third trimester Content | Baby Billy

Fetal monitoring

Fetal monitoring measures the heart rate and rhythm of your baby. From the result, you will know how your baby is tolerating your contractions. What is fetal monitoring?Fetal monitoring is when your healthcare provider keeps tabs on your baby's heart rate during labor.👶💗 You'll be able to see how your baby responds to conditions in the womb and your contractions. If your baby shows abnormal heart rate, it is a signal that the baby is calling for help.🆘External fetal heart monitoring👶Continuous external electronic fetal monitoringA stretchy band called a transducer will be tethered around your abdomen to continuously record your baby's heartbeat. A second band around your abdomen is used to track your contractions.😃The transducers are connected to a machine that constantly writes down your baby's heart rate during labor.💗 Despite limited movement and slight discomfort due to the machine, aren't you excited to listen to your baby's heartbeat? Is it in tune with yours?🥰 👶Intermittent auscultationAuscultation is a method of periodically listening to the fetal heartbeat. Your healthcare provider will hold the handheld Doppler device, external fetal monitor probe or fetoscope against your abdomen and record the heartbeat at specific intervals. 'Baseline' heart rate: This is your baby's heart rate between contractions when the baby is not moving.❤️Heart rate during and shortly after contractions: Your healthcare provider is trying to check how your baby is tolerating labor.🤔Internal fetal heart monitoringInternal fetal heart monitoring can only be done when the amniotic fluid sacs🌊 surrounding your baby have broken and the cervix is opened. If the external fetal heart monitoring is not accurate, the internal fetal heart monitoring is conducted.🙆‍♀️ A thin wire called electrode is attached to your baby's scalp and runs from the baby through your cervix.🧠During labor, your uterine contractions and your baby's heart rate are recorded simultaneously to see how often you are having contractions and how your baby is tolerating them.⏺️ The pressure inside your uterus while doing internal heart monitoring can also be examined by putting a thin catheter through your cervix and into your uterus. Then, the catheter will send uterine pressure readings to a monitor and the doctor👩‍⚕️ can get more information about the strength of your contractions.😃 Why do you need fetal heart monitoring?Fetal heart rate monitoring❤️ is extremely helpful if you have a high risk pregnancy. If you take preterm labor medicines to prolong your pregnancy days, fetal heart monitoring can check your baby's health conditions during this important time.😃Fetal heart monitoring can be used in other tests to further assess your baby's conditions:  Nonstress test:The test monitors to see how your baby responds to the baby's movement.👶Contradiction stress test: If the result of the nonstress test is abnormal, this test measures fetal heart rate and uterine pressure at the same time to see if the baby is doing well during contractions when you're in labor.👶A biophysical profile (BPP): This test combines a nonstress test with ultrasound to measure the physical traits of your body.👩   

Vision changes during pregnancy

Vision changes during pregnancy are common symptoms. Your eyes are not deceiving you. They are slightly blurry and nearsighted these days.Vision changes during pregnancy👁️Why vision changes occur?When you're pregnant, changes in hormones🤰, metabolism, fluid retention and blood circulation can all have an impact on your eyes and eyesight. Fluid retention slightly increases the thickness and curvature of your cornea👁️, causing blurry vision. Surges of hormones can make your eyes drier and more irritated.👁️When vision changes begin?Vision changes often occur in the second and third trimester.🤰 They will be mitigated after delivery or after you finish breastfeeding.😃Other vision changes during pregnancy👁️ Visual disturbances from migrainesMigraine headaches with aura begins a series of symptoms such as seeing flashing lights💡, zigzag line or blind spots. If you experience any of these signs, you should visit doctors.👩‍⚕️👁️ Central serous chorioretinopathyThis is a rare disease where fluids aggregate under the retina👁️. Layers of the retina then detach and distort vision, causing blurry eyesight and blind spots. It often develops in late pregnancy and you will usually get your vision back towards the end of the pregnancy or after delivery.😃 👁️ Diabetic eye diseaseBefore pregnancy, if you're already diagnosed with diabetes, pregnancy can worsen your diabetic eye disease.😟 You should have a balanced diet to regulate your blood sugar and see your doctor to get screened for damage to any blood vessels in the retina.👩‍⚕️  

