Health and Personal Care

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

If you are expecting pregnancy then look for a symptom of pregnancy to appear. Take a closer look and do not ignore a single bodily change. It can be a feeling of nausea, exhaustion, short term, light vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge etc. Most of the expecting mothers assume an overdue period is the first sign to watch out for and this symptom summons rest of the pregnancy symptoms. However, as per medical experts a missed period is not likely to be the first sign of pregnancy. Rather, as per their understanding a woman might be already few weeks pregnant until she observes her period is overdue. Therefore, start keeping note of all signs of pregnancy and create a pregnancy calendar.

Possible Signs Of Pregnancy

Making a weekly pregnancy calendar is a good way to check progress of pregnancy. It is as well a good idea for detecting pregnancy as you tend to observe Every symptom of pregnancy arrive gradually. In this regard, a pregnant woman should be aware of the fact that sequence of pregnancy symptoms extensively vary from one woman to another. So if you have not come across a particular symptom, do not start panicking as it may appear later. For example, many women experience swollen and tender breasts as the first sign of pregnancy whereas some feel nausea or dizziness throughout the day before as the primary sign of pregnancy. Hence, chart each sign sent by your body in detail and the symptoms with which it appears to consult your gynecologist and confirm pregnancy. Symptom of pregnancy that you are likely to expect if you are expecting pregnancy after conceiving can be the following –

1. Nausea Or Morning Sickness – Most of the expecting mothers undergo a feeling of sickness after leaving their beds in the morning as well as at the different hours of the day as well. Nausea may linger throughout the entire day. This symptom of pregnancy gives a clear indication of pregnancy. On the other hand, to reduce discomforts of nausea, physicians recommend to divide larger meals into smaller frequent meals and to curb consumption of spicy foods.

2. Increased Exhaustion– Are you are feeling like taking a nap at the afternoon or in the evening and feel tremendously tired to wake up and go to work? Should you let it pass without noting it, you might be skipping a significant symptom of pregnancy. Sudden arrival of tiredness and fatigue without any reason after conceiving is a way in which your body alerts you pregnancy. However, this symptom may disappear after the first trimester of pregnancy and may revive on the third trimester.

3. Fainting – Fainting or dizziness is caused by lowered blood pressure during pregnancy. If you feel your head is spinning as you try to rise after sitting a while or even fainting, contact your doctor or take a home pregnancy test. Expecting mothers should alleviate loads of works and be cautious while putting your feet up.

After conceiving, you may experience other changes like cramping, frequent urination, vaginal spotting etc. , which may have appeared before, but you should not ignore as each sign is considered significant symptom of pregnancy.

By : Apurva Shree

Symptom of pregnancy can be easily and mistakenly related with other illness and disorders. It is impossible to lay down an ultimate list symptom pf pregnancy but there are some tell tale symptom of pregnancy which is bound to occur during pregnancy. There are few but lucky ones who will never experience any of these early pregnancy symptoms but generally one symptom or the other is bound to occur among pregnant mothers.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms:

Tough stress, illness and weight loss and so on can be attributed to missed period, but generally a missed period is generally an early sign of pregnancy. If you experience other symptom of pregnancy along with missed period, it is advisable that you acquaint yourself with signs of being pregnant and also consult a doctor to confirm the fact. Tenderness of breast is another symptom of pregnancy. Normally few days after conception, this symptom of pregnancy occurs. As your body prepares itself for breastfeeding, your breasts begin to enlarge and also become tender. Tenderness of breast is usually a temporary symptom of pregnancy and usually disappears after a few weeks.

Nausea and vomiting are usually considered to be one of the hallmark symptoms of pregnancy. Usually referred as morning sickness, vomiting and nausea are one of the most common complaints among would be mothers during the fifth or sixth week of their pregnancy. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day and can be quite severe sometimes resulting in overwhelming vomiting and even nausea. You will feel tired and exhausted during pregnancy and this is mainly due to the fact that you need much more energy to support another life system inside you.

Darkening of areola is also considered to be one of the foremost symptoms of pregnancy and can prevail throughout pregnancy. If there is continuous darkening of areola then it can well be considered one of other early sign and symptom of pregnancy. Frequent urination as a result of reducing size of bladder during pregnancy is another symptom. Frequent urination is one of the most annoying symptoms of pregnancy that would be mothers’ experience. Strong sense of food, craving for food and constipation are also other symptoms of pregnancy. Changes in the emotional and mental setup of mind are something very much associated with pregnancy. Since you are preparing for motherhood, you tend to become overprotective and sometimes take the role of motherhood too seriously. Mood swings during pregnancy is perfectly normal and those near you should be well advised not to take anything personally.

Today, pregnancy tests are the best way to confirm your pregnancy. Pregnancy blood tests, home pregnancy tests, office urine tests and so on are some of the most recommended methods to confirm your pregnancy. Your can always consult your doctor to confirm the fact and also acquaint yourself with some pregnancy health related issues.

