Pregnancy Questions Answered
No website on pregnancy would be comprehensive without addressing women’s most common pregnancy worries and concerns. In this page you will find a comprehensive overview of many of the most common pregnancy questions and concerns.
Is it safe to take cold medicine during pregnancy?
Generally you should consult with your physician before taking any medications during pregnancy, as all medications that you can take can reach the fetus and potentially harm the fetus in some way.
How can I manage backaches during pregnancy?
Backaches during pregnancy are a common complaint, often caused by the increased burden on the women’s back and the lack of tone in the abdominal muscles. Regular chiropractic care can be extremely beneficial during pregnancy and can help alleviate much of the back pain pregnant women experience.
Can I predict the gender of my baby?
You can’t predict the gender of your baby with 100% certainty. However, many ultrasounds offered to mothers after the 20th week of pregnancy are usually more than 90% correct in predicting gender. Anything aside from this is usually an old wives tale.
Is it ok to go to the gym during pregnancy?
Not only is it safe, it is highly recommended!
What should I do daily to ensure optimal nutrition and exercise during pregnancy?
You should make sure that you eat foods from each of the four food groups, and ensure that you exercise regularly during your pregnancy. Consult with your healthcare provider or a nutritionist to ensure that you are consuming an adequate number of nutrients throughout your pregnancy.
How do I know if a product is pasteurized?
Any product offered in the United States should have a label that will tell you if the product is pasteurized or not. If you are traveling abroad, some international foods including soft cheeses may not be pasteurized. Check to see if there is a label or if you can find out from the provider, however if you are not 100% certain you should avoid the food.
Should I get an epidural?
Getting an epidural is a personal decision. Many experienced moms will tell you that getting an epidural was the best choice they made during pregnancy. Epidurals are generally considered a very safe and highly effective form of pain control for women. Discuss your pain options with your physician, and the two of you together will come up with a pain control plan that is suited to your personal needs and interests.
Is it ok to have a small glass of wine?
At this time there is no limit of alcohol consumption that can be recommended as safe during pregnancy. While some women feel it is ok to have an occasional glass of wine, your primary healthcare provider will probably recommend that you abstain from alcohol during pregnancy for the safety and well being of your child.
Can I smoke at all during pregnancy?
Smoking is very harmful for unborn children and can not be recommended during pregnancy.
Are there exercises that should be avoided during pregnancy?
After about your third or fourth month of pregnancy, you should avoid any exercises that require that you lay flat on your back. You should also avoid any exercises that are risky such as outdoor biking, skiing, jumping or any high impact sports during your pregnancy.
Is it ok to consume chocolate during pregnancy?
It is perfectly safe to consume chocolate during pregnancy. In fact, some recommend it! There was one study that suggested that mother’s that consumed one piece of chocolate per day during pregnancy gave birth to less stressed and calmer babies! So eat away!
Do I need to lie on my left side at all times during pregnancy?
You do not need to lie on your left side at all times, though this can help improve blood flow to the uterus. Generally you should lie in a position that is most comfortable for you and your baby.
How many hours of sleep do I need each day?
You should try to get between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per day when pregnant.
What is a safe bath temperature during pregnancy?
During pregnancy it is best that you do not bathe in water that is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
How can I ease constipation during pregnancy?
Be sure to drink lots of water, which will help loosen your stools, and keep things moving. You should also be consuming plenty of high fiber fruits and vegetables, which will help ease constipation.
What do you recommend for ensuring an easy delivery?
While no one can predict if a delivery will be easy or not, the best thing you can do to promote an easier labor is to exercise regularly throughout your pregnancy.
It is ok to use Nair or other bleaching creams during pregnancy? The safety of bleaching creams during pregnancy is unknown. Generally you should stay away from any products that you are not certain will be safe for your baby. Many believe that using chemical hair removing creams is relatively safe; however again there are no 100% guarantees. If you are concerned and wish to use a particular product you should consult with your healthcare provider.
What are the best exercises to prepare for delivery?
Kegel exercises are the best exercises you can perform to prepare for labor and delivery. They will help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles needed to push your baby out during labor.
Are abdominal pains normal in early pregnancy?
Some abdominal discomfort is relatively normal in early pregnancy, however you should always consult with your practitioner if you are uncertain about certain pains you may be feeling. It is possible that you could have a serious condition such as an ectopic pregnancy that requires immediate medical attention. Any pain accompanied by bleeding should be reported immediately.
Can I eat cold prawns if they aren’t fully cooked?
It is best that you stay away from all raw foods during pregnancy, because they have the potential to carry harmful bacteria that can pass through the placenta to the baby.
