy is as well as the position of the baby and that of the placenta. For cases of severe bleeding, patients may require bed rest, blood transfusion and medications to avoid premature labor. The doctor may also advise that a C-section is scheduled as soon as the baby is safe for delivery.

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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, Health

Pulmonary Embolism During Pregnancy

Pulmonary embolism is a rare pregnancy complication that affects approximately 1 in 7,000 pregnant women.1 This condition occurs when a blood clot gets caught in an artery in the lungs. Pregnant women are at more risk of developing Pulmonary Embolism because they are up to five times more likely to develop blood clots than people who are not pregnant. During pregnancy, the body generally increases the production of blood factors that promote normal clotting. Besides, the growing uterus also impedes the return of blood in veins in the lower part of the body, thereby resulting in superficial problems like varicose veins.

At times, increases in blood clotting factors with a simultaneous decreased flow of blood in the veins from the expanding uterus can result in blood clots in the legs. When a clot finally breaks free and travel to the lungs, it becomes a medical emergency called Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary Embolism typically occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, during or shortly after labor and delivery. It could easily result in the death of the mother if prompt medical interventions are not made. This condition has been reported to be a leading cause of maternal deaths in developed countries.

Pulmonary Embolism does not always cause symptoms, some of its common symptoms include:
• Shortness of breath;
• A cough that may include blood sputum;
• Increased heart rate;
• Lightheadedness, dizziness and possibly fainting;
• Unexplained anxiety;
• And leg swellings that are more noticeable in one leg.

Having any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily translate to having Pulmonary Embolism because these symptoms are also some of the signs of other conditions, such as flu. It is therefore of the utmost importance to see your doctor with these symptoms so that a proper diagnosis can be made in time.

Some women are at greater risk of developing Pulmonary Embolism than others. For instance, women with a history of blood clots and varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis are at a greater risk of developing the condition. Also, women who gain a lot of weight during pregnancy or at the time of delivery are also at a greater risk of developing Pulmonary Embolism. In addition, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is another risk factor for Pulmonary Embolism. Finally, women carrying multiple babies like twins and triplets also have a greater risk of developing the condition.

Pulmonary Embolism can be treated. Most pregnant women with the condition are being administered with blood thinners to reduce the blood’s ability to clot. Meanwhile, in emergency situations, thrombolytics are given to break up blood clots.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism, do speak to your doctor as soon as possible for immediate medical care.

Reference:
1) Pulmonary embolism in pregnancy: Know the symptoms, risks of blood clot. UTSouthwestern Medical Center website. https://utswmed.org/medblog/pulmonary-embolism-pregnancy/. Last accessed April 22, 2021

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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, Health

Why Do I Have Hemorrhoids And Varicose Veins In Pregnancy?

Hemorrhoids and varicose veins may seem unrelated but they are quite similar complications that pregnant women face, especially during the third trimester. Both hemorrhoids and varicose veins are swollen twisted veins. These veins are often formed in the legs but when they are formed in other parts of the body such as the rectum, they are called hemorrhoids.

Veins are normally known to have one-way valves that direct blood flow towards the heart. However, sometimes, pressure or weakening of these valves instead allows blood to go back up and pool in the veins, thereby causing them to enlarge and become varicose veins. For pregnant women, the heavyweight of the growing baby could press on the large blood vessels in the pelvis, thereby causing the smaller veins in the pelvis and legs to swell.

Hemorrhoids on the other hand results when the rectal veins enlarge and swell. The condition can get worst with pushing and straining when constipated. If a woman is overweight or has had a hemorrhoid before, it can get worst during pregnancy. Also, when a woman pushes during delivery, her hemorrhoids likely worsens.

Some pregnant women are more prone to having varicose veins than others. For instance, if it runs in your family, it’s easy for you to also have it during pregnancy. More so, pregnant women who sit or stand in one position for too long may force their veins to work harder to pump blood to their hearts. The result is often swollen varicose veins and it can also aggravate already existing hemorrhoids.

It is worth noting that hemorrhoids can be internal or external, and while internal hemorrhoids always form inside the rectum, external hemorrhoids are often located outside, notably around the opening of the anus. The main symptom of an internal hemorrhoid is bright red blood in stool, whereas external hemorrhoids can be itchy, painful and could easily bleed if irritated by straining or wiping.

The symptoms of varicose veins always appear as large blue veins on the legs. Pregnant women may also experience mild swellings in their legs, feet or ankles and throbbing or a feeling of heaviness in their legs. Leg cramps are also associated with varicose veins.

Hemorrhoids in pregnancy are usually temporal and often go away a few weeks after delivery. Moreover, there are a few things that can help reduce the discomfort caused by this condition. For instance, you could use ice water or cold compresses to reduce the swelling. You can also apply prescribed creams and ointments that are safe to use during pregnancy. In general, the best way to avoid hemorrhoids is to prevent constipation and you can do so by adding lots of fiber and fluids in your diet.

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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, Lifestyle

Everything You Need To Know About Your Urine Color During Pregnancy

Changes in urine color are pretty normal during pregnancy. Inasmuch as a change in urine color can be a sign of pregnancy, it could also be as a result of a problem during pregnancy. Normal urine color always ranges from very light almost transparent yellow to a slightly darker shade of yellow. However, during pregnancy there can be a pronounced change in the color of urine as it can range from an intense bright yellow to a darker, shade of yellow.

