Inside pregnancy: Labor and birth

Narrator: In the weeks before birth, your body slows down production of the hormone progesterone while increasing production of other hormones – including prostaglandins, which soften the cervix, and oxytocin, which triggers the uterine muscles to contract.

True labor contractions are rhythmic and painful, and grow consistently stronger. As the long vertical muscle bands of the uterus tighten, they pull the cervix open. The strong muscles at the top of the uterus push down and release, guiding your baby toward the cervix.

The mucus plug, a collection of thickened cervical mucus that's sealed your cervix shut for nine months, may be expelled days before or in the midst of labor.
When the amniotic sac ruptures, your water has broken. It can feel like a trickle or a gush of fluid.
Your cervix will begin opening and thinning, known as dilation and effacement.

Once you reach about 4 centimeters, your body will move into active labor.
In active labor, contractions become stronger and closer together. At 8 centimeters, you enter what many consider the most painful part of labor – transition.
By 10 centimeters, you're fully dilated and may feel the urge to push. This is your signal that the second stage of labor has begun.

Your baby will move down with each contraction. The three separate soft bones of his head will temporarily overlap so he can pass through the snug birth canal.
Your baby's scalp will come into view. When the widest part of his head is visible, your baby is "crowning." With several more pushes, your baby's face, shoulders, and body will emerge.
In the third and final stage of labor, your placenta detaches and is expelled.
With your baby's first breath, the incredible journey of birth is complete.

Things To Stop Before Pregnancy

Things To Stop Before Pregnancy

Are you looking forward to get pregnant and start a new family with your husband? If yes, then you need to take a few precautions to make sure that your pregnancy period goes well.
There are various things that you might be doing currently and you need to stop those activities immediately. Things like alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco are extremely toxic, and they can prove too poisonous for you and the foetus. If you have any such bad habits and trying to conceive, then read the following points to know more about the ill-effects of such habits.

Quit Smoking Immediately

If you have been smoking cigarettes or tobacco in any other form, then stopping it before pregnancy is the most ideal thing to do. Smoking raises the chances for miscarriage, untimely birth and low-birth-weight. Furthermore, it also expands the likelihood of your child developing issues later on, such as asthma.

If you think that you can't stop, in that case, at least make an attempt to reduce the quantity of cigarettes you smoke, and take additional care to eat well. Your gynecologist can give you helpful tips on the most effective method to stop or decrease smoking cigarettes. Even if you're not a smoker, keep in mind that long exposure to second-hand smoke is likewise unsafe.

Important Note: Remember, it's important for you to find the most experienced gynec for your treatment, and for that you need to make a list of the best female gynecologists, and then get more information about them.

Say No To Alcohol

Pregnant moms are strongly advised to stay away from any form of liquor. If you drink, the foetus becomes more exposed to risks such as infections, birth defects, infant mortality, and growth inadequacies.

Infants born to women who frequently consume liquor may suffer from physical and intellectual damage, a health issue known as FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).

Since it isn't known whether there is a safe least amount of liquor which can be consumed without involving any risk, it is better to stay away from liquor completely during your pregnancy period. By deciding not to consume alcohol while you're pregnant, you increase the infant's chances of having a healthy life.

Use Medicines Cautiously

It's also crucial to practice caution when it comes to intake of medicines. Some generally utilised medications, including non recommended drugs as aspirin, and even other common medicines, have been connected to birth abnormalities. This is why it becomes so important to find the best gynec.

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How To Get Pregnant Even If A Woman Has PCOS

How To Get Pregnant Even If A Woman Has PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a typical female endocrine issue and is one of the main reasons behind infertility. Regardless of the possibility that you have PCOS, you can get pregnant naturally after receiving proper treatment.

Females who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have a tendency to become obese and they stop ovulating (anovulation) as well. This can result in irregular or zero menstrual cycles. To determine the illness, a pelvic ultrasound is done that uncovers ovaries containing numerous small cysts.

No need to worry! Even if you're suffering from PCOS, a lot of things can be done to raise the possibility of conceiving naturally. Here are a few tips that can help you to pregnant easily.

Tip #1 - Get In Shape! Lose Excess Weight
If you're obese, then losing some weight should be first and foremost step. One research demonstrated that losing as meagre as 5% of your body weight can enhance your odds of conceiving without any need of medical supervision.

