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Healthy Pregnancy Series

The 1st Trimester Stage of Pregnancy

Changes in Your Body

During the first 3 months of pregnancy, or the first trimester, your body is undergoing many changes. As your body adjusts to the growing baby, you may have nausea(恶心), fatigue(疲劳), backaches(背痛), mood swings(心绪不宁), and stress(紧张). Just remember that these things are normal during pregnancy, as your body changes. Most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy progresses. And some women might not have any discomforts! If you have been pregnant before, you might feel differently with this pregnancy. Just as each woman is different, so is each pregnancy. And, as your body changes, you might need to make changes to your normal, everyday routine. Here are some of the most common changes or symptoms you might experience in your first trimester:

Tiredness(疲劳)

During your pregnancy, you might feel tired even when you've had a lot of sleep at night. Many women find they're exhausted(非常疲倦) in the first trimester. Don't worry, this is normal! This is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest. After all, your body is working very hard to develop a whole new life. Tiredness will pass over time and be replaced with a feeling of well being and more energy. When you are tired, get some rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep every night, and a nap during the day if you can. If you feel stressed, try to find a way to relax. You might want to start sleeping on your left side, if you find it more comfortable. This will relieve pressure on major blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus(胎儿). If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, it is even more important to be on your left side when you are lying down.

Nausea(恶心) and Vomiting(呕吐)

Usually called "morning sickness(晨吐)," nausea and vomiting are common during early pregnancy. For many women, though, it isn't limited to just the morning. Although it can seem like it will last forever, nausea and vomiting usually go away after the first trimester. Try some of these tips to help your nausea:

Eat frequent, small meals (6 to 8 small meals a day, rather than 3 large meals).

Avoid fatty, fried, or spicy foods.
Try starchy(含淀粉的) foods, like toast, saltines, cheerios, or other dry cereals. Keep some by your bed and eat them before you get out of bed in the morning and when you get up in the middle of the night. Also keep some with you at all times, in case you feel nauseous.
Try drinking carbonated drinks like ginger ale or seltzer in between meals.
Ask your health care provider if you should stop taking your prenatal vitamin for a while if it adds to your morning sickness.
Ask your health care provider if you should take vitamin B6 treatments for severe nausea and vomiting that doesn't get better with the dietary changes listed above.
If you are vomiting a lot, you might want to call your health care provider to make sure you don't get dehydrated (lose too much fluid in your body,脱水). When the nausea and vomiting begins to go away, try to resume a healthy eating plan, and take your prenatal vitamins.

Frequency of Urination(小便)

Running to the bathroom all the time? Frequent urination is common during pregnancy. Early in pregnancy, the growing uterus(子宫) presses on your bladder(膀胱). If you notice pain, burning, pus(脓) or blood in your urine(尿) see your health care provider right away. You might have a urinary tract(尿道) infection that needs treatment.

Constipation(便秘)

As your uterus begins to expand, you might notice you're constipated. To prevent constipation, try to eat fresh or dried fruit, raw vegetables, and whole grain cereals or breads everyday. Also, try to drink eight to ten glasses of water everyday. Some of these servings can be substituted with fruit or vegetable juice. Try to avoid caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, colas, and some other sodas), since caffeine makes your body lose fluid and won't help with constipation.

Dizziness(头晕)

Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, and even fainting can occur at any stage of pregnancy, since there now is extra blood going down towards your uterus and legs. You can help relieve these symptoms by lying down on your left side. Or to help prevent them, try moving around more instead of sitting or standing in one position for a long time.

