Miscarriages are one of the great mysteries of life. No one knows for sure what causes them for the majority of the cases. We know a few things that can contribute to them but most of them are mysteries. In any case, here is a very helpful article excerpt that I think you might want to see:
This is not intended to be the absolute word on the subject, but rather a gauge for the unexpected emotions felt by parents who have suffered this type of loss. Most of the parents I have spoken to agreed that the uncertainty of their grief was frightening and may have been alleviated had they known what to expect.
Friends and family may also benefit from reading this over so they might understand the special kinds of pain and emotions involved in this type of loss and allow them to be expressed.
"THE TRUTH IS..."
The truth ISN'T that you will feel "all better" in a couple of days, or weeks, or even months.
The truth IS that the days will be filled with an unending ache and the nights will feel one million sad years long for a while. Healing is attained only after the slow necessary progression through the stages of grief and mourning.
The truth isn't that a new pregnancy will help you forget.
The truth is that, while thoughts of a new pregnancy soon may provide hope, a lost infant deserves to be mourned just as you would have with anyone you loved. Grieving takes a lot of energy and can be both emotionally and physically draining. This could have an impact upon your health during another pregnancy. While the decision to try again is a very individualized one, being pregnant while still actively grieving is very difficult.
The truth isn't that pills or alcohol will dull the pain.
The truth is that they will merely postpone the reality you must eventually face in order to begin healing. However, if Your doctor feels that medication is necessary to help maintain your health, use it intelligently and according to his/her instructions. The truth isn't that once this is over your life will be the same.
The truth is that your upside-down world will slowly settle down, hopefully leaving you a more sensitive, compassionate person, better prepared to handle the hard times that everyone must deal with sooner or later. When you consider that you have just experienced one of the worst things that can happen to a family, as you heal you will become aware of how strong you are.
The truth isn't that grieving is morbid, or a sign of weakness or mental instability.
The truth is that grieving is work that must be done. Now is the appropriate time. Allow yourself the time. Feel it, flow with it. Try not to fight it too often. It will get easier if you expect that it is variable, that some days are better than others. Be patient with yourself. There are no short cuts to healing. The active grieving will be over when all the work is done.
The truth isn't that grief is all-consuming.
The truth is that in the midst of the most agonizing time of your life, there will be laughter. Don't feel guilty. Laugh if you want to. Just as you must allow yourself the time to grieve, you must also allow yourself the time to laugh.Viewing laughter as part of the healing process, just as overwhelming sadness is now, will make the pain more bearable. The truth isn't that one person can bear this alone.
The truth is that while only you can make the choices necessary to return to the mainstream of life a healed person, others in your life are also grieving and are feeling very helpless. As unfair as it may seem, the burden of remaining in contact with family and friends often falls on you. They are afraid to "butt in," or they may be fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing. This makes them feel even more helpless. They need to be told honestly what they can do to help. They don't need to be told, "I'm doing fine" when you're really NOT doing fine. By allowing others to share in your pain and assist you with your needs, you will be comforted and they will feel less helpless.
The truth isn't that God must be punishing you for something.
The truth is that sometimes these things just happen. They have happened to many people before you, and they will happen to many people after you. This was not an act of any God; it was an act of Nature. It isn't fair to blame God, or yourself, or anyone else. Try to understand that it is human nature to look for a place to put the blame, especially when there are so few answers to the question, "Why?" Sometimes there are answers. Most times there are not. Believing that you are being punished will only get in the way of your healing. The truth isn't that you will be unable to make any choices or decisions during this time.
The truth is that while major decisions, such as moving or changing jobs, are better off being postponed for now, life goes on. It will be difficult, but decisions dealing with the death of your baby (seeing and naming the baby, arranging and/or attending a religious ritual, taking care of the nursery items you have acquired) are all choices you can make for yourself. Well-meaning people will try to shelter you from the pain of this. However, many of us who have suffered similar losses agree that these first decisions are very important. They help to make the loss real. Our brains filter out much of the pain early on as a way to protect us. Very soon after that, we find ourselves reliving the events over and over, trying to remember everything. This is another way that we acknowledge the loss. Until the loss is real, grieving cannot begin. Being involved at this early time will be a painful experience, but it will help you deal with your grief better as you progress by providing comforting memories of having performed loving, caring acts for your baby.
The truth isn't that you will be delighted to hear that a friend or other loved one has just given birth to a healthy baby.
The truth is that you may find it very difficult to be around mothers with young babies. You may be hurt, or angry, or jealous. You may wonder why you couldn't have had that joy. You may be resentful, or refuse to see friends with new babies. You may even secretly wish that the same thing would happen to someone else. You want someone to understand how it feels. You may also feel very ashamed that you could wish such things on people you love or care about, or think that you must be a dreadful person. You aren't. You're human, and even the most loving people can react this way when they are actively grieving. If the situations were reversed, your friends would be feeling and thinking the same things you are. Forgive yourself. It's OK. These feelings will eventually go away. The truth isn't that all marriages survive this difficult time.
The truth is that sometimes you might blame one another, resent one another, or dislike being with one another. If you find this happening, get help. There are self-help groups available or grief counselors who can help. Don't ignore it or tuck it away assuming it will get better. It won't. Actively grieving people cannot help one another. It is unrealistic, like having two people who were blinded at the same time teach each other Braille. Talking it out with others may help. It might even save your marriage.
The truth isn't that eventually you will accept the loss of your baby and forget all about this awful time.
The truth is that acceptance is a word reserved for the understanding you come to when you've successfully grieved the loss of a parent, or a grandparent, or a beloved older relative. When you lose a child, your whole future has been affected, not your past. No one can really accept that. But there is resolution in the form of healing and learning how to cope. You will survive. Many of us who have gone through this type of grief are afraid we might forget about our babies once we begin to heal. This won't happen. You will always remember your precious baby because successful grieving carves a place in your heart where he or she will live forever.
A Mother's Prayer/ Affirmation After Miscarriage
In this time of loss I call upon my spirit within to guide me to my strength so that I may find peace and completion.
I will use this strength to demand of myself and others my need to grieve completely, for this will be my first step to healing.
During my time of grief I will seek guidance not only from my inner spirit but from loving persons who may offer wisdom and comfort.
I need to understand that the soul as well as the physical body needs healing and to pay attentio to this. I will learn to accept that the soul may never heal completely.
I will learn to live not in fear and once again see beauty in my world and purpose in my existence.
In spite of my new knowledge that things happen that cannot be controlled, I must call upon the places within me that tell me I do have control over much of my life and use this control to aid my healing.
Let me recognize the gift in my ability to conceive and carry life however briefly.
Let me take joy in my ability to love so deeply and desire to nurture a soul unbeknownst to me.
Let me find healing in the belief that this oul knew my love for it and that that love helped it to pass to another place.
Let me honor this short life not only with my love but in finding meaning in its existence.
Let me recognize this meaning in not only my ability to survive, but in my fullest appreciation of all the moments motherhood will bring me, along with my deeper compassion and sisterhood to other women who've experienced loss.
Let a part of this soul be reflected in the spirit of my future children, born or adopted, so that I may know it through them.
I will listen to and trust the place in my deepest heart that tells me I will once again be reunited with this soul and will fulfill the need to hold it in my arms.
I will help myself to feel comfort in the knowledge that there is a star in heaven that belongs to me.
by Stacey Dinner-Levin http://www.ivf.com/misc.html
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
If Mom Smokes, Her Preemie Won't Sleep
This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of a college for licensed practical nurse She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
For mothers who smoke, the risk of a pre-term birth is extraordinarily high. Most of us know this, what's interesting is the results of a new study in the journal Sleep that show these pre-term babies are also at substantial risk for sleep disruptions so profound, they may cause developmental delays later in later childhood.
So, babies born to mothers who are considered heavy smokers are at risk for far more than low birth weight we've known about for some time.
According to the study:
"Results indicate that pre-term neonates born to heavy-smoking mothers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day displayed disrupted sleep structure and sleep continuity. From 7:00 PM to 8:00 AM they slept almost 2 hours less than controls who were born to nonsmoking mothers, and their sleep was more fragmented."
This is a frightening revelation because of the importance of sleep to babies. At a time of incredible growth and development, much of which happens during sleep, infants exposed cigarette smoke before they're born may not be developing properly. And, because preemies tend to sleep in short bursts rather than long periods like full-term babies, it becomes increasingly obvious the devastating impact smoking can have on a baby born too soon.
These include breathing problems such as sleep apnea (when an infant stops breathing for a moment) and respiratory infection. If your infant can't breathe properly, they can't get enough oxygen for optimal brain function.
Smoking during pregnancy is not healthy but increasingly, research shows that the harmful side effects of smoking may affect a baby well into early childhood and "may increase the chances for attention deficit disorder and impulsivity." Complications once attributed to low birth weight (itself often caused by smoking) seem to now be linked as much to prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke.
We should also note that, while the mother's habits most directly affect an unborn fetus, those around her are responsible as well. Prolonged exposure to any secondhand smoke is not ideal for a pregnant woman and no one should be allowed to smoke near a premature infant.
When all is said and done, smoking is a bad habit for everyone. If you are pregnant, ask your physician about smoking cessation programs that will help you break this destructive cycle. There are many wonderful programs to help you quit. Do it for your baby – and do it for yourself as well.
For mothers who smoke, the risk of a pre-term birth is extraordinarily high. Most of us know this, what's interesting is the results of a new study in the journal Sleep that show these pre-term babies are also at substantial risk for sleep disruptions so profound, they may cause developmental delays later in later childhood.
So, babies born to mothers who are considered heavy smokers are at risk for far more than low birth weight we've known about for some time.
According to the study:
"Results indicate that pre-term neonates born to heavy-smoking mothers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day displayed disrupted sleep structure and sleep continuity. From 7:00 PM to 8:00 AM they slept almost 2 hours less than controls who were born to nonsmoking mothers, and their sleep was more fragmented."
This is a frightening revelation because of the importance of sleep to babies. At a time of incredible growth and development, much of which happens during sleep, infants exposed cigarette smoke before they're born may not be developing properly. And, because preemies tend to sleep in short bursts rather than long periods like full-term babies, it becomes increasingly obvious the devastating impact smoking can have on a baby born too soon.
These include breathing problems such as sleep apnea (when an infant stops breathing for a moment) and respiratory infection. If your infant can't breathe properly, they can't get enough oxygen for optimal brain function.
Smoking during pregnancy is not healthy but increasingly, research shows that the harmful side effects of smoking may affect a baby well into early childhood and "may increase the chances for attention deficit disorder and impulsivity." Complications once attributed to low birth weight (itself often caused by smoking) seem to now be linked as much to prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke.
We should also note that, while the mother's habits most directly affect an unborn fetus, those around her are responsible as well. Prolonged exposure to any secondhand smoke is not ideal for a pregnant woman and no one should be allowed to smoke near a premature infant.
When all is said and done, smoking is a bad habit for everyone. If you are pregnant, ask your physician about smoking cessation programs that will help you break this destructive cycle. There are many wonderful programs to help you quit. Do it for your baby – and do it for yourself as well.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Getting Ready for Pregnancy
Tips on Getting Pregnant
Ditch the pill
Yes, the first thing is to forget about contraception. You may notice certain irregularities in your cycle and may take a few months for your cycle to return to normal. But many women are fertile the first month after they stop taking the Pill. The same holds true for the contraceptive patch and ring.
Fuel up on folic acid
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin that can help reduce the risk of serious birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, the FDA recommends that all women attempting pregnancy take folic acid supplements for decreasing chances of birth defects.
Quit smoking, drinking and drugs now
Smoking or taking drugs greatly diminishes your chances of getting pregnant and can lead to miscarriages, premature birth, and low-birth weight babies. Plus, research suggests that smoking can affect your fertility and lower your partner’s sperm count. In fact, studies have shown that even secondhand smoke may affect your chances of getting pregnant. It is also recommend that women avoid alcohol when trying for pregnancy.
Cut down on Caffeine
Research shows that too much caffeine can reduce your ability to absorb iron and increase your risk for stillbirth. Avoid coffee, tea, and colas or switch to decaf to increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you are a complete caffeine junkie, then the safe limit would be a cup a day. Try switching to a milkshakes which will boost your calcium as well and assist in conception.
Get your weight in check
Healthy weight women have an easier time getting pregnant than overweight or underweight women. Studies show that women whose body mass index (BMI) is below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant, so it’s a good idea to try to get yourself into the 20 to 30 range before you start trying.
Timing is Everything
You will have little chance of getting pregnant if you had sex on the wrong days and missed the most fertile ones. Figure out your ovulation days with our ovulation calendar to increase your chances of conception. Read our articles on Ovulation and Signs of ovulation to assist you in knowing your fertile period. Ovulation predictor kits can also help you figure out when you’re ovulating by detecting hormones in your urine that signal ovulation is about to occur.
Mind Control
Women who suffer from depression are twice as likely to have problems with fertility as women who don’t. Get a mental health check if you notice signs of depression. Also, try stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, which research suggests can also help in getting pregnant.
Buy something sexy
Some experts say that if a woman is highly aroused while she’s having sex, the sperm has a better chance of fertilizing her egg. Others say it makes absolutely no difference. It definitely wont hurt and may even help in boosting your libido and killing that awkward feeling of having sex for pregnancy.
Positioning yourself
Many experts suspect that the missionary position (man on top) provides the best opportunity for getting pregnant, though no definitive studies have been done on this question. This position allows for the deepest penetration which deposits sperm closer to the cervix. For additional effectiveness, the woman can try elevating her hips with a pillow so her cervix is exposed to the maximum amount of semen. Other positions could be Rear entry and lying side-by-side. Avoid woman on top, standing, or leaning positions, which discourage the flow of semen to the uterus.
Increase the Odds
Make your vaginal environment as sperm-friendly as possible. Avoid vaginal sprays and scented tampons, artificial lubricants, and douching. Not only can they cause infections, they may wash away cervical mucus or create a hostile environment for the sperm.
If you find that your cervical mucus is not as conducive of getting pregnant as it should be, you may want to try a specific type of lubricant. Pre-Seed lubricant is the sperm friendly choice of many people trying to get pregnant. After intercourse, elevate your hips on a pillow for about fifteen minutes.
For your man
Ask your partner to chuck all briefs and opt for boxers instead for a healthy sperm count. Also, having sex in the morning would help since the semen has the highest number of sperm then.
Finally
Getting pregnant isn’t always easy. Very few couples conceive on the first try. In fact, even if everything is absolutely in perfect working order, you only have a 20-25% chance of conception each month. If you are under 30, and haven’t conceived in 12 months, you should make an appointment to see your doctor as there could be some issues at play with are preventing you from getting pregnant. If you are over 35, and haven’t succeeded in getting pregnant in six months, make an appointment to see your doctor, as infertility issues become more prevelant the older you get. If you are over 40, then do not delay in getting medical help.
Ditch the pill
Yes, the first thing is to forget about contraception. You may notice certain irregularities in your cycle and may take a few months for your cycle to return to normal. But many women are fertile the first month after they stop taking the Pill. The same holds true for the contraceptive patch and ring.
Fuel up on folic acid
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin that can help reduce the risk of serious birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, the FDA recommends that all women attempting pregnancy take folic acid supplements for decreasing chances of birth defects.
Quit smoking, drinking and drugs now
Smoking or taking drugs greatly diminishes your chances of getting pregnant and can lead to miscarriages, premature birth, and low-birth weight babies. Plus, research suggests that smoking can affect your fertility and lower your partner’s sperm count. In fact, studies have shown that even secondhand smoke may affect your chances of getting pregnant. It is also recommend that women avoid alcohol when trying for pregnancy.
Cut down on Caffeine
Research shows that too much caffeine can reduce your ability to absorb iron and increase your risk for stillbirth. Avoid coffee, tea, and colas or switch to decaf to increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you are a complete caffeine junkie, then the safe limit would be a cup a day. Try switching to a milkshakes which will boost your calcium as well and assist in conception.
Get your weight in check
Healthy weight women have an easier time getting pregnant than overweight or underweight women. Studies show that women whose body mass index (BMI) is below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant, so it’s a good idea to try to get yourself into the 20 to 30 range before you start trying.
Timing is Everything
You will have little chance of getting pregnant if you had sex on the wrong days and missed the most fertile ones. Figure out your ovulation days with our ovulation calendar to increase your chances of conception. Read our articles on Ovulation and Signs of ovulation to assist you in knowing your fertile period. Ovulation predictor kits can also help you figure out when you’re ovulating by detecting hormones in your urine that signal ovulation is about to occur.
Mind Control
Women who suffer from depression are twice as likely to have problems with fertility as women who don’t. Get a mental health check if you notice signs of depression. Also, try stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, which research suggests can also help in getting pregnant.
Buy something sexy
Some experts say that if a woman is highly aroused while she’s having sex, the sperm has a better chance of fertilizing her egg. Others say it makes absolutely no difference. It definitely wont hurt and may even help in boosting your libido and killing that awkward feeling of having sex for pregnancy.
Positioning yourself
Many experts suspect that the missionary position (man on top) provides the best opportunity for getting pregnant, though no definitive studies have been done on this question. This position allows for the deepest penetration which deposits sperm closer to the cervix. For additional effectiveness, the woman can try elevating her hips with a pillow so her cervix is exposed to the maximum amount of semen. Other positions could be Rear entry and lying side-by-side. Avoid woman on top, standing, or leaning positions, which discourage the flow of semen to the uterus.
Increase the Odds
Make your vaginal environment as sperm-friendly as possible. Avoid vaginal sprays and scented tampons, artificial lubricants, and douching. Not only can they cause infections, they may wash away cervical mucus or create a hostile environment for the sperm.
If you find that your cervical mucus is not as conducive of getting pregnant as it should be, you may want to try a specific type of lubricant. Pre-Seed lubricant is the sperm friendly choice of many people trying to get pregnant. After intercourse, elevate your hips on a pillow for about fifteen minutes.
For your man
Ask your partner to chuck all briefs and opt for boxers instead for a healthy sperm count. Also, having sex in the morning would help since the semen has the highest number of sperm then.
Finally
Getting pregnant isn’t always easy. Very few couples conceive on the first try. In fact, even if everything is absolutely in perfect working order, you only have a 20-25% chance of conception each month. If you are under 30, and haven’t conceived in 12 months, you should make an appointment to see your doctor as there could be some issues at play with are preventing you from getting pregnant. If you are over 35, and haven’t succeeded in getting pregnant in six months, make an appointment to see your doctor, as infertility issues become more prevelant the older you get. If you are over 40, then do not delay in getting medical help.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
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/
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/
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, November 24, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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!
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