Welcome to Pregnancy Dress Guide
Plus Size Fashions Article
. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
20 Common Pregnancy Questions & Answers
from: Nisha Bunke, M.D.1. How much weight should I expect to gain during pregnancy? Most women with a normal body mass index gain 25
to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Women who are obese are advised to gain less weight. On the other hand, women who are
underweight may gain up to 40 pounds. Women who gain excessive weight during pregnancy should see a dietitian. (click
here to determine your bmi).
2. When do I first need to see a doctor?
A first prenatal visit should take place within the first trimester. If a woman is uncertain about the date of her last menstrual
period, it is especially important to schedule an ultrasound appointment to accurately determine gestational dates. At the first
doctor visit, a comprehensive medical history will be taken to assess any obstetrical risks and special medical needs of a
patient. Simple blood work that is usually done at the first office visit includes ABO and Rh blood typing, screening for anemia,
immunity to rubella, and testing for viral hepatitis and HIV. A pelvic exam, pap smear, chlamydia and gonorrhea test is also
usually performed at the first visit. Urinalysis, blood pressure and weight checks, fundal height measurement and fetal heart
auscultation are performed routinely at each office
visit.
3. Should I seek care from a midwife or doctor? This is a personal decision. Typically, complicated pregnancies (i.e.,
women who have certain medical conditions, smoke, have a history of miscarriages, past c-section, or have other risk factors
for a complicated pregnancy) require the care of a physician. Midwives are an option for normal, uncomplicated pregnancies
that do not require advanced care. Either way, a woman should seek routine prenatal care by a qualified health care provider.
4. Can I consume caffeine during pregnancy? Caffeine in moderate amounts is probably safe in pregnancy.
5. Can I use artificial sweeteners? Saccharin containing products should be avoided during pregnancy. Saccharin can
cross the placenta and enter the fetal tissue.
6. Why have I been told to avoid cats during pregnancy? Cats can carry bacteria called Toxoplasma, which can be
harmful to the developing fetus. Women should avoid changing a cat's litter box since Toxoplasma can be found in the cat's
feces. You should discuss with your health care provider specific precautions that you need to take to avoid infection caused
by Toxoplasma. Poorly cooked meats, seafood and unpasteurized milk can also be contaminated with Toxoplasma.
7. What is gestational diabetes? Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy. Most of the time, it will resolve after
pregnancy. However, these women are at a higher risk of developing diabetes in later life.
8. How do I know if I have gestational diabetes? Late in the second trimester, a one hour glucola test is performed. If this
is number is elevated, a women will undergo another test called a three hour glucose tolerance test. A woman should discuss
her risks of developing gestational diabetes and this test with her health care provider.
9. Are there any foods that I should avoid during pregnancy?
Canned tuna fish and farmed salmon should be eaten in moderation. Tuna steaks, swordfish, shark and king mackerel should
be avoided because they can contain high levels of mercury, which can harm the fetus. Raw fish and shellfish should be
avoided because they can be infected with parasites and Norwalk-like viruses.
10. Is aspirin safe to use in pregnancy?
Aspirin is not safe to use during pregnancy. Aspirin is a class D medication meaning that it may cause harm to the fetus.
11. Is air travel safe during pregnancy? Air travel is thought to be safe until about 8 months of gestation. Pregnancy is a
hypercoaguable state, which means that women who are pregnant are at a greater risk of developing blood clots. For this
reason, pregnant women should take stretch breaks each hour when driving on long trips or flights.
12. Are over the counter cold medications safe to take in pregnancy? Many over the counter medications are not safe to
use in pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult their health care provider before trying any over the counter medication.
13. Can I use hair dye? It is generally recommended to avoid hair dye during the first trimester.
14. Can I work during pregnancy?
Work limitations are unique to the individual and her job. Many healthy women choose to work throughout their entire
pregnancy, until the moment they go into labor. A woman should discuss her specific work limitations and special medical
needs with her health care provider. General work restrictions include avoidance of heavy lifting, exposure to chemicals,
prolonged standing and extremes of temperatures.
