PREGNANCY

See Your Dentist
Because of X-rays and the possible use of anesthesia, expecting moms often skip their dental appointments. But in fact, research indicates it’s better to take care of dental problems during pregnancy. “Some studies have shown that if you have dental caries or tooth decay, it’s associated with increased risk of preterm labor,” says Elliot H. Philipson, M.D., vice chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at The Cleveland Clinic.

If you have a scheduled appointment, pain, or an infection, call your dentist. Tell him that you’re pregnant and how far along. Out of precaution, he might advise you to wait until the second trimester or ask for written approval from your ob/gyn. He’ll cover your abdomen with a protective apron during any X-rays. Local anesthetics, such as Xylocaine and Nesacaine, are safe to use, Philipson says.

Go for a Run
Can you continue to jog or run once you’re pregnant? “There’s no evidence that it’s harmful,” says Mona M. Shangold, M.D., director of the Center for Women’s Health and Sports Gynecology in Philadelphia. If your pregnancy is healthy and without complications, the physical activity may not only be safe, but also good for you. Talk to your ob/gyn to get the OK.

But this is not the time to try to improve your distance or speed; Shangold suggests a moderate to slow pace for most women. Also, if you experience pain, bleeding, lightheadedness, dizziness, or shortness of breath, stop and see your doctor right away.

Travel by Plane
When it comes to flying, “There are two issues: one is comfort and the other is safety,” says Virginia R. Lupo, M.D., chair of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Although it can be particularly uncomfortable for pregnant women to travel by airplane, it’s generally safe. Your body adjusts to the change in air pressure, and any radiation exposure at high altitudes is minimal and poses no danger to the occasional traveler.

However, there is the risk of developing a blood clot from being immobile for a long period. Get up and walk down the aisle every hour or so, Lupo advises. There’s also the potential for air pressure changes to rupture the amniotic sac membranes, which can lead to labor. “If somebody is at risk for preterm labor, she shouldn’t go up in a plane,” Lupo says. The same holds true for any woman more than 36 weeks pregnant.

Eat (Some) Soft Cheeses
You thought you had to give up goat cheese, but wait. The admonition against consuming soft cheeses during pregnancy is not absolute. What’s the risk? Listeria, a common bacterium that can survive in the refrigerator on ready-toeat foods such as cheeses, lunch meats, and deli salads. “It can cause severe illness in certain categories of people,” says Richard P. Leavitt, director of science information at March of Dimes. “The fetus is especially vulnerable to this infection.”

But certain cheeses are considered safe, including commercial cream cheese and cottage cheese. With other popular cheeses, like mozzarella, it depends on how the cheese made. If a cheese is labeled “made with pasteurized milk” and tightly wrapped, it’s OK, Leavitt says. However, if it’s homemade or was unwrapped in a deli or grocery store, beware. “Its safety has been compromised by being open in the air,” Leavitt says. The same goes for feta, Brie, Camembert, blue cheeses, queso blanco, and queso fresco. If it’s pasteurized and well-packaged, enjoy! Otherwise, skip it.

Have Sex, All Pregnancy Long
Some expectant moms fear that intercourse could harm the baby or cause a miscarriage. But your baby is protected in the womb, and sex is not a problem in an uncomplicated pregnancy. “Sex makes the mother feel better, relaxed, calm,” says Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City and author of What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex. And what’s good for the mom is good for the baby.

You may not be in the mood for sex during the nauseating first trimester, but just wait until the second, when increased blood flow to your genitals can make reaching orgasm easier. At that point, for comfort, switch from the missionary position to lying on your side or being on top, Hutcherson suggests. Oral sex is also safe; just tell your partner not to blow air into your vagina.

Some conditions can make you an exception to the rule, however. You shouldn’t have intercourse if you have preeclampsia. Also, if you have a history of miscarriages, you’re spotting, or you dilate early, your ob/gyn will probably advise against sex.