Ultrasound During Pregnancy

Why should I take the test?💡An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your baby inside your tummy. All pregnant moms should receive at least one ultrasound to confirm your health and the health of the baby.If you have any spotting during pregnancy or carry multiples, ultrasounds during pregnancy are highly recommended to monitor the baby's growth. If you are at risk of preterm labor, the doctor will need to check for changes in the cervix, the position of the baby, and the necessity of cesarean surgery by ultrasound test.  How is the test done?💉Different kinds of ultrasound are available in each trimester of pregnancy. There are two main types of ultrasound which are transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasounds. Both types are painless and quickly done. Transvaginal ultrasound: A small, long transducer is wrapped in a sterile condom-like cover and inserted into the vagina. Then, your healthcare practitioner will move the transducer around your vaginal cavity and scan your uterus. The sound waves produced by the transducer bounce off of the baby's structures to create an image on a computer screen.Transabdominal ultrasound: After lying down, your practitioner applies gel on your tummy to help the sound waves move more easily. Then, the transducer is rubbed over your stomach to produce images of your baby on the computer screen. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: How to prepare for your first ultrasoundIf you are getting transabdominal ultrasound, you should arrive at your appointment with a full bladder because it will give you much better image quality. To time it right, some practitioners suggest emptying your bladder about 90 minutes before your exam, then drinking an 8 ounce beverage that you like.Eating something sweet before your exam is also considered a stimulus for your baby to actively move around. The sonographer can take better pictures and you might see some actual movements of your baby inside your tummy.  Risks of the procedureUltrasounds are noninvasive and very low-risk when performed by professional healthcare providers. Although they are relatively accurate at estimating the baby's size, they might exaggerate numbers if they are overused. Miscalculation of baby's weight occasionally leads to unnecessary C-sections or premature labor.

Third trimester sleep

A good quality sleep seems like a distant memory when you enter the third trimester… How does sleep change in the third trimester?😴Can't get comfortableBack pain and sore muscles just keep reverberating even when you try to distract yourself🙁. Your belly is too big to allow you to lie down comfortably. Restless legs syndrome occurs more when your body is trying to rest and urges you to stay active, making it virtually impossible for you to get to sleep.💤 As your digestive system slows down in late pregnancy, acid rising back up causes heartburn in the chest, making it hard for you to fall asleep. Not to mention that your baby👶 is kicking and moving around in your belly keeps you awake at night too. 😴Bathroom visitsYour baby👶 is growing and putting more pressure on your bladder. You will find yourself visiting bathrooms🚻 more often as your need to pee increases. You can reduce the number of nighttime bathroom visits by cutting down fluids in the evening and emptying your bladder completely before you go to bed.🚽 😴WorryPregnancy is a long journey that has all ups and downs. It's normal to be worried at this point since the baby is coming out in no time.😃 Anxiety is not sleep inducing!😢 Talk about your concerns and worries with your partner and friends.👨‍👧 Make sure to gain all information about labor and delivery, postpartum period to prepare yourself for the last phase and stay assured that everything is going to be just fine!🤗Irregular pregnancy sleep patterns are linked to mental problemsPoor sleep😴 during this time is normal due to hormonal and physical changes. Pregnancy takes a toll on your body, making you feel physically drained but don't worry too much! Most symptoms won't develop postpartum depression.😃That said, late pregnancy depression can still progress into postpartum depression. Since it's difficult to tell exactly when depression actually hits you, it's important to express your worries and concerns with your healthcare provider and your partner and be heard.🤗 Don't be scared if you have difficulty sleeping with other symptoms of moodiness. You know that everyone is right here for you!🥰 

