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Do you know that high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of complications and death during pregnancy?

Wait!

When last did you check your blood pressure?

As a mum-to-be, it is necessary to monitor your blood pressure regularly. As a result of the new life growing in your tummy, your body works extra hard to meet the growing demands. Sometimes, this may lead to an over-stretching of your systems.

In this article, you’d find helpful tips on hypertension; the types, treatment, and possible complications during pregnancy.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure also is also known as hypertension.

Hypertension is a sustained rise in blood pressure that occurs as a result of several factors. Severe or uncontrolled hypertension during pregnancy can cause complications for you and your baby.

It is also important to note that high blood pressure can occur before, during, or after pregnancy.

Types of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

1. Gestational Hypertension

This type of high blood pressure develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational hypertension usually goes away after childbirth but it can increase the risk of developing hypertension in the future. Thankfully, in this case, there’s no sign of possible organ damage. However, women with gestational hypertension may develop preeclampsia.

2. Chronic Hypertension

In this instance, the rise in blood pressure was present before pregnancy or before the 20th week of pregnancy. That is to say, the pregnant woman in question is a known hypertensive patient.

3. Preeclampsia

Whenever a sustained rise in blood pressure is observed after the 20th week of pregnancy; it is termed preeclampsia. It is usually associated with signs of damage to other organ systems.

Complications of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

1. Restriction Of Your Baby’s Growth

Hypertension can decrease the flow of nutrients to the baby through the placenta resulting in slowed or decreased fetal growth.

2. Preeclampsia

The chances are higher for women with high blood pressure to develop preeclampsia compared to women who have normal blood pressure.

3. Preterm Delivery

High blood pressure may stimulate early labor, leading to preterm delivery. Furthermore, the risk of preterm labor is increased if the baby doesn’t get enough nutrients and oxygen.

4. Caesarean Delivery

A woman with high blood pressure may have to undergo a Caesarean birth. This helps to relieve the stress of vaginal birth and prevent possible birth-related complications.

5. Organ Damage

When hypertension is not properly managed, it can result in potentially life-threatening injury to the brain, lungs, heart, liver, and some other major organs.

6. Postpartum Hypertension

A woman is at risk of postpartum hypertension, i.e. hypertension that starts after delivery if she had high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Managing Hypertension During Pregnancy

Some of the drugs used to manage hypertension are safe and can be used during pregnancy. On the other hand, some medications pose a serious threat to the mother and a growing baby during pregnancy.

Furthermore, it is necessary that you consult your doctor to prescribe the best drugs to manage hypertension in this period.

In Conclusion,

It is important that you follow your doctor’s prescription during pregnancy. Don’t stop using a drug on your own accord and don’t self-medicate.

Finally, it is really important to stay healthy for you and your baby. Stay strong and stay healthy always to avoid a case of threatened abortion.

Are you pregnant? Do you wonder why you still observe all the symptoms of menstruation during pregnancy?

You are seeing all the signs, from breast tenderness to spotting to cramping. What do these symptoms mean? Is your baby fine? What should you do?

Read on to find out!

Pregnancy Symptoms vs Menstruation Symptoms

It is not strange for many women to say it took a while to find out that they were pregnant. This is because many symptoms of pregnancy are similar to menstruation symptoms, and it may be a little hard to tell the difference.

However, which signs should you watch out for and what’s normal?

Here are the most common period-like symptoms in pregnancy and what you should do about them;

1. Cramps

Cramping before and during periods is something most women experience. This may either be a dull or throbbing pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic area.

Similarly, it is also normal to have some mild cramping during pregnancy, but more lower down in your stomach. It may last for weeks or even months, during the period when your baby attaches to your womb and it stretches.

However, severe cramping is a bad sign as it could indicate:

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Preterm labour

If you develop severe cramps during your pregnancy, seek medical attention immediately.

2. Spotting

Unlike a full-blown period, spotting is very light bleeding that some women experience just before their period. This also happens during pregnancy, and is at times confused for a period.

