Five Questions You Should Ask Your OBGYN When You Find Out You Are Pregnant

 

Pregnancy is one of the most precious times in a woman’s life. It’s also one of the most nerve-racking even for those who have done it before. Just as every woman is different, every pregnancy is as well, so it is important that everyone involved be prepared and on the same page. The OBGYN is going to be a large part of that process. Asking the following questions can help ensure that no matter what happens, everyone’s expectations will be met.

 

What is your ideology on the pregnancy and birthing process?

Knowing how the OBGYN handles the pregnancy and birthing process in advance will save on unwanted surprises throughout the entire experience. One thing to talk about is whether they prefer to use medical technology from the start or if they let things move along naturally unless there is a problem. Find out how often appointments are and if they will include teaching about parenting along with the prenatal care. The relationship between expecting mother and doctor should be open and bring comfort and trust to any situation that may arise.

 

How much and what kind of experience do you have?

The last thing a woman in labor wants to find out is that her doctor doesn’t have a whole lot of experience. Also, it is important to know what kinds of issues the OBGYN has dealt with in other pregnancies. Things to find out are the doctor’s induction rates and how many high-risk or special needs patients have been treated. Knowing the history of the doctor will allow the mother to be assured that no matter what arises during pregnancy or delivery she is in capable hands. For women with high-risk pregnancies, it’s important to work with a maternal-fetal specialist like Dr. Gilbert Webb.

 

How can I keep in contact with you?

Issues can come up during pregnancies that cannot wait until the next appointment to discuss. In these instances, women should know how and when they can speak to their doctor. Some are on call, others have someone to cover for them if they are unavailable and yet others use email to communicate between appointments. How contact will be made once labor begins should also be in place well beforehand.

 

What can I expect at delivery?

So many things will be happening at such a quick rate once the mother is in labor. Knowing what to expect beforehand can help take some of the stress out of an already stressful situation. Things to discuss include which hospital the OBGYN delivers at, if or when they will perform an episiotomy, will the doctor induce and at what point, and what pain management techniques can be expected.

 

What happens after the baby is here?

Once the baby is born, the relationship between mother and doctor is not over. Patients will remain in the hospital until released by the OBGYN. As the amount of time differs, it should be discussed with the doctor so that arrangements can be made. As most doctors will schedule at least one postpartum appointment to make sure the vaginal area is healing properly and that there are no complications, the mother should find out at what point she will be going back to her primary care doctor.

 

Every woman has their own idea on how they would like their pregnancy and delivery to go. Bringing a baby into the world is a team effort so communication becomes key in making the experience as pleasant as possible. Speaking to the doctor and making sure that everyone knows what to expect from each other can help mothers-to-be have a sense of control and comfort throughout the entire birthing process.

 

Categories: birthing process, doctor, health during pregnancy, high risk, mother, nbsp, obgyn, pregnancy

Women"s Health 101: 3 Unique Ways to Ensure You Have a Healthy Pregnancy

 

Pregnancy is a joyous time, but it can also be stressful. When you are pregnant, your body changes in many ways, not all of them comfortable. You want to do everything possible to ensure that you and your baby are healthy. The following three tips will help to make your pregnancy proceed as smoothly as possible.

 

Take Good Care of Your Feet

Swollen feet are a common symptom of pregnancy. This can be a painful condition that can cause you pain when you are walking around and even while you’re stationary. Resting your feet and going barefoot as much as possible is one way to reduce this symptom. Soaking your feet in both hot and cold water is one of the best ways to relieve this problem. The trick is to alternate between hot and cold treatments. You can do this if you have two foot baths or basins, one for hot water and one for cold. Keep the temperatures comfortable; you don’t want to shock your body with scalding hot or freezing cold water.

 

Use Healing Herbs

Herbs have been used for many centuries to help a variety of conditions. There are certain herbs that are especially good for pregnancy. Some Chinese herbs, which can be found on websites like Radiant Wonder, are good for promoting fertility. Other herbs can help to control various symptoms associated with pregnancy. You should use herbs cautiously when you’re pregnant. If you aren’t sure if a certain herb is safe, ask your doctor or an expert. Many herbs, however, are perfectly safe. Chamomile, for example, is effective for relaxation and may help you sleep better. Ginger can help to alleviate nausea, but should be used in moderation.

 

Increase Your Intake of Fiber

Many women experience constipation during pregnancy. While this is a normal and common symptom, it can be relieved by eating more fiber-rich foods. Fiber can be found in many foods, such as whole grain breads, beans, cereals, oats and other grains. You can also find supplements to increase your intake of fiber, such as flaxseed oil and psyllium husks. Leafy vegetables are also a good source of fiber.

 

You have to pay extra attention to your diet and lifestyle habits when you’re pregnant. In addition to following your doctor’s advice, you can keep the above tips in mind to reduce or relieve some of the common problems associated with pregnancy. This can help you focus on the joyful aspects of giving birth.

 

Categories: common symptom, Feet, fiber, foot care, healing herbs, healthy pregnancy, herbs, nbsp, pregnancy, women's health

Women"s Health 101: 3 Unique Ways to Ensure You Have a Healthy Pregnancy

 

Pregnancy is a joyous time, but it can also be stressful. When you are pregnant, your body changes in many ways, not all of them comfortable. You want to do everything possible to ensure that you and your baby are healthy. The following three tips will help to make your pregnancy proceed as smoothly as possible.

Take Good Care of Your Feet

Swollen feet are a common symptom of pregnancy. This can be a painful condition that can cause you pain when you are walking around and even while you’re stationary. Resting your feet and going barefoot as much as possible is one way to reduce this symptom. Soaking your feet in both hot and cold water is one of the best ways to relieve this problem. The trick is to alternate between hot and cold treatments. You can do this if you have two foot baths or basins, one for hot water and one for cold. Keep the temperatures comfortable; you don’t want to shock your body with scalding hot or freezing cold water.

Use Healing Herbs

Herbs have been used for many centuries to help a variety of conditions. There are certain herbs that are especially good for pregnancy. Some Chinese herbs, which can be found on websites like Radiant Wonder, are good for promoting fertility. Other herbs can help to control various symptoms associated with pregnancy. You should use herbs cautiously when you’re pregnant. If you aren’t sure if a certain herb is safe, ask your doctor or an expert. Many herbs, however, are perfectly safe. Chamomile, for example, is effective for relaxation and may help you sleep better. Ginger can help to alleviate nausea, but should be used in moderation.

Increase Your Intake of Fiber

Many women experience constipation during pregnancy. While this is a normal and common symptom, it can be relieved by eating more fiber-rich foods. Fiber can be found in many foods, such as whole grain breads, beans, cereals, oats and other grains. You can also find supplements to increase your intake of fiber, such as flaxseed oil and psyllium husks. Leafy vegetables are also a good source of fiber.

