10 Commonly Asked Questions About Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the most joyous times of your life. However, if this is your first pregnancy, you are sure to have loads of questions. Some you may not feel comfortable asking, but they are valid questions that deserve informative answers.
Here are some questions you may have during your pregnancy.
What Vitamins are important to take while pregnant?
It is important to begin prenatal vitamins early in your pregnancy. Your physician will most likely prescribe prenatal vitamins for you to take each day. The vitamin that you are prescribed will most likely contain 400 to 800 mcg of Folic Acid.
If you are in the process of trying to get pregnant, you should go ahead and begin a prenatal vitamin. This will help build up your immune system, and give your baby a healthy body to develop in. Having the correct vitamins on board will deter health defects that could occur, such as spinal bifida.
If you have already had a child that experienced birth defects, you will need to take a total of 4000 mcg of folic acid each day. During your prenatal visits, your doctor will test your blood for anemia. If anemia is an issue, then they will prescribe a daily iron tablet. You will want to take your iron tab with something that is loaded with Vitamin C, such as orange juice. This will help with the iron being absorbed into your system.
If you are unable to consume dairy products you need to let your doctor know. They will more than likely prescribe a calcium supplement, as it is important for all women to receive around 1000mg of calcium a day.
What is something I can do about Morning Sickness that dose not include taking medication?
It is very likely you may experience morning sickness through the first trimester of your pregnancy. Increasing of the HCG hormone is the cause of morning sickness. During this time, it is important that you try to keep fluids down and food when possible. If you experience severe vomiting, you need to seek medical attention right away. You run the risk of dehydration, and this is not good for you or the baby.
Keep some crackers on your bedside table, and eat a few before you get out of bed. This will help get something in your stomach before you move. It is always a good idea to keep crackers on you at all times.
Peppermint can also help reduce nausea. Just keep a few with you and suck on one if you began to feel nauseated. 7 up is a great drink to help soothe your tummy as well. It has no caffeine in it, and will not overstimulate you or your baby.
Others have tried wrist pressure bands and seen great success. It really depends on what works for you. The key is to drink lots of fluids and try to stay hydrated. Dehydration will make nausea worse and puts you and the baby at risk.
What over-the-counter MEDs are safe to take while pregnant?
The key to over counter medications is to always check with your doctor before taking anything that they have not prescribe. They are caring for you, and know your unique situation.
It is always best to inform them of the symptoms you are having, so they can decide if an over the counter medication is ideal for you. Plus, symptoms you may be experiencing may lead to other problems that they need to address.
Check out our compiled list of safe over the counter medications that we have gathered from various resources. We must stress that you need to talk with your doctor before taking any over the counter medications.
What is the ideal calorie intake per day while pregnant?
Typically, pregnant women require approximately 300 additional calories each day. If you are underweight you will need to increase your calorie intake more. You will want to aim for 70 grams of protein and 3 servings of dairy each day.
Do not eat uncooked meats, and avoid Brie, feta, blue and gorgonzola cheeses. Typical weight gain is between 25 to 35 pounds.
Can I eat fish?
The biggest concern with eating fish during pregnancy is mercury levels, as high levels of mercury can cause harm to the fetus. You will want to refrain from eating any fish that contains high levels of mercury, such as mackerel, tile, swordfish, tuna, shark, crab, sushi, and lobster.
Other fish should be ok to eat once a week while you are pregnant, just make sure it is thoroughly cooked. If you have concerns make sure to consult your doctor before eating any type of fish.
Can I exercise while pregnant?
You do not want to engage in a rigorous exercise plan while pregnant, but it is important to stay active and healthy. Try activities such as walking, yoga or swimming. These will help your body stretch properly, and decrease growing pains you may experience. Do these activities 30 minutes each day.
If you are an at risk pregnancy, then you will want to avoid any activities that induce trauma, such as skiing, biking, skateboarding, snowboarding, or skydiving. Always consult your doctor before engaging in a new activity to ensure that it is safe for you and your baby. There will be some instances where your doctor will want you to avoid all exercise type activities altogether..
Can I go to the dentists?
You will want to keep your regular dental appointments throughout your pregnancy. Just make your dentists aware that you are pregnant so they can take the necessary precautions.
Can I travel while pregnant?
It is ok to engage in domestic traveling all the way up to 36 weeks, and you can travel internationally all the way until 35 weeks. However, check with your doctor before hand, because if certain conditions occur during your pregnancy, they may request that you not travel.
When you do travel, take 10 minutes every 2 hours to move about. This will help reduce the risk of blood clots from developing. Drink lots of fluids, and consider wearing support hose. Ensure that you keep your prenatal record with you at all times encase you have to seek medical attention.
What should I know about sex during pregnancy?
A lot of pregnant women lose their urge to engage in sexual activity while pregnant. This is completely normal, because you are experiencing hormonal changes. Typically, you can engage in intercourse without any issues, but if you are a high risk pregnancy your doctor may tell you to refrain from having intercourse. If you have concerns about intercourse, consult your doctor. They will let you know if you are ok to carry on with sexual activities.
Can I Dye My Hair?
There is no evidence that shows that hair dye can damage a fetus, nor is there any to show that it is safe. Consult your doctor to see their take on hair dye during pregnancy. If it is a worry, then you should avoid dying your hair altogether just to be safe.
These are some of the most commonly asked questions during pregnancy. Basically, your doctor is a resource that needs to know every aspect of your pregnancy. You should consult them before engaging in anything new that you have not already discussed with them. After all, you are caring for the most precious life there is, so it is always better to be safe than sorry.