Being a first-time parent can mean going through a roller-coaster of emotions: One day you’re excited about all the cute clothes you can buy for your little one, and then a few minutes later, you’re worrying about impending hospital bills.
Every step of motherhood leads to a new discovery, and sometimes you can feel as though the questions just keep on piling up. Don’t worry. You have no reason to feel embarrassed about not knowing the answers to all of the things running through your head. You’re not alone; other moms-to-be are thinking about the same thing, too!
Here are answers to some of the questions new mommies might be too afraid to ask:
'Is it true my underarms could get darker when pregnant?'
Whitening commercials will tell you that having dark underarms is a secret you’ll have to keep—that is until you get pregnant. According to the Mayo Clinic, your hormones and blood flow are the reasons for the pigmentation changes on your body.
“The area around your nipples and the skin on your inner thighs, genitals, and neck might darken, possibly due to hormonal changes … After childbirth, skin typically returns to its normal pigment over a period of several months. However, some dark patches due to chloasma might never go away.” Chloasma, or “mask of pregnancy,” is a tan or dark skin discoloration that happens during pregnancy.
Contrary to the popular pamahiin, having dark underarms also doesn’t automatically mean you’re having a boy. Hyperpigmentation happens to 90 percent of pregnant women and is not connected to your baby’s gender.
'Why do I keep passing gas and burping? Is this normal?'
Among the many changes that happen to your body while you’re pregnant is having excess gas that you can’t seem to control. Your hormones are “slowing down your gastrointestinal tract,” which explains why you pass gas more often than usual. It may also be because of the food you eat, like apples, broccoli, and even milk. Exercise could be a big help in making sure your food moves faster in the system. Nonetheless, this is nothing to be embarrassed about.
'Will I poop during the delivery?'
There are a number of things about your body that are out of your control when you’re giving birth, and one of them is your bowel movement. The simple answer is: Yes, you might poop during childbirth. As said in a 2016 Smart Parenting article, when giving birth, “you are working the same set of muscles you use for doing number two. Plus, your baby passing through your cervix puts added pressure on your colon and rectum.”
Some moms are advised to try to poop before delivery, but if you can’t, there’s no need to worry about what the people in the delivery room might think. Your doctors and nurses are there to make you (and your baby) feel safe and keep both of you healthy throughout the process.
'Is it okay to have sex while pregnant?'
While some women may experience a low sex drive, others feel the urge to have sex during the course of their pregnancy. As long as your doctor doesn’t cite any complications that could be attached to having sex, you can have intercourse as often as you like. There are extra precautions you need to be mindful of (like using condoms), but don’t let your pregnancy get in the way of wanting to be intimate with your partner.
'I’m panicking! What products should I get before my baby comes?'
Aside from wondering about the changes in your body you’re experiencing, you’re probably spending a lot of time stressing out about what you need to buy to prepare for when the baby comes along. With enough research, you can gather useful tips from doctors, family, and friends that will help you come up with a list of the most essential things you or your baby will need.
One of the things to consider is how bathtime will be like for your baby. While some moms prefer bathing their babies in the morning, there really is no "right" time to give them a bath. For bathtime essentials, you may want to look into what kind of products will help keep your baby feeling fresh and moisturized.
A baby’s skin loses moisture up to five times faster than an adult's, making it more prone to rashes and allergies. This is why a moisturizing product for your baby is important. You may want to check out Baby Dove Rich Moisture Hair to Toe Baby Wash. Baby Dove is more than just gentle, it also helps moisturize a baby’s delicate skin. It's a two-in-one product that can cleanse your baby's hair and body.
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If your baby needs something suitable for more delicate skin, but with the same moisturizing benefits, give the fragrance-free Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Hair to Toe Baby Wash a try.
Baby Dove is available on Lazada and in leading groceries, supermarkets, personal care stores nationwide. For more information about Baby Dove and its products, go to the Baby Dove official website or follow its Facebook page.