By : Apurva Shree

What is Ectopic Pregnancy? Ectopic may be defined as an organ or body part existing in an unusual form or position. Ectopic pregnancy is one which is developing in the wrong place. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg or ovum fails to move down through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Instead, it develops outside the womb. The ovum may attach itself to the fallopian tube, the ovary, cervix, or any other organ within the pelvic and abdominal organ. Most ectopic pregnancies lead to immediate miscarriage, while others need medical attention.

Reasons for Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancies occur in women with damaged fallopian tubes. A history of pelvic inflammatory disease, previous surgery, scar tissue, endometriosis, or previous ectopic pregnancies increases the likelihood of such a pregnancy. Chances of ectopic pregnancies increase if you become pregnant while using a contraceptive-coil or a progestogen only contraceptive pill. Even in-vitro fertilizations are known to be ectopic despite the fact that the ovum is directly placed into the womb. The ovum may attach itself somewhere else, leading to ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes, women suffer from this despite not having any of the above risk factors.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy
Pain on one side of the abdomen is the first sign of ectopoic pregnancy. This pain is often severe and constant and starts suddenly. Pain in shoulder, which intensifies when breathing in and out, is also a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Pain while using the bathroom may also indicate towards this type of pregnancy. Other symptoms include sickness, diarrhoea, light headedness, paleness, collapse, falling blood pressure, and vaginal bleeding or unusual periods.

Diagnosis
An ectopic pregnancy is often difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms are that of a normal pregnancy, such as tender breasts, nausea, frequent urination, missed period, and vomiting. However, in case you notice any of the signs discussed above, you must consult your physician immediately.

A urine test may not be a surest way to detect ectopic pregnancy; but a positive result for a specialized HCG blood test will confirm it. An internal pelvic examination will reveal that the womb is smaller in an ectopic pregnancy than in a normal pregnancy at the same stage of pregnancy. A swelling is also a sign of this type of pregnancy. An ultrasound is the safest bet when it comes to detecting this type of pregnancy.

Treatment
Most ectopic pregnancies need to be surgically treated or need proper medication. Without such medical intervention, the pregnancy can turn fatal to the mother. With technological advancements, it has become a lot easier to detect an ectopic pregnancy. Also, the treatment of such a pregnancy has improved, for example, keyhole surgery. Techniques like laparoscopy or laprotomy can by used to remove the misplaced ovum.

Future Pregnancies
You must understand that even if you have had an ectopic pregnancy, you will be likely to have successful pregnancies in the future. It is advisable to wait for several cycles before attempting to become pregnant again. Most women are known to become pregnant again with a healthy pregnancy as soon as they attempted again.

By : Apurva Shree

For many women, deciding when to take a pregnancy test is one more additional source of anxiety as the two-week wait ends. There is the part of you that is dying to know if this month will be the month you finally get pregnant, and the temptation to take a pregnancy test before your period is late is oh-so tempting.

On the other hand, you are most likely aware that taking the test early may come up negative, even if you are pregnant.

Understand How Pregnancy Tests Work

Before you decide when to take a pregnancy test, it helps to understand how they work. The tests detect pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in your urine. Some tests also detect a variation of this hormone, known as hyperglycosylated hCG (H-hCG).

The regular hCG is produced only after an embryo implants in to the endometrium, while H-hCG begins to be released earlier, some time after fertilization.

Levels of Pregnancy Hormones and Pregnancy Tests

When pregnancy tests tell you how much hormone they detect, they usually tell you how much hCG the test requires. A woman’s level of H-hCG, though, is typically higher than hCG. The majority of pregnancy tests are not sensitive to the hormone H-hCG.

If a pregnancy test does detect H-hCG, you’re more likely to get a positive result early. If a pregnancy test is not sensitive to H-hCG, and only detects regular hCG, getting an early positive result is less likely.

The great majority of pregnancy tests on the market, unfortunately, are not great at detecting H-hCG.

Understanding How Early Result Pregnancy Tests Work

What about early results tests, though, the ones that promise results three or four days before your missed period?

It’s important to know that these tests assume a 14-day luteal phase. (That’s the time between ovulation and when you get your period. ) If your luteal phase is usually 12 days, four days before your missed period would be 9 days after ovulation. Way too early to test.

If you have a luteal phase of 15 days, though, 4 days before your missed period is 12 days after ovulation. You still may not have enough hormone that early, but you’ve got a much better chance than someone with a shorter luteal phase.

Why would I need a blood pregnancy test?:

This is the type of pregnancy test that uses blood to detect hCG. This can give your doctor or midwife specific numbers to measure and compare. In general, your hCG will nearly double about every two days in early pregnancy. So by having multiple blood tests about 48 hours a part, you can track this hCG number and get a better read on the pregnancy. Serial blood tests can help your practitioner monitor your pregnancy for miscarriage or even an ectopic pregnancy or multiples.

