When to See your Doctor
If pregnancy symptoms
fail to ease, or if they become debilitating, it is important to get
them checked out. As a precaution, always see your doctor if you
experience any of the following:
A negative pregnancy test that follows a positive one—this could indicate hormone problems or ectopic pregnancy
Anxiety or confusion, perhaps with a racing heart or rapid breathing
Heavy bleeding or passing clots of pink, grey, or red material
Painful cramping, particularly if accompanied by bleeding
Any illness that lasts longer than 48 hours, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even colds or flu
A high temperature
Extreme headaches
The baby stops moving
Sudden swelling of your face or hands
Vision problems
A sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness
Severe abdominal pain and tenderness
Pain during urination
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Extremely itchy skin that won’t respond to soothing creams
When to act
As your pregnancy
progresses, you will become more attuned to your body and more familiar
with the aches, pains, and other discomforts. However, if you experience
sudden, extreme symptoms of any nature, call your doctor.
What to Ask your Doctor
Many women feel
embarrassed about bombarding their doctors with questions, but rest
assured that they will always be happy to answer even the most obvious
queries, and to take the time to reassure you. Here are some ideas to
help you get to the bottom of things.
Is everything going OK with my pregnancy?
What can I do to help my baby grow healthily and stay well myself?
Are my symptoms normal?
What types of medications are safe during pregnancy?
I’ve had some spotting—will my baby be OK?
What do the results of my tests and screening mean?
Is it safe to have a massage during pregnancy?
Is it OK to dye my hair during pregnancy?
Which prenatal classes would you recommend?
How can I monitor my baby’s heartbeat?
Where can I have my baby?
Can I have a home birth or water birth?
What can I do to get labor going?
How can I tell the difference between real contractions and Braxton Hicks?
Who should I call when I go into labor?
What happens if my doctor isn’t available when I go into labor?
How long should I stay at home before I go to the hospital?
Will I have the same nurses for my entire labor?
Can I say “no” to interventions during labor, and if so, which ones?
Can I have an elective cesarean section?
Where can I find a lactation consultant?
Natural Therapies and Remedies
Many women are
understandably reluctant to take conventional medication during
pregnancy. There are some alternative and complementary therapies and
remedies that are safe during pregnancy, but talk to your doctor before
starting something new. Always make sure the practitioner knows you are
pregnant.
The best natural therapies
Reflexology:
applies pressure to reflexes on hands or feet to encourage relaxation,
increase circulation, and stimulate healing; it can help with pain
relief during labor, and a host of pregnancy-related symptoms
Acupuncture:
uses small, thin needles to balance energy in the body, which runs
through pathways known as meridians; plenty of research shows that it is
effective in a wide range of pregnancy symptoms, can help with the pain
of childbirth, and can even help turn a breech baby; regular treatment
encourages overall good health and wellbeing—for both you and your baby
Flower essences:
diluted extracts of various flowers and plants are used to balance
negative emotions that can be the cause of illness; excellent for
tension, shock, anxiety, fear, depression, exhaustion, and even coping
with change
Chiropractic:
hands-on manipulative therapies that can ease any symptoms with a
structural root, such as back pain, headaches, circulation problems, and
even heartburn
Massage:
the perfect therapy for pregnancy—it encourages healthy circulation and
the removal of waste products, relaxes and restores, helps to disperse
edema, and eases tension
Aromatherapy:
uses essential oils to balance your body and mind; it can help ease a
number of pregnancy symptoms. Many experts frown on aromatherapy during
pregnancy; the effects of most plant oils on pregnant women is unknown,
and some may be hazardous during pregnancy
Homeopathy:
uses heavily diluted substances that work on your body’s energy field
to encourage healing on all levels. Speak with your doctor before using
any homeopathic products; homeopathy has been the subject of scientific
controversy. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, visit a certified
homeopath to see if he can provide treatment
The best natural remedies
Raspberry leaf tea
is believed by some to shorten labor—it has been associated with
increased uterine contractions, but very little research has been done
on pregnant women using raspberry-leaf products, so unless your doctor
says it’s OK, it’s best to avoid these until your pregnancy is full-term
Witch hazel and/or lemon juice
can be applied neat to hemorrhoids (piles), to reduce swelling and
bleeding; sitz baths in hot water two to three times a day can also be
soothing
Massage your big toe firmly to ease headaches—this is a useful DIY reflexology trick
Complementary caution
Complementary
therapies can be extremely useful during pregnancy, but only at the
hands of a registered, experienced practitioner. “Natural” doesn’t
always mean “safe,” so make sure you know what you are taking and why.
