I am 6 months pregnant and was just wondering what to expect..whats normal, etc. Sorry have no sisters or mom to talk to about anything. My doctor isnt very informative either. And I am kind of embarrased to as stupid questions like...what is a contraction? sometimes i have slight cramping in my stomach, what is that?should i be having sex up until i have the baby? how often should i feel the baby move? thanks for any info!
2007-11-16 07:40:03 · 11 answers · asked by HellzBellz08 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I suggest you read books, do research online and perhaps get a better doctor that you can feel comfortable with. Don't ever feel dumb for asking questions. I get the same way but you just have to tell yourself you are probably not the first one to ask, they are getting paid to answer your questions, and it is better to ask and get an answer than not ask and feel confused all of the time!
Since I am still prego w/ my first I can't really answer the contraction question from experience but I did ask my doc what it would feel like and she said my whole stomach would tighten up (contract)... that helped me because before that any little pain I had I wondered if it was a contraction!
As for sex, as long as your doc says it is okay (or at least if they haven't cautioned you against it if you don't feel comfortable asking) and it doesn't hurt then you should be fine to continue. A lot of people have sex right up to the end to try to induce labor.
Some days I feel my baby move subtly, other times I say she's dancing all around... as long as you feel movements daily you should be ok. I've heard that if you don't feel anything it could be you are in motion yourself too much to notice it, so drink some juice or milk and lie down for an hour or so to relax, the drink (or snack) should get the baby moving and w/ you being immobile you should notice it easily. You could probably find a chart online to use to mark movements if it would put your mind at ease. I got one at my birthing plan meeting but I haven't used it. Some days it seems she barely moves till bedtime and other days she kicks my ribs every hour at least... it varies!
I hope I helped in some way. I completely understand feeling silly to ask questions. I have 2 sisters and a mom and even when I ask them they sometimes don't remember or have outdated info for me so really it is best to ask a doctor or birthing nurse. Be sure to go to childbirth classes, I learned a lot during my classes about many topics.
Take care and God bless, best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
2007-11-16 07:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by ame dragonfly 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dont be embarrassed we all have to learn, its much better going into it knowing what to expect than going in not having a clue. you will probably will be invited to pareting classes which will answer a lot of your questions too, they will go through wha happens at the birth, the stages, what can go wrong, what options you have for pain relief etc. i would advise you attend all these sessions.
a contraction is the tighening of your mucles and these are what make you dialate, when they come you wont be able to do anything else, such as talk or walk, so its not a real contraction till its painful and you cant do as just stated, you just get tightening which are called braxton hicks, just drink some water and they will ease off, they are normal and you will get them probably till the real ones come along. when you start to have contractions, you could lose your mucus plug which or your waters can break too, get a book to explain all these because it all too much to explain at once.
yes have sex up unitl the baby is born as long as the dr hasnt told you any different, it can help towards the end when you are feeling fed up and want your baby out!
you should feel the baby move about 10 times a day, you may only notice it though when you are sitting down, as at other rimes when you are busy there are other things to take your mind off the baby.
good luck with your baby
2007-11-16 15:51:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No question is stupid but the one not asked!! Contractions feel like cramps but way way stronger. Alot of women ask "how will i know im in labor?" Oh you will know!! you can have sex all throughout your pregnancy, but in the end be careful because it cause you to go into labor. You should feel the baby move everyday. A little cramp in your stomach is probably just that, a little cramp. Dont worry you will be fine!
2007-11-16 15:51:31 · answer #3 · answered by KillahKam 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contractions felt totally different from menstral cramps for me. A contraction is a dull ache. A cramp is a sharp pain. Check out the book, Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way.
2007-11-16 16:18:40 · answer #4 · answered by pennypincher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
contractions at this point should feel very much like menstrual cramps...you lower back may also hurt...the further along you get the more noticable they will be.
Sex is fine all the way through
You should feel the baby move at least a cumulative hour over the day....every day
2007-11-16 15:48:56 · answer #5 · answered by pruiam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should feel the baby move at least a few times a day. yes you can have sex up until you have her. contractions are like the worst cramps ever. very painful.
2007-11-16 15:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by princessfionafantasy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should feel the baby move every day. various times during the day. If you ever have a day where you do not feel the baby move call your doctor. every pregnancy is different. the contraction is like the muscles in your abdomen contract. for me it was not painful.
2007-11-16 15:47:06 · answer #7 · answered by atti_cat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's what to expect during delivery:
http://www.firstbabymall.com/expecting/childbirth/labor2.htm
And here's an article about sex during pregnancy:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/sex.html
and a whole list of "safety" issues in general:
http://americanpregnancy.org/isitsafe/
Lastly, you may be experiencing Braxton Hicks. You can read more about it here:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_braxton-hicks-contractions_156.bc
Congratulations, and good luck!
2007-11-16 15:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by bestaimee2151 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please please please get the "What to expect when you are expecting" book! It was so helpful to me!
I had no sister's either and I was adopted so my Mom had never given birth! Talk about not having answers. I know how you feel. It is so scary to be clueless.
I hope the book helps you as much as it did me and...you may want to think about a new doctor if he/she doesn't want to discuss a very important thing that is happening to your body!
Good Luck!!
2007-11-16 15:47:27 · answer #9 · answered by footballgirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check out the book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting"... it's laid out by month- and answers all those types of questions. They also have a website here: http://www.whattoexpect.com/
2007-11-16 15:45:08 · answer #10 · answered by just me 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