| While there’s no denying that pregnancy is an exciting time, there are times when you might feel, well, not so beautiful.
“Your body is going through so many changes, both physically and hormonally, during pregnancy,” says Marie T. Luksch, DO, Ob/Gyn at Paoli Hospital, part of Main Line Health. “There might be times where you’ll experience some symptoms that you weren’t warned about.”
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| Dr. Luksch outlines some commonly-reported pregnancy symptoms, and whether they’re cause for concern.
• Bleeding gums: Thanks to increased levels of progesterone and estrogen, your gums will swell and sometimes bleed. These hormonal changes can increase your risk for periodontal disease and gingivitis. Make an appointment for a dental cleaning and check-up at least once during pregnancy.
• Leaking: With extra weight on your bladder and the need for extra fluids throughout the day, it’s normal to leak a little when you laugh or sneeze. If you’re self-conscious, use a maxi-pad or keep a spare pair of underwear with you.
• Gas/constipation: During pregnancy you’ll probably feel bloated, gassy, or constipated more often, as pregnancy hormones can slow digestion. To minimize symptoms, avoid trigger foods, eat small, frequent meals, drink lots of water, and exercise regularly.
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• Snoring: To help curb snoring, rest on your side once you are 20 weeks’ pregnant. This will take the pressure off key blood vessels and improve circulation. Place a pillow in the small of your back to prevent you from rolling onto your back.
• Enlarged nipples: Your hormones are going through a lot during pregnancy, and it’s typical for your nipples to be darker and larger during pregnancy. They’ll begin to shrink in size once you’ve had the baby and once you begin nursing, if you plan to.
These are just a few of the symptoms you might experience during pregnancy. If something doesn’t feel right to you, talk to your obstetrician about your concerns. www.mainlinehealth.org/maternity
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| Your wellness is at the foundation of the new Main Line Health Center in Concordville opening late November. The center includes primary and specialty care (OB/GYN and cardiology), urgent care, diagnostic imaging and lab services, Nemours DuPont pediatrics primary care, and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital rehabilitation services and concussion program.
At the heart of the health center is the new Fitness & Wellness Center. The New Year is the perfect time to form some healthy new habits, and the fitness center will keep you motivated with a variety of classes, strength training and cardio machines, and three pools. Membership includes personal assessments by a nurse and free child care. In addition, Main Line Health doctors are collaborating with personal trainers to design workouts for members with medical issues.
The health center is located at 1020 Baltimore Pike in Glen Mills, near the intersection of route 202. For more information, visit Main Line Health Center in Concordville or call 1.866.CALL.MLH (1.866.225.5654).
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Are you thinking about having a baby? Are you a new parent? Whether it’s your first child or your fourth, it’s not unusual to have questions or concerns. Learn how to care for yourself and give your baby the best start in life. Main Line Health can help you prepare for your new arrival with the following classes:
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- Prepared Childbirth Education
- Prenatal Breastfeeding
- Preparing for Multiples
- Advanced Comfort Measures
- Sibling Preparation
- Prenatal Breastfeeding
- Keeping Baby Safe
- The Happiest Baby
- Welcoming Baby: A Family Affair
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With four convenient hospital-based locations and more than 90 obstetric/gynecologic specialists throughout the region, Main Line Health delivers a full range of services for you and your baby. Whether you are thinking about getting pregnant, in the planning stages of getting pregnant, or are already pregnant and seeking a hospital to deliver you baby, we are here to meet all of your maternity needs.
From your first prenatal visit through labor, delivery and recovery, our renowned physicians and highly skilled nursing staff deliver high quality care in a nurturing environment. Main Line Health has expert physicians for every step of the way. With everything from private suites to advanced NICUs, we’re here for you and your growing family.
Main Line Health is a health system serving portions of Philadelphia and its western suburbs. At its core are four of the region’s respected acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital—as well as one of the nation’s premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. Main Line Health is also comprised of four outpatient health centers located in Broomall, Collegeville, Exton and Newtown Square. www.MainLineHealth.org
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