What do I do if my pregnancy test is positive?:

If you have a positive test you can assume that you are pregnant. Congratulations! You will first want to decide with whom you will share the good news. Will you think of a fun way to tell your family? Have you chosen a midwife or a doctor? There is a lot to do and we’ll help you!

By : Dr. Mike Boucher

If you wish to calculate the age of your developing baby then pregnancy calculator is of great use. Pregnancy calculator can calculate fetal age, that is the age of your developing baby as well as estimated due date and the conception date. It is also the best tool to make use of in combination with detailed week by week pregnancy calendar available. You should remember that the more you know of your own monthly cycle more right the calculator will be. When you are getting ready to be pregnant, you should read about getting pregnant a lot. Now, let us have a look at how calculate due date.

Have you ever wished to know how the doctor calculated estimated due date as well as age of your baby? Fine, it is really an easy to follow process. You should add 280 days to first day of your last menstrual period. It is actually as easy as that. The 280-day cycle works on general 66-day gestation period for human being. We get 280 days as we add 14 days that is the average time span for your ovulation period.  Clearly, that is only an average however, with the help of pregnancy calculator, 14 days may be altered for what is your real Luteal Phase or to what real ovulation period really is and it is helpful since, the more you know of your monthly cycle, more right your calculations can be.

More you know of monthly cycle more correct calculator will be. So, as suggested in conception basics, it is best idea of tracking your monthly cycles for some months before hand. Obviously, not all of the pregnancies are planned however, when your monthly cycle is regular enough then you must have no issues making use of calculator. Never forget that you are able to make use of these calculations in combination with weekly pregnancy calculator available. Many of the health care professionals calculate age of pregnancy by the number of weeks as your last period. When you wish to know gestational age of fetus, you need to only enter the conception date.

Pregnancy is a joyful time of waiting as well as excitement. Expectant parents wish to know when to expect their new small bundle of happiness so they are able to prepare mentally as well as physically for childbirth as well as prepare a secure house for the baby. Obstetricians wish to know due date so that they can observe fetal growth that may be an indicator of issues with pregnancy. The last menstrual period is utilized for deciding the right age of pregnancy. Ultrasound is frequently utilized for confirming due date as well as to observe growth.

If you wish to calculate the age of your developing baby then pregnancy calculator is of great use. Pregnancy calculator can calculate fetal age, that is the age of your developing baby as well as estimated due date and the conception date. It is also the best tool to make use of in combination with detailed week by week pregnancy calendar available. You should remember that the more you know of your own monthly cycle more right the calculator will be. When you are getting ready to be pregnant, you should read about getting pregnant a lot. Now, let us have a look at how calculate due date.

Have you ever wished to know how the doctor calculated estimated due date as well as age of your baby? Fine, it is really an easy to follow process. You should add 280 days to first day of your last menstrual period. It is actually as easy as that. The 280-day cycle works on general 66-day gestation period for human being. We get 280 days as we add 14 days that is the average time span for your ovulation period.  Clearly, that is only an average however, with the help of pregnancy calculator, 14 days may be altered for what is your real Luteal Phase or to what real ovulation period really is and it is helpful since, the more you know of your monthly cycle, more right your calculations can be.

More you know of monthly cycle more correct calculator will be. So, as suggested in conception basics, it is best idea of tracking your monthly cycles for some months before hand. Obviously, not all of the pregnancies are planned however, when your monthly cycle is regular enough then you must have no issues making use of calculator. Never forget that you are able to make use of these calculations in combination with weekly pregnancy calculator available. Many of the health care professionals calculate age of pregnancy by the number of weeks as your last period. When you wish to know gestational age of fetus, you need to only enter the conception date.

Pregnancy is a joyful time of waiting as well as excitement. Expectant parents wish to know when to expect their new small bundle of happiness so they are able to prepare mentally as well as physically for childbirth as well as prepare a secure house for the baby. Obstetricians wish to know due date so that they can observe fetal growth that may be an indicator of issues with pregnancy. The last menstrual period is utilized for deciding the right age of pregnancy. Ultrasound is frequently utilized for confirming due date as well as to observe growth.

By : Christina Ray

Pregnancy Announcement Ideas for Pregnancy Announcements

While most parents are likely to send out birth announcements after their new baby enters the world, fewer send out pregnancy stationery, http://www. birth-cards. com/pregnancy-stationery/ However, there’s no good reason not to send a pregnancy announcement to friends and family members who will be happy to hear the good news. The card is more personal than a mass email and makes it easy to reach family members or friends not commonly talked to over the phone. These pregnancy announcement cards can be a perfect choice for many couples.

The reason to send traditional baby announcements is obvious: everyone wants to know that a new baby has joined the family. But a pregnancy announcement provides a similar purpose. The mother-to-be is probably overjoyed about having the baby and about announcing pregnancy details to everyone she is close to. This is only natural. Plus, sending out announcements pregnancy can be a great way to answer all of those common questions that will come her way as soon as the news reaches others. Why answer them multiple times when the card will answer them all once?

