Thursday, March 5, 2009

The Fetus Growth During Pregnancy

The Fetus Growth During Pregnancy
The Fetus Growth During Pregnancy;From the first day of your last period, The follicles that carry the egg will slowly begin to grow from the third day of your cycle on either or both of your ovaries. The time, from which you calculate your due date, which is nine months and seven days from this day. Well, there is nothing much to say, as your baby is about two weeks away from conception. The womb is getting itself ready the mucus in the cervix becomes thinner to enable the sperm to swim through it easily.

The follicle ruptures and releases an egg or ovum, which is approximately 0.13 mm in size. This egg travels up the fallopian tube and survives for about 24 hours. This is your highly fertile period.This is the stage where the central nervous system begins to develop by forming a niche in the top layer that extends to the tail end of the embryo. If the egg is not fertilized within this time, it passes out the next time you menstruate.

This cell multiplies into over a hundred cells and travels along your fallopian tube until it reaches the uterus by the fourth day after fertilization. The egg is now called blastocyst, This is the stage where the central nervous system begins to develop by forming a niche in the top layer that extends to the tail end of the embryo . It is made up of two layers that eventually become the placenta and the embryo. It floats about in the womb getting its nourishment from the secretion of glands situated in the lining of the uterus.

The embryo is completely embedded in the lining of the uterus and can be identified by an experienced gynaecologist through an ultra sound scan. the outer layer also forms the umbilical cord as well as the membranes that protect the baby This is the stage where the central nervous system begins to develop by forming a niche in the top layer that extends to the tail end of the embryo. The cells fold up to create a hollow neural tube that form your baby's brain and spinal cord.

The next twenty-seven weeks will see the fetus grow in size while its vital organs mature to full capacity to aid its survival outside the womb. The baby's major muscles are moving in tandem with the brain as he bends and twists his arms, wrists, elbows, fingers, legs, knees and toes. His nervous system has also begun to function The three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to harden but the auditory centres in his brain have not developed as yet so he might not be able to make any sense of the sounds. He will look quite a sight, as he is wet and slippery, covered in vernix and traces of your blood.

Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual Disorders

The vast majority of women we see with abnormal uterine bleeding have what appears to be a "normal looking" uterus—which is to say that there's no evidence of fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia or cancer. We know that after childbirth that some women bleed heavily and even hemorrhage because of the failure of their uterus to properly contract. Immediately following childbirth the uterus is often massaged in order to stimulate its contraction.

In many cases medications are administered that have similar effects. Apparently, strong uterine contractions are necessary to limit blood loss after childbirth. One can also postulate that some women experience heavy periods as a result of their uterus' inability to adequate contract. In this example, the uterine may look normal (even microscopically) but doesn't function normally.Your history itself is one of the most important (and inexpensive) "tests" that can be performed by your health care provider.

women have cycles that vary dramatically in length. One woman may experience a cycle length of 21 days and then might skip 2 or 3 months before the onset of the next one. If you skipped 2 periods your cycle length for that particular cycle would be 90 days—remember, you need to count from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. The standard pelvic examination performed 10 or 20 years ago as part of your annual exam is not very helpful in assessing a woman with abnormal uterine bleeding.

In uterine artery embolization — also referred to as uterine fibroid embolization — a doctor uses a slender, flexible tube (catheter) to inject small particles into the uterine arteries, which supply blood to your fibroids and uterus. The goal is to block tiny vessels that lead to your fibroids, starve the fibroids and cause them to die. Uterine artery embolization takes advantage of the physiological changes caused by fibroids. A fibroid uterus has more small blood vessels than does a normal uterus because fibroids stimulate formation of new blood vessels to the tumors
examination both of these uteri will feel virtually identical to the examiner.

Yet the quarter-sized fibroid seen on the right is enough to wreak havoc on your periods! For about 3/4 of the women we see with menstrual abnormalities the medical history, menstrual history. Observation is always an option when it comes to treating a menstrual disorder except in the rare instance of a cancer or life-threatening hemorrhage. Menstrual irregularity, the kind that accompanies an ovulation disorder, can be treated with oral contraceptives.

What are the signs and symptoms of uterine cancer?

What are the signs and symptoms of uterine cancer? It occurs after menopause, and it may also occur around the time that menopause begins. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood. Women should not assume that abnormal vaginal bleeding is part of menopause. A woman should see her doctor if she has any of the following symptoms.

How is uterine cancer diagnosed? The symptoms can be caused by cancer or other less serious conditions, Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, Difficult or painful urination, Pain during intercourse, Pain in the pelvic area. Most often they are not cancer, but only a doctor can tell for sure. If a woman has symptoms that suggest uterine cancer, her doctor may check general signs of health and may order blood and urine tests.

The doctor also may perform one or more of the exams or tests described below. Pelvic exam. A woman has a pelvic exam to check the vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum. The doctor feels these organs for any lumps or changes in their shape or size. To see the upper part of the vagina and the cervix, the doctor inserts an instrument called a speculum into the vagina. The doctor collects cells from the cervix and upper vagina.

A medical laboratory checks for abnormal cells. Although the Pap test can detect cancer of the cervix, cells from inside the uterus usually do not show up on a Pap test. This is why the doctor collects samples of cells from inside the uterus in a procedure called a biopsy. The doctor inserts an instrument into the vagina. The instrument aims high-frequency sound waves at the uterus. The pattern of the echoes they produce creates a picture.

If the endometrium looks too thick, the doctor can do a biopsy. The doctor removes a sample of tissue from the uterine lining. This usually can be done in the doctor's office. In some cases, however, a woman may need to have a dilation and curettage (D&C). A D&C is usually done as same-day surgery with anesthesia in a hospital. A pathologist examines the tissue to check for cancer cells, hyperplasia, and other conditions. For a short time after the biopsy, some women have cramps and vaginal bleeding.

Benign Tumors Of The Uterus

Benign Tumors Of The Uterus

These often appear localized on the outside surface of the uterus or may be attached to the outside surface by a pedicle. Submucosal (submucous) fibroids are located inside the uterine cavity beneath the lining of the uterus. Intramural fibroids are located within the muscular wall of the uterus. Race also appears to play a role. Women of African descent are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than women of other races. Pregnancy and taking oral contraceptives both decrease the likelihood that fibroids will develop

fibroids can cause a number of symptoms depending on their size, location within the uterus, and how close they are to adjacent pelvic organs. Large fibroids can cause: Due to pressure, Due to pelvic pain, Due to pressure on the bladder with frequent or even obstructed urination, and Due to pressure on the rectum they can cause heavy periods, painful periods, prolonged periods or spotting between menses.

Rapid growth is a reason to watch more carefully, since a rare cancerous form of fibroid (referred to as a leiomyosarcoma) .Due to pressure on the rectum they can cause heavy periods. It is usually a fast-growing tumor, and it cannot be differentiated from a benign fibroid by ultrasound and If fibroids grow large enough, the surgery to remove them can become more difficult and risky. Occasionally, fibroids are the cause of recurrent miscarriages.

CT scans can also play a role in diagnosing fibroids, but ultrasound is the simplest, cheapest, and almost without question the best technique for imaging the pelvis. This technique uses small beads of a compound called polyvinyl alcohol, which are injected through a catheter into the arteries that feed the fibroid. These beads obstruct the blood supply to the fibroid and starve it of blood and oxygen.

Drugs are sometimes known as the "morning-after pill" is also used to terminate early pregnancy. Treatment with mifepristone also reduced the bleeding associated with fibroids drug causes menstruation to cease. Low dose formulations of oral contraceptives are also sometimes given to treat the abnormal bleeding associated with fibroids; danazol does not appear to shrink the size of fibroids

The Stages Of Cancer And The Disease Of Uterus

The Stages Of Cancer And The Disease Of Uterus Staging is a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread, and if so, to what parts of the body. The doctor may order blood and urine tests and chest X-rays. The woman also may have other X-rays, CT scans, an ultrasound test, magnetic resonance imaging, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. After the uterus has been removed, the surgeon can look for obvious signs that the cancer has invaded the muscle of the uterus.

The surgeon also can check the lymph nodes and other organs in the pelvic area for signs of cancer. A pathologist uses a microscope to examine the uterus and other tissues removed by the surgeon. These are the main features of each stage of the disease: Stage I. The cancer is only in the body of the uterus. It is not in the cervix. Stage II. The cancer has spread from the body of the uterus to the cervix.

Stage III. The cancer has spread outside the uterus, but not outside the pelvis. Lymph nodes in the pelvis may contain cancer cells. Stage IV. The cancer has spread into the bladder or rectum. Or it has spread beyond the pelvis to other body parts. Many women want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care for cancer of the uterus. They want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment choices.

The shock and stress that people may feel after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard for them to think of everything they want to ask the doctor. It often helps to make a list of questions before an appointment. To help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they may use a tape recorder. Some women also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor – to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

The patient's doctor may refer her to doctors who specialize in treating cancer, or she may ask for a referral. Treatment generally begins within a few weeks after the diagnosis. There will be time for the woman to talk with the doctor about her treatment choices, get a second opinion, and learn more about uterine cancer.The choice of treatment depends on the size of the tumor, the stage of the disease, whether female hormones affect tumor growth, and the tumor grade.

The Effect of Still Birth and Abortion on Women

The Effect of Still Birth and Abortion on Women
The pregnancy losses negatively affect a woman's health appears. There are a number of possible mechanisms: It is possible that a pregnancy loss results in a psychological conflict that consumes a mother's energy and leaves less strength available to deal with the exigencies of life. If a woman is distracted by the internal conflict of prolonged mourning she may be more likely to misinterpret information that provides critical input for decision making that affects her health.