Tip #2 - Eat Cinnamon Regularly
Cinnamon spice has the power to enhance your insulin resistance. A recent study demonstrated that females with PCOS who ate a 1 gram of cinnamon a day fundamentally enhanced their insulin resistance power within two months. Different researches have demonstrated that regular utilization of cinnamon assisted in slow digestion, which would direct the increase of glucose levels after eating.

Tip #3 - Eat Some Millet
Many people have simply no idea what millet is. It is a whole grain that is wheat and gluten free and found in a store or marketplace near your home. It has often been termed as the 'fertility wonder grain'. Since it enables to adjust glucose and insulin levels, it can assist to keep your hormones in balance. However, you need to be extra careful before consuming it, since millet is known to contain a compound that meddles with the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, if you've a thyroid condition, then you'll need to exchange millet with different other grains.

Tip #4 - Stay Away From Too Much Carbohydrate
Avoid carbohydrates such as white bread and other processed food items made of white flour and sugar since they trigger an insulin reaction. Rather, include complex carbohydrates, for example, whole grain items, beans or green vegetables in your diet. Consult renowned gynecologists and get a proper food chart of food items that you've to eat to stay healthy.

Tip #5 - Exercise Regularly
Increase your physical activity to at least 4 to 6 hours every week spread over various days. Studies have demonstrated that this level of activity alongside sensible eating can enhance the quality of hormone in females with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is credited to a reduction in the amount of fat around the stomach, which may enhance insulin sensitivity and thus re-establish natural menstrual cycle.

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Interesting Facts About PCOS And Pregnancy

Interesting Facts About PCOS And Pregnancy

You'll be surprised to know that PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is one of the major reasons behind infertility among women these days.

Statistically, it affects more than 20% of women in the age group of 20 to 50. Another extra 30% of females may experience the ill effects of some symptoms of PCOS in spite of the fact that they may not be diagnosed to have the disorder.

What Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Females experiencing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have cysts, or liquid filled sacs on their ovaries. Women suffering from this problem will have ovaries that will be 1.5 to 3 times bigger than normal ovaries. PCOS can have negative impacts on the normal reproductive functions like the menstrual cycle and fertility.

What causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
The real reason behind the occurrence of PCOS remains a secret in spite of the fact that this disorder has been discovered long back. Likely explanations of this disorder incorporate hereditary elements and diabetes. This is on the grounds that most females who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have high insulin levels as well.

A few researches have likewise shown a connection between Valproate, a drug recommended for Seizure and this Syndrome. This drug may lead to or increase the side effects of PCOS. But it has not been proven yet whether PCOS is influenced by epilepsy or the Valproate.
PCOS And Pregnancy.

There's no need to lose hope because females with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can get pregnant naturally. However, the rate of miscarriages or premature deliveries in such women is usually higher. More than 50% of females with PCOS have the danger of miscarriage or delivery.

Infertility is another problem experienced by females suffering from this Syndrome. Barrenness might be because of high hormone, insulin, or glucose levels. These can meddle with implantation and growth of the embryo. Imbalanced insulin levels can likewise add to poor egg quality, consequently making pregnancy more difficult.

How To Cure PCOS And Become Pregnant?
If you're willing to fight and cure Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, then you should begin by following a healthy eating regimen. Females with this syndrome must maintain a distance from too much sugar consumption since this can disturb the disorder.

Salt should likewise be consumed with some restraint. It is additionally important to avoid consumption of carbohydrates and refined sugars in your diet. Consumption of whole grains is exceptionally beneficial to fight this condition. For more valuable information about PCOS and pregnancy, you can visit a female gynecologists.

Most gynecologists prescribe to settle the hormone balance in order to support fertility and help in ovulation. If you're really looking forward to conceiving then you need to consult gynaecologists before taking any medicine to cure your PCOS problem.

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Sleep Problem During Pregnancy

Sleep Problem During Pregnancy

Some of the symptoms of pregnancy caused by hormonal changes and other factors can lead to some sleep disturbance or reduction in quality of sleep. However, despite the fact that some of the causes of sleep disturbance during pregnancy is beyond your control, there are certain sleeping tips that you should apply to sleep better during pregnancy. Below are some of the pregnancy sound sleeping tips that you should apply.

