Women Pregnancy

Danish researchers report that moderate drinking moderate amounts of caffeine during pregnancy women does not cause premature or underweight births. Researchers found no evidence of a link between prematurity, birth weight and the amount of caffeine consumed by motherstobe.
Previous studies suggested caffeine might harm unborn babies as it stays in the system longer in pregnant women, passing easily to a growing baby. Conflicting results from earlier studies “have puzzled public health authorities and in some countries pregnant women are warned against caffeine consumption,'’ the researchers write in British Medical Journal.

Unlike other research projects in which women who had given birth were asked how much coffee they drank while pregnant, the Danish scientists monitored 1,207 pregnant coffee lovers who were randomly selected to drink either a caffeinated or decaffeinated brew during the second half of the pregnancy. The group was split into two, with 568 women drinking ordinary instant coffee and 629 drinking decaffeinated. Each woman was regularly monitored to check her caffeine intake, including from drinks such as cola. Read more!

Our celebrity blog reported that last week Britney Spears spotted in Malibu on a shopping spree for a wardrobe for her new slender frame and celebrate her new skinny body. The pretty star has lost over half the weight she gained after having two babies. She reportedly gained 40 pounds during her first pregnancy with son Sean Preston, which she found difficult to lose in between the birth of the two babies. Now she needs all new clothes for her newly size eight.

A spokesperson for Spears said she had dropped her pregnancy weight without a trainer, diet pills or a nutritionist. Read more!

Pair of Dicephalus Baby was born after a caesarian operation on August 8″ in Indonesia with a healthy condition … and with complete organs” said Purwanti, hospital spokeswoman Dyah Purwanti. But they were unsure whether they would be able to operate on a two-headed baby.
The medical team at the Pelni Petamburan Hospital in Jakarta is still deciding how to treat the baby.

The newborn dicephalus baby was formed the same way as Siamese twins but only has one body, one set of organs and two arms and legs, doctors said. But several pairs of Siamese twins born in Indonesia have undergone successful separation operations and this will give a new hope for the newborn dicephalus baby. Read more!

Four plus months pregnant supermodel Heidi Klum has denied rumours that she’s going to be having a water birth when she delivers her third baby later this year because she doesn’t like the thought everything floating around, insisting that she needs to give birth the traditional way.
She explains: “No, I’m not into the water. I like it dry. I’m very German. It seems more controlled.
“I feel like if you’re in the water and there’s all this nastiness going on - I don’t know, it’s swimming all over the place… “We don’t want to get too visual, but I’ve been there. It gets very…different.” Read more!

Japan’s Princess Kiko, who is pregnant with a possible heir to the throne, has developed complications with her pregnancy and needs rest, is likely to give birth ahead of her September due date through a Caesarean operation, the Imperial Household Agency said on Tuesday.
She has symptoms of placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta drops too low in the uterus, an Imperial Household Agency spokesman quoted palace doctor, Ichiro Kanazawa, as saying.
“There is a high risk of early bleeding, infection or preterm birth triggered by the placenta previa,” Kanazawa said. “To prevent these possible complications, the princess will have to rest for some time.” Read more!

In today’s society which is very heavily dependent on medical help and intervention, it’s no wonder many soon to be mothers are afraid to look at alternative birthing options, such as waterbirth. Additionally, people tend to look at you strange if you have an opinion that varies too far from the norm, particularly when talking about alternative health care. Unfortunately, moms-to-be are overlooking what may be one of their most helpful and nurturing supporters when they don’t pursue the waterbirth option.

Waterbirth is typically practiced by an experienced midwife, who, over time, gets plenty of practical, hands on birthing experience with many women. Midwives have the skills to make you feel comfortable and to help you with some minor medical situations. And if they aren’t comfortable helping you, they usually are very quick to refer you to a local hospital or doctor. In some complex situations, like giving birth to twins, midwives don’t do the delivery without a doctor. Read more!

For every parent who has suffered the anxiety of wondering if their unborn child would be healthy, there are comparatively few who come face to face with the agonizing discovery that their unborn or newborn child will struggle or die because of a genetic disorder.
What is a genetic disorder and what part does genetic screening play in helping families to deal with the risk or reality in their children?

Recessive genetic disorders are when both parents carry a diseased gene but do not suffer from the disease themselves. They are called ‘carriers’. Their children must inherit the diseased gene from BOTH parents to develop the disorder. Read more!

The first time a woman is pregnant is a time of anticipation, excitement, fear and sometimes, sorrow. It is a maze of emotions that can be unexpected and overwhelming. Most mothers can be confident in the chances of having a healthy and safe pregnancy and labor, but despite the marvels of medical technology there is an emotional component that is missing from the care of a pregnant woman and her needs before and during labor.

Doulas offer a service to provide this essential care for women; women who may not have close friends or family that can answer their questions or be the emotional support they need.

What is a Doula?

The word ‘doula’ comes from a Greek term referring to the highest ranking female slave in a household. It is quite likely that this woman helped the lady with her birth and helped care for the woman and her new baby. Read more!