Your actions can impact your baby's growth at this stage
Help for Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are merely blood vessels engorged with blood. Though not dangerous or harmful to mother and baby, they are unsightly and do cause discomfort to the mother, especially in the lower extremities and pelvis.
- Your body has got more blood and fluid now and that means the veins have more blood and fluid to drain. Pregnancy hormones cause the muscle lining and valves to relax causing the veins to work harder.
- Excess weight and pressure of the uterus compound matters further.
- Plus, when you stand for longer periods, blood in your lower body will take a longer time to reach your heart and lungs because baby, placenta and uterus act like a big road block.
- Some women are more predisposed to varicose veins because of their family genes.
- Keep off your feet. Avoid standing too long and sit with your feet elevated as often as possible. Use a footstool wherever necessary to take the pressure off the back of your legs.
- Uncross your legs. DO NOT cross your legs; this reduces circulation
- Wear maternity support stockings to give your legs some support. Use suitable shoes with good arch support
- Exercise and stretch regularly. Gentle stretching of your body can help blood to return to your heart so it doesn't collect in your veins
- Get off your feet as much as possible by reclining on either your left of right side but not flat on your back
Weekly Nutrition advice in Week 14
- Being overweight at the start of pregnancy may present special problems. You may be advised to gain less weight than the average 25-35 pounds required for a normal- weight woman.
- You will probably have to choose low-calorie, lower-fat foods to eat. A visit to the nutritionist may be necessary to help you develop a healthful food plan. You will be advised not to diet during your pregnancy.
- Extra weight brings in more problems including gestational diabetes or high blood pressure; backaches, varicose veins and fatigue intensify for heavier women.
- If you put on much during your pregnancy - beyond what your doctor advised - chances of a Cesarean delivery increases.
- If you are overweight, visits to your doctor will be more often. Ultrasounds may be needed to help establish your due date because it is harder to establish the position and size of the fetus.
- Extra layers of abdominal fat may make manual examination harder. Your doctor may order for gestational diabetes tests, along with other diagnostic tests as you near your due date.
Iron Myth
Certain foods e.g. spinach, egg yolk though rich in iron cannot be absorbed through the intestines. Most nutritionally important is the 'elemental (pure) iron' which means the amount of iron available for absorption. A 300 mg ferrous sulfate pill contains 60 mg of elemental iron; 300 mg of ferrous fumarate contains 100 mg of elemental iron while 300 mg of ferrous gluconate contains 35 mg of elemental iron. The amount of iron listed may be misleading - check with your doctor on this. Avoid taking foods or iron supplement with anything that inhibits its absorption e.g. milk, tea, coffee, antacids and instead go for fruit juices foods rich in vitamin C. It is best to begin on iron supplements early in pregnancy or before if possible in order to store extra iron.