Posted on February 23rd, 2008 by
Most of us consider chicken pox a mild childhood disease that poses little or no harm to the sufferer. If you are a woman who is expecting a child and you have never contracted this disease, you may be posing certain risks to your unborn baby.
A typical scenario of days gone by were mothers having a “chicken pox party” where a child with chicken pox was exposed to other children of the neighborhood who had chicken pox, in order to get this pesky disease over with. Now we have vaccinations to prevent children from developing chicken pox and it may not always be a good thing.
What Having the Chicken Pox during Pregnancy may mean to Your Unborn Child
The risks that infected mothers pose to their unborn children during the first twenty weeks of pregnancy might include mental retardation, blindness, a head that is smaller in size than the norm, limbs that are malformed and scars on the skin. They may even suffer from defects to the bones and muscles.
When a woman contracts chicken pox during the final weeks of pregnancy, the risks to the unborn child increase substantially. The newborn may be at risk of developing a severe infection of the disease when they are born.
What to Do if You Fear Infection
Contacting your ob/gyn promptly is a must for an expectant mother who fears she has been infected with chicken pox. You will typically be given a vaccine that contains varicella-zoster immune globulin or VZIG. These are antibodies of the virus known as chicken pox. If an expectant mother is given this injection within seventy two hours following exposure, it may help to prevent her from contracting the disease or reduce the severity. It is still not known whether the VZIG injection prevents the unborn child from becoming infected but it is a safe solution that hurts neither the mother nor the child.
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Posted on February 17th, 2008 by
A pregnant woman can expect to endure lots of poking and prodding along with many other tests during the time she is expecting. One of these tests is simple and painful and can provide much information to the obstetrics team monitoring your pregnancy.
A sonogram or an ultrasound is a common device that is used when a woman becomes pregnant. A sonogram can tell a lot about what is happening in your womb and the progress of the baby. Many times problems can be pin-pointed before they become more serious, or allow the medical team and the parents to anticipate birth defects or abnormalities.
What is a Sonogram?
A sonogram creates a picture when it bounces sound waves off your body’s interior or specific organs. The person performing the sonogram uses a transducer or wand to glide over your belly as the sound waves bounce off the baby inside you and feeds the data to a computer.
Having a sonogram is a completely safe procedure for pregnant women to undergo. It uses sound waves to discover information instead of a traditional x-ray which uses radiation to see inside of you. The sonogram offers a more detailed picture than an x-ray and is the preferred method to monitor your pregnancy.
What Information does a Sonogram Give?
Having frequent sonograms during pregnancy is a precautionary technique to keep an eye on your baby’s progress. It measures the size of the baby as well as vital organs to ensure that all is developing properly. It many instances, especially as the pregnancy progresses, the medical team is able to discern if your baby is a boy or a girl. For those first time mothers whose babies are overly large, having a sonogram can permit the doctor to make other arrangements for delivery other than vaginal for the safety of the mother. A sonogram also lets the parents and the medical team know if a mother is carrying multiples.
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Posted on February 10th, 2008 by
It is a well documented fact and not just another old wives tale that babies can hear what is going on in the world they are not yet part of. This begins at about 26-28 week’s gestation. At this time, the fetus begins feeling, seeing and hearing. It is thought that by playing soothing sounds while in utero, you will be able to train your baby to calm down with the same type of soothing sounds she heard when she was snug inside you and this can be a bonus when baby is crying and you have no idea why.
Music to Your Ears
Music that has rhythms and sounds that sound like a mother’s heartbeat are known to calm baby when they are in utero. You can play classical lullabies or read softly and with a rhythmic tone if you prefer. Playing music for your baby before she enters the world can prepare her for her body, ears and brain to assimilate in order to create sounds of language later on.
White Noise
Many doctors recommend that colicky babies are soothed by white noise such as the droning of a car engine, the hum of a vacuum cleaner or the rhythmic sounds of the washer or dryer. This white noise reminds baby of the comfort and security they felt while they were in the womb because as we now know, it is not very quiet in there. You can play the soothing sounds of the wind blowing, ocean waves crashing against the shore or the sound of falling rain while you are reading and enjoying quiet time while your baby slumbers peacefully inside you.
It is a documented fact that the environment you provide your baby outside the womb is felt by the baby inside. Having CDs of nature sounds and tonal reminders of your heartbeat can have your baby slumbering patiently, waiting for the right time to join you in the world outside the womb.
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Posted on February 4th, 2008 by
Every woman wants to have a healthy baby, and one way to ensure that can be to have a thorough medical exam before conceiving. Your doctor may want to run a few tests to ensure the good health of not only your baby, but the mother as well.
Blood Pressure
Women who have hypertension or high blood pressure before they become pregnant, are at higher risks for developing conditions such as preeclampsia or have problems with the placenta. If your doctor is aware of your blood pressure problems before conception, you will be able to work out a treatment plan to manage any risks or complications once you conceive.
