Private Hospital it is

We finally decided yesterday that we will be going private for maternity. I had no idea how much of a dilemma it is to choose where to give birth. 

 

When we first found out we were pregnant, I automatically called in Royal North Shore to register for maternity. Main reason being financial as with public care its free. But now after visiting both private and public hospitals I understand why those who can afford to go private chooses to go private.

 

One of the main reason why we are choosing to go Private is because we have private health insurance. We have been paying for the cover for close to 12 months now as we need to be on a 12 months waiting period before we can claim any obstetric benefits. The other benefit is that bubba will also be covered after birth. Our health fund have a buffer in which the baby is covered, provided that we upgrade to family cover within the specified period.

 

I also like the idea of having my own private obstertrician.

 

So heres the benefits of going private

• You get your own private room
• The accommodation is way nicer than public care
• The food is also nice than public care
• We get to choose our own obstertrician
• Check ups and management are held in the obstertrician's private consulting rooms and not in the public hospital waiting room
• While our obstertrician doesn't stay with us during labour, the obstertrician will be there at birth and will visit us in the hospital afterwards. 
• We get to stay 5-6 days in the hospital
• There is a nursery in the hospital where they will look after our babies if we want to rest
• We get our own ensuite/toilet bathing facilities. 

 And here are the cons for private hospitals

• They have the highest rate of intervention over all birth options, particularly caesarean sections.
• Obstertricians usually dont see you much during labour. Its the midwives who monitor you in labour and they will likely be unkown to you. There will likely be 2-3 shift changes during the labour and while we may think that we will receive continuity of care with an obstertrician, they aren't around much at the birth at all. 
• We will have additional out-of-pocket costs with most obstertricians which vary from a few hundred to several thousands.

Never running after a bus again.

So being silly me, I decided to run after the bus this morning to get to work. On top of that, I dropped my bus ticket and had to bend down to pick it up. I must have got up too abruptly as right after tht I noticed some sharp stabbing pain on my abdomen. I started to panic at first then calmed down and started to breathe properly whilst gently massaging bubba.

I guess pregnancy isn't the time to start running. Running can also be hard on our knees. During pregnancy, our joins loosen, which makes us more prone to injury. So unless we are routine runners, we should try not to run especially after busses!

This is not the first time I felt that sharp stabbing pain. Its been on and off for I guess a couple of weeks now. Its like a really sharp pain like a bluntish knife being jabbed into me. I usually get 3 or 4 sharp pains and they only last a split second but they are quite painful. When that happens I tend to get worried if something is happening to my lil precious one.

I know when being pregnant, abdominal pain is common but I spent some time researching about it and I thought I should share it here. 

Pelvic pain or discomfort is common during pregnancy. After all, ligaments are stretching, hormone levels are changing and organs are shifting around to make room for the growing uterus. BUT sometimes, pain is a red flag that something more serious is wrong. Pregnant women should always contact a medical professional to discuss concerns over the pain they are experiencing.

What are some of the common causes of pain during pregnancy? From relaxed pelvic joints to pressure from our growing baby's weight, here are some of the common pain during pregnancy.  If the pain that you are experiencing doesn't go away or if you have symptoms such as bleeding, unusual discharge or very strong cramping call your ob-gyn immediately.

- Round Ligament Pain

This is very commong in the second trimester of pregnancy. Women will notice a sharp pain in the abdomen or hip, typically on the right side although it can occur on either side of the body. The round ligament supports the uterus, connecting it to the groin. As the uterus grows to accomodate the baby, the ligament stretches. Many of our movements can trigger the pain, including laughing and standing from a sitting position. Women can reduce this discomfort by stretching frequently and changing position slowly to reduce the sharpness of the pain. If the pain becomes severe or is accompanied by any other symptoms, it may indicate another health concern and women should seek medical attention. Round ligament pain should disappear for good by about 24 weeks.

