The Quad Screen

Why should I take the test?💡The quad screen is a blood test that measures the levels of four substances produced by the fetus and the placenta. All of them are passed into the mother's bloodstream through a blood test. The four substances are listed below:Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein made by the babyHuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone created by the placentaEstriol, a form of estrogen produced by the placenta and the babyInhibin A, a hormone made by the placentaThe measurements are all entered into a formula which calculates the probability of your child having a chromosomal abnormality such as Down's syndrome, spina bifida, or abdominal wall effects. How is the test done?💉The quad screen is done between weeks 15 and 18 of pregnancy. The procedure can be done up to week 22. It is done through a simple blood test. Generally all the blood needed for testing can be drawn with one needle stick inserted into a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to a lab for analysis. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:Who should have the squad screen?Your doctor might recommend a quad screen instead of a noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Although NIPT is a much more accurate form of prenatal testing, it may not be available in your area or not covered by insurance.Risks of the procedureBecause the quad screen requires only a blood sample, it's completely safe. The one risk is that you may get a false - positive or a false - negative result due to the level of accuracy of the test. Results of the testYour healthcare provider will use your age at the estimated time of delivery and the results of the quad screen to evaluate the chance of your baby carrying any genetic problems, neural tube defects or abdominal wall defects.A positive quad screen means that some of your substances have a higher level than they are supposed to. Some factors that can affect the measurement are miscalculation of the period of pregnancy, maternal race, maternal weight, multiple babies, diabetes, in vitro fertilization, and smoking.The quad screen only indicates possible risks of genetic disorders. However, a negative result does not guarantee that the baby will not have these conditions. Therefore, positive screen results are often followed up with more testing such as prenatal cell-free DNA screening, targeted ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. 

Emergency medical symptoms during the second trimester

During the second trimester, you should pay attention to differences between normal pregnancy problems and medical concerns. Stay alert, don't hesitate to call your doctor, seek emergency care immediately if you notice anything abnormal.Medical symptoms during the second trimester🤰Abdominal painAbdominal pain😣 can signal preterm labor or ectopic pregnancy. When you feel pain in your abdomen, it's usually a symptom of ligament and muscles in the pelvis stretching to accommodate the growth of the uterus.👶 Sometimes, abdominal pain is related to past surgeries.💉 If you've had any abdominal surgery, you may experience pain due to the expanse of remnants of surgical scars. Infections can also occur but they are harder to diagnose because the exact locations of infections may have been shifted while the uterus is growing.🙂 🤰Back painBack pain is very common during pregnancy. As your uterus is growing, your center of gravity also changes. The way you walk🚶 or sit🪑 also alters to endure the added weight. However, if you're experiencing lower back pain with painful urination🚽, you may have a bladder or kidney infection. Low, dull and consistent back pain may signal preterm labor and other serious problems so you have to call doctors immediately.👩‍⚕️🤰HeadachesHeadaches🤕 during pregnancy are normally caused by hormonal changes, tension, fatigue, hunger and stress and last for a short period of time if you stay well rested. However, if the headache is particularly severe or lasts for a few more hours, you also notice a fever, swelling in the face and hands✋, you have to call doctors immediately because these may be signs of preeclampsia or other complications.👩‍⚕️  🤰Leg crampsLeg cramps🦵 are unknowingly common in the second trimester. You may lack calcium or have too much phosphorus in your diet, or are tired.😫 However, if the cramps elongate for hours, cause swelling and excruciating pain, change the skin color of your leg, you may have thrombosis🩸 in a leg vein that requires immediate treatment.👩‍⚕️  Other medical symptoms during the second trimester🤰BleedingAs your blood volume increases🩸, pregnancy hormones cause blood vessels to dilate and expand. However, bleeding is a scary symptom that indicates serious problems during pregnancy. Especially vaginal bleeding with lots of clots of blood may signal miscarriage.😟 Rectal bleeding which is usually a sign of either hemorrhoids or anal fissure can also be related to ectopic pregnancy or other problems. Seek medical care immediately if you're bleeding heavily.👩‍⚕️   🤰Vaginal DischargeAs pregnancy progresses, slightly odourous and silky white vaginal discharge is common. However, any thick, cheese-like discharge associated with painful urination, irritation may signal yeast infection.🦠 A rush of watery discharge may be a sign of premature labor or a tear in the amniotic sac that requires treatment immediately.👩‍⚕️ 🤰Rectal dischargeRectal discharge is often caused by STIs, physical wounds in the rectum or bowel and gastrointestinal problems. STIs can be detected by foul-smelling, green or yellow, and thick discharge.💧 Bowel problems are usually identified by mucus and watery discharge from the anus. If you notice any strange discharge, you have to report to your doctors immediately for further checkups.👩‍⚕️🤰Nipple dischargeWhen you prepare for breastfeeding🤱, your nipple may release colostrum which is a precursor to breast milk. If you notice any sign of nipples becoming inverted, dry, cracked, nipples having rash, bumps and strange smells, you need to visit doctors to discuss your symptoms.👩‍⚕️  

