Traveling elicits different emotions in people; some love it, while others lack those fond emotions. It’s not uncommon for travel to generate feelings of stress, and when you factor in pregnancy, you might feel inclined to avoid venturing beyond the comfort of your home altogether. However, it’s important to recognize that traveling while pregnant doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.

Traveling While Pregnant 

Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, certain preparations can reduce discomfort while you are on the way to your destination. Here at Raleigh OB/GYN, we recommend the following tips to help make traveling while pregnant a pleasant experience.

1. Take Timing Into Consideration

Since pregnant women are more likely to face medical emergencies during the first and third trimesters, the ideal time to travel is during the second trimester. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) suggests anytime between 14 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.  During this phase, your morning sickness has probably subsided, and you can still move around fairly comfortably. After 28 weeks, it often becomes more difficult to move or to sit for long periods of time. 

2. Fill Your Carry-On with Essentials

They say preparation is the key to success, and this certainly holds true when it comes to traveling during pregnancy. There are a variety of essential items you should pack in your carry-on bag. Be sure to include items such as 

• A refillable water bottle
• An extra pair of underwear
• Snacks like nuts or dried fruit
• Medication such as Tylenol in case you experience any headaches, backaches, or pain in general.
• A supportive pillow or cushion
• Wet wipes or hand sanitizer

Although there is no one list that fits all for traveling while pregnant, making sure you have some of the essentials can help you to feel more at ease throughout the trip.

3. Dress Appropriately

Comfort should be your top priority when you are trying to figure out what to wear before your trip. A belly support band can help take pressure off your lower back while you’re standing in security lines, walking across airports, and carrying luggage. In addition to a belly support band, wear comfortable shoes that easily slip on and off and a light cardigan to keep yourself warm in cold airports but comfortable if a hot flash arises.

4. Pack Light

Although it is easier said than done, packing extra light is important. By packing light, you won’t have to lift heavy suitcases and bags and put them onto an airport scale or overhead bin. Try to pack multi-functional items and consider purchasing beauty products and other items once you arrive at your destination. By packing light when traveling while pregnant, you can reduce the amount of stress put on your body. 

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you are traveling alone, ask for help whenever you need it. Ask the flight attendant for a snack and water bottle if you are feeling faint. If you are unable to lift your bag, find another passenger around you to help you out. Even if you are traveling alone, it is important to ask for help when you need it when traveling while pregnant. 

6. Speak With Your OB/GYN

Before planning or going on your trip, it is important to talk about your travel plans with your OB/GYN or other health care professional. You can discuss whether it is safe for you to travel. ACOG suggests travel is not recommended for women with certain complications, including preeclampsia, prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM), or preterm labor. Your healthcare provider may also want to ensure that your vaccinations are up to date before you embark on your travels. 

Although being in a plane or a car, or any form of public transportation isn’t always favorable during pregnancy, there are certain measures you can take to make it more bearable. Here at Raleigh OB/GYN, we are dedicated to helping you understand every step of your unique pregnancy journey. If you have questions about traveling while pregnant, set up an appointment to talk to your doctor. You can schedule an appointment through our website or give us a call at (919) 876-8225.

Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it is also a time of immense physical, emotional, and mental changes. While many people are aware of some of the common symptoms and experiences of pregnancy, such as morning sickness and fatigue, there are many aspects of being pregnant that are not commonly discussed.

Things They Don’t Tell You About Being Pregnant

While pregnancy can be a time of immense joy and excitement, it can also be challenging and overwhelming. By understanding some of the things that nobody tells you about being pregnant, you can be better prepared for the journey ahead and take steps to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy. In order to help you navigate pregnancy as an individual and unique experience, Raleigh OB/GYN has put together a list of some of the things that often go undiscussed about being pregnant.