If she is preoccupied with internal conflict and grief there is less opportunity to think rationally and freely about other aspects of her life, health and personal relationships. If losses are not mourned, depression (and consequently poor physical and mental health) is more likely to occur, there is evidence that depression interferes with the functioning of the immune system. More recent losses, and greater attachment to the ex-spouse, were associated with poorer immune function and greater depression.

Anxiety and depression are more likely to occur after the birth of a second child if the first one is aborted .The mother's disturbed psychological state may interfere with bonding to children following an unresolved pregnancy loss and also with breast-feeding. Although all pregnancy losses appear to adversely affect a woman's health, abortions seem to have a greater impact than do a similar number of miscarriages.

This finding agrees with that of Berkeley and Humphreys, who studied the number of visits by women to their family physician for a year prior to and a year following abortions. After the termination of pregnancy, they found there was an 80% increase in women visiting their doctor for all reasons, and 180% increase for psychosocial reasons. It could be argued that the women who undergo abortions are less well to begin with.

For all pregnancy losses, at least 25% of the women feel that they need professional help. Often this need is unrecognized and unresolved mourning goes untreated. It may be that women do not feel that they should report or complain about loss through a miscarriage or abortion. Abortions may be more difficult to mourn because abortion is considered too controversial to talk about. Possibly the public media's depiction of abortion as being hardly an important event makes women believe it is abnormal to grieve an aborted fetus.

Myths During pregnancy

Myths During pregnancy
The analysis found that six percent of respondents thought a mother's unfulfilled food cravings could have an adverse effect on a foetus and five percent believed a pregnant woman's exposure to a scary sight could hurt her unborn baby. The folkloric beliefs the participants considered included whether a pregnant woman's stress, bad mood, viewing of upsetting TV programs or attending upsetting events, excessive exercise, unfulfilled food cravings, or exposure to ugly or frightening sights could have a negative effect on her unborn baby.

“Women with less education were more likely to think problems were a mother's fault. This isn't necessarily because women learn more about pregnancy during formal education, but reflects that women who have pursued higher education might read more and rely on more stringent sources for information about what they choose to believe. The best rule of thumb is to get in great shape before you get pregnant.

No increased incidence of labor based on the weather or the phase of the moon. While believers may never be convinced otherwise, never mind that even if this were true, there’s nothing you could do about it! In fact, labor is triggered by a complex series of hormonal signals with no known connection to atmospheric conditions or the weather. If you raise your arms above your head while pregnant, the baby will get the cord wrapped around its neck.

Even so fetal activity may be the more important factor, and in any case, this is not something a pregnant woman can control. If the weather is stormy or the moon is full, you are more likely to go into labor, even if you are weeks away from your due date, labor is triggered by a complex series of hormonal signals with no known connection to atmospheric conditions or the weather. Don’t touch your cat while pregnant.

Feeding or petting your cat and allowing it to sit in your lap are perfectly acceptable while pregnant. And the risk of getting toxoplasmosis from your cat can be lowered. Avoid sleeping on your back, Avoid bumpy car rides they can trigger labor, The uterus and surrounding fluid provide ample cushioning and protection from minor trauma. To keep your unborn child safe, avoid sex and exercise during pregnancy.

Loss Of Hair After Pregnancy

Loss Of Hair After Pregnancy
The hair loss is occurring during the pregnancy. This is because the hormones produced induce more hair than usual to enter the growth stage of its cycle. Many people find that during pregnancy their hair looks really lush and healthy Unfortunately this also means that a few weeks after the end of pregnancy, when these hormones naturally diminish, more hair than usual enters the shedding stage.

Many women will notice an increase in hair loss at this time, In almost all cases this is a temporary matter that will right itself with time, although as hair is slow to grow, this may take some months. Some people find that a new style helps at this time. For a certain section of the female population hair re-growth afterwards may be slightly different – perhaps curlier than before. If this happens to you the situation is liable to persist, so again a new style may be necessary.

For some women the problem is exacerbated by the fact that, trying to regain their pre-pregnancy weight and figure, they diet excessively. Too little protein and a shortage of iron can induce hair loss. Also having a baby should be a happy time, but for some the extra stress involved, especially if they have some underlying illness, can induce excessive hair loss.
She will either be able to reassure you or will check that there is not another problem.

Such as the onset of hypothyroidism coming off the birth control pill in order to get pregnant may bring about hair loss which is disguised by your pregnancy and only obvious afterwards. If you suspect that your hair loss is excessive see your doctor.. For most women though matters will eventually right themselves. the female hormone produced in the ovaries. Progesterone works with oestrogen to regulate the reproductive cycle.

If this is the case, your hair will be more prone to crack and break, especially in later pregnancy. As it breaks off near the roots it may appear to be hair loss, although it actually isn't. Either way, this can be very distressing. The herbal medication has taken a simple yet effective approach to fighting hair loss. Proven hair growth methods and fused them into one system. By itself, this can already stimulate hair growth on remaining patches of hair, though by itself it cannot always regrow the hair over an already bald spot on the scalp.

Edema Or Swellings During Pregnancy

Edema Or Swellings During Pregnancy
The large increase in body fluids, edema. Your body produces and retains more fluid during pregnancy. During pregnancy your body itself moves to collect more water than it would at other times, and changes in your blood chemistry help this. Also, the growth of your uterus puts pressure on veins in your pelvis which means that the return of blood to your heart will be slowed slightly.

The common Swellings of the pregnant women are legs and feet, and sometimes even the arms and hands, is common in pregnancy so do not be alarmed if you experience this. if you notice: Swelling in your face or around your eyes, Excessive swelling of your hands (more than just a tightness of your rings). Excessive and/or sudden swelling of your legs and feet (comes on within hours).

Swelling more in one leg than the other (a noticeable difference in the two).Pain in your extremities (particularly calves or thighs, Exercise: Or, at least move around often. A speed-walk for at least five minutes each hour can earn you some pregnancy exercise and reduce swelling. Try maternity hose: Bonus, there are more benefits than just to your feet. Drink up: flush fluids out by pushing them in. Odd concept I know, but it’s tried and true.

The more fluids you drink, the less you bloat - everywhere. Aim for eight + glasses of H2O a day. Put up your bare feet: One forget fancy shoes. What a pregnant mama needs is support. Two, forget the shoes all-together when you can, and relax with your legs elevated. Not all the time - remember tip number one? But a periodic leg breaks during long periods of standing or sitting can really help reduce foot swelling and keep your legs healthy.

Edema is a normal condition of pregnancy. However, if you experience sudden and extreme swelling you may have early symptoms of preeclampsia, which is a serious condition of pregnancy-related High BP. Edema is usually present symmetrically in the body. If you find that one of your feet or another area of the body is swelling more than the other, contact your health care provider right away as this may signal a problem with the blood vessels.

Fatigue During Your Pregnancy

Fatigue During Your Pregnancy
It is not uncommon for your second or third pregnancy to be completely different from previous pregnancies which you may have had Each pregnancy is different so it may be different for different people, as well as different between pregnancies.. This constant feeling of being tired usually lasts until the beginning of the second trimester. It is not uncommon for some women to just have no energy during the course of their pregnancy.

Usually caused from lack of sleep as you may struggle to find comfortable sleeping positions, but you will also want to rule out any potential underlying causes. Heed your body's signals. Start by going to bed early and getting enough sleep at night — at least nine to ten hours if you can manage it. Try and make it a habit to take a nap during the day if you do not work, or work half days when and if possible.

If you do work and are unable to take time off, then try and catch a 15-minute catnap - you will be surprised just how much of a difference it will make. If you have an office door, be sure to close it, or else you could get creative: look for an empty lounge or conference room or lie down in the backseat of your car. Try to adjust your schedule. If possible, cut back on your commitments at work or arrange to take work home over the weekend so you can cut out early once in a while.

Take an occasional vacation day in the middle of the week - or a sick day if you're not feeling well. If you're a stay-at-home mother, then give yourself a break now and then and leave the children with someone else so you can catch up on your sleep. Make sure you're eating right. You need about 300 extra calories every day — and we're not talking about potato chips and candy bars. A healthy diet made up of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, skim milk, and lean meats can be energizing.

Get some moderate exercise each day even moderate activity, such as a short walk, can actually make you feel better. Take frequent breaks throughout your day to stretch and breathe deeply. Hang in there, you may even be up to taking in the late show or going on a weekend getaway. Soon enough you'll be a new mom, looking back on this period of relatively undisturbed nights with something akin to nostalgia.

Dangers During Home And Hospital Delivery

Dangers During Home And Hospital Delivery
Serious complications can develop during any birth and such complications can definitely represent a larger danger to both mother and child in a wilderness cabin than when encountered in a hospital. If you decide to have your baby at home (after having gone through properly-supervised prenatal care) with an experienced nurse, midwife or physician in attendance, the odds are about one in 50 that something will happen during labor and delivery to send you to a hospital.

Hospital deliveries the mother's pelvis is too small for the baby to be born. This is usually caused by rickets (vitamin D deficiency) which resulted in a misshapen pelvic as the mother' The symptom to watch for is continuous bleeding from the vagina either before labor or after labor begins. A "mucus plug" which is passed with a small amount of blood (called a "bloody show") early in labor is normal and should not cause alarm.

The following problems and home deliveries occurs due to negligence of the Pregnancy women; they Fail to come personally to the hospital, to evaluate , to instruct the nurse to check the patient's cervix to rule out premature labor, to properly evaluate the patient for pregnancy induced hypertension, to warn the plaintiff during the existence of the physician-patient relationship of the dangers resulting from Holder.

physician’s incompetent treatment, to properly perform the medical treatment necessary to the plaintiffs' welfare according to the standards set by the medical profession, to recognize and/or acknowledge her recognition of the plaintiff's symptoms, to inform the plaintiff of plaintiff's true physical state after treatment, to consult a specialist in the field of obstetrics when the defendant knew or should have known that her skills.