Varicose Veins(静脉曲张) and Hemorrhoids(痔疮)

During pregnancy, pressure on the large veins(静脉) behind the uterus causes the blood to slow in its return to the heart. This can lead to varicose veins in the legs and hemorrhoids (varicose veins in the vagina(阴道) or around the anus(肛门)). Varicose veins look like swollen(肿胀的) veins raised above the surface of the skin. They can be twisted or bulging, and are dark purple or blue in color. They are found most often on the backs of the calves(小腿肚) or on the inside of the leg, anywhere from the groin(腹股沟) to the ankle. You can try to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy by:

Avoiding tight knee-highs or garters.
Sitting with your legs and feet raised when possible. If you work at a desk, you can prop your feet up on a footstool, box or several books. Or when relaxing at home, keep your feet up on a footstool, some pillows on the couch, or another chair.

Leg Cramps(抽筋)

At different times during your pregnancy, you might have cramps in your legs or feet. This is due to a change in the way your body processes, or metabolizes, calcium(钙). One way to prevent these cramps is to make sure to get enough calcium through nonfat or lowfat milk, and calcium-rich foods. You also get some calcium in your prenatal vitamin, but you might need to take a calcium supplement if you don't get enough through your diet. Talk with your health care provider first about taking calcium supplements.

You can relieve leg and foot cramps by gently stretching the muscle. If you have a sudden leg cramp, flex your foot towards your body. If you point your foot to stretch your leg, the cramp could worsen. Wrapping a warm heating pad or warm, moist towel around the muscle also can help the muscle to relax.

Nosebleeds(流鼻血), Nasal Stuffiness(鼻塞), Bleeding Gums(牙龈出血)

These little discomforts are the result of hormonal(激素) effects on the tissues(组织) of your throat, mouth, and nose. They usually are not serious, and you might not even notice them. When you blow your nose, you might see a small amount of blood in the tissue. Blow gently, and stop a nosebleed by just squeezing your nose between your thumb and finger for a few minutes. See your health care provider, though, if you have nosebleeds that do not stop in a few minutes or happen often. Any nasal stuffiness that you have during pregnancy should not be extreme and can be helped by drinking extra water, or with using a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom. Talk with your health care provider before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medicines for colds or nasal stuffiness. You can help bleeding gums by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and flossing daily.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-8-31 at 11:22 PM ]

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Changes in Your Baby

By the end of this trimester, your baby is about three inches long and weighs about half an ounce. The eyes move closer together into their positions, and the ears also are in position. The liver(肝) is making bile(胆汁), and the kidneys(肾) are secreting(分泌) urine into the bladder. Even though you can't feel your baby move yet, your baby will move inside you in response to pushing on your abdomen.

Prenatal Care

Visits and Tests

During these special months of pregnancy, especially the early ones, visiting your health care provider is very important. Your provider will schedule you for regular check-ups throughout the next nine months to keep your baby healthy and avoid problems with delivery. Become a partner with your health care provider to manage your care. Keep all of your appointments - every one is important! Pregnancy typically lasts 40 weeks, counting from the first day of your last menstrual period(经期). The first trimester lasts 12 weeks, the second from 13 to the end of 27 weeks, and the third from 28 to 40 weeks. Your health care provider will refer to your pregnancy by the age of the fetus in weeks.

During the first prenatal visit, your health care provider will discuss important parts of your health history that may have some impact on your pregnancy. These include diseases, operations(手术), and other pregnancies. There also will be questions about your family's health history. You will have a complete physical exam, lab tests, and a Pap test. From now on, your blood pressure, urine, and weight will be checked at every visit. For special genetic(遗传的) or medical reasons, you may need other lab tests, like blood or urine tests, cultures(细菌培养) for infections, or ultrasound exams. Your health care provider will discuss them with you during your visits. Your health care provider also will figure out your expected delivery date and answer questions about any concerns you might have.

Caring For Yourself

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs

By taking good care of yourself during pregnancy, you're also nurturing the new life inside of you. Quit smoking if you smoke, since smoking during pregnancy passes nicotine and cancer-causing drugs to the fetus. Smoke also keeps your baby from getting needed nourishment while in your uterus, and raises the risk of fetal death(死胎) and premature birth (a low-birth weight baby born too early,早产). Quit drinking if you drink alcohol. The amount of alcohol needed to cause problems in your baby is not known. But, drinking every day, drinking large amounts of alcohol once in a while but not all the time, or drinking with when you are out with friends or at a party, all have been shown to have harmful effects. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any medications or drugs, since some can be harmful to your baby's development. Only take drugs or medicines prescribed or approved by your health care provider. You should never take illegal drugs like marijuana(大麻), cocaine, heroin, speed (amphetamines,安非他明), barbiturates(巴比妥盐), LSD(摇头丸), and others. Talk with your health care provider right away if you need help with quitting smoking or drinking, or a drug habit. You can also get help with alcohol and drugs by talking with a member of your faith community, a counselor, or a trusted friend.

Work

Many women continue working through pregnancy. Staying active might help you stay healthier. If you have a question about the safety of your particular job, talk with your health care provider.

Nutrition and Weight Gain

What you eat isn't only important for your own health anymore, but for the current and future health of your baby. Healthy foods are the building blocks for your growing baby since pregnancy is a complex time of developing new tissues and organs. Throughout pregnancy, try to make most of your food choices healthy ones. Eating junk food during pregnancy leads to too much weight gain without meeting your increased need for nutrients.

Folic acid(叶酸): Folic acid is the most vital nutrient pregnant women need. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube(神经管) defects (defects of the spine(脊柱), brain, or their coverings) and other birth defects like cleft lip(唇裂) and congenital heart disease(先天性心脏病). By making sure you consume at least .4 milligrams (mg) of folic acid every day before getting pregnant and during the first three months of pregnancy, you can help reduce the risk of these defects. Folic acid is found in dark-green leafy vegetables (like spinach or kale), beans and citrus fruits, and in fortified cereals and bread. But to make sure you consume enough folic acid, it is best to take a daily vitamin that contains it. At your first prenatal visit, your health care provider will talk with you about taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid and iron.

Iron: Iron is needed to fuel hemoglobin (a type of protein in red blood cells that helps take oxygen to body tissues for energy and growth,血色素) production for you and your baby. Iron also helps build bones and teeth. A shortage of iron can cause a condition called anemia(贫血). Most women do not have symptoms of anemia, but some might have extreme fatigue. Your health care provider can check for signs of anemia through the routine blood tests that are taken in different stages of your pregnancy. If you have anemia, your health care provider will give you iron supplements to take once or twice a day. You can help prevent anemia by eating more iron-rich foods like potatoes, raisins, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, whole-grain breads and iron-fortified cereals.

Key Food Groups: Always remember that you are eating to nourish your baby, and choose a variety of foods from the daily Food Guide Pyramid. Also, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should have at least three servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese to meet their calcium needs. They should also eat more breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables, and meat and meat alternatives - up to a total of 2,200 or 2,800 calories. Try to have three meals every day, or six smaller meals if you have problems with nausea or heartburn.

Protein-rich foods build muscle, tissue, enzymes(酶), hormones and antibodies for you and your baby. They also have B vitamins and iron, which is important for your red blood cells.

Carbohydrates (breads and cereals) give you energy, iron, B vitamins, some protein, and other minerals. Try to eat whole grains (like whole wheat bread) because they have more vitamins and fiber.

Milk and other dairy products have calcium, which you and your baby need for strong bones and teeth. Milk and diary products also have vitamin A and D, protein, and B vitamins. Vitamin A helps growth, resistance to infection, and vision. Pregnant women need 1200 to 1500 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day. Try to have nonfat milk and milk products to lower your fat intake. Other sources of calcium include dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans and peas, nuts and seeds, salmon and sardines (with bones), and tofu.

Fruits and vegetables with vitamin C help you and your baby to have healthy gums and other tissues, and help your body to heal wounds and to absorb iron. Examples of fruits and vegetables with vitamin C include strawberries, melons, oranges, papaya, tomatoes, peppers, greens, cabbage, and broccoli. A variety of fruits and vegetables also add fiber and other minerals to your diet, and give you energy. Plus, dark green vegetables also have vitamin A, iron, and folic acid.