Posterior position

As your baby is growing bigger, there's not much space for the baby to easily turn and wiggle. Sometimes, the baby might get into the posterior position which is also called 'face-up' or 'sunny-side-up' as your due date nears.👶The posterior position🤰What does it mean to be in the posterior position?A baby👶 that is facing head down, but their face is positioned toward your abdomen instead of your back is said to be in the posterior position. This is typically called occiput posterior (OP) position.🤰How common is the posterior position?  Depending on how close you are to delivery, your baby can change position during labor even more than once.😃 Although many babies are posterior when labor starts, only a few of them are posterior at birth. 🤰How to detect your baby's position?When the cervix is completely dilated, your caregiver can manually put her hands✋ into your vagina to check your baby's head and gently rotate it to the right position. An ultrasound can be done routinely to confirm the position.🩺Risk factors for posterior positionYou're more likely to have your baby posterior if this is your first baby, you're over 35 years old, your placenta is attached to the front of your uterus, or you're obese.😔 If you've had a previous OP delivery, or your pregnancy is overdue, or your baby is quite chubby more than 4000 grams, your baby is also likely in the OP position at delivery.😟 How the posterior position affects the motherIf your baby is posterior, you are more likely to have a prolonged delivery with severe back pain. You might need oxytocin to augment contractions and an epidural to ease some of the pain during delivery.🤰 You are more subjected to an assisted vaginal delivery or C-section, also episiotomy, severe perineal tears, and postpartum hemorrhage than moms whose babies are in the favorable anterior position.☹️How the posterior position affects the babyThe posterior position at birth is associated with some complications such as lower five-minute Apgar scores and a longer stay in the hospital.🏥Your baby might be admitted to the intensive care unit to be looked after and observed for more days.📅

Clumsiness during pregnancy

Are you having the goldfish brain and feeling clumsy all the time? You are more uncoordinated and prone to dropping things lately.😥 Blame the hormones and your pregnancy the next time you trip your phone.Causes of clumsiness during pregnancy🤰WeightAs your uterus👶 is growing bigger day by day, you carry extra weight than you're used to which throws your balance off-kilter. Your center of gravity is being pulled forward, creating this uneasiness in balance and making you slip or drop things easily.🚶 🤰Hormonal changesAll these hormonal changes when you're pregnant🤰 relax ligaments in your legs🦵, pelvis and other joints, affecting your range of motion. Smaller joints in your fingers✌️ also become less firm and sure. 🤰Changes in visionWhen you're pregnant, vision deterioration👁️ is one of the side effects in which fluid accumulates in your eyeball. You may not be able to see well although you wear glasses or contact lenses.👓 Hence, being incapable of spotting a hindrance in front makes you fall more easily.🤓 🤰SwellingAll the swelling and pain during pregnancy contribute to your clumsiness these days. You can't stand on your feet properly and your fingers have tingling and numbness. Your legs🦵  are getting a bit larger so your favorite shoes now can't fit.🥿 It's normal to see you trip!How to prevent clumsiness during pregnancy🤰Slow downTake your time to do anything even if it's just a simple task. Being in a rush is a risk factor for falling during pregnancy.🙅‍♀️🤰Stay alertBe extra careful when you walk down🚶 the stairs and use a handrail if necessary. Avoid walking on icy, wet and uneven surfaces.⛸️🧊 🤰Wear a support beltMaternity support belts are designed to support your belly and your back. They can improve your posture and balance, and keep your muscles strong.😃 🤰Avoid risky activitiesDon't carry heavy loads. Anything bulky should be out of your reach now. Avoid skiing⛸️, riding a bike or any activities that require balance.😃 

The Lamaze method of childbirth

The Lamaze method is a childbirth preparation method that aims at building confidence and coping with pain during labor. It emphasizes special breathing patterns and other natural relaxation techniques.🧐  The Lamaze method🤰What is Lamaze?Lamaze method was developed by the French obstetrician Ferdinand Lamaze and is popularly known for conscious breathing techniques👃 to cope with labor. The goal of Lamaze classes is to 'increase women's confidence in their ability to give birth'.💪 Not only do the techniques emphasize natural and healthy birth, they also stress awareness, introduce medical interventions as additional tools, and let you know that you are able to give true informed consent.😃   🤰Lamaze healthy birth practicesAccording to Lamaze International, the Lamaze method follows six research-based principles. Labor is a natural process that begins on its own, having all signals such as your body, hormones, or the placenta ready for birth.👶 You are encouraged to stay active during labor by walking🚶, changing positions, moving around since movement helps contractions happen naturally and allows your baby to move into the downward position.🙆‍♀️  You should receive support during labor from friends, your partner; the idea is that a loving environment helps you stay strong and make childbirth easier.💗 Unnecessary medical interventions should be avoided since they may harm the natural process of childbirth.When delivering your baby, you naturally feel the urge, find the right rhythm to push, and coordinate yourself in whatever position that feels the most comfortable. Finally, moms and babies should stay together after birth to create bonding.👶👩 Benefits of the Lamaze methodChildbirth can be overwhelming and difficult if you are anxious about accidents and can't discern the pushing method.😟 The Lamaze method helps you feel more confident about labor and delivery.🤗 A natural childbirth experience without drug intervention gives the Lamaze method widespread popularity among moms who seek an active involvement in decision-making and discernment of your body.😃 You'll be able to understand the process better and learn to navigate a healthy birth in your desired way. Information on Lamaze classesThe typical Lamaze class consists of at least 12 hours of instruction and lasts five to six weeks toward the end of pregnancy.😃 Although most teachers are nurses, they also have backgrounds in counseling, teaching, clinical psychology and physical therapy.  

