Dr. Steven Ory, of IVF Florida Reproductive Associates and an associate clinical professor at the University of Miami asserted that healthy life style alone is not enough to protect you from infertility although, people who have unhealthy style of living are more prone to infertility. Some doctors have given obvious reasons for the mounting problem of infertility in the US. They said that either it is because of the woman’s ill health or is a problem with a man’s sperm. Doctors have postulated that the growing trend of conceiving late too is a reason for not having a baby. They have particularly specified the maternal age in the case. Talking about the woman’s fertility, they asserted that it starts to decline around the age of twenty seven due to depletion and aging of eggs. For those under 30, it’s estimated that the chance of getting pregnant in any one cycle is 20 percent to 30 percent and by the age of forty, it falls to 5 percent. But it’s not just women who need to pay attention to the ticking of the clock; men too are a part of the study. Men over 35 are twice as likely to be infertile as those under 25. Studies also are showing that, as with older women, older men are more likely to have children with birth defects due to the decreased genetic quality of their sperm. Lifestyle factors Now, beyond the issue of age, certain lifestyle factors too are responsible that affect a man’s and woman’s fertility. First of all, doctors have recommended shunning smoking since it is linked to miscarriage and is instrumental in deteriorating woman’s eggs more rapidly. The habit can significantly lower a man’s sperm count, too. Then the doctors have advised to reduce weight in case you are obese because it creates hormonal imbalances, preventing women from ovulating normally and affecting men’s sperm production too. Study available in the European journal Human Reproduction has revealed that when both partners in a couple are overweight or obese, they’re more likely to have to wait longer before successfully conceiving a child. Diet Recent research by Dr. Jorge Chavarro, a research fellow in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, has revealed that drinking whole fat milk and eating ice cream may be better for women trying to get pregnant than low-fat dairy products. Off course plenty of fruits and veggies are a must. Image Read
Vitamin D is a must in pregnancy!
Recent research done by Armin Malter of Germany’s Professional Association of Gynaecologists, has revealed that ingesting of vitamin D in pregnancy may prove as an antidote against the development of certain diseases, which a baby is prone to have later in life, such as ‘such as diabetes and thyroid problems’. Malter said that there is a deficiency of vitamin D in pregnant women as their unborn child develops in the womb. Hence, they are advised to consume diet, which is rich in vitamin D, like fatty fish like salmon, tuna, milk, eggs etc. The easiest way to obtain vitamin D is by sunlight, thus, Malter suggests that women must take enough sunlight during pregnancy to boost the production of the vitamin. However, the body’s skin does become more sensitive during pregnancy and excessive sun bathing should be avoided. Only use vitamin D supplements that contain the daily recommended dosage. Taking too much of the vitamin can lead to nausea, vomiting and in the worst case to an irregular heart beat. Image Read
What can you do for morning sickness?
Pregnancy is the most wonderful phase in a woman’s life, however, it brings certain uneasiness along with it. It is estimated that approximately 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women experience discomfort from the nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy, so you are definitely not alone in this journey you are traveling. Morning sickness, which can actually occur at any time of the day, can really dampen your excitement about being pregnant. Here are a few tips that might help you in relieving you from the situation: 1. Prefer eating in smaller amounts than voracious eating. 2. Drinking liquids only between meals and not with meals is beneficial for reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy for many women. 3. Avoid taking greasy, fried, and spicy food they often result in substantial bouts of morning sickness. 4. Odors that seem foul or unpleasant many times led to uncomfortable attacks of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, if you can do keep away from them as well. 5. Do take plenty of rest before excessive tiredness arises it’ll help in decreasing nausea and vomiting. Tip: Many pregnant women find keeping a package of saltine crackers at their bedside and eating a few before getting up is an effective method of relieving and reducing the severity of their morning sickness symptoms. If these tips don’t give you relief from morning sickness, your doctor may have other ideas. Keep in mind that morning sickness doesn’t mean your baby is sick. Image Read
U.S. Supreme Court upholds ban on abortion procedure
In a decision that’s likely to dominate politics today — perhaps more than the Virginia Tech shootings — the US Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote, has upheld the nationwide ban on the so-called ‘partial-birth’ abortion procedure. Supreme Court of the US has supported the nation wide ban on abortion, an issue which was put under criticism for months. The decision, by a five-to-four vote, marks the first time the nation’s highest court has upheld a federal law banning a specific abortion procedure since its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973 that women have a basic constitutional right to an abortion. The opponents of the act have not demonstrated that the Act would be unconstitutional in a large fraction of relevant cases, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. Abortion-rights activists have advocated that at times the practice is safe for women and that such an act could threaten most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, although government lawyers and others who favor the ban asserted that there are alternative, more widely used procedures that remain legal. It has been expected that the act would prompt efforts at the state level to place more restrictions on abortions. Grim figures postulate that nearly a million abortions are carried out in the US yearly and 90 % of those occur within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Six federal courts however have stated the act as an impermissible restriction on a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion. Read
Pregnant women should avoid sun rays
According to the scientists — pregnant women should stay away from the hot sun rays, mostly during the first trimester of their pregnancy. A new study has reported that the pregnant women are very sensitive to high temperatures. The study is conducted by the researchers from the University of Bristol. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have raised this warning on the basis of this new study. In this recent study, the scientists discovered that if pregnant women are exposed to high temperatures during initial stages of their pregnancy, than it could lead to low birth weight of the baby. The researchers have raised the warning that as babies grow fast during the first trimester, and pregnant females are very sensitive to high temperatures, and so if they stay out in the sun light this could be harmful for them and make them feel unwell. Females during the initial stages of their pregnancy period in the summer season should take care of their health and they should also be aware about the risk of temperature rise on their health during pregnancy. Pregnant females should try to stay in the home and avoid sun rays between 10am and 4pm. Pregnant females always try to wear loose cloths, drink lot water, fresh fruit juices and eat healthy balanced diet in required amount and thus by doing all these they can keep themselves fit. Pregnant mothers should not stay in sun, always wear loose cloths, avoid dehydration and eat good healthy fresh foods and always do some light exercises so that there is no affect on the body temperature and also it doesn’t put exertion on them.
