Teens, whose mothers used to smoke during pregnancy and now themselves are smokers, may have higher chances of attention related problems. A new study came up with this finding after studying the effects of nicotine exposure on the attention of the teens in which some teens were exposed to nicotine smoke in the womb, while some weren’t. Moreover, some teens were smoker while some weren’t. To measure the effect teens were asked to perform a series of tests and 63 of the teens had brain scans while they took the tests. During the course of study, experts found that performance of the teen- smokers who were exposed to cigarette smoke in the womb was worst, while the performance of non-smokers, who were also not exposed to nicotine smoke in the womb, was commendable. In addition, teens either who smoked or whose mother smoked during pregnancy fell between the above-mentioned two categories. Another interesting thing, which sprang out from this study reveals that where nicotine exposure in girls showed both visual and auditory attention deficits, while in boys difficulty in listening appeared as the main side effect. On the basis of this finding it could be said that where exposure to nicotine affects only auditory development in males, while in girls it affects bother visual and auditory development. In addition, it would also not be wrong to say that pregnant moms should strictly stay away from both active as well as passive smoking because it is neither good for them (mothers) nor for their babies, no matter it is male or female. Image Via: Reuters
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Depressed mums facing stress warning
During pregnancy women who get into depression could have premature births, so to prevent this there have been many treatments given. From Institute of Psychiatry in London, Veronica O’Keane and her colleagues have found out a link between clinical depression and levels of stress hormones and premature birth. They have found out that woman who are expecting and suffering from severe depression had higher levels of the stress hormones cortisol and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in their blood than healthy women. They even found out that pregnancies were shorter on average in the depressed women. Preterm delivery is the leading cause of infant illness and then death. As O’Keane says; Depression is a major cause of preterm birth, and over stimulation of stress hormones is at least one cause of this. Well, I am sure this research will help out all the expecting mums. Via: newscientist
Asthma may worsen for some women during pregnancy
During pregnancy, mothers-to-be may feel uneasy taking medications. However, if a pregnant woman has asthma, it is doubly important that her symptoms be well-managed to increase both her health and her baby’s health. Uncontrolled asthma can be a threat to maternal well-being, fetal growth as well as survival. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, (ACAAI), nearly eight percent of women in their childbearing years are asthmatic. When women who have asthma become pregnant, their symptoms may differ, asserts ACAAI. 1. Women with severe problem develop worse symptoms while, women with mild asthma might experience some improvement. 2. Signs that asthmatic women develop in their first pregnancy tend to resurface during ensuing pregnancies. 3. The most severe asthma symptoms are more pronounced between 24 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. 4. A woman’s asthma symptoms usually regress to pre-pregnancy symptoms within three months of giving birth. Image Read
How to face asthma during pregnancy!
As I have said before, the effects of pregnancy on asthma aren’t predictable. It may be unaffected, worse or improved in pregnancy. What is asthma? Asthma is a disease of chronic inflammation of the airways. The inflammation makes breathing difficult all the more. Many women feel uneasy about taking medications during pregnancy. But if you have asthma, it’s important to control the signs and symptoms. How To Deal With ,If you become pregnant, don’t stop taking your asthma medications. Some tips for managing asthma in pregnancy: 1. Take asthma medications only as directed by your doctor. 2. In spite of your treatment, even if the asthma gets worsen, inform your physician immediately. 3. Flu shot is advisable if you’ll be more than three months pregnant during flu season. Effect of Asthma on Pregnancy: The treatment of asthma during pregnancy is little different to other times. There is no evidence that any of the drugs commonly used to treat asthma lead to birth defects or problems throughout pregnancy. In fact, very little of the inhaled medications even gets into the baby’s blood stream. More harm is likely to come from witholding them. There are no problems with breastfeeding whilst taking any of the asthma treatments, even steroid tablets. Precautions during asthma: If you are pregnant and suffering from asthma, first and foremost thing, you must do is, stay away from asthma triggers, like specific allergens such as house dust mites and animal dander and irritants such as cigarette smoke. After discovering you are pregnant, see your allergist/immunologist soon after to discuss the best way to manage your asthma and what medications to take. The doctor would be able to prescribe effective asthma and allergy medications that are appropriate to use during pregnancy, and will continue to work with you throughout your pregnancy to ensure your treatment is effective, without side effects.
