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During pregnancy, a pregnant woman tends
to have a host of issues she is curious
about, be it her pregnancy, the fetus, common
myths, health worries and the like. Here
is a run-down of questions frequently quizzed
by pregnant women all over, some of which
you may be able to relate to. |
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Q. The more
nausea means you are carrying a boy?
A. The theory goes that
with a male child more testosterone is released
into your body hence more nausea. Similarly
acne on mother's skin is pinned on the same
hormone. The truth however is those hormones
are in the mother's system, not the fetus
(fetal quantity is too minimal to impact
the mother).
Q.
Standing near the microwave is dangerous?
A. Microwave ovens are
well regulated by FDA and are therefore
considered safe to use by pregnant women
since it will not operate if there is excessive
leakage. The slight leakage is not high
enough to cause harm to the fetus. If you
are still nervous, just step aside when
operating one.
Q. That
chocolate milk provides less calcium?
A. The calcium content
in white milk and chocolate milk is the
same and is absorbed just as well, though
the fat content is higher in non-skim milk.
Q.
That decaf coffee and herbal teas
are bad?
A. Decaf coffee has 97%
of its caffeine removed. The best is to
avoid coffee consumption altogether in the
first trimester. An occasional cup after
that is probably ok. Most herbal teas with
funny names are best avoided - safe choices
include peppermint and chamomile. Always
check the labels of commercially sold brand
name herbal teas to be on the safe side.
Q. That
eating for two literally means I have to
double up?
A. This refers to the nutrients
and not the portions. The average pregnant
woman requires just 150-200 calories per
day in the first trimester, an extra 250-300
thereafter. Calcium, zinc, iron and folate
rich foods should be consumed in larger
quantities in comparison.
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Q.
My feet
are going to increase in size?
A. Most women do notice
some expansion in feet before the 9 months
are up because of the loosened ligaments.
About 50% find the growth of up to one whole
shoe size permanent.
Q. If
I just do not look good I am expecting a
baby girl?
A. An old wives tale that
suggest that bad skin and dull pallor indicate
a girl baby is on the way. Pregnancy like
any other time can cause a woman to have
her share of bad face days!
Q. That
sex can hurt the baby?
A. No. The fetus is well
protected in the sac so deep penetration
is not going to hurt the baby.
Q. That
stress can cause miscarriage?
A. Work stress such as
deadlines, crazy clients, commuting to work
will not cause you to miscarry. Chronic
stress on the other hand, such as a death
in the family or divorce can cause preterm
delivery and lower birthweight babies to
occur. This is because hormones which start
up labor starts to soar and blood flow to
the placenta reduces, and this thereby decreases
the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the
fetus.
Q. That
I shouldn't lift anything heavier than a
newborn?
A. Mothers with older children
tend to worry about this. If you have a
normal pregnancy you can lift away as usual
until the final months. Make sure you use
the correct posture: kneel before you lift
so that the strain is borne by your legs
and not your back.
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Q. That
worrying can cause birthmarks?
A. Rest assured that
what is going on in your head won't affect
the going-ons in your uterus. Birthmarks
are caused by irregular pigmentation.
Q.
That craving for pickles means my body
lacks in salt?
A. The cause of cravings
isn't known. Instead it is logical to
assume that we prefer certain foods over
others because of changes in our taste
buds and sense of smell. Sometimes due
to mood swings you may yearn for comfort
foods. No one really knows why some develop
sudden new tastes and while some crave
old favorites. The bottom line: if it
is good for you, indulge. If it is not,
indulge less.
Q. That
I should avoid sugar?
A. It is important to
reduce sugar but not remove it totally.
Sugar is glucose and glucose is what your
baby needs for fuel. Make healthful choices.
Q. That
boys are more active in the womb?
A. Avoid stereotyping
your baby before its birth. Both boys
and girls kick with equal vigor - you
cannot predict baby's gender this way.
Q.
That it is a girl if you carry low, if
you gain weight in the face? Or a boy
if your pallor darkens, if a ring on a
string that's held over your stomach moves
in circles? Etc, etc.