Water: Water plays a key role in your diet during pregnancy. It carries the nutrients from the foods you eat to your baby, and also helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, excessive swelling, and urinary tract or bladder infections. Most importantly, drinking enough water, especially in your last trimester, prevents you from becoming dehydrated which can then lead you to have contractions and premature, or early labor. Pregnant women should drink at least six to eight ounce glasses of water per day, and another glass for each hour of activity. You can drink juices for fluid, but they also have a lot of calories and can cause you to gain extra weight. Coffee, soft drinks, and teas that have caffeine actually reduce the amount of fluid in your body, so they cannot count towards the total amount of fluid you need.

Weight gain: Weight gain during your pregnancy depends on your height and how much you weighed before you became pregnant. All weight gain during pregnancy should be gradual, with most of the weight gained in the last trimester.

During the first trimester, it is normal to gain only a small amount of weight, about one pound per month. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): if you were underweight before becoming pregnant, you should gain between 28 and 40 pounds; if you were overweight, between 15 and 25 pounds. Recent research shows that women who gain more than the recommended amount during pregnancy and who fail to lose this weight within six months after giving birth are at much higher risk of being obese nearly 10 years later. Check with your health care provider to find out how much weight gain during pregnancy is healthy for you.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-8-31 at 11:39 PM ]

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Exercise

If you have no medical problems with your pregnancy, regular physical activity (30 minutes per day, most days of the week), can help you have a more comfortable pregnancy and labor. It also helps to lower your risk for having pregnancy problems like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. And you will have an easier time getting back into a healthy body shape and weight after the birth. Normal, low-impact activities, like walking and swimming, that don't involve a lot of bouncing, stretching your muscles to their greatest extent, or deeply bending your joints, are good for you. Because your connective tissues stretch much more easily during pregnancy, high impact or high resistance exercises that involve a lot of bouncing and extreme muscle stretching can increase your risk of joint injury. If you haven't exercised regularly before becoming pregnant, you can still begin an exercise program. Just start slowly and progress gradually. Talk with your health care provider first about what types of exercise or activities are best for you.

One type of exercise that can help your muscles prepare for delivery(分娩), help support your uterus during pregnancy, and help you to control your urine are pelvic floor(骨盆底) exercises (also called Kegel exercises). Pelvic muscles are the same ones you use to stop and start your flow of urine. You can do this exercise standing, sitting, or lying down. To do this exercise: tighten the pelvic floor muscles for five seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times. You can also talk with your health care provider about how to do this exercise.

Bathing

Both baths and showers are fine to take during pregnancy, but very hot baths, hot tubs, and saunas can be harmful to the fetus, or cause you to faint. You also might want to avoid taking frequent bubble baths or baths with perfumed products that might irritate your vaginal(阴道的) area, and increase your risk of a urinary tract infection or yeast(酵母菌) infection. Do not use douches, even vinegar-based douches, without first talking with your health care provider. Although vaginal discharge tends to be heavier during pregnancy, you should see your health care provider if you have vaginal itching, burning or a heavy discharge. You could have a urinary tract infection, yeast infection, viral or bacterial infection that needs treatment.

Caring for Your Mouth and Teeth

A pregnant woman's teeth and gums need special care. We know that pregnant women with gum disease problems are much more likely to have premature babies with low-birth weight. This may result from the transfer of bacterial microbes in the mother's mouth to the baby during the third trimester of pregnancy. The microbes can reach the baby through the placenta (a temporary organ joining the mother and fetus which supplies the fetus with blood and nutrients,胎盘), through the amniotic fluid (fluid around the fetus,羊水), and through the layer of tissues in the mother's stomach.

