Women throughout the pregnancy period go through some unusual problems, the symptoms are sometimes mild and sometimes severe. Heartburn happens in the second trimester and becomes irritable as your belly grows. Heartburn causes inflammation or burning sensations in the middle of the chest, but it causes nothing to the heart. It occurs when the muscles known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that keep the stomach in its place, starts to get a leak or relax, it causes all of the acid to come upward in the esophagus.

Heartburn or acid reflux is experienced by most women during pregnancy, which is said to be a normal problem. Women experience heartburn when they take the meal or at bedtime, which makes the women uncomfortable and disturbs sleep. If the proper prevention tips are being followed it becomes quite easy to handle for the expecting moms. Here are some strategies you need to know.

Avoid Triggering Foods

When you once or twice experienced the burning sensations, figure out what intensifies it. There are some foods that could cause heartburn, but there are no specific foods that are being banned by the experts. As per the observations, the triggers could be acidic foods (including citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc.), chocolate, fried foods, coffee, spicy foods, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. These are some foods that should be eliminated or reduced from the diet.

Sleep Smooth

The heartburn takes you to nightmares, before you are going to sleep make sure you took the right diet. Try to take the meal two to three hours before sleep. While laying down keep yourself in the horizontal position, this will prohibit the acid to come upward in the esophagus, elevate your legs and start to sleep from the left side if you are not already sleeping.

Eat Smartly

During pregnancy, women have less area for the stomach to enlarge, however, overheating can lead to heartburn. When you maintain the right diet throughout the pregnancy, it will reduce the chances of heartburn, even in the short term. If you gain extra weight more than recommended, it will exert pressure on your abdomen that worsens the heartburn. Discuss the right diet plan with your health care provider.

Take more Fluids

Liquid foods are more likely to travel in the body as compared to solid foods. Thereby, fluids never cause problems and enter the stomach more quickly. Add soups, milkshakes, smoothies, pudding, protein shakes, etc. to your diet. Take the liquid that is filled with protein like drinkable yogurt and milk. Fluids with the meals can reduce heartburn, take a small sip of any fluid while you are having your meal.

Ask for Antacids from your Doctor

Antacids are known to reduce the risk of heartburn rapidly. They help in neutralizing the acid and give relief. Pregnant women are recommended to choose the antacids mindfully, or the best thing is to ask your doctor for them or consult when you bought them.

During pregnancy, it is usual to experience an increase in heart rate. However, this sometimes becomes disturbing in causes discomforts, especially during sleep. Nevertheless, there is nothing to get worried about. It is important to take routine medical checkups. Concern with the doctor if you observe any uncertain health condition. The increase in a heartbeat is considered to be healthy for pregnancy, which is harmless for the baby and mother both. Along with this, keep monitoring the heart rate as it should not surpass 140 bpm, which could become a sign of causing some other health problems.

Well, the causes of the increase in a heartbeat could be different in every woman. However, with the physiological changes, there are some other possible causes of a raised heartbeat.

Anxiety or Stress

Women are always too much worried about having a safe delivery and a healthy baby. Moreover, during pregnancy most of the time they are thinking about the burden of chores that they will handle along with the baby’s errands. The cause of high heart rate could be anxiety.

Underlying Medical Causes

Anemia, thyroid problems, preeclampsia, and heart-related problems like pulmonary hypertension and coronary disease can bring changes to the normal heartbeat ratio. It is important to discuss all of the underlying medical conditions with your doctor.

The Routinely Lifestyle Factors

The intake of alcohol or drugs, excessive cigarette smoking, too much exercise, caffeine consumption, and junk food are the causes of heartbeat increase. When women become pregnant, they are recommended to leave all of the habits that could harm their fetus and their health.

Heart and Blood Flow Ups and downs

For the baby’s healthy growth, your heart needs more nutrients and oxygen to supply enough amount of blood to the fetus. Thereby, the heart pumps 20 to 50% extra blood than normal. There is an increase in the heart by 10 bpm to 20 BMP from the normal of 60 bpm to 80 bpm during pregnancy.

