| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: When will I show?
A: You should show around 12 weeks, or between months 3-4. Gas, bloating,
etc., may have you looking pregnant before then. If you've been pregnant
before you may "pop out" earlier. |
Q: Is it safe to continue to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy?
A: Some couples worry about having intercourse during pregnancy. They may be afraid that it will cause a miscarriage. For a healthy woman with a normal pregnancy, intercourse is safe into the last weeks of pregnancy. You and your partner may want to experiment with different positions that may be more comfortable for you. If you are having problems in your pregnancy, your health care provider may advise you to limit or avoid intercourse as necessary. |
Q: Is there any way I can tell if it is a girl or a boy?
A: Yes, ultrasounds are pretty accurate (surprisingly not 100%). Other prenatal
tests provide DNA analysis that will be right on the dot. The other pre-delivery
methods of deciphering the sex are myths, fun and games. |
Q: Can I drink caffeine?
A: Although data from human studies do not provide significant evidence that caffeine affects pregnancy outcome, the Food and Drug Administration advises that pregnant women eliminate or limit consumption of caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, and colas.
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Q: How long will the morning sickness last? I'm so nauseous!
A: Morning sickness should occur less and less by the second trimester/4
months. Maybe sooner! On rare occasions it will stick around. Rare! |
Q: What can I use for headaches during pregnancy?
A: Headaches are fairly common during pregnancy. Usually headaches are NOT a sign of a serious problem. How often they occur and how bad they are may vary. It is important to discuss with your health care provider what medications you can use for your headache. You should contact your health care provider if your headache does not go away, returns frequently, is severe, causes blurry vision or spots in front of your eyes, or is accompanied by nausea. You may use Tylenol (acetaminophen) ONLY two regular tablets of one extra-strength tablet for headaches.
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Q: How much weight will I gain?
A: If you are in your ideal weight zone you should gain 25-35 pounds. If
you are overweight or obese, expect to gain around 15 pounds. If you are
underweight, you will gain more like 30-40 lbs. Be sure to ask your doctor
how many calories you should be consuming. If you take pregnancy as an OK
to eat as much as your want, you could gain twice as much. |
Q: When will I feel the baby kick? Can I interact with him?
A: Between 16 and 20 weeks you should feel that first noticeable kick. Babies
respond to touch by week 26. Ask your doctor to show you the amount of pressure
you can use to interact with your unborn child. In examination, he or she
may be able to help you feel the head. Some parents have claimed they taught
their unborn child to kick on request, by using a verbal cue whenever the
baby would kick on its own. |
Q: Is it normal to swell during pregnancy?
A: A certain amount of swelling (edema) is normal during pregnancy. If occurs most often in the legs and primarily in the third trimester and may be worse with pregnancy during the summer months. Elevating your legs during the day (feet above the level of your head), and resting during the day and sleeping on your left side may help reduce swelling.
- Decrease prolonged standing or sitting, with brief periods of walking from time to time.
- Do not wear constrictive clothing or stockings or socks that have a tight band of elastic around the legs.
- Let your health care provider know if you have swelling in your hands (your rings are too tight), or face.
- Do not take diuretics "water pills" for swelling unless they have been prescribed for you by your health care provider.
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Q: In what month does the baby start to see or hear? Can we interact?
A: Around week 29 the baby can turn its head to find the source of a bright
light. Some research has shown reactive "listening" as early as
14 weeks gestational age. The baby should be able to hear the mothers voice
at 20 weeks, certainly by 30. You can play music for your baby, talk to
your baby and have hubby talk to your baby - long before month 8! It is
good for you too. (For much more information on pre-birth senses, check
out Life Before Birth from BirthPsychology.com!). |
Q: Is spotting normal?
A: Spotting can be normal in the first trimester. Warning signs to call
your doctor: cramps, heavy bleeding, passage of clots or tissue, increase
in pain and/or fever, red spotting (instead of brown or pink). Otherwise
don't panic, but be sure to mention it on your next visit. |
Q: How can I help my labor along?
A: There are many tips online that can be dangerous if you're not being
monitored, such as prolonged nipple stimulation. The best way to help your
labor along is to relax during that first stage. Talk a shower, a walk,
have an energy packed meal, and breathe. Stay upright so that gravity can
help you. I've seen much disagreement on what helps, what is unsafe... You're
body will do most of the work on it's own. |
Q: How do I Order ?
A: Click on the image below to go to the order page. You can make payment
using any major credit card or echeck via Paypal. During check out at
Paypal click on the "Return To Merchant" button at the bottom
of the page. This will take you directly to the download page.
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