Pregnancy

If you are undergoing IVF treatment, your fertility doctor will usually measure the thickness of the uterine lining to ensure that it is adequately thick enough for implantation to occur. This is because the uterine lining is rich in nutrients and provides steady sustenance for the embryo to grow healthily. The ideal thickness of the lining is at least 7mm to 8mm with a trilaminar (three layered) appearance on an ultrasound. A uterine lining that is too thin is not the ideal environment for the embryo, as the embryo may fail to attach properly to the lining and lead to early pregnancy loss.

A woman may have a thin uterine lining for several reasons, the main reason being a deficiency in estrogen, poor blood circulation in the uterus, uterine fibroid, chronic endometriosis (inflammation of uterine lining), hydrosalpinx (blockage of a woman’s fallopian tube), and scar tissues in the uterus.

A thin uterine lining needs to be fixed before a couple tries to conceive. A thick uterine lining is important to sustain a growing fetus. Although it is possible to conceive with a thin lining, your fertility doctor may suggest improving and thicken your lining before the embryo transfer happens.

In many cases, most women are unaware that their uterine lining is thin, as this issue may have been going on for a long time before a woman decides to get pregnant. Proper testing is required to determine this, however, some noticeable signs of a thin uterine lining may be abnormal and painful periods, as well as problems with carrying a baby to full term.

A Thin Uterine Lining can be Fixed by Several Methods

These are tried and tested routines that encourage the growth of your uterine lining to improve your chances of having a successful IVF treatment.

Estrogen Supplements

Estrogen plays an important role in reproduction, and low estrogen levels can sometimes lead to a thin endometrial lining. Estrogen supplements introduce extra estrogen into the body from outside and promotes endometrial lining growth. These supplements can come in the form of patches, oral pills or suppositories.

Physical Exercise

A good supply of continuous blood flow is necessary for the healthy growth of the uterine lining. If you are not previously active, you should engage in regular exercise to improve blood flow. Low to moderate-intensity exercise will do, as high-intensity exercises are not recommended for women who are trying to conceive.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to improve fertility in both men and women in several medical studies. Acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus, improves ovary function, and balances the hormones in the body. This is the key reason why acupuncture has been included in many modern-day fertility treatments.

Quit Smoking and Drinking Coffee

Caffeine and nicotine can impede blood flow in the body and affect blood circulation. If you are able, quit smoking and caffeine entirely. If that’s too challenging, try to cut back on your consumption.

Maintain A Healthy BMI

Women with a low BMI may find it more difficult to conceive because fat cells are responsible for producing extra estrogen in the body. Consider working with a nutritionist to reach your ideal BMI weight, which is usually in the range of 18.5 to 24.9.

As a final word, even if your uterine lining isn’t growing to the ideal thickness, there is still a chance for you to conceive. Be rest assured that as much as you try to plan ahead, some things may not go according to plan. But not all hope is lost. There are plenty of fertility treatments available in the market today, and you should speak to your fertility doctors for more advice.

Many future mums to be are terrified of giving birth, and epidurals are usually at the top of the list in terms of pain management. While that is completely understandable, what many women don’t realize is there are enormous alternative options for managing pain during labour.

Emotional Support

Studies have shown that the “doula effect” does exist – this refers to the emotional support provided by a doula or partner that helps women cope with labour pain. Most of the time, this reduces their need for drug intervention during labour as well. The presence of an attentive friend or family members also improves a woman’s experience of going into labour. The most important thing is to ensure the pregnant mother feels as comfortable as possible to get through the most difficult situations.

Massage

Massage is a great technique to induce relaxation, and this applies to women in labour as well. Massaging her lower back, hips, pressure points on hands and feet helps women relax, and when paired with cold compression on the lower back, it can be especially effective in managing pain.

Bao Ma offers prenatal and postnatal massages for mummies and click here to find out more.

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupressure and acupuncture are becoming increasingly popular in helping women deal with labour pain. Contrary to popular opinion, acupuncture doesn’t numb the pain, but instead calms and soothes the body’s nervous system. Being in a “fight or flight” mode is never conducive to having a baby.

Wondering how it works? After your contractions have started and labour has begun, a licensed acupuncturist is dispatched to your hospital room or home. They will start by inserting a few needles in between contractions – often on the acupressure points on the hand or ear.

