Can a Woman With PCOS Get Pregnant?
March 4, 2010
One of the most common questions I get from women who are newly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome is "Will I ever get pregnant?" I have not been able to find specific studies regarding fertility and PCOS-likely because it is so hard to track those who are successful in getting pregnant without medical intervention. One source said that women with PCOS have an 80-90 percent chance of having a baby, but I was unable to find any research studies to back this up. While some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will not be able to get pregnant, I believe that the majority can and do eventually have healthy babies.
First, 5-10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS. If their symptoms are mild they are often undiagnosed. If they have even one child, many physicians will say they can not have PCOS. This is ridiculous if you look at the diagnostic criteria. The most common criteria for diagnosis include a failure to ovulate regularly. However, for many women this means they have long cycles (35 days or longer in many cases) but they DO ovulate.
Is a Healthy Pregnancy Possible After Gastric Bypass Surgery?
February 13, 2010
When a woman in the child bearing years undergoes gastric bypass surgery to lose weight one of the first things she will hear from the nay-sayers is that after surgery she cannot have a healthy pregnancy because of presumed nutritional deficiencies. The contrary is true. Morbid obesity results in a high rate of complicated pregnancies and a high rate of miscarriage. Women who become pregnant after achieving weight loss with gastric bypass generally have lower risk pregnancies than morbidly obese women.
The United States Surgeon General lists several reproductive complications associated with pregnancy in women who are obese. Complications include an increased risk of death in both the baby and the mother and increases the risk of maternal high blood pressure by 10 times. In addition to many other complications, women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to have gestational diabetes and problems with labor and delivery.
The Surgeon General concludes that Infants born to women who are obese during pregnancy are more likely to be high birth weight and, therefore, may face a higher rate of Cesarean section delivery and low blood sugar (which can be associated with brain damage and seizures). Obesity during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of birth defects, particularly neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
So You Think You?re Pregnant? A Brief Discussion Of Common Pregnancy Symptoms
January 24, 2010
A baby begins life even before he is born ? from conception until the uterus finally pushes him out of his mother’s body. This is the phenomenon we call pregnancy. It starts when the male sperm unites with the female egg and develops into an embryo. While several women say they can already detect pregnancy from the moment of conception, some see the pregnancy symptoms much later.
As the woman’s body prepares itself for child-bearing, she will notice several changes. The telltale signs of pregnancy include the following:
Absence of menstruation
This is usually the first sign of pregnancy. Take note, though, that it should not always be linked with pregnancy symptoms, as missing your monthly period can also mean some other kind of hormonal imbalance or condition.
Morning sickness
It would be prudent to note that the pregnancy symptom called "morning sickness" does not happen only in the mornings. This feeling of dizziness can happen at any time of the day. The hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy generally trigger bouts of nausea and vomiting. Another related symptom would be constant tiredness, which a possibly pregnant woman experiences even if no physical activity had been performed (but, then, again, it could also be due to improper nutrition).
You Might Be Pregnant If
January 4, 2010
Your breasts are now twice their normal size.
One of the early trademarks of pregnancy are sensitive, sore breasts. This is caused by an increase in the level of hormones. However, this too will pass. Once your rising hormone levels have stabilized and your body adjusts, the tenderness will diminish. You should be feeling much better after the first trimester.
The monthly visitor has failed to visit.
This actually isn’t one of the best signals that you may be pregnant. You may have some spotting due to implantation bleeding (although this is uncommon). Most women notice other symptoms before this one comes along. A pregnancy test is usually your best bet.
You suddenly crave apples and pretzels (or any other unusual food for that matter).
Many women claim to crave certain foods during pregnancy. Food aversions are also very common. You may want to take a pregnancy test if your favorite food no longer lingers for your attention.
Your mornings are often spent over the toilet bowl (morning sickness strikes again).
Most women don’t experience morning sickness until about a month after conception. These peak around 8 to 10 weeks into your pregnancy and then level off in the second trimester. A lucky few escape it completely.
Kegel Exercise for a Healthy Pregnancy
December 15, 2009
With Kegal exercise, your pregnancy can be more comfortable before, during, and after your baby is born. With the proper kegal exercise, you can strengthen the vaginal muscles and allow for smoother pregnancy. Kegal exercises strengthen your pelvic muscles, which become weakened during childbirth. This could lead to bladder control problems.
To find the correct muscles to target, pretend that you are trying to stop urinating. Squeeze those muscles for a few seconds and then relax. Repeat this every few seconds. It’s as simple as that. Nobody even has to know that you’re doing them. Just make sure you breathe while doing the kegal exercises.
It’s important that you don’t overdo your kegel exercise in the first few weeks after birth. Otherwise, you may become very sore. Three sets of ten repetitions per day is probably ideal.
So, What are some other healthy exercises that can be performed during pregnancy? Some of the best ones are listed below.
Swimming: Many doctors and fitness professionals profess that swimming is the safest exercise for pregnant women. Swimming keeps your body tone without stressing your joints. This is a safe cardiovascular exercise that can help keep you toned throughout your pregnancy.