Change in the Size of Uterus

To carry the developing fetus, the size of the uterus increase naturally and it needs more blood for it. This makes the heart beat faster than usual as it needs to pump extra blood for the uterus as well.

Effects of the other Pregnancy Problems

The other side effects of pregnancy like hormonal changes and weight gain, and the side effects occur due to the medications throughout the pregnancy straining the circulatory system thereby, it usually causes an increase in the normal heartbeat.

Breast Changes

Mammary glands are involved in preparing the body for breastfeeding when you are pregnant and after the pregnancy as well. The tissue enlarges, and the breast size expands from the normal size, the blood flow in the mammary glands also increases. This process makes the heart pump the blood for the glands and hence increase the normal heart rate.

These causes are not life-threatening or harmful, thereby every woman should know before experiencing panic attacks while having an increase in the heart rate. Along with all of the health problems during pregnancy, this is another prominent problem women come across.

Every woman has a dream of getting pregnant after a happy marital life. However, it is important to have a proper checkup before pregnancy that helps examine if there is any minor or severe problem you can experience at the time of pregnancy. It prohibits future complications and makes whole the duration smooth. There is nothing to feel like it is some sort of stigma if you take a checkup before getting pregnant. Although, the time of best parenting starts before the marital life.

People usually misunderstood the meaning of preconception, taking appointments from the doctor for preconception checkup is the best way to make future pregnancy care. A preconception checkup ensures whether your body is ready for pregnancy or not. There are no limits to take the checkup, before and after marriage at both times you can take the appointment.

It is exciting to know your body is ready to conceive the baby, but due to some reason if your body is not ready now you have time to have the possible treatments to prepare. There are a lot of things that you need to do to grow your family and welcome your little one.

Why it is important to have a Preconception Check?

Before you plan your baby, it is important to have a preconception checkup 3 months prior. This makes the possible ways to conceive and get pregnant. Moreover, it lessens the chances of pregnancy risks and has a healthy baby. In this checkup, the doctor examines the body which includes a Pap smear and pelvic test. There are also some tests for STDs or other conditions. But it is important for the partner to have an STD test.

Doctors also discuss medical history if you have any. However, never hide anything even if there is nothing so big, tell each and every detail about your medical conditions. Moreover, health care providers discuss the things that could affect you and your unborn baby.

What do Doctors examine in Preconception Checkup?

Vaccinations

The doctors examine if you had any vaccination previously like chickenpox, rubella, and hepatitis B. If you are still taking the vaccinations it is important to let the doctor check properly. These medical conditions can lead to birth failings if you have them during pregnancy.

Medical Conditions and Family History

It is important to tell the doctor completely about the medical condition and family history of you and your partner. If there are any health-related problems running in your family from ages, discuss them with the health care provider.

Medications

There are some medicines that can cause birth-related issues. If you are taking some prescribed over-the-counter medicines or supplements and vitamins, tell the doctor.

Weight

There is something to get worried about if you are overweight or underweight, this can increase the risk of having pregnancy-related issues. Ask your doctor for possible ways to maintain weight.

Chronic Health Problems

Health issues like blood pressure, lupus, diabetes, and thyroid problems increase the risk of pregnancy. If you are going through any chronic medical condition, tell your doctor in detail.

Along with all of the symptoms throughout the pregnancy duration, women experience an increase in their heartbeat which sometimes reaches up to 100bpm or above is normal in most women. The increase in the heart rate by 25% is considered as a fast heartbeat. This condition is medically known as episodic palpitation during pregnancy. This condition could be both normal and uncommon in women in the duration of pregnancy. In this condition, women usually feel like their heart is racing or pounding.

Your body requires more nutrition and oxygen, as it is nourishing an alive fetus. Thereby, it is important to make the heart work harder for the proper blood flow. There are many other reasons for palpitation, like the underlying health problems, however, it is important for the doctor and you to find out the possible reasons.

Symptoms of High Heart Beat

There are different symptoms of high heartbeat in women. However, if you observe any of these common symptoms promptly connect to your doctor and let him examine whether they are common signs of pregnancy or something else. The symptoms are;

  • Skipped heartbeat
  • Fainting episodes
  • Breathing problems or shortness of breath
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness

Is it harmful to have a high heartbeat during Pregnancy?