- Pressures baby's weight

This only really happens in the third trimester. You may start to experience pressure in your pelvic region as the weight of your rapidly growing fetus presses down on the nerves that run form your vagina into your legs. This pain typically occurs with movement, such as when you walk or ride in a car because the baby bounces. To help relieve discomfort, lie down on one side and rest.

 

- Miscarriage

When a miscarriage is occuring a women may notice cramping on either side of the abdomen. The pain is as intense or more so than menstrual craming. Bleeding will accompany the cramping as the fetus is expelled. Some women may not notice a miscarriage early in pregnancy but later-term miscarriages such as those that occur after the first trimester are likely to cause significant bleeding and some tissue loss owing to the size of the baby.

- Preterm Labour

Any persistent cramping accompanied by unexplained bleeding after the 20th week of pregnancy can be a risk factor for preterm labour. At this time the loss of a pregnancy is no longer considered a miscarriage byt preterm labour. If you are experiencing a persistern backache and pelvic pressure that comes and goes, you may be in labour.

- Braxton Hicks Contractions

Pressure or tightening in the pelvis that comes and goes could be contractions, but if they are sporadic and generally not painful thay are most likely practice contractions, called Braxton Hicks instead of true labour contractions. These "practice" contractions tend to occur at around 20 weeks and can be triggered by dehydration, so make sure your drink a lot of water. You will know its a contraction if you lie down and feel your belly; your uterus will become hard, and then relax.  They should disappear on their own but if you have more than four contractions an hour for two hours, call your doctor immediately.

-Digestive Issues

Pregnancy hormones and bodily changes bring about a long list of digestive ailments in women. Any of these can cause sharp pain on the right side of the abdomen or even in the lower rib cage area. Diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn and gas are common complaints of pregnancy that can all cause discomfort.

You can do the following things to ease some of the symptoms such as:

• Take a warm (not hot) bath or stand in the shower and let the water hit your back
• Try a pelvic support garment, which can keep the uterus from pushing down on your pelvis
• Wear low-healed shoes with good arch support
• Try to avoid quick movements and sharp turns at the waist
• Get a prenatal massage
• Exercise regularly - it could help prevent pain in the first place

You will need to call your doctor/OBGYN if:

• Pelvic pain that you can't walk or talk through
• Any bleeding
• Fever and/or chills
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands, and/or feet
• Persistent nausea and/or vomitting
• Less than 10 fetal kicks in one hour from 28 weeks till delivery
• More than four contractions in an hour for two hours
• Watery, greenish or bloody discharge.

Flaxseed oil?

I have not found any solid, replicated studies on flax seed oil being effective in aiding with conception or pregnancy but my naturolpath swears by it. 

When I was tyring to conceive, I have read studies which have shown it to be effective in aiding with conception. It used the principles of the glycemic index for "good carbs" and "bad carbs" and would be effective in helping those with insulin resistant fertility issues. I don't know how effectibe it would be in assisting those without insuin resistant issues in conceiving but, there again anything that contributes to overall health, contributes to conception. 

Flaxseed oil contains mega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, lecithin, magnesium, fibre, protein, zinc and is considered to be natur's richest source of omega-3 fatty acids. Nearly every system in the body can benefit from flax seed oil's natural properties including the reproductive system. 

My nauturopath told me that Flaxseed oil is great to treat menopausal symtoms, menstrual cramps, female infertility and endometriosis. Because the hormone-balancing lignans and plant estrogens (phytoestrogens) in flaxseed oil help stabilise a women's estrogen-progesterone ratio, they can have beneficial effects on the menstrual cycle, and relieve the hot flashes of perimenopause and menopause. 

There are however differing views as it relates to the taking of the flax seed oil supplement while pregnant. On one side there are those who believe that taking the supplement is good for you and your unborn child, and can only aid with pregnancy. The other view of this is that there is information that suggests that taking flaxseed oil while pregnany should not be done as this can be extremely harmful to the unborn baby. They point to the fact that animal studies have been done that has shown a negative correlation between flaxseed oil and pregnancy. There are no studies that have been done on humans but people do base their results on the animal study.

