Progressing In Your Pregnancy
Frequently Addressed Concerns
- Cats and Cat Litter: Exposure to cats is not a problem during pregnancy. Although pregnant patients should avoid cat feces and should not change the litter box.
- Chemical Extermination: Need to evacuate home for 48 hours after extermination.
- Dental Care – Regular dental check-ups are especially important during pregnancy. Novocaine is ok, as long as it doesn’t contain epinephrine. No x-rays unless necessary. Your mid-section, front, and back should be shielded with a lead apron.
- Household Cleaner Exposure: Most cleaners are not harmful to pregnant patients; however, plastic gloves should be worn to avoid direct contact with the skin. Keep area well-ventilated.
- Painting inside: Exposure to paint is not dangerous in well-ventilated areas.
- Sexual Intercourse: Ok until you deliver, unless you have been advised not to by your Provider, or you have an incompetent cervix, placenta previa, or ruptured membranes (“water broken”).
- Travel: Unless you have been instructed otherwise, it is safe to travel by car or up until 36 weeks by airplane. As there is an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis during air travel during pregnancy, we recommend the following:
- Stand up and walk around at least one time per hour during the flight.
- Purchase and wear compression stockings during the flight.
- Point and flex your toes at least 10 times per hour (each foot).
- Do ankle rotations: Inward and outward at least 10 rotations on each foot each hour.
- Take a copy of your medical records with you (you have access to them on your Duke MyChart)