A. Taking tests such
as an amnio or a CVS to check the chromosomes
or an ultrasound for the genitals are
the only ways of being certain about the
baby's gender before birth and not some
old wives tales, which are at best a good
time-pass.
Q. That
first babies are usually late?
A. Every baby follows
his or her own schedule. But if your first
baby was especially early you can generally
expect the same for subsequent births.
Q.
That I am a candidate for C-section if
I am narrow hipped?
A. Many petite women
have delivered big babies vaginally. It's
the size and position of baby relative
to your pelvis size that act as determinants.
Q. That
eating spicy foods close to due date can
trigger labor?
A. Spicy foods can trigger
heartburn especially in the final trimester
but not labor.
Q. That
vigorous exercise can cause labor to commence
early?
A. There is no proven
theory that you can initiate labor on
your own.
Q. That
scratching your belly can cause stretch
marks?
A. The red marks caused
by scratching will fade in a day but a
stretch mark goes deeper and lasts throughout
the pregnancy and diminishes only afterwards.
It is good to avoid the impulse to itch
since scratching can worsen the itching.
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Q. That
vitamin E oil or cocoa butter can prevent
stretch marks?
A. There is no known
way to avoid these marks though lotions
act as skin lubricants.
Q. That
sex can trigger labor?
A. Again no. stimulation
of the breasts releases oxytocin which
can produce contractions near term but
contractions don't necessarily mean labor.
Q.
That an episiotomy can interfere with
sexual pleasure later?
A. Sometimes. Generally
a stretched vagina can alter the sensations
of intercourse rather than the cut or
tear. A slackened vagina can improve with
time and exercise. Pain from stitches
can put you off sex for months.
Q. That
boys weigh more than girls at birth?
A. That is true but only
on average - there are exceptions. For
boys the range varies from 6-9 lbs in
weight and 17 to 22 inches in length.
Q. That
nursing will make my breasts sag?
A. Actually it is pregnancy
more than lactation that tend to alter
the firmness and shape of breasts. Heredity,
age and weight gain are other factors.
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Q.
That some
babies need solid food earlier than others?
A. Solids are not necessary
until 4-6 months of age. Introduction to
solids too soon can cause baby to become
overly fat instead. It is simply not beneficial
or necessary and has not been proven to
improve sleep. Babies go through growth
spurts and it may seem that baby is hungrier;
indulge your baby with breast or formula
milk, not with solids.
Q. That
I should wear a bra while nursing?
A. A nursing bra provides
comfortable support for milk heavy breasts;
it allows for the use of pads more easily.
A wireless model is the best during the
breastfeeding phase. For large breasted
females look for bas with wide support bands
at the shoulders and beneath the cups.
Q. That
I should also give my baby water?
A. There is no need to
give newborns water regularly as breast
milk is about 90% water. Frequent nursing
will prevent dehydration. Baby can lose
interest in breast milk by filling up on
water which contains no nutrients. This
could also hamper your milk supply. Formula
fed babies can be offered water between
feedings in warmer weather although you
may want to confirm with your doctor first.
Q. That
I should warm up milk or formula before
giving it to my baby?
A. Breast milk is naturally
warm so baby may get accustomed and prefer
temperate formula or expressed breast milk.
If you can get your baby used to slightly
cold milk you save yourself the time and
hassle of preheating bottles especially
when your baby is very hungry.
Q.
That I should quit breastfeeding once my
periods return?
A. Menstruation does not
alter taste of breast milk as was once assumed.
Secondly women do not grow weaker because
of the monthly flow - continue to nourish
your newborn. |
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Q.
That I still
need a prenatal vitamin?
A. It is a good idea that
you continue with your prenatal vitamin
until your postpartum checkup since your
body needs iron to combat the stressful
first weeks with baby. Check with your doctor
on what is suitable during your checkup.
Many breastfeeding women and vegetarians
are encouraged to continue with the supplements
so that they benefit from the essential
minerals and vitamins.
