Your diet during the nine months of pregnancy directly impacts the development of your baby -- including teeth. Because your baby's teeth begin to develop during the second trimester of pregnancy, it is important that you receive recommended amounts of calcium, protein, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, and D. Consult your physician and dentist for information about proper diet nutrient levels during your pregnancy. [TOP]

Preeclampsia is often silent, showing up unexpectedly during a routine blood pressure check and urine test. In cases like this, if the baby is near term (after 36 weeks) the baby is induced, delivered and the mother watched and sent home as usual. If preeclampsia occurs earlier in the pregnancy, especially for a mother expecting multiple births, its impact is more profound. Time off work, bed rest, medication and even hospitalization may be prescribed to keep the blood pressure under control.

Good oral hygiene is especially important during pregnancy because some dental disorders can be exaggerated during pregnancy. The hormonal changes during pregnancy can exacerbate the way the gingival tissues (gums) react to dental plaque--the cause of periodontal disease. It is the plaque and not the hormonal changes that can cause periodontal disease. Prevention is even more important during pregnancy to prevent these problems from occuring.

Preeclampsia is responsible for 15% of premature births in the US each year. It is the leading known cause of preterm birth. According to the March of Dimes, in 2001, 476,250 infants were born prematurely...over half from unknown causes. Preeclampsia represents 30% of the known causes of prematurely--or approximately 70,000 premature births.

Neither CDI or dDAVP treatment is risky for the fetus. As far as we know, dDAVP is completely safe during pregnancy. It has not been associated with any significant increase in spontaneous abortions or fetal malformations. The only risk is water intoxication, but that is no greater than in any other DI patient and can be avoided by remembering to drink only when you are truly thirsty.

The most important thing to remember is that every thing that goes into your body affects your child during pregnancy. Take a look at articles "Why Do I Need Pre-Natal Care?" or "What's on the Menu" in the "Options Magazine Articles" section of this site.

Food and drinks containing sugar cause decay. If you cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks this will help considerably. Foods such as cheese, fruit, nuts and vegetables make good substitutes.

Diabetes can indeed affect pregnancy. It can affect the baby's development. They may end up heavier than normal and the risk of premature birth is higher. Some women may acquire what is known as Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy, which is controllable with insulin injections, which goes away after birth.

Pregnancy can be a rather overwhelming time as your body undergoes massive changes. Knowing in advance how these changes are going to affect you will hellp in dealing with them. For example, dry, itchy skin will need the skin-smoothing benefits of an enriched moisturizer like Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream or Dermalogica UltraRich Body Cream and soap-free cleanser such as Conditioning Body Wash.

There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Carbohydrates contain vitamins B and C, and provide your body with energy. Simple carbohydrates have no nutritional value. They include refined sugars, and while providing energy, will also provide excess calories and weight gain. Complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, grains, cereals and fruits contain sugars and fiber. They will provide the body with energy as well as helping to flush the body and prevent constipation.

Plaque is a colorless, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. If left undisturbed, it hardens to form tartar. The bacteria in the plaque produce byproducts that can not only irritate the gums and make them bleed, but it can also lead to periodontal disease. A daily regimen of proper brushing, flossing and rinsing (plus, regular dental visits), will help you keep your teeth healthy.

Diabetes in the father does not affect the developing baby during pregnancy. However, depending on the type of diabetes the father has, the baby might have a greater chance of developing diabetes later in life.

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Sticky snacks, such as fruit rolls, gummy bears, granola bars and raisins are harmful to the teeth. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role.

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime.

A soft bristled, small headed toothbrush should be used at least once per day before bedtime. Toothpaste is not necessary for children under 3 years old. The main goal is to remove food residue from your child's teeth. » Return to Top

Some children can be comforted by chewing on a teething biscuit, a piece of toast, or a frozen teething ring. Teething medications can also be applied to the gums to reduce discomfort and are available at your pharmacy. A child may also benefit from occasional use of infant Tylenol or another pain reliever. » Return to Top

It's a myth that calcium is lost from a mother's teeth and "one tooth is lost with every pregnancy." But you may experience some changes in your oral health during pregnancy. The primary changes are due to a surge in hormones ? particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone ?- can exaggerate the way gum tissues react to plaque.

If you are planning on getting pregnant, you should be very cautious about the placement of any tattoo near the abdominal area. Not only will the tattoo stretch during pregnancy--there is no guarantee that the tattoo will go back to its original shape after the birth of your baby. Be particularly wary of getting any tattoo where the shape is important, such as with symmetrical tribal pieces, or Celtic knots.

Evidence suggests that there is no increase in the risk of complications among women infected with HIV.

Yes, studies have shown that a mother's oral health can directly affect the health of her unborn baby. According to the US Journal of Periodontology, a pregnant woman with periodontal disease is seven times more likely to have a baby that is pre-term (born too early) or has a low birth weight.