 |  | | | � | How your baby responds to your moods Ready, set, grow! Your baby is concentrating on getting bigger now. The organs are growing, and a special type of fat, brown in colour, develops beneath the skin. Vernix starts to form. This is the thick, white substance that covers and protects your foetus' skin, and helps the baby slip down the canal at birth. By the end of this month, your little one will be about 22 centimetres (about 8.7 inches) long and weigh between 220 grams and 250 grams (eight or nine ounces). WHAT'S HAPPENING Although you're getting used to sharing your body with the little one inside, you probably think your thoughts and feelings are still completely private. In fact, during your pregnancy, your emotional state actually has an effect on your baby too. When you are excited or happy, for instance, your foetus reacts to the chemicals that are released in response to your elation. When you are particularly calm and relaxed, your baby benefits from your sense of contentment. And, if you are experiencing particular stress and anxiety, your baby's heart rate and activity will increase in reaction to your tension. LET OTHERS DEAL WITH IT Let's face it: living without any stress is impossible. However, you should try to avoid extreme anxiety and worry if you can. Research shows that infants of highly stressed mothers may experience more ill health after birth, and may be more fractious and difficult to settle. Of course, genes contribute to personality traits too. But for your own good and your baby's well-being, keep stressful situations at bay as much as possible. Let someone else shoulder life's problems for a change - you've got the best excuse in the world! THE BOTTOM LINE It's quite simple, really. Rest up, eat right, get help to relieve stress, and grab every opportunity to take it easy! Make the most of any offers of help from your partner, family and friends. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your baby will be too. | � | |  | | |  | | | � | The facts about sex during pregnancy IS SEX SAFE? Let's face it, sex is what got you here in the first place! And it's been a natural part of you and your partner's relationship for a long time. But when couples are expecting, many fear that sex may harm the baby or bring on premature labour. Rest assured: as long as there are no specific complications in your pregnancy, sex is safe. It's a pleasurable workout for your body and mind, and will help you get used to, and enjoy, your changing shape. In fact, expectant mothers often report feeling particularly sexy at times during their pregnancies. The sensitivity of your skin, especially around the breasts and other erogenous zones, is likely to be heightened at the moment. In fact, you may find that you're "in the mood" more often than usual! This is all great news for you and your baby. Because remember, when you experience pleasure your body releases endorphins that leave you feeling good. And these positive feelings are passed on to the little one growing inside you. WHAT TO EXPECT Your uterus will contract during an orgasm, and you may or may not be aware of this. If you do feel sensations of tightening in your tummy, don't worry. These mild contractions aren't dangerous. And it's all good practice for the birth! You may also find that your baby gets very active after you have had intercourse, in response to these little contractions. Occasionally, women may also experience a little spotting after having sex. This can happen more easily during pregnancy because the cervix becomes richer with millions of tiny blood vessels, a few of which may rupture during intercourse. WHEN TO WORRY If the spotting continues for more than a couple of hours or increases in amount, call your doctor or midwife for advice. Don't worry unduly, they will probably just advise you to put your feet up and take a break from the bedtime frolics for a few days! If you experience spontaneous bleeding or spotting at other times during pregnancy, it is best to avoid intercourse until your doctor can determine the cause. On the whole, though, it's all systems go for you and your partner when it comes to sex! Carry on enjoying each other's bodies and make the most of your nights alone together! To learn more about sex during pregnancy - including what your partner is experiencing - click here. | � | | |
| | | | | | � | Great tips for unpleasant symptoms NEW DISCOMFORTS Just when you thought you'd seen the back of the unpleasant aspects of pregnancy like morning sickness, you may be starting to experience some new unwanted side-effects. Unless you are carrying a particularly big baby, you shouldn't be feeling the physical strain of an uncomfortably big bump yet. But certain other discomforts can develop during this second trimester. So here are some tips to help you through them. COMBATING CONSTIPATION This is a common problem for pregnant women. But slight changes in your diet can do a lot to get things moving. Try to drink eight glasses of water each day, and eat more foods containing fibre, like prunes, bran cereal, and salads. Exercise daily: this will improve blood circulation to all your organs, including the intestines. (For more information on exercising while pregnant, see "Get Moving!") HELP FOR HAEMORRHOIDS As the baby's weight places increasing pressure down below, your chance of developing these irritating swellings increases. Try to avoid getting constipated, as this will aggravate the problem. Don't stand or walk for long periods of time. Get horizontal whenever you can! Warm baths can also help to relieve the discomfort from haemorrhoids. But if you're not managing the problem on your own, ask your doctor or midwife about medication. To find out what causes these ailments-and for information on round ligament pain, another common symptom, see"Second-Trimester Discomforts." | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | | | | | � | Could you be suffering from thyroid dysfunction? THYROID PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY The thyroid gland is very important for regulating your metabolism - the rate at which your body uses energy. If your thyroid is not functioning properly, you could develop hypothyroidism (under activity of the gland) or hyperthyroidism (over activity of the gland). It is particularly important to detect and rectify any thyroid problems as soon as possible when you are pregnant, as these could be detrimental to the baby's health as well as your own. Look out for the symptoms below. If you suspect a problem, a simple blood test can determine whether there is a thyroid imbalance, and it can then be treated and monitored. HYPOTHYROIDISM Symptoms you might experience if you were suffering from this include: Fatigue