Spotting during pregnancy usually happens as the embryo (developing baby) attaches to the womb. This is called “implantation bleeding”. It is lighter than a normal period and usually occurs about 10-14days after conception.

However, many women do not experience this bleeding. If you do, consult your doctor immediately, whether or not the bleeding stops. This is because spotting during pregnancy could also be a sign of serious complications like:

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Vagina infections
• Preterm labour

3. Swollen and Tender Breasts

Swollen and tender breasts are one of the most common symptoms of periods. They are also one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. Thus, it is nothing to concern yourself too much about.

Some changes you should expect include

• pain/stinging
• tenderness/soreness
• swelling
• heaviness
• Sensitivity
• blue veins

The degree of these symptoms however varies from woman to woman.

4. Mood Swings

Uncontrollable mood swings are common during pregnancy and periods. This is because of the hormonal changes happening in both instances. It is thus normal to feel irritated, anxious, or sad.

Some women even have crying spells, especially the pregnant ones.

However, a persistent low mood could indicate depression or some other mental condition. Thus, if you constantly feel sad for 2weeks or more, please consult your doctor.

5. Constipation and Bloating

This is also another common symptom of pregnancy and periods, and it can be blamed on one thing-hormones. The hormonal changes during pregnancy and periods can significantly slow down bowel movements, thus causing constipation. This may last for the first two semesters during pregnancy.

However, if your constipation lasts longer than that or gets too severe, please see your doctor. It could be an indication of some other form of bowel problem.

6. Fatigue

Some women experience fatigue before and during their periods. Most pregnant women also experience fatigue during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Some women however feel exhausted for the whole nine months. This is because frequent nighttime urination may make it difficult to get any decent sleep. Some women also have to deal with headaches and back pain which also make sleeping difficult.

Try to get as much sleep as you can. Go to bed early and use enough pillows. If you still find sleeping difficult or persistently feel tired and drained, speak to your doctor.

7. Cravings

It is common knowledge that women crave weird things during their menstrual periods. The same goes for pregnant women too, but the cravings may be a little bit weirder and stronger. Many pregnant women crave for sweet, fatty or carbohydrate-rich foods.

Others may have a specific food that they crave for. Still, others may develop an unexplained aversion for a particular food, and get irritated by their sight or smell.

It is important to note some pregnant women develop cravings for non-food items like ice and dirt. This is an eating disorder called “Pica”. Anyone who develops this medical condition should consult a doctor as it may cause complications,

Final Words

Despite many claims, it is not possible to get a period while pregnant.

You may experience some spotting, but this is way lighter than period blood. If you are pregnant, and you are bleeding enough to fill a pad or tampon, you need to see your doctor immediately. It could be a warning sign of some serious complication.

Many menstruation symptoms are similar to pregnancy symptoms.

Regardless of whether you are on your period or pregnant, these symptoms may be discomforting. However, consult your doctor if these symptoms get severe and prevent you from performing your daily tasks.

Are you pregnant? Do you feel like your bathroom breaks are getting a little too frequent? Well, when you have to pee, you have to pee (even if that is becoming all the time).

Frequent urination is one symptom of pregnancy that many women do not enjoy. In addition to interrupting your much-needed sleep, clean bathrooms can be really hard to find in public.

As annoying as it may be, frequent urination during pregnancy is something you shouldn’t really worry about.

Nevertheless, what causes it? Would it ever go away? How do you manage it?

Read on to find out!

Causes of Frequent Urination During Pregnancy

Having to pee all the time during pregnancy is definitely annoying.

As usual, we can blame it on one thing-hormones. During pregnancy, a hormone called HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) causes an increase in the amount of blood in your body, especially the blood flow to your pelvic area and also your kidneys.

Therefore, your body needs to produce more fluids and get rid of waste faster, and not just for you, but for your baby too. This means that your kidneys have to work harder and more efficiently; leading to an increase in urination.

