HealthyLife Articles

Tag: pregnancy

Safe Travel For Pregnant Women

Healthy Travel

Expecting to travel before your baby is due? Follow these guidelines.

* Check with your physician to make sure travel is permissible. Travel during pregnancy is least risky during the fourth to sixth months.

* If you’re planning to travel by airplane or train, ask for an aisle seat so you can get to the lavatory more easily.

* Don’t exert yourself to the point of fatigue.

* If you experience motion sickness, get some fresh air or eat soda crackers. Don’t take motion sickness medication.

* If you’re traveling by car, wear a safety belt. It should fit snugly across your chest and hips, not over your stomach.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Medical Tests

Medical Exams

Home medical tests let you check for and monitor health conditions at home.

Self-Testing Kits

* Diagnose when conditions are or are not present. These include kits that test for blood cholesterol level and blood in the stool.

* Monitor a chronic condition. These include kits that test for blood sugar levels and blood pressure readings.

The U.S. Public Health Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) give tips for safe and proper use of self-testing kits. (Each of these does not apply to all tests.)

* Don’t buy or use a test kit after the expiration date.

* Follow storage directions on the label.

* Note special precautions, such as not eating certain foods before testing.

* Study the package insert. First, read it through to get a general idea of how to perform the test. Then, go back and review the instructions and diagrams until you fully understand each step.

* Know what the test is meant to do and what it doesn’t do. Tests are not always 100% accurate.

* Some test results rely on comparing colors. If you’re colorblind, ask someone who is not colorblind to help you read the results.

* Follow instructions exactly. Don’t skip a step.

* When you collect a urine sample, use a sterile or clean container.

* Some steps need to be timed. Use a watch or clock with a second hand.

* Note what you should do if the results are positive, negative, or unclear.

* If something is not clear, don’t guess. Call the “800” number on the package or call a pharmacist for information.

* Keep test kits that have chemicals out of the reach of children. Discard away used test materials as directed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
More Than One Baby

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Causes

Having more than one baby may happen more often if:

* There is a family history of it.

* The mother is taking medicine or having treatment to get pregnant.

* She is an older mother.

More than one baby can happen in two ways. The most common way is when two or more eggs are fertilized by two or more sperm. These babies can be either boys or girls. They may or may not look alike. They are called fraternal twins or triplets, etc.

Less common is when an egg is fertilized by a sperm as usual. Then, for some reason, the egg splits apart. Two or more babies grow. They are the same sex. Their hair, eyes, and skin will be the same color. They are called identical twins or triplets, etc.

In rare cases, the egg doesn’t split apart all the way. The twins stay joined together at the head or back. Or they may be joined at some other part of the body. They are called conjoined twins. Sometimes surgery can separate them after they are born. This can be very risky.

Signs

At first, a woman may not know she is carrying more than one baby. Her health care provider can usually tell within 8 weeks, though. Signs include:

* Severe nausea and vomiting

* The uterus is growing faster than usual.

* There are two or more heartbeats.

* An ultrasound picture of the uterus shows more than one baby.

Risks

The health care provider watches for risks that come with carrying more than one baby.

* Low iron and oxygen in mother’s blood.

* Less and less blood flows to the baby.

* High blood pressure and preeclampsia.

* Gestational diabetes.

* Difficult labor

* Preterm labor and preterm birth. Preterm birth happens 3 weeks or more before the due date.

* Low birth weights. A low birth weight is less than 5-1/2 pounds.

Some mothers can have a vaginal birth with more than one baby. Others may need a Cesarean section (C-section) for a safe delivery.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* You will need more prenatal health care visits than with just one baby. You will need extra blood tests and blood pressure checks. Your provider will need to make sure each baby is doing well. Call your provider whenever you have questions during your pregnancy.

* Eat healthy foods.

* Eat smaller meals more often. This helps ease things as your growing uterus presses on your stomach.

* Take your prenatal vitamins (vitamin pills) every day. They should include iron and folic acid. They will supply other needed vitamins and minerals, too.

* Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs.

* Exercise only with your health care provider’s consent. Women carrying more than one baby tire more easily. In later pregnancy, avoid any activity that takes a lot of energy. Avoid any activity that could injure you or your babies.

* Lie on your left side. This helps blood flow to the babies. It may help keep blood pressure down, too. It also makes you more comfortable. Don’t lie on your back.

* Reduce stress in your life. Stress can lead to early labor.

* Get enough sleep. Learn and use methods to relax.

* Follow your health care provider’s advice on rest during the day.

* Get help with daily tasks, like caring for other children. If you can, take time off from your job after the 24th week.

