As we have learned on our previous post Symptoms of Pregnancy, these body changes often occur on the first trimester of pregnancy. When you reach the second trimester, you will have lesser of the burden as most women agree. The second trimester is one of the best stages of pregnancy. You feel wonderful at this stage and have the most time to attend to your nursery room. But what are the pregnancy experiences that you will have for the second trimester of pregnancy?
The second trimester of pregnancy is defined commonly as weeks 14 to 26. This is the period where body changes will make your shape change. Here are some of the body changes that often occurs:
You will feel that your skin becomes tighter and you may notice that stretch marks begin to appear especially in your abdomen. Most often you will feel itchy when your skin stretch and tightens.
Your abdomen begins to grow. Also you will notice that as pregnancy progresses, the top of your uterus becomes near the rib cage.
You will start to experience back aches. Back aches are hard to endure at times. There are several ways to get relief on back aches during pregnancy. You should also be wary on the medicines that you take.
Constipation, heartburns, cramps in your feet or legs are also some of the probable things that you might experience on the second trimester of pregnancy.
You may continue to have emotional instability, such as mood swings and irritability, or find that you have difficulty concentrating.
There are still a lot of pregnancy experiences that you will have on the second trimester of pregnancy. Yet despite of these, the thought of carrying a new life within you will help you endure all of this. Have a blissful pregnancy!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Pregnancy ultrasound scans
Being pregnant is one of the happiest days in a woman's life and it is therefore necessary that precaution and care are undertaken so as to ensure the good health of both the mother and the baby inside the womb. One of the precautions being undertaken is pregnancy ultrasound scans. In this topic, we will discuss pregnancy ultrasound scans and what purpose does it serve.
Wikipedia defines ultrasound as:
* Confirm fetal viability
* Determine location of fetus, intrauterine vs ectopic
* Check the location of the placenta in relation to the cervix
* Check for the number of fetuses (multiple pregnancy)
* Check for major physical abnormalities.
* Assess fetal growth (for evidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR))
* Check for fetal movement and heartbeat.
* Determine the sex of the baby
Although medical specialist emphasized that ultrasound serves only as an aid to diagnostics and not to be used for diagnosing itself, pregnancy ultrasound scans is indeed a great help in the medical world.
Wikipedia defines ultrasound as:
"Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is approximately 20 kilohertz (20,000 hertz) in healthy, young adults and thus, 20 kHz serves as a useful lower limit in describing ultrasound. "
* Date the pregnancy (gestational age)Pregnancy scans has many uses but in the medical world, this technology is regarded as one of the breakthrough in science, saving lives and making medical diagnostics easier.
Medical sonography is another term for pregnancy scans. This is used to visualized muscles, tendons and other parts of the human body. Among the uses of pregnancy scans especially in obstetric are the following:
Medical sonography is another term for pregnancy scans. This is used to visualized muscles, tendons and other parts of the human body. Among the uses of pregnancy scans especially in obstetric are the following:
* Confirm fetal viability
* Determine location of fetus, intrauterine vs ectopic
* Check the location of the placenta in relation to the cervix
* Check for the number of fetuses (multiple pregnancy)
* Check for major physical abnormalities.
* Assess fetal growth (for evidence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR))
* Check for fetal movement and heartbeat.
* Determine the sex of the baby
Although medical specialist emphasized that ultrasound serves only as an aid to diagnostics and not to be used for diagnosing itself, pregnancy ultrasound scans is indeed a great help in the medical world.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Pregnancy complications: Fetal distress
Being pregnant can give us bliss and excitement as we wait for the childbirth. However there are also challenges that expectant mothers have to surpass and one of these is fetal distress. Fetal distress can range from mild to significant and to life-threatening.
Most medical practitioners do not have the same idea or definition of fetal distress. Yet, in general,
Most medical practitioners do not have the same idea or definition of fetal distress. Yet, in general,
" Fetal distress refers to a state where insufficient oxygen is reaching the fetus. If oxygen deficiency is severe and prolonged, permanent damage to the baby could result. It is, therefore, the norm, to err on the side of caution.-- pregnancybliss.com "
In the lay man's term, it is mostly recognized when the baby or the fetus is not feeling well in the mother's womb or becoming excessively fatigue.
There are many reasons for fetal distress. This can be known when there are changes in fetal movements at the womb. However, most of the times, the fetus exhibit less signal that it is under distress. It is therefore highly important that an expectant mother undergoes laboratory tests like cardiotocography (CTG).
Electronic fetal monitoring in the form of cardiotocography (CTG) is now the standard form of fetal surveillance in labor in most countries.
Causes of Fetal distress before labor
Causes of Fetal distress during labor
There are many reasons for fetal distress. This can be known when there are changes in fetal movements at the womb. However, most of the times, the fetus exhibit less signal that it is under distress. It is therefore highly important that an expectant mother undergoes laboratory tests like cardiotocography (CTG).
Electronic fetal monitoring in the form of cardiotocography (CTG) is now the standard form of fetal surveillance in labor in most countries.
Causes of Fetal distress before labor
- Placental abruption
- Vasa previa
Causes of Fetal distress during labor
- Over-
stimulation of the uterus - When the cord (umbilical) is compressed
- Any activity that reduces the blood supply to the fetus
- Placental detaching in labor before delivery
- Rupture of the uterus
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Cystic Fibrosis and Breast Feeding
Being pregnant can open several questions especially when the expectant mother has some medical challenges like cystic fibrosis. Through this blogpost, we hope to clear out long-known myths and what can you do if you are cystic fibrosis carrier.
Before we dig deep into the topic, let us first define cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary condition characterized salty tasting skin, appetite but poor growth and poor weight gain, excess mucus production and coughing/shortness of breath. The condition causes progressive disability because of multisystem failure. Organs affected are exocrine (mucous) glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines.
During pregnancy, anaesthesia applied on childbirth is epidural analgesia to avoid the use of general anaesthesia.
Breast feeding and Cystic Fibrosis
There is a myth that mothers with Cystic Fibrosis should not be allowed to do breast feeding for the fear of excessive sodium and salt content of the breast milk. This however has been disproved by doctors as the breast milk has been discovered to have normal composition and same with mothers who are non-CF carrier.
It should be taken into consideration however that breast feeding should be done only when the mother is healthy and when otherwise, attempts to breastfeed may be counterproductive for both the mother and the child. Bottle feeding is then suggested.
Carriers of cystic fibrosis gene nonetheless are healthy individuals unless they are CF sufferers. The gene mutation is quite common among those of white European ancestry with roughly 1 in 20 being carriers.
Before we dig deep into the topic, let us first define cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary condition characterized salty tasting skin, appetite but poor growth and poor weight gain, excess mucus production and coughing/shortness of breath. The condition causes progressive disability because of multisystem failure. Organs affected are exocrine (mucous) glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines.
During pregnancy, anaesthesia applied on childbirth is epidural analgesia to avoid the use of general anaesthesia.
Breast feeding and Cystic Fibrosis
There is a myth that mothers with Cystic Fibrosis should not be allowed to do breast feeding for the fear of excessive sodium and salt content of the breast milk. This however has been disproved by doctors as the breast milk has been discovered to have normal composition and same with mothers who are non-CF carrier.
It should be taken into consideration however that breast feeding should be done only when the mother is healthy and when otherwise, attempts to breastfeed may be counterproductive for both the mother and the child. Bottle feeding is then suggested.
Carriers of cystic fibrosis gene nonetheless are healthy individuals unless they are CF sufferers. The gene mutation is quite common among those of white European ancestry with roughly 1 in 20 being carriers.
Monday, May 25, 2009
3d and 4d ultrasounds: History
We are amazed on how modern technological advancement especially in medicine created a big leap in history and in the way of life and one of these is the ultrasound. Pregnancy ultrasound was developed as a two-dimensional image scanning which further evolved into 3d and the 4d ultrasound scans.
