it's unlikely that this breech delivery was conducted in the UK
Extended or frank breech – the baby is bottom first, with the thighs against the chest and feet up by the ears. Most breech babies are in this position
Flexed breech – the baby is bottom first, with the thighs against the chest and the knees bent.
Footling breech – the baby’s foot or feet are below the bottom.
Breech means that your baby is lying bottom first or feet first in the womb (uterus) instead of in the usual head first position. In early pregnancy, breech is very common. As pregnancy continues, a baby usually turns naturally into the head first position. Between 37 and 42 weeks (term), most babies are lying head first ready to be born. Three in every 100 (3%) babies are breech at the end of pregnancy Why are some babies breech? Sometimes it is just a matter of chance that a baby does not turn and remains in the breech position. At other times certain factors make it difficult for a baby to turn during pregnancy. These might include the amount of fluid in the womb (either too much or too little), the position of the placenta or if there is more than one baby in the womb. The vast majority of breech babies are born healthy. For a few babies, breech may be a sign of a problem with the baby. All babies will have a newborn examination. What can be done? If you are 36 weeks pregnant and the baby is in a breech position, your obstetrician or midwife should discuss external cephalic version (ECV) – see RCOG Patient Information Turning a breech baby in the womb (external cephalic version). What are my choices for birth? Depending on your situation, your choices may include a: caesarean delivery – this is a surgical operation where a cut is made in your abdomen and your baby is delivered through that cut vaginal breech birth. There are benefits and risks associated with both caesarean delivery and vaginal breech birth and these should be discussed between you and your obstetrician and/or midwife, so that you can choose the best plan for you and your baby. Caesarean delivery The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that caesarean delivery is safer for the baby around the time of birth. Caesarean delivery carries a slightly higher risk for you, compared with the risk of having a vaginal breech birth. Caesarean delivery does not carry any long-term risks to your health outside of pregnancy. However, there may be long-term effects in future pregnancies for either you and/or your babies. These effects are not yet fully understood (see Useful link). If you choose a caesarean delivery and then go into labour before the operation, your obstetrician should assess whether it is safe to proceed with the caesarean delivery. If the baby is close to being born, it may be safer for you to have a vaginal breech birth. Vaginal breech birth A vaginal breech birth is a choice for some women and their babies. However, it may not be recommended as safe in all circumstances. It is a more complicated birth, as the largest part of the baby is last to be delivered and in some cases this may be difficult. Where a vaginal breech birth is being considered, the RCOG supports this only when: the obstetrician is trained and experienced in delivering a breech baby vaginally there are facilities at your hospital for an emergency caesarean delivery (should this be necessary) there are no particular features about your pregnancy that make vaginal breech birth more risky. Before choosing vaginal breech birth, it is advised that you and your baby are assessed. Your obstetrician may strongly advise you against a vaginal birth if: your baby is a footling breech your baby is large (over 3800 grams) your baby is small (less than 2000 grams) your baby is in a certain position: for example, if the neck is very tilted back (hyper-extended) you have had a caesarean delivery in a previous pregnancy you have a narrow pelvis (as there is less room for the baby to pass safely through the birth canal) you have a low-lying placenta (see RCOG Patient Information Placenta praevia:information for you) you have pre-eclampsia (see RCOG Patient Information What you need to know about pre-eclampsia). What can I expect in labour with a breech baby? You can have the same choice of pain relief choices as with a baby who is head first. If you have a vaginal breech birth, you are advised that your baby’s heart rate should be monitored continuously. In some circumstances, you may need an emergency caesarean delivery during labour. Forceps may be used to assist the baby to be born – see RCOG Patient Information Assisted Birth (operative vaginal delivery) . This is because the baby’s head is the last part to emerge and may need to be helped through the birth canal. A paediatrician will attend the birth to check the baby. What if my baby is coming early? If your baby is born before 37 weeks, the balance of benefits and risks of having a caesarean delivery or vaginal birth changes and will be discussed with you. What if I’m having more than one baby and one of them is breech? If you are having twins and the first baby is breech, your obstetrician will usually recommend a caesarean delivery. The position of the second twin before labour is less important at this stage because this baby can change position as soon as the first twin is born. The second baby then has lots more room to move. If you would like any further information on any aspects of breech, speak with your obstetrician or midwife. Source: rcog.org.uk Feb 2008
