Six Questions All Women Ask About Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be an apprehensive time for any mother – especially if this is your first baby. There will be legions of people who will give you advice, whether you want it or not. Of course, the best person to answer your questions is your health care provider, but here are the answers some of the more common questions you’ll undoubtedly ask.

1. Will it hurt to give birth? In a word, yes. How painful it will be varies greatly from one woman to another. The method of preparation, as well as the delivery method, can impact this greatly. However, the better prepared you are, the better able you’ll be to deal with the pain. But if you want a gauge as to how your pregnancy will go, talk to your closest female relatives – chances are that you’ll have a similar birth experience. And above all, remember this – the pain of childbirth is manageable. Many women choose to deliver without the use of pain medications, although pain medications are available if you opt to have a medicated birth.

2. How will I know my baby is healthy? This is where your choice of a health care provider comes into play. Not only do they have access to all those wonderful diagnostic tools, you’ll also have access to the best tool of all – their professional judgment. When the morning sickness, the fatigue and mood swings hit, they’ll be able to tell you if any of them are a problem or just part of a normal pregnancy. However, that isn’t to say that you should blindly trust any doctor. Your judgment is your last and best option, but a good professional is a valued asset. The vast majority of women and babies get through pregnancy and delivery just fine.

3. How much weight will I gain? A lot of this will depend on your body weight before pregnancy. A good rule of thumb is that you’ll need an additional twenty five to thirty five pounds to properly nourish the baby. Working closely with your doctor or provider will help you find out if you’re gaining too much or too little weight. But more important than how much you gain is how you gain it. You should be eating a healthy diet with plenty of nutrition for you and your growing baby.

4. Can I keep drinking coffee or soda? Here, the answer is a resounding maybe. Some professionals are against it, while others say that caffeine in moderation won’t do you any harm. Talk to your doctor about the specifics of your case. There may be an underlying condition, like high blood pressure, that may take caffeine off the table for you. You should also remember that you should be getting most of your fluid intake from healthy beverages like water, milk and the occasional glass of juice.

5. Will using a seat belt hurt me or the baby? If worn properly, a seat belt will not only not hurt, but will be one of the best protections the two of you can have in the case of an automobile accident. When you’re pregnant, it’s especially essential to wear your seat belt low across your hip bones and under your baby bump. As your tummy gets larger, you may need a seat belt extender to be comfortable. And always see your health care provider after any automobile accident, even just a minor fender bender.

6. Can I sleep on my stomach? Early in your pregnancy, you won't hurt the baby by lying on your stomach. However, as your tummy grows, it’s likely that the size of your stomach will make it awkward and uncomfortable to sleep on your stomach – let that be your guide. The best position for sleeping while pregnant is on your left side – avoid lying on your back when you sleep.