Your growing womb is another reason why you’d spend more time inside the bathroom than out of it during pregnancy. This is because your womb sits directly on your bladder and puts more pressure on it as it grows. Therefore, your bladder has less room to store urine and you’d to spend more time in the bathroom letting all that urine go.

Also, as you approach the end of your pregnancy, your baby will begin to prepare for childbirth and attain the birthing position. This usually means that his head will “drop” down into the pelvis-directly on top of your bladder. You already guessed it-this means you will have to go more than ever before!

When Does Frequent Urination During Pregnancy Start?

Frequent urination is an early pregnancy symptom, although, when it starts differs from woman to woman. However, most women begin to feel that incessant urge to pee from around weeks 6-8 of pregnancy, and sometimes, as early as week 4!

How Frequent is Frequent Urination?

Well, there is definitely no absolute standard. Just do not hold it in. When you’ve got to pee, you’ve got to pee Mama!

Will it Ever Stop?

Frequent urination may ease up for a while once you enter your second trimester. Sadly, it will most probably return (with a blast) later on in your pregnancy.

This is because your baby puts more pressure on your bladder as she grows, and adds more pressure when she “drops” into your pelvis just before birth.

Thankfully, you can say good-bye to this problem once your baby is born!

Managing Frequent Urination During Pregnancy

Unfortunately, this symptom of pregnancy is one you cannot run from.

You really shouldn’t want to.

This is because your frequent urination is actually a good sign; that you are drinking enough fluids, well-hydrated and healthy.

This does not make it any less annoying though, so we have some tips to help make your life a little bit easier:

• You need to properly empty your bladder each time you pee to reduce the amount of times you will have to pee. A tip to do this is to lean forward when you pee. This ensures that you get most of it out.
• Avoid drinking too much water at night or just before bed. This will help minimize the number of times you will have to pee at night.
• Caffeine will make you pee a lot, so stay away from foods and drinks containing caffeine.
• Get yourself familiar with pelvic exercises and practice them. Kegel exercises are a good place to start and it will help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This will prevent leaking of pee when you cough, sneeze, or even laugh while pregnant or after childbirth.
• If you do find yourself leaking when you cough or sneeze, use a panty liner.
• Always make sure you pee beforehand if you are going out or have a long meeting. And when you do leave your house, locating the closest bathroom should be the first thing on your list (to avoid embarrassing situations).

Can Frequent Urination During Pregnancy Indicate A Problem?

Frequent urination during pregnancy is usually not something to bother yourself about as it is normal. Nevertheless, it can sometimes be an indication of a medical condition.

Some of these conditions include:

1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

If you have a UTI, frequent urination will be accompanied with ;

• Fever
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in your urine
• Feeling a strong urge to pee, but only a few drops coming out
• A burning (pepperish) sensation as your pee passes from your bladder to the exterior

If you notice any of these symptoms or you think that you may have a UTI, consult your doctor immediately.

2. Gestational Diabetes

This is a type of poorly controlled blood sugar that affects some expectant mothers. It is serious and can cause complications for you and your baby if not managed properly. Thankfully, it usually resolves after childbirth. Frequent urination is one of the symptoms of gestational diabetes.

Other symptoms include:

• Persistent thirst
• Nausea
• Insatiable hunger
• Fatigue

Your doctor will most likely test you for gestational diabetes during the 24th and 28th weeks of your pregnancy.

In addition, you should note that reduced urination and dark/orange coloured urine may be a sign if dehydration. Dehydration is not good for anyone, most especially pregnant women.

If this happens, try to take in more fluid (lots of water will do) till you notice your urine return back to a normal pale, yellow colour.

A Final Note

Look on the bright side; frequent urination is a sign that you are well hydrated and healthy, even though you would be spending more time in the bathroom than you would like.

Don’t worry, your increased urge to pee will disappear once your baby is born.

It is relatively common for pregnant women to have low blood pressure during pregnancy. This is usually not a cause for concern as the blood pressure returns back to normal in most cases. However, if blood pressures get too low during pregnancy, it may be harmful for both mother and child.

