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La Fee Noire Maternity
  Maternity & Pregnancy Advice

Unless you are one of those exceptions with small expectant tummies, buying maternity clothing should be one of the best comforts you can provide for your stretching belly! If you think using elastic bands or adjustable buttons to adapt your non-maternity clothes to fit your expanding waistline will do the trick, you will soon realize that it doesn't take you very far nor will it be very comfortable.You can start with a useful maternity support band or belly band to help bridge the gap between your trousers and top

La Fee Noire cannot stress enough the importance of good Maternity Support ..........Read on..........

Pregnancy is one of the most amazing experiences a woman can have. Knowing that your baby is growing each day inside you, that you are nourishing and protecting it and that your body is going through such an astonishing transformation can be truly magical.
However, pregnancy is not plain sailing for all women. Many women suffer morning sickness and nausea (which, contrary to it name, can strike at any time of the day and indeed last all day for at least the first trimester!), carpal tunnel syndrome, pre-eclampsia, heartburn, swollen ankles, haemorrhoids, constipation, sciatica pain and Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) (to name by a few!).
As you progress throughout your pregnancy, your body releases the hormone relaxin. The hormone relaxin is released throughout you body to help to soften the joints and ligaments. This is in preparation for the birth of your baby and the changes your body goes through as your baby grows and extra pressure and strain are put upon your body. However, sometimes the release of the hormone relaxin can have a detrimental effect upon the body. In these cases the joints can soften too much and you can suffer from SPD. The symphysis pubis joint naturally widens during pregnancy to accommodate your baby, but in SPD sufferers it widens too much. This can cause extreme pain and discomfort when walking, opening your legs, or turning your body. This condition may last up until over six weeks after giving birth.
If you experience pain and discomfort in your pelvic region during pregnancy you should see your GP immediately, You will probably be referred to a physiotherapist who can offer advice and help to treat your SPD. In addition to the recommended treatments by your doctor, you can help yourself by wearing a Maternity Support band.Often also known as a Maternity Support Belt
Maternity support bands come in many various designs, patterns, materials and colours. Maternity Support bands are designed to support your growing baby bump and you lower back. In addition to this Maternity support bands also help to take pressure off the pelvis, lumbar region and lower back area. Wearing a maternity support band can help women who are suffering from SPD and also women who are experiencing more general side, back and ligament pain that is often associated with pregnancy.
Maternity support bands are often purchased in your pre-pregnancy dress size and are made from breathable soft microfibres, making them comfortable to wear. They fit close and snug to the skin so can often be worn unnoticed under clothing.
In addition to wearing Maternity support bands, getting the right maternity underwear can go a long way towards making your pregnancy more comfortable. Specially designed maternity bras will support your growing breasts and maternity knickers should allow your bump to comfortably grow. You may also find that maternity underwear and even maternity support bands are now available in a range of styles and colours such as Hug-a-Bump® Lace (as opposed to plain white, as suffered by pregnant women of yesteryear!).

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) / Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or SPD is one of the complications experienced during pregnancy. It occurs when the symphysis pubis joint becomes sufficiently relaxed to allow significant 'gapping' or instability in the pelvic girdle. In severe cases where the symphysis pubis partially or fully rupture, and the gap increases by more than 10mm, it is known as diastasis of the symphysis pubis (DSP). Pain is usually localized over the symphysis pubis with occasional grinding or audible clicking. Pain may also be felt in the groin and inner thighs. Activities such as walking, lifting and carrying items and getting in and out of the car may also be painful.

The symphysis pubisis a fibrocartilaginous (a mixture of fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissues) joint that connects the two halves of the pelvis together and keeps them steady during activity (see image). This joint is supported by a network of muscles and ligaments that allow very little movement to occur under normal circumstances. During pregnancy, the symphysis pubis widens an average of 2-3 mm from the usual 4-5mm gap. The average gap is about 7.7mm. This widening of the pelvic ring helps facilitate the delivery of baby.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction is when this joint becomes overly relaxed, allowing the pelvic girdle to become unstable. This leads to pain and inflammation.

In severe cases, the symphysis pubis partially or fully ruptures, increasing the gap to more than 10mm. This is known as the diastasis of the symphysis pubis (DSP).

