My Pregnancy CaPl

A unique app that empowers you to take control of your pregnancy care. Find out your risk of developing pregnancy problems and create a personal pregnancy care plan based on UK, US and WHO guidelines. Find out what care you should expect to receive during your pregnancy.

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Find out how Pregnancy CaPl will revolutionise the way we access and deliver maternity care across the world

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Pregnancy Capl: Smart & Mobile Pregnancy Care Platform - Smart phone-web platform that automatically plans pregnancy care. Inform & empower women. Your pregnancy records on your phone. - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1351648049/pregnancy-capl-smart-and-mobile-pregnancy-care-pla

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Do I need to take vitamin D during pregnancy? 

Vitamin D is used by the body to form bones. It is therefore important for bone development in the baby.

Women who are overweight or are from a dark-skinned ethnic background can have low vitamin D levels. Women who cover most of their body and do not get much sunlight exposure can also have low vitamin D levels. Women at risk of low vitamin D levels are advised to take vitamin D supplements. If you live in a sunny climate your doctor or midwife may check your vitamin D levels first.

Vitamin D can be taken on its own. However, it is usually taken as part of pregnancy vitamins.

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Why is testing for rubella important?

Rubella (German measles) is now a rare infection thanks to the success of the vaccination program using the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Rubella infection in early pregnancy can cause serious abnormalities in the baby. That is why vaccination against rubella is so important. The MMR vaccine will protect you against rubella but this protection can wear off with time. So all women are tested during pregnancy to check that they are still protected.

What happens if I am not protected?

If the test shows that you are not protected, you should not worry because you are unlikely to get rubella. However, you should get vaccinated after pregnancy. You should not be given the rubella vaccine during pregnancy because it is a live vaccine.

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Be aware of postnatal depression:

During the first 2 weeks after giving birth, you may cry or feel sad or irritable for no reason. This is known as ‘baby blues’ and should be over by 14 days after giving birth. If you are still feeling sad, irritable and crying for no reason after 2 weeks, it may be a sign that you are developing postnatal depression. You should talk to your midwife it doctor.

You and your family are encouraged to tell your midwife or doctor about any changes in mood, emotional state and behaviour that are outside your normal pattern. You may have a lot to do caring for your new baby and the rest of your family. However, you need to look after yourself to be in the best state to look after your family.

You should take gentle exercise, gradually working up to your fitness level before pregnancy.

You should also take time to rest and get help with caring for your baby.

It is important to talk to a family member or medical professional about your feelings.

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Why is research in pregnancy important?

Patients do better in health care organizations that take part in research.

The treatments that are used today were developed through women like you volunteering to take part in research.

Future treatments and ways of preventing disease rely on women continuing to participate in research.

What can you do to help?

Ask your midwife or doctor about the research studies taking place in your maternity unit. You may be eligible for some of these studies. New studies are starting all the time so you should discuss this regularly. 

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How much weight can I put on during pregnancy?

The US Institute of Medicine (2009) has weight gain recommendations for Pregnancy.

Women who are underweight (BMI less than 18.5) should put on 28-40 lb (12-18 kg) during pregnancy. After 24 weeks, they should put on 1-1.3 lb (0.4-0.6 kg) per week.

Women with a normal weight (BMI 18.5 – 24.9) should put on 25-30 lb (11 – 14 kg) during pregnancy. After 24 weeks, they should put on 0.8 – 1.0 lb (0.4-0.5 kg) per week.

Women with a BMI of 25.0 – 29.9 should put on 15-25 lb (7-11 kg) during pregnancy. After 24 weeks, they should put on 0.5 – 0.7 lb (0.2 – 0.3 kg) per week.

Women with a BMI over 30 should put on 11-20 lb (5 – 9 kg) during pregnancy. After 24 weeks, they should put on 0.4 – 0.6 lb 0.2 – 0.27 kg) per week.

It is important to watch your weight during pregnancy

Check your BMI here: http://bmicalculator.cc/?gclid=CJ__7NyFg8kCFda4GwodhEYEtA

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Did you know that your body needs 3 times more iron during pregnancy?  

You can get iron from red meats, poultry, fish, lentils, beans spinach and cereals enriched with iron.

Vitamin C from orange juice, broccoli or strawberries improves iron absorption.

Chemicals in coffee and tea reduce iron absorption so you should avoid drinking tea or coffee with meals.

Find out more in the Pregnancy CaPl app.

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Do I need to change my diet during pregnancy?

You should eat a healthy, balanced diet during and after pregnancy.

