Having a baby is an exciting time, but it’s common to have questions and concerns. Any time you have a question or concern about your pregnancy, please call Chatfield Women's Care at 720-528-0800. We are here are to answer questions, help calm any fears and ensure your pregnancy is as healthy as possible.
There are a number of questions we hear every day, so we’ve provided some answers to these common questions here.
What are the signs of pregnancy?
I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?
I’m newly pregnant and experiencing some bleeding. What does this mean?
How much weight will I gain when I’m pregnant?
What warning signs should I be concerned about?
Can I travel when I’m pregnant?
Can I have sex when I’m pregnant?
How often should I feel the baby move?
I’m experiencing headaches. What can I do?
What medications am I allowed to take while I’m pregnant?
Can I take herbs or natural supplements while I’m pregnant?
What are the signs of pregnancy?
For many women, the first sign will be a missed period. But there are other signs, including:
- Tender, swollen breasts
- Fatigue
- Slight bleeding or cramping
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- Food aversions or cravings
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Faintness and dizziness
- Increased basal body temperature (your temperature immediately after you wake up
I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?
While the pregnancy tests sold at the drug store are generally reliable, false positives can occur. It’s important that you contact your doctor to confirm that you’re pregnant, establish your due date and begin appropriate prenatal care.
While learning you’re pregnant may be very exciting, it is normal to feel some anxiety too. At Chatfield Women's Care, we understand that and are here to answer your questions and help put you at ease.
I’m newly pregnant and experiencing some bleeding. What does this mean?
It’s hard to know for sure without talking to your doctor. Roughly 25 to 30 percent of pregnant women have spotting or bleeding early in their pregnancies. Light spotting is common, especially after intercourse, but any flow of blood may indicate a problem. Implantation bleeding ( which occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus’ lining) or changes in the cervix also can cause bleeding and are not cause for alarm. But bleeding can be a sign of such as an infection, threatened miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. If you’re bleeding, call us right away.
How much weight will I gain when I’m pregnant?
Weight gain is essential to ensure your baby has the nutrition he or she needs to develop. The average weight gain for pregnancy is between 15 and 40 pounds. Your doctor will monitor your weight throughout your pregnancy to make sure you are gaining an appropriate amount. If you begin your pregnancy overweight, you will need to gain less weight. It’s important to not gain too much weight and to exercise regularly if your doctor has approved.
What warning signs should I be concerned about?
You know your body best. So, anytime something doesn’t feel right with you or your baby, call your doctor. But there are certain symptoms you shouldn’t ignore:
- Bleeding or leaking fluid from the vagina
- Sudden or severe swelling in the face, hands or fingers
- Severe or long-lasting headaches
- Discomfort, pain or cramping in the lower abdomen
- Fever or chills
- Discomfort, pain or burning with urination
- Problems seeing or blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Persistent vomiting with the inability to keep down fluids
Can I travel when I’m pregnant?
You can travel until 36 weeks if your pregnancy has not been complicated. Check with your airline to determine if you need a form from your doctor before your flight. Just remember – even though air travel does not cause preterm labor, preterm labor is unpredictable.
Can I have sex when I’m pregnant?
Sex and orgasm are safe during pregnancy as long as you are not having problems with bleeding, placenta previa or preterm labor, and your membranes (bag of water) are intact.
How often should I feel the baby move?
Expect fetal movement by 20 weeks, usually between 17 and 19 weeks. After 28 weeks, make a mental note of daily fetal movement. You should feel your baby move at least 10 times a day. Easy times to monitor movement are at bedtime (lying on your left side) or just after a meal. If you feel fewer than 10 movements a day, please call us.
I’m experiencing headaches. What can I do?
Headaches are fairly common in pregnancy, and are more likely during the first and third trimesters. It’s believed that the surge of hormones and increased blood volume in the body are to blame. Stress, caffeine withdrawal, low blood sugar and lack of sleep can aggravate headaches. You may take two plain or extra-strength Tylenol every four hours. If your headaches are one-sided or associated with blurred vision, please call us. If your headaches are sudden and intense—often described as “the worst headache ever” — please go to the closest emergency room as this can be a sign of a stroke.
What medications am I allowed to take while I’m pregnant?
If you were taking prescription medications before you became pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether it’s safe to continue these medications. In some cases, it might be riskier to stop taking the medication.
Because the first trimester is a critical time of development for your baby, use medications sparingly in the first trimester. And do not use any aspirin or ibufrofen (Advil or Motrin) products. Remember that the effect of some medications is not well-known. That’s why we’ve provided the chart below to provide some guidance on medications that are considered generally safe during pregnancy.
| Condition | Medication |
| Allergic Reaction | Benadryl |
| Antacid/Heartburn | Maalox, Rolaids, Tums, Mylanta, Gaviscon, Zantac |
| Congestion/Sinusitis | Afrin nasal Spray Sudafed |
| Constipation | Metamucil, Fibercon, Citracel, Colace, Senokot Plain, Milk of Magnesia |
| Cough | Robitussin |
| Diarrhea | Immodium, Kaopectate |
| Fever | Extra-strength Tylenol (2 every 4 hours) |
| Gas | Phazyme 125, Mylicon 80 |
| Headache | Extra-strength Tylenol (2 every 4 hours) |
| Hemorrhoids | Anusol HC cream, Tucks pads, Preparation H |
| Motion Sickness | Benadryl, Dramamine |
| Nausea | Vitamin B6 (25 mg 3 times a day), ginger, Dramamine |
| Pain | Extra-strength Tylenol (2 every 4 hours) |
| Sore Throat | Chloraseptic spray or drops, Cepacol lozenges, Gargle with warm salt water |
| Yeast Infection | Monistat, Gyne-Lotrimin, Mycelex |
Download a list of over-the-counter medications that are acceptable to take when you are pregnant.
Can I take herbs or natural supplements while I’m pregnant?
Very few herbs taken as supplements are considered safe during pregnancy. Typically, herbs that can be eaten in their original plant form or as a vegetable—rather than as concentrated pills, extracts or tonics—are likely to be safe. Herbs used in small amounts for cooking or seasoning are generally safe. Some herbs that are likely considered safe—in specific forms—are:
- Peppermint leaf: Helpful in relieving nausea/morning sickness and flatulence
- Ginger root: Helps relieve nausea and vomiting
- Slippery elm bark: Used to help relieve nausea, heartburn and vaginal irritations (likely safe when the inner bark is taken orally in amounts used in foods)
- Oats and oat straw: Rich in calcium and magnesium; helps relieve anxiety, restlessness and irritated skin
- Red raspberry leaf: Rich in iron and considered a safe herbal tea when used in the second and third trimester; can ease labor pains and increase milk production
If you’re pregnant, always check with your doctor prior to taking an herb. You also can find information online at the National Institutes of Health’s medlineplus.gov.
