Brenda Goodnough, RN - March 24th, 2010
Over 50% of pregnant women will experience morning sickness to some degree or another. As the name implies, most women will notice this after arising in the morning, but it can occur any time of day or even last all day.
The exact cause of morning sickness is not known but most believe it is a result of rapidly rising hormone levels associated with pregnancy. Low blood sugar, which is also common at this time, is thought to be another contributor to this frequent issue of pregnancy.
Most women start to experience the symptoms at around their 6th week of pregnancy and notice that it starts to subside around the 12th week. However, a small percentage of women will find themselves dealing with nausea throughout their pregnancy. Actual vomiting is not always associated with morning sickness and the symptoms can range from very mild to severe.
The absence of morning sickness does not mean that there is anything wrong with the pregnancy but the presence is usually a pretty good indictor that the pregnancy is progressing.
Helpful Do's and Don'ts:
• Eat small meals often
• Drink fluids before or after a meal, but not with meals
• Drink small amounts of fluids during the day to avoid dehydration
• Eat soda crackers 15 minutes before getting up in the morning
• Avoid foods and smells that increase nausea
• Cook in well ventilated spaces to avoid odors that may bother you
• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid warm places (feeling hot adds to nausea)
• Some salty foods and foods high in carbs may help settle the stomach
• Exercise
• Avoid lying down after eating
• Do not skip meals
• Avoid spicy, greasy, and fatty foods
Morning sickness can only become a problem for your baby if you can't keep any foods or fluids down and begin to lose a lot of weight.
Mild cases are often treated with dietary measures, rest and antacids. Severe cases often require a stay in the hospital where fluid and nutrition can be delivered through an intravenous line.
If you are concerned about the severity of nausea and vomiting you are experiencing it is important to seek medical attention for evaluation and treatment.
Lisa P. - March 17th, 2010
For something that’s generally described as “a woman’s choice,” the man involved has a lot of influence.
As discussed in Whose Choice Is It? the decision is technically totally hers, but a woman’s decision will be shaped by her partner’s opinion and the circumstances of their relationship.
For instance, if the partners are not in a committed relationship, or if the relationship is new, the woman is likely to feel some pressure to abort, no matter what her partner actually says about it.
If the man has a strong opinion about what the woman should do, they can try to work things out by discussing the reasons and possible consequences of each decision. In extreme cases, guys may turn to manipulation or threats to get women to make a certain choice. This is damaging to the relationship and can be dangerous for women.
Sometimes guys feel pressure to hide their own feelings. He may think expressing his opinion will violate her right to choose. However, in this situation, honesty and open communication between partners is a necessity. If a man says “I’ll support whatever you decide,” a woman may hear “He’s not excited about the pregnancy, so he doesn’t want me to keep it.” Men, if you have an opinion, please express it so your partner can make her decision with the most accurate information available.
Related Blog entries:
We Can Work It Out: When Partners Disagree
Whose Choice Is It? Coercion in Pregnancy Decisions
Lisa P. - March 3rd, 2010
Pressure from parents is not just a teen problem. Families are in each other’s business—that’s the way it is. So, when I ask people what their parents are going to think about the pregnancy, the rarest answer is “they won’t care; they let me do my own thing.” Parents always have opinions, even if their kids are out of school, living on their own, or married, etc.
Obviously, some women are more sensitive to pressure from parents, depending on her circumstances. Age, education, living arrangements, culture, and religion all play a role. Family pressure can be a direct threat (“If you don’t abort, you’ll be out on the street”), or more like a suggestion (“You’ll never get over placing your child for adoption”).
Even the idea that “they can never find out” is the result of subtle force. These parents conveyed (with or without words) that getting pregnant would be the Worst Thing Ever, so their kids abort in secret. We encourage people to talk with their parents (or a trusted adult) about their decision. A choice this important should be informed by the parents’ actual reaction, not their predicted reaction.