You have to pay extra attention to your diet and lifestyle habits when you’re pregnant. In addition to following your doctor’s advice, you can keep the above tips in mind to reduce or relieve some of the common problems associated with pregnancy. This can help you focus on the joyful aspects of giving birth.

 

Categories: common symptom, Feet, fiber, herbs, pregnancy, symptom

Labor of Love: 5 Tips for Staying Calm when Your Baby is On the Way

 

When it comes to labor and delivery, the thought of remaining calm may seem impossible. You’ve waited for this day for at least 40 weeks and between the excitement of finally meeting your child and the fear of pain during childbirth, staying collected seems to be the last response possible in this situation. Yet remaining calm will help your labor and delivery progress more smoothly and allow doctors and nurses to better attend to your needs. Keep reading for a few tips to help you stay calm when your baby is on the way:

 

Take a Warm Bath or Shower

If your labor pains begin at home, your first impulse will be to rush into the hospital. If possible, you should take this time to finish packing and take a soothing bath or shower before leaving. Please note—baths are not considered safe if your water broke, due to the potential of infection. Also pregnant women may lack balance so ask your partner to help you enter and exit the bathtub.

If you do choose to head straight into the hospital, ask your nurse if you can use the shower before your labor intensifies. Water is extremely soothing during labor and can actually help decrease the pain of contractions.

 

Listen to your Favorite Music

Whether you’re at home timing your contractions or in your hospital room, listening to your favorite songs will help you remain calm throughout the labor and delivery process. Put this chore on your to-do list beforehand and have a great song list ready to go for this special day.

 

Walk, Walk, Walk

This is another activity you can do at home or in the hospital (depending upon your nursing staff.) Walking is an excellent way to calm frazzled nerves and it also helps shift baby lower into the birthing canal. Exercise is a natural way to lower stress levels and this low impact activity is ideal.

 

Try Patterned Breathing

Whether you learned a breathing technique in Lamaze class or through your midwife or doctor, patterned breathing is noted for its ability to help women relax, and stay calm during intense labor and deliveries. Another perk to patterned breathing is increased oxygen flow to both you and your unborn child.

 

Medications

You may not think of pain medications as being calming, but the fact remains often it’s the fear of pain as well as the actual pain itself that causes intense emotions during the labor and delivery process. While you should already have an open line of communication with your doctor in regard to pain medication beforehand, during the birth process remain open and honest with the nursing staff in regard to your needs. A Zofran birth injury lawyer suggests that you make arrangements for any medications before the actual delivery day so that you are fully aware of any side effects or risks. There are multiple options in regard to pain management and even if you ask for medicine to take the edge off labor pains, this may help you regain your calm and endure the rest of the delivery.

 

The day your baby is born is both exciting and a little bit scary due to the unknowns. Remaining collected as you face labor and delivery is best for both you and your unborn child. Try some of the above techniques during the birthing process and allow them to help you remain calm as you deliver your baby into the world.

 

Categories: Baby, delivery, labor, pregnancy

How Pregnancy Affects the Feet

 

As a mother-to-be, you are most likely experiencing a broad range of emotions, from joy to excitement to anxiety.  Additionally, you will notice some of the obvious effects that pregnancy has on your body, including morning sickness; heightened sense of smell; odd food cravings; and the obvious weight gain. Accompanying such symptoms are also changes in your foot health.

 

While dramatic weight gain in general can lead to foot problems, the dramatically difference in the center-of-gravity causes many pregnant women modify their stance or gait. The added pressure to the knees and the feet cause aches and pains in the arch, heel, and ball of the foot.  Other problems resulting from weight gain during pregnancy include leg cramping and varicose veins.  Luckily, with a little bit of information and prevention, you can take some steps to make your pregnancy a bit more comfortable.

 

Over-pronation (Flat Feet)

Over-pronation occurs when a person’s arches flatten out due to excessive inward rolling when walking.  This can be quite painful, as the flattening of the arch causes stress and inflammation of the plantar fascia – the connective tissue that runs from the heel to the forefoot.  This generally occurs in people who are overweight or obese, or in pregnant women due to weight gain.  Problems due to over-pronation may also extend to the calves, hips, and lower back.  One very simple method for prevention and treatment of over-pronation is to wear specialized footwear; retailers like Dr. Scholl’s and Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis sell orthotics that aid in naturally aligning your walk and stature.

 

Edema

Edema, also known as swelling of the feet, is another common symptom experienced by women in the later months of pregnancy.  This swelling occurs because the enlarged uterus adds pressure to the blood vessels of the pelvis and the legs, which slows down circulation and causes blood to pool in the lower extremities.  The total amount of water fluid in the body remains the same, but becomes displaced.  The feet and lower legs may even turn a purplish color due to the swelling.  If there is extra water retention, this can cause additional swelling in the feet and lower legs.  To treat edema, elevate the feet regularly.  If you are sitting for a long period of time, keep an extra chair or a small stool nearby to prop up your feet.  Take breaks from sitting to walk around and stretch out your feet and calves to increase the circulation to this area.  Be sure to wear shoes that fit properly so they do not constrict your blood vessels further.  The same goes for your socks – look for seamless socks that won’t cut off your circulation.  Keep in mind that your shoe size is likely to change throughout your pregnancy.  Take regular walks on a daily basis, and be sure to stretch.  Swimming is another great method for dealing with your edema symptoms, or immersing your body in a cool bath.  The pressure of the water on your skin reduces swelling.  Try to steer clear or reduce the amount of foods you eat that are high in salt, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated – this will help to reduce your levels of water retention.

 

Pregnancy is a joyful time, but it can be rough on your body, especially your feet.  As your belly gets bigger, they will be less accessible to you, so make it a point to pamper them.  Indulge in pedicures, foot massages, and footbaths.

Categories: affects, Feet, pregnancy

Healthy Food Tips During Pregnancy

 

When you find out that you are pregnant, one of the first things that comes to mind, after the euphoria has worn off, is what to do and what not to do to ensure that you give birth to a healthy baby. Suddenly good nutrition becomes incredibly important and right from the start of your pregnancy, you become more conscious about what you should eat and how it could affect the growth of your baby.

 

If you are planning to fall pregnant, you should start thinking about eating healthily before conception as the unborn fetus will benefit most from a healthy diet during the first three months of your pregnancy. A nutritious diet with a steady supply of essential vitamins and minerals, and a balanced amount of protein, carbohydrates and other nutrients, especially iron, is crucial to the development of your baby and will help form a healthy placenta.

 

There is so much information and a wealth of myths on what to eat and what not to eat during pregnancy, that moms-to-be can become quite confused. Added to this is the strangest food cravings that often accompany pregnancy. The following informative facts will help you separate the truth from myth and decide what is best for you and your baby.

 

- There is no need to eat for two.