Unexpected amount of weight gain Very dry skin Cold intolerance Muscle weakness If left untreated, hypothyroidism can affect your baby's development, so seek medical advice if you believe you have some of these symptoms. HYPERTHYROIDISM Symptoms you might experience are: Heat intolerance Warmer skin than usual Excessive sweating Trembling Weight loss Rapid pulse This condition can increase the risk of having a low-birth-weight baby. It also makes you more susceptible to developing pre-eclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure and pauses a risk to your health. Luckily, very few pregnant women suffer from a thyroid imbalance, so it is more than likely that, after reading this, you will not have to think about your thyroids again! But, to be safe, you should always report any unusual developments to your midwife or doctor. Remember to watch for these symptoms after your baby is born, too, since 1 in 20 women actually develop thyroid problems after delivery. Being informed means staying safe! To learn more about these conditions, read "Thyroid Problems During Pregnancy." | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | |  | | | � | Getting the most out of your diet THE LOW-DOWN ON CARBOHYDRATES You may have received mixed messages about carbohydrates: are they essential, high-energy foods that help you to keep going? Or do they just fill you full of useless calories? And what role will carbohydrates play in your pregnancy? The answers depend upon the type of carbohydrates you eat. SIMPLE ISN'T ENOUGH Simple carbohydrates provide calories and do give you energy, but they don't offer much nutrition. Examples of simple carbohydrates include white bread, white rice or pasta, refined cereals, cookies, cakes, junk food, and sugars and sweets. Try not to eat too much of these types of food. Other than filling you up, they offer little value and may increase the problems of constipation. COMPLEX IS BEST Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, are packed full of goodness, brimming with the minerals, protein, and fibre necessary for you and your baby. Vegetables and fruits; whole-grain breads, cereals, or pasta; brown rice, dried beans, and peas; and potatoes steamed or baked in their skins, are all complex carbohydrates. Fill up on these for some top-quality fuel! Read more on getting the most nutrition out of carbohydrates. | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | |  | | | � | How you're already practicing for motherhood 24-HOUR COMFORT AND CARE It may be hard to envision what it will really be like looking after your baby once she is born, since right now it is your body that is automatically providing her with non-stop care and attention. The womb is a wonderful thing! It is designed to meet your baby's every need: lighting and temperature are perfect, sounds are never too loud, sleeping and eating happen automatically, and every movement is cushioned by fluid. The way your body responds and adjust everything to keep the uterine environment perfect for your developing baby is nothing short of miraculous. SOOTHING STRATEGIES It is natural to wonder, or even worry, about how you will cope with the huge responsibility of tending to your newborn's needs and comforts. Luckily, without even realising you're already getting some practice. What you experience while pregnant, and the measures you take in response to your body's changing demands, go some way towards preparing you for the job of caring for a newborn. For instance, at the moment you are probably experiencing sudden, regular pangs of hunger. You body literally shouts out for food, and no matter what you're doing, you just have to stop and eat something. Similarly, you're having to get used to waking often during the night to adjust your position or go to the toilet. All this is fantastic training for life with a newborn! Like you, his little body will have urgent needs, and he will demand feeds or nappy changesright now.. And next time you find yourself bursting into tears out of the blue, remember that your newborn, too, will cry when she's tired and overwhelmed. Seeing your baby as an extension of yourself will make caring for your newborn the most natural thing in the world. | � | | | | |  | | | � | Don't bottle it up! QUESTIONING TIMES Most fathers-to-be go through moments during the pregnancy when they worry about the future and question their ability: "What if something goes terribly wrong?" "Will I be a good father?", "Why am I feeling so anxious?". Worrying about the future is an integral part of being a parent - so don't fight it! The best thing you can do is work through your feelings and speak up about your anxieties. It may be hard to share your most personal feelings, but it'll help put a different perspective on things. Talk to you partner, or to other dads. Chances are, they have also experienced these feelings. Or look at books on fatherhood like, When Men Are Pregnant: Needs and Concerns of Expectant Fathers, by Jerrold Lee Shapiro, Ph.D. (Delta: 1993), that can offer good advice. And finally, when you're feeling anxious, try to focus the positive: remind yourself of the joys that await you as you embark on the wonderful journey of fatherhood. Click here for more tips on coping with the challenges of becoming a father. | � | | | | � |  | � |
| | |  | | | � | Strange tastes and cravings PICKLES AND ICE CREAM You've probably heard all the jokes about pregnant women and their strange eating habits. While you may not have resorted to spreading mustard onto your croissant or sprinkling sugar over your steak, you may nevertheless be experiencing some rather unusual food cravings, especially late at night! Some experts suggest these cravings might be your body's way of alerting you to nutrients missing from your diet. They could also result from a need for stronger flavours during pregnancy, or even a need for extra calories. So it is important to listen to your body when it is telling you to eat. But keep in mind that while most food cravings are likely to be harmless, you should always try to opt for healthy, nutritious food. And you should never give in to the urge to consume non-food item. Any substance that is not designed for human consumption could be harmful to you or your baby. To fight late-night cravings, eat well-balanced meals and have a light snack with a glass of milk at bedtime. Take our test on diet changes during pregnancy, and compare your experiences with those of other mums. | � | | | |  |  | |  | To stop your subscription to Pampers newsletter and prevent further communication from Pampers in any form, please send an email to unsubscribe-ctg0aice2aagzt4bmbkckbf3x5dnalya@email.uk.pampers.com
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