SPD typically starts in the second trimester. The start of pain is usually gradual and can be very intense. It is usually relieved by rest. The good news is that symptoms commonly disappear shortly after delivery. A small percentage of women however, continue to experience pain for several months after delivery.

Why does it happen?
SPD is a result of a combination of factors; an altered pelvic load, hormonal and biochemical alterations causing ligament laxity and a weakening of pelvic and core musculature during pregnancy, leading to instability.

Symptoms
You may have SPD if you have one or more of the following:

Source: e-radiography.net
Pain localised to your symphysis pubis, including shooting, stabbing and burning pains, grinding and audible clicking sensations and/or persistent discomfort.
Pain radiating to lower abdomen, groin, perineum, thigh, leg and back
Difficulty in walking, climbing up or down stairs, rising up from a chair, impaired weight bearing activities, e.g. standing on one leg or lifting/parting the legs, turning in bed.
Diagnosing SPD
SPD today is becoming more widely understood by GPs, obstetricians and midwives. It is diagnosed by a combination of your own description of symptoms and a battery of tests designed to look at the stability, movement and pain in the pelvic joints and structures surrounding it. Imaging, such as X-rays, is the only way to confirm the misalignment of the pelvic bones. However, due to the concerns of fetal exposure to radiation, ultrasound is the preferred modality for assessing symphyseal widening in pregnancy.

Your doctor or midwife may refer you to a physiotherapist who has experience in treating this condition.

Management

A specialist physiotherapy assessment and review should be arranged. The physiotherapist can advise on back care and strategies to avoid activities that put unnecessary strain on the pelvis and on safe exercise during pregnancy.

Exercises for the pelvic girdle and core stabilizers of the trunk will form a large part of the treatment and are aimed at improving the stability of the pelvis and back. In some cases, mobilisation (a gentler form of manipulation) of your hip, back or pelvis may be used to correct any underlying movement dysfunction. Other manual techniques include muscle energy technique (MET) and myofascial release. The physiotherapist may also prescribe a pelvic support belt to give quick relief.

Other alternative treatments include hydrotherapy (exercise in water) and acupuncture which sometimes can be useful.

SPD Home Advice
Here are some things pregnant women with SPD can do to minimize their discomfort.

• Avoid activities which cause discomfort, e.g. lifting, carrying, prolonged standing, walking and strenuous exercise
• Rest more frequently in a position which is comfortable, such as:
• lying with your knees bent and supported
• lying on your side with a pillow between your knees
• sitting with your knees slightly apart
• avoid sitting with legs crossed.
• Mild to moderate exercise, including abdominal wall and pelvic floor exercises, is acceptable.
• Avoid straddling and squatting movements, which means moving with knees apart (hip abduction), when:
• getting in and out of car. Try to keep knees together.
• getting in and out of bed. When moving in bed, try to keep legs together particularly when moving from side to side. Do not push with one foot as this will worsen the pain. Push equally with both feet to move about the bed.
• Adopt good posture, avoid bending and twisting.
• If swimming, avoid the breast-stroke with the legs kicking outwards.
• Ice packs can be used for five minutes at a time or an ice cube can be rubbed on the symphysis pubis for 20–30 seconds

Save yourself the hassle and the expense of purchasing accessories that will only adapt your regular clothes in the early months. Instead, purchase maternity clothing once you start showing so that you can get more wear out of them. At the very least, you will appreciate the comfort and ease of movement that well-designed maternity clothing brings.

Maternity clothes are designed to accommodate the areas that your body will see the most changes. Your bust will likely become one size larger, while your waistline can go from 26" to 36"! Meanwhile, the rest of you will remain relatively the same. If you opt to buy larger sizes of your favourite non-maternity labels you will notice the sleeves become too long, the shoulder line is sloppy and the hip line is too low. Larger sized pants and skirts will not have the body depth necessary for comfort and expansion.

Your body will change throughout your pregnancy term and only well designed maternity wear will keep pace with your growing shape. When you buy the right size, style and even fabric it should last through out your entire pregnancy with normal weight gain.

The more wear you are able to get out of them, the better your investment will be!