And knowledge or facilities were inadequate to properly treat the plaintiff under the circumstances as they then existed and by failing to properly assess the Plaintiffs needs and evaluate the medical condition of the patient. In the hospitals also have some dangers to the baby as well as to the mother by the use of forceps. It should be undertaken by a skill operator and under the criteria outlined for use of forceps. If these criteria are not achieved then there is danger of damage to mother or fetus.

Bleeding During Pregnancy

Bleeding During Pregnancy

bleeding during early pregnancy. Twenty to twenty-five percent of women have spotting or bleeding during pregnancy. Half of these women go on to have no other problems due to the bleeding. Implantation bleeding is fairly common with pregnancy. Twenty to thirty percent of women will have spotting during early pregnancy. If you have some light spotting before your period would normally start this is not something to worry about and may be a sign of pregnancy.

You may notice slight bleeding around the time your period was supposed to arrive. This happens because the fertilized egg is attaching to the uterine wall. Sometimes light bleeding or brown spotting will follow this. Your doctor may order tests to check your hormone levels. Reasons for bleeding during early pregnancy; Bleeding after sex-Many women will have light spotting after sex or following an internal exam at their doctors.

Please let your doctor know if you have had sex prior to the time you noticed spotting. Ectopic pregnancy, Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches somewhere outside the uterus. About one percent of pregnancies are ectopic. The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are spotting and pain in the abdominal area, usually on one side. Your doctor may perform an ultrasound or order HCG testing to check for an ectopic pregnancy.

About twenty percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the twentieth week of pregnancy. There are many causes for miscarriage. The most common are a result of chromosomal abnormalities, uterine anomalies, infection, or placental circulation. Signs of miscarriage are spotting or bleeding and cramping during pregnancy. If you are concerned that you are miscarrying call your doctor right away.

If you have an ultrasound between seven and eleven weeks of pregnancy and a heartbeat is seen, your chances of miscarrying are less than ten percent. Fifty percent of women who have spotting during pregnancy do not miscarry. If during the ultrasound the doctor sees a heartbeat, your chances of miscarriage are even less. There are several causes for bleeding during late pregnancy. Sometimes bleeding can be a sign of normal labor; however, any time you experience bleeding during pregnancy you should call your doctor right away.

Why Is Bed Rest Important During A Pregnancy?

Why Is Bed Rest Important During A Pregnancy?
Women are asked to go on bed rest because there is a danger of premature birth while others are asked to go on bed rest because of high blood pressure or unexplained bleeding during pregnancy. Cervical changes, multiple babies, a history of miscarriage or pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, complications with the placenta and the most part, bed rest helps by allowing a pregnant woman’s body to return to as “normal” a state as possible.

Bed rest due to high blood pressure will hopefully find that their blood pressure lowers during bed rest. Similarly, women who experience bleeding while pregnant will hopefully find that the bleeding ceases while on bed rest. The unique pregnancy symptoms that lead a woman to bed rest to determine how the bed rest actually helps a woman and her baby. Bed rest is always recommended in an attempt to help a woman and her baby.

Staying in the same position can become uncomfortable for a woman. Each woman should speak to her doctor about dealing with such discomfort, though many women find some relief by squeezing “stress balls”, slowly circling their limbs and alternately tensing and relaxing their muscles. Not every women need to go on bed rest stay there until they give birth. In fact, many women are asked to go on bed rest for a short period of time to see if it makes a difference to their pregnancy.

If you are asked to go on bed rest, be sure to find out how long you are being asked to stay there and what will determine if you stay in bed longer than that. Women on bed rest during pregnancy often find a variety of projects to fill their time. Some women enjoy journal or writing, organizing recipes or pictures, using laptops to shop online or telecommute to work, write or email friends, sew, knit or engage in a variety of other activities.

They can not do while on bed rest on a case by case basis. Ask your doctor if you can shower or bathe, use the bathroom, cook, complete household chores, do any sort of exercise, Asking if you can work at home, and how you can carry out this work, is also advisable if you would like to stay connected to your career while on bed rest. walk anywhere eat meals at the table or engage in sexual activity.

Treatment of Cough and cold during pregnancy

Treatment of Cough and cold during pregnancy

cold treatments during pregnancy as many contain substances It's best to avoid 'over the counter' cold treatments during pregnancy as many contain substances such as alcohol, decongestants and antihistamines that either aren't safe, or haven't been approved for use by expectant or breastfeeding mothers. This isn't as bad as it sounds as most cold medicines aren't actually able to clear the cold virus and instead just help to alleviate.

Symptoms - something that can be achieved with a range of alternative remedies. The best thing you can do for your body (and your baby) when you catch a cold is to get plenty of rest. Your body can fight infections better when you're not rushing about so taking some time out to look after yourself and recover properly definately pays. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables will not only help stave off any infections.

It will also help you to recover full fitness when you do catch a bug. If you don't feel much like eating try to consume five or six small meals throughout the day starting with plain food such as wholemeal toast; freshly squeezed juices and homemade soups are also packed with vitamins and make great nutrient rich snacks. It's more important than ever to stay hydrated when you catch a cold so aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water.

If you find this uncomfortable, raising the top end of your mattress by putting a pillow underneath to create a gentler incline. If a blocked nose is stopping you sleeping you could try using an extra pillow to raise your head , To help aleviate congested sinuses you could try creating a mini-steamer by placing a few drops of tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl with very hot water, placing a towel over your head.

If you have a sore throat gargling salt water can help. Disolve a teaspoon of salt in some warm water and swill this mixture around your mouth and throat for a few minutes taking care not to swallow! Avoid smoking or smoky environments as these irritate the respiritory tract further, exacerbating any cold symptoms. You could also try drapeing a warm flannel over your sinus area (adding a couple of drops of essential oil if you wish) to help relieve the feeling of pressure here.

Treatment of Cough and cold during pregnancy

Treatment of Cough and cold during pregnancy

cold treatments during pregnancy as many contain substances It's best to avoid 'over the counter' cold treatments during pregnancy as many contain substances such as alcohol, decongestants and antihistamines that either aren't safe, or haven't been approved for use by expectant or breastfeeding mothers. This isn't as bad as it sounds as most cold medicines aren't actually able to clear the cold virus and instead just help to alleviate

Symptoms - something that can be achieved with a range of alternative remedies. The best thing you can do for your body (and your baby) when you catch a cold is to get plenty of rest. Your body can fight infections better when you're not rushing about so taking some time out to look after yourself and recover properly definately pays. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables will not only help stave off any infections

It will also help you to recover full fitness when you do catch a bug. If you don't feel much like eating try to consume five or six small meals throughout the day starting with plain food such as wholemeal toast; freshly squeezed juices and homemade soups are also packed with vitamins and make great nutrient rich snacks. It's more important than ever to stay hydrated when you catch a cold so aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water.

If you find this uncomfortable, raising the top end of your mattress by putting a pillow underneath to create a gentler incline. If a blocked nose is stopping you sleeping you could try using an extra pillow to raise your head , To help aleviate congested sinuses you could try creating a mini-steamer by placing a few drops of tea tree, peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl with very hot water, placing a towel over your head.

If you have a sore throat gargling salt water can help. Disolve a teaspoon of salt in some warm water and swill this mixture around your mouth and throat for a few minutes taking care not to swallow! Avoid smoking or smoky environments as these irritate the respiritory tract further, exacerbating any cold symptoms. You could also try drapeing a warm flannel over your sinus area (adding a couple of drops of essential oil if you wish) to help relieve the feeling of pressure here

Care Of The Breast During Pregnancy

Care Of The Breast During Pregnancy
Sometime between 26 weeks and 30 weeks of pregnancy, is the most common time that women begin to have leaking breasts, women even begin producing milk instead of just colostrums, although this is somewhat rare. If you have been leaking throughout your pregnancy, you will probably leak in greater amounts as you approach your due date. you should speak with your health care provider.

The surgeon will probably prescribe some medications to control the discomfort that especially strong at the area of operation performance. The patients often feel extraordinary tiredness and pain for a few days. Bruising and burning sensations are usual effects that accompany the procedure.It is strongly recommended to wear special gauze dressing during some first days of breast augmentation after care.

Complete swelling disappearance runs after three five weeks. Routine care is the best way to keep you and your breasts healthy. Although detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages is the main goal of routine breast care, other benign conditions, such as fibrocystic breasts, are often discovered through routine care. That is why it is so important to follow this three-step plan for preventive care. should be done regularly at the same time every month and you can more readily detect any change.

A physical breast examination by a physician or nurse is very similar to the procedures used for breast self-examination. Development of a lump, a discharge other than breast milk, swelling of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple abnormalities. Persistent complaints should be monitored aggressively, with breast exams, imaging and biopsy, It is ultimately the first nutrient that your baby will receive.
While you are pregnant, and it may or may not pass through breast milk when you are breast feeding. You should avoid this medication when dealing with yeast infections. Because you won’t actually produce breast milk until a day or two after you deliver your baby, leaking breasts during the first trimester of their pregnancy. In as few as six weeks, your breasts will have grown in size, partially due to fat glands and partially due to the increase of the milk glands.

