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Ask Our Expert
Questions about your pregnancy? David Priver, M.D., FACOG, has all the answers.
Read what your fellow expectant and new parents are asking about below.
*At You & Your Family, we respect your right to privacy. Please feel free to submit only the information which you are comfortable sharing.
Common Pregnancy Questions & Answers
Q.
My period ended nine days ago, and I had sex. The condom broke. Will I get pregnant?A.
If your period ended 9 days ago, then it probably began about 14 days ago, thereby putting you at or near ovulation time, assuming you usually have a 28- to 30-day cycle, like most women. So there is a very high risk of pregnancy in this situation. This is precisely why the morning-after pill (now also known as Plan B) was introduced. If taken within 72 hours of the event, it will prevent pregnancy in 85 percent of cases.Q.
Is it safe to have a manicure and pedicure during pregnancy? Is the chemical in the nail polish safe for my baby?A.
It is considered safe to have manicures and pedicures during pregnancy. No harmful chemicals have been detected in these processes. I would generally advise against nail polish, however, not because it is dangerous, but because in the chance that you may be in a hospital and be put under anesthesia, the nail polish could make it more difficult for the anesthesiologist to read the instrument they nowadays put on your finger to monitor your oxygen level during surgery.Q.
I think I'm having my period, but it's not normal bleeding. Can I be pregnant even though I'm having blood clots?A.
Abnormal flow is often associated with early pregnancy, so be sure to test for that right away. If you are pregnant, give it a few days to resolve, then see your doctor if it has not done so. The matter becomes urgent if it is associated with significant pelvic pain.Q.
My last period lasted almost two weeks and I was spotting. I have my period again, which was five days late. I've been throwing up in the mornings. I thought I was pregnant, but four pregnancy tests have been negative. What could be happening?A.
Abnormal menses as you describe is usually the result of failure of the ovulation mechanism, which often results from stress. When this happens, your ovaries release estrogen, but not progesterone, often resulting in nausea, which simulates pregnancy symptoms. See your doctor if this does not resolve within the coming month.Q.
I'm 13 weeks' pregnant and have terrible acne on my face. During my first pregnancy I experienced acne, too, but not as bad as this time. (After I stopped nursing my first child, my face cleared up.) My doctor told me glycolic face wash was safe so I used it and broke out even more. Is there anything I can do to clear my skin?A.
Acne is quite common in pregnancy and is a result of dramatic changes in hormone production. As the hormones tend to stabilize after 13 weeks or so, you can expect this matter to resolve itself soon. In the meantime, most face soaps are safe. Just do what you can to reduce oiliness for the time being.Q.
If your water doesn't break by your due date, does the doctor break it for you?A.
Not necessarily. The doctor will intervene by inducing labor if it is felt to be necessary. Breaking the water artificially is one method of accomplishing that. Certainly, there is nothing at all abnormal about going as much as two weeks past the due date, so long as the situation is watched closely. Induction of labor carries risks (and is associated with as much as a 50-percent C-section rate) and should not be undertaken without a definitive need.Q.
I'm 20 weeks' along and today my breast started leaking enough to soak three shirts. Should I see my doctor?A.
There is nothing abnormal about producing breast milk during pregnancy. It is simply a reflection of your particular hormone production and the sensitivity of the breast milk glands to these hormones. It is actually good news as it would predict you will produce milk well after your baby's birth.Q.
Is it normal to develop a bad taste in your mouth? I'm wondering if other pregnant women suffer from this, or if it's just me.A.
A wide variety of taste sensations is reported by most pregnant women and appears to be due to hormonal influences. It is harmless and should not adversely impact nutritional needs. Iron, which is often prescribed to pregnant women, may also create a metallic taste sensation. Discuss with your physician whether you need iron supplements or perhaps can ingest enough through dietary approaches.Q.
I keep hearing about postpartum blues and depression — is there anything a pregnant woman can do to avoid it?A.
First, it is very important to distinguish between postpartum blues and depression. The former is a mild and generally harmless condition. The latter is extremely serious. While the blues will have only an intermittent effect and wear off within a few weeks, postpartum depression is marked by almost a complete inability to carry on daily activities, including newborn care. As this condition is now much better recognized and understood than in previous times, strenuous efforts are made to diagnose and treat it early, nearly always with a good outcome. For this reason, mothers of newborns must be vigilant about their feelings during this period of time and report if symptoms are worsening instead of improving promptly. While it is unlikely that the blues can be prevented entirely, depression certainly can and should be so long as careful self-awareness is employed and good communication exists between mothers and caregivers.Q.
