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Week by Week

Ask A Nurse
Early Pregnancy

Pregnancy Testing

Can periods continue through pregnancy?
How early can you test? When do you ovulate?
I took a test, it was negative, can I still be pregnant?

Morning Sickness

What can I do about morning sickness?

Spotting & Cramping/Fear of Miscarriage

I've lost some signs of pregnancy, does that mean I've lost the baby?
What does a pink discharge mean?
Does early spotting mean miscarriage?
Can periods continue through pregnancy?
What about discharge during pregnancy?
Is cramping normal or does it mean I'm about to start my period?

Exposure to Harmful Substances

I had an x-ray before I knew I was pregnant. What do I need to know?
What effects will marijuana have on my baby?
What effects will alcohol and tanning beds have on my baby?
Is smoking harmful during pregnancy?

Weight Gain

How much weight is normal for the first trimester?
What is edema?

Shirley Wingate, RNC, CD, is an OB/GYN nurse with 12 years experience as an obstetrical nurse and childbirth educator. She is certified as a specialist in women's health and is an experienced labor and postpartum doula in private practice. She is the founder and director of "Birth Matters Inc." a prenatal and parenting resource and support center. Throughout her career she has been involved in developing, teaching and expanding services in the community to educate families and support them as they face the changes, challenges and choices that childbearing brings.

She feels that childbirth is a normal, natural and wondrous occasion and has confidence in a woman's ability to listen to her body and trust her instincts during childbirth. She believes that a laboring mothers thoughts, ideas and concerns should be given the utmost respect and feels that all women are entitled to a positive birth experience with rich rewards and feelings of accomplishment. She has been published in "The International Journal of Childbirth Education" and was a contributor to Polly Perez and Deaun Thelan's book on doula programs. She is also on the advisory council for the guidebook "Having Children, The Best Resources to Help You Prepare." She lives in the Midwest with her husband of 21 years and has a daughter and two sons.