Pregnancy is a time in a woman’s life when she must practice extreme care regarding what she puts into her body.
Whatever she ingests crosses the placenta and could potentially harm her unborn child in some manner.
Heartburn is a common complaint in pregnant women, so many women will need some type of relief such as taking a dose of Pepto-Bismol, but is this over-the-counter medication safe to be taken during pregnancy?
Pepto-Bismol is considered to be a class C drug for pregnant women during the first two trimesters, and a class D medication during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Class C drugs must only be taken under the advisement of a medical professional during pregnancy, while class D states that a specific medication may be necessary but could be associated with potential risks.
Since there are much safer medications that can be taken to alleviate heartburn during pregnancy, not many obstetricians, if any, would advise a pregnant woman to treat her heartburn with Pepto-Bismol.
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How can a pregnant woman minimize her chances of getting heartburn during pregnancy?
Due to extremely high levels of hormones, pregnant women are almost pre-destined to get heartburn at least some of the time throughout their nine months.
While heartburn likely can’t be completely avoided during pregnancy, it can be kept to a minimum if you opt for eating several smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.
Also, limiting fatty foods and consuming more dairy like yogurt or milk can help somewhat.
Can pregnant women safely eat feta cheese?
One thing that many pregnant women crave is the creaminess of cheese, and the salty creaminess of feta cheese is often high on the list.
Fortunately, as long as the feta cheese has been pasteurized, this particular cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy.
It’s unpasteurized cheeses that pregnant women must avoid as they can contain dangerous bacteria and even lead to tuberculosis.
Is drinking coffee a good idea while pregnant?
While many pregnant women develop aversions to coffee, not every woman does, and many pregnant women actually crave coffee on a regular basis.
The idea is to limit caffeine during pregnancy and not necessarily completely avoid it, so one regular cup of coffee each day should be tolerable, but decaf or even herbal tea would be better.
You might try “treating” yourself to a cup of coffee on an occasional basis, but just don’t go overboard.
Why do some women gain so much weight during pregnancy?
It is recommended that a pregnant woman gain approximately 25 pounds during pregnancy, but if she’s pregnant with multiples, the recommended weight gain increases.
Overweight or obese women are advised to gain less weight in most cases.
However, some women end up gaining 60, 70, and even 80 pounds or more during pregnancy because they’re overindulging in high-calorie foods, which is not recommended.
Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?
If a woman engaged in an exercise program prior to pregnancy, chances are high that her obstetrician will allow her to continue to exercise, depending on the specific exercises that are in question.
However, if a woman wants to start a new exercise program after she’s already pregnant, then she definitely needs to get clearance from her doctor before doing so, especially if she is considered at high risk for complications.
Under the right circumstances, exercising during pregnancy can be a great way to limit weight gain within the normal range as well as promote quicker labor and easier delivery.
Is it safe to ride a bike during pregnancy?
Bike riding is a great way to improve your overall health and fitness levels during your pregnancy.
As long as your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you should be safe riding a bike during pregnancy, especially during the first and second trimesters.
The third trimester is a little more iffy because your equilibrium will likely be off due to your enlarged abdomen, so you might want to wait until after your baby is born once you reach your third trimester in order to minimize your chances of accidentally falling and causing injury to yourself or your unborn child.
Is it safe to take Ibuprofen during pregnancy?
No, it is most certainly not safe to take Ibuprofen during pregnancy, as it can lead to a host of complications for mother and fetus.
Despite the dangers involved in this popular anti-inflammatory pain relief medication, pregnant women don’t simply have to suffer if they’re experiencing pain.
They need to speak with their obstetricians who can advise them about what they can safely take to alleviate their pain, and many obstetricians are so cautious that they only recommend regular strength Tylenol unless the pain is extreme.
Should it be shameful for an unwed mother to give birth to a child?
In earlier years, any children born out of wedlock were considered “bastards” and ” illegitimate,” but times have changed dramatically since then.
While some people continue to frown upon women or even couples having children out of wedlock, it’s more accepted these days.
So, no, it shouldn’t be shameful for a woman to have a child out of wedlock, because birth is a true miracle that should always be cherished.
