Pregnancy

ABORTION

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Abortion
An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus, resulting in or caused by its death. An abortion can occur spontaneously due to complications during pregnancy or can be induced. Abortion as a term most commonly refers to the induced abortion of a human pregnancy, while spontaneous abortions are usually termed miscarriages.
Abortion has a long history and has been induced by various methods including herbal abortifacients, the use of sharpened tools, physical trauma and other traditional methods. Modern medicine utilizes medications and surgical procedures to induce abortion. The legality, prevalence, and cultural views on abortion vary substantially around the world. In many parts of the world there is a divisive public debate over the ethical and legal aspects of abortion between the pro-life and pro-choice movements. The approximate number of induced abortions performed worldwide in 2003 was 42 million, which declined from nearly 46 million in 1995.

Spontaneous abortion
Spontaneous abortion (also known as miscarriage) is the expulsion of an embryo or fetus due to accidental trauma or natural causes before the 20th week of gestation. Most miscarriages are due to incorrect replication of chromosomes; they can also be caused by environmental factors. A pregnancy that ends between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation, if it results in a live-born infant, is known as a "premature birth". When a fetus dies in utero after about 20 weeks, or during delivery, it is usually termed "stillborn". Premature births and stillbirths are generally not considered to be miscarriages although usage of these terms can sometimes overlap.
Most miscarriages occur very early in pregnancy. Between 10% and 50% of pregnancies end in clinically apparent miscarriage, depending upon the age and health of the pregnant woman. In most cases, they occur so early in the pregnancy that the woman is not even aware that she was pregnant. One study testing hormones for ovulation and pregnancy found that 61.9% of conceptuses were lost prior to 12 weeks, and 91.7% of these losses occurred subclinically, without the knowledge of the woman.
The risk of spontaneous abortion decreases sharply after the 10th week from the last menstrual period (LMP), with a loss rate between 8.5 weeks LMP and birth of about two percent; pregnancy loss is “virtually complete by the end of the embryonic period
This risk of spontaneous abortion is greater in those with a known history of several spontaneous abortions or an induced abortion, those with systemic diseases, and those over the age 35. Other causes can be infection (of either the woman or fetus), immune response, or serious systemic disease. A spontaneous abortion can also be caused by accidental trauma; intentional trauma or stress to cause miscarriage is considered induced abortion or feticide.
Induced abortion
A pregnancy can be intentionally aborted in many ways. The manner selected depends chiefly upon the gestational age of the embryo or fetus, in addition to the legality, regional availability, and doctor-patient preference for specific procedures. Reasons for procuring induced abortions are typically characterized as either therapeutic or elective. An abortion is medically referred to as therapeutic when it is performed to:
• save the life of the pregnant woman
• preserve the woman's physical or mental health
• terminate pregnancy that would result in a child born with a congenital disorder that would be fatal or associated with significant morbidity or
• selectively reduce the number of fetuses to lessen health risks associated with multiple pregnancy.

BLEEDING IN PREGNANCY

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:35:00 +0000

Bleeding during pregnancy can be a frightening experience. There are several reasons why bleeding may occur in pregnant women. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can pose a serious risk to you and/or your baby. Depending on the cause, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy may also not pose a serious risk. It's important to inform your health care provider immediately if you experience any amount of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.

Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester (12 weeks) occurs in many women. This does not necessarily mean that a miscarriage is immanent; however, any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should be investigated by your health care provider. Most miscarriages occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. About half of pregnant women who experience vaginal bleeding during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy do not have a miscarriage. If you pass anything you think is fetal tissue be sure to take it to your health care provider for examination.

Unfortunately, most miscarriages are not preventable; a miscarriage is often nature's way of dealing with abnormalities. Exercise and sex have not been proven to cause miscarriage, in fact continuing regular exercise (always check with your health care provider before starting an exercise program during pregnancy) during pregnancy can help ease labor when it is time for your new baby to be born. Fifteen to twenty percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage.

Another potential cause of bleeding during early pregnancy is having an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in one of the fallopian tubes. This is often called a "tubal pregnancy." Ectopic pregnancy is much less common than miscarriage occurring in about one out of sixty pregnancies.

MORNING SICK

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:28:00 +0000

WHAT IS MORNING SICK?

Most women who have felt it known exactly what it feels like but may not know exactly what it truly is. Morning sickness is the most common symptoms of being pregnant. Not all women actually have morning sickness but there are many that do. Morning Sickness is the feeling or nausea and throwing up but don't let the name fool you because it can happen at any point in the day. But the majority of women surveyed reported they actually had in the morning.

HOW LONG DOES MONING SICK ?

Every women is different so the length and even the symptoms can vary. Commonly morning sickness can last up to the 3rd month of pregnancy . The symptoms will fade over the course of time especially as you near the second trimester. Most women report that they experienced more of the nauseous feeling rather than the actual vomiting. Vomiting is a major part of severe morning sickness it really depends on how the body is taking to being pregnant. The hormones are trying to balance themselves out and it does get better over time. Many women endure the bout of morning sickness with the explanation, the end result is a beautiful baby so if you have to endure a few months of not feeling well isn't it worth it in the name of having a baby?

Here are some tips that can help you if you suffer from morning sickness:

Try to eat small meals throughout the day. It is important that your stomach is never empty because it increases the feeling of nausea.

Some doctors suggest eating some lemon candies or any kind of sucking candy will do. What this does is it will reduce the nausea from the build up of saliva in your mouth.

Many experts suggest having some Ginger in tea, pill form and cookies

A tried and true method of helping morning sickness is to eat plain foods such as toast, crackers and plain potatoes. The more bland the food is the less you will suffer from morning sickness. Keep some crackers by your bed because a lot of time it will hit you first think in the morning.

Most importantly do not stress out. It will only enhance the feeling more.

OVULATION AND CONCEPTION

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:43:00 +0000

WHAT IS OVULATION AND CONCEPTION ?
Ovulation happens about half way through the menstrual cycle. It happens when the follicle breaks and the eggs are released. At this stage the stigma is then released, then once the follicle breaks the corpus luteum is created. Sounds technical and it is but it is simply a hormone that helps nuture the baby until the placenta is formed and can take over. The baby at this point is barely detected by an ultrasound because the baby is extremely small.
In order for conception has taken place the egg makes it way down the Fallopian Tube to the uterus. If the conception has taken place it usually won't happen until the egg makes it way at the end of the Fallopian Tube near the ovary. The egg has a window of about 12 hours to become fertilized or the egg will die. If the egg does become fertilized then the progesterone in the body will become elevated and the wall surrounding the uterus will become thicker.
In the first 5 days of your cycle for conception. We will start with the menstrual cycle; the window for conception begins with the very first day of any sign of discharge. It is very crucial that you pay attention to that time because you need it to figure out an estimate date of ovulation. Then in the next 5 days which is called the dry days this means that you are not having your period and you are not fertile. The body is preparing itself for the release of the egg. Then in the next 5 days after is when you will be the most fertile, the body will release the egg in this time frame of 6 days at this point in time is the best time for sex if you truly want to get pregnant. For the rest of the month after that window of 6 days it may become harder to get pregnant. Your chances are not great if you missed the 6 day window.
There are some women who are aware when they are ovulating by the signs but for those who never really thought about it you should read this section because it will help you. An estimated 25 percent of women will have lower abdominal pain which is very close to where the ovaries are. The pain that you feel is mainly cause by an irritation of the fluid from the broken follicle.
An even better, more solid sign of ovulation is the change in the cervical mucus that is normally secreted to the cervix. Typically after menstruation the cervical mucus is a very little but it is thick and the purpose is to let the sperm in. The cervical mucus actually becomes thinner and thinner and more susceptible to sperm. Once you have reached this stage becoming pregnant is a matter of time. Another great sign of ovulation is a rise in your body's temperature.

Experts suggest trying these activities in order to help ovulation. Try to get some exercise on a regular basis. Exercise is a great stress reliever and it has been proven that pregnancy is much harder when you are stressed. Also, visit your doctor for a check up and let them know that you are trying to conceive maybe they can help you with some health tips to help with conception.

A very important must is that you keep a actual record of ovulation. Make sure you make the right notation regarding the first day of your period and the 6 dry days and the days after that which are perfect for having sex. These days it is a lot easier to keep track because there are many kits on the market that are great for helping you get the perfect ovulation. If you are a smoker then quit, smoking will hinder your chances of getting pregnant. Most of all eat healthy and a eat a balanced diet and more importantly take in a lot of folic acid and Vitamin B12.

SYMTOMS OF PREGNANCY

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:33:00 +0000

Pregnancy Signs
Many possible signs associated with pregnancy. They are grouped into three categories based on their diagnostic value:
positive signs of pregnancy
probable signs of pregnancy
possible signs of pregnancy.
you can have all of these signs and not be pregnant or, conversely, you can have only a few of them and actually be pregnant. These are only used as indications that should be followed up by your medical practitioner. If you think you may be pregnant, it is recommended that you do a home pregnancy test right away. The earlier you can confirm your pregnancy, the earlier you can start to take better care of yourself.

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

* No period or amenorrhea; other potential causes of this include fatigue, stress, hormonal problems, illness, extreme weight gain or loss, going off the pill and breastfeeding
* Just "feeling" pregnant
* Nausea and vomiting; this usually occurs two to eight weeks after conception and can also be caused by such things as food poisoning, stress or infections
* Enlargement and soreness of the breasts; this is also seen during pre-menstruation and with birth control pill use
* Increased urination; this can also be a sign of urinary tract infection, stress, or diabetes
* Fatigue
* Ptyalism (Excessive salivation)
* Stretch marks
* Spider veins: For more information on spider and varicose veins, visit our website!
* Quickening (fetal movement); some people often confuse this with gas or bowel contractions.
* Chadwick's Sign (bluish tinge to the vagina and cervix); this is also seen occasionally with impending menstruation
* Colostrum from breasts

Probable signs of pregnancy

* Enlarged abdomen; this can also be a sign of uterine fibroids or a tumor
* Positive pregnancy test
* Change in uterine shape
* Softening of the cervix (Goodell's Sign)
* Enlarging uterus
* Braxton Hicks contractions
* Palpation of the baby
* Ballottement
* Palpation of the uterine artery

Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding can cause you some confusion when you are unsure whether or not you are pregnant. It is not always easy to tell what is break through bleeding, or spotting between periods, and what is actually implantation spotting. The difference between period and implantation bleeding is that implantation bleeding occurs as a result of the embryo burrowing into your endometrium. However, because implantation spotting usually occurs right around the time you would be expecting your period, it is easy to mistake it for your period or as breakthrough bleeding.

Implantation bleeding signs generally include blood that is lighter than menstrual bleeding and is either pink or brown in color. How long implantation bleeding lasts will vary from woman to woman. It is important to note, though, that spotting in early pregnancy is not the same as implantation bleeding.

Positive signs of pregnancy

* Fetal heart tones (this doesn't occur until 10-20 weeks of pregnancy)
* Sonography detection
* X-ray detection