Pregnancy: Things You Need To Know

Complications during pregnancy:

Toxemia:Toxemia is a general term given to an acute hypertensive disorder appearing after the 20th week of pregnancy or following delivery and accompanied by increased edema protein (albumin) in urine and in severe cases convulsions and coma, especially if treatment is delayed.Toxemia can lead to maternal and newborn infant death if it is not treated in time. Malnutrition is the main cause of toxemia which can be prevented by good parental care and good nutrition. If toxemia is found to be present in a pregnant woman, adequate quantities of proteins of high biological value should be included in her diet. Salt was previously restricted to help relieve toxemia but it is now recognized that salt is needed in pregnancy and that a normal amount should be supplied. Vitamins and minerals are the regulatory agents which are particularly needed to avoid malnutrition which precedes toxemia.

Anemia: Anemia is common during pregnancy. It can be classified as follows:
Iron Deficiency Anemia: This is the most common anemia in pregnancy and results due to insufficient iron in the diet. The requirement of iron by the pregnant women far exceeds her reserves and hence anemia may result if her diet is not enriched with iron-rich foods.

Hemorrhagic anemia: This results due to loss of blood and is more likely to occur after delivery due to loss of blood during delivery. During pregnancy however it may occur if there is an abortion or ruptured tubal pregnancy. Most patients receive blood transfusion but iron therapy in addition is indicated to support the formation of hemoglobin needed for adequate blood replacement.

Megaloblastic anemia: In this condition large, immature red blood cells containing little or no hemoglobin are formed and this malformation in red cells is the result of folic acid deficiency. Folic acid requirement is greatly increased in pregnancy and deficiency is manifested in nausea, vomiting and anorexia. As anemia progresses, loss of appetite is even more, aggravating nutritional deficiency. Most morning sickness symptoms characteristic of pregnancy could be due to deficiency of folic acid and pyridoxine.

Nausea and Vomiting: This is normally called morning sickness. This is usually a mild complaint limited to early pregnancy. It occurs more often after rising rather than in the later in the day; hence the term morning sickness. He reasons are physiological and also psychological due to the tensions and anxieties concerning pregnancy itself. Simple treatment usually improves the person?s tolerance towards food. Dry biscuits eaten before rising from the bed decrease nausea. Small meals with liquids taken in between meals rather than with the meals give better results. If excessive, persistent and prolonged vomiting is seen, then the doctor may hospitalize the patient and feed her intravenously to prevent complications and dehydration.

NEURAL TUBE DEFECT:

The Neural Tube: The neural tube becomes the brain and spinal cord. Women need to get enough folic acid before they become pregnant and during the first trimester of pregnancy so that the neural tube can develop properly.

Neural Tube Defect: NTDs are birth defects that occur when the neural tube does not form correctly. Neural tube defects usually occur during the first month of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. You must take folic acid BEFORE you become pregnant in order to reduce your risk of having a baby with an NTD.
Some factors which increase risk for NTDs are:Race/ethnicity/geographical location: NTDs are more common among women of certain Hispanic subpopulations, and among population groups in Ireland, China, and the United Kingdom. Use of anti-seizure medications.Maternal insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.Maternal obesity.Maternal hyperthermia (i.e., exposure to high temperatures early in pregnancy, such as hot tub use or high fever).Previous NTD-affected pregnancy.

Diabetes in pregnancy: Diabetes is a disorder in which the levels of sugar in the blood are too high. This occurs because the body doesn?t produce enough insulin or can?t use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body turn blood sugar into energy or store it as fat. In untreated diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage organs, including blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Some people with diabetes need daily insulin injections to prevent these complications.

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common pregnancy complications. It usually develops during the second half of pregnancy, when hormones or other factors interfere with the body?s ability to use its insulin. Most women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms. Blood sugar levels generally return to normal after delivery.Women at increased risk of gestational diabetes include those who are over age 30; are obese; have a family history of diabetes; or have had a very large (over 9? pounds) baby or a stillborn a general rule, a pregnant woman with diabetes (gestational or preexisting) who is of average weight should consume about 2,000 to 2,200 calories a day. This should help her gain the recommended 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Daily calories are usually divided among three meals and about three snacks, including one at bedtime. The dietitian will most likely recommend a diet that includes: 10 to 20 percent of calories from protein (meat, poultry, fish, legumes); about 30 percent from fats (with less than 10 percent from saturated fats); and the remainder from mainly complex carbohydrates (whole-grain bread, cereal, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables). Sweets should be avoided.