Giving breast Feeding And Milk

Giving breast Feeding And Milk
The baby closes his mouth again. This pause does not refer to the pause between suckles, but rather to the pause during one suckle as the baby opens his mouth to its maximum. The baby generally opens his mouth fairly wide as he sucks and the rhythm is slow and steady. His lips are turned out. At the maximum opening of his mouth, there is a perceptible pause which you can see if you watch his chin.

The baby can even be heard to be swallowing, and this is perhaps reassuring, but the baby can be getting lots of milk without making noise. Then, Each one of these pauses corresponds to a mouthful of milk and the longer the pause, the more milk the baby got. At times usually, the baby's suckle will change during the feeding, so that the above type of suck will alternate with sucks that could be described as “nibbling”.

This is the best way of knowing the baby is getting enough. This type of suckling can be seen on the very first day of life, though it is not as obvious as later when the mother has lots more milk. This is normal. The baby who suckles as described above, with several minutes of pausing type sucks at each feeding, and then comes off the breast satisfied, is getting enough. The baby who nibbles only, or has the drinking type of suckle for a short period of time only, is probably not.

The baby passes meconium, a dark green Baby's bowel movements. For the first few days after delivery, almost black, substance. Meconium accumulates in the baby's gut during pregnancy. Meconium is passed during the first few days, and by the 3rd day, the bowel movements start becoming lighter, as more breastmilk is taken. Usually by the fifth day, the bowel movements have taken on the appearance of the normal breastmilk stool.

The normal breastmilk stool is pasty to watery, mustard coloured, and usually has little odour. However, bowel movements may vary considerably from this description. They may be green or orange, may contain curds or mucus, or may resemble shaving lotion in consistency. The variation in colour does not mean something is wrong. A baby who is breastfeeding only, and is starting to have bowel movements which are becoming lighter by day 3 of life, is doing well.

Proper Way Of Sex During Pregnancy

Proper Way Of Sex During Pregnancy
Sex will in no way harm your little one. Your baby is protected from any thrusting that takes place during sex by both your abdomen and the amniotic sac You bet your pregnant belly sex during pregnancy! Couples are often reluctant to engage in sexual intercourse during pregnancy for fear that it will hurt their baby. The mucus plug, which closes off the opening of your cervix, also helps to keep her safe from infections.


When to Avoid Sex During Pregnancy It is highly unlikely that you will have to stop having sexual intercourse at any point during your pregnancy. The complications could include: miscarriage, preeclampsia, placenta previa. Getting into Position Now that your body is changing, you may find that sexual intercourse isn’t always as comfortable as it used to be.
The missionary position with you on the bottom and your partner on top may become increasingly awkward as your pregnant belly begins to grow.

You and your partner may have to participate in some interesting gymnastic maneuvers in order to find the position that is most comfortable for you. Here are some tried and tested sexual positions that you might want to try during your pregnancy. Woman on Top This position has you straddling your partner, while he lies down on the bed. This is a great position as it takes all the pressure off of your abdomen and allows you to control the depth and frequency of thrusting.

It also gives your partner a great view! Woman on Back This position is like the missionary position only without any added pressure to your abdomen or uterus. You lie on your back and raise your knees up towards your chest. Your partner then kneels between your legs and enters from the front. You can even rest your feet on your partner’s chest for support. Place a pillow under your bottom for added comfort.

This position isn’t recommended after the fourth month – you should avoid lying on your back for extended periods after this point in your pregnancy, as the weight of your uterus could block blood vessels that supply your uterus and legs. SidewaysThis position has you and your partner lying on your sides facing one another. It keeps weight off of your abdomen while supporting your uterus at the same time. People often forget that sexual intercourse can also be performed in a sitting position.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Risk To The Fetus From Ionizing Radiation

Risk To The Fetus From Ionizing Radiation
For some prenatal irradiation effects, there is epidemiological basis for the existence of threshold doses. For others, such as childhood cancer induction, the existence of a threshold is not clear-cut. Despite these uncertainties in the dose-effect relationship, some The risk of deleterious effects increases with increasing dose. The nature of this dependence, i.e. the shapes of the dose-response curves for humans in the low-dose range (under 50 rem), is controversial.

Broad generalizations based on fetal dose ranges may be made. There is no evidence supporting the increased incidence of any deleterious developmental effects on the fetus at diagnostic doses within this range. The additional risk of gross congenital malformations, mental retardation, intrauterine growth retardation and childhood cancer is believed to be low compared to to the baseline risk.

However, the lower limits (in terms of statistical confidence intervals around the mean) for threshold doses for some studies, especially those related to cancer induction, fall within this range. The lower limits (in terms of statistical confidence intervals) for threshold doses for effects such as mental retardation and diminished IQ and school performance fall within this range.

Overall, exposure at levels exceeding 10 rem could be expected to result in a dose-related increased risk for deleterious effects. For example, the lower limit (95% confidence interval) for the threshold for mental retardation is about 15 rem, which an expectation value of about 30 rem. Gestational age at the time of exposure , Menstrual history. History of previous pregnancies,

Including a history of congenital malformations Other potentially harmful environmental factors (malnutrition, smoking, alcohol / drugs, etc.) Maternal / paternal age, Calculation of fetal exposure using dose reconstruction techniques ,Attitude of the mother toward the pregnancy. In humans, the major deleterious effects on the fetus include fetal wastage (miscarriage), teratogenicity (birth defects), mental retardation, intrauterine growth retardation.

What is Test Tube Baby?

What is Test Tube Baby?
A process is referred to as "in vitro" (outside the body) fertilization. Simply put, eggs are removed from the mother's ovary and incubated with sperm from the father. After fertilization, the "pre-embryos" are allowed to divide 2-4 times (in a "test tube", hence the name) and then returned to the mother's uterus where they can develop normally. Through these procedures, women with otherwise untreatable infertility problems have given birth to healthy babies.

This means that we do in the lab what should normally happen in the bedroom (but is not happening because of a medical problem, such as blocked tubes, as a result of which the couple is infertile). Many people still have many misconceptions about a test tube baby. Some feel that the baby is "artificial?! However, we cannot manufacture synthetic babies in the lab! Basically, in a test tube baby treatment, we try to assist nature.

This treatment does not adversely affect a woman's health - or the health of the baby. Many women are concerned that the hormonal injections they will need to take will make them fat. This is a myth - these are the same natural hormones the body normally produces - we give them as injections in order to help the woman to grow more eggs. This treatment does not cause a woman to run out of eggs any sooner either!

Every month, 40 eggs start to grow, of which 39 die and only 1 matures. In IVF treatment, the hormonal injections rescue the eggs, which would have died in the normal course. A woman's age must be considered. Older women feel additional pressure as they feel their biological clocks are ticking and time is running out. The majority of I.V.F clinics put a ceiling on the age for women eligible for this treatment. The general limit is 38 years, Depending on the technique that will be used to retrieve the eggs (oocytes) a preliminary laparoscopy or ovarian ultrasound scan may be required,
so that the accessibility of the ovaries can be determined The eggs are now incubated for 4-24 hours in a specially prepared culture medium in order to ensure that adequate maturation has occurred. 100,000-1,000,000 specially prepared progressively swimming sperm are then added to the incubated eggs. Fertilisation takes place within the next 24 hours. 2-3 days later the embryo transfer takes place.

Teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage or underage girl (usually within the ages of 13-17) becoming pregnant. The term in everyday speech usually refers to women who have not reached legal adulthood, which varies across the world, who become pregnant. The average age of menarche (first menstrual period) in the United States is 12.5 years old, though this figure varies by ethnicity and weight, and first ovulation occurs only irregularly until after this.

The average age of menarche has been declining and is continuing to do so. Whether fertility leads to early pregnancy depends on a number of factors, both societal and personal. Worldwide, rates of teenage pregnancy range from 143 per 1000 in some sub-Saharan African countries to 2.9 per 1000 in South Korea. Pregnant teenagers face many of the same obstetrics issues as women in their 20s and 30s.

However, there are additional medical concerns for younger mothers, particularly those under 15 and those living in developing countries. For mothers between 15 and 19, age in itself is not a risk factor, but additional risks may be associated with socioeconomic factors. Data supporting teenage pregnancy as a social issue in developed countries include lower educational levels, higher rates of poverty, and other poorer "life outcomes" in children of teenage mothers.

Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and carries a social stigma in many communities and cultures. For these reasons, there have been many studies and campaigns which attempt to uncover the causes and limit the numbers of teenage pregnancies. In other countries and cultures, particularly in the developing world, teenage pregnancy is usually within marriage and does not involve a social stigma.

In the Indian subcontinent, early marriage sometimes means adolescent pregnancy, particularly in rural regions where the rate is much higher than it is in urbanized areas. The rate of early marriage and pregnancy has decreased sharply in Indonesia and Malaysia, although it remains relatively high. In the industrialized Asian nations such as South Korea and Singapore, teenage birth rates are among the lowest in the world

Management of Twins

Management of Twins

Be careful about Wrong diagnoses by:
-Incomplete scanning of the uterus, which allows a twin to be missed -failure to recognise twins in the same horn. This is more common at 18-22 days before both embryos become visible, i.e. about day 25 - endometrial cysts - these can easily be confused with pre-21 day pregnancies; regular repeated scanning is the only way to make the distinction accurately. It is preferable to have 'mapped' the shape, size and position of cysts before pregnancy diagnosis is required

It is now an unusual event for twin pregnancies to be detected after 35 days. If this does occur, treatment options are limited and attempts to terminate the pregnancy and induce a fertile oestrous are likely to be unsuccessful. If no action is taken, approximately 10% of mares will give birth to a normal foal. Almost all of these are unicornuate twins. However, given the possible disruption to the following breeding season.

