These bright red
marks that generally
fade to silver over
time may appear
on your abdomen,
breasts, hips or
buttocks during
pregnancy. They
occur when the skin
becomes overstretched.
While you can reduce
your chances of
developing these
marks by keeping
your weight in control,
there is no guarantee
that this can be
avoided. If you
do develop stretch
marks and they don't
seem to fade, an
appointment with
a dermatologist
may be a good idea.
Usually laser treatment
or special creams
will be prescribed.
Most women find
their breasts grow
by one full cup
size by the end
of the first trimester
and by another cup
size by the time
the baby arrives.
Some women welcome
these changes while
some are not too
thrilled with the
change. It is a
very individual
thing.
Some
Basic Pointers
(Week 15)
Alpha-fetoprotein
Testing (AFP)
As your baby grows,
it produces AFP.
This protein is
found in increasing
amounts in the
amniotic fluid.
The level of AFP
can be meaningful
during pregnancy.
An AFP test is
usually done between
16 and 18 weeks
of gestation.
The timing of
this test is important
and should be
done in correlation
to the gestational
age of pregnancy
and to the mother's
weight. An elevated
level of AFP can
indicate problems
with the fetus
such as spina
bifida (spinal
cord problem)
or conversely
anencephaly (central
nervous system
defects) found
in association
between low levels
of AFP. Low levels
of AFP have also
been linked with
Down syndrome.
In the past amniocentesis
was the only way
to test for Down
syndrome. If the
level of AFP is
not normal, a
detailed ultrasound
examination is
done to look for
spina bifida,
Down syndrome
and anencephaly.
This ultrasound
may help determine
how far you are
into your pregnancy.
AFP test is not
done on all women.
There risk involved
is low and it
basically informs
your doctor on
fetal growth and
development.
Pap Smears
during Pregnancy
One is usually
done at the beginning
of pregnancy.
By now the results
are back and your
doctor will address
the results with
you if the results
were found abnormal.
Pap smears are
done during the
pelvic exam and
it is to identify
cancerous or precancerous
cells from the
cervix, which
is located at
the top of the
vagina. Pap smears
are screening
tests. If your
result is abnormal,
your doctor must
decide on treatment.
Continue to get
checked as your
doctor advises.
If the cells are
found to be premalignant
or not too serious,
it may be possible
to monitor during
pregnancy with
colposcopy or
pap smears; biopsies
are usually not
done during this
time as it can
cause the sensitive
cervix to bleed
easily. This situation
must be handled
very sensitively.
Women who delivery
vaginally may
find a change
in abnormal pap
smears in that
after giving birth,
the Pap smear
became normal.
The next step
can be a colposcopy,
a procedure that
uses an instrument
similar to a microscope
to look at the
cervix. Your doctor
will be able to
see the abnormal
areas so that
biopsies can be
taken after pregnancy.
A biopsy will
give a better
picture of the
problem. If there
is a possibility
of the abnormal
cells spreading
to other parts
of the body, a
cone biopsy may
need to be done.
This determines
the extent of
more severe disease
and removes the
abnormal tissue.
This surgery is
done with an anesthesia
but not during
pregnancy. There
are several ways
to treat abnormal
cells but none
of these can be
conducted on the
pregnant woman.
These treatments
include surgically
removing the abnormal
spot, electric
cautery to burn
the affected spots,
crycautery to
freeze small lesions,
laser treatment
to destroy abnormal
cells and cone
biopsy for more
severe lesions.
Change
Sleeping Positions
Now
As you grow larger,
finding comfortable
positions can
become a problem.
Don't lie on your
back when you
sleep. This position
can place the
uterus on top
of important blood
vessels (the aorta
and inferior vena
cava) that run
down the back
of your abdomen.
This can decrease
circulation to
your baby and
parts of your
body. Some pregnant
women also face
breathing problems
when lying on
their backs. Lying
on your stomach
puts additional
pressure on your
growing uterus.
This is the reason
to learn to sleep
on your side.
So, start now
to learn to sleep
on your side;
it will pay off
later as you become
bigger. Sometimes
it helps to put
extra pillows.
Put one behind
you so you won't
roll onto your
back and lie sleeping
on your back;
another between
your legs or rest
your top leg on
a pillow. There
are special pregnancy
pillows that support
your entire body
in the market
as well.
Getting
a good night's
sleep
Sleeping soundly
may be difficult
for you now or
later in pregnancy.
Some suggestions
below might help:
• Go to
bed and wake up
at the same time
each day
• Don't
drink too much
fluid at night.
Slow down after
6 pm so you don't
have to visit
the bathroom all
night long
• Avoid
caffeine after
late afternoon
• Get regular
exercise
• Sleep
in a cool bedroom;
21.1 C is ideal
• If you
have heartburn
problems, sleep
propped up
You may experience
shortness of breath
due to enlarged
abdomen and this
will interfere
with your sleep.
Try lying on your
left side. Prop
up your head and
shoulders on extra
pillows. Light
exercise and warm
showers or soaks
may also help.
A glass of warm
milk may do the
trick or if none
of these work,
try sleeping partially
sitting up in
a recliner.
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