Common Questions

What About Travel?

Most women can travel safely until close to their due date. Commonly, women travel in the greatest comfort during the second trimester (14-28 weeks). Most airlines allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks. Check with the airline for specific guidelines. Airport security scans are not harmful in pregnancy. If you travel by land or air take extra steps for your comfort and safety. Travel is not advised for high risk pregnancies. Ask your provider if you are unsure if travel is safe for you.

  • Always buckle up! Wear your lap belt under your abdomen and put the shoulder belt between your breasts and across your shoulder.
  • Walk around every hour or so. Flex and extend your ankles often
  • Drink plenty of fluids.

What about exercise?

Moderate exercise in pregnancy is encouraged if you are healthy and your pregnancy is proceeding normally. At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week. Regular exercise can help you cope with the physical changes of pregnancy and build stamina for the challenges ahead.

  • Remember to warm up and cool down.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and avoid overheating.
  • Avoid activities that may lead to an accidental fall or activities that force you to lie flat on your back after the 1st trimester.
  • Swimming, yoga (but not hot yoga), and moderate intensity aerobics are excellent ways to exercise. There are some situations where exercise or certain activities may not be safe, so it is important to discuss this with your doctor at your first prenatal visit.

What About Working?

Most women can continue working during pregnancy. To stay healthy and productive on the job, understand how to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts.

  • Take short, frequent breaks- get up and move.
  • Drink plenty of fluids-keep a water bottle with you and sip throughout the day.
  • Keep up your fitness routine- take a daily walk or join a prenatal fitness class.
  • Go to bed early- aim for 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
  • Use good back support for jobs that require long hours of sitting.
  • Wear comfortable shoes with good arch support and consider support hose for jobs that require long hours of standing.

What About Sex?

As long as you are comfortable, most sexual positions are OK during pregnancy. Sex is an important part of loving relationships. Most women can safely have sex during pregnancy. However, certain pregnancy complications, or complications you may have had in previous pregnancies, can make sex unsafe. Be sure to discuss this with your provider if you are unsure whether sex is appropriate. If you ever have heavy bleeding, painful cramping, or are leaking amniotic fluid please contact your provider or report to the emergency room.

What Foods Should I Avoid?

Understanding what foods to avoid during pregnancy can help you make the healthiest choices for you and your baby.

  • Avoid raw fish and shellfish (sushi, sashimi, raw oysters, scallops, or clams)
  • Avoid undercooked or contaminated seafood (Nova Style, lox, kippered)
  • Avoid seafood high in mercury (Swordfish, Shark, King Mackerel, Tilefish)
  • Limit Albacore tuna and tuna steak to no more than 6oz a week.
  • Avoid undercooked meat, poultry and eggs
  • Use a meat thermometer to make sure meats and poultry are fully cooked
  • Cook hotdogs and luncheon meats until they are steaming or avoid them completely
  • Avoid refrigerated pates and meat spreads
  • Cook eggs until the egg yolks and whites are firm
  • Avoid unpasteurized foods
  • Avoid soft cheeses such as Brie, feta and blue cheese unless clearly labeled Pasteurized
  • Avoid drinking unpasteurized juices
  • Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid raw sprouts of any kind (alfalfa, clover, radish , and mung bean)
  • Avoid excess caffeine- Caffeine can cross the placenta and affect your baby’s heart rate.
  • Limit your caffeine intake to less than 200 mg a day (8oz coffee=95mg)

How much weight should I gain during pregnancy?

You only need about 300 extra calories per day to support the growth and development of your baby. Don't ever try to lose weight during a pregnancy. How much weight gain is desirable depends on your pre-pregnancy height and weight. You should discuss this with your doctor at your first prenatal visit. Being overweight or gaining too much weight can cause several complications including a higher chance of having a cesarean section. Losing weight or not gaining enough weight can increase the chance of your baby being born too small or too early.

Disclaimer: The information contained in the pregnancy guide is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for informational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or your pregnancy. Nothing contained in the pregnancy guide topics is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. The information and materials in the pregnancy guide should not be used as a subsitute for the care and knowledge that your physician can provide to you. The information and materials presented in the pregnancy guide are meant to supplement the information that you obtain from your physician. If there is a disagreement between the information presented herein and what your physician has told you - it is more likely that your physician is correct. He or she has the benefit of knowing you and your medical problems. You should recognize that the information and materials presented on this website have the following limitations, in comparison to being examined by your own physician: