Food Aversions in Pregnancy

Food Aversions in Pregnancy

July 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Many pregnant women will experience some sort of food aversion. Sometimes the aversion is so strong that the woman can not even stand the sight or smell of the food in question. Just like cravings, aversions generally occur in the first trimester, although the dislike of the food in question may continue well into the pregnancy, the response should become milder.

Aversions are normal, and generally can be blamed on the hormones that are running wild in a pregnant woman’s body, especially in that first trimester. While they are nothing to worry about, they do often cause pregnant women to miss out on foods that provide much-needed nutrition. If you are experiencing an aversion to a healthy food, or even an entire food group, you don’t have to choke it down. Just make sure you fill the nutritional gap in your diet with other healthy foods that supply the same nutrients.

Some of the most common food aversions are to foods like dairy, eggs, meat, and green vegetables. These are all important to a healthy and balanced pregnancy diet. Fortunately, with a little effort you can replace the nutrients found in these foods with other choices.

Skipping the Dairy Case

If it’s just milk you can’t stand, you have a number of other dairy choices to fill the void, such as cheese and yogurt. But if your aversion extends to all things made with milk, you will have to turn to some other foods to make up the difference. Hopefully you aren’t also turned off by leafy green vegetables such as spinach, as they are a great source of calcium. You can also choose calcium-fortified orange juice, and add a supplement just to be safe.

Temporarily Vegetarian

Meat is a very common culprit in food aversions, but it’s also an important source of protein and iron. If it’s just red meat, turn to poultry and fish. If you can’t bear those either, you can meet your needs by adding legumes, beans, and soy products to your diet. Again, an iron supplement might be a good idea, since it is such a vital nutrient during pregnancy. You might also find an aversion to eggs accompanies your dislike of meat, but if not, they are a great source of protein as well.

Turning Green

When those healthy green vegetables are the last thing you want to think about putting into your mouth, you are unfortunately missing out on a great source of nutrition. Make up for them by eating a wide variety of the fruits and veggies you can stomach. You can also try hiding the greens in other foods. Add finely chopped greens to pasta sauces or soups, and you probably won’t even realize they are there. If you can’t trick yourself, ask someone else to do it for you. If you don’t know where the offensive food is hidden, you might not be so bothered by it.

Food aversions can be annoying, especially when they involve foods you may have really enjoyed prior to your pregnancy. The good news is they will likely fade as the pregnancy progresses. As long as you make smart changes to your diet to replace the nutrients from the foods you can’t stand, your food aversions will remain just an annoyance and not a problem for your baby.

Excess Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Excess Weight Gain During Pregnancy

July 15th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Many of us believe that during pregnancy, we are eating for two. This isn’t entirely accurate. While after the first trimester a pregnant woman does require more calories, remember that the second person of the “two” in that statement is quite small.

Some women take pregnancy as an opportunity to eat as much as they would like, whenever they would like, and this is bad for both mom and baby. Not only will you have more difficulty losing the baby weight afterwards, excess weight gain puts a strain on your heart as well as your back.

How Much Weight Is Too Much?

For a woman who was of an average, healthy weight for her height prior to pregnancy, the recommended weight gain is 25-35 lbs. An underweight woman should gain a little more, while overweight women should gain a little less. This should of course be adjusted for women carrying multiples, who will naturally gain more weight due to supporting more than one baby. Weight gain during pregnancy is absolutely normal, but gaining more than the recommended amount is not.

How to Prevent Excess Weight Gain

The number one key to healthy weight gain during pregnancy is a carefully monitored diet. Make sure that you are not taking in more calories than you need to. Focus your intake on nutrient rich foods and not empty calories that will leave you hungry and lead to weight gain.

Weight loss diets are never a good idea during pregnancy. Your baby needs you to take in the appropriate number of calories comprising all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. However, making healthy changes to your diet is acceptable, as long as it does not cause weight loss or prevent you from gaining the right amount of weight.

The Discomfort of Weight Gain

If you eat right and keep your diet healthy and balanced, you should not have any difficulty with gaining too much weight. However, even the normal amount of weight can be very uncomfortable to a body that is not used to the strain.

Carrying around all that extra weight, especially in the midsection, can make many women uncomfortable. It is hard on the back and the joints and may also make sleep difficult. This level of weight gain, however, should not usually happen until the last months of pregnancy. If you are having trouble with pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor. You may need physical therapy or take your maternity leave early in order to rest.