JUST FOR YOU: Taking care of yourself with baby on the way.

VIDEO

GENERAL PREGNANCY  SURVIVAL TIPS

Time you Got comfortable!

While you're pregnant, the last thing you think about is what you'll want to wear after the birth. And while it might seem a little irrelevant at the moment, you'll probably find that it increasingly concerns you as the days wear on (pardon the pun) after the birth of your child. It will only be a week or two before you have shrunk out of your maternity clothes but you may still be too large for your regular clothes. It's worth investing in some cheap, stretchy items that will shrink with you and you feel comfortable in, both out and about, and while you're at home looking after your new baby. It's also worth thinking about the season - if it's autumn when your baby is due, invest in a coat with a hood, while if you're due in the summer, make sure you've got a stash of t-shirts and cardigans. Oh, and comfortable footwear is a must - it's likely you'll spend a lot of time pushing your baby around your neighbourhood - at least in the early days!

You Bored?

When you're thinking about packing your bag for the hospital, it's worth thinking about what you're going to do while you're in labour. The puffing and panting part of giving birth is only part of the time you'll spend in hospital before your baby is born, and you may find yourself with several hours on your hands before your baby is ready to face the world. So make sure you pack something to do, whether it's a pack of cards, a good book, a cd to listen to or a travel game to play with your birth partner while your labour progresses - as well as killing some time, it may help to take your mind off your contractions. If you have any tips to share on coping with pregnancy, birth and beyond, email us and we'll feature them here.Another way to kill some time is a relaxing swim and the ranges of maternity swimwear are superb.

Are you Sick of it all?

Morning sickness affects most women at some point during pregnancy, with symptoms ranging from mild nausea through to full on sickness, which can be quite debilitating. It can also occur at any time, not as the name suggests, only in the morning. There are some things you can do to help yourself however. Try sipping peppermint tea when you feel nauseous, and eat little and often throughout the day. Some women also find that eating something, such as a piece of dry toast or a plain biscuit before they get out of bed in the morning can help. Ginger is also an excellent antidote to sickness, so try ginger tea or ginger nut biscuits as well.

Too tight?

You might be pregnant, but that doesn't necessarily mean you want to compromise on style. If you're into skirts, you'll finding comfortable hosiery a real challenge. Now, there are some over-the-bump tights on the market, from the likes of Aristoc and Spanx, however, you may find that tights raise your temperature or make you uncomfortable. Hold-ups may be just the answer you're looking for - available from all the usual suspects, they allow you to feel sexy without the restricting feeling tights can give you. What's more, you don't need to buy special maternity versions so you'll be able to wear them after the birth. And, although it may not be sexy, it's worth taking a look at pop-socks too. Remember you wont jump straight back into your favourite jeans immediately after the birth so take your maternity jeans into the hospital with you.

Get him to Plump them up

You've got your bag packed with all the items suggested by your hospital and you're pretty sure you've got everything. But have you considered taking a pillow from home into hospital? Not only will you have something comforting from home with you while you deliver and afterwards on the ward, you may find that your hospital doesn't give you enough pillows to make you feel comfortable. If you have a v-shaped pillow in preparation for breastfeeding so much the better, the midwives on your ward can help you feed your baby as you would at home, and they offer excellent support for your back when you're sitting in your hospital bed.

So Hot and bothered?

There's no two ways about it, most hospitals are hot places. Be sure to pack a suitable maternity nightdress or a few cool and lightweight cotton maternity dresses for your hospital stay. For pregnant women they can sometimes be uncomfortably hot, and while you're in labour, the effort may raise your temperature another few degrees. A cooling water spray is the answer to this, and may just keep you from being hot and bothered while you're waiting for your new arrival to announce him or herself.

Home stretch!?

You're nearing the end of your pregnancy and you feel uncomfortable and fat. Your ankles are swollen, you get tired walking up the stairs and it's difficult to have a bath because you're afraid you won't be able to get out of it when you've finished. The later stages of pregnancy can make many women feel unattractive and tired, so make sure you organise some treats for yourself in the weeks leading up to the birth, because you won't have much time for yourself once the baby arrives. Why not book a spa day - making sure the venue you've chosen has a pregnancy specialist? Or create your own spa-day at home with all your favourite products. Just make sure there's someone around to hoist you out of the bath!

Midnight munchies?

Unfortunately babies don't often come along in time for dinner. With most babies born at night, most hospitals are ill-equipped for providing new mums with a well needed snack after they've given birth. So while you might have packed your bags - you’ve got your nightie, some clothes for the baby and something to travel home in, have you thought about including a snack for after the big event? Hospitals vary in their policies on eating during labour, but it's also worth taking some cream crackers or dry biscuits in with you to keep you going - you might be awaiting your new arrival for some time.

Chill Out Girlfriend!

While it might not have been the best summer on record in terms of hours of sunshine, the temperature has definitely been rising, and for many pregnant women that can mean swollen, uncomfortable ankles and feet. If you're in this predicament, why not try covering your lower legs and feet with a cooling leg gel? Found in major chemists and toiletry retailers, they feel doubly effective if kept in the fridge. And if you can get your partner to help you rub some gel into the affected areas, so much the better - you'll be transported to a complete chill out zone

Folic Acid

Make sure you take your folic acid!

Taken as a tablet and included in many cereals, folic acid is recommended by the Dept of Health from trying to conceive through to the 12th week of pregnancy.

Folic acid can prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

 

What you need to know about being a New Mum?

Negotiating the first few weeks of parenthood can be tricky. From breastfeeding to bonding, it’s a steep learning curve on precious little sleep.

Read our tips on how to get through it and Your physical recovery in the first days after the birth

In the first few days after the birth you may experience ‘after pains’ or period-like cramps, which are caused by your uterus contracting back to its previous size. It’s perfectly natural and nothing to worry about. For the first two to six weeks after the birth, you will bleed, not unlike a period. This is called ‘lochia’ and occurs when the womb sheds tissues. It can be dealt with easily by wearing sanitary towels.

Minor cuts and grazes to your perineum or vagina usually heal quickly, but stitches cause pain for up to a few weeks. Your midwife can advise you on how to soothe the area. If you’ve had a Caesarean, you may find ordinary things like getting up and walking around painful. It’s hardly surprising as you’ve undergone a major operation, and it can take up to six months to recover fully. In the meantime, avoid driving and lifting heavy objects for six weeks and do the exercises your physiotherapist gives you. Most of all, take it easy and don’t do too much.
 

Dealing with the baby blues

There’s also the emotional side to life after the birth. One in two new mums experience the ‘baby blues’ with symptoms of mild depression, tearfulness and anxiety, lasting anything from a few hours to a few days. It’s caused by hormonal changes, but if you feel weepy and down try to rest as much as you can and find someone sympathetic to talk to.

For some women, these negative feelings can linger. These women may feel unable to cope with the baby, anxious and irritable, lack energy and struggle to concentrate. If you or your partner notices these signs, you may be suffering from postnatal depression and require treatment. See your doctor who may prescribe treatment to help you feel better.

Talking about your problems can also be a great help, which is where other new mums come in. The first few weeks can be isolating, even lonely at times. Make an effort to get out and meet new mums. Look for mum and baby classes, like baby massage, or arrange a coffee morning at your house for your antenatal group. Leaving the house every day, even though it may feel like scaling Mount Everest, can really help lift your mood.
 

How to make life easier for you

Sleep as much as you can by learning to work around your baby’s sleep patterns. As she only sleeps in blocks of two to four hours, so will you. Try to go to bed as early as you can in the evening so you’ve had some shuteye before she wakes up in the night. During the day, nap when she does, and take heart – as she grows, your baby will sleep for longer periods.

Bear in mind that an endless stream of visitors is not conducive to a restful first few weeks – or to you taking as many naps as possible. Everyone wants to show off their new arrival, but keep a mental tally of how many people are coming over each week and set your own limits.

However, don’t confuse visitors with people who’ve come to help. Take up offers of help from family and friends as you need all the rest and home-cooked meals you can get.

And speaking of all things domestic, now is not the time to start playing supermum. At the moment, the only thing that really matters is that you and your baby are well fed and rested. The prize-winning fairy cakes will have to wait.

 

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