Helpful Hints/What's in the News

Pregnancy Can Cause Dental Health Problems –

Hormonal changes during pregnancy - particularly increases in estrogen and progesterone - can worsen the way your gum tissue reacts to plaque, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

If dental plaque isn't removed, it can cause gingivitis (gum disease). "Pregnancy gingivitis" affects most pregnant women to some extent, as early as the second month. If you already gave gum disease, pregnancy can worsen it.

So what? A WOMAN WITH GUM DISEASE IS MORE LIKELY TO DELIVER HER BABY PREMATURELY. The AGD recommends a checkup and cleaning with your dentist during each of the first 2 trimesters, with another appointment early in your third trimester if the dentist advises it.

Did you know Episiotomy was the most common surgical intervention in childbirth in the US?

Evidence shows that episiotomy does not protect women against urinary or fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, or difficulties with sexual function in the first 3 months to 5 years following delivery. No research described the long-term impact of episiotomy later in adult life when incontinence is most likely to occur. LADIES, this is UNNECESSARY TRAUMA to your sex organ. Don’t take my word for it. Read the full report at: www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/episiotomy/episob.pdf.

YOU MUST RELAX…NO REALLY!

Breathe: Even when you can’t control a situation, you can always control your breathing. You know what you need to do – deep belly breathing, call it yoga breathing, call it chakra breathing – it doesn’t matter what you call it, but you’ve got to slow down and really get that breath all the way down to your toes and then out the top of your head – versus – shallow, fast, top of your chest breaths. Just deep breathing alone will change your physiologic reaction to a stressful situation, helping you keep a clearer head and make better decisions. Deep breathing should be done whenever you think of it throughout your day – any time, any where – it’s free and your baby will thank you.

Meditate: Okay, okay, so you don’t even know what that is. No, you don’t have to configure yourself like a pretzel, or say “Om” (unless you want to). Meditation is simply the practice and process of paying attention to and focusing your awareness. Even a few minutes a day will be beneficial for you and your baby. One perinatologist calls it “taking a love break” with your baby. Take some time to just focus on your baby and send some love and peace to your little one. Think thoughts of gratitude that your body is nurturing and growing a beautiful, healthy baby. Be aware of all that positive life force flowing between you two. While you are meditating, with practice, your body will decrease your blood pressure, slow your heart rate, and dilate your arteries. Beyond those notable physical benefits, you will also find that your mind quiets down, and you can be more in touch with your inner sense of peace, joy, and well-being. Meditation is both effortless and hard work: a wandering mind is part of the process. With practice, your mind will wander less. Consistency is more important than duration.

Move: Yes, movement will help you relax. If you don’t like to exercise, don’t call it exercise. Just move. Take walks. Choose the stairs. Park further away in the parking lot. Go for a swim.  Find ways to keep yourself physically active all the way ‘til it’s time to birth your baby, and you’ll sleep better at night, you’ll release some tension, and you’ll have an easier labor.