Pregnancy Q&A

Our team of midwives answer your prenatal questions

Your 40-week pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each trimester brings different experiences and challenges for an expectant mom. By knowing what to expect at the various stages, you can be better prepared for these. The first trimester ends at 12 weeks, followed by the second ending at 27 weeks and the third, from week 28 to your baby’s birth.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions our midwives receive from expectant moms during their calls.

Q: Why is prenatal care important for expectant moms, right from the start of pregnancy?

A: Consulting regularly with your healthcare provider, a midwife or GP, or gynaecologist later in your pregnancy (if you choose to do so), will ensure that you and your baby stay healthy. At your prenatal visits, various tests are conducted, including a urine test to monitor your sugar levels, weight gain and blood pressure. These tests help your healthcare provider determine if you are healthy and progressing well. If a concern or complication is picked up early, with intervention, more serious complications can often be prevented.

Q: I’ve just found out that I’m pregnant. Why do I feel so tired?

A: Fatigue is common in the first trimester. Hormonal changes, especially increased oestrogen and progesterone levels, contribute to your fatigue. If you get morning sickness and vomit frequently, you may feel even more tired. If you aren’t keeping much food down, let your healthcare provider know. In the second trimester, energy levels usually increase.

Most moms experience the tiredness again in the third trimester, especially when finding a good position in bed can be tricky with your growing belly. Your baby may wake up when you are sleeping and the movements may wake you – and keep you awake! You may also have to get up to use the bathroom at night quite a bit, so you may not be getting the sleep your body needs. Aim to get as comfortable in bed as possible, by using extra pillows to support your body.

Q: Are pregnancy cravings real?

A:  They are real and they’re very common – many pregnant women crave certain foods or odd combinations of food. Some even start eating foods they didn’t previously like. It may be caused by hormone changes, or possibly the body’s way of receiving specific nutrients. It’s okay to give in to your cravings occasionally but do so in moderation, especially if they are items like chocolates or ice-cream that may be high in kilojoules (energy) and fat, without much nutritional benefit. If you crave non-food items (such as soil, chalk, paper, etc.), called pica, tell your healthcare provider immediately.

Some women also develop an aversion to certain foods which may spoil quickly, like meat, eggs and fish. Healthcare providers believe this could be nature’s way of protecting mom and baby from pathogens (viruses, bacterium, or other microorganisms) that can cause illness (food poisoning).

Q: Why is the second trimester often called the ‘golden period’?

A: It’s usually the period where most expectant moms feel their best. If you experienced some challenging symptoms in the first trimester, like nausea (morning sickness), sore breasts and low energy levels, you are likely to feel much better after 12 weeks. It’s also during this trimester that you will feel your baby move for the first time, usually between 16 and 21 weeks. Some women also feel more interested in sex during the second trimester, but this is personal and it’s fine if you don’t. Let your partner know how you feel.

Q: I’ve developed a dark line running down my bump. What is this?

A: It’s called the linea nigra. Many women develop it in the second trimester, but others do not. It’s caused by an increase in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which cause more melanin, the pigment responsible for skin tone, to be produced. The line will fade after the birth.

Q: I’m dribbling urine when I cough or sneeze. I feel so embarrassed. What can I do?

A: It’s very common and many women experience it. Wear a panty liner to keep comfortable. Your pelvic floor supports your bladder and in pregnancy, hormones can relax the muscles and ligaments, making it more difficult to control urine flow (incontinence). In the third trimester, your uterus is also heavy and it puts pressure on your bladder. Exercises can help to strengthen the muscles. They are called Kegel exercises and you can do them anywhere, a few times per day.

Practice on the loo first, so you can locate them. As you urinate, use your muscles to stop the flow. Feel it? That’s your pelvic floor muscles! Contract the muscle up towards your stomach and repeat 10 to 15 times. As you get better at it, hold for a few counts between each muscle contraction. Strengthening these muscles in pregnancy can help them recover more quickly after birth. And you can keep doing them to minimise incontinence.

If you have any questions of your own, call your midwife or take a look at our previous Q&A’s.

Contact your midwife or healthcare professional for support.

Resources:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/; https://www.livescience.com/; https://www.nhs.uk/; https://www.ucsfhealth.org/; https://www.ahchealthenews.com/; https://www.verywellfamily.com/; https://www.babycenter.com/; https://www.healthline.com/