From most of the aspects, the high heartbeats are a symbol of having a healthy pregnancy. This implies that your heart is working properly to supply the required oxygen and nutrition to the fetus for development. As the other symptoms of the heartbeat are not harmful, an increase in the heart rate is not considered harmful, until it leads to severe problems.

How fast it could be?

As the trimester goes by, the heart rate is considered to be different. The heart functioning diverges and affects the heart rate. It begins to increase from the 7th week and till the thirst trimester, it goes by 10 to 20%. There is an increase in the amount of blood pumped from the heart, during the first half of pregnancy it increases by 10% during and reaches 20 weeks.

How to control the increase in heart rate?

A high heart rate is considered to be a normal condition in women during pregnancy. This physiological process brings about some lifestyle changes. However, it is important to always find safe ways and discuss it with the doctor to control the increase in heartbeat.

  • Keep yourself hydrated and take enough amount of water as suggested by the doctor.
  • Take good sleeping hours. Make sure your sleep is undisturbed, and you feel fresh when you wake up.
  • Try to keep yourself calm and relax. Do some pregnancy workout, beat the stress as much as you can. Taking chamomile tea or aromatherapy will make you feel relaxed.
  • The more you feel relaxed the more you can avoid the onset of an increased heartbeat. Practice the technique that helps you stay relaxed like meditation, yoga, exercise, deep breathing, and try whatever relaxes you.

It is really challenging for women who have sinusitis to deal with it during pregnancy. It becomes difficult to handle as it gets more irritable. Sinus infection is the inflammation of the sinuses, these lining filled with liquid and become blocked, and it causes the germs to grow, causing the infection. It could be due to cold and allergens. Well, pregnancy comes with a list of symptoms where women become physically and psychologically ill. Along with the onset of morning sickness, sleeping problems, tiredness, body pains, anxiety, and dizziness having sinus in the pregnancy is something really hard to handle.

Symptoms of Sinus in Pregnancy

During the first, second, or third trimester, sinus can occur at any time. Sinuses are pockets that are filled with air situated around the nose and face. Sinus is the inflammation of the lining of the sinuses. Women are supposed to have the following symptoms during pregnancy.

  • Fever
  • Stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Coughing
  • Mucus drainage
  • Pressure and pain in the face
  • Headache

There are ways to treat and prevent, however, most of the time the symptoms can become severe and hard to handle.

Causes of Sinusitis

The common causes of sinusitis are allergies and cold. The infection could last up to four weeks and the chronic infection could lead to 12 weeks. It could be triggered due to fungal, viral, and bacterial infections. Usually, sinus is the common cause of cold, women who are allergic are at a high risk of having persistent sinusitis. The sinus cavities got blocked in both conditions leading to inflammation and swelling. This infection could lead to severe problems and symptoms. Moreover, there are chances of having worse problems during pregnancy. Although, possible treatments are available.

Treatment for Sinus Infection

Usually, pregnant women become concerned about the treatment as they think there might be some complications using the same medicines, concerns are valid. However, it is important to consult with the doctor about the treatment.

There are some over-the-counter medicines that are safe to use during pregnancy. The doctor usually recommends pain relievers, suppressants, decongestants, and cold medicines which are linked with no complications in pregnancy.

Home Remedies for Sinus Infection

Along with the medications, there are some home remedies that are best to keep in practice. If you want to avoid medications it is perfect to go with the home remedies. Usually, women are recommended to increase the liquid intake which gives relief to sore throat, clears a stuffy nose, and loosens mucus drainage. The superlative fluids are;

  • Broth
  • Citrus juices
  • Water
  • Decaf teas

The other home remedies are;

  • Take steam that helps loosen the mucus.
  • Take rest as much as you can.
  • Use saline drops or make homemade drops with a cup of warm water, a pinch of baking soda, and 1/8 spoon salt.
  • Use a humidifier at night.
  • Keep your nasal clean and thin mucus.
  • Soothe your throat by gargling with lukewarm saltwater.
  • Elevate your head by using more than one pillow under your head. It prevents the mucus from stuffing.

