Pregnancy
What is pregnancy?
Pregnancy (also known as gestation) is a period of around 40 weeks (9 months) when an unborn baby grows in the uterus (womb).
Pregnancy begins when a male sperm fertilises a female egg. This is known as conception. Normally, a woman releases one egg from her ovaries every month. This process is called ovulation. Occasionally, more than one egg may be released.
Fertilisation usually occurs in the fallopian tubes (the tubes linking the ovaries to the uterus). The fertilised egg then travels down the fallopian tube and implants into the wall of the uterus. This is where the fertilised egg grows and develops into a baby.
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilised egg implants and grows outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes.
Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancies can’t develop normally. If left, they can cause serious, life-threatening bleeding. Early warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy are light vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Around 2% of pregnancies are ectopic.
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy
When a woman becomes pregnant a lot of hormonal changes happen. These lead to many early signs and symptoms of pregnancy which include:
a missed period
fatigue
nausea and vomiting (often called morning sickness but it can happen any time of the day)
tender and enlarged breasts
urinating more frequently, especially at night
craving particular foods
developing a distaste for particular foods
a metallic taste in the mouth
When should you take a pregnancy test?
If you think you might be pregnant you can a pregnancy test to confirm. Most women do a home pregnancy test first. These pregnancy tests check for the presence of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. This hormone is produced during pregnancy and can be detected as early as 10 days after you’ve conceived. However, for the most reliable result, take it at least a week after your period was due.
If a home pregnancy test is positive, it’s likely you’re pregnant. However, it’s a good idea to have this confirmed by a blood test with your doctor. Blood tests are more accurate than urine tests.
What is my due date?
Once your pregnancy has been confirmed you’ll be able to work out when your baby is due to be born (your due date). While babies can be born earlier or later than their due date, full-term pregnancy is considered anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks.
Due dates are calculated based on the date of your last period, rather than the conception date. The best way to estimate your due date is to count 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. Many online calculators can help you do this.
Ultrasound scans are often recommended at different stages of your pregnancy, to check that your baby is growing well. Usually, the first scan (somewhere between 6 and 10 weeks of pregnancy) can help calculate a more accurate due date.
What are the stages of pregnancy?
Pregnancy is usually broken up into three stages called trimesters.5
First trimester (1-13 weeks)
Second trimester (14 – 26 weeks)
Third trimester (27 – 40 weeks)
Common pregnancy complaints
Lots of changes happen in your body when you’re pregnant. These can lead to a range of symptoms, some of which can be uncomfortable. It’s not uncommon to experience any of the following during your pregnancy.
backache
headaches
heartburn or indigestion
leg cramps
constipation
haemorrhoids
itchy or tingling skin
varicose veins
swelling in your legs (oedema)
vaginal discharge or vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
change in mood
depression or anxiety
Many of these symptoms can be relieved and managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products from your pharmacy. Speak to one of our friendly Pharmacists for advice about what product is most suitable for your symptoms.
If you’re concerned about any of your symptoms, see your doctor.
Planning for your pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy often begins before conception. The three to six months before conception is sometimes referred to as the preconception period. This is an important time to make changes that will boost your chances of falling pregnant and give your baby the best start in life. What you do before you conceive can also help reduce complications during pregnancy and help you recover from birth. If you’re planning to fall pregnant, it’s recommended you:
Take folic acid (folate) and iodine
Folic acid before and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects (abnormalities in the spinal cord and brain) while iodine helps with the brain development of your baby6. Your Pharmacist will be able to recommend which supplement is right for you.
Not smoke
Smoking is extremely harmful to your and your baby’s health. If you smoke you increase the risk of:
ectopic pregnancy
miscarriage
stillbirth
problems with the placenta
pre-eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure)
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
a premature birth
having a low birth-weight baby
birth defects
feeding problems
hearing problems in your baby
long-term damage to your baby’s vital organs
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol should be avoided before and during pregnancy, and while you’re breastfeeding as it can be harmful to your baby’s health.