1. Your Body Will Change In Unexpected Ways

Some changes that your body will undergo while being pregnant are well-known, such as a growing belly and swollen ankles. Others may come as a surprise. Some unexpected ways your body can change during pregnancy include:

• Hair growth: Women may experience an increase in hair growth during pregnancy, while others may notice hair loss after giving birth.
• Skin changes: Pregnancy hormones can cause changes in your skin, such as acne, darkening of the skin, and stretch marks.
• Foot size: As the ligaments in your feet relax during pregnancy, some women may notice their shoe size increases.
• Nosebleeds: Increased blood volume and blood flow to the nasal passages can cause nosebleeds during pregnancy.
• Varicose veins: Hormonal changes and increased pressure on the veins can cause varicose veins, especially in the legs.
• Vision changes: Fluid retention and hormonal changes can affect the shape of your cornea, causing changes in your vision.

Just about every system in your body can undergo some sort of change, whether it is a subtle change, such as a slight increase in shoe size, or a more noticeable change, like nosebleeds. 

2. You May Crave Non-Food Items

This one may leave you a little perplexed. Pica is when a woman craves substances with little or no nutritional value and may also involve non-food substances. The exact reason for pica while pregnant is unknown. However, according to the Journal of American Dietetic Association, there may be a connection to an iron deficiency. Some common pica cravings during pregnancy may include burnt matches, dirt, stones, ice, toothpaste, soap, sand, or coffee grounds. If you are pregnant and experiencing pica cravings, it is important to inform your healthcare provider.

3. Your Heart Can Actually Grow

One of the not-so-noticeable changes to your body while being pregnant is that your heart can grow. The American Heart Association suggests that cardiac output increases throughout pregnancy. In fact, a woman’s blood volume can increase between 30 and 50 percent in order to nourish her growing baby. 

4. Your Sex Drive Can Change

It’s no secret that a woman’s body is undergoing many changes during pregnancy. With all of these changes, it is normal to notice an increase or decrease in your sex drive. Factors such as hormonal changes, mood, and energy levels all play a role in your libido and desire for intercourse. Some women experience an increased sex drive during their second trimester as their estrogen and progesterone levels continue rising.

Pregnancy is a unique and transformative experience that comes with its own set of challenges and surprises. At Raleigh OB/GYN Centre, we offer a full range of obstetrical care from preconception to delivery. For more information about being pregnant and what to expect, schedule an appointment with our team of dedicated providers.

The rush of emotions after finding out you are pregnant can leave you feeling on top of the world. Suddenly, you want to do everything in your power to help protect and grow your little one. That may leave you questioning the best ways to balance pregnancy and nutrition. Ideally, a healthy diet before pregnancy is best, but it is never too late to start! 

The Benefits Of Proper Nutrition During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, a healthy and balanced diet becomes more important than ever. Here at Raleigh OB/GYN, we understand that nutrients are what help your baby grow and develop. Don’t know where to start when it comes to pregnancy and nutrition? Continue reading to learn the basics!

Ensure A Balanced Diet

During your pregnancy, you need more of certain vitamins and nutrients such as protein, folic acid, iron, iodine, and calcium. Eating a balanced diet full of variety is a great way to ensure you are meeting you and your baby’s nutrient needs. Some foods that are sure to help you meet your dietary needs include:

• Fortified cereals: High in folate or folic acid, calcium, and iron
• Milk: High in calcium, vitamin D, and protein
• Fish: High in calcium and vitamin D
• Spinach: High in iron, calcium, and folic acid
• Beans: High in vitamin B, iron, folic acid, and protein

The specific nutrients listed above are among some of the ones that deserve special attention throughout your pregnancy. However, if you aren’t getting a sufficient amount from food, there are ways to make up for it— like prenatal vitamins. 

Appropriate Vitamin Supplements

Generally speaking, pregnant women should be taking a prenatal vitamin every day. This, along with a healthy and balanced diet, should supply all the vitamins and minerals you need during pregnancy. A prenatal vitamin, according to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, should contain these 11 nutrients: folate, iron, choline, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D. 

These vitamins may help to prevent major congenital disabilities, support the development of the placenta and fetus, develop healthy skin, gums, and eyesight, and helps to build your fetus’s bones and teeth. At a very minimum, mothers-to-be should be ensuring they are taking the suggested intake of roughly 600mcg of folic acid and 27 mg of iron daily. 

Dietary and Caloric Recommendations

ACOG suggests that women pregnant with one baby should be consuming an extra 340 calories per day starting in the second trimester and a bit more in the third trimester. Women carrying twins should consume roughly 600 extra calories daily, and women with triples should consume an extra 900 calories daily. 

