Pregnancy Lounge

Tag: pregnancy

  • Pregnancy Complications

    Despite the fact that most women have normal, uncomplicated pregnancies, with only minor discomforts, pregnancy complications are not that uncommon. Hundreds of thousands of women have pregnancy complications every year. Among women who become pregnant in the United States each year, at least 30% have a pregnancy-related complication.

    Every year in the United States, approximately 875,000 women experience one or more pregnancy complication, about 467,200 babies are born prematurely, close to 307,000 babies are born with low birth weight and over 154,000 babies are born with birth defects. It’s predicted that this year, 1,050,000 women will develop hypertension, 420,000-840,000 will experience abnormal bleeding, 380,000 will go into labor too early, 210,000 will come down with viral infections, 139,000-420,000 women will have babies with intrauterine growth retardation, 126,000-504,000 will have gestational diabetes and 42,000 will have too much amniotic fluid.

    The majority of problems are relatively mild, but some carry significant health risk to both you and your growing baby. Complications can range from minor (morning sickness, leg cramps, edema, etc) to more serious complications that may need medical intervention including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, incompetent cervix, bleeding in pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), placenta previa, placental insufficiency, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), low or excessive amniotic fluid, preeclampsia, (pregnancy-induced hypertension) and eclampsia.

    If your doctor or midwife identifies a potential problem, they may refer you to a perinatologist, who is a specialist that handles pregnancies that are at higher-than-normal risk for complications. Under certain circumstances, a neonatologist may be called in to advise about problems that occur (or are expected to occur) shortly after delivery. A neonatologist is a pediatrician who works exclusively with newborns, specifically those born premature, have a serious injury, illness, infection or a birth defect.

    There are several specific tests done during the first trimester of pregnancy, and a few screenings later in pregnancy to help prevent certain complications, or spot them early. Your doctor or midwife can provide you with a schedule for prenatal tests. Every woman can minimize her risk of experiencing complications by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly by eating well and refraining from non-prescription drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, as well as receiving regular prenatal care. It’s important to follow your doctor or midwife’s advice, to lower your risk for complications and to heighten your odds of delivering a healthy baby.

  • CMV Infections

    According to the HealthDay News, CMV risk can be significantly reduced when a drug called hyperimmune globin is used as it can keep the virus from being passed onto an unborn baby. CMV can be a dangerous virus for unborn babies and infants but is not usually dangerous to adults and children. By the age of 30, according to the March of Dimes, about half of the US population have contracted the virus. Hyperimmune globin gives a pregnant mother’s immune system a boost to fight the virus.

    Approximately one percent of all babies are born with CMV infection which can cause serious neurological problems including death. If a woman is infected during pregnancy, she has a 40% chance of passing the virus on to her newborn. There is currently no effective treatment of CMV.

    The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and according to Dr. Patrick Duff (co-author of the study), more studies need to be done to confirm these findings.

  • Reasons for Cesareans

    There are many reasons for cesareans and they vary with the individual woman, as well as the individual pregnancy. The chance of needing a cesarean depends on how your pregnancy is progressing and what complications may arise as your due date draws near. Sometimes cesareans aren’t the only option and the reasoning is questionable, while other times there are legitimate medical reasons making a cesarean unavoidable. In some situations, cesareans can be life-saving for mothers and babies.

    Occasionally, an emergency arises when your baby may need to be delivered within a matter of minutes. An emergency cesarean may be caused from such things as: a prolapsed cord (when the umbilical cord comes through the cervix before the baby’s head, preventing blood flow and oxygen from reaching the baby), which occurs in close to 4% of births, placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterine wall before birth), placenta previa (when the placenta is low and covers the cervix either partially or completely) and uterine rupture (when the uterine tissue tears).

    Fetal distress is another cause for the need of a quick delivery leading to a cesarean. This happens when there are concerns about the baby’s health during labor. Changes in the baby’s heart rate (when it’s very fast, very slow or irregular) may signal a problem such as he or she is not responding ideally to contractions or is not getting enough oxygen, either because the umbilical cord is being compressed (pinched or wrapped around something) or the placenta isn’t functioning properly.