It may be advisable to consider termination of the pregnancy if both twins appear viable at day 60 by ultrasound examination. Techniques are being explored whereby one foetus is selectively reduced by needle puncture and drainage of the allantoic fluid. A needle is guided by ultrasound either through the vagina or through the ventral abdominal wall. This technique has had limited success so far and must be performed by 45-50 days of gestation.

Ultrasound examination; Ultrasound gives a much more accurate diagnosis of twins than palpation, as the contents of the uterus are visualised. However, ultrasound is not 100% accurate. At ultrasound examination the number of corpora lutea should be counted. This is not possible with rectal palpation but is possible with ultrasound. Mares with two corpora lutea should be treated with suspicion and scheduled for re-examination.

Twin pregnancies may be identified as early as 13-14 days. Most veterinarians now like to examine mares between day 13-15 to diagnose pregnancy, detect twin conceptuses and deal with twins. This is because placental limits are defined early in gestation and achieving a foetal death after this stage provides only a small chance of producing a normal single foal at full term.

How To Deal With Twin Conception

How To Deal With Twin Conception

Differential growth rates can be identified using ultrasound Frequently the conceptus which is small for its gestational age is the one that fails Resorption is more likely for conceptuses that fix within the same uterine horn. Some twin conceptions result in the birth of a single healthy foal, i.e. nature ensures that one pregnancy fails early enough to prevent interference with development of the other.


Coping with the problem The problem for the stud veterinarian is to decide whether and when to intervene. The decision must be made before day 33 if the mare is to stand a chance of getting in foal again during the same breeding season. Interference with a twin pregnancy can be by: abolition of the whole pregnancy by lysing the corpora lutea with prostaglandin. If initiated before day 36 the mare will usually have a normal subsequent heat with average fertility; attempts to do this after day 36 (when endometrial cups secrete eCG) may not succeed and are unlikely to be followed by a fertile heat.


Manual rupture of one conceptus is the usual course of action, The smaller conceptus should always be chosen. Early conceptuses (14-17 days) are not difficult to crush but as they are mobile in the uterine lumen they cannot always be easily fixed. As the conceptus develops from day 21 greater pressure is required to rupture it, and after day 25, repeated attempts may be required. As pregnancy proceeds after day 21, manual disruption of one pregnancy is more likely to be followed by death of the other, i.e. complete pregnancy failure.

The reason for this is not known but it may be related to the larger volume of conceptual fluid that is released. Bicornual pregnancies are most easily treated by this method, although gentle squeezing of two conceptions at the same site (unicornual) may be attempted in the hope that only one conceptus will be destroyed. In some cases it may not be possible to burst one conceptus; however, repeatedly squeezing it may cause sufficient damage that it subsequently resorbs.

Successful twin management usually requires early and repeated examinations. The initial ultrasound examination should be performed on day 14 or 15. Manual examinations after diagnosis and treatment of twins can confirm or otherwise the continuance of pregnancy. Ultrasound examination is superior, in the hands of an experienced clinician, as the course of development of twins or a surviving singleton can be monitored more accurately.

Options To Prevention Of Twin Conception

Options To Prevention Of Twin Conception

Avoid mating mares with two follicles; then use prostaglandins to shorten the interval to the next oestrus. Remember the mare may not be examined regularly enough for detection of two follicles the mare may produce two follicles again at the next heat (this is common) it may be too late in the breeding season to miss mating at this heat. Detection of two follicles may be difficult by rectal palpation alone because;

Two follicles close to each other may feel like one large follicle on palpation, but these can be easily recognised by ultrasound examination) a follicle deep in the ovary may not be detected by palpation (but would be seen imaged by ultrasound examination) a second follicle, unsuspected by palpation or ultrasound, may develop and ovulate during early dioestrus; if the mare was mated close to the first ovulation by a stallion with good semen longevity a second pregnancy could occur.

Try to mate between two anticipated ovulations, on the assumption that the ovum released before mating is unlikely to be fertilised. Remember mating within 12 hours of an ovulation can still result in a conception both ovulations may occur between successive examinations ,the mare may go out of season before she has been mated such timing requires regular repeated examinations.

Diagnosis Of Twins Manual Palpation, When twin pregnancies are in the same horn, they produce a single swelling at its base. This swelling often feels no bigger than a single pregnancy of the same age. Twins which are located in separate horns are easier to detect as two distinct swellingsEven under ideal conditions this can be no more than 50% accurate, as in about one-half of twin pregnancies both conceptuses are in the same uterine horn.

Remember, pregnancy examination at 21 days may miss these bicornual twins (in separate horns) as the younger conceptus may not yet produce a palpable swelling bicornual twins may be more difficult to detect in the post-partum uterus, The latest time for identification of bicornual twins by palpation is about 60 days - after this the two swellings become indistinguishable. However, if twin pregnancy is to be terminated to give the mare a second chance to conceive during the current breeding season, diagnosis should preferably be before day 30.

Multiple Conceptuses (Twins)

Multiple Conceptuses (Twins)
Multiple ovulations tend to be more common in barren and maiden mares than in lactating mares. Twins in the mare are almost always associated with double ovulations.. The frequency of double ovulations depends on the breed and type of mare. Unfortunately, double ovulations are particularly common in Thoroughbred mares and are far less common in pony mares. Identical twins are very rare in the horse. Double ovulations occur in 8-25% of oestrous cycles Twins are highly undesirable in the mare. Let’s examine why this is so: Most twin pregnancies will terminate: either by early foetal resorption, late term abortions or the birth of small growth retarded foals.


. Placental competition leads to insufficiency and usually results in abortion. In addition, mare fertility is usually reduced in the following breeding season. In the past, twins accounted for 10-30% of abortions but this figure is thought to have decreased very significantly with better veterinary management. The mare's placenta is structurally simple (diffuse and epitheliochorial), and requires occupation of most of the endometrial surface to provide adequate nourishment to the foal

Twin pregnancies pose a problem, because two foetuses are trying to develop with a placental attachment area designed for one (where the membranes of the two pregnancies meet, there is no placenta). In early pregnancy there appears to be a mechanism for causing death of the smaller of twins in some cases; this reduces the scale of later problems. If twins persist as pregnancy advances, the nutritional requirement of the foetuses increases, foetal growth is limited by placental attachment area and there are

three common outcomes are One foetus becomes larger than the other. The smaller, emaciated foetus dies and usually both are aborted at 8-9 months of gestation. This is the most common outcome (80% of cases). The second is the foetuses are similar in size, and the placentas each occupy half of the uterus. The foetuses go to term and two small weak sickly foals are delivered. These may die or have to be destroyed.

In third, the size difference between the foetuses is large and the smaller foetus dies early in the pregnancy and is mummified. The larger twin is normally born alive and is able to survive. This happens because the placenta of the living twin expands its territory and encloses the mummified embryo. The evidence of twinning may never be suspected. The incidence of multiple ovulations is approximately 20-25% in the Thoroughbred mare.

Physical Changes during Pregnancy

Physical Changes during Pregnancy

The pressure of the uterus on the stomach, coupled with the relaxation of the valve between the stomach and esophagus, allows stomach acid to "reflux" into your throat. Early in your pregnancy they will feel tender and may be larger. As the pregnancy progresses and your breasts prepare for breastfeeding, they get even bigger and may leak an early form of milk called colostrum.

Make sure you wear a well-fitting bra that provides both comfort and support. Try using a saline spray to clear out the mucus, or a neti pot, a small device available in health food stores that squirts water through your nose. Everyone recognizes the enlarging abdomen of pregnancy, but unless a sister or close friend has been pregnant, you may not be familiar with the other amazing physical and emotional changes taking place.

During pregnancy, ligaments and tendons throughout your body stretch, both to accommodate the growing baby and to allow the baby out during labor. Pregnancy is a steady stream of new experiences, and some may make you wonder if everything is going all right. You may also wonder if and when you should call your caregiver. Your experiences will be less distressing if you know the common physical and emotional changes during pregnancy.

Your blood volume increases during pregnancy, putting increased pressure on your kidneys. Also, keep in mind that pregnancy and early parenthood initiate major changes in your relationships with your mate, your parents, other relatives and friends. Be patient with yourself. Do not expect everything to go perfectly. No childbirth experience exactly matches expectations.

Pregnancy affects every part of your body—from your hair to your toenails. Stretching your legs before bed and getting regular exercise can help; you might also try adding a potassium-rich banana to your diet because You may experience sudden leg cramps, feel that something is crawling on your legs or have an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, particularly at night.

Amniotic Fluid In Pregnancy

Amniotic Fluid In Pregnancy
Normal amounts may vary, but, generally, women carry about 500 ml of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is an important part of pregnancy and fetal development. This watery fluid is inside a casing called the amniotic membrane (or sac) and fluid surrounds the fetus throughout pregnancy. Amniotic fluid helps protect and cushion the fetus and plays an important role in the development of many of the fetal organs including the lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.

Fluid is produced by the fetal lungs and kidneys. It is taken up with fetal swallowing and sent across the placenta to the mother's circulation. Amniotic fluid problems occur in about 7 percent of pregnancies. Too much or too little amniotic fluid is associated with abnormalities in development and pregnancy complications. Differences in the amount of fluid may be the cause or the result of the problem

Amniotic fluid is essential for proper fetal development and provides your baby with protection and buoyancy In pregnancy, your body produces an increasing amount of amniotic fluid until about 28 to 32 weeks, at which time you have about one quart. You maintain this level of fluid until 38 to 40 weeks, when your baby is considered full-term and the fluid level normally begins to decrease.