Can I go for a massage during pregnancy, and can I see a chiropractor for backaches?A.
There is no prohibition against massage during pregnancy, provided the masseuse is properly trained and experienced. The same advice applies to the use of chiropractic manipulation. It would be advisable, however, to research this carefully and certainly to keep X-rays that might be recommended to a minimum.Q.
I have been having cramps/sharp shooting pains. I thought it was ligaments stretching but it seems to continue. When will it go away?A.
Cramps and shooting pains during pregnancy are common and harmless, usually reflecting ligament stretching and fetal position change. In the days leading up to labor, they tend to occur as a result of the bones of the pubis rubbing together during walking. They may actually serve the beneficial purpose of getting a woman off her feet as labor nears. This will encourage uterine contractions and reduce foot and ankle swelling, not to mention providing much needed rest and relaxation.Q.
I'm craving carbs. What else can I eat to take away or at least satisfy that craving?A.
Carbohydrate craving is almost universal in pregnancy and is not considered harmful, so long as there is a reasonable balance among the food groups. Carbohydrates are absorbed slowly from the stomach, so they serve the useful purpose of reducing the otherwise bothersome hunger pangs that are so frequently reported and rarely result in excessive weight gain. Protein drinks often serve as a good substitute if you are concerned about the caloric intake.Q.
I have had back labor for my past two pregnancies. What causes it, and am I likely to have it again?A.
Back labor is considered to be the result of a fetus in what is called an “occiput posterior” position – when the back of the baby’s head, which is relatively hard and bony, presses against the mother’s sacrum and tailbone. Most babies position themselves so that the much softer face contacts the sacrum, which is less uncomfortable. It is not known why babies settle into one position or another, but there has been some success in avoiding back labor by having the mother assume a hands-and-knees position during the weeks near term. Presumably, this permits gravity to bring the back — or heavier — side of the baby’s head around to the front of the mother’s pelvis.Q.
What is micro-deletion testing that can be done when having chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and do you recommend it?A.
Micro-deletion is a test to determine the status of a single gene as opposed to chromosome testing, which is accomplished by CVS or amniocentesis. It is designed only for women who are known to be at high risk for a specific genetic disorder, and cannot be done via CVS.Q.
Do you recommend having a 13-week anatomy scan and a 20-week anatomy scan?Insurance will not cover the 13-week scan, but some doctors are recommending it these days.
A.
I would not, at this moment, encourage a 13-week anatomy scan. Despite notable improvements in ultrasound technology, organs are very tiny so that abnormalities could still be missed that would be evident by the time of the 18- to 22-week scan.Q.
How many sonograms should you have throughout your pregnancy?A.
Sonograms in a pregnancy believed to be normal are customarily done twice: once in the first trimester to confirm viability and establish dates, and again at the 18- to 22-week window to evaluate anatomical development. They may be done at other times as well in specific situations.Q.
Can I get a flu shot while pregnant? Is it safe for the baby?A.
Flu shots are not only safe in pregnancy, but are strongly encouraged for all women who are or who expect to become pregnant during the flu season, November through March. No adverse effects have ever been reported for either mother or baby.Q.
I’m five weeks’ pregnant and I’ve had spotting. Is it a danger to my baby? A friend of mine experienced some bleeding during her pregnancy and everything turned out fine. I’ve called my doctor – what else do I need to do?A.
Bleeding – even a small amount – during the first trimester is considered to be a threatened miscarriage. However, a light amount this early in most cases turns out to be of no consequence and is presumed to be due to the rupture of small blood vessels in the cervix. We recommend reduced activities until the matter is resolved, mostly to permit bleeding to cease if it is indeed of a harmless nature.Q.
When my husband and I have sex, I can feel my uterus squeezing and the baby moving. It takes my mind completely off being with my husband. Is this squeezing normal, and is it bad for the baby?A.
During the third trimester, orgasm causes the uterus to contract, occasionally strongly enough to be noticed. This has never been shown to have anything to do with labor or to subject a woman to an increased risk of premature labor. However, if a patient is at high risk for premature labor, having had a previous pre-term birth, it is generally recommended that she not experience orgasm, even though there is no clinical evidence of hazard. It’s all but impossible to truly study this question in a scientifically credible fashion.Q.
