As reported in a study to be found in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, the test analyses the presence of five proteins in the urine during the fifth month of pregnancy proved a reliable indication of pre-eclampsia threat.

About 5% of pregnancies get complicated by pre-eclampsia, which results in grave health issues: kidney and liver dysfunctions, neurological problems that may affect the fetus as well as the mother. Expectant mothers’ blood pressure shows an extreme rise and the urine carries an amount of protein larger than usual.

This condition usually manifests itself in or after the 20th week; women begin to complain of headaches, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Other symptoms may include blurred vision, breathing problems, and confused state of mind.

Once it has set in, pre-eclampsia resists treatment, but some preventive measures exist – blood pressure can be brought down with medicine and the suffering mother is encouraged to spend more time lying down. Corticosteroids and anticonvulsives may be employed in severe cases.

The British researchers place great hopes in the new test due to its ability to detect high blood pressure condition well before it sets in that will give physicians time to employ preventive measures and diminish the risk of the complication.

Lead researcher Matt Hall underscored the importance of early identification for timely delivery of the babies of expectant mothers at low risk.

Source of the image: Photl.

An official statement issued by St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. denies the rumors that Dion, 42, and her husband Rene Angelil, 68, pre-scheduled the birth and are indulging in excessive pregnancy care demands. Dion is undergoing “the standard of care for any patient with twin pregnancy in this clinical setting” aimed at prevention of an early birth.

Focusing on the well-being of the twins, the couple intends to stay in close touch with doctors and clinical facilities during the latter months of the pregnancy, the statement accentuates.

Aware of the previous IVF miscarriages (the latest one talked over with Oprah Winfrey last year), Dion and Angelil are going to do everything possible to ensure a successful delivery – a priority for any couple “who face these procreation techniques,” as Angelil put it last November when talking with a French-Canadian newspaper.

The illustrious couple’s first son, Rene-Charles, is 9.

Source of the image: Posh24.

A recent study in Clinical Endocrinology points out that mothers having normal or lower levels of thyroxine are likely to have their babies positioned wrongly. An abnormal positioning of the fetus and especially the head may lead to a longer and more difficult labor.

An assistance may be considered indispensable during delivery, requiring the aid of forceps or ventouse or even necessitating a Caesarean section.

Since low levels of free thyroxine can be found in every 10th case, scientists suggest that every routine antenatal check should include a blood test for possible thyroid problems.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/christgr.

Why to Wear Maternity Support Band?

Maternity support band is an orthopedic garment worn more for medical than cosmetic purposes. Maternity support band fixes your fetus into right position. It protects abdominal muscles from overstretching and relieves your lower back by reducing the pressure on the internal organs and spinal cord.

You Must Wear Maternity Support Band if You Have:

• uterus scar;
• threat of a miscarriage during the second and the third trimester;
• fetal hydrops, multiple pregnancy, oversized fetus;
• fetus changing its breech presentation into a cephalic presentation (In this situation, your fetus needs to be supported and retained in the right position);
• low-lying placenta.

You Can Wear Maternity Support Band If You Have:

• consecutive pregnancy during which abdominal muscles stretch more intensely and more rapidly;
• later stages of pregnancy (the end of the second and the beginning of the third trimester);
• weak abdominal muscles;
• curvature of the spine, degenerative disc disease (a condition characterized by severe pains in any part of the spine) or any other spinal disorders;
• physical exercises (fitness, walks, housekeeping, cooking);
• or if a pregnant woman simply feels more comfortable wearing maternity support band.

When You Must Not Wear Maternity Support Band

Never wear a maternity support band when fetal malposition is identified. If your doctor says your fetus lies in transverse or breech position instead of being in polar, head first position, wearing maternity support band may prevent the fetus from turning to the right position as one of the functions of maternity band is to fix fetus inside the womb.

Types of Maternity Support Bands

Despite a multitude of maternity companies offering maternity support bands, just three types of this orthopedic garment exist:

• Prenatal
• Postnatal
• Multi-purpose (suitable to wear both during pregnancy and after childbirth).

Maternity support bands may be also classified according to their cut into support pants and support bands (or belts). Each type has its pros and cons. One common negative of all the types is that they are made with synthetic fabric. But using other materials makes no sense as it is synthetic fabric that provides a good elasticity and fixation.

