What causes it?

In early pregnancy, your body is releasing a ton of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscle across your body, including in your gastrointestinal tract, slowing down your digestive functioning and resulting in excess gas. Later on in pregnancy, your growing uterus overcrowds your stomach, and slows digestion down even more.

Tips?

If you are lactose-intolerant, avoiding dairy-based products is the most effective way of dealing with flatulence. For those who are not lactose-intolerant, avoiding food and drinks that are high in fructose, and flatulence-inducing vegetables like broccoli and asparagus could help alleviate some of the gas. Fried foods are also likely to result in flatulence, so you might want to consider reducing these in your diet.

Read more

• Constipation when pregnant
• Bloating when pregnant

Sources

• Mary M. Murry, R.N., C.N.M. “Gas in pregnancy: Why it happens, what to do.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 4/23/2013. Web.

• Persistent headache
• Vision changes
• Upper stomach pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling of the face or hands
• Sudden weight gain
• Trouble breathing

Preeclampsia can happen to any pregnant person, but some people are at greater risk. Black women in the U.S. have a 60% higher risk of developing preeclampsia compared to white women. Also, there may be a higher risk of developing preeclampsia if you have:

• Chronic high blood pressure or kidney disease before pregnancy
• Obesity: If overweight or obese, you are also more likely to have preeclampsia in more than one pregnancy.
• Age: Pregnant women over 40 are at a higher risk
• African American ethnicity: Among those who have had preeclampsia, non-white pregnant women are more likely than white women to develop preeclampsia again if pregnant.
• Previous diagnosis of preeclampsia.
• Family history of preeclampsia 
• Carrying multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)

Patients with risk factors are often prescribed low-dose aspirin to lower their risk of developing preeclampsia. However, using risk factors alone misses many women who go on to develop preeclampsia. 

Preeclampsia screening in the first trimester

You and your provider can now understand if you are at risk for preeclampsia.  

Preeclampsia testing during the first trimester is now available. This new screening is done between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy via a simple blood test ordered by your healthcare provider. The test is an option for anyone pregnant, including those with a low to average risk for preeclampsia or first-time pregnancies.

How does it work?

The test checks your protein levels and how your placenta is working and growing. It looks at two biophysical markers – mean arterial pressure (MAP) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI)-in addition to the placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A). These markers provide important insights into your preeclampsia risk. Low levels of PlGF and PAPP-A can indicate that the placenta isn’t functioning well. High levels of MAP and UtAPI suggest high blood pressure and resistance to blood flow. These are all potential indicators of preeclampsia.

This new test is one of the many screenings and exams you will take during pregnancy. It’s important to have a shared discussion with your provider about the testing process. You are your best advocate, so ask about the tests you believe are right for you. Regular visits and tests from your healthcare provider are crucial. They are key for monitoring your health and finding early signs of preeclampsia. Make sure to follow up with your healthcare provider to continue testing for preeclampsia risk throughout your pregnancy, especially if you’re in a high-risk group. 

For more information about this new preeclampsia screening test and other preeclampsia screening tests, visit https://womenshealth.labcorp.com/patients/pregnancy/preeclampsia.

Read more

• Preeclampsia: how healthcare providers detect it
• Blood pressure during pregnancy: why you should track it

Sources

• “Preeclampsia and Pregnancy.” American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG). ACOG. October 2020.  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/preeclampsia-and-pregnancy.
• “Who is at risk of preeclampsia?” National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) National Institute of Health (NIH), NICHD.NIH June 2022 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preeclampsia/conditioninfo/risk.

Your health is important to your body’s ability to function and keep you going daily. Your heart, the center of your cardiovascular system, is crucial in maintaining your overall health. Unfortunately, in the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups. More than one in three women is living with some form of heart disease.

Taking preventive measures is essential to maintaining good heart function and another act of self-care from which we can all benefit. Below are steps towards preventive care to help support your heart health.

Stay informed and proactive in your healthcare

Preventive care can begin the next time you meet with your healthcare provider. Have a shared discussion about the factors that can contribute to your heart’s health.

• Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes screenings to catch any potential problems early.
• Early detection and management of elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can prevent heart disease or its complications.
• Know your family history of heart disease and discuss it with your healthcare provider to personalize your prevention plan. 
• Follow your healthcare provider’s advice, including taking prescribed medications as directed to manage conditions affecting heart health.

Adopt a heart-healthy diet

Eating nourishes us, gives us energy and generally tastes delicious. Taking a heart-healthy approach to food can provide a better defense against cardiovascular issues.