Seeing the Gynecologist
Seeing your obstetrician/gynecologist before trying to conceive is always recommended. Your doctor will recommend a pelvic exam and a Pap smear to ensure that everything is fine. The Pap smear will indicate if there are any infections or abnormalities with the cervix, and the pelvic exam will tell the doctor if you are carrying any cysts in the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
The doctor will also order a urinalysis to see if you have any urinary tract infections, or if you are at risk for diabetes. Seeing the doctor before any attempts at conception may boost your chances for being successful after the first few attempts.
Blood Tests
Before becoming pregnant, it is often a good idea to check your immunizations. A blood test will show if you are still protected from diseases such as rubella, also known as the German measles. If you are lacking in this vital protection, you will be advised to wait at least three months after your immunization before attempting to become pregnant. Your blood tests will also reveal any unseen dangers to your new baby.
Being prepared is always a good idea no matter what your endeavor, but never as important as when you are trying to start a new family.
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Posted on January 27th, 2008 by
You can expect lots of prenatal exams when you are expecting a baby. Some of the visits may also include some standard testing that is routinely done on all pregnant women. It may also include some diagnostic testing or screening to be sure there are no risks to the mother or the growing baby.
The 1st Trimester
During the first trimester of your pregnancy you can expect to have an ultrasound or sonogram to ensure that all is developing normally. You will also be expected to donate some of your blood for maternal serum testing. If any of your testing comes back abnormally during this time, further testing may be required as well as genetic counseling.
The 2nd Trimester
During the 2nd trimester of your pregnancy, you may be poked and prodded more than usual. You may be required to take several blood tests referred to as multiple markers. What these markers provide is information about any birth defects or genetic disorders the baby may have. There are several abnormalities that can be detected by using this technique. The multiple marker tests are not considered diagnostic, merely a screening to indicate who may need further testing.
The 3rd Trimester
If all your test results have indicated your baby is growing and developing normally, the only testing you may have during the final phases of your pregnancy are ultrasounds or sonograms to keep track of baby’s quick development during this period. If any of your tests have indicated abnormalities, you will have already been counseled and further testing may have been required.
Keep in mind that many of these tests can offer false results. During the screening process, it may be indicated that there are some abnormalities in the results that often end up being nothing at all to be concerned about. Many women have pulled their hair and gnashed their teeth waiting for final results only to find everything is going along smoothly.
If you get back negative test results, stay calm and don’t envision the worst. Further diagnostic tests will be done to ensure you and your baby stay healthy and happy.
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Posted on January 20th, 2008 by
Finding out you are having a baby is one of the most joyous events in any woman’ s life. Part of the excitement is telling your friends and family. You know they are going to be as happy as you are, but there may be one person you are worrying about telling - your boss.
Consider Your Employer’s Concerns
Your employer may have some concerns about your pregnancy. For instance, will you expect to take time off from work because of sickness or complications, and how long will you intend to take off from work once the baby is born – these are just two of the issues that may come up when you tell your boss your wonderful news. It may help if you have a game plan for the questions that may arise before you break the news.
Know Your Rights
Not only is it unethical, but it is also illegal to discriminate against a pregnant employee. Knowing your rights is key to feeling secure in your position. If you have any questions regarding your rights on the job as a pregnant employee, contact the Department of Labor for more information.
Timing is Everything
If you are expecting a salary or performance review, keep your happy news to yourself until it is complete. If you don’t get the expected raise or receive a poor performance review, wondering if it had anything to do with your pregnancy will be alleviated.
Try and tell your boss after you have gotten some kudos for a recent job well done, and show him or her with your actions how valuable you are to the company. Most employers will worry that your commitment and productivity will suffer because of the new circumstances, so it is up to you to convince your boss that your job is a vital part of your life.
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Posted on January 13th, 2008 by
There are a lot of myths related to pregnancy, and many old wives tales attached to it. There are lots of tips and advice you may hear from others that have no basis in fact. Relax, do your own research, and find out if the advice you are getting is just a common pregnancy myth.
Don’t Tell Anyone Until after the 3rd Month
Though things can happen during the first trimester, with regular care, most women no longer miscarry during the first three months. It was once thought that by revealing such happy and exciting news, the new parents would be inviting the “evil eye” which could result in the mother miscarrying. If you are bursting to tell the world your good news, go ahead, and tell them. The evil eye should not be one of your concerns.
How You are Carrying Determines the Sex of the Baby
Each woman is different from another and each pregnancy is different as well, even for a woman who has given birth before. If this old wives tale were true, then those in the ultrasound field would be out of business. There are other old wives tales that go along with that type of thinking, and though it may be fun to try some of them out, remember it is not scientific fact.
Eating for Two
For those pregnant women who believe the myth that they are now eating for two, all they can hope to get out of it a longer time in their pregnancy clothes after the baby is born. It is thought that gaining too much weight during pregnancy is a health risk to both mother and baby. Many pregnancy related illnesses can be prevented if expectant mothers ate a healthy diet for just one. The less weight you gain during pregnancy, the less you will have to lose later.
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Posted on January 8th, 2008 by
The odds of having a c-section instead of a vaginal birth are said to be 4-1. It is said that at the present, a C-section is the most frequently performed surgery on women living in the United States.
Why You Would Need a C-Section
There are some instances when the doctor already knows you will need to deliver by c-section. One of the conditions that may precede the need for a c-section is a baby that is overly large, a previous c-section that included a vertical incision, or abruptio placentae. This means the placenta has separated before the labor even begins. It may be that you have herpes or if the baby has remained in a breech position. There are other instances the medical heath care team may need to do a c-section and they usually relate to fetal distress.
If I Have a C-Section, Will I Always Have to Give Birth this Way?
It was once thought that if you had to have a c-section for your first labor and delivery that you would always give birth that way. That is definitely not true in many cases. The incision that the doctor left was in an awkward position in the past, and it was feared that the uterus may rupture where the lines of the incision ran. Now doctors make an incision that is lower and transverse rather than vertical. If you are able to give birth vaginally, your medical team will often encourage you to try.
It doesn’t matter how your baby gets into the world, the important thing is for both mother and baby to be happy and healthy with no complications. If that means giving birth by c-section, then so be it. You and your doctor will discuss all the options that are available to you and in the end, it may ultimately be the doctor’s decision if they feel you and your baby would benefit by having a c-section.
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Posted on December 30th, 2007 by
You’ll find that there is a lot of information to digest once you have confirmed your pregnancy. You’ll want to do everything right, from the right amount of shut eye and exercise to the proper nutrition for you and your baby. The doctor will discuss many of these concerns with you, but there are some facts the doctor conveniently forgets to mention about the wonderful world of pregnancy.
A Pregnant Woman’s Moods
Not only is your body physically changing to accommodate the new baby, but your mental well being will be altered due to the hormonal changes all pregnant women experience. You may think you know what to expect, but prepare for the worst. You may experience the need to nest. This means you want to clean and decorate your home in preparation for baby’s arrival. You may also notice you have become flighty. It can be difficult to concentrate on tasks at hand when you are pregnant. Even if you are getting enough sleep, you still may find you are trying to locate lost objects you held just a minute ago, and have forgotten your own anniversary date.
Pregnant women are well known for their mood swings. As your hormones fluctuate, you will find yourself laughing with glee one moment, and then in a flood of tears the very next. Some women become depressed during their pregnancy, and can have trouble sleeping or eating. All women are different, but you can expect to have some emotional changes during your pregnancy. Some women even report having strange and wild dreams when they are expecting.
Changes to Your Skin
Some women simply glow when they are pregnant, and there are those unlucky enough to suffer from acne. You may also notice that you have skin tags, and moles and freckles may change shape. During pregnancy, it is not uncommon for women’s sebaceous glands to step up the production of oil.
Pregnancy is different for every woman, and even pregnancies of the same woman can differ. It is a wondrous world of exploration and you can become more confident about what to expect by reading all you can on the subject. Don’t overdo it though, there is such a thing as information overload.
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Posted on December 22nd, 2007 by
We all know that caffeine, cigarettes and recreational, and even some prescription drugs, are a no-no when you are pregnant, but what about other dangerous substances that can harm the growing fetus? You can be paranoid your whole pregnancy, or you can do some basic research to find out the most important things to avoid when you’re expecting.
The Cat’s Litter Box
If you have a cat, it is important that you assign the task of cleaning the litter box to someone else while you are pregnant. The feces of cats are carriers of a parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis. The expectant mother may feel like she has the flu, but the baby can be at risk for miscarriage, premature delivery and some serious health problems. If you are an avid gardener, wear gloves during your pregnancy in case a stray cat has used your garden as a toilet. Stay away from sandboxes for the same reasons.
Herbal Supplements and Remedies
You may be under the false impression that taking herbal supplements while you are pregnant is perfectly safe. Some herbal remedies such as pennyroyal, mugwort, and goldenseal can cause you to start early labor or have a miscarriage. Some other herbs are also associated with dangerous risks to pregnant women and the fetus, so it is best to avoid herbal teas as well, unless you speak to your health care provider before doing so.
Becoming Overheated
You may think that a relaxing soak in the tub or a spell in a soothing sauna is the perfect way to pamper yourself during your pregnancy, but raising the core temperature of the body, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause birth defects in the developing fetus. This is not to say you can’t take a bath; just be sure the temperature doesn’t rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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