Maternity Support Pants

Support pants provide support due to their densely woven fabric. Support pants are very easy to use and worn either alone or over regular underwear. There are models that have straps at the rear so you don’t have to take your support pants down when using toilet (simply unstrap your pants instead).

Maternity Support Band

Maternity support band is worn over underwear or clothes. Support is provided by a tight and broad belt, which is actually a maternity support band.

Multi-Purpose Support Band

Multi-purpose support bands can be worn both during pregnancy and after childbirth. Such support bands have a broad part and narrow part. During the pregnancy, the support band is worn in such a way that its broad side fits your lower back while the narrow side fits under your belly. After childbirth, it should be worn with the broad side on the belly and the narrow side fitting the lower back.

Where to Buy and How to Choose Maternity Support Bands

Maternity support bands should be available at pharmacies, maternity stores or orthopedic stores where you can find maternity support band that fits you best. First, your maternity support band should be of the right size. As manufacturers identify sizes differently, all you have to do is measure the circumference of your hips right under your belly and match it with the size marked on a packaging. Don’t buy bigger sizes thinking you will grow into them because manufacturers factor in natural belly and hip growth for each size. You can also try on your maternity support belt at dedicated stores and pharmacies.

Make sure nothing itches or brings discomfort. It would be unreasonable to buy a second-hand maternity support belt you may find it newspaper ads or off your friend. As with any other product, maternity support band has its service life, which lasts over the period of one pregnancy when used daily from the fifth month on plus (for some models) postnatal use during six months. At the end of its service life, maternity support band becomes overstretched and cannot fulfill its supportive function.

How to Use Maternity Support Band

There are a few common rules of how to use maternity support band.

1. You should buy and start wearing your maternity support band no sooner than your twentieth week of pregnancy because it is the time when the fetus begins growing rapidly. If you have multiple pregnancy or such conditions as fetal hydrops, uterus scar or oversized fetus, you should start wearing your maternity support band from the sixteenth week on. If this is your first pregnancy and you have well-trained abs and don’t feel any discomfort (you move comfortably and have no back pain), you can delay buying and using maternity support band until the twenty eighth week.
2. Put on your maternity support band in lying position so you can fix the fetus. As you stand up, it helps to hold your fetus in place by allocating the pressure evenly. Putting on your maternity support belt when sitting or standing doesn’t make any sense.
3. Within the first two or three days of use you may feel discomfort in your belly as it takes time to adapt. But if this feeling of discomfort lingers on, make sure you consult with specialists. It might be either you put on your maternity support band incorrectly or you had a wrong size.
4. Never wear your maternity support band all day long. Make sure you rest for 30 minutes every three hours and put it off before bedtime. The same is true for those who work full hours! Obviously, you don’t have a chance to put on your maternity support band in lying position at your working place but you can do this by leaning back on your chair as far as possible. Never put it on when standing.
5. If you feel any pain in your belly or your baby gets too busy inside, loose your maternity support band. If this doesn’t help, take it off and see your doctor.
6. Maternity support band needs care. Hand wash it in warm water as it gets soiled.
7. From the thirty sixth week on, you should wear your maternity support band only when doing household chores or when walking because it is the period when your belly descends as the baby begins to get ready to be born, nearing the birth canal.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/bies.

Air Pollution and Premature Birth

American scientists found that pregnant women who live in the environment with high air pollution levels have the risk of premature birth increased by 7 percent. If a woman breathes in the air polluted by sulfurous gas during the last weeks of pregnancy, the risk increases by as much as 15 percent.

Inborn Heart Defect

Scientists from the University of California in Los Angeles spent a lot of time studying how toxins in air tied to the development of inborn heart defects. They found that more pollution in the area where a pregnant woman lives was associated with greater risk that her baby will be born with health problems.

Office Work and Health of Pregnant Woman

So, shall we never go out then? Quite on the contrary. Even more shocking it sounds that the air inside offices and our homes is more polluted than outdoors. Poor ventilation, operating household appliances and smoking have a very negative effect on fetus. It becomes especially important on the second months of pregnancy when internal organs of fetus start forming, while expectant moms usually don’t think of leaving their jobs on the second month.

