All posts in regards to fertility, pregnancy and child birth

What Happens To A Woman’s Body During Childbirth

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The human body is an amazing thing. It’s ability to fend off disease, perform essential functions, and harbor life until birth are a few of the most important, and amazing, feats that the human body is capable of. From the moment of conception, a woman’s body immediately begins to change in order to accommodate the internal growth of a child. As the pregnancy progresses, a woman’s body adapts to the needs of both the mother and child.

 

Childbirth is challenging and complications occur, but women’s bodies are designed to give birth. The shape of the pelvis, hormones, powerful muscles and more all work together to help you bring your baby into the world – before, during and after childbirth.

 

As you approach the time of birth, your contractions draw the cervix up into the body of the uterus, and it becomes thinner (called effacement) and opens (called dilation). When the cervix is fully dilated (about ten centimeters), contractions help the baby begin to move from the uterus into the vagina.

 

The First Trimester  

The first trimester is the time in between fertilization of the egg by the sperm (conception) and week 12 of a pregnancy. A woman’s body goes through many changes during the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy. a mother’s body is building storing nutrients and trying to keep up with the demands of a growing fetus. Fatigue is a normal reaction and is often the most inhibiting during the first trimester. Physical attributes may include constipation, heartburn, breast changes, and vaginal changes.

 

The Second Trimester  

The second Trimester is the best part of pregnancy. The span from week 13 to week 27 of pregnancy is called the “honeymoon period” for good reason: Typically, nausea subsides, emotions even out and sex drive returns. It’s also the time when you’ll start to feel the baby’s first movements.

The Third Trimester

The third trimester of your pregnancy is from week 29 to week 40 – months seven, eight and nine.Your baby continues to grow, and as the third trimester progresses she’ll have a better chance if she’s born early. The end of your pregnancy is in sight. It won’t be long until your baby arrives. Feelings at this stage of pregnancy tend to vary from tiredness and worry to excitement about the baby.

 

How does your body prepare for labor?

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent uterine contractions that start in early pregnancy, although you probably won’t notice them until sometime after mid-pregnancy. (Some women never notice them.) As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions tend to occur somewhat more often, but until you get to your last few weeks, they’ll probably remain infrequent, irregular, and painless.

Changes to the cervix

As labor gets closer, your cervix softens and becomes thinner, getting ready for the dilation (widening) that will allow the baby to enter the vagina. You may also see a ‘show’ which is a pinkish plug of mucus, stained with blood.

Engagement

Your baby may move further down your pelvis as the head engages, or sits in place over your cervix, ready for the birth. Some women feel they have more room to breathe after the baby has moved down. This is called ‘lightening’.

Rupture of the membranes, or ‘waters breaking’

Rupture of the membranes is known colloquially as “breaking the water” or as one’s “water breaking”. A premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a rupture of the amnion that occurs prior to the onset of labor. Sometimes, a child is born with no rupture of the amniotic sac (no rupture of membranes).

Some women find the sac of amniotic fluid containing the baby breaks before labor, contractions start and the fluid runs (or gushes) out of the vagina. If your waters have broken but you have not started having regular contractions within 24 hours, you may need your labor to be induced because there is a risk of infection. Your midwife or doctor will talk to you about this.

How the pelvis is designed for childbirth 

The female pelvis is the bony cradle that holds and even rocks your baby while she is developing in the uterus. It is amazingly designed for its functions, especially for giving birth.

The pelvis is well-designed to carry the weight of both the mother and baby. It connects the vertebrae and the lower limbs and protects the reproductive organs, the bladder, intestines, and rectum. It also provides attachment for the abdominal muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor.

The pelvis is made up of four bones: the two large hip bones that form the sides of the cradle and meet at the front and the sacrum and coccyx at the back.

During pregnancy hormones cause the ligaments soften and stretch causing a slight separation of the joints, which allows flexibility for the baby’s head to pass through during birth. Sometimes pregnant women may experience some pelvic pain and discomfort as a result of this loosening of the joints.

The Childbirth Process

Childbirth, also known as labor and delivery, is the ending of a pregnancy by one or more babies leaving a woman’s uterus by vaginal passage or C-section. It involves three stages of labor: the shortening and opening of the cervix, descent, and birth of the baby, and the delivery of the placenta.

Cervical dilation occurs during active labor, making room for the baby to travel through the birth canal. The cervix dilates naturally when the body is ready to give birth, but when it’s necessary to move things along more quickly, dilation may be stimulated using medications or mechanical techniques.

The placenta is delivered as part of the afterbirth with a small gush of blood, from a few minutes to a half hour after the baby arrives. The doctor or midwife will examine it to make sure it’s intact and that nothing has been left behind in the uterus.

When childbirth doesn’t go to plan

Unfortunately, not everything goes to plan during birth. Sometimes your maternity team may need to intervene to assist in the delivery of your baby. Find out more about how your doctor or midwife may assist during your labor and what happens when your baby is premature or unwell.

Sometimes labor can be induced (started artificially) if your baby is overdue or there is any sort of risk to you or your baby’s health, for example, if you have high blood pressure or if your baby is failing to grow and develop.