Q. That
if I drink milk my baby will be colicky?
A. Few babies do react
to dairy products and can fuss and cry when
exposed to them through breast milk. The
fussiness occurs right after a feed and
if this is the case, you could try a test
by eliminating dairy products from your
diet for about a week. If this seems true,
discuss with your doctor on the next plan
of action. It is important to note that
newborns have colic for unknown reasons
and will cry regardless of what you consume.
Your dairy intake cannot cause such an allergy
- nursing mothers need to drink milk and
other dairy products to bolster calcium
intake. There is no correlation between
dairy and a colicky baby.
Q. That
I should avoid spicy foods if I am nursing?
A. It all depends on whether
you have been eating spicy food all this
while; if so your baby will not feel the
effects. Strong taste such as garlic and
cabbage can alter milk taste. Basically
you do not need to remove any food from
your diet and consult your doctor unless
baby reacts strongly by falling sick or
being fussy or develops a rash.
Q.
That breastfeeding is a good way to lose
weight?
A. Nursing does burn calories.
On the other hand you need to consume 300-500
extra calories per day to properly produce
milk. So for some women breastfeeding does
speed up weight loss while others find they
lose the kilos only after they stop breastfeeding.
Q. That
I should avoid using the stairs?
A. If you had a C-section
or a severe episiotomy or tear, minimizing
all movements for the first week is a smart
move.
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Q.
That exercise
inhibits milk supply?
A. Women who participate
in postpartum exercise have higher milk
volume compared to their sedentary counterparts.
Make sure you drink plenty of water before
and after your workout.
Q. That
I cannot get pregnant if I am still nursing?
A. Breastfeeding is not
a reliable form of birth control. There
is no way to know when ovulation will resume
although it is true that ovulation tends
to restart later in nursing mothers (on
average 17 weeks compared with 10 weeks
for non-lactating mothers). Some women who
breastfeed exclusively get their periods
within 2 months of delivery while others
remain period free long after their babies
have begun solid foods.
Q. That
I should wait to have intercourse until
my bleeding stops?
A. It is generally safe
to have intercourse around 3 weeks after
a normal, problem-free delivery. Waiting
until lochia discharge totally stops (about
4-6 weeks) is considered a better option
as this assures you that the uterus is properly
healed. The risk of intercourse too soon
is that if the site where the placenta was
attached isn't totally healed, bacteria
may be introduced which can lead to uterine
infection.
Q.
That a fat baby will be a fat child?
A. Birthweight is a good
indicator of future weight. Genetics and
diet too play a part in determining baby's
weight later in life but not until age 2
do you need to worry about obesity i.e.
20-30% over ideal bodyweight.
Q. That
if my baby has acne, he will have acne as
a teenager?
A. There is no relationship.
Pimples in infancy erupt between 3-5 weeks
of life and clear up on their own when baby
is about 3 months old. Called milia these
tiny whiteheads are caused by clogged pores
which are common to immature skin and may
be aggravated further by maternal hormones. |
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Q. That
colic stops exactly at 3 months?
A. You cannot predict much
where babies are concerned, colic phase
included. In some cases it persists into
the fourth or even sixth month but for a
large number of cases they do indeed vanish
around the 3-month mark.
Q. That
switching to soy-based formula will cure
colic?
A. Some doctors do suggest
soy milk instead of cow milk formula if
the baby is terribly fussy just to see if
milk allergy is the cause. However there
is no link between colic and what a baby
consumes. Treatments in the form of drops
will not make a difference to a colicky
baby but may relieve a gassy baby.
Q.
That binding a coin to a baby's belly will
ensure a firm navel?
A. This tradition causes
discomfort and nothing more to the baby
(same goes when using a belly bend). Sometimes
after the stump falls off, the surrounding
abdominal muscles fail to come together
tightly causing a slight bulge or swelling
called an umbilical hernia. This is not
dangerous, requires no treatment and often
disappears in a few years. |
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