Pregnancy changes in the season

 

As the seasons change, so do health concerns. Especially in pregnant women. 

Michelle Fortuna, 41, gave birth to her third child almost a month ago. 

“I had morning sickness and was sick all day for four months,” said Fortuna. “I wasn’t pregnant during the cold months. Going from hot summer days to inside air conditioning was a relief from the heat.” 

She said she was pregnant for 38 weeks and she was induced because of low lying placenta. At the end of the pregnancy she said she had low platelet count and high blood pressure. 

“Get all the rest you can before the baby is born,” said Fortuna. “Take any help that is offered after the baby is born, newborns are a lot of work. Pregnancy when you’re older is very hard and way different then in your 20s or 30s.” 

Fortuna is not the only woman who had complications with her pregnancy. 

Wendy Ouellette-Hill, 42, has four children. She said she had different complications from two pregnancies, one being high risk. 

“First pregnancy I had no problems,” said Ouellette-Hill. “The second pregnancy was twins and I had to monitor very closely because they were losing amniotic fluid. I had them six weeks early because of it. Third pregnancy was hard on my body after the twins, I had morning sickness from them all nine months. I had no problems going from the hot to the cold season.” 

She said she thinks some women have issues with changing seasons because their hormones are uncontrolled. The impact of seasonal change on mood- less daylight, cooler temps, changing routines – is well documented. Added to the normal – or even abnormal – challenges of pregnancy and autumn may not engender warm and cozy feelings in all expectant mothers. 

“Things can happen so fast, “ said Ouellette-Hill. “When you are pregnant people pay so much more attention to you, but once you have the baby it’s all about the baby. For new moms I think it could be a trigger for postpartum depression, feeling alone and overwhelmed.”

Ouellette-Hill said she suggests for moms who are struggling to not hold in their feelings and to talk to someone without feeling shame. For an emergency anyone can contact the pregnancy support line, 1-800-665-0570.