Does perineal massage help prevent tears?
Perineal massage a few weeks leading up to delivery may decrease the chance that you tear, but it does so by causing unwanted (and permanent) relaxation of the vaginal tissues.…
Why am I having weird dreams?
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the term we use for deep restful sleep when people experience vivid dreams. Pregnant women actually experience more REM sleep and therefore may feel…
These mood swings are crazy. Help!
Mood swings are common in pregnancy and may be self-limited. Pregnant women are tired, often anxious about the pregnancy and the changes of life occurring, and are busy preparing for…
Why am I peeing so much?
In the first trimester, certain hormones your pregnant body makes can stimulate urine production and the urge to pee. As the baby grows and the uterus expands, the bladder, located…
How can I quit smoking?
Cutting out smoking completely is very difficult for most patients, but doing so can drastically reduce the risks to your pregnancy and your own health. There are a number of…
Will going to the chiropractor help with aligning things to make for an easier delivery?
Unfortunately, there has not been quality evidence showing that chiropractic alignment will help with delivery. Until there is solid evidence supporting it, we don’t recommend it. One thing often recommended…
What skin changes are normal and when should I be concerned?
There are lots of skin changes that might happen during pregnancy; some are due to physiologic and hormonal changes and some are more serious. Let’s talk about some of the…
I feel like I’m about to pass out! What can I do?
Anything you normally do when you feel that way! Sit or lay down, have someone get you some water and food, and give yourself some time to let the feeling…
Is bleeding any amount normal?
Some amount of bleeding during the first trimester is very common, affecting about one-third of pregnant women. Avoid sex if you are bleeding until you can discuss the bleeding with…
Should I be worried about infections?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus related to the herpes viruses. It is so common that up to 85% of adults in the United States have been infected at some point…