Choosing Pregnancy Announcement Cards

When friends and family are notified using pregnancy announcement cards, the parents-to-be should take care and choose the perfect card for the special occasion. After all, the card should reflect the happiness they are experiencing thanks to the wonderful news. Not all stationery vendors are going to carry announcement pregnancy cards, however. This can limit the selection a little but almost any card showing a baby, a happy mother, or any beautiful scene will work for this purpose. The good news is some vendors do carry some great examples of pregnancy announcement stationery. Parents should pick cards that fit their own personalities – one that stands out from the crowd.

There are many excellent pregnancy announcement ideas that parents-to-be can use. By being creative the pregnancy announcements, http://www. cardsshoppe. com/birth-announcements/pregnancy-announcements. htm can be used to announce the news and at the same time invite the family and friends to celebrate your good news at a drop-in party at your home. The parents will need to decide how much information they want to share in the announcement and how much to share in person at the drop-in. Another announcement ideas pregnancy would be to include a copy of the first ultrasound picture if it is available. If the couple has a web site where they can keep the family and friends up-to-date on the monthly doctor visits, they can include the link in the announcement.

Enjoying the Surprise Pregnancy Announcement

If a couple has wanted to have a child for awhile, the surprise pregnancy announcements will be just the thing to announce their special news. They won’t be able to tell everyone as soon as they know for sure, but they will enjoy the excited phone calls they will receive as family and friends begin to open their announcements. The pregnancy announcement surprise will be best if the couple have kept the news a total secret. The pregnancy announcement wording should be kept very simple, basically just including a statement like “We’re expecting a baby!”, “A baby is on the way!” or “A baby!” and the expected due date. The card should be signed with the parents’ names.

Using Free Pregnancy Cards

While sharing good news might not be the best time to worry about the budget, many parents need to start saving money from day one to meet the needs of their new addition. Pregnancy cards are an additional expense but some stationery vendors do provide discounts and even free announcement cards pregnancy when an order is placed. Shopping around for the best deals on a pregnancy card is a good way for parents to share the news without having to sacrifice their pregnancy announcements. Using these and pregnancy announcement ideas is a good way to share the great news.

By : Sarah Porter

Motherhood is a natural culmination for most girls, and in the process, they enter womanhood. Though getting pregnant seems pretty straightforward, it is certainly a big task if you have been trying in vain for several months. And even if you finally succeed in getting pregnant, it’s only 10% of the battle won. The rest 90% involves proper care, appropriate exercise, regular checkups, adequate rest, timely delivery, and healthy rearing of the infant. There are loads of sub-tasks also involved for the entire length of time while you are pregnant, but that may seem onerous at first glance.

One sure way of getting all the knowledge about pre-, during, and post-pregnancy is through special magazines, like Fit Pregnancy and Pregnancy. The best part of these magazines is their conception-to-delivery approach, i. e. , you’ll get all the information that a first-time would-be mom needs for a happy pregnancy. These magazines act as comprehensive guides for the women who are either to become pregnant or are already pregnant. You’ll find all the ‘Do’s’ and Dont’s’ in these issues, apart from other useful tips that will help you sail through pregnancy.

The learning process is made simpler by real-life experiences of women during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. Further, the doctors share their expertise that can be implemented in real life so that pregnancy becomes enjoyable. Dieticians reveal the healthy diet plans for different stages of pregnancy. Physical workout is vital during and post-pregnancy. Different kinds of exercises are prescribed to get you back into shape after delivery.

Most importantly, the first-time would-be moms would enjoy all this information more than the second or third-time moms. This is because most of them have only heard about pregnancy from their moms and peers, but haven’t experienced it. Now, pregnancy can’t be experience through trial and error method, as it could be fatal for the baby in the womb. That’s why reading informative pregnancy magazines, like Fit Pregnancy, should be a top priority for the first-time would-be moms.

To help you get your copy of one of those pregnancy magazines, Internet can be your best friend. There are some good websites out there that offer cheap pregnancy magazines subscription at a heavy discount of up to 70% off the list price. You can order right from your home and the first issue is delivered within no time, again right at your doorsteps.

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Motherhood is a natural culmination for most girls, and in the process, they enter womanhood. Though getting pregnant seems pretty straightforward, it is certainly a big task if you have been trying in vain for several months. And even if you finally succeed in getting pregnant, it’s only 10% of the battle won. The rest 90% involves proper care, appropriate exercise, regular checkups, adequate rest, timely delivery, and healthy rearing of the infant. There are loads of sub-tasks also involved for the entire length of time while you are pregnant, but that may seem onerous at first glance.

One sure way of getting all the knowledge about pre-, during, and post-pregnancy is through special magazines, like Fit Pregnancy and Pregnancy. The best part of these magazines is their conception-to-delivery approach, i. e. , you’ll get all the information that a first-time would-be mom needs for a happy pregnancy. These magazines act as comprehensive guides for the women who are either to become pregnant or are already pregnant. You’ll find all the ‘Do’s’ and Dont’s’ in these issues, apart from other useful tips that will help you sail through pregnancy.