 

A pregnant mom with average weight will need roughly 300 more calories per day, the equivalent of one banana for example.

 

If you are underweight at conception, speak to your doctor about a weight gaining program to ensure that you get enough nutrients to feed the placenta.

 

If you are overweight, to not go on a diet as you will risk depriving your baby of essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development. Change to a healthy diet and consult a nutritionist to help you cut out unhealthy food options.

 

You will gain weight during pregnancy as the baby grows and your doctor will monitor the growth of your baby throughout to ensure healthy development.

 

- For safety, the following foods need to be avoided during pregnancy:

 

• Undercooked or raw poultry and meat to avoid the risk of salmonella or toxoplasmosis.


• Lightly cooked or raw eggs in recipes such as chocolate mousse or homemade mayonnaise.


• Unpasteurized milk, goat or sheep milk, and all types of pt to avoid the risk of Listeria, a build-up of vitamin A in liver products that may cause harm to the fetus.


• Certain cheeses such as Camembert, Brie and blue-veined cheese such as Danish Blue or Stilton due to the risk of Listeria.


• Avoid peanuts, especially if there is a family history of allergies, including conditions such as hay fever, asthma or eczema.


• Avoid eating raw fish and include oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, fresh tuna, trout and sardines in the diet no more than twice a week to avoid a build-up of pollutants.

 

- Do not consume alcohol in any form during pregnancy to avoid fetal alcohol syndrome.

 

A Few Handy Tips

 

- To ease the discomfort of morning sickness eat smaller meals and include small amounts of carbohydrates.

 

- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Milk and herbal teas such as chamomile, cinnamon and ginger can be soothing. Ginger reduces the feeling of nausea.

 

- Have something to drink or eat before getting up in the morning.

 

- Get plenty of rest and light exercise in fresh air such as a gentle walk.

 

- Don’t drink any alcohol.

 

Include the following nutritious food in your diet on a daily basis:

 

Broccoli, bananas, avocado, well cooked eggs, green leafy vegetables, nuts and nut butters, lean poultry and meat, whole grain bread, dried lentils and beans, Greek yoghurt.

 

Listen to your body and satisfy your cravings within reason. A happy mom who eats a healthy diet will have a good pregnancy and a healthy baby.

 

 

Author : Aria Meyer is a fashion and parenting blogger. She writes for several parenting blogs. She is currently living in West Covina and working closely with Mydeebaby to help them grow the fashion and apparel department.

Categories: diet, Food, Healthy, pregnancy, Pregnant

Surprising Supplement: Why Pregnant Women Need Omega-3

 

If you’re pregnant, your doctor has probably told you to take supplements of folic acid to protect your baby’s wellbeing, but are these the only supplements that have a positive effect on your pregnancy? According to wellness expert Briana Domjen, omega-3 fatty acids may be just as valuable to your baby as folic acid.

 

‘A recent study has found that a specific type of omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), improves a baby’s brain development,’ Domjen details. ‘Two other studies on omega-3 fatty acids found that pregnant women who consume omega-3s give birth to babies with a lower risk of food allergies and eczema. This follows earlier research that suggested a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids could increase the risk of mothers having an early delivery. A study published in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition credits the super oil with producing children with better verbal intelligence and finer motor skills, as well as a higher pro-social behaviour. Using two blood samples, taken from 2000 women when they were 20 weeks pregnant and from the umbilical cord at birth, Professor Cristina Campoy Folgoso evaluated the effects of expecting women’s consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on foetal development. The study revealed that the amount of DHA transmitted to the foetus through the placenta might be crucial for foetal development.’

 

Domjen continues, ‘In a 2011 trial in France, scientists from the country’s National Agricultural Research Institute discovered when pregnant female pigs ate a substantial amount of omega-3 fatty acids, it triggered the baby’s immune system to produce beneficial antibodies, which help ward off food allergies. Although all testing was done on pigs, researchers say it provides insight into the human gut. A third trial out of Adelaide assessed the risk of food allergies in the babies of 706 women who took almost one gram of omega-3 daily in the last half of their pregnancies. The study revealed that children whose mothers took the supplements had a lessened risk of developing eczema or having an egg allergy and were less likely of being sensitised to egg allergy.’

 

However, Domjen is not the only wellness expert that recommends fish oil supplements to mums-to-be; body+soul nutritionist Lisa Guy agrees with the latest findings and advises that omega-3 should be added to the list of vitamins advocated for pregnant women. Guy asserts, ‘I always recommend pregnant women take a good pregnancy multivitamin that contains 500mcg of folate, a good-quality fish oil supplement, a probiotic and, if they are tested deficient, an iron and vitamin D supplement…Omega-3s play such a pivotal role in foetal growth and development, and are particularly essential for brain and nervous system development. Taking a fish oil supplement, as well as eating foods that are rich in omega-3s, is like an insurance policy that your baby is getting a good supply of these beneficial fats.’

 

Domjen points out, ‘The Heart Foundation recommends healthy adults have 500mg of omega-3 per day, or 3500mg a week. The best source of omega-3 comes from the fats found in cold-water fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna and trout, all of which have low mercury levels…For people who don’t eat fish, smaller amounts of omega-3 occur in foods such as eggs, soy milk and walnuts, and a variety of foods are now enriched with it.’ Guy adds that you should eat oily fish three times a week, as well as taking a daily omega-3 supplement. She also warns, ‘Some types of fish, though, contain high levels of heavy metals, such as mercury, that can affect your growing baby’s health (these include flake, swordfish and marlin) and they should be avoided during pregnancy.’

 

Categories: fish oil, Omega-3, pregnancy

Pregnancy Prostration: How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

 

A lack of sleep is a health concern for anyone, but this is especially true when you’re pregnant. Not only does a lack of sleep affect your wellbeing, it can also have a negative impact on your baby’s wellness. At the very least, the troubled sleep and waking up in the middle of the night that comes with pregnancy can make you feel tired and irritable, and the worst thing is that it’s all downhill from here. Aside from the fact that you will barely ever catch a full night’s sleep once you have your baby, it is later in the pregnancy that most sleep related issues begin. According to a detailed survey undertaken by National Sleep Foundation, four out of every five women complain about sleep troubles, be it due to increased heartbeat, shortness of breath, hormonal changes and/or increased bulk which made the woman uncomfortable. So, with these issues in mind, how on earth can you sleep better?

 

1. Do Not Nap Frequently: You will constantly feel the urge to nap during your first trimester, but Dr. Grace Pien, a sleep researcher at University of Pennsylvania’s Centre for Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology, warns against it. Pien points out that naps make you less tired at night, which means you’re not physically or mentally ready to crash when bedtime rolls around. Having a strict sleeping schedule – rather than making up for things with napping – means you’re less likely to find it difficult to fall asleep at night or end up waking in the middle of the night.