The fashion enthusiast ladies always looking for ways to keep themselves updated and appealing whether they are at home, at a party, a grand event, or even if they are at hospitals. LOLL, quite funny! Well, as pregnancy is the most amazing time and ladies enjoy everything in it. Even if they are experiencing the pain and discomforts they will later remind it and laugh.

With all the discomforts and pregnancy symptoms, the ladies obsessed with fashion and trends getting stressed over their looks. Pregnancy brings many body changes, they are not acceptable for some, and after delivery the postpartum weight gain and the uneven body shape keep them thinking, is that me? Where is that slim and smart persona? These questions are hard to absorb, but your total happiness is in your baby, and it should be!

Looking great during pregnancy is not rocket science, all you need to do is just keep the fatigue aside and think of yourself. When you take out time for yourself and give yourself good looks, it will make you feel relaxed and refreshing. Here are some simple tips, give them a read!

Find the Adaptable Styles!

Well, you are now going to wear something different that you can’t normally. Looking for the styles that suit you and look good whether you have a baby bump. Maternity clothing is advised for pregnant women. You can go with the empire lines, drawstrings waist, and wrap tops which can be worn after birth as well. Simple and comfortable wearables will keep you relaxed!

Play with your Hair

Choose the hairstyle that goes with your belly and a new body. Try something new with your hair. If you have long hair take a haircut, the new look will draw attention. But if you already have short hair, let them grow and enjoy the buns, ponytail, braid, and clips.

Keep yourself Simple!

During pregnancy, over-accessorizing and too much clothing will make you feel uncomfortable and sweaty. Focus on the minimal details. Grab the classic and simple cuts, try not to wear those bulky patterns and long clothes that distort your body shape. Small studs, a simple necklace, nude nail paint, natural makeup, and hair bun or open hair will let you grab the attention!

Choose Elegant Color Palette

During pregnancy, some women become irritable of dark colors, but some of the women found it soothing. But when you play with earthy tones, it will make you feel pleasant and calm. Usually, in the mornings, if you have early appointments it becomes really hard to find what to wear. Instead of rushing and panic assemble the tops of earthy tones and pair them with dark bottoms. Moreover, you can also choose suits that have the base of earthy tones. These colors are best for both morning times and night during pregnancy. Well, it is best to get the maternity clothes as the hues and styles are totally according to the mood of the expecting moms.

In pregnancy, it is really hard to identify what you are feeling. The symptoms are uncertain and make you feel like you are just drowning and not ready to do anything. With all the discomforts you are facing, some of the conditions can affect your pregnancy. High blood pressure or hypertension in pregnancy isn’t unnecessarily too life threatening, however, it is necessary for the doctors to monitor the blood pressure every month and especially before the time of delivery.

Women are recommended to seek medical health, whenever they feel a drop or rise in their blood pressure. In pregnancy, high blood pressure is normal in some women, although it disappears after the birth of the baby sometimes. However, if it worsens, it could cause a severe problem known as pre-eclampsia.

Pregnant women should give prompt attention if they are the symptoms like blurred vision, pain in the upper abdomen, severe headache, and swelling in feet, hands, and face.

Types of Hypertension or High Blood Pressure in Women

Chronic Hypertension

This type of hypertension usually appears before pregnancy or before the 20th week of pregnancy. In some women, chronic hypertension is already present for a long, but it remains undiagnosed till they get their blood pressure check on their routine visits during pregnancy. This untreated chronic hypertension sometimes leads to pre-eclampsia when they are pregnant.

Gestational Hypertension

Gestational hypertension appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In this type of blood pressure, there are no symptoms of organ damage or extra protein in the urine. But more probably, it has been studied that, later on, gestational hypertension develops preeclampsia in women.

Pre-eclampsia

After 20 weeks of pregnancy, when hypertension occurs, preeclampsia takes place. Preeclampsia can cause organ damage to the kidneys, brain, blood, or liver. If pre-eclampsia during pregnancy remains untreated, it can lead to life-threatening problems or even death for both baby and mother. It is the major cause of seizures in some women.

Moreover, it was considered to be the major problem in women who have high blood pressure and increased levels of protein in the urine. However, as per the recent studies, it can also found in women with no increase in protein levels.

Problems Caused by High Blood Pressure during Pregnancy

Premature delivery: If pregnant women have high blood pressure, early delivery is recommended in that case to prohibit the life-threatening complications of both mother and baby.

Blood flow decrease to Placenta: If the placenta did not get enough amount of placenta, there might be some problems with your baby, as he will get a few nutrition and have less oxygen. This causes slow fetus development and sometimes premature delivery.

Injury to Body Organs: Untreated and uncontrolled hypertension can lead to injury to the brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and other body organs.

Cardiovascular Disease Later in Life: Women with untreated preeclampsia are at a high risk of having heart-related problems in the future. The risk is high if you had preeclampsia during pregnancy or give premature birth.

Are you a dupe of bipolar disorder for ages? Or just got it during pregnancy? Suffering from bipolar disorder makes you feel differently. Bipolar and pregnancy are connected as most of the time women with bipolar disorder have different emotions. They do not want to become pregnant and want to become pregnant. Well, in both cases, consult with a good psychiatrist about your disorder and the side effects of bipolar medication on pregnancy. 

People with bipolar disorder have mood changes from low to high. Sometimes they are a maniac and sometimes they are depressive. Those people are so tentative to accept the major changes in their life, like being pregnant. If you have BD, it doesn’t mean you can never become a mom. It’s about how you will manage your well-being and mental health together. The women with BD should discuss the condition with their doctor and ask for the possible treatments and recommendations. Moreover, it is also important to keep communicating with your partner about whatever situations and episodes they are going through. 

If you are planning a baby and you have Bipolar Disorder, it is important to give the complete history to your consultant without hiding any single detail or feeling ashamed. Your overall condition will be assessed by considering the following possibilities;

How severe your symptoms are?

  • The medications you are taking and what could be their possible side effects on pregnancy.
  • How could your bipolar disorder be managed?
  • These details are important to consider, as well as the possible risks of your baby will also keep into account. 

The Possible Effects of Pregnancy on Mental Health

As you all know, different hormonal changes occur during pregnancy which leads to mood changes. Sometimes you feel so good and happy and someday you feel irritated and low. Well, the symptoms of the bipolar disorder become more prominent during pregnancy and women begin to experience other mental health problems. Most of the women observed that pregnancy has brought a big change in their mood, and if the bipolar disorder remains untreated there are chances of increasing the risk factors. 

Is there any effect of Moods Disorder on the Fetus?

There is no clear evidence about the effects of mood disorder or bipolar disorder on fetal growth. However, there are chances of transmitting the disorder into the fetus. But still, researchers are studying the genetic relation of bipolar disorder. 

How to Manage Bipolar Disorder in Pregnancy?

When bipolar is considered, the only treatment is a medication that helps manage the symptoms and make fetus development normal. Pregnant women are recommended by the doctors to take mood stabilizers that help them manage their symptoms, but it could be harmful to the growing fetus.  To manage BD and reduce the risk factors for your baby, it is important to tell your gynecologist about all the medications you take for BD. Your doctor might stop your medication and decide when you will need them. Instead, they will recommend you to take psychotherapy and work on self-care. This will reduce the risk that could be harmful to your baby’s development also, keep you away from other medical health conditions.

From spreading the good news of being parents to be to the time when the baby is just about to arrive make parents super excited to hold the little angel in their arms. So, when mommies already felt their baby inside their womb, the eagerness and curiosity of seeing them just increase as the time comes closer. However, with all those excitements, it is important for mothers to be to stay ready and prepared before they meet their little one. Well, to welcome the new family member, you need to check out the tips that help you get prepared to avoid the fuss and troubles.