I Want to Have a Baby For Good

A baby is someone that gives us happiness and contentment in life. Making us smile for the simplest action, making us laugh for the simplest gesture and giving us peace for the simplest reason and that is having a baby.

A baby could really make your life different which is making you feel that life is precious than any gold or silver and making you feel that you are contended as long as you have your baby with you. But there is a tiny problem and that is if you still don’t have a baby. Everything would be perfect and complete if you only have a baby. So did it ever run in to your mind that “I want to have a baby now”, but what bothers you are your spouse does he/she wants to have a baby? Especially if both of you are newlyweds and just started to live in a married life. So the key here is:

Why not confront your spouse or your partner and tell him/her I want to have a baby, who knows they might understand you and grant your request.

Or why not have a private conversation between you and your spouse to that matter, having a heart to heart talk is not bad and in fact it helps you even know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, thus helping you to know your partner well.

And help your spouse as well to understand that why both of you should have a baby and stress out some factors and benefits that baby could bring in to your lives.

Just for instance a baby could make your life complete. How? So here are some factors:

A baby could love you the way you would not expect it because a baby’s love is unconditional, they expect no return just as long as you love them.

It gives you motivation to even drive or pursue more in your life because you don’t want your baby to experience hardship or trials as your baby grows. In fact you will feel that once you will have a baby, you will even strive for success in your career just to give your baby a better future.

You will feel the sense of belongingness because you will have your own family.

And you will have more reason to value life and appreciate the beauty of life. Every day you will look forward with your family and together you will face and conquer tomorrow.

So don’t let your dreams remain to be a dream. Speak out what’s inside your heart and in your mind and tell your spouse that I want to have a baby because I love you and I want to grow old with you together with our children and always remember that life is precious but a baby’s life is a treasure that you should keep and value it. So speak out and let your dreams become a reality. Do not be afraid but have faith for everything is in God’s hands and don’t wait for tomorrow just do it today.

Search For Affordable Maternity Shorts

Being pregnant does not imply that you are helpless to get out in the sun and enjoy all those summer liveliness you usually love without being too irritated and hot. Maternity shorts are of course outlined specially for you to have abundant of room to grow while staying cool, relaxed, comfortable, and yes in style and fashion for sure. You can access all types designs of latest styles and lengths so your own style statement does not have to change a bit. If you require shorts for a picnic, boating, or even just for taking walk to the park, you can easily acquire the perfect pair for any outing that will give you the support you generally require while giving you complete comfort at the same time.

There are some of the instances that you can consider when it comes to the styles you can find include Bermudas, mid-length, denim, and plus size. Also there are some popular brands that are now manufacturing a new line just for expecting mothers. There are few notable characteristics you will love found with maternity shorts and that are prominent in the market today include cuffed, tab hem, flexible fabric, cotton/spandex, ring spun denim, and machine washable wear. Of course, you can find all types of fabric from cotton to denim and a wide number of colors.

The technique in which these shorts are outlined are to make sure that the pregnant women can stay cool, happy, relaxed and comfortable during the summer heat. Being pregnant is a great time and the most memorable phase in a woman’s life; on the other hand, if you have to stay indoors or cannot find easy and comfortable fitting clothing your summer months will be distressed. You should still be capable to do many of the same regular activities you enjoyed before getting pregnant including riding your bike, jogging, and yes of course, even sailing until your doctor tells you to slow down. There are some women who carry on with their normal tasks until the last trimester. Do not let these hot summers keep you down, just pick some cool, dashing and outstanding maternity shorts and enjoy the summer and your pregnancy.