Cramps in the second trimester

Cramps don't end in the first trimester. In later pregnancy, cramping and abdominal pain can still occur due to the same reasons. More causes of cramps in the second trimester🤰Round ligament painRound ligament pain is a brief pain that occurs on one side of the body or both sides. As your uterus👶 is growing, the ligaments in your pelvis stretch and lengthen to accommodate its size, causing you sharp pain. If the discomfort prolongs for days, call your doctor for a checkup.👩‍⚕️🤰Braxton Hicks contractionsThe muscles of the uterus👶 tighten for approximately 30 to 60 seconds or even longer. This tightening sensation is considered a practice for the real event and allows you to practice breathing.😮‍💨 At the beginning, your tummy feels uncomfortable and infrequently contorted at the top of your uterine muscles and downwards.😟 As you're getting closer to your due date, you will feel the pain more intensely. 🤰Placental abruption It often occurs around 25 weeks of pregnancy.👶 It is a life-threatening condition in which your placenta detaches from the uterus before your baby is born. You will notice sudden bleeding, leaking amniotic fluid, severe back pain, and frequent painful contractions.🙁 How to relieve cramps in the second trimesterYou can move around and do some gentle exercises🚶 to relieve gas pain and constipation. Take a warm bath or shower🛁. Drink plenty of water and rest.Try lying down for a while and breathe to relax. If you want to have pain relievers, you should consult with your doctor to get directions before taking any medications.👩‍⚕️ 

Skin darkening during pregnancy

When you're pregnant, it's normal for you to have some dark spots and skin pigmentations. Don't worry, they will disappear on their own after delivery.Skin darkening during pregnancy👩🏽What is skin darkening?Skin discoloration, also called melasma or chloasma, includes dark patches👩🏽 on your cheeks, your forearms or any part of the body that is exposed to the sun. Skin that's already looked pigmented such as your areolas, freckles, scars, your underarms and inner thigh will also look more darkened.😃 👩🏽Causes of skin darkeningPregnancy hormones are the culprit to blame. They temporarily increase the amount of melanin in your body, giving your skin more pigmentations and colors.🤰 Sun☀️ exposure also causes the skin to produce more melanin and darken. If you already have dark skin complexion, you are more likely to have melasma than other moms having lighter skin. Skin darkening prevention👩🏽Use sun protectionSince the sun's ultraviolet☀️ triggers melasma and makes skin pigmentation more noticeable, you should use sunscreen. Wear a hat👒 that shades your face as well as a long sleeved shirt to cover your arms.👩🏽Don't waxUsing wax to remove hair can intensify skin inflammation and worsen melasma.☹️ Consult with your doctor to figure out the best hair removal technique for you while you're pregnant.👩‍⚕️👩🏽Use hypoallergenic skincare productsCleansers and creams that irritate your skin may make melasma worse.🧴 Choose products that are pregnancy friendly and recommended by dermatologists.👩‍⚕️