Vaginal bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy is common and does not always mean there is a problem. However, bleeding can be a warning sign of a miscarriage. If all the tests are normal and no cause for the bleeding has been found, then you need not worry. An ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy is growing outside the womb (uterus), usually in the fallopian tube. A molar pregnancy is a much rarer condition where the placenta is abnormal. Both ectopic and molar pregnancy can cause bleeding and pain but these are much less common pregnancy problems. For further information on ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy see Useful organisations. See your doctor or midwife if you: experience bleeding feel pain stop feeling pregnant. How can I get help? You can get medical help from: your general practice, midwife or obstetrician the A&E department at your local hospital NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (if you are in England or Wales) NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 (if you are in Scotland) NHS Direct Online www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit. Details of the unit nearest to you can be found at www.earlypregnancy.org.uk/FindUs1.asp return to top What tests can I expect? You should be given full information about all tests offered to you. Consultation and examination You will be asked about your symptoms, the date of your last period and your medical history. A vaginal examination (similar to a cervical screening test) may be carried out to see where the bleeding is coming from. A vaginal examination will not cause you to miscarry. Tests A urine sample to confirm a positive pregnancy test. A test for chlamydia may be offered. Blood test(s) to check your blood group and/or pregnancy hormone levels. If you have a Rh (rhesus) negative blood group, then you may be given an injection of anti-D immunoglobulin to protect future pregnancies. Ultrasound scan Most women are offered a transvaginal scan (where a probe is gently inserted in your vagina) or a transabdominal scan (where the probe is placed over your abdomen). You may be offered both. Both scans are safe and will not make you miscarry. A repeat scan may be necessary after 7 to 10 days if the pregnancy is very small or has not been seen. Medical terms that may be used to describe what is happening A threatened miscarriage – bleeding or cramping in a continuing pregnancy. An incomplete miscarriage – a miscarriage has started but there is still some pregnancy tissue left inside the womb. A complete miscarriage – when all the pregnancy tissue has been passed and the womb is empty. A delayed miscarriage/missed miscarriage/silent miscarriage – the pregnancy has stopped developing but is still inside the womb. This will be diagnosed on the scan. What is an early miscarriage? Early miscarriage is when a woman loses her pregnancy in the first three months (see RCOG Patient Information Early miscarriage: information for you). Many early miscarriages occur before a woman has missed her first period or before her pregnancy has been confirmed. Once you have had a positive pregnancy test, there is around a one in five (20%) risk of having a miscarriage in the first three months. Most miscarriages occur as a ‘one-off’ (sporadic) event and there is a good chance of having a successful pregnancy in the future. source: rcog.org.uk January 2008
What is shoulder dystocia? Shoulder dystocia occurs unexpectedly during childbirth. It is when the baby’s head has been born but one of the shoulders becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone, preventing the birth of the baby’s body (see diagram below). Shoulder dystocia can occur during a normal (spontaneous) birth or an instrumental (ventouse or forceps) birth (for further information see An assisted birth (operative vaginal delivery: information for you). Very rarely, there can be difficulty delivering the baby’s shoulders at caesarean section. In a normal birth there is a small delay between the delivery of the head and the body but in shoulder dystocia the delay is longer than normal. The head has been born but the baby cannot start breathing because its chest remains compressed in the mother’s pelvis. At this time, the baby’s body also squashes the oxygen carrying umbilical cord. In this situation the baby’s shoulders need to be quickly released so that the baby’s body can be born and the baby can start breathing air into its lungs. How common is shoulder dystocia? Shoulder dystocia occurs in about one in 200 (0.5%) of births. Can shoulder dystocia be anticipated? At every birth there is a small risk of shoulder dystocia. In most instances, it is not possible to identify who it will happen to or why it occurs. Some factors may indicate when a difficult birth might occur. These are: ● large babies (over 4.5 kg) ● diabetes in pregnancy ● previous shoulder dystocia ● induction of labour ● slow progress in labour. Shoulder dystocia has been linked to the birth of large babies. However, most large babies (over 4.5 kg) do not have a difficult birth. In addition: ● ultrasound scanning is not an accurate predictor of birth weight towards the end of pregnancy, particularly in large babies ● at least half of all the babies who have shoulder dystocia weigh less than 4 kg. Your obstetrician and midwife will be aware that in every birth there is a small possibility of shoulder dystocia. Can shoulder dystocia be prevented? In most instances, shoulder dystocia cannot be prevented because it cannot be predicted. ● If the baby is suspected to be very large during pregnancy most mothers will be advised to have a normal (spontaneous) birth. Caesarean section and early induction of labour are not routinely recommended. ● If a mother has previously had a birth complicated by shoulder dystocia, the obstetrician or midwife may discuss having a caesarean section birth. What happens if a baby has shoulder dystocia? When shoulder dystocia is suspected during the birth, it can be very frightening for the mother and birthing partner. It is an emergency and therefore minutes matter. 