Blood And Urine Tests
Pregnancy tests check for the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin . A person might take an over-the-counter test at home, or they might visit a clinic and provide a urine or blood sample for testing.
The body produces hCG after implantation. Some rare conditions and diseases can also raise levels of this hormone. It is a good idea for anyone who has received a positive test result to have this confirmed by a healthcare professional.
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy
Normal vaginal secretions increase during pregnancy due to greater blood supply and hormones. Normal vaginal discharge is white or clear, isn’t irritating, is odorless, and may look yellow when dry on your underwear or panty liners.
Recommendations:
- Wear low-heeled shoes.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Squat down with your knees bent when picking things up instead of bending down at the waist.
- Don’t stand on your feet for long periods. If you need to stand for long periods, place one foot on a stool or box for support.
- Sit in a chair with good back support, or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Also, place your feet on a footrest or stool.
- Check that your bed is firm. If needed, put a board between the mattress and box spring.
- Sleep on your left side with a pillow between your legs for support.
- Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad on low setting to your back, take a warm bath or shower, or try massage.
- Perform exercises, as advised by your health care provider, to make your back muscles stronger and help relieve the soreness.
- Maintain good posture. Standing up straight will ease the strain on your back.
- Contact your health care provider if you have a low backache that goes around your stomach and does not go away within one hour after you change position or rest. This might be a sign of premature labor.
Continued
Some Things Can Cause Kids To Have Allergies
Pregnant women tend to worry a lot about their own food allergies and whether or not their baby will have them when he or she is born. But, they should also know that there are some things that can put a child at risk for developing allergies in general. According to healthline.com, it is possible that children who were not born vaginally could end up having a higher chance of developing some kind of allergy than those who were not. However, it does seem as though breastfeeding can be helpful in that situation, so that is something ladies might want to keep in mind.
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Can I Continue My Allergy Shots During Pregnancy
If your case of allergy is severe and only treatable through shots, it is appropriate to continue them during the pregnancy. However, it can be discontinued if there is any adverse allergic reaction to it. There are no pieces of evidence of any allergy or effect of these shots on the newborn so far.
While allergies are common across all age groups, it is advisable to be extra cautious about any allergies when pregnant, to avoid any adverse effect on the foetus.
Reducing The Chances Of Developing Allergies
Your first defense against allergies is to ensure minimal contact with any substances that trigger allergic reactions. Your house should be clean and aired daily to keep it away from damp and moulds as these may pose a big threat towards allergic reactions to your home. Reducing risks at home by keeping pets clean, washing them regularly, and keeping them out of your bedroom will help. Your pillows and mattress should be in protective covers and you should change the sheets on a regular basis.
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How To Avoid Allergies While Pregnant
Do you have any other options for treating allergies during pregnancy than taking medication? A solid offense, in general, is the best defense. While you’re expecting, try these methods to avoid or reduce allergy symptoms:
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Keep a safe distance from smokers. Smoke can aggravate allergies, and secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy is harmful to both you and your baby.
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If you’re allergic to pollen, remain inside where the air is filtered and cooled. If you must go outside, wraparound sunglasses are recommended to keep pollen away from eyes. When you return inside, remove your shoes, clean the hands and face, and change your clothes to avoid bringing pollen home with you. Showering and cleaning your hair before going to bed can also help you sleep better.
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If you’re allergic to dust, use this as an excuse to hire someone to clean for you! To avoid stirring up dust, use a vacuum cleaner, a wet mop, or a sweeper. A microfiber cloth is preferable than a standard feather duster. Also avoid damp areas such as attics, basements, and other damp areas.
See us at OKOA for allergy testing. You may need us in OKC for further treatments such as sinus, pediatric allergy and more.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor’s advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.
Is There An Impact On My Unborn Baby
Many women with pregnancy rhinitis deliver healthy babies. However, any condition that reduces a pregnant mother’s sleep has the potential to impact on her baby. Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis are especially felt at night, making it difficult to fall asleep, causing women to wake up frequently through the night and be sleepy during the day. Breathing through the mouth due to a blocked nose may increase the likelihood of airway infections.
There are insufficient studies to fully understand the impact of these on the growth and development of unborn babies. If you are concerned about your sleep or breathing during pregnancy, speak to your doctor to find the best way to clear your breathing passages and get proper sleep.
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Can Allergy Medications Safely Be Used During Pregnancy
Antihistamines may be useful during pregnancy to treat the nasal and eye symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, the itching of urticaria or eczema, and as an adjunct to the treatment of serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis . With the exception of life-threatening anaphylaxis, the benefits from their use must be weighed against any risk to the fetus. Because symptoms may be of such severity to affect maternal eating, sleeping or emotional well-being, and because uncontrolled rhinitis may pre-dispose to sinusitis or may worsen asthma, antihistamines may provide definite benefit during pregnancy.
