During pregnancy there are many big and rapid changes that happen to a womans body. Many of these changes put new and different strains on various parts of her body.
These changes can be particularly challenging for a first time mother for their unexpected arrival and being in places you otherwise never paid attention to. One of the most common forms of pain during pregnancy is of course with the back, with up to 60% of women experiencing pregnancy-induced back pain.
Back pain is partially due to the growth of the baby where more support is needed to maintain a normal skeletal posture. Alongside the babies growth, a hormone called Relaxin is released during pregnancy which has its benefits in helping to loosen the ligaments in the pelvic area in preparation for birth.
But this also causes spinal ligaments to be loosened as well which results in increased discomfort, hence the rise in back pain.Because of this, it is important that women do what they can to reduce the pain they experience during pregnancy. This article will give tips and pointers in how to achieve this:
Having good posture is very important to distributing the weight of the body throughout the neck, shoulders and back.
A poor posture can put extra strain on certain areas more than others, often resulting in aches and pains throughout specific muscles in the back. A good posture means having your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
It is important to maintain a good posture whilst both sitting and standing. Yoga can help with understanding what a suitable posture is.
Yoga can be very useful for helping your back muscles and joints become stronger and more lengthened, as well as doing stretches that emphasise good posture. This is particularly useful in response to the effect of ‘relaxin’, with its ligament loosening properties.
Even just doing about 20 minutes a day can really pay off and help reduce back pain. Pregnancy is not the best time to be doing heavy lifting, as obvious as this is. Where heavy lifting creeps in is in everyday living tasks, such as shopping and carrying things around the home.
This can be just the normal stuff your used to do ever day, a bag of laundry or the vacuum cleaner, things that were done previously everyday without a second thought. Your body is already carrying extra weight which is only going to increase and Relaxin is working to loosen your ligaments in preparation for birth.
All these factors can suddenly creep up to a level resulting in a sudden and unexpected strain. Due to the extra weight and pressure on the back that is already present from the baby, any extra heavy lifting could result in a higher chance of pulling or overstraining a muscle.
However, if it does come to lifting any kind of object it is always important to lift with your legs as opposed to lifting with your back. This means that you should keep your back straight at all times. Bend and lift with your leg muscles while keeping your back straight. and then straightening your legs during the actual lift as if you are coming up from doing a gym style squat.
It’s not just the weight of the baby that’s causing more work for your back, but as a result of swelling breasts in preparation for feeding the baby there is another source of potential back stress.
Maternity bras can offer more support for larger and heavier breasts throughout pregnancy by allowing a better distribution of weight and support in the upper half of the body. They are also highly adjustable to keep up with the growth of breasts throughout the nine months.
It can be challenging to still maintain certain levels of exercise as the pregnancy continues. Swimming is a very easy, non-intense form of exercise that works and strengthens all muscles in the body.
Being afloat and buoyant allows the bodies skeleton to relax being free of the weight it normally has to carry all the time. As a result of these strengthened muscles there will be more support for the back in carrying the weight of the baby, and will help in reducing the discomfort as a result.
]]>So what should you do first? Absolutely savour the moment! You might want to have a load of Mock-tails with your family, a special dinner with your partner, or just go for a quiet walk by yourself to mull it over.
Over the next few weeks you can start on more practical steps to prepare for your pregnancy and labour. Below you will find the top ten suggestions, though you will find lots of different ideas across the internet and your social group.
These are practical action points that focus on ‘doing’. However, you will find in our other articles we often highlight the importance of ‘being’. It is probably early on in your pregnancy so you have plenty of time to get ready and can also take some time out and relax as your body adapts to having a baby on-board.
Your body is going to completely change over the next 9 months in a way that you might never see again. First things first, snap a ‘before’ photo so you have a comparison to your third trimester photographs.
You might want to start a scrapbook or special shoebox to store keepsakes in as you take photos, get scan photos and letters or cards from loved ones.
On a more serious note, it is good practice to get in the habit of recording your health whether that is how you normally feel or unusual symptoms. Keeping a simple log that notes how you feel and any physical changes can help you effectively communicate with your GP and pregnancy team. It also means that if an issue occurs it is easy to track any developments that could give a clue to what has happened.
You will most likely start by going to your GP who will refer you to the relevant services. It may be the first time you are considering how you want to give birth and whether you want to take any kind of alternative route.
