Parenting - Prenatal to preschool/Parenting_PrenatalToPreschool.bin/dp/0042/00422.txt

Text File | 1993-06-14 | 7KB | 149 lines

$Unique_ID{PAR00422}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Pregnancy:  The Fifth Month:  Ask the Doctor}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Ellis, Jeffrey W
Ellis, Maria}
$Subject{Fifth Month Ask Doctor pregnancy Complication Complications prenatal
care Vaginal Bleeding Spotting ectopic placenta previa Cramping Abdominal Pain
Burning Urination Bacterial infection infections bladder kidney kidneys Fever
Chills amniotic sac fluid Rupture rupturing Leak Leakage Swell Swells Swelling
Puffiness Face Hand Hands foot Feet preeclampsia toxemia high blood pressure
urine protein edema seizure seizures stroke headache headaches dizzy dizziness
Blurred vision vomit vomits vomiting Decreased Movement Soreness Redness Legs
blood clot clots Visit Visits}
$Log{
Placenta Previa*0042201.tif}

Miracle of Birth


The Fifth Month:  Ask the Doctor


How Will I Know if Something is Wrong?


     It is the hope and dream of all parents to experience a normal pregnancy
and bring home a healthy baby.  Although the majority of pregnancies are
uneventful, some involve complications that may range from minor to
life-threatening--for the mother, the baby, or both.
     Complications of pregnancy may develop gradually or suddenly and without
warning.  One objective of prenatal care, therefore, is to promptly diagnose
and treat these complications.
     In this section, we will describe the "warning signs" of pregnancy--signs
that may indicate that a complication is developing.  If you ever experience
any of these warning signs, notify your doctor immediately.

Any Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting

     Normally, after your last menstrual period you should have no more
vaginal bleeding until the delivery of your baby.  If you do experience
bleeding or spotting at any time during your pregnancy, contact your doctor or
hospital immediately.
     Bleeding that occurs during the first trimester may indicate that a
miscarriage is occurring or that the pregnancy may be located outside the
uterus--for example, in the fallopian tube (called an ectopic pregnancy).
     Bleeding or spotting that occurs in the second or third trimester may
indicate a problem with the placenta.  In some cases, the placenta may begin
to separate from the wall of the uterus and cause bleeding.  This condition is
called placental abruption.  In other cases, the placenta--which should
normally be located high up in the uterus--may grow down too low and cover the
opening of the cervix (called placenta previa).  Bleeding may then occur from
exposed blood vessels over the canal of the cervix.  These problems are
usually diagnosed with the aid of ultrasound.

Severe Cramping or Sharp Abdominal Pain

     This is another sign that may indicate that the placenta has begun to
separate from the wall of the uterus.  If you experience such cramping or
pain, call your doctor immediately.

Pain or Burning During Urination

     Bacterial infection of the bladder and kidneys is more common during
pregnancy.  Severe infection is not only painful, but it may also cause you to
go into labor prematurely.  Therefore, it is extremely important to call your
doctor if you experience either pain or a burning sensation when you urinate.
Do not attempt to treat yourself with home remedies.

Fever or Chills

     If you develop a fever of over 100 degrees or experience chills, this
maybe a sign of infection.  Even though most fevers are caused by a "cold" or
the flu, your doctor will need to explore the possibility of pneumonia or
kidney infection.  If your amniotic sac has broken, fever and chills may
indicate an infection of the amniotic fluid--a serious condition that will
require antibiotics and delivery of the baby.

Rupture of the Amniotic Sac or Leakage of Fluid

     When the amniotic sac breaks, some women have a sudden gush of fluid from
the vagina while others may have only a slight leak.  In the majority of
pregnancies, labor begins within 24 hours of the rupture of the amniotic sac.
Sometimes, however, the amniotic sac may rupture prematurely.
     When the amniotic sac breaks, the protective seal around the baby is
broken and bacteria from your vagina may enter the amniotic fluid.  This can
cause a serious infection in the baby and placenta within a few hours.
Therefore, you should call your doctor immediately--whether or not you are
near your estimated delivery date--if you ever suspect that the sac has broken
or is leaking.

Swelling or Puffiness of the Face, Hands, and Feet

     This may be a sign that you are developing a condition called
preeclampsia, also called toxemia.  This complication of pregnancy is
associated with abnormally high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and
swelling (edema) of the face, hands, and feet.  If toxemia is left untreated
and becomes severe, seizures, stroke, and even death can occur.
     Other warning signs that may indicate preeclampsia include:

  -  Continuous or severe headache
  -  Unexplained dizziness
  -  Blurred vision
  -  Continuous, severe, or recurrent vomiting
  -  Decrease in the amount of your urine

Decreased Movement of the Baby

     In cases where an abnormality of the placenta may be developing, the
baby's movements may slow down considerably or even stop.  If you ever suspect
that your baby is moving less than usual during the third trimester, call your
doctor immediately.

Soreness or Redness in One or Both Legs

     Because of certain changes in the blood during pregnancy, blood clots,
especially in the calves of the legs, become much more common.  This is a
serious condition, since these clots can break away and travel through the
mother's bloodstream to the lungs, heart, or brain.  Even if you think it is
only a simple muscle strain, report any unusual leg soreness, as well as any
redness, to your doctor immediately


This Month's Visit

     During this month's office visit, your doctor will probably:

  -  Check your weight.  By now, you will have gained about ten to 12 pounds;
     if you have not gained this amount, your doctor will probably advise you
     to increase the number of calories you consume each day.
  -  Check your blood pressure.  Your blood pressure may be slightly lower
     than it was before pregnancy.
  -  Check your urine for sugar and protein.  You should normally have neither
     in your urine.
  -  Ask about symptoms of pregnancy.  You may now be experiencing leg cramps,
     bleeding gums, sinus congestion, and changes in your sense of taste.
  -  Ask you how you are feeling.
  -  Ask about the baby's movements.  By now, you should feel the baby moving
     and kicking.
  -  Check the growth of your uterus by feeling your lower abdomen and
     measuring the distance from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus with
     a tape measure.  By now, the top of your uterus should be at about the
     level of your navel.
  -  Listen for the baby's heartbeat with a doppler instrument or with a
     stethoscope.  The baby's heart will beat about 140 to 160 times a minute.
  -  Perform a blood test to check your blood sugar level.