1. |
What is the normal weight gain for a full course pregnancy? I wonder if I had gained too much weight. |
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The weight gain of every expectant mother varies.
The ideal total weight gain should be between 10 to 15 kg. If you
have excessive weight gain, you may have problems of diabetes
mellitus, too big a baby, increased risk of Caesarean Section and
difficulty in getting back to the body weight before pregnant. |
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2. |
Should I eat as much as I can during pregnacy to supply my baby's needs as well as mine? |
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Good nutrition is essential for the healthy
development of your growing baby and the maintenance of your own
health. You should eat 'well' and not 'a lot' as the quality of food
intake is more important than the quantity. You should take a
balance diet with sufficient meat and protein, vegetables and
fruits, adequate carbohydrate for energy and a glass of milk a day.
Supplements of vitamin and iron are taken as a routine to prevent
deficiency of vitamin and iron which are needed for your growing
baby. |
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3. |
Are there any foods that I should avoid during pregnancy? |
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There are some food taboos that have been passed
down from the old generations. Those taboos include eating black sauce, mutton and
'cooling foods' such as watermelon, coconut water and pineapple. But there is no
medical evidence against the consumption of these foods during
pregnancy. If you are in doubt, consult your
doctor. However, you should avoid the intake of alcohol (cause more
abnormal baby), coffee or tea (caffeine-containing products). Do not
take raw, undercooked or unwashed foods to prevent transmissions or
infections. |
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4. |
I am at my 10th weeks of pregnancy and having fever. Can I take panadol? |
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You should never self-medicate during your
pregnancy because many medicines can pass to your baby through
placenta and cause him harm. This is particular so during the first
3 months of your pregnancy when all organs of the baby are
developing. Certain medicines can obstruct the development of the
organs in the baby during these period and later result in abnormal
in newborn. Seek advice from your doctor before taking
any medicine. |
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5. |
Can I travel during pregnancy? |
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It is advisable to avoid traveling on a long trip
during pregnancy, especially if you are having problems with your
pregnancy such as vaginal bleeding, excessive vomiting or during the
last month of pregnancy. But there is no real danger in traveling if you are
healthy. You should inform your doctor if you plan to
travel. |
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6. |
Can I continue to work full-time during pregnancy? |
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You should carry on with your work if you are
feeling well and happy. Many women work right till the day of
delivery. If your work is stressful, requires a lot of traveling or
excessive physical activities, then it is advisable to stop working
one month before your expected delivery date. |
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| 7. |
Should I stop having sexual intercourse during pregnancy? |
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In theory, you can have intercourse right till
the last week of your pregnancy. However, it is wise to stop in the
last month or earlier, mainly because your tummy is big and making
the sexual intercourse uncomfortable. If
you have the history of preterm labour, placenta praevia (low placenta)
or vaginal bleeding, then intercourse must be avoided. |
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| 8. |
When will I feel my baby's movements in my womb? |
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You will start to notice your baby's movements
between 18 to 20 weeks of your pregnancy if this is your first
pregnancy. In second or third pregnancy, you will feel it between 16
to 18 weeks. |
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9. |
I feel my baby's movements better at night. Is it because my baby is more active at night? |
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Actually your baby is active all the time, no
matter day or night. You will feel more movements at night
because you are quiet and resting during this time. |
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| 10. |
Is it true that a pregnant woman's teeth decay easily? |
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Yes. Because a pregnant woman will need more
calcium during pregnancy for her growing baby as well as her own
health need. If her calcium intake is insufficient, then the calcium will
be drawn from her body to the baby. Poor calcium intake together
with poor dental hygiene will make her teeth decal easily. To prevent this, pregnant women
should drink plenty of milk and pay attention to her dental care. |
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11. |
Doctors told me that I have placenta praevia. What is placenta praevia and what can I do about it? |
