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OB Education & Class Registration |
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Pregnancy: 17-20 Weeks
Changes Your Body Will Experience
- The beginning of fetal movement
- Lower abdominal achiness which is related to the stretching of ligaments
- Good appetite
- Leg cramps
- Backache
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Slight whitish vaginal discharge called "leukorrhea". (This discharge should not cause itching or burning, if it does, call your doctor).
- Varicose veins and or hemorrhoids
- Mild swelling of ankles and feet
Comfort Measures
Heartburn
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Eliminate fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, spearmint and peppermint gum and processed meats
- Never use over the counter medication or home remedies without your doctor's approval.
Constipation
- Increase fluids (water, juice)
- Increase walking or other exercise that has been approved by your doctor
- Eat dried fruit (raisins, prunes, and apricots)
- Never use stool softeners or laxatives without checking with your doctor first.
Ankle Swelling
- Elevate feet and legs whenever possible
- Drink lots of water
- Do ankle circles
- Do not stand or sit for long periods of time without changing your position frequently. Avoid crossing your legs.
Leg Cramps
- Evaluate your calcium intake (food and supplements) and discuss with your doctor.
- Don't massage your leg; instead flex your ankle and toes toward your nose.
Emotional Changes You and Your Partner May Experience
An intimate and personal relationship begins to develop between mother and baby. Pregnant women usually begin to feel fetal movement around the 20th week of pregnancy. What they feel differs from woman to woman - from "quickening" to"butterflies" to a "gentle nudging." Fetal movement is a source of joy that will grow even stronger as the pregnancy progress. Accepting the pregnancy is an important task for both partners.
Communicate with your partner about what becoming a family means to you. Sharing these thoughts with other friends and family can also help you gain perspective on what you are feeling. An expectant father may find himself sorting out a host of conflicting emotions as his partner's pregnancy progresses into the 2nd trimester. Fear or jealousy, masked by an increased drive to accomplish or burst of creativity, are common. Concerns that sex will hurt the developing fetus may make men reluctant about approaching their partner, yet women in the second trimester may have a renewed interest in sexual activity. Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, lovemaking under most circumstances will not hurt the baby and helps promote feelings of togetherness.
Reassurance from his female partner and open communication are especially important for men coping with the idea of fatherhood. By discussing their feelings and concerns, the couple starts to take on a new identity - the family.
Be Alert to Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Cramping and/or low back pain or ache
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe swelling of ankles, fingers or face
- Visual changes - seeing 'spots' or 'floaters'
- Excessive or sudden weight gain (more than 2-pounds/week)
- Difficulty accepting the pregnancy
- Disruptive marital conflict
An issue rarely mentioned, but equally as important is partner/spouse abuse. It occurs in families of all racial, economic, educational and religious backgrounds. Physical and mental abuse often begins, or becomes worse, during pregnancy. For additional information or help, call us at 949/764-BABY (2229). Your telephone calls are confidential.
How Is My Baby Growing?
By the end of your 5th month the baby is 8-10 inches long and weighs about 1 pound. You can feel it moving. Soft downy hair called "lanugo" begins to cover its little body. Hair, white eyelashes and brows begin to grow. A protective substance called "vernix" covers the fetus.
The OB Education department at Hoag Hospital is an excellent resource for information and pre-natal classes. Hoag's BabyLine, 949/764-BABY (2229) is a community service answered by registered nurses with expertise in pregnancy, infant care, childbirth and breastfeeding. Available 7 days a week from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the weekends. The nurse answers new and expectant parents' questions and directs callers to additional resources as needed.
OB Education is available to assist you with class enrollment. Call 949/764-5940 or e-mail OBEducation@hoaghospital.org.
Things to Do Now
Have you registered for your Prepared Childbirth classes?
Practice good posture and body mechanics. When lifting, keep your feet apart, tuck buttocks in and bend at the knees using your arms and legs to lift instead of your back.
Make sure bra and shoes provide proper support.
Discuss your feelings and thoughts.
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