Bump To Birth

Start building a relationship with your growing baby, and enjoy this amazing journey together

MEET THE EXPERT
Dr Nadja Reissland
is an associate professor of psychology at Durham University, specialising in foetal development.

With all those antenatal appointments to attend and books to read before you make your birthplan
it’s easy to get so busy that you forget what a life-changing journey you’re on right now: bit by bit, day by day, you’re growing a tiny human being. And as your baby grows, he increasingly shares your experiences and reacts to what is going on in your life. “Babies can be very expressive in the womb,” says Dr Nadja Reissland, who studies prenatal mother-infant interaction from 12 weeks of pregnancy. “Though you can’t see through your tummy to your baby, you can be sure that he can interact with many things that you do. And once you are aware of just what he might be up to, you can start to connect with, and get to know, the person who is on his way.”

Using 4D scans to capture babies’ reactions in the womb, Nadja has witnessed some incredible sights. “I have observed babies between 32 and 36 weeks moving their hands towards their ears when white noise has been played for them,” she says. “This is really exciting as it suggests that the baby is already learning about his body and is possibly making the connection between hearing a sound and his ears. At 36  weeks, we found that a growing baby makes very definite mouth movements in reaction to different frequency levels of sound played, and these movements appear to specifi cally relate to the sounds he hears.”

So while you’re already responding to your baby’s actions —your sleepy smile that follows a kick in the middle of the night —you might not yet have realised just how much your baby reacts to what you’re up to. There’s a little person travelling on this trip with you – and it’s high time you said a big hello!

Practise being aware
To build a bond with your baby, your fi rst step is to discover what your baby responds to, and learn about his reactions. “To connect with your unborn baby, simply be aware of how he reacts to your daily activities,” explains Nadja. “What happens when you exercise, for example? Does he seem to go to sleep when you do your yoga, perhaps, or does he become very active? What happens when you’re stressed,  and how does he behave when you truly relax? Being sensitive to what both you and he are feeling will mean you begin to relate to your baby as a real, living person, rather than a slightly abstract concept that you cannot see. Just as you would at the beginning of any other new relationship you want to nurture, this is all about finding out what makes your little person tick.”

Stimulate his taste buds
Your baby’s digestive system is separate to yours, but he can taste what you do. Particles of food are transmitted to your amniotic fluid, which your baby starts swallowing early in the second rimester. “Sweet foods and drinks can often wake a baby up and get him moving around. But what does your baby do when you eat something spicy?” asks Nadja. “And what about when you eat something that’s not on your normal menu? Does he have a little dance around if you have a sip of cola? Be aware, and you will get a little window on his likes and dislikes!” The scent as well as the taste of food is carried in your amniotic fluid, so he might enjoy the smell of bacon too. So have a taste-testing session tonight with your baby: “It’s fun and it might help you learn something about him,” says Nadja.

Now that you’re expecting, you know that there’s going to be some pretty big changes in your body. And while you’re already geared up with that healthy meal plan and pregnancy fitness routine, did you know that oral hygiene can also contribute to a healthy pregnancy? Changes in hormone levels can increase the risk of oral health issues, including gum disease and pregnancy tumors, seen as small round raised areas on the gums. While you wait for your little one to arrive, here are a number of things you should know to keep your mouth healthy writes Dr Devaiah Mapangada, CMO, MobiDent

Pregnancy is an important phase in a woman’s life. The body goes through a number of physiological changes at various stages of pregnancy, and each change during different trimesters can adversely impact oral health. Taking good care of your gums and teeth can make a significant difference for your child, before and after birth.

The mouth is a gateway to the human body. It’s a window to the rest of the body, providing telltale signs of overall health. The mouth, although its own habitat, directly relates to the other parts of the body. It is where digestion begins and numerous bacteria form and live. Taking good care of your oral health plays a vital role in the overall wellness. For most of us, dental care is something we’ve been doing ever since we could walk or talk, yet it’s not a priority. Preventive dental care is safe during pregnancy and important for the health of the mother and the baby. However, oral care is much neglected and there are many pregnant women, including some with obvious signs of oral disease, who often do not seek or receive oral care. Many a times, neither pregnant women nor health professionals understand that oral care is key component to a healthy pregnancy.

