[Introduction]
Today, Wednesday, September 19th from 3-4pm
ET, we will welcome Glade B. Curtis, M.D. and Judi Schuler,
M.S., to the site to answer all of your pregnancy questions
live on Gather.
Post your
question as a comment on this article or send an onsite Gather
message with your question to the Family Editor. Then join
us tomorrow afternoon to speak with Glade and Judi live on Gather.
Glade and Judi are the authors of the bestselling guide Your
Pregnancy Week by Week, a staple on the nightstands of pregnant
women around the world.
Please join our pregnancy discussion, and make sure to refresh
the page throughout the chat to see the most recent questions
and answers!
About the authors:
Glade B. Curtis, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G.,
is board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
He is in practice in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a Medical Consultant
to the State of Utah Department of Health and a Medical Director
of The Health Clinics of Utah.
Dr. Curtis is a graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor
of Science and a Master's Degree in Public Health (M.P.H.). He
attended the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
in New York. He interned and was a resident and chief resident
in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rochester Strong
Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York. Dr. Curtis is married
and the father of five. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Judith Schuler, M.S., has worked with
Dr. Curtis for more than 22 years, as his co-author and editor.
They have collaborated together on 17 books dealing with pregnancy,
women's health and children's health. Ms. Schuler earned a Master
of Science degree in Family Studies from the University of Arizona
in Tucson. Ms. Schuler has one grown son. She divides her time
between Tucson, Arizona, and Laramie, Wyoming.
Visit the authors
of Your Pregnancy Week by Week available from Da Capo Press
at www.yourpregnancybook.com
35 comments:
Midnite Writer -- Kim
Good 2 know!
Nothing Fancy Supports Gather
Figures - happens when I'm not
pregnant. *wink* I bet this is going to be a great chat!
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Hi Gather, how is your pregnancy going?
GC
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Hi Gather,
Is this working? Can you "hear me?"
Glade
Family Editor
Welcome to both Judi and Glade, we are thrilled
to have you both with us today to discuss our pregnancy questions.
I have a bunch of great questions from members and other
folks should feel free to jump in with their own questions.
I'll start with
the first member question I received:
"I am 10 weeks pregnant and feel so great I am worried.
I have heard that morning sickness is a good thing
and that it means the baby is healthier, is this true?"
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Hi Gather, We are here!
Judi and Glade
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
It is "funny", we worry things
are okay, we doubt that it is really okay.
To answer your question, yes it is okay to feel good during
pregnancy. Remember, every pregnancy is different, and it can
be different even if you have had other experiences. Relax,
enjoy your pregnancy and keep taking good care of yourself.
Glade & Judi
Taylor ~hopes everyone's wishes come true~ Blue
hello
Nice to see you both...I am not pregnant...but I write
for a pregnancy website....
I think the best question I get from
people is what is safe or unsafe to eat while being pregnant...?????
Family Editor
Another question for you both:
I am 20 weeks and have been told that I have Placenta Previa
and may need a c-section. Does this condition really right
itself in most cases? Is there anything natural I can do to
try and change the position so I can avoid the c-section?
Judi Schuler
Hi everyone, I am having a few technical difficulties so Glade
will be answering for both of us today. I am here though, and
we are discussing all of your questions as they are posted.
Thanks, Judi
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Hi Taylor,
What is safe or unsafe to eat during pregnancy. Books have been
written on the subject. I think a good start is to look at what
you eat and go over any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Many are now suggesting pregnant women eat 3 smaller meals and
3 snacks a day or 6 small meals aday during pregnancy. This is
an atttempt to keep your blood sugar constant during the day
without highs or lows.
Many things are obvious - avoiding junk food or foods with
little or no nutritive value. We wish more pregnant women asked
about their diet!
Judi and Glade
Taylor ~hopes everyone's wishes come true~ Blue
Is there anything
that you should avoid like fish or shellfish?
Family
Editor
Glade & Judi,
While you guys work on the Placenta Previa
question I am going to post another for you to mull over:
One member asked about birth plans:
"I have heard mixed things on creating a birth plan.
My friends who are nurses laugh when I bring it up.
What do you guys think about creating a birth plan? Are
you getting off on the wrong foot with your baby nurse
when you pull one out upon arrival at the hospital?"
michelle K.
I'm 13 weeks pregnant and it can be very scary.
Am I doing the right thing, oh no, I didn't do the right
thing before I found out....constantly wondering if your baby
is okay. I almost think there is to much information out there
these days.
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Good question Family Editor, Placenta previa
is a very important "condition" during
pregnancy. It is important to follow up with suggestions
from your doctor and to follow this during your pregnancy.
Two things
to know: (1) if you still have a placenta previa at the end
of your pregnancy, yes, you will probably need a C-section.
(2) You said you had your ultrasound at 20 weeks showing
the previa - things are still very small and a lot can change
in the next 20 weeks - as your uterus and the placenta grow,
the placenta can grow away from the opening of the cervix.
If this happens, you shouldn't need a Cesarean delivery. Usually
- you will need another ultrasound later in pregnancy (around
32 weeks).
