Can you play mas if you are pregnant?
According to obstetrician/gynaecologist Dr Sherene Kalloo, there is no easy yes or no answer to this question but a combination of factors that moms-to-be should be mindful of when partying on the road. From your choice of footwear to your choice of costume, expectant mothers need not fear about having a good time during the Carnival season but must exercise extreme caution and common sense when faced with large crowds, she said.
As a mother herself, she said, “It will depend on the patient and how far along they are in their pregnancy, what complications they may have and how high-risk the pregnancy is. In other words, it will be based on the guidelines given by your obstetrician. If they have gotten the all-clear by their doctor, then pregnant mothers must also expect some limitations.”
“If the sweet sounds of the music trucks entice you to move, wave a little and wine a little, but avoid jumping because it can cause trauma to the foetus and lead to a miscarriage,” she said. “If you decide to play mas while pregnant, women that are earlier in their pregnancy are at less risk compared to those who are later on in their pregnancy. This is so because expectant mothers within their second and third trimesters are carrying more weight, which puts further strain on the back and abdominal muscles,” she said. Hoping everyone has a safe Carnival, Dr Kalloo had some additional guidelines for pregnant women.
Stay in a group
Make sure and be in the company of two or three friends, which can form a barrier around you of sorts to prevent trauma to your abdomen. If someone hits your belly accidentally, it can cause separation of the placenta. This can lead to premature labour and haemorrhaging, which can cause death to the baby.
Infection
Do not hold up your urine. You can get a bladder infection, which can also lead to premature labour. Find a clean toilet to do what you have to do. Avoid stopping at the side of the road; the risk of infection is very high.
When to rest
If you experience any cramps, pain or spotting —stop and rest. If spotting continues, see your doctor immediately. Being in direct sunlight for hours can put pregnant women at risk for headaches. Panadol and paracetamol are safe to use for headaches and all types of pain while pregnant.
Type of clothing
No tight clothing. Thongs, which are common around Carnival time, should not be worn for a prolonged period of time. This can put you at risk for bacterial and yeast infections, as well as irritation to the vulva and chafing. Try to choose a costume that is not heavy and gives you more coverage. When you are pregnant, you are more at risk for injury since your balance is off during this time. Pick a costume you can control.
Shoes
No high heels. Flats and flat boots are fine, but try getting one bigger than your natural foot size. You would be on your feet a lot and they can swell during the day, so having a bigger size would make you more comfortable.
Sanitise
Walk with hand sanitiser.
Water
Drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.
According to the US website consumerreports.org, everyone should use sunscreen when heading out in the sun, but pregnant women might want to choose ones that don’t contain retinyl palmitate, an ingredient that could possibly increase the risk of birth defects. They noted when checking the labels, the ingredient is sometimes spelled retinol palmitate.
According to Dr Kalloo, if a woman has had a miscarriage, there is no need to panic because there is a 90 per cent chance of having a full-term pregnancy in the future.