Author name: Diane

If you’ve had a baby, you may be wondering if you will always have pregnancy stretch marks. A whopping 90% of women get stretch marks as a result of pregnancy, so you’re not alone. It’s no wonder this is such a common occurrence. After all, stretch marks occur when your body stretches faster than your skin can keep up, and few things stretch a body more than carrying a baby for nine months. Who is Most Apt to Get Them? Women are more prone to get them if your mother had stretch marks, as genetics plays a role, or if you have a lighter complexion. The average weight gain over a nine-month period is about 30 pounds and the most affected areas are often the breasts and belly. However, they can also appear on the thighs, upper arms and buttocks. Stretch marks often start out purple or reddish and then gradually fade to white or gray after pregnancy. However, all women are different so the amount of stretch marks and the deepness in color one woman experiences may differ greatly to the next woman. Can I Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy? There are a lot of creams and lotions that claim to prevent stretch marks but unfortunately, it’s impossible to prevent them. That said, there are some things you can do to help make your skin feel better or look smoother and less itchy. Will My Stretch Marks Fade? Yes, the good news is that stretch marks will fade over time, and there are some things you can do to help the process. These include: Stretch marks are a normal part of pregnancy, and today, many women are celebrating their bodies, stretch marks and all — and that’s a beautiful thing!

Is it active labor or Braxton Hicks? Every woman’s experience is different, so knowing when it’s actually time to head to the hospital can be tricky. We have tips to help you. Labor is a Process While your body almost always gives you signals to recognize that labor is approaching, it’s always better to be prepared and know the common signs. It’s also important to remember that it is a process and that even after signs of labor start to appear, it could be hours or even several days until your baby arrives. Common Signs That Labor is Approaching Early labor can easily be misread as active labor, especially if this is your first baby. In terms of duration, it’s pretty unpredictable and really up to your baby and body to decide. Until you notice more consistent contractions, try your best to stay relaxed. If you are in early labor, you’re almost there as it’s the first step to active labor! 3 Common Signs of Early Labor Common Signs of Active Labor By the time active labor arrives, your cervix is most likely dilated 6 to 10 centimeters and you will notice stronger symptoms as time passes. Active labor can range from 4 to 8 hours, and sometimes even longer. This is when things begin to truly happen, and you should head to the hospital. As always, if you’re unsure of what steps to take, call us. 5 Signs of Active Labor False Labor Knowing you’re in labor can be hard, especially when you feel your uterus contract, but true labor hasn’t begun. This common feeling is called “false labor” and these contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions. Communicate With Your Doctor When it comes to labor be sure to explain all your symptoms and concerns. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re still unsure or have any doubt, call our office. If you are experiencing pain or need immediate attention, go immediately to Labor and Delivery at the hospital. Be Prepared for Your Precious Bundle of Joy It’s normal to feel a wave of emotions during this time. From feeling excited, to disbelief or even apprehension. Just try your best to stay calm and breathe. It’s very unlikely that you will go into labor without warning as your body will let you know when you’re approaching the big day. Stay prepared and have your hospital bag packed so when the time is right, you’re ready to leave. Being as prepared as you can will help reduce anxiety when those first signs appear. You’re almost at the end and will be holding your baby in your arms before you know it. You got this!

A glucose screening test is a routine test during pregnancy that checks a pregnant woman’s blood glucose (sugar) level, also called the gestational diabetes screening test. This screening is completed when you are 28 weeks and are officially in the third trimester. Tests for Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using blood tests. If your pregnancy is high-risk or you have a higher risk (more risk factors) of developing gestational diabetes, your physician may test you earlier than 28 weeks. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs when blood sugar levels remain elevated in pregnant women. The condition usually subsides after pregnancy, but women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop permanent diabetes later in life. How is a Glucose Test Performed? The glucose test is a one-hour screening and only has two steps. 1st Step – You will be asked to drink a liquid sweet drink with 50 grams of glucose. 2nd Step – Your blood will then be drawn exactly one hour after you drink the glucose solution. The blood sample will show how well your pregnant body processes sugar. Note: You do not need to prepare or change your diet in any way before the screening. Screening Results from the One-Hour Glucose Tets Your screening results should be available to you within a few days. Try not to stress during this waiting period, as the good news is that most women who ‘fail’ the screening test, don’t have gestational diabetes. A normal result for the one-hour screening is 140 mg/dL or lower. If the test is abnormal, you will need to return for a three-hour glucose challenge test. Note that it is a screening test and not a diagnosis. Three-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test Unlike the one-hour test, there are steps you need to take to prepare for the three-hour glucose tolerance test. This test is three hours long because your blood will be drawn three times every 60 minutes after you drink it. Preparing for the 3-Hour Test Fasting – You will need to fast 8-14 hours prior to the test. Only sips of water are allowed before the test. You will also not be allowed to eat during the test. Getting Your Blood Drawn – Before you drink the glucose drink, you will have your blood drawn to establish a baseline. Drinking Something Sweet – You will then be asked to drink a sweet drink that includes 100 grams of glucose. Your Results Your physician will go over your results with you but understand that if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it does not mean all will not turn out well for you and your baby. However, if you do have gestational diabetes, it’s vital to maintain regularly scheduled prenatal checkups. Your team of experts are well-trained in the field of obstetrics. Your care includes a collaboration of physicians, certified nurse midwives, physician associates, nurse practitioners and certified ultra-sonographers. We are here to help keep you and your baby healthy. Call us today at 770.720.7733 or schedule an appointment online.

You’ve made it to the third trimester! Your mind and body has been challenged, but you are strong and made to do this! During the third trimester, your baby continues to grow in size and weight. It’s almost time to meet your baby! How Long is the Third Trimester? The third trimester ranges from 28- 40 weeks, or until you give birth. Full term is considered 40 weeks. By the end of the trimester, your baby is about 20 inches long and weighs, on average, 7.5 pounds. Your prenatal appointments increase from monthly to every two weeks beginning at 28 weeks, and then weekly after 36 weeks. Baby Growth and Development A protective layer on your baby’s skin that helps prevent drying of the baby’s thin skin is called vernix caseosa. This begins to form early in the third trimester. Your baby will also be opening his or her eyes around 28 weeks. During the 30–34-week period, your baby has almost doubled its weight from the previous month. At 32 weeks, the baby is about 16 inches and almost 4 pounds, on average. From this point onwards, the baby’s weight will increase faster than its length. You will be able to listen to your baby’s heart rate (normal is 110-160 bpm) during your visits and may also have an ultrasound scheduled to measure fetal weight and make sure the baby is growing on track. As the lungs are still maturing, your baby begins to drop into the pelvic area, positioning itself head downward. By the end of the third trimester, your baby is about 19 to 21 inches long and weighs, on average, 6 to 9 pounds. In fact, your baby undergoes the most rapid gain in weight during the 36th week, gaining nearly half a pound a week until delivery. Other exciting developments throughout the final trimester includes: Changes to Your Body You may start to feel more uncomfortable now as you continue to gain weight and begin to experience Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labor contractions). Some women find difficulty in taking deep breathes or getting comfortable enough to sleep. At 28 weeks, your baby will be almost 15 inches long and weigh a little over 2 pounds. Your bladder is under pressure due to the pregnant uterus and the rapid increase in the baby’s size can attribute to bladder problems for you. You may often find it difficult to hold your urine. In fact, it’s quite common for women to experience urine leakage during pregnancy. Urinary tract infections can also occur, so it’s important to stay well hydrated with water and avoid caffeine, carbonated or artificial drinks. Kegel exercises can be helpful too. Your estrogen levels will peak around 32 weeks. Due to this, you might notice some swelling around your ankles and feet, as estrogen is indirectly involved in making a pregnancy hormone related to salt and water retention. Similar to estrogen, your progesterone levels will peak around 32 weeks. This may cause some women to experience constipation. Keys to a Successful 3rd Trimester Last Month Pregnancy Concerns One of the most common concerns in the last month of pregnancy is identifying labor symptoms and when to call your OB or hospital. One simple rule is 5-1-1. If you have painful contractions every 5 minutes that last 1 minute for 1 hour, it is likely you are in labor. Other reasons to call are de­creased fetal movement and any bleeding or leaking fluid. Don’t worry, false alarms are common and nothing to be embarrassed about since not even the clinical team can predict labor. As always, we are here to help you navigate through your pregnancy journey. Call us at 770.720.7733 with any questions or concerns or schedule an appointment online. Learn what to expect in your 1st trimester and 2nd trimester.

