Hi all
There is another article found in Today's Mind Your Body to share with all of you:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q: Can I rebond or dye my hair during pregnancy?
A: The concern about exposure to hair dye and hair straightening agents is that there may be absorption of chemicals into the bloodstream at the time of use. However, most chemicals are cleared from the bloodstream fairly quickly. Unfortunately, there have been only very few studies on the use of such products during pregnancy to quantify the risk of hair dye to a developing baby.
While no one can provide data about timing and safety, avoid dyeing or rebonding the hair once you have conceived.
Q: Can I perm my hair during pregnancy?
A: Perming hair during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is a safe procedure and can make caring for hair less time-consuming. There are no studies that indicate perming hair during pregnancy is detrimental to the developing baby.
Q: Can I travel by air during pregnancy?
A: Flying is not contraindicated in an uncomplicated pregnancy.
Domestic travel is usually permitted until 36 weeks, whereas international travel may be curtailed after 32 weeks of pregnancy. This is due to the risk of preterm labour.
You should travel mostly in the second trimester when you are more comfortable and the risk of miscarriage and preterm labour is lower.
It is important to take precautions against deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) such as getting a seat with more leg room, walking in the aisles or taking toilet breaks, leg massages or wearing thrombosis-deterrent stockings. Avoid dehydration in the plane by taking Cannot distribute vertically enough fluids orally and avoiding alcohol.
Avoid travel to countries that would require immunisation in pregnancy.
Q: Can I go for massage and aromatherapy in pregnancy?
A: Massage is a wonderful way to unwind tired muscles and pamper yourself.
The massage table should have a cut-out for your belly. Otherwise, you can position yourself with pillows so you are slightly on your side, or use a massage chair. However, massage of the tummy or breasts can cause contractions of the womb. If you notice strong contractions, stop that part of the massage.
You may find that you are more sensitive to smells than usual. Aromatherapy is fine as long as it is pleasant for you. However, essential oils are absorbed through your skin into the bloodstream. Until more is known, avoid extensive skin contact with essential oils, especially in the first trimester while the baby's organs are developing.
Q: Can I use the sauna and steam room during pregnancy?
A: High fever in early pregnancy is bad for the developing baby as it increases the chances of a miscarriage and birth defects like spinal cord and brain malformation. Thus, all treatments that raise your body temperature should be off limits during pregnancy. This includes the sauna, steam room and hot tub. Warm baths are fine as long as they are not super hot, since the water cools off fairly quickly.
Q: Can I wear tight clothing?
A: As long as you are comfortable in the clothing and provided the clothing is not too restrictive or tight, it will not impede the development of your baby. Exposing your belly has no known adverse effects on the baby.
Q: Is it safe to have sexual relations?
A: Sex is safe during pregnancy. Try to adopt a position which you are comfortable with, such as lying side-by-side. However, sexual intercourse is best avoided if there are signs of a threatened abortion (vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy) or if there is presence of a low-lying placenta or premature contractions.
Q: Can I begin a weight-loss regime during pregnancy, and would being underweight cause problems?
A: Women who are severely underweight during pregnancy and who are not eating enough are more likely to have a baby who is small and with low birth-weight. This can have serious long-term effects on the baby's health. Most pregnant women should expect a weight gain of 10-12kg throughout the pregnancy.
Take a balanced diet during pregnancy with calories, carbohydrates, proteins and fibre. Dieting is a no-no during pregnancy. Your baby needs you to eat. Your baby depends on you for its nourishment. Remember that if you eat well, your baby eats well and if you starve, your baby starves.
Q: Should I exercise during pregnancy? If yes, how much exercise is appropriate?
A: Unless there are medical reasons to avoid it, pregnant women should exercise moderately for 20 minutes thrice a week. Exercise helps you to feel better and the calories burned help to prevent too much weight gain during pregnancy. Consider brisk walking, dancing and swimming. Aerobics or yoga sessions designed specifically for pregnant women can also be explored.
However, the exercises should be conducted at a sub-threshold level, stopping before you get exhausted. Avoid activities that are at high risk for injury and contact sports such as horseback riding, downhill skating, hockey, kickboxing, soccer or scuba diving.
Q: With symptoms of pregnancy like shortness of breath and constant urination, are there any ways to get a good night's sleep?
A: Pregnancy is demanding both physically and emotionally. The increasing size of belly makes it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. If you have always been a back or stomach sleeper, it may be difficult to get used to sleeping on your side as recommended by your doctor. Also, as the growing womb presses on your bladder, you experience more trips to the bathroom, day and night.
Try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side early in your pregnancy. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it prevents the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large vein called the inferior vena cava. Alternatively, use a pillow to keep yourself propped up on one side.
Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. This is because your liver is on the right side and lying on your left side helps keep the womb off that large organ. Ask what your doctor recommends, but in most cases, lying on either side should do the trick.
Cut out caffeinated drinks like cola, coffee and tea from your diet as much as possible, especially at night. Avoid drinking a lot of fluids or eating a full meal a few hours before going to bed at night - with less trips to the bathroom through the night, you might get better sleep.
Q: Can I smoke in pregnancy?
A: Smoking is associated with adverse effects on both you and your developing baby. It can cause an increased risk of miscarriage, bleeding in the placenta, premature birth and a low birth-weight baby. There is also a long-term relationship with decreased intellectual development of the infant and increased risk of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. So please stop smoking.
Q: Do I have to avoid certain foods during pregnancy and confinement?
A: Avoid raw, uncooked food and soft cheese to reduce the risk of food-borne infections such as listeriosis, toxoplasmosis, campylobacteria or salmonella infection. These infections can cause miscarriages, malformations in the baby or even stillbirth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
READ IT
KK Women's and Children's Hospital doctors Tan Thiam Chye, Tan Kim Teng and Tay Eng Hseon have written a book titled Practical Obstetrics And Gynaecology Handbook For The General Practioner. Although the target readers are GPs, says Dr Tan Thiam Chye, the format is such that it makes easy reading for the general public too.
The book can be bought online at
http://www.worldscibooks.com/medsci/6035.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Regards