In rare cases, a mother may experience cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD), which is when the baby’s head is too big to fit through the pelvis. A diagnosis of CPD is usually made when labor hasn’t progressed and synthetic oxytocin has not helped. A cesarean is usually the next step.

 

In conclusion, The stages of pregnancy and childbirth may seem daunting at times. However, they are some of the most rewarding phases of life. Bringing a child into this world is a beautiful labor.

 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Resources:

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/what-happens-to-your-body-in-childbirth

http://positivemed.com/2015/10/27/what-happens-to-a-womans-body-during-childbirth/

Different Positions of a Baby in the Womb

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Unborn babies toss and turn and hold many different positions within the womb during the gestation period; pregnant women everywhere will attest to the fact that their children always start up the gymnastics at bedtime. When the due date nears, the importance of the baby’s position becomes less of a joke and a serious point of discussion. The different positions that your baby may take in the womb will play a role in how he is born.

 

Head-Down 

Most babies flip and turn with great frequency throughout pregnancy but generally end up in the “head-down” position around the 33 to 36-week range, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Head-down literally means that the baby’s head is pointing toward the birth canal, and his feet, when his legs are fully extended, are in the vicinity of his mother’s ribs. Babies at this advanced gestational age most commonly stay in the head-down position for the remainder of the pregnancy and may not move as much as in the earlier months, mainly due to space constraints.

Breech 

Breech is the position in which the baby’s buttocks or feet are nearest to the birth canal. A breech baby’s head is close to her mother’s ribs. This position is less desirable than the head-down position for birth, and breech babies have an increased risk of birth defects or trauma during the birth. Your doctor may try to turn the baby around in a procedure called a version, deliver the baby in a breech position or perform a cesarean section. Abnormalities in the baby’s anatomy or the shape of your uterus may prevent the baby from turning around.

There are three variations of a breech presentation:

  • Complete breech: When the buttocks are pointing toward the birth canal (downward), with the legs folded at the knees. The feet are near the buttocks.
  • Frank breech: The buttocks are toward the birth canal, but the baby’s legs are straight up in front of their body and the feet are near the head.
  • Footling breech: One or both of the baby’s feet are pointing downward toward the birth canal.

Transverse 

A baby that lies sideways in his mother’s womb is in a horizontal position. The baby’s head may point to the left side of your body and the feet to the right, or vice versa. Transverse positioning at the time of birth is extremely rare; only one out of 2,000 babies takes a transverse position. Like breech presentation, a baby who lies sideways may not be able to turn around due to structural abnormalities in the uterus. Pregnancy Today explains that babies who are transverse are delivered by cesarean section to ensure a safer delivery.

Risk Factors for Transverse Lie

Women with the following conditions are at a high risk for transverse presentation:

  • A high ratio of amniotic fluid to a fetus
  • Uterine abnormality
  • Placenta previa
  • Fibroids in the uterus
  • Factors preventing fetal head engagement in the mother’s pelvis
  • Narrow or contracted pelvis
  • More than 2 babies in the womb

Diagnosis of Transverse Presentation

Abdominal examination— In transverse position, the presenting part of the fetus is typically the shoulder. During an abdominal examination, the head or the buttocks cannot be felt at the bottom of the uterus and the head is usually felt on the side.

Vaginal examination— A shoulder may be felt during a vaginal examination. An arm of the fetus may even slip forward and the hand or elbow may be felt during the pelvic examination.

Confirmation – An ultrasound scan of the uterus confirms the transverse lie position.

 Complications of Transverse Lie

A transverse presentation can cause serious complications during delivery. Some of the consequences are listed below:

  • Obstructed labor
  • Umbilical cord or hand prolapse
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Birth trauma
  • Rupture of the uterus

Posterior

Babies in the head-down position most often enter the world with their faces facing their mothers’ backs. Posterior is the term used to describe a baby in the head-down position with her face facing the mother’s stomach, in other words with her face turned up. The altered positioning of the baby’s body may lead to back labor in the mother, rather than cramping in the abdomen.

Can I turn my baby? 

Occasionally, a baby may not end up in the correct position for delivery. It’s important to know if your baby isn’t in the occipito-anterior position right before birth. Depending on the exact position, it could lead to complications during delivery. There are some methods you can use to coax your baby into the right position.

You can try the following ideas:

  1. When you sit down, tilt your pelvis forward instead of backward.
  2. Spend time sitting on a birth ball/exercise ball.
  3. Make sure your hips are always higher than your knees when you sit.
  4. If your job requires lots of sitting, take regular breaks to move around.
  5. In your car, sit on a cushion in order to lift up and tilt your bottom forward.
  6. Get on your hands and knees (like you are scrubbing the floor) for a few minutes at a time. Try this a few times a day to help move your baby into the anterior position.

 

Unfortunately, these tips don’t always work. If your baby stays in a posterior position when labor starts, it may be because of the shape of your pelvis rather than your posture. In some cases, a cesarean delivery will be necessary.

 

Resources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/baby-positions-in-womb#turning-baby

https://www.livestrong.com/article/204490-different-positions-of-a-baby-in-the-womb/

Amazing Facts About Your Unborn Baby

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When you think about it, pregnancy is an amazing thing. You are growing a life, a child inside your body. It’s incredible. However, there is also some kind of strange things about pregnancy, some of which are kind of gross and others that are just a bit unusual.

 

12 Amazing Pregnancy Facts

  1. Unborn babies can feel, see, and hear

When people bump into you, can your baby feel the knocks inside your womb? Babies have a sense of touch and respond to being stimulated within the uterus from about 17 weeks, but your body is clever and protects your baby from bumps.

  1. Second trimester onwards, babies pee in the uterus. Then they drink it.

By about 12 weeks, your baby is producing urine. It can be seen swallowing amniotic fluid, which is digested and filtered by the kidneys and urinated back into the uterus.A fully formed baby in the womb is known as a fetus. Between fourteen and fifteen weeks of pregnancy, the external genitalia of the baby is more developed, and on the scan, they can be seen to suck their thumbs. As the uterus grows it presses on the bladder and mums find they need to pee more often.

    3.  Your baby is growing more bones than you

By the time your baby is born, it will have 300 bones in that tiny body – but adults only have 206! The bones in your baby’s body will fuse together to create the adult number. This is because babies have more cartilage than bone. A baby’s skeleton is mostly made up of cartilage. As a person grows up, most of this cartilage turns into bone in a process called ossification.

  1. Babies cry in the womb

A baby’s first cry may happen in the womb long before its arrival in the delivery room. New research shows that fetuses may learn to express their displeasure by crying silently while still in the womb as early as in the 28th week of pregnancy.

  1. Babies can taste what the mother is eating

Very early. Research shows that what a woman eats during pregnancy not only nourishes her baby in the womb but may shape food preferences later in life. At 21 weeks after conception, a developing baby weighs about as much as a can of Coke — and he or she can taste it, too.

  1. A woman’s uterus expands to more than 500 times its normal size

Think of your uterus as a stretchy rubber balloon that expands on an as-needed basis. This muscular organ is located above the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is held in place by strong ligaments, and it is remarkably elastic, stretching to about 500 times its prepregnancy size. It grows in weight too, from a couple of ounces to more than 2 pounds. When your pregnancy is over, the uterus returns to its original size.

  1. A fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months

A fetus acquires fingerprints at the age of three months. When only a small fraction of the way through its development, a fetus will have already developed one of the uniquely human traits: fingerprints.By the time a fetus is six months old and approximately 12 inches in size, his fingerprints and footprints are fully developed. The ridges on a fetus’s fingertips have formed three main patterns by this time, categorized as arches, loops, and whorls, with numerous patterns in between. These patterns are found on the fingertips, palms, and soles and are used to grasp things.

    8. Your baby is learning a language

Sensory and brain mechanisms for hearing are developed at 30 weeks of gestational age. A new study shows that unborn babies are listening to their mothers’ talk during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy and at birth can demonstrate what they’ve heard. Babies only hours old are able to differentiate between sounds from their native language and a foreign language, scientists have discovered. The study indicates that babies begin absorbing language while still in the womb, earlier than previously thought.

  1. Your baby’s heart is incredible

That precious heart takes hold and changes the world. From the development in the womb to the times when something can go wrong, baby’s heart is an amazing muscle that means more than many can even imagine. It controls the blood flow, and might even give a clue to the baby’s gender.

  1. The lungs are the last organs to develop in the baby

The lungs are some of the last organs to develop in your baby’s body during the prenatal stage. Some important parts of their lungs don’t develop until the end of pregnancy.If your baby is born prematurely, their lungs may not have time to develop fully. This can lead to a variety of breathing disorders.

  1. Contractions don’t stop after birth. The muscle cramps are the body’s way of stopping excess blood loss.

After the delivery of the baby, the muscles of the uterus normally tighten, or contract, to deliver the placenta. The contractions also help compress the blood vessels that were attached to the placenta. The compression helps prevent bleeding. If the muscles of the uterus don’t contract strongly enough, the blood vessels can bleed freely. This leads to excessive bleeding or hemorrhage.

  1. He might be a dreamer

Babies start to sleep for 4 weeks after conception. But what’s more, the REM sleep waves associated with the eye movements of dreams have been identified by 30 weeks after conception. So your little one might even be having a dream or two.

 

“A baby fills a place in your heart that you never knew was empty”

 

 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Resources:
https://www.netmums.com/pregnancy/12-amazing-facts-about-your-unborn-baby

 

 

 

How to Prepare For a Vaginal Delivery

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One of the biggest things pregnant women worry about as they get closer to their due date is labor and delivery. Every delivery is as unique and individual as each mother and infant. In addition, women may have completely different experiences with each new labor and delivery. Giving birth is a life-changing event that will leave an impression on you for the rest of your life.

 

Labor and delivery

Eventually, the cervical canal must open until the cervical opening itself has reached 10 centimeters in diameter and the baby is able to pass into the birth canal.

As the baby enters the vagina, your skin and muscles stretch. The labia and perineum (the area between the vagina and the rectum) eventually reach a point of maximum stretching. At this point, the skin may feel like it’s burning.

The process of labor and birth is divided into three stages: The first stage begins when you start having contractions that cause progressive changes in your cervix and ends when your cervix is fully dilated.Early labor: Your cervix gradually effaces (thins out) and dilates (opens).

