Secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy puts both the pregnant person and fetus at risk for several health complications. Similarly to the risks of smoking firsthand, exposure to cigarette smoke in pregnancy increases risks of developing strokes, miscarraige and stillbirths. When considering the level of exposure, research shows that there is no risk-free level of secondhand…

With Anna Grant, PT, DPT, OCS Pregnancy and birth puts stress on your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles, shaped like a bowl, suspended between the bones of your pelvis that supports your bladder, uterus and other organs.  Kegels are to your pelvic floor, like crunches are to your abs! Throughout…

It can be hard to find information about what to clean with safely in pregnancy. Many products have not been studied or tested in pregnant women. If possible, it’s best to use green cleaning products, and to know what’s in the products you are using. Any time you are cleaning, especially with products or ingredients…

The hormonal changes of pregnancy can have a profound impact on your skin, hair and nails. Body hair can be thicker, and many note hair growth in new places. Skin is often more sensitive in pregnancy, and you may react differently to hair removal methods you have used before pregnancy.  There are some methods of…

First off, let’s address the myth surrounding massages in the first trimester. Contrary to popular belief , there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that massages increase the risk of miscarriage during the first trimester. This misconception likely stems from a general fear of pregnancy loss, but rest assured, getting a massage early on poses no…

Regular exercise, in most cases, is not only safe during pregnancy but actually encouraged. Barring any known complications or high risk pregnancies and after receiving the OK from your Ob provider, it is safe to resume physical activity at the same fitness level you were at before your pregnancy. If you haven’t been that active…

Cats and their feces may carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. While it’s rare to get toxoplasmosis from your cat, you should avoid changing cat litter during pregnancy, or wear gloves and wash your hands right after!  What is toxoplasmosis?  Toxoplasmosis is in an infection caused by the parasite, toxoplasma gondii. While pregnant people often…