 

2. Get More Comfortable: Your body produces a hormone called Relaxin during pregnancy so that you are more ready for childbirth, but a side effect of this is that your ligaments are looser. This means that you end up having several aches and pains, which make it very difficult to get comfortable enough to drift off to sleep. Don’t sleep on your back or your belly, as this will only make you more uncomfortable. Rather, it’s a good idea to sleep on your side and buy a body pillow that supports your belly while you sleep.

 

3. Deal with Stress: Pregnancy is a very worrisome time in which you’re constantly thinking about giving birth, raising a child and the impact that motherhood will have on your life – it’s no wonder that you can’t sleep! UCSF professor Dr. Kathryn Lee explains that there’s a deep relationship between poor sleep patterns in pregnant women and the complications that arise during labour. She says, ‘When you are exhausted, your muscles get tired,’ and this is exacerbated by stress. Tired muscles make it tougher to push more effectively when you go in to labour, so going to bed with a calm mind becomes extremely important. Lee recommends trying yoga and meditation, as these techniques have been shown to help pregnant women unwind and establish a more regular sleep pattern.

 

4. Don’t Drink Too Much Before Bed: While a lot of mothers-to-be end up drinking a lot of water to keep hydrated, pregnancy itself causes a more frequent urge to urinate, so all that water isn’t helping matters. This is because your kidneys are working harder to filter blood for you and your baby, and an enlarged belly puts pressure on the bladder. Yes, you should carry on drinking plenty of water during the day, but after 4pm you should cut down your intake of fluids. So long as you get all of your fluid requirements in the first half of the day, your sleep won’t be disturbed by several trips to the bathroom at night.

 

Categories: napping, pregnancy, sleep

Epilepsy and Pregnancy: How to Prepare for the Challenges

 

For many years, epilepsy was a major health concern for women looking to get pregnant and, as such, women with epilepsy were discouraged from conceiving. However, this is luckily not the case anymore as, due to regular and early prenatal care, 90% of women who have epilepsy give birth to a healthy baby. That said, it’s important to see how having epilepsy can affect your wellness, and the wellbeing of your baby, so that you’re prepared to meet any potential challenges.

 

1. Epilepsy and Conceiving: If you have epilepsy, you might find you have menstrual irregularities and other gynaecological problems which causes difficulties in becoming pregnant. Moreover, some of the drugs for treating epilepsy have been associated with reduced fertility. Oral contraceptives, on the other hand, may trigger epileptic seizures, and contraceptives themselves have a reduced effectiveness when used with antiepileptic drugs.

 

2. Epilepsy and Pregnancy Complications: There are several complications you face when you’ve got epilepsy and you’re pregnant. These include:

 

• Pronounced morning sickness


• Vaginal bleeding throughout and after the pregnancy,


• Anaemia


• Premature placental separations from the uterus (otherwise known as placenta abruption)


• Excess protein in the urine after the 20^th week of pregnancy


• High blood pressure after the 20^th week of pregnancy


• Preterm delivery


• Low birth weight of the child


• Disturbance during childbirth


• Children with congenital anomalies

 

3. Epilepsy and Changes in Pregnancy: Most women with epilepsy find that their seizures remain the same. However, every woman reacts differently during pregnancy. Some women find that their seizures become more rare, while those with a less-controlled disease find that their number of seizures increases during pregnancy.

 

4. Epilepsy Medication: During pregnancy, any drug you take can affect the wellness of your child. When it comes to antiepileptic drugs, this means increasing the occurrence of major risks and minor malformations in children such as neural tube defects, skeletal malformations, congenital heart defects and urinary tract, the lag in the growth and development of a slightly lower IQ, facial irregularities, cleft palate and more. This is especially true of drugs that contain valproate or use more AEDs at the same time. According to research undertaken by Data Foundation for Epilepsy, the risk of birth defects for all children is 2-3%, while, for children whose mothers are using antiepileptic therapy, this risk rises to 4-8%. The results of the research show that the biggest risk is when you use more than one drug, especially in high doses. However, without the treatment you need to control your seizures, a seizure might reduce the supply of oxygen to your child and increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. In most cases, it’s safer to carry on taking your medication than to stop, but doctors recommend that you avoid valproate and the simultaneous use of multiple antiepileptic drugs.

 

5. Epilepsy and Your Child: As well as the influence of your antiepileptic drugs, you child may be slightly more likely to develop epilepsy themselves at some point in their life.

 

6. Epilepsy and Folic Acid: Pregnant women are often told to take folic acid supplements to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects, serious disorders of the brain and spinal cord. However, anticonvulsants affect the way your body uses folic acid, so women with epilepsy will be recommended to begin three months prior to conception with a dose of 5mg of folic acid daily.

 

7. Epilepsy and Breastfeeding: In women that have epilepsy, breastfeeding is still encouraged. However, when you reach that time, it’s best to first consult your doctor as sometimes a different therapy is recommended.

 

Categories: Epilepsy, Medications, pregnancy

Could Colds During Pregnancy Lead To Child Asthma?

Studies suggest that mothers who catch a cold during pregnancy could be more likely to have children who develop asthma, as the bacteria and viruses affect the in-utero environment. Babies who are exposed to the allergens are more likely to become sensitive to them and this could affect them later in life, according to researchers. The new study, which examined the risk of the common cold to unborn children, shows that women who are pregnant should take extra precautions around people who have colds and are sneezing, as it could lead to problems for their children later in life. The mothers infections and bacterial exposure during the pregnancy leads to the environment in the womb being altered. Allergist Dr Mitch Grayson stated that in addition to this, the same children in the study who had early exposure to allergens, including house dust and pet hair, also had increased odds of becoming sensitive by the age of five. When dust mites from the mother and the child’s mattresses were analysed, children with high dust mite exposure yet low bacteria exposure were more likely to develop allergies to dust mites than those with low dust mite exposure and high bacteria exposure.

 

Researchers looked at 513 pregnant women in Germany, and their 526 children. The women completed questionnaires during the pregnancy, when the children were 3 and 12 months old, and then every year up until the children reached five years old. Of the families, 61 per cent of them had a parent with asthma, hay fever or atopic dermatitis. According to the ACAAI, asthma and allergies can be hereditary; if both parents have allergies, the child is as much as 75 per cent more likely to be allergic. If just one parent is allergic, or if a close relative has allergies, then the child has a 30 to 40 per cent chance of developing some form of allergy. This drops to just 10 to 15 per cent if neither parent has an allergy. Researchers claim that they now know for certain that allergies and asthma can develop in the womb, as genetics play an important factor in both diseases. However, this study sheds light on how the environment a mother creates during pregnancy can begin to affect the child before it’s even been born. Asthma is the most common potentially serious medical condition to complicate pregnancy, according to the ACAAI.

