There are some pregnancy symptoms you hear about constantly, like the morning sickness, back pain, weird cravings, and constant urination. While pregnancy is different for every woman, there are a lot of not-so-pretty side effects that no one likes to talk about. Pregnancy isn’t about being clean or pretty—if it was, none of us would make it. So here’s what to really expect!

Your Breasts

Almost immediately after you become pregnant, your body sends a message to your breasts that it’s time to do what they were made to do! Increased blood flow, fat production, and increased hormones will make them tender within the first few weeks as they prepare for milk production.

In addition to the tenderness, you may notice that your nipples start poking out all the time, not just when you’re cold. Your areolas may darken as well, so be wary of white t-shirts or going braless!

Constipation

One of the most important hormones during pregnancy is progesterone. It’s main function, among many others, is to relax the muscles in your uterus to prevent early contractions. Essentially, this is the hormone that keeps your baby inside you until it’s time! The unfortunate side effect is that it relaxes all of your muscles. You may be thinking that this would result in diarrhea instead—but your intestinal tract works really hard to move things along, so when those muscles are relaxed, things don’t move as smoothly.

Exercising, drinking lots of water, and eating smaller meals that are high in fiber can all help prevent this problem and aid a lot of other pregnancy ailments. But avoid using laxatives unless you’ve talked to your doctor.

Hemorrhoids

Unfortunately, these affect about half of all pregnant women, and they aren’t fun. A hemorrhoid occurs when the veins in and around your rectum become swollen. Your body’s increased blood flow is usually to blame, but hemorrhoids can also occur during delivery or due to constipation. They can range anywhere from just itchy and annoying to downright painful. They usually resolve themselves after pregnancy, but you can always talk to your doctor about treatments. Lying on your side to relieve pressure can help, along with drinking lots of water and eating plenty of fiber-rich foods.

Congestion

While people talk about swollen feet and hands, there are plenty of other things that swell during pregnancy. Increased estrogen levels cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell up, which can cause congestion, snoring, and even nosebleeds. At the very least you might feel like you have a cold for a while.

Heartburn

While progesterone relaxes your uterine muscles and your intestinal tract, it also relaxes your lower esophageal sphincter. This can cause stomach acid to back up into your esophagus, resulting in heartburn. While not pleasant, this will return to normal after you’ve had your baby.

Leg Cramps

While there’s no proven cause for these, it’s believed that compressed blood vessels, or the pressure of carrying around extra weight may be the culprits. You’ll experience these mainly at night, or whenever you aren’t using your leg muscles for an extended period of time. The quickest way to get a leg cramp to stop is to flex your foot upwards, and straighten your leg out as if you’re trying to touch your shin with your toes.

Restless Leg Syndrome

In addition to leg cramps, you may also experience restless leg syndrome. This also occurs typically at night and affects your lower legs. It can, however, affect your feet and arms too. Stretching, taking a warm bath, acupuncture, or massage can all help—but talk to your doctor first, because you may have an iron deficiency. For a lot of pregnancy ailments, including this one, keeping a food journal can help determine if anything you’re eating late in the day is worsening your restless leg syndrome.

Sweat

That pregnant “glow” everyone talks about? It’s sweat. And a little bit of vomit. As soon as you become pregnant, your body kicks up the heat and increases blood flow, essentially going into production mode. You can enjoy the rosy cheeks and the dewy complexion that accompanies the glow, but know that you’ll be super sweaty at the same time.

Big Feet

The hormone relaxin does what it sounds like—it relaxes all the ligaments in your body, including in your feet. Not to mention, your body is retaining fluids like crazy, and these fluids tend to pool to the bottom of your feet after being up and about all day. Some women even go up a shoe size permanently, so don’t worry if your feet don’t immediately go back to their regular size. This is completely normal, but if your hands or feet swell suddenly, call your doctor, because this could be a sign of preeclampsia.

