Experiencing bleeding gums? Don't be too surprised

Good dental hygiene is essential for pregnancy and there are a couple of facts that you should know.

Pregnancy increases the risk of developing gingivitis (inflamed gums). This is due to increased levels of circulating hormones - oestrogen and progesterone. Your gums can bleed easily during brushing and this tends to happen anywhere after the second month of pregnancy.

If the inflammation is severe and affects the supporting bone structure, it is called periodontitis and can often result in unstable teeth which may come loose.

Dental tips during pregnancy

Good oral hygiene is crucial in preventing gum disease during pregnancy.

1. Remember to brush after each meal, floss daily and gargle with mouth wash.
2. It's generally safe to go for a dental check-up. However, do avoid having silver fillings done during this time. This is because vapours from the filling process can be toxic to your growing baby.

Fall prevention tip during pregnancy

Falls in pregnancy can cause bleeding in the womb and trigger early labour, especially if you have sustained direct trauma to your womb. If a serious fall has happened, do not let it go unnoticed, seek help immediately.

Tip: Per our advise in week 15, please wear shoes that are comfortable and low heeled to prevent falls.

Take notice of baby's movements

By pregnancy week 19, you would have felt your baby start to move, and it would be strange if these movements stopped completely. Fetal movements are a fantastic way for you to monitor your baby's wellbeing. However, the intensity of movements vary between individuals and are dependent on factors such as:

• Your baby's location
• Your baby’s gestational age
• Location of the placenta

There is no hard and fast rule about how often a baby should kick per day as this tends to vary among pregnant mothers. By the end of the second trimester, at about pregnancy week 27, your baby's kicks would have become more constant and it would be easier for you to monitor them. If there are few or no fetal movements felt during then, please seek medical advice immediately.

Ref: L20

Click the link for the complete listing of articles for Pregnancy Week 1 - Week 40.