 

Asthma affects around 1 in 12 women during their childbearing years, and when women with asthma become pregnant, one third of the patients improve, one third get worse, and one third remain unchanged. Asthma is a serious condition which affects a number of people and has numerous triggers, including house mites, dust, pollen and pollution. As pollution and toxins in the air have increased over the years, the risk of developing respiratory diseases has also increased. There are ways to treat asthma and, depending on the severity of the condition, your child may require medication to maintain it. If you’re concerned about the risk colds and asthma have to your baby, or think your child is developing symptoms of asthma, you should seek advice from your GP as soon as possible. As with any pregnancy, it’s important to stay as healthy as possible, maintain a balanced diet which includes all the nutrients both you and your baby need, and get enough exercise; you should also avoid alcohol and smoking, to maintain good health for both you and your baby.

Categories: Asthma, bacteria exposure, Child, Children, dust mite, Dust Mites, exposure, mite exposure, new study, pregnancy

For The First Timer: How To Make Your Pregnancy Easier

There are few things more beautiful, humbling and gratifying than bringing another human being into this world. Pregnancy is a roller-coaster of emotions and physical changes so when you’re expecting, there are decisions and daily acts that can help make coping with pregnancy easier.

 

Choosing Your Support System

Where you want to experience this life-changing event can depend on whether you will choose a generic medical facility like a hospital or Medical Center. There are facilities that specialize in women’s health like Flower Mound Women’s Health & MedSpa and many other birthing centers will offer a more intimate birthing experience. When looking at your options, it helps to put into perspective that your support team needs to be people you will rely on not only during your pregnancy, but through your labor and delivery too.

 

Importance of Good Nutrition

Although it’s common knowledge that good nutrition is essential during pregnancy, women still tend to underestimate its value. Eating nutritiously is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to be healthy and to avoid complications that can be prevented. Some of the best insurance you can place on yourself and your baby is to stay well hydrated and eat good, clean foods for the nutritional benefits. A good diet and lowering stress can help prevent numerous illnesses and can ward off a deadly complication known as Preeclampsia/Eclampsia. It is a metabolic toxemia that can occur late in the pregnancy. Eating well by eating real, good-for-you food will result in exceptional health for you and your baby.

 

Release The Endorphins

Endorphins are a major hormone that is involved during pregnancy and labor. Those happy hormones help to lower stress levels and they aid in blocking the reception of pain. Practice doing all those enjoyable things that release Endorphins. Smiling, laughing, enjoying dark chocolate in moderation, being social and moderate exercising can battle off those hormones that can delay or inhibit birth. If you secrete an abundance of happy hormones, it will help make pregnancy and labor easier and less painful. It has been noted that it can even be pleasurable.

 

Splurge on Quality Pregnancy Tools

When you’re expecting, you’re now caring for two. This can take a toll on the body. Excellent quality body lotion can help relieve that itchy, stretching skin. A body pillow or pregnancy wedge can do wonders to provide support when it’s uncomfortable to lay down. Maternity clothes are a must-have for optimal comfort while still looking trendy and stylish.

 

When expecting for the very first time, there is nothing anyone can do or say to truly prepare you for what is to come. Despite this blissful ignorance, there are precious gems of advice that first time expectant parents can heed to help make the wonderful pregnancy period a time of exciting anticipation combined with beneficial preparations.

Categories: Easier, first timer, pregnancy

Pregnancy And Obesity: What Are The Risks?

Obesity is a condition which vastly affects your health in a number of ways, but when you’re pregnant it can be extremely damaging to both you and your baby’s health. There are a number of possible complications and risks attached to obesity during this important stage in your life, but there are ways you can avoid these issues and promote a healthy pregnancy. Your BMI, or Body Mass Index, is usually used to determine whether or not a person is obese. If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are underweight (this is also damaging to your health and has its own set of issues attached to it). 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal; 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and anything higher than 30 is obese. A BMI of over 40 is considered extremely obese and this can have a negative impact on a woman’s success in In Vitro Fertilisation or IVF as well. So what are the risks? Firstly, gestational diabetes is a major risk for obese women during pregnancy and can affect the health of your baby as well. Preeclampsia is a condition which causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Likewise, thrombosis and obstructive sleep apnoea can also affect you. There may be problems in labour; obesity can also interfere with the ability to use certain types of medication such as an epidural block. On an even more serious note, obesity can increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

 

Obesity during pregnancy can lead to a number of health problems for your baby as well as you. Macrosomia, which means your child is slightly larger than average, is a risk to women who are obese, and can lead to the risk of childhood obesity. Chronic conditions such as diabetes in your child or as an adult can be a risk, as well as birth defects such as heart problems or neural tube defects. You should work with your healthcare provider to ensure you maintain a healthy weight during your pregnancy. As a general rule, if you’re obese, the recommended weight gain is 11 to 20 pounds for a single pregnancy, or 25 to 42 pounds for a multiple pregnancy. There are things you can do to improve your health and weight during your pregnancy – speak to your healthcare provider as well though, to ensure you’re on the right track. You should schedule a preconception appointment if you’re obese and considering getting pregnant – there are prenatal vitamins you should take and diet changes that can be beneficial to you. You should also seek regular prenatal care to monitor both your and your baby’s health during the pregnancy. This can help you avoid issues such as sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and diabetes. A healthy diet is important at any weight during pregnancy, so as to avoid any excessive weight gain and to ensure that you’re getting the right level of vitamins and nutrients. You should endeavour to be physically active during your pregnancy – your GP can help to suggest ways to achieve this without putting your body under too much strain. And, natural, as with any pregnancy, you should avoid harmful substances such as alcohol or smoking while you’re pregnant. While these are damaging to any unborn baby, they increase some of the risks attached to obesity and could damage your baby’s development. If you’re concerned about your weight, you should speak to your GP who can advise you of the various ways to stay healthy for you and your baby.

Categories: blood pressure, healthcare provider, high blood, Obese, obesity, pregnancy, Pregnant, Risks, risks attached, Sleep apnoea, weight gain

How to Use Acupuncture As Part of Your Prenatal Care

Pregnancy is a very exciting time for any woman, but it is also a time when her wellness and wellbeing become paramount. As well as following your doctor’s advice, you should look at complementary therapies, which can go a long way to helping you mitigate the discomforts that come alongside pregnancy. Whilst many women dismiss these unpleasant side effects of pregnancy as normal (things like swollen ankles, sore backs etc.), there are actually things that you can do to help improve the situation, and acupuncture is one of them. Acupuncture is perfectly safe, and so there is really no need for you to struggle on valiantly.

 

This is particularly important, as a recent study shows that stress during the prenatal period, including depression and anxiety, can have a negative outcome for both mothers and children, and can lead to things such as preeclampsia, preterm birth and even future obesity and risk of disease in the infant.