* Watch for signs of preterm labor. Your provider may have you wear an electronic monitor. It senses contractions of the uterus.

* Choose a well-equipped hospital. Do this with your health care provider’s help. The hospital should be well suited for births of more than one baby. Choose one with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This has special staff and equipment for babies born too early.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Backaches

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Causes

Pregnant women get backaches because:

* The growing uterus and extra weight pull the body forward. Standing this way can strain the back muscles.

* Hormones are released during pregnancy. These make the ligaments soften and stretch. Ligaments are tissues that surround and support the joints.

* Joints in the lower back get sore from pressure. This happens to joints in the pelvic area, too. The baby is growing in size and weight.

* The baby presses against the tailbone.

Prevention

Do exercises your health care provider tells you to do. Use good posture, too. Keep your spine straight when you are standing. Have a friend check your back for curving: Stand with your heels against a wall. Ask your friend to look at your back. Tell him or her to let you know if it curves. Center your weight over the pelvic area. Be careful when you bend over, too. Bending wrong can give you a backache.

Back Labor

Most women have some back pain during labor. Some women have it through their whole labor. This is called back labor. It is caused by the way the baby is lying. The back of the baby’s head presses against the tailbone. Or it may press slightly to one side of it. Back labor can occur in preterm labor, too.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care

Tips for Good Posture

When you stand:

* Stand straight.

* Tuck in your bottom.

* Don’t hollow your back.

* Don’t tighten your shoulders or hold them back. Keep them dropped.

* If you have to stand for a long time: Stretch your feet and shift your weight. Rest one foot and then the other on a footstool or telephone book.

When you sit:

* Sit on a straight chair with a high back.

* Rest your back against the chair’s back.

* Put a pillow at the small of your back.

* Rest one or both feet on a footstool.

* Don’t sit too long. It strains your lower back. Get up and walk around.

When you bend:

* To pick something up, squat down on your heels and bend your knees. Keep your upper body straight. Don’t lean over from the waist. Use the strength from your legs, not your back.

* To do something down low, kneel or squat. Or get down on all fours. That way, you help take the baby’s weight off your spine.

When you lie down or sleep:

* Use a firm mattress. If you don’t have one, have someone help you place a board under your mattress. Or have someone put your mattress on the floor.

* Lie on your left side with your knees bent. Bend the upper knee more than the lower knee. Leave a lot of space between your legs.

* Put a pillow under your upper knee and leg.

Other Self-Care Tips

* Don’t gain too much weight.

* Wear shoes with low (but not flat) heels.

* On a long car ride, stop every two hours. Get out and walk around.

* Don’t take medicine for pain. Ask your health care provider first.

* Don’t lift objects over 15 pounds.

* Don’t do exercises where you lift both legs at the same time.

* Do exercises for stronger back and belly muscles. Ask your health care provider for these.

* Do relaxation and deep breathing exercises. Do yoga.

* Have someone massage your lower back. Massage won’t cure a backache. It can loosen tight muscles, though.

* Apply warm, moist heat to your back. Use a hot water bottle or warm wash cloth.

* Ask your health care provider if you should wear a back support girdle, a back brace, or a special elastic sling.

* Do an exercise called the “pelvic rock”. This exercise helps your lower back be more flexible. It helps make the muscles in your belly stronger.

You can stand to do the pelvic rock.

Step 1

* Stand 2 feet away from the back of a chair.

* Put your hands on the chair’s back. Keep your elbows straight.

* Bend a little forward from your hips.

Step 2

* Push your hips backward and relax the muscles in your belly. Relax your back.

* Bend your knees a little.

Step 3

* Slowly pull your hips forward.

* Tuck your buttocks under as if someone were pushing you from behind.

Step 4

* Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3.

You can do the pelvic rock on your hands and knees.

Step 1

Get down on all fours. Have your knees slightly apart. Have your back and elbows straight.

Step 2

Breathe in. As you breathe in, relax your back. Use the muscles in your lower belly.

Step 3

Breathe out. As you breath out, let your back relax down to a flat position. Do not let your back sag.

Step 4

Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3.

{Note: Tell your health care provider if you get pain when you do the pelvic rock. Ask for help if you have a problem doing the pelvic rock.}

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Nausea And Vomiting

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Nausea is when you feel like throwing up. Vomiting is when you do throw up. They are both signs of morning sickness. It is usually due to changes in hormones. Low blood sugar levels also cause it.

Despite its name, morning sickness can happen any time of day. It can even happen in the evening. Morning sickness usually begins around the 6th week. For most women, it ends after the first trimester. For some, it lasts longer. For a few, it can last the whole pregnancy.