How to Ensure Health of Your Baby

Tips for women who want to give birth to a healthy baby a simple. Moms should walk more along rivers and lakes, in parks and in the country where the air if cleaner and water binds toxins to the ground. They should less time watching TV or sitting at the computer. Do not use harsh cleaning agents (like those for sink cleaning). Try to reduce on your cell phone use and walk outdoors more often.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/genue-luben.

Moreover, it cannot constantly track fetal heart rate. A.K. Mittra from the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Gondia, India, and his colleagues have developed a simple two-microphone device that can assess fetal heart rate during the mother’s rest or sleep. The device can also alert of fetal heart rate problems.

The first microphone is attached to the mother’s belly to receive the sound of the fetus’s heartbeat. The second one is placed at some distance to receive ambient and bodily sounds. Computer software can then “subtract” the “ambient noise channel” from the “fetal channel” to create a wav file. This file can be further analyzed for medical anomalies. Once a problem is detected, the software can compress the wav file to the mp3 file format for quick upload via the Internet to the physician’s computer. The system can also give a gentle signal of alert to the mother, implying she should see her physician.

The research team has already tried their monitor on several women at various stages of pregnancy. Scientists point out that the devise is absolutely passive and in no way can affect pregnancy course. It is also important that this system is inexpensive. It requires, however, both the mother and her physician having a personal computer with the Internet access.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/lukewalker.

Other studies hold that if mothers’ depressive condition is left untreated it can also endanger their babies’ health.

With the use of antidepressants by pregnant women growing during the last few years, in many cases doctors stopped the treatment out of concern about a possible harmful influence of the treatment on the unborn baby.

The latest report, the result of co-operation of the American Psychiatric Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, urges that certain women go on with taking antidepressant medicine even after becoming pregnant.

That goes for women with suicidal tendencies, those prone to recurrent psychotic episodes or having bipolar disorders. Severe bouts of depression shouldn’t be allowed to go untreated as well.

In cases where expectant mothers show but mild symptoms or no symptoms, the study suggests a course of a gradual going off medication.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/dust/.

What you may be recommended by your doctor is to:

• take 400-800 mg folic acid daily,
• take 200 mg vitamin E daily,
• eat protein rich foods,
• eat 5-6 times a day, little portions.

Another recommendation from my doctor is to listen to the music I enjoy and autogenic training. All pregnant women can pretty often experience fear, like “is everything ok with the baby?”. Telling yourself “everything’s going to be ok” is said to help.

Having enough sleep (my favorite recommendation ) goes without saying!

Unfortunately, no sports and fitness are allowed now and I’m usually very active. Hopefully, I will continue training soon. For now I’m only allowed to walk a lot (they say, walking is the best kind of physical activity for pregnant women), which I try to do regularly.

The sings of this condition are any kind of bleeding (from bright red to brown), spotting, clots, severe abdominal pain, spasms, lower back pain. So, if you have these symptoms (especially bleeding!), consult your health care specialist immediately!

My doctor also says, toxicosis is also not a good sign. Ideally, you shouldn’t have it at early stages of pregnancy. As for me, I do sometimes feel sick, but this feeling disappears when I eat something (what? – it depends) or drink water or kefir.

As soon as you have any spasms – just lay down and try to relax and breathe with your abs.

I was recommended to lie on the sofa most of the time at home. Fortunately, I can even work this way with my laptop. Otherwise, if your family can’t provide you such conditions, it’s better to go to hospital, if possible, because when the woman with threatening miscarriage is at home, she anyway does all the things around the house from time to time and threatens the life of her baby even more. Besides, for most families it’s not so easy to make the husband do this all.

Fortunately, I don’t have bleeding now, but when I’m standing for a long time – washing the dishes, for instance, – the spasms and even the back pain start again. I’m simply following the recommendations and try to stay calm.

Age and Fertility

Biologically, we are more fertile during a certain timeframe. Right time to conceive begins as we turn 18 and extends into 20s. With early 30s approaching, our reproductive abilities start declining gradually. However, it’s not before reaching the age of 35 when fertility can become a problem. Towards 40s, women are more likely to encounter more difficulties getting pregnant. While the nature signals the best time for pregnancy is reaching 20s, social realities weigh in and 20s just seem not that right for many young moms.

Why Old Age Pregnancy

Today’s women tend to miss fertile 20s as they are busy with starting a career, figuring out an advanced education, or even both. Having a baby in 20s may be very challenging financially, without job security and all. Let’s face it, having a baby requires not only parental love, it also needs sound household budget.

