The Pregnancy Blog Week in Review for July 1-July 7

Each week in the Pregnancy Blog, I try to cover a variety of topics on all stages of pregnancy, birth and infertility. The Week in Review is a great way to catch up on reading and find the articles that are most relevent for you. As always, I’m very interested in your feedback or suggestions for future blog topics. I’m not Leaking; Will I be Able to Breastfeed? This was a question that caused me to lose sleep during my first pregnancy. Everything I read suggested that I would see colostrum leaking at some point in my pregnancy. This blog … Continue reading

Sun Safety Tips for Pregnant Women

Summer is here and most of us are spending more time outdoors. The summer sun is strong, so use care when engaging in outdoor activities. You can enjoy the sun safely by following a few simple tips. Sunscreen is safe for pregnant women, so don’t hesitate to apply it liberally before heading outdoors. Choose at least an SPF 15 and carry it with you. If you are spending time in the water, be sure to reapply the sunscreen throughout the day. You can protect your skin with clothing as well. Clothing and bathing suits that are made with special material … Continue reading

The Pregnancy Blog Week in Review for Jan 27 – Feb 2

Time flies when you are pregnant. With the pressures of work, other children and family responsibilities, it’s easy to get busy and miss some of the articles posted in the Pregnancy Blog. This weekly review is an easy and fast way to get caught up on your reading. Saturday, January 27 Let’s Talk About Water Birth: Fluid Pain Relief Sara Denomme talks about the magical experience of her daughter’s home water birth. Sunday, January 28 If you are planning to breastfeed your new baby, you will need a good book as a resource. Check out Great Breastfeeding Books for some … Continue reading

Hot Weather, Pregnancy and Asthma

I’ll be attending an outdoor wedding this weekend. Temperatures are supposed to reach the eighties, and with isolated thunderstorms in the forecast, it’s likely to be quite humid as well. One of my good friends is just weeks away from her due date and will be standing up in the wedding. We were wondering if the sweltering heat would bring on labor. There is no evidence that hot weather can bring on labor for a full term pregnant woman, but there are other precautions for those who are expecting during these hot summer months, particularly those who have asthma. Hot … Continue reading

Enjoying the Beach, Safely

Many of the most popular summertime vacation spots include a beach. You may have read, in this blog or elsewhere, that tanning is not a good idea during pregnancy. You may be wondering if this means you can’t go to the beach. In a word, no. You can still enjoy some time on the beach by following a few safety tips. One of the biggest problems with tanning and spending time at the beach is overheating. You can help avoid overheating by staying in shade and getting in the water to keep from getting too hot. If you are really … Continue reading

Do You Wear Your Seatbelt?

Seatbelt safety campaigns have been effective at increasing the number of people buckling up. Studies show that seatbelts save lives. As a result, most states now have laws regarding seatbelts for adults and car seats for babies and young children. In spite of our knowledge of the effectiveness of seatbelts, many pregnant women do not wear them. If they are wearing them, they may not be using the belt correctly. This can endanger both mom and baby in the event of an accident. A study conducted at the University of Michigan supports the use of seatbelts among pregnant women. The … Continue reading

Is Tanning Safe?

Whether you are thinking of escaping the frigid temperatures on an island paradise or just visiting your local tanning salon, you may be worried about the effect on your baby. Although there is abundant evidence that exposure to UV rays is bad for you, no large studies have been done on the effect on the fetus. A big reason for the lack of studies is ethical issues. Researchers are hesitant to conduct research studies on pregnant women without a clear medical need. In addition, few pregnant women would line up for a study which could potentially cause unknown harm to … Continue reading

Is it Safe to go Boating?

Boating is a popular summer activity. If you live near water or own a boat, you may wonder if it’s safe to go boating when you are pregnant. The safety of your boat ride depends on several factors. In some cases, a boat ride may be completely safe. In other cases, it may not be the best idea. For advice on your specific situation, you should speak to your health care provider. In general, activities that can pose a risk to your baby are not recommended during pregnancy. This could be any activity that could result in trauma to the … Continue reading

Is it Safe to Use a Self Tanner?

By now you probably know it’s not safe to lie out in the sun or tan in a tanning bed when you are pregnant. If you love the look of tan skin, you may be considering a self tanner. This seems like the perfect solution, but is it safe? Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer to this question. The reason there is no clear answer is that there haven’t been any studies on the effects of home tanning products. While there is no evidence that they are harmful, there is no clear evidence that they are safe either. Until … Continue reading

Visiting Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are a time honored tradition in the summertime. If you have older children, you may want to take them to an amusement park, but worry about your growing baby. There are some precautions you can take to enjoy your day at the park safely. In most parks, signs are posted warning riders of potential health dangers. These warnings are often directed toward pregnant women and people with heart problems. Look for posted signs before boarding any ride. If there is a warning sign, sit that one out. While large parks such as Disney and Busch Gardens have signs, … Continue reading