What's an episiotomy and am I going to have one?

An episiotomy is a surgical cut in the area between the vagina and the anus (otherwise known as the perineum). This cut is made to open up your vagina prior to delivering. OB’s used to do these often to speed up the labor process and prevent your vagina from tearing, but within the last 20 years, studies have shown up suggesting that women who tear on their own generally recover better and with fewer complications. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists got on board and said the procedure shouldn’t be done routinely.

While the incidence of episiotomies has been on the decline, there are a few situations in which an episiotomy might be helpful. If your baby is super big and your OB needs a little extra room during delivery, especially to apply forceps, they may opt to do one. Also, if your babe needs to be born as quickly as possible, maybe due to a heart rate sitch, your OB may decide that an episiotomy will move the delivery along to see that your baby is delivered safely.

If you’re concerned about having an episiotomy, talk to your doctor about the procedure. Ask under which circumstances they might perform one and look into alternative ways to loosen up the area prior to labor, such as massage or using hot compresses.

FAQs

Why do I have varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that you’ll often find in the legs, but can even reach up to your butt. They’re one of the more unfortunate side effects of pregnancy, right up there with hemorrhoids and constipation.

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The reason is that during pregnancy, your blood volume increases, while the rate at which blood flows from your legs to your pelvis decreases.

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This can add pressure on the veins, which in turn causes varicose veins. Hormones are also to blame, as increased progestin can open up the veins. They’re generally harmless but they’re pesky and can be uncomfortable.

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Usually they’ll go down within three months to a year after giving birth, but here are some more ways in which you can lessen your chances of getting them.

Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time. (Here’s one idea: break up your endless computer time by making constant pee breaks!
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)
Avoid wearing high heels. Sorry mama, but lower heels or even flats work your calf muscles and creates healthy circulation!
EXERCISE!
Wear compression socks or maternity hosiery that can put pressure on the legs and stimulate blood flow.
Avoid crossing your legs while sitting.
Elevate your legs once in a while to get that blood flowing.
Reduce salt and sodium intake to minimize swelling.
Drink plenty of water and eat healthy (as per usual!)

FAQs

What's cord blood banking and should I do it?

Cord Blood Banking is when you collect, freeze + store the blood from your baby’s umbilical cord for future medical use. The cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which can develop into other types of cells. They can help repair tissues, organs and blood vessels that can treat diseases. The process of collecting cord blood is fast, easy and painless.

If you decide to bank your baby’s cord blood, you can do two things. You can donate it to a public cord blood bank or you can pay to store it in a private cord blood bank for your family to use. If, god forbid, your child develops one of the diseases that cord blood can help treat, it would seem like a no brainer, right? Just know that the price to store your baby’s blood for years is steep, like in the thousands of dollars steep, and in reality, the chances of your child benefitting from their cord blood is less than .04%. The diseases currently treatable with cord blood are not only very rare, but it’s likely that those stem cells found in the cord blood contain the same genetic defects. However, in helping other family members, you could be happy you did it. And donating it to a public bank, where it may one day go to a child in need is another wonderful way to use it.

As per usual, just remember to ask the right questions when your healthcare provider brings it up, and as always, you do you.

FAQs

What are my chances of having a c-section?

Real Talk. According to the Lancet, the rate of cesarean sections around the world is actually increasing, from about 6% of all births to 21%, but that’s primarily due to mamas choosing to have one in advance. It’s your call as to whether or not you want to have a C-section, but there are some factors that influence how your birth will go. Some ideas that play a role in your likelihood of having a C-section is your choice of healthcare provider (and their philosophy on C-sections), your birth setting, access to support like midwives or doulas and whether you opt for medical intervention during labor (ie induction, epidurals yada yada).

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If you don’t think you want a c-section, ask your healthcare provider what their C-section rates are and take a birthing class that can teach you some tips on best practices for a vaginal delivery. Also you might want to seek out a doula or a labor partner who can advocate on your behalf if the labor isn’t progressing. If your baby is starting to look breech (ie upside down), find out some natural ways of trying to turn them in advance.

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And of course, if you elect to have a C-section, that’s great too!

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You do you!

2nd Trimester

Why are my nipples larger?

Your boobs are going to go through all sorts of changes throughout pregnancy and beyond. We’re talking size, shape, color – it’s a journey. In the 2nd trimester specifically, they’ll probably get larger and heavier, and the veins surrounding your boobs will become more apparent beneath the skin.

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Your nipps and areolas might grow and darken, with some super fun small bumps making their way to the surface.

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Before you start freaking out, just know that they should return to their pre-pregnancy color and size, though we can’t speak for the rest of your boobs!

FAQs

Why do I suddenly have more body hair?

While the hair on your head sheds less during pregnancy, you may experience an increased amount of body and facial hair. You can go ahead and blame the increase in the androgen hormone (aka dude hormones). To get at those pesky hairs, you can tweeze, wax or shave.

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Avoid chemicals like bleach or depilatories, as they can enter your bloodstream.

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Also table the permanent hair-removing techniques like laser or electrolysis for after babe as they might cause excess pigmentation.

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Not to worry, this extra hair should be gone three to six months after you deliver.

FAQs

Why is my hair thicker during pregnancy?

Now here is where pregnancy symptoms get really good. You might find that you suddenly have this massive, awesome mane (cue our Strength and Shine hair oil for optimal moisture and retention). Contrary to popular belief, you’re actually not growing more hair, you’re just losing it more slowly than usual.

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During pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen lengthen your hair growth phase, which results in less shedding of your hair in a normal follicle cycle.

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So you’re not growing more, you’re just losing less. Just know that after giving birth, the growth/shed cycle goes back to normal, so you may notice more hair coming out in the shower.

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(Remember that 90’s flick The Craft? Like that). It’s all part of the process, so enjoy it while you got it!

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FAQs

Why are my legs cramping?

This is another “don’t worry” situation. Nearly half of all pregnant women experience some cramping or leg spasms during their pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. They might be caused by weight gain, which can change how your muscles function and your circulation. Pressure from your growing babe might also cause your nerves and blood vessels to get all agro. Here are some ways to reduce or treat leg cramps, and as usual, if anything is feeling extreme or beyond normal, contact your doc.

Exercise regularly
Rest with your legs up
Wear compression socks or supportive stockings
Get prenatal massages (go on, treat yourself)
Apply heat directly to the sore spot

FAQs

Why am I getting nosebleeds?

Not to worry. Nosebleeds are a super common side effect of pregnancy, even if a bit yucky.

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Pregnancy makes the blood vessels in your nose expand, and all that extra blood circulating throughout your body can put extra pressure on those lil vessels of yours, which causes them to rupture. A pregnancy cold as well as a sinus infection or allergies will increase your chances of getting them, especially when the membranes in your nose start to dry out, as does cold weather and environments with dry air.

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Of course, if it feels like your nosebleeds are beyond the “normal” range, call your healthcare provider.

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FAQs

Is "Pregnancy Brain" real?

Did you forget what you were just about to say? Do you have zero clue what day it is or which meeting you have this afternoon? Welcome to pregnancy brain, when you can’t remember sh*t! (FYI this also leads into “mom brain” once you have the baby.) So first thing’s first. Pregnancy brain is 100% normal, especially if you’re feeling busy, stressed or short on sleep. Surging hormone levels don’t help (all that progesterone and estrogen can wreak havoc on your brain), as well as trying to decide which crib you’re buying, how childcare is going to work out and whether you’re going to have an easy delivery. You only have so many balls you can keep in the air, so take it easy on yourself, and remember these three magic words: Write. It. Down.

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