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.
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Comments: 36
GC
Is this working? Can you "hear me?"
Glade
"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?"
We are here!
Judi and Glade
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
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?
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
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?"
Usually - you will need another ultrasound later in pregnancy (around 32 weeks).
Good question! Glade
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
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
"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."
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?"
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
"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?"
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?
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!
Good luck, enjoy the miracle of pregnancy!
Glade B. Curtis, MD
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!