Pregnant women often face unexpected problems<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In local traditional society, there is nothing a
\nmarried woman looks forward to more than being pregnant and
\nhaving a baby.<\/p>\n
When the dream eventually comes true, it is usually
\naccompanied by anxiety. There may be \"unexpected\" changes that
\nthe prospective mother will find disturbing and confusing at the
\nsame time.<\/p>\n
Among the most common physical changes are darkening
\ncomplexion -- or hyperpigmentation -- on some parts of their
\nbodies, loss of hair, weight gain and a weakening of the hips.<\/p>\n
Noted gynecologist and sex consultant Boyke Dian Nugraha says
\nthe changes are just part of the natural process for expectant
\nmothers.<\/p>\n
Boyke says some women find the changes disturbing and
\nconfusing, particularly when they become pregnant soon after
\ngetting married and are still trying to adjust to their new life.<\/p>\n
Without the support and understanding of their husbands,
\nexpectant mothers can be overwhelmed by the changes.<\/p>\n
\"The husband's support and understanding is very important
\nduring this tiring and long waiting period. By understanding the
\nchanges that his wife is going through, he will help ease his
\nwife's anxiety about being beautiful during and after she has a
\nbaby,\" he said when speaking during a seminar on pregnancy at
\nPantai Indah Kapuk Hospital on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The seminar featured a number of experts on pregnancy who
\nprovided information on how to help expectant mothers understand
\ntheir physical and emotional changes and overcome their fears.<\/p>\n
\"During pregnancy, 90 percent of women will experience
\nhyperpigmentation, or a darkening of their complexion, mostly in
\ntheir cheeks, belly, armpits, the inside part of their thighs and
\naround their nipples. Changes in their skin, which is caused by
\nincreased production of the estrogen hormone, will remain until
\nthe postnatal period and disappear about a year later,\" Boyke
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Expectant women should not be worried by this change because
\nhyperpigmentation is common and can be helped by applying beauty
\ncreams or moisturizers, he added.<\/p>\n
\"But don't scratch the belly even if it itches because
\nscratching will leave scars that do not easily disappear.\"<\/p>\n
He also said those pregnant women who began to lose hair
\nshould not worry either, because it is a normal process caused by
\nthe increased production of estrogen, which slows down and even
\nstops hair growth.<\/p>\n
\"The process will continue for four to 20 weeks after the end
\nof the pregnancy,\" said Boyke, advising pregnant women to use
\nhair tonic to strengthen their hair.<\/p>\n
Expectant mothers will also find that their breasts become
\nlarger -- a natural process that prepares them for breast-feeding
\n-- and their vaginas become bluish and moister than usual.<\/p>\n
Boyke also told those in attendance at the seminar that
\npregnant women could continue to have sex if their gynecologists
\ndeclared their pregnancies normal.<\/p>\n
\"But couples should avoid having sex, or they should use a
\nsafer technique, under certain circumstances, such as for women
\nwho have a history of miscarriage,\" said Boyke.<\/p>\n
After giving birth, a couple's sex life can return to normal
\nafter 42 days, or six weeks.<\/p>\n
\"The husband should patiently wait for over 42 days. At that
\ntime, his wife's reproductive organ will have recovered, and
\nmentally she will have recovered from the traumatic experience of
\ngiving birth and adjusted to her baby's habits.\"<\/p>\n
Gaining weight<\/p>\n
The most common complaint during pregnancy is gaining weight.
\nAccording to Boyke, there's no need to worry about weight gains
\nduring pregnancy since it is important to assure the proper
\ngrowth of the fetus and sufficient nourishment for both the fetus
\nand the mother.<\/p>\n
\"The most ideal weight increase is between 10.5 and 17
\nkilograms ... and during pregnancy, women should stop smoking and
\ndieting,\" Boyke said.<\/p>\n
The physical changes experienced by pregnant women are
\naccompanied by emotional changes, which vary from woman to woman
\ndepending on how emotionally prepared they are for the pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Some expectant mothers, for example, experience the syndrome
\nlocally known as ngidam, where they crave certain foods, while
\nothers experience morning sickness, which makes them reluctant to
\neat.<\/p>\n
\"During this period, the husband's role is important in
\nensuring his wife gets the necessary nutrients for both the
\nunborn baby and herself,\" Boyke said.<\/p>\n
Citing an example, he said if women did not like to drink
\nmilk, their husbands should persuade them to eat ice cream. \"They
\nhave to eat, anything, as long as they don't vomit it back up.\"<\/p>\n
He also advised husbands to pay greater attention to their
\nexpectant wives. \"The wife who is ngidam usually is craving for
\nher husband's attention. Basically, the expectant woman needs
\nmore attention, more love and wants to share her feelings with
\nher husband.\" (ste)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pregnant-women-often-face-unexpected-problems-1447893297",
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