Month: November 2021

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How much weight should I gain when I am pregnant?

pregnant with weight gain

Dear Darla,
My name is Tanya and I am 6 months pregnant. I have already gained like 20 lbs and am terrified of excessive weight gain. I  work out regularly, eat well but the pregnancy weight just keeps piling on. I know a lot of it will come off with the baby, but I just don’t want to put too much weight on.

What do you think?

Tanya, 27, Albuquerque

Dear Tanya,

How many times have you heard a pregnant person say they are eating for two? Well eating for two could be a true statement, but one of the two people are between 0 and 8 pounds, not a 200lb person. Although increasing your caloric intake is important during pregnancy, there are misconceptions around the amount of calories that should be increased during the 9 months of pregnancy. Pregnant women often experience increased cravings which may make it more difficult to control caloric intake, but increasing calories at a moderate and gradual rate is essential.

         So, how much should you be eating? The average woman should increase their calories by 300 a day during pregnancy. This is not a definite number for all women, there are circumstances that influence the number of calories a woman should increase such as weight, height, activity level, and more.

I can’t tell what your starting weight was, or even what kind of shape you are in. I assume you must be in good shape since you state you work out regularly.  If you were below average weight for your weight and height then you should gain between 28 and 40 pounds. If you were average weight for your height before pregnancy, then you should aim to gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Finally if you are overweight for your height, then you should look to gain between 15-25 pounds.

You can determine if you were underweight, average, or overweight before pregnancy based on your height by calculating your BMI. Calculate your BMI by using this simple equation kg/m2. Once you have your BMI calculated, use this number to determine where you stand. A health range is between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI above 24.9 is considered overweight and a number under 18.5 is considered underweight. A BMI calculation does not take into consideration all factors of a person, such as muscle mass, so consult your doctor if you need a more accurate result.

         Currently your weight gain seems to be within range. Remember that while weight may continue increasing in the last trimester, your appetite will be reduced as the baby continues to grow and place pressure on your stomach and other organs.  Many women have far less appetite in the last trimester than in the second.

I would focus instead on consuming high amounts of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and multi-grain products. I would ensure that I limit my sugar and processed food intake.  These things will help you to keep your weight under control and  ensure you are consuming good  quality foods for your growing baby.

https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/healthy-weight-gain#1

https://www.diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/tools—resources/body-mass-index-(bmi)-calculator#:~:text=Body%20Mass%20Index%20is%20a,range%20is%2018.5%20to%2024.9.

https://www.lifespan.org/centers-services/multidisciplinary-obstetric-medicine-service-moms/pregnancy-weight-gain

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What Should I name my Baby?

Dear Darla,

I am 7 months pregnant and we still don’t have a name for the baby. What should we do? We just can’t seem to agree on what the baby should be named.

What are your thoughts?

Soraya, 24, Austin, TX

Dear Soraya,

Finding a name for your new baby can be a challenge at times. Some parents want to be extremely unique like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West who named their daughter North West, and others want to keep baby names simple and classic like Madison or Peter. No one way is right or wrong. As parents you have complete control over what your baby should be named. With that being said, there are a few considerations you might want to keep in mind when thinking of a name for your baby.

         Although you want to pick a name you consider beautiful and unique, remember not all people will have the same opinions as you. If you are someone who can be easily swayed by the ideas of others, try to keep your desired names private and make the decision on your own or with your partner. However, consider how the name you choose will be received by others because some names can cause your child to be teased or bullied in school. For example, there have been parents who have named their kids “Lemon” or “Godblessamerica.” These names may be meaningful to you, but you might be setting up your child for a world of torment as they grow older.

         The other thing to consider, is the impact that your name will have on your child.

