Q: I recently had a root canal. I probably got pregnant during the next week, based on how far along I am, but I didn’t know it then, so I took three Vicodin on three separate days to help with the pain. Could this have caused harm to my baby?

A: You’re in the clear. Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen or Tylenol and a drug called hydrocodone. Tylenol is considered safe throughout pregnancy in normal adult doses, and the dosage of Tylenol in Vicodin falls within that normal range. Hydrocodone is a mild narcotic that isn’t harmful to the baby in the amount and duration used for dental pain.

Now that you know you’re pregnant, check the safety of drugs you regularly take with your care provider. For more medication information, go to www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html.


Drip, Drop

Q: I’m only 22 weeks, and I’ve just noticed fluid drops on my nipples. Is it breast milk? And is it going to leak more and more as I go along?

A: Pregnancy hormones prepare the breasts for lactation well before you begin to nurse your baby. Even in the first few weeks, you may notice enlargement and tenderness of the breasts; for some women it’s this soreness that prompts them to take a pregnancy test.

Later the areola will darken and enlarge. And after 20 weeks some women will begin to leak fluid from their breasts. This is most often colostrum, a white or yellow pre-milk that more commonly starts with delivery, but is also perfectly normal during pregnancy.

The leakage may increase slightly as your pregnancy progresses, but it’s not likely to go away until you finish breastfeeding. If you’re concerned about it showing through your clothes, pick up some of the soft pads that nursing moms insert into their bras to protect their clothing.

If the fluid is bloody or you find a hard lump, let your doctor know; it can be normal, but you may need tests.

Q: I have discharge that smells bad down there. Is that normal?

A: Because this could indicate an infection, a foul-smelling discharge should prompt you to get an exam from the doctor. But there are a few “normal” causes for an unpleasant vaginal odor when you’re pregnant. First, a change in the perception of certain smells accompanies many pregnancies, making an odor that was always there suddenly noticeable or offensive. The increased blood flow can also cause more vaginal secretions, and more secretions provide more fuel for the normal germs that cause odor. Also, the skin in our underarms and groin has special glands that create a musky smell—what we call “body odor”—and pregnancy weight gain and hormonal changes can increase its production. To be sure the cause is one of the above, get checked out by your ob/gyn.


Brain Vacation

Q: I’m pregnant for the second time and my mind seems to be lost. My husband says this happened before, but I don’t remember it. Will I get my brain back?

A: Sometimes referred to as “pregnesia” or “mommy brain,” the foggy, forgetful state many women experience in pregnancy is very common. Just like nausea, breast tenderness, and a heightened sense of smell, this condition affects many, but not all, pregnant moms and may be different for the same mom in each pregnancy. Like these other side effects, the “mommy brain” phenomenon will go away, but you’ll have to wait until you deliver or finish nursing. The reason for the absentmindedness isn’t certain, but hormones usually get the blame. Lesser but similar feelings may occur along with PMS and during perimenopause, when the body is also undergoing hormonal changes. In addition, pregnant women usually have a lot on their minds: Their bodies are changing along with their relationships, status at work, even finances. Sleep deprivation is not uncommon and can contribute to forgetfulness, too.Once baby’s born, “mommy brain” could be replaced by “baby brain,” a similar condition brought on by lack of sleep, nursing, and giving your energies to your child. If naps help, take them. Other ways to make life easier during pregnancy: Avoid over-commitment, make and use lists, eat well, and be nice to yourself.


Loosened Up

Q: I’ve had gas and runny stools almost my entire pregnancy. What’s going on?

A: While constipation is much more common, loose stools can occur during a normal pregnancy. For many women, dietary changes are the culprit. Healthier, more fiber-rich foods lead to softer, more frequent stools, as does an increase in water intake. Consuming more milk and other dairy products also can unmask mild lactose intolerance, so try avoiding them for a week to see if your symptoms improve. Some women react to components in their prenatal vitamin and experience looser stools. Changing brands may help.

Q: Before pregnancy, I felt little heart flutters from time to time when I was nervous or suddenly exerted myself. Since I’ve been pregnant, I get them several times a day and not for any obvious reason. Is that anything to be concerned about?

A: The flutters are probably heart palpitations, a sign of a temporarily fast or irregular heartbeat. Most everyone has them from time to time. Pregnancy, along with exercise, stress, and caffeine, can make them occur more frequently. If you don’t experience dizziness or shortness of breath at the same time, these palpitations are probably harmless. Rarely, they’re associated with a serious heart condition, so if you do experience dizziness or shortness of breath, I recommend a consultation with a doctor who specializes in internal medicine.



Heading Down

Q: I’m in my third trimester and my baby has flipped positions several times, from feet down to head down to feet down again. As I’m getting closer to my due date, I want to make sure she stays head down. Is there anything I should do—or not do—to discourage her from flipping again?

A: Unfortunately, there’s no position or exercise you can do that will improve your chances of a headfirst baby. Certain factors, including your uterus shape and the amount of amniotic fluid, can increase the likelihood of a breech presentation—meaning the baby is positioned with her rear end or feet toward your pelvis. But none of these factors are directly related to your actions.

As the due date draws closer, most babies settle into a head-down position—breech presentation occurs in only about 5 percent of all single-fetus deliveries. If the baby is breech when you’re within a few weeks of your due date, your ob/gyn can sometimes manipulate her into a head-down position by feeling her through your abdomen.
This is known as an external version. It can be uncomfortable for you, and there are minimal risks to the baby, so it’s usually conducted somewhere an emergency delivery can be performed if needed.



The Fuzz

Q: Now that I’m pregnant, my neck seems to have sprouted a lot of peach fuzz. What’s the reason for this? Isn’t hair growth usually the result of testosterone? If testosterone is the cause, is it because I’m having a boy? Will it go away?

A: The testosterone from a male child can’t affect you. But your skin is just one part of your body that’s affected by carrying a child of either sex. Pregnancy can cause hair to grow in new places: chin, breasts, and cheeks are all common. And overall, your body deposits more skin pigment, or melanin, during pregnancy. It can make moles look darker, give you a line on the belly from the navel down, the linea negra, or cause darkening of the skin on the face, called melasma or the “mask of pregnancy.” Darker skin can also make previously invisible hair more visible. Depending on the reason behind it, the extra fuzz should go away after you deliver, or at least become less noticeable.