Good question! Glade
Judi Schuler
Some women are overwhelmed with the amount of information available,
Michelle. If you don't want to read it all that's okay. If
you have a concern and want more info, then books and articles
may be your answer. If you feel comfortable with what's happening,
relax, take good care of yourself, follow your doctor's advice
and enjoy your pregnancy.
michelle K.
When can a baby start learning your voice? I know it's better
to be calm during pregnancy but if you get loud or stressed
will it learn something from that vs. a calming voice?
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
A birth plan?
Good topic, here is my birth plan - "I don't
want any pain and I want that baby to come out of there clean,
not all bloody and covered with mucous."
Seriously, this is an
opportunity to open a discussion with your partner and your
doctor about a very important event in your family. I would
caution you to keep an open mind - your doctor has likely
attended hundreds of births and has experience. Listen and
also participate in suggestions given to you. Don't be afraid
to ask questions and even speak your mind. Be careful about
birth plans you can find on the internet - they may be complete
and address things you wouldn't come up with - they also may
not be very realistic.
Glade
Family Editor
Here is another member question:
My friend is due with twin boys on Christmas and we are trying
to plan her baby shower. The pregnancy is going great but she
has still been told she will likely deliver early. How early
do people with twins usually deliver? Thanks.
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Hi Michelle,
When can baby hear me? My teenagers seemed to pretty hard
of hearing. Babies can hear inside the womb. We think they
mainly hear loud noises and may not hear quiet voices or a
spoken voice.
My advice - keep talking to baby. You raise an
interesting question - bonding with your baby before it is
born. I encourage you and your partner to talk to your unborn
baby during the pregnancy. Many studies indicate we can begin
to bond with our babies before their birth.
Glade
Judi Schuler
Twins usually deliver early--often between 35
and 37 weeks. You might want to plan the shower for an earlier
time, such as around Thanksgiving.
Family Editor
Here is a weight gain question for you:
"I am tracking to definitely gain over the 35 recommend
lbs during my pregnancy. It will be more like 40-45lbs. All of
my friends who I have spoken with also gained that much. They
are all very fit, slim people – not one started out
overweight. I am wondering about the 25-35lb guideline.
Why are all of my friends, and I, gaining more? Coincidentally,
all of them look amazing post baby and lost the weight
within 6 months. Please explain this to me."
Judi Schuler
The question about fish is one we are often asked.
There are good and poor fish choices--many are listed in
articles and books (including ours). This is a good place to
emphasize balanced nutrition during pregnancy. if you have
specific questions, ask your doctor at a prenatal appointment.
Family Editor
Judi and Glade, a question from a member regarding
sleeping positions while pregnant:
"I am trying to sleep on my side but keeping waking
up on my back. Is sleeping on your back really harmful
to the baby?"
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Weight gain in pregnancy.
This is a proof that life isn't fair.
I have seen many patients who have terrific pregnancies,
eat what they want and wear their designer jeans to the 6 week
visit. But—this certainly isn't the norm. Most struggle
with their weight pregnant or not.
I suggest eating nutritously before and during pregnancy,
begin an exercise program before your pregnancy you can continue
during the pregnancy being prepared to alter it is necessary.
All of us are different, be careful of comparing yourself
too much. Be kind to yourself, take good care of yourself and
the growing miracle inside you. After each pregnancy it can
be more difficult to get back to where you started - but try
to do your best.
Glade
Judi Schuler
Sleeping on your side is definitely best for baby
because when you lie on your back, the enlarging uterus can
press on the vena cava, which is a major blood vessel. One
thing you might try so you wake on your side is a pregnancy
and/or body pillow, which can help you maintain the side-sleeping/resting
position.
Family Editor
A labor question for you guys:
"A friend of mine just had a baby and even though
she had an epidural she said she felt a tremendous amount
of pain during her 3 hours of pushing and the actual
delivery? Does the epidural not work the whole way through?
She also had back labor because of the position of the
baby, could that have been a factor as well?"
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
Who invented labor anyway?
Epidurals are terrific! Fortunately
they are more available now than in the past, many choose not
to have one and that is okay too.
A potential problem with epidurals
can be that it takes away too much "pain" or sensation
- this can result in you not being able to push as well. It
is sometimes necessary to let the epidural wear off a little
or dose it a little lighter so that you can push hard enough
to get the baby out. Back labor can result when the baby is "posterior" -
face up, this can take longer to deliver and require more
or harder pushing. How do they fit through there anyway?
Family Editor
Thanks for all of the great answers Glade and
Judi, it was wonderful having you both here today and there
are a bunch of questions I still have from members which
we will just have to save for next time.
Thanks again to you both!
Dr. Glade B. Curtis
This was fun and went by too quickly.Good
luck, enjoy the miracle of pregnancy!
Glade B. Curtis, MD
Judi Schuler
I enjoyed all your interesting questions. It's
always fun to hear what people ask about.
Family Editor
Okay Gatherers,
That's all for today but keep the questions coming via Gathermail
and I'll try to persuade Glade and Judi to join us again. Also,
definitely be on the lookout for the amazing 6th edition of Your
Pregnancy Week by Week due out in January!