Armed with this comprehensive guide, you have a plethora of tips to choose from. And you don’t need to choose just one. Because let’s face it, you’ll never know what works until your knee deep in contractions. Never underestimate the power of non-drug coping techniques that are supported by modern science and research. At the very least, it should get you past the early labour stages.

Changing Positions

Most women think sitting in bed all day is the most suitable position for labour. It couldn’t be further from the truth! Studies have shown this isn’t the ideal position to help labour progress at all. In fact, having lots of movement can help you cope with the pain. Try walking, rocking, squatting, or changing positions constantly as moving about not only eases the pain but also takes advantage of the force of gravity to encourage the baby to move down the birth canal.

If you are bedridden in a hospital, your physical movement may be limited due to the medications or being hooked up to fetal monitors and IV drips. However, you can still position yourself onto your hands and knees on the bed, as well as standing or sitting by the side of the bed.

Water Therapy

Being in the water helps keep pregnant women stay calm and relaxed. Research shows that women experience less painful contractions, shorter labours, and require less medical interventions when they spend more time submerged in water during labour.

Breathing

Deep breathing techniques are useful compared to the traditional fast breathing in and out, which may sometimes lead to hyperventilation in an already anxious mother. Plenty of women find that deep breathing gets them through the contractions until the sensations start to fade. Pregnant women should not hold back on loud noises as well. Toning, a type of low-pitched humming is another technique that helps women relax and cope with the pain.

Visualization

Many health professionals teach visualization as a relaxation technique to calm and soothe women in labour. One of the techniques is to visualize the cervix opening and drawing an image of what is going inside the body. Knowing that the contractions are tied to her cervix opening can give pregnant women a mental picture to process, and this, in turn, helps her relax and cope with labour. With that being said, visualization works best when it is personalized to a person. What works for one woman may not work for another.

You Experience Vaginal Pain

Pain in the vaginal area is an early indication of labour. It can happen weeks before labour actually happens, so please take note, new mothers! The sensation is akin to shooting pains in the vagina and pelvis. This is due to the baby changing position as they move lower down into the birth canal.

You Have Bloody Discharge

If you notice an increase in vaginal discharge, this is a good sign that you may be going into labour. The cervix is closed and covered with mucus during the entire duration of pregnancy. This is known as the operculum, or mucus plug, and is your body’s way of protecting the baby by preventing bacteria from entering the womb. The texture of the discharge is similar to uncooked egg white and may come up to a teaspoonful size. When the mucus plug dislodges, this means that the cervix has begun to soften and dilate to prepare for labour. The discharge color ranges from brown (due to old blood) or pinkish in color.

The pink color is due to the rupture of blood vessels along the cervix surface as it continues to expand. This discharge can occur as early as 2 weeks before labour. If the discharge is heavy and tinged with bright red blood, it means that your body has gone into labour.

You Have Lower Back Pain

This symptom may be confusing for some new mothers because plenty of pregnant women experience lower back pain at some point during their pregnancy. In this case, you may start noticing a dull ache in your lower back that feels similar to period pain. This is because when labour happens, the baby goes down the birth canal with the face leaning against the mother’s spine. When the pain becomes more unbearable, then it is likely that labour is near.

You Are Experiencing More Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions refer to the uterus contractions. They often practice contractions as your hormones change and your cervix becomes more flexible. Some pregnant women may experience these contractions in the early stages of pregnancy and it does not necessarily indicate labour is near, but that a woman could be exhausted or dehydrated. But if you notice cramps and pain with increased Braxton Hicks contractions, then it could be a sign of early labour.

You Are Frequenting the Toilet More Often

Plenty of new mothers notice that as their due date draws near, they feel the urge to pass motion more often than not. Diarrhoea or loose bowel movement is not uncommon as well. This is the body’s signal to make way for the baby to come through. The emptying of bowels is also to ensure the uterus is able to contract properly. Other symptoms may include vomiting or indigestion before labour contractions start.

Your Bump Dislodges or Drops

You may feel a pressure change as your baby drops lower into the pelvic region. In other words, your baby’s head has engaged with your pelvis and is in the correct position for childbirth. As your baby’s weight is no longer pressing on your diaphragm, you may find it easier to breathe as a result. If you have been experiencing heartburn, this should stop as well. Bump dropping may happen a few weeks before labour or just when labour contractions start.

