Congratulations You are Pregnant – Now What?

Pregnancy — By admin on August 17, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Finding out that you are pregnant for the first time is a major milestone in a woman’s life. Whether the pregnancy was planned or unplanned many women are at first in a state of disbelief. They take one home pregnancy test after another because they are sure the test must be wrong somehow. Nature has a way though of helping women to come to terms with the idea that they are truly pregnant by presenting several emotional and physical changes. Being pregnant for the first time can be scary. It is a new experience so there are often many worries and questions that develop as these emotional and physical changes occur. Knowing what emotional and physical changes can be expected during a pregnancy and what resources are available to help one cope with these changes can be empowering.

Emotional changes with pregnancy are common. Some women experience extreme mood swings as hormone levels fluctuate. Others find themselves deliriously happy throughout the pregnancy. Both are very normal. Increased stress levels are also common as women worry about the baby’s health, their health, and all the forthcoming lifestyle changes that being pregnant and having a baby will bring about. On top of the emotional fluctuations and added stress many women suddenly find themselves battling against bouts of forgetfulness during pregnancy. In general pregnancy can be an emotionally trying time with many ups and downs.

There are steps one can take to cope with the emotional changes of pregnancy. Resting, eating nutritiously, and participating in some light exercise are all excellent mood lifters and help to combat fatigue. Talking with a trusted healthcare provider or friend can alleviate many concerns and fears thus minimizing stress. Changes are always easier to deal with when they are not a surprise. It is a good idea to learn more about your body and what to expect whilst being pregnant. There are many books, magazines, classes, and websites that are devoted to pregnancy and child birth.

In addition to emotional changes, pregnancy also brings about several physical changes. One of the most obvious physical changes is weight gain. A woman of average weight should expect to gain 25-35 pounds when pregnant. A woman who is underweight should gain 28-40 pounds, while one who is overweight should gain only 15-25 pounds during. To meet these weight gain guidelines pregnant women should plan to consume about 100-300 calories more per day than they did pre-pregnancy. Many women find that they are gaining more weight than they anticipated while pregnant. However, it is important to remember that dieting to lose weight during pregnancy is not safe and is never recommended.

During pregnancy along with weight gain often come stretch marks. Stretch marks usually occur on the abdomen, upper legs, and breasts. Some women have had success minimizing stretch marks by using alpha-hydroxy acid based lotions and creams. Staying physically active and gaining weight in a slow and steady fashion also help to minimize stretch marks. Other common skin changes associated with pregnancy are the worsening of acne, the appearance of spider veins, darkening of facial skin (the mask of pregnancy) and hair and nail changes. Luckily the many skin, hair, and nail changes that are associated with pregnancy usually go away automatically post-pregnancy. However, treatments are available if skin changes are severe. For mild acne, daily use of an over –the-counter cleanser that contains alpha-hydroxy acid can help to decrease breakouts. For severe acne there are some medications and topical antibiotics that can safely be prescribed during pregnancy. Spider veins that do not resolve on their own can be removed post pregnancy by laser treatments. Masks of pregnancy can be prevented by the use of sunscreen and treated post pregnancy by chemical peels or bleaching creams.

These emotional and physical changes are just a few of many that occur with pregnancy. They become a part of a woman’s journey into parenthood. Each woman’s experience is unique so as pleasant or unpleasant as your pregnancy symptom’s may be remember to savor the journey while you are busily looking forward to the next chapter in your life.

[image from flickr]