A-Z of pregnancy: What to expect, when expecting…

On MTV Shuga 4 we see Princess go through motherhood at a young age: her worries, fears and pregnancy symptoms. So here’s a list from A-Z of things a young/teenage mum will have to deal with:

A – All-nighters: As a new mum, sleepless nights are to be expected. After being in the womb for nine+ months, in a close physical bond to their mothers, babies often find it difficult to adjust to this big wide world.

B – Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding your child is a beautiful and natural thing to do but breastfeeding doesn’t come easily for everyone. Speak to your doctor, mentor and other mums about their various experiences and remember to do what works best for you and your baby.

For HIV positive mothers, breast milk contains HIV. However, guidelines on whether to breastfeed vary depending on where you live in the world.

So it is best to talk to a healthcare professional for more specialist advice on whether you can breastfeed or not. If you do breastfeed, you must always take your treatment and exclusively breastfeed.

C – Cravings: Pickles and ice cream? Pounded yam and cheese? Pica? During your pregnancy, you may find yourself craving things you would normally never dream of eating so brace yourself!

D – Diet: While you may have cravings for all sorts of foods you would normally never eat, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet to ensure you and your baby get the right nutrients. Remember your body is working for two: you and your baby.

E – Exercise: Contrary to what some may think, you CAN engage in some form of exercise when pregnant but remember to speak to your doctor and fitness instructor about what works for you. Remember, moderation is key!

F – Family Support Centres: Simply put, you need all the support you can get -from your family as well as those who assist families in adjusting to parenthood.

G- Gynaecologists: As a woman and expectant mum, you need to know your body and regular visits to the gynecologists are very important!

H – Hair Growth/Loss: Thanks to lots of hormones, pregnant women tend to experience a large amount of hair growth as an increasing number of hairs go into the resting /growing phase. But as hormone levels begin to drop after birth, your hair will begin to fall out at a greater rate as it returns to its normal pattern. Don’t panic! You’re not balding and the hair loss will eventually stop. However it is still good to seek your doctor’s advice if you are unsure.

I- Insomnia: As a young mum or first time mum, it’s natural to be worried or anxious about the whole process of motherhood. But as an expectant mum, it’s important to get enough rest and speak to your doctor, mentor or family members about your worries if you have trouble sleeping.

L – Love: As a new or expectant mum, you need lots of love. Baby love, self-love, love, love, love & support!

M- Medication:We know most women mention the development of “pregnancy brain” during pregnancy, which is often blamed on forgetfulness, but it is very important to remember to take the right medication as and when prescribed by your doctor in order to reduce the risk of passing HIV on to your baby and to also maintain your own health. It’s always best to consult your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy, even over-the-counter medication.

N- Nappy care and changing: Be ready to spend a lot of money & time on diapers and changing them!

O- Outpatient checks: Your baby isn’t the only one who needs some TLC. New mums also need regular checkups to ensure their physical, emotional and mental health.

P – Postpartum depression: Sometimes called the ‘baby blues’, postpartum depression is a serious illness which can become severe in some cases. It occurs in women a few weeks and months after giving birth and includes symptoms such as mood swings, sadness, guilt, feelings of hopelessness etc. It is very important to speak to your doctor if you have any symptoms.

Q – Quiet time: While you are now a mother, you are still YOU and it is important to take some time to do things you enjoy. A happy mother means a happy baby.

R- Relaxation: When you’re pregnant it’s ok to put your feet up and simply doing nothing for a while! No you’re not being lazy. This is a good time to relieve the stresses on your body and mind. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga, stretching, deep breathing, massages and more.

S- Safe sex: Family planning is very important to a new mum as you may be fertile again within a few weeks of your baby’s birth. It’s important to use a condom particularly if you are breastfeeding and want to avoid taking hormones.

T- Teething: The period where your baby wants to chew on just about anything! LOL. Teething can begin at around six months. However, all babies are different and the timing of teething varies. Some babies may experience pain or discomfort during teething and your baby may be irritable.

U- Ultrasound: Getting an ultrasound is very important, not just to find out the sex of your baby (if you want to know) but also to determine that your baby is developing as he/she should

V- Vaccinations: New born babies need to be protected from various diseases and vaccinations usually begin a few weeks after birth.

W- Washing, bathing & skincare: Newborn babies have very sensitive skin that can easily be irritated. It’s important to use only baby-friendly products on your child that are free from perfumes, additives & preservatives.

X- X is for the Xtra rolls of fat LOL: During pregnancy & birth, your body goes through many changes and gaining weight is naturally one of them. Love your new pregnancy body, it’s truly remarkable and it carries a life inside.

Y- Yelping: Babies cry… A LOT. For the first few months the only way your baby can communicate what he/she needs is through crying. So bear with them . With time, you will soon understand what each type of cry means.

Z- zzzz is for lots of sleep: In the first few days, newborn babies sleep A LOT! So while they’re sleeping it’s a good time for you to get in a nap or two.