Your Energy Level Changes

Some women feel more energized and awake before they go into labour, while some women feel their energy levels drop and actually sleep better! Feeling increasingly emotional is also common – many mothers report feeling overwhelmed and poor sleep just a few days before labour.

Your Water Breaks

80% of women report having regular contractions and going into labour within 12 hours after their water has broken. However, instead of having amniotic fluid gushing out dramatically like in the movies, in real life, it will likely be a slow, steady leak as your baby’s head prevents the fluid from leaking out all at once. However, if your water has broken and you have yet to go into labour by 24 hours, doctors will usually artificially induce labour. This is because the risk of infection is higher once the amniotic sac has burst and bacteria are able to enter the womb.

With that being said, every pregnancy is different, and there is really no sure-fire way of predicting when labour will start. Despite contrary opinion, most women do not go into labour suddenly without warning. Your body will send cues that the big day is close, so pack the bare necessities and be ready to head to the hospital when you see these signs!

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a condition of high blood pressure induced by pregnancy. It occurs when the blood vessels in the placenta do not develop properly, causing the blood vessels to be narrower than usual. They also react differently to hormones, and therefore less blood is able to flow through the blood vessels. Symptoms of preeclampsia include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, and abdominal pain near the ribs. It generally occurs in first-time pregnancies after the 20^th week and may develop suddenly without any symptoms. This is why blood pressure monitoring is important in prenatal care because a spike in blood pressure is usually the first symptom of preeclampsia.

If left unchecked, preeclampsia can lead to serious or fatal complications for mother and baby. Seizures, stroke, and severe bleeding are possible complications until your blood pressure decreases. Delivery of your baby is the only solution for treating preeclampsia. If you are diagnosed too early in the pregnancy, you may need to be hospitalized and be continuously monitored as it will be too early to deliver to the baby. Alternatively, your doctor may suggest C-section delivery or early induced labour.

While there are no successful treatments for preventing preeclampsia, complications from preeclampsia can be managed with early detection and proper prenatal care. Several preventive measures have shown promise in treating preeclampsia. For example, low-dose aspirin therapy and calcium supplementation has been shown to improve symptoms for high-risk pregnancies. Calcium reduces blood pressure in pregnant women with mild to moderate hypertension and low dietary calcium intake. A low dose of aspirin therapy at 100mg per day can also reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which pregnant mothers have high blood sugar. Gestational diabetes can happen to women of all sizes, even women who are not diabetic. The exact cause of gestation diabetes is still under debate, but doctors suspect that it is due to hormones from the placenta that supports the baby’s growth. In some cases, these hormones also block the function of insulin in the mother’s body. This results in insulin resistance, which makes it harder for the mother to use insulin. Glucose is unable to exit the blood without sufficient insulin, hence it keeps building up in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. As blood sugar is also transported through the placenta to your baby, your baby may also have high blood sugar levels and be at risk for developing obesity and diabetes as they grow older.

A healthy diet is important for pregnant mothers, regardless of having gestational diabetes or not. It is important to eat foods high in nutrients that keeps your blood sugar in check, provide your baby with the necessary nutrients and maintaining a healthy weight. When your blood sugar is stable, you will experience fewer cravings for sugary sweets and snacks, thereby preventing your blood pressure from spiking. Your baby will also grow at a normal rate, as blood sugar is a major factor in your baby’s weight gain in the last trimester.

A low-carb diet based on meat, eggs, dairy, vegetables and a little fruit is recommended. By low carbohydrates, we mean cutting out junk food, refined grains and snacks with added sugars. There is plenty of carbohydrates that are safe for pregnant women to eat. Complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread, crackers, beans, and rice are good examples.

The key point is to follow your body’s cues and eat when you are hungry, instead of obsessing over calorie count. Gestational diabetes is completely manageable and the first thing to do is to check your blood sugar levels and understand which foods are causing your blood sugar levels to fluctuate.

Anaemia

A pregnant woman who has less than normal red blood cells count in her blood is deemed to have anaemia. Anaemia can occur at all stages of pregnancy and is commonly caused by iron deficiency. Pregnant mothers need more iron to make red blood cells as the mother’s blood volume increases during pregnancy, and also to meet the demand for iron by the growing baby. When you are anaemic, you may often feel exhausted, sometimes out of breath and have a pale complexion. Anaemia is risky for pregnant women, as they are less capable of coping with blood loss during labour and delivery.

