Lai, 35 from Hertfordshire asks...
I'm 7 months pregnant and i'm going to travel to Italy and it would take 3 hours journey by plane. I'd like to know if the cabin pressure would affect my baby. Please give me some information about this if it's true. Thanks.

Stacy Says...
If you have been having a healthy, normal pregnancy, there is probably no problems with flying. Poorly controlled diabetics, placental abnormalities, hypertensive women should not be flying. If you do decide to fly, please keep these factors in mind:

• Flying creates an increased risk for blood clots (due to inactivity) and pregnancy often causes circulation problems. To prevent this, get up often and stretch, walk the aisles, wiggle your feet, circle your ankles, etc. Wear loose clothing and maybe even invest in some compression stockings (like the kind nurses wear) to keep the blood flowing in your legs. Avoid crossing your legs and drink plenty of water.
• Check with your doctor before leaving. Even obtain a note saying it's okay to fly. Many airlines have restriction regarding pregnant flyers. If you're a week from your due date or a month--double check with the airlines, too.
• Don't be afraid to ask for an aisle seat, or the seat towards the front with more leg room. Chances are, either the airlines or possibly another traveler will take pity on the preggo lady and offer their seat. Hey, you gotta milk it while you can!
• SPEAK UP if anything feels wrong. If you feel like you're having contractions, notify the crew! Wouldn't be the first time a medical problem happened on an airplane.
  

Nicola, 33 from Manchester asks...
I would like to know, if I am 25 weeks pregnant, how many months is that. It can be really confusing, I would say that I am 6 months pregnant. Is this right and when would you say you were 7 months.

Stacy Says...
Um, this is just basic math. Since there are 4 weeks in 1 month. 25 weeks divided by 4 would equal 6 months and 1 week. You would be 7 months at 28 weeks. I hope that helps.

Midnight Runner, 36 from Maryland asks...
We have a 3 1/2 year old son who wakes up some nights between the hours of 2:30 to 6:00 am. When he wakes up he cries for his mom saying " Mommy I want you.. Being the mom that she is she quickly jumps out of bed to be by his side.. I on the other hand have to run downstairs to get him some milk..Is there any way to change this behavior or will he just outgrow this??

Stacy Says...
Well, is he waking up because he's hungry or are you getting the milk as a way to calm him down for sleep? If so, you might've created a viscous cycle. While he originally wanted just mommy, now he also gets some milk and so he might be waking up wanting the milk. Kids develop patterns real fast.

I'd suggest next time he does it to simply try to comfort him without milk. Some experts argue to let the kid cry it out. I can't stand for my baby, in the middle of the night, cry for me and not go. Maybe your wife can simply try to calm him down by hugging and cuddling him, asking him what's wrong--giving him reassurance that mommy and daddy are here, but not giving him the milk for comfort.

If that doesn't work and he keeps waking up, try letting him cry for 5 minutes. Maybe he might calm down without you there. Chances are by breaking the cycle, even one night, he'll stop awakening so distraught.

Lianne, 23 from Glos asks...
For the last 5 days ive been getting a terrible pain in my ribs, I am assuming it is where the baby is lying but it never goes away and it is really causing me discomfort. Nothing I do helps, is there anything you can suggest? I have taken painkillers and the doctor cant see me until next week!

Stacy Says...
I really don't know what to tell you, Lianne. I need a bit more information, like, how far are you? If you're only 12 weeks then it could be a problem, but if you're 26 weeks or so, it's probably just the baby's position. Unfortunately, nothing can be done for that. I wouldn't recommend painkillers if the pain is coming from position, not an endogenous source (something other than position). If the pain is unbearable call your doctor's office and speak with the triage nurse. She might be able to help you more.

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Hi. I am 27 weeks pregnant and to worry that my baby is not alright, because one day I get a lot of activity,and another nothing for hours at a time. Go for a growth scan next week hopefully everything will be ok.

Stacy Says...
Concentrate on the good stuff. You ARE getting lots of movement. Maybe the days where you feel like you're getting less, the baby might be moving at night or moving when you're moving, making it harder to feel. I remember my daughter always seemed to wake up around 10:30 at night, just as I was going to sleep. And since she squirmed rather than kicked, I wouldn't feel her at all.

As an expecting mom we tend to be soooo concerned we atuomatically jump to the conclusion that something is wrong. I'm sure everything is fine. Remember, the baby IS moving. Good sign!

Pat, 65, Columbia, SC asks...
My grandbaby is 15 months old and pitches temper tamtrums when his diaper is changed or when he can't have something. Isn't this a little early for temper tamtrums?

Stacy Says...
Nope.. Mine started at 11 months. All of a sudden she started throwing a fit when we changed her diaper. I kept telling her, 'You've been doing this your whole life! What's the sudden change?'