Every expectant mother should have a complete oral exam prior to or very early in pregnancy. All needed dental work should be managed early, because having urgent treatment during pregnancy, while possible, can present risks. Interventions can be started to control risks for gum inflammation and disease. This also is the best time to change habits that may affect the health of teeth and gums, and the health of the baby. Remember to tell your dentist that you are pregnant! Brush with a soft toothbrush and floss gently at least twice a day.

Sexual Relations

It is fine to have sexual intercourse throughout your pregnancy unless your health care provider tells you not to. Some women who have had miscarriages(流产) have to avoid sexual intercourse during the first three months. You should contact your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms during sexual intercourse:

Pain in the vagina or abdomen
Bleeding from the vagina
Leaking of water (amniotic fluid) from the vagina

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-8-31 at 11:45 PM ]

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The 2nd Trimester Stage of Pregnancy

Changes in Your Body

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy to be easier than the first trimester, but it is important to stay informed about your pregnancy in this stage too. While you might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away, you will see other new, more noticeable changes to your body. Your abdomen will expand as you gain weight and the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move! Many of the other symptoms you had in the first trimester might also continue, like constipation or leg cramps, so it is important to keep doing all of the healthy things you have already learned to help prevent or treat those symptoms. Here are some things you might experience during this trimester:

Aches and Pains(周身不适)

As your uterus and abdomen expands, you might feel pains in your abdomen, groin area, or thighs. You also can feel backaches or aching near your pelvic bone from the pressure of the baby's head, your increased weight, and the loosening joints in these areas. Lying down, resting, or applying heat can help resolve some of these aches and pains. If pains do not get better after rest, it is best to call your health care provider.

Shortness of Breath

As your baby gets bigger inside your body, there will be increased pressure on all of your organs, including your lungs. You might begin to notice that you are short of breath or might not be able to catch your breath. Try taking deep, long breaths and try to maintain good posture so your lungs have room to expand. You might be able to breathe more freely at night by using an extra pillow or by sleeping on your side.

If you sleep on your left side, you will relieve pressure on major blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. If you have high blood pressure, it is even more important to be on your left side when you are lying down.

Stretch Marks(妊娠纹) and Other Skin Changes

You might have heard stories from family members or friends about the dreaded stretch marks from pregnancy. Stretch marks are red, pink, or purple streaks in the skin, usually over the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and breasts. They are scars caused by the stretching of the skin, and usually appear in the second half of pregnancy. Only about half of all pregnant women get stretch marks though. They can start out as pink, reddish brown, or dark brown streaks, depending on your skin color. While creams and lotions can keep your skin well moisturized, they do not prevent stretch marks from forming. Most stretch marks fade after delivery to very light lines.

Besides stretch marks, you might notice other skin changes in the second half of your pregnancy. You might notice that your nipples are darker than before becoming pregnant, or that you have a dark line on your skin that runs down your abdomen from your belly button to your pubic hairline, called the linea nigra. You also might have blotchy brown pigmentations(黑斑) on your forehead, nose or cheeks. These skin changes are called melasma or chloasma(黄褐斑). They are more common in darker-skinned women. These skin changes are caused by pregnancy hormones, and most of them will also fade or disappear after delivery.

Tingling(刺痛) and Itching(瘙痒)

Tingling and numbness of the fingers and a feeling of swelling in the hands are common during pregnancy. These symptoms are due to swelling of tissues in the narrow passages in your wrists, and they should disappear after you deliver your baby. It also is common to feel itchy as your pregnancy progresses. Pregnancy hormones and your stretching skin, especially over your abdomen, probably are to blame for most of your discomfort. About 20 percent of all pregnant women have some kind of itching. And many pregnant women also get red and itchy palms(手掌) and soles(脚底) of their feet. Only in rare cases do pregnant women develop a condition called cholestasis(胆汁淤积) of pregnancy, which is itching along with nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice(黄疸) and fatigue. This condition is a sign of a serious liver problem. In general, itching most often goes away after delivery. In the meantime, you can relieve itching with moisturizers. You can also use only gentle soaps, and avoid hot showers or baths that can dry your skin. Try not to get over-heated since heat rash can make the itching worse.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-8-31 at 11:53 PM ]

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Changes in Your Baby

By the 26th week, your baby will weigh about 1 ?pounds and be about 13 inches long. With this growth comes the development of your baby's features, including fingers, toes, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Around the fifth month, you might feel your baby move! By the end of this trimester, all of your baby's essential organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys are formed.