It should also be noted that flaxseed oil does not contain the same levels of DHA as fish oil. Overall fish oil can be considered better at providing you with the amount of DHA that you need. There have been some studies that have been done that show fish oil greatly support pregnancy and healthy baby development and may even help prevent miscarriage. 

So if you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant and are concerned about the effects that flaxseed oil will have on your pregnancy, it is best to consult your physician. Your GP should be able to tell you specifically if it is safe or not for you to take this supplement.

My Good Friend - Psyllium Husk

Unfortunately, the process of having a child does not just involve thinking up baby names and making the spare room into a nursery. One of the first physical symptoms a pregnant woman is likely to experience is being constipated — but the good news is that there are steps you can take to try to get things moving again!

Why?
Being unable to pass a bowel motion is common in pregnancy, partly because there's increased pressure on the bowel (even in early pregnancy) and partly because hormones can make the gut less efficient. If you've recently changed your diet to a healthier one for the sake of your baby, you may also find that your guts are a little slow to adapt (this is a polite way of saying that you may find yourself bunged up, and flatulent). In addition, some pregnant women become reluctant to carry out as much exercise for fear of damaging their babies — and regular exercise is known to keep you, er, regular.

During pregnancy, it's important to get plenty of fiber. Some changes in your physiology that occur when you're pregnant make it more likely that you'll get constipated, and you can end up with hemorrhoids as a result. Psyllium powder is a safe source of fiber and helps decrease your risk of digestive trouble.

 

Psyllium husk is a source of fiber, which is made up of the chemical compound cellulose. Cellulose is very similar in chemical makeup to starch; both consist of long chains of glucose -- sugar -- molecules, explain Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry." Humans can't digest fiber, however, so it contains no calories for you. Still, it's an important component of a healthy diet, and women should get 21 to 25 grams per day, notes the MayoClinic.com website.

Fiber Benefits

Psyllium husk, like all fiber, has many health benefits. When you consume fiber, it makes you feel more full, which can keep you from overeating. It also decreases the rate at which sugar from your food enters your bloodstream, helping to maintain your blood sugar and prevent diabetes. The increased bulk of your food because of the presence of fiber helps increase the efficiency of your gut, and fiber also binds toxins and cholesterol.

Fiber and Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, fiber in your diet has added benefits. Your higher hormone levels during pregnancy slow your gut down, which can make you more prone to constipation, upset stomach and hemorrhoids because of difficult or hard stools. When you eat plenty of fiber, you help your intestines to continue functioning more smoothly, which can reduce the likelihood of these symptoms, explain Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book "What To Expect When You're Expecting."

Using Psyllium

There are many ways to get fiber in your diet -- fresh fruits and vegetables are a great source -- but you can supplement with psyllium husk powder if you're not sure you're getting enough dietary fiber. Each psyllium husk supplement is slightly different, so check package directions carefully before use. If you have trouble swallowing the powder in liquid -- it can be thick and chalky -- try baking the powder into cookies or purchasing a chewable, bar-type supplement.

syllium

One popular method of treating constipation is fiber supplements such as psyllium. Psyllium is a bulk-forming agent that helps stimulate fecal motility within the intestine. In addition, psyllium fiber has absorptive properties that can retain water to soften stools and ease defecation. Since fiber remains in the digestive tract and is not absorbed into the bloodstream, there is low potential for direct toxicity to the fetus. However, the use of fiber supplements should only be used under the guidance of a physician during pregnancy since psyllium fiber can cause bowel obstruction.

Are there are any medical complications to being constipated?
The main complication is feeling extremely uncomfortable, gaseous and generally unwell. Being constipated can affect much more than your bowel — and particularly your mood. However, in the short-term the main complication would be the development of haemorroids, or "piles": these are widened veins in and around the anus that may become painful or bleed. 

How can I remedy the problem?
There are several ways to tackle constipation, most of which don't require a visit to the doctor.