 

Ways to Stay Calm and Prepare for Labor & Delivery

 

 

  • Choosing the right doctor: Of course, your doctor matters. But depending on your OB and her on-call schedule, she may not even be the one to deliver your baby. It could be another doctor from the practice or it could even be an ob-gyn who happens to be working at the hospital the night you go into labor——someone you’ve never met before.
  • Where to give birth: Not all doctors have the right to practice in every hospital. Just because the perfect doctor is only 30 minutes away does not mean he or she will be able to attend the birth at the local hospital in case of emergency delivery. The doctor will be able to offer a list of hospitals where he or she has practicing rights.
  • Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have: This is a great, easy way to help you stay calm and prepare for labor and delivery. Your doctor will have solutions to probably any fear you have about childbirth. And you’re presumably going to have them there during delivery, so communicating and being on the same page is very important. 
  • Practice breathing and meditation: Breathing properly helps to relieve pain during labor as well as increases the amount of oxygen for both mom and baby. When being stressed or panic, the breath becomes fast and shallow, which can make you lose control and soon exhausted. So, learning the proper breathing technique will help pregnant women during labor.  Read more https://sonoline.ca/proper-breathing-during-labor-and-delivery/
  • Write the birth plan: Beyond the must-haves, think about how you envision your birthing experience. Some hospitals are more supportive of natural childbirth than others. A birthing plan is not for everybody. A birth plan is a way for you to communicate your wishes to the midwives and doctors who care for you in labor. It tells them about the type of labor and birth you’d like to have, what you want to happen, and what you want to avoid.
  • Pack the hospital bag: The hospital bag is one of the highlights of waiting for baby. When packing the hospital bag, mom needs to remember the baby’s first outfit, diapers, wipes and any supplies needed to feed baby either by breast or bottle.
  • Preparing the body: Vaginal delivery is hard; there is no other way to put it. Mom needs to keep her body in top shape to keep up with the stresses and pains of delivery. This includes eating right and getting enough sleep every night.
  • Preparing the vagina: The vagina also needs to undergo some preparation. Mom can use Kegel exercises to prepare the vagina for the birth. The term “stretchy vagina” might not exactly sound like a good thing, but when you’ve got a small human inside your body needing to get out, and it can save a whole lot of pain and – hold your breath – tearing.When urinating, mom can practice stopping the stream several times during the urine flow. The muscles used to stop the urine stream are the same ones that need to be strong during a vaginal birth. Once mom feels the muscles, she will be able to do the exercises whenever she wants.
  • To breastfeed or bottle feed: Before going into labor, mom needs to decide whether she will be breastfeeding or bottle feeding. If breastfeeding is the choice, the first feeding can occur only moments after birth in some cases.Beyond that, breastfeeding is encouraged until at least 12 months, and longer if both the mother and baby are willing. Although experts believe breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants, breastfeeding may not be possible for all women.The decision to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is a personal one.
  • Accept that you can’t control everything: Childbirth isn’t something you can guarantee is going to go perfectly. It’s okay if you can’t stick to everything on your birth plan, and it’s okay if you have to have a C-section instead of a vaginal delivery. The most important thing is your health and the health of the baby, and you have to accept that there are things that are out of your hands that you can’t control. Just let go a little bit and put your trust in the doctors and nurses taking care of you.

 

Childbirth is crazy and weird, but it’s also an amazing miracle. Pain during labor is caused by contractions of the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling.You shouldn’t be scared and you shouldn’t worry about the what if’s. You should be excited and feel confident in your ability to push that baby out! When the time comes, you’ll have a team of people you can trust on your side, and you’ll be ready to go. Good luck!

 

 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

 

Resources:

https://www.babymed.com/12-steps/how-prepare-vaginal-delivery-during-pregnancy-12-steps

https://www.lifewithmylittles.com/ways-to-stay-calm-and-prepare-for-labor-and-delivery/

 

 

 

Pregnancy Kit must haves for First Trimester

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Congratulations – you’re having a baby! When you are pregnant, thinking of all the stuff you may need for the baby can be mind blowing. First trimester is always a DOOZY. Any way you slice it. It’s just hard!  But don’t jump the gun – they’re not even born yet so concentrate on the pregnancy must haves that will make YOU feel better along the way.

 

New Pants or a Waistband extender 

Your belly may not be visibly rounder yet, but your pants may not be fitting as well, even just a few weeks in. A new pair of pants with a bit of Lycra stretch might round out your wardrobe perfectly.If you don’t want to start buying new clothes just yet, try a waistband extender such as the Belly Belt or Bella Band. Keeping comfy is your new mission, and it’s more important than you may think: Some women report that a looser waistband helps with morning sickness.

 

Folic Acid

If you’re pregnant or might become pregnant, it’s critically important to get enough folic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin B9, also known as folate. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) – serious birth defects of the spinal cord (such as spina bifida) and the brain (such as anencephaly).Taking a folic acid supplement, ideally before you conceive, and then every day for the entire first trimester will help prevent neural tube defects. A daily 400 mcg (microgram) supplement is recommended for most women. Some women need a 5mg (milligram) daily dose so check with your doctor if this applies to you.

