Surprise, you’re pregnant!  

Or maybe it’s more accurate to say, “You’re pregnant? Here come the surprises!” 

 Whether you’ve planned for this pregnancy or not, the unique process of pregnancy arrives with unexpected and sometimes delightful side effects. 

So here are six pregnancy surprises to know about:   

1. You’re growing a baby and an extra organ.

We know a woman’s body grows a baby during pregnancy, but how about that extra organ moms produce to care for their bundle of joy? The placenta is an organ that serves as a sustaining station, providing oxygen and nutrients for the developing fetus. It also removes waste products from the baby’s blood. Vaginal deliveries come with an after-birth; think “after party,” but less party because the placenta needs to be removed.   

2. Morning sickness won’t tell time.

Despite its name, nausea and vomiting can occur around-the-clock. Though most women only experience morning sickness during the first trimester, some go green with queasiness throughout nine months. In severe cases, morning sickness can cause dehydration or loss of pre-pregnancy body weight, requiring hospitalization with intravenous (IV) fluids and medication. Talk with a physician if your morning sickness just won’t quit.  

3. Take caution of joints + relaxin’.

The hormone “Relaxin” (yes, that’s the real name) loosens hip joints and the pelvis in preparation for a vaginal birth.  

Be aware that relaxin also works its magic on all joints, ligaments and muscles in the body. That means it’s easier to roll an ankle or feel wobbly knees. Plus, with lax ligaments and added baby weight, back discomfort may flare. Avoid injuries by not lifting heavy items, skipping high heels and prioritizing prenatal, low-impact strength exercises.  

4. You’re craving what?!?

Pickles and ice cream are classic pregnancy cravings, but what about chalk, soap, coffee grounds or soil? Cravings for non-food substances are called “pica,” a Latin word for magpie, a bird known for eating almost anything. 

“Cravings for earth substances such as chalk or clay is known as geophagia. Such cravings can be linked to iron deficiency,” explained Callie Crider, D.O, obstetrician/gynecologist with the Genesis OB/GYN Group. 

Although the body may yearn for non-edible oddities, say no to non-food items since they can be toxic to mom and baby. Instead, talk with your physician about the pica cravings and begin monitoring your iron intake, along with other vitamins and minerals.  

5. Docs approve depression meds.

The risk of birth defects from exposure to antidepressant medication is very low. On the other hand, untreated mental illness poses risks to a developing fetus. For example, a depressed woman is less likely to seek quality prenatal care and more likely to engage in unhealthy habits and behaviors like smoking or substance abuse. While doctors approve most antidepressant medication, it’s essential to recognize that approximately 30 percent of babies whose mothers take antidepressants will experience neonatal adaption syndrome, which can cause temporary jitteriness, irritability or difficulty breathing. Concerned? Bring up the topic during your next ob-gyn appointment.  

6. Your heart is full!

Mix extra hormone doses and life-changing events and you’re sure to have a heart full of emotions – but during pregnancy, that’s not all it’s full of. Blood volume increases between 30 and 50 percent during pregnancy. In addition to pumping more blood, the heart also pumps faster by 10 to 15 bpm. Typically, normal heart function will resume a few weeks after labor and delivery. In the meantime, mothers with pre-existing heart conditions should talk with their physician for the best ways to manage conditions and prevent complications.  

Have more questions? Uncovering more pregnancy surprises? Talk with your physician or reach out to Genesis Maternity Services at 740-454-4321. 

Surprise, you’re pregnant!  Or maybe it’s more accurate to say, “You’re pregnant? Here come the surprises!” Whether you’ve planned for this pregnancy or not, the unique process of pregnancy arrives with unexpected and sometimes delightful side effects. 

Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of rest and write in a journal. What?! Just what you need, one more thing to do. Plus, how is writing your thoughts and feelings going to improve your health? Take our short two-question quiz to find out if writing could help you be the best you. 

True or false: Journaling can improve your mental well-being. 