Wearing comfortable shoes and clothing, and sleeping with a special maternity pillow can help to ease some of the discomfort caused by weight gain. If nothing else, you can at least take heart in knowing that you are nearing the end of the pregnancy and will soon be able to shed those extra pounds.

If you are having trouble with large amounts of food due to the pressure of the baby on your stomach, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. This can reduce the difficulties of trying to fit enough food into an already crowded abdomen, especially towards the end of your pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes

Around the end of the second trimester, most pregnant women will be tested for gestational diabetes. This temporary form of diabetes can cause extra weight gain in both the mother and the baby. If you suspect you have gestational diabetes, talk to your doctor. You will need to be put on a special diet to control the condition.

Work with your doctor to ensure healthy weight gain from a nutritionally sound eating plan, and find ways to relieve the discomfort of your growing belly. Soon, it will be in the past!

Second Trimester of Pregnancy

Second Trimester of Pregnancy

June 24th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Is it really possible? Are you feeling a bit better? Many women are cautious to express that they actually feel better as they enter that magical second trimester of pregnancy, but there is some merit to it.

Some women are lucky enough to feel great throughout their entire pregnancy. Others have a really rough first trimester and anxiously await that light at the end of the tunnel. Though the second trimester can bring about changes of its own, the reality is that can bring about some relief as well. If you have been suffering from common symptoms such as nausea for example, you may start to see that taper off.

Though every woman and every pregnancy is different, the second trimester is typically the most enjoyed time period for most. This is a welcome change and allows many women to enjoy their pregnancy! It is important to know what’s going on in your pregnancy, with your baby, and be aware of what is most common to expect during this precious time period.

Out With the Old and In With the New

So you can finally bid adieu to many of your first trimester symptoms. The reason that they came about was due in large part to the hormones that your body was inundated with. These hormones are all essential to a pregnancy and to your unborn child, so you should be happy for them. They are however nasty in the sense that they can create some unwanted and often awful symptoms. The most common first trimester symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, breast tenderness, and headaches. Most women can say goodbye to these symptoms as they enter the all important second trimester-and that’s welcome news!

What many people don’t tell you however is that you may accumulate some new symptoms. Though these all hit women differently and aren’t often that big of an issue, it is important to be prepared for them. Many women will have an increase in vaginal discharge, and they will also deal with a great deal of additional mucous as the membranes go into overdrive.

As you can see from a symptoms chart such as this http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy/pr00018 there can be new and interesting indications that the baby is coming in the not so distant future. You are likely at the point where you simply don’t fit into your old clothes anymore as your waistline is growing and changing. Your breasts are bigger and you may very well experience Braxton Hicks contractions which are a preview of what’s to come.

You will likely experience movement as the trimester progresses-this is an exciting step and a welcome “symptom” of the second trimester for many women. So though the first trimester symptoms are gone and you may feel more energized and less exhausted, you may have them replaced with newer ones that take some getting used to.

Your Baby’s Progress

Your baby is really starting to make some major progress in terms of their development, and this is exciting! They have reflexes now and they can even smile, frown, suck in amniotic fluid, and excrete it as urine. If you have an ultrasound during this time, you may even find baby sucking their thumb which is simply amazing! The baby has developed a great deal and they are starting to look like an actual baby at this point. Baby has his own fingerprints and has very distinct features, including genitalia which will tell you what the gender is if you wish to know. The baby will really start to bulk up and gain some weight as this trimester continues on, and you will feel this through your own weight gain and of course movement. It’s an exciting time and likely the best trimester, so enjoy every second of it!

Additional Reference:

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/pregnancy/weeklypregcalendar/index2.php

Surviving the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Surviving the First Trimester of Pregnancy

June 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You know that there’s something special going on inside of you the minute that you get the results of that pregnancy test. Though you may have gone several weeks without even knowing that you were pregnant, everything seems to change once you find out that you are. Your whole mindset may change, and you may have already been experiencing symptoms that you didn’t recognize as such.

