Skincare during Pregnancy

Mom-to-be are always associated with a glow or a radiance that reflects their inner happiness. And cinema/literature has done its bit to reinforce this myth. While the feeling of nurturing a life within oneself is beautiful indeed, it hardly translates into beautiful skin. At least there is no medical evidence of such a thing. A few women do get lucky but for those who are not, help is at hand.

The hormones that sustain pregnancy are known to wreck havoc on the skin. Quite a few women suffer from pigmentation, dry flakes, redness and itchy skin on the face, belly, chest and in some cases also the legs. One of the most dreaded problems is the 'mask of pregnancy' or 'Chloasma'. This is a condition characterized by dark patches of skin on the forehead, cheeks, chin and cheeks, which gives the illusion of a mask.

Though I was lucky to have sailed through mine without any major problems( apart from some dryness and itching ), I had followed a skincare routine from the early weeks. And remember, no skincare routine helps if not adequately supplemented with a healthy diet. Some tips to take care of skin during pregnancy:

1. Eat foods rich in folic acid as its deficiency is known to cause skin darkening.

2. Avoid the sun and in case you need to step out, do not forget to apply sunscreen ( SPF 35 or more if you are in India ).

3. If you find any changes in your skin, consult a doctor. Early intervention helps in most of the cases.

4. Acne around the mouth is quite common during pregnancy. If you have previously suffered from acne and had been using any medication, refrain from reaching out for the same. Avoid oral medication and rely only on topical applications that are deemed safe during pregnancy.

5. Some ingredients to be avoided are : Salicyclic acid, retinol, pthalates, hydroquinone, soy, oil of bergamot, lethicin, tretinoin. ( Women who use makeup/anti-aging creams need to be extra cautious as these are the active ingredients in quite a few cosmetics. Do have your doctor review the ingredients list. )

6. Some safe ingredients are : AHAs, glycolic acid and erythromycin ( topical application for acne ).

7. Drink lots of fluid to keep your skin hydrated and apply a heavy moisturizer/body butter all over ( especially after a shower when skin is still moist ) twice a day.

DISCLAIMER: The ingredients listed are for general reference. Get a go-ahead from your doctor before trying out any medication.

Pregnancy Amnesia - Myth or Reality ???

Ok....so you woke up to the realization that it has been two days since you missed the deadline for an important project. Or maybe you forgot to take that status call on Friday. How about the time when you left the tap running / keys hanging on the door / or almost burnt down the kitchen when you forgot to switch of the stove ? Sounds unsettling yet familiar. Rest assured you are in august company. Quite a few pregnant women suffer from a mild form of memory loss or short-term amnesia.

While tests have shown that pregnant women perform poorly at tasks that involve short-term memory as compared to their non-pregnant counterparts, their long term memory remains intact ( Another reason to cry wolf when those corporate houses ask women to take a pay cut after a child-rearing break ). The exact reason for such memory loss/forgetfulness in not known. But with a lot of theories being floated, I would love to share a few that sound credible.

Some state that maybe it is Mother Nature's way of ensuring that the women's primary focus remains the baby and hence the brain is designed to cut out clutter ( or noise as say it in Wave theory ). Others blame it on the rush of those baby-making hormones in the bloodstream that have been cooking up the brain and turning it to mush.

Another theory abounds that it is the social conditioning that lead such women to associate any lapses of memory with a baby-brain. Women who have long being hearing about pregnancy amnesia might start co-relating any minor incidents with the condition and trick themselves into thinking that they might be suffering from the same.

But the most plausible one seems to be that the stress, lack of sleep, heartburn and other physical ailments along with the changed priorities affects one's cognitive skills. Now it is well known that stress/sleep disorders can cause a loss in the cognitive abilities of perfectly healthy individuals. So rest assured your little bouts of forgetfulness are perfectly normal.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes is the condition in which pregnant women with no previous history of diabetes are diagnosed with very high blood glucose levels. While studies have pointed out that unusually high levels of pregnancy hormones lead to low insulin sensitivity in such women, one can do much to avoid/keep this condition under control. With no outward symptoms, this is usually diagnosed during a routine blood sugar test in the 24-28th week of pregnancy.

