According to a recent study, abortions among pregnant teenagers are reaching alarming proportions. Ever since the Labour came to power in the U.K., the number of teenage abortions has increased by a staggering 2,500 each year. Do you know that the U.S. holds the dubious distinction of the highest teenage abortion rate in the developed world? Unlike the developing world, teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and may carry a social stigma in some communities and cultures. There are numerous reasons for the rise in teenage pregnancies. A casual attitude to sex, inadequate sex education, peer pressure, and last but not the least the sexualized content present in the media are some of the factors responsible for the rise in teenage pregnancies. According to a spokesperson for the anti-abortion charity Alive and Kicking, these figures are the result of the modern attitude to sexuality – that sex is just a recreational activity. Not only does adolescent parenthood cause devastating effects on families, studies have shown that the children born to teenage mothers are more prone to abuse, neglect, and malnutrition. As per the World Health Organization, the risk of death following pregnancy is twice as much for women in the age group of 15 to 19 years, than, for those between the ages of 20 and 24. Before it is too late, we need to find workable solutions to end this high rate of abortions among the teen mothers. If we don’t, then, not only will we compromise our national productivity but we would also not be able to use up the tax payers money more effectively. Image Via: dailymail, parentingteens
Abortions on the rise among pregnant teens
Creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for research… Why not?
In past, the government was not in favor of creating human-animal embryos and hence, it had decided to delay its decision on giving its verdict, which means that it did not rule out research in future. And so, the scientists are hopeful that the authorities may re-consider the ban, especially for research purposes. Dr Stephen Minger, director of Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, King’s College London, said, We are optimistic the government will have listened to all the evidence from the science and technology select committee, and from the scientists themselves, and will err on the side of reason by allowing the science to be regulated not legislated. Scientists hope that the research will lead to treatments and cures for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, motor neuron disease, diabetes and heart failure. The move regarding the so called ban was promoted in an official governmental report, last year. The bill, would stand for warding off the option of considering the need for a father when deciding for treatment in fertility clinics. This means clinics will no longer be able to deny treatment to lesbians and single mothers out of hand. Putting forth the White Paper, Health Minister Caroline Flint said, The current law, which has served us well, is in need of revision. Technology has changed, and so have attitudes. Along with the said proposal, the Paper also suggests: 1. Same sex couples, who would go for IVF treatment, must be acknowledged as parents. 2. Couples must be barred who would prefer one sex over the other for ‘family balancing’. 3. Screening embryos for serious medical reasons must be allowed. 4. Statutory storage period for embryos must be extended from five to 10 years. 5. Regulation of internet sperm services. I feel, the government, must give a green signal to the ongoing debate, especially if it’s able to cure certain motor neuron diseases. Even if it is banned, the people working behind the scene would not stop doing the research or it could also be anticipated that such kind of research would be carried on in the neighboring country where there is no such ban on the issue. Read
Nausea during pregnancy lowers breast cancer risks
True, it’s uneasy and irritating to experience morning sickness or nausea, especially for a pregnant woman. But, like the pleasure of suffering the pains and uneasiness of pregnancy for nine