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Placenta praevia is low-lying of the placenta
within the womb and it
covers part or all of the cervix (opening of the vagina to the
womb). The symptoms of placenta praevia are painless vaginal bleeding
and abnormal fetal presentation in the third trimester of pregnancy. If you are
told to have placenta praevia, then you should avoid vigorous exercise and relax
more. If you
start to have vaginal bleeding, you must be admitted to the hospital
and have your condition and baby monitored. If the bleeding is
excessive before your expected
delivery date, your doctor may deliver you by Caeserean Section
earlier planned. |
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| 12. |
Do all placenta praevias need Caesarean section? |
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When placenta praevia goes into labour, the
cervix opening will dilate and bleeding will occur because the
placenta sits at the opening. That's why your doctor will have your
pregnancy delivered by Caeserean Section at 38 weeks of your
pregnancy. In a few rare cases where the placenta is at the margin
of the cervix and does not obstruct the birth canal, delivery by
vagina may be attempted. |
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| 13. |
What is abruptio placenta? |
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Abruptio placenta is premature
separation of placenta from the womb surface and bleeding will occur
at the point of separation. As the uterine contractions progress,
separation increases. The causes of abruptio placenta is
unknown, but it is associates with passed history of abruptio placenta,
hypertension, gestational diabetes and multiple pregnancy. The
symptoms of abruptio placenta include severe abdominal pain which is
continuous, back pain,
vaginal bleeding after 25 weeks of pregnancy and uterine
contractions that do not relax. |
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| 14. |
What is the treatment for abruptio placenta? |
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There is no treatment to stop the abruptio or
reattach the placenta back to the womb. Care given to the mother and
baby depends on the amount of bleeding, gestational age and the
condition of the fetus.
If the bleeding is excessive or the pregnancy has reached 38th week
of pregnancy or the fetus is distressed, the emergency delivery by Caeserean Section
is needed. Severe blood loss may require blood
transfusion. |
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| 15. |
I was diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy. What is ectopic pregnancy? |
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Ectopic pregnancy is also known as tubal
pregnancy. It is a condition whereby the embryo implants inside the
Fallopian tube instead of in the womb. As the embryo grows, it will
rupture through the Fallopian tube, cause internal bleeding and
threaten the life of the mother. The symptoms of ectopic
pregnancy include severe abdominal or pelvic pain, fainting attack (particularly upon standing) shoulder
rib pain and vaginal bleeding.
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| 16. |
Do all ectopic pregnancies require the removal of fallopian tube? |
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Most cases of ectopic pregnancy require immediate
surgery to remove the embryos and stop the bleeding. If the condition
is untreated in the early part of the pregnancy, the growing embryo
will rupture the Fallopian tube,
cause internal bleeding and damage the internal female organs which
later leads to infertility. In early cases, a limited removal of the embryonic
tissues will survive and allow the tube to be salvaged. Other
cases will require complete removal of the tube. |
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17. |
I have small breasts and I wish to breastfeed my newborn. I wonder whether I can produce enough milk for my newborn. |
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The amount of milk produced does not depend on
the size of your breasts. Small breasts can still produce sufficient
milk for your newborn. |
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| 18. |
When can I resume sexual life after delivery? |
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You can resume your sexual life once both of you and
your husband are ready to do so. Generally, it should be 6 weeks after delivery or after
the postnatal check-up. This period allows your episiotomy wound to
heal and your body returns to its pre-pregnant stage. You will
encounter some vaginal dryness, so it is advisable to use some
lubricant if you feel so. |
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| 19. |
What can I do to regain my figure after delivery? |
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A combination of balance diet and regular
exercise will help to regain your figure that to its pre-pregnant
stage . Breastfeeding will further help to this process. |
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| 20. |
Can I breastfeed while taking medicines? |
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You should discuss with your doctor before taking
any medicine, even medicines for mild illnesses such as cold, flu
and fever. Some medicines will be passed to your baby through
your breast milk. |
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