 

Vitamin D 

The study confirmed vitamin D at this level is not only safe for you, but for your baby, and the researchers from this study now recommend this daily dosage of vitamin D for all pregnant women. The average prenatal vitamin only contains 400 IU of vitamin D, so additional supplementation should be taken daily. The Department of Health advice is to consider taking a 10 mcg (microgram) daily supplement. Vitamin D helps keep bones, muscles, and teeth healthy and it can be hard when pregnant to get the amount you need from food and sunlight alone.

 

Sickness Bands

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy is the time when morning sickness can often make you feel wretched. Morning sickness acupressure bands that you wear around your wrist may help alleviate that nauseous feeling that affects around 80% of women.

 

Body Pillow

During pregnancy, you may find yourself wrestling in bed trying to get comfortable before falling asleep. Unfortunately, your regular sleeping positions may no longer work for you during pregnancy. There are a number of reasons for this new discomfort, but there are some sleeping positions that you can try that may help you get your much-needed rest. Pillows can help you avoid sleepless nights. You can try various pillows, either regularly used ones or those available specifically for pregnancy use. You may use body-length, U or C-shaped pillows, or wedge-shaped pillows to support your tummy or chest.

Read more: https://sonoline.ca/simple-guide-to-sleeping-well-during-pregnancy/  

 

Tooth Care

Oral health care – including teeth cleaning, X-rays, pain medication, and local anesthesia – is safe throughout pregnancy. In fact, it’s especially important to have a dental checkup, dental cleaning, and any necessary treatment during pregnancy. Pregnant women are susceptible to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

 

A comfy cotton Bra

The Dual-Use Maternity and Nursing Bra. Later in pregnancy, you have a feel for how things are going with your body. A multi-use bra can be key after the baby comes, for nursing, pumping, and overall comfort.This can double as a nursing and sleep bra because of the wide, comfy cotton that surrounds your breasts.

 

A good body lotion

Your skin is extra-sensitive now that you’re pregnant. Body scrubs and exfoliants can actually cause micro-tears on your skin, which isn’t just irritating, it can also make it easier for chemicals to be absorbed into it. You’re better off using a loofah or soft washcloth to scrub away dead skin cells.Cocoa Butter for stretch mark. Containing cocoa butter, vitamin E, collagen, elastin and shea butter, this cream is safe to use during pregnancy.

 

Baby Heartbeat Monitor (Fetal Doppler) 

A Doppler fetal monitor is a hand-held ultrasound transducer used to detect the fetal heartbeat for prenatal care. sometimes referred to as a pocket fetal Doppler. It uses the Doppler effect to provide an audible simulation of the heartbeat. The device sends sound waves through your skin and tissue in search of any movement. When movement is detected, the waves bounce back, creating a pattern, which the fetal Doppler records and plays back for you.You may be able to hear – and see – your baby’s heartbeat for the first time when you’re about 8 weeks pregnant if you have an early ultrasound exam. Otherwise, you’ll probably first hear baby’s heartbeat with a fetal doppler until 10 to 12 weeks.However,  baby’s heart starts to beat at around 6 weeks. Fetal Doppler is highly recommended to ease anxiety and feel reassure throughout pregnancy.

Read more: http://torontek.com/pregnancy/what-is-fetal-doppler/

 

Pregnancy Journal 

Collecting your thoughts and putting pen to paper is especially rewarding during pregnancy. Not only will you have a personal record of your life during this time, you’ll create a special gift for your child years later. Few experiences are more magical than creating a new life in your own body and then watching it grow. Pregnancy is also a time of transformation and deep questioning for you. A pregnant woman’s inner life is powerful, private, and often disturbing. After pregnancy, nothing is ever the same.By keeping a diary or journal, a woman chooses to confront rather than ignore the issues that come up for her during pregnancy. Her quiet time of introspection and writing will be among the most important moments she spends on her journey into motherhood.

 

 

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Resources:

https://www.webmd.boots.com/pregnancy/features/pregnancy-kit-essentials
https://www.babycenter.com/0_write-your-own-pregnancy-diary_5827.bc

How To Cope With Miscarriage

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How To Cope With Miscarriage

 

Different people handle miscarriage in different ways, but it’s not uncommon to feel devastated as you would after any other loss in your life. If you’re having trouble coping with a miscarriage or it’s causing a rift in your relationship with your partner, ask your doctor for a referral to a therapist for counseling services.

 

Try not to let distance grow between you and your partner. 

This one’s easily done. He’ll see the whole situation differently. He might try to fix it. He might wonder why it’s taking you so long to get over it. He probably won’t have a clue about the million and one ways it affects you every day. Unless you explain it in terms he’ll understand.

 

 Get your Friends around you 

Friends or relatives; it really doesn’t matter – you need women you can trust. Women you can cry with. Women who can hug you. Because no matter how sympathetic a man is, a woman will understand you in a very different way, and part of the healing lies in fully comprehending the loss, all its implications, navigating the train wreck and beginning to get a little perspective.

Take your time to “get over it”

Grief affects everyone differently. Don’t anticipate a certain length of time before you feel ‘normal’. Go with what works for you at the moment. Don’t rush. Whatever you’re feeling is normal, has been felt by others before you, is not completely mad. If you need it, seek professional help to get through this.

