Pregnancy

Experts Answers Is it safe to do sit-ups or abdominal crunches during pregnancy? Jeanne-Marie Guise ob-gyn Sit-ups and crunches are fine in your first trimester. But by your second trimester, you'll need to avoid lying on your back because as your ...

Experts Answers Is it safe to do sit-ups or abdomi...

Maybe you'd heard about how thick and lovely the hair on your head would be during pregnancy. But if the new growth on your chin, upper lip, and cheeks is throwing you for a loop, don't worry! It's completely normal and — even better — temporary. Pre...

Maybe you'd heard about how thick and lovely the h...

We don't know for sure. Not enough research has been done to determine whether electrolysis is safe during pregnancy. That said, electrolysis has been around for over 100 years, and in all that time there haven't been any reported cases of harmful ef...

We don't know for sure. Not enough research has be...

If you're considering belly button piercing and become pregnant, postponing the procedure until after delivery is the best idea.As your belly gets bigger along with your baby, the skin of your belly could tighten considerably as it stretches. This so...

If you're considering belly button piercing and be...

If you're not feeling attractive during pregnancy, the look of sun-kissed skin may do wonders for your self-esteem. The good news is that the ingredients in self-tanners are harmless, so it's fine to use them during pregnancy. These lotions and spray...

If you're not feeling attractive during pregnancy,...

No. Accutane is known to cause birth defects, so it's not safe for any woman who's pregnant or trying to conceive. In fact, it would be very difficult to get a prescription for this drug while you're pregnant. Accutane is a man-made form of vitamin A...

No. Accutane is known to cause birth defects, so i...

There are several concerns about tattoos, so it's probably best to wait until after delivery to get one. Here are some things to consider: Hepatitis B, a dangerous liver infection, and HIV/AIDS are two of many diseases that can be passed along throu...

There are several concerns about tattoos, so it's ...

The limited evidence that's available suggests that it's probably safe to dye your hair during pregnancy. The Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), which provides information on potential reproductive risks, says that animal studies...

The limited evidence that's available suggests tha...

Yes. Wearing an underwire bra while you're pregnant shouldn't cause a health problem for you or your baby. But you'll probably find your old underwire bras too constrictive and uncomfortable as you gain weight and your ribcage expands to accommodate ...

Yes. Wearing an underwire bra while you're pregnan...

Yes, most likely. There isn't a specific time when moms-to-be are supposed to start showing, because it happens differently for different women.As long as your healthcare provider says your baby is developing properly and your weight gain is on track...

Yes, most likely. There isn't a specific time when...

Yes, most likely. There's no one-size-fits-all formula for how women show during pregnancy, says George Macones, head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.In fact, a number of normal ...

Yes, most likely. There's no one-size-fits-all for...

Yes. Though we've grown up with images of pregnant women ordering ice cream with a side of pickles or sending their partners out in the middle of the night for a very specific brand of potato chips, it's perfectly normal to have no specific or unusua...

Yes. Though we've grown up with images of pregnant...

A small number of women have morning sickness that lasts into the second and even third trimester of pregnancy. So while uncommon, it is normal for some expecting moms. Still, you should definitely talk to your healthcare provider if you're past the ...

A small number of women have morning sickness that...

Absolutely. When you take your seat on the pregnancy hormone roller-coaster, hot flashes — like mood swings — may come along for the ride.Regular fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly drops in estrogen, are to blame for surges of heat that can...

Absolutely. When you take your seat on the pregnan...

I married three years ago and got two stepkids in the deal. We only see them every other weekend, but I've loved them as if they were my own ... until now. We thought I couldn't conceive, but I turned up pregnant! It's a dream come true. What's awful...

I married three years ago and got two stepkids in ...

It's generally more common to suffer from constipation than diarrhea during pregnancy. But some women do report having mild diarrhea just before they go into labor. Otherwise, just like when you're not pregnant, you can have diarrhea caused by a stom...

It's generally more common to suffer from constipa...

Yes. Fetal hiccupping is a normal phenomenon that's been felt by many pregnant women and has been observed on many an ultrasound. Your baby may have started hiccupping intermittently beginning in the late first or early second trimester, although you...

Yes. Fetal hiccupping is a normal phenomenon that'...

10. Food aversionsIf you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of a bologna sandwich or a cup of coffee, and for certain aromas to trigger your gag reflex. Though no one knows for sure, this may be a side effect of rapidl...

10. Food aversionsIf you're newly pregnant, it's n...

I'm a plus-size woman and I've actually lost 10 pounds or so during my first trimester without trying — is this normal? Is it safe for my baby?It's not uncommon for overweight women to lose some weight during pregnancy or to have only a small weight ...

I'm a plus-size woman and I've actually lost 10 po...

Many mothers begin to leak colostrum (sometimes called premilk) while they're pregnant, typically sometime in the third trimester. Other expectant moms don't. Either way, it's normal. You might want to wear nursing pads in your bra to protect your cl...

Many mothers begin to leak colostrum (sometimes ca...

Yes. Many pregnant women have an adverse reaction to certain foods, including vegetables, during the first trimester. This will probably subside when you're between 13 and 17 weeks pregnant. In the meantime, drinking pure vegetable juice is one way ...

Yes. Many pregnant women have an adverse reaction ...