2 Your midwife will push the emergency bell and three or four members of staff, including obstetricians, midwives and a doctor for the baby (paediatrician), will come into the delivery room and assess the situation. The obstetrician or midwife will: ● ask the mother to stop pushing ● reposition the mother to allow the baby maximum room inside the birth canal to be born. The woman may be asked to lie on her back and her legs will be pushed towards the abdomen (known as McRoberts’ manoeuvre) ● press on the mother’s abdomen just above the pelvic bone to try to release the baby’s shoulder ● consider making a cut (episiotomy) to enlarge the vaginal opening ● try to move the baby within the birth canal to free the shoulders so that the baby’s body can be born. These are specific manouveures to help to release the baby’s shoulder and allow a safe birth. All obstetricians and midwives who attend the birth are familiar with these manoeuvres. In most maternity units the manoeuvres are practised regularly. After the birth, the mother and baby will be carefully monitored (see What could shoulder dystocia mean for a mother and baby?). What could shoulder dystocia mean for a mother and baby? For the baby ● Nerve damage (brachial plexus injury) The nerves in the neck (brachial plexus) provide movement and feeling to the arm. When the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck in the pelvis at the time the head is born, the nerves in the baby’s neck may become damaged. Up to one in ten babies (10%) who have shoulder dystocia have brachial plexus injury. The injury may cause loss of movement (paralysis) to the baby’s arm but, in most cases, this is temporary and movement will return within hours or days. A small number of babies (one in 100 who have shoulder dystocia) will experience permanent damage. The two main types of brachial plexus injury are Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s paralysis (see Useful organisation). 3 ● Other injuries Shoulder dystocia can cause other injuries including fractures of the baby’s arm or shoulder. In the vast majority of cases, these heal without any problems. Sadly, in some situations, even with receiving the best care, a baby can suffer brain damage, if he or she is not getting enough oxygen (birth asphyxia) and can even die. For the mother ● Vaginal tears The vagina can tear during the birth of the baby. This tear may extend to the back passage (third-degree tear) or to the vaginal wall (vaginal laceration). A doctor or specialist midwife will carefully repair these. ● Heavy bleeding (postpartum haemorrhage) About one in ten (10%) of women are affected by heavy bleeding after a birth complicated by shoulder dystocia. Some women may require treatment and/or a blood transfusion. ● Emotional impact After experiencing shoulder dystocia during childbirth, some mothers feel guilty about and responsible for any harm incurred to the baby. There is no published evidence to suggest that this complication occurred as a result of anything the mother did, or did not do, during labour. A difficult birth may have an effect on the whole family. Shoulder dystocia should not affect your chances of conceiving but it may take a while before you feel ready to try again. source: Published November 2007 rcog.org.uk
ok, I have set up a brand new fertility, pregnancy and birth social newtwork, a little like myspace! You can have youre own profile, keep a diary, upload pictures, visit the forum and more. Whats great is that I'm giving away a free pregnancy or ovulation prdiction test for every person that joins! Check it out here www.fertilitydiaries.com
Stimulation Fertility drugs that mimic the body’s natural hormones are given daily by injection in hopes that three or more eggs will develop during the treatment cycle. In general, the more eggs fertilized, the better the chance for pregnancy. Fertility drugs commonly given in this program include the following: Leuprolide (leuprolide acetate, Lupron) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH; Commercial names include, but are not limited to: Follistim, Gonal-F or Bravelle) Human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG; Commercial names include, but are not limited to: Pergonal or Repronex) hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, chorionic gonadotropin). Antagon (ganirelix acetate) - may be utilized instead of leuprolide. On the first day of your menstrual cycle proceeding the IVF cycle you will begin taking oral contraceptive pills (OCP’s) unless contraindicated. You will initiate injections of leuprolide between the 21st and 35th day of OCP’s to suppress secretion of the naturally occurring hormones FSH and LH. The physician can then control more precisely the amount of LH and FSH in your system by supplying it via injections. The use of leuprolide (or Antagon) prevents a premature LH surge or ripening and release of eggs. After at least a week of leuprolide and two to five days following the onset of a period, you will begin medications to stimulate development of ovarian follicles, sac-like fluid-filled structures in the ovary in which eggs develop and produce estrogen hormone. While continuing the leuprolide injections you will first receive three days of FSH injections. On the fourth day, FSH injections will be combined with hMG injections and will continue until at least two follicles have an average diameter of 18 mm and the estrogen levels are at least 500 pg/ml; this takes an average of ten days. Once these follicular sizes and estrogen level minimums are attained, an hCG injection is given. hCG is chemically very similar to LH (luteinizing hormone), which your body makes naturally. In a natural cycle the event that brings about final maturation of the eggs and triggers their release from the follicle (ovulation) is a dramatic increase in LH, "the LH surge". In ovarian stimulation for IVF, hCG is given to mimic the LH surge and bring about this final egg maturation. Ovaries become tender and fragile during stimulation and it is recommended that you avoid strenuous activity after several days of stimulation. Some patients utilize other stimulation protocols. Your physician will determine which protocol is best for you and detailed information will be reviewed with you individually. Monitoring Careful monitoring helps control and optimize ovarian stimulation. Your progress will be monitored through use of blood hormone monitoring and pelvic ultrasound. Blood Hormone Monitoring: During ovarian stimulation blood is drawn in the morning every other day or so to follow estradiol (estrogen) levels. Local labs can be used for estradiol monitoring if results can be available by 1 p.m. on the same day the blood is drawn. Ultrasound Monitoring: As your stimulation progresses you will have periodic ultrasound imaging of your ovaries. High-frequency sound waves, which cannot be felt or heard, can be bounced off body tissues to produce a visual image on a monitor. Accurate pictures of the ovarian follicles can be produced with ultrasound so that the number, size and location of the follicles can be determined. While you are lying on your back an ultrasound transducer, which emits sound waves and registers echoes, is placed in the vagina. You will be able to watch the resulting image of your ovarian follicles on the screen source:http://www.uihealthcare.com
What is OHSS? Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially serious complication of fertility treatment, particularly of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. What are the symptoms of OHSS? The symptoms are abdominal swelling or bloating because of enlarged ovaries, nausea and, as the condition gets worse, vomiting. Mild OHSS – mild abdominal swelling or bloating, abdominal discomfort and nausea. Moderate OHSS – symptoms of mild OHSS but the swelling and bloating is worse because fluid is building up in the abdomen. There is abdominal pain and vomiting. Severe OHSS – symptoms of moderate OHSS plus extreme thirst and dehydration because so much fluid is building up in the abdomen, passing very small amounts of urine which is very dark in colour (concentrated), difficulty breathing because of build-up of fluid in the chest and a red, hot, swollen and tender leg due to a clot in the leg or lungs (thrombosis). If you develop any of the symptoms, seek medical help immediately. What causes it? Fertility drugs stimulate the ovaries to produce many egg sacs (follicles). Sometimes there is an excessive response to fertility drugs and this causes OHSS. Overstimulated ovaries enlarge and release chemicals into the bloodstream that make blood vessels leak fluid into the body. Fluid leaks into your abdomen and, in severe cases, into the space around the heart and lungs. OHSS can affect the kidneys, liver and lungs. A serious, but rare, complication is a blood clot (thrombosis). A very small number of deaths have been reported. return to top Who gets it? Mild symptoms are common in women having IVF treatment. As many as one in three (33%) women develop mild OHSS. About one in 20 (5%) women develop moderate or severe OHSS. The risk of OHSS is increased in women who: have polycystic ovaries are under 30 years have had OHSS previously get pregnant, particularly if this is a multiple pregnancy (twins or more). How long does OHSS last? Most of your symptoms should usually resolve in a few days. If you have mild OHSS, you can be looked after at home. If your fertility treatment does not result in a pregnancy, OHSS will get better by the time your period comes. If your fertility treatment results in a pregnancy, OHSS can get worse and last up to a few weeks or longer. What should I do if I have mild OHSS? Make sure you drink clear fluids at regular intervals. Make sure you do not drink in excess. If you have pain, take ordinary paracetamol or codeine (no more than the maximum dose). You should avoid anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin or aspirin-like drugs such as ibuprofen), which can affect how the kidneys are working. Even if you feel tired, make sure you continue to move your legs. When should I call for medical help? Call for medical help if you develop any of the symptoms of severe OHSS, particularly if you are not getting any pain relief. If you start to vomit, have urinary problems, chest pain or any difficulty breathing contact your fertility clinic immediately. If you are unable to contact your fertility clinic, contact your nearest ER or A&E Read more...
The consumption of alcohol offers no benefits in relation to the outcomes of pregnancy and alcohol is both teratogenic and fetotoxic in the human. Under reporting of alcohol consumption is thought to be widespread and the effects of alcohol consumption in the offspring may not always be recognised. It is important for GPs, obstetricians and midwives to devise ways of identifying women who may suffer from problem-drinking during or before any pregnancy, at a time when potentially beneficial interventions can be offered. On the other hand, there is considerable doubt as to whether infrequent and low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy convey any long-term harm – in other words, is there a safe upper limit for alcohol consumption in pregnancy? Since 1981, the US Surgeon General’s Office has given consistent advice that, in the USA, women who are pregnant (or considering a pregnancy) are advised not to drink alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing products carrying a health warning. UK agencies have not felt happy to endorse this advice based on assessment of the current literature. For instance, the Department of Health report, Sensible Drinking,1 made the following recommendation ‘to minimise the risk to the developing fetus women who are trying to become pregnant or are at any stage of pregnancy should not drink more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should avoid episodes of intoxication’. The Midwives Information and Resource Service (MIDIRS) in their evidence-based advice to women, updated in 2003,2 said that ‘pregnant women should be advised to keep to the guidelines of no more than one or two units once or twice a week. Women can be reassured that light infrequent drinking constitutes no risk to their baby’. The Medical Council on Alcohol, in their handbook, Alcohol and Health,3 state that ‘the most vulnerable period for the fetus is from 4–10 weeks of gestation but alcohol-related damage may occur throughout pregnancy. Thus, benefit to the infant can be obtained if alcohol is withdrawn at any stage of gestation. It is recommended that women avoid alcohol during the first trimester and then limit their intake to one to two units once or twice a week for the remainder of their pregnancy’. Most recently, in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline on antenatal care,4 this statement was included: ‘Alcohol has an adverse effect on the fetus. Therefore it is suggested that women limit alcohol consumption to no more than one standard unit per day’. read more...