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of force your heart uses to pump blood around your body.

It may fluctuate during the day based on the time, level of activity or emotional state. If you are pregnant, your doctor will likely check your blood pressure at your routine hospital visits. This is because your blood pressure reveals a lot about the health condition of you and your baby.

How Does Pregnancy Affect Blood Pressure?

A lot of changes happen to your body during pregnancy.

One of these changes include changes to your blood pressure. It is common for blood pressure to drop withing the first 24weeks of pregnancy.

What Is Low Blood Pressure?

Normal blood pressure is a blood pressure reading less than 120/80 mm Hg.

Your blood pressure is considered low if it falls below 90/60 mm Hg.

Is Low Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Dangerous?

Low blood pressure during pregnancy is not generally a cause for concern. It only becomes worrisome when you begin to have symptoms; meaning your blood pressure is getting too low.

A blood pressure reading that is too low is very dangerous as it may lead to organ damage or shock. Also, having sharp drops in blood pressure is a cause for concern as it may be an indication of an underlying medical condition.

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

It is possible to have a low blood pressure and not know unless your blood pressure readings are taken. Nevertheless, some signs and symptoms you should watch out for include:

dizziness

lightheadedness, especially when standing or sitting up

feeling sick

fainting

general body weakness or fatigue in pregnancy

nausea

tiredness

blurred vision

unusual thirst

clammy, pale, or cold skin

rapid or shallow breathing

lack of concentration or confusion

Some of these symptoms may get noticeably worse when you change into an upright position e.g lying down to sitting or sitting to standing.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms, especially if you are pregnant.

Diagnosis and Management

Low blood pressure can easily be diagnosed with a simple test. This test can either be done in your doctor’s office or by your self at home. Blood pressure readings are taken with a pressure-measuring gauge with an inflatable cuff that goes around the arm.

In most cases. you will not require medications to manage low blood pressure in pregnancy. However, your doctor may want to carry out other tests to rule out the possibility of an underlying condition.

What You Can Do

If your low blood pressure is causing you symptoms like dizziness, here are some helpful tips for you:

• Get up slowly when trying to sit or stand up.
• Avoid standing up for too long.
• Eat more frequently-take small meals throughout the day.
• Avoid taking very hot baths or showers.
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and fluids.
• Avoid wearing tight clothes. Opt for loose, comfortable clothes instead.
• Maintain a healthy diet enriched with lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Take all your prenatal vitamins and supplements

After Childbirth

Your blood pressure should return back to normal once you give birth. Your doctor will continue to monitor your blood pressure in the hours and days after you deliver your baby and also at your postnatal appointments.

A Final Note

Most pregnant women will develop low blood pressure during pregnancy. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern. However, if you begin to have bothersome symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Funke just couldn’t believe the possibility of pregnancy.

At long last! Could she really be pregnant? Of course, she and Jide had been trying for years; IVF clinics, fertility tests, the whole nine yards.

This time, she was positive the late menstrual period would translate to a growing baby. She only needed to confirm.

Over the years, women across the world have tried various methods of confirming pregnancy. A common strategy in Nigeria is to check for weight increase, eye color, and of course, an invisible sign on the palm.

In her case, Funke was willing to take the pregnancy salt test.

What Exactly Is The Pregnancy Salt Test?

This is a self-administered pregnancy test that involves two simple ingredients: Salt and Urine.

The salt test method is based on the belief that salt reacts with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (a hormone present during pregnancy) in urine. Therefore, when salt is added to the urine of a pregnant woman, certain changes are expected to occur.

What Do You Need For A Salt Pregnancy Test?

Here’s the good part:

You don’t need a lot of things to carry out this test. In most cases, all you need is:

1. A clear plastic container (to store your urine)

2. Two teaspoons of salt

3. A clock/stopwatch

How To Conduct The Test

1. Collect a small amount of urine (preferably early in the day) into a small bowl
2. Add one or two teaspoons of salt into the bowl containing the urine
3. Hold on and wait for your ‘results’

How To Read A Salt Pregnancy Test Result

Although there is no standard for measuring results, most people rely on certain observable changes in the mixture.