Doppler ultrasound

Why should I take the test?💡Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive test that can estimate the blood flow through your blood vessels by using high-frequency sound waves. This helps to show whether different parts of your baby's body are getting all the oxygen and nutrients via the placenta.Your midwife may offer you a Doppler scan if they think you may be at risk of complications. If your baby is measuring small for dates or not actively kicking these days, you need extra care during your pregnancy. Doppler ultrasound is also offered to moms who have previously suffered the loss of a baby or had existing medical conditions. It is also a useful way to check your baby's well-being and growth if there are any concerns. How is the test done?💉A sonographer will put some gel on your tummy and move a transducer over your skin. Depending on what information doctors need, there are two types of Doppler scans.Uterine artery Doppler scansUterine arteries are the vessels that carry your blood to your womb. These small arteries will expand to give the baby all nutrients and oxygen the baby needs to grow at a healthy state. An uterine artery Doppler scan will check the blood flow through these arteries so that you can receive extra care if any risks to the baby are detected.Umbilical artery Doppler scansIf your baby's movements are reduced, the scan will check the blood flow in umbilical arteries which carry blood from your baby to the placenta via the umbilical cord. If any issues are found during an umbilical artery Doppler scan, your obstetrician may request additional scans to look at the blood flow in the baby's brain and aorta. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️: Risks of the procedureSince the scan is noninvasive, it's perfectly safe for your baby to have frequent Doppler scans. The benefits of having lots of checkups to monitor the baby's health outweigh any potential risks.Doppler scans at homeAlthough it is possible to hire or buy a portable Doppler machine to listen to your baby's heartbeat at home, it is not recommended for you to try it by yourself. Hand-held Dopplers are sensitive to sounds so they can pick up the sound of blood flowing or your heartbeat easily and mistake it for your baby's heartbeat. Hence, you should leave Dopplers to trained health professionals who can differentiate them apart and interpret patterns more precisely and correctly. 

Glucose Tolerance Test

Why should I take the test?💡When you are pregnant, growth hormones are released to help the baby grow. These hormones may block the action of insulin, causing your body to be unable to cope with extra demand for insulin. Your blood glucose level ends up being too high, and you are at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes. The glucose tolerance test identifies abnormalities in the way your body processes glucose after a meal. How is the test done?💉All moms-to-be are recommended to get tested for gestational diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. It is important to eat and drink normally leading up to the d-day of the test. Let your doctors know if you are ill or taking any medications as these can affect the results of the test.Before the procedureYou will be fasting for at least 8 hours. You can fast overnight and schedule the appointment early in the following morning.During the procedureWhen you arrive at a hospital, clinic, doctor's office or lab, a sample of blood will be taken from a vein in your arm. The blood sample will be used to measure your fasting blood glucose level.Type 2 diabetesIf you are tested for type 2 diabetes, you will drink 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of a special sugary beverage containing 2.6 ounces (75 grams) of sugar. Two hours later, your blood glucose level is measured again to confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Gestational diabetesWhen you are tested for gestational diabetes, if your blood glucose level is higher than 140mg/dL after the one-hour test, the doctor will recommend the three-hour test. If your blood glucose level is higher than 190mg/dL after the one-hour-test, the doctor diagnoses you with gestational diabetes.To be considered normal for the three-hour-test, a normal fasting blood glucose level is lower than 95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L). One hour after drinking the glucose solution, a normal blood glucose level should be lower than 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L). Two hours after drinking the glucose solution, a normal blood glucose level is lower than 155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L). Three hours after drinking the glucose solution, a normal level is lower than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L).Your glucose level is measured once every hour. If one of the results is higher than normal, you will be required to test again in four weeks. If two of three results are higher than normal, you will be immediately diagnosed with gestational diabetes. TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:Risk factors associated with gestational diabetesIf you are over the age of 35 years, have a family history of diabetes or gestational diabetes in your previous pregnancy, you are at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes again.If you are above the healthy weight range or gaining too much weight during pregnancy, there is a likelihood that your baby is also big. Polycystic ovary syndrome and antipsychotic or steroid medications are also red flags for a possible diagnosis of gestational diabetes.Risks of the procedureThe risks associated with drawing blood samples are slight. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded because of loss of blood. Although infection is rare, it is possible in some cases.Monitoring your blood glucose levelsManaging gestational diabetes will be no difficulty if you follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. If your blood sugar levels remain high despite all your efforts and exercise regime, you may need medication to lower the level. Just a reminder, your chubby baby will need special monitoring to keep your baby's glucose level at a safe level after the birth since it may be too low for a while. Always consult with the medical team to protect you and your little one most effectively. 

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. 

Pregnant belly button

Your pregnant belly's growth keeps pushing your belly button out. It looks weird and makes you feel a bit uncomfortable but it will return to its normal shape after delivery. During pregnancy🔘Belly button changesYour belly button🔘 doesn't connect to the uterus. It's just the remnant of your attachment to your mother in the womb from years ago.👩 As your belly grows, it puts pressure on your belly button and causes some inconvenience. The belly button is out in the open making you feel weird😕 when it rubs against your clothes.👚 🔘Belly button painsUmbilical hernia happens when a piece of your intestines protrudes through the small hole in abdominal tissue into your belly button and gets stranded.🙁 Umbilical hernia is usually harmless, but you'll experience intense pain😣 when this piece of intestines gets stuck and squeezed in a small space of your belly button.After pregnancyThe belly button is likely to return to its normal size and shape after delivery.😃 However, sometimes your belly button may stay permanently outside, making you uncomfortable and diffident.You can choose umbilicoplasty, a surgery that makes the stretched belly button more vertical and less wide.👩‍⚕️🏥 The surgery is only recommended for moms who have no intention of getting pregnant again because another pregnancy will give you the same result.🤰 