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to provide essential nutrients for heart health.
• Limit saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars to reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Incorporate healthy fats from sources like fish, avocados, nuts, and olive oil, which can help improve blood cholesterol levels.

Maintain a healthy weight

• Balance calorie intake with physical activity to prevent obesity, a significant risk factor for heart disease.
• Be aware of your body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference as healthy weight and risk indicators.

Engage in regular physical activity

Anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes of activity and exercise daily can get your heart pumping and your body moving. And your heart will love it.

• Exercise helps control weight and reduces blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and the risk of type 2 diabetes, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.
• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. 
• Add muscle-strengthening activities two or more days per week as recommended by health authorities to support your heart health.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption

Cigarette smoking and excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages can lead to many health issues, including certain heart diseases.

• Stopping cessation significantly reduces the risk of heart disease by improving heart function and blood circulation.
• Limit alcohol intake to moderate levels (up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men) to avoid high blood pressure and other heart risks that arise due to excessive drinking.

Manage stress

Stress can affect your health in many ways, so look for ways to address and manage it. Managing stress can help reduce behaviors and factors that increase heart disease risk, like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, physical inactivity, and overeating.

• Engage in stress-reducing activities such as meditation, deep breathing, and physical activity.
• Speak to your healthcare provider about managing your mental health as well as studies show that your mental health can also affect your heart’s function.

Sleep well

Sleep recharges your body, so working towards better sleep is another great way to support healthy heart function.

• Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, as poor sleep can increase the risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
• Establish a regular sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime routine to improve sleep quality.

Taking these preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease. It’s about creating a balanced lifestyle that supports heart health and overall wellbeing. 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

Connective Matters: About Your Heart

Sources

Center for Disease Control (CDC). Prevent Heart Disease. cdc.gov. March 21, 2023 https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm#:~:text=Eating%20foods%20high%20in%20fiber,prevent%20or%20help%20control%20diabetes.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Heart Health for Women. acog.org. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/heart-health-for-women#:~:text=Lack%20of%20physical%20activity%20can,of%20heart%20disease%20and%20stroke

The Mayo Clinic. “Strategies to prevent heart disease”. www.mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502

The options below outline some dietary changes that you can explore. You can mix and match based on what feels best for you. It may help to review this information before you speak with your healthcare provider. That way, you can feel prepared to address all your needs.

Add more calcium-rich food to your diet

Calcium-rich foods can be very effective in helping reduce your risk of preeclampsia, and there are plenty to choose from! Here’s a list to get you started: 

• Dairy products: Cheese, milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese 
• Fruits and vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, dark leafy greens, and dried figs
• Nuts: Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds 
• Fish: Sardines, canned salmon, and oysters 
• Tofu 

Add calcium supplements to your diet

Studies suggest that all pregnant people should take 1 gram of calcium supplementation per day from 20 weeks gestation to delivery. Those who are more at risk will want to take 1-2 grams a day during their whole pregnancy.

Add other foods and supplements to your diet

It’s always great to understand the wide range of options you have. Here are some of the other foods and supplements that help reduce your risk of preeclampsia: 

• Fiber 
• Probiotics and prebiotics 
• Fatty acids
• Vitamin D 

Avoid food/diets known to increase risk

While some foods reduce your risk, others may do the opposite. Try to avoid: 

• High-fat diets 
• High-sugar diets
• Salt-rich diets
• Red meat
• Processed meat
• Fried potatoes
• Pickles 

The bottom line 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, some foods may be more effective at reducing your risk than others. Remember, there are lots of options out there. If one doesn’t work, you can always try something else!

Read more

• Preeclampsia: What you need to know 
• Being your own health care advocate
• Exercise and reducing your risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia
• Smart ways to work calcium into your diet

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Sources 

• Perry, Abigail. “Dietary factors that affect the risk of pre-eclampsia.” National Library of Medicine. 5(1): 118-133. Web. June 2022.

How much should I exercise?

A 2017 study showed that 30 to 60 minutes of exercise two to seven times per week may reduce hypertension. If possible, try to space out exercise during the week. This rest may help your body recharge. 

What is the best kind of exercise?

There isn’t one “best” kind of exercise. It depends on your level of comfort and what you enjoy. For example, if you were a runner before becoming pregnant, you can likely continue. If you’re new to exercise, try fast walks and low-impact options such as prenatal yoga, walking, light weights, and swimming. See how you feel and shift your plan as needed. 

What exercise should I not do?