Early pregnancy may be hard on a relationship, too. Younger moms simply don’t have enough life experience to deal with baby-related stresses while fathers may feel alienated as they see their wives suddenly preoccupied with a child. This transition period would take a lot of tolerance to come through and emerge stronger as a family. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t pass the test.

Form this perspective, matured couples would have fewer problems having a baby. They gain more experience with age and are more ready to make sacrifices which parenthood requires. Maturity also matters when it comes down to weathering the trauma of pregnancy and labor. Older women are more likely to be easier with the problem of pregnancy pounds and other post-pregnancy issues.

Pregnancy Complications

But as we proceed with our careers, reproductive time’s ticking away. Now as you’ve crossed the age of 30, it might take a bit harder to conceive. Of course, turning 30 doesn’t mean at all you are getting irretrievably infertile. And the study of the University of Texas at Austin just backs up the assumption. According to scientists, the best time to get on a journey into motherhood is 34. At this point a woman is quite healthy to have a baby and achieves financial stability.

However, beyond this line, pregnancy complications can be piling up. Another study conducted by Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, UK, showed a steady rise of fertility treatments among women over 35. More and more babies are born as a result of IVF treatment with higher risk of birth defects. So older age pregnancy doesn’t seem like a totally safe haven. Obviously, as we get older, our health weakens. Many women over 35 are very likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure, making it tougher to carry and deliver a healthy baby.

Pregnancy is a milestone event whatever time it happens. So, what time seems best to you?

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/ecahal.

Blood loss also affects the fetus adversely. Blood deficiency may cause fetal hypoxia, a condition when there is a pronounced lack of oxygen in the mother’s body. It may result in irrevocable damage to the brain development and is conducive to developing autism.

The article brings autism down to a number of factors, generally of a genetic, physical and environmental nature, that influence the development of the brain. But maternal age and complications during pregnancies are set out by scientists as the most significant ones.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/walkadog.

Challenges for Women Trying to Conceive after 35

A lot of studies have proved that the probability of ovulation decreases in women after they cross the age limit of 30, decreasing fertility. Women in mid-thirties and older may often have regular cycles without an egg released. Moreover, the quality of the egg decreases when women reach the age of 30 and even more when a woman crosses 40.

The following are a few reasons why conceiving after 35 becomes difficult for women:

• various uterine disorders and fibroids,
• decrease in cervical fluid.
• endometriosis
• development of scar tissue around the cervix or fallopian tubes due to a surgery or infections.
• chronic health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension.

A woman above the age of 35 or running in her mid forties should also keep in mind that she has higher chances of miscarriage which go up to 35% higher, as well as a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

With a long list of health problems, how can a woman think of conceiving after 35?

How to Increase the Chances to Conceive in Older Age?

The following things can be done to increase the chances of conceiving.

• Setup a meeting with your health care provider to discuss the subject. An experienced doctor would review your recent medical requirements, your current lifestyle, as well as your medical history. After going through all these details, your doctor will be able to come up with a numbers of tips on how to conceive, such as taking folic acid, vitamin E and eating a healthy diet.
• The second most important recommendation that you should follow in order to conceive is quit smoking, avoid or completely stop drinking alcohol. Also, try to consume less caffeine.
• There are fertility tests that you and your partner should go through. You will be able to buy these tests at any drug stores.

Trying to Conceive after 35 – Tips for the Man

You should get your partner involved in this process as well – and here are some tips for the man planning to conceive. The man should also give up smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol consumed to the minimum. He is also supposed to wear something loose and comfortable rather than wearing anything tight which could hamper his sperm. Your partner must also avoid hot baths as they may make the sperm less effective. And in the end, your male partner should also be told to limit the sexual intercourse to once every two days to make his sperm counts high.

Stay Positive and Be Patient

After all that has been said, the most important factor for you is to stay positive. You have to accept the fact that for women aged 35 and more it takes a longer time to conceive. Following the tips above will boost your chances of conception.

If after trying to conceive for six months you have no signs of pregnancy, you should visit your health care specialist for some additional help in solving the problem. Your doctor would then conduct a fertility test in both of you or may recommend consulting a fertility specialist.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/buzzybee.

Some such cases may result from the history of earlier childbirths – early miscarriages (especially when twins were coming on), intrauterine hematoma (the accumulation of blood in the womb) can signify the possibility of premature labor in future.