It is also completely normal to feel nervous about what lies ahead and there will be support from your health care professionals as well as local groups and internet forums. Your GP will be able to advise you on any health decisions to make or specific lifestyle changes that could benefit the baby.
In nine months’ time, any attempt to read over the next 18 years will be interrupted by the newest member of the family. Enjoy the opportunity to read while it lasts! Many women report it being helpful to find out how pregnancy changes your body and emotional state. It can help you prepare for the way pregnancy develops and means you know what to expect so you don’t get worried.
Suddenly realising you are a parent-to-be might also mean you want to do some last minute research on looking after the little person who will soon be in your life!
It is something you have talked about every January but now is the time to bite the bullet and go on a health kick. Remember, it isn’t about losing weight or stopping those ‘guilty habits’. It is about looking after yourself and your child in the best way you can. It might be useful to research sustainable, healthy ways of improving your well-being.
It is common knowledge now to give up smoking and drinking. It is widely recommended that you also work out an exercise routine as it will keep you healthy and may stop problems and pain later in your pregnancy.
There are lots of safe and gentle pregnancy exercises classes, especially yoga, and you can try different ones to find a practice and a social group that you comfortable in. Make sure you consult with your doctor to ensure you choose the right exercises.
Brainstorming names can be one of the most fun and frustrating parts of pregnancy. Don’t underestimate how long it might take you to come to a decision!
You could write a huge list of all the ones you like and then slowly whittle it down to a shortlist. There are also so many websites and books to provide suggestions. Some people like to think about a quality or meaning they want in their child’s name and then explore possibilities. Even if you are not planning on knowing the gender of your child before birth you could have a shortlist for boys and girls or go with gender-neutral names.
No one looks forward to going to the doctors or to doing some budgeting. However, some things have to be done and spending quality time considering your finances during pregnancy can help things run smoothly later on.
Babies are bundles of joy and bring all kinds of priceless aspects to your life. They do, however, bring a fair number of priced requirements too. Children are expensive but by budgeting carefully and getting second hand or display items cheap it doesn’t have to be a choice that breaks the bank.
Theoretically, we live in a world where your decision to get pregnant shouldn’t impact your career or work life. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Before dancing into work to loudly celebrate your exciting news consider when and how you are going to tell your employer. The colleague who is always a good laugh at work drinks can be very different across a desk and it is best to err on the side of caution.
Be prepared for your meeting by knowing your rights and knowing what you want and need from your employer.
Many women new to pregnancy might feel overwhelmed by the huge amount of advice on what to avoid. If you do some careful research early on and take it into account as you plan your meals and social life over the coming months it does not have to be onerous.
Some things should be avoided because they might make you ill which could lead to complications or stillbirth. Other things, such as alcohol, are known to seriously affect the development of your child so should be avoided.
The NHS highlight that soft cheeses and pâté can contain listeria, which is a type of bacteria. It is rare but sometimes the bacteria can cause an infection called listeriosis, which even in a mild form can lead to stillbirth or illness in the baby.
Fish, raw eggs, unpasteurised milk and raw meat should also be avoided. The one that can seem very challenging is that caffeine should be limited during pregnancy as high levels can affect your baby. Remember caffeine is added to some soft drinks.
Hopefully, you are a person like me who loves lists so this point won’t feel like a chore. However, whatever your view on lists you will probably agree that they do have a certain ability to lessen anxiety and ensure you do not forget anything important.
The silliness of suggesting in a list that you write a list does not escape me. However, in each one of these points, from the chat with your GP to reading to name picking, you are likely to realise there is so much more than you first realised or, for those on their second pregnancy, just a superb amount to remember.
So avoid stress and last minute expensive or regretted decisions and start making checklists.
Finally, let’s finish on a fun one. You’ll need all kinds of new gadgets, gizmos and age-old handy bits and bobs to support you during and after birth. It is amazing to see so much available and it can get a bit overwhelming. Remember, there are things to support every person and every pregnancy so you won’t need them all.
You should also be aware that there is nothing more frustrating than finding out about something that would have been a big help too late. At Snugglebundl, we often get mothers who discover us in their second pregnancy saying how much they wished they had known about Snugglebundl before.
The best thing to do is talk to other parents, your healthcare professionals, research products and read the reviews. Think about what you need and you’ll find some wonderful inventions.
You have probably come away feeling there is even more to do than you originally realised but it is best to have a long list now with lots of time to prepare.
