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Expecting parents have a lot of questions -- and rightly so. Whether it’s their first miracle or their fourth, every pregnancy and birth is unique. The common concerns that had always been addressed includes; due date, weight gained and questions about sexual practice during pregnancy. These are the top three most-asked questioned. The first thing every expectant mother wants to know is her due date. The calculation of due date can be done using a simple math formula, which you can do yourself. Just add on 7 days to when the last period started and the add 9 months; for example, if the last period started on 5th January 2007 (01.05.07), then she will be due on 12thth October 2007 (10.12.07). This calculation is shown below: 1.05.07 + 7 days = 1.12.07 + 9 months = 10.12.07 A standard pregnancy lasts 40 weeks (280 days) from the beginning of the last menstrual period, but only 38 weeks from conception, because a woman ovulates two weeks after her period starts. The next common question concerns weight gain during pregnancy. Mothers-to-be can expect a weight gain of approximately 25 pounds during their pregnancy. Weight gain can be a concern for many, but it is a natural component of any pregnancy. If you feel that you are gaining weight too quickly, or are gaining too much weight in general, your doctor should be able to help you normalize the gain. As the developing baby in the mother’s womb grows, so is the weight and thus the mother gains weight as a result. As for new Dads, they are extremely concerned about the health and well-being of their partner and baby, and questions about sex also tend to come up early on. This is one of the things that many doctors fail to discuss with their patients. Many women feel inhibited about asking this question to their doctor. Because of this, many couples are inadequately informed and some great misinformation is circulated. It is safe to maintain a healthy sex life with your partner while she is pregnant. There is no evidence that sex (coitus or masturbation), whether leading to orgasm or not, has any damaging effect on the fetus. Sex is safe during pregnancy for both mother and baby. The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in the womb, your abdomen and by the mucus plug which seals the cervix and help guards against infections. However, there are some conditions where sex may be problematic for the pregnancy (e.g., placenta previa, ruptured membranes and history of premature deliveries).
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