The learning process is made simpler by real-life experiences of women during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. Further, the doctors share their expertise that can be implemented in real life so that pregnancy becomes enjoyable. Dieticians reveal the healthy diet plans for different stages of pregnancy. Physical workout is vital during and post-pregnancy. Different kinds of exercises are prescribed to get you back into shape after delivery.

Most importantly, the first-time would-be moms would enjoy all this information more than the second or third-time moms. This is because most of them have only heard about pregnancy from their moms and peers, but haven’t experienced it. Now, pregnancy can’t be experience through trial and error method, as it could be fatal for the baby in the womb. That’s why reading informative pregnancy magazines, like Fit Pregnancy, should be a top priority for the first-time would-be moms.

To help you get your copy of one of those pregnancy magazines, Internet can be your best friend. There are some good websites out there that offer cheap pregnancy magazines subscription at a heavy discount of up to 70% off the list price. You can order right from your home and the first issue is delivered within no time, again right at your doorsteps.

By : Alex Richard

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy is a common condition afflicting millions of women around the globe. And if you have suffered from hemorrhoids before pregnancy, what you probably don’t want to hear is that the likelihood of you having them during or after the birth, is increased.

But the good news is that the risk of hemorrhoids during pregnancy can be greatly minimized, if not completely prevented.

Some women only experience hemorrhoids after birth, brought about the pressure from pushing during the second stage of labour, but hemorrhoids in pregnancy occur for many reasons:

1. An expanding uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins – in particular, the inferior vena cava. This large vein on the right side of the body receives its blood flow from the lower limbs.

The pressure on this vein often means that the return of blood from the lower part of the body is weakened.

In turn, this increases the pressure in the veins below the uterus and results in them becoming more distended. This can produce hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

2. During pregnancy, there is an increase in the hormone progesterone. Progesterone slows down the intestinal tract – food is not digested as quickly, resulting in constipation.

In its turn, constipation tends to cause straining – and straining puts pressure on the rectal veins, producing hemorrhoids.

In addition, this increased level of progesterone in the body causes a relaxation of the walls of the veins, allowing them to swell more easily.

The combination of these two factors, means hemorrhoids can easily occur if preventative measures are not taken.

3. Some women find they are less active during pregnancy, and their food intake increases more than necessary. The combination of these two factors, along with the above-mentioned effects of increased progesterone, create an unbalanced digestive system.

However, from personal experience and that of consulting thousands of others, I know hemorrhoids during pregnancy are almost always preventable.

Ideally, it’s best to start an anti-hemorrhoid regime before becoming pregnant. Your body will actually benefit from this in many more ways, other than just preventing hemorrhoids.

Of course, you should always consult your doctor before undertaking any form of treatment or exercise.

These are my top 6 tips for preventing and treating hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

1. The use of natural supplements to strengthen the veins has proven extremely effective in clinical trials – they’ve worked better than placebos and drugs.

If you are already pregnant and experiencing hemorrhoids, these same supplements can be taken to relieve pain, swelling and bleeding. They have shown no side effects in studies.

There are also natural supplements which possess astringent qualities – these have been found to be highly effective in tightening the tissues of the swollen veins.

2. The use of natural supplements to aid the digestive process will help improve a sluggish metabolism. In turn, this will help reduce, if not completely, prevent, constipation.

3. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic area. This will help increase blood flow in this region and keep veins more elastic. Also, these exercises will help during the birth process, and minimize excess pressure.

4. Sleep or rest on your left side – this will help alleviate pressure on the inferior vena cava, and increase blood circulation from the lower body.

5. Avoid constipation and straining – get plenty of fluids and fiber and some suitable exercise – walking is great. Straining on the toilet needs to be avoided as much as possible. Sitting on the toilet for longer than necessary can also cause extra pressure on the rectal veins, so avoid this.

6. Avoid sitting for long periods of time – this can cause congestion in the rectal veins. Try to walk if only for a few minutes every hour or so.

One of the questions I am most commonly asked by women suffering from hemorrhoids during pregnancy is: Will my hemorrhoids go away after the birth?

My answer is always the same: Of course, it depends on the individual, but the more you do before, during and then after your pregnancy to minimize weakening of the veins, the better your chance of those veins returning to their normal size.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are not inevitable – it is not necessary to suffer with them as though they are just a normal part of having a baby.

Neither is it necessary to suffer with hemorrhoids during pregnancy because you are concerned about the side-effects of drugs. The many natural treatments that are available have been the subject of many well-conducted clinical trials, producing highly effective results.

Pregnancy and the birth of your new child should be an enjoyable time of your life. Hemorrhoids can be particularly painful – don’t allow them to intrude on your happiness when there are effective options easily available.

Pregnancy and hemorrhoids are a common combination.

If you have suffered from hemorrhoids before pregnancy, what you probably won’t want to hear is that the likelihood of you having them during or after the birth, is increased.

But the good news is that the risk of hemorrhoids in pregnancy can be greatly minimized, if not completely prevented.

Some women only experience hemorrhoids after birth, brought about the pressure from pushing during the second stage of labour, but hemorrhoids in pregnancy occur for many reasons:

1. An expanding uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins – in particular, the inferior vena cava. This large vein on the right side of the body receives its blood flow from the lower limbs.

The pressure on this vein often means that the return of blood from the lower part of the body is weakened.

In turn, this increases the pressure in the veins below the uterus and results in them becoming more distended. This produces hemorrhoids.

2. During pregnancy, there is an increase in the hormone progesterone. Progesterone slows down the intestinal tract – food is not digested as quickly, resulting in constipation.

In its turn, constipation tends to cause straining – and straining puts pressure on the rectal veins, producing hemorrhoids.

In addition, this increased level of progesterone in the body causes a relaxation of the walls of the veins, allowing them to swell more easily.

The combination of these two factors, means hemorrhoids in pregnancy can easily occur if preventative measures are not taken.

3. Some women find they are less active during pregnancy, and their food intake increases more than necessary. The combination of these two factors, along with the above-mentioned effects of increased progesterone, create an unbalanced digestive system.

However, from personal experience and that of consulting thousands of others, I know hemorrhoids in pregnancy are almost always preventable.

Ideally, it’s best to start an anti-hemorrhoid regime before becoming pregnant. Your body will actually benefit from this in many more ways, other than just preventing hemorrhoids.

Of course, you should always consult your doctor before undertaking any form of treatment or exercise.

These are my top 6 tips for preventing and treating hemorrhoids in pregnancy.

1. The use of natural supplements to strengthen the veins has proven extremely effective in clinical trials – they’ve worked better than placebos and drugs.

If you are already pregnant and experiencing hemorrhoids, these same supplements can be taken to relieve pain, swelling and bleeding. They have shown no side effects in studies.

There are also natural supplements which possess astringent qualities – these have been found to be highly effective in tightening the tissues of the swollen veins.

2. The use of natural supplements to aid the digestive process will help improve a sluggish metabolism. In turn, this will help reduce, if not completely prevent, constipation. Hemorrhoids in pregnancy will be much less likely to bother you if you have a happy stomach.

3. Exercises to strengthen the pelvic area also aids in reducing hemorrhoids in pregnancy. This will help increase blood flow in this region and keep veins more elastic. Also, these exercises will help during the birth process, and minimize excess pressure.

4. Sleep or rest on your left side – this will help alleviate pressure on the inferior vena cava, and increase blood circulation from the lower body. This small adjustment can make a big difference for those suffering hemorrhoids in pregnancy.

5. Avoid constipation and straining – get plenty of fluids and fiber and some suitable exercise – walking is great. Straining on the toilet needs to be avoided as much as possible. Sitting on the toilet for longer than necessary can also cause extra pressure on the rectal veins, so avoid this if you want to help reduce the risk of hemorrhoids in pregnancy.

6. Avoid sitting for long periods of time – this can cause congestion in the rectal veins. Try to walk if only for a few minutes every hour or so.

One of the questions I am most commonly asked by women suffering from hemorrhoids in pregnancy is: Will my hemorrhoids go away after the birth?

My answer is always the same: Of course, it depends on the individual, but the more you do before, during and then after your pregnancy to minimize weakening of the veins, the better your chance of those veins returning to their normal size.

Hemorrhoids in pregnancy are not inevitable – it is not necessary to suffer with them as though they are just a normal part of having a baby.

Neither is it necessary to suffer with hemorrhoids in pregnancy because you are concerned about the side-effects of drugs. The many natural treatments that are available have been the subject of many well-conducted clinical trials, producing highly effective results.

Pregnancy and the birth of your new child should be an enjoyable time of your life. Hemorrhoids can be particularly painful – don’t allow them to intrude on your happiness when there are effective options easily available.

By : Janet Pfeiffer

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is warning that obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of several complications, including high blood pressure, a serious condition called preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The ACOG opinion, published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, says obese women also are more likely to miscarry, to need a Caesarean section, and to have excessive bleeding and infection after a Caesarean section. Babies of obese women are more likely to be stillborn, be born prematurely and have spinal cord abnormalities called neural tube defects. The risks affect women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30, and are even higher for women with a BMI of more than 30.

ACOG Issues Guidance to Ob-Gyns on Impact of Obesity During Pregnancy

Washington, DC–The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) today released its first committee opinion on obesity during pregnancy, a paramount issue as one-third of adult women in the US are obese. The ACOG document, “Obesity in Pregnancy,” explains the known risks that obesity poses to pregnant women and their babies and is published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

“Obesity has become an epidemic,” says Gary D. V. Hankins, MD, chair of ACOG’s Committee on Obstetric Practice, which developed the document.  ”At this point, 49% of non-Hispanic black women are obese, 38% of Mexican-American women are obese, and 31% of non-Hispanic white women are. And, everything we do in obstetrics is made more difficult and more complex by obesity*from using external monitors to performing surgery. ”

According to ACOG, some studies show that obesity is an independent risk factor for miscarriage among women who undergo fertility treatment. Data also links obesity to miscarriage in women who conceived naturally.  Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. And the higher the body mass index (BMI) a woman has, the higher the chance she will need a cesarean.

Other studies show that obese women have more complications during and after cesarean surgery, including excessive blood loss, operating time greater than two hours, and wound infection. Surgery in obese women also poses anesthetic challenges, among them difficult epidural placement and respiratory problems from difficult intubation.

Elevated risks to the babies of obese women include stillbirth, prematurity, macrosomia (large for gestational age), neural tube defects, and higher rates of childhood obesity.

“A lot of ob-gyns don’t bring up weight with patients,” says Laura E.  Riley, MD, immediate past chair of ACOG’s Committee on Obstetric Practice. “We’re hoping to open the dialogue between patient and physician, so that patients come to understand that maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about how you look, but that it also has real medical implications. ”

Vivian M. Dickerson, MD, immediate past president of ACOG, emphasizes that the time to begin frank discussions about weight is before a pregnancy is achieved. “In preconception visits, we talk to patients about genetic risks and immunity to rubella, but rarely do we discuss their weight or diet and exercise,” Dr. Dickerson says. “But optimizing your weight before conception is one of the most important things you can do to have a healthy baby. ”

ACOG makes the following recommendations for ob-gyns dealing with obese patients:

Explain to patients the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations for prenatal weight gain: 25-35 lbs. for women of normal weight, 15-25 lbs. for overweight women, and 15 lbs. for obese women.
Record height and weight for all women at the initial prenatal visit to allow BMI calculation.
Offer nutrition consultation to all obese women and encourage them to follow an exercise program. This should be continued after the baby is born and prior to attempting another pregnancy.
Consider screening obese pregnant women for gestational diabetes during the first trimester and repeating it later in pregnancy if initial screening is negative.
Discuss potential pregnancy complications such as difficulty estimating fetal weight and obtaining fetal heart rate.
- Suggest that patients consult with an anesthesiologist prior to delivery or at the very latest, early in labor because they are at high risk for emergency cesareans.

To battle obesity, more people are turning to bariatric surgery. But as a result of the surgery, many patients who later become pregnant may see a host of complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, intrauterine growth restriction, prematurity, and neural tube defects.  The surgery can also lead to deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, folate, and calcium. On the other hand, pregnancies following bariatric surgery are often less likely to be complicated by gestational diabetes, hypertension, macrosomia (large babies), and cesarean delivery.

“Because we’re just beginning to learn what the risks and upsides might be, it’s a balancing act for doctors and patients,” said Dr. Dickerson.  ”Patients need to proceed with caution because we really haven’t had enough experience yet with this to make solid conclusions. ”

ACOG’s recommendations for obese patients who are pregnant or planning to conceive include having a preconception consultation and weight-loss counseling, seeking information on the risks of obesity and pregnancy, and continuing nutritional counseling and exercise programs after delivery.

What Is The Doctor’s Reaction?

During most pregnancies, everything goes well.

But up to 25% of pregnancies are not routine. Some problems are minor and have no long-lasting effects; others, such as premature labor and maternal hypertension (high blood pressure) can endanger the life of the mother, the baby or both. Current screening and monitoring procedures are useful, but doctors still cannot predict or prevent every complication of pregnancy.

A report released today links a number of pregnancy-related problems to a single, preventable condition: excess weight. The risk of trouble during pregnancy is increased among women who are overweight (body mass index, or BMI, of 25 to 30) compared with women who are not; and the risks are even greater among women who are obese (BMI of 30 or greater).

Overweight and obese women face an increased risk of:

gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
gestational diabetes (elevated blood sugar during pregnancy)
pre-eclampsia (leg swelling, high blood pressure and kidney disease) or eclampsia (similar symptoms as pre-eclampsia plus seizures or coma)
Cesarean section
excessive bleeding or infection following Cesarean section
miscarriage
delivering a baby with abnormalities in the spinal cord (called neural tube defects)
delivering a baby that is premature or stillborn
problems monitoring the health of the baby (such as detecting the fetal heart rate and estimating fetal size)

Studies also suggest that children of mothers who were obese during their pregnancy have a higher than average risk of childhood obesity.

Obstetricians and gynecologists are taking note, especially as the incidence of obesity is increasing. Experts are suggesting this important first step: talk about it. While doctors routinely discuss and recommend testing for a number of conditions around the time of pregnancy (including German Measles, HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis and gonorrhea), it is far less common for pregnant women and their doctors to focus on excess weight. These new guidelines aim to change that.

What Changes Can I Make Now?

Calculate your BMI and work hard to avoid excess weight. While it’s generally best to have a BMI under 25, it’s especially important to keep it less than 30. Talk with your doctors well before pregnancy about what you can do to lose those excess pounds. There is no one way that works for everyone, but most successful weight loss programs combine calorie restriction (including moderation of portion size) and exercise aiming for gradual, steady weight loss. If your weight is higher than ideal, ask your doctor about nutritional counseling and an exercise program that you can follow before, during and after pregnancy.

Regardless of your weight before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy is expected and encouraged; however, for your health and for that of your baby, excessive weight gain should be avoided. According to current guidelines, the weight gain during a routine pregnancy should be between 25 and 35 pounds; however, overweight women should aim for a weight gain of 15 to 25 pounds and obese women should aim for a weight gain of 15 pounds.

Despite the risks associated with obesity during pregnancy, I would not recommend bariatric surgery (such as “gastric stapling”) for every obese woman who is considering pregnancy. While certain risks may be decrease with profound weight loss, others may increase (such as vitamin deficiencies or intestinal bleeding) – we need more information about this approach before it can be routinely recommended.

What Can I Expect Looking To The Future?

Because the incidence of obesity is rising dramatically in this country, you can expect a dramatic increase in the number of women who become pregnant while overweight or obese. And that means you can expect a rising incidence of complicated pregnancies and deliveries. Increasing awareness regarding the impact of a woman’s weight on her pregnancy is an important first step, but only time will tell whether this awareness will translate into effective action.

You can expect researchers to study which programs work best to combat excess weight before pregnancy (including the option of bariatric surgery) and how best to handle complications that arise.

In the future, doctors will probably measure BMI more regularly for women who are planning pregnancy and will make their patients aware of the real risks associated with excess weight. It’s also likely that doctors will recommend more extensive screening for overweight and obese women who are pregnant so that problems are detected as early as possible. Finally, you can expect referrals for nutritional counseling and exercise programs to become a more routine part of obstetric practice.

By : Mark Pelore

Most of the women under in vitro pregnancy feel puzzled what would be their symptoms of early IVF pregnancy. Women, who do not conceive naturally, can conceive unnaturally through in vitro process. Therefore, they often feel whether IVF pregnancy symptoms resemble symptoms of natural pregnancies or not. Following an IVF pregnancy, the egg is taken exterior in a Petri dish to fertilize. After fertilization, the egg is again implanted in the body. However, this is an artificial process of being pregnant, the course of the pregnancy advance as the normal period of pregnancy advances. However, after much discussion on IVF pregnancy symptoms, confusions connected to this topic has prevailed. Let us talk about the events of IVF pregnancy and the symptoms of early IVF pregnancy.

What Is IVF Pregnancy?

This IVF pregnancy has brought ray of hopes to many women who have not been able to become pregnant of course. Fortunately, this IVF pregnancy also consists of painless procedures. As the egg is fertilized in a Petri dish, it is planted in the womb of by the help of a catheter. The symptoms of early IVF pregnancy come to surface as the fertilized egg is implanted at the walls of uterus. Once the egg is entrenched, mother’s body starts generating hormones to hold up advancement of pregnancy. As the pregnancy symptoms start showing up, take note of each of the signs and get ready a pregnancy journal. However, one must know the date when the egg was fertilized in the womb, otherwise, it is pretty challenging to make a pregnancy journal in case of an IVF pregnancy. So, start with recording the date of the implant of the fertilized egg in your uterus.

What Are The Symptoms Of IVF Pregnancy?

After the egg is entrenched in the uterus, and as your pregnancy is determined through an ultrasound, your body commence showing up symptoms of early on IVF pregnancy. These symptoms are usually the symptoms of normal pregnancy. Following is a list of likely signs you can expect in an IVF pregnancy –

Enhanced level of basal body temperature
An overdue periods or amenorrhea
Tender and sore breasts
Cramping sensation in lower abdominal area
Discomforts of nausea and queasiness throughout the day
Increased aversion and fondness to certain foods and fragrances.
Dizziness and increased level of exhaustion and fainting.
Sudden onset of mood swings

Urinating frequently

Role of HCG in IVF Pregnancy

HCG hormone is known as the pregnancy hormone and is produced after the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. In an interval of few days, this hormone is secreted in the blood and lead to arousal of symptoms of early pregnancy. However, during an IVF pregnancy, this hormone gets released a bit later in comparison to the usual pregnancy. This is the reason, the IVF pregnancy symptoms take a bit longer to arrive. If you are at this stage of IVF pregnancy, you should better consult a doctor or medical process to get your pregnancy established, than to wait for its symptoms. Using an urine test, doctors detect IVF pregnancy. Undergo an HPT or positive urine test or ultrasound to be confirmed of your pregnancy if the symptom of early IVF pregnancy are yet to show up.

By : Vinceny