The effect of oligohydramnios on the baby depends on the cause, the stage of pregnancy during which it occurs, and how little fluid there is. If it occurs in the first half of the pregnancy, oligohydramnios can cause fetal abnormalities of the lungs and limbs, poor fetal growth, and increases the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth and stillbirth. Your baby "breathes" the fluid into its lungs and swallows it, promoting healthy growth of his or her lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

Too little fluid for a prolonged period may cause abnormal or incomplete lung development, called pulmonary hypoplasia. The amniotic fluid also promotes normal development of muscle and bone by allowing your baby to move around within the uterus It may also cause your baby to breathe in thick meconium (your baby's first bowel movement) during or shortly after birth. The inhaled meconium can irritate and partially or completely block your baby's airways, making it difficult for her to breathe

Select The Sex Of The Baby

Select The Sex Of The Baby

Wanting for a boy: Have sex as close to ovulation as possible. The underlying logic being that the male spermatozoa are smaller and faster but die off more quickly. These will therefore (in theory) tend to swim more quickly and have a better chance of reaching the egg first. However, if ovulation does not occur for a few days (three or more), these will have died off. Use mildly alkaline douches before having sex to counter the acidity of the vagina.

Acidity tends to favour ‘female’ spermatozoa. Endeavour to have an orgasm which promotes release of alkaline chemicals in the genital tract which favour the ‘male’ spermatozoa. Abstain from sex for a few days before starting to try since a high sperm count will tend to favour a boy (apparently) Ensure as deep a penetration as possible during ejaculation to bypass the ‘hostile’ acidic vaginal canal.

Some positions may favour this and Shettles suggested a man behind position for this. Man should ideally have a cup of coffee (not decaffeinated) before sex. How this is supposed to help is not made clear. Man should have a warm birth just before sex to boost the perkiness of the ‘male’ spermatozoa. It is upon the promoted methods of baby sex determination that the woman can do herself.

Want for a girl: This will involve doing the opposite of the above (obviously). In summary: Confine your sex to around 3 days before your projected ovulation date and abstain after that. The longevity of the ‘female’ spermatozoa is supposed to ensure they will be the only ones still around when the egg is eventually released. Use acidic douches such as dilute vinegar before sex to increase vaginal acidity which is supposed to favour ‘female’ spermatozoa.

Woman should suppress orgasm which will favour the ‘male’ spermatozoa. Have regular sex and do not abstain for more than a couple of days in the lead up to the period when you will be trying for a baby. Shallow penetration at ejaculation will do just fine for a girl as the sperm is maximally exposed to the vaginal acidity thereby favouring the ‘female’ spermatozoa.

Consanguineous Marriage Influences On Pregnancy

Consanguineous Marriage Influences On Pregnancy

A genetic disease is a disorder which is inherited i.e. transmitted from parent to offspring through genes. Genetic diseases arise due to changes (called mutations) in genes which may be due to environmental agents (like ultraviolet light, chemicals etc.) or errors during the process of cell division. Marriages which take place between blood relatives are not healthy from the genetic point of view and are associated with an increased risk of abortions and congenital malformations.

The reason for abortion in such marriages could possibly be due to immunological rejection of conceptus where the lymphocyte cross reactive antigens of the mother and father are similar, and the maternal immune system cannot produce a protective response to maintain the pregnancy and it gets aborted. However, please note that a large number of the pregnancies end in a miscarriage (most of the time even before the woman realizes she is pregnant).

Deficiency of vitamin B also may contribute to feeling of excessive warmth. Thyroid deficiency may also cause a miscarriage. If your cycles always occur between 33 to 40 days, it is possible that you simply have a longer cycle. Chart your cycles for 3 months. If your period occurs at regular intervals, there is nothing to worry about. I also would recommend that you consult a genetic counsellor before you conceive again.

Each cell in the human body contains about 20,000 to 25,000 genes. Genes are structures present in the cells of all living beings (plants and animals) that are the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. They carry information that helps make what we are and determine traits or characteristics inherited from parents. Thus, parents pass some of their characteristics to their children via genes - physical characteristics like height, colour of hair, eyes, skin and even diseases or propensity to a disease. Each gene contains (encodes) instructions for making proteins which are the ultimate building blocks of everything in our body (both structurally and functionally).

The genetic influence in marriages between couples related beyond second cousins differs only slightly from that observed in the general population. The chance of having a child with a serious medical disorder in the general population (non-consanguineous marriage) is about 2% and this is marginally higher (3%) in a consanguineous couple (first cousins). That means the risk is not much higher than in other couples. The genes in common or shared in double first cousin/uncle-niece are 25%, first cousins 12.5% and second cousins 6.25%. Since relatives share some of their genes by common descent, consanguineous marriage influences the incidence of some inherited disease. The detrimental health effects associated with consanguinity are caused by the expression of rare, recessive genes inherited from a common ancestor.

Toxemia And Pregnancy

Toxemia And Pregnancy

An abnormal condition of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, fluid retention, edema, and the presence of protein in the urine a disorder of unknown cause that is peculiar to pregnancy, is usually of sudden onset, is marked by hypertension,albuminuria, edema, headache, and visual disturbances, and may or may not be accompanied by convulsions term formerly used to describe hypertensive conditions that can be induced by pregnancy.

This term, once commonly used, reflected the belief that toxins caused the hypertensive conditions. Research, however, failed to identify any toxins, and the term is now regarded as a misnomer. (The idea that these hormones are of placental origin is supported by the evidence that this condition is not present in non-pregnant people, and once the placenta is removed after birth, the condition begins to subside.)

Common symptoms are:
headache, dizziness, visual disturbances, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, swelling of the face and extremities and a history of acute starvation of several days, along with chronic malnutrition. The signs are: hypertension (high blood pressure, usually 140/90 or higher), edema (swelling), proteinuria (spilling protein in the urine), and in severe cases, convulsions, coma, congestive heart failure with pulmonary edema, vascular collapse with shock and death

Malnutrition causes fundamental changes in metabolism of liver cells during pregnancy. There is strong evidence that essential amino acids contained in high quality protein may be deficient, thus impairing liver function. In other words, the liver needs high quality protein to do its job of detoxification. There is no rationale for diuretics or high blood pressure medication. If it is a severe case, the safest course may be to deliver the baby the safest course may be to deliver the baby.

Most women with MTLP are easily induced due to the “ripe” cervix. If delivery by C-section becomes necessary, it is important not to oversedate the mother and increase the load on her liver by requiring it to detoxify the drug as well. The liver is not capable of breaking them down, and so a toxic condition ensues. In addition to this, the enzymes in the lower GI tract work on certain amino acids and produce potentially toxic substances which are carried to the liver. These compete with the steroid hormones for detoxification. In a nutshell, the liver gets overloaded

Antidepressants During Pregnancy

Antidepressants During Pregnancy

The causes for pregnant women to become depressed are unknown . We definitely think the hormones are involved but we think there are other factors involved. Previous history of depression and family history of depression are thought to be important factors.
depression during pregnancy is one of the strongest risk factors for depression after delivery. For patients with mild depression or for those reluctant to try antidepressants, there are other options including psychotherapy, exercise, and exposure to UV light.

Boys born to mothers who drank lightly during pregnancy are better behaved and score more highly in tests at the age of three than the sons of women who abstained, according to a study published today, Boys born to mothers who drank lightly were 40% less likely to have conduct problems and 30% less likely to be hyperactive, even when the differences between social and economic circumstances were taken into account.

They also scored more highly in vocabulary tests and were better able to identify shapes, colours, letters and numbers. The most common one is neonatal abstinence. This means the baby might be fussier than usual, or rigid or have respiratory problems or difficulty with feeding. In the vast majority of cases, this is over in 24 hours. Another risk that's much less common is a rare but serious newborn lung problem called persistent pulmonary hypertension.

In pregnant women a number of different foetal measurements are commonly made. Crown-rump length is used in early gestation and is accurate prior to 13 weeks of gestation. Later in gestation the femur length, and abdominal circumference are measured and used to determine both foetal size and weight. A number of different growth charts are available to obstetricians to help them identify the growth-retarded foetus.

Pregnancy hormones were once thought to protect women from depression, but researchers now say this isn't true. These early elective c-sections can lead to an increased rate of complications, including breathing and feeding problems and infections Doctors are now recommending that women and their obstetricians wait until the 39th week of pregnancy before scheduling elective cesarean sections

Stages Of Labour Pain During Pregnancy

Stages Of Labour Pain During Pregnancy
The stages of labour pains are three ; The first stage of labour results in the neck of the womb ,the cervix ,dilating to a full ten centimetres and consists of early, active, and transitional phases Once the cervix has dilated to ten centimetres, the work and excitement of the second stage begin. In third stage you deliver the placenta
The early phase is also called the latent period or it is called pre labour

The uterus starts to contract or tighten regularly. The contractions gradually become more painful, which were irregular and didn't hurt. Each woman has her own rhythm and pace of labour. Some may not even be aware of the very early contractions and are several centimetres dilated before they realise they're in labour. As the cervix begins to open, its position in your pelvis changes, moving forwards. It softens and effaces which means that it gets thinner and springier. Feel your nose: it's firm and muscular

This is the stage of labour when your womb pushes your baby down the vagina There's often a lull at the end of the first stage when the contractions stop and you and your baby can rest for a while. When the contractions start again, you'll feel the pressure of your baby's head between your legs. With each contraction and every push, your baby will move down through your pelvis a little, but at the end of the contraction, he'll slip back up again! Don't despair. As long as the baby keeps on moving on a little further each time, you're doing fine.

When your baby's head is far down in your pelvis and stretching the opening of the vagina, you'll probably feel a hot, stinging sensation and your doctor will tell you that your baby's head has "crowned". As your baby's head begins to be born. You deliver the placenta -- the baby's life-support system that has supplied your baby with nutrients, and taken waste products away, as it has grown inside you. After the baby is born, contractions resume after a few minutes, but at a much lesser intensity.