A Positive Salt Pregnancy Test

If the mixture becomes milky, the test is positive.

A Negative Salt Pregnancy Test

When no change occurs, the test is negative.

How Accurate Is The Result?

Not Accurate.

This strategy of pregnancy determination is not accurate at all (just the way it is with other self-administered methods except the pregnancy test strip).

Although the test is based on hormonal levels during pregnancy, there is no solid evidence that supports this practice. Yes, we know a couple of women may have told you this method worked for them.

It’s simple; they got lucky.

Another reason why this method is unreliable is that there is no standard mode of administration. Some sources would advise waiting for 10 minutes while others recommend an 8-hour wait.

Sometimes, reading the test results can also be really difficult. The results of this test is based solely on ‘visible’ signs. In fact, what you see may be quite different from what your spouse sees after this test.

What Pregnancy Test Methods Are Reliable?

• Blood Test
• Urine Test (Home Pregnancy Test Strip)
• Ultrasound

Conclusion

If you think you’re pregnant, take any of the tests listed above to get confirmation.

However, if you’re just like Funke and you really want to take the Pregnancy Salt Test; it can be a fun thing to do.

Nevertheless, don’t take the results seriously, use a reliable method to confirm. 

Are you pregnant? Yes? Then you may be at risk for diabetes!

How does this happen?

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that appears only during pregnancy. As strange as it may sound, studies show that 6-7% of pregnant women will develop this form of diabetes during the course of their pregnancy.

What causes gestational diabetes? Are the symptoms obvious? Is it possible to keep you and your baby healthy after a diagnosis?

Read on to find out!

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

Our body releases a hormone called Insulin every time we have a meal.

This hormone helps to break down fats and carbohydrates, turning the sugar from our food into energy. At times, hormones from the placenta can prevent the production of insulin and sugar cannot be broken down properly.

Therefore, excess sugar remains in the blood and causes gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually starts around the 24^th to 28^th week of pregnancy.

If not managed properly, this sustained rise in blood sugar can cause damage to the nerves, blood vessels and organs in your body.

Risk Factors For Gestational Diabetes

Although it is not certain why some women get gestational diabetes while others do not, there are some factors that places anyone at risk of this condition:

• Obesity
• High levels of tummy fat
• Age (Women older than 35 years)
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Family history of diabetes
• Personal history of Gestational Diabetes
• History of delivering large babies (more than 9pounds/4.1kilograms)
• Sendentry Lifestyle
• Race: Sadly, being black places you at a higher risk of this condition.

Symptoms Of Gestational Diabetes

Many women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy may not notice any symptoms. Most women find out after they have been tested for the condition.

However, some signs you should watch out for are:

• Incessant thirst.
• Frequent urination and in large amounts
• Persistent Fatigue
• Sugar in the urine during a dipstick test
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Recurrent vaginal, bladder and skin infections

Your doctor will test you for gestational diabetes during your routine antenatal check ups. This is done between 24-28 weeks if you have never had it before or at your first visit if you had it in your previous pregnancy. This test is called an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test).

How Does Gestational Diabetes Affect You and Your Baby?

If left unchecked, gestational diabetes could put you at risk for:

• Preeclampsia
• Miscarriages and pregnancy loss
• Increased risk of having a baby by caesarean section.
• Stillbirth

On the other hand, it puts your baby at risk for:

.Jaundice ( yellowing of the eyes and skin)

• Breathing difficulties
• Macrosomia; a condition where a baby is too large and the head too big for a vaginal delivery.
• Low blood sugar levels
• Low calcium levels
• Issues with the formation of organs such as the heart
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes later in life

However, mothers who follow their obstetrician’s advice and recommendations for either medication or dietary changes do not have to worry about these risks.