A lovely fertilisation and embryonic development video that I found on you tube. It was posted a year ago, but I like it anyway. Its stage by stage and very detailed.
What is PND? Postnatal Depression is what happens when you become depressed after having a baby. There may be an obvious reason, but often there is none. It can be particularly distressing when you have looked forward to having your baby through the months of pregnancy. You may feel guilty for feeling like this, or even feel that you can't cope with being a mother. It can last for weeks or several months. Mild PND can be helped by increased support from family and friends, more severe PND will need help from your GP, health visitor or, in some cases, mental health professionals. Around 1 in every 10 women has PND after having a baby. Without treatment it can last for months, or rarely years. Women who suffer from PND will feel low, unhappy and wretched for much or all of the time. You may feel worse at particular times of the day, like mornings or evenings. Occasional good days give you hope but they are followed by bad days which make you despair. Irritability may be an issue, often with your baby or other children. Most often with your partner. They may well not understand what is happening. All new mothers get pretty weary, but depression can make you feel so utterly exhausted that you feel physically ill. Even though you are tired, you can't fall asleep. You wake at the crack of dawn, even if your partner has fed the baby overnight. You may lose your appetite and forget to eat, which can make you feel irritable and run down. Some people eat for comfort and then feel bad about putting on weight. You find that you can't enjoy or be interested in anything. Read more
By Amie Porter Master your mind! Gain control over your body! Be relieved of your stress through the practice of gentle art of Yoga! Pregnancy is a physical as well as mental experience. Women often becomes hyper aware of all the changes their bodies are going through. Yoga allows pregnant women to adapt to these changes more gracefully and to feel proud and a sense of appreciation for their bodies. Yoga exercises can increase flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Many pregnant women find that regular yoga exercises help to reduce swelling, back and leg pain, and insomnia. However, Yoga must be practised very carefully among pregnant women, as improper exercises will bring negative effect on both moms and babies. Here are some tips for pre-natal pregnancy Yoga practise: 1. The general yoga exercises are recommended for the first 2 months. You must consult your doctor and find very experienced Yoga teachers. With proper guidance, you can practice some yoga right into labor. If you new to yoga then you should start slowly. 2. Breathing exercises are beneficial if done twice a day. The breathing exercises provide more oxygen and energy both to the mother and the child. 3. Some yoga poses that can help a pregnant women dealing with the symptoms of pregnancy, ensuring smoother and easier delivery, and faster recovery after childbirth. Pregnant women should pay attention not to overstretch the body - the ligaments around the joints become loose and soft during pregnancy. The abdomen should stay relaxed at all times. Difficult and poses that put pressure on the abdomen and other should NOT be done during advance stages of Pregnancy. No any kind of pain or nausea should be felt during and/or after yoga. If this happens, you should stop yoga practise and contact your GP. 4. When carrying out standing poses with your heels to the wall or use a chair for support to avoid losing your balance and risking injury to both you and your baby. 5. Deep relaxation is crucial to give rest to body and mind, and you will benefit more from a good sleep. Deep relaxation helps the nerve system change from sympathetic to parasympathetic activity. Parasympathetic activity is associated with the restorative processes of the body, which is needed both by the pregnant woman and the child. We also strongly recommend regular morning and evening walks. Yoga is very individual. For more great Yoga advice, and other pregnant women support services, e.g. domestic cleaning services, babysitter services, personal trainer, chef and many more great services just visit us at http://www.londonrate.com About the author: LondonRate.com is endeavouring to build an online emporium of staff service providers with online comparisons, bookings and ratings. Everything is designed to provide you with the best service, tailored exactly to your needs. visit http://www.londonrate.com
By Marc Hofkens Whether you’re extremely sick or not sick at all is not a predictor of a pregnancy’s success or failure. Morning sickness has become synonymous with pregnancy in our culture. But certainly not every pregnant woman experiences it. (A medical term used to refer to extreme forms is hyperemesis gravidarum.) Only a little more than half of pregnant women are afflicted with nausea. Many people believe that pregnancy sickness is the body’s natural defense system at work, protecting your baby from harmful toxins. It’s easy to jump to the conclusion, then, that if you’re not sick, your body must not be protecting your child from harmful toxins. But it doesn’t work that way. The bottom line is that no conclusive evidence exists that not being sick is a bad sign. Nausea is caused by a number of factors. The most popular theory about morning sickness is that it’s due to elevated hormones, primarily human chorionic gonadotropin and estrogen. Researchers believe nausea may have to do with the amount of hormones circulating and perhaps the structure of certain hormones or your particular sensitivity to them. Also, if you have a pre-pregnancy tendency toward motion sickness, it may mean the area of your brain that controls nausea and vomiting is more sensitive. Environment can also play a role. Smells such as perfume, dog food, or coffee, as well as motion and the sight of certain foods (a friend of mine would almost instantly become nauseous at the sight of a can of tuna) can all trigger nausea. Also, stress, fatigue, and operating on an empty stomach can make you more prone to gastrointestinal upsets. The bottom line is, nobody really knows why some women get sick and others don’t. What is important to know is that whether or not you experience morning sickness has nothing to do with how successful your pregnancy will be. About the author: You are just moments away from discovering all the Secrets and Tips about Pregnancy. Marc Hofkens has created the *ultimate* guide - "The Pregnancy Secrets". ***Get full access to the "Bible of Pregnancy". These are the Pregnancy-secrets every man and woman should know about!*** FREE Details: ==> http://www.the-pregnancy-secrets.com FREE Articles: ==> mailto:tpspect@yukteswar.par32.com