Bladder Control

It’s no secret that pregnant women pee a lot. Their growing uterus is constantly pressing on their bladder, but it doesn’t stop with frequency. It’s perfectly normal to actually pee whenever you sneeze, cough, exercise or exert, etc. While drinking plenty of water is the remedy for most ailments, not so much with this one. The best thing you can do is practice kegel exercises to strengthen your muscles down there! You can also wear panty liners or pads if you’re worried about leaking.

Saliva

Many women notice an increase in saliva during pregnancy, and there’s no real explanation for it. Most people attribute it to hormones, since during this time, your body produces a lot of extra stuff. It could also be a result of nausea, because saliva is your body’s way of telling you you’re about to throw up. It’s no cause for concern—just something strange you may experience.

Bleeding Gums

Progesterone is at it again with this side effect, but it isn’t any cause for concern. The best way to prevent sensitive or bleeding gums is to avoid sweets (to the best of your pregnant ability), always rinse your mouth out after you’ve been sick, and visit your dentist while you’re pregnant. Just make sure to tell your dentist that you’re pregnant.

Sense of Smell

Speaking of harsh fragrances, many women find that their sense of smell is significantly heightened during pregnancy. Cool, right? Like a super power! Except when the smells are gross. This strange side effect can wreak havoc on your gag reflexes, so do your best to avoid bad smells. Chewing gum has been known to help, so try carrying a few sticks with you.

Vaginal Discharge

When we said the extra estrogen in your system stimulates all of your mucous membranes, we meant all of them—you should expect a lot of leukorrhea, or milky, white vaginal discharge. Stay away from douches and vaginal wipes, as these can throw off your PH balance and make things worse. A clean, dry panty liner is the best line of defense.

Acne

Your increase in hormones will stimulate your sebaceous glands, the same bodily process that caused acne when you were a teenager. The worst part? Most things that treat severe acne are off limits to you while you’re pregnant. Things like Accutane, Retin-A, Tetracycline, etc. will cause major birth defects. A lot of companies are trying to fill that gap, so talk to your doctor about safe treatments for you!

Itchy Skin

Because of all the growing and stretching your skin is doing, accompanied by increased levels of estrogen, you might find your skin feeling dry and irritated. It’s always worth mentioning to your doctor, as itching in the hands and feet could be a sign of a liver problem, but otherwise, it’s completely normal. Treat your itching skin like you would dry skin in the winter—lower your shower temperature, moisturize well and often, and avoid soaps or body washes with harsh chemicals or fragrances.

Skin Pigment

Pregnancy hormones jumpstart your melanin cells, which will produce more pigment as a result. If you have freckles, they’ll darken along with your areolas and the linea nigra (that dark line that runs down your belly). This can also cause random blotches on the skin called Chloasma. Hyperpigmentation is more noticeable in women with darker complexions, but regardless of your skin tone, it will typically fade after you’ve given birth.

Skin Tags

Skin tags are little skin growths that usually pop up in high friction areas, like under your arms, around your neck, or under your breasts. Your body is in full-on production mode, which leads to the production of a lot of extra stuff, including skin. These skin tags are completely benign, and usually go away on their own. If they don’t, you can leave them alone or have them removed if you want.

Pregnancy comes with a lot of unexpected, and sometimes unpleasant, symptoms—but everything will be worth it when you meet your little one! For more information, support, and advice, contact Regional Medical Center today!

Pregnancy comes with a lot of weird, unpleasant feelings—back pain, swollen ankles, bloating and constipation, morning sickness, fatigue, and many other strange ailments. There’s one thing, however, that has been proven to alleviate all of these things—exercise. A lot of women are nervous when it comes to exercising while pregnant, but there’s nothing to fear! As long as you listen to your body and consult your doctor, there’s no reason you shouldn’t keep up a healthy, active lifestyle. It’s good for you and for your baby.

How Much Exercise Should You Be Getting?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women get at least 30 minutes or more of exercise per day, ideally all days of the week.

Keep in mind that these 30 minutes don’t have to be consecutive! For example, three 10-minute walks throughout the day count toward your goal. Even things like vacuuming or light yard work can count—basically anything that gets your heart rate up.

