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.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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