Signs of labor

It's time! True labor is coming!! Signs of labor👶 ContractionsLabor contractions grow stronger over time and more frequent as they cause your cervix to dilate. You will feel an excruciating pain that may crush you from the inside and bring tears to your eyes.😖 It's going to be too painful for you to talk through once they've progressed.☹️Assessing the pain frequency by timing your contractions, knowing the intensity and location of the pain help you indicate true labor and prepare yourself.😃 Call your doctor immediately to make sure all the signs are true.👩‍⚕️ 👶 Back pain  If you're having lower back pain that radiates down into the legs🦵 along with contractions, it can be a sign that you're having back labor. The pain doesn't go away even if you change your positions. It intensifies during contractions, inferring your baby's head👶 is pressing against your lower back and wishing to come out.👶 Water breakingWhen the amniotic fluid sac that surrounds your baby ruptures, fluid leaks from your vagina💦. This is one of the final signs of labor and labor usually follows soon. Call your doctor to discuss the symptoms to make sure whether you're actually in labor.👩‍⚕️If your water breaks and you're in full term but you haven't had contractions yet, you might have premature rupture of membranes (PROM).⚠️Preterm labor👶 Preterm laborLabor often starts between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. If you notice you have contractions before you reach week 37, you're in preterm labor.😶👶 Symptoms of preterm laborIt's difficult to determine whether you're in preterm labor due to some similarities between Braxton Hick contractions and labor contractions. If you're really in preterm labor, your doctor👩‍⚕️ will give you medications to prolong your pregnancy days to allow the baby's lungs to fully mature and protect their brain.If you have more vaginal discharge than usual, fluid leaks, abdominal pain like menstrual cramps, six or more contractions in one hour even if they don't hurt😩, you should contact your doctor. Signs such as unprecedented low back pain, irritation in the pelvic area can also be harbingers that you might be in preterm labor.⚠️  

PUPPP rash in the third trimester

Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, called PUPPP in short, is a very itchy rash that happens later in pregnancy. Although it is not a dangerous condition, it may cause awful itching and make you uncomfortable. PUPPP rash during pregnancy😩What is PUPPP?PUPPP stands for pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. It's also called polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) or other names too. It is a very itchy rash appearing on your belly and then spreading to other extremities over time.😩😩What PUPPP looks like?PUPPP first appears as small and pimple-like spots🔴 on the abdomen and around the stretch marks. Then they gradually resemble and develop into hive-like rash. You can also see blisters around them. After a few days, the rash spread from the stomach to the thighs, buttocks, back, arms💪 and legs.🦵 Usually it doesn't show up areas above your breasts. The rash tends to be extremely itchy and disappear after you give birth.🤰😩Causes of PUPPPThe exact causes of PUPPP are unknown.🤔 Rapid stretching of the skin to accommodate the growth of the uterus👶 may cause some damage to connective tissues and skin inflammation. PUPPP probably can be considered as an allergic reaction to male DNA♂️ of the fetal cell circulating in maternal blood. Your immune system recognizes these DNA as foreign and attacks them, causing inflammation.👦 Treatments for PUPPP rashTreatments can only relieve the intense itching but not cure it. You can try a bath with oatmeal or baking soda.🛀 Putting some aloe vera gel can also soothe your skin. Wearing soft, cotton clothing may help too.👚 Don't scratch the rash or it may get worse and spread further.🙅‍♀️ If you have a severe case, you should consult with your doctors for special ointment or antihistamine to make your skin less inflamed.👩‍⚕️🏥

Why your pregnant belly feels tight and heavy?

Your belly is getting tight and heavy to prepare for labor. You're almost there so buckle up and get ready for the rest of the journey.Why does your belly start feeling hard during pregnancy?🤰Growing uterusAs you're stepping into the third trimester, your uterus pushes against your abdominal wall and makes your belly feel hard.🤰 Your growing uterus also crowds your internal organs such as lung and bladder. Stretch marks on your belly become more visible and itchy.🙁🤰Gas and bloatingGas and bloating can also contribute to belly hardness. You get gassy because hormone changes slow the rate of digestion, leaving the food longer in the intestine🍲 and giving time to bacteria to produce gas.🦨 🤰Braxton Hicks contractionsIf you feel sensations of stomach tightening, it could be Braxton Hicks contractions. They appear more frequently in the third trimester as they prepare your body for labor.😃 🤰Preterm laborSharp pains on one or both sides of your belly might be caused by round ligament pain. However, if you feel excruciating pain accompanied with your belly feeling hard, this belly cramping can signal a more serious problem such as preterm labor.🙁  When to call doctorIf your contractions are so painful that you can't endure it, you should consider calling your doctor.👩‍⚕️ Any signs like vaginal bleeding, less fetal movement, amniotic fluid leaking can be dangerous so you should call your doctor immediately.🏥 