Cardio Exercises for Pregnant Women

These kinds of exercises will increase your blood circulation, muscle tone, and endurance, which will help you come delivery day!

Swimming

Swimming and water aerobics are perfect exercises for expecting moms. Being in the water will make exercise easier, as you’ll feel lighter and more agile than you might feel on land. In addition to the fitness benefits, a dip in the pool may relieve nausea, sciatic pain, and swelling in your ankles.

When you’re floating in a pool, your baby is floating with you! Water is very gentle on your loosening joints and ligaments, which is your body’s natural response to pregnancy hormones. Make sure you’re careful when walking around the slippery edges of the pool, and don’t jump or dive into the water. Your baby isn’t able to handle the bubbles that form inside your body when you change altitudes quickly—that’s why scuba diving while pregnant is a big no no!

Walking

Walking is one of the best exercises out there for pregnant women, because you can do it anywhere, anytime. Not to mention it’s an exercise you can do all the way up until delivery! Walking around during labor can even help your contractions along. No special equipment or gym membership required—just make sure you have a comfortable, supportive shoes.

Running

Walking 2.0! If you’re looking for a little more exercise, running is a great option for the same reasons walking is. Make sure you take it easy, though—even if you’re an experienced runner, pregnancy is changing a lot about your body. Your ligaments and joints are loosening up, and the larger your bump grows, the more off-balance you may feel. Always stick to level terrain or a treadmill, and don’t allow your heart rate to spike too much.

Group Dance or Aerobics Classes

Classes are a great way to get fitness motivated, especially if you’re new to exercise! Low-impact aerobics or dance like Zumba are fun ways to get your heart rate up and your endorphins flowing. As your baby gets bigger, however, you’ll need to be wary of any activity that requires careful balance. Avoid jumping or high-impact movements, and make sure you never exhaust yourself. If you’re new to exercise, consider trying water aerobics first until you get a feel for how your body moves!

Spinning

If you were an avid cycler before pregnancy, you’re in luck—you should be able to keep it up, as long as you tone down the workout. Although it may feel frustrating at times, while pregnant you simply can’t push yourself as hard as you did pre-pregnancy. Spin classes are great, though, because you can pedal at your own pace with zero risk of falling. There’s also less stress on your ankles and knees. Make sure to let your instructor know that you’re pregnant, and sit out sprints or hill climbs if you ever feel overheated or exhausted. We’d recommend adjusting the handlebars as well, so you aren’t leaning over as much—this will save your back!

Kickboxing

You may not be as quick or as graceful as your pre-pregnancy self, but if you have some experience kickboxing, there’s no reason to quit! You should take some precautions though—be sure to leave plenty of space between you and other kickboxers, and make sure everyone knows that you’re pregnant. An accidental jab to the stomach is not something to risk. Kickboxing and other exercise classes specifically for pregnant women are pretty common, so check your area!

High-Intensity Interval Training Workouts (HIIT)

This is not for every expecting mother, and if you haven’t already been doing this, now is not the time to start. If you did HIIT pre-pregnancy, however, you can continue with modifications! Avoid jumping, any kind of jarring movements, or abrupt changes in direction. Choose lighter weights than you’d usually pick up for exercises, and stop immediately if you feel out of breath or exhausted. Be especially careful with any workouts involving balance!

Other Tips for Exercising While Pregnant

Now is not the time to pick up a new sport. If you’re an experienced athlete, however, you should feel safe continuing to play your sport or participate in your activity. Just talk to your doctor along the way and make all the necessary modifications to your workouts.

Start slowly—diving in head first (just an expression—seriously no diving!) can lead to sore muscles, frustration, and even injury to you or your baby. Start small and see how you feel, then slowly build up to 30 minutes per day, or more if you’re comfortable.

Don’t push yourself too hard. If you’re already a self-proclaimed gym rat, it can be easy to get frustrated. You won’t be able to work yourself as hard, or do as much as you did pre-pregnancy, but that’s okay. Your body is working hard on something miraculous! So cut yourself some slack. Now is not the time to hit any PRs, just focus on staying healthy for you and your baby.

