Pregnancy Guide

All pregnant women should promptly seek antenatal care, preferably within the first trimester, that is, not later than 3 months after their last menstrual period, to ensure a normal pregnancy and a healthy and complete baby. Doctors will examine the woman's health for any complications that may be dangerous to the pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, and infectious diseases.

Services that women will receive during antenatal care include:

1. Weight measurement, height measurement, blood pressure measurement, and urine examination.
2. The doctor or nurse will take a medical history related to the woman's previous pregnancies, pregnancy-related symptoms, fetal movement, past medical history, family medical history, and allergies to drugs. This information will be useful for the obstetrician to provide appropriate care during pregnancy and delivery.
3. The woman will receive a detailed physical examination by an obstetrician-gynecologist, including an estimation of the expected date of delivery, which is usually within 1-2 weeks of the estimated date.
4. The obstetrician will provide advice on how to take care of oneself during pregnancy, prescribe necessary medications, and schedule the next check-up appointments.
5. The next check-up appointments will be scheduled as follows:

• From the first antenatal visit to 7 months of pregnancy, the woman should have a check-up once a month.
• From 7 to 8 months of pregnancy, the woman should have a check-up every 2 weeks.
• During the last month of pregnancy, the woman should have a weekly check-up. If there are any abnormal findings during the pregnancy check-up, such as complications or underlying diseases, the doctor may require you to have more frequent check-ups than the recommended schedule.

Practices during pregnancy

1. Eating: You should consume nutritious foods, especially protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, milk, eggs, liver, and various beans. In addition, vegetables and fruits should also be consumed as they provide vitamins and minerals and prevent constipation. As for foods high in carbohydrates and fats, it is not necessary to consume a lot as it may cause excessive weight gain, complications, and difficult childbirth.

2. Rest and exercise: You should rest for at least 8 hours a day or more. Light exercises such as walking or doing household chores are good forms of exercise. Traveling or working outside the home is not dangerous during pregnancy unless it causes extreme fatigue. It is recommended to take a nap during the afternoon for about 15-30 minutes to prevent excessive fatigue.

3. Dental health: You should visit a dentist to have your teeth checked and treated because your teeth are more prone to decay during pregnancy. Tooth filling or extraction is not harmful to the baby in the womb if the dentist deems it necessary.

4. Hygiene: You should shower at least twice a day and wear clean clothes that are not too tight. If there is clear fluid coming out of your nipples, you should wash it off with water or mild soap every time you shower. For those with short or inverted nipples, you should pull on them every time to help them elongate and facilitate breastfeeding in the future.

Things you should avoid:

1. You should not eat spicy food or drink any kind of tea, coffee, or alcohol. You should not smoke.
2. You should not exercise or do any heavy work that makes you feel excessively tired.
3. You should not buy and take any medication without consulting a doctor.
4. You should not wash your vagina with water or any kind of solution, except when ordered by a doctor.
5. You can have sexual intercourse, except during the last month of pregnancy or in cases of abnormal conditions, such as bleeding or when ordered by a doctor.
6. You should not have an X-ray, except when deemed necessary by a doctor.

Note:

If you need to see another doctor for any reason, you should inform them that you are pregnant.

Common symptoms that you may experience during pregnancy

1. Morning sickness is a common symptom, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy. You don't have to worry, and an easy way to alleviate this is to get enough rest, eat small, frequent meals, and avoid having an empty stomach. If you have severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe medication, which is safe during pregnancy.

2. Abdominal bloating and discomfort can be caused by poor digestion. To alleviate this, it's recommended to eat easily digestible food and avoid gas-producing food like pickles, beans, and carbonated beverages. Light exercise, like walking, is also recommended to prevent constipation, which can be helped by drinking lots of water and consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables.

3. Headaches and dizziness can be alleviated by getting enough rest and avoiding being in poorly ventilated areas with a lot of people.

4. Back pain and cramps can be alleviated by getting enough rest, avoiding prolonged standing, heavy lifting, and wearing high heels. Warm compresses and massage with warm honey can also help to relieve the pain.

5. Vaginal discharge is normal if it's clear or white, but if it's mixed with blood or has a bad odor or itching, you should see a doctor.

6. Hemorrhoids is always found during pregnancy. It is important to be careful not to become constipated. Usually, hemorrhoids disappears on its own about 4-5 weeks after giving birth.

7. Varicose veins occur due to slow blood circulation. It is advisable not to stand or sit with your legs crossed for long periods of time. When lying down, elevate your feet. If the pain is severe, consult a doctor.

8. Stretch marks on the belly or chest are normal and cannot be prevented or treated. However, applying cream or coconut oil frequently can prevent itching.

9. Swelling is a normal symptom, especially in the weeks leading up to childbirth. Resting and elevating your feet will help reduce swelling, and mild pain around the ankle is also normal.

10. Insomnia, especially near childbirth, may occur due to discomfort caused by a growing fetus and difficulty breathing. This can be remedied by propping up the head.

11. Mood swings are common during pregnancy, and you may feel easily agitated, have trouble sleeping, and cry easily. Try to relax and don't have too much free time. This will help those around you, such as your spouse, feel more comfortable, and most importantly, when the baby is born, you will feel a warm feeling in your heart.

Abnormal symptoms that you should see a doctor before scheduling an appointment:

• Severe nausea that prevents you from eating
• Feeling bloated or having frequent indigestion
• Frequent headaches or dizziness
• Rapid weight gain with swelling in the face and hands
• Fever or chills
• Decreased fetal movement in pregnant women
• Burning and frequent urination
• Presence of blood or discharge with odor and itching
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When you experience labor pain:

Labor pain is characterized by continuous and regular pain in the abdomen, with the first few contractions lasting longer. Subsequent contractions will become more frequent, usually every 5-10 minutes, and last for about 2-3 hours. Do not panic when the pain begins, and for women with a backache, labor may progress faster than those with abdominal pain. Therefore, if you are sure that you are in labor, go to the hospital immediately. However, this may depend on the distance and traffic, so it is best to go as soon as possible.

Best regards from Vibhavadi Hospital.