Pregnancy

Dr Ken Law
10:48 am

What to Expect in the Second Trimester

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Many mothers will tell you their second trimester was the most comfortable – the calm before the storm, you might say! Here’s a brief guide to what you can expect between the 14th and 27th week. Your Body’s Changes It’s the second trimester where you can expect your pregnancy to start becoming more pronounced. While the extra weight might not be welcome, you will be glad to see some of your first-trimester symptoms subsiding (or at least becoming more bearable). Your breasts should become a bit less tender and your morning sickness should ease – so you can enjoy eating again! With that said, there are some common symptoms that women experience during their second trimester, so it may not necessarily be smooth sailing for you. Things to look out for include: Congested breathing Some dizziness Slightly swollen feet and/or ankles Cramping in your legs Sensitive or bleeding gums Aches in your lower body Varicose veins If any of these symptoms seem irregularly severe or are giving you undue concern, we would encourage you to get in touch with our clinic to book an appointment. Phone us on 1300 464 464. Your Baby’s Development The second trimester is when your baby will start actually tasting the foods you’ve recently eaten, which is an exciting development. In addition to this, most babies will also develop the following during these weeks: Light hairs, including eyebrows and eyelashes Eyes and ears (and the ability to use them!) Your baby’s heart should begin beating regularly during this trimester, and this is when you might start feeling some spontaneous kicks. This stage of pregnancy might be the most pleasant for many women, but that doesn’t mean it’s stress-free. If you are having difficulties with this change in your life, please browse our wide range of blog posts for information that may be helpful to you. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

What to Expect in Your First Trimester

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The first 12-13 weeks might be the least physically obvious of your pregnancy, but you can still expect a lot of changes to occur within yourself. Here’s a quick guide to some of the things to anticipate during your first trimester. Your Body’s Changes You won’t adjust to being pregnant straight away; you might feel uncomfortable within your skin for a while before you get used to the changes you’re experiencing. Keep in mind that not much weight gain typically occurs during the first 12 weeks – the baby bump usually emerges in the second and third trimesters. The main 2 symptoms to expect during the first trimester are: Morning sickness (we have some tips for dealing with this) Changes to your breasts (halfway through the first trimester, they will most likely have grown and become more sensitive). There are also slightly less common symptoms you might experience, such as: Aversions to certain foods Heartburn Headaches Constipation Mood swings Remember that every person is unique – the way your body responds to pregnancy might be completely different to how things went for any of your friends who have had babies! Your Baby’s Development A lot of exciting things happen inside your womb during the first trimester. Your baby will begin developing: Various touch receptors Bones (including arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers and toes) Skin, hair follicles and nail beds Optic nerves, lenses and retinas A heartbeat A digestive system Tastebuds Muscles White blood cells Vocal cords. If you experience any concerning or severe symptoms during your first trimester, please contact us straight away to make an appointment. Call our friendly reception staff on 1300 464 464. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Gestational Diabetes in Pregnancy

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Gestational diabetes affects up to 5% of expectant mothers and is marked by blood glucose levels that are higher than they should be. This form of diabetes most often arises around the 24th week of pregnancy and most women will cease to have it after giving birth. Some women can develop diabetes earlier in pregnancy.  A Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) is recommended in all pregnancies at 26 to 28 weeks.  In addition, if you are at increased risk of having gestational diabetes, an early GTT is performed at 12 to 16 weeks. Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes Some women are more at risk than others of having gestational pregnancy. For example, being over 30 or overweight can increase your chances. If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes (or if you have a personal history of gestational diabetes), your risk is also higher than average. Women of certain ethnic backgrounds (including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Polynesian, Chinese, Melanesian and Vietnamese) are also more at risk. The Cause for Gestational Diabetes When you are pregnant, your placenta creates the necessary hormones to help your baby develop. However, these same hormones can also counteract your regular insulin production. This insulin resistance is what can lead to gestational diabetes. How to Manage Gestational Diabetes As with standard diabetes, the key steps to take are: Improving your diet Exercising regularly Regular monitoring of the blood glucose levels Diabetic educator review Dietitian review Regular reviews with your obstetrician. In some cases, a medication called Metformin may be prescribed, and sometimes insulin injections may be required. If you’re concerned about gestational diabetes, our clinic can help put your mind at ease. Book a consultation with us today by calling 1300 464 464. We can answer any questions or concerns you have and help you prevent or manage gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms

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Pregnancy is a beautiful miracle, sure, but it also comes with a couple of not-so-pleasant side effects! If you’ve recently conceived or are currently planning a family, here are some of the common symptoms to anticipate – plus some tips on how to deal with them. Morning Sickness Feeling nauseous in the morning is perhaps the most well-known problem for pregnant women. As I have previously written in our article on “Morning Sickness”, not uncommonly the nausea and vomiting can last all day, and sometimes into the evening and night! There are a number of credible (and some questionable) methods for tackling morning sickness, with common strategies including: Drinking more water Trying different foods for dinner Eating ginger candy Eating smaller and more frequent meals Wearing comfortable clothing. If nothing seems to work, be sure to get in touch with us. We can investigate to see what might be causing your nausea and try some medications. Fatigue You’re eating for 2 (although this is not quite true, as we have written in our previous blog on “Food in Pregnancy”) and carrying extra weight – you’re bound to get tired more quickly than usual! When possible, take naps during the day, but always aim to get a decent sleep at night. Try having a warm bath or getting a massage to help you relax. Leg Cramps It is not uncommon to get some leg cramps, and this is often worse at night.  If your thighs or calves start to cramp at night, magnesium supplements may be helpful for some women. Backaches Many women experience lower back pain when pregnant. To reduce this, avoid standing in the same position for long periods of time. Pelvic exercises and using a footrest while seated may also help alleviate some of the pain.  Our pregnancy physiotherapists are very experienced in dealing with back pain during pregnancy (as it is very common), and may have targeted therapies and braces to help specifically with your back pain. If you’re experiencing significant symptoms, please call us on 1300 464 464. Helping you get through your pregnancy smoothly and safely is exactly what we’re here for! […]

Hands Off!

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 Hands Off! How to deal with people touching your baby bump Just about every woman who has been through a pregnancy will have experienced at least one unwelcome belly touch. But not every individual is comfortable with this happening, especially if they don’t know the person well. Here are some tips for dealing with people touching your baby bump. Be Firm, Not Aggressive Society has made it common to affectionately touch a pregnant woman’s belly, so don’t make assumptions about the offender being intentionally rude. Explain politely and clearly that you don’t welcome their physical contact, but steer away from using an aggressive tone. Getting angry will only make the situation uncomfortable for you both. Wear a Shirt That Tells Them Do a quick search online and you’ll find a colourful range of maternity shirts with slogans like ‘Hands off!’ and ‘No touching the bump!’ This may not be appropriate for the train ride to work, but it could warn away a stranger while you’re doing the grocery shopping. Hold Their Hands Instead of pushing the person away, simply intercept their hands with your own… and hold them. This will give you a chance to explain that you don’t wish to be touched. And, if they claim that you touching their hands makes them uncomfortable, ask them how they think having their belly touched all the time would make them feel! The occasional rub from your partner or a friend is nice. But, when you’re pregnant, the belly touching can get irritating real quick! Hopefully these tips will help you deal with some unwanted invasions of your personal bubble. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Do’s And Don’ts in Pregnancy

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When you are pregnant, many people will try to give you advice on what to do and what not to do.  Here’s a summary, to keep you on the right track. Things NOT to do in Pregnancy Don’t Touch Kitty Litter Toxoplasma is a parasite that can be transmitted via the cat’s litter It can cross the placenta, and cause lesions in the baby’s brain, and neurological impairment. You don’t have to give your cat away, but it is indeed a good reason to get your partner to handle the kitty litter (for a change!) Don’t Use Electric Blankets Electric blankets can emit a low level electro-magnetic field, that may potentially affect fetal development.  It is therefore best to avoid using electric blankets during pregnancy. Don’t do High impact exercise Avoid anything high impact, like horse-riding, fast running, or heavy weight-lifting. During pregnancy, your joints are loosened by pregnancy hormones, and these high impact activities could potentially over-strain your joints. Don’t Drink Alcohol Click here for further information on alcohol use during pregnancy Don’t Eat Sushi Click here for further information on foods to avoid during pregnancy Don’t Smoke Smoking can increase your risk of premature birth, or having a baby with low birth weight or respiratory problems.  After delivery, smoking also increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There is no safe level of smoking. For help to quit smoking, call the Quit-line on 13 18 48. Things you SHOULD Do in Pregnancy Enjoy the pregnancy! Healthy Exercise Regular healthy exercise during pregnancy is encouraged. There are many things you can do, including: Walking Swimming Low-impact aerobics Pilates Yoga Healthy Eating “Eating for two” is an urban myth.  You only require an additional 800 kilo joules (200 calories) when you are pregnant, whereas the recommended daily requirement for a non-pregnant female is around 10,000 kilo joules.  The body absorbs more nutrients from food when you are pregnant.  Click here for further information on healthy eating during pregnancy, or see Dr Law’s dietitian for specific advice. Sex Sex is fine at any time during pregnancy, except in special circumstances (e.g. […]

Preparing Your Child for Another Baby

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Baby #2: Preparing Your Child for a Brother or Sister Going from being the only child to having a sibling is difficult. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to keep all your kids healthy and happy, without showing any signs of favouritism. But even if you divide your attention equally between your newborn and older child, 50% will still seem like a lot less than the 100% your eldest son or daughter is used to. It’s crucial to prepare them for this transition early: Make it Exciting Tell your child about the great things that come with having a brother or sister, like always having someone to play with and talk to. Involve them in activities like decorating the baby’s room or choosing tiny outfits to help them feel more excited than anxious. Be Honest While it’s great to focus on the positives, don’t avoid the negatives; a rude shock is much worse than an expected one. If your child is old enough to understand, explain factors like having to share toys and needing to be the mature one. Make Them Feel Important Tell your child they can help their new brother or sister grow up, from feeding them while they’re a baby to helping them with homework in the future. If your child feels they have a role to play in their younger sibling’s growth, they should be able to look forward to this transition instead of dreading it. If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to contact us; we’d be more than happy to discuss your concerns with you. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Travelling With Your Baby