Stay cool. Avoid saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, or anything that can raise your temperature more than 1.5 degrees. If it’s hot outside, find somewhere indoors to do your exercises.

Warm up and cool down. Do your best not to shock your system, as abruptly spiking your heart rate and circulation increases your chance of getting injured. In addition to starting abruptly, stopping abruptly traps blood in your muscles and reduces the blood supply to other part of your body—including your baby. Finish your work out with a few minutes of walking followed by a few minutes of relaxation.

Drink and eat. Make sure you’re hydrating yourself before, during, and after your workout. Basically, drink water 24/7. In addition to this, high-intensity exercise for longer than 45 minutes can lead to low blood sugar, so snacking before and after your workout is a good idea.

Listen to your body. This is probably the most important tip—every woman is different, and no one knows your body like you do. So listen when it’s trying to tell you something. Never, ever exercise to the point of exhaustion. A basic rule of thumb is, if you feel good, you’re probably doing a good job. If you feel pain or strain, you need to tone it down. You should be able to talk through your workout, and feel energized when you’re done. This is not to say that expecting moms can’t enjoy vigorous exercise—they can! The intensity level just shouldn’t exceed a 13 or 14 out of 20.

Know when something is wrong. If you have any kind of pain, selling, muscle weakness, etc. you should call your doctor. If you feel any unusual pain anywhere from your hips to your head, call your doctor. If you’re experiencing a cramp that won’t go away, regular, painful contractions, chest pain, a very rapid heartbeat, have difficulty walking, a sudden headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, bleeding, or reduction in fetal movement after week 28, call your doctor. The gist is this—when in doubt, call your doctor.

Stay motivated. The key to exercising while pregnant is to find something you actually enjoy doing! Consider trying a bunch of different things to keep it interesting. Of course, always talk to your doctor, don’t be too hard on yourself, and make sure you’re having fun.

For more expert advice and pregnancy tips, contact Regional Medical Center today!

Pregnancy is an incredible journey with a lot of ups and downs. You’ve no doubt been up to your eyes in research, shopping lists and schedules, but take a minute to read this because it’s for you—the partner!

Your main job during the next 40 weeks, in addition to the research and planning, is to be supportive! The best way to be supportive is to be informed about everything your partner is going through, physically and emotionally.

The First Trimester

The first trimester of pregnancy consists of the first 13 weeks. During this time, your partner will most likely need a lot more rest than usual. Morning sickness will kick in, and she might be vomiting frequently. Remember that, although it’s called morning sickness, it can come at any time of the day or night! Be sensitive to things that trigger her, like toothpaste, certain smells, or foods.

Early pregnancy is a very emotional time. Your partner will be very susceptible to mood swings, and while you’re supporting and comforting her, don’t forget about your own feelings. This is an emotional time for you, too. Big changes are coming, and you may feel like there’s not enough time to adjust. Do your best to be present for each other, and don’t worry if you don’t adjust right away—you’ve got time.

Second Trimester

The second trimester starts at 14 weeks and lasts until about week 27. For most women, this is the trimester where they feel the best. The pregnancy will become more obvious, and she’ll start feeling better physically. You can expect her energy level to increase as morning sickness tapers off. The baby will start to move around, typically around week 20, though this time frame varies.

This is when a lot of couples start taking childbirth classes to prepare. If you can, take them at the hospital where you plan to have the baby. This can be incredibly informative and should help you learn what to expect, which makes the process less scary.

Third Trimester

Week 28 through week 40 will be a pretty uncomfortable time for your partner, not only physically, but mentally, as she’ll be delivering the baby very soon. There will be a lot of prepping to do, things to buy and things to babyproof—but it’s a very exciting time. The baby is getting big and moving around a lot, so your partner may have trouble sleeping, walking, moving around, or doing daily tasks. Do as much as you can to help her feel productive and prepare, and remember that it’s normal to be nervous!