Gestational diabetes can be adequately managed with proper diet and exercise. In some cases, supplementary insulin as injections may be recommended. Other times oral tablets are given to help control your blood sugar through other mechanisms .

A diagnosis of gestational diabetes can be overwhelming. However, there is no need to despair as it can be easily controlled so that you have a safe and healthy delivery.

Your pregnancy will need to be monitored more closely eg. more frequent antenatal visits. Follow your doctors advice at all times. Maintain a healthy diet, and remain physically active. Be consistent with your medications if you have any.

As long as you follow the guidelines above, you and your baby will be fine.

A missed period is an obvious sign of pregnancy. However, it is not the only sign of pregnancy. In fact, there are other uncommon signs of pregnancy that you may experience before a missed period.

Although a pregnancy test is the most effective way to confirm a pregnancy, a number of other uncommon signs can also be used to detect pregnancy. Nevertheless, most mums-to-be fail to recognize these signs.

What are these uncommon signs of pregnancy? How can you identify them?

Read on to find out!

The Uncommon Pregnancy Symptoms

Weird Symptoms In Your Breasts

1. Tender Breasts

In the early days of pregnancy, your estrogen levels would begin to rise significantly. Most times, this would cause your breasts to become tender, heavy, or sore. This symptom may occur in the week leading to your first missed period.

Furthermore, this increase in blood estrogen levels may cause your nipples to feel tingly, itchy, or prickly.

2. Increased Sensitivity

One of the weirdest and earliest signs of pregnancy for most women is increased breast sensitivity. In fact, this symptom may even begin as early as 7 days after conception. In addition, your breasts may become fuller, heavier, or itchier.

This symptom is so pronounced in some women that they even dread wearing or removing a bra.

3. Darkened Areola

Another weird sign of pregnancy is the appearance of a significantly darkened areola.

As your little one begins to develop, you may notice that your areola (the small circular patch of skin surrounding your nipple) has become really dark. Also, some women also observe certain tiny bumps, or Montgomery Tubercles, which appear around their areola.

However, it is important to note that the appearance of these Montgomery Tubercles does not always mean you are pregnant. Nevertheless, this symptom is closely associated with pregnancy.

Weird Pregnancy Changes In Your Digestive System

4. Nausea

Nausea is a very common symptom of pregnancy, which is often called morning sickness. Most women begin to feel nauseous a few days after the date of conception.

Have you started to notice distinct changes in how your body responds to food? Has the lovely aroma of morning coffee suddenly become irritating? Do your meals look more gross than inviting? In fact, does the mere thought of food make you nauseous?

You just might be pregnant!

Although it is also called Morning Sickness, pregnancy-induced nausea can strike at any time of the day. For most women, this symptom begins in the 6^th to 8^th week of pregnancy. In other instances, the nausea may even begin much earlier than that.

Studies show that this uneasy symptom is due to rising estrogen and progesterone (pregnancy hormone) levels.

5. Food Cravings & Aversions

Another telltale sign of pregnancy is food cravings or weird food aversions. Imagine waking up at 2 am and desperately wanting a bowl of hot pasta and ice tea.

Weird right?

Well, you just might be pregnant. In fact, some women lose their appetites completely or become strangely selective in food options.

6. Constipation

Sadly, constipation is another weird symptom of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, your body produces hormones like Relaxin and Progesterone which relax your muscles and slows down certain organ functions. Sometimes, the effects of these hormones extend to the digestive system, slowing down the normal digestive process.

When this happens, you may realize that your bowel movements have become less frequent or even incomplete

7. Bloating

Does your tummy feel rounder and bigger than usual? Are your pants now tighter on your waist? Do you feel a bit balloon-ey?

Yes, we know that bloating is a regular PMS symptom, however, the hormonal surge that comes with early pregnancy can also cause bloating.

Although some pregnant women do not experience this symptom until the later part of pregnancy, it may come up really early for some people.

Weird Pregnancy Changes In Your Excretory System

8. Increased Frequency of Urination

Are your bathroom breaks more frequent than usual? Has your ability to hold your pee dropped in recent weeks?