Carpal tunnel during pregnancy

Carpal tunnel during pregnancy refers to tingling pains in the fingers, wrist, hands and arms. It is a common symptom because of all the swelling you're expecting.Carpal tunnel during pregnancy👋What is carpal tunnel?Carpal tunnel is a common syndrome when you're pregnant.🤰 You experience numbness or a dull ache in your fingers, hands, wrists and arms.✋ You also have swollen fingers and go through trouble grabbing objects and performing simple motor skills in daily routines.👋Causes of carpal tunnelFluid retention collected in your tissue of the hands and wrists and increase in blood volume🩸 compress the median nerve, causing throbbing pain. You may feel more uncomfortable at night since the wrist is usually bent when you sleep.👌There's not much you can do to prevent the syndrome because eventually all the natural changes will find you when you're pregnant.🤘 You can mitigate the pain by making minor changes in your daily life and get used to it.🤟  How to relieve carpal tunnel👋Limit activities involving hands movementFigure out which activities cause you the most pain and avoid doing them. Try to limit them as much as you can, especially the ones where your wrists are mostly immobilized like working on computers.✍️👋Breaks when workingTake breaks to move your arms and stretch your hands. Moving around increases blood flow and relieves the pain.🤘 You can also use wrist stretches, such as wrist extension and wrist flexion.🤟  👋Sleep positionAvoid sleeping🛏️😴 on your hands and try to keep your wrists straight instead of bending them. If you wake up with pain, shaking your hands and doing a little stretching might help you.👋Pain relieversIf none of those methods work, you should consult with your doctor to ask for anti-inflammatory pain medications that are safe for pregnancy. They don't cure the pain but can only temporarily alleviate it.🤘✌️   

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.👩‍⚕️

Exercises that are safe in the second trimester

During pregnancy, gentle exercises help you gain an appropriate amount of weight and prepare for the tenacity of giving birth. Be your own personal trainer, you should choose the right exercises for your body and avoid rigorous workload.Exercises while pregnant🚶WalkingWalking🚶 is a perfect activity for pregnancy. When you incorporate your arms💪 and legs🦵 while walking for thirty minutes a day, three to five times a week, you can build your upper body strength and flexibility. Instead of running🏃‍♀️, walking at a fast pace can be a good exercise for your heart. 🚶YogaYoga is known for its gentleness and tranquility.😃 It promotes blood circulation, helps you stretch muscles, and reduces pregnancy pains. Yoga especially teaches you how to control breathing👃, a technique that will serve you well during labor. Remember to avoid inverted poses!🙅‍♀️ Other exercises during pregnancy🚶Swimming and water aerobicsSwimming🏊‍♀️ helps you strengthen your core muscles without twisting your abdomen. It can also relieve nausea, improve blood circulation and lead to an easier pregnancy as you enjoy the soothing flow of water.🤗🚶RunningIf you're a fan of running hours on a treadmill🏃‍♀️, you probably can continue to follow your safe running routine but stay alert to any signs of your body. Your center of gravity is shifting as the uterus👶 is growing bigger, hence, you should be careful not to fall. Always check with your doctor throughout your pregnancy to make sure you're exercising appropriately.👩‍⚕️  

Hot flashes during pregnancy

Hot flashes are part of the pregnancy ride. They often affect the head, neck, chest, and last from seconds to minutes.Hot flashes during pregnancy🥵Hot flashesThey sneak in like a late night craving for ice cream when you least expect them.🥵 Although they are embarrassing and uncomfortable, it's not necessary to require medical treatments as they go away on their own.😃 🥵Causes of hot flashesPregnancy hot flashes result from fluctuating levels of estrogen hormones. Unbalanced pregnancy diet and stress also exacerbate hot flashes. You start sweating😓 and your skin turns red, then you may experience headache and temporary vision loss.💦 Once you get better, you'll feel chill due to a sudden loss of body heat. How to cope with hot flashesAlways prepare yourself with a cold towel and water🌊 to cool yourself down immediately when you suddenly feel a wave of heat inside you. Use a fan or open the window and let the air inside your room ventilate. During winter, you can wear multiple layers👚 so that you can remove one easily when you're hot.