Upset stomach and throwing up can also be caused by:

* A virus in the intestines. Diarrhea can go along with this.

* Spoiled food

* Eating or drinking too much

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Keep crackers or dry cereal by your bed. Eat a few crackers or a handful of dry cereal in bed. Do this before you lift your head up in the morning.

* Get up and out of bed slowly. If you can, sit in bed for a half-hour before you get up.

* Use these tips to keep your blood sugar from getting too low:

– Eat small regular meals and snacks through the day. Focus on foods high in carbohydrates. Examples: whole grain breads and cereals, potatoes, pasta. More examples: rice, beans and other legumes, vegetables, fruits.

– Have a good source of protein at each meal. Examples: low-fat milk, yogurt, low-fat cheese, dry beans, dry peas.

– Have a snack before you go to bed at night. Have one if you wake up at night.

– Avoid foods with high sugar content.

– Don’t drink alcohol.

* Don’t smoke.

* Don’t eat fried or greasy foods. These foods have a lot of fat. Fat stays in the stomach for a long time. This can lead to nausea.

* Don’t eat spicy foods.

* Don’t take any medicine without your health care provider’s okay.

* Take your prenatal vitamins (vitamin pills) with meals. This helps prevent stomach upset. Your doctor may prescribe PremesisRx®. This is a vitamin that helps nausea.

* Ask your health care provider about taking ginger and in what form.

* Write down the times when your stomach is upset and when you throw up. These may happen only after you eat certain foods. Or they may happen with certain smells. Once you know what they are, you can avoid them.

* Stay away from smoke and smoky rooms. Even stay away from cooking smells.

* Get plenty of rest.

* Discuss any home remedies with your health care provider. Do this to make sure they are safe.

* Ask your health care provider about a relief band. That’s a wrist band that helps with an upset stomach and throwing up.

* If the Self-Care Tips bring no relief, call your health care provider. He or she can prescribe medicines. Sometimes, IV fluids are needed.

* To get rid of cooking smells and odors:

– Open the windows.

– Run fans in the house. Use the exhaust fan on the stove.

– Use a portable air cleaner or air purifier.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Birth Defects

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

In the U.S., about one out of 33 babies is born with a birth defect. This includes cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, heart defects, sickle cell disease, spina bifida, and Tay-Sachs disease.

A baby’s neural tube starts to develop about 3 weeks after conception (before many women know they are pregnant).

Females of childbearing age should take a daily supplement with 400 micrograms of folic acid (a B vitamin). Women who have had a baby with a neural tube defect should follow their doctor’s advice about folic acid for future pregnancies.

Learn about birth defects from the March of Dimes atmarchofdimes.com.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Plan For A Healthy Pregnancy

Women’s Health

To help a pregnancy get off to a good start, take these steps before you get pregnant:

* Get a medical checkup. Discuss your medical history and your family medical history with your doctor.

* Do you have a chronic medical problem, such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure? If you do, ask your doctor if changes need to be made in your treatment plan.

* Find out what medicines you can take. Ask which ones you should not take. Tell or show your doctor all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, etc. that you take. Ask if you need to change any of these while you try to get pregnant.

* Take 400 to 800 micrograms (.4 to .8 milligrams) of folic acid every day. This B vitamin can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Make sure you take folic acid for at least one month before you get pregnant. Women who have had a baby with a serious problem of the brain or spine should take the amount of folic acid their doctors advise.

* Discuss current and past birth control methods. Ask what method you should use until you decide to get pregnant.

* If you or your partner has a family history of sickle-cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, etc., get genetic counseling. Do this, too, if you are older than age 35 or if your partner is age 60 or older.

* Do you smoke? Do you take street drugs? If so, now is the time to quit. Get help if you need it.

* Stop or limit alcohol use. This will make it easier to go without it when you are pregnant.

* Get vaccines, as advised by your doctor.

* Avoid exposure to X-rays.

* Caffeine is okay for women planning to get pregnant, but limit it to 400 milligrams a day. This is the amount in about two 8-ounce cups of coffee. Follow your doctor’s advice for caffeine during pregnancy.

* Get regular exercise.

* If you are overweight, lose weight before you get pregnant.

* Eat healthy foods. These include:

– Fruits and vegetables.

– Whole grain breads and cereals.

– Low-fat dairy foods and other calcium-rich foods.

Resources

March of Dimes

www.marchofdimes.com

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bleeding

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Pregnant women sometimes have light spotting. That’s when a tiny bit of blood leaks from the vagina or the surface of the cervix. It may happen after a vaginal exam. It may also happen after sex. If the blood starts out pink or red and turns dark brown, it is not active bleeding. This is not usually a problem. But let your health care provider know when there is any bleeding. He or she will decide what to do. Bleeding can be a sign of a problem if:

* The blood is bright red.