The good news is anaemia is easily treated. Your doctor may prescribe iron and folic acid tablets to replenish iron levels in your body. You should also include more iron-rich foods in your diet, such as leafy green, chicken, beef and beans.

Getting regular prenatal care goes a long way in preventing pregnancy complications. Just be sure to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, attend your prenatal appointments, and inform your doctor if you are experiencing any abnormal symptoms.

Cold Vs Flu 

A cold is defined as virus infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper respiratory organs. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and coughing and usually last for a week. There is no cure for a cold at the moment, and most people recover on their own without medical treatment. Colds also do not develop into the flu as both illnesses are caused by different viruses.

The flu has similar symptoms as a cold, however, it is a much more serious respiratory illness and the symptoms generally last longer. If you have caught the flu bug, you may have a fever, muscle aches, and cold-like symptoms that come on strong at the onset. You may continue to feel ill for several weeks. In certain cases, flu symptoms may worsen and become pneumonia, bacterial infection, and even hospitalization in serious cases. As a matter of fact, pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized from flu complications than other women of similar age.

Flu is caused by influenza viruses. Contrary to popular opinion, antibiotics don’t work against colds and flu. In most cases, the best way is to let the infection runs its course and allow your body’s own immune system to fight off the virus.

Having a Cold or Flu During Pregnancy

If you have caught a cold while pregnant, just drink plenty of fluids and get more rest to allow your body to fight off the cold. As new mothers, your developing baby will cause your womb to expand and press against your lungs, which is why you may find breathing to be more laborious. This condition is exacerbated more so if you catch a cold and find your noses blocked! The good news is, you can alleviate these symptoms by taking over-the-counter medications such as Panadol, cough drops, or Decolgen. Rest assured that catching a cold is unlikely to harm you or your baby.

However, if you have caught the flu while you are pregnant, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Getting the correct diagnosis earlier can get you treated faster and ensure that you and your baby are safe. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines for you as having the flu increases your chances of pregnancy complications down the road. For example, fever may harm your baby and is often associated with neural tube defects, premature birth, and miscarriage.

Medication

Antiviral medication is not to be confused with antibiotics – most antibiotics work by killing the pathogens, while antiviral medications treat viral infections by limiting the progress of the virus. The antiviral medication works best when taken within 48 hours of flu-like symptoms developing, and while it will not cure the flu, it will certainly help decrease the symptoms and prevent further medical complications. High fever is potentially dangerous, hence you will need to take medication to reduce the fever. Paracetamol (the active ingredient in Panadol) is a pregnancy-safe option for treating headaches, fever, body aches and other moderate pain associated with flu. Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen and aspirin as these medications may increase the risk of miscarriage. However as with any medication taken during pregnancy, it is always best to use the lowest dose for the least period of time.

Cold and Flu Natural Home Remedies

If your symptoms are mild, why not try using natural home remedies such as honey, lemon and saltwater for some relief? A couple of teaspoons of honey mixed with hot water and lemon provides the much-needed relief for those pesky sore throats. Sea salt is also a natural antiseptic, hence gargling with sea salt can shorten the time you spend sick as it kills viruses. If you have a blocked nose, a non-steroidal decongestant spray may help. Nasal sprays made from sea salt have been proven to soften mucus and clear the nasal passageway. Last but not very least, resting well, keeping warm and drinking plenty of fluids will also help you recover faster.

Flu Vaccinations for Pregnant Women 

As best as antiviral medications may work, it is still no substitute for a flu shot. This is why it is always recommended to get a vaccination to prevent the flu. People who caught the flu after receiving a flu shot often have much milder symptoms than those who have not been vaccinated. In pregnant women, flu shots reduce the risk of contracting serious respiratory infection by half. Vaccinated pregnant women are also 40% less likely to be hospitalized.

You may be wondering, is it safe for me to get a flu shot while I am pregnant? Yes, it is completely safe! You can get a flu shot at any stage of your pregnancy as well. Neither does flu vaccinations affect breastfeeding in any manner. In fact, your little one will have a stronger immunity as mothers are known to pass on antibodies to their babies in the womb and through breast milk. Your little one will be protected for up to 6 months after childbirth, which is a huge plus since at this period babies are too young to be vaccinated.

