Looking good Making the most of the pregnancy “bloom”
Whether you
are ecstatic about your body shape, or feeling like a beached whale,
spending time pampering yourself will help you enjoy the new you.
Your hair may
feel thicker and glossier or become more unmanageable. Treat yourself to
a new haircut to make the most of your pregnancy hair.
Make an appointment for a massage to relax. Find a therapist experienced in working with pregnant women.
If you're feeling low about your size, splurge on some new maternity clothes, nowadays available in fabulous styles.
Safe sleep positions in the third trimester
It can be hard to
find sleep positions that are comfortable during the third trimester,
and by this stage in your pregnancy, you may have found that no position
is comfortable to maintain for an entire night. Most women find the
best position is lying on their side with their upper leg bent with
pillows supporting the knee, which makes room for their abdomen. As well
as accommodating your growing bump, this position also takes the weight
off your back and doesn't restrict your circulation. You could place a
pillow under your belly for additional support.
Getting comfortable:
Achieving a decent
night's sleep at the end of pregnancy can be challenging as your belly
limits your options. Lying on one side with supporting pillows is often
most comfortable.
Maternity bras
Breast changes are one of
the first signs of pregnancy, as from around 3–4 weeks' gestation there
is an increased blood flow, which increases tenderness. Some women
notice a change in breast size early in pregnancy, while others may not
notice any change until they breast-feed. Nevertheless, it's a good idea
to get advice from a store that stocks maternity bras with staff
trained to measure and advise on what size you need. If your current bra
fits well, wait until later in pregnancy to get measured when changes
in cup size are more likely. In the early days of feeding, you may
experience some engorgement of your breasts, but don't panic and send
your partner out for a bigger size since this settles down in a few
days.
Choosing a supportive bra
Wearing a properly
fitted bra will increase your comfort and offer adequate support to your
enlarged breasts during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
NOTE
Stay positive by looking beyond the stretch marks and thinking about how incredible it is that you are carrying a tiny baby
NOTE
Even if you look and feel fabulous on the outside, it's important not to forget to keep looking after yourself on the inside too
NOTE
Although your body is steadily preparing for the labor and birth, try to enjoy the moment and not focus on the labor ahead
Weight gain in pregnancy Monitoring your weight
The recommended weight
gain in pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy weight. If your BMI was
less than 19.8 you should aim for a gain of between 28–40 lb (12.5–18
kg); between 19.8 and 26 you should aim for 25–35 lb (11.5–16 kg); above
26 you should aim for 15–25 lb (7–11 kg).
| Q: |
What if I gain too much or too little?
|
| A: |
There is a link between not putting on enough weight in
pregnancy and low birth weight babies. If you gain too much weight, you
are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, backaches,
varicose veins, fatigue, shortness of breath, and to have a large baby.
|
| Q: |
How do I maintain a healthy weight?
|
| A: |
Get moderate exercise, eat healthily,
and consider talking about it with a registered dietitian. You need
only 200–300 calories more per day, so “eating for two” is not a healthy
option.
|
| Q: |
Where does the weight go?
|
| A: |
It is distributed between your baby and you. About 13 lb (6 kg)
is the baby, placenta, and water around the baby. The rest is the fat
deposits, extra blood, and fluid that you need. Additional weight is
made up of fat.
|
Weight gain over 40 weeks:
Weight gain is slow in the first trimester, then rises to around 11/2–2 lb (0.7–1 kg) a week, increasing in the final weeks.
Your changing shape
