Women Pregnancy

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!

A 1997 British study conducted by researchers at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School found that a woman’s brain shrinks during pregnancy.
The changes recorded by the scientists reflected differences in the volume of women’s brain cells, rather than in the number of cells present, perhaps explaining why some woman experience bouts of forgetfulness and loss of concentration while pregnant. There are many theories about the reasons for this phenomenon, but it appears that the true explanation has been overlooked…

As any pregnant woman will tell you, brain shrinkage is necessary to ensure that your sanity remains intact.
Reduced brainpower first becomes a blessing when your doctor tells you that pregnancy is not an illness and that there is absolutely no reason why it should prevent you from living your life as usual. Luckily, with your shorter concentration span, you fail to remember that morning sickness has been preventing you from eating breakfast, lunch and dinner for the last two months. 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!

Arkansas is about a month away from enforcing a statewide smoking ban, and now some lawmakers want to ban pregnant women from lighting up altogether. Gov. Mike Huckabee said a smoking ban for pregnant mothers makes sense from a health standpoint. He said that he hasn’t determined if such a law would be legal, but even discussing such a proposition has stirred up controversy.

UAMS doctors say in Arkansas 23 percent of women smoke while pregnant. According to a campaign called Tobacco Free Kids, they say tobacco is responsible for up to 141,000 spontaneous abortions each year in this country.
“I proposed a study, to study the constitutionality of it. I don’t know if it will be constitutional or not, but one thing is to bring awareness to people,” says Rep. Bob Mathis. Read more!

Placentophagy is the eating of the placenta after birth, is common among mammals - and also in some human cultures. Followers of Chinese medicine prepare it with rice wine, herbs and ginger before the mixture is dried, and it is then taken in capsules three times a day by the mother during the first month after birth.

It became popular in some circles in the West during the 1970s, when it was associated with “earth mothers”. Adherents of the practice believe that the placenta can help to prevent post-natal depression because it is rich in minerals and nutrients, particularly vitamin B6, which is know to ward off depression. Some believe that men and close family who eat the placenta feel more bonded with the baby. Read more!

It seems Tom Cruise may have forgotten one important factor for Katie birth plan, it’s the mother! His pregnant fiancee Katie Holmes is said to have been less than happy with his wish for a drug-free and scream-free delivery, as prescribed by his Scientology faith. Asked what Miss Holmes could have during the birth, he told US chat show host Diane Sawyer: “Whatever the woman wants. I’m not gonna tell Kate … you know, if she needs an epidural, she’s gonna get her epidural.
“And there’s this whole thing that if she needs medicine, she needs medicine.”

He explained the idea behind a silent birth. “It’s basically just respecting the mother and helping to be quiet. Not the mother. “The mother makes as much noise … and people … you know, she’s going through it. She does what she’s gotta do. OK?” Read more!

Regular workouts generally lead to pregnancies without complications and easier delivery. Exercise reduces cramping of the calves, fatigue, back pain and swollen legs. In addition babies born to active women tend to be stronger and healthier.
Pregnant women should exercise regularly to improve their overall well-being and to allay the pain of pregnancy, specialists at Germany’s state health insurer in Hanover advise.

For mothers-to-be, encouraged to take up light endurance sports such as water aerobics, walking or cycling. Also stretching exercises are beneficial. Toward the end of the pregnancy going for a swim or taking a walk are sufficient ways to get exercise. Read more!

Morning sickness is an unpleasant right of passage for so many pregnant women. Ginger is a home medical remedy for treating the symptoms that has been passed down from mother to daughter for thousands of years.
An Australian study directed by Dr. Caroline Smith shows that ginger is more than just an old wives’ tale; it is very effective for relieving the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness. Read more!

The first three months of pregnancy are delicate and potentially dangerous times for the growing baby (embryo and fetus). Poor nutrition or exposure to dangerous chemicals from smoking, alcohol, or environmental poisons can abort the pregnancy or cause permanent damage.

Scientists from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) said that women of childbearing age should avoid using nail polish containing dibutyl phthalate (DBP) because it causes birth defects in laboratory animals. Read more!

Do you know that pregnant women with gum disease problems are much more likely to have premature babies with low-birth weight?
It may result from the transfer of bacterial microbes in the mother’s mouth to the baby during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Through the placenta, the microbes can reach the baby (placenta is a temporary organ that joining the mother and fetus which supplies the fetus with blood and nutrients), through the amniotic fluid (fluid around the fetus), and through the layer of tissues in the mother’s stomach.

Every expectant pregnant mother should have a complete oral exam prior to or very early in pregnancy. You must notice that all needed dental work should be managed early, because having urgent treatment during pregnancy can present risks. Read more!

What exactly pregnancy exercise do? If exercise is good for you without a huge belly, it can only help you and the baby, when you’re pregnant?

Regular exercise actually does for a woman’s body to tones and strengthens muscles, avoid back aches, and which also supports those joints that loosen due to the hormones that flow for nine months. Exercise will increase the endorphins production, it’s the natural “good feeling” chemical produced by our brains. Also can wear off little extra adrenalin that could cause you to be anxious or fidgety and unable to sleep. The increased blood flow by the pregnant exercise also good for all your organs, including your skin.

So what kind of pregnancy exercises can you do? It depends on your health before, and during the pregnancy. Read more!

Many women like bleaching, dying or highlighting their hair and can be a regular part of their beauty regime for your hair style. Many experts now contend the dyes are most likely safe and women don’t neet to be afraid to color their hair during pregnancy. And don’t be surprised if your doctor still suggests you approach hair coloring with caution. for your women lifestyle

The dye is absorbed through the scalp and into the body, as it identified in urine, that’s why some medical experts are hesitant to give carte blanche to hair coloring during all three trimesters of pregnancy.
But during the first trimester of your pregnancy, when your baby is undergoing important neurological developments, many physicians advise holding off coloring hair with permanent dyes. Coloring can then be resumed in the second or third trimester. Read more!

For most pregnant women, other biggest challenges is to find a comfortable and getting enough rest, as it affect more than 72 percent of pregnant women.

At second and third trimesters (20 weeks and beyond), lower back pain and stomach discomfort often increase. Sleeping on the back is discouraged because of compression of the uterus on the large blood vessels (inferior vena cava) and on the intestines will cause a decreased blood flow and oxygen to the baby. Read more!

Ever heard about online pregnancy test? It’s quite interesting because it can help you to assess your pregnancy possibility and consider taking a home pregnancy test and this kind of pregnancy test isn’t based on scientific analysis of your blood or urine.

Some of online pregnancy tests are alike, but some have something different method. They will give you list of possible symptoms and allow you to decide if you have any of these. They will give you a possible due date for your baby if you are indeed pregnant by using the date of your last period as a guide marker. It leaves the information on the likelihood up to you to decide as they don’t give it. Read more!

During pregnancy , woman and fetus benefit from the increased supplies of oxygen in the blood during exercise. Expectant mothers who find exercising on land quite uncomfortable, especially in the last couple of months before delivery, can work out comfortably when freed of gravity. It is a rare OB/GYN who will not grant hearty approval to a floating fitness program.

With water fitness around the hips, even pregnant women who were previously afraid of the water enjoy play and exercise in a pool, promoting muscle tone, raising heart rate and contributing to the health and development of the child.