Maternal Dental

Hey guys!  So here I am with another question.  I just heard the weirdest thing.  I had no idea about this but apparently your oral health gets all crazy when you are pregnant.  I was reading about root canals and teeth falling out and lots and lots of gingivitis going on.  I guess it has something to do with pregnancy hormones but it does not make mouth happy.  Is this for real?  Did you notice any changes with your teeth and gums and such while pregnant?  I know dental hygiene is always important but is pregnancy a time to be militant about it?  Also I heard that you should not get any dental work done while pregnant, fillings and stuff.  But that you should get your 6 month cleaning religiously or you'll regret it.  What do you think?

Challenges

It seems fun and exciting to be pregnant and have a baby.  But, realistically, there are some down sides and big challenges to the whole ordeal.  I don’t want to be overly negative so I am just putting a few topics together in one post.  I want to ask if you know any good tips or tricks to help with some of the not-so-joyous things about pregnancy and the time soon after.

I have heard that there is no way to get rid of stretch marks once you have them.  But there may be ways to prevent them, or at least the worst of them.  Have you found a miracle cream or oil? Or does massage or (voluntary) stretching help?

Although there are some couples who find themselves expecting without even trying, infertility is a huge challenge that many still face.  IVF and other scientific advances and procedures are helping many couples beat the odds, but what would you say is a good, simple, non-evasive first step in overcoming this challenge?

I already posted about morning sickness but I am hoping for a few more responses.  So, any more ideas for help with one of the hardest conditions that come with carrying a baby?  Did you find a secret potion or activity that helped you?

A friend once told me that all new mothers get postpartum depression.  The question is just how badly you are affected and for how long.  If you or someone you know was affected by Baby Blues, did you find a way to feel better or was it just something you had to grow out of? 

I also know that swelling is a real issue during pregnancy.  It doesn’t sound fun having your feet, ankles, fingers, and such blowing up like balloons.  What cures have you found effective in combating the swell that isn’t so swell?

I would love to hear about any helpful hints for overcoming these mommy issues. So  please comment below or write me an email at natphatrat@gmail.com.  Thanks!

40 Weeks???

Nine months ≠ 40 weeks.  Last time I checked, that would be 10 months.  What’s up with that?  Can someone please explain this discrepancy to me? Would a nine-month pregnancy baby be considered a preemie?  How long was your first pregnancy?  Was he/she considered early? Late? Right on the due date?  I have heard that most 1st babies come early.  I have also heard that most 1st babies come late.  Please help shed a little light on the subject.  It just doesn’t seem to add up to me.

Just a note:

I just wanted to mention a couple of things.  I am not sure if everyone is aware, but I respond to all the comments you guys post on here.  Just want you to know I am reading all of them and learning a lot.  I also ask follow up questions in the comments sometimes.  So, don't forget to glance back at old posts.  The other thing I would ask is that you take my email address out of your junk folders so that I can send group emails from time to time.  Since there are quite a few of you on my mailing list some email accounts send my messages to the trash.  That means I have to re-do my whole email over and over and send it to each person individually and it takes forever.  So please rescue me from the trash can!!! =)


Thank you all so much!
Natalie

Mom's Physical Fitness

I know it is important to stay healthy and active during a pregnancy.  Being fit helps you feel better while you are pregnant, makes labor a little easier, and helps you get back to being you after baby arrives.  So, I am looking for some tips for being a fit mama from you girls.  Here are some of my questions on the subject:

How far into a pregnancy can you exercise the way you normally would?

Can you exercise at all when you are getting close to Labor Day?

What are some good low impact things you can do for two?

I have heard swimming and yoga are good during pregnancy.  Do you agree? Any other activities I should know about?

Is it really possible to get your pre-baby body back?


Thanks for your advice!

A Message From Matt

Hello girls.  First off, thank you so much for all of the valuable information and help you have given to Natalie.  Starting to even think of having a baby scares the crap out of us so your advice and encouragement has been a much needed balm of Gilead.  As I think Natalie wrote to you before, we thought it would be a good idea if I occasionally posted something here so that I could draw on your expertise to help me out. 

For my first post I want to ask a somewhat general question.  In all of your experience was there something that your husbands did or didn’t do that significantly helped you through your pregnancy?  Of course there is always the cliché image of the husband freaking out more than the wife when its time to have the baby and rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off, forgetting everything and passing out at the first sign of the actual birth.  I’m looking to not be that guy.  What could I do that would help Natalie most in getting through the long nine months of a pregnancy? 

Again, thanks for all of your help so far.  I look forward to learning how I can be more of a help than a hindrance.

Morning Sickness

Hey Guys!  Sorry I haven’t posted in a while.  My computer decided to give up the ghost over the weekend and it took me awhile to get the hard drive replaced and everything up and running again.  Thank goodness I had most things backed up and only lost a few things.  Anyway, on to my next topic… I hear that one of the worst things about pregnancy is morning sickness, which can actually be all-day sickness.  It seems to plague about ¾ of expecting moms during the first trimester.  And some moms have it for longer.  I am very much not looking forward to experiencing this and wondered what tips and tricks you moms might have to share.  I happen to be a very gaggy person by nature.  I puke when I brush my teeth, I puke when we drive downtown and Matt makes too many turns, I puke when I floss, I puke if I eat too much, I puke if I feel the slightest bit sick and look at the toilet. I just can't help it!  I don’t really know what my problem is but I can see that it probably will not bode well once combined with pregnancy.  My mom said she never got morning sickness, but I won’t dare to hope for such luck.  So, what helped you get through those gaggy times? Help!