The word placenta was cointed in 1559 and stems from the Latin phrase meaning “circular cake”!

What is the Purpose of the Placenta?

The placenta is attached to your uterus and through the attached umbilical cord the placenta exchanges nutrients, wastes, oxygen and other gases with the baby. Whatever the mother ingests during pregnancy is passed through the placenta to the fetus.

By the third trimester the placenta looks like a disk, measuring about twenty cm in diameter and is about two to three inches thick!

What Happens to the Placenta?

The placenta is a temporary organ and you will deliver it after the baby is delivered. Your obgyn or midwife will examine the placenta to insure that all of it was delivered.

There is a good deal of controversy lately when it comes to pregnant women taking anti-depressants. The reason for the controversy stems from the fact that there is a large risk for women 25-44 years old to develop depression - up to 25%. Since these are the prime years for childbearing, many women find that they are suffering through depression while they are pregnant. Previous studies saw no increase in pregnancy problems when on certain anti-depressants, but unfortunately new studies are showing otherwise.

Earlier Studies on Anti-Depressants

Previous studies indicated that there was not an increase in stillbirths, miscarriages, or premature births when pregnant women take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.
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Just because you’re now pregnant, does not mean that the sex has to stop. But there are precautions and techniques to be aware of.

Is it Okay to Have Sex When I’m Pregnant?
It is safe to have sex throughout your pregnancy as long as you are not having any complications. The mucus plug that seals the cervix protects against any infections, as does the amniotic sac surrounding the baby.

Speak to your physician or midwife if you are having any contractions after sex, bleeding, or if you are at high risk for your pregnancy. They can give you specifics as to whether or not you should continue having sex.

Is it Possible to Lose Your Sex Drive During Pregnancy?
Many women experience changes in their desire to have sex while pregnant. During the first trimester many women are experiencing morning sickness or hormonal changes, and may not want to have sex at all. During the second trimester, many women experience a surge in their sex drive as they start to feel normal and begin to enjoy their pregnancy. The third trimester can go either way - some women have a high sex drive, while others have less sexual urges than before.

What if Sex Becomes Uncomfortable During Pregnancy?
As your belly gets bigger, it may become more difficult to find a position that is comfortable. You can experiment with other positions and techniques, or feign a headache and go to bed!

How Soon After Giving Birth Can I Have Sex?
Traditionally you should wait six weeks to have sex after you give birth, but you should take into consideration your comfort level. If you are emotionally or physically not ready to have sex, don’t rush into it.

One of the toughest things to do is maintain a healthy diet while you are pregnant.  In the beginning you may be nauseous or have strange food aversions or cravings.  Toward the middle you might be hungry for everything in sight!  And during the last trimester you may have aches and pains and feel like there is no room in your stomach for food. 

With all of the body changes just try to remember that you are trying to form a healthy baby and need to follow a healthy diet!  Here are some general guidelines to help you.

300 calories ! 

Pregnancy only requires an extra 300 calories a day for the baby.  That’s not very much when you realize that a candy bar has more than 300 calories!  So don’t feel that just because you’re pregnant you can eat anything and not gain weight.

Food Pyramid

Following the food pyramid will help to ensure you’re meeting all of your proper nutritional needs.  You’ll want 3-4 servings of dairy, 6-11 servings of grains/bread, 3-4 servings of meat/protein, 2-4 servings of fruit, and 3-5 servings of vegetables. 

Protein

Protein is very important to eat while pregnant.  The amino acids that make up protein help your baby to grow.  In fact, low protein diets can cause low birthweight babies.  You’ll want to shoot for a minimum of 60 grams of protein a day.

Prenatal Vitamins

Most doctors will suggest that you take a prenatal vitamin to increase the vitamins and minerals important to you and your baby during pregnancy.  Prenatal vitamins typically contain more folic acid, calcium and iron than a regular multivitamin.

Here are the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnant women:

If you are normal weight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8-26.0):

Gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are overweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 26.0 or more): Gain 15-25 pounds during pregnancy.

If you are underweight before becoming pregnant (BMI of 19.8 or less): Gain 28-40 pounds during pregnancy (depending on your pre-pregnancy weight).

If you have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more): Speak to your health care provider. You will need to gain more weight during pregnancy depending on the number of babies you are carrying.

Most women typically gain 3 pounds in the first 3 months, and then 1 pound a week until giving birth. 

An approximate breakdown of the weight is:

• Blood: 3-4 pounds

• Breasts: 1-2 pounds
• Uterus: 2 pounds
• Baby: 6-8 pounds
• Placenta: 1.5 pounds
• Amniotic Fluid: 2 pounds
• Fat: 7 pounds
• Water: 4 pounds

Exercise is extremely important in promoting health and well-being during your pregnancy. Women who exercise during pregnancy have reduced weight gain, improved moods, improved sleep patterns and most experience a more rapid weight loss after pregnancy!  It also will help you to prepare for the physical stress of your labor and delivery.

There are some guidelines to follow when you choose to exercise during your pregnancy:

A breech baby is one that is not in the head down position inside the womb.  Approximately 3.5% of babies are breech at 37 weeks gestation.

Breech Factors
Factors that increase the chance of having a breech baby include:

• Prematurity.
• Abnormalities or growths in the uterus.
• Abnormalities in the fetus.
• Multiple babies.
• Multiple births.
• Excessive amniotic fluid.

Types of Breech Positions
There are three types of breech positions:

• Flank Breech.  The hips are flexed and knees are extended (pike position).
• Complete Breech.  The hips and knees are both flexed (cannoball position).
• Footling or Incomplete Breech.  One or both hips are extended.

Ways to Get a Breech Baby to Turn
There are various ways to attempt to get a baby to turn head first.  These include:
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There is a good deal of controversy lately when it comes to pregnant women taking anti-depressants. The reason for the controversy stems from the fact that there is a large risk for women 25-44 years old to develop depression - up to 25%. Since these are the prime years for childbearing, many women find that they are suffering through depression while they are pregnant. Previous studies saw no increase in pregnancy problems when on certain anti-depressants, but unfortunately new studies are showing otherwise.

Earlier Studies on Anti-Depressants

Previous studies indicated that there was not an increase in stillbirths, miscarriages, or premature births when pregnant women take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.

Anti-Depressants Cause Birth Defects?
Unfortunately reports released this year are showing an increased risk to babies whose mothers take anti-depressants. One study this year contradicts studies in the past, saying that there is an increased risk in birth defects for women who take SSRIs in their first trimester. Sandy Zeskind, a research professor in pediatrics at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, says that babies who were prenatally exposed to SSRIs had adverse effects on their central and autonomic nervous systems.
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Just because you’re pregnancy, it doesn’t mean you can’t travel. When it comes to flying, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that it is okay to travel by airplane up until you are 36 weeks pregnant, as long as you are having a low-risk pregnancy.

When Shouldn’t I Fly When Pregnant?
Air travel is never recommended for women who have pregnancy complications - such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, placental abnormalities, sickle cell disease, or women at risk for premature labor. You should definitely speak to your physician if you are planning to travel in the third trimester.

What Are the Airline Rules For Flying When Pregnant?
Each airline is different, so it’s best to ask before you arrive at the airport. Most airlines have restrictions after 32-36 weeks of pregnancy.

Is There Anything I Should Do In Flight?
Keep hydrated! There is an increased risk of dehydration, so make sure to keep plenty of water at hand. You should also stretch and try to walk around a bit to avoid the increased risk of blood clots from prolonged periods of sitting. If you find that you need to use the rest room frequently, make sure to request an aisle seat!

Are There Any Risks to Flying While Pregnant?
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