Pregnancy is such a special time for a woman. The first trimester, however, can be not only a bit scary, but also full of all sorts of symptoms, emotions, and questions. If this is your first pregnancy, then you may feel like you are in completely unknown territory. Even if it’s not your first trimester, you may feel as though you are completely overwhelmed. You may feel like the symptoms are too much or you may feel as if you are in constant fear of a miscarriage. Whatever the case, you need to know what it takes to survive the first trimester of pregnancy.

Focus On and Take Care of Yourself

The first thing that comes as a bit of a surprise to many pregnant women is that they can’t necessarily get a doctor’s appointment right away. Though they may be itching to get in to see their doctor as soon as they take the pregnancy test, they may be diverted for a couple of weeks. Many doctors don’t even want to see a pregnant woman until she is around eight weeks pregnant. So while this may seem like an eternity, it’s a reality in many instances. If however you have any questions or concerns, you can always call in the meantime.

Many women are also surprised by just how quickly or intensely the symptoms may hit them. Some women skate through their first trimester without a care in the world, feeling great the whole time. Others may feel sick from the moment they find out that they are pregnant. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, tender breasts, and extreme fatigue are quite common in the first trimester. They can come out of nowhere and leave you feeling like you just got hit by a truck! This is a sign that the hormones are hard at work, and that your body is doing everything it needs to in order to provide for that little baby. The good news for many pregnant women is that these symptoms will subside in the second trimester, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Gaining Perspective on Things

Many women are concerned about the potential risk for miscarriage, and this can be a legitimate fear. If there is a history of miscarriage or if a woman has seen a friend or family member suffer through one, then it makes sense as to why they would be concerned. Though it is a real fear, it isn’t something that you should become obsessed with. All that you can do is take the very best care of yourself and your baby possible, and then leave the rest up to nature.

If you see any symptoms that are of concern such as bleeding or cramping, then call your doctor. However if you feel fine, then just keep going along and take good care of yourself. It’s always wise to get extra rest whenever possible, particularly in the first trimester. Don’t worry too much about what or how much you can eat, as that will even out as you enter the second trimester of pregnancy. Try to put perspective on things and know that there are better days ahead. In the meantime, enjoy the news of your pregnancy and know that taking care of yourself is the best thing you can do for that baby.

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

Managing Your Exhaustion During Pregnancy

May 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are many aspects of pregnancy that you can’t even explain to others. The way that you feel, that first kick from the baby, so many things are just miraculous and difficult to put into words. One such aspect of pregnancy that is rather difficult to put into words is the absolute exhaustion that you feel.

For many women, exhaustion during pregnancy is a tired feeling that you’ve never quite felt before and it just beats you down. You can barely keep your eyes open during normal and rather routine activities, leaving you feeling drained so very easily. This is very common at the very beginning of a pregnancy and in the first trimester. Usually you feel much better by second trimester, though you’re certainly not up as late as you used to be. Then by the time that third trimester comes around, you feel that exhaustion again. There are many factors that contribute to it, and learning how to properly manage it is always a good idea.

It Seems to Come Out of Nowhere

One of the first indicators to many women that they are pregnant is that absolute exhaustion that you feel. It’s hard to describe, but as you have difficulty getting up in the morning or keeping your eyes open through dinner; you somehow know what’s going on. Though it is a very common symptom of pregnancy, it can be very frustrating for many women. If you have other children to care for, have a full time job, or simply have responsibilities that you must maintain then it can be very trying.

It may seem that the exhaustion comes out of nowhere, but it does make sense if you think about it. In the first trimester, the exhaustion is often attributed to the major change in hormones. As it often is, progesterone is usually the culprit and contributes to everything slowing down and you feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. You are likely experiencing other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and these can take a lot out of you as well. You are also building another person and as you work through the process of building another human being and the placenta, it’s only natural that you feel tired. You will feel this again towards the end of your pregnancy as you are carrying around a lot of extra weight and your body gets ready for delivery.

So How Do You Manage Pregnancy Exhaustion?

Since the exhaustion can be so debilitating and frustrating, many women want to know how to properly manage it. As you can see from these ideas, there are some rather simple but effective measures one can take which will help the exhaustion to subside a bit. Though it may sound counterintuitive, getting in a bit of exercise can be a real lifesaver when it comes to restoring some of that lost energy.