Make a list of Baby Basics

Well, for the first 6 months your baby will sleep with you, and you have to keep all things ready that would be needed in those months. Give some space to the little cupboards where you could keep clothes, pampers, toys, and all the baby stuff. Most importantly, the crib should be set next to you, this would make it easy for you to check when your baby cries.

You must be done with baby shopping. But for your reminiscence don’t forget the clothes (depending on the season), socks and mittens (if it’s winter), feeding bottles, bathing stuff, napkins, pampers, infant skincare products, and all the essentials needed by your baby. Better ask the grandmothers to be!

Talk with your Partner

Before your baby arrives, make sure you and your partner are in mutual consent. Your partner should know what roles he is supposed to perform and how he will help you in the chores. Don’t assume anything by yourself, communicate with him, and make things clear mutually. The new dads would be as nervous as the new moms. It is important to calm and support each other.

Take Advice from the Experienced Moms

Usually, women think about silly questions during pregnancy, especially when their baby is just arriving. Whether it is your mother-in-law, your mom, sister, friend, or relative, the experienced mums have more ideas about how to start and how to handle them. Whenever you are with them, take the benefit and get the important tips!

Pack your bags 

So, finally, the days are just near, and you are short of time to pack the essentials at the last moments. Start packing the bags as your 9th month begins, as you never know when your baby will arrive. Mark the things you think you will need in the hospital or confirm them with someone. Packing the bag in your 37th means you are all set to rush to the hospital.

Going to Hospital

It is recommended for women to reach the hospital 2 to 3 days before pregnancy, to avoid being stuck in the traffic and time, runs like nothing. Keep the emergency numbers on hand to allow further procrastination when there is an emergency. Moreover, make sure you and whoever is taking you to the hospital knows the shortest route, and the car is filled with fuel.

During pregnancy, many women found that their dreams are weird and different from before pregnancy. These dreams become deeper and weird, and in most of the women, these dreams lead to nightmares and anxiety as they become more frightening. Well, the reason for the weird dream in pregnant women is the change of the hormone levels affecting the dream rhythm. Moreover, pregnant women require more sleep, and these dreams let them sleep no more.

It has been observed that, during pregnancy, women dream more and remember them for a long. 20-25% of women have a dream during pregnancy, and they used to remember those dreams. These dreams affect the way of thinking, fears, and hopes related to becoming a mother and the time of pregnancy.

These dreams are associated with losing the baby, complications during pregnancy, talking of animals, feelings of having the baby in the arms, and seeing the partner involved with some other girl. During this stage, all women need is support from the family members, partner, and counseling. Women should share the dream with a partner, sister, or close friend to have some relaxed breaths, as women need to stay relaxed at this time.

What are Vivid Dreams?

Vivid dreams are normal in people during deep sleep. These dreams are more emotional, clear, and intense and make the person feel like the events are happening.

As these dreams could occur in anyone, however, during pregnancy these types of dreams seem to be more penetrating. These dreams occurring in pregnant women seem like they are living in the dream. This may take a while to decide when they suddenly woke up whether it was real or a dream.

Frequent Dreaming

Some of the pregnant women have reported that they dream more during pregnancy as compared to before pregnancy. This is quite normal, as women sleep for around 8 hours, and they are more likely to have small naps. The more they sleep the more they dream, and these dreams could be vivid and weird both. Fatigue during pregnancy makes women sleep and dream more.

What are the reasons?

Fact fully, the fluctuation in the hormones are the reason for the weird dream. Another reason is fatigue and disturbs sleeping patterns, which is the cause of increased dreaming.

Well, it has been studied that, women are more likely to remember those dreams, which are due to the disturbance of sleep rhythms. Moreover, pregnant women wake up in the mid of the dream more such as due to the movement of the baby, and frequent visits to the bathroom. This makes women remember their dreams, and they start to think about the dream.

Moreover, during the night and in bed, women tend to think about the baby, it’s upbringing, the fear of mishaps, complications of pregnancy, and life after the baby. This all starts to appear in the dreams, and sometimes the fears become a nightmare. When you work out your hopes and manage your anxiety, you can combat the nightmares easily. Concern with the doctor about the anxiety and think positively all day.