3D ultrasound was first developed by Olaf von Ramm and Stephen Smith at Duke University in 1987. The technology was used clinically on intense research activity especially in fetal anomaly scanning. However, 3d ultrasound has also been adapted by expectant mother as a way to bond with her unborn child.
4D baby scans are similar to 3D scans except that they show fetal movement as shown in the video clip. This is made possible by successive imaging that produces a moving object.
At present, pregnancy ultrasound is used not only as a way to bond with the baby but also to discover fetal anomalies that may develop during pregnancy.
3D ultrasound was first developed by Olaf von Ramm and Stephen Smith at Duke University in 1987. The technology was used clinically on intense research activity especially in fetal anomaly scanning. However, 3d ultrasound has also been adapted by expectant mother as a way to bond with her unborn child.
4D baby scans are similar to 3D scans except that they show fetal movement as shown in the video clip. This is made possible by successive imaging that produces a moving object.
At present, pregnancy ultrasound is used not only as a way to bond with the baby but also to discover fetal anomalies that may develop during pregnancy.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Pregnancy questions: Heartburn and stomach ulcers in Pregnancy
Most women would worry about their existing health conditions and its effect on their pregnancy and one of the most common is heartburn and stomach ulcers.
The common approach to this condition is to have the most conservative approach, that is to take smaller meals, particularly those rich in carbohydrates. In other instances, where the condition may require, medication should be applied.
Generally, heartburn and stomach ulcers tend to improve during pregnancy except in some cases where the condition was discovered during pregnancy. The most common medication taken for heartburn and stomach ulcers not necessarily during pregnancy are antacids include Gaviscon®, Tums®, Peptac®, Rennie®, Maalox®, and Mucogel®.
The growing concern lies on the issue that antacids may contribute or add risk to the fetus to develop congenital defects. This issue has not been fully disproved and so it is advice to take only medication when deemed necessary.
The common approach to this condition is to have the most conservative approach, that is to take smaller meals, particularly those rich in carbohydrates. In other instances, where the condition may require, medication should be applied.
Generally, heartburn and stomach ulcers tend to improve during pregnancy except in some cases where the condition was discovered during pregnancy. The most common medication taken for heartburn and stomach ulcers not necessarily during pregnancy are antacids include Gaviscon®, Tums®, Peptac®, Rennie®, Maalox®, and Mucogel®.
The growing concern lies on the issue that antacids may contribute or add risk to the fetus to develop congenital defects. This issue has not been fully disproved and so it is advice to take only medication when deemed necessary.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
How many number of cesarean sections are allowed?
When you have a c-section delivery also known as cesarean section, you are then alerted that you will be limited only to three pregnancies or you will have pregnancy risks. This is a common misconception. Let me explain further.
Having a cesarean section delivery can pose several issues to a woman and these include some the ff:
1. Scar tissue and distortion of the normal anatomy that chances of injury to other structures, especially the bladder, ureters and bowel, are increased substantially.
2. Increased risk of the placenta abnormally adhering to the old scar or placenta accreta,
3. Severe uncontrollable hemorrhage sometimes requiring an emergency hysterectomy.
Each individual woman has different circumstances and each condition varies from one another. For this reason, it will only be the medical specialist who will be credible enough to dictate your pregnancy limitations after a cesarean section delivery.
Having a cesarean section delivery can pose several issues to a woman and these include some the ff:
1. Scar tissue and distortion of the normal anatomy that chances of injury to other structures, especially the bladder, ureters and bowel, are increased substantially.
2. Increased risk of the placenta abnormally adhering to the old scar or placenta accreta,
3. Severe uncontrollable hemorrhage sometimes requiring an emergency hysterectomy.
Each individual woman has different circumstances and each condition varies from one another. For this reason, it will only be the medical specialist who will be credible enough to dictate your pregnancy limitations after a cesarean section delivery.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Pregnancy Instruments : Forceps delivery and Ventouse delivery
The stage of delivery starts when the mother felt the delivery of the child through series of contractions. There are many things to consider and the delivery could be done normally without external assistance. However, when it is the otherwise, there are several pregnancy instruments that can be used to assist the delivery of the baby. Two of the commonly used are forcep and ventouse instruments and when such instruments were used, the delivery is rather called Forceps delivery and Ventouse delivery.