• Diet
  Adults require 30g of fibre each day to maintain a healthy gut. A medium Granny Smith apple has around four grams, as a guide — or you can use the Calorie Counter to add up how much you have consumed each day. Aiming for five serves of vegies and two serves of fruit each day is a good "rule of thumb" guide. Including a high-fibre breakfast cereal is a good way to get a good hit of fibre in one go. In addition, these cereals are often fortified with vitamins such as folate — essential for a growing baby — and served with calcium-rich milk. Adding a tablespoon of husks like psyllium can also help, though don't overdo it. Too much fibre can affect how many nutrients you can absorb. 
• Water water
  One thing that fibre does in the gut is expand, sweeping away all those dietary nasties as it goes. But it can't do this if it doesn't have fluid to help it to expand. Drink plenty of fluids (non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic) — water is best, or add a twist of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint to make it taste a little different. If this doesn’t do the trick, some people also swear by prune juice.
• Exercise
  As mentioned above, regular exercise can help to keep your digestive system to heel. This doesn't mean that you have to run a marathon, nor does it mean plenty of yoga (all that bending and stretching probably isn't a comforting thought if you're feeling bloated). Walking is an ideal form of exercise — walk as fast as is comfortable for at least thirty minutes each day. The good news is, as well, that women who regularly exercise during pregnancy often find that they have shorter, less taxing births and get back into shape more quickly afterwards — another incentive to keep at it!
• Make time for the loo
  Many women, in particular, find it physically hard to go to the toilet in a public convenience, and including those at work. If you feel uncomfortable spending quality time in the cubicles, try to get up a little earlier and eat your breakfast almost as soon as you get up. This gives your digestive system time to kick into action before you leave the house. Some people also think that drinking a glass of hot water with lemon in it first thing can help to get things moving.
  Other tips include going for a walk at lunchtime, and not arranging activities for immediately after work &151; giving you time at home to put your feet up and relax for a few minutes.
• Check what you're consuming
  Some pregnant women like to take iron supplements and so on — check with your doctor if these may be having an effect on your bowel function. It's always a good idea to check if any supplement may have an effect on you or your developing baby in any case: for example, vitamin A supplements should not be taken during pregnancy. Your doctor will be able to advise if you can take a constipation-forming medication in another guise, such as in a liquid formulation, and indeed will be able to recommend a safe laxative to use should the above measures not completely clear up your problem.
  

Calcium with Vitamin D in Pregnancy

I have been taking Calcium with Vitamin D supplements for a couple of months now and since I became pregnant I started to wonder if I should continue taking the supplements.

Heres what I found on the Internet.

Vitamin D - Why do we need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D helps us to regulate the levels of calcium and phosphate in our body. We need calcium and phosphate to keep your bones and teeth healthy.

Vitamin D also help us fight infections and may even reduce our risk of getting some cancers, diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

If we don't get enough Vitamin D when we are pregnant or breastfeeding, it can preven our baby from absorbing calcium properly. A lack of calcium can cause our baby to develop weak teeth and bones.

How can we get Vitamin D?

There are two ways we can get Vitamin D:

• Our body makes Vitamin D in response to sunlight
• We can get vitamin D from our food, drinks or supplements

Good sources of Vitamin D in food include oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, and foods fortified with Vitamin D such as margarine and some breakfast cereals. Res meat and egg yolk also provide a little Vitamin D.

During the winter when there isn't as much sunlight, our food and body stores will give us the Vitamin D we need.

Do we need to take Vitamin D supplement?
It's recommended that we take a supplement containing 10mcg of Vitamin D during pregnancy and while we are breastfeeding.

Most pregnancy multivitamins contain Vitamin D. Only take a multivitamin that's made specially for pregnancy.

Vitamin D levels can be checked with a blood test. Pregnant women who are at a risk will be offered a blood test early in pregnancy. If the level is too low, you will be advused to take Vitamin D supplements. You should take the amount of supplement prescribed by your doctor or midwife.  This amount may change depending on what your blood level is. Sometimes higher doses are needed at first to build your level up. There is no danger of over dose with these amounts.