By Nicky Pilkington Having stretch marks can cause your level of self-confidence to drop dramatically. Whenever you wear clothing that exposes the part or parts of your body that has stretch marks, you are probably so worried about whether people can see the stretch marks that you don’t enjoy doing whatever is your doing. If you’re in this situation, you are probably obsessed with finding a solution to erase stretch marks on your body. If you are, hopefully you haven’t wasted too much money. While no product on the market will completely erase stretch marks, there are some products available that can reduce the skin condition so that you feel more comfortable when exposing your body in public. The good news about these products is that they will give you the results you desire without the expensive cost. For dramatic results, you need to follow a rigorous skin treatment program. Barmon’s Stretch Mark Cream is a product on the market that contains one of the best elements known to erase stretch marks: vitamin E. Vitamin E is an essential nutrient. It is responsible for keeping body tissue from breaking down. Its healing affects are particularly appropriate for a stretch mark treatment plan. While the time it will take for you to notice results while using Barmon’s cream will vary depending on a variety of factors, including the condition of your skin, you can expect to see your stretch marks softening in as few as three weeks. This is contrary to other products that promise results in as many as six weeks. Since Barmon’s Stretch Mark Cream contains natural ingredients, it is safe enough to use everyday for an extended period of time. You will probably also experience additional skin benefits from using the skin. At a cost of $24.95, Barmon’s is one of the least expensive treatment methods for stretch marks. In addition, women who are pregnant or nursing a baby can use the product without worry of harming their baby. About the author: Detailed information about stretchmarks, including tips on stretchmark avoidance and treatment, and also reviews of skin treatment products both traditional and new is available at http://www.stretch-mark-removal.org
By Sara Jameson Most of the time pregnant women are afraid to have a little romance. Probably they are afraid something could happen to their baby. Well, that’s wrong. It is important that you do not ignore your own needs or those of your spouse’s during pregnancy. Unless your doctor has warned you otherwise, it is generally safe to have intercourse while pregnant. You will not hurt the baby, nor will your hubby crush it by lying atop you. You probably have a big belly, and difficult to move your body, but being loved is something that will not go away from you. You still want to taste the love from your husband. You can still initiate a sexy cuddle or some fooling around with your spouse/partner. Remember, after the baby comes, you will both be exhausted from 3 a.m. feedings and long days, filled with diaper changes. Why do you need to continue having a little romance although you’re pregnant? You may not feel like being sexual, but it is at least important to cuddle or fool around with your husband, so that he still knows he matters to you. You probably will not have sex as much; over time, this can lead to the relationship deteriorating. You do not want this to happen, especially when you can prevent it by remaining attentive to your hubby. Relationships always take work, but a baby does complicate things, so make sure you do not quit just because the going gets tough. Make the effort now to buy a sexy gown or to do something romantic for your spouse, and make sure that even after the baby comes, you make time to remind your hubby that you still love him and find him attractive. Whether or not you lose the baby weight right away, still cuddle with your spouse and make love when you both feel like it. Your husband will not care if you are a little heavy because he will just be glad you two are fooling around. It is also good for your self-esteem to be sexual. And it releases stress! So, make time for romance, no matter how tired or fat you feel. Rest assured, your husband still thinks you are beautiful and sexy. Never feel ashamed to ask your hubby or partner for little romance when you need it. Enjoy it while you can! About the author: Sara Jameson writes her experiences in “The Very Happy Pregnancy: Avoiding Stress and Depression.” Read her secrets and truths about having a happy, healthy pregnancy in http://www.pregnancy-weekly.infoand http://www.pregnancy-week.info
By David Chandler Baby shower games. Photo matching - enticing baby shower game- all the guests should bring the baby picture of themselves. Arrange all pictures on a board. Give each picture a number. Each guest has to match the adult guest name with the corresponding baby picture. The guest with the most correct matches wins. Top Baby Songs- entertaining baby shower game-divide the guests into teams. Ask them to write down as many songs that have the word baby in the title in 3to 5 minutes. The team with most song titles wins. The losers can sing a baby song chosen by the winners. Baby shower invitations. Baby Shower invitations can be as formal or informal. The baby shower invitation can be simple or complicated. We can decide that. However, it is worth putting some time and effort into baby shower invitations, because it sets the mode and tone for that special Baby Shower Party. The invitation must have Time, Date & location of party. The baby shower invitation must contain your telephone and email addresses. We should always remember to include details of the events that need preplanning or preparation. Baby shower themes. Baby shower themes are a great idea for a baby shower, by creating a real party atmosphere by matching baby