I think we don't give babies nearly as much credit as they deserve for their intelligence. Some kids tune into it real quick...if I throw a tantrum, I'll get my way. Obviously, your grandson has caught on to the secret. My advice? Don't put up with it. When my daughter started her fits on the changing table I would hold her legs down and get real close to her face and say STOP! Very calmly, yet forcefully. Sometimes, she'd pick it up on the first try. Other times, she'd plant her feet, arch her back and nearly throw herself off the changing table. THAT had to stop. THAT got a pop on the leg with a STOP. I was not going to let her catapult herself off the table.

Your grandson needs to be nipped in the bud fast if he's already showing his smarts. Most of the time, just being forceful vocally with him should do the trick. And DON'T GIVE IN! We think, oh he's so little--he can't help it. Wrong. The sooner he learns that he can't get away with the temper tantrums, the better it'll be for everyone!

Marta, 24, from Pennsylvania asks...
I'm seven months pregnant and this morning I cried because there was barely any movement from my baby which scares me because my baby always moves. Should I be worried?

Stacy Says...
Just one morning of different movement is nothing to be alarmed about. If for the whole day, your baby wasn't moving as much as normal I might call the doctor. You can always try the fetal kick count. Pick a time where you feel the baby is awake, lie down, relax, and count how many times you feel the baby kick or move in an hour. It should be around 10.

Babies change their schedules frequently. She might have stayed up late and decided to sleep in. Don't panic from this. I'm guessing the fact your riddled with hormones might have had some influence on the emotional outburst as well. (I can recognize the symptoms because I had them, oh, about every other hour) You are concerned for the health of your baby, as would any mother be. Sometimes we get too emotional, though, and let our minds run away with "what-ifs". Just relax, take deep breaths, it'll be okay!

Karen, 25 from Commerce asks...
How many weeks or months till I get morning sickness?

Stacy Says...
Typically it starts in the first trimester (1st three months) and can sometimes last the whole pregnancy. But it differs for every woman. I felt nauseous the whole first trimester but never threw up. Some women puke every every morning. Some puke at night. It all depends. You might just be the blessed one and not get it at all!

Vivian, 35, from Nw Mexico asks...
My wife has experienced some brown blood. She went to her OB and did an ultra sound and found out she was seven weeks pregnant and a heart beat was present. She now is experiencing some red blood and is scheduled for a blood test. We had sex about three days before this started happening. Is she in any danger? Is the baby? What is the cause.

Stacy Says...
Bright red blood is dangerous IF it is accompanied by abdominal or lower back pain, severe cramping or clots. If she's not having any of this, most likely the bleeding is from sex. The vagina, cervix and uterus are extrememly sensitive and are engorged with blood and tissues during pregnancy. While sex is extremely pleasurable during early pregnancy, it can cause some bleeding. As long as your wife, or you, are not bothered by it--go for it. The baby is fine and your wife, as long as she isn't having the symptoms I mentioned, is in no danger.

Tay, 31, from Ontario asks...
I am only 6 weeks pregnant and in the last three days have been experiencing an extremely sore and stiff neck. My husband has had one for a month and is being treated by a chiropractor. After a family barbeque here five days ago, my brother also started complaining of a stiff neck. Should I worry about this? What could it be?

Stacy Says...
This question confuses me for several reasons. First of all, if this stiff and sore neck is accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, severe headache, confusion...it could be meningitis. Viral meningitis lasts for several days and is completely recoverable. Bacterial meningitis can be fatal. HOWEVER, with your husband having it for a month, I doubt it would be meningitis FOR HIM.

Your brother getting a stiff neck at a barbeque--I wonder many about many things. Did he come in contact with your husband? Touching, sharing drinks, etc. BUT, if it's not meningitis--many he just strained his neck.

I would think, if it was meningits, YOU would have gotten it by now. Especially if your husband has been having symptoms for a month. I would ask the doctor to be sure. There is too many "What ifs" in your situation. Call the doctor, just to be on the safe side.

Kylie, 30, from Queensland asks..
Hello, my daughter is 3 mths and from birth she has had a birth mark on her cheek and 2 bright red marks one on her side and one behind her ear. Will these go away with time? And are they any thing to worrie about, is this common? Thank you.

Stacy Says...
Hi Kylie! These marks are nothing to be concerned with. Just birthmarks with some color. If you go to this site, it lists the different kinds so you can tell exactly what kind they are (Strawberry hemangiomas, portwine stains, salmon patches, etc.) Some fade with time, some don't. My daughter has the salmon patches (also called stork bites or angel kisses) on the back of her neck. They haven't faded but I was told they were--we'll see. But I like them, gives her some personality and I love the thought of little angel kisses!