Becoming pregnant might be shown in films a lot because it drives the plot but I like to think it is because it is a massive moment in anyone’s life. You can start all these serious tasks tomorrow. For now, I say start celebrating and enjoy being in the starring role!
]]>You don’t have to buy special products to benefit from the added support and comfort of carefully arranged pillows. If you have aches in your back or hips, then place a pillow between your knees when you are on your side or try a supporting pillow in the small of your back.
If you don’t want to spend too much on a specialist pillow then some women have reported that body pillows, large cuddly toys or even considerate partners can work well to support your stomach and top leg.
However, many mothers report brilliant results from maternity pillows and though they seem expensive if you are struggling to sleep through discomfort the money may be well worth it. After all, there is the cliché that you can’t put money on a good night’s sleep.
Pregnancy pillows can also make great presents so consider leaving hints around for your loved ones or just make sure they stay awake with you and they’ll probably start to feel generous in no time. If you are a partner reading this then take initiative, you have been warned!
Talking of partners, if you are supporting someone through pregnancy, then there is a lot you can do to help them get a good night’s sleep. Plus, if they don’t settle down then it is likely that neither will you!
Pregnancy aches and pains can be very disruptive to sound sleep so a nice massage before bed can help release discomfort. If you are both in the mood, then enjoying some intimacy can also help you drift to sleep.
If you are both getting disturbed and tired, try and look on the bright side. You will probably find a sense of humour in your little baby as they start practising martial arts the moment you lie down to sleep.
Your pregnancy may give you aches and pains and in your first trimester, it is recommended that you sleep on your left side as it supports circulation most effectively.
Some experts recommend pregnant women avoid sleeping on their backs during the second and third trimesters. This is because when you are on your back you have a lot of extra weight bearing down and this can impact your circulation and digestion. If you have ever had a child fall asleep on your lap or a particularly chubby cat curl up on your stomach, then you’ll know it is not the most comfortable position anyway.
Other women find propping themselves up so you are sleeping in almost a sitting position can help a lot and in the third trimester particularly some mothers-to-be actually sit in recliners to find a good night’s sleep. Almost sitting up can be particularly comforting if you are experiencing shortness of breath or heartburn. For advice on the best pillows for side sleepers, see the article here: https://www.sleepadvisor.org/best-pillow-for-side-sleepers/
It is generally advised to have rituals before going to bed to help with a sound sleep. When you are pregnant it is even more important to develop good habits to help you settle down. The first thing is to take some time out to wind down properly. Try switching off your laptop and TV before you start going to bed. Ideally, an hour before you go to sleep. Instead, have a warm bath or read a book you enjoy.
If you are used to drinking tea into the evening, then try having warm milk or herbal teas instead and then get into a routine that suits you so you go to bed at the same time each night. This will also help you settle.
Finally, doing some exercise during the day or even just getting some fresh air can really help. It will relax and tire you out so is really valuable if you are unsettled during the night. Some gentle stretching can soften aches too.
Prepare nice things to think about while you are going to sleep so you settle down comfortably and start the night feeling positive and relaxed. You might have a lot on your mind as you plan this new stage in your life. Any new experience can make you nervous and it is easy to get stuck in vicious circles late at night. Think through what is exciting, design the nursery, or focus on your breathing.
If worrying does keep you awake, then try talking things through with your partner or writing everything in a list and then leave it till morning.
If you are very wakeful or have leg cramps, then stretch your calf muscles or have yoghurt or a banana before bed as this will increase your potassium and calcium intake.
If you are waking up in the night to go for a pee, which is a common pregnancy problem, then, unfortunately, there is very little you can do but go with it. Make sure you carry on drinking lots of water as being dehydrated will make little difference and could make you uncomfortable in other ways. If you are pregnant in the colder months, then maybe leave the heating on in the bedroom and bathroom so you can stay warm when you get out of bed.
You can be confident your body will guide you to the most comfortable position so trust your instincts. The last thing we’d want is for you to not sleep because you are worrying about how to sleep! It may feel strange that your sleeping pattern will change so much but just think how it will shift again when you are tucking your baby into bed and developing your own bedtime routine.
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It is a super exciting period of your pregnancy as the due date gets closer. Follow these top tips, spend some time getting everything sorted, and you’ll be ready and relaxed when the big day comes.
Being pregnant is a unique and exciting experience. However, like any new adventure there will be the odd day when you feel a bit wobbly or have a question.