Forcep delivery. When the mother is in the state of maternal distress, the doctor could initiate an external assistance called forcep delivery. The delivery is being done by using forceps to help pull out the baby from the womb.
<< Forcep delivery.
Photo courtesy to pregnancybliss.com
Another method is the use of ventouse delivery or vacuum delivery. The procedure uses ventouse or a vacuum type instrument to assist the delivery.
Both assisted methods, the forceps delivery and the vacuum delivery are proven safe in the right hands and there are only rare cases when there are complications observe.
Forcep delivery. When the mother is in the state of maternal distress, the doctor could initiate an external assistance called forcep delivery. The delivery is being done by using forceps to help pull out the baby from the womb.
<< Forcep delivery.
Photo courtesy to pregnancybliss.com
Another method is the use of ventouse delivery or vacuum delivery. The procedure uses ventouse or a vacuum type instrument to assist the delivery.
Ventouse or vacuum delivery are the principal forms of assisted vaginal delivery.
Both assisted methods, the forceps delivery and the vacuum delivery are proven safe in the right hands and there are only rare cases when there are complications observe.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Cancer and pregnancy
While a woman feel blissful and blessed as being an expectant mother, there are situations where you cannot avoid worries about pregnancy complications and other health challenges during pregnancy. And one of these is cancer during pregnancy.
An expectant mother especially in the late middle ages are likely to develop cancer than that those of the young age, as most observations predict. Some of the most common are cervical cancer, breast, blood or the lymph system. However this seems rare in occurrence.
Serious questions are raised on this situation and some are:
Also many fears that cancer will likely to spread to the fetus. Nonetheless, this does not happen and the assumption is that this is not possible.
More information are available at pregnancybliss.com
An expectant mother especially in the late middle ages are likely to develop cancer than that those of the young age, as most observations predict. Some of the most common are cervical cancer, breast, blood or the lymph system. However this seems rare in occurrence.
Serious questions are raised on this situation and some are:
- Is the cancer treatable?
- Is the treatment compatible with continuing pregnancy?
- Will the cancer affect the baby?
- Will the treatment affect the baby?
- Should a termination be performed and is this an acceptable proposition? These and many more.
Also many fears that cancer will likely to spread to the fetus. Nonetheless, this does not happen and the assumption is that this is not possible.
More information are available at pregnancybliss.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
FAQs on Cesarean section
My cousin's wife will be giving birth through a cesarean section delivery. So it will help the readers to further understand cesarean section through this post.
Cesarean section or the c-section is, as Wikipedia defines:
"is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made through a mother's abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. It is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby's or mother's life or health at risk, although in recent times it has been also performed upon request for childbirths that could otherwise have been natural."
In the most fundamental understanding, it is cutting open the abdomen and then the uterus to deliver the baby. It is therefore an abdominal delivery as opposed to the usual vaginal delivery.
Here are useful information about C-section delivery and how should you prepare for this.
Armed with these data you should not fear about having Cesarean delivery as it is a way to ensure the safety of the child and the mother.
Cesarean section or the c-section is, as Wikipedia defines:
"is a surgical procedure in which incisions are made through a mother's abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more babies. It is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby's or mother's life or health at risk, although in recent times it has been also performed upon request for childbirths that could otherwise have been natural."
In the most fundamental understanding, it is cutting open the abdomen and then the uterus to deliver the baby. It is therefore an abdominal delivery as opposed to the usual vaginal delivery.
Here are useful information about C-section delivery and how should you prepare for this.
Armed with these data you should not fear about having Cesarean delivery as it is a way to ensure the safety of the child and the mother.
Friday, May 8, 2009
What happens after birth
You have gone through the hardships of labor and delivery, heard the baby cried and expects her/him to be placed near you if there are no complications. But aside from these, what usually happens after you gave birth? Here are some of the things to expect right after birth.