You can go for a wide variety of shorts in the market today for all your occasions so you will be ready to spend your summer out and about. Take a cruise, go hiking, and be active even during your pregnancy. Maternity shorts will help you stay cool while you spend your summer shopping and having fun with your family and friends and keeping your body in shape as well. Genuinely, staying active helps with your labor pain, so do not just sit and watch boring soap operas enjoy your pregnancy. On the other hand, do not engage in any kind of new exercise regimen or new outdoor activity without consulting to your doctor and of course if you are an ardent mountain climber this should also be talked over with your doctor before planning an adventurous trip.

Recommendations For Pregnant Women That Develop Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is a contagious infection caused by the virus called varicella. In most of the cases chicken pox is a benign infection with no complications. You can not treat chicken pox so the remedies that are prescribed usually ease the symptoms. Even though it?s often seen in childhood, chicken pox can affect adults too. For them the chances of complications grow.

Chicken pox may have unwanted effects if the patient is a pregnant woman. If the future mother is infected during its pregnancy complications may appear.

For pregnant women who have already had chicken pox infection there is no reason to alarm. Their body is immune to the virus because during the infection it has produced antibodies. These antibodies are transferred to the infant through the placenta so the risk of developing chicken pox is low.

At their first pregnancy control women must be tested to see if the antibodies for chicken pox exist.

About one in a thousand women are prone to develop chicken pox during their pregnancy. This small percentage is the cause of a previous infection with varicella, or a working immune system, but can also prove us that there is a risk of developing chicken pox during pregnancy.

For the pregnant women that develop chicken pox the chances of complications are real high. These women are prone to pneumonia, conjunctivitis, meningitis and even encephalitis or heart diseases.

Infants are more affected because of chicken pox during pregnancy. They may develop malformations especially when the infection is acquired in the first three months of pregnancy. The congenital varicella syndrome is responsible for malformations at birth. These defects consist of scars on the skin, eye problems, small limbs, a smaller head or even mental retardation.

If chicken pox develops in the last days of pregnancy or a few days after birth, the child is prone to disseminated varicella infection. One out of four children die if this infection occurs. Disseminated varicella infection occurs if the antibodies from their mother are not transferred to their bodies.

For treating chicken pox infections doctors recommend acyclovir. This medicine is safe in pregnancy. For women that have already developed varicella pneumonia hospitalization is necessary and in these cases a higher dose of acyclovir is prescribed.

For pregnant women, that are not immune to chicken pox varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) is recommended in order to prevent the infection.

Children, whose mothers develop varicella right before giving birth, should be also treated with varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG). If they acquire the virus in two weeks after birth they should be treated with IV acyclovir.

The Non-traditional Pregnancy Diet

Pregnant women need to stop feeling lowly and ugly because of their rapidly changing bodies. Pregnancy is a great time in a woman’s life and it should not be spent drowning in self-pity. An effective pregnancy diet is the key to maintaining the weight and ‘feel good’ factor about the new change, at the same time.

Before planning anything, people need to change their meaning about the word ‘diet’. For pregnant women, the pregnancy diet does not mean losing excessive weight; in fact, that is dangerous. A pregnancy diet means keeping an eye on what one eats.

Folic acid is a very popular item in a pregnant woman’s life and can be obtained via salubrious green, leafy vegetables. This is just one of the many things needed for a proper pregnancy diet but not all women eat them due to ignorance or simply laziness. Supplements of various vitamins and minerals should be regularly taken. There are numerous guidelines for a pregnancy diet and following it is much simpler than what people think.

Yes, there are the notorious food cravings which can tamper with any type of diet and which take a heavy toll on a pregnancy diet. Moreover, most of these cravings are for junk foods like ice cream and many women give in to them. However, an easy way to combat such cravings is to limit portions and opt for that small cup, instead of the gallon tub.

Another effective tool essential for the healthy pregnancy diet and one that is often ignored is exercise. The main reason women avoid exercising during their pregnancies is that they are afraid of hurting themselves or their babies. However, there is no need to worry as light exercising during pregnancy has numerous benefits.

Ask any pregnant lady and one will realize that there are many negative physical symptoms affecting the body such as lack of sleep, heartburn and constipation, during pregnancy. A healthy pregnancy diet paired with the proper exercise has proven to decrease these conditions. Research even shows that the mother has an easier time during labor and the baby’s growth and heart rate is positively affected, because of regular light exercises, during pregnancy.

The key to a successful pregnancy is consulting a doctor, before starting a particular diet or exercise program. Activities such as Pilates, aerobics, swimming and yoga are great options for pregnant women but are not safe for every woman. To know what is right for you, consult your doctor.

Tubal Reversal And What It Means

When a woman has had her tubes tied and regrets it is there another way she can have a child? This is a question that is asked by women around the world. In most cases when a woman asks her doctor this question she will be told to look into IVF (in vitro fertilization). IVF does work for couples but there are those who cannot or do not want to use this procedure. The cost of IVF is too much for some couples and can lead to financial debt. Others will not use IVF due to religious reasons.

So is there another way to have a child following tubal ligation? The answer is tubal reversal surgery. Although not as well known as IVF, tubal reversal surgery actually has better pregnancy success rates over IVF as noted in the Tubal Reversal Pregnancy Report 2009 conducted by the world’s leading tubal reversal center. Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center conducted this study with the input of over 5000 tubal reversal patients. This is the largest ligation reversal study performed to date.Tubal reversal surgery is sought by so many couples for a number of reasons. It is the most natural way to become pregnant following a tubal ligation. It is less taxing on the female body. The couple is able to have subsequent children if they so desire. The cost of surgery is far less than the cost of IVF.Factors that are important to the success of reversal surgery are the type of tubal ligation that was originally performed, the age of the woman at the time of reversal and the experience of the surgeon. Due to the type of surgery it is extremely important the surgeon performs these types of surgeries regularly. Many women will travel out of the United States for surgery that costs less and then develop problems. Although the surgery will cost less it is imperative that the follow up care is available when needed.Tubal reversal surgery has restored hope to many couples who thought IVF was their only option. Because there are so few expert surgeons in the field of ligation reversal many couples are not eve given this option. Only with research do many even realize that the fallopian tubes are indeed able to be repaired. This comes as quite a surprise to couples and many in the medical field.

Nutrition and Vitamins During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, more than ever woman should have a healthy and balanced diet. In over half of pregnant women, there was a marked stimulation of appetite which usually starts at the beginning of the second quarter and held until the end of pregnancy, sometimes diminishing in recent months. It also found changes in tastes frequently, preferences for fruit, pickles, salted foods, spicy.

The key to proper nutrition during pregnancy is balance and variety. Diet should include healthy food from all food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy. Preferably meals in small amount daily, than fewer meals and rich, because in this way is also improved nausea in early period of pregnancy and avoided an over nutrition.

Nutrients for pregnancy

??? The need for fat is slightly modified during pregnancy, thereby increasing the need for protein and carbohydrates

??? Are needed increased amounts of iron, calcium, folic acid and vitamin D.

??? Fiber is important in combating constipation

??? The need for protein during pregnancy is slightly increased, requiring an additional 25-30 g protein / day versus the recommended prior to pregnancy.

??? During pregnancy is recommended a daily intake of 1.5 g / kg of protein, of which about half are of animal origin: milk, cheese, yogurt, meat (chicken, beef or fish) and egg.

??? You must take account of carbohydrates from whole grains, rice, fruits, vegetables that are sources of vitamins of group B.

??? Sweet cravings should be generally calm with fruit

??? The need for iron during pregnancy doubles, reaching 30 mg / day.

??? Food sources of iron include red meat, especially kidneys and beef, egg yolk, nuts, beans, spinach, wheat germ, dried fruit;

??? Iron from animal sources is absorbed well than from plant sources.

??? Calcium. Food sources rich in calcium and phosphorus are dairy (milk, yogurt), cheese, fruit and eggs.

??? Excess calcium during pregnancy is dangerous because it can trigger uterine contractions.

??? If you need calcium supplementation, is given prenatal multivitamin supplements specially designed for pregnant woman

??? Folic acid intake is 0.8 mg.. Adequate intake of folic acid in early pregnancy reduces the risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects (neural tube defects), especially spina bifida. Sources of folic acid: green leafy vegetables: spinach, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, and asparagus, orange, whole grains, lentils and peanuts.

??? Folate is easily destroyed by preservation and cooking. You should eat fruits and vegetables as little cooked.

??? A pregnant woman needs at least 2 liters of fluid per day, preferably in the form of water, milk, fruit or vegetables, unsweetened

Unrecommended food for pregnancy

??? Meat: pork, beef, chicken fish and undercooked meat or raw eggs.

??? Fast food

??? Swordfish, shark, catfish, mackerel, tuna. Disadvantages are of methyl-mercury contamination, a harmful metal for brain and nervous system of children.

??? Unpasteurized dairy

??? Some types of milk and cheeses such as feta, Brie, Roquefort, etc..;

??? Refrozen or canned meat paste.

??? Unpasteurized juices

??? Non-potable water or untested.

??? Foods containing peanuts, strawberries etc.

??? Alcohol, smoking, drugs

A proper diet contributes to you health and supplies nutrients necessary for proper fetal growth and development. It’s bad if diet during pregnancy was insufficient, but it is not good if it was in surplus.

Do not try to lose weight during pregnancy. It is normal if added weight in pregnancy is 8-12 kg.

Calivita supplements recommended in pregnancy

– The need for vitamins, minerals and trace elements in pregnancy and lactation can be completed smoothly by adding the New Life, a natural nutritional supplement containing optimal doses of nutrients for maintaining healthy and harmonious development of the baby.

– Pregnancy and lactation increase the need for vitamin E. In pregnant women, supplementation with Vitamin E helps protect pregnancy and prevent an abortion.

Take Care Of Your Pregnancy

Take care of your health Your health: Your chances of becoming pregnant drop significantly if you aren’t living a healthy lifestyle. Stop smoking, drinking or taking drugs, including caffeine or other non-prescription medication. If you are on medication, contact your doctor so that you can understand the interactions with your attempts to get pregnant. Start exercising, even walking, just to keep yourself in proper health. You don’t want to risk your pregnancy over a cigarette, or by being a little lazy.

Limit your stress Limit your day to day stresses. Emotional stress is a large reason for infertility in a lot of women. We all get stressed in one way or another, and it is imperative to learn how to cope with it. Acupuncture and acupressure are essential proven methods in reducing stress, and regular sessions will greatly increase your chances of conception.

Why do the odds of getting pregnant generally decline as the woman gets older? Studies have indicated the reasons for fertility decline are related to the quality of the woman’s eggs as well as the quantity. A woman in her lifetime will typically produce about 400 fully developed eggs (usually one per month) that are capable of becoming implanted in the uterus and causing pregnancy. As these eggs get used up over thirty years or so and estrogen production slows so that the uterine and vaginal linings are no longer properly stimulated, pregnancy becomes less and less likely.

Have patienceIf you are trying to get pregnant and it hasn’t happened yet, you may be getting extremely frustrated. You may be so frustrated that you are searching for a magic solution. Friends and family may be telling you the things that worked for them. If you think some of their solutions sound a little far fetched, you are probably right. Other well-meaning people could be telling you to “just relax”. But when you want to get pregnant, such platitudes can be equally as discouraging as the negative pregnancy test you get each month.

Take care of your health Your health: Your chances of becoming pregnant drop significantly if you aren’t living a healthy lifestyle. Stop smoking, drinking or taking drugs, including caffeine or other non-prescription medication. If you are on medication, contact your doctor so that you can understand the interactions with your attempts to get pregnant. Start exercising, even walking, just to keep yourself in proper health. You don’t want to risk your pregnancy over a cigarette, or by being a little lazy.

Final Words : Life is too short and our window of opportunity is shrinking, so it’s best to throw every we have into the ring. When we do this miracles happen, anyone can greatly increase their chances of having a healthy baby at any age. For further reading about pregnancy issues take a look at Getting Pregnant Help

Female Infertility And Its Common Causes

Female infertility refers to the difficulty or inability of a woman to conceive a child on her own without medication or fertility treatments. Female infertility is relatively common, and becomes more prevalent as the age of the woman increases. Some infertility issues can be resolved with a change in lifestyle or medications, while other issues are permanent and another option, such as in vitro fertilization, may be necessary to achieve conception.

Common Reasons For Female Infertility

One of the most common factors for female infertility is age. Women are at their peak for conceiving a child between the ages of 18 and 27. After the age of 27, fertility begins to decline slowly until the age of 35, when fertility drops drastically. As a woman reaches her late 40s to early 50s, fertility becomes near impossible due to age alone, as the body can no longer easily support a healthy pregnancy to term.

Thrombophilia is also a major reason for infertility issues. Thrombophilia is an abnormality in individuals that prevents them from developing blood clots. The disorder is hereditary, and affects as many as 10% of individuals in the country. Because blood is unable to clot, thrombophilia can cause excessive bleeding that does not allow for conception, or does not support a healthy pregnancy and ends in a miscarriage soon after conception.

Female Infertility And Reproductive Organs

Many female infertility issues are directly linked to problems with their reproductive system. Polycystic ovary syndrome, more commonly known as PCOS, is an endocrine disorder that can make it near impossible for sufferers to conceive. About 5% of all women are affected by the disorder, and it is the most common hormonal disorder in women between the ages of 18 and 27, as well as the leading cause of female infertility.

Anovulation is a disorder where the ovaries fail to release an egg during a cycle. Therefore, ovulation never takes place. While this can sometimes be mistaken for the beginning of menopause, anovulatory cycles are very common in women of childbearing age, and is the second cause of female infertility problems due to reproductive issues. Anovulation cannot be cured, but it can be managed with hormonal drugs to keep the cycle normal and to encourage ovulation. Often times, an ovulation will correct itself in spurts, allowing for conception to take place when the disorder is in a period of remission.

Female infertility problems are more common than male fertility problems, but that doesn?t mean that women who suffer with a fertility problem with never be able to conceive. With modern medicine and new technologies being developed every day, women who would have never been able to conceive 20 years ago now have a chance to go on and have two, three, four, or more healthy children in their lifetime. The key is to seek help as soon as you know you have a problem, and learn to manage your disorder and to keep your options open for conception alternatives.

Find out about our recommended Fertility Aids to help you get pregnant fast.

Get The Best Night Sleep in Pregnancy

Feeling tired is all part and parcel of being a parent, but it doesn’t just start with the sleepless nights after you bring your little bundle home from the hospital. One of the first signs you might be pregnant is tiredness and this most likely will only get worse as the baby grows and it becomes more and more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Physical discomfort, indigestion, the baby kicking and frequent trips to the toilet all contribute to a disturbed night’s sleep. Getting enough rest and relaxation for the challenges ahead is vital at this time, especially as a lot of your energy is going into making a baby. Here are some tips on how to get that all-important good night’s sleep when pregnant…

Find the perfect position:

This is easier said than done, especially with a growing bump. Take time to arrange the pillows to give maximum support at night. Tuck a pillow behind your back, in between your ankles and thighs (to take the pressure off the pelvis) and one underneath the tummy. Investing in specialist maternity sleep pillows is a matter of personal choice as some pregnant women find them large and cumbersome while others swear by them. If you have started to suffer from heartburn since becoming pregnant, it might be a good idea to sleep in a more upright position.

Winding down:

Being pregnant is an exciting time and it can be difficult to switch off with so many plans for the future whirring around in your mind. This is only made worse by the pregnancy hormones raging through the body, making you much more emotional and highly strung. To help get you in the right frame of mind, avoid snacks that are high in sugar and caffeinated drinks just before bed as this will stimulate rather than relax. Take a long bath, read a book, make yourself a milky drink or try deep breathing exercises as part of your bedtime routine. Some light exercise taken a few hours before bed can help reduce stress and promote a good night’s sleep.

The powers of lavender:

Lavender has always been used for helping with insomnia and is perfectly safe to use when pregnant. Try adding a little lavender oil to your bath, or put a couple of drops on your pillow, sheets or pyjamas before bed. Alternatively, slip a lavender sachet into bed with you or use a fragrant pillow spray.

Rest and recuperate:

It can sometimes seem impossible to find the time to take a break when you are pregnant, especially if you have other children to look after but wherever possible, try and have moments of rest during the day. If someone offers to help you out, jump at the chance and don’t waste it doing catch-up chores. A day-time nap of around half an hour can work wonders – any longer than that and it might affect your sleep later on.