Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 33)

CALL Preparing for a New Arrival? NMMC offers prepared childbirth classes in Tupelo, West Point and Iuka. For more information, call 800-THE DESK (800-843-3375) or visit www.nmhs.net/ womens_hospital_beginnings.php. Let Them Eat (Some) Cake Once the haze of nausea begins to lift, many pregnant women find they are drawn to certain flavors or foods. But is it a real or perceived need? “When you look at the literature, these cravings get poohpoohed a lot, but there’s so much anecdotal evidence from pregnant women themselves,” Douglas says. “So I think we have to be respectful and say, if you’re having strong cravings, there may be something to it.” But she cautions against overindulging in unhealthy cravings. “Don’t use cravings as an excuse to eat an entire bucket of ice cream,” she says. Healthily Ever After One of the most important aspects of a healthy pregnancy— and one that your caregiver is likely to remind you of more than once—is listening to your body and responding accordingly. Assessing fetal movements is a big part of this monitoring during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, Dolan says. “You don’t feel movement until about 20 weeks, and issues with it are more likely to come closer to term, around the 34to 38-week mark,” Dolan says. “Movement varies from one baby to another, but going from movement to no movement is something you should bring to your doctor’s attention.” If you’re concerned about your baby’s movement—or, really, about anything during your pregnancy—don’t be afraid to let your caregiver know, especially if you fear something could be wrong. “Page your caregiver or go to the hospital emergency room and get things checked out,” Douglas says. “A good caregiver’s going to provide you with guidance, and nobody will think you’re silly or stupid. … You need that reassurance, and it’s perfectly valid. You’re simply taking really good care of your baby.” Stress Management for Moms-to-Be The stresses of impending motherhood can weigh on any woman, and for all her presumed privileges, the Duchess is not immune to the pressure. Timothy Whittle, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist with The Women’s Group in West Point, offers these tips to help expectant moms keep stress at bay. • Build a pregnancy support system of trusted confidants and advisors you can lean on. • Find sleep strategies that quiet your mind so you can relax, such as meditation or progressive muscle relaxation, where you squeeze body parts one at a time and bid them good night. • Put down those baby books every once in a while, and give yourself a break from the information overload. Treat yourself to a pregnancy mas• sage, which can offer relief from back pain and stress. FAL L 2013 33 http://nmhs.net/womens_hospital_beginnings.php http://nmhs.net/womens_hospital_beginnings.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi
Opening Thoughts
Recognized for Excellence
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack From Within
Virtual Health
Working for You
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - North Mississippi