Women Pregnancy

Taking multivitamins around the time of conception dramatically reduces a woman’s risk of preeclampsia, also known as toxemia, the leading reason of complication during pregnancy that can be lethal to a woman and her fetus, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh report. Children of mothers with preeclampsia are five times more likely to die during birth than if they were born to mothers without the condition, and it is cited for 15 percent of early births in the U.S. The only cure for the condition is giving birth. Previous pre-eclampsia studies have largely focused on vitamin use after the first trimester of pregnancy and have found little benefit.

Women who took multivitamins at least once a week three months before the start of pregnancy and three months after were decreases incidents of preeclampsia by 45 percent for women overall and by 72 percent for women who aren’t overweight, the study found. 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!

Morning sickness during pregnancy is actually a protective reflex, which shields the baby from poisons in the unhealthy foods eaten by the mother, according to according to a study by researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK, and linked these figures to the typical diet in each country, suggest there is a link between nausea and diet.
For some women even the common smells, particularly fat and fried food, and the sight of food cooking is enough to bring on a wave of nausea. Cereals were least likely to cause nausea and vomiting, the study said. The findings appear in the Royal Society’s Biological Journal. However, research has suggested that morning sickness might have positive consequences - such as a reduced risk of miscarriage.

“While there may be no particular harm in eating, say, meat, now that we have refrigeration and best before dates, our bodies may be pre-programmed by evolution to avoid these particular foodstuffs in the first trimester,” said lead researcher Dr Craig Roberts. 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!

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!

Related Link: signs of pregnancy could you be pregnant?

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!