Supporting your back and tummy with an extra pillow

You can enhance the quality of your sleep by putting a pillow between your legs. This will not only make sleeping by the side easier, it will also provide support to the lower back. If you are suffering from indigestion also known as acid reflux, you should try to raise your torso with a wedge pillow. By sleeping with a wedge pillow, which raises your torso up, you, will bring the gravitational force against the movement of the stomach acid up to the esophagus.

Going on the right diet

There are some foods, which induce sound sleep. You should meet with a dietician to recommend such foods for you. Your dietary plan should include foods rich in carbohydrates such as crackers and bread. You should also consume protein-giving foods. They will do you many good and help you to have sound sleep. This is because protein foods prevent hot flashes, bad dreams, headaches and help you to keep your blood sugar levels in balance.

Drink lot of water

You should drink enough fluid in order to avoid dehydration. However, it is recommended that you drink more water during the morning hour. Do not drink much water during evening. As you know, pregnancy is associated with frequent urination that leads to more bathroom breaks during the nighttime. This implies that you have frequent sleep interruption that is not good for a sound sleep. Therefore, if you drink more water during the evening time, it will make you to urinate more frequently during the night.

Stop smoking and alcohol consumption

Nicotine contained in cigarettes and alcoholic beverages are not good to your baby. But they can also cause impaired sleep. Though alcohol can quickly induce sleep but it is a diuretic and so it will disrupt your sleep. Nicotine will keep you awake because it is a stimulant. You should also avoid or reduce your consumption of any other diuretic drinks or drinks that contain caffeine.

Do not over eat

Avoid eating too much or consuming spicy or acidic foods for dinner. The ideal is to eat small portions frequently. You should also eat at least one hour before going to bed.

Do exercise

Regular exercise will do you some good and help you to have sound sleep.

Have a good sleeping environment

Your mattress and bed should be good and comfortable. Make sure that you dress your bed properly and that your bedroom temperature is normal so that you will have comfortable sleep.

Have a good sleeping schedule

Practice sleeping and waking up at a particular time.



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Abnormal Bleeding After Pregnancy

Abnormal Bleeding After Pregnancy

Waiting for the baby to be born during the nine months of pregnancy is not quite an easy thing. The woman's body normally undergoes a lot of changes, not to mention all the anxiety, stress and emotions.
Once the baby is born and pregnancy ends, a completely new life starts for you. When it comes to vaginal bleeding, lochia is something that follows birth. This discharge helps the body eliminate all the supportive tissue left in the uterus.
There is nothing for you to worry about. However, sometimes bleeding after pregnancy occurs and even medical treatment may be needed in order to stop the blood flow.

Any abnormal blood loss from the uterus occurring immediately after birth is known as postpartum hemorrhage. After pregnancy, it usually occurs within the first 24 hours after giving birth. It can occur at any point during the first 12 weeks after giving birth.
Signs and symptoms of abnormal bleeding after pregnancy
Making the difference between normal lochia and abnormal bleeding is sometimes a hard thing to do. If you notice the presence of red blood even after a week following delivery, this could be a sign of abnormal vaginal bleeding.
If you notice a presence of fever or chills, this might be a sign of abnormal vaginal bleeding too. Any change in the odor of the lochia is another sign of abnormal bleeding, as normal lochia shouldn't have a bad smell.
If you need to change the sanitary napkin every hour then you are probably bleeding more than normally, another indication of abnormal bleeding after pregnancy. Late postpartum hemorrhage is also possible, occurring even after one month of giving birth.
What causes abnormal bleeding after pregnancy?
After birth, if the blood vessels that supported the placenta don't close off properly, bleeding may occur. Normally the uterus should start contracting immediately after the delivery, closing this way the blood vessels.
If this does not occur, then the blood vessels can't close off properly. Prolonged labor, the use of certain medications during labor and delivery or even too much stretching of the uterus from the amniotic fluid can cause problems.
It can cause problems with the uterine contraction after birth, causing abnormal bleeding. The main problem with abnormal bleeding after pregnancy is the loss of blood. It is a serious and even life-threatening problem if not diagnosed and treated on time.
Other less severe complications include anemia, low blood pressure, etc. If postpartum hemorrhage stopped correctly after birth, it can start again at any point during the first month following birth.
Further blood loss is always possible during the first 6 weeks of recovery after childbirth.
Risk factors for abnormal bleeding after pregnancy
Some women have an increased risk of abnormal bleeding after pregnancy than others. Risk factors include:

• Placental abruption,

• Placenta increta, percreta, or accrete,

• Placenta previa,

• Retained placenta,

• Uterine atony,

• Uterine rupture,

• Uterine inversion,

• Lacerations during delivery,

• C-section,

• Using medications during pregnancy to stop preterm labor,

• Using medications to induce labor,

• Prolonged labor,

• Quick labor,

• Getting general anesthesia during C-section,

• Obesity,

• Preeclampsia,

• Gestational hypertension,

• Chorioamnionitis,

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation,

• Willebrand disease,

• Having had abnormal bleeding after pregnancy in the past,

• Being Asian or Hispanic, etc.

How is abnormal bleeding after pregnancy treated?

First of all, it is very important to identify abnormal uterine bleeding occurring immediately after delivery. Once diagnosed, the doctor or midwife will try stimulating uterine contractions by massaging the uterus and trying this way to stop the bleeding. An administration of synthetic oxytocin is also recommended. Synthetic oxytocin is a hormone that promotes uterine contractions.

If these methods don't help and the bleeding is not controlled, a compression of the arteries that supply the uterus is the next step. Checking the uterus for any cuts, tears, or remaining of any pieces of the placenta is also a must, which could be causing a continued loss of blood after pregnancy. Hysterectomy and laparotomy are necessary in cases when no other conservative treatment methods have worked to control the bleeding and stop it.

Prevention of abnormal bleeding after pregnancy
Often problems during pregnancy or during delivery and after childbirth can be prevented by a close monitoring of the pregnant woman. Regular ultrasound examinations and physical examinations can identify any problem. It can also prepare the healthcare provider and you for any complications. However, it is not always possible to identify bleeding after pregnancy or prevent it.

A close monitoring of the woman for the first hour following birth is a must. This way your doctor or midwife will be able to identify and treat the abnormal bleeding on time. As mentioned, if not diagnosed and treated on time abnormal bleeding after pregnancy is a life-threatening condition. This is especially true if the bleeding occurring immediately after birth. Luckily, this kind of issues after pregnancy occurs rarely.
Only 1 to 5 women of 100 women may develop it after pregnancy.

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Leg Cramps During Pregnancy | 7 Effective Remedies

Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Leg cramps are quite common during pregnancy. Most women experience it in the third trimester. Reports reveal that nearly half of all pregnant women suffer from muscle spasms especially in their legs. These women have also reported that cramping becomes more frequent during the evening.

One of the major causes is excess weight gained by women during this period. The legs carry all of this weight and this overburden cause spasms/cramps. Additionally, changes in body circulation also cause this issue. Other common reasons include pressure from the growing baby that gets placed on the nerves and blood vessels traveling to legs. The growing uterus also adds to the pressure on veins in the leg. Pregnancy hormones and nutrition deficiency are some other reasons.
Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to get relief from leg cramps. Here are 7 effective remedies for leg cramps during pregnancy:

1. Warm water bath
Go for a warm water bath with Epsom salt. This is one of the best ways to ease leg pain effectively. It will relax you and reduces stress levels. At the same time, this bath will also relieve the tension in your muscles.

2. Cold Pack
Wrap some ice cubes taken straight from the refrigerator and apply on affected areas. You may also use an ice pack and apply it on cramped muscle.

3. Get Some ME Time Are you getting enough ME time? If no, then try to indulge in activities that take away your stress. Read a book or explore creative hobbies. Go for a movie, shopping, gardening, or do anything that keeps you happy.

4. Massage and Stretch
Massaging your calf gently will help. Ask your partner or a professional to give you a soothing massage. Flexing your foot will also give relief. Lift your toes up and push your heel out. Do not point your toe. This can exacerbate cramping and even make it worse. Stand on a hard floor and lift toes to stretch calf muscle will relieve cramping. Make sure you hold onto something for balance.