Along the same lines, eating the right foods that are loaded with nutrients and natural energy boosters can help you to feel more like yourself again. You can also rely on short little naps to help you get back to a normal state. Shutting your eyes for just twenty minutes when you feel tired can be a real energy booster. Getting more sleep at night and taking it easy throughout the day will always help you to feel more energized and ready to take on the world.

Traveling Late In Your Pregnancy

Traveling Late In Your Pregnancy

May 28th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

It may seem like the furthest thing from your mind depending on where you are at in your pregnancy, but travel is something that most pregnant women wonder about. The problem is that the first trimester can be full of undesirable symptoms that leave you feeling like all you want to do is lie in bed. Then the third trimester comes along and you realize just how close you are to your due date, which can make a lot of women feel like they just want to stick close to home.

The ideal time to travel in any capacity is the second trimester. Not only are you bound to be free of most symptoms, but you are also far enough away from your due date to really have to worry. There does come the occasion however when there may be a desire or a need to travel late in pregnancy. Is this safe? Is it even allowed?

Look At the Guidelines

First and foremost you should always use common sense when it comes to traveling throughout your pregnancy. If you have any sort of health condition or limitations that would prohibit you from traveling, then use that as your guideline. If you are in a situation where you are either feeling sick or just don’t feel comfortable in travelling to far from home, then let that instinct guide you. If it comes down to a work trip, see if you can get a note from your doctor that would indicate to your boss that they prefer you not travel so late in your pregnancy.

The bottom line is that many airlines won’t even allow a woman to travel past a certain point in their pregnancy. As you can see from these guidelines, to be able to travel via air in your ninth month of pregnancy requires special clearance and medical documentation. So use the guidelines to help you decide what is best for you and your baby.

Keep In Mind How it May Affect You

Though there are certain types of travel such as car and sea that won’t have as pressing of guidelines as the airlines do, it’s important that you think about the potential side effects. The reason that most airlines don’t wish to have women travel so far along in their pregnancy is that they become a liability, that is they could give birth at anytime. There is also the potential risk for a woman to develop blood clots if they sit in an airplane at different altitudes for too long.

Along with blood clots, there is also the issue of exhaustion. When you think of travel, you must recognize that it can really take a lot out of you. If you travel too far along in your pregnancy, you are already running that risk as a potential and very real side effect of the pregnancy anyhow. Beyond that, you also have to contend with the onset of uterine contractions and stomach upset that often returns later on in the third trimester. Even if the guidelines don’t prohibit you from traveling, you may want to think through what it could mean for you and your baby. You always want to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a happy baby, so be sure that traveling later on in your pregnancy is really what is best for you.

Feeling Out of Breath During Pregnancy

Feeling Out of Breath During Pregnancy

May 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are many things that we anticipate in pregnancy and many things that we can’t possibly predict. We certainly expect that we are going to gain weight and gain that all important and all adored baby bump. We may very well expect that we are going to suffer through certain symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or even backaches. Many of us know that pregnancy isn’t always going to be a pleasant experience, but that with the bad comes the good and that means that we will end up with a baby at the end of the process. This is well worth it, we tell ourselves, and we deal with the circumstances we are dealt.

There are, however, certain aspects of pregnancy that we may not be ready for. When women feel shortness of breath, they tend to worry. They can’t understand why they feel breathless, and therefore it’s important to explain why a woman may feel this unanticipated symptom of pregnancy.

Where Are You At in Your Pregnancy?

There is a multitude of reasons as to why you may get out of breath during your pregnancy. It is usually due in large part to exactly where you are at in your pregnancy as that can make a big difference. What you feel in your first trimester is very different than your second trimester. What you feel and experience in your third trimester doesn’t even compare to anything else as your body is working hard to prepare for baby’s arrival and doing everything it can to pull from the resources. Therefore if you feel short of breath, it’s important to consider what stage of your pregnancy you are at so that you can get the necessary explanation.

In the first trimester, the blood flow multiplies exponentially. This is to get ready for everything that baby will need, it is to build the placenta, and it is to prepare for the pregnancy overall. You will have a great deal of additional blood flow and hormones in your pregnancy, and as this is all happening it can result in you feeling a bit short of breath. Though this is short-lived, it can help to know what exactly is going on.