Lifestyle Changes

Your partner’s health is your top priority, but you can support her by focusing on your health, too. If she’s on a specific diet, do it with her! Eating what she eats and doing what she does will help her not to feel alone or left out. Make sure you’re both getting plenty of rest, and help her (and yourself) avoid alcohol, smoke, unhealthy foods, and drugs.

Preparing for Labor

Sure, you don’t have to squeeze a human out of you, but there are a lot of things you can do to make it easier for your partner. Tour the hospital before the birth—figure out where to park and what the policies of your specific hospital are. Knowing the little things will make labor time much easier and less stressful for your partner. Also, go ahead and install the carseat! Anything you can do beforehand will make taking your baby home nothing but wonderful and exciting.

Postpartum Depression

It’s incredibly common for new mothers to feel anxious, upset, or sad after giving birth. If she, or you, notice that these feelings last more than a few weeks, she could be suffering from postpartum depression. Often your partner can’t tell that they’re depressed, though, so it’s up to you to be on the lookout for signs:

• Feelings of guilt, helplessness, or overall sadness that seem to get worse over time, and keep her from performing daily tasks
• Inability to care for herself or her baby
• Trouble doing tasks at home or at work
• Changes in her appetite
• Things that used to bring her joy don’t
• Concern or worry about her baby is too intense, or not intense enough
• Feelings of panic and anxiety
• Fear of being left alone with the baby
• Fear of harming the baby, which can lead to feelings of guilt
• Thoughts about self-harm or suicide

If your partner shows any of these signs, let her know that you’re there for her. Listen to her, support her, and let her know of your concerns for her. Help her get the professional help she may need for herself and for her baby.

For more essential tips for your pregnancy journey, contact Regional Medical Center today.

You may have heard some dramatic going-into-labor stories, but the reality is that you might not even realize it’s happening at first. This might actually sound scarier than the dramatic stories, but don’t stress—here’s everything you need to know about your water breaking and what to do next!

What’s Really Happening When Your Water Breaks

During pregnancy, amniotic fluid surrounds your baby in the amniotic sac. This cushions your baby and protects them from infection. It helps their lungs and digestive system develop and keeps their temperature steady. During the second half of your pregnancy, your baby’s urine will make up most of the fluid, along with nutrients, hormones, and antibodies.

At many possible points along the labor track, the membranes of the amniotic sac will rupture, and this is what we call your “water breaking.” While each water breaking experience is unique, here’s what to look out for.

Signs of your water breaking include:

• Feeling a slow leak of water
• Feeling a sudden gush of water
• Feeling a slight pop
• Fluid coming out in bursts as you change positions

The way the fluid comes out can vary greatly. Sometimes, your baby’s head can block your cervix like a cork, causing the fluid to only come out when you or the baby moves. More fluid may come out when you start having contractions, and you may continue to leak some fluid up until your baby is delivered.

After your water has broken, avoid using tampons or taking baths—now that you’ve passed the amniotic fluid, your baby is more susceptible to infections. Be sure to place a towel down wherever you may be sitting at home or in the car to avoid getting amniotic fluid on everything. The color of the fluid is usually clear or a pale yellow, but it won’t have any smell.

What to Expect Next

It can often be difficult to tell when your water has broken, especially since some women only experience a weak trickle or even less fluid than that. If you’re in any doubt, give your healthcare provider a call—they can always check you via an ultrasound or a physical exam.

If you do suspect that your water has broken, try to remember to take note of the time. You should also start timing how far apart your contractions are if you start having them. You could very well already be in labor, but for some women labor doesn’t start for a while after their water has broken. Be sure to listen to your body and stay calm. The length of labor and childbirth varies from mother to mother—and depends on a lot of different factors—but after your water breaks, you know you’ll meet your baby soon!

PROM and PPROM

Premature rupture of the membranes, or PROM, occurs in 8-10 percent of women, and simply means that your water has broken but you aren’t in labor yet. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM), however, can pose problems. If your water breaks anytime before you’ve reached 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your doctor right away.

If you’ve had a PPROM in a previous pregnancy, are having inflammation of the fetal membranes, have had vaginal bleeding during your second and third trimesters, smoked during pregnancy, are underweight with poor nutrition, or have a short cervix, you could be at risk for PPROM.

For more maternity advice and expert care, contact Regional Medical Center today.

A lot of things during pregnancy feel out of your control, but labor doesn’t necessarily have to be one of them! If you’re nearing the end, here are a few home remedies you can try to get labor started naturally.

Walking

Walking is one of the most common and effective ways to start labor naturally. Being upright will help encourage your baby to move down onto your cervix, as well as get your endorphins flowing, which will help relax your muscles. Just be sure not to tire yourself out too much—you’ll need your energy!

Eating Dates

There have been several small studies that have shown eating six dates a day during the final month of your pregnancy can encourage your cervix to dilate. Again, don’t overdo it, but many women have had success with this method.

Drink Raspberry Leaf Tea

Drinking this in your third trimester may help tone the muscles of your womb, encouraging things to move along. Don’t gulp it down, though! Too much can have too strong of an effect, causing intense contractions that will leave your baby feeling distressed. Don’t have raspberry leaf tea more than three times daily to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Complementary Therapies

Although most evidence for these remedies is anecdotal, many women have had labor success through acupuncture, reflexology and shiatsu massage. Relaxation is key to beginning labor in a natural way, so you can try these methods at home, or see if your maternity unit offers them.

Blowing up Balloons

This is an odd one, but it’s worked for many women! Blowing up balloons creates a build up of abdominal pressure and can start your labor pretty quickly.

If none of these at-home remedies work for you and your labor hasn’t started naturally by the time you reach 42 weeks, your doctor will most likely offer to induce your labor. If this isn’t something you want, you can keep trying at-home methods, but you’ll be monitored closely to make sure your baby doesn’t suffer any health problems for being late.

For more baby advice and expert baby care, contact Regional Medical Center today.

Your child will grow up right in front of your eyes, and no phase of growth will go quicker than the first year. There’s a lot for your baby to accomplish in twelve short months, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a race. Your baby will develop at their own pace, and there’s a wide range of time for when it’s “normal” for your baby to do certain things.

One to Three Months

Your baby will be all smiles! At first they’ll just be smiling to themselves, but soon they’ll smile back at you. When they are laying on their tummy, they’ll start trying to lift their head and chest up to see everything. You’ll also notice that their eyes can track objects easier, and you’ll see crossed eyes less. They’ll begin gripping things in their hands, although they won’t be able to manipulate them. They’ll reach for things too, but they may not be able to grab them yet.

Four to Six Months

During this stage they’ll gain control of what they are grabbing (watch out for your hair!). They’ll learn how to use their voice too! They’ll babble incoherently a lot—testing their voice out to see what it can do. Rolling over is common during this phase. Typically they’ll master the front-to-back roll first, and then both directions. They’ll start sitting up (with your support) and should have much better control of their head. You can expect some adorable laughter from this phase as well!

Seven to Nine Months

Your baby will be certifiably on-the-go from now on, so make sure everything is baby proofed. After they learn that they can get places by rolling, they’ll start piecing together how to move forward and backward, and then there’s no stopping them. Crawling is not far behind, although some babies skip crawling entirely, and go straight from scooting to walking. They’ll be able to sit up on their own, and they’ll recognize familiar words and respond to them, like their name or “no.”

Ten to Twelve Months

Your baby isn’t really a baby anymore—they’re a little toddler! They will start feeding themselves, because they’ll be able to pinch small things like cereal or crackers. After they have learned to pull themselves up, they will be able to “cruise” around a room while holding onto furniture. “Mama” and “Dada” will become your specific names, and not just words they can say. Your baby will learn to “pretend play” by copying you or using objects correctly, like talking on a pretend phone. Their first steps could happen in this phase, but the range for this milestone varies greatly. They could start walking anytime between nine and eighteen months.

Trust your instincts—you know your child better than anyone, and if you feel like something’s wrong with your baby’s development, call your doctor. And if you have more questions about what to expect, contact Regional Medical Center today!

