Morning Sickness is a combination of nausea and vomiting. This is the common problem in the early months largely due to various changes in hormone production. It may be able to control morning sickness by making a simple changes in the diet of a pregnant mothers.
Eating crackers, dried fruits, or boiled sweets potatoes should help to coat her stomach in the early morning and reduce gastric discomfort. Eating small but frequent meals can also alleviate the symptoms.
Expectants mothers may also feel bothered by an increase in saliva, known as pytalism, which will add to the feeling of nausea she may have. Chewing gum may provide some relief.
As you purely heard, many pregnant women craving for strange foods. No one really knows why such cravings develop, but these foods do not harm the unborn child, and they may supply some special nutrients.
Another problem is heartburn, which is often caused by pressure on the stomach from the uterus and by relaxation of the valve between esophagus and stomach. Mothers to be also, bothered by stomach and intestinal gas. The answer here is to avoid gas producing foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, and beans.
Constipation and Diarrhea
Also related to food problems are two further discomfort: constipation and diarrhea. Pregnant women can relieve constipation by drinking more fluids and eating more fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables. Bowel changes may also cause diarrhea in this case, eating bland foods such as rice, potatoes, scrambled eggs, and bananas.
Frequent urination
Most of the pregnant women urinate more frequently because of the pressure on her uterus on her bladder. Pregnant women are require to drink lots of water to avoid to prevent the risk of urinary infection. This happen because the hormones and the enlarge uterus can slow the passage of urine.
Urinary tract infections are common during pregnancy, probably because the enlarging uterus slows the flow of urine by pressing against the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (ureters). When urine flow is slow, bacteria may not be flushed out of the urinary tract, increasing the risk of an infection. These infections increase the risk of preterm labor and premature rupture of the membranes containing the fetus. Sometimes an infection in the bladder or ureters spreads up the urinary tract and reaches a kidney, causing an infection too.
Extreme tiredness may experience of the pregnant women during pregnancy. Enough sleep and nap are required to cope with the extreme tiredness and fatigue.
In the second to third trimester of pregnancy woman will experience leg cramps and swollen ankles. Doctors do not know the exact cause of leg cramps but think it may be related to changes into the blood circulation. Another common problem is varicose veins, prominent knotted veins on the surface of the legs especially the calves.
Preeclampsia
It usually develops between the 20th week of pregnancy and the end of the first week after delivery. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown. But it is more common among women who are pregnant for the first time, who are carrying two or more fetuses, who have had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy, who already have high blood pressure or a blood vessel disorder, or who have sickle cell disease. It is also more common among girls aged 15 and younger and among women aged 35 and older.
Anemia
Most pregnant women have an iron deficiency and develop it to some degree of anemia. Women should double the iron intake when she is pregnant. Iron is needed in making red blood cells in the fetus. Intake of iron pills are advisable by the physicians to prevented iron deficiency anemia. Iron is needed also in brain development of the fetus. When iron is lacking the risk of pretem labor is increased.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Problems And Disorders During Pregnancy
Women can develop disorders during pregnancy that increase the risk of problems for the pregnant woman and/or the fetus. In this article you will read about a few of those disorders which include:
• High fever
• Infections
• Disorders that require abdominal surgery
Examples of disorders more likely to occur during pregnancy because of the changes pregnancy cause in a woman's body include:
• Thromboembolic disease
• Anemia
• Urinary tract infections
Fevers in Pregnant Women
If a pregnant woman develops a temperature greater than 103 degrees F during the 1st trimester, risk of miscarriage and defects of the brain or spinal cord in the baby are increased. If a pregnant woman develops fever later in pregnancy it can increase the risk of preterm labor.
Infections in Pregnant Women
There are some infections that occur coincidentally during pregnancy that can cause birth defects. Examples are:
• German measles (rubella) that can cause birth defects especially of the heart and inner ear
• Cytomegalovirus infection can damage the fetus's liver and brain
Other viral infections that may harm the fetus or cause birth defects include:
• Herpes simplex
• Chickenpox (varicella)
Protozoal infections that may cause miscarriage, death of fetus or serious birth defects include:
• Toxoplasmosis
Bacterial infections of the vagina that may lead to preterm labor or premature rupture of the membranes containing the fetus include:
• Bacterial vaginosis
Treatment of infections with antibiotics may reduce the likelihood of these problems.
Disorders that require surgery during pregnancy are usually delayed as long as possible unless the woman's long-term health may be affected. Examples are:
• Appendicitis: Surgery to remove the appendix is performed immediately because a ruptured appendix may be fatal. An appendectomy is not likely to harm the fetus or cause a miscarriage. The problem lies with diagnosing appendicitis during pregnancy because the cramping pain of appendicitis resembles uterine contractures that are common during pregnancy.
• Ovarian cyst: If an ovarian cyst persists during pregnancy, surgery is usually postponed until after the 12th week of pregnancy. Sometimes the cyst producing hormones supports the pregnancy and will disappear without treatment. If the cyst or another mass enlarges, surgery may be necessary before the 12th week. A mass such as this may be cancer.