As you can see, feeling shortness of breath later on is due to other circumstances. It is often due to the extra weight that you are carrying around, and it is also due to your growing uterus pressing up on the diaphragm. As the baby gets into the position for birth, the pressure on the lungs and the diaphragm continues and grows exponentially. This is however a great indication that the baby’s arrival is getting near.

Consider This in Your Daily Activities

Many women are taken off guard by this shortness of breath and don’t really know how to account for it in their everyday life. It can become a very frustrating issue for women when they go to their regular workouts, but it is something that can be worked around. Taking a yoga class that focuses on breathing and taking it a bit slowly with your workout regimen can help you to get used to this. It won’t necessarily last the entire pregnancy, but it is something that you should plan for. Though walking up a flight of stairs may leave you out of breath now, it will get better later on. It’s a symptom of pregnancy like anything else, and therefore it will subside and you will get back to your normal self in no time.

Avoiding Sleeping on Your Back During Pregnancy

Avoiding Sleeping on Your Back During Pregnancy

May 10th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You hear a whole lot of information while you are pregnant. Not only do you get a whole packet of information from your doctor, but you are inundated from other sources as well. Every woman that has been pregnant has some advice to give. Some of it can actually be helpful, and some is based on old wives’ tales. There are, however, certain facts that you should never ignore. When you find something out from your doctor or another trusted resource, then you really should pay attention. One such aspect of pregnancy that you should always pay attention to is sleeping on your back. Though sleep position doesn’t sound like it would play a big role in pregnancy, it really can and so you should respond accordingly.

The Role of Sleep Positions

As soon as you find out that you’re pregnant, you should really do your part to avoid sleeping on your stomach. This seems rather obvious, but ensures that you don’t crush the baby or disrupt their normal functioning. A lot of women are quite surprised though to learn that they should not sleep on their back when they get into their second trimester.

A variety of pregnancy-related issues can be compounded from sleeping on your back during the last 6 months or so of pregnancy. Not only can it cause additional symptoms in you, but it can also cause problems for your baby. You may end up suffering from backaches, hemorrhoids, and even further problems with your digestive system. You may also develop low blood pressure as the uterus rests on your major blood vessels. If in doubt, look to reliable resources such AmericanPregnancy.org for potential dangers related to sleep positions.

Putting Pressure Where It Doesn’t Belong

Though sleeping on your back may not initially sound problematic, you will see later on that it can be a danger. In your first trimester, you aren’t really experiencing much growth in the way of your uterus or the fetus. However when you enter the second trimester, you quickly find that the uterus, and the precious cargo inside it, is growing and becoming a main focal point of your body. Therefore you can see where the extra weight that is comprised in the uterus can become an issue if it rests on your organs and blood vessels. This can interfere with the baby’s ability to get a proper blood supply and can cause potential damage if done over a lengthy period of time. When you lay on your back, your uterus has nowhere to go and therefore rests on the very organs that supply your baby with what they need. This is where the low blood pressure comes in, and ultimately where you find great concern that the baby may even suffer from a lower heart rate.

Don’t Panic If You Find Yourself On Your Back

Once we’ve heard about this potential fear, it’s enough to scare any of us into sleeping on our sides as is recommended. But what happens when you wake up and find that you are on your back? This can send some pregnant women into hysterics as they worry that there may have been some damage created to the baby. The reality is that if you find yourself on your back during the night, the best thing to do is simply change positions. Oftentimes you will wake yourself up on your own if you find yourself in this “wrong” position, and then it’s just a matter of switching it up.

Understanding the Needs of Your Body During Pregnancy

Understanding the Needs of Your Body During Pregnancy

March 26th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Pregnancy takes a lot of you over nine months. Your baby takes nutrients from your body, and you experience changes due to hormones released during the pregnancy. It is vitally important that you consider what you need to do to keep your body and mind healthy during pregnancy.

Eating Healthy

Because your baby takes its nutrients from your body, you need to be sure you are taking in enough healthy foods to nourish both yourself and your baby. In addition to taking a prenatal vitamin, you need to increase your intake of certain foods, such as milk and spinach for calcium, carrots and squash for vitamin b, and easily broken down proteins like eggs and beans. You should also eat foods high in folic acid, which includes most leafy vegetables.