* Pain or cramps are present, too.

* The bleeding is heavy. Heavy means the bleeding soaks a sanitary pad.

* The spotting keeps going on.

Causes

Before the 20th week, bleeding could be, but is not always, a sign of miscarriage. Other causes of bleeding include:

* Loss of the mucus plug

* Kidney infection

* Preterm labor

* Placenta previa and other problems called vasa previa and marginal previa

* Placenta abruptio

* Swollen cervix

Placenta Previa

The placenta carries oxygen and food to the baby. In most pregnancies, the placenta attaches high in the uterus. In placenta previa, it attaches low, over the cervix. The lower uterus stretches during late pregnancy. Parts of the placenta tear from the wall. That causes bleeding.

Placenta previa is rare. It happens in only 1 in 200 pregnancies. Its cause is not known. Falls and injuries are not factors. Symptoms of placenta previa are:

* Bright red vaginal bleeding. This could start as early as the 24th week. Often, it starts during the 34th or 35th week.

* Usually, there is no pain or cramping.

A woman may not know that she has placenta previa until bleeding happens. Then an ultrasound test can show the problem.

Women with placenta previa have to spend a lot of time in bed. Bed rest may last late into the pregnancy. Bed rest gives the baby time to grow. It prevents stress to the uterus. The goal is to keep blood loss down. A lot of blood loss means danger for both mother and baby. In severe cases, the mother may have to go to the hospital for treatment.

In some cases, the bleeding stops, but the placenta blocks the cervix. The mother will need a Cesarean section (C-section) delivery if the placenta completely blocks the cervix. The mother may need a C-section if the placenta only partly blocks the cervix. When this happens, the mother may have more bleeding after she delivers the baby.

{Note: Some pregnant women may have a “low lying placenta.” This means the placenta lies at the bottom of the uterus (not higher where it should be). An ultrasound can show a “low lying” placenta. If it is found before the 24th week, the placenta can move upward and out of the way of the cervix. If so, there is no longer a problem.}

Placenta Abruptio

There is a right time for delivery of the placenta. That’s after the baby is born. But sometimes it happens another way. The placenta starts to leave the wall of the uterus too early. It starts before the baby is born. This can happen whether the placenta is attached high or low.

Placenta abruptio happens in about 1 in 200 pregnancies. Some cases are more serious than others. Causes might be high blood pressure or a serious blow to the belly. An older mother may be more apt to have placenta abruptio. So are women who use cocaine during pregnancy. Symptoms of placenta abruptio are:

* Bright red vaginal bleeding

* Severe pain in the abdomen. The pain lasts. It doesn’t come and go.

There are no tests for placenta abruptio. Even ultrasound may not show it. Regular prenatal visits help. The health care provider looks for blood in the mother’s vagina. The provider finds out if the uterus is tender.

Women with placenta abruptio need to go to the hospital right away. Some women can have a vaginal delivery. That’s if labor begins on its own and the baby is healthy. Otherwise, a C-section is done. The mother may be given blood.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Watch closely for bleeding. If you see any, call your health care provider.

* Rest in bed for light bleeding.

* Avoid doing things that could injure you. Examples: heavy lifting, hard exercise. Don’t do work, sports, or exercises that could give you a blow to the belly.

* Wear a special seat belt when you drive. You can get one that protects a pregnant woman’s belly.

* Don’t smoke.

* Don’t be exposed to other people’s smoke.

* Follow your health care provider’s advice about sex. You may be told to:

– Avoid sex.

– Use extra caution during sex:

– Your partner can focus on more gentle touching.

– Limit how deeply the penis enters the vagina. Use positions that help control the depth.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safe Pregnancy After Age Thirty-Five

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Age is not the biggest factor in a healthy pregnancy. The biggest factor is the good health of the mother.

Becoming pregnant after the age of 35, however, poses a number of potential problems. Chances for conception decrease with age. The incidence of miscarriage and premature birth is slightly higher in later-life pregnancies. So is the likelihood that the mother will develop diabetes or high blood pressure. The chances that a baby will be born with a genetic defect increases, too. So along with other health considerations, a pregnant woman in her mid-thirties or older should:

* Discuss with her doctor, in detail, her pregnancy plans, risk factors, and measures she needs to take for a healthy pregnancy.

* Talk to her doctor about prenatal genetic tests.

