Bleeding during early Pregnancy

Is spotting during pregnancy normal?
Spotting is light bleeding from the vagina similar to, but lighter than, a period. It varies in colour from red to brown. While it's not exactly normal, light bleeding or spotting during pregnancy - particularly during the first three months - is fairly common. It's estimated that about 15 to 25 per cent of women experience some sort of bleeding in the first trimester. Often it turns out to be caused by something minor or "just one of those things". However, it can be a sign of a more serious condition that could put you and your pregnancy at risk. This is why it's always best to take any bleeding in pregnancy seriously and get the bleeding checked out.
What should I do if I notice bleeding?
Call your doctor, midwife or hospital straightaway for advice, even if it eventually stops. You may need a vaginal examination or an ultrasound to rule out any complications and to make sure you and your baby are fine. You will probably be given a urine pregnancy test and blood test (to check your hormone levels). You may be referred to an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) or clinic (EPAC), where the facilities are specially tailored to care for women with complications in the first trimester of pregnancy. (Find out if there is an EPAU in your area.) An examination using "transvaginal" ultrasound is often the best way to check whether all is well. In a transvaginal ultrasound, an ultrasound probe is gently inserted into your vagina, giving a clearer view of where the pregnancy is situated and whether the embryo is developing normally. Severe, persistent abdominal pain with or without bleeding can be a sign that the pregnancy has implanted outside of the uterus - an ectopic pregnancy - in which case you will need to go to hospital immediately.

What causes bleeding during early pregnancy?
There are many causes for spotting or bleeding early in pregnancy, some of which are more of a concern than others. Two common causes of early bleeding, which usually clear up on their own without any problems are: • "Breakthrough" bleeding - the hormones that control your menstrual cycle can cause breakthrough bleeding when your period would have been due. Some women experience this sort of bleeding more than once during their pregnancy, generally at times that fitted their previous menstrual cycle. • "Implantation" bleeding - when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus causing bleeding. You may experience some spotting or light bleeding, which usually lasts a day or two. Another much rarer cause of bleeding is a molar pregnancy. This happens when the embryo doesn't develop properly but some of the cells that form the placenta continue to grow abnormally. For your safety, both molar and ectopic pregnancies have to be removed as soon as possible. Bleeding can also be a sign of an underlying condition, which may need treating or for you to take precautions during the rest of your pregnancy. Bleeding can be caused by: • An irritated or inflamed cervix - pregnancy hormones can change the surface of the cervix (the lower section and entrance to your uterus) making it more likely to bleed. You may bleed a bit after sex or a cervical smear, for instance. • A cervical or vaginal infection. • A cervical polyp - a small, benign growth that has formed on the cervix. • Fibroids - particularly large fibroids that have formed within the lining of the uterus, or fibroids situated where the placenta has implanted. • An inherited bleeding disorder - such as, Von Willibrande disease. • A "vanishing twin" - when one or more embryos in a multiple pregnancy miscarries leaving an embryo behind. This can happen in naturally conceived pregnancies but it has been seen more frequently in assisted conception pregnancies where more than one embryo has been implanted. Bleeding can also be set off by trauma of some kind, such as a fall, a car accident, or as the result of domestic violence.
What does bleeding in early pregnancy mean?
The worst case scenario is that the bleeding is a sign that your pregnancy is going to come to an end. Spotting or light bleeding can be an early sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, especially if accompanied by abdominal pain or cramping. Try to prepare yourself, but don't lose all hope. Depending on the cause, many pregnancies continue despite early bleeding problems. It is estimated that about half of women who seek help because of bleeding in early pregnancy go on to have their baby successfully.
What causes bleeding in late pregnancy?
In the third trimester bleeding or spotting can signal a condition called placenta previa, placenta abruptio (whereby the placenta separates from the uterus), or premature labour. If you notice spotting after 37 weeks, it's most likely to be just a sign that the cervix is beginning to soften, maybe even dilate. You may notice a blood-tinged mucus discharge - part of the mucus plug that has sealed your cervix shut during pregnancy coming away. This is more commonly known as "a show" and is one of the signs that labour is going to start.
Is my baby at risk?
It is difficult to predict whether spotting or bleeding is going to end in miscarriage. However, there are some factors which are more strongly associated with pregnancy loss than others. These include: • increasingly heavy bleeding • your age - if you are under 25 years or over 35 years of age, your risk of miscarriage is increased • whether you smoke or are exposed to passive smoking - both of which have been associated with miscarriage • a history of miscarriages Spotting or light bleeding in early pregnancy is linked to a slightly increased risk of some pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia and premature birth - when the baby arrives before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Placenta abruptio (when the placenta separates from the uterus) in late pregnancy has also been linked to bleeding in early pregnancy. Heavy bleeding in early pregnancy is also strongly associated with problems with the placenta, such as placenta praevia, placenta abruptio, and having a baby that is small for dates. These are all potential complications which your maternity care team will be looking out for in any case. But the increased risks with heavy bleeding may mean that your antenatal care becomes more consultant-led than midwife-led so that any potential problems are monitored more closely. As scary as all this may sound, spotting or bleeding is more often a harmless mystery. article can be found at http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/vaginalspottingorbleeding/