You might just be pregnant.

Increased frequency of urination is also an obvious sign of pregnancy before a missed period and it increases as pregnancy progresses. The changing hormones and extra blood being produced may cause you too pee much more than usual in the early stages of pregnancy.

9. Diarrhea

As we mentioned earlier, some women may experience constipation and gassiness in the early days of pregnancy. In other instances, the exact opposite occurs.

It is possible to experience the runs as an early symptom of pregnancy. This may result from hormonal, dietary, or just stress-induced changes.

Weird Symptoms In Your Mind

10. Mood Swings

A hormonal imbalance can affect the neural signaling process in the brain, leading to sudden and enhanced emotional outbursts. Interestingly, this can be an early symptom of pregnancy for most women.

If you don’t feel normal, take some time out to relax, speak to a friend. Experience some self-love; it’d help you respond properly to stressful situations. Please remember that more serious challenges with your mood in pregnancy need more attention. Please don’t ignore it.

11. Dizziness

Feeling dizzy and light headed is also one of the symptoms of early pregnancy before a missed period. This is because of the stretching of blood vessels which causes a reduction in blood pressure.

This symptom persists during the first trimester and gradually decreases in the remaining trimesters.

Weird Pregnancy Changes In The Other Parts of Your Body

12. Metallic Taste In Your Mouth

This is also known as dysgeusia. It is an awkward and strange taste in the mouth during pregnancy. This can be an early symptom of pregnancy which may persist all through pregnancy in some women.

13. Elevated Basal Body Temperature

The body basal temperature increases during ovulation and then returns back to normal. But in early pregnancy, it stays elevated.

This is due to the high hormone levels during pregnancy. If your basal body temperature remains high for 18-20 days after ovulation, then, you’re probably pregnant.

14. Fatigue & Exhaustion

Changes in hormonal levels can make one feel tired and exhausted.

This makes most women sleep more in the early days of pregnancy. In addition, its normal to feel tired and sleepy after doing a few chores while pregnant.

You can relieve fatigue and exhaustion by eating a healthy diet rich in minerals, iron, vitamin, and plenty of fluid. Read more about tips for fatigue during pregnancy here.

15. Sensitivity To Smell

There is an increased sensitivity to smell in early pregnancy due to an increased level of estrogen. It occurs in the weeks following conception.

When Do These Weird Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

Everything varies from woman to woman.

In most cases, some of these symptoms begin to surface on the 7th to 10th day after conception. On the other hand, some of the other symptoms may take weeks to turn up.

In Conclusion

Regardless of these telltale signs, a pregnancy test is the best way to confirm the possibility of a pregnancy. Whenever you think you’re pregnant, there are a number of easy and reliable ways to get tested.

Fatigue is one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is no surprise because a growing baby can take a serious toll on the body. It’s almost as if a spell of constant tiredness and sleepiness was cast on you the day your pregnancy test came back positive!

All you really want is some extra hours of sleep.

This is absolutely normal and should be expected. Most women say they experience the most fatigue during their first and third trimesters.

Why are you so tired? How long is this fatigue going to last? And How can you deal with it?

Read on to find out.

[Read more…] about Handling Fatigue In Pregnancy

Malaria is one of the most common health challenges for pregnant women in Nigeria. Although malaria can be life-threatening, it is preventable. During pregnancy, the prevention and treatment of malaria in pregnancy is done with simple behavior changes and medication.

Let’s consider the causes, treatment and prevention of malaria in pregnancy.

What Causes Malaria?

Malaria is caused by a parasite carried by the female anopheles mosquito. These mosquitoes transmit the parasite to humans when they bite us. They prefer to bite at dusk and dawn.

So far, the strains of malaria parasites identified include Plasmodium Malariae, Plasmodium Ovale, Plasmodium Vivax and Plasmodium Falciparum. Even though Plasmodium Falciparum is the most lethal strain, Plasmodium Vivax, on the other hand, is the most common, and has a tendency to remain latent in the liver and placenta causing relapses of malaria.

