10 Things Nobody Tells You About Pregnancy

“Ten Things Nobody Tells You”

Don’t worry. We know of no conspiracy keeping you from knowing all there is to know about pregnancy. But your friends, sisters, cousins - whoever tells you what to expect with your pregnancy - often forget the little details, especially the more unpleasant ones. Furthermore, other books often gloss over this stuff, perhaps in the interest of decorum. Well, at the risk of being indecorous, we’re going to give it to you straight in this chapter.

1. Pregnancy Lasts Longer than Nine Months

Patients always ask, “How many months along am I?” and we have trouble giving them a precise answer. Pregnancy is said to last nine months, but that number isn’t exactly accurate. The average pregnancy lasts 280 days, or 40 weeks, starting from the date of the mother’s last menstrual period. (You think 40 weeks is a long time? Just be glad you’re not an elephant, which has a gestation period of 22 months!) If a month is four weeks, that calculation comes out to ten months. On the calendar, however, most months contain four weeks plus two or three days, so nine calendar months often do contain close to 40 weeks. Practitioners speak in terms of weeks when measuring gestational age because it’s more accurate and less confusing.

seventeen things you should do before you try to get pregnant (prt 3)

10. See your dentist

When you're preparing for pregnancy, don't forget about your oral health. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can make you more susceptible to gum disease. Higher progesterone and estrogen levels can cause the gums to react differently to the bacteria in plaque, resulting in swollen, red, tender gums that bleed when you floss or brush.

The good news is that women who take care of their periodontal healthbefore they get pregnant cut down on their chances of experiencing gum complications in pregnancy. See your dentist for a checkup and cleaning now if you haven't done so in the past six months.

seventeen things you should do before you try to get pregnant (prt 2)

3. Take folic acid (and watch out for vitamin A)

Taking a folic acid supplement is crucial. By taking 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid a day for at least one month before you conceive and during your first trimester, you can cut your chances of having a baby with neural-tube defects such as spina bifida by 50 to 70 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Taking folic acid helps prevent some other birth defects as well.

seventeen things you should do before you try to get pregnant (prt 1)

You've decided to take the plunge into parenthood. But wait just a second – or even a month or more. To give yourself the best chance for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, there are some important things you need to do before you head down the road to conception.

1. Schedule a preconception visit

You don't have to have a doctor or midwife lined up to deliver your baby yet, but call your ob-gyn, midwife, or family practice doctor now for a preconception check-up. Your practitioner will review your personal and family medical history, your present health, and any medications or supplements you're taking. Certain medications and supplements are unsafe during pregnancy, and some may need to be switched before you even try to conceive because they're stored in your body's fat and can linger there.

seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them (prt 3)

My baby's still crying. How can I soothe her?

As you gradually get to know your baby's personality you'll learn which techniques work best for her. If a cuddle or a feed doesn't do the job, these suggestions may help:

Play a constant sound 

In your womb (uterus), your baby could hear the beat of your heart. She probably enjoys being held close to you now because your heartbeat is so familiar. 

Other noises mimic the sounds she'll have heard in your womb. The repetitive noise of a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer may lull your baby to sleep. Or you could supervise her on the floor next to the washing machine.

seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them (prt 2)

I'm crying because I need to be held

Your baby needs lots of cuddling, physical contact and reassurance to comfort her. So her crying may mean that she just wants to be held. 

Swaying and singing to her while you hold her may give her added comfort.

When you hold your baby close she may be soothed by your heartbeat, the warmth of your body and your smell. You could try putting her in a sling to keep her close to you for longer spells.

I'm crying because I'm tired and I need a rest

Babies often find it hard to get to sleep, particularly if they're over-tired. You'll probably become aware of your baby's sleep cues soon after birth. Whining and crying at the slightest thing, staring blankly into space, and being quiet and still are just three examples.

Lots of attention from doting visitors may over-stimulate your baby and make it hard for her to sleep. Try taking her to a quiet room before bed to help her calm down and switch off.

Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

Your baby is fully dependent on you. You provide her with the food, warmth and comfort that she needs. When she cries, it's her way of communicating any or all of those needs and of ensuring a response from you. 

It's sometimes hard to work out which need your baby wants you to take care of. But as your baby grows she'll learn other ways of communicating with you. For example, she'll get better at eye contact, making noises and smiling. 

In the meantime, here are some reasons why your baby may cry, and what you can try to soothe her:

I'm crying because I'm hungry

Hunger is one of the most common reasons why your baby will cry, especially if she's a newborn. The younger your baby is, the more likely it is that she's hungry. 

Your baby's stomach is small and can't hold very much. So it won't take long before it empties. If you're breastfeeding, offer your breast, even if her last feed doesn't seem that long ago. This is called feeding on demand.

If you're formula-feeding, your baby may not need more milk for at least two hours after her last feed. Every baby is different though. If your baby is consistently not finishing her feeds, she may prefer to drink formula little and often. In this case, you could try offering her another feed early.

Your baby may not stop crying immediately, but let her keep feeding if she wants to.