The second trimester marks the beginning of your baby’s journey, as well as using those organs that formed in the first trimester. Very exciting! Women also tend to feel more energized and not as nauseous. You’ll most likely become visibly pregnant instead of just appearing bloated, but not so heavy that moving around is difficult. How Long Is the Second Trimester? Once you’ve reached the second trimester, you’re now in the middle part of your pregnancy and it lasts from weeks 13 to 26. Baby Growth and Development The brain develops quickly and begins to take over functions such as fetal movements, breathing, suckling and sensory sensations such as sound, taste and smell by the end of the second trimester. The uterus grows at a rapid pace, as does the placenta to keep up with your growing baby’s needs. By around week 19 — or sooner for some women — you may feel movement from the baby moving freely within the amniotic sac in your uterus. Women explain the movements as a faint tickling or a flutter. During the second trimester, your baby might start to suck their thumb and by week 20 your baby can hear sounds, including your heartbeat. How cool is that?! Around week 26, your baby is approximately 11 inches long and 1.5 pounds. Your baby’s sensitivity to hearing is increased. You may notice the baby’s movements increase when you or your partner are playing music or talking to him or her. Body Changes During your second trimester, your appetite improves and you begin to regain some energy. The breast tenderness and morning sickness wane. As your uterus grows, you may feel discomfort or pains as uterine ligaments stretch. Your skin also stretches so it’s around this time that stretch marks may appear around your belly and your breasts. While your baby weighs less than a kilo, your blood volume will continue to increase. This increase helps meet the demands of the growing baby inside of you, resulting in some additional weight gain. Keys to a Successful 2nd Trimester Learn what to expect in your 1st trimester and 3rd trimester.

You’re in your first trimester — what an exciting time! Your body will go through many changes but don’t worry, we’ll explain everything to you in this 3-part series, from the first trimester through delivery. A “normal”, full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks and can range from 37 to 42 weeks. These stages are divided into three trimesters, each lasting about three months. The First Trimester – What is it and How Long Does it Last? The first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts the first three months. This stage is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. While you may not be showing much on the outside, your body is doing miraculous things and your body and the fetus is changing rapidly. During the first trimester, your major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming. Weeks 3-10 is known as the organogenesis process. This is also when the fetus is most susceptible to damage from substances like alcohol, drugs and certain medicines, as well as illnesses such as rubella, also known as German measles. Fetus Growth and Development Even though you can’t see major changes on the outside, your baby is experiencing huge milestones in the first trimester. In fact, the fetus develops from a single fertilized cell (zygote) to a lemon-sized fetus of growing limbs and organs. The neural tube that is forming his or her spinal cord and brain is in place and by week 8, the brain will start moving those tiny, developing limbs. Other first trimester development milestones include: The End of Your First Trimester Around 12 weeks, nearly the end of your first trimester, your baby is about three inches long and weighs nearly an ounce. The head is much larger than the body and the brain and spinal cord are developing rapidly. Sex organs are forming, and while it is still too early to see the gender on the ultrasound, a genetic test can be ordered during this time, which can include the sex chromosomes. Your baby is now able to open and close his or her mouth and even make a fist. The baby is moving freely in the amniotic sac, although you can’t feel the kicks just yet. First Trimester Changes to Your Body It’s common for women to experience nausea during the first trimester. And while it’s most commonly known as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day. Every pregnancy is different. Some women have food cravings, others experience food aversions, while yet others may have no change in appetite at all. Physical Changes include larger, heavier and tender breasts. The uterus is also expanding which puts pressure on your bladder, resulting in having to urinate more often. Emotional Changes Emotions are in full swing during the first months of pregnancy. Hormone changes may make you feel irritable or moody, and tiredness is also very common in the early months. Know that these feelings, while new to you, are completely normal. However, if you are feeling extremely anxious or down, please speak with your physician or midwife. We are here for you! Learn what to expect during your 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester.