The
immune system of your baby is also strengthening. You - at 40 Weeks You are
irritated by all the questions your friends and family are asking you, anxious
because of the delay, and irritated waiting for "the day" to finally
arrive. And with no contraction at 40 weeks pregnancy, you have the liberty to
be slightly stressed. But, you need to understand that even if you and your
baby are ready, your body might just need that extra week. So, you need to
relax and consult your doctor. Signs of Labor As there is no knowledge of what
might trigger labor, there are few signs that you can observe. Nesting: You may
find the sudden urge to clean your house and also end up doing so. It is Mother
Nature's way of telling that you are ready to bring your baby to a clean house.
Also, once the baby is delivered, you may not have time to clean your house and
baby-proof it. House-work is a good exercise and can induce labor. Dropping or
Lightening: A few weeks before labor, you may have less heartburn. But, you may
also feel more pressure in your pelvic area.
It releases pressure from your
diaphragm and you can Megadrox breathe easily and eat more. In case this is not your
first baby, dropping may occur just before labor. Brampton Hicks Contraction: A
cramped, menstrual like feeling, along with intense contractions, are often
signs of pre-labor. If you have contractions every 5 minutes and it lasts for
one minute, you must go to your nearest hospital. Sometimes, as the labor is
nearing, you may feel strong and painful but consistent contractions, and
wonder if you are already in labor. If the intensity of contractions is not
increasing, you may be experiencing what is known as 'false labor'. Breathing
in a rhythm, or lying down on your left side, can relieve the discomfort caused
due to contractions. Drink a lot of water and try urinating. It will release
some pressure and reduce cramping. Change in Cervix: In your prenatal check-up
in the third trimester, your physician may do a vaginal exam to check for
changes in your cervix. You will notice that during the 40th week of pregnancy,
your cervix starts to soften. This is to assist in delivery. If you have given
birth before, your cervix may be dilated to 1 - 2 centimeter, and may not mean
start of labor. Bloody Show: A jelly-like substance called mucus, seals your
cervical canal during the nine months of pregnancy, to avoid any kind of
bacteria from entering into the uterus.
Loosening of this mucus plug, often
referred to as 'bloody show', can be a sign for onset of labor. The plug may
come out as a lump or as increased discharge over several days. A vaginal exam
can also cause you to loosen the plug, and may not actually indicate labor.
Baby Monitoring Tests It is always best to consult your doctor if you detect
any of the above-mentioned signs. Your doctor will suggest some tests to
monitor fetal development. Kick-count: A Cardiff Count to Ten is the most
common method that the doctors resort to, for checking baby movements in the
40th week of pregnancy. In this method, you monitor your baby's movement and
record the start and stop time on the kick chart, until you reach ten kicks. On
an average, if your baby's kicks reaches ten movements in less than two hours,
you can relax. Your baby is absolutely healthy. Biophysical Profile: The doctor
will measure your baby's heart rate, movements, breathing, muscle tone, and the
amount of amniotic fluid around him/her, through a non-stress test and an
ultrasound. Non-stress Test: Two belts will be placed on your abdomen to
monitor the baby's heart rate and your contractions. You will be given a button
to press whenever you have a contraction, and a paper will simultaneously print
out your baby's reaction.
This will help the doctor to gain an insight of your
baby's well-being. Inducing Labor or Contractions There are many medical and
natural ways to induce labor. However, before you resort to any of these
methods, do not forget to consult your physician. After 40 weeks of pregnancy,
if you still have no signs of labor, your doctor may suggest inducing labor
medically by: Stripping the membrane Breaking water using a plastic hook
Hormone prostaglandin through IV Hormone pitocin through IV However, the choice
is yours. You can refuse, and wait to start contractions naturally. Walking:
Gravity, moving of your hips, and pressure of the baby's weight might induce
your cervix to efface. But, remember not to tire yourself out, you need the
energy for the D-day (delivery day). Sex: May seem impossible, but it can
actually assist in starting labor. Sperms contain the hormone prostaglandin,
that can dilate the cervix and trigger contractions. Alternative Therapies:
Acupuncture or Acupressure can also stimulate contractions. Massage: Studies
show that massages release Oxycontin, a hormone that is very important to kick
start a labor. If it doesn't work for you, at least you will feel relaxed and
refreshed just in time to face the gruesome labor.
Herbs and Natural
Supplements: Evening primrose oil capsules or red raspberry leaves are believed
to trigger contractions. Dealing with Overdue Pregnancy In the 40th week of
pregnancy, everyday you fell that 'this is the day' and it just passes by. You
are not alone. As per studies, less than 10% births actually happen on due
date. Rest are either pre term or post-term or around 1-2 weeks around the due
date. So, you belong to a very broad category. However, it is important that
you patiently, and without any stress, prepare yourself for the forthcoming
(and very tiring!) motherhood. Relax: Avoid being alone. Spend time with your
friends and family. Take up some DIY project or rent some movies that you have
always wanted to see. Whatever you do, the goal must be to distract yourself
from worrying too much. Nap: Sleep as much as you can, because once your sweet
little angel is born, you are deemed to be sleep-deprived. Meditate: Try
sitting in an open area and meditate. It will relax you and your baby. Also,
some fresh air has the magical power of energizing, and will help you in having
positive thoughts. Shop: Nothing like shopping to keep yourself busy. Shop for
things for your tiny tot or to decorate his/her room and prepare to give him a
very warm welcome. Important Checklist at 40 Weeks of Pregnancy Keep your cell
phone and camera battery charged. Have your doctor's number on speed dial.
Arrange for child and pet care.
Make sure you are full on gasoline. Make sure
that your hospital-stay-bag has everything you need. Relax. Hence, being 40
weeks pregnant and still having no signs of labor is something that shouldn't
bother you now. Till the time your labor starts, try to keep yourself happy and
healthy by following a healthy diet. All the best!!! A mother's joy begins when
new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very
first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. ~ Anonymous
Breathing Exercises for Anxiety Breathing exercises are the best to control a
restless and anxious mind. This article discusses a few of them to deal with
anxiety. TAGGED UNDER: Anxiety Breathing Exercises Advertisement Anxiety may be
defined as an emotional state, wherein the body reacts to the mental stress.
Sometimes, it helps you deal with stressful situations and brings out your best
performances; however, it may become an alarming condition if it goes beyond
your control and starts disrupting your daily life. This is because, in such a
situation, anxiety may lead to depression, fatigue, sleep deprivation, or even
some illness. When you are anxious, you start breathing very fast. As a result
your heart rate increases abnormally. Therefore, it is necessary to normalize
the rate of heartbeat to overcome the anxiety, and this may be achieved with
the help of some simple breathing exercises.
These exercises often yield the
benefits of meditation since you focus on the process of breathing. Following
are some effective exercises which you may perform at home: Exercise #1 Stand
straight, keeping your feet shoulder width apart. Maintain a normal comfortable
position of your body. Concentrate on your breathing. When you inhale, slowly
raise your hands over your head with your palms in the upward position. Hold
your breath, and your arms in the raised position for a few seconds. Now exhale
and slowly bring your arms down. Repeat this till you start feeling a calming
effect within you. Exercise #2 When you breathe normally, the lungs and
diaphragm expand during inhalation.
No comments:
Post a Comment