Know the signs
Several bodily changes that occur during pregnancy can impact your teeth and gums. Morning sickness, a very common side effect of pregnancy, exposes the teeth to higher levels of gastric acid. Vomiting associated with morning sickness can coat the teeth with strong stomach acids. This continuous exposure to higher levels of acidity results in erosion of the tooth enamel, and may lead to tooth sensitivity. The surge in hormone levels during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to infl ammation and bleeding. This is also called pregnancy gingivitis or gum disease, most likely to occur during the second trimester. Women with gum disease experience swelling of the gums and bleeding during brushing and flossing. Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by a bacteria film that grows on the teeth, resulting in plaque buildup. This buildup of plaque irritates the gums, making  them swollen, sensitive and easy to bleed. Severe hormonal surges during pregnancy impacts the body’s natural response to dental plaque, affecting how gum tissue reacts with the bacteria in plaque, thus making pregnant women susceptible to pregnancy gingivitis. If gingivitis goes untreated, it may result in periodontitis, a serious gum disease that may eventually lead to tooth loss. Research has found that pregnant women who suffer from gum diseases are at a higher risk of early delivery or low birth
weight babies.

Most pregnant women experience unusual food cravings. A regular desire for sugary and sticky snacks can increase the risk of tooth decay. Opt for low sugar foods or fresh fruit to satisfy those sweet cravings.

What to do
It’s crucial to keep your teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible while you’re pregnant. Practicing good oral hygiene, eating healthy foods, and a regular visit to the dentist will  help keep you and your baby healthy. Here’s how you can keep your mouth healthy:

Brush twice and floss everyday: Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque and prevent gum disease. Brushing is best with a small-headed toothbrush with soft filaments—make sure it’s comfortable to hold.

Eat Right: Even if you are craving sugary snacks, try to go easy on sugar-rich foods. It does more  harm than good. If you can’t resist the cravings, try eating fresh fruits  or restrict sweets only during mealtimes. It’s always better to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after consuming sugary foods.

Rinse your mouth: If you are suffering from morning sickness, avoid brushing immediately after vomiting. Rinse your mouth with plain water to wash away the acid.

Visit a dentist: Preventive dental checkups during pregnancy is safe and important for your dental health. Your dentist can give your teeth a thorough cleanse and give you some advice about keeping your teeth clean at home. Make sure you inform your dentist about your pregnancy,  how far along you are and the medications you are taking.

There’s no doubt that pregnancy brings with it new habits, new diet restrictions and a slew of other changes. It causes numerous bodily changes, and your teeth and gums are no exception. From the time of conception, you’re making conscious efforts to stay healthy. Oral care should also be made a priority. After all, while you may be preoccupied preparing for a new addition in your family, dental hygiene usually goes unnoticed. But remember, good oral health is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. MB

Preventive dental care is safe during pregnancy and important for the health of the mother and the baby

We’re sure you’re familiar with the phrase ‘There’s probably an app for that!’ Not an internet meme but a fact, now smartphone apps can help track your fertility. To help predict the best time to try getting pregnant, some apps indicate when your body is best primed for conception, others analyse whether the effect your diet and other lifestyle habits are helping or harming your chances of starting a family. And yet others can assist you and your partner by combining and comparing your individual statistics to rate your chances of starting a family, as a couple. Here are M&B’s top six selections for the best help you can get from a mobile phone app

BY SIMONA TERRON

TODAY we’re using our smartphones increasingly for tasks one couldn’t have imagined would be relegated to technology at our fingertips. And yet here we are, ordering our groceries, food, selecting our entertainment, booking appointments for an indulgent spa date in the same breath as a more prosaic dental hygiene session.

While we’re catching up with world events on the news via Twitter or checking the weather to be better prepared, should it really come as a surprise that the very future of our species now depends on using our smartphones effectively? We did the work for you and have narrowed it down to half a dozen apps for tracking your fertility, picking the best time to make a baby, and of course, ensuring you do everything to succeed in expanding your loving family.

HERE ARE THE SIX BEST FERTILITY TRACKING APPS FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE: 1 FERTILITY FRIEND COST:

You can download and access the basic version of this app for nothing at all but we highly recommend that you fork over the dough for a $45-annual (approximately `3,000) premium membership. Even if you choose to go with the free version, you ought to know that this ranks highly among all the well-appreciated free apps in terms of effectiveness and use.

WHAT IT OFFERS: This will buy you VIP access to message boards where you can discuss issues with others in the same boat, and take advantage of advanced features such as the ‘intercourse timing analyser’ and even a detailed analysis of your fertility signals, especially the ones that can indicate a potential pregnancy. Perhaps this must do with the fact that it claims to have pioneered the concept of online fertility charting. And 15-plus years of experience and 650,000+ pregnancies must account for something, right?

