Are ultrasounds safe during pregnancy?

Ultrasounds have become a rather common occurrence these days with obstetricians scheduling at least three in the duration of a pregnancy. It’s generally considered safe and is an ideal way of detecting defects and other problems that can possibly occur during a pregnancy. However, just as with every medical procedure, there are pros and cons that you need to consider especially as it involves the health of both the mother and the baby.

Pros

• Ultrasounds help in detecting various problems such as an ectopic pregnancy and diagnoses other defects such as spina bifida

• With the help of an ultrasound doctors can tell you whether you have multiple fetuses in your uterus

• Doctors can assess the growth of the baby and find out if all the organs are developing normally

• Doctors can also check the position of the placenta and measure the amount of amniotic fluid present in the uterus

• Doctors can give a slightly more accurate date of delivery with the help of an ultrasound scan.

• Ultrasounds can help detect a condition called placenta previa where the placenta is implanted in the lower part of a woman’s uterus and can cause bleeding in the third trimester

Cons

• Since an ultrasound works by transmitting sound waves into your tissues, it could possible create increase in blood flow and temperature in the tissues

• Numerous ultrasounds can sometimes increase the chances of miscarriage and can even cause preterm labor

• There’s also the off chance that the ultrasound machine is defective and could release a higher dose of ultrasound waves to your baby which can cause quite a bit of harm

• Sometimes scan results can cause a lot of anxiety to the pregnant woman and her family and this increases the stress levels considerably

However, you do need to remember that most ultrasound scans are useful and can give helpful information to your obstetrician so they know what to expect.  If you’re pregnant and you have been scheduled a scan by your practitioner, the best option would be to go for it but not make a habit of it. Constantly taking ultrasound scans cannot possibly be good for the baby. Moderation is the key here.

Is it safe to take antidepressants during pregnancy?

Depression is a serious problem in modern society and today most people are taking anti-depressant medication to help them cope with it. Taking anti-depressants while pregnant can get a bit tricky however because of the effect these medications can have on the fetus. But it’s not possible for a pregnant woman who is suffering from depression to stop taking her medication all at once because not only can it cause withdrawal symptoms, it can lead to bigger problems as well.

Pregnancy is already a state in which there are a lot of emotional ups and downs and hormonal changes happening in the body. If you’ve been depressed or are suffering from the symptoms of depression, then it’s a good idea to consult a doctor who will be able to help you with the right kind of treatment.

Anti-depressants cannot entirely be ruled out during pregnancy but there have been some studies that indicate that moms who took anti-depressants could likely give birth prematurely and/or have babies with abnormalities.  Women who took certain anti-depressants like Prozac could have babies with heart abnormalities as well.

This is of course a scary scenario but what is scarier is having a baby while suffering from depression. Clinical depression is a serious matter and has to be dealt with whether you’re pregnant or not. If the case of depression is serious then speak to your physicians and ask them if you can take a safe anti-depressant, one that won’t affect your fetus. Depression in itself can be harmful and it’s unsettling to learn that depression can be passed through you to your unborn baby. Depression and its symptoms could manifest themselves in the newborn also in various ways such as tremors and convulsions but could have lasting effects in the growing child. Psychotherapy is a better option to consider if you don’t want to go on taking heavy medications.

Trying to remain stress free, exercising properly and eating healthily could help counter the worst of the depression although it’s always better to consult your doctor about whether or not you should take anti-depressants.

Are ultrasounds safe during pregnancy?

It’s hard to let go of certain habits even when you’re pregnant, especially when the habits revolve around how you look. So you may not want to miss your appointment with the hair dresser, but wait a minute, is it safe to color your hair while you’re pregnant? Many moms to be are concerned about the chemicals leaching into their skin and causing harm to their unborn babies. Is this concern correct? Read on to know more.

• Studies have shown that coloring your hair apparently doesn’t cause that much harm to your unborn baby because not enough chemicals are absorbed through the skin.

• Many women continue coloring their hair throughout their pregnancy and neither they nor their children have suffered from any adverse effects.

• There are a number of healthier options such as streaking or tinting your hair instead of coloring it entirely if you still don’t want to run any risks.

• Hair color and the chemicals in it are absorbed through the skin and not the hair shaft so there might not be any real problem at all if the color doesn’t touch your scalp.

However, despite these reassurances, some women are still not sure if it’s safe to color their hair. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind while coloring your hair during pregnancy.

• Use ammonia-free colors for your hair as these are considered safer.

• Make sure you do the coloring at a reputed salon or if you’re doing it by yourself, do it in a well-ventilated area so you do not inhale the fumes.

• Wash your scalp thoroughly and make sure none of the color is left on it.

• Opt for colors that contain little or no peroxide.

• If getting your hair done at a salon, then inform them in advance about your condition and try to get the first appointment of the day so that you will not be exposed to the fumes from color applications of others.

• Tinting and streaking your hair doesn’t bring the chemical in contact with your scalp so that is an excellent idea.

• Use hair mascaras, tubes with temporary color that help you touch up with their mascara wand as these are easier to use and coat only the outer layer of your hair.

Pregnant or not, women want to look good all the time and if getting their hair colored is one step towards looking and feeling great, then why not?

Are light cigarettes safer during pregnancy?

The answer is an unequivocal no. It’s simple. No matter what cigarette manufacturers tell you, cigarettes whether regular or light can cause a lot of harm to your baby. It doesn’t really make a difference if you’re switching to a light cigarette that promises low nicotine or low tar. In the end, you will be inhaling the same amount of deadly substances into your body. If you’re an avid smoker and if you’ve discovered you’re pregnant, then the best thing that you can do would be to stop smoking.

Switching to light cigarettes does not offer any benefits because contrary to common perception, light cigarettes do not contain lesser nicotine or tar, no matter what the labels say. Are you wondering that the difference is between light and regular cigarettes? The answer lies in tiny vents that manufacturers put inside the filters which when tested by machines, help in inhaling fresh air along with smoke.

When we smoke these same light cigarettes though, the advantages are lost because people tend to puff quickly and breathe more deeply. Also, the vents get covered in the way the cigarette is held so what happens is that eventually you end up dragging the same amount of nicotine into your lungs.

Another worrisome aspect is that along with nicotine, you end up inhaling all the toxins such as carbon monoxide and tar that can further endanger your pregnancy. Some light cigarettes claim to have 100 percent tobacco but that’s not such a reassuring thing either. For one, tobacco itself is the source of many toxins and nicotine.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy is harmful for the baby and the expectant mother whether you’re smoking a regular cigarette or a light one. Some of the problems that can befall an expectant mother who smokes during pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, placenta previa and even stillbirth. Also, smoking during pregnancy prevent babies from getting the right amount of oxygen that can adversely affect their growth and development in the womb.

Endangering the life of your unborn baby as well as your own doesn’t seem to be worth it for the sake of a few smokes. It might be difficult to achieve but the only way you and your baby can stay healthy during a pregnancy is by staying away from smoking completely.