P
regnancy comes with plenty
of questions. Do you have all
of the answers? Take our quiz
to find out your pregnancy IQ. Which of these beverages is
okay to consume in modera-
tion during pregnancy?
What is considered a full-
term pregnancy? A) Coffee
B) Beer
C) Raw milk
A) 37 weeks
B) 39 weeks
C) 40 weeks
Answer B: A full-term pregnancy
is a pregnancy that lasts between 39
weeks, 0 days and 40 weeks, 6 days. Ba-
bies born full term have the best chance
of being healthy compared with babies
born earlier or later.
D) None of the above
When is the best time to
begin taking prenatal vita-
mins?
A) After the first trimester
B) When your pregnancy is confirmed
C) At least three months prior to conception
Answer C: If possible, the best time
to start taking prenatal vitamins is at
least three months before conception.
Take prenatal vitamins that contain at
least 400 mcg folic acid, which helps
prevent brain and spinal cord defects.
Under what circumstances do
doctors recommend inducing
pregnancy before 39 weeks
gestation?
A) You’re expecting twins/multiples
B) You’ve been diagnosed with hyper-
tension or pre-eclampsia
C) You’re experiencing complications
with diabetes
D) All of the above
Answer D: Most doctors discourage
elective inductions before 39 weeks un-
less waiting poses a health risk to mom
or baby.
What are Braxton-Hicks?
A) Stretching exercises to do during
pregnancy
B) Contractions signaling labor has
started
C) Uncomfortable, erratic contractions
beginning around week 20
Answer C: Although Braxton-Hicks
contractions are a nuisance, they do not
6 WNY Family April 2019
What’s Your
Pregnancy
IQ?
— by Christa Melnyk Hines
Answer A: According to the Ameri-
can College of Obstetricians and Gyne-
cologists (ACOG), coffee or tea is safe
as long as you stick to beverages with
less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per
day — that’s about a 12-ounce latte, cof-
fee or tea. Consuming too much caffeine
can speed up a baby’s heart rate causing
heart arrhythmia and withdrawal symp-
toms after birth, similar to babies born
addicted to drugs. No amount of alcohol
is considered safe during pregnancy and
puts your baby at risk for fetal alcohol
spectrum disorder. Unpasteurized dairy
products and juices can carry the bacte-
rium Listeria and can be fatal to baby.
What types of exercises are
safe during pregnancy?
A) Swimming
B) Walking
C) Strength training
D) Yoga
signal impending labor. They feel like
menstrual cramps and tend to last 10 to
20 seconds every 10 to 15 minutes. Tak-
ing a walk, relaxing in a warm bath or
resting can help.
What is one of the last or-
gans to fully develop in a
developing baby?
A) The lungs
B) The heart
C) The reproductive organs
Answer A: Every week matters in
pregnancy. Because the lungs are one
of the last organs to fully develop, doc-
tors stress the importance of avoiding an
early induction unless there is a health
issue with mom or baby. A baby deliv-
ered early is at greater risk for respira-
tory distress and may need breathing
intervention ranging from supplemental
oxygen to intense respiratory support in
the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
E) All of the above
Answer E: Regular exercise will
help keep you and your baby healthy.
While you shouldn’t begin a new, stren-
uous fitness regime while pregnant,
participating in fitness classes that you
did regularly before pregnancy is usu-
ally okay. Because your sense of balance
may be off, take a break from activities
that can put you at risk for falling. Un-
sure? Check with your doctor.
Which remedy won’t help
with morning sickness?
A) Eating three square meals a day
B) Taking your prenatal vitamins with
food before bed
C) Acupuncture
Answer A: Although referred to as
“morning” sickness, nausea and vomit-
ing during pregnancy can happen any
time during the day. Going too long
without eating can exacerbate nausea.