These contractions cause the placenta to peel away from the wall of the uterus and drop down into the bottom of your womb. You will probably feel that you want to push. The placenta, with the membranes of the empty bag of waters attached, will pass down and out of your vagina
you may feel shaky due to adrenaline and the adjustments your body immediately starts to make. Or you may simply be on a high, ready to pick up your baby and dance around the room. Some women find it hard to pay attention to the baby if they have had a long labour, or if they've had pethidin. There's nothing wrong with their maternal instincts; they're simply exhausted. If this happens to you take your time.

Breast Cancer Diagnosed In Pregnant Women?

Breast Cancer Diagnosed In Pregnant Women?
The best thing you can do while pregnant is to see your obstetrician regularly. These doctor visits, called prenatal (or "before birth") visits, are very important in keeping both you and your baby in the best possible health. During these visits, your obstetrician will perform a breast examination to check for suspicious breast changes. Abnormalities seen on mammograms fall for the most part into 2 categories; suspicious calcifications, or densities.

If your breasts are tender, ask your partner not to touch them. Painful breast tissue is an exceedingly common symptom but is usually of functional origin and very rarely a symptom of breast cancer. Haagensen 24 carefully recorded the symptoms of women presenting with breast carcinoma and found pain as an unprompted symptom in only 5.4% of patients. Although not a symptom of cancer, breast pain is a common reason for patients to seek medical attention.

Fibrocystic change, popularly referred to as fibrocystic disease, represents a spectrum of clinical and histologic findings and describes a loose association of cyst formation, breast nodularity, stromal proliferation, and epithelial hyperplasia. 34 Fibrocystic change appears to represent an exaggerated response of breast stroma and epithelium to a variety of circulating and locally produced hormones and growth factors.

Check up with doctor and find out whether it is lump But if it is a definite lump, you should not delay. Lump in your breast should be checked by a qualified physician to determine what it is. If you are not sure whether it's really a "lump", or not, you may wish to wait through a menstrual period to see if the new finding is still present. Not all calcifications are suspicious, and it would be too complicated to go into all the subtle distinctions that are considered in evaluating any calcifications.

If the biopsy shows cancer (results will usually be available in 2-3 days), your surgeon will need to remove more tissue from around the biopsy area. Since the original suspicious abnormality may have been completely removed with the biopsy, the marker will be a certain way of knowing precisely where the biopsy was done. If you don’t have cancer, the marker will remain permanently in your breast.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Effect of Smoking before Pregnancy

Effect of Smoking before Pregnancy
Smoking creates many obstacles for conceiving no matter who smokes whether female or male. Due to smoking fertility rate of people decreases. On the other hand their offspring’s also have risk in becoming parent. Smoking reduces level of fertility to a great extent as it affects rate of hormones which are essential to conceive. It also affects the movement of female eggs to womb via fallopian tube. Smoking reduces the level of sperm count in males.

Amount of Semen produced is also reduced. Sperms mobility is also harmedThe shape of sperms is also affected .Blood vessels are also affected that supply blood to penis. Erection problems also arise.Smoking causes many disease like vascular disease, which hampers flow of blood through placenta. During later period of pregnancy vaginal bleeding can be caused due to abruption and even can cause premature delivery or Death of fetus.

The intake of nicotine present in tobacco raise the rate of metabolism and thus, it burns calories faster and more in number. Later when you kick this habit, the rate of metabolism decreases to some extent with the susceptible increment in weight. It also came in the light that the level of the serotonin that is a kind of neurotransmitter responsible for relax and calm feeling decreases when you quit smoking, this lead to carbohydrate cravings and irritability.

Smoking can affect your unborn child Cigarettes affect the mothers' circulation, which in turn will affect the baby. The baby in the womb is totally relying on mother to supply oxygen, nourish and filter out any dangerous chemicals Smoking increases the chance that the baby will be born smaller than expected. (Low Birth Weight Baby).

If you're planning a pregnancy, or already expecting, giving up smoking is one of the most important things you can do. It's a big step, but with a little help from NicoBloc, you could be giving up - for good. Research suggests that some women see a low birth weight baby as an advantage, however there is so much evidence to the contrary. If the baby is smaller at birth it will continue to be smaller throughout its subsequent development

Skin Changes During pregnancy

Skin Changes During pregnancy
During pregnancy, skin changes are common. Many of these skin changes are normal in pregnancy and should not be mistaken for a rash or skin disorder. melasma: brown, clearly defined patches on the face, typically on the cheekbones and forehead, darkening of the nipples and external genitals (pubic area).

darkening of existing moles, linea nigra: a dark line that appears on the abdomen, running straight down from the umbilicus (belly button). striae gravidarum (stretch marks of pregnancy): red lines or bands that can appear on the abdomen during pregnancy, or the breasts after breastfeeding, which later become white, smooth, shiny and flattened. veins on the skin can become more obvious. varicose (swollen) veins can appear on the legs.

An increase in the number of skin tags (small, harmless skin outgrowths that occur especially on the neck, but can be found on any part of body). That changed with the development of immunofluorescence, a technique that uses antibodies (infection-fighting proteins made by the immune system) chemically linked to a fluorescent dye to identify antigens (substances that trigger an immune system response) in a tissue sample.

Immunofluorescence has helped experts identify and distinguish the various forms of skin rashes associated with pregnancy.Nonetheless, controversy remains regarding the classification of these rashes. To add to the confusion, experts routinely refer to each of these rashes by several different names. The rash itself is made up of different types of lesions, including raised dots or bumps and fluid-filled blisters. The rash may diminish before delivery, but returns following childbirth for many patients.

Some women experience future flare-ups when using oral contraceptives or during menstruation. Women may also experience pemphigoid gestationis in subsequent pregnancies, although the condition may occasionally skip a pregnancy.pregnant women may experience severely itchy skin that is not accompanied by a rash. This is known as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and it tends to occur during the third trimester.

The condition interferes with liver function, causing bile acid levels to build up in the blood. Mild jaundice (yellowed skin and eyes) sometimes accompanies this condition. Women carrying multiple fetuses or who have a family history of ICP have a higher risk of developing the condition. Most often ICP is diagnosed after 30 weeks gestation, and it often recurs in subsequent pregnancies.

Blood Supply During Pregnancy

Blood Supply During Pregnancy
A woman may have high blood pressure before she gets pregnant. Or her blood pressure may start to go up during pregnancy. The fetus is connected by the umbilical cord to the placenta, the organ that develops and implants in the mother's uterus during pregnancy. Through the blood vessels in the umbilical cord, the fetus receives all the necessary nutrition, oxygen, and life support from the mother through the placenta.

Waste products and carbon dioxide from the fetus are sent back through the umbilical cord and placenta to the mother's circulation to be eliminated. The blood then reaches the inferior vena cava, a major vein connected to the heart.Blood from the mother enters the fetus through the vein in the umbilical cord. It goes to the liver and splits into three branches.

If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, you need to have checkups more often than women who do not have this problem. There is no way to know if you will get preeclampsia. This is one of the reasons that you are watched closely during your pregnancy blood pressure goes up very high in the second or third trimester. This is sometimes called pregnancy-induced hypertension.

It needs treatment, but it usually goes away after the baby is born. Heart failure sounds frightening because it sounds like the heart just stops working. Do not be discouraged by the term heart failure-the heart has not stopped beating or pumping. Heart failure means the tissues of the body are temporarily not receiving enough blood and oxygen.

there are certain women who generally have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy. This depends on many factors like, family history, first pregnancy or pregnancy after a long time period, age of the woman at the time of pregnancy, weight of the woman and the presence of some pre-existing disorders or diseases

The Functions Of Placenta During Pregnancy

The Functions Of Placenta During Pregnancy
The placenta keeps any harmful substances away from your baby as well as protecting her against infection – but it can’t always distinguish between what’s good and what’s bad, which is why pregnant women are advised not to drink,smokeor take drugs during pregnancy. Some viruses can pass to your baby from the placenta. Rubella (also known as German measles) can be particularly dangerous if you catch it, and can cause defects such as blindness, deafness and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in your baby.

If you’re not sure whether you have immunity from Rubella, ask your physician to check. First and foremost the placenta provides oxygen to your baby. Each time your heart beats, blood from your arteries flows into the placenta so that oxygen and nutrients flow to your baby. It also carries waste products, such as carbon dioxide, away from your baby. Good functioning of your placenta depends on a good supply of maternal blood – if it’s reduced which happens if you smoke or suffer from pre-eclampsia, blood flow to the placenta is reduced and this can have an effect on your growing baby.

The placenta also secretes hormones such as chorionic gondotropin, progesterone and estrogen, that all help maintain your pregnancy and also prepare your breasts for breastfeeding. During the last stages of pregnancy, antibodies will pass from you to your baby via the placenta, and these will help to protect her for the first three months. After that her own body will start to build up immunity from what she’s exposed to on a daily basis.

After your baby is born, the placenta’s job is done. After your baby’s cord is clamped and cut, you’ll deliver the placenta in what’s termed the third stage of labor. You can choose to deliver it naturally or have an injection of Pitocin to stimulate your uterus to contract further to expel it In rare cases the uterus fails to contract to expel the placenta, or a portion of it remains inside. This can result in postpartum hemorrhage and the placenta may have to be surgically removed.