Amniocentesis

Why should I take the test?💡Amniocentesis is a procedure in which the amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus for testing. Not only does amniotic fluid protect the fetus from injury, allow the baby to develop healthily, and control the temperature of the fetus, but it also helps check fetal well-being and diagnose problems. If you have a family history of genetic disorder or receive abnormal prenatal screening test results, the test is recommended to identify any chromosomal abnormalities. If preterm labor occurs, amniocentesis may be done to check for uterine infection, fetal lung maturity and determine whether the baby's lung is mature enough for birth. If you accumulate too much amniotic fluid, the test alerts the necessity of draining out excess fluid from your uterus.The test can also evaluate the severity of anemia in babies who have Rh sensitization, a rare condition in which the baby's and mother's blood are mixed up and the mother's immune system produces antibodies against Rh protein on the surface of the baby's red blood cells. If you carry any risk of a sex-linked genetic disease, or risk of open neural tube defects in the second trimester, you are recomended to take the test.How is the test done?💉Amniocentesis is usually done between week 15 and 20 of pregnancy. If you have amniocentesis before week 20 of pregnancy, having a full bladder during the procedure is beneficial. You should check with your provider how much fluid that you should drink before your appointment. On the other hand, after 20 weeks of pregnancy, your bladder should be empty to lower the risk of puncture with the needle. After locating your baby using ultrasound, you will lie on your back, expose your abdomen while the doctor cleans your abdomen with antiseptic and inserts a thin, hollow needle through your abdominal wall and into the placenta. Then, a small amount of amniotic fluid is suctioned into a syringe and the needle is removed. The specific amount of fluid withdrawn depends on how the pregnancy has progressed. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Before the procedureYou will be given a consent form before the doctor conducts the procedure. Generally, there is no restriction on diet or activity before an amniocentesis.If you are allergic to latex or sensitive to any medication such as anesthetic agents, you should notify your doctor immediately. Tell the doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders, or take anticoagulant medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting. During the procedure, your blood and the baby's blood can be mixed up so make sure you already inform your doctor if your blood type is Rh negative. Finally, be ready!After the procedureAfter the procedure, your vital signs and the baby's heart rate will be monitored for a while. You can continue your activities throughout the day but avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours. You may feel some cramping, a bit lightheaded or dizzy. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid at the puncture site, fever or chills, severe belly pain, or any changes in the baby's activities. Risks of the procedureAmniocentesis is associated with various risks, including miscarriage, needle injury, Rh sensitization, infection or amniotic fluid leakage. The risk of pregnancy loss is higher if you do the test before 15 weeks of pregnancy. During the procedure, the baby might slightly move around into the path of the needle, causing mild injuries. The test rarely triggers infection. The decision to have an amniocentesis is totally up to you. Your healthcare provider will help you weigh all your options before you make this important decision. 