True. If your first concern when reading this quiz was “How will I find time to do this,” chances are you are already stressed. Although some stress is beneficial, continued high levels of stress can wreck your life with headaches, upset stomachs, trouble sleeping, weakened immune systems and the list goes on and on. 

According to a study by the Cambridge University Press, the good news is that writing about stressful events can reduce stress and help you identify and solve problems. Even better, you don’t have to do it every day. The study recommends 15 to 20 minutes a day, three to five times over four months. 

True or false: Journaling can heal physical wounds faster. 

True. No, that is not a misprint. In 2013, New Zealand researchers found 76% of adults who journaled about their thoughts and feelings for 20 minutes, three days in a row, two weeks before having a biopsy were fully healed within 11 days. Of the group that did not journal, only 42% recovered as quickly.  

Still wondering if journaling can help you in life? We can’t promise that you will write the next blockbuster or become a leader who will be remembered for centuries, but there may be something to it as some of history’s most successful people from various professions kept journals, including Winston Churchill, Marie Curie, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Frida Kahlo, George Lucas, Isaac Newton, Leonardo da Vinci and Mark Twain. 

Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of rest and write in a journal. What?! Just what you need, one more thing to do. 

Imagine a breakfast of pickles, sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi with yogurt and sourdough bread a la carte. Probably not as tempting as pancakes and bacon unless, of course, the goal is probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts naturally present in fermented foods. Unsurprisingly, many consumers purchase probiotics as dietary supplements. 

Bacteria and other microorganisms are generally considered to be harmful “germs,” but many are beneficial. Some bacteria help digest food, destroy disease-causing cells or produce vitamins. Probiotics contain several beneficial microorganisms, usually bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium groups. Probiotics also include good yeast, such as saccharomyces boulardii.  

The microorganisms in probiotics have fermented food for thousands of years and probiotic supplements remain popular. A National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) showed roughly 4 million American adults per month purchase probiotics. Among consumers, probiotics are the third most common dietary supplement behind vitamins and minerals. Adults’ use of probiotics quadrupled between 2007 and 2012.  

Probiotics live mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. With enough probiotics, these healthy microorganisms help protect the GI tract from harmful microorganisms, improve digestion and may provide other health benefits. Probiotics can cause gas in healthy people, but rarely cause infections or other health issues. “Probiotics are most likely to cause problems, such as bacterial infections, in patients who are already seriously ill or have weak immune systems,” said Sean Beach, Registered Dietitian with Genesis Diabetes & Nutrition Education. “People considering using probiotics should consult a medical professional first.”  

The FDA regulates probiotics as a dietary supplement, food ingredient or a drug depending on intended use. Probiotics sold as dietary supplements require no FDA approval. Their labels may say they improve bodily function, but without FDA approval probiotic dietary supplements are not permitted to make health claims, such as lowering disease risk. 

Acquiring probiotics from diet alone can be tricky because food manufacturers are not required to show a specific dose of a specific probiotic and the microorganisms must be live to provide benefit. For example, when purchasing yogurt ensure its container lists “live” or “active cultures.” Pasteurization usually kills live bacteria, but unpasteurized products—particularly unpasteurized sauerkraut—provide live bacteria. Pickles made with vinegar have no probiotic effects, but fermented pickles do. 

Despite probiotic supplements’ popularity, most studies fail to prove significant benefits to healthy individuals. The bacteria apparently help only those suffering from a few specific intestinal disorders. A balanced diet including yogurt and fermented foods should provide enough probiotics to keep most people healthy. 

Probiotics can be confusing. Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeasts naturally present in fermented foods. Unsurprisingly, many consumers purchase probiotics as dietary supplements.

Wine is enjoying a reputation for boosting heart health as well as spirits. While shown to be fundamentally true, it is perhaps with a dry sense of humor that some of the sweeter wines hold the least cardiovascular benefit. From Andre to Zinfandel, where do your tastes fall? Take our quiz to test your wine knowledge.

Wine is enjoying a reputation for boosting heart health as well as spirits. While shown to be fundamentally true, it is perhaps with a dry sense of humor that some of the sweeter wines hold the least cardiovascular benefit.