The Stages of Pregnancy
November 26, 2009
There are three distinct stages of pregnancy, called trimesters, each about 13 weeks. The stage of pregnancy, or trimester, is important to your baby’s growth and might be uncomfortable for you. As your body adjusts to the raging hormones of a new pregnancy, you might experience morning sickness and moodiness. Your breasts will swell and you will miss your period. Your baby will grow from a small cluster of cells to an embryo with the beginnings of eyes, ears, fingers and toes. The baby will be able to move his arms and legs. At the end of the first trimester, you may notice that you are “showing” and your doctor may be able to tell you what sex the baby is.
During the second trimester, your belly will grow as the baby does, and you will begin to feel the baby move. You may experience headaches, dizziness and backaches from the changes happening to your body. Luckily, morning sickness has disappeared, but you may begin to retain water. Your baby’s bones are developing and he is covered with a fine layer of hair called lanugo. As your belly expands, you continue to gain weight. Despite this, the second trimester is the time most pregnant women enjoy the most.
Why Shouldnt I Smoke During Pregnancy?
November 8, 2009
There are a lot of good reasons to quit smoking, but isn’t your baby the most compelling? Researchers agree that smoking during pregnancy can be a leading contributor to a range of health problems, both for the mother and the baby.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the amount of nicotine and carbon monoxide, both poisonous, in the mother’s bloodstream. These chemicals restrict the blood vessels and limit the amount of oxygen and nutrients traveling to the placenta, the tissue that nourishes the baby. With less oxygen and nutrients reaching the placenta, the growth of the baby is inhibited. Babies born to smoking mothers are more likely to be premature and, if carried to full term, smaller and underweight. These conditions often mean special care and longer hospital stays for babies born to smoking mothers.
Oxygen deprivation from smoking during pregnancy has been linked to ectopic, or tubal, pregnancies, miscarriages and fetal brain damage. Some studies even suggest smoking can be a contributing factor in sudden infant death syndrome.
Smoking may affect the infant’s blood pressure, and lead to learning and developmental problems, such as Attention Deficit Disorder and mental retardation. Additionally, smokers’ babies tend to have respiratory disorders during childhood, including asthma.
How do I Calculate My Pregnancy Due Date?
October 20, 2009
You’re pregnant! The next question is: When is the baby due? Calculating the pregnancy due date is not complicated. There are several methods to calculate your estimated due date, but we all know that babies have their own timetables and most don’t arrive on the estimated due date.
The age of the developing baby is called the “gestational age.” Since the exact date of conception is seldom known, the date of the mother’s last period is often used to begin calculating when the baby is due. The normal due date is 40 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period
Another way to calculate the pregnancy due date is from conception, if known. Since ovulation and conception usually occur two weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period, the pregnancy due date is 38 weeks from conception.
Probably the most accurate way to confirm the baby’s gestational age and calculate the due date is by confirming one of the above methods with an ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to measure the baby, and these measurements are used to calculate gestational age. This test is non-invasive and can be performed as early as 5-6 weeks after the last menstrual period. The most accurate results are obtained between 8-18 weeks from the beginning of the last menstrual period. The results of the ultrasound, combined with the calculated date from the first day of the last period, provide a relatively firm due date.
How do Pregnancy Tests Work?
September 30, 2009
Pregnancy tests identify a special hormone in the blood or urine produced during pregnancy. This hormone is called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), often referred to as the pregnancy hormone. There are two basic types of pregnancy tests, blood and urine.
Home pregnancy test are primarily urine tests. These are easy to use, private and inexpensive. Most are quick and very accurate, claiming a 99% accuracy rate. Tests can be purchased at drug and discount stores without a prescription. False positives are very rare, but a false negative is possible if the test is done too early for sufficient quantities of HCG in your urine. False negatives can be avoided by waiting until your period is due, or about 2 weeks after you ovulate. Confirming a negative result with a second test a few days or a week later is wise. Always follow a positive result with a trip to your doctor for confirmation and prenatal care.
Medicines containing HCG can cause a false positive on your home test, but most over-the-counter and prescription drugs will not affect test results.
The First Warning Signs of Pregnancy
September 11, 2009
Pregnancy can be exciting or daunting, depending on the circumstances. Do you suspect you’re pregnant? Below are some of the tell-tale first signs of pregnancy.
Most women mark the first missed period as the first sign of pregnancy, but a missed period can be caused by a number of factors. A large change in diet, exercise or stress level can also contribute to a missed period.
Some women experience spotting about two weeks after the first day of the previous period as the first sign of pregnancy. This spotting is caused when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus and is usually very light.
Mood Swings caused by hormonal surges early in pregnancy can be more severe than those experienced during PMS. Often this is the first symptom of pregnancy noticed by family members!
Breast tenderness and enlargement, caused by the breast preparing for breastfeeding is especially common during very early pregnancy, but often disappears after a few weeks. Darkening areolas, or the area around your nipples, occurs soon after conception and may persist throughout the pregnancy.
Fatigue is an early sign of pregnancy, but also a sign of many other conditions.