 

Chinese medicine has been used safely for centuries, and treatments with herbs and acupuncture have been contributing to the wellbeing of many for generations. There are suitable acupuncture treatments for all phases of pregnancy, although the treatments change depending on how far along the mother is.

 

During the first trimester, acupuncture is usually used to help prevent miscarriage, as this is the most dangerous trimester for pregnancy loss. It is also used to help the mother feel better, as the first three months can be a time when the pregnancy drains the woman of energy and also causes nausea, headaches, constipation and other problems.

 

In the second trimester, the baby is growing a lot, and acupuncture can be used to help negate some of the digestive effects that this causes. During the third trimester, when the baby is storing fat and the body has expanded tremendously, acupuncture can be used to help prepare for birth. Treatments can help relax the uterus, cause the baby to turn the right way and prepare the cervix for a natural labour.

Categories: acupuncture, Baby, nbsp, pregnancy, Treatments, trimester

Effects of Cervical Cancer on Fertility

Being diagnosed with cancer is overwhelming news in itself. Moreover, if a woman gets to know that the disease could also prevent her from having children, it could be traumatic.

 

Gynecological cancers like endometrial cancer or cervical cancer can severely affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant and having children. This happens because of the surgery carried out to remove the cancer as well as other treatments like radiation. Radiation on the pelvis area can damage the uterus and this might make carrying a pregnancy difficult.

 

Some types of chemotherapy can affect your heart as well as lungs, an issue which can make your pregnancy quite complicated.

 

This can be very distressing news for any woman because motherhood is something every woman looks forward to in her life. Most of the women find the fact that their chances of having children might get affected emotionally disturbing, while some women give more importance to having a successful treatment and being alive.

 

Surgical procedures for cervical cancers and their effect on chances of pregnancy

For patients in the early stages of cervical cancer, fertility sparing surgery can be of help. Cervical conization is a surgical procedure carried out to remove just the central part of the patient’s cervix. This is a minimally invasive procedure and patients have had successful pregnancies after this surgery.

 

For patients whose cancer is in stage IA2 or IB1, the surgical procedure is little bigger and involves removal of considerable part of cervix as well as some tissue around the cervix, yet the remainder of the uterus is left intact. The lymph nodes in the pelvis might also be removed to prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. This procedure is called radical trachelectomy.

 

The removal of most of the cervix results in the risk of losing the pregnancy in the early stage or delivering before completing the pregnancy. The patient needs constant monitoring during the pregnancy and might also require a caesarean section for delivering the baby. A cerclage or suture can help keep the pregnancy in the uterus. This procedure is relatively new and not very common. Your oncologist and obstetrician must be consulted and all possible risks discussed in detail.

 

In case of advanced cervical cancer, the patient needs radiation along with surgery. In such a case, ovarian transposition may be tried. It is a minimally invasive surgery. The ovaries are surgically removed from the pelvis and placed in the abdomen in such a manner that they are out of the radiation field. This procedure cannot help if the patient needs chemotherapy. Moreover, this procedure has a chance of failing because the blood supply to ovaries gets affected.

 

If you have to undergo hysterectomy, you would not be able to get pregnant after the treatment is over. Same is the case with radiotherapy which affects the working of your ovaries.

 

Some options available to cancer patients

If you have one ovary, your uterus is not damaged and you are having regular periods, you do have hope of conceiving naturally. If you are having unable to conceive naturally, you can ask your gynecologist about assisted reproductive techniques.

 

If both the ovaries have been removed, or your treatment has eliminated the possibility of healthy eggs, you can opt for donor eggs or embryos and carry the pregnancy as well as give birth. If you are unable to carry the pregnancy because of medical complications, you can have the embryos planted to a surrogate volunteer.

 

If your doctor says that you will be unable to carry a pregnancy because of a procedure like hysterectomy, surrogacy might be a good option for you. You can have eggs or embryos frozen before you begin treatment and then have the same implanted to the surrogate.

 

You must talk to your doctors before your treatment begins and ask them about all your doubts and fears. This might help you find the best possible option for yourself.

 

Author Bio:

Sameer Gupta is a medical writer who writes well-researched, in-depth cancer articles which provide relevant information to help patients combat the deadly disease. Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) prides in providing the best cancer treatment solutions to patients who have endured to various cancer types. With cancer centers in Philadelphia, Tulsa, Chicago, Newnan etc., CTCA aims at providing the best treatment options to cancer patients.

Categories: cancer, cancer patients, cancer treatment, cervical, cervical cancer, Effects, Fertility, minimally invasive, nbsp, pregnancy, surgical procedure, treatment

12% of Women Suffer Semen Allergy – Does That Mean No Sex?

If you ever needed an excuse to get out of going down on your partner, this may be it: a semen allergy. According to a new report from Dr. Michael Carroll, a lecturer in Reproductive Science at ManchesterMetropolitanUniversity, this is actually a real thing that affects the sexual health of approximately 12% of women. Carroll asserts that this is more likely to have an impact on your wellness if you’re between the ages of 20 and 30. But how do you know if you have a semen allergy?

 

Semen allergy presents with certain symptoms immediately or up to 60 minutes post exposure. While the symptoms of semen allergy can vary depending on who you are as an individual, a number of symptoms can impact your wellbeing, including:

 

• itching


• irritation


• welts and hives


• dizziness


• difficulty breathing


• vaginal swelling


• painful urination

 

Award-winning wellness writer Hope Gillette adds, ‘Some women can also experience eczema and in extreme cases… anaphylactic shock—a life-threatening condition—is possible.’ However, there can be a just as problematic emotional impact from semen allergy. In an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, Katie and Nathan (names changed), a North Carolina couple, detailed their experience with the condition. ‘In a normal romantic relationship, you want to feel attractive to your partner and want to do things that make you feel sexy,’ Katie explained. I feel like we actually started to define ourselves — minimizing things to avoid sex. Funny, I started thinking I wouldn’t wear sexy underwear. … What seemed like medical problems had bigger effects.’

 

The problem with semen allergy is that it often goes undiagnosed. Gillette notes, ‘Though rare, allergy to sperm is no different in basic form than other allergies; the body’s immune system—for an unknown reason—reacts violently to an outside substance, flaring up defences and causing a range of symptoms. While it’s impossible to know why a woman has a semen allergy, awareness of the condition may help more women seek treatment. Most women, especially those who haven’t been in a long-term relationship, experience burning or pain after intercourse and immediately think they’ve contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or they are dealing with a UTI. These women may seek STI or UTI testing, and when results come back negative they may forget about the incident, because by that time most minor symptoms have passed. Women with more severe symptoms and those who are in long-term relationship are most likely to seek medical treatment and therefore be diagnosed.’