Victoria: Budget to deliver aid for new moms
In order to provide resources and support across maternity hospitals around Victoria, the Bracks Government has proposed funding of $53 million. Mr Bracks said the number of births had increased by 5 per cent over recent years and personified it as ‘a mini baby boom’. He said more than $35 million of the extra funding would be spent over four years on maternity services and post-natal home visits. Further allocations include $10 million for neo-natal hearing screening, $750,000 to train obstetricians in rural areas and $5.6 million for rural midwifery. Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the funding boost was recognition that mothers and babies needed the best level of care, and it would also help to retain GPs in rural Victoria. Image Read
Breast-feeding can help new moms fight depression
It has been long postulated that new moms or moms-to-be generally suffer from depression. Though many pharmaceuticals have come up with drugs claiming to help cope with such depressions, the secrets seem to be lying in breast-feeding and the good fats in Omega-3 fatty acids. Both physical and psychological stressors increase levels of proinflammatory cytokines leading to inflammation, which eventually contribute hugely to depression in new mothers. And the cure for this depression lies in curbing the inflammation. That is why, most current treatments for the state of mind include the long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are anti-inflammatory. Kendall-Tackett explains this in his report. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett explained, Depression in new mothers is common in many cultures, affecting anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent of postpartum women. In some high-risk populations, the percentage can even be as high as 40 percent or 50 percent. Since depression has devastating effects on both mother and baby, it’s vital that it be identified and treated promptly. Depressed mothers are also more likely to stop breastfeeding with negative health effects for each. And, when it’s a matter of breastfeeding, it protects the maternal mood of the new mother lowering her stress. And, with the stress levels lowered, the mother’s inflammatory response system does not get activated. Thus, the whole the risk of depression is lowered as a whole. This new finding is published by a University of New Hampshire researcher in the International Breastfeeding Journal.
Few tips to get proper sleep during pregnancy
The pregnant women are always advised to sleep properly because it’s very necessary for the health. During pregnancy there are lots of problems like cramping in legs, pain in back, and urination every now and than so a pregnant lady found it very uneasy to take proper sleep. Follow some tips given below to get good sleep: 1. Don’t drinks that those fluids which have caffeine in it. If it had become your need and you cannot ignore them, than try to take it during morning or in early hours of the noon. 2. Always consume foods and drinks at least 1-2 hours before going to sleep. Try to consume heavy diet during the daytime and along with this drink plenty of liquids too. 3. Try to make a routine in life but it is mostly required while you pregnant. Make a chart at what time you will get up and at what time you have to sleep. And try to do this regularly. 4. Don’t do exercises just before sleeping; you will get some relaxation by bathing with warm water. 5. Eat lot of calcium pills so that you don’t face the problem of leg cramping. 6. Always do some yoga in pregnancy but after only consulting your doctor. Take admissions in various classes arranged for pregnant women if you excited to become mom.
Is the ‘home test’ revealing gender of an unborn, correct?
A revolutionary home test reveals an unborn baby’s sex at six weeks! Is the phenomenon, an advancement of medical science or a kind of bane on the human existence? About two years ago, the Early Baby Gender Mentor DNA test was launched. It purportedly tested for fetal DNA in maternal blood to see if there was any DNA from the Y chromosome – yes means boy, no means girl. Now another similar test is being sold called the Pink or Blue test. The consequences would be- Babies were being aborted simply for being the ‘wrong’ sex! The cost of the entire kit is around $376. Its opponents fear that it might create a massive leap in abortions if would-be parents are not having the gender they want. Previously the gender of a baby could be known at the 20-week scan, four weeks before the legal limit for an abortion. However, the new home test would explode the conventional test which confirms the gender of the unborn. The Pink or Blue Early Test Kit, launched on the internet this week by DNA Worldwide, is claimed to be 98 per cent reliable. Would be moms are suppose to give a sample of their blood by pricking their fingers, the sample is then is taken on a filter paper and send it to lab for testing. Lab technicians determine the sex by looking for the Y chromosome found in males in three tests. Each works because an unborn baby’s DNA is present in the mother for six weeks. David Nicholson, director of DNA Worldwide said, Parents are excited by the pregnancy and want to know the sex of their baby. A lot even build an extra room or redecorate one for the baby – and they don’t want to wait until their 20-week scan to find the sex. Read