Take care of yourself

It should go without saying, but it’s easy to let grief swallow you whole. It’s a vile, heartbroken place to be, (and you may hate me for saying it if you’re still in that darkness) but you did not stop living. You will do yourself no favors in the short or long run if you grind to a halt. You need to eat, you need to wash, you need to get up in the morning and do *something*. Even if these things seem hollow and pointless, keep going – persist and it will help you later. Do it for the ‘you’ in a few months time.

 

The loss of a child in pregnancy is a terrible tragedy which can never un-happen. If it’s happened to you, you’re part of the Invisible Moms Club. Your life was altered the moment conception took place; you are a Mom, and it’s heartbreaking that you haven’t that child to show for it. Yet Good can still be wrought, even of this pain – whether it’s sharing your story so that understanding and compassion can be spread, or being able to offer a shred of comfort and hope to a young woman suddenly faced with the loss of her unborn child and all that entails.

 

Miscarriage Causes

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Miscarriage Causes

Experiencing the loss of a pregnancy can be devastating and you’ll probably have a lot of questions, including why did this happen? It’s not uncommon to start blaming yourself, but most miscarriages happen in the first trimester of pregnancy for reasons that are beyond your control. In the majority of cases, there’s no way to prevent a miscarriage and nothing you could or should have done differently. Below are three common miscarriage causes.

 

What Causes Miscarriage?

A miscarriage sometimes happens because there is a weakness of the cervix, called an incompetent cervix, which cannot hold the pregnancy. A miscarriage from an incompetent cervix usually occurs in the second trimester. There are usually few symptoms of a miscarriage caused by cervical insufficiency.

 

Chromosomal abnormalities

More than half of early miscarriages are due to a chromosomal abnormality when the sperm and egg come together but one of them has too many or too few chromosomes, those tiny structures in each cell that carries our genes. A chromosome abnormality, disorder, anomaly, aberration, or mutation is a missing, extra, or irregular portion of chromosomal DNA. It can be from a typical number of chromosomes or a structural abnormality in one or more chromosomes.

Medical disorders

Chronic medical conditions such as blood clotting disorders, thyroid disease, and diabetes can increase your miscarriage risk. Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can also directly affect pregnancy. That doesn’t mean that if you have an autoimmune problem, you can’t deliver a healthy baby, but you do need to talk to your doctor about the risks of miscarriage and complications, and the best ways to plan for pregnancy.

Uterine abnormalities

A uterine malformation is a type of female genital malformation resulting from an abnormal development of the Müllerian duct(s) during embryogenesis. Symptoms range from amenorrhea, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and pain, to normal functioning depending on the nature of the defect.

Missed miscarriage or miscarriage at 4 weeks

A missed miscarriage, also sometimes known as a silent miscarriage or missed abortion, can happen anytime prior to week 20 when an embryo or fetus dies but the body hasn’t recognized the loss or gotten rid of the pregnancy tissue. Since the placenta may still continue to release hormones, some women keep having pregnancy symptoms, but others may have a loss of pregnancy symptoms and a brownish discharge. A missed miscarriage is often diagnosed during a checkup when a doctor no longer finds a heartbeat.

Threatened miscarriage

A missed miscarriage, also known as a missed abortion or a silent miscarriage, occurs when a fetus dies, but the body does not recognize the pregnancy loss or expel the pregnancy tissue. As a result, the placenta may still continue to release hormones, so the woman may continue to experience signs of pregnancy. A threatened miscarriage is your body’s way of giving you a warning sign that miscarriage is a possibility during the first three months. You may experience symptoms of vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, but the cervix remains closed and a heartbeat remains.

Incomplete miscarriage

An incomplete miscarriage happens when your body only pushes out some of the pregnancy tissue. Symptoms include bleeding, cramping and a dilated cervix. A pregnancy test might still be positive but the fetus is no longer viable. Most of the time an incomplete miscarriage will become complete on its own, but you may need medical intervention to help remove the remaining tissue. An incomplete miscarriage often requires treatment. Medicine or a procedure call dilation and curettage (D&C) is used to clear the tissue from the uterus.

Blighted ovum

A blighted ovum occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn’t develop into an embryo. It is also referred to as an anembryonic (no embryo) pregnancy and is a leading cause of early pregnancy failure or miscarriage. Often it occurs so early that you don’t even know you are pregnant. Your doctor may call this an “anembryonic pregnancy,” and it almost always happens in the first trimester. It means that the fertilized egg attached to the wall of your uterus, and while it may have begun to develop a placenta, it never developed into an embryo.

 

What Does Miscarriage Feel Like?

The amount of pain varies for everyone. Some women feel nothing and don’t even realize it’s happening; others feel a range of aching and cramping, from mild to strong, like a really bad period; and some women experience full-on, painful labor contractions that last for hours or even days.

If the pain is really intense, the bleeding is very heavy (you’re soaking a pad every hour) or the remains of the pregnancy don’t pass completely (an ultrasound will confirm this), your doctor may perform a D&C (dilation and curettage) or, if you’re beyond the 14-week mark, a D&E (dilation and evacuation). Brief surgical procedures will put an end to cramps and bleed and help prevent an infection, which may happen if any of that tissue remains behind in the uterus. Both procedures are typically done in a hospital or surgical center, and you’ll either get local or general anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel anything. Unless there are complications (which are rare), you can usually go home the same day. Expect some strong cramping the first 24 hours after the procedure—that’s totally normal—and then mild cramping and light spotting for a few days up to two weeks. Taking Tylenol or Advil can help alleviate any post-procedure pain.

