Month 5 Answers to your FAQs

Our Facebook page is packed full of questions from moms-to-be. We got midwife and childbirth educator Tina Otte to answer some of them.

I WOKE UP, AND MY BED WAS ALL WET. HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS DISCHARGE OR SWEAT?

Vaginal discharge usually has a distinctive odour and will be slightly more ”mucousy” than sweat. Also, it would be more profuse between your legs. If your bed is wet or damp – I would guess that it is sweat. During pregnancy you do tend to perspire more as you get rid of heat for your baby as well. Be sure to wear cotton pyjamas and to have your room well ventilated (open windows) while you sleep. Always check with your caregiver if you are not sure.

I’VE GOT SUCH BAD TOOTHACHE, HELP!

Do not delay in getting to the dentist as soon as possible. Ideally, you should see your dentist at least once during your pregnancy and if possible an oral hygienist twice. Swollen gums and hormonal changes make you more likely to develop gum disease, which could be a problem for your unborn baby as well. Use toothpaste that has xylitol in it, and brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Mouthwash is also an option.

HOW SOON AFTER A CAESAREAN CAN I HAVE SEX?

It is recommended that you wait for six weeks before resuming sexual relations. However, some couples do start a month after birth if the mother is comfortable. After caesarean birth, there is a lot of healing that has to take place, so you may have to be creative with positions or find other ways to express intimacy, affection and love.

CAN I BREASTFEED MY OTHER BABY WHILE PREGNANT?

The simple answer is yes. As long as your pregnancy is healthy and uncomplicated, and there is no history of miscarriage. Usually, a breastfed baby will sense the difference in the taste of your breast milk (due to the pregnancy hormones in your body), which may result in baby weaning himself.

WHAT IS THE LINE RUNNING DOWN MY TUMMY?

The dark vertical line that often appears between the belly button and the pubic area is called linea nigra (meaning dark line). This line usually appears in the second trimester of pregnancy and is associated with oestrogen levels and melanocytestimulating hormone deposits under the skin. Women who are dark-skinned tend to have a darker linea nigra than women who are fair-skinned. Linea nigra occurs naturally and tends to fade away, in most cases, in the weeks following delivery, but remains visible for some women. During summer months, when midlines may come into contact with sunlight, the line may darken, so it is important to continue wearing sunscreen in order to keep the darkness of the line to a minimum.

I’M PREGNANT, AND

I HAVE SUCH BAD STRETCH MARKS. WHAT CAN I DO?

Stretch marks (often referred to as stripes of honour) are a type of scarring that can occur when skin stretches beyond its limits. They appear as faint lines that are typically reddish or purple in colour. Some women will develop stretch marks during pregnancy and others will not, and there is a tendency for this kind of scarring to be hereditary.

Stretch marks occur as a result of a weakening or breaking of the elastic fibres deep in the skin. In pregnancy, they usually appear on the lower belly, breasts, thighs and buttocks and tend to radiate outward from the centre of the body. They occur as a result of weight gain and in some instances due to hormonal changes, but most likely they are caused by just what the name suggests.

While stopping the development of stretch marks is impossible, there are a few tricks that can be used to keep stretch marks to a minimum. Applying a good-quality cream or oil for stretch marks is the first thing most women do. Avoid your skin getting dry and itchy, and do not scratch your skin if it itches. Applying oil will keep your skin supple. Dry skin is not as elastic as moisturised skin and thus has difficulty stretching as the uterus or other parts of the body grows, leading to stretch marks. Strengthening the muscles under the skin of the belly, hips, thighs and bum may prevent some of the breakdown that occurs during pregnancy, therefore regular exercise may help.

Wear a well-supporting bra, as your breasts may become heavy and pendulous and drag on your skin, contributing to the severity of stretch marks on the breasts. Gaining weight is the main reason stretch marks occur. The faster you gain weight, the faster stretch marks will develop. Gradual weight gain allows the skin enough time to stretch and repair. This will not prevent stretch marks from occurring, but it may keep their depth and width to a minimum.

HOW LONG AFTER SEEING THE MUCOUS PLUG DOES LABOUR USUALLY START?

The appearance of a mucous plug (also called a ”show”) does not necessarily mean that labour is imminent. The plug can be dislodged during lovemaking (towards the end of pregnancy), and if this happens, the body makes more and plugs up again. It may also be disturbed during a vaginal exam that may be done at about 38 weeks of pregnancy, and once again the body will make sure it makes more mucus to plug up. You’ll start labour in your own unique way, and although a show is one of the signs, it is not usually the first or most reliable one. You may start labour with contractions first and then have a show, or your waters may break first and then a show may appear. If you are close to your due date and your mucous plug comes away, it may take a few days before labour starts, or it may take a few hours. There is no set time unfortunately. ●