Pregnancy Tips

• "Recreational" drugs? Not during pregnancy - Alcohol, cigarettes, and all "recreational" drugs are strictly off-limits during pregnancy, as they can cause birth defects even in small amounts.

• Are hot tubs and saunas safe? - Pregnant women should use extreme caution with hot tubs and saunas. Long exposure to high temperatures can lead to birth defects, particularly during early pregnancy.

• Ask before you medicate during pregnancy - Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can harm your fetus, especially if taken early in your pregnancy.

• Beautiful you: Comfy bra is a must during pregnancy - Choosing any bra, much less a maternity bra, can be a puzzling experience. But during pregnancy, as your breasts enlarge, chances are you'll be in the market for something new.

• Beautiful you: Keep feet happy during pregnancy - Can you believe your feet may grow a half size to a full size during the nine months that you are pregnant? It's true.

• Beautiful you: Pamper yourself at the hospital - Birth, even a hospital birth, does not have to be a clinical event with no special touches of comfort.

• Beautiful you: The skinny on skin: It changes during pregnancy - Skin changes are common in pregnancy. Splotchy skin, itching, or a dark line running straight down your tummy are all symptoms of skin changes that are very common during pregnancy.

• Beautiful you: To dye or not to dye? - It is impossible to absolutely guarantee that dying your hair during pregnancy is safe. However, it's also true that there's no evidence to indicate that hair dye causes birth defects.

• Beautiful you: What to carry in your purse - It has been said that clothes are what make the man or the woman. But in pregnancy, it can be the purse that makes the woman.

• Birth defects have many causes; some are preventable - There are a variety of birth defects that cause varying degrees of disability. Although you can't guarantee that you won't have a baby with birth defects, there are steps you can take to prevent problems.

• Caffeine: OK in moderation? - Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, cola and other drinks, foods and drugs) is a stimulant that affects both mother and baby.

• Choose your vaccinations carefully while pregnant - Many immunizations are perfectly safe for the woman and fetus; others are likely to cause harm.

• Dealing with fatigue on the job - Remember the deep fatigue that came over you occasionally, or constantly, in your first trimester? If you're like most women, you've enjoyed a surge of renewed energy in your second trimester.

• Don't give alcohol to minors - No amount of alcohol is safe in pregnancy. For your baby's sake, quit drinking as soon as you learn you are pregnant or, preferably, before you start trying to conceive.

• Get control of high blood pressure now - If you have high blood pressure, it is important to seek medical care at least six months to a year before becoming pregnant.

• Get serious about dental care - Pregnancy can cause certain gum problems, which should be treated right away. Routine dental care should preferably be scheduled during the second trimester.

• Good health habits make for beauty - Right after your baby is born, a healthy lifestyle is best for beauty.

• Pregnancy myths: Fact or fiction? - At some time during your pregnancy you're going to hear some pregnancy myths. Most pregnancy myths have little or no basis in medical fact.

• Say "no" to kitty litter - Toxoplasmosis is a common infection that can cause severe harm to a fetus. Contact with kitty litter or eating uncooked or underdone meat are among common causes.

• Skydiving? Not for a few months - If you lean toward the extreme in your choice of sports, you'll be going on sabbatical for a few months, for baby's sake.

• Smoking poisons your baby - Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems, even death, for an unborn baby.

• Staying comfortable in the home stretch - The ninth month of pregnancy can be a strange time. You know you'll be giving birth soon, but you can't know just when; it could be a week from now, or five weeks.

• STDs pose special risks during pregnancy - Preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is very important to you and your baby before and during pregnancy.

• Taking herbs during pregnancy: Some help, but others can harm - Pregnant women should use caution in taking herbs, especially during the first trimester.

• To X-ray or not to X-ray? Just be cautious - Most doctors prefer that you avoid any X-rays during the first trimester when your baby's organs are being formed.

• Your changing body: Keeping cool is key to comfort - It's hard to be pregnant in the summer, especially if you live in an area where humidity is high.

• Your changing body: The eyes have it during pregnancy - If you find yourself dry-eyed and blinking with eye irritation, it's probably not just the dry weather, or your contact lens prescription.

• Your prenatal office visits are a time to learn - Follow a regular schedule of prenatal check-ups to help prevent certain problems and to catch others early, while they can be corrected.