Chlorpheniramine , and diphenhydramine have been used for many years during pregnancy with reassuring animal studies. Generally, chlorpheniramine would be the preferred choice, but a major drawback of these medications is drowsiness and performance impairment in some patients.. Two of the newer less sedating antihistamines loratadine , and cetirizine have reassuring animal and human study data and are currently recommended when indicated for use during pregnancy.
When women with asthma and allergies get pregnant, one-third find their asthma and allergies improved, one-third find they worsen and one-third remain unchanged.
Allergist James Sublett, MD
How Is Pregnancy Rhinitis Diagnosed
Pregnancy rhinitis should be distinguished from other conditions such as infections, and your doctor can do this during a routine visit. X-rays and blood tests are usually not required to diagnose pregnancy rhinitis.
Pregnancy rhinitis should not cause significant breathing problems. If you feel you can’t get enough air, your chest feels very tight, you are breathless or feel like you’re being suffocated it might be a sign of a medical problem.
If you have unexplained breathing problems, especially if they are severe and come on quickly, call triple zero for an ambulance.
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Weird Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Something that sticks out to me as my “ah ha!” moments of realizing I was pregnant before I’d even taken a pregnancy test is that the symptoms I first noticed were weird, not typical. Like yeah, those common pregnancy symptoms popped up for me later on, but in those two weeks before my missed period I wasn’t running around barfing in planters or peeing every five seconds like you see in the movies.
Instead, being grossed out by a favorite meal and feeling suddenly so dizzy on an autumn walk that I needed to sit down tipped me off that I might just be pregnant , even before I was far enough along to get an accurate result on a home pregnancy test.
How Soon Do Early Pregnancy Symptoms Start
Some women may experience early signs and symptoms within the first weeks of pregnancy in the first trimester, while others may develop symptoms later on in the pregnancy. The first signs and symptoms of early pregnancy can also be similar to symptoms experienced prior to the menstrual period, so a woman may not recognize the symptoms as related to pregnancy.
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Can I Use A Nasal Spray During Pregnancy
Some nasal sprays are safer than others. The good thing about nasal sprays is that the drug focuses primarily on the nose. It does not travel throughout the rest of the body.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays are mostly safe. They are prescribed to pregnant women with moderate to severe allergy symptoms that last longer than a few days. Budesonide is considered the safest. Mometasone and fluticasone are also considered safe.
Pregnant women should avoid antihistamine nasal sprays, as there is not enough research to prove their safety.
Always talk with your doctor about which nasal spray medication is right for you, as well as any medication risks to you and your baby.
Why Are My Allergies Worse During Pregnancy
If youre currently expecting a baby and havenoticed an increase in the severity of your allergy symptoms, rest assured thatthis is very normal. Allergens are always around you, even in the winter whenyou might assume that everything is dead. Yet there is always somethingfloating around such as dust, pollen, mold and pet dander.
If your body is sensitive to any of theseallergens, it will cause your body to experience symptoms like sniffling,sneezing and itchy eyes. If you already suffer from allergies, you may noticethat your symptoms are worse now that you are pregnant. But you may also noticethat youre experiencing allergies for the first time.
Changes in Hormones Affect Allergy Symptoms
The reason why these changes occur is becausepregnancy hormones affect different systems in the body. Your immune systemsenses this change and can begin acting out by being extra sensitive todifferent allergens. Thats why the dog youve lived with for years maysuddenly be sending you into a sneezing episode.
Luckily, most women report that their allergysymptoms ease up after they have the baby and are completely gone two weeksafter giving birth. Still, it can be a long road since allergy symptoms tend tostart as early as the second month of pregnancy.
A Stuffy Nose Isnt Necessarily Allergies
Is it Allergies, a Cold or Sinusitis?
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Testing For Allergies During Pregnancy
If you are having allergy symptoms that are driving you crazy, you might want to consider getting an allergy test. An allergy test is usually done one of two ways.
The first is with a process called RAST , where your doctor or allergist takes some blood from you which they then send out to be tested for reactions. One option is a blood test called ELISA . Your doctor will draw a small amount of blood and send it to a lab, where it is tested for different allergies.
Safe Allergy Medications During Pregnancy
The most common allergy medication is an antihistamine. These are perfectly safe.
Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine , are pregnancy category B, meaning theyve been tested in animals and have not been found to have an adverse effect on the fetus. These medications are most likely safe, but you should always check with your doctor before taking any medications while pregnant.
Most hay fever medications and over-the-counter allergy medications are antihistamines.
Immunotherapy, for asthma or any other allergy, is perfectly safe to continue while you are pregnant. Because there is a chance you will have a serious allergic reaction, you cant start immunotherapy or increase your dose at all when you are pregnant, but continuing at the dose you were taking before conception is perfectly safe.