I’ve taken Lamaze with my husband, but he doesn’t seem very interested in the whole breathing and imaging thing. Are there other people who might be able to help me through labor?A.
It is very common for husbands/partners to have a difficult time immersing themselves in the preparation for childbirth, regardless of the method. Remember that the birth of a first baby constitutes an often frightening event, as it carries with it the most life-changing implications most people will ever encounter. My experience tells me that most partners become more interested and enthusiastic as term approaches. If you truly believe that this is not happening by around 36 weeks, you may wish to seek the services of a doula, who is knowledgeable and experienced in the labor process and will be at your bedside throughout labor to offer advice and encouragement. Doulas can be located through childbirth educational organizations such as ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association).Q.
At my 23rd-week appointment, my doctor told me that the ultrasound taken at the 20th week showed that my baby boy's kidneys were dilated. What does this mean, and is it anything to be worried about?A.
First, it’s important to understand that at 20 weeks a baby’s kidneys are very tiny, so any ultrasound finding of that sort cannot be considered definitive. That said, dilation of the kidneys raises the suspicion of an obstruction to the flow of urine and must be viewed with great concern. If such an obstruction were to be confirmed, the pressure buildup would likely destroy kidney function. The obvious plan will be to follow this situation very closely with repeated ultrasound examinations until a definitive diagnosis can be made.Q.
I’m almost seven weeks along in my pregnancy. My breasts are not sore or growing, and it seems that everything I read says they should be. Is something wrong?A.
Breast soreness is, indeed, the commonest symptom of early pregnancy, reported by more than 90 percent of patients. However, by no means should its absence be considered worrisome. More important is the determination that your uterus is growing as it should, which implies a normal development process. Your doctor should be able to reassure you that this is happening at your next prenatal visit.Q.
Is it safe to have sex during pregnancy?A.
For the vast majority of women, sex during pregnancy is not at all harmful. For some, however, it is not comfortable. There are some conditions in which it would be prohibited, such as bleeding, infections and cases in which premature labor is considered to be at high risk. Your obstetrician will be glad to provide more detail. We know this is on your mind, so don’t be hesitant to bring up this issue.Q.
My baby is due next month, and I’m huge. In my childbirth education class, I was told not to sleep on my back. I can’t sleep on my stomach, and I’m uncomfortable sleeping on my side. Any advice?A.
Sleeping on one’s back is an issue about which there is much misunderstanding. Certainly, it is not an issue at all during the first two thirds of pregnancy. However, by the third trimester, the uterus becomes heavy enough so that it might push backwards against the large vein of the abdomen (called the inferior vena cava) and cut off blood flow to the heart. For this reason, women are encouraged to recline on their left sides instead of their backs. As a practical matter, lying on one’s back during late pregnancy is usually reported as very uncomfortable for the woman and so it is most unlikely that anyone would elect to lie in that position. The best position for a woman in very late pregnancy if side lying were uncomfortable would be a semi-sitting position in a recliner.Q.
My mother advised me to stop having my hair highlighted during my pregnancy. The colorist said it’s perfectly safe to color my hair. I don’t want to jeopardize my baby’s health, but if there’s no risk, I want to continue to color my hair. Is there a real reason to stop?A.
There is no evidence to support any prohibition on hair coloring during pregnancy on the basis of known risks to the fetus. It must be understood, however, that there are only a relatively few substances that have been studied adequately to provide complete reassurance – and hair dye is certainly not one of them.Q.
I’m eight weeks’ pregnant, and I’m experiencing what felt like menstrual cramps before the pregnancy – without the bleeding. What does this mean?A.
It is very common to experience sharp, shooting pains in the low abdomen during the first eight to ten weeks of pregnancy. In most cases, this is due to ligament stretching and is not hazardous. If, however, this symptom is accompanied by bleeding, it is not normal and you must report it to your clinician immediately.Q.
I just found out that I’m pregnant and, as thrilled as I am about the baby, I’m nauseated much of the time. I really can’t keep anything down these days, and I’m worried about not providing the proper nutrition for my baby. Is this nausea temporary, and does it pose a risk to my child?A.
Nausea of pregnancy is quite normal and rarely presents a hazard to the pregnant woman or to her baby. Small, frequent meals with carbohydrate foods such as crackers will usually be of some help. There are, however, some extreme cases in which dehydration occurs. This is never considered normal and may even require intravenous fluids for a few days in the hospital. In almost every case, the condition resolves by 12 weeks of pregnancy.