Factors which may dispose one towards developing such a condition are :

1. Late pregnancy (after 35 years)
2. Women with a BMI of 30 or more.
3. Gaining too much weight especially in the first trimester
4. Women with a family history of diabetes.
5. Women with a history of PCOD.

In such cases the doctor may prescribe a screening test at the early stage of pregnancy.

While gestational diabetes leads to large babies with birth/labor complications and associated risks like low B.P. and jaundice, left untreated it can even lead to stillbirths. It also increases the risk of pre-eclampsia and caesarean delivery. Most women with untreated gestational diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes at a later stage and also predispose their offspring to the same condition.

Thankfully it is a treatable condition and one needs to modify one's diet along with regular exercise and medication (insulin) to reduce the risks to the fetus. A low GI diet which ensures that blood sugar is maintained at normal levels without any drastic fluctuations is best suited for such women. Increase in fiber intake also helps. Self-monitoring of sugar levels with a DIY sugar test available in the market is also beneficial.

Safe Sleep Positions - A Pregnancy Must-Know

During pregnancy most women experience diminishing sleep or irregular sleep patterns. Factors that contribute to this are :

1. Increasing size of the abdomen
2. Backache
3. Acid reflux
4. Breathlessnes
5. Frequent need for urination
6. Fetal movements (especially the 3rd trimester onwards)

While the last one is beyond one's control, we can regulate the remaining factors by practicing correct sleeping positions. Most doctors agree that the best position for a pregnant women is the Sleep-On-Side position (especially on the left side).This takes off any pressure on the major blood vessels like the aorta and inferior vene cava caused by the increasing weight of the abdomen.To make things more comfortable, one is advised to slightly bend the legs and rest a pillow between them.

If suffering from acid reflux, it is advisable to raise the upper body by placing a few pillows beneath the torso. Ditto for breathing problems. Similarly, to alleviate backache one must place another pillow beneath the abdomen so that it does not exert pressure on the back muscles.

It goes without saying that sleeping on the back or on the stomach is a no-no during pregnancy. While it can get uncomfortable lying down on the stomach especially after a few weeks of pregnancy, lying down on the back can be downright harmful. It reduces blood circulation and diminish the amount of nutrients that reach the baby. This position also reduces the efficiency of the kidneys which results in swelling of the hands, feet and ankles ( due to the accumulation of fluids ). For some expectant women, this position also leads to dizziness or even snoring (Uggh...sounds mortifying but take heart, it disappears after baby is born).

However Mother nature has her own means of taking care of the baby. Which means that it gets up and kicking (Real hard....you have to experience this to believe) before any harm can be done. Though Nature has this defense system in place, the Sleep-On-Side position should be practiced from the early months of pregnancy.

Some simple tips to get better sleep :

1. Take a warm water bath just before getting into bed.
2. Avoid too many fluids as it increases to need to visit the bathroom.
3. Listen to some soothing music and take care to keep those gadgets out of reach.
4. Indulge in some soothing back/feet massage (courtesy your partner).
5. Read a nice book (something soothing like Danielle Steele not those edgy thriller types).

Pop that Pill - Ca & Fe Supplements for a healthy baby

Most doctors prescribe Calcium and Iron supplements from the 2nd trimester onwards. These supplements are required for the well-being of the rapidly developing fetus and the mother. One must regularly take these pills as recommended by the doctor.

The volume of blood increases by almost 50 percent in a pregnant woman as she needs to nourish the baby in her womb. This increases the need for hemoglobin and consequently iron which is essential for the production of the former. Pregnant women are prone to developing anemia as their iron requirements may not be met through food. This is especially true for vegan and vegetarian women. As compared to non-vegetarian sources, iron from vegetarian sources is much more difficult to absorb. Hence doctors prescribe an iron supplement even though one has good eating habits.

As Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron, it is advised to have lime juice/orange juice along with one's iron supplement.