The first step during your pregnancy is to set up support systems that are there when you need them but also give you a community to enjoy your pregnancy and share the excitement as labour approaches. This group will be made up of different types of people: your professional maternity team, other parents-to-be you might meet at pregnancy groups, family and friends who are parents or who are just keen and excited about being a nominated ‘auntie’. The huge popularity of online forums and social media related to pregnancy shows how many women find internet communities a good resource too.
Babies grow so quickly that if you aren’t prepared you may only realise there was a product for your needs when it is too late. There is a lot on the market and you don’t need everything but there are ways to refine your search. Talk to friends with children about what worked for them (and you might even get some free second-hand bits and pieces!). Think about whether you or your partner has any specific requirements. For example, a bad back may cause problems lifting or carrying your baby. Also think about your specific circumstances. If you are having a caesarean you may not want to bend over much or if you are having twins you might struggle to move them both easily. Using a baby lifting hammock can make life so much easier and help with the ongoing effects of pregnancy back pain.
When you know exactly what you need it will be much easier to judge what to buy before you give birth.
There is nothing like confusion to increase stress-levels. The last thing you want as you go into labour is to be worrying about how your partner is going to get there or who will tell your friend.
Whether you want a private birth or all your friends and family present chat through different scenarios and arrange an easy notification system that takes the pressure off you. If you are giving birth in hospital discuss what will happen if your partner isn’t with you when labour starts.
This is important for your partner too as they will want to support you as much as possible. It also increases the chances of ensuring everyone who should be at the birth is there on time and able to share in this amazing moment with you
Easier said than done when you are preparing to push a child out of your tummy! However, making sure you get lots of sleep could make a big difference. This might involve making changes such as getting body pillows or sleeping separately to your partner.
It may sound silly that you can practise relaxing but it’s true. Spend some time identifying what makes you feel stressed and what helps you relax. It may be you also feel negative or nervous about certain elements of giving birth and a chat with any professional support or friends could take away that worry.
A regular routine of pelvic exercises or attending prenatal classes often means you will feel ready and prepared when labour comes. Different activities at prenatal classes and even just talking to women who already have children will mean you are mentally processing and preparing to give birth. When labour starts you are far more likely to feel ready. Well, as ready as you can be!
Similarly, staying positive and making sure you deal with any feelings of pressure or worry before labour starts is time well-spent. Some people find practising visualisation during pregnancy helpful for dealing with the pain during labour. Sometimes it is enough to focus on the reason for your labour – to welcome a child into the world!
Check that everyone around you is really positive and supportive. It sounds selfish, but if there is someone who is very pessimistic or quite negative about the experience then you might not want them around during labour. There are lots of other ways friends and families can support you without being in the delivery room. If you assess everyone’s attitude early on you can subtly ensure you are only surrounded by positive people who will get you through giving birth.
It may seem like a difficult task while trying to stay positive and relaxed but it is a good idea to get familiar with different potential scenarios. Learn a bit about interventions such as forceps or episiotomy in case it becomes necessary. You might have also made certain decisions about pain management. Particularly if you are doing it without pain relief think about whether you would accept drugs under certain circumstances. It might be quite hard to think about things going wrong but it means you can make these very important decisions in an unpressured and safe environment.
Make sure you discuss your decisions with your partner and any support workers. It is also a good idea to record any choices in your birth plan.
When you have finished making the hard decisions described above then you can switch back to a positive outlook and plan the delivery environment. You might want certain lighting, music or aromas and you have total say! Now is also a good time to think about whether, if possible, you want to get someone specific to cut the umbilical cord.
Have a chat with your partner about how they can help too. A lot of women report that holding hands or having their head stroked by their partner helps them relax. When tension leaves the body labour can progress. You might even like to sign up for a prenatal massage class.
For some people being quiet with just your partner or close family can really help. For others, having lots of friends and family around and getting everyone involved is the best option. Make sure you know what works for you and stick to it.
As the due date approaches, be sure to have some nice snacks around the house as you are likely to spend the first part of your labour at home. If possible, you want to use the time at home to relax and focus so you are mentally prepared for when you enter hospital. Panicking will just make you tired and the labour harder. Have your hospital bag ready to go and a solid plan in place to contact all the relevant people. Unlike the movies you are unlikely to have to rush straight to hospital so use the time to start doing any meditative or relaxing exercises you have prepared. Above all, be excited; it’s time!