Because abortion is a woman’s choice, no parent can decide the outcome of their daughter’s pregnancy. If your parents are trying to make your decision for you, they may be trying to protect you—but they need to respect your rights. Involve a relative, teacher, counselor, or friend if you need help protecting your right to choose.
*CareNet can help your family find a healthy path through this crisis. Please contact us.
*Check out Telling your Parents for ideas to get the conversation off on the right foot. Or read 5 Things Not to Do When Telling Your Parents for a differnt perspective.
*Read more about coercion HERE.
Brenda Goodnough, RN - February 24th, 2010
One of the first things a woman wonders when she learns that she is pregnant is what should I do next?
Your first action should be to find a medical provider that you wish to care for you during the pregnancy and delivery. It is best to have that first prenatal visit in the first trimester (1-12 weeks) of pregnancy. Since it can sometimes take a little time to get an appointment you will want to start this process as soon as you can.
Every pregnancy is different, and only your medical provider can advise you on the best course of action for you. However, there are some “do’s and don’ts” that are consistent with every pregnancy that you can safely follow until that first appointment.
o Start prenatal vitamins. You do not need a prescription for these. Prenatal vitamins can be found in any store that sells over the counter medications. These vitamins are specially formulated and contain the 400 micrograms of folic acid and the additional iron that are essential for fetal development.
o Stop all alcohol, smoking, or illegal drug use as all three are proven to be harmful at any time in pregnancy.
o Check with your physician if you are on prescription or over-the-counter medications. Never stop any medications abruptly as there can be adverse reactions and some medications can safely be continued if necessary.
o Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals, such as cleaning solvents, insecticides, lead, mercury, and paint fumes o Do not use hot tubs, saunas or take very hot baths as these can be harmful, especially early in pregnancy.
o Avoid x-rays or make sure that extra precautions are taken if you cannot.
o Stay active.
o Don’t clean or change a cat’s litter box, or eat or handle raw meat. These activities can put you at risk for toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be harmful to the fetus.
o Strive to have a health lifestyle. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of sleep, wear your seatbelt and don’t hesitate to set limits on your activities.
Pregnancy should be a time when you make every effort to do what is best for your health which will result in doing what is best for your baby. Taking a few precautions now can have a lifetime of benefits for both of you.
Lisa P. - February 17th, 2010
In a recent episode of Private Practice, a 15-year-old girl is pregnant and tells her parents. Her mom declares that the girl must abort, and when her dad is asked his opinion, he says, “I’m just a guy, I don’t have a choice.” The episode revealed the confusion families face about who should make such an important choice.
All that stuff about “a woman’s choice” is absolutely true—technically. The woman’s “right to choose” means that no one (laws, parents, boyfriend) should be able to force a woman NOT TO abort. The reverse should also be true: no one (laws, parents, boyfriend) should be able to force a woman TO abort. Anyone trying to legally force or prevent an abortion would find themselves on shaky ground.
Families and romantic partners sometimes try to force women to abort without using laws or courts at all. This kind of coercion includes dire negative predictions, threats, and sometimes even violence. Coercion tends to be dramatic and emotionally manipulative. The coercers, like the mother in the TV show, are driven by their own strong emotions to do anything to get the pregnant woman to do what they want, instead of what she wants.
Identifying coercion is important because women who feel forced into an abortion may have more trouble dealing with their decision emotionally. Some reactions include anger and resentment at the person who encouraged the choice. Important relationships can be damaged at a time when women most need strong emotional support.
If you’re facing a pregnancy decision, take some time to think about the reasons you’re considering each option. Do your reasons come from inside yourself or from others? Don’t ignore what other have to say. But it’s important to remember that you are the one who will be living with the result of your choice. You need to be the chooser.
* Men may also perceive an abortion as “forced on them,” whether by their partner, parents, or other forces. If you and your partner disagree about what you should do, try reading We Can Work It Out.
* Some coercion is abusive, or covers up abuse. If you are being abused, please tell someone and get help.