Smoking reduces chances of having a male child
Researchers revealed that the chance of having a male baby drops by almost half if both parents smoke during early pregnancy, also smoking raises the chances of a miscarriage. Researchers reportedly found that substances contained in cigarettes, such as nicotine, inhibit sperm carrying male chromosomes from fertilizing eggs. The researchers studied 9,000 cases of pregnancy in Liverpool, and found that mothers who smoked during pregnancy were one-third less likely to have male children than those who did not smoke. Furthermore, if the father also smoked, and if factors such as the health and age of the mother were accounted for, the chances of having a male child reduces by almost half. The study also reveals that even those mothers who do not smoke but are exposed to cigarettes from partners are less likely to have boys. It shows that substances contained in cigarettes, such as nicotine, inhibit sperm carrying male chromosomes from fertilising eggs. Professor Bernard Brabin said, The message is clear: if you want an increased chance of a male baby, don’t smoke during pregnancy. Australian expert Dr Anne Clark, from the Fertility Society of Australia, said the results were fascinating but was concerned they could motivate parents wanting a girl to smoke. Dr Clark said, If a father smokes to get a girl, that girl is four times more likely to get cancer than if he didn’t and the mother is going to be three times more likely to have a fertility problem. So the message is don’t smoke at all if you want a child. Via : ABC home.net
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
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
Moms-to-be should avoid strenuous exercises
According to Danish researchers arduous exercises during early pregnancy can triple the risk of miscarriage. More than seven hours of exercise a week including jogging, ball games, and racket sports can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. Though, one UK expert is not in agreement with the findings of the study carried out at the University of Southern Denmark, arguing that running is perfectly safe during pregnancy. Studies have shown that more than three quarters of miscarriages occur during the first trimester. Spontaneous abortion can occur due to various reasons; unfortunately not all can be identified. After the 8th week, the risk of miscarriage decreases sharply (when the fetal stage begins) and after the 18-week mark, the link between exercise and miscarriage disappears. Don’t fret, not all exercises are bad news for pregnant women, swimming in fact is very popular among mothers-to-be. The government’s official advice is for women to keep up their normal daily physical exercise routine for as long as they don’t strain themselves. Alison Merry, a former midwife is of the opinion that moderate exercise everyday is perfectly safe during pregnancy. She says, the benefits of exercising during pregnancy are clear – it improves the cardiovascular system, and maintains muscle tone. So, if you are woman who has always exercised, continue to do so even after becoming pregnant, but only as long as you are comfortable doing so. After all, there is no point in making oneself prone to miscarriage, because apart from causing physical trauma, miscarriage causes immense emotional pain too.
Do not ignore depression during pregnancy
Pregnancy is supposed to be one of the happiest times of a woman’s life, but for many women this is a time of confusion, fear, sadness, stress and even depression. According to some medical scholars, nearly, one in 10 women suffers from depression during or immediately after pregnancy. Sharon Phelan, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, stated that depression is overlooked because it is assumed that pregnancy protects women from depression and that postpartum depression is within a woman’s control. Researchers in 55th annual clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in San Diego asserted that treatment of depression among pregnant women not only improved their depression, but also improved the women’s ability to care for their children. What is depression during pregnancy? Depression during pregnancy, or antepartum depression, is a mood disorder just like clinical depression. Mood disorders are biological illnesses that involve changes in brain chemistry. During pregnancy hormone changes can affect brain chemicals, which are directly related to depression and anxiety. These can be exacerbated by difficult life situations, which can result in depression during pregnancy. Antidepressants in pregnancy If you are taking an antidepressant and find that you are pregnant, do not stop taking your medication without first talking to your health provider. Call her/him as soon as you discover that you are expecting. It may be unhealthy to stop taking an antidepressant suddenly. Stay positive The initial demands on a new mother are exciting and tremendous. Feeling better takes time. You will feel like yourself again and better able to handle the everyday pressures as well as the demands of pregnancy and motherhood. Be realistic about the demands and expectations you make on yourself. Image Read
Delivering your baby by caesarean section
Even though a vaginal delivery is the most common way to give birth, a Caesarean section is often advised and performed in certain situations. If you wish to have a Caesarean section without a medical reason, you should discuss this with your obstetrician. You don’t have an automatic right to demand a Caesarean if it’s considered not to be in your best interests medically. What happens during a Caesarean? An incision of about 20cm is made across the lower abdomen. The baby is delivered through the skin after the womb is opened. The womb is easily opened and it takes only a few minutes for the baby to be born. After the placenta (afterbirth) is delivered, the obstetrician closes the incision. Dissolving stitches or staples are used to close the skin. From beginning to end, an uncomplicated Caesarean will take between 20 and 30 minutes. A major surgery The surgery is relatively safe for mother and baby. Still, it is major surgery and carries risks. It also takes longer to recover from a C-section than from vaginal birth. After healing, the incision may leave a weak spot in the wall of the uterus. This could cause problems with an attempted vaginal birth later. However, more than half of women who have a C-section can give vaginal birth later. What about after the Caesarean? 1. The pain is typically worst on the first day after surgery, and then it begins to subside. 2. Vaginal discharge is normal. 3. Drink plenty of water each day – between eight and 10 glasses. 4. Avoid lifting heavy objects and climbing stairs. 5. Don’t drive until you can wear a seat belt comfortably. 6. Call your doctor if the incision site becomes red and swollen. Image Read