]]>Women report a huge range of changes to their psychological state when they are pregnant. Whether it is bouts of crying or sudden feelings of panic don’t worry, someone else has had them too! Below we report the top ten most likely changes you’ll experience and some tips on how to maintain a positive mental outlook during pregnancy.
As a general statement, particularly as you become heavily pregnant, you might experience mood swings, hyper-sensitivity of your body image and a desire to eat the weirdest combination of foods that no mature adult would touch. Basically, it can feel like you have emotionally become a teenager again.
The good news is that every element of this new teenage-hood that others find frustrating is completely justified by your pregnancy so you have the ultimate excuse to do whatever your body tells you too. Plus, this time your down moments actually have a wonderful purpose and you can stay sane by knowing that you will revert to feeling like a grown up once the baby is born.
While your body transforms during pregnancy you are flooded with hormones.
The result of this, particularly in early and later pregnancy, is that you may start to feel irritable. These crabby feelings are likely to come and go and may be linked to the emotional state you are in.
Practising relaxing techniques through yogic breath control, visualisation, some ‘me time’, or whatever works for you can help keep mood swings under control. It is also good practice to prepare for labour as knowing how to relax can make giving birth an easier process.
It can be easy for hormonal mood swings to feel very justified, so be aware that you may be unnecessarily irritable. Have a chat with your partner about how you could work together to make sure your relationship is unaffected if you do start to experience mood swings.
Pregnancy is an exciting and unique experience. However long you have day-dreamed about having a child, parts of your pregnancy may feel new and strange. Even the most confident of us will have worries. These worries may change throughout the pregnancy as you feel anxious about whether you might have a miscarriage, be a good parent, or the pain of labour.
Worry is normal and it is good to research and alleviate specific concerns. Sometimes though you may feel a general sense of worry and you can use your support group – family, friends, maternity professionals, and pregnancy course participants – to chat through your feelings in a comfortable setting.
Never underestimate the power of spilling your heart out over a cup of tea!
Anxiety and apprehension are the body’s way of making sure that you look after yourself and therefore protect the little baby inside you. The way the body prepares you to be a parent both physically and mentally is a marvel. However, your biological instincts can make it a challenge to stay positive and relaxed about your pregnancy.
Some women focus on the reasons for their changing mental state. Understanding the different hormonal changes in their bodies can really help keep a good state of mind as they know why they feel as they do.
You may have experienced a general sense of forgetfulness during your normal menstrual cycle before becoming pregnant. Many women report similar sensations of fogginess or forgetting basic things during pregnancy and after birth.
The research community is unsure about whether this is due to literal changes in your brain, the stress of dealing with a big change in your life, or just that pregnant women generally have a lot to do so multitask even more than normal. Whatever the reason it is so widely experienced it is sometimes termed ‘pregnancy brain’.
There is only so much you can do to avoid forgetfulness but you can, if circumstance allow, avoid taking on too much and taking things slowly. Pregnancy brain is the start of a topsy-turvy but exciting few years so it is best to embrace the chaos and just go with it.
Your period is also the culprit of unexpected weepiness and pregnancy may increase the, potentially embarrassing, likelihood of crying at a trailer or endearing news story. You might find yourself feeling overwhelmed with emotion because of the big changes you are experiencing. Getting pregnant doesn’t just fill you with hormones, but can also raise complicated emotional responses in everyone. It is human nature to sometimes cry when experiencing strong feelings.
Sometimes you might need to just ‘have a good cry’. Build up a support network of friends and family early on in your pregnancy that will be there to comfort you when needed and that will understand if you get upset for no specific reason.
In a small minority, crying a lot or not being able to stop can be a sign of depression. For most, it is just our way of responding to a complex, and emotional situation.
Your body will change so much during pregnancy. There is, of course, the growing bump. However, your hair may change by falling out more quickly or growing more than normal. Your breasts will change as they get ready to give milk to the baby and your skin may start to show stretch-marks or hyperpigmentation.
Some women may just enjoy the miracle of how quickly their body develops and feel confident with their bump. For others, the worry of putting on weight or the strangeness of seeing your body transform so quickly can lead to feelings of low self-esteem.
Try not to be alarmed when your body does start to change; it is a natural part of the process. In most cases it will revert once you have given birth. Eating healthily can be beneficial to an extent and may also help you feel positive and comfortable. Your body is going through the most remarkable transition to get ready for giving birth so a few changes along the way can only be expected and embraced.
You are probably aware of potential changing sensitivity to tastes during pregnancy. However, you may not know that many women report that during pregnancy they feel they are more sensitive to smells. Like changes to your body, there is little you can do about this heightened sensitivity.
Most importantly, be careful that you are still getting all the nutrients you need no matter how much salty and sweet food you find you can now eat or crave.
The scientific community is unsure whether some kind of nesting instinct really occurs in pregnant women. Whether it is a change in your brain or not, the urge to prepare the house for the new member of the family is common and understandable. You may find tidying, cleaning and preparing a nursery a good way of feeling in control while so many changes happen inside you. It can also be a rewarding project if you have time off work.
There are the traditional social activities too, such as having a baby shower or organising the baby’s first visitors. Remember your body will not have the stamina you usually do and you may feel tired or ache more quickly. Look after yourself and make sure you find plenty of quiet down-time too.
One of the biggest threats to maintaining a positive mental outlook during pregnancy can be your own thoughts. Being a parent is a huge step and depending on your own childhood, relationship with your own parents, and familiarity with children it can bring up all kinds of concerns or vicious thought-cycles.
Many people, and this is fathers and mothers, may go through a phase of worrying whether they will make a good parent. These thoughts can feel worse if you have not got a good relationship with your parents or perhaps did not have a happy childhood.
In some cases, it may be really valuable to seek professional counselling. For others, a chat with friends or discussion with your partner can help put your mind at rest. It is becoming a cliché to say that babies don’t come with manuals but that is because it is true. Reading and preparing will help a lot but parenthood is a unique skillset which you will soon learn only by doing.
If you need to, deal with the past to make sure you stay mentally healthily. Ultimately aim to start looking to the future and the amazing memories you will be able to make with your child.
Finally, the biggest change to your psychological state during pregnancy is a sense of reward. Nature will throw everything into ensuring you feel ready for the baby’s arrival and will feel rewarded by the experience of being a parent. If you have ever felt pure wonder when you hold the tiny finger of a baby, then imagine that feeling on a whole new level for your own child.
Enjoy and focus on the positive feelings as much as you can and remember that any of the changes you may struggle with are all a result of your body accommodating a new little person. If you take time to yourself, relax and talk to friends and family about any concerns then pregnancy can be a rewarding experience.
]]>We have all had the awkward moment where your gushing friend waves an ultrasound image around and you have to be excited about a grey, shadowy outline. However, seeing the first image of your child is a unique moment and in no time you’ll be showing it to everyone possible. The natural parental bias means you can easily see the special little human in the image!
There is lots of advice online about how to read ultrascan images and it is highly recommended that you consult the scanning technician (sonographer) rather than trying to read it all yourself.
So instead of repeating this prescription information, we discuss the more controversial questions around scanning. Whatever you choose, knowing all the options will ensure you have made the decision that is right for you.
First, a quick summary for first time parents. Ultrasounds are used to see a picture of the baby in the womb giving the opportunity for parents to see their child for the first time and allowing the sonographer to check that everything is developing healthily. Pregnant women are offered at least two ultrascans during their pregnancy between 8 to 14 weeks and then between 18 to 21 weeks. The first scan estimates when the baby is due and the second focuses on picking up anomalies in the baby.
There are various decisions to make at every stage and with an increase in private alternatives with all kinds of added features it can seem a bit overwhelming. So here we talk you through what to consider.
It seems we have become so familiar with seeing ultrasound images that it is easy to forget that you do not have to have any scans at all if that’s what you wish. It might be a controversial decision, particularly when by week 20 you are expected to know everything about your child. However, some parents do not feel comfortable with having a scan. Even if seeing the shadowy image of your child for the first time is the highlight of your pregnancy, it is still a good idea to think through what is coming up. Ultrasounds are generally very exciting events but they can produce results that lead to bigger decisions and you should prepare for this possibility.
As far as the medical community is aware, having a scan does not cause any harm to you or your baby. It is also a painless process for the mother. However, if there are potential problems you may be offered other tests that have higher risks. Your maternity team will discuss the details of your case and the risks involved, which can sometimes include miscarriage. In other situations, you would just be advised and supported in hearing about a potential issue which needs no further action until birth.