shower invitations, baby shower favors, baby shower decorations, and Baby Shower Games. Below, there are few favorite baby shower themes. We should always remember that the baby shower theme must suit the most important guest [the expectant mother]. Once the baby shower theme is decided, we can use the theme for baby shower invitations, baby shower decorations, Baby Shower games, baby shower cakes, and baby shower favors. . Write an alphabet letter on each guest's invitation. Ask them to bring a gift beginning with that letter. Decorate the room with letters. Baby shower gifts The gifts that we give should be useful for the baby. The baby shower gift may be simple or expensive that depends on our purse weight. Here are few suggestions. Baby's First Library: The Runaway Bunny, Big Red Barn, and Goodnight Moon LullaBag Gift Cradle - Natural Cotton - used up to 12 months, Wooden Two-Step Stool- this comes in 2 colors, Small Photo Album, -used from birth to over 36 months, Classic Red Tricycle used from 24 months and up Baby shower Cakes Baby shower cakes are a practical, yet beautiful gift for new parents and baby and made to look just like their name, a cake. These clever little beauties are filled with all kinds of useful baby items such as diapers, bibs, bottles, pacifiers, shoes, socks, etc. All the things a new parent needs to get them started! This gift is a great centerpiece at a baby shower and as the gift! It is sure to "wow" everybody! Perfect to take to Mom and Baby at the hospital, too. Baby shower decoration Baby shower decoration- decorates the room with pictures of famous movie stars and films. We can also decorate the room with pop star posters. We can decorate room as per any children story such as 'Hey Diddle Diddle' or 'Goldilocks. We can use children's books for table centerpieces. Stack the books and tie ribbon around the books with a big bow on top. Decorate the top with a pacifier. Stable baby shower decoration-decorate the room as a stable with a manger big enough for Mom. Another type of decoration is Umbrella baby shower decoration-Decorate room with umbrellas, galoshes, etc. Tell all the guests that the forecast says showers today and every one comes in raincoats. About the author: For more information, visit these sites: http://BabyShowerInfoCenter.com http://www.BabyGiftsInfo.com
By Jane Thurnell-Read It is always important to take whatever steps you can to be healthy, but while you are pregnant it is even more important: not only do you need to take good care of yourself, you are also profoundly affecting the life of another person – your baby. Here's 7 tips to help you along the way. 1.If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do is to stop smoking: babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birth weight, are more likely to be born prematurely, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome than babies of non-smokers. Sometimes mothers feel having a low birth weight baby could be an advantage as it will make the baby easy to deliver. This is not necessarily the case, as it may lead to an emergency delivery, which can result in all sorts of complications. Even if you are already pregnant, stopping smoking will benefit the baby for the rest of your pregnancy. It is not only the baby who benefits. You are likely to suffer from less morning sickness, experience fewer complications and have a more contented baby after the birth. 2. It is also important to pay attention to your diet. Many women feel they should ‘eat for two’, but research has shown that women only need an extra 200-300 calories a day while pregnant, and you may be eating those extra calories anyway. What is important is to ensure that you get the protein, vitamins and minerals necessary to build another human being. Those extra 200-300 calories should not be squandered on chocolate or crisps, but should be eaten as fruit, vegetables, etc. It is also important to increase your water intake, which will help avoid constipation. 3. It is generally a good idea to take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement too. There are now ones specially formulated for pregnant women. Ideally these should be started before you become pregnant, so that you are in the best shape possible for the pregnancy, and then continued throughout your pregnancy. An adequate supply of vitamins and minerals is important right from conception. For example, a deficiency of one of the B vitamins, folic acid, in the first month of pregnancy may lead to the baby being born with a cleft lip, congenital heart disease or spina bifida. Omega-3 fatty acids (obtained by eating oily fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, spinach and spirulina, or taken as a supplement) are important for the development of the baby’s eyes and brain. Omega-3 also reduces the risk of premature birth and post-natal depression. 4. Nobody knows how much alcohol it is safe to consume during pregnancy, so many health experts feel it is better to avoid alcohol entirely for the sake of the baby. This can seem hard on the pregnant woman when everyone else is drinking, but it is important to remember that alcohol is a poison for the growing baby, and no caring mother willingly gives her baby poison. 5. Pregnancy is not a time to sit still. Although adequate rest is vitally important, most experts believe that healthy pregnant women should be taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. 6. It is also important to minimise exposure to toxic chemicals while pregnant, so spending a lot of time painting the house and laying new carpets is not a good idea, especially in the early stages of pregnancy when the baby is particularly vulnerable. 7. Many women find pregnancy stressful, and this can be a particularly good time to turn to safe, non-invasive options such as Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, kinesiology and other therapies. Making a new life is something miraculous. Doing the best you can for that new life starts long before you have the baby in your arms for the first time. About the author: Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two books for the general public: "Allergy A to Z" and "Health Kinesiology". She also maintains a web site http://www.healthandgoodness.comwith tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier life.