The Importance of Exercise

Especially throughout the second and third trimesters, you will gain weight rapidly. Part of this is due to the weight of the baby. However, it is also due to your increased food intake. The baby takes the nutrients, but not necessarily the fat. To stay healthy, keep blood pressure low, and avoid being overweight after the pregnancy, you need to exercise and stay fit. There are many exercise programs developed specifically for pregnant women, although most exercise routines can be continued throughout most of your pregnancy.

Physical Changes and Challenges

As your baby grows, you will have some back pain. This can often be relieved through back massages, taking frequent breaks from chores that require standing, and changing positions frequently. You can also take Tylenol for back pain during pregnancy. Don’t both with a chiropractor, however, as most of them will not do any adjustments while you are pregnant.

You may also have problems with dry skin, brittle nails, and breast tenderness. The best way to address these issues is to invest in good, nourishing body lotion loaded with vitamins and minerals. You can also get similar strengthener for your nails. For aching breasts, a bra that fits comfortably yet offers extra support can really help. The less they move, the less they will hurt.

Emotional Health

There are a million things that cross through your mind when you are pregnant. You will be excited, of course, but you may also feel worried about the pregnancy, the health of the baby, or your ability as a parent. This is all very normal, but you need to address your concerns. At the very least, talk to your spouse about how you are feeling. Ignoring these emotions and fears can mean higher chances of post-partum depression after your baby is born.

As you get larger with your pregnancy, you may also begin to have feelings of being ugly or fat. You will feel like your body is no longer your own, and you want to reclaim it. When you start feeling really down, take yourself out for a girls day at the spa. If you cannot afford that, have a spa day at home with some friends. Get your hair done and put on some makeup to feel more like yourself. You might also want to go shopping for something sexy to wear after your pregnancy is over. This will help remind you that this form of your body is only temporary.

Expected Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week

Expected Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week

March 25th, 2010 by admin  |  1 Comment

Most pregnancy information focuses on the growth and development of the fetus, and what you need to do to help that process along. But there are many pregnancy symptoms and changes that you yourself will experience during pregnancy that may or may not have any bearing on the infant itself. It is important to understand what pregnancy symptoms to expect, and how to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your baby when it arrives.

Pregnancy Symptoms During First Trimester (Week 1 – Week 14)

The first few weeks of pregnancy is often the most difficult for the mother. It starts with morning sickness, which can actually come on throughout the day, at any time. This nausea is rarely beaten by anything you do. It is important to keep your strength up, and to nourish your body. Even if you don’t feel like eating, remember that your baby is taking most of the nutrients your body has stored, and it is important to get something down. Eating small meals can help, but if solid food doesn’t work you should take in plenty of fluids, as well as chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.

The first trimester can also bring fatigue, so make sure you are getting plenty of rest. If you don’t work, taking naps during the day can be a huge help. You may also experience some tenderness in your breasts, which can usually be relieved by wearing an extra-supportive bra that limits movement. You will also have increased urination, so be sure to drink lots of water. Drinking water and juices will also help you avoid the issue of constipation that will generally arise in the first trimester, and last throughout the pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms During Second Trimester (Week 15 – Week 27)

This is the easiest trimester of pregnancy for the mother. Most of the pregnancy symptoms from the first trimester, such as fatigue and nausea, will begin to fade and eventually disappear. You will still have frequent urination, and you may still experience constipation. Keep up a high fiber diet with lots of fluids to avoid this. Your spouse will enjoy this phase of the pregnancy as well, as your breasts begin to become enlarged. Do not be surprised if you have some seepage from your breasts, particularly after a warm shower. Lotion on your nipples and breast area can help prevent dryness caused by the seepage.

Due to hormones released during this trimester, your blood tends to circulate faster. This is what gives your skin the pregnancy glow, but it can also cause bleeding gums, nasal congestion, or leg cramps. Make sure to address any concerns with your doctor, and rest frequently whenever needed.

Pregnancy Symptoms During Third Trimester (Week 28 onwards)

This final trimester of pregnancy can be rather uncomfortable, and most women are happy to go into labor to end it. As your baby continues to grow, he will begin kicking you in the ribs. You will also have some shortness of breath, heartburn, and back pain due to the baby pushing on your lungs and stomach, and the sheer weight of the baby on your body. Circulation is still increased, so you may experience some spider veins, especially in the legs. If the uterus presses on veins near the legs, you may also experience some swelling of the ankles and feet. Fear not, the discomfort will be over soon!

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