Common Questions Asked During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings a wave of physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes. From fluctuating hormones and increasing belly size to appetite and mood swings, it's natural to be confused, particularly if this is your first time. It may be challenging to understand what's normal and whose advice to believe.

During each trimester, common pregnancy concerns arise daily, ranging from how to control nausea and which foods to avoid to which tests are recommended and what exercises are safe. Thus, knowing the right information is the most important thing for making the best decisions for mother and baby. So, scroll down to find the most common pregnancy FAQs to help you feel more confident and prepared.

Common Pregnancy Questions

Pregnancy begins on the first day of your last regular menstrual cycle and lasts for around 40 weeks. The weeks fall into three different trimesters. Here are some answers to the most often-asked questions you may have that will help you learn what to expect during pregnancy.

Q1. Which Pregnancy Symptoms Are Considered Emergencies, And Which Are Normal?

Answer: Depending on your stage of pregnancy, the answer to various pregnancy symptoms and solutions may vary.

First Trimester

Common symptoms during the first trimester include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and breast tenderness. Additionally, some vaginal spotting may be normal. On the other hand, you should be aware of red flag symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, extensive vaginal bleeding or cramps, or difficulty keeping down food or liquids. Give your doctor a call immediately if you encounter any of these symptoms.

Second Trimester

You might experience some common pelvic pressure or lower abdominal stretching once you've entered the second trimester. Call your practitioner if you suddenly notice excessive vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, or significant pelvic pressure or pain.

Third Trimester

In the third trimester, it is normal to experience uterine contractions and pelvic pressure. Additionally, the first-trimester fatigue may recur. As you approach your due date, you should be watchful for signs of labour, such as the rupture of your water, the loss of your mucus plug, or a slight blood-tinged discharge, often called a "bloody show."

Although your doctor will prepare you on what to do if you suspect labour (for example, by telling you to call when contractions are five minutes apart), you should always call your doctor if:

• You're in terrible pain.
• Your water breaks, particularly if it appears brown or green. 
• Preeclampsia, or a sudden start of high blood pressure, maybe the cause of your sudden swelling, impaired vision, or severe headache. 

Also Read: How does pregnancy change ethe female body?

Q2. When Is the Best Time To Take A Pregnancy Test?

Answer: While some home pregnancy tests say you can use them before your first missed period, waiting until the first day of your missed period will increase the test's accuracy. Your body does not begin producing the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), until approximately ten days after conception. Experts say that the earlier a person takes the test, the more difficult it is for the test to identify hCG. Test approximately three weeks after unprotected sex when you miss your period. 

Q3. When Do the Signs of Pregnancy Appear?

Answer: A week after your first missing period or as early as five weeks into your pregnancy, you may start to experience pregnancy symptoms. The most common signs include fatigue, increased urination, breast pain, and nausea. The majority of women start to feel symptoms around week eight of pregnancy.

Q4. Is It Normal To Experience Cramps During Pregnancy?

Answer: As the embryo implants into your uterus, you will start to feel cramps very early in your pregnancy. This may occur even before you become aware that you are pregnant. But during the first trimester, you could also have some cramps. Exercise or abrupt movements, such as rolling over in bed, may cause these cramps. It is caused by the stimulation of nearby nerve fibres and/or uterine ligament spasms. It should disappear on its own. 

Q5. What Types Of Changes To The Breasts Are Normal During Pregnancy?

Answer: Your breasts may enlarge during the second trimester as a result of the growth of your milk and fat glands. You can get small pimples and darken your nipples. Additionally, the black patches surrounding your nipples, known as areolas, may enlarge. Your nipples may start to leak a yellowish, sticky liquid toward the end of your pregnancy. This is known as colostrum, and it will nourish your infant in the first few days after delivery. 

Q6. When Will You Be Able To Feel The Baby's Movements?

Answer: Typically, you will feel your baby move around the middle of your second trimester. At first, it could feel like soft butterflies in your stomach. Don't worry; your baby has moved before, but you couldn't feel it because they were too small. These flutters may be more noticeable to mothers who are expecting their second, third, or fourth baby.

Q7. What Foods Should I Eat In My Second Trimester Of Pregnancy?

Answer: During the second trimester, the majority of pregnant women need roughly 2200 calories per day. Pay attention to foods that are low in added sugars and high in calcium, protein, and good fats like omega-3s. In general, that means:

• Grains such as pasta, rice, bread, and cereal,
• Vegetables,
• Fruit,
• Dairy products, including cheese, yoghurt, and milk,
• Nuts, dry beans, pork, fish, poultry, and eggs.

Q8. What Foods Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?

Answer: There are some foods you should avoid eating, but the majority are acceptable, at least when consumed in moderation. These include:

• Sharks, mackerel, orange roughies, swordfish, and bigeye tuna (although canned light tuna is safe),
• Raw fish, including sushi that hasn't been cooked,
• Dairy items that have not been processed, including soft cheeses like feta, blue cheese, and brie,
• Alcohol
• Herbal tea,
• More than 200 milligrams of caffeine (two 8-ounce cups of coffee).

Q9. Which Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?

Answer: Being active throughout pregnancy helps reduce pregnancy symptoms like anxiety and water retention and maintains the health of both you and your unborn baby. Additionally, a variety of exercise routines are safe to do while pregnant and serve as effective prenatal care tips, including 

• Walking
• Swimming
• Yoga
• Strength training (such as squats, lunges, Kegel exercises, etc.)

In general, you'll want to be particularly cautious. Avoid intense ab exercises, prolonged amounts of time flat on your back, and exercises that increase your risk of falling (particularly in the second half of pregnancy, when your sense of balance is a little off). Exercises that increase your risk of dehydration and overheating, such as Bikram yoga, should also be avoided.

Q10. How Big Is Your Uterus While You're Pregnant?

When you give birth, your uterus grows from the size of a tiny one-ounce lemon to the size of a two-pound watermelon. Six weeks after giving birth, it will return to its pre-pregnancy size.

Q11. When Will Regular Checkups Begin?

You may start getting regular checks after you reach the third trimester. Your next appointment with your doctor will be every two weeks. You will have weekly prenatal checkups until delivery after week 36. These visits are usually brief and to the point, which is acceptable. You will still have to visit them.

Q12. How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?

The amount of weight you acquire during pregnancy is often determined by your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), which is determined by your height and weight. The typical breakdown of weight growth by BMI is as follows. However, your doctor should give you a range to gain by trimester and will periodically check to see if you're on track:

• A BMI of less than 18.5: 28 - 40 pounds
• A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9: 25 - 35 pounds
• A BMI between 25 and 29.9: 15 - 25 pounds
• A BMI above 30: 11 - 20 pounds

Your weight gain goal may change if you're expecting twins. Based on BMI, the Institute of Medicine currently suggests the following for mothers of multiples:

• A BMI in the range of 18.5 to 24.9: 37 - 54 pounds
• A BMI in the range of 26 to 30: 31 - 50 pounds
• A BMI greater than 30: gain 25 - 42 pounds

However, every individual's pregnancy will be unique, including how much weight they gain during pregnancy. Your practitioner will help you develop a plan to ensure that you're gaining a healthy amount of weight, so don't be afraid to ask the doctor questions during pregnancy.

Common Questions Asked About Labour & Delivery

While many pregnant women are concerned about not knowing when they are in labour, it is generally quite obvious once it begins. Medical specialists define labour as a series of strong contractions that gradually increase in frequency and severity:

Q1. When Do Most Women Go Into Labour?

Pregnancy lasts 40 weeks on average. However, it's only an average. The majority of women experience labour between weeks 38 and 41 of their pregnancy. 

Q2. What Can I Expect During My Labour And Delivery?

Depending on whether you give birth at home, in a birthing centre, or in a hospital, your labour and delivery can differ significantly. To assess cervical dilation and effacement, a nurse or other healthcare professional will do cervical exams regularly. When necessary, they should explain the interventions they suggest for your health and the health of your unborn child, such as IV and electronic fetal monitoring. By talking about it in advance, you can also go over pain management options (like the epidural) and make plans for the options that will be available to you as labour progresses.

Q3. What's The Likelihood I'll Need A C-section?

Given that 1 in every 3 women has a C-section, this is an important question to ask your doctor, especially if you want an unmedicated birth. You can better manage your expectations by discussing your particular risks with your doctor before labour. Although each case is different, the following are common risk factors for C-sections:

• Maternal obesity,
• Gestational diabetes,
• Suspected macrosomia (a baby that is larger than normal),
• Post-term pregnancy (going past your due date),
• Previous cesarean delivery,
• Maternal advanced age (i.e., 35 years of age or older).

Stay Informed, and Stay Supported with Apollo Spectra!

Pregnancy is full of its share of excitement, confusion, and endless questions, particularly if you're experiencing it for the first time. Each week, new things are happening to your body and your mind, and it's perfectly fine not to know everything. The most important thing is to stay educated, visit your doctor on a regular basis, and not hesitate to ask questions about the little things that are concerning you. 

At Apollo Spectra, we know that each pregnancy is unique. Our doctors are here to listen, advise, and care for you with straight talk and expert skills so you feel informed, reassured, and truly cared for.