• Intestinal obstruction: This can be serious during pregnancy. If the obstruction leads to gangrene of the intestine and peritonitis, a woman may miscarry and her life is endangered. Exploratory surgery is usually performed promptly for pregnant women experiencing symptoms of intestinal obstruction. This is especially true if the woman has had abdominal surgery or an abdominal infection.
• Thromboembolic Disease: Is the leading cause of death in pregnant women in the United States. This disease manifests itself with blood clots forming in the blood vessels that may travel through the bloodstream and block an artery. There is risk of developing thromboembolic disease for about 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. Complications due to blood clots usually result from injuries that occur during delivery. This risk is much greater after a cesarean section than after vaginal delivery.
Blood clots usually form in the superficial veins of the legs or in the deep veins. Symptoms include:
• Swelling
• Pain in the calves
• Tenderness in the calves
Severity of symptoms does not correlate with the severity of the disease. If a clot moves from the legs to the lungs it may block one or more arteries in the lungs. The blockage is called pulmonary embolism and can be life threatening. If a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, a stroke may result. Blood clots can also develop in the pelvis area.
Blood clots can be prevented from forming in women who have had a blood clot during a previous pregnancy. Heparin (an anticoagulant) during subsequent pregnancies helps prevent blood clots.
Women who have symptoms suggesting a blood clot are often given a Doppler ultrasonography to check for clots. Heparin can be started without delay if a blood clot is detected. Treatment continues for 6 to 8 weeks after delivery if the risk of blood clots is high. After delivery, there are other drugs that may be used.
• High fever
• Infections
• Disorders that require abdominal surgery
Examples of disorders more likely to occur during pregnancy because of the changes pregnancy cause in a woman's body include:
• Thromboembolic disease
• Anemia
• Urinary tract infections
Fevers in Pregnant Women
If a pregnant woman develops a temperature greater than 103 degrees F during the 1st trimester, risk of miscarriage and defects of the brain or spinal cord in the baby are increased. If a pregnant woman develops fever later in pregnancy it can increase the risk of preterm labor.
Infections in Pregnant Women
There are some infections that occur coincidentally during pregnancy that can cause birth defects. Examples are:
• German measles (rubella) that can cause birth defects especially of the heart and inner ear
• Cytomegalovirus infection can damage the fetus's liver and brain
Other viral infections that may harm the fetus or cause birth defects include:
• Herpes simplex
• Chickenpox (varicella)
Protozoal infections that may cause miscarriage, death of fetus or serious birth defects include:
• Toxoplasmosis
Bacterial infections of the vagina that may lead to preterm labor or premature rupture of the membranes containing the fetus include:
• Bacterial vaginosis
Treatment of infections with antibiotics may reduce the likelihood of these problems.
Disorders that require surgery during pregnancy are usually delayed as long as possible unless the woman's long-term health may be affected. Examples are:
• Appendicitis: Surgery to remove the appendix is performed immediately because a ruptured appendix may be fatal. An appendectomy is not likely to harm the fetus or cause a miscarriage. The problem lies with diagnosing appendicitis during pregnancy because the cramping pain of appendicitis resembles uterine contractures that are common during pregnancy.
• Ovarian cyst: If an ovarian cyst persists during pregnancy, surgery is usually postponed until after the 12th week of pregnancy. Sometimes the cyst producing hormones supports the pregnancy and will disappear without treatment. If the cyst or another mass enlarges, surgery may be necessary before the 12th week. A mass such as this may be cancer.
• Intestinal obstruction: This can be serious during pregnancy. If the obstruction leads to gangrene of the intestine and peritonitis, a woman may miscarry and her life is endangered. Exploratory surgery is usually performed promptly for pregnant women experiencing symptoms of intestinal obstruction. This is especially true if the woman has had abdominal surgery or an abdominal infection.
• Thromboembolic Disease: Is the leading cause of death in pregnant women in the United States. This disease manifests itself with blood clots forming in the blood vessels that may travel through the bloodstream and block an artery. There is risk of developing thromboembolic disease for about 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. Complications due to blood clots usually result from injuries that occur during delivery. This risk is much greater after a cesarean section than after vaginal delivery.
Blood clots usually form in the superficial veins of the legs or in the deep veins. Symptoms include:
• Swelling
• Pain in the calves
• Tenderness in the calves
Severity of symptoms does not correlate with the severity of the disease. If a clot moves from the legs to the lungs it may block one or more arteries in the lungs. The blockage is called pulmonary embolism and can be life threatening. If a clot blocks an artery supplying the brain, a stroke may result. Blood clots can also develop in the pelvis area.
Blood clots can be prevented from forming in women who have had a blood clot during a previous pregnancy. Heparin (an anticoagulant) during subsequent pregnancies helps prevent blood clots.
Women who have symptoms suggesting a blood clot are often given a Doppler ultrasonography to check for clots. Heparin can be started without delay if a blood clot is detected. Treatment continues for 6 to 8 weeks after delivery if the risk of blood clots is high. After delivery, there are other drugs that may be used.
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