IMPORTANT
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Allergies And The Fourth Trimester
The transition to a pre-pregnancy immune status begins immediately after delivery, but it can take several weeks to a few months. That’s why it is possible for people to also develop new allergies in the fourth trimester. Experts say seasonal allergies, as well as dust mites, mold, animal, and skin allergies are the most common. While developing a new food allergy postpartum is possible, Dr. Parikh says those are “pretty rare.”
Many people are lucky in the months following delivery, and new sensitivities tend to subside when hormones return to pre-pregnancy levels. Again, results vary, and for others, like me, allergies can persist. My postpartum allergies continue, although the symptoms are thankfully far more subdued than in the first year.
What Allergy Relief Is Safe In Pregnancy
Suffering from allergies during pregnancy is never a fun experience. Not only do you have all the pregnancy related aches and pains, but your nose feels like someone stuffed it with cotton and youre constantly sneezing. Some allergy medications are considered safe for use during pregnancy, but its always the best idea to talk with your obstetrician before taking any medication either over the counter or prescription.;Medications are categorized;based upon safety during pregnancy and your obstetrician will be able to talk with you about the categories and which medications are best for your symptoms.
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Food Allergies And How They Affect Your Baby
If you have a serious food allergy that requires medical treatment, such as adrenaline for anaphylaxis, it is likely that this will be associated with eating food items such as egg, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame seeds, shellfish, soya, tree nuts and wheat. In the UK, all these foods are labelled if present in the food you buy from major outlets and you should always inform restaurants of your condition to avoid problems. If buying food at farmers markets etc, always speak to the seller to make sure your particular allergen is not present in the product you are buying.
There is a myth that if you have been diagnosed with a food allergy prior to being pregnant that you will be able to tolerate it when carrying a baby. This is NOT TRUE. Your symptoms are likely to be unchanged and if you try to eat that particular trigger food during pregnancy it could have life-threatening effects, such as an anaphylactic reaction, which will then pose problems for both you and the baby.
Allergies are known to be genetic. Despite food allergies being rare, the baby of a mother-to-be with a medically diagnosed condition will have a higher likelihood of developing similar symptoms. If an allergy develops in your baby, it is also possible that they will be more prone to also developing a peanut allergy.
Smoking during pregnancy may also make your baby predisposed to allergies.
Do Allergies Impact The Baby
Any new health concern can be worrying for a pregnant person, but thankfully a developing baby is unlikely to be affected by their parent’s flare-ups as long as symptoms are properly managed.
Whether the baby will eventually be susceptible to allergies is primarily determined by genetics. “If one parent has any allergies, that increases the child’s risk by 50 percent,” explains Dr. Parikh. Environmental factors are also a cause, while alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy are risk factors for a child developing sensitivities.
Food allergies are also not developed from a parent’s food choices. The popular myth that consuming peanut butter while pregnant would lead to nut sensitivity has been proven false. Newer studies reveal that consuming peanut butter while pregnant impacts a child positively by lowering their allergy risk. The current recommendation is for pregnant people to consume a varied diet and avoid foods only if there is an existing sensitivity.
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What Is Pregnancy Rhinitis
Pregnancy rhinitis is characterized by having congestion and cold-like symptoms during pregnancy that are not linked to viruses, allergies, or other medical conditions, but which are caused by the pregnancy itself. According to a study published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, pregnancy rhinitis is very common.
Of the 117 pregnant women surveyed in the study, 39% experienced symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis. Although pregnancy rhinitis can happen at any time during pregnancy, it may be most common in the second trimester of pregnancy. Of the 117 moms reporting pregnancy rhinitis symptoms in the study, the majority were in week 13 to 21 of pregnancy.
Can You Get Allergies During Pregnancy
Yes, you can get allergies while you’re pregnant, sometimes for the first time and certainly if you have a history of them. Allergies are very common in pregnancy, and not all women who experience them are long-term allergy sufferers. Many women with no known prior allergies only complain of their symptoms during pregnancy.
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What Should I Do To Avoid Asthma Attacks During Pregnancy
Keep Your Asthma Well-Controlled
Avoiding asthma triggers is always important, but is even more important during pregnancy. Pregnant women with asthma should increase avoidance measures to gain greatest comfort with the least medicine.
- Stay away from people who are sick with respiratory infections.
- Reduce your exposure to allergens like dust mites, animal dander, pollen, mold, and cockroaches
Stop Smoking Cigarettes/Tobacco
Giving up cigarette smoking is;important for any pregnant woman. Smoking may worsen;asthma and harms;the health of the growing fetus as well.
Exercise
Regular exercise is important to health. Talk to your doctor for the best advice about exercising during pregnancy. Swimming is a great exercise for people with asthma. Using quick-relief medicine 10 to 15 minutes before exercise may help you tolerate recommended exercise.
