Claudia Booker of Birthing Hands DC will speak live on the WPFW radio show "On Parenting" the third Monday of every month at 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Tune in to WPFW in the Washington, DC, metro area at 89.3 FM.

Visit www.wpfw.org for more information.

05-19-08 Topic: Pregnancy © 2008 BirthingHands of DC

Hi,

My name is Claudia Booker, of Birthing Hands DC.

You’re pregnant! Congratulations!! Whether after months or years of trying or for those of you who hit the mark on the first try, you’re about to embark upon a marvelous and memorable journey.

But first let me offer a few pointers. Covering each of the trimesters to help you better understand fetal development, how your body is changing, why it’s changing and what to expect.

Let’s begin with your first trimester. That’s the first 3 months of your pregnancy.
What’s most important?

At first you have noticed changes in your hormone level that may cause changes in n your skin and body, emotional and mood swings such as disbelief, excitement, and apprehension all at the same time; nausea and morning sickness which are often caused by not eating often enough.

• Continue to take care of your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
• Eat and drink healthy foods. Increase your intake of calcium, protein, iron and water. Carry small snacks of dried fruit and healthy trail mix with you. Healthy being the operative word, and not M &Ms, French fries, or peanut butter chocolate chips, but more fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise! You can walk, swim, practice yoga, and belly dance! Be sure to rest when necessary.
• Check your health insurance. There may be restrictions on the birthing sites they over.
• Find prenatal care provider that you trust and like.
• Interview more than one care provider.
• Choose the care provider that best suits your view of pregnancy, labor and birth, and who will support your birth preferences as long as they are reasonable and safe.
• Ask questions. You are a consumer, so be an informed one.
• Attend all your prenatal visits.
• Make sure to visit the dentist. Good oral hygiene is a must! Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush after every meal and snack and floss at least once a day.
• Find social service agencies that offer services for expectant moms like local WIC programs.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages, smoke cigarettes, or take drugs during pregnancy as these can directly harm your growing baby.

During your second trimester, the baby is doing her best to get ready to meet you and the outside world. And how remarkably fast your baby is growing! You will now notice that you are gaining weight gain and that your clothes do not fit. Your sleeping patterns may change and your appetite may have returned now that nausea has decreased.

Watch your diet and calorie intake, you may be eating for two but you are not eating twice as much – in fact you should increase the number of daily calories by only about 500 calories, so choose these extra calories wisely. Five small meals a day will make you feel more comfortable and keep help you maintain a steady energy level.

As for the baby:

• Eyebrows, fingernails, and major organs have formed by the 15th week. Some internal organs, like the heart and kidneys are still developing.
• By the end of this 2nd trimester, your baby is between 11 and 14 inches long and weighs about 2 to 2½ pounds.
• She can swallow and hear and you begin to notice periods of activity and quiet as your baby moves, kicks, sleeps and wakes.
• Get a glimpse of your baby, or even see her move around on a screen when your care provider recommends an ultrasound. The equipment used for the ultrasound not only lets you see your baby, but more importantly, it lets your care provider check for multiple babies, movement and heartbeat, assess your baby’s growth, positioning in the womb, and for any major physical abnormalities.

Be sure to:

• Treat yourself nicely. Your baby feels what you feel.
• Love, honor and cherish this special time you and your baby have together.

During your third trimester; this is a busy time for you as well as your baby. After the 30th week your baby has already grown to great proportions and now it is time for the final details. The baby will have all of her bones, growing hair, and is building fat stores and muscle mass.

As a reminder, it is imperative to eat healthy and nutritious food. The point is not to stuff yourself, but rather to continue to get a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and protein.
By the end of this trimester your baby will weigh an average of 7 pounds and stretch about 18 inches long. Her brain and lungs mature right up to birth so have patience in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Each day in the womb helps prepare the baby for life on the outside!

By the beginning of this trimester:

• Select the place you want to have your baby – you have the option of choosing a hospital or out of hospital birth. Visit and interview the staff to find out where you will be most comfortable and supported.
• Choose your labor support team. Select people who support your vision and goals for your birth.
• Consider hiring a doula to bring you support, nurturing, information and non-medical comfort during your third trimester, birth, and postpartum period.
• Attend childbirth class - select one that reinforces your vision and plans for birth. Some are free and others require a fee. A doula can be very helpful with these birthing decisions.
• Develop a birth preference plan. Where do you want to give birth? Do you want a medicated or un-medicated birth? Discuss the birth preference plan with your partner, caregiver, and doula and share it with the care provider’s staff.
• Prepare a clean, quiet, comfortable and private place for the final trimester. As often as possible, practice meditation and breathing exercises to help you focus and center yourself.
• Organize your living space. Remember….you soon will have a new family member!
• Celebrate your upcoming birth - Have a Blessing way!!

Take time to enjoy, savor and remember this most wonderful time of your life.

Next month’s topic is “Birth.”