Prenatal Care

Visits and Tests

During the second trimester, your health care provider will be able to hear your baby's heartbeat, see the baby's development and determine the baby's age. You might be given several kinds of tests at this time, including an ultrasound, which allows the health care provider to see your baby and maybe even determine your baby's sex. Other testing, such as the triple screen and amniocentesis, can determine if the baby is healthy or if you are at risk for any complications and need to be more closely watched.

The triple screen is a blood test that helps find out your risk of birth defects. It measures blood levels of these substances: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (made by the liner of the fetus, 甲胎蛋白), and two pregnancy hormones, estriol(雌三醇) and human gonadotropin(促性腺激素).

Amniocentesis(羊水检测) is a test for genetic birth defects and other problems, like Down Syndrome. It involves your health care provider inserting a thin needle through your abdomen to take out a small amount amniotic fluid for testing.

Remember for all of your health care visits to make sure to tell your health care provider of any problems you're having or changes you've noticed.

When to Call Your Health Care Provider

Now is a good time to learn the signs of pre-term or premature labor. Premature labor occurs when a woman has labor before she reaches the 37th week of pregnancy, or three weeks before her due date. If you and your health care provider see any symptoms of pre-term labor early, there is a better chance of stopping it. If symptoms are not treated, they can progress to repeated contractions that might cause the cervix(子宫颈) to dilate (open) and cause an early birth of the baby. Premature babies need intensive care in the hospital after birth to help with their breathing, feeding, and regulation of body temperature.

Any woman can have pre-term labor, but some women have a higher risk because of problems with the uterus or placenta, or because of having had a pre-term birth with another pregnancy. Don't forget to drink plenty of water to keep from becoming dehydrated, especially in warm weather, since dehydration can cause pre-term labor.

Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of pre-term labor:

Contractions(宫缩) You may or may not have pain, but your abdomen or stomach will get very hard (a feeling like it is tightening) and then relax, on and off.

Menstrual-like(痛经样) cramping  You may or may not be uncomfortable with these cramps, but they feel like the cramps you can get before or when you start your menstrual period.

Gas- type pains  Feels like sharp pains in your stomach, or like a stomach virus. You also can have diarrhea(腹泻) or nausea.

Low pelvic pressure Feels like the baby is putting a lot of heavy pressure down very low inside.

Low backache  Can be a strong or a dull ache.

Blood from your vagina Can be either light spotting or more blood like during a menstrual period. Blood can be red or brown in color.

Increased discharge from your vagina  Much more discharge than what you are used to during your pregnancy. Can even be a sudden gush of a lot of water, or a small trickle or leak of water that is continuous. Discharge can be watery, pinkish, or brownish in color.

Caring For Yourself

Make sure to continue the healthy behaviors that you learned in your 1st trimester to care for yourself and the precious life inside of you.

Weight Gain

Everyone gains weight at different rates, but on average, it is normal to gain about one pound per week, or about three to four pounds per month during this trimester.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-9-1 at 12:04 AM ]

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The 3rd Trimester Stage of Pregnancy

It might be hard to believe, but you are in your final trimester of pregnancy! This means that in a few short months you will be holding your new baby in your arms.