 

Can stress cause miscarriage?

There’s no evidence that stress directly affects miscarriage risk, but it may play a role. Research shows that a mother’s physical and emotional state—including her fitness level and quality of nutrition—can raise or lower her level of stress sensitivity, potentially influencing everything from fertility and conception to the quality of the placenta and the risk for premature labor. Focusing on nutrition, exercise (approved by your doctor) and mind-body relaxation, especially in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy are best options. But there’s no need to check yourself into a month-long spa retreat (well, unless you want to!). It could be as simple as taking an extra 15 minutes after lunch to listen to some relaxing music, decompress and let your body absorb the nutrients you’ve just eaten.

 

Healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage

 

How soon after a miscarriage can you try to get pregnant again?

It depends on physical and emotional factors. Every case is different, but unless you’ve had other physical complications from your miscarriage, you can usually start trying to conceive once your doctor has given you a green light. Usually can wait until your next normal cycle, anywhere from four to six week. If you want to wait longer that’s totally normal too—give your mind and body the time they need to heal, and you’ll know when you’re ready to try again.

Miscarriage is usually a one-time occurrence. Most women who miscarry go on to have healthy pregnancies after a miscarriage. A small number of women — 1 percent — will have two or more miscarriages. The predicted risk of miscarriage in a future pregnancy remains about 14 percent after one miscarriage.

If the cause of your miscarriages can’t be identified, don’t lose hope. Most women who experience repeated miscarriages are likely to eventually have healthy pregnancies.

 

Symptoms of Miscarriage

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Symptoms of Miscarriage

Numerous environmental and biological effects may cause a number of issues to the developing fetus. A miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is defined as the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, up to 75% of miscarriages happen in the first trimester.

The unhealthy living is unquestionably the greatest enemy of a developing fetus, while there can be much milder or serious medical conditions that can harm the growing baby. For example, smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug use during pregnancy cause extreme damage to the fetus and most frequently result in miscarriages or severely damaged babies. Ultimately, no matter the numerous potential causes, every woman should note when the miscarriage actually takes place.

What is a miscarriage?

Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion, which is defined as the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks, is the most common type of pregnancy loss but there are many different types of miscarriage depending on when and how it happens.

To help with the confusion, here’s a look at the specific meanings behind some different symptoms of miscarriage.

 

Bleeding

Bleeding or spotting is the most common miscarriage sign. Bleeding and pain similar to those during periods can potentially signify that something wrong is occurring in the womb. This is the most basic symptom of a miscarriage, and it’s generally always present, no matter the nature of the cause. Bleeding is somewhat frequent during normal pregnancies as well, but only if this involves a transient spotting. If you’re experiencing symptoms of heavy bleeding, clotting, and/or if you feel dizzy or faint during pregnancy, head to the nearest emergency room.

Extreme pain

Cramping is very common during pregnancy. Some women experience more than just cramping. If you’re having painful contractions 5 to 20 minutes apart, this could be a sign of premature labor.However if the pain is intense and extending to the pelvic area and lower back it could be a warning of miscarriage,

especially if bleeding and labor contractions accompany this. Women that have experienced a miscarriage often say that it was the greatest pain they’ve ever felt.

Chills

Chills with fever or pain can be signs of an infection and should be treated by a health professional. Infection might seriously jeopardize the pregnancy. Chills can accompany heavy bleeding during spontaneous abortion due to resulting low blood pressure which hampers a normal distribution of the blood in the body, and thus, leads to a decreased body temperature.

Cramps

Usually, cramps aren’t a worrying sign, since they can also be experienced during normal pregnancies as the body adjusts to a growing baby. However, a pregnant woman who has heavy period-like cramps that don’t cease quickly should seek a medical advice. Cramping might also present as lower back pain or as pelvic pressure. As with bleeding, persisting cramps after the expulsion of the fetus may orient towards an incomplete abortion. In such case, surgical assistance might be needed to expel all the uterine contents.

Experiencing miscarriage is emotionally challenging and having a family consultation is a good approach to helping to pave the path for next pregnancy. Many parents who have experienced miscarriages use the Fetal dopplers in future pregnancies to give them a sense of reassurance and peace.

How to Hear the Fetal Heartbeat at Home

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How to Hear the Fetal Heartbeat at Home

 

Hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time is a miraculous and exciting moment. Listening to the heartbeat can give doctors important information about your baby’s health and hearing the heartbeat can provide assurance that the baby is growing as she should.

here are several ways to listen to the fetal heartbeat that can be done at home:

 

Use a Stethoscope 

The stethoscope is a common medical tool used to amplify internal noises, especially for your heart and lungs. This trusty device is also good for listening to babies in utero. You can hear the baby’s heartbeat at about 18 to 20 weeks, depending on maternal and fetal factors like the weight of mom, the position of your baby, and the location of the placenta.

