Dos and Don’ts After Pregnancy

IT engineer Xiao A successfully found her partner on Chinese Valentine's Day in 2020. After getting pregnant on Chinese Valentine's Day in 2021, it should have been a happy event, but she has been feeling sad and depressed recently. It turns out that she was facing the "special care" of her elders bombarding her with such instructions that she couldn't eat this or do that. She felt as if she had become a "useless person" after getting pregnant and couldn't do anything.

But in fact, some of them are long-standing rumors. Now, Xiao H will reveal to pregnant mothers whether these things can be done during pregnancy.

Is it useful to wear radiation protection clothing?

To know whether wearing anti-radiation clothing is useful or not, we must first understand how it works.

The principle of anti-radiation clothing is that certain metal wires are added to the material of the clothes, which has a certain protective effect against single electromagnetic radiation, but the effect will not be too great when pregnant mothers wear it.

The World Health Organization stated that exposure to normal electromagnetic field strength will not increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, fetal malformation, low birth weight, congenital diseases, etc.

What we often refer to as ultraviolet rays, light, infrared rays, microwaves and radio waves are relatively low energy non-ionizing radiation that cannot ionize atoms or molecules of matter. Basically, it is a harmless radiation. Their energy is not high, and they only make the particles in the matter vibrate and the temperature rise.

This radiation usually manifests itself as heat, but this amount of heat is not even enough to warm your toes in winter.

Some friends are worried that doing B-ultrasound frequently will cause fetal malformation. However, B-ultrasound and MRI use ultrasonic waves and magnetic fields respectively, which have nothing to do with radiation.

● Doctor’s words:

It is not recommended for pregnant mothers to use computers, mobile phones, tablets, and televisions recklessly, or to sit still and look down at their phones for a long time.

Is sleeping on the left side the best sleeping position during pregnancy?

Is it best to sleep on the left side during pregnancy? What is the most scientific way to sleep? We should understand these questions in stages.

Pregnancy < 12 weeks: Expectant mothers can sleep as comfortably as possible because during this period the uterus in the pelvic cavity will not be compressed by external forces or itself.

12-28 weeks: At this time, the belly will gradually bulge, and expectant mothers should start to pay attention to protecting their abdomen. At this stage, expectant mothers still do not feel particularly uncomfortable, and can still choose to sleep on their side or back at will.

After 28 weeks: The uterus will rotate slightly to the right. Incorrect posture can easily increase the pressure of the uterus on surrounding tissues and organs, especially on the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava, affecting uterine placental blood flow and may also cause fetal hypoxia.

● Doctor’s words:

There are requirements for sleeping posture in the late pregnancy. It is generally recommended to sleep on the left side to correct the right rotation of the uterus, which is beneficial to the baby's growth and development.

Do you have to abstain from sex when you are pregnant?

First trimester:

The implantation of the embryo is not yet stable, and sexual intercourse may stimulate uterine contractions, thereby causing miscarriage.

Late pregnancy:

Sexual intercourse may stimulate uterine contractions, causing premature birth and premature rupture of membranes.

● Doctor’s words:

It is recommended not to have sex during the first three months and the last three months of pregnancy. Wait until the fetus is relatively stable, that is, in the second trimester before having sex.

However, women with a history of miscarriage, premature birth, bleeding, abnormal discharge, placenta previa, low-lying placenta, cervical relaxation, or multiple pregnancy need to be careful to reduce the frequency and intensity of sexual intercourse as much as possible, even in the second trimester. If these conditions are very serious, sexual intercourse should be prohibited.

Author: Wang Ying, Liuzhou, Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai Health and Medical College

About the Author

Liuzhou

Director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor of Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Adjunct Professor of Hainan Medical College.

Engaged in clinical, teaching and scientific research work in obstetrics and gynecology for 28 years. Professional research direction: gynecological tumors, gynecological minimally invasive techniques and conservative surgery for adenomyosis, and rescue of critical obstetric emergencies.

Clinic hours: Monday afternoon, Thursday morning.

About the Author

Wang Ying

Deputy Chief Physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Zhoupu Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Health Medical College. Has been engaged in obstetrics and gynecology for 20 years and has been working in the front line of obstetrics and gynecology for a long time.

In the past 20 years of work experience, I have systematically and comprehensively mastered the diagnosis and treatment principles and measures of common, frequently occurring and difficult and complicated diseases in obstetrics and gynecology. I have accumulated rich clinical experience and advocated the patient-centered working principle in the diagnosis and treatment process. I have good professional ethics and dedication.

Clinic hours: Saturday morning.

Funded by Shanghai Science and Technology Commission's Science Popularization Project

(Project No.: 20DZ2311100)