Pregnancy encyclopedia: Ultrasound to Weight gain during pregnancy

Ultrasound

This test works a bit like underwater radar, creating a picture of your baby and placenta. It is usually done in your health care provider's office, and it may require you to drink extra fluids before arriving for your appointment.

• While you rest on a table, gel is applied to your abdomen.
• A technician moves a transducer, a type of microphone about the size of a television remote, over your abdomen.
• A picture of your baby and placenta forms on a nearby monitor, which is interpreted by a technician and your health care provider. Sometimes the ultrasound equipment can take a photograph that you can take home.

Ultrasound testing can:

• determine the age of your baby
• detect the presence of twins
• help determine your due date
• measure your baby's growth and development

Sometimes an ultrasound can determine your baby's gender, but not always. Your baby's gender may or may not be clearly apparent.

Urinalysis

Testing done on a sample of urine. Urine is collected at each prenatal visit to screen for diabetes and protein in the urine, a symptom of preeclampsia.

Uterus

The sac of muscles in which your baby grows, sometimes called the womb.

Vaginal birth after a Cesarean (VBAC)

If you've already had one baby by Cesarean birth, you may still be able to give birth vaginally in subsequent births. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that most women with one previous Cesarean birth who have a low transverse incision in their uterus (ask your health care provider if this includes you) are candidates for VBAC. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also states these women should be counseled by their health care provider about VBAC and offered the chance to try labor.

Women who have had more than one Cesarean birth may have special concerns about attempting a vaginal birth. There are benefits and risks to both VBAC and a repeat Cesarean. Talk to your health care provider about your feelings and your fears. Include your partner in these discussions. You may also want to talk with women who have given birth vaginally after a Cesarean birth.

Vernix

A creamy coating that protects the skin while your baby is inside the uterus, surrounded by amniotic fluid.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps blood to clot. It is essential to prevent serious bleeding. Babies do not get enough vitamin K from their mothers during pregnancy, or when they are breastfeeding. Without vitamin K, they are at risk of getting a rare disorder called vitamin K deficiency bleeding. This can cause bleeding into the brain, and may result in brain damage or even death.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding can be prevented by giving new babies extra vitamin K. By the age of about 6 months, they have built up their own supply. The easiest and most reliable way to give babies vitamin K is by injection (shot). One injection just after birth will protect a baby for many months. All babies need to have vitamin K. Very small or premature babies may need smaller doses -- your doctor can advise you about this.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a single shot for all babies. This includes babies who are premature or sick and babies who are having surgery (including circumcision). Vitamin K is not associated with any known side effects. However, if you choose to not have your baby get a vitamin K injection, tell your nurse and doctor or midwife.

• if your baby has any unexplained bleeding or bruising. This is particularly important if your baby has not had vitamin K.
• if, when your baby is more than 3 weeks old, there are any signs of jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin or whites of the eyes).

If you have more questions about vitamin K injection for your baby, talk to your doctor or midwife.

Warning signs during pregnancy

First Trimester (months 0-3, weeks 1-13)
Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:

• vaginal bleeding
• abdominal pain
• suspected leak of amniotic fluid from vagina (bag of waters may be broken)
• excessive nausea and vomiting
• symptoms of urinary tract infection (fever, burning during urination, increased frequency of urination)
• persistent headache that does not go away by taking acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Some of these signs indicate that your blood pressure has risen, that you may have an infection, or that there is a problem with your placenta.

Second Trimester (months 4-6, weeks 14-26)
Although it is quite unlikely that you will go into labor this early, it is wise to be familiar with the signs of preterm labor. If you experience any of these, call your health care provider right away. "Preterm labor" means going into labor before your baby is due. This can be dangerous because your baby may not be developed enough to live outside the uterus.

• change or increase in vaginal discharge
• ruptured membranes (a slow leak, steady trickle, or sudden gush)
• six or more uterine contractions in 1 hour in a regular pattern
• menstrual-like cramps for more than 1 hour
• dull backache below the waist for more than 1 hour
• increased pelvic pressure for more than 1 hour
• throbbing in the vagina, cramps in the thighs, or feeling your baby pushing down
• intestinal cramping with or without diarrhea or indigestion for more than 1 hour

If you think your water has broken, or if you are having heavy bleeding, call your health care provider or the hospital birth center at once.

If you are having cramps or pain, drink two to three glasses of water or juice, empty your bladder, and lie down and rest. Then re-evaluate your symptoms. If you still have signs of labor, call your health care provider.

Third Trimester (months 7-9, weeks 27-40+)
Call your health care provider if you have:

• sudden vaginal bleeding
• sudden weight gain
• sharp or severe pain in your abdomen
• headache that is unrelieved by acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• blurred vision
• spots before your eyes
• a sudden swelling of your hands and face
• a noticeable change in your baby's activity

You should also call your health care provider right away if you have any signs of labor. If you begin labor before your baby is 37 weeks old, it is called preterm labor.

• change or increase in vaginal discharge
• ruptured membranes (a slow leak, steady trickle, or sudden gush of amniotic fluid from the vagina)
• six or more uterine contractions in 1 hour in a regular pattern
• menstrual-like cramps for more than 1 hour
• dull backache below the waist for more than 1 hour
• increased pelvic pressure for more than 1 hour
• throbbing in the vagina, cramps in the thighs, or feeling your baby pushing down
• intestinal cramping, with or without diarrhea or indigestion, for more than 1 hour

Weaning

Weaning begins when your baby begins to get nourishment from sources other than breast milk. It is a natural stage in a baby's development. As your baby grows, you will notice his interest in solid foods as he reaches for them, and wants to gum and taste them.

Weaning can be naturally led by your baby, with you adjusting breast feedings to the different level of interest and need. Sometimes weaning is led by the mother. Remember that breastfeeding is not only your baby's way of getting food, but is also one way of receiving love. Be sensitive to your baby's feelings during weaning.

Gradual weaning
Weaning gradually is best for both you and your baby. It allows you to slowly decrease your milk production without experiencing fullness or discomfort. To wean gradually:

• Skip one daily feeding and substitute formula or milk (discuss this with your baby's health care provider). Choose the feeding in which your baby is least interested.
• Wait 1 to 3 days until you are not producing as much milk at that feeding and then choose a second feeding to eliminate. To minimize engorgement, choose the feeding 1 or 2 hours after the one you've already stopped.
• Continue this process until your baby is only nursing once a day.
• After a few days of once-a-day feedings, start skipping days between breastfeedings until you eventually stop nursing altogether. By this time, you'll be producing very little milk, and your baby should give up the last feeding easily. Gradual weaning also gives your baby time to adjust to drinking from a bottle or a cup.

Partial weaning
Partial weaning allows you to eliminate certain feedings but keep breastfeeding at other times. For example, you may decide to nurse in the morning and at night and give your baby formula at other times. One advantage of this method is that if you decide later to return to full breastfeeding, you'll be able to do so.

Abrupt weaning
This is difficult for both you and your baby, but sometimes circumstances dictate sudden weaning. You'll probably become engorged with unexpressed breast milk (see "Breast engorgement"). If you'll be returning to breastfeeding, try to pump or express your milk at regular feeding times until you can resume feeding.

Weight gain during pregnancy

Generally, a weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy is recommended. If you are underweight when you become pregnant or if you are carrying twins (or more), you'll need to gain more. A general rule of thumb is a total weight gain of 1/2 to 1 pound per week of pregnancy.

Copyright: (c)2002 Allina Health System

First published: 10/04/2002
Last updated: 10/22/2003

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts