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"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.
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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.
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Ask before you medicate during pregnancy - Some prescription and over-the-counter
medications can harm your fetus, especially if taken early in your pregnancy.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Choose your vaccinations carefully while pregnant - Many immunizations
are perfectly safe for the woman and fetus; others are likely to cause harm.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Good health habits make for beauty - Right after your baby is born, a healthy
lifestyle is best for beauty.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Smoking poisons your baby - Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious
health problems, even death, for an unborn baby.
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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.
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STDs pose special risks during pregnancy - Preventing sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) is very important to you and your baby before and during
pregnancy.
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Taking herbs during pregnancy: Some help, but others can harm - Pregnant
women should use caution in taking herbs, especially during the first
trimester.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.