Have you noticed that Usain “BOLT” ended up being the fastest man on earth? Or Lonzo BALL ended up becoming an NBA superstar? These may not always be coincidences. Remember, whatever you name your child will be what you are constantly professing into their lives. If you have a baby boy and decide to name him “Havoc” you will constantly be reminding him of being aggressive and unorganized. However, a name like, “Peace” will profess positive attributes onto your child. Although there is no scientific proof behind personality traits developing because of a chosen name, the meaning behind your child’s name is an important factor to consider. When you are searching for a name make sure to look up its meaning and see if it resonates with you.

         Another important consideration is thinking about the nicknames that will come from that chosen name. Oftentimes parents fall in love with a name, but do not consider that no one will ever call them that because there is a shorter version of that name that everyone will use instead. For example, do you like the name Natalie? Yes? Ok, but do you like the name Nat. Most likely everyone around this child will begin calling her Nat, so choose wisely about which nicknames will arise for their given name.

         If you are having trouble finding inspiration for a name, try to search your family tree. Consider someone special in your family or in your life and see if you like their name or possibly their middle name. Make sure you are choosing someone you have fond memories with or someone inspirational to you. Consider your side of the family, as well as your partner’s side of the family.

         So now you have narrowed down your options to a few names. To truly see if that name fits you and your family, say the names out loud often. Try to see how the name fits in with other people in your immediate family. See how that name rolls off your tongue and if it feels comfortable when you say it.

Regardless of the name you choose, it is how you treat your child that will impact whether they love or hate the name.

Best of Luck,

Love Darla.

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Help! I’m bleeding during pregnancy. Is it dangerous?

Dear Darla,

I am four months pregnant with my first baby and today, I had a couple of spots of blood in my underwear. This is scaring me pretty bad. Am I miscarrying? Is bleeding during pregnancy bad?  Should I go to the doctor?

Isabella in Mariposa, CA

Dear Isabella

Many women experience bleeding during pregnancy, so you are not alone. Bleeding during pregnancy can be worrisome, but it is not always a sure indication that there is a problem. However, it is important to monitor yourself in case bleeding persists and becomes heavier. Bleeding can potentially be a sign of a serious issue, so make sure to always disclose any concerns with your health care provider to make sure you and your baby are doing well.

If you see any more bleeding like this, (often called “spotting”) go to your doctor. Spotting during pregnancy is normal as the cervix gets used to being pregnant.

It is important to note there is a difference between spotting and heavier bleeding. Spotting is when you have light bleeding that is typically pink, red, or dark brown. Bleeding is heavier than spotting. You can tell you are bleeding rather than spotting if you require a pad or a tampon to feel secure to go about your day. If you are spotting you may just need a pantyliner to accommodate the bleeding.

         Specifically bleeding in early pregnancy is common. Around 20% of women experience bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy. Bleeding in later pregnancy is considered more serious. Many women experience bleeding in the first few days of becoming pregnant and this is called implantation bleeding. This type of bleeding happens when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterine wall and can often be mistaken as a period if women are not aware they are pregnant. Bleeding in early pregnancy can also be a result of an early miscarriage which happen in about every 10 out of 100 pregnancies. Other than bleeding, cramping may also be a symptom of an early miscarriage.

         Bleeding in late pregnancy can be caused by Placenta Previa. Placenta Previa can occur when the uterus is covering the birth canal. If this is the case, it requires immediate medical attention, so call your doctor right away if experiencing bleeding in late pregnancy. Another reason for bleeding during late pregnancy can be because of a Uterine Rupture. You should be aware of a  uterine rupture if you have previously experienced a c-section. A uterine rupture occurs when a c-section scar reopens during pregnancy and requires emergency medical attention as well.

         There could be a multitude of reasons you are experiencing bleeding or spotting during pregnancy, so the smartest thing to do is call your doctor immediately.

I have listed further resources below for your convenience.  Take care Isabella, and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/bleeding-during-pregnancy#1

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/bleeding-during-pregnancy

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/spotting-in-pregnancy

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Top 5 Ways to Avoid Illness & Stress this Thanksgiving

The Stork Bag - Top 5 Ways to Avoid Illness & Stress this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, particularly after a year like the last one, is an important time to give thanks and enjoy family and friends. However, being pregnant during Thanksgiving can bring all sorts of stress and and even potentially illness to pregnant mums. So how do we enjoy Thanksgiving, see family, and avoid the pitfalls associated with large gatherings? Check out our list below to learn the top 5 ways to avoid illness and stress this Thanksgiving Holiday.