Your diet should be low in fat, sugar and salt and contain a high level of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Your meals should be based around food with starchy carbohydrate such as potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice and bread.

Eat regular meals and healthy snacks. Do not miss breakfast or skip meals.

Avoid all unhealthy / hydrogenated fats and choose low-fat dairy products.

Choose lean meat and remove fat and skin.

Avoid fried and fast food.

Keep hydrated (drink water) and avoid alcohol.

Check out Pregnancy CaPl app for more - the intelligent app which creates your personalised pregnancy care plan.

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmlcRqdDqH4)

Check out our video about how your baby grows

#pregnancy #baby

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How will I know if I am in labour?

Regular painful contractions are the most reliable sign that labour has started.

In some women the contractions are 20-30 minutes apart and gradually get closer, in other women contractions start and are 2-3 minutes apart straight away. You may feel contractions low down in the tummy or in the lower back. This can be accompanied with a tightness across your bump.

Every woman is different. If you think you are in labour or are not sure you should contact your maternity unit. You can use the contraction timer in My Pregnancy Capl app so you have detailed information when you contact your midwife or doctor.

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** Be aware of the symptoms of pre-eclampsia **

Severe headache

Blurred vision or flashing before the eyes

Severe pain just below the ribs

Heartburn that does not go away with antacids

Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, hands or feet

Feeling unwell

If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your maternity unit immediately

Check out Pregnancy CaPl app for more useful pregnancy info

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EPIDURALS - What does the available research show?

A working epidural provides better pain relief than other types of painkillers used during labour 

Epidurals do not affect the chances of a caesarean section

Epidurals do not cause long term backache

Epidurals do not affect the length of the first stage of labour

BUT…

Epidurals do not always work, Up to 10 in 100 will not provide adequate relief

Epidurals can have side effects such as itching (60 in 100 women) and low blood pressure (10 in 100 women) 

Epidurals are associated with a longer second stage of labour and an increase in forceps or ventouse births

A severe headache (post-dural headache) occurs after 1 in 100 epidurals. This type of headache needs treatment by an anaesthetic doctor.

Have you had an epidural before? What was your experience?

#epidural #pregnancy

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Essential information all pregnant women should know.

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Mid Steam Urine Tests (MSU):  What are they and how can you get an accurate result? 

Bacteria in the urine can cause water infections (cystitis) and rarely kidney infections. Usually, this causes stinging or burning when you pass urine. Most women know when they have cystitis. During pregnancy, women may have bacteria in their urine but not feel the symptoms of cystitis. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria. Research shows that women with this condition are more likely to have pre-term births and kidney infections during pregnancy. So all women are routinely tested for asymptomatic bacteriuria in early pregnancy.

To get an accurate result from the MSU test, it is important that the urine sample is collected properly. The aim is to get a sample of urine from the middle of your bladder.

Wash your hands before and after collecting the sample.

Do not open the sterile sample bottle until you are ready to collect the sample.

Hold open your labia (entrance to the vagina) and pass some urine into the toilet.

Without stopping the flow of urine, catch some urine in the sample bottle. Avoid touching any part of your genitals with the bottle.

Close the sample bottle and hand it over to a member of staff.

The result of an MSU takes 2-3 days.

Check out Pregnancy CaPl app for more information on urine tests in pregnancy.

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Could you be anaemic?

Anaemia is one of the commonest problems in pregnancy. You may look paler than usual, feel tired and be low in energy. In more severe cases you may feel breathless and have palpitations.

One of the main causes of anaemia is shortage of iron, although it can be caused by deficiencies in folate and vitamin B12.

Iron deficiency anaemia is important as it can:

Increase a woman's risk of getting infections,

Reduce her physical performance,

Increase the risk of pre-term birth, having a small baby and heavier bleeding after giving birth.

In the UK women are offered a blood test to screen for anaemia at 8-10 weeks and 28 weeks. Women with anaemia should be treated with iron tablets and their blood count re-tested after 2 weeks.

For more information about iron deficiency anaemia, diet and treatment download Pregnancy CaPl app.

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** Top 5 tips to help reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnancy without taking medicines **

Eat small amounts of food regularly and drink small amounts of clear fluids regularly.

Eat foods that are high in protein and carbohydrate and low in fat.

Avoid triggers: Avoid smells, tastes and other activities that trigger nausea. Avoiding spicy food can help.

Avoid lying down immediately after eating.

Brushing your teeth after eating may help reduce symptoms.

Find more useful pregnancy tips in Pregnancy CaPl app.