Aside from waiting your child to be placed near you, doctors and nurses, or the midwife will perform the procedures to help you recover easily and to determine if there are complications that might have result from the delivery.
Check vitals. After the delivery, your blood pressure, heart beat and other vitals will be checked most often.
Uterus repair. You might feel your uterus crushed after the delivery. The midwife or the doctor will perform the repair like if you have episiotomy repair. The repair is done with the perineum.
Massage and nursing. Your doctor or midwife will perform a "uterus massage" to help it contract and stop bleeding. This can be done every after 15 minutes.
There are a lot more to expect, however, the sight of your baby will make up for the hassles of these after-birth check-ups!
Aside from waiting your child to be placed near you, doctors and nurses, or the midwife will perform the procedures to help you recover easily and to determine if there are complications that might have result from the delivery.
Check vitals. After the delivery, your blood pressure, heart beat and other vitals will be checked most often.
Uterus repair. You might feel your uterus crushed after the delivery. The midwife or the doctor will perform the repair like if you have episiotomy repair. The repair is done with the perineum.
Massage and nursing. Your doctor or midwife will perform a "uterus massage" to help it contract and stop bleeding. This can be done every after 15 minutes.
There are a lot more to expect, however, the sight of your baby will make up for the hassles of these after-birth check-ups!
Pregnancy Scans: Fetal Anomaly Scans 20+ weeks
Being an expectant mother would lead you to several medical check ups to enable you to secure the health of the child and yours. While in the course of pregnancy, you are done with the gender scan to let you know the gender of your baby, at the mid-pregnancy stage, you will be offered to take the fetal anomaly scans. But what is fetal anomaly scan and how you are examined?
The fetal anomaly scans is being done to determine if there are structural malformations to the development of the baby inside the womb.
The organs of the baby are examined in this scan such as the head, the spine, heart and the hands and the feet. Also,placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid are examined.
Here are some of the anomalies that can be seen during the fetal anomaly scans:
• Anencephaly (absence of the top of the head) - 99 per cent
• Exomphalos/gastroscisis (defects of the abdominal wall) - 90 per cent
• Major limb abnormalities (missing or very short limbs) - 90 per cent
• Spina bifida (open spinal cord) - 90 per cent
• Major kidney problems (missing or abnormal kidneys) - 85 per cent
• Diaphragmatic hernia (hole in the muscle separating chest and abdomen) - 60 per cent
• Hydrocephalus (excess fluid within the brain) - 60 per cent
• Down's syndrome (some babies with Down's may have heart or bowel problems that may be seen on the scan) - 40 per cent
• Major heart problems (defects of chambers, valves or vessels) - 25 per cent
• Autism - never seen
• Cerebral palsy - never seen.
If a heart problem is recognized, you will be referred to a specialist to conduct an examination called fetal echo.
Having to understand the value of fetal anomaly scans, the knowledge will equip you to care for the well-being of the baby and yours.
The fetal anomaly scans is being done to determine if there are structural malformations to the development of the baby inside the womb.
The organs of the baby are examined in this scan such as the head, the spine, heart and the hands and the feet. Also,placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid are examined.
Here are some of the anomalies that can be seen during the fetal anomaly scans:
• Anencephaly (absence of the top of the head) - 99 per cent
• Exomphalos/gastroscisis (defects of the abdominal wall) - 90 per cent
• Major limb abnormalities (missing or very short limbs) - 90 per cent
• Spina bifida (open spinal cord) - 90 per cent
• Major kidney problems (missing or abnormal kidneys) - 85 per cent
• Diaphragmatic hernia (hole in the muscle separating chest and abdomen) - 60 per cent
• Hydrocephalus (excess fluid within the brain) - 60 per cent
• Down's syndrome (some babies with Down's may have heart or bowel problems that may be seen on the scan) - 40 per cent
• Major heart problems (defects of chambers, valves or vessels) - 25 per cent
• Autism - never seen
• Cerebral palsy - never seen.