Health checkups in the second trimester

Just as you have had regular visits with your doctor in the first trimester, remember to continue doing so in your second trimester. These checkups monitor your baby's development and your health!During a checkup🩺Fundal heightFundal height is the height of your uterus measured from the top of your pelvic bone to the top of your uterus.🤰 Although it's not an accurate indicator of how healthily your baby👶 is growing, it can be considered as a marker for fetal growth.🩺Fetal heartbeatUsing Doppler ultrasound, doctors will check whether your baby's heart rate❤️ is too fast or too slow to indicate the baby's development. You can also hear your baby's heartbeat and get a sneak peak of your little angel that you're growing.😃🩺EdemaYour legs🦵, ankles and feet will be examined for swelling, or edema. Swelling is just a side effect of pregnancy, however, abnormal swelling might infer problems such as blood clot, preeclampsia.😟ccccc 🩺Weight gainWeight data⚖️ is recorded to compare your weight gained during pregnancy and your weight before pregnancy. The amount of weight gain recommended depends on your pregnancy weight, the number of babies you carry and the amount of weight that you have already gained so far. Your nutritionists will help you design a suitable diet plan accordingly.👩‍⚕️🩺Blood pressureBlood pressure🩸 decreases during pregnancy due to the overdrive or hormones and the increase of blood volume. The pressure is at its lowest when the baby is 24 to 26 weeks old.Low blood pressure makes you feel tired and fatigued easily. As long as you feel well, it's not a big concern.😃 Other tests during the second trimester🩺UrinalysisYour urine🚽 is always examined to make sure that your protein and sugars are under the threshold. Dangerous complications such as preeclampsia due to high blood pressure with swelling and excessive protein in your urine can happen if your urine is not monitored.⚠️High blood glucose in your urine can signal gestational diabetes. If you have painful urination symptoms, you have to check for bacteria infection.🦠🩺UltrasoundUltrasound🩺 is an essential tool to determine the stage of your pregnancy, the placenta, the amniotic fluid and confirm the menstrual dating. It's perfectly safe for you and your baby.😃 🩺Triple screen testYou're usually offered a triple screen test if you're under the age of 35. The test, also called multiple marker screening, tests your blood🩸 for AFP which is a protein produced by your baby, hCG which is a hormone produced in the placenta, and estriol which is a type of estrogen produced by both placenta and baby.🏥 🩺Cell-free fetal DNA testA DNA test🧬 is conducted to assess your baby's possibility of having abnormal chromosomes. Cell-free fetal DNA is a genetic material released by the placenta and found in your blood. Chromosomal disorders can affect the baby's learning ability and development in the future.⚠️

Heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms during pregnancy. Prevention is your best bet in minimizing discomfort and avoiding this fiery acid reflux.Heartburn during pregnancy😩What heartburn feels like?It is a burning sensation that starts from the bottom of the breastbone and travels up your esophagus to the lower throat😩. It's often related to gas and bloating. The discomfort that you experience will come and go after delivery.🤰😩What causes heartburn?  Progesterone hormone relaxes the muscles of the uterus and the lower esophageal sphincter, making gastric acid go back up burning your throat. The weight of your growing baby👶 also contributes to pushing stomach acid back up into the esophagus.🙁vvvvv Heartburn prevention😩Avoid food and drinks that upset your stomachCarbonated drinks like soda🥤, alcohol, and caffeine exacerbate heartburn symptoms. Citrus fruits and vinegar containing acids, fatty and spicy food should also be avoided.🙅‍♀️😩Eat small mealsInstead of eating three big meals per day, divide your meals throughout the day and give your body time to digest.🍲 Take your time eating and chewing. 😩Drink water between mealsStaying hydrated is important. Drinking water🥛 between meals helps neutral acids in your stomach and wash all remnants of food in your mouth away.😃 

Do your feet grow during pregnancy?

Are you stocking new shoes because you can't fit in the old pairs? You may notice your feet get swollen as your pregnancy progresses.Feet grow during pregnancy\👣Swollen feet during pregnancySwollen feet👣 and ankles are common symptoms during pregnancy because of the heavy weight of the uterus. There is also a chance that your feet will actually grow during pregnancy.🤰 👣Causes of feet growthWhen you're pregnant, the pregnancy weight gain puts pressure on your ankles and arches of your feet. Your feet then flatten and lengthen. The surges of relaxin hormones relax ligaments in your feet, allowing the bones to get longer and wider.👠 The bones are not actually growing, but the compactness of ligaments gets unleashed, increasing your shoe size.👟Ways to ease the foot swelling👣Take break and sit downStanding all day long makes blood flow concentrate more in your feet and swollen them up. Take breaks and sit down when you can.🪑👣Comfortable shoesA pair of good shoes👟 will definitely make you feel comfortable and at ease when walking. Avoid shoes that pinch or have tight straps. Look for the ones that have a low heel and provide good support for your arches.👢👣Elevate your feetYour sitting position also affects blood circulation. Elevating your feet🦵 while you sit helps refrain fluid from accumulating in your lower limbs and improve blood circulation.🩸 👣Drink plenty of waterDrinking lots of water helps you visit the bathroom faster.🚽 Excess fluids that cause swelling will be discarded making your feet less inflamed.🥛 

