Pregnancy: How to sail through the delicate nine months

Annet Nsekanabo is pregnant with her first child. But while the 28-year-old was ready for the pregnancy, she is reluctant to give up on certain lifestyles which could cause harm to the unborn baby. Nsekanabo has always been a party animal, and Friday nights always find her bar hopping. She has cut on the alcohol drinking but she takes a few glasses of wine every weekend, and still stays out till late. Doctors warn that such lifestyle for a pregnant woman is reckless and dangerous. So what are the dos and don’ts for a pregnant woman? Dr. John Muganda a Gynecologist at Polyclinique La Medicale says that during the first trimester, with the exception of drinking and smoking, one can do almost anything but after that a lot of caution is needed. An expectant mother should endeavor to take a few extra precautions to maintain proper hygiene as this will help her fight off infections that can complicate or terminate a pregnancy. “If an expectant mother takes long to recognize that she could be having an infection, the condition can get serious and this can bring about infections, however if the infection is seen in its early stages, it can be treated,” he says. Getting regular antenatal care is another of the finest ways to keep safe since it helps one to avoid difficulties or complications during pregnancy because any mishap can be detected earlier. Dr Rachna Pande a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri hospital echoes a similar view stressing that maintaining a good personal hygiene is crucial for any expectant mother. She says, during pregnancy one has increased risk of vaginal yeast infections and hence visiting the hospital regularly for a scheduled antenatal checkup is vital. Maintaining a well-balanced diet is also good for the mother and the unborn child. “A pregnant woman should eat well; take more green vegetables, fresh fruits, and foods rich in fiber. Requirement of iron and calcium is increased during pregnancy hence foods rich in iron and calcium are desirable such as milk products, fresh green vegetables, beetroot, among others,” Dr. Pande says. Taking adequate water per day is also an added advantage, also not forgetting to do plenty of exercise. Simple exercising, for instance walking, light jogging and yoga are recommended but one should avoid lifting heavy weights, Dr. Pande cautions. The Don’ts Dr Pande advises pregnant women to avoid alcohol, smoking and junk food. She says that drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause a range of disorders, known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). One of the most distressing effects of drinking during pregnancy is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The disorders may include low birth weight, slow growth, small eyes, cleft palates and severe cognitive disabilities. She also explains that smoking while pregnant can cause premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and death while the use of illegal drugs while pregnant can also cause birth defects or even death. “It’s important to avoid any medicine particularly during the first trimester and if on any medication, you are advised to inform the doctor. This is important because the baby’s body is formed during the first trimester and most drugs can cause birth abnormalities,” she says. She also points out that sex during pregnancy has been a taboo but one can have it with proper positioning such that there is no harm done to the uterus. It is also important to maintain good hygiene to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. What was your first experience like? Margret Kiiza is a mother of five. She says that getting the right information on what she was supposed to do as an expectant mother was confusing because she received all sorts of advice. “I was expecting for the first time and it’s obvious that I was naïve and it didn’t help matters when relatives and friends all came in with their advice. In the end, I relied on my doctor who gave me the guidance that I needed,” she says. Unlike Nsekanabo, Kiiza says that she changed lifestyle and quit drinking on her doctor’s guidance. For Deborah Mutoni, her first pregnancy was like a walk in the park. She had no serious complications apart from the mild morning sickness and a little dizziness but aside from that, her health and that of her baby were all fine throughout. “I used to do simple chores at home so as to keep my body active, I also made sure I got enough rest. My diet was always good, I wasn’t a smoker nor was I that person who liked drinking, so I think my lifestyle also helped me in some way to have a safe pregnancy,” Mutoni says. Exercising is vital in all your day today activities. (Net Photos) Penina Umutesi’s experience as a first time mother wasn’t all that rosy right from conception till she gave birth by Caesarean Section. “I had severe morning sickness, moodiness and when I was five months into my pregnancy, I experienced some bleeding, it was light but it terrified me because I thought I would lose my baby,” she says. According to the book, ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’, sitting in a sauna or soaking in a hot tub may seem like the perfect remedy to soothe your pregnancy aches and pains, but both activities are risky. The book points out the fact that pregnant women are at a greater risk of dehydration, dizziness, and lower blood pressure in general, and these symptoms may intensify in extreme heat raising your core body temperature to over 102 degrees; which is potentially hazardous to your unborn baby, especially during the early months of pregnancy when the baby’s body and brain are developing. editorial@newtimes.co.rw ******************************************** How to have a safe pregnancy According to Baby Center a website that guides women on parenting, pregnancy is an ideal time to start taking really good care of oneself both physically and emotionally and that if one follows the few simple guidelines below, they can have the best chance of having a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby. See your doctor or midwife as soon as possible As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, get in touch with your doctor or a midwife to organise your antenatal care. Organising your care early means you’ll get good advice for a healthy pregnancy right from the start. Eat well Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet whenever you can. Try to have at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily and plenty of carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and rice, as the basis of your meals. Take a supplement Pregnancy vitamin supplements aren’t a substitute for a balanced diet but they can help if you’re worried you’re not eating well. Talk to your GP or a pharmacist before taking an antenatal supplement. Be careful about food hygiene Some foods are not safe to eat in pregnancy; this is because they can carry a health risk for your baby. Foods such as undercooked ready meals, unpasteurized milk are best to be avoided. Begin doing pelvic floor exercises Your pelvic floor comprises a hammock of muscles at the base of your pelvis. They can feel weaker than usual in pregnancy because of the extra pressure upon them. Strengthening your muscles by doing pelvic floor exercises regularly throughout your pregnancy can help. Cut back on caffeine Coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks are mild stimulants. There are concerns that too much caffeine may increase your risk of miscarriage. It’s also thought possible that too much caffeine may contribute to your risk of having a low-birth-weight baby. Get some rest The fatigue you feel in the first few months is due to high levels of pregnancy hormones circulating in your body. Later on, it’s your body’s way of telling you to slow down. If you can’t sleep at night, try to take a quick nap in the middle of the day to catch up. If that’s impossible, at least put your feet up and try to relax for 30 minutes. Agencies

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Pregnancy: How to sail through the delicate nine months