Pressure from your expanding uterus can cause your belly button to become very tender.

Increased Vaginal Secretions

Pregnancy can trigger an increase in the amount of  an odorless clear or white mucousy discharge.

Palmar Erythema

It occurs when the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet develop a reddish hue.

Skin Tags

These are tiny polyps that occur anywhere where skin rubs up against skin or clothing.

Pyogenic Granulomas

Tiny nodules might appear on your gums when you’re brushing your teeth one morning. They are harmless, non-cancerous growths.

Eye Changes

High levels of estrogen can also led to “dry eye”, which is characterized by dryness and burning, blurred vision and sensitivity to light.

To an ordinary person, there may be nothing particularly controversial about being able to pick when you can give birth, and how. However, elective C-sections are one of the most widely debated topics in obstetrics/gynecology circles all over the world.

Who really needs C-sections?

Only a small percentage of all pregnancies requires C-section, and these are usually pregnancies facing certain risks: structural problems in the mother’s reproductive system, or the possibility of a breech delivery (the baby is like to come out legs or bottom first).

The elective C-sections are done even without a proper medical indication. In fact, the obstetrical and gynecological society does not recognize elective C-section as an indication for Cesarean section.

That’s one reason why it’s hard to say exactly how many such procedures are performed. One rough estimate pegs it at 20 out 100 C-sections. Most o the time what happens is the elective C-section is hidden under some vague indication, like non-reassuring fetal heart rate, or something that would be medically acceptable.

What puts ob/gynes in a ickle is that while they need to inform a woman that elective C-section is not a primary consideration for any form of birth, a woman’s right to determine what’s best for her body and her child deserves respect. So why would women want to skip the whole process of labor, heaving and pushing, and waiting for the baby to come naturally out to the world?

Addressing your fears

Quite a few women who opt for elective C-section base their decision on what family and friends tell them.

The fear are usually fanned by your support people. If a woman’s mother was traumatized by her own childbirth, then the mother could be the first to convince the daughter not to go through labor anymore. If everyone’s telling her “No, I had such an easy time, it was great, there was no problem,” she wouldn’t have much fears going through child birth.

Your obstetrician also plays a big role in helping you address your fears. The doctor should thoroughly discuss with the patient why there are no indications for a C-section and the risks involved with any contemplated surgery.

C-Section risks

While childbirth is safer now more than ever, thanks to newer drugs and safer techniques, the Cesarean section is still major surgery, which carries along with it some risks.

In an uncomplicated C-section an anesthetic is injected into the space surrounding the spinal cord (spinal anesthesia). In a few cases, the use of spinal anesthesia could result in a significant drop in the mother’s blood pressure.

After a C-section, women can’t walk for about 24 hours. This puts them at risk of developing a blood clot in the vein. This blood clot could detach itself from the vein and travel down the bloodstream. Called an embolus, it could reach te lungs and block the blood flow, which may then deprive the body of oxygen. Symptoms include chest pains, dizziness, palpitations, or a drop in blood pressure. In some cases, it could make her cough up blood. If not detected early on, pulmonary embolism may lead to death.

Going through labor is much more painful than an elective C-section. In some cases, there might be more pain after giving birth in a C-section than in a normal delivery.

But there is also some benefits to a C-section. For one, up to 40% of women who underwent normal delivery may end up suffering from urinary incontinence, or difficulty in controlling urination, by the time they reach menopause. This problem is generally not seen in women who chose C-section.

Taking charge of one’s pregnancy

There is a wealth of information on elective C-sections out there, particularly on the internet. But it might be a little hard to figure out whether a source is reliable or not. This is why it’s important for a pregnant woman to discuss with her obstetrician all her concerns regarding pregnancy. This would help her form an informed decision.

It’s still her experience, it’s her child, and it’s her body. In the end, it’s her decision, hers and her husband’s. Of all people, it is she who knows what’s best for her child.

It all boils down to the woman being on top of her pregnancy, whether she goes through normal delivery or a C-section. Every woman should know and be informed about her body.

1. Flaunt your Radiance.

Gone are the days of tent blouses and overalls with huge kangaroo-like pouches. Those loose tops and dresses make mommies look as huge. Try tops with V-necks and empire cuts. Trendy maternity clothes that enhance curves look sexy — not promiscuous — on pregnant women. These types of clothes really do celebrate pregnancy. For utmost comfort, get paige maternity jeans and other clothes in stretch fabrics such as Lycra jersey, cotton, and chiffon.