The color of urine is normally determined by a pigment called urobilin. And the appearance of this pigment often depends on the consistency of the urine. Therefore, it explains why the pigment of your urine is always a lighter shade when you are hydrated and darker when it’s concentrated. That said, the other factors that can influence the color of urine during pregnancy include:

1.) A change of diet
It is imperative for pregnant women to eat healthily. When a pregnant woman switches to a healthy diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other healthy foods, her urine color could change as well.

2.) Vitamins and medications
Pregnant women often take prenatal vitamins and supplements to keep themselves and their babies healthy. However, because their bodies cannot totally break down the vitamins, some are discarded from the body in the form of a darker shade of urine. If you are sure the change in the color of your urine is as a result of a change of diet or vitamins, then there is no cause for alarm.

3.) Dehydration
Dehydration is another culprit for a change in urine color during pregnancy. It’s normal for some pregnant women to experience dehydration even when they have been drinking more than enough water. This is particularly the case with women who have severe morning sickness characterized by nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Of course, this can also result in changes in the color of urine.

4.) Diseases and infections
Certain infections such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), Urinary bladder infections as well as kidney disease may also cause the color of urine to change during pregnancy. But of course, most of these conditions have other symptoms aside from changes in the color of urine.

It is of utmost importance to conduct urine tests from time to time during pregnancy. This will help in detecting possible conditions that require further tests and treatments.

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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, General Expecting

Why Say Yes To Fruit Juice During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are expected to eat healthy for their optimal health and that of their babies. Fruits are one of the healthy options for pregnant women and most of them prefer consuming them in the form of fruit juices. Remember the woman is responsible for nourishing her baby in the womb and whatever she is consuming will definitely affect the growth of the fetus she is carrying. Here are some reasons why fruit juice is a yes during pregnancy;

• It’s refreshing and prevents dehydration
Dehydration is quite common among pregnant women. Most of them may find it hard to drink water because of the metallic taste caused by pregnancy hormones. Consuming natural fruit juice is a healthy choice for them because, unlike water, fruit juice tastes good and is more refreshing. Of course, consuming lots of fruit juice helps in keeping pregnant women hydrated. Apple and orange juices are some of the refreshing choices for pregnant women.

• A source of folic acid
Folic acid is very important to pregnant women as it can help prevent certain major birth defects of the baby’s brain. Aside from the folic acid supplements, pregnant women can also opt to consume those food items that are rich in folic acid. Certain fruit juices are known to be rich in folic acid and should therefore be a great choice for pregnant women. Examples of such juices include pomegranate juice, as well as juices made with citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, etc.

• A source of nutrients
Pregnant women need lots of vitamins, most of which can be gotten from fruits. Fruits are generally high in minerals such as calcium, iron and phosphorus which are vital for the development of the brain, teeth, bones and other organs of the fetus. Apple, banana, pomegranates, mulberries and black currants juices are ideal for pregnant women since they are packed with the right nutrients and minerals.

• Increases endurance and fetal immunity
Another reason you should consume fruit juice during pregnancy is the fact that it goes a long way to increase fetal immunity and endurance in pregnant women. Vitamin C which is found in many fruits including strawberries, kiwi, mango, watermelon, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits is recommended for pregnant women.

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Momsup Editor published in Cord Blood Banking, Expecting

Mommy Saab’s Word on Cord Blood Banking

More and more mommies are learning better about the benefits of cord blood and cord blood banking! Now let’s also find out why Cordlife continues to earn the trust of a growing number of Filipino families!

Join Mommy Saab Magalona-Bacarro once again in an informative True or False game with Cordlife Mom Anna Tantuico-Herrera and first-time mom-to-be, Mommy Danielle Brimo-Stern!

 

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Momsup Editor published in Expecting, Pregnancy Weekly

Week 30

At 30thweek, you are just 10 weeks away from delivering the beautiful child. You will face some difficulties and challenges during this week which you should be prepared for making your pregnancy easier and comfortable. You’ll definitely encounter some mixed feelings during this stage as you are getting closer to the due date.

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Momsup Editor published in Cord Blood Banking, Expecting

BUSTED: 7 Common Myths of Cord Blood Banking

The umbilical cord is the lifeline between you and your baby – it connects your developing baby to your placenta, which helps to provide nutrients and remove waste. Cord blood, also called “placental blood”, is blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following the birth of a baby and after the umbilical cord is cut after delivery.

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admin published in Parenting, Postnatal Care

Best Foods For Mom After Cesarean

The period after a cesarian surgery is straining both mentally and physically for a mother. You will need healthy food to bring back your health. Getting a rich diet will not only boost your health but also hasten your healing process. When it comes to food for post C-section mothers, others say they should take solid food while some say these mothers should not take solid food: So what foods should post C-section mothers take?

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admin published in Expecting, Third Trimester

10 Things About 3rd Trimester

Because your bump increases in size, your organs receive more pressure. That is why, many women experience difficulty in breathing. Also, you will still need to deal with the same discomforts you had during the second trimester.

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