Connie L. Agnew, M.D., answers your questions about pregnancy
A paint primer
(?) At 22 weeks pregnant, I painted a mural in the nursery using acrylic paint. I wore gloves and had a fan running, but I'm nervous about birth defects. Will my baby be OK?
From the description of the precautions you took-wearing gloves and painting in a well-ventilated room--your baby is likely to be just fine. Although no studies specifically confirm this, experts believe that a pregnant woman's limited exposure to household or hobbyist paint (particularly acrylic paint--which, along with tempera or watercolor, is recommended over oil-based paint) shouldn't be a problem. My greater concern relative to paint is twofold:
* Prior to the 1970s, many paints contained lead, which we now know is unsafe for mother and baby. To avoid this hazard, do not scrape or sand any paint while pregnant (or after the baby is born, for that matter).
* Pregnant women should limit their exposure to industrial paints and chemical solvents. All expectant mothers who work in proximity to such products should wear full-body protective clothing and a mask; they also should avoid eating or drinking in areas where these products are used.
Level-3 ultrasounds
(?) I'm a healthy 28-year-old in my 12th week of pregnancy. My husband and I don't want to know our child's gender; is there any other reason to schedule a diagnostic ultrasound?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women be offered a diagnostic, or level-3, ultrasound, and I heartily agree. This is the gold standard not only for confirming the age of your fetus, but also for evaluating its health--whether or not you want to know its gender.
The optimum timing for a diagnostic ultrasound is 20 weeks, at which time the size and anatomy of the fetus can be well-visualized. Happily, most babies are perfect, but in the unusual case that a medical condition is discovered, being forewarned allows us to have the necessary specialists in place at the time of delivery.
Lacking in libido
(?) I'm in my second trimester and have almost no sex drive. This didn't happen two years ago during my last pregnancy. Do you have any advice on how I can heat things up?
Many women experience changes in their sex drive during pregnancy--increased and decreased libidos are both common. That said, take a look at any circumstances, past or present, that may be putting a damper on your desire. For instance, have you experienced any vaginal bleeding or been at risk for preterm labor? Did intercourse during your last pregnancy initiate contractions? Or how about the fact that this time around, you are the mother of a young child and are likely exhausted?
Talk with your obstetrician to rule out other possibilities, such as a hormone imbalance or low thyroid function; if you have concerns about whether sex is safe for you, discuss this as well. Then talk with your partner about ways you can adapt your sex life to accommodate your fatigue. Scheduling intercourse on days when you are able to take a nap may not sound romantic, but it may be just what the doctor ordered.
(?) Do you have a question for Dr. Agnew?
Write to Pregnancy Q&A, Fit Pregnancy, 21100 Erwin St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367; send an e-mail to pregnancyqanda@fitpregnancy.com; or fax your questions to 818-992-6895. Keep in mind that her responses are not intended to replace advice from your doctor.
CONNIE L. AGNEW, M.D., is the director of maternal-fetal medicine at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. The mother of four children, Agnew is a co-author, with Jill Alison Ganon, of TWINS! (HarperCollins, 1997).
By: Agnew, Connie L., Fit Pregnancy, Aug/Sep2006
(?) At 22 weeks pregnant, I painted a mural in the nursery using acrylic paint. I wore gloves and had a fan running, but I'm nervous about birth defects. Will my baby be OK?
From the description of the precautions you took-wearing gloves and painting in a well-ventilated room--your baby is likely to be just fine. Although no studies specifically confirm this, experts believe that a pregnant woman's limited exposure to household or hobbyist paint (particularly acrylic paint--which, along with tempera or watercolor, is recommended over oil-based paint) shouldn't be a problem. My greater concern relative to paint is twofold:
* Prior to the 1970s, many paints contained lead, which we now know is unsafe for mother and baby. To avoid this hazard, do not scrape or sand any paint while pregnant (or after the baby is born, for that matter).
* Pregnant women should limit their exposure to industrial paints and chemical solvents. All expectant mothers who work in proximity to such products should wear full-body protective clothing and a mask; they also should avoid eating or drinking in areas where these products are used.
Level-3 ultrasounds
(?) I'm a healthy 28-year-old in my 12th week of pregnancy. My husband and I don't want to know our child's gender; is there any other reason to schedule a diagnostic ultrasound?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all pregnant women be offered a diagnostic, or level-3, ultrasound, and I heartily agree. This is the gold standard not only for confirming the age of your fetus, but also for evaluating its health--whether or not you want to know its gender.
The optimum timing for a diagnostic ultrasound is 20 weeks, at which time the size and anatomy of the fetus can be well-visualized. Happily, most babies are perfect, but in the unusual case that a medical condition is discovered, being forewarned allows us to have the necessary specialists in place at the time of delivery.
Lacking in libido
(?) I'm in my second trimester and have almost no sex drive. This didn't happen two years ago during my last pregnancy. Do you have any advice on how I can heat things up?
Many women experience changes in their sex drive during pregnancy--increased and decreased libidos are both common. That said, take a look at any circumstances, past or present, that may be putting a damper on your desire. For instance, have you experienced any vaginal bleeding or been at risk for preterm labor? Did intercourse during your last pregnancy initiate contractions? Or how about the fact that this time around, you are the mother of a young child and are likely exhausted?
Talk with your obstetrician to rule out other possibilities, such as a hormone imbalance or low thyroid function; if you have concerns about whether sex is safe for you, discuss this as well. Then talk with your partner about ways you can adapt your sex life to accommodate your fatigue. Scheduling intercourse on days when you are able to take a nap may not sound romantic, but it may be just what the doctor ordered.
(?) Do you have a question for Dr. Agnew?
Write to Pregnancy Q&A, Fit Pregnancy, 21100 Erwin St., Woodland Hills, CA 91367; send an e-mail to pregnancyqanda@fitpregnancy.com; or fax your questions to 818-992-6895. Keep in mind that her responses are not intended to replace advice from your doctor.
CONNIE L. AGNEW, M.D., is the director of maternal-fetal medicine at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. The mother of four children, Agnew is a co-author, with Jill Alison Ganon, of TWINS! (HarperCollins, 1997).
By: Agnew, Connie L., Fit Pregnancy, Aug/Sep2006
posted by James at 9:10 PM
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