    If the baby is mal-positioned (not in a good position for vaginal birth), a cesarean may be recommended, although sometimes babies can be turned or can be delivered vaginally anyway. Some common positions include: transverse (lying sideways) and breech (feet or bottom first). Breech positions account for between 12- 15% of all cesareans.

    << click for the rest of the article on reasons for cesareans >>
    << Avoiding Cesareans >>

  • Cesarean – When is a Cesarean Delivery Necessary

    When pregnant women think about childbirth, they rarely envision having a c-section. Most assume they will deliver vaginally, although with the United States’ cesarean rate at an all-time high, the odds are good that you may, in fact, have a c-section. If you’ve had a previous cesarean, you are much more likely to have another, with a decline in vaginal birth rates following previous c-sections. A recent study found that 47% of moms who’ve had a previous c-section aren’t even considering a vaginal birth the next time. Also, pre-planned or “elective” c-sections are becoming more and more common, when many times there is no identifiable medical reason. Cesareans are the most common surgery performed and it’s believed that between 25- 50% are unnecessary. More below:

    If you live in the United States, there is about a one in four chance your baby will be delivered by cesarean, which is a very steep rise since 1970, when only 5% of all deliveries were by cesarean. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was an overall decline in the number of cesarean deliveries in the U.S.

    In the mid 1990s, the rates began to increase rapidly. From 1999 through 2001, the percent of “elective” c-sections grew from about 1.56% to 1.87%, which is a 20% rise. In 2002, cesarean deliveries increased by 67% among low-risk women. Low-risk, first-time moms who were 40 and older were more than five times more likely to have a c-section than first-time moms between the ages of 20 and 24. In 2002, the number of vaginal deliveries was less than 3 million, while the number of cesarean deliveries were about 1.1 million (approximately 634,000 were first time c-sections and 409,000 were repeat c-sections). Now the rate has jumped to well over 27% of all deliveries in the United States, which translates to about 27 c-sections for every 100 births. Some hospitals have a staggering cesarean rate of over 50%!

    Why the increasing cesarean rates? It is believed that the rates of c-sections among women in the United States are on the rise for a number of reasons including: increasing age of pregnant women, more underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, for convenience purposes, fertility treatments yielding more twins and triplets, improved fetal monitoring (which has made it easier to tell if the baby is stressed), as well as liability reasons for doctors and hospitals, who may feel as if their risk of being sued is greater if complications occur during a vaginal delivery.

    << Reasons for Cesareans
    << Avoiding Cesareans

  • more Reasons for Cesareans

    Failure to progress, or “dystocia” accounts for close to 30% of all cesareans. When the cervix won’t dilate or if it slows down or stops altogether at some point and labor is taking longer than average, a cesarean may be suggested. Also, prolonged labor may be caused by the baby not descending or contractions that aren’t strong enough, even after an attempted augmentation with cervical ripening agents or Pitocin.

    If the baby’s head is too large to fit through the pelvis (which is often called cephalopelvic disproportion or “CPD”), either because the mother is too small or the baby is too big, a cesarean may be necessary. Sometimes a woman has a deformed pelvis because of a birth defect or a debilitating disease such as rickets or polio, which makes a vaginal delivery incredibly difficult or impossible.

    A cesarean may be necessary if certain maternal health conditions are present. Toxemia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (which can lead to an extra large-sized baby), pre-eclampsia, heart or pulmonary disease, HIV infection, obstruction of the birth canal by fibroids and active genital herpes lesions are all possible indicators that a cesarean may need to take place, but not in all situations. Maternal exhaustion accounts for a small number of cesareans.

    Problems with the baby such as genetic deformity, neural tube defects, hydrocephalus or heart problems can lead to a cesarean. Some babies may not survive the process of labor and vaginal birth. Also, multiple births run a higher risk of complications if a vaginal delivery is attempted. Cesareans are routinely performed with the delivery of twins, triplets (or more), since giving birth to multiples poses unique challenges. Multiples are much more common now, as a result of fertility treatments, which also contributes partially to the increase in the overall cesarean rates.

    Close to a third of all cesareans are repeat cesareans, although more and more women are electing to try VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). On the other hand, many hospitals and doctors are choosing not to offer VBACs any longer.

    The reason for the high number of repeat cesareans is partly because of the concern for a possible uterine rupture. Pre-planned or “elective” cesareans (for non-medical reasons) are becoming increasingly popular. The reason for this jump is mainly simply for convenience purposes (for the doctor, as well as the mother).

  • Cervix, Changes and BBT

    Cervix, Changes and BBT

    bbt basal body temperatureA combination of charting your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus and cervical position and shape will indicate when the most fertile time of your cycle is. Cervical change signals general fluctuations in your estrogen levels and can be very helpful and fairly reliable in predicting your fertility. Checking your cervical position and shape takes some practice. Also, to chart this particular sign, there are some guidelines you should follow to achieve the best results.

    Your Cervical Changes and Shape

    Right after your period ends, the position of your cervix is low, hard and closed. At this point in your cycle, it should be easily reached by your fingertip and feel as if you are touching the tip of your nose. A firm, pointed shape generally indicates low estrogen and you are considered to be infertile during this time.

    As estrogen and fertility increase (immediately prior to ovulation), your cervix softens, opens up and rises to it?s highest point within your body so that it?s harder to reach. The opening increases as well, which makes the slit or tiny hole feel much larger, becoming more receptive to sperm, allowing them to make their way more easily through your cervix. Your cervix remains this way until after ovulation has taken place.

    Once ovulation has occurred- when estrogen levels suddenly drop, you can feel your hardened, closed cervix back in its lower (pre-ovulatory) position. Keep in mind that women who have given birth previously may notice that their cervix feels slightly open, even after ovulation. When the position of your cervix drops, it will become easy to reach once more. At this point, you are considered infertile once again and cannot get pregnant.

    You should begin observing your cervical position and shape the first day after your period ends. Cervical position can be monitored throughout the day and be done while checking your cervical mucus. Before checking your cervix, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. The best time to check it is right after you have showered. Sitting on the toilet or with one foot on the toilet seat (or bathtub) may be the most comfortable positions for checking your cervix. You can check your cervical position by gently inserting your finger and feeling for your cervix, which is located at the top of your vagina. Record if it?s hard to reach (high position) or easier to reach (low position) and also if it feels firm or soft. It normally takes a few months to see all the changes in your cervix during your cycle and notice a pattern.

    –Tracking your basal body temperature (or BBT)
    –Observing changes in your cervical mucus
    –Monitoring your physical and emotional symptoms
    –Checking the position and shape of your cervix

    Read more on Fertility Charting

  • Cervix and Changes

    A combination of charting your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical mucus and cervical position and shape will indicate when the most fertile time of your cycle is. Cervical change signals general fluctuations in your estrogen levels and can be very helpful and fairly reliable in predicting your fertility. Checking your cervical position and shape takes some practice. Also, to chart this particular sign, there are some guidelines you should follow to achieve the best results.

    Your Cervical Changes and Shape

    Right after your period ends, the position of your cervix is low, hard and closed. At this point in your cycle, it should be easily reached by your fingertip and feel as if you are touching the tip of your nose. A firm, pointed shape generally indicates low estrogen and you are considered to be infertile during this time.

    As estrogen and fertility increase (immediately prior to ovulation), your cervix softens, opens up and rises to it?s highest point within your body so that it?s harder to reach. The opening increases as well, which makes the slit or tiny hole feel much larger, becoming more receptive to sperm, allowing them to make their way more easily through your cervix. Your cervix remains this way until after ovulation has taken place.

    Once ovulation has occurred- when estrogen levels suddenly drop, you can feel your hardened, closed cervix back in its lower (pre-ovulatory) position. Keep in mind that women who have given birth previously may notice that their cervix feels slightly open, even after ovulation. When the position of your cervix drops, it will become easy to reach once more. At this point, you are considered infertile once again and cannot get pregnant.

    You should begin observing your cervical position and shape the first day after your period ends. Cervical position can be monitored throughout the day and be done while checking your cervical mucus. Before checking your cervix, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. The best time to check it is right after you have showered. Sitting on the toilet or with one foot on the toilet seat (or bathtub) may be the most comfortable positions for checking your cervix. You can check your cervical position by gently inserting your finger and feeling for your cervix, which is located at the top of your vagina. Record if it?s hard to reach (high position) or easier to reach (low position) and also if it feels firm or soft. It normally takes a few months to see all the changes in your cervix during your cycle and notice a pattern.

    –Tracking your basal body temperature (or BBT)
    –Observing changes in your cervical mucus
    –Monitoring your physical and emotional symptoms
    –Checking the position and shape of your cervix

    Read more on Fertility Charting

  • Tender Breasts: Pregnancy Discomforts

    When pregnancy hormone amounts, such as estrogen and progesterone, increase and your breasts start preparing for milk production, you may experience an increase in size as well as sensitivity. They may become extra tender and may even tingle, especially during the first trimester.

    Thankfully, soreness typically diminishes by the second trimester. Increase your bra size as your breasts become larger and wear a bra that provides firm support, even at night, if necessary, which can help ease discomfort and maintain support at the same time. This may also ease the strain put on your back, as your breasts become increasingly heavy.

    more Discomforts

    —Backaches
    —Breast Discomfort
    —Braxton Hicks Contractions
    —    Constipation
    —    Dizziness and Fainting
    —    Fatigue
    —    Hand Numbness
    —    Headaches
    —    Heartburn and Indigestion
    —    Hemorrhoids
    —    Increased Discharge
    —    Itchy Abdomen
    —    Leg Cramps
    —    Nausea and Morning Sickness
    —    Overheating
    —    Pelvic Pressure
    —    Sleep Trouble
    —    Swelling
    —    Urinary Problems
    —    Varicose Veins

  • Sweden Wants More Maternity Leave for Fathers

    Sweden Wants More Maternity Leave for Fathers

    It’s news to me that Sweden offers new fathers maternity leave for as long as 240 days with a paycheck backed by the government. What’s even more of a surprise to me is that the law has been in effect since 1974 so that fathers and mothers can share bonding with their children during their early years. If a father doesn’t want to take the leave from work, he has to take at least two months off in order to receive that government check.

    This news takes us to today, where Sweden’s government is asking if that is enough time off and the debate is on. The issues arising from the suggestion of an additional month of leave for fathers is that they should not be forced to take it, it should not be mandatory.

    State-sponsored parental leave is arguably more generous in Sweden than anywhere else. Parents are entitled to a total of 480 days paid leave per child, with both mothers and fathers entitled and encouraged to share the leave. The leave can be taken at any time until the child reaches the age of seven.

  • International Travel in Pregnancy

    International Travel in Pregnancy

    If traveling internationally here are some pregnancy tips and guidelines to go by. A pregnant woman may be exposed to infectious diseases, just like any other traveler. If you are pregnant, you must take additional special precautions when planning a trip to a remote area or developing country to protect yourself as well as your unborn baby from disease and illness.

    Plan Your Trip

    Before planning international trips especially, you should weigh the availability of quality medical care by researching medical facilities at your destination. Many remote areas have less than first-class medical facilities and risks of tropical diseases such has malaria (which could have very serious effects on your unborn baby).

    Many vaccines and medications routinely recommended for travel may not be safe in pregnancy or adequately studied in pregnant women. Ideally, you should receive vaccines prior to becoming pregnant. If vaccines are indicated during pregnancy, the risk of exposure and risks to you and your baby from the disease must be weighed against potential risks from the specific vaccines. These are things that need to be discussed with your doctor or midwife.

    When Travel Should be Avoided

    If you have certain medical conditions or a history of problems during pregnancy, travel may need to be avoided. You may be advised not to travel if you have a history of preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes (PROM), miscarriage or an incompetent cervix. If you currently have vaginal bleeding, hypertension, gestational diabetes, severe anemia, placental abnormalities, a multiple pregnancy (carrying twins or more) or if this is your first pregnancy and you are over 35, you may want to choose to stay closer to home, to avoid potential problems.

    Don’t Travel Alone

    Traveling with at least one companion is a good choice, particularly when traveling long distances. Make sure to carry a copy of your prenatal records, including a card specifying your blood type and check to make sure your health insurance is valid while you are abroad (if traveling overseas). In addition, check to see whether the policy will cover delivery, if you go into preterm labor. If you will need prenatal care while you’re away, arrange for this before you leave with your doctor or midwife. Anticipate any complications or potential emergencies that could arise before you travel, to minimize possible threats to your unborn baby and to heighten your enjoyment during your vacation.

  • Pregnancy Travel

    Pregnancy Travel

    pregnancy travelIf you’re going through pregnancy, you may be wondering if it’s safe for you to travel & also what extra precautions you should take during your time away. If you are in good health and you’ve already spoken with your doctor or midwife about possible risks and potential problems that may arise (especially if planning to travel abroad), the decision is all yours.  Pregnancy travel — this may be the last time you’ll have a chance to get away with your partner for a while; just the two of you.

    The safest time for a woman to travel during pregnancy is in the second trimester, preferably month 4 through month 6; when there is the least risk of miscarriage (which would more likely happen prior to 12 weeks) and premature labor (which would be more likely after 28 weeks). Plus, during the second trimester, morning sickness has typically let up; allowing you to feel better and in addition, you are not big enough yet to feel too uncomfortable being out-and-about. Also, check with the airline as some have specific restrictions for pregnant women.

    more on Travel in Pregnancy

    International Travel When Pregnant

  • Pregnancy Bedrest Survival Tips

    Pregnancy Bedrest Survival Tips

    pregnancy bedrestIt’s one of the most dreaded words to hear during pregnancy bedrest. But it’s not a prison sentence. There are ways to survive. You will need outside help, but you can do it.

    I know firsthand that this isn’t really fun. My first baby “dropped” at just 18 weeks. My doctor threw me on bedrest faster than I could say, “Huh?” When I became too active after that (Yes, I was bad and didn’t obey all the time), I experienced preterm labor. But I learned how to cope after a bit. Here are some tips from a “been there, done that” mommy.

    Make sure your meds and vitamins are next to your bed, along with water. Have your husband put a cooler next to your side of the bed with some fresh, cold water and a few snacks. When my mom was almost fully bedridden from cancer, I found one of those tiny portable refrigerators for her. My dad would put a glass of milk in it and a bowl of dry cereal next to it each morning before he left for work. When the nurse or one of us arrived in the morning, we were able to help her get her day started from that point and she wasn’t famished. You could do the same thing.

    Choose your trips out of bed wisely. Do several things at a time when you are sentenced to pregnancy bedrest. Go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, take your quick shower (depending on doctor’s orders) and get dressed. Rest for a couple of hours. Go to the fridge, grab your lunch, hit the bathroom, pick up a few magazines, a newspaper or a book to read, settle down on the couch for the afternoon. Rest a few hours more. Toss a prepared dinner in the oven and visit the restroom again, since during the resting periods you should be drinking lots of water!

    If you currently have children, have your husband or someone else help teach them how to climb up in bed and help you. Depending upon their age, they can fetch things throughout the day for you. For toddlers, keep puzzles, books, crayons, etc. next to the bedside to keep them occupied with you. Keep their food, drinks, diapers and wipes with you, as well.

    Now, obviously, this cannot all be accomplished by yourself. You will need to rely on the help of friends and family. Maybe a neighbor, co-worker, church member or relative could arrange for meals to be brought in for your family a few times a week. You will need someone to arrange for some of the housework to be done. Someone will need to come help take care of your small children, too.

    But during the quiet rest times, think up things to do that you enjoy and work on them. Start knitting or crocheting that afghan you’ve wanted to make. Finish the cross-stitch you started for your mom. Work on your pregnancy journal. If you have a laptop, you can surf the web, email friends, complete your baby registry and shop for your baby’s nursery. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. If you play the violin, this is a great time to do it. Catch up with your friends by having a game or movie night. If you are in a bible study or a book club, ask the other members if they can meet at your home while you’re on bedrest. Just try to relax and enjoy your favorite quiet hobbies now while you have time.

    Try not to dwell on the negative aspects of what you’re experiencing. Finding the positive aspects may be difficult. But at least you are doing what is needed to take care of your precious baby. This will give him or her the best chance towards a healthy life. Look at it this way, youll be well rested when that sweet little bundle arrives!