Is hair dye safe during pregnancy?
There is no conclusive evidence that hair dye harms a developing baby, and most guidance considers it low risk — especially after the first trimester, when the baby's organs have formed. If you choose to color your hair, do it in a well-ventilated room and wear gloves, or consider highlights, which keep the dye away from your scalp. As always, check with your care provider first.
Can you have menstrual periods during pregnancy?
No — true menstrual periods cannot happen during pregnancy. The hormone cycling that sheds the uterine lining stops, because sustained estrogen and progesterone keep the lining in place. Some people notice light bleeding in early pregnancy; this has other causes (implantation, a threatened miscarriage, a subchorionic hemorrhage, or cervical polyps) and occurs in roughly one percent of pregnancies. Later in pregnancy, bleeding can signal placental problems or preterm labor. Report any bleeding to your doctor or midwife right away.
I had a few drinks before I knew I was pregnant. Will it affect my baby?
Try not to be alarmed — limited drinking before you knew you were pregnant is unlikely to have caused harm. What matters is stopping as soon as you suspect pregnancy: no amount of alcohol is proven safe, and continued drinking risks fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, prematurity, and low birth weight. Focus on a healthy rest of the pregnancy, and bring any questions to your care team.
Will eating fish and seafood during pregnancy harm my unborn baby?
Some varieties of fish may be contaminated with mercury (or 'PCBs'), because of environmental pollutants. Larger, long-lived fish contain the highest levels of mercury. Mercury (which accumulates in the skin and fat in fish) has been found to cause cancer and it also crosses the placenta and can be harmful to unborn babies. Pregnant women are advised to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish (also called golden or white snapper). Limit tuna steak and albacore 'white' tuna to one serving a month and canned light tuna to one 6-ounce can a week. Never eat raw or undercooked fish or shellfish such as oysters, clams, mussels or sushi, which may contain bacteria including salmonella and hepatitis A. Always cook or freeze fish to kill possible parasites. It is recommended that fish be cooked to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or frozen for at least a week at -10 degrees Fahrenheit, which will kill most parasite larvae.
Is it alright to sleep on my stomach while I'm pregnant?
During the first trimester, any sleep position is alright. But after 12 weeks or so, lying on your stomach may put pressure on your unborn baby and should be avoided when possible. Besides that, it can put added strain on your neck and back, causing pain. Early in pregnancy, you'll need to get used to sleeping on your side, which is the best position for pregnant women, especially the left side, which allows maximum blood flow to your baby and also keeps your baby's weight from applying pressure to the inferior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood back to your heart). In addition, lying on your side will help take pressure off your back. Place pillows between your knees and one behind your back for extra support and to keep you from rolling during the night. Special 'pregnancy pillows' may help even more.