10 pregnancy worries everyone has

Morning sickness can make you feel grim, so it’s hardly surprising that you’ll worry it’s starving your baby of nutrients, too. But thankfully that’s not the case. ‘Your body will put your baby’s needs in front of yours and protect it at all costs,’ explains P&b’s GP Dr Catti Moss. ‘Try to keep as much fluid down as possible because keeping well hydrated is what is really important. This will make the food easier for your body to steal from your reserves.’

You should keep an eye on how bad your morning sickness is, though. ‘If you are feeling really ill or losing lots of weight, see your GP,’ advises Catti. If you’re having trouble keeping fluids down, you should also watch for signs of dehydration, which include dark, strong-smelling urine, headaches and dry mouth, eyes and skin.

If you’ve got friends or family with small children you may well be worried about catching chickenpox from them. Children commonly get this virus and they may be contagious before anyone realises they are even carrying it. The risk of you catching chickenpox is actually small, but if you suspect you may have caught it see your GP, who can arrange a blood test and a course of antiviral medication that will limit any potential ill effects for you and your baby.

‘If you’ve definitely had chickenpox yourself, there’s virtually no risk. Says obstetrician Professor James Walker, ‘Most adults are protected against chickenpox because of previous exposure.’ James adds: ‘If you caught chickenpox before 20 weeks, there’s a two per cent chance of your baby being affected in some way.’ After 20 weeks the risk to your baby is virtually zero. But if you catch it in the week before delivery, your baby will have a high chance of catching the infection from you.

Not true! Exercising in pregnancy means you’ll be fit and healthy for labour and will have the strength to cope with the blissful, but busy, days after the birth.

‘If you’re used to exercising you can safely keep on without adjusting your routine too much,’ says Gail Johnson from the Royal College of Midwives. There are just a few things to be aware of. ‘Make sure you take time to warm up and cool down properly, as the hormones in pregnancy can make you more susceptible to injury. It’s also important not to get too hot, and keep well hydrated by drinking lots of water.’

As you get bigger, take things a little easier – just listen to your body and slow down when you need to.

If you’re not such an exercise bunny, have a quick word with your midwife before taking up exercise. Swimming, walking and antenatal yoga are all ideal pregnancy workouts.

Not if you travel at a safe time and behave sensibly. Going abroad in the second trimester is a good idea, as it should be the calmest time of your pregnancy. Many airlines will let you fly up to the end of week 27, as long as you’re only carrying one baby and have had no complications. After that you can fly up to the end of week 36, as long as you have a doctor’s letter or certificate.

But some airlines have other restrictions, so always double check, says Gail.

It’s also a good idea to mention any plans to fly to your midwife, too, in case there is a medical reason you shouldn’t travel.

Because flying involves a lot of time stuck in your seat, your risk of developing  a deep-vein thrombosis is increased. ‘It’s important to keep your legs and feet moving,’ says Gail. ‘And you should also drink plenty of fluids because cabin air is very dehydrating.’

Remember you also need to take your antenatal notes with you on holiday.

‘Most people get sharp pains on both sides of their bump in pregnancy – especially with their first baby,’ says Catti. And, thankfully, it’s perfectly normal. ‘The pains are caused by the ligaments to the side of your womb stretching. If you’re worried, have a word with your midwife, who should be able to reassure you.’

Many of us have had a few drinks at a party or on a night out before we realised we were pregnant. While drinking too much in pregnancy can cause damage to your baby, Professor Patrick O’Brien from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says, ‘In the first couple of weeks after conception, the fertilised egg is no more than a collection of cells. If alcohol has caused any damage, it’s likely to trigger a miscarriage before you even know you’re pregnant.’

Once you do know you’re pregnant, you should try to avoid alcohol altogether in the first trimester, he says. ‘If you’ve had a positive test result or even suspect that you might be pregnant, steer clear of alcohol for the first three months. This is the most vulnerable time for your baby.’

After 12 weeks drink no more than the recommended one to two units a week, or abstain completely. If you do have a glass of wine, drink it with a meal to reduce alcohol absorption into your system. 

The size of your bump doesn’t necessarily equate to the size of your baby. If this is your first pregnancy or you’re physically fit, your stomach muscles may be so strong that your bump isn’t stretching that much as your baby grows.

P&b’s midwife Karen Hone says, ‘Your baby may be lying low or across your womb, tucked away in your pelvis. Or if you’ve more padding you may not see your bump until later in your pregnancy.

‘You’ll have a detailed scan around 20 weeks, this should reassure you that your baby is growing properly.’ 

Most women have an increased discharge when they’re expecting. It doesn’t mean you’re suffering from an infection that could affect your baby.

‘More vaginal discharge than usual, which isn’t thick or smelly, is almost certainly part of the normal hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy,’ says Gail. ‘As long as you don’t have any discomfort and the discharge doesn’t smell, you are fine.’

To stave off the possibility of an infection, Gail advises wearing light cotton underwear and showering frequently.

Chances are everything’s absolutely fine – your baby has periods of activity and periods of rest, just like all of us.

It’s also true that different mothers feel different amounts of movement. ‘If there is more fluid around the baby, you won’t feel him moving around so much,’ says obstetrician Professor James Walker. ‘Also, if you’re busy, say with another child, you may not notice.’

Once you start to feel regular movement at around 20 weeks, you should feel at least 10 movements in a 12-hour period. All babies are different though and you’ll get to know your baby’s pattern during waking hours. ‘If you still have concerns, lie down with your hands on your tummy for a while and try to feel the baby move,’ says James. ‘Often this can reassure you.’

If this doesn’t work and you’re still concerned, you shouldn’t suffer in silence. ‘Phone your midwife or hospital,’ says James. ‘They may recommend you come in for an assessment where they can listen to the baby’s heartbeat and let you hear it for yourself.’ Remember that during the final few weeks of your pregnancy, your baby’s movements are likely to slow down because there’s less room for him to move around in. 

From around 36 weeks it’s common to feel your belly tightening. But don’t worry, this isn’t early labour – these are Braxton Hicks contractions. ‘These are the practice contractions that help to prepare your body for labour. They are nothing to worry about and do not indicate early labour,’ says Gail.

They occur because the lower part of your womb is stretching so your baby’s head can move downwards and settle in your pelvis – what’s described as being ‘engaged’. So relax and enjoy your last few weeks in the knowledge that your body knows what to do and is getting ready for the big day.

Source:  http://www.askamum.co.uk/Pregnancy/Search-Results/Relationships/10-pregnancy-worries-everyone-has/