Whatever happens, it is a good idea to be prepared for the possibility that scan results can have many repercussions. Some parents would prefer to wait until birth to find out the health of their child. Remember this is a normal hospital investigation. It is highly unlikely you will get bad news but make sure you only bring people who you would want by you if the situation did arise.
If you have any doubts or more questions chat it through with your maternity team and decide what is best for you.
Another big decision that modern technology has brought to parents is whether to find out the gender of your child before it is born. Despite popular conception, you should be aware that the results are not always accurate as the position of the child in the womb can sometimes obscure areas that are vital to identifying the gender.
It seems to be more common for parents to find out especially if they want to design the nursery or decide on the baby’s name. However, there is definitely a strong party who do not want to know. For many this is because they want the surprise or to experience the moment as it has been felt throughout human history.
Traditionally, in the past many people wanted to prepare the nursery or wardrobe of their child in ‘suitable’ colours. However, this is no longer expected and many parents embrace the opportunity to have a gender neutral attitude from the very start.
Whatever you choose, you will come across many like-minded people. Plus, it is all exciting and whether you know the gender of your child or not it is going to be one of the most exciting days of your life when you are handed your child for the first time.
More and more parents are paying for 3D and 4D scans. The first question should perhaps be one of cost. Pregnancy is an expensive business and do you want to spend extra on having more scans? Priorities and bank account sizes will be different for everyone so this is definitely an area you want to consider without too much influence from well-meaning friends or fellow parents.
The main reason people go for 3D and 4D scans is that it gives a much clearer view of the unborn baby. Even the standard grey, blurry images can be the highlight of some people’s pregnancy so it can be a wonderful opportunity to assess every trait of your child before they have been born. It also avoids the inevitable moment when people insist they can make out the details of the child while holding the scan upside down!
However, 3D scans only work if your baby is facing the right way and are done at 26 to 30 weeks of pregnancy. If there is a medical concern about the child 3D scans will sometimes be offered.
Promoters of 4D scanning would also say that 3D scans only provide static images of the child. 4D scans show real time footage of the baby moving around giving a very detailed view of the child’s features and movements in the womb. 4D scans also check the baby’s growth and internal organs.
It is also believed that 3D and 4D scans do not cause any harm but some groups are concerned that these types of scans are only promoted by the ‘souvenir’ element of getting pictures of your child. To ensure there is no harm it is important that the sonographer follows professional guidelines and is qualified to correctly interpret the images so make sure you use legitimate practices. You can get recommendations from other parents or health care professionals.
Some parents love the clear images and video you can get from these scans and especially value it if they have distant family or friends who cannot be around for the pregnancy and birth. In some cases, it could help pick-up issues but the standard 2D scans will do this adequately. For others, the excitement comes from seeing the baby’s features for the first time when they are born. With everything else guzzling up the baby budget it might not be for you. Or it might be a special treat where you can sit back from all the decision-making and enjoy the miracle of seeing your child’s face and how they already wriggle around.
Finally, there is the decision of whether to go private either for the traditional dating and anomaly scan or to have other scans throughout the pregnancy. A quick search through internet forums shows a very split attitude with some parents swearing by the wonders of private services and others as equally adamant about the benefits of only getting scans offered by the NHS.
Some people argue that having a private scan is more likely to identify medical issues. However, the NHS carefully check through a long list of vital criteria so you should be confident that they will pick anything up. Private services offer scans throughout every stage of pregnancy so they may pick up issues at a different rate or stage. As discussed above, some scans such as 3D/ 4D will show your child in far more detail.
The other main factor contributing to people choosing private is the privacy and sense of service that not everyone experiences with the NHS. However, everyone’s experience of any clinic or hospital will be different as staff and set-up always changes. You will find parents describing the service as perfect in normal public check-ups and others saying the same about their experience at private practices.
Of course, going private for whatever reason comes with a huge invoice. Private scans are expensive and not necessary on top of scans provided by the NHS. Nonetheless, some parents will jump at any opportunity to see their child more or to triple check the health of their baby. The decision is yours.
It can be frustrating to be looking for answers and to only find more questions. I encourage you to see it as an exciting opportunity to review what is important for you. The nice thing about decisions around scans is that there is only a tiny possibility that your choice will have a negative impact. Ultimately, it is your preferences that are important. So get a cup of tea and sit down with your partner or a close friend and consider your feelings on the subject and your budget and you might be pleasantly pleased to find that you already know the answer to many of the questions after all.
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