By Tia Rodriguez Pregnancy is a time of celebration, love, and unwanted but necessary weight gain. However, being pregnant doesn’t mean that your health and figure has to suffer permanent damage. You can gain weight in a healthy fashion while doing some very easy and safe heart healthy pregnancy exercise routines. One of the simplest and most effective pregnancy exercises you can do is walking. Not only is walking one of the best cardiovascular exercises, it is also one of the safest pregnancy exercises you can engage in. Walking is one of the few pregnancy exercises that you can do for the complete duration of your pregnancy. Another extremely beneficial heart healthy pregnancy exercise is swimming. Countless doctors and pregnant women have attested to the wonderful benefits of swimming during pregnancy. A weekly pregnancy exercise routine of swimming gives both the arms and legs a great workout while promoting cardiovascular health. Because of the nature of being subdued in water, swimming will also remind expectant mothers what it felt like before the pounds were added on. This is definitely a welcome change every now and then. The third pregnancy exercise routine you can start doing to keep your body healthy is enrolling in an aerobics class. Many fitness centers and community centers offer low impact aerobics classes for pregnant women. One of the nicer benefits of this pregnancy exercise is that it is done in the company of other pregnant women under the watchful eye of a professional aerobics instructor. This means you are going to get a safe workout catered to the special needs of pregnancy. Weight training is also a very beneficial pregnancy routine to keep your body healthy. Although you must only use very light weights when engaging in this pregnancy exercise, weight training is an excellent way of toning your body and increasing muscular strength. The last heart healthy pregnancy exercise you can do to stay fit is Pilates/yoga. Both of these body conditioning exercises promote stretching and flexibility within the muscles. Yoga is also a nice accompaniment to walking. By doing a combination of these pregnancy exercises, you can have a healthy balanced cardiovascular routine. Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice exercise and health. By walking, swimming, doing aerobics, weight training, and engaging in a Pilates/yoga routine, you can have a healthy and fit pregnancy. About the author: Tia Rodriguez is a health and wellness coordinator for an upscale sports management agency. To learn more about how a pregnancy exercise routine can benefit you during your pregnancy, check out the resources at http://www.pregnancy-without-pounds.info
by Suzy I met my husband when I was 29 and when at 33 we tied the knot when I was keen to start trying for a baby as soon as possible. I was paranoid from the start that we would have problems – having children was all I ever wanted - it would almost be too good to be true if they came along easily. Friends & family told me to just relax and it would happen – they meant well but had no idea how frustrating and infuriating their words were. After ten months of trying with no success I went to see my GP, my mum had an early menopause and I was worried I may be going the same way. My blood tests and my husbands sperm test all came back normal and I was booked in for a lap and dye. The possible outcomes of the lap & dye weren't explained to me and when they found both my tubes to be swollen, blocked & fluid filled – useless & beyond repair I was gobsmaked and I felt like the bottom of my world had fallen out. My worst fears were realised, I may never have children. I never knew what caused my tubes to be blocked, I had no medical history to speak of, reading around I found out one of the causes could be chlamydia, thinking that I may have brought my infertility on myself just added insult to injury and took a long time to get my head round.I had my tubes removed in readiness for IVF a couple of months later. I remember crying on the operating table as they put me under – not a pleasant experience.Although I was eligible for a cycle of IVF on the NHS I was told the waiting list would be 2 years so we decided to go private. My profession is in medical research so it was natural for me to read up as much beforehand about what IVF entailed and investigate where we should go. We chose the ARGC based on their success rates, a personal recommendation and proximity to my work. Our first cycle didn't work. My response throughout the cycle was fairly text book but I found every stage of treatment to be immensely stressful. Whether this effected the outcome or not I do not know. It did make us take stock though and consider what we could do that may help our chances. We took a complete break from it for a few months - I had had eighteen months consumed with trying to conceive and I was worn out – not long compared to many but long enough for it to take its toll on me. I also gave up work, I was planning not to work for the first years if we had a family and if my stressful job was in some way contributing to our lack of success with IVF then it seemed the right thing to do. A few months later we had another go at IVF, again with the ARGC, I was much more relaxed and although it was still stressful and things weren't perfect - I developed an ovarian cyst in the beginning and developed only a few follicles, I felt more positive about the whole cycle. At the end of the hell that is the two week wait when I took the pregnancy test I couldn't stay in the bathroom for the development time but went back to bed and sobbed, convinced we had failed again. When the 3 minutes were up I dragged myself into the bathroom with a very heavy heart. When I saw the second pink line on the test stick I think I may well have stopped breathing, time definitely stopped I'm sure.That was 14 months ago. My beautiful twins are sleeping soundly as I type. My journey is short compared to many and for that I am grateful, infertility is beyond painful, it's destructive and debilitating but as all our stories show, it can also be beaten.