Smoking while Pregnant: Some Facts

Smoking while pregnant puts both mother's and baby's life at risk. Currently, about 13 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. smoke during pregnancy. If all pregnant women stopped smoking while pregnant, there would be an estimated 10 percent reduction in infant deaths in this country, according to the U.S. Public Health Service. Smoking while pregnant should be a cause for concern. Cigarette smoke contains more than 2,500 chemicals, with nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide thought to be the most dangerous to the fetus.
The sooner a mother quits smoking, the better it will be for both her and her baby. If you currently smoke, it's not to late to do something about it. Quitting during the first trimester can greatly reduce the risk of having a baby with low birth weight — almost to that of a woman who doesn't smoke. The fewer cigarettes a woman smokes, the less likely her baby will be born with smoking-related problems.
Tell your doctor if you need help quitting. If you are a heavy smoker and have not been able to quit or cut down, you may be able to use a nicotine patch to help you quit while you are still pregnant. There are risks to using the patch during pregnancy, but the risk of heavy smoking may be greater.
Even if you don't smoke, be aware that your baby can be harmed by people smoking around you. Pregnant women regularly exposed to other people's smoke during pregnancy may also be at increased risk of many of the same fetal development problems.
Smoking During Pregnancy: ComplicationsSmoking has been associated with a number of pregnancy complications. One is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo becomes implanted in a fallopian tube or other abnormal site instead of the uterus. With the rarest of exceptions, these pregnancies do not result in the birth of a baby, and must be removed surgically or with drug treatment to protect a woman's life.
Cigarette smoking also appears to double a woman's risk of developing placental complications (which occur in about 1 percent of pregnancies). These include placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is attached too low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix; and placental abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. Both can result in a delivery that jeopardizes the life of mother and baby.
Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe vaginal bleeding.
Smoking During Pregnancy: Risks to Your BabySmoking during pregnancy, which can seriously slow fetal growth, nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a baby with low birth weight. In 1998, 12 percent of babies born to smokers in the U.S. were of low birth weight, compared to 7.2 percent of babies of nonsmokers.

Studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also suggest that smoking increases the risk of preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation) by about 30 percent. It also increases the likelihood of certain birth defects, including a cleft lip and/or cleft palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth or the soft tissue in the back of the mouth).
Babies who weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds at birth face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems), and even death.
Babies of mothers who smoke are twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as babies of nonsmokers. Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke before birth also may be at increased risk of lasting problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.
Smoking During Pregnancy: After Baby Is BornIt's also important to stay smoke-free after you bring your baby home. Both mother and father should refrain from smoking in the house, and insist that visitors to do the same.
Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke after birth face an increased risk of SIDS. They also suffer from more respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and tonsillitis than other babies. According to the AAP, an estimated 1.67 million physician visits each year in the United States are to treat coughing due to involuntary smoking. Infants whose mothers smoke are 38 percent more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia during their first year of life than babies of nonsmoking mothers.
Smoking in the home during the first few years of a child's life also increases his risk of developing asthma. Continual smoking can lead to more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children who already have the disease.
Nursing mothers who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day will likely pass along harmful chemicals from cigarettes to their babies in breast milk. Heavy smoking can reduce a mother's milk supply, and on rare occasions has caused symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Sources: March of Dimes; American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; U.S. Public Health Service; La Leche League
The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
Content courtesy of American Baby.

Just how pregnant ARE you?

Not sure just how far along you are with your pregnancy?? Join the club! Many women, for a wide variety of reasons, just aren't sure when they got pregnant or what their due date might be.
Calculating Gestational Age:
Last Menstrual Period: If the mother has a regular period and knows the first day of her last menstrual period, gestational age can be calculated from this date. Gestational age is calculated from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period and not from the date of conception.
Ultrasound: The baby can be measured as early as 5 or 6 weeks after the mother's last menstrual period. Measuring the baby using ultrasound is most accurate in early pregnancy. It becomes less accurate later in pregnancy. The best time to estimate gestational age using ultrasound is between the 8th and 18th weeks of pregnancy. The most accurate way to determine gestational age is using the first day of the woman's last menstrual period and confirming this gestational age with the measurement from an ultrasound exam.
Calculating Conception Date:
In a Typical Pregnancy: For a woman with a regular period, conception typically occurs about 11-21 days after the first day of the last period. Most women do not know the exact date of conception, and their conception date is merely an estimate based on the first day of their last period.
Special Cases: Women who undergo special procedures such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization typically know the exact date of conception.
Calculating Due Date:
Estimated Due Date: Based on the last menstrual period, the estimated due date is 40 weeks from the first day of the period. This is just an estimate since only about 5% of babies are born on their estimated due date.
Difficulties in Determining Gestational Age:
Last Menstrual Period: For women who have irregular menstrual periods or women who cannot remember the first day of their last menstrual period, it can be difficult to determine gestational age using this method. In these cases, an ultrasound exam is often required to determine gestational age.
Baby's Growth: In some cases it is difficult to determine the gestational age because the baby is unusually large or small. Also, in some cases the size of the uterus in early pregnancy or the height of the uterus in later pregnancy does not match the first day of the last menstrual period. In these cases as well, it is difficult to obtain an accurate gestational age.

My recommendation (as a mother, not an MD) are to assume you'll probabl have your baby about 8 and 1/2 months after you discovered you were pregnant, give or take a week. Enjoy your pregnancy and take this opportunity to do all the healthy things for yourself that you've been meaning to do for a long time:

Stop smoking immediately!
Walk and do slow stretches daily
Eat your fruits and veggies
Limit your sugar intake
Drink lots of pure water
Develop a spiritual practice of some kind...you don't have to go to church to be spiritual...something like quiet meditation on your blessings and your growing child would be lovely and calming!

Let me know if you have questions or comments!

How does music help a sick preemie or baby?

• When your infant is sick, you'll do anything to turn the tide, right? Music therapy has been around for literally thousands of years, but most people don't realize how powerfully healing music can be. With a preemie or newborn full-term infant, there are many benefits.
• When a baby is sick, you must stabilize the heart-beat: music with a slow, soft, steady pulse can do that. Our bodies automatically synchronize with the pulse of music!
• When a baby is sick, s/he needs to hear a soft, comforting, preferably familiar voice. A mother or other singing lullabies, can calm a frightened and agitated newborn.
• When a baby is underweight and needs to take in nourishment, soft lullabies playing can help a baby calm down enough to take in the nourishment s/he desperately needs.

I have created a lullaby CD/download just for you and your baby. Click on the image of the baby at the top of the blog to purchase. Let me know how I can help you!

Pregnancy and Fibroids: Problem or not?

Even if you have fibroids, the chance of delivering a healthy baby is high. Learn how fibroids can affect pregnancy from medical experts and two women who had fibroids and birthed healthy babies.
They can be microscopic, the size of a grapefruit, and even grow to volleyball proportion or beyond. These unwelcome guests call a woman's uterus home. We are talking about tumors of the muscle of the uterus, commonly known as fibroids.
The good news is that with the monitoring modern technology enables, the great majority of pregnant women who have fibroids give birth to healthy babies, says Dr. Pedro Arrabal, MD, a Baltimore OB-GYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist.
According to Dr. Bobbie Gostout, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, fibroids infrequently cause difficulty with conception. Yet once a woman is pregnant, fibroids can enlarge rapidly—especially during early pregnancy—cause severe pain, and even necessitate hospitalization, Dr. Gostout explains. Still, she says most fibroids do not cause any difficulties with pregnancy.
Nevadra Johnson, of the Washington DC area, was about to undergo surgery to remove her fibroids when she learned she was pregnant with her second child. "It was kind of bittersweet. You're excited about it. You're also worried," she says of the news. "You're saying, 'Will the baby make it?' There's a lot of worry in the beginning stages of pregnancy. It's even more so when you know you have a condition."
Fibroids and the Growing Fetus
Johnson, who was referred to Dr. Arrabal, learned that for the safety of her unborn child, her surgery needed to be postponed until after delivery.
"During pregnancy, fibroids are not treated," explains Dr. Gostout. "We simply try to manage the symptoms in a woman who wishes to preserve fertility." After pregnancy, she says fibroids can be surgically removed through a myomectomy and adds while there are newer treatments which appear promising, so far they have only been applied in large numbers to women who are done having children, "mainly since the unknown effects on the strength of the uterus and the ability of the uterus to carry a healthy pregnancy."
When Johnson's fibroids were first discovered in 2000, she had a five-year-old son, but in early 2006, pregnant with her second child, her three fibroids ballooned from the size of a quarter to grapefruit size. At three-months pregnant, Johnson says her protruding stomach made her look twice as far along.
Johnson admits wondering if the fibroids were cancer. The answer was no. Dr. Arrabal says that the odds of developing cancer as a result of fibroids during pregnancy are less than one percent.
"Whenever we tell anybody things are out of the ordinary, people tend to assume the worst. The way I look at it, it's my job to assume the worst and to try to prevent the worst," says Dr. Arrabal, who asks patients to leave the worrying to him and to stay as positive as possible.
He explains as a woman's estrogen levels significantly rise during early pregnancy, fibroids can grow tenfold or more. The traditional method of measuring a mother's abdomen to determine a baby's approximate size can give a false sense of security, as the fibroids can throw off the numbers. Thanks to major medical advances in the last 30 years, Dr. Arrabal says the baby and the fibroids can be monitored in ways never before possible. Ultrasounds and other tests are used to track the baby's size and the location of the fibroids.
While Dr. Arrabal emphasizes the favorable odds, he also prepares patients for potential complications, such as an obstructed birth canal necessitating a Cesarean section, preterm contractions, and preterm labor. In a minority of cases, the fibroid settles under the placenta, forcing it to separate from the uterus, which Dr. Arrabal says can cause a woman to hemorrhage or have a stillbirth.
for more info, see entire article at www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/complications

So you've just found out you're pregnant?

If you've just found out you're pregnant, congratulations! This is one of the absolutely most exciting times in a human's life...no doubt about it. You're probably full of questions, concerns and ideas of what you want to do. I believe that lots of good, accurate, and up-to-date information is extremely important. For that reason, I'm going to do a series on how pregnancy progresses. Of course it will also include information on how music fits into the picture! Hope you'll enjoy this and email me with any questions you might have!

How your baby's growing: This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.See what's going on in your uterus this week.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.How your life's changing: You may find yourself developing a bit of a split personality — feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Unsettling as this is (especially if you pride yourself on being in control), what you're going through is normal. Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones. But hormones aside, your life is about to change in a big way — and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?Spotting (spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is relatively common in early pregnancy, affecting up to a quarter of pregnant women. It may occur in a normal pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your provider. (information found on www.babycenter.com)