Other cases have been tracked down to early vaginal bleedings that lead to untimely delivery of a baby that may be of insufficient weight.

The same thing (pre-eclampsia, as the medicos call it) can be manifested by recurrence of nausea in the mornings – and if the sensation is very strong, the risk may become as many as three times greater!

Yet the scientists are sure that close monitoring will take care of the biggest part of the problem. “It is a message that these patients need to have supervision,” concluded Robbert van Oppenraaij, the head of the researching team, explaining the need for expectant mothers troubled by vaginal bleeding or a constant feeling of nausea to remain under monitoring until the delivery.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/bies.

I’m a pretty active person, I play (professional) badminton three times a week and do Pilates, dancing and sometimes yoga. I stopped with the latter three this last week of delay, but I really wanted to play some badminton, besides, we always do it together with my husband. But I had to promise I would not jump, run a lot, make too abrupt movements… (otherwise it can lead to miscarriage). Well, it means, I almost would not play, as badminton contains of all this .

Although we still don’t know if I’m pregnant, we need to behave as if I am, I do understand this, but it was so hard not to jump, not to hit smashes, and in the end when I was about to lose the game I started to play as I always do. I’m a bad mother, I know, but I probably don’t have the necessary hormones in my body that would stop me yet. I will probably better not play at all during pregnancy, because it’s impossible to play if you are not allowed to do EVERYTHING you can to win. By the way, I won most of the games !

To be honest, I had some light pain while I was playing – somewhere in the underbelly, inside, but I’ve been having it almost always since we (hopefully) conceived. And this pain was actually the reason why I called my doctor about 2.5 weeks ago. So, after my today’s physical activity I didn’t have any discharge (the sign of miscarriage). Let’s hope, my baby’s ok there (first of all, let’s hope, he/she IS there). I try to believe, I will be strong and not play, really. Coz I still can dance and do Pilates… This fact calms.

What Causes Pregnancy Complications

There are various reasons which bring about pregnancy complication. Some of them are as follows:

1. chronic disease, such as hypertension and diabetes,
2. STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), such as Chlamydia and syphilis,
3. abnormalities of sperm or ovum, placenta, amniotic acid and infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.

The following are some pregnancy complications that can cause serious problems for the mother and her developing baby.

Gestational diabetes

This is one of the most common pregnancy complications. If gestational diabetes is left untreated it can cause fetal death and thyroid problems. Gestational diabetes usually gets developed during the second trimester can be treated with insulin supplements to take care of the blood glucose levels.

Amniotic fluid complications

This complication occurs due to the increased polyhydramnios or decreased oligohydramnios amniotic fluid levels of the membranes around the fetus. If the amniotic fluid is in excessive quantity, it develops pressure on the uterus causing preterm delivery. Your diaphragm also comes under the pressure put up by the amniotic fluid causing problems for breathing. Oligohydramnios is responsible for deprived fetal growth, post-term delivery, defects in the child after birth.

Placental complications

These are the pregnancy complications related to the placenta. If the placenta gets detached prematurely, it is called as placental abruption. This disconnection can be complete or partial. The location of the placenta in the lower area of the uterus causes the problem of placenta previa. The symptom of placenta previa is heavy bleeding in the second or the third trimester.

Proper Diet during Pregnancy

To take proper care of you and your baby, you need to maintain a proper nutritious diet along with your regular meetings with your concerned gynecologist. Avoiding junk food will help you not gain excess pregnancy weight and keep your baby healthy.

See Your Doctor

Once you start noticing the symptoms of pregnancy you should consult the doctor for medications and diet tips to keep your baby healthy. If we neglect certain problems arising during pregnancy, they can be fatal for the baby growing inside your womb. It can lead to fetal death and miscarriages.

Check Your Health before Getting Pregnant

Pregnancy complications do take place with some women due to several reasons like inborn diseases, excessive bleeding due to placental shifts, infections in the vaginal tracts and infections caused to wrong foods and viruses. It’s always recommended to plan your pregnancy and start preparing your body for it at least 3 months before you plan to conceive. You may inform yourself about how to prevent pregnancy complications in the article “How to Maintain Good Health before Pregnancy”.

Source of the image: flickr.com/photos/hansandcarolyn.