During pregnancy, women have a decreased immunity that places them at a higher risk of contracting malaria. In addition to this, the weather condition in Nigeria also plays a major part. During the rainy season, mosquitoes grow faster and the spread of malaria increases.

Pregnancy and Malaria

Malaria is common in pregnant women. Their immune system during pregnancy does a poor job of protecting mums from malaria infection during pregnancy. Once they get into the bloodstream, the parasites love to hide and multiply in the placenta. ⠀

Immunity is lowest during pregnancy in the second and third trimesters. As a result, it is really important to be extra careful in this period.

Signs and Symptoms of Malaria

The basic signs and symptoms of malaria include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Diarrhoea
• Muscle aches
• Sweats
• Tummy aches
• Weakness / Fatigue
• Chills

Note that some mums may have the parasites and not experience symptoms. They can still pass malaria to their growing babies.

Risk factors of malaria in pregnant women

• Living in a region where malaria is common
• Living in a dirty environment: A dirty environment provides a good breeding space for mosquitoes. If a pregnant woman is living in an area that is dirty and/or there are collections of stagnant water around, she has a very high risk of contracting malaria. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water collected in disused containers, vehicle tires, clogged-up gutters, and so on.
• Blood transfusion: Receiving blood from someone who has malaria or has just been treated for malaria puts the pregnant woman at risk for malaria. The baby also has a chance of contracting the malaria from the mother’s blood in severe cases.

Malaria Drugs For Pregnant Women

For malaria in pregnancy, prevention and treatment must follow proper medical guidance. Your treatment depends on your age, pregnancy stage, and severity of symptoms.

Your doctor is in the best position to tell you what drug to use at that particular time. This is because certain malaria medications are unsafe in the first trimester. So be sure you are not pregnant or in the early stages before taking them. Others, if taken too close to delivery can cause jaundice in the newborn. However, the WHO recommends sulfadoxin- pyrimethamine as a drug of choice for prevention and artemisinin based combination for treatment of pregnant women with malaria.

Please, avoid over-the-counter drugs at all times. Ensure that your doctor is well informed regarding all matters pertaining to your health during your pregnancy .

Prevention

• Stay in a clean environment. Eliminate stagnant water completely and make sure that your garbage is properly disposed.

• Use of long acting insecticide treated mosquito nets while sleeping and mosquito repellent is encouraged.

• When you’re using mosquito repellents, ensure you use in the appropriate quantity specified by the manufacturer. An excess use of repellent does not equal an extra kill effect on the mosquitoes, rather, you are placing your health at a higher risk.

• Wear light-coloured clothes as much as possible. This is because mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colours. Ensure your dresses are full-length and long-sleeved especially at night.
• The World Health Organisation recommends intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) for all pregnant women. This is with a medication called sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine(SP) (Fansidar) for mums who don’t react to sulfur. From the second trimester, this is to be taken twice in pregnancy for regular mums and 3 times for HIV positive mothers. This treatment reduces the number of episodes of malaria. It reduces the chances of anaemia in mum and baby as well as infant death. Your doctor will advise on the dosage and timing.

Effects of Malaria on Pregnancy

• Anaemia : The parasite makes us ill by destroying the oxygen carrying red blood cells starving the tissues of the fuel they need to function and thrive. This explains the weakness and fatigue associated with malaria
• Miscarriages ⠀⠀⠀
• Low birth weight: Malaria can cause poor growth and malformations in the baby
• Still birth
• Malaria in the newborn: The new born also has a risk of coming down with malaria after getting infected through the placenta.

Finally,

Take care of your surroundings and ensure that your environment is clean at all times. Please try and get your doses of preventive anti-malaria medication during your antenatal care period. Not all fevers are malaria. Remember, it is important for every sick mum to take a test before getting malaria drugs.

Call or visit the clinic whenever you feel unwell. Please avoid the use of over-the-counter drugs at all costs.