 

The Pinard Horn

The Pinard horn is an older fetal listening device. The flat end is placed in the ear of the practitioner while the horn part is used to move around the pregnant mother’s abdomen. This is used to listen directly to the baby through the mother’s body with no use of electricity or power. The Pinard horn can be used from about 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.  It is not as common at prenatal care appointments.

The Fetoscope 

The fetoscope is the modern combination of both the stethoscope and the Pinard horn. It uses the practitioner’s forehead to conduct sound and has a more modern look, is made of metal and plastic compared to the wooden Pinard horn. It does not use ultrasound.he fetoscope is designed to be used on a pregnant mom. The lower end fetoscopes tend to work just as well as the more expensive brands. The main difference between the fetoscope and stethoscope is that most fetoscopes use the forehead to conduct sound to help you hear the baby, often giving better results to the user.

The Fetal Doppler  (Fetal monitor)

Talk to your doctor about what type of exam he will use to hear the heartbeat. Typically, you will first hear the sound when your doctor or technician uses a fetal doppler, which uses sound waves to amplify the heartbeat. You will lie down on an exam table and the doctor will move a small probe on the surface of your stomach. This is a painless procedure and can usually detect the baby’s heartbeat at nine to 10 weeks, sometimes it takes 12 weeks to easily detect it.

Learn the factors that affect the sound

Even when you are using the proper tools, there are many reasons that you may not be able to detect the fetal heartbeat yourself. It’s important to know that things such as the baby’s position and your weight can impact whether or not you will clearly hear a heartbeat. If you feel there is a reason to be concerned, make sure to contact your healthcare provider right away

What is Fetal Doppler?

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All YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A HOME FETAL DOPPLER

Imagine you could listen to baby’s heartbeat anytime you’d like during pregnancy without making a trip to your OB’s office.An exciting proposition, isn’t it? Every expecting couple is bound to feel nervous when they are expecting their little one. It does not matter whether it is their first child or whether they have been through this phase before. What matters the most to every couple is that whether their loved and unborn child is growing safely in the mother’s womb or not.Many expectant mothers worry about the outcome of their pregnancy and the health of their babies on a daily basis.

 

What is a Doppler device?

A Doppler fetal monitor is a hand-held ultrasound transducer used to detect the fetal heartbeat for prenatal care. sometimes referred to as a pocket fetal Doppler. It uses the Doppler effect to provide an audible simulation of the heartbeat. The device sends sound waves through your skin and tissue in search of any movement. When movement is detected, the waves bounce back, creating a pattern, which the fetal Doppler records and plays back for you.

How early can I hear the baby’s heartbeat with a Doppler?

You may be able to hear – and see – your baby’s heartbeat for the first time when you’re about 8 weeks pregnant if you have an early ultrasound exam. Otherwise, you’ll probably first hear baby’s heartbeat with a fetal doppler until 10 to 12 weeks.However,  baby’s heart starts to beat at around 6 weeks.

When can you start using a fetal Doppler?

In some woman, the fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as 8-12 weeks. The fetal heartbeat should be audible 95% of the time in 12-week pregnancies, and nearly 100% of the time after 14 weeks. Earlier in pregnancy, between 8-12 weeks, your success in finding the heart rate can have to do with the quality of your device.

Are fetal dopplers safe for the baby?

When used by a trained health professional, fetal heart Dopplers are entirely safe. But extra attention is needed when used at home.The technology that hand-held Dopplers uses is safe, but it’s how the results are interpreted by some moms that’s the problem. Some mom tends to overstress when they can not spot the heartbeat. As a matter of fact, the fetus on Week 10th-11th is quite tiny. They can easily hide behind mom’s placenta and other organs which in this case spotting the heartbeat is a bit difficult. The moderate use of Dopplers is recommended like twice a week and not using excessively during a session. Expecting moms are recommended to limit the duration to maximum 10 minutes including the time taking to spot the baby.

How does a home fetal doppler work?

Fetal doppler or fetal heart rate monitor is a handheld device which is used to listen to the baby’s heartbeat inside the womb of the mother. Each fetal doppler contains a transducer or a probe which sends out short pulses of ultrasound sound waves into the directed area of the body. Starting in the third trimester (at 28 weeks), you can track fetal movement using kick counts, which time how long it takes a baby to get to 10 movements. Doing kick counts help you to get to know your baby’s unique pattern if you know the baby is moving properly and normally, that’s a sign the baby as well. When a baby is stressed or is being starved of oxygen, he will slow down movement to conserve energy. If you report it to your doctor, professionals can determine what’s wrong, which can have a positive impact on health outcomes.

What is the difference between a doppler and an ultrasound?

Is it easy to confuse a home fetal Doppler monitor with a Doppler ultrasound machine buy the main difference between the two? The Doppler ultrasound used in the doctor’s office tends to use higher-frequency sound waves, making it more accurate and reliable. The version used by doctors also provides imaging, whereas the handheld devices offer only sound.

Can I skip my doctor and Ultrasound appointment and use my home doppler instead?

Absolutely NOT. The use of fetal doppler is not a replacement for the visit to a specialist. There are many other elements that will be examined while visiting the doctor’s office. Also, the Ultrasound appointments are essential as the baby development size is measured and also the visual images on a screen are observed for details.