Keep in mind the saying “eat for two” is not true, and eating an excess amount of calories can lead to serious health implications. Some reasons to avoid unrestricted calorie intake while pregnant are:

• Excess weight gain
• Gestational diabetes
• Emergency C-section
• Heartburn
• Pre-eclampsia

In order to limit overeating, try exercising daily, keeping yourself hydrated, and sticking to a healthy and well-rounded diet. 

Eating Safely During Pregnancy

Did you know that some foods contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can affect the health of your unborn baby? The Mayo Clinic suggests steering clear of certain foods during these nine months: 

• Raw, undercooked, or contaminated seafood, poultry, and eggs
• Unpasteurized foods
• Unwashed fruits and vegetables
• Excess caffeine, herbal tea, and alcohol

Have no fear, once your baby makes its grand entrance, you can return to eating sushi and drinking all the coffee your heart desires.

There are often a lot of questions revolving around pregnancy and nutrition, including what and how much you should be eating. Raleigh OB/GYN has over 45 years of experience serving the women in our communities. If you have questions about how to best fuel your body, especially during pregnancy, set up an appointment to talk to your doctor. You can schedule an appointment through our website or give us a call at (919) 876-8225.

For many, the act of giving birth remains a mysterious and somewhat taboo topic. Yet, this magical bodily function is what brings our children into existence and fills our world with more joy than one thought imaginable. All types of birth should be celebrated, not shrouded. In fact, information on pregnancy, labor, and c-sections should be accessible to all, as it is vital to the health and well-being of all expecting mothers.    

What Are C-Sections?

C-sections are used to deliver a baby through surgical incisions made in a woman’s abdomen and uterus. It’s estimated that nearly 30% of births in the United States are by c-sections. That number is much higher in older women and women who have multiple children. While there is no single reason why c-sections may be necessary, a few factors can tip the scales to this option being most suitable. Raleigh OB/GYN would like to take this opportunity to help address some of these questions and concerns.

Prolonged Labor

Prolonged labor, commonly referred to as “failure to progress,” is when labor stalls or occurs too slowly. Labor that continues for an extended period of time is dangerous and may cause conditions in the baby, such as low oxygen levels or an abnormal heart rhythm. According to WebMD, if your baby is not born approximately 20 hours after regular contractions, you are thought to be in prolonged labor. If the baby has not progressed far enough down the birth canal and medication does not help to speed up and strengthen the contractions, the doctor may suggest a c-section. 

Abnormal Positioning In The Womb

The ideal position for a baby to be in for labor is head down while facing the mother’s back with its chin tucked to its chest. Most babies end up positioned here within the 32nd to the 36th week of pregnancy. Unfortunately, not all babies are ideally positioned like this when it comes time to give birth. Other positions a baby can be in before childbirth include:

• Occiput or cephalic posterior position
• Frank breech
• Complete breech
• Transverse lie
• Footling breech

In many cases, if your baby is in a breech position or transverse lie, your doctor may recommend a c-section instead of a vaginal birth. 

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)

Cephalopelvic disproportion is rare, yet another reason c-sections may be necessary. CPD occurs when a baby’s body or head is too large to fit through the mother’s pelvis or birth canal. According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), CPD occurs in 1 out of 250 pregnancies. When an accurate diagnosis of CPD is made, the safest option for delivery is a c-section.      

Chronic Health Conditions

Sometimes, a vaginal birth may not be suitable due to pre-existing medical conditions that could harm the mother, baby, or both. Some chronic health conditions that may warrant a cesarean delivery include conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, or gestational diabetes. Additionally, a c-section may be suggested if the mother has infections that could be transferred to the baby through vaginal delivery, such as HIV or genital herpes. 

Twins Or Carrying Multiples

What’s better than one baby? Two or more! It’s been estimated that roughly 60% of twins are born via cesarean delivery. Many women expecting twins will often choose to have a planned c-section delivery. Other reasons your doctor may recommend a non-vaginal birth with twins or multiples include:

• The first baby is breeched
• One baby is lying transverse 
• Low-lying placenta
• Your twins share a placenta
• Troubles with previous births

It is important to keep in mind that a cesarean delivery is not the only way to welcome your twins or multiples. In many circumstances, a vaginal delivery is just as safe.