Limit caffeine
A high intake of caffeine found in tea, coffee, cola or energy drinks has been associated with miscarriage and low birthweight.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you conceive and have a healthy baby.
Maintain a healthy weight
This will help you conceive and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
Have a general health check
This is an opportunity to ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date, your iron levels are healthy and to take care of other checks such as cervical screening and dental checks.
How to stay healthy during pregnancy
If you didn’t plan to fall pregnant and haven’t made any conscious changes to your lifestyle during the preconception period, you can still take steps to have a healthy pregnancy. You should:
Eat a healthy diet — Eat a wide range of foods to ensure your baby gets all the nutrients they need. You don’t need to eat for two!
Watch your weight — Being overweight can increase the risk of health problems for you and your baby. The recommended amount of weight gain for your pregnancy will depend upon your pre-pregnancy weight. Your doctor will be able to advise you.
Stay active — While you may not be able to do the same kinds of physical activity you did before you were pregnant, it’s important to stay active throughout your pregnancy. This will help reduce excess weight gain and will also help you recover better after the birth.
Rest — It can be very tiring growing a whole new person! Make sure you get plenty of sleep and rest when you need to.
Be careful with medications — Some medications can be harmful to your unborn baby, so always check with your Pharmacist before taking them.
Consider supplementation — If your diet is inadequate or you’re struggling to eat because of morning sickness, taking vitamin supplements can help fill nutritional gaps. Always speak to your doctor or Pharmacist before taking supplements as they will be able to recommend which one is right for you.
What are the complications of pregnancy?
While pregnancy is natural, sometimes things don’t go smoothly and there may be complications involving the mother’s or baby’s health, or both. These may include:
high blood pressure which can lead to preeclampsia
preeclampsia – a complication of high blood pressure that results in reduced blood flow to the baby
placenta complications such as placental abruption (when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall too soon), and placenta previa (when the placenta is located near the opening of the uterus)
gestational diabetes – diabetes that develops during pregnancy
severe or persistent nausea and vomiting
iron deficiency anaemia
bleeding
infections, including sexually transmitted infections that may pass from mother to baby during the birth, which may increase the risk of birth defects, early labour or pregnancy loss
depression and anxiety
miscarriage (pregnancy loss from natural causes before 20 weeks)
stillbirth (pregnancy loss after the 20th week of pregnancy)
preterm labour (labour that begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy).
The best approach is to check with your doctor about any unusual symptoms you may experience. It’s also important to have regular antenatal checks throughout your pregnancy. They are important to monitor your own and your baby’s health throughout your pregnancy. These checks may pick up any potential problems so they can be treated early.
When should you see a doctor?
Your doctor and medical team (e.g. obstetrician, midwife) play an important role in looking after you and your baby throughout your pregnancy so it’s important to keep all your scheduled appointments. Your doctor will advise when these regular checks will be. You should also see your doctor if:
you suspect you’re pregnant
you have any bleeding while you’re pregnant
you leak fluid or have more discharge than usual from your vagina
feel burning or irritation when you wee
you have long-lasting or severe headaches
feel very dizzy
notice changes in your vision
you experience sudden and rapid swelling in your face, hands or feet
there is severe swelling and pain in your legs
your skin is itchy
you have fever or chills
you have persistent nausea or vomiting, or can’t keep food or fluid down
you have severe pain or cramping in your abdomen or back
you sustain a knock or blow to your abdomen
you notice your baby’s movement patterns have changed
you feel very depressed or anxious
you’re finding it hard to cope with daily activities.
The above is not an exhaustive list. At any stage, if you feel something is not right, check with your doctor.
Your local MediADVICE Pharmacist is here to help support you in managing your health and the health of your family throughout your pregnancy. Speak to your Pharmacist about your pregnancy symptoms so we can recommend products and medications that may be suitable for you or refer you to your medical team if necessary. You should also disclose your pregnancy to our Pharmacists when purchasing any medications (prescribed or OTC) as some medications are not suitable if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
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