The baby's skeletal development is much rapid during the 2nd and 3rd trimester. Nature meets this requirement from the mother's calcium intake, bypassing her own body's need for calcium. Therefore pregnant women are advised to take calcium so that they do not suffer from osteoporosis at a later stage. Also adequate calcium consumption helps prevent women from developing preeclampsia. Most doctors prescribe a Calcium and vitamin D supplement which is vital for the former's assimilation by the body.

Foods rich in calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, kidney beans, dried peas and beans. While sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, it also occurs in eggs, fish and fortified milk. Along with these, one should take a calcium supplement regularly. Infact the body needs calcium even after the baby is born. Women should continue their calcium supplements for as long as they are breastfeeding.

Take care to avoid taking calcium with you iron supplements as they both interfere with each other's absorption.

Usually doctors recommend a calcium supplement with lunch and an iron supplement post dinner. But they can be reversed if the iron at dinner is causing acid reflux.

Planning a Baby-Moon - Time It Right

With the Duchess of Cambridge being the latest celebrity to endorse/popularize this trend, it is little wonder that every expecting couple wants to take a Baby-moon or that last vacation as a twosome before the baby is born. While the prefect timing for this is somewhere in the second trimester, when Morning Sickness has finally got over (What a relief!!) and the risk of going into labor is practically nil, one needs to get the green signal from a doctor.

Travel by train would be the safest way to travel when one is pregnant. While it can get bumpy in the car or plane ( turbulence when one hits those low-pressure air pockets ) and make one feel like puking, trains are the most comfortable. I have personally traveled both by train and flight when I was 5 months pregnant, I felt the train journey to be more comfortable. Moreover most airlines impose restrictions on flying pregnant women once they are into the 36th week of pregnancy or more.

Following points need to be taken care of when travelling -

1. Remember to wear a seat belt when driving/travelling by a car. Wear the belt low over the hips or over the upper part of the body (between the breasts). Never wear the belt over the belly.

2. Take any vaccines if travelling to a foreign country. (Check the healthy/travel advisory issued)

3. If travelling by flight, wear special socks to be circulation going. Take an aisle seat if possible, drink up sufficient fluids, take a walk whenever possible and go to the washroom whenever nature calls (This is important).

4. Keep away from adventure sports. If taking a vacation meant high adrenalin activities, plan to travel to someplace where you can just sit back and relax.

5. Locate the nearest doctor/hospital from the place you will be putting up at. Also keep your medical records/file on hand.

6. Take any medication you will be needing (especially pills for nausea if you have been prone to it).

Weight Gain - Is Eating for Two the Real Culprit ?

Weight gain during pregnancy is nature's way of providing nourishment for the growing fetus and its future requirement (breast milk). Most healthy women gain around 10-12 kgs or 25-30 pounds throughout the pregnancy. Apart from the baby's weight, this weight is shared by the placenta, amniotic fluid, bodily fluids of the mother, enlarged uterus, breasts and fat storage for breast feeding.

Most important part about the weight gain is that it must be gradual and derived from healthy eating. Weight gained from snacking on sweetened beverages, desserts and oily food will only add to the pregnancy woes and complicate labor. Too much weight gain can lead to pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, both of them being harmful for the baby. Studies have shown that babies born to overweight mothers have a greater chance of growing obese or overweight as adults. Also, this kind of weight will be difficult to shed post delivery. As for me, I had gained a little more than 10 kgs during my pregnancy and it took me one year to shed it in the normal process (light housework and breastfeeding).

On the other hand, too little weight gain may stunt the baby's developement as it would not be receiving the necessary nutrients for its growth. It some cases this may also result in pre-term labor or premature birth (delivery before 36 weeks of gestation) which can be life-threatning as such babies usually have an under-developed respiratory system.

Going by calorie requirements, pregnant women hardly need any extra calories during the first trimester. From the second trimester, an extra 300-350 calories per day is sufficient to gain around 1 pound per week or a more than 1.5 kg per month. This amounts to a extra serving of fruit, or an extra sandwich/cheese slice or even a glass of milk.

As the baby grows bigger by the last trimester, the calories consumed should be increased to around 350-400 per day. Again this can be derived from a extra portion of grilled chicken/cheese slice or even an extra serving of fish ( proteins being the main requirement at this stage ).