USER-FRIENDLY: This is perhaps the least easy to use, but because the algorithm is so scientifi cally superior, this seems to be a small price to pay in the long run.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.5/5

2KINDARA COST: Free but it works alongside an oral thermometer called Wink, which retails for $129 (approximately `8,700), and syncs automatically to the app.

WHAT IT OFFERS: Kindara uses the information gleaned from monitoring your basal body temperature and cervical fl uid. These give it the lowdown on your body’s current hormone levels and predicts the best time for conception based on this data.

USER-FRIENDLY: Reviewers laud that this app automatically syncs temperature with Wink for better Basal Body Temperaturefriendly tracking. Large numbers of users found it scientific and easy to use but warn that it often takes multiple cycles to understand its patterns. And users who forget to trigger the Save button, the app won’t take auto backup and not sync between devices. But what won the popularity vote were its brief series of articles about how to follow the Fertility Awareness Method, briefly educating users about everything they needed to know, compared to all the masses of literature out there on the subject.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.1/5

3. OVUVIEW COST: Free but the pro version’s ($4.99 or approximately `340) features include sync between devices, auto cloud back-up, advanced full text search and other such rare, exceedingly useful gems.

WHAT IT OFFERS: This app’s design allows for being as singularly focused on specific markers or it can draw a wider, more intricately detailed overall picture to track your most intimate bioprocesses,  omprehend the data and use it to predict more precise patterns and outcomes. The app also allows users to back up their personal data and makes it easily available for sharing with their doctors in formats that are compatible with the clinic database software.

USER-FRIENDLY: A ridiculously simple interface means all you need to do is save your start and end dates of your period for a couple of consecutive months. This helps predict your cycle and track everything you need to predict the best time to get pregnant or avoid doing so. But the feature that has many reviewers gushing is that they appreciate being able to share the data with their partners thus facilitating better communication and combined responsibility.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.5/5

4. GLOW  COST: Free but the premium version is available in monthly, annual and lifetime subscriptions. It has a suite of four apps: Ovulation Fertility, Pregnancy Tracker, Baby for breastfeeding, and Eve Period. While some users
complain that the app is too expensive compared to others in its category, the price tag for each of these are
free, but premium membership of any one, gives you access to the entire Glow family of apps.

WHAT IT OFFERS: This app allows users to add exercise and sleep as factors to track for more informative
results. It is also designed to be used by both men and women, with a feature that links your data and that of
your partner’s to give you a more comprehensive picture of your fertility as a couple. Premium membership
also gets you access to related feature articles from top-rated sources in the whole app family.
The two advanced features are comparative insights and private messaging to other app users. But several
users have reported that this interactive tool resulted in inviting judgement and unsolicited advice from some
members of the community.

USER-FRIENDLY: The interface is sleek, uncluttered, and fast to load. It also happens to be delightfully
intuitive with predictive abilities within two months of use—that’s almost the blink of an eye in this context.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.6/5

5.CLUE COST: Free. There is no premium version. WHAT IT OFFERS: This app allows for a whole lot of customisation where you ‘teach’ it via inputting your data, and the algorithm uses it to calculate and predict your own unique cycle. For a free app, this high level of tailor-made approach is unusual and thus welcome. But one can expect no less from a German-built tool, considering they are the only medical device industry that is flush with funds for research.

USER-FRIENDLY: The most unusual feature of this app is also what sets it apart from all the apps out there, free or premium. It saves users the time required to input data on a regular basis because Clue sends notifications to your smartphone. All you need to do is click to update the information you’re being prompted for. No need to go into the app or set reminders to do so, at all. A well-designed visual calendar has a layout that gives you everything you need to know at a single glance. And their informative emails are filled with interesting facts in bitesized nuggets.

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.6/5

6. DAYSY COST: $375 (or approximately `25,500) WHAT IT OFFERS: This fertility monitor is synced to an app, which uses machine learning technology to glean information from tracking your menstrual cycle. The device requires you to take your oral temperature daily, and when synced with the app, the readings and data entry will help to confirm if you are fertile or not with an accuracy of 99.3 per cent! The app also makes it easy to share your fertility data with your partner and has the distinction of being certified as a medical device with a European registration.

