Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • May 8, 2013 Women who have just learned they are pregnant are about to embark on a whirlwind adventure. When that adventure culminates with the birth of a child, the family dynamic as you know it will change dramatically. Women who are entering into pregnancy for the first time typically have a long list of questions concerning what to expect in the weeks and months ahead. Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty about which pains and pangs are normal and which are not are common. Pregnancy is a learning experience for the mother and all involved, and many falsehoods surround pregnancy and add to feelings of insecurity. Dispelling some of the more common myths surrounding pregnancy can provide some peace of mind to expecting mothers and their families. Pregnancy is a learning experience for all involved Many of the prevailing pregnancy myths tell pregnant women what they should not do in order to keep their fetuses healthy and safe. It is well known that alcohol and cigarette smoke can have adverse effects on a developing baby, but what about that morning cup of coffee? It is always good to err on the side of caution, but assuming everything is toxic to the child may have you walking on eggshells. Many doctors agree that drinking less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe and will not risk a preterm birth or contribute to low fetal birth weight. Health exams and blood tests are routine for pregnant women, and new mothers may think they have everything covered with regard to their health. However, one thing pregnant women seldom give much thought is their dental health. During pregnancy, increased acidity in the mouth increases the risk of tooth decay. So can vomiting associated with morning sickness. The Mayo Clinic advises that high levels of progesterone and estrogen can affect the bones and ligaments that support the teeth, causing teeth to loosen. Hormonal changes can also lead to bleeding gums and gingivitis. Although dental health may not come up in routine prenatal exams, it is important to stay current with dental appointments during a pregnancy. Pregnant women may notice that their sense of smell has improved. Scientists hypothesize that this improved sense of smell helps keep pregnant women from eating small levels of toxins that may not be dangerous to an adult, but could potentially prove harmful to a small child. Whether this is true or not, strong odors can complicate feelings of sickness. This is something to anticipate while pregnant. Not every pregnant woman will experience morning sickness, which is a bit of a misnomer. According to PregnancyStatistics.org, about 75 percent of all pregnant women experience the unfortunate side effect of morning sickness during the beginning of their pregnancy. These feelings of nausea and uneasiness may not be reserved for the morning, either. They can occur at any time of the day. In many cases, as the pregnancy progresses and hormones level out, symptoms of morning sickness abate. A woman’s stomach is not the only thing that will grow during her pregnancy. Pregnant women often witness their bra and shoe sizes increase during a pregnancy. Hormones ready the breasts for lactation, causing swelling of the mammary glands and increased blood flow to the breasts. The medical advisory board of BabyCenter.com says it is common to go up one or two cup sizes, especially when a woman is pregnant for the first time. The breasts also may feel itchy as the skin stretches, and stretch marks can form on the breast skin. A woman’s feet can also be affected. Ligaments loosen to help with the birthing process, and this can affect ligaments in other areas of the body, including the feet. Feet may flatten and stretch out on the sides from added weight, and the resulting loosening of ligaments can cause a change in shoe size. Here are some additional facts culled from the millions of births that take place every year. Tuesday is the most popular day for babies to arrive. It could be in part to the growing number of planned cesarean deliveries. Saturday is the slowest day for births. More babies are born during the warm months than in the winter. In 1970, the average age for a first-time mother in the United States was 21. By 2012, that figure had changed to between 25 and 29. Baby boys tend to outnumber baby girls. This statistic has remained steady for the last 60 years. The average woman’s uterus expands up to 500 times its normal size during pregnancy. Pregnancy can be a miracle and scary at the same time. Getting the facts helps reduce some of the fear and anxiety many expecting women feel.