 

Once you’ve confirmed with your doctor that you are allergic to semen, ColumbiaUniversity states that the best method of prevention is avoidance. ‘This is relatively easy if the couple is willing to use a condom during intercourse,’ Gillette comments. ‘If this is not possible for some reason (attempting to become pregnant, for example), a woman is advised to take an antihistamine about an hour before semen exposure. This can help in the most mild situations but may not prevent all symptoms from occurring. It is not advisable either to make an habit of this practice.’

 

However, pregnancy is still possible without semen-to-skin contact. Gillette advises, ‘Artificial insemination is an excellent option for women with a semen allergy. If that is not possible, in vitro fertilization is also an option, and a semen allergy does not affect a woman’s overall fertility.’ Carroll adds, ‘There are numerous cases published of successful pregnancies achieved naturally and through assisted reproductive technology in women with this condition. We were able to reassure our patients that HHS (hypersensitivity to human semen) does not cause infertility.’

Categories: allergy, Long term, nbsp, pregnancy, Research, Semen, semen allergy, Symptoms, term relationship, Women

Could You Give Up Beauty Chemicals During Pregnancy?

As the beauty editor for Vogue, Sigourney Cantelo has learnt a thing or two about anti-ageing wellness. However, after becoming pregnant, Cantelo decided to put her wellness wallet where her mouth is, and try going chemical-free with her skincare regimen during her pregnancy.

 

She explains, ‘As a beauty editor, I spend my life testing cosmetics, offering my face and body up like a lab rat. But now there’s a baby growing in my tummy, that doesn’t seem so wise.’ Concerned for her baby’s wellbeing, Cantelo went natural for the first time in her life. ‘Some skincare ingredients can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream (which, of course, developing bub also shares),’ she says. ‘Many women choose to have as natural a skincare regimen as possible when they are pregnant and breastfeeding. That sounds like a prison sentence to me, but in the interests of research, I decide to do the first three months in the skincare slammer – as chemical-free as possible – and then maybe I’ll get a pass out for good behaviour.’

 

To start her chemical-free experiment, Cantelo first needed to get rid of any temptations still lurking in her bathroom cabinet. ‘I open up my heaving bathroom cabinet and throw out anything that contains salicylic acid, vitamin A, artificial colours, fragrances, preservatives, parabens or petroleum,’ she recalls. ‘I spend the next few months scouring the cosmetics at organic supermarkets. I fall in love with the heavenly Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Leg and Foot Crème ($24.95, 1300 855 478). And I discover Aeos, a new skincare line from the UK. The Aeos Enriching Moisturiser, $98, (02) 9779 1501, smells incredible, is packaged in beautiful glass jars and feels as glamorous and indulgent as La Prairie. I also use Miranda Kerr’s I use Kora Organics Luxurious Rosehip Body Oil, $59.95, (02) 9979 5672, every night instead of moisturiser. Most of the other creams I try smell like compost or feel as though I’ve dived into a tub of tahini.’

 

Although Cantelo found love with some natural skincare products, this didn’t stop her from slipping back into her old ways. ‘When my three months of purgatory are finally up I need chemical help,’ she admits. ‘I miss the slip and texture of a luxury cream and the sting of an acid as it breaks down clogged up pores and reveals clear, radiant skin beneath. To add insult to injury, I’m getting dreaded dark spots, known as melasma (or the mask of pregnancy) from the sun and I don’t know if it’s the hormones or the products, but I also have breakouts.’ Therefore she found herself calling a few dermal experts for help, and here’s what they recommended:

 

Alexia Shinas at Next of Skin clinic: Dermaminerals Breathable Coverage Mineral Foundation SPF 30 ($78, 1300799 709), a mineral foundation sunscreen that uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and provides just enough coverage to hide the spots and is low on chemicals. She also recommends the super serum Aspect Exfol l 15 ($79.20 1800 648 851), which uses lactic acid, which is safe for pregnancy, to reduce breakouts and pigmentation.

 

Emma Hobson, Education Manager of the International Dermal Institute: Dermalogica C12 Concentrate ($165; 1800 659 118), which works to suppress the melanin production that leads to pigmentation. She adds that Cantelo needs to watch her stress levels: ‘Stress hormones have the ability to trigger melanin formation too, so book in for a relaxing pregnancy massage or a professional skin treatment.’ When Cantelo took this advice, she found the best of both worlds: ‘As I lie tummy-down for the first time in months on a special pregnancy bean-bag, two therapists work in tandem to knead out my knots and, at the end of a blissful hour, I float out the door. I finally have that pregnancy glow and for once, it’s not thanks to skincare.’

Categories: bathroom cabinet, beauty editor, cantelo, chemical free, massage, mineral foundation, natural remedies, nbsp, pregnancy, skincare, skincare regimen

Hot Flashes During Pregnancy: Hormones to Blame

Hot flashes are quite common during pregnancy, and affect your wellness and wellbeing due to the changes in hormones that occur in your body at this time. Your sexual and reproductive system is largely governed by hormones, which is why hot flashes are most commonly associated with menopause, a time when huge changes are occurring in the hormones associated with the reproductive system. Hot flashes are also common in pregnancy, however, although they tend to occur towards the end of pregnancy rather than in the first two trimesters. They are even more common in the postpartum period (the time just after giving birth).

Hormones such as progesterone, which are common in pregnancy, raise your body temperature, and some of the other side effects of pregnancy, such as nausea, can also increase your temperature or feeling of cold sweats. The heat generated by the developing baby can also lead to you feeling increasingly hot as the pregnancy progresses.

 

Researchers have recently found that pregnant women complain of suffering from hot flashes five times more often than those who are not pregnant (of the same age). In fact, around 90 percent of pregnant women are thought to suffer from hot flashes during the postpartum period, and 81 percent of women start having hot flashes around or before the third trimester.

 

Hot flashes can even occur before you have discovered that you are pregnant, around about the time that the embryo normally implants into the wall of the uterus. This is usually about eight to 10 days after ovulation occurs. Progesterone is produced after ovulation and this may be the reason for hot flashes to occur at this time.

 

As they are caused by hormones, you cannot prevent hot flashes altogether but you can try to use external methods to keep your body temperature down.

Categories: body temperature, flashes, hormones, hot, hot flashes, occur, postpartum period, pregnancy, Pregnant Women, time

Reasons Why You’re Feeling Faint and Hot During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, most women find that their sexual wellness and wellbeing is affected in numerous ways. Many of them feel faint, lightheaded or hot during pregnancy, due to varying hormones and the extra weight that you are carrying. With rest, these issues should subside, but if the problem continues then it can mean that you are suffering from a nutrient deficiency. If you find that you are feeling faint, hot or lightheaded, talk to your diet and have them check your iron levels, as well as looking at the overall quality of your diet.

 

Inadequate iron levels during pregnancy can mean that the oxygen in your body is reduced, which can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath or irritability. Reducing your intake of caffeine can help, as can reducing your intake of phosphates (which are most commonly found in soda) as these can interfere with the way in which your body absorbs iron. You can also try eating iron-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, leafy vegetables, raisins, red beans, beets and eggs.