USER-FRIENDLY: The app itself doesn’t sync well between other devices such as smartphones and computers. Customers find this highly annoying given the steep price of the combination product (app + device).

USER REVIEW STATS: 4.9/5

CONCLUSION:
Compare these apps and feel free to scout around while trying to figure what works best for you and your comfort levels. While some of you may be willing to spend a big packet as an investment in your future bundle of joy, there may be those of you who want to take advantage of the free apps as merely a support system to more traditional methods of observing, recording and documenting your fertility-related statistics. Either way, the power is, quite literally, in your hands. Here’s hoping you find the best app in your quest for happiness. ■

 

Tweak your lunch to avoid pregnancy side effects, says nutritionist Louise Pyne

MEET THE EXPERT
Louise Pyne is a registered nutritionist with a focus on women and children’s health, louisepyne nutrition.com

YOU’RE probably already eating a pretty healthy diet to provide your baby with the nutrients he needs to grow and develop. But how about sharpening it up so that it improves your health too? Nutrients in some foods can double up as home remedies for a whole range of pregnancy ailments. Better yet, we’re not talking about expensive superfoods: all of these fix-it foods are everyday ingredients readily available in your local supermarket!

SPINACH
Headaches are common in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and can range from mild pain to full-blown migraines. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including dehydration, stress, tight muscles, fluctuating hormones and increased blood fl ow. If you’re experiencing strong, persistent migraines, consult your GP, but otherwise eating more spinach could relieve your pounding head. Magnesium, a mineral found in spades in spinach, has been shown to improve blood fl ow to the brain, acting as a headache preventative. It’s also a relaxant: nerves often get overexcited during a headache and foods containing magnesium could help quell this reaction. Its calming effect may reduce stress levels too. Frozen spinach often contains more magnesium than fresh, which may well have been held in storage for a while, unless it’s grown locally. Generally, the darker the leaves, the more nutrients. And it’s more nutritious cooked than raw, so try steaming it lightly. The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 300mg, and piling your plate with 100g of cooked spinach will give you over a quarter of your quota. Eat it at least three times a week to boost your levels.

APPLES
Another common pregnancy side effect is constipation, which is caused by high progesterone levels. Eating more fibrous foods can help. According to the latest government guidelines, we should be eating around 30g of fibre every day, but most of us only manage just over half that. An apple a day will certainly help. Apples contain a clever combination of fibre: insoluble fibre in the skin has a natural laxative effect, while soluble fibre in the flesh aids digestion. Just one apple contains four gm of fibre, and is also 86 per cent water, which also aids food digestion.

AVOCADO
Many pregnant women suffer foot and leg cramps during the third trimester when the effects of carrying extra weight are in full force, impeding circulation and causing muscle contractions which create the painful spasms. Often worse at night, cramps may be a sign of dehydration or a deficiency in nutrients such as potassium. Eating potassiumrich foods like avocado could provide relief by improving blood fl ow around your body and regulating the muscle contractions. We need 3,500mg of potassium a day and just half an avocado will provide more than a seventh of this. Factor in further potassium-rich options like a medium-sized banana and a cup of coconut water in our recipe, left, and you will reach just under a third of the daily guidelines. Incorporate these into your diet at least three times a week and up to five times if cramps are severe.

LEMON JUICE
Affecting eight out of 10 women, heartburn and indigestion are very common during pregnancy. The burning, bloated feeling is a result of elevated progesterone produced in the early stages of pregnancy. Progesterone relaxes muscles, meaning stomach acid can leak through the valve of your stomach and into your oesophagus.

You may find that the symptoms are worse during the first trimester when progesterone levels are at their highest, although many women experience acid reflux from around week 27 onwards as their growing bump takes up more and more abdominal space. But there’s an easy fix! Lemon works as a natural antacid to readily treat symptoms. Although generally thought of as acidic, it has alkaline effects when eaten, and naturally helps to balance out acid levels, minimising indigestion. It’s best consumed on an empty stomach first thing in the morning to increase the production of digestive juices to neutralize the acid. Try it half an hour before meals too if symptoms are severe. Fresh lemon juice is best.

YOGHURT
Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to infections such as thrush, which is caused by an increase in vaginal discharge. You should always consult your GP if you get an infection, but it’s also worth taking preventative measures from the get-go. Eating natural yoghurt rich in probiotics is one of the most effective dietary cures to help combat thrush. Probiotics are good bacteria which live in your vagina as well as your digestive system, so eating foods rich in this protective bacteria will internally restore the correct balance of organisms. So if you’re susceptible to thrush, ensure that yoghurt forms part of your daily diet. Read the label and choose probiotic yoghurt which contains the species lactobacillus acidophilus, as this is the main type of microfl ora in the vagina.