This will depend on your health. However, some exercises are usually riskier than others. Try to avoid exercises that:

1. Involve collision, physical contact, and falling
2. You haven’t done it before becoming pregnant
3. Make you feel overly tired

What are the risks?

If you have a healthy pregnancy, exercising while pregnant has no known risks. It will not increase your risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, or early delivery. 

Is there anything else I should remember?

Yes! Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Listen to your body 
2. Focus on what works for you 
3. Work with a trusted healthcare provider 

You and your healthcare provider can work together to make sure you are safe and comfortable. You can also read more about preeclampsia and exercise below.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read More

• Preeclampsia: What you need to know 
• Being your own health care advocate
• Low-impact exercise during pregnancy
• What’s a risky exercise during pregnancy?

Sources

• Magro-Malosso, Elena R. “Exercise during pregnancy and risk of gestational hypertensive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Obstetrics and Gynecology. 96(80: 921-931. Web. August 2017. 
• “Healthy Pregnant or Postpartum Women.” Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. June 3, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/ basics/pregnancy/index.htm
• “Exercise During Pregnancy: Frequently Asked Questions.” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. December 2021. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy#:~:text=Regular%

Many studies have shown that physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. A combination of these activities spread throughout the week would be ideal.

Avoid or limit alcohol

Alcohol increases risk of breast cancer. Even drinking small amounts of alcohol has been linked with an increase in risk. It is best not to drink alcohol at all. For women who do drink, they should have no more than 1 alcoholic drink a day. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (hard liquor).

Breastfeed if possible

Mothers who breastfed are less likely to get breast cancer. Mothers who breastfed for a lifetime total of more than two years get the most benefit.

Limit hormone therapy

Postmenopausal hormone therapy can increase the risk of breast cancer. If you must take hormones to manage menopausal symptoms, try to use the lowest dose that works for you and for the shortest time.

Know and explore your options

If breast cancer runs in your family, talk to your doctor about considering genetic counseling and testing. Testing will show if you have an inherited gene mutation that increases your risk of breast cancer. If genetic test results show you a gene mutation, you can consider drugs that can lower your risk or surgery.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Understand your mammogram screening
• How to perform a self-breast exam

• Peer support groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), etc.)
• Therapy and Psychiatry
• Inpatient detox/residential drug or alcohol treatment
• Medication-assisted treatments
• And more

You can visit the online SAMHSA treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

The lists below are not all-encompassing, but they should help you get started with your goals. 

Substance Use Resources

Alcohol Resources

Opioid Resources

Smoking/Tobacco Resources

Mental Health Providers

To Learn More About Substance Use and Health 

Next Steps

Reducing or eliminating substances is not always easy! It can certainly be a challenge, but with the proper support, you can be on your way towards achieving your goals.   

The first step is connecting with a resource that is right for you. You can also speak with your primary care provider to discuss any concerns you may have. Your insurance company should be able to provide you with guidance on inpatient and outpatient treatment when needed.  

There is hope.  Reach out and allow yourself to receive support because you deserve to be healthy and happy! 

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Early baby movement

Many feel those first swishes and flutters some time between week 16 and week 20, but it can be tough to distinguish between these tiny sensations and gas. Still, these first movements are exciting and reassuring. They’re generally not consistent, and it’s very normal to go days without feeling any movement at all during these weeks. 

Baby movement during weeks 24-28

By this time, most people are able to sense their baby move daily. You might have a sense of their natural rhythm (do you have an early bird or a night owl?). By 28 weeks, many healthcare providers recommend a daily “kick count” if you have any concerns about how often baby is moving. You can find out more about how to do that with the Ovia Kick Counter here.

Which movements are normal?

As your baby grows, you may be able to distinguish between kicks, punches, and stretching. After a big meal, you may notice baby moving much more than usual. This is not cause for alarm — it’s a natural reaction to an increase in your blood sugar. Increased movements are generally a very reassuring sign of how baby is doing. Sometimes you may notice a rhythmic bouncing feeling — generally these are hiccups! They are very common (some babies get them every day), and again, not a cause for concern (just super cute). 

What if I’m not feeling anything?

If you’re early in pregnancy (before 20 weeks) it is completely normal not to have felt baby move quite yet. After that point, the types of sensations people have varies. In particular, those who are pregnant with their first baby and those with anterior placentas are less likely to notice all of their baby’s movements. You and your provider can work on a plan after 28 weeks to count movements or use another method to check on baby’s wellbeing. 

For any parent after 28 weeks, losing the sensation of baby moving can be really scary and should be addressed. If kick counting doesn’t offer any reassurance, you should always feel empowered to contact your provider or seek more urgent care, as there are many ways to check on your baby!