This coming weekend, many of us will be gathering with family and friends to enjoy the bounties of the season and give thanks. After a year filled with separation and isolation, we have much to be thankful for. Enjoying this time with family and friends is very important to maintaining our mental health. Humans (for the most part) are social creatures and crave regular social interaction. Yet, when we gather, there can be all sorts of risk that pregnant women have to contend with. Whether it is food concerns, illness or just holiday stress, everything seems more extreme when you are pregnant. So do we deal with the holidays, yet, protect ourselves.

We need to be thankful for all we have this year and all we are. Being able to gather with our friends and family is so important to our mental health.

We have identified the top 5 risks of pregnancy during Thanksgiving and how to avoid them to manage the risk.

  1. Undercooked Food. One of the biggest risks for a pregnant women, and in fact anyone, is undercooked food. This is especially risky during pregnancy because illnesses like salmonella can be especially dangerous to an expecting mother and her unborn child. Look for foods that look discolored, appear still raw, or a different consistency. Stuffing, traditionally cooked inside of the bird, can pose a threat for pregnant women as it has a higher chance of passing on food borne illness. So skip the stuffing, unless you can confirm it was cooked on a stove top.
  2. Food Borne Illness-one of the biggest things to look for is to watch for food borne illnesses. Certain foods are more likely than others to carry illness. Foods like Shellfish, certain cheeses and cold cuts are more likely to carry dangerous bacteria like Listeria, which can make pregnant women very ill. Soft cheeses are another food group that you have to have some caution with. Other items like lox, salmon and cold cuts can also carry significant amounts of bacteria. Some experts recommend heating them right before eating as one way to decrease the risk of exposure to certain bacteria. On a cold cut tray however, it is difficult to discern how long something has been sitting and or how it was prepared.
  3. Beverages– we all enjoy our beverages. We know during pregnancy we need to eliminate alcohols, but did you know that beverages such as apple ciders, eggnog and other drinks should be pasteurized before you drink them? When in doubt, bring something you know you can drink and share. Pregnancy doesn’t last forever, and there are many choices available on the market now, from non-alcoholic wines and sparkling ciders to yummy hot chocolates and other warm toasty drinks. On a side note, the other thing to watch in many of these drinks is the caffeine level. You want to minimize the amount of caffeine you are consuming to no more than the equivalent of 1-2 small coffees per day.
  4. Close & Cuddly– There is nothing like the holidays for seeing family and loved ones. However, it is in these close quarters that we can get sick. Whether it is COVID, the flu or a common cold, viruses spread faster in close quarters. So how do you avoid getting sick? Besides the typical washing hands and avoiding to touch your face, avoiding kissing, and not getting too close to others , are ways to avoid airborne illnesses. If you are really nervous about getting sick and want to see your family, just wear a mask.
  5. Managing Stress Levels– The holidays represent both a time of joy, but also can be a time of exceptional stress for most people. You have extra financial pressures, more to do and we place unrealistic expectations of perfection on ourselves. We have this idea that things have to be picture perfect. Let go of what you think should be and accept that when you are pregnant, you need to do less, in order to enjoy things more. Be present. Accept help, and offer to bring a side rather than the main course. There is no reason you have to do everything alone, nor are you responsible for everyone’s happiness. If you are hosting, pre-make some of the food, freeze and then thaw before the big day. Ask others to pitch in and help and give yourself permission to understand that not everything will be perfect and that is ok.

The holidays can be enjoyed and be a source of joy for us. As pregnant women, we just have to take a few more precautions and be organized. So go forth, see your family this holiday and be thankful for all we have and that we can all be together again this year.