Changes in Your Body

You could still be having some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester, but now you will notice that you may have to go to the bathroom more often or that you find it even harder to breathe. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth. You also might have some of these changes:

Heartburn(烧心)

As your baby gets bigger, your uterus pushes on your stomach and can cause heartburn, especially before bedtime or right after you eat. Continue to avoid greasy, fried foods and eat six to eight smaller meals instead of large meals. You also can take small sips of milk or eat small pieces of chipped ice. If your heartburn is severe and doesn't improve with these tips, talk with your health care provider. Also talk with your health care provider before taking an antacid(抗酸剂) medication.

Swelling

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you might notice more swelling than you had before, especially in your ankles, fingers and face. Continue to drink lots of fluids (water is best) and rest when you can with your feet elevated. If you notice sudden, extreme swelling in any of these areas, or have a rapid significant weight gain, call your health care provider right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia(先兆子痫) or toxemia(毒血症).

Hemorrhoids

You might begin to experience more discomfort from hemorrhoids now from the increased pressure of your growing baby on the veins in your rectum. You might also be constipated, which makes hemorrhoids worse because you might strain for a bowel movement. Try to avoid hemorrhoids by drinking lots of fluids and eating plenty of whole grains, raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, and fruits. Try not to strain for bowel movements, and always talk with your health care provider before taking a laxative.

Tender Breasts

Your breasts have most likely increased in size and fullnesss as your pregnancy has advanced. As you near the end of your pregnancy, hormones in your body cause your breasts to increase even more in size, to prepare for breastfeeding. Your breasts can feel full and heavy, and they might be tender or uncomfortable. Wearing a well-fitting maternity or nursing bra will help you be more comfortable, because these types of bras offer extra support. Some pregnant women begin to leak colostrum(初乳) in the third trimester. Colostrum is the first milk that your breasts produce for your baby. It is a thick, yellowish fluid that contains antibodies that protect new babies from infections. If leaking becomes a problem for you, you can purchase disposable or cloth nursing pads (that you can use when nursing your newborn) to place inside your bra.

Now and after delivery, it is a good idea to only wash your nipples with water instead of soap. Soap might cause the skin of your nipples to become dry, irritated and crack. If you do have skin cracks, which can be sore and painful, use a heavier cream that contains lanolin(羊毛脂) for extra moisture.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-9-1 at 10:44 AM ]

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Changes in Your Baby

Your baby is still growing and moving, but now it has less room in your uterus. Because of this, you might not feel the kicks and movements as much as you did in the second trimester. During this final stage of your pregnancy, your baby is continuing to grow. Even before your baby is born it will be able to open and close its eyes and might even suck its thumb. As your body starts to prepare for the birth, your baby will start to move into its birth position. You might notice the baby "dropping," or moving down lower in your abdomen. This can reduce the pressure on your lungs and rib cage, making it easier to breathe or not to get out of breath so fast. As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your health care provider can check your progress with a vaginal exam. And, your visits to your provider may increase the month before you give birth. The average baby is about 20 to 22 inches long and weighs approximately 7 1/2 pounds at birth, but anywhere between 5 lbs., 11 1/2 ounces and 8 lbs., 5 3/4 ounces is a healthy range for newborns.

Prenatal Care

Visits and Tests

Be sure to continue to visit your health care provider, and ask him or her to answer your questions and address your concerns about labor and delivery. As the birth of your baby gets closer, you and your health care provider will discuss what kind of delivery you will have. Some women need to have a cesarean section (c-section,剖腹产), in which a surgical incision is made in the abdomen and uterus to remove the baby. If you are able to plan on a non-surgical, vaginal birth, you may want to have your baby naturally, without medications, and you may want to take a childbirth class. Many women find childbirth classes very helpful, even if they have already had a baby. And, women also bring their partners or a friend or relative to these classes, particularly if this person will be with them to offer support and coaching during the birth of their baby.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-9-1 at 12:15 AM ]