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For many people, the idea of travelling with their new baby can be very daunting and the thought of it puts some people off even considering it. Here are some things to consider when travelling with your baby. Flying with your baby Babies are able to travel on planes from a very early age but it is always best to check with the airline you are travelling what their individual requirements are. There are usually baby bassinets available on the plane but be aware that often airlines won’t allocate one until you have booked your tickets and have a name for your baby.  Furthermore, allocation is not always guaranteed as it comes down to the ages of the babies and how many are on board. One advantage to travelling with a baby is that you pay 10% of your fare for your baby (for international flights), and so it is very cost effective to travel with them at this age. For domestic flights in Australia, infants below the age of 2 travel for free! Young babies can also make easier travellers than older more inquisitive babies, but be mindful if your baby has a particular condition which might make things difficult. Consider buying a cheap pushchair to use in the airport once you have put your main stroller in the hold. Also consider if you are going to a country where you aren’t sure what food your baby can eat, it might be wise to take a small number of ready-made food pouches to help get you through, such as Bellamy’s Organic or Organic Bubs. Driving with your baby If you have a baby that is good in the car then a road trip might be the perfect getaway for you, as you might find they sleep for much of the journey giving you some downtime in the car. Be mindful of feeding and it might be good to map out some stops along the way if you are going a long distance to ensure that baby gets fed regularly and gets some fresh air. Make sure you take plenty […]

Most Useful Baby Shower Gifts

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Baby showers are a great way to celebrate the impending arrival of a baby with your girlfriends. They are also an excuse to play baby-themed games, eat some great food, and have some fun… plus, there will usually be plenty of baby gifts! While it’s great to turn up with a surprise gift at a baby shower, pregnancy and birth can be a hectic time; it’s often best to buy something that will be useful following the arrival of the new baby. We asked a few mums what they thought were the most helpful baby shower gifts.  Here are some great ideas below: Baby clothes This would be the most obvious choice for a gift, but don’t forget babies do grow quickly. Consider buying clothes that are “00” and larger so that they will last a little while. Sleep Suits Sleep suits are a great gift idea and they are great for your baby to sleep in at night. You can get them from Target as well as the baby-themed stores. Portable change mat This is a great gift item and usually very affordable. They come in really handy when mum is out and about and needs to change her baby. Nappy delivery service Is mum-to-be intending on using cloth nappies? If so, a great idea for a gift is to pitch in with others and get her a nappy delivery service, such as Rescue Mum in Brisbane, where they collect dirty nappies and deliver clean ones. Alternatively, if mum is going to be using disposable nappies, you can never have enough and the supermarkets always have specials on! Baby care package Paw paw ointment, face cloths, wipes, a thermometer, and other items that will be needed on an ongoing basis… put a bunch of small essentials together in a nice basket/bag and you’ve got yourself a thoughtful and practical gift! Pregnancy recovery shorts SRC Pregnancy Recovery Shorts are excellent post birth to help with recovery and pulling the tummy back into shape. They go underneath clothing and have excellent reviews. *We sell SRC shorts at my practice at Greenslopes […]

Newborn Photographer

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Happy Snaps: Choosing a Photographer for Your Newborn Seeing your child for the first time is a truly magical moment. What better way to capture the wonder of this experience than with a professional photo of your new family member? When having baby photos taken, you want the final images to be as perfect as your child is, so it’s important to carefully choose the right photographer. Here are three tips to help you do so. Plan in Advance Research and compare local photographers well before you go into labour! Few periods of your life will be as hectic as the time immediately after bringing a new face into the world – you simply won’t have time to make a careful selection. The best photographers are usually in high demand, so consider booking well in advance. View Their Gallery When a photographer catches your attention, be sure to peruse a decent number of their past works. Make sure baby photography is something they specialise in, and check if their previous photos of children are as beautiful as you want yours to be. You are trusting this person with preserving one of your earliest memories of your new child, so don’t rely on great landscape or wedding photography as proof of their ability. Read Reviews What do other parents think of your potential photographer? Find out by checking their website for testimonials or asking for references. Your newborn’s photo-shoot should be an experience, not just a product, so don’t make your decision based solely on their portfolio. You want a photographer who knows how to create joy and capture it. Your new baby is precious and your first photos of them will be too. Take care to find a photographer with the talent and experience needed for such a special occasion. Dr Ken Law is a Brisbane Obstetrician specialising in the management of pregnancy and delivery.  For more information and to discuss your specific situation, please contact Dr Ken Law to arrange a consultation at Greenslopes Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

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