 

You can also boost your iron intake with a good prenatal vitamin. Some of them may cause indigestion, so you can switch to a whole-foods-based prenatal vitamin. Nettle tea is another good way of getting iron into your system. Many natural health food shops also sell loose tea that has been formulated specifically for pregnant women. You should, however, make sure that you consult with your doctor before taking any kind of herb or supplement during pregnancy.

 

It’s also important to look out for ketones in the urine, as these can be a sign of inadequate nutrition, as they appear when your body is burning fat to supply the calories that it needs. Physical symptoms of this can include extreme hunger, cold sweats, extreme exhaustion and feelings of sweat or cold.

Categories: dizziness, faint, feeling faint, Intake, iron, iron levels, nbsp, pregnancy, prenatal vitamin

Endometriosis Causing You Pain? 4 Treatments You Should Try

Endometriosis can really take its toll on your wellbeing, not only affecting your sexual health with severe pain during sex and infertility, but also presenting with other upsetting wellness concerns, such as backache and painful bowel movements. Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis, but there are a number of endometriosis treatment and management options that can help you to cope with the condition.

 

1. Medical Therapies: The most common medical endometriosis treatments are hormonal contraceptives and other hormonal regimens, such as GnRH agonists (gonadotropin releasing hormone drugs). These drugs control the hormonal stimulation of your endometrial tissue. If you are suffering from pelvic pain, your first-line management includes hormonal contraceptives – be they oral, transdermal or injectable – along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. These treatments are cheaper, easier to use and less likely to produce side effects than other hormonal treatments, and so may be used indefinitely to help you manage your symptoms. A type of androgen (Danazol) is sometimes used to treat endometriosis, but it can cause some undesirable side effects. These include weight gain, hirsutism (hair growth), fluid retention, fatigue, hot flashes, decreased breast size, acne, oily skin, irritation or inflammation in your vagina, hot flushes, muscle cramps, emotional instability and a deeper voice.

 

2. Surgical Procedures: If you have surgery, this can be something as simple as a laparoscopy to something as drastic as a hysterectomy. If you have a laparoscopic procedure, your surgeon will either use heat or laser to destroy your endometriotic implants, or else cut them out. This can be a complicated surgery if the endometriosis is in your ureters or bowels. If your doctor recommends that you have a hysterectomy, you should be aware that this involves the removal of your uterus and potentially your ovaries, both of which you need to have a baby. Therefore, you should only have this procedure if you’re absolutely sure you don’t want children, and exploring other – potentially less effective – treatments is worth that goal. If you wish to preserve your fertility, discuss other options with your health care professional and consider seeking a second opinion.

 

3. Alternative Treatments: Complementary therapies for relieving the painful symptoms of endometriosis include traditional Chinese medicine, nutritional approaches, homeopathy, allergy management, and immune therapy. Again, you need to bear in mind that none of these treatments can cure endometriosis. That said, you should talk to your doctor about these options. Some doctors believe going down the alternative wellness route is a waste of time, but others will tell you that it’s always worth try alternative methods of pain relief as long as they are not harmful to your condition. Either way, you should always consult a doctor first, as you need to know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

 

4. Pregnancy: Although pregnancy is by no means a cure for endometriosis – and you shouldn’t have a baby just for nine months of pain relief – some women do find that being pregnant helps to lessen their pain. Moreover, even though the chronic condition won’t disappear with pregnancy, many women still find that the pain is substantially improved after they have a baby, and some women find that the pain does not come back at all. The reason behind this is that pregnancy stops the ovulation process, causing your endometriosis implants to become less active and, as a result, become less painful or large than they once were. Or, the reason why pregnancy eases your endometriosis pain may be because you’re not having periods, and menstruation triggers the pain that many women with endometriosis feel.

Categories: endometriosis, hormonal, hormonal contraceptives, Pain, Pain Relief, pregnancy, Treatments

Infertility: Could Chinese Medicine Be The Answer?

In a recent study of complementary therapies, researchers found that women receiving Chinese herbal medicine treatments were twice as likely to get pregnant within a four month period than those taking Western fertility drugs and IVF. The findings of the study also suggest that the quality of the menstrual cycle appears to be crucial to the success of the treatment for female infertility. Infertility is usually defined as an inability to conceive after a year or more of regular, unprotected sexual activity. There has been a  long recorded history of Chinese herbs being used to treat infertility, dating back as far as 200 AD. Alternative TCM treatments have become increasingly popular in Western countries as more studies are proving that they are both safe and effective. It’s not surprising, given that more than a quarter of the world’s population uses Chinese medicine as part of their regular health care regime.

Researchers did a meta-analysis of non-randomised controlled trials or cohort studies, then compared clinical pregnancy rates which were achieved with Chinese herbal medicine compared to Western medicines, including IVF. In addition to this, they collected common TCM pattern diagnosis in infertility relating to the quality of the menstrual cycle and the associated symptoms. The results show that women had a 3.5 greater chance of achieving pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine therapy over a four month period than those using Western medicine drug therapy alone. Average pregnancy rates were at 60 per cent for Chinese herbal medicine compared to just 32 per cent for Western medicine. While health is said to be the common goal of both Chinese medicine and conventional treatments, the ideas on the etiology disease, disease itself and the process used to maintain wellness are quite different. Western physicians learn that disease should be cured by prescribing medicine or using surgical intervention, whereas in TCM there is a focus on healing the patient and treating the whole person, not just the disease. As such, there are other factors to take into account, such as the individual’s state of health. According to TCM, a person is far more than their pathology – treating the pathology is usually temporary, however successful it may be at the time of testing and treating.

 

Where female infertility is concerned, the key factors in TCM are focussing on the reduction of stress and re-establishing balance, as well as regulating hormones and menstruation. It is recognised that many cases of infertility stem from a problem that is often more functional than structural, whereas Western medicine treatments are not only invasive but also stressful for patients. Stress is not conducive to a health pregnancy, and as such can often be the cause of infertility problems. Fertility management has been studied in depth and is well developed in Chinese medicine. GPs in modern China have a reported 70 per cent success rate in treating both men and women with herbs for infertility, and hundreds of herbs are used within these treatments. Herbal medicine is often used with a combination of other therapies, such as massage, diet and lifestyle modifications, and acupuncture. TCM fertility techniques are usually non-invasive and can often provide a better success rate than the costly Western treatments we are more familiar with. If you’re having trouble conceiving, you should speak to your GP who can offer advice on the subject and offer testing to see whether there is anything wrong with regards to your ability to get pregnant.

Categories: chinese herbal, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, medicine treatments, menstrual cycle, month period, pregnancy, pregnancy rates, success rate, western medicine