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are also called false alarms of labor. You can feel them early on in your pregnancy, but usually most moms won't feel them until mid to late pregnancy.😃  Braxton Hicks contractions🤰What are Braxton Hicks contractions?Braxton Hicks contractions are mild and sporadic contractions that you probably won't notice until mid to late pregnancy.🤰 They feel like tightness in your abdomen, typically last less than 30 seconds, then go away. They are uncomfortable but rarely painful.😃 Since Braxton Hicks contractions are often mistaken for early signals of preterm labor, you should not make any diagnosis yourself just to be safe.🙅‍♀️ You should consult with your doctor👩‍⚕️ if you experience abdominal pain that doesn't get better even after you rest. More regular and stronger contractions accompanied with vaginal bleeding as you approach your due date are also warning signs of possible preterm labor.⚠️ 🤰What causes Braxton Hicks contractions?The exact cause of Braxton Hicks contractions is unknown but you can think of them as a practice before your true labor.🤔 You will notice them more clearly when you're dehydrated or have a full bladder, or after having sex or doing physical activities. The difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor🤰PatternBraxton Hicks contractions often appear sporadically and don't get closer together. True labor signals come at regular intervals and get closer together over time.🧐 🤰DurationBraxton Hicks contractions are weak, rarely causing any pains and lasting shortly. True contractions last 30 to 90 seconds.⏱️ 🤰PositionBraxton Hicks contractions occur in the front of your abdomen. However, real contractions feel like they start in the back and gradually progress to the front.🤰  🤰ChangeBraxton Hicks contractions stop when you change your position.🚶 True labor contractions continue despite position changes and intensify over time. 

Mood swings during pregnancy

You are angry because of stress and fatigue. The next moment you feel anxious and worried about becoming a parent. All these roller coaster of emotions you're having are called mood swings during pregnancy.Mood swings🥴What are mood swings?If you've ever oscillated between sadness☹️ and happiness🤗, joy and utter despair, you are having mood swings during pregnancy. It's a wild ride of emotions that is unpredictable and chaotic.🥴  🥴Causes of pregnancy mood swingsPregnancy can be stressful and overwhelming due to surges of hormones🤰, fatigue and morning sickness, sleep deprivation, anxiety and stress. One day you are excited at the thought of having a baby.👶 The next day you immediately fall into lugubrious low wondering whether the baby will be healthy, you'll be a good mom. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!🙆‍♀️How to manage pregnancy mood swings🥴Take it easyPut yourself, your health and your emotions at the top of the to-do list.👩 Pampering yourself is one of the most important parts of taking care of the baby. You have to be happy first in order to give birth to a healthy and happy baby.😃🥴Share with your partnerExpressing how you feel, communicating with each other👨‍👧 often, and reassuring yourself that you're more than enough will certainly boost your confidence and mental strength. You can always be there for one another after the baby comes.😃 ❤️🥴Do something that makes you feel goodHave some 'me' time. Taking time alone to do something just for you makes you feel relaxed and calms you down.😃 It can be taking a nap, going for a walk🚶, watching movies with your best friend, a pampering night with massages💆. Do anything that makes you happy.🥴Manage your stressDon't let your frustration bottle up, find ways to resolve it. Figure out why you're stressed and talk it out with friends and families.👨‍👧 If you still find that anxiety is creeping in, try taking yoga classes, practicing meditation or consulting with your therapist.👩‍⚕️