About Amniocentesis

Usually performed at about 16 weeks into the pregnancy, amniocentesis can detect Down’s syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, Rh incompatibility, and spina bifida. (Amniocentesis will also reveal the sex of the child, but it’s never done for that purpose alone.) The doctor uses a long needle to draw out a sample of amniotic fluid, which is tested for genetic abnormalities. The test itself presents some risk-there is about 1 chance in 100 to 1 chance in 200 that a miscarriage may occur.

Amniocentesis is justified under the following conditions.

* The pregnant woman is 35 years old or older or requests genetic testing.

* Someone in the mother’s or father’s immediate family (a parent, sibling, or child) has a genetic or metabolic disorder.

* There is a family history of hemophilia (a bleeding disorder) or spina bifida (a neural tube defect).

* An earlier pregnancy produced a baby with chromosome abnormalities.

Amniocentesis can’t detect abnormalities such as a club foot or cleft palate, so normal results don’t necessarily guarantee a normal baby. Another technique called chorionic villous sampling (CVS) analyzes a small sample of the placenta and can be performed earlier than amniocentesis, (between weeks 8 and 12 of the pregnancy). The earlier testing is done, the more time the prospective parents and their doctor have to decide on the best course of action.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bleeding 2

First Aid

Most adults can donate a pint of blood without harmful side effects, but losing a quart of blood, quickly, can lead to shock and even death. In a child, losing a pint (or less depending on the child’s size) can put the child in extreme danger.

Signs & Symptoms

For External Bleeding

* A skin wound.

* Dark red blood gushes or flows from veins.

* Bright red blood spurts from arteries.

* Blood oozes from capillaries. The bleeding usually clots off by itself.

For Internal Bleeding

* Vomiting or coughing up true, red blood. This includes blood-tinged sputum.

* A bruise on the skin of the chest or abdomen, especially if it is in a place where no blow was struck.

* Fractured ribs.

* Dizziness. Fainting. Weakness.

* Lethargy. Excessive sleepiness. Mental status changes. These can occur with trauma to the head, even if it is mild.

* Fast pulse. Cold, moist skin.

* Stools contain bright red blood or are black (not due to taking iron).

Causes

For External Bleeding

* Abrasions (scraped skin). Lacerations (cut skin with jagged edges). Punctures.

* Knife, gunshot, or other wounds can graze or penetrate the skin. These can damage internal blood vessels and body organs.

* Injury wounds.

For Internal Bleeding

* A bruise. This is bleeding from and damage to tissues beneath the skin.

* Damage to blood vessels and/or internal structures. This includes a blunt injury that does not break the skin, a bleeding ulcer, and an aneurysm.

* Bleeding disorders.

Taking blood-thinning drugs can result in both internal and external bleeding.

Treatment

When bleeding occurs, the goal is to find the source, stop or lessen the bleeding, and help the body cope with the loss of blood.

* For severe bleeding, treatment includes first aid measures and emergency medical care.

* For minor bleeding, treatment depends on the cause and other medical conditions present.

* Bleeding disorders need to be treated by a doctor.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For Severe Bleeding

* Without delay, apply direct pressure to the wound using a sterile dressing or clean cloths. {Note: If the cut is large and the edges of it gape open, pinch the edges of the wound while you apply pressure.}

* Call 9-1-1 or take the person to nearest hospital emergency department.

* Do not remove an object that is stuck in a wound. Pack it in place with padding. Put tape around the padding so it doesn’t move.

* If bleeding continues before getting medical help, put extra cloths, etc. on top of existing ones. Keep putting pressure on the wound until bleeding stops or until medical help takes over.

* The most important thing to do is to apply direct pressure on the bleeding site. Some health experts advise to do these things, too, if needed:

– Elevate the wounded area higher than heart level while applying pressure. Do this if no bone is broken.

– Apply pressure to a “pressure point” if bleeding still continues after 15 to 20 minutes of direct pressure. Use the pressure point closest to the bleeding site that is between the wound and the heart. (See Pressure Points.)

* Don’t apply a tourniquet except to save a life.

* While giving first aid for bleeding, keep looking for signs of shock.

For an Amputation

* Control bleeding.

* Wrap the severed part in a clean, dry (not wet) cloth or sterile gauze. Place the wrapped part in a plastic bag or other waterproof container. Put these on a bed of ice. Do not submerge the severed part in cold water or ice.

For Bleeding from the Scalp

* Use a ring pad to apply pressure around the edges of the wound, not on the wound. Make a ring pad (shaped like a doughnut) with a bandage of narrow, long strips of cloth. Start with one end of the narrow bandage and wrap it around all four fingers on one hand until you form a loop. Leave a long strip of the bandage material to weave in and around the loop so it doesn’t unravel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026