To guard against the flu, it is recommended that pregnant women should get a flu shot every year as the influenza virus mutates all the time. This is the reason why flu shots change by the year. Even if you have gotten a flu shot previously, you will still need to get a new shot annually. The phrase “prevention is better than cure” has never been more true when it comes to your health!

Sleep On Your Left Side

Pregnant women can actually sleep in any position they choose to during the first trimester. However, sleeping on your stomach and back isn’t the best choice in the long run. If you’re used to sleeping on your stomach, that’s fine – until your growing baby bump makes it impossible to continue sleeping that way. As for sleeping on your back, experts generally do not recommend this sleeping position because this rests the whole weight of your growing body on the back, intestines, and the vena cava, which is the main vein that transports blood from your lower body back to your heart. Sleeping on your back restricts the body’s circulation, and may affect the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Especially in the second and third trimester, sleeping on your back can lead to backaches, low blood pressure, and even hemorrhoids.

So what is the best sleeping position? Sleeping on your side (on the left, preferably) is the most ideal position for you and your growing baby, as this position allows maximum blood flow to the uterus and puts less pressure on the surrounding organs. This means the kidney is able to process waste fluids more easily, resulting in reduced swelling on the hands and feet. Sleeping on your side has also been proven to help with backaches.

Use Support Pillows

If you have back pain, try sleeping with your knees bent with one or two support pillows tucked in between your knees. Bent knees helps stabilize you while you are sleeping, making you less likely to roll over onto your back. The pillows provide extra cushion that helps keep your back straight and reduce pressure on your spine and hips. You can use body pillows specifically made for pregnancy sleeping, otherwise normal pillows is also fine.

Avoid Eating Trigger Foods

Heartburn is one of the side effects of pregnancy that can keep expecting mothers up at night. Your digestive system is slower than normal due to hormonal changes, and your expanding uterus can compress the stomach and push stomach acids upwards, causing heartburn. Try to have smaller meals near bedtime while staying away from spicy food and heavy late-night meals.

Elevate the Head of Your Bed

If you are still experiencing heartburn, propping your head up on pillows can provide some relief. If that still doesn’t work, try sleeping in a semi-upright position in a recliner instead of the bed.

Get Regular Exercise

Regular exercise can improve your quality of sleep tremendously. Just 10 minutes of low-impact, aerobic exercise such as jogging or cycling will do the trick. In the long run, exercise can strengthen your back and prevent the nagging back pain that many expecting mothers experience.

Stretch Daily

Cramping is an issue many pregnant mothers face. The exact reason is unknown, but pressure from your growing uterus and redistribution of calcium is thought to be the reason. To avoid being awoken by painful leg cramps in the middle of the night, drink lots of water beforehand as dehydration can increase cramps. Incorporating a daily stretching routine and stretching your calves before bedtime also helps in preventing cramps.

Empty Your Bladder Before Going to Bed

In the first trimester, a pregnant women’s blood volume increases, and this puts pressure on the kidneys as the organ needs to process more fluids. As your baby bump grows, the uterus will start to move down through the pelvis and press down on the kidneys. You may feel the urge to take bathroom breaks all the time, especially in the middle of the night. To avoid this, experts recommend going to the bathroom just right before sleeping.

Safe Sleeping Aids for Pregnancy

Sometimes vitamin deficiencies can be the reason behind pregnancy discomforts. Low levels of iron and folic acid can trigger restless leg syndrome, hence supplementing with folic acid and iron can help relieve the symptoms. If you experience heartburn regularly, taking over-the-counter antacids may help. In any case, you should consult your doctor before taking supplements during pregnancy.

Pregnancy can be stressful. While you may have a lot of things to worry about, your sleeping position shouldn’t be one of them! Sleep guidelines notwithstanding, you should always listen and follow the cues from your body. If you wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself sleeping on your back, fret not – just flip back over to your side and continue sleeping. It is exceedingly rare for people to sleep in one position throughout the night, and there is no evidence that accidentally sleeping on your back will cause lasting harm to the baby. Just try not to sleep on your back for prolonged periods of time.