Everyone has questions about the joys of pregnancy, from morning sickness to weight gain. But many times, they aren't asking these questions before becoming pregnant, leading to times of confusion, doubt, and uncertainty. To avoid this, here are seven of the most often asked questions and their answers.



Will giving birth hurt?

This is a common question among new mothers. And it's one that is understandable. Without any frame of reference for birth, it's hard to determine if you can ?do it? and survive the pain. Giving birth can be painful for some women, but for others, it's not. Some of this depends on the method of birth ? an epidural tends to numb the pain and help to make it manageable, while natural birth relies on the mother breathing through pain to make it more comfortable. A lot of this question can be answered by your health, your ability to tolerate pain, and your ability to focus on the fact that you're bring a child into the world ? and that's worth a little discomfort.

How will I know if my baby is healthy?

Problems during pregnancy are a big fear of women. The good news is that with the advances in medicine, there are few problems that can't be prevented or detected and treated anymore. In the beginning, symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings are actually good signs. These mean that your hormones are changing and helping the baby to grow. Of course, you don't have to have these symptoms either. If you take care of your body and regularly visit your doctor, alerting him or her to any pain or spotting, you can rest assured that your baby is probably fine. But if you feel that something is ?wrong,? be sure to call your doctor.

How can I avoid gaining too much weight?

You need to gain about 25 to 35 pounds during the course of your pregnancy, depending on your weight beforehand. Those women that are underweight need to gain more, while those that are overweight will not. To keep from gaining too much weight, but still gaining enough to nourish your new baby, try to only increase your daily caloric intake by about 300 calories. Couple that increase with regular exercise and the baby weight that you gain will not be difficult to lose.

Can I drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages?

There is still a lot of debate about this question. Some doctors feel that a cup or two of coffee or soda will not do any damage to the fetus, while others are still skeptical. The best advice is to speak with your personal doctor to see what he or she thinks. When you have a higher blood pressure, they may suggest avoiding it completely, but a sip here and there seems to be safe.

Can I use a seat belt?

You want to use a seat belt when you're pregnant to protect you and your baby, though you will want to check with your obstetrician as to how this should be placed on your abdomen. What you need to realize is that it is not going to harm the fetus when worn in an appropriate manner ? and being safe is your utmost concern right now.

How should I be sleeping?

Most women find that sleeping on their backs or sides is the most comfortable position during pregnancy ? and your comfort will increasingly become important as you grow larger. Sleeping on your stomach isn't recommended because of the pressure on the womb, but it's not really something that will seem all that great once your belly is nice and round.

When should I go on maternity leave?

When you're having your first baby, it's always best to expect that you may deliver earlier than you think. Some women find that they can work right up to their date of delivery, while others can not move around as well and need to leave work much earlier ? this is really up to you. If you feel healthy and energetic, there may be no reason to stay home. Most women find that they will start their maternity leave about two weeks before the delivery date, but again, this isn't for everyone.

Copyright 2006 WomanCentric Inc.