The right wardrobe will work doubly well with a hairstyle that’s low maintenance, comfortable, stylish. Try one of two no-brainer hairstyles: long tresses that you can tie back into a bun, or a super-short yet super-chic wash-and-wear cut. Don’t take your pampering to the colorist, though. Chemicals from hair dyes may not be safe for the baby in your womb and when you’re breastfeeding.

Avoid clogging your pores with cosmetics since they might contain harsh chemicals that can affect your baby. If you have to wear makeup, keep it light. Remove your makeup as soon as you get home. Use a mild facial wash and makeup remover.

2. Exercise

Exercise counteracts the extra weight you gain. Since labor and giving birth are two of the most exhausting ordeals a woman has to go through, getting fit and keeping fit during pregnancy is a must. Of course, your doctor has to consent to what form of exercise you can do.

Aerobics and calisthenics are highly recommended by doctors. For a more “zen” workout, try yoga or pilates — but only after your doctor has given you the go signal. Many moms-to-be have found these two books: Yoga for Pregnancy or Pilates for Pregnancy helpful in doing yoga and pilates routines tailor-made for their growing baby and belly. However, it is still recommended that you get a private yoga or pilates instructor.

3. Eat Healthy

Step up on the nutrition department since you’re eating for two now. Good eating habits may keep complications like anemia, morning sickness, leg cramps, premature labor, and mood swings at bay.

Foremost in your diet should be fruits and green leafy vegetables. They contain vitamin A for healthy skin, bones, and eyes, folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, extra fiber, calcium, and trace minerals. Don’t completely discount fat from your diet. You and your baby also need calories, though your baby needs just about 300 calories per day. Easy on the sweets, go strong on the fluids.

But if there’s such a time when you need guilty-pleasure comfort food, it’s when you’re pregnant. Once in a while, treat yourself to an oatmeal cookie, a small helping of fries cooked in vegetable oil, buttermilk pancakes, a banana milkshake, and dried fruits. Then step away.

4. Pamper your Body

Nothing pampers a pregnant woman’s body like a trip to the spa. During pregnancy, your body retains extra fluid causing some body parts — especially your feet — to bloat and uncomfortably heavy (aside from the fact that your joints are expanding to ready your body for labor). A foot massage helps ease the discomfort.

5. Have Fun with the Girls

A support system is essential, especially now that you have a little person growing inside of you. Call the girls over! Have a girls’ poker night and, instead of money, bet with baby accessories. Play Pictionary or Scrabble — anything that will require minimum waddling and maximum mental activity. Your friends can also help you with your choice of clothes and juicy maternity jeans.

6. Bond with Hubby

Enjoying life with your husband becomes infinitely better when you’re about to have a baby. Go on a DVD marathon with him. Alternate between “chick flicks” and “manly-man movies” so you both accommodate your viewing preferences. Or have a lunch some place out of the ordinary.

7. Spend Time with Yourself

Sometimes all the fuss coming from family and friends can get overwhelming that all you want is to be alone for a while. By all means, go ahead. Relax with a stack of books. Bliss out with music, too. Studies show that soothing music can calm a fetus. But don’t pick any random CD of sonatas. Play music that you like and makes you feel good. When you feel good, your baby feels good also. If you want to dance along to your favorite track but your lower back just can’t handle it, lie back, snap your fingers, and wiggle your toes to the beat.

8. Prepare for D-day

Start a journal or make a scrapbook of what you’re going through. Show this scrapbook to your child when he or she is about to become a parent, too. Enjoy a creative brainstorming session with hubby by mulling over possible baby names.

Pack your belongings, as well as your baby’s, a month before your due date. Don’t forget important documents and IDs like medical insurance IDs, SSS ID, and your credit card and ATM card, etc.

Visit the hospital and assess the room you’ll be staying in: Will you need extra blankets and pillows? Is there room for hubby to sleep in? Can you charge your cellphone in the room? Is your room near the nursery? Do a run-through with your hubby of what to do when you begin labor.

If you don’t have a nursery for the baby at home, set up a “baby station” in your room so that everything will be in place when you and your baby come home from the hospital.

9. Rediscover and Reactivate your Talents

Several factors such as financial stress, lack of emotional support from your partner, or anxiety about your health or your baby’s may make your self-esteem dip a bit. That’s normal and will get better. All you need is to focus on what you’re good at and do it.

If you’ve always liked working with your hands, create something — perhaps a mobile for your baby’s crib or a hand sewn quilt to use as your baby’s first comforter. If you’re imaginative and eloquent, why not write a children’s story and read it to your baby?

Many times, if your condition prevents your from doing some things you’re used to doing, pregnant women as yourself may go through a feeling of usefulness. The secret is to concentrate on what you can actually still do rather than on what you can’t.