C-Section Birth

It’s important to remember that labor and delivery are natural, somewhat unpredictable things. It’s impossible to plan everything when it comes to delivering your baby, so it’s good to be prepared for any surprises should they come!

Scheduling your c-section should be no stress at all. Your doctor will probably set up the appointment themselves, and tell you when to show up. They’ll most likely ask that you arrive two hours before your procedure is scheduled to begin.

The procedure itself will be relatively quick—anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. If you had to get an emergency c-section, you most likely will have already had an epidural. If you’re having a planned c-section you may get a spinal block (another kind of anaesthetic injection) instead. Your anesthesiologist will ask you questions about your medical history and go from there.

Shortly before the surgery your pubic hair will be shaved (not all of it, just the top) for the procedure. You’ll get an IV for fluids and pain medications, as well as a catheter since you’ll be too numb to walk to the bathroom.

During the surgery itself, there will be a curtain blocking your lower half. You may feel pressure, pushing or tugging as your doctor guides the baby out, but the entire process should be pain-free. You’ll most likely hear your baby’s first cries right away!

The baby’s cord will be cut, and you’ll see him or her briefly before they’re taken to a warmer in the room. There he or she will be assessed and stabilized to make sure they’re transitioning well. Your doctor will sew you up, and you’ll need to be able to sit up before you can hold your new baby.

Recovery

The recovery room will be your home for up to four days after your procedure. Most hospitals have bunk-in policies, which means you’ll be with your baby the entire time unless you need to shower or anything else, in which case your baby will spend a little time in the nursery.

You’ll be incredibly sore—you’re biggest concern will be the pain from where you had your incision, but you’ll be given pain medication and lots of time to rest. Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby or doing anything strenuous for four to six weeks after your surgery. Your OB will see you every day, and your postpartum nurse will be there if you feel overwhelmed at all or have any questions.

And of course, if you have questions about your c-section journey before then, contact Regional Medical Center.

Make sure you’ve pre-registered at your hospital and packed your bag before you reach this point! It will take a lot of stress off of you the day-of.

If you’ve planned a natural birth, you’ll most likely go into labor on your own. If you’re having repetitive contractions that aren’t stopping or slowing down, that’s when you should call your OB. They will be able to tell you when it’s time to head to the hospital. This is a good idea because if you go too early, you may be sent home.

At the Hospital

Once you get to the hospital go straight to Labor and Delivery, where a nurse will take you into a triage room. Here you’ll be hooked up to a fetal monitor to check your baby’s heart rate and to measure your contractions. If your water has broken, they’ll check to make sure it’s amniotic fluid and they’ll check your cervix to see if you’ve dilated or effaced.

The Delivery Room

You’ll change into a hospital gown and you’ll meet your Labor and Delivery nurse—they’ll be with you through the entire process. What happens next is pretty much up to you!

If you’re having a natural birth, or want to wait on an epidural, they may have you walk around or take a shower or bath to deal with the pain. While you’re waiting for things to progress, your nurse will periodically check your baby’s heart rate as well as your contractions.

If you want an epidural, know that it may take a little while. Most likely you’ll have to wait 30 to 45 minutes from the time you request one, to the moment you’re actually pain-free. There’s no specific time that you need to request an epidural, but keep the wait time in mind. Once you’ve gotten your epidural, you’ll be constantly monitored from your bed and be given a catheter.

Labor Progression

Depending on a lot of little factors, you may see your doctor after you check in, or you may not see them until it’s time to push. Your contractions will become more painful and grow closer together, and you’ll feel the urge to push. Hit the call button or have your partner find your nurse or doctor and do not start pushing yet. If you aren’t fully dilated yet, you could hurt yourself.

You could have your baby after five pushes, or after 35. Every woman and every baby is different—just listen to your doctor. He or she will tell you how hard to push and when to take breaks.

After the Birth

After you’ve successfully delivered your baby, they’ll continue to monitor the two of you for a few hours to make sure you’re both transitioning nicely. And just like that, you’re a mom!

If you have more questions about what to expect, contact Regional Medical Center.