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

Read more

• Counting baby’s kicks
• Pregnancy by week

Sources

• Aya Mohr Sasson, Abraham Tsur, Anat Kalter, Alina Weissmann Brenner, Liat Gindes & Boaz Weisz (2016) Reduced fetal movement: factors affecting maternal perception, The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 29:8, 1318-1321, DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1047335
• Mangesi L, Hofmeyr GJ, Smith V, Smyth RMD. Fetal movement counting for assessment of fetal wellbeing. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD004909. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004909.pub3. Accessed 26 May 2022. https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/fetal-movement-counting.

One of the advances in Covid care is the medication Paxlovid. Wondering if this might be a good fit for you? You’ve come to the right place!

What is Paxlovid

Paxlovid is a combination of two medications, nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. For it to be effective, you need to start it within five days of your first symptoms and take it for five days. The goal of treatment with Paxlovid is to reduce the chances of hospitalization and death for people at increased risk.

Providers have used ritonavir for a long time to treat pregnant people, and it has a good safety profile. We have less information about nirmatrelvir, but expert opinion is that its benefits in helping people avoid serious illness from Covid likely outweigh any unknown risks. 

Paxlovid during pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, at the very least your provider should offer you Paxlovid and feel comfortable discussing its risks and benefits given your unique health situation. They will consider your vaccination status and additional risk factors like diabetes, kidney disease, and any challenges to your cardiovascular health. 

Paxlovid while breastfeeding

If you’re breastfeeding, then you’re aware that it’s important to check the safety of all of your medications, as many pass into your breast milk. If you have risk factors for severe illness or are not vaccinated, you may want to talk to your provider about Paxlovid. 

Again, there isn’t a lot of safety data on nirmatrelvir, so it’s important to have a risk and benefit discussion with your provider. There is conflicting information on breastfeeding safety, and that can be very difficult to navigate. Parents are choosing a range of solutions, including continuing to breastfeed and pumping and dumping. The experts at the Infant Risk Center are updating information as it becomes available and are available for free consultation by phone. 

If you have questions or are interested in taking Paxlovid or understanding more about it so you can be prepared if you get Covid, reach out to your provider for more details. They have all the most up-to-date information and should be able to talk through your options. 

Read more

COVID-19, postpartum, and breastfeeding: your questions answered

Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines

 

Content created withThe National Birth Equity Collaborative

Preterm birth increases the risk of complications and often results in a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) stay. Preterm delivery can be scary to think about, but there are many ways that you can prevent it, in some cases with zero complications. Read on to learn more. 

Preterm birth impacts Black women and babies 50% more than their white peers. This disparity exists due to racism and bias within the healthcare system itself. Still, there are actions you can take early in your prenatal care to advocate for yourself and your baby.  

Understanding the risk factors

We don’t know all of the causes of preterm delivery, but what we do know is that the chances of preterm birth  can be impacted by the following conditions:

• A history of having a procedure done on your cervix after an abnormal pap smear
• Shortened cervical length early in pregnancy
• A previous preterm birth
• Carrying multiples (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Using tobacco and/or other substances 
• Hypertension
• Diabetes

Becoming pregnant shortly after delivering a previous baby (less than 18 months)

Ask what you can do

Talk to your provider about what you can be doing to minimize your chances of delivering early. Providers will frequently recommend:

• Quitting smoking or drug use, if applicable
• Eliminating alcohol 
• Checking your cervical length
• Taking a progesterone treatment if you have a history of preterm birth 
• Managing your blood pressure and blood glucose through the use of medication and physical activity alongside a nutritious diet

Listen to your body

You know your body best, so if you’re ever concerned that something is wrong, reach out to your provider right away. If you’re not sure that what you’re feeling is normal and want to get a better understanding of what people at your point in pregnancy typically experience, reach out to an Ovia Health Coach any time, 7 days a week. You have a right to understand what is going on in your body and to receive care and support throughout your pregnancy.

Read more

• The power of preparing for preterm birth
• Risk factors for preterm labor and birth

Sources 

• “A Health Crisis Impacting Women and Babies of Color.” March of Dimes. March of Dimes. https://www.marchofdimes.org/mission/health-disparities.aspx. 
• “Premature Birth.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 1, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/features/premature-birth/index.html. 
• “Preterm Birth.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 1, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pretermbirth.htm. 
• Office of Communications. “What Are the Risk Factors for Preterm Labor and Birth?” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preterm/conditioninfo/who_risk.