Early signs of labor

Still feel like you won't know when to announce 'It's time'? Even the slightest contraction at this time makes you worried and panic? Stay calm, it can be a false alarm…What is labor?The process of delivering your baby👶 has three different stages. In the first stage, contractions start thinning the skin of your vagina and dilate your cervix. This stage has two phases2️⃣. In the latent phase, your cervix is slowly opening from 0 to 6cm. In the active phase, stronger contractions stretch your cervix further from 6cm to full dilation at 10cm. The second stage begins when your baby's head moves downwards into the vaginal canal and is ready to come out.👋 Push! You'll be pushing during this stage.🏋️ The third stage is the shortest and easiest. After your baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut, your uterus starts contracting again to separate the placenta from the wall of your uterus. You probably won't notice this as you're paying full attention to your new angel here.🤗Early signs of labor👶 Baby has droppedLightening signals your baby👶 is descending into your pelvis a few weeks before labor begins. If this is your first baby, lightening can be a good indicator that your baby is getting into position to make his exit so you should be prepared. In subsequent births, the process doesn't often happen until you're truly in labor.💪You may catch your breath more easily👃 since the pressure is much lifted off your diaphragm. But you will need to pee more often because your baby is now pressing on your bladder.🚽👶 Loss of the mucus plugMucus plug is a small amount of thickened mucus buildup within your cervical canal to seal off your uterus from the world during pregnancy.🤰 If you see the mucus coming out in a lump all at once or little by little as a vaginal discharge, it's likely a sign that your cervix is dilating but it's not the labor time yet.🙅‍♀️ 👶 Bloody showMore vaginal discharge is being released thanks to your body's increased estrogen. When your cervix starts to soften and dilate, you will probably notice pink or bright red blood called bloody show.🩸 Labor is imminent! 👶 Cervix started to efface and dilateEffacement means the cervix stretches and gets thinner. Dilation means the cervix is opening and making ways for the baby. As your due date is near, your doctor👩‍⚕️ may do a vaginal exam during a prenatal visit to determine whether your cervix has stretched and opened.🩺👶 Braxton Hicks contractions  Unlike true labor contractions, they are irregular and not painful.🙂 They often last for fewer than 30 seconds or up to 2 minutes each. You will feel a tightening of your uterus, the front of the lower abdomen or groin that comes and goes. If it comes more frequently or intensely, it may signal true labor is on its way but not always.🤔 

Contraction Test

Why should I take the test?💡The contraction test is also called a stress test or an oxytocin challenge test. It checks for any signs of stress during uterine contractions. When a decision to deliver has to be made but your healthcare practitioner is not sure whether the baby is healthy enough, external stimulus that makes your uterus contract is given to stimulate contractions that are similar to labor contractions but typically don't start labor. You only need a contraction test if you have abnormal results after a nonstress test or biophysical profile. During a contraction, the blood flow to the placenta is slowed down, hence, the placenta's extra storage of blood can provide the baby with the oxygen he needs if it is healthy. Signs of an unhealthy placenta can be detected if the baby's heart beats more slowly due to lack of oxygen. How is the test done?💉The contraction test is often performed when you are 34 or more weeks pregnant. Usually, you stop eating and drinking for four to eight hours before the test. If you smoke, you have to stop at least two hours before the test because smoking can decrease your baby's heart rate and interfere with the test's results. Then, after lying on your left side, the doctor will strap two devices to your belly. One monitors your baby's heartbeat while the other records uterus contractions.You will be given a small dose of oxytocin in an IV to stimulate contractions. The test can take up to two hours until you have had three contractions in a ten-minute window, each lasting 40 to 60 seconds. When the test is over, you will continue lying down to wait for your contractions to stop or go back to their pretest level.TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Results of the testNegative result:  A normal or negative result indicates that the baby's heartbeat does not slow down in response to your contractions. The baby is probably doing fine in your tummy.Positive result: If your baby's heart beats more slowly after more than half of your contractions, the result signals that your baby may be under stress or incapable of tolerating labor contractions. In this case, the doctor may decide to do a cesarean section right away or continue observations. Equivocal results: Your baby's heart reacts more with long-lasting contractions, or sometimes it slows down intermittently. Risks of the procedureYour uterus will be hyperstimulated, causing contractions so strong and frequent that they halt blood flow to the baby. The test can also stimulate premature labor if you get too much oxytocin too quickly. Because the test carries these risks and is not fully reliable in most situations, the contraction test is not often conducted unless it is truly necessary.