15. What birth defects are screened for in prenatal care? An ultrasound can assess abnormalities of the spinal cord and
organs like the heart and kidneys. There are blood tests available to screen for neural tube defects and chromosomal disorders
(like Down Syndrome). Women who are at an increased risk for chromosomal disorders may be offered amniocentesis or
chorionic villus sampling. Remember, that no test can guarantee that a baby will be born in perfect health. It is important that
women who have a family history of congenital diseases disclose this information to their physician so that special care can be
given to this matter.
16. Can I continue to have sex while I'm pregnant? Yes. However, if a woman has had vaginal bleeding, history of
miscarriages, or other special situations, she may be advised to abstain from sex by her health care provider. A woman must
take special care to protect her self from sexually transmitted diseases. Some sexually transmitted disease can cause birth
defects in the developing fetus.
17. Can I have an occasional glass of wine during pregnancy? It is recommended to avoid all alcoholic containing
beverages, tobacco use and drug use throughout pregnancy.
18. What if I get chicken pox during pregnancy?
A woman who has not developed immunity to chicken pox infection (caused by the varicella virus) should consider becoming
vaccinated before pregnancy. It is generally advised that she then wait one month before becoming pregnant after receiving the
vaccine. If a woman develops chicken pox during the first trimester or early second trimester of her pregnancy, her fetus is at
risk of developing the congenital varicella syndrome. The risk of developing this syndrome is estimated to be 0.4% for infection
during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and 2.0% for infection occurring 13-20 weeks of pregnancy.
19. How can I figure out my due date by using my last menstrual period?
Go to www.askmd.org and click on the box on the left hand side named 'health calculators.' Browse the pregnancy
calculators.
20. Can I exercise during pregnancy?
Yes, pregnant women should strive for 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day.
Many women may need to modify their exercise routines to avoid uncomfortable positions and overheating. It is necessary to
drink sufficient amounts of water to avoid dehydration
About the Author
Dr. Bunke is a Resident Physician in Family Medicine. She is also the Health Content Editor at www.askmd.org, a
comprehensive medical web site that offers free medical resources including health calculators, daily health news, medical term
and abbreviation search, health information and more. AskMD.org is popular for its free 'ask a doctor' feature.
Plus Size Fashions News
Plus-size fashion market slowly catching on to demand
A plus-size woman no longer has to stand outside the fashion world, looking in. Now she can flatter her curves in a killer Calvin Klein dress or slip on a pair of DKNY jeans. She can walk into Bloomingdale’s and leave with a Michael Kors leopard-print dress that hugs and hides in all the right places.
Read more...New Jersey’s Full-Figured Fashion Week to Take Place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, March 30th to April 1st 2012
Brought to you by Nfinite Form, New Jersey Full Figured Fashion Week is a buzz-worthy, "Girls Getaway" weekend of celebrity performances, plus size runway shows, daily shopping, panel discussions and notable guests. This is a must-attend event for every fashion lover.New York. N.Y. (PRWEB) February 09, 2012 This spring, fabulous full-figured women from all across the Tri-state area will come ...
Read more...James Sanders: Fat Fashion Guy: Where Are All the Style Bloggers for Big Men?
The absence of a plus-size men's fashion blog brings up many questions, but the most important is: are there not enough big men who are interested in fashion? Am I the only one?
Read more...Nickelodeon Debuts Its Strongest Entertainment Toy Portfolio Ever With New Products For Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ...
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon is headed to Toy Fair 2012 with its most comprehensive and diversified toy portfolio ever, based on popular entertainment brands for preschoolers, kids, ...
Read more...On Sale
On Sale Mid-January savings Time to get rid of dirty linen. Today begins Sam Kugler Home Fashions ’ annual White Sale. Five-hundred thread count Wamsutta comforter mini sets (comforter plus two shams) in queen, regularly priced at $99, are $59.99; king size $69.99, down from $120. Sferra ivory cotton blankets in queen and king are $99.99, reduced from $220 and $260 respectively. 11 a.m.-5 p.m ...
Read more...Fashion Playtes Goes Social With FP World as Young Tween Designers Get Hooked on Fashion
BEVERLY, Mass., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 50,000 designers creating more than 650,000 designs, FashionPlaytes , the leading online clothing design experience for girls, announced today the ...
Read more...Apparel US is Offering 15 Percent Off All Items on Website
LOS ANGELES -- As the number one Internet supplier of wholesale clothing, Apparel US offers customers quality merchandise at great prices. Now, they are giving businesses and consumers alike an even greater ...
Read more...