Your pregnancy questions answered

beautyheaven recently partnered with Bio-Oil® to create a support group for any mums-to-be looking for a safe and knowledgable place to ask questions. The ‘Bio Oil® mums-to-be’ group has become a great desitination for soon-to-be mums to learn a little more about preparing for motherhood, skin care concerns, body fears and how to best look after themselves on their exciting journey. Since the group began, we have collated some of the best questions from the ‘Bio Oil® mums-to-be’ group to be answered by Caroline E. Flynn, Tresillian Nurse Educator (IBCLC) at the Professional Practice & Innovation Centre:

Q. What are some things mums-to-be should pack for the hospital that isn’t on the hospital list?

A: Some or all of the following items may make your stay in hospital more comfortable and help keep you connected with family and friends: your own special pillow, a door knob ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign, Tresillian’s new Hello Baby book, relaxation music, Bio-Oil® for massaging both you and your baby, a night light, a cosy shawl or pashmina for those night feeds, walking shoes, a water bottle, a camera, and a smart phone or electronic device with Internet access.

Q. Many of the women in the bh mums-to-be forum are about to have their first child. What advice can you offer them on looking after themselves mentally and physically?

A: There are lots of suggested ways you can enhance mental and physical health around this busy time of your life with a new baby, such as:

– Identifying the ’emotional support people’ in your life and letting them know that you may be calling on them in the months to come.  If you do not have any close family or friends nearby, be sure to make contact with your local Child & Family Health Nurse, Tresillian Live Advice on Facebook, www.tresillian.net and keep in touch with your ante-natal / post-natal Mother’s Group, especially during your transition into parenthood.

– Also very importantly, consider putting some boundaries in place around hospital visits and in the early days at home. Ask family and friends to text or phone before visiting, allowing you to suggest the most suitable time, and use your door knob ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign when you need privacy or a nap.

– Keep a list of household tasks close at hand, this will prompt you to readily accept offers of assistance and your helpers will know what you need and be able to practically contribute.

– Lastly, make time to sit down for most meals, eat nutritious foods, keep up your water intake, and make a little time each day for naps, self care, and regular massages (Bio-Oil® is great for massaging all over the body). And don’t forget to do some gentle regular exercise, such as walking with your baby to increase your natural endorphins and to soak up some vitamin D, at sun safe times of day (early morning or late afternoon). Most mums will also benefit from setting aside a couple of hours for ‘time out’ once or twice a week to reinvigorate both mind and body.

Q.  Is there anything that can be done for swollen feet and ankles in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy?

A: Swollen feet and ankles in the evenings can be a normal part of late pregnancy due to fluid being retained in the lower limbs. This can normally be managed by elevating your feet when and where possible and by gently massaging your legs with Bio-Oil® to help move the retained fluid back into your circulatory system. However, if you are experiencing any swelling of hands or limbs in pregnancy, it’s important to inform your midwife or doctor about this sign – just to rule out a rare condition in pregnancy called Pre-Eclampsia, which can be linked to increased blood pressure and altered kidney function, something that requires timely medical treatment.

Q. Can you offer any advice to those women who will not have a natural birth and will have their baby via caesarean section as often this can affect body confidence – especially as we’re coming into bikini season.

A: Take the opportunity to speak to your doctor early about how you may be feeling with regards to the caesarean section birth of your baby. They will be able to reassure you about the surgery involved. In most cases, the scar will be positioned just above your pubic bone and out of site of most lingerie or swimwear. Lower-section caesarean incisions are kept to a minimum and although they can be a little lumpy during the healing process, they usually result in a softer, thin white line. In the early days you will need to keep the incision area clean and dry, avoid direct sunlight to the area and,  once skin healing is complete, you can use Bio-Oil® to gently massage the scar to help it soften and fade.

Tresillian book GIVEAWAY!

To help new mums find their way at this very special time, Tresillian is giving away five copies of its new book: Hello Baby, Parenting with Confidence, A Tresillian Guide by Cathrine Fowler (RRP: $29.95).

To be in the running to win a book, simply comment in the section below and tell us the one thing you love most about being pregnant or a new mum.

Good luck! 

P.S If you’re a soon-to-be mum who’s interested in the ‘Bio Oil® mums-to-be’ group, you can join the group simply by participating in this forum thread.There are still plenty of PRIZES up for grabs!