Where There Is No Doctor 2011 247
PREGNANCY
Signs of pregnancy:
All these signs are normal:
• The woman misses her period (often
the first sign).
• ‘Morning sickness’ (nausea or feeling
you are going to vomit, especially in
the morning). This is worse during
the second and third months of
pregnancy.
• She may have to urinate more often.
• The belly gets bigger.
• The breasts get bigger or feel tender.
• ‘Mask of pregnancy’ (dark areas on the
face, breasts, and belly).
This is the normal position of the baby
in the mother at 9 months.
• Finally, during the fifth month or so, the child begins to move in the womb.
For more information on pregnancy and birth, see A Book for Midwives.
How to Stay Healthy during Pregnancy
♦ Most important is to eat enough to gain weight regularly especially if you are
thin. It is also important to eat well. The body needs food rich in proteins,
vitamins, and minerals, especially iron (see Chapter 11).
♦ Use iodized salt to increase the chances that the child will be born alive and
will not have learning difficulties. (But to avoid swelling of the feet and other
problems, do not use very much salt.)
♦ Keep clean. Bathe or wash regularly and brush your teeth every day.
♦ In the last month of pregnancy, do not use a vaginal douche.
♦ Avoid taking medicines. Some medicines can harm the developing baby. As
a rule, only take medicines recommended by a health worker or doctor. (If a
health worker is going to prescribe a medicine, and you think that you might
be pregnant, tell her so.) You can take acetaminophen, or antacids once in a
while if you need them. Vitamin and iron pills are often helpful and do no harm
when taken in the right dosage. Get tested for HIV. Medicines that fight HIV
can prevent the spread of HIV to the developing baby (see p. 398).
♦ Do not smoke or drink during pregnancy. Smoking and drinking are bad for
the mother and harm the developing baby.
♦ Stay far away from children with measles, especially German measles (see
Rubella, p. 312).
♦ Try to rest more, but also get some exercise.
♦ Avoid poisons and chemicals. They can harm the developing baby. Do not
work near pesticides, herbicides, or factory chemicals—and do not store food
in their containers. Try not to breathe fumes or powders from chemicals.