5. Increase Water Intake
Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Studies have revealed that lack of sodium leads to serious muscle contractions.

6. Apply Heat
Yes, application of local heat will help. Place heated water bags, gel packs or towel dipped into hot water and then squeezed.

7. Practice Yoga
Certain yoga poses are said to help during pregnancy cramps. Try out the hip rotation pose in the second trimester. The modified standing squat pose also helps. These are meant for strengthening muscles and lower body. Make sure you take help of a professional.
Lifestyle and health is a high-quality resource base which provides systematic guidance, awareness and natural/home remedies on various health-related issues.

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Enjoy Happy Stages of Birth

Once pregnant, women have generally advised a list of a specific set of dos and don'ts by everyone. Interestingly, many of these are simply in Stages of birth myths.
Here are 10 myths that you never knew and enjoy happy Stages of birth:

Myth 1: Really Sick? You may have Twins
Debunked - If you are feeling sick more than usual, it does NOT indicate the possibility of having twins. Sometimes it may be due to higher levels of hormone HCG.

Myth 2: Pregnant Women should not have Seafood
Debunked - Eating fish in good quantity is very good for pregnant women. Seafood is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Having fish low in mercury levels during pregnancy will produce smarter babies. Studies reveal that mothers who ate at least 12 ounces of seafood in a week while expecting had babies with higher verbal IQ. These babies also showed superior social, better motor skills, and communication skills.

Myth 3: Belly Position Determines Baby's Gender:
Debunked - The old wives' tale is not true. Baby's gender has nothing to do with belly positions. Each woman is different and carries her baby differently. Gender of the baby has nothing to do with it.

Myth 4: You are Moodier than Normal for a Reason
Debunked - If you are moodier than normal, it is not because you are pregnant with a girl. This might be excess stress or hormones playing crazy. Meditate and let your doctor know about it.

Myth 5 - It is OK to Have a drink
Debunked - Abstaining from alcohol is a personal choice. However, studies state that drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Hence, it is advised that pregnant woman should completely abstain from alcohol.

Myth 6: Low Heartbeat indicates it is a Boy!
Debunked - NO! All claims that a baby's heartbeat lower than 140 beats per minute makes it a boy are false. The doctor will let you know the real reason.

Myth 7: You are eating for two!
Debunked - The excess cravings and trips to refrigerators at night are not because you need to eat for two. Pregnant women only need 300 extra calories in a day. So make sure you do not gain more than 25 to 35 pounds.

Myth 8: Heartburn Means the Baby has MORE Hair on Scalp!
Debunked - The hair growth of a newborn baby depends a lot on the genetic make-up of the child, and not related in any way, to heartburn the mother suffers during pregnancy. The growing weight of the fetus often leads to pushing the digestive apparatus upwards towards the cardiac sphincter, leading to acid formation. This is the reason for hyper-acidity and not baby hair. Suffice it to say, many women with terrific heart-burns have given birth to hairless babies, and many women with nay heartburn have had children with heavy hairs on their heads.

Myth 9 - certain types of Foods affect Baby's complexion
Debunked - This is NOT true. There is no science to support this baseless claim. The older and 'wiser' women around you will push you to drink a lot of coconut water or milk dipped in saffron overnight to have a fair baby. However, only the genes play a vital role in determining the baby's complexion. Some may even warn you against having iron supplements as they may make baby's skin dark. However, food or medications do not have any effect on the complexion of the baby.

Myth 10 - Stress is bad for the Fetus
Debunked - Latest research has revealed that a moderate level of stress does not do any harm to the baby. In fact, it is actually good for the fetus! It will tone the nervous system of the feature and speed up its development. Women who have experienced moderate stress during pregnancy have been reported of having 2 weeks old infants with their brains working at a faster speed than those whose mothers did not take any stress. In another study, the 2-year old toddlers born from mothers who took moderate stress were found to have a higher motor and mental development scores.

End Note - It is very common for moms-to-be to fall prey to these silly myths. These should not be paid heed to. Expectant mothers are advised not to give in to temptations of tackling the Stages of birth myths and consult their doc for right guidance.
Lifestyle and health is a high-quality resource base which provides systematic guidance, awareness and natural/home remedies on various health-related issues.

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