Is traveling safe during pregnancy?
Traveling is considered safe during pregnancy, albeit a little bit less comfortable than normal during the latter half of pregnancy. If you are traveling by plane, you should avoid traveling during your later third trimester because of the risk of pre-term delivery due to pressure changes in the cabin. Some airlines will require that you get a certificate from your healthcare provider indicating that it is safe for you to fly during pregnancy.
Is there a sure fire way to prevent miscarriage?
Unfortunately there is no method for preventing miscarriage that is 100 percent foolproof. The best thing you can to do increase your chances of carrying a pregnancy to term is seek out early prenatal care and eat a healthy well balanced diet. The healthier you are prior to delivery, the more likely you are to have a successful pregnancy.
Is it safe to take folic acid throughout my pregnancy?
Not only is it safe, it is highly recommended! Pregnant moms should take a supplement containing at least 400 mg of folic acid throughout their pregnancy. Most prenatal vitamins come pre-packaged with an adequate amount of folic acid in them.
What can I do to ensure my baby won’t have any disorders if I am over 35?
While there is nothing you can do to guarantee that your baby won’t have any disorders, there are many genetic tests available to women over the age of 35 that help identify potential birth defects and other disorders. The best thing you can do to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy is make sure you schedule regular prenatal visits and take care of yourself during pregnancy. Seek out the advice of your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your pregnancy due to advancing maternal age.
Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?
For most couples sex during pregnancy is not only safe, it is healthy. If your pregnancy is high risk, your physician might recommend that you abstain from pregnancy. You will not harm the baby or bump the baby by engaging in intercourse during pregnancy.
What is the best exercise during pregnancy?
There is no one best exercise during pregnancy, though some are better than others. Most pregnant women will find walking, swimming and stationary biking acceptable and enjoyable forms of exercise. Prenatal yoga is also very beneficial and enjoyable during pregnancy.
How can I predict my baby’s gender?
There are no sure fire ways to predict a baby’s gender, though some believe that certain environments are more conducive to producing a boy baby than a girl baby. For example, many believe that having intercourse several days before ovulation is more likely to result in a girl baby, because the male sperm die off faster than the female sperm. There are other schools of though which suggest that your diet may affect the baby’s gender. None of these are one hundred percent certain however.
What is the best weight to maintain during pregnancy? How much you weigh during pregnancy will depend on a number of factors. There is no one weight that is perfect for everyone. Generally you should attempt to keep your weigh gain between 25 and 35 pounds if you are normal weight before becoming pregnant and are pregnant with a single child.
What kind of food should a mom avoid?
Moms should avoid raw meats and foods that have not been pasteurized, including certain soft cheeses. Deli meats should also be avoided unless they are cooked until steaming hot, because they may contain a type of bacteria called Listeria, which could be every harmful for the baby.
When is the best time-to-time intercourse in order to get pregnant?
If you are trying to get pregnant, you should have intercourse in the days preceding and the day of ovulation. An ovulation predictor kit can help you determine when the most likely time is for you to conceive.
How can you reduce stress during pregnancy when the Father is not taking on responsibility?
Stress is inevitable during pregnancy. If you feel you are not getting the support you need from your partner, you should seek out support from friends and family members. Some fathers are frightened at the prospect of becoming a day, just as new moms are frightened at the prospect of becoming mothers.
Is there anything I can do to prevent the umbilical cord from getting wrapped around the babies neck?
Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to guarantee that the umbilical cord will not get wrapped around the baby’s neck. Fortunately this is a relatively uncommon occurrence, and not something you should be overly concerned with during your pregnancy. If you do have concerns you should consult with your healthcare provider.
What are my rights at work?
You have the right to be treated equally, just as any other employee during pregnancy. Some employers have established short-term disability plans to help care for mothers during their maternity leave. You have the right to not be discriminated against because of your pregnancy. If you have concerns about your rights, talk with your Human resource provider.
Is it safe to take anti-depressants during pregnancy?
There may be some anti-depressants that are ok to use during pregnancy. You should always consult with your health care provider prior to taking any medication however during pregnancy, as all medications have the potential for adverse effects. If you are taking anti-depressants prior to becoming pregnant you should also talk with your healthcare provider about the possible effects on your baby should you become pregnant. Never stop any medication without first consulting with your practitioner if you have been taking it for any length of time.
Are there any exercises that are bad?
Any exercises that include jarring motions or involve you laying flat on your back after about the fourth month of pregnancy should be avoided. If you feel light headed or dizzy during exercise, you should stop immediately and consult with your physician.