Is frequently consuming large quantities of junk food during pregnancy reckless?
Frequently consuming large quantities of junk food is reckless whether a woman is pregnant or not, but even more so while she’s pregnant.
A fetus needs an immense amount of nutrients in order to grow healthy and strong, and most junk food is devoid of any vitamins and minerals.
It’s acceptable to splurge on a reasonable amount of junk food on an occasional basis during pregnancy but consuming it too often could lead to unwanted health conditions for both mom and baby.
Is a woman considered weak if she doesn’t have a natural birth?
Labor and giving birth are hard work, and it’s not called labor for nothing, as women and their bodies work extremely hard during this time to help the baby make its way into the world.
In addition to being hard work, labor is also extremely painful for most women, as the uterus must contract forcefully in order to open enough for the baby to fit through the birth canal.
So, in no way should a woman be considered weak if she asks for medication or an epidural during labor, as she is bringing a miracle into the world and should be commended either way.
Are homebirths still a popular practice for women?
According to statistics, homebirths have become a lot more prevalent and increased by 77% between 2004 and 2017.
If you are leaning toward a homebirth, you should be sure that you and your baby are healthy enough to be without medical doctors present during the birth.
Of course, all a doctor can do is recommend that you have your baby in the hospital, but it’s ultimately up to the mother and father-to-be where they wish their baby to be born.
What are some ways for pregnant women to combat nausea?
Nausea can become pretty hard to deal with during pregnancy due to rising levels of hormones, and while some women only experience nausea during the first trimester, others experience it throughout the entire pregnancy, which can be especially challenging.
Fortunately, there are some ways to minimize its severity, and ensuring that your stomach is never completely empty can be very helpful.
Also, many women find that ginger candy, cookies, or tea are helpful, as well as popsicles, fruit, and even ice cream.
Are there natural ways to induce labor at the end of pregnancy?
Many women claim that natural remedies helped to either induce or speed their labors up, but what may have worked for some women may not work for all women.
Acupuncture, sex, and drinking castor oil are among some of the many natural ways that women have reportedly induced their labors.
The possibility of sex inducing labor after 40 weeks of pregnancy has been researched frequently, with possibly positive results, so if you want to try it, then go for it!
What are some good sex positions during late pregnancy?
If missionary style has always been your favorite sex position, once you reach the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy, you will be forced to find a new position due to the size of your growing abdomen.
Some more comfortable positions might be doggy style, reverse cowgirl, etc.
You and your partner can try being creative and discovering some new positions together and you might just realize that missionary style is no longer your favorite position.
Can a pregnant woman get on rides at amusement parks?
It’s probably not a good idea to ride your favorite amusement park rides during pregnancy, although many women have ridden rides before they even knew they were pregnant.
However, if you’re visibly pregnant, a ride attendant likely won’t even allow you to ride a roller coaster or other ride.
Your best bet is to wait until after your pregnancy is over to avoid any possible complications from riding rides during your pregnancy.
Can pregnant women fly on airplanes?
In normal, uncomplicated pregnancies, women are able to safely fly up until about 36 weeks of pregnancy.
After that point in a pregnancy, flying could cause pre-term labor or other possible complications.
However, if you must fly after 36 weeks of pregnancy for whatever reason, it might be a good idea to have a copy of your medical records just in case you should go into labor.
Can a woman go horseback riding during pregnancy?
No, it is ill-advised to go horseback riding while pregnant, regardless of the trimester you’re in.
Not only could the jostling of riding a horse itself cause complications, but if you were to somehow fall or be thrown from the horse, you could miscarry or encounter any number of other potentially serious complications.
Even if you’re an experienced rider, you should wait until after you’ve had your baby to enjoy horseback riding, and there are plenty of rides you can safely do while pregnant, such as train rides, hayrides, and boat rides.
Pregnant women must be very careful about what they put in and on their bodies during pregnancy.
Even your prescription steroid ointment for your eczema could pose a threat to your unborn child, so before you use anything, make sure you check with your obstetrician first.
Nine months may seem like a long time to avoid doing certain things, but you will realize how much it was worth it once your beautiful, perfect angel is born.
