10 pregnancy facts
Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful aspects of life, but that does not mean we all know all about what happens. In this article we will describe 10 top tips about pregnancy. Let’s start with the basics.
1. What are the symptoms of pregnancy?
If you have a regular monthly period, the most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period.
Prior to that, during the first three weeks, it is unlikely that you will notice any symptoms of pregnancy. You may even have a bleed similar to a very light period, with some spotting, called ‘implantation bleeding’.
From 4 weeks, other early symptoms of pregnancy include:
- Sore breasts
- Nausea (morning sickness) and bloating
- A metallic taste in your mouth – or new likes and dislikes for food and drink
- Needing to wee more often
- Thicker and shinier hair.
2. How is the due date calculated?
The most common method to calculate your due date is to count 280 days or 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. This is based on a regular 28-day cycle. So if your cycle is irregular, it might not be as accurate.
As part of your antenatal care, your midwife will offer you a 12-week scan (see below) that may give you a more accurate due date.
You can start off your pregnancy care journey when you find out you are pregnant by telephoning your GP surgery and letting them know about your new pregnancy; and they will arrange a ‘booking appointment’ with a midwife, where she will book you this dating scan and any other appointments needed.
3. When does morning sickness start?
Fact. Morning sickness is very common in early pregnancy and for those who experience it, it usually begins around 6 weeks into pregnancy, or two weeks after the missed period. Although some women never have it.
If it is very bad, short admission(s) to hospital may be required, This is unusual.
4. What are the symptoms of pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that causes high blood pressure, and protein in the urine; usually during the third trimester (see below) or after labour.
These signs are often picked up during routine antenatal appointments, however you may also experience some symptoms as pre-eclampsia develops.
These symptoms of pre-eclampsia can include:
- Swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands (caused by fluid retention)
- Severe headache
- Visual problems/ flashing lights
- Pain at the top of your tummy.
If your medical team suspect pre-eclampsia, they will arrange some blood tests which can help diagnose it. If the symptoms, or blood results start to worsen or the blood pressure cannot be controlled, you may need to be admitted to the hospital – and the baby may need to be delivered early.
5. Why do you get heartburn in pregnancy?
Heartburn and indigestion are common during pregnancy and can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your abdominal contents.
Unfortunately, if you were prone to getting heartburn before becoming pregnant, you’re more likely to have symptoms during your pregnancy.
Ask your midwife or pharmacist what treatment is available to you for heartburn relief.
6. When is an ultrasound scan done?
The NHS offers all pregnant women at least two ultrasound scans during their pregnancy.
The first is at 12 weeks – also known as the ‘dating scan’. This scan will give a more accurate due date, as well as checking the baby’s development.
The second scan is at 20 weeks – also known as the ‘anomaly scan’. This scan checks the physical development of the baby, although it cannot pick up every condition. It is also when you can find out the sex of the baby. You may be offered more than two scans, depending on your health and how the pregnancy is going.
Your community midwife will arrange these scans for you.
7. What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is diabetes (i.e. high blood sugar) that develops during pregnancy.
It does not usually cause any symptoms, with most cases discovered when blood sugar levels are tested at the start of pregnancy. Some women may develop symptoms such as increased thirst, and weeing more often. These are also common symptoms of pregnancy; and are not necessarily a sign of gestational diabetes. So the only way to know for certain is to have a blood test.
It usually goes away after pregnancy. Sometimes treatment such as insulin injections is required during the pregnancy.
At your booking appointment your community midwife will help you to assess if you have any risk factors for developing GDM; and book a blood test for when you’re 24-28 weeks pregnant to see if you have GDM. If you’re worried about any symptoms you experience during your pregnancy, always speak to your midwife or doctor.
8. How to bring on your own labour
There are many theories (most of them ‘old wives tales’) on how to induce labour, but there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that any of them work.
Popular theories include exercise, sex, eating dates, and eating spicy curries.
There is a theory that about hand expressing colostrum (early breastmilk) AFTER 37 weeks of pregnancy, which may increase the level of oxytocin (some times known as the ‘love hormone’) which both helps milk production and may stimulate the uterus.
There is also the added benefit that this milk can then be saved in a sterile container in the fridge or freezer and given to the baby after they are born. Some useful help and advice about hand expressing at home can be found here and here.
It’s very important to get advice from your midwife before trying anything to bring on your labour.
9. When are the three trimesters of pregnancy?
These are the three trimesters of pregnancy, which normally lasts 40 weeks.
The third and final trimester starts at week 28 and lasts until the end of your pregnancy.
Can you eat prawns when pregnant?
Yes. It is perfectly safe to eat prawns when pregnant. However, they need to be cooked and not raw; as they can carry bacteria which can give you food poisoning and make you unwell. This is the same for other seafood.
Eating seafood in general is fine, as long as it has been cooked; for example mussels, lobster, crab, oysters, scallops, clams and cold, pre-cooked prawns.
If you’re unsure about what is and isn’t safe to eat or drink, why not brush up on what to avoid during pregnancy. This is NHS advice on eating well in pregnancy.
Summary
We have described 10 pregnancy facts and figures. We hope it has helped you.