Welcome back to the Prenatal Class series. You’re in awe of your baby’s development and your changing body. And while you may watch your baby grow at every check-up, what you don’t see is brain development. This class, we won’t only focus on the physical development and the changes of your baby, but also discuss how your baby’s brain is developing, too. Sounds interesting, right? Let’s dive right in

THE first thing that your doctor will help you with is calculating your due date. Pregnancy is not just nine months but nine months and one week. So if your last menstrual period date was January 1, 2017 then your expected due date would be October 8, 2017. Most women will want to share the pregnancy news by about the 12th week and this is also when you are most likely to start showing a small bump. However, there are some women who don’t show till they’re well into their second trimester. Don’t be alarmed, this is all quite normal.

And while you may notice the physical changes to your body, you’re not quite sure what’s happening inside your womb. Here’s what you can expect:

 MONTH ONE: Fertilisation occurs in the Fallopian tubes and the fertilised egg rapidly divides to form the placenta and the fetus. Even though  the baby’s features and form will not be identifi able, the basic structure of the face with eyes and mouth has taken form. The fetal heart will start beating by the end of the fourth week.

 

 

MONTH TWO: You baby’s brain starts to develop and facial features become more prominent. Tiny buds which will eventually form the arms and legs are formed. By about six weeks, you will also be able to hear the fetal heart beat at your doctors clinic. At this time your baby is just about 1 inch long.

 

 

MONTH THREE: Your little one’s arms, hands, fingers, feet and toes are now fully developed. By the end of this month your baby is fully formed and is about 4 inches long. The end of this month marks the end of the critical period of development, and hence your chances of miscarriage also are now greatly reduced.

 

 

MONTH FOUR: Finer parts of development take place. For example, the formation of nails, eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows etc. will soon start to take shape. The reproductive organs are fully developed and your baby is now about six inches long.

 

 

 

MONTH FIVE: During this month, hair begins to grow on your baby’s head as well as the rest of his body. The body is also covered with a whitish coating called Vernix Caseosa, a greasy deposit which will protect the baby’s skin while in the womb. The baby is also gaining strength and you may begin to feel your baby move as he is developing and exercising his muscles. Your baby is now about 10 inches long.

 

MONTH SIX: Your baby will now be able to open and shut his eyelids, and his skin will appear very wrinkled. He will also respond to sounds. You may also feel rhythmic movements as your baby hiccups. Your baby is now about 12 inches long.

 

 

Smart answers to your pregnancy problems

HAVE BREAKFAST IN BED
Eating a few bites of food before you get up will settle your stomach. There’s nothing better than a banana: it’s easy to digest and delivers essential nutrients, including vitamin B6, which is thought to help counter nausea. Give yourself 10 minutes to digest it, then sit up slowly and ease yourself into a standing position to avoid stomach acid
sloshing round.

FOLLOW YOUR CRAVINGS
If you fancy eating something, and it’s safe in pregnancy, try it, even if it’s not what you’d normally choose. While fatty and greasy foods are generally best avoided, be guided by what your body is telling you. Bread, biscuits, crackers and dry toast are gentler on the stomach. And small, frequent doses of carbs, such as popcorn or pretzels, will help stabilise your blood sugar.

HYDRATE THE CLEVER WAY
Nausea makes it hard to drink enough, but getting dehydrated makes symptoms worse. Sucking an ice cube or crunching crushed ice delivers a slow dripdrip of liquid. And try taking tiny sips of liquid through a straw to avoid triggering nausea. Water is your best bet, but try  different tastes to tempt you too: flat cola and herbal teas are mum-to-be faves.

EAT GINGER
Easing sickness with ginger is a centuries-old remedy, and recent research is adding scientific weight to its effectiveness: it calms the stomach and may also act on the brain to control nausea. Keep a packet of ginger candy. it’s an effective way to deal with the uneasiness.

USE YOUR PRESSURE POINTS
Use the ancient Chinese principle of acupressure to block out nausea by pressing lightly on a specific point on the wrist. Put a band on each wrist, ideally before your nausea kicks in, to benefit from all-day acupressure or even just a powerful placebo effect.