middot; A certain amount of swelling (edema) is normal during pregnancy. If occurs most often in the legs and primarily in the third trimester and may be worse with pregnancy during the summer months. Elevating your legs during the day (feet above the level of your head), and resting during the day and sleeping on your left side may help reduce swelling. middot; Do not wear constrictive clothing or stockings or socks that have a tight band of elastic around the legs.

middot; The extra hormones in your body during pregnancy may cause your gums to swell and bleed. Floss and brush regularly, using a soft toothbrush. Having a dental checkup early in pregnancy is a good idea to be sure your mouth is healthy. Local anesthesia, if needed, does not pose a risk during pregnancy as long as epinephrine is not used with the local anesthetic. Dental x-rays should only be done if necessary and with your abdomen shielded with lead.

Most women experience some degree of fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness during the first trimester of pregnancy. Other symptoms can include constipation, a pulling sensation on the sides in the lower abdomen, and cramps.

During pregnancy, extra fluid is retained and can cause swelling of the tissues or "edema". Edema is usually most pronounced in the legs and feet as fluid tends to pools in these areas. Your growing baby and uterus put pressure on the vessels that drain blood and fluid from your legs, slowing circulation and leading to tissue edema in the legs and feet.

Your body will be going through a lot of changes during your pregnancy so it is important to remember that many of those changes are normal. You can expect weight gain, appetite changes, water retention, and mood swings to name a few. Regular check ups with your doctor are important to monitor these changes. To read more go to "Where Has My Body Gone?" in the "Options Magazine Articles" section.

Home-and-Family:Pregnancy] As joyful as the news that your are pregnant may be, this is not a very easy time at all. During the nine, or seven months when the woman is expecting, many things may go wrong. Cancer:Colon-Rectal-Cancer] A team of scientists has discovered a gene that, when it stops working, causes the appearance of colon cancer in it's sporadic (noninherited) form. This discovery... Health-and-Fitness] People do not give as much attention as nuts as they should.

Pregnancy brings with it many changes including sleep problems, the gaining of weight, other body changes. Morning sickness and constipation and heartburn are common as are other problems including depression, fatigue and mood swings. For additional information please visit PregnancyAndChildren.com. This problem is very common since many of the terms are medically oriented and technical. A good dictionary or internet dictionary can be very helpful.

Since your first abnormal Pap "went away" fairly quickly, your doctor is on the right track to just wait for the next Pap. Wanting to get pregnant soon complicates things and I agree that you might want to get this resolved. The history of DES both lessens and worsens concerns. On the one hand we worry about cancerous changes because of the DES and on the other hand, the glandular changes of DES will lead to more "atypical glandular cells of unknown significance".

Ans. Yes, slightly increased vaginal discharge is normal in pregnancy, keep local cleanliness. But if discharge is offensive or associated with pain then it is indicative of infection, which may lead to abortion or premature labour, so consult your doctor and get yourself examined.

A pregnancy is initially established in the fallopian tube when a single sperm cell fertilizes an egg. Approximately 96 hours after fertilization, the early embryo leaves the fallopian tube and enters the uterus where it will eventually implant (grow into) into the uterine lining. During this implantation, a small amount of vaginal spotting or bleeding may occur. This spotting or bleeding will often mislead a woman into believing that her period is earlier and lighter than usual.

Larry had purchased an LP sampler of their horror-type music years ago and it stuck in his head. In a good way.

No, swelling is the body's natural immune system at work. Some swelling is normal at first. With enough stings, swelling is non-existent.

Not all women who drink, even those who drink heavily, during pregnancy will have children with FAS. FAS is one end of the spectrum of outcomes associated with drinking. Some children born to drinkers appear normal at birth, but as they grow, the less obvious physical, intellectual, and psychological problems resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy can become evident. At this time, there is not a known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Hormone Changes. A normal pregnancy results in a number of important changes that alter thyroid function. While usually normal, the TSH may be slightly low in the first trimester due to high hCG levels (the hormone measured in the pregnancy test) and then return to normal throughout the duration of pregnancy. Increased total T4 is often seen due to an increase in serum binding proteins caused by estrogen. However, measurements of “Free” (or active) hormone remain normal.

Becoming pregnant can be easier as you lose weight. Your menstrual cycle may become more regular. If you need to eat more while you are pregnant, the band can be loosened. After pregnancy, the band may be made tighter again and you can resume losing weight.

For most women gestational diabetes disappears immediately after delivery. However, you should have your blood sugars checked after your baby is born to make sure your levels have returned to normal. Women who had gestational diabetes during one pregnancy are at greater risk of developing it in a subsequent pregnancy. It is important that you have appropriate screening tests for gestational diabetes during future pregnancies as early as the first trimester.

Yes, you may, unless you have been directed by your physician not to (example; high risk for premature delivery). You should not start any new demanding exercises you were not doing prior to pregnancy. Your pulse rate should not go above 150 beats per minute and you should stay well hydrated. The activity should be low impact. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to carry on a conversation while performing the exercise. Walking and swimming are good options.

More than half of pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis related to hormonal changes. The result is red, inflamed and tender gums that may bleed or be uncomfortable. The best way to try and prevent this is an effective oral care routine. And if you are planning to start a family go for a dental check up before you become pregnant.