老杏

Inducing Labor

It's helpful to know that only five percent of babies are actually born on their due dates. This is very normal and does not mean anything is wrong. Sometimes, though, there are problems or your health care provider has concerns about the baby's and/or your health, and labor needs to be induced. Inducing labor means that your health care provider will start your labor through artificial means. Most health care providers will wait one to two weeks after a woman's due date before considering inducing. There are other reasons why a woman might need to have labor induced. She might have a chronic illness like high blood pressure or diabetes that threatens the health of the baby, or the baby might not be growing or thriving in the uterus. Sometimes, the uterus can become unhealthy for the baby. A woman also might have the membranes that surround the fetus rupture (or have her "water break"(破水)) without going into labor naturally within a reasonable amount of time. Labor can be induced during a vaginal exam - your health care provider might rupture or strip the membranes surrounding the fetus or insert a gel or suppository(栓剂) containing a hormone to stimulate contractions. A drug called Pitocin can also be given intravenously (put into your body through a vein in your arm or hand) to start contractions.

Deciding to Breastfeed or Bottle Feed

If you haven't thought about whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, this is the time to learn more about both, and make a decision about what you plan to do. Breastfeeding has many more advantages over formula for your health and your baby's health. But it is best to discuss it with your health care provider, and then make a decision that is right for you.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-9-1 at 12:19 AM ]

老杏

When to Call Your Health Care Provider

Before your due date, make sure to talk with your health care provider about how to reach him or her if you go into labor. It's also helpful to be familiar with the hospital or birthing center, where you should park, and where to check in ahead of time. Know that sometimes you can think you're in labor, but really are not (called false labor). This happens to many, many women, so don't feel embarrassed if you go the hospital certain that you are in labor, only to be sent home! It's always better to be seen by a health care provider as soon as possible once labor has begun. Here are the signs of true labor:

Contractions at regular and increasingly shorter intervals that also become stronger in intensity.

Lower back pain that doesn't go away. You might also feel premenstrual and crampy.

Your water breaks (can be a large gush or a continuous trickle) and you have contractions.

A bloody (brownish or blood-tinged) mucous discharge. This is the mucous plug that blocks the cervix. Labor could be at any time, or days away.

Your cervix is dilating (opening up) and becoming thinner and softer (also called effacement). During a pelvic exam, your health care provider will be able to tell if these things are happening.

Caring For Yourself

Make sure to continue for these last three months the healthy behaviors that you learned in your first trimester. Many pregnant women feel great in their last trimester and still have lots of energy. But, your energy may lessen as you enter your 9th month and you may begin to slow down. This is completely normal. It's important to get enough rest now, even though it might seem difficult to sleep as you get larger. Your baby's stretching movements, having to urinate often, and an increase in your body's metabolism might interrupt or disturb your sleep. And, if you are having any leg cramping, this can affect your sleep as well. You might have a better night's sleep if you try to avoid eating large meals three hours before going to bed. You can also try some mild exercise like walking, which can help relieve stress and may improve sleep. Avoid long naps during the day. If you can't sleep because you are anxious about becoming a mother or about your labor and delivery, try talking with your partner or friends who've been through this before. You can also talk with your health care provider.

Weight Gain

Everyone gains weight at different rates, but on average, it is normal to gain about one pound per week, or three to four pounds per month, during this trimester. By the end of your pregnancy you should have gained, on average, about 25 to 30 pounds. About 7 1/2 pounds of that weight should be the baby.

[ Last edited by clur on 2005-8-31 at 11:01 PM ]

garden_state

加了分还是看得晕...

liz

我没看就晕了。。

老杏

不晕不晕, 我已经加了翻译了

taoyuan

clur是学医学的么？我记得还有个叫“可乐“的桐子，是搞建筑的说。你们到底哪个是哪个啊？晕了。

老杏

taoyuan  在 2005-9-1 09:10 AM 发表:

clur是学医学的么？我记得还有个叫“可乐“的桐子，是搞建筑的说。你们到底哪个是哪个啊？晕了。

那个是kele吧