At Raleigh OB/GYN Centre, we offer a full range of obstetrical care from preconception to delivery. We have provided state-of-the-art care for mothers, daughters, and now granddaughters since 1974 and have since grown to three locations to best serve our patients in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information about c-sections or to schedule an appointment with our team of dedicated providers, call 919-875-8225.

When you’re pregnant, especially for the first time, you naturally start to worry about the health of yourself and your growing baby. So when it comes to exercising during pregnancy, you may wonder, is it safe? When should you start? How much is too much? Unfortunately, the internet is flooded with contradictory and misleading information. The good news is that exercise and pregnancy are perfectly safe and even beneficial! 

Myths About Exercise During Pregnancy

Because the fitness industry is so crowded, it is understandable why there are so many myths revolving around women, exercise, pregnancy, and weight loss. Here at Raleigh OB/GYN, we want to ensure you are provided with reliable information regarding your pregnancy journey. We’re here to bust 5 myths about exercise and pregnancy:

Myth #1: Lifting Weights During Pregnancy Is Dangerous

Lifting weights has been shown to increase your overall health while decreasing your risk for a heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis. In fact, studies have found that lifting weights may reduce your risk for a heart attack by 40 to 70 percent. The benefits of lifting weights don’t reverse when you fall pregnant. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology lists resistance exercises, which includes lifting weights, as safe during pregnancy. Light to moderate weight lifting three to four times a week has great benefits such as strengthening your muscles, protecting your core and lower back, and building or maintaining endurance. 

Myth #2: Only Low-Impact, Gentle Workouts Are OK

As long as your doctor clears it and your pregnancy is not high risk, by no means does exercise during pregnancy have to be limited to walking or gentle yoga. Running, indoor cycling, interval training, cross-training, and similar activities are all encouraged. And between those types of exercise, low-impact and gentle workouts are great for keeping your body moving too! Keep in mind that pregnant women are not encouraged to participate in contact sports such as kickboxing, karate, soccer, or softball.

Myth #3: If I Didn’t Workout Before Pregnancy, I Shouldn’t Start Now

You can run a half marathon or practice gentle yoga– there is never a “right” way to move your body. Even if you were sedentary before falling pregnant, working out during pregnancy is almost always recommended. The only reason it is not recommended is if your doctor does not clear it or if there is a possibility of a high-risk pregnancy. Studies show many benefits, as exercise reduces: 

• The risk of excessive weight gain
• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight
• Risk of C-section and developing diabetes
• High blood pressure during pregnancy.

Additionally, physical activity may help ease the aches and pains of pregnancy and even reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Remember that because every woman and pregnancy is different, it is essential to listen to your body during exercise and not push it too far past its limits. 

Myth #4: It’s Not Safe To Do Abdominal Workouts

A strong core helps with everyday activities, from tying your shoes to walking upstairs. Abdominal muscles promote a healthy back, good posture, balance, and stability. These reasons alone may be enough to get you doing sit-ups. Whattoexpect.com suggests strengthening your abs when you’re expecting supports your pelvic organs as your baby bump gets bigger. Some pregnancy-safe abdominal exercises include:

• Forearm planks and side planks
• Bird-dogs
• Glue bridge
• Squat with rotation 
• Knee lift
• Cat-cows
• Incline mountain climbers

With clearance from your doctor, adding abdominal exercises into your workout routine has many benefits and can even be done from the comfort of your own home!

Myth #5: By Working Out Too Much, I Will Pull Nutrients From My Baby

Although it may make sense on paper, working out will not pull nutrients from your baby. In fact, according to WebMD, if your body is going to draw nutrients from somewhere, it will be your own nutrient store and not the babies. To ensure you and your baby are getting adequate nourishment, try eating small, frequent, and nutritious meals. This will also help you keep your blood sugar levels balanced which is essential for optimum health and functionality, pregnant or not!

Do you have more questions about exercise and pregnancy? Our team of physicians, nurses, and medical staff are committed to answering all your questions regarding your unique pregnancy journey. For more information, give us a call at 919-876-8225 or request an appointment.