If a heart problem is recognized, you will be referred to a specialist to conduct an examination called fetal echo.
Having to understand the value of fetal anomaly scans, the knowledge will equip you to care for the well-being of the baby and yours.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Pregnancy Ultrasound: Nuchal Scans
Pregnancy ultrasound is being recognized as one of the great breakthrough in the medical society. Originally, pregnancy ultrasound is used to determine the gender of a baby while inside the womb. Today, aside from gender scan, pregnancy scans has been proven useful in different conditions relating to pregnancy such as fetal abnormality assessment, cervical cancer assessment and even in identifying cases of Down's syndrome while at fetal state through Nuchal scans.
Nuchal scans is a sonographic prenatal screening being done to help identify and evaluate the risks of developing Down's Syndrome at fetal state. Down's syyndrome patients tend to have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate developmental disabilities. A small number have severe to profound mental disability.
Nuchal scans is being done between the 11th and 13th week of gestation. This is preferred because the accuracy is best in this period. The procedure is being made by examining the thickness of the skin at the back of the baby's neck. The thickness of the skin is usually associated with Down's syndrome.
Pregnancy ultrasound helps maintain the good health of the baby and wellness of the mother like through the Nuchal Scans. The best thing with it is that it also enhances the bonding between the mother and the baby.
Nuchal scans is a sonographic prenatal screening being done to help identify and evaluate the risks of developing Down's Syndrome at fetal state. Down's syyndrome patients tend to have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate developmental disabilities. A small number have severe to profound mental disability.
Nuchal scans is being done between the 11th and 13th week of gestation. This is preferred because the accuracy is best in this period. The procedure is being made by examining the thickness of the skin at the back of the baby's neck. The thickness of the skin is usually associated with Down's syndrome.
Pregnancy ultrasound helps maintain the good health of the baby and wellness of the mother like through the Nuchal Scans. The best thing with it is that it also enhances the bonding between the mother and the baby.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Seeing the baby while it is at the womb
We have too many discussions about pregnancy. I want to share with you this time the excitement and the joy that you can feel when you see a baby in the womb with the 4d scans ultrasound movie! Enjoy!!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Pregnancy conditions: Epilepsy on Pregnancy
Epilepsy is defined as a chronic condition of the nervous system where there are conditions of unprovoked and recurrent seizures. This abnormality is a manifestation of excessive neurological activity in the brain. Incidents of epilepsy are often controlled and yet the cure for this condition is not yet resolved in the medical society although there are some surgery introduced. It should be clarified however that epilepsy is a collective syndromes and not a single disorder. Epilepsy is one of the conditions that should be focused into especially during pregnancy.
An expectant mother with epilepsy can face a great challenge in her life. Since it is impossible to predict seizures during pregnancy, 50% of the pregnant women with epilepsy shows no change in the frequency of seizures. The other half is believe to experience otherwise with either more or less frequent occurrence of seizures.
Pregnancy complications of epilepsy
Epilepsy can have medical complications on pregnancy as this seizures may result to miscarriage and potential bleeding. It is therefore necessary to manage epilepsy during pregnancy.
Medications
It is the patient's jurisdiction whether to take epilepsy medication during pregnancy. Since there are several treatments available, the patient should consult a physician to determine which is best for her condition. There are several treatments that could posed danger on the fetus in the womb.
An expectant mother with epilepsy can face a great challenge in her life. Since it is impossible to predict seizures during pregnancy, 50% of the pregnant women with epilepsy shows no change in the frequency of seizures. The other half is believe to experience otherwise with either more or less frequent occurrence of seizures.
Pregnancy complications of epilepsy
Epilepsy can have medical complications on pregnancy as this seizures may result to miscarriage and potential bleeding. It is therefore necessary to manage epilepsy during pregnancy.
Medications
It is the patient's jurisdiction whether to take epilepsy medication during pregnancy. Since there are several treatments available, the patient should consult a physician to determine which is best for her condition. There are several treatments that could posed danger on the fetus in the womb.
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