When the milk flow of your breast has been obstructed in a certain place, you get a clogged milk duct. This can be painful, make pumping or breastfeeding slow and difficult, and it can lead to more serious issues. Mastitis—inflammation of the breast tissue—is a common result of a clogged milk duct, but can certainly be prevented. Clogged milk ducts are pretty common, and can be caused by something as simple as missing a pumping session or not emptying your breasts fully. There are a lot of little things that can cause this to happen, but they can be prevented.

How to Tell if You Have a Clogged Milk Duct

Generally, you’ll be able to tell if a milk duct is clogged because you’ll feel a hard, painful lump in the affected breast. The area around this lump will be red, warm and extra sensitive, but you should feel some relief after breastfeeding. Milk production and flow will slow down from the affected breast. Once you notice these things, try to treat the clogged milk duct as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening. If you have additional flu-like symptoms like fever or aching, you may have mastitis and should talk to your doctor.

How to Treat Them

Clogged milk ducts are incredibly common, so you’re not alone. Some of the easiest and most immediate cures involve the way you pump or breastfeed. You’ll want to stick to a consistent schedule as closely as you can, and you should try to empty the affected breast as completely as possible. Pumping can be painful when you have a clogged duct, especially before and during letdown. A warm compress like a washcloth or heating pad can help your milk flow and ease discomfort. Breast compressions on your affected side or using a lactation massager can help break up the block while pumping.

How to Prevent Clogged Milk Ducts

It’s always a good idea to pump or breastfeed on a schedule when you can, and to empty completely to avoid blocking your ducts. Of course, if you’re trying to decrease your milk supply, you won’t want to empty all the way. Still stick to a schedule, and try to gradually decrease the amount you’re releasing so you body has plenty of time to catch up.

Make sure you’re wearing the right size bra, the right size breast shields and try to avoid sleeping on your chest. If you’re prone to clogged ducts, many women have had success with taking lecithin to help with milk production and flow.

If you want more information, contact Regional Medical Center or make an appointment today.

Staying hydrated is important for everyone’s well-being, but it’s crucial when you’re staying hydrated for two! There are a lot of beverages to choose from, and some can make it harder to produce milk, so it’s important to be informed. According to most health professionals, here’s what you should be drinking.

What to Drink When Breastfeeding

It seems obvious, but it’s extremely important—you should be drinking tons of water. Doctors recommend that the average woman drink eight cups of water a day, and that number almost doubles when you’re breastfeeding. 88% of breastmilk is water, so the more you drink, the easier it will be to produce. 13 cups a day will keep you and your baby hydrated and healthy.

Vegetables are one of the easiest ways to get some of the most important vitamins, and drinking them is quicker and just as beneficial. Your baby needs a lot of iron, and leafy greens like kale and spinach are packed full of it. Carrots are great sources of energy—they’re rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene and phytoestrogens, and come highly recommended by most nutritionists. If you’re craving something sweet, fruit juice is a great alternative with similar health benefits.

One of the most common causes of low milk supply is anxiety. Herbal tea is a great way to relax your mind and body and reap some great health benefits. These teas are great for cleansing toxins from your body and keeping you hydrated. Mother’s Milk tea is the beverage for breastfeeding moms. It’s specifically designed for breastfeeding, and has been used for centuries. It’s packed with beneficial herbs—you can make it at home or buy it ready-made at the store.

Things to Avoid in your Breastfeeding Beverages

If you choose juice—or a blend of juices—for your breastfeeding beverage, avoid anything with artificial sweeteners or additives. Always use 100% juice and splurge for the organic if you can!

Some babies may be sensitive to certain foods, so it’s important to always monitor how your baby reacts to different fruits or vegetables that you may not have eaten regularly before.

Be sure to check the sodium content of the vegetables you choose to drink, and avoid the “gassy” vegetables like broccoli, cucumber and cabbage.

Many babies can react poorly to dairy products. So if you plan on adding milk to any of your drinks, try using almond milk to avoid consuming too much dairy.

Need more information? Contact RMC today!