Your placenta is like a guard it protects and nourishes your growing baby. For nine months – so if you get a glimpse of it after the delivery, remember to say a big thank-you for looking after your little one for all those months. The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional

Effects Of Tumors During Pregnancy

Effects Of Tumors During Pregnancy
Pregnancy hormones on the incidence of chemically-induced mammary tumors in rats. Rats who go through a full-term pregnancy are less likely to develop mammary cancer in response to carcinogens than unmated rats. Pregnancy hormones inhibit the initiation and progression of chemically induced mammary carcinomas. Three weeks of exposure to low doses of estrogen and progesterone produces the same protective effect against chemically-induced tumors as pregnancy.

Pregnancy may cause cells in mammary tissues to become less responsive to carcinogens, or may cause them to proliferate less, or the hormonal environment may be different, or there may be a change in cell fate. For a discussion of various hypotheses. Any fibroid can cause the onset of acute pain. Some fibroids grow so rapidly that they outgrow their own blood supply and infarct. These can cause very intense pain.

The treatment is called FAC chemotherapy (5-flurouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide). The chemotherapy was given during the second and third trimesters. Additional chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as therapies such as Herceptin and tamoxifen, were to be given after delivery, if needed. Pregnant women have already been urged by public health agencies to take folic acid containing-multivitamins in early pregnancy in order to reduce their fetus 's risk of developing a neural tube defect such as spina bifida.

Protective effect of the multivitamins taken early in pregnancy was found statistically significant but that taking multivitamins later in pregnancy did not significantly reduce the child's risk of medulloblastoma.Cancerous tumors may produce chemicals that can affect the absorption of certainnutrients in the body. The body's use of protein, carbohydrates and fat may be affected,especially by tumors of the stomach or intestines.

A patient may appear to be eating enough, multivitamins taken early in pregnancy was found statistically significant but that taking multivitamins later in pregnancy did not significantly reduce the child's risk of medulloblastoma. but the body may not be able to absorball the nutrients from the food. Eating toolittle protein and calories is the common nutrition problem facing many cancer patients.Protein and calories are important for healing, fighting infection and providingenergy.

Drug Responses During Pregnancy

Drug Responses During Pregnancy
The response to anaesthetic and adjuvant drugs is modified during pregnancy and the early puerperium. The most pertinent alteration is a reduced drug requirement, manifest in both regional and general anaesthesia. Regional Anaesthesia. In the late first trimester to the early puerperium, a smaller dose of local anaesthetic is required to obtain the desired level of spinal or extradural blockade. During the last months of gestation, approximately two-thirds of the normal dose is adequate.

This altered response, which is due to CSF and hormonal changes and an increase in volume of the epidural veins, subsides progressively in the early postpartum period. General Anaesthesia changes in depth of inhalation anaesthesia occur with greater rapidity in pregnant women than in non-pregnant subjects. Pregnancy enhances anaesthetic uptake in two ways. The increase in resting ventilation delivers more agent into the alveoli per unit time, while the reduction in functional residual capacity favors rapid replacement of lung gas with the inspired agent.

In addition, there is a reduction in anaesthetic requirements, with a fall in the minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) of halogenated vapors. When measured in ewes MAC was 25-40% lower in gravid as compared with nonpregnant animals. Serum Cholinesterase. Serum cholinesterase levels fall by 24-28% during the first trimester without a marked change for the remainder of gestation. However, even lower levels (about 33% reduction) develop during the first 7 postpartum days.

The decreased levels of the enzyme are still sufficient for normal hydrolysis of clinical doses of suxamethonium or chloroprocaine during gestation. Postpartum, however, approximately 10% of women will be at risk of a prolonged reaction to suxamethonium.The decreased functional residual capacity has a further effect on the management of general anaesthesia, the resultant reduction in oxygen storage capacity, together with the elevated oxygen consumption, leads to an unusually rapid decline in arterial oxygen tension in the apnoeic anaesthetised gravida.

Thus, the mean elimination half-life for thiopentone in gravid women is more than doubled in comparison with that in nongravid young patients. There are also alterations in the response to intravenous agents, the resultant reduction in oxygen storage capacityin particular prolongation of their elimination half-lives consequent to the greater distribution volume (resulting from the pregnancy-induced increase in plasma volume).

Physiological Changes During Pregnancy

Physiological Changes During Pregnancy
The hormonal effects on the gastrointestinal tract are an issue of debate among anaesthetists. Relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter has been described, but there have been differing views about the effect on motility of the gastrointestinal tract and the times at which it is most prominent. Many believe that there is also retardation of gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying, producing increased gastric volume with decreased pH, beginning as early as 8-10 weeks of gestation.

Recent studies, however, have shed a different light on the subject. Measuring peak plasma concentrations of drugs absorbed exclusively in the duodenum in both non-pregnant and pregnant volunteers, at different times of gestation, it was shown that peak absorption occurred at the same interval in all women with the exception those in labour. This suggests that gastric emptying is delayed only at the time of delivery.

Mechanical Changes the enlarging uterus causes a gradual cephalad displacement of stomach and intestines. At term the stomach has attained a vertical position rather than its normal horizontal one. These mechanical forces lead to increased intragastric pressures as well as a change in the angle of the gastroesophageal junction, which in turn tends toward greater oesophageal reflux.
Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate begin to increase progressively during the first trimester. At term, both are 50-60% higher than in the non-pregnant state.

This parallels the increases in blood volume and cardiac output. The elevations in plasma flow and glomerular filtration result in an elevation in creatinine clearance. Blood urea and serum creatinine are reduced by 40%. The increase in glomerular filtration may overwhelm the ability of the renal tubules to reabsorb leading to glucose and protein losses in the urine. Thus, mild glycosuria (1-10 gm/day) and/or proteinuria (to 300 mg/day) can occur in normal pregnancy.

This is a measure of the osmotic activity of a substance in solution and is defined as the number of osmoles in a kilogram of solvent. In practice it indicates that the plasma concentrations of electrolytes, glucose and urea, fall if more water than sodium, for example, is retained. Over the whole period of gestation there is retention of 7.5L of water and 900 mmol of sodium. After the 12th week of gestation, progesterone can induce dilation and atony of the renal calyses and ureters. With advancing gestation, the enlarging uterus can compress the ureters as they cross the pelvic brim and cause further dilatation by obstructing flow. These changes may contribute to the frequency of urinary tract infections during pregnancy.

Lung volume & capacity during pregnancy

Lung volume & capacity during pregnancy


Acceptable spirograms demonstrate good test initiation (eg, a quick and forceful onset of exhalation), no coughing, smooth curves, and absence of early termination of expiration FRC is measured using gas dilution techniques or body-box plethysmography. Gas dilution techniques include nitrogen washout and helium equilibration. With nitrogen washout, the patient exhales to FRC and then breathes from a spirometer containing 100% O2. The test ends when the exhaled nitrogen concentration is zero.

The collected volume of exhaled nitrogen is equal to 81% of the initial FRC. With helium equilibration, the patient exhales to FRC and then connects to a closed system containing known volumes of helium and O2. Helium concentration is measured until it is the same on inhalation and exhalation, indicating it has equilibrated with the volume of gas in the lung, which is estimated by helium dilution

the patient inhales as deeply as possible, seals his lips around a mouthpiece, and exhales as forcefully and completely as possible into an apparatus that records the exhaled volume Flow rate and lung volume measurements can be used to differentiate obstructive from restrictive pulmonary disorders, to characterize disease severity, and to measure responses to therapy.

Pregnancy similarly has minor effects on spirometric indices. The total lung capacity and the VC remain unchanged, but the FRC decreases by 10-25 %. This similarly may lead to airway closure in the normal tidal breathing range. Measurements are typically reported as absolute flows and volumes and as percentages of predicted values derived from large populations of people presumed to have normal lung function.

changes to the mucosal vasculature of the respiratory tract lead to capillary engorgement and swelling of the lining in the nose, oropharynx, larynx, and trachea. Symptoms of nasal congestion, voice change and upper respiratory tract infection may prevail throughout gestation. Forced expiratory volume measures how much air a person can exhale during a forced breath. The amount of air exhaled may be measured during the first (Forced expiratory volume 1), second (Forced expiratory volume 2), and/or third seconds (Forced expiratory volume 3) of the forced breath.

Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy

Iron Deficiency During Pregnancy
Blood is the life-maintaining fluid that circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. It carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins; antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues, the signs of anemia become clearer. You may feel unusually tired and weak, and you might be irritable and have trouble concentrating on your work.

Women who do not have adequate iron stores can develop iron deficiency anemia. This is the most common type of anemia in pregnancy. It is the lack of iron in the blood, which is necessary to make hemoglobin - the part of blood that distributes oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body. Good nutrition before becoming pregnant is important to help build up these stores and prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Eating at least three servings of iron-rich foods a day will help ensure that you are getting 30 mg. of iron in your daily diet. Please refer to the chart below for a list of iron-rich foods. One of the best ways to get iron into your diet is to eat a highly fortified breakfast cereal, such as Total, which has 18 mg of iron. Note that iron intake is not equal to iron absorption. Absorption of iron into the body is greatest with meat sources of iron.

The body absorbs iron more efficiently during pregnancy. Therefore it is important to consume more iron while you are pregnant to ensure that you and your baby are getting enough oxygen. Iron will also help you avoid symptoms of tiredness, weakness, irritability, and depression. The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for iron is 30 milligrams (mg) per day for pregnant and lactating (breastfeeding) womenIron pills are sold over the counter, and iron is included in many prenatal vitamins.

But don’t start popping extra iron until you’ve talked your doctor at your first prenatal appointment. Iron can cause an upset stomach, nausea, and constipation -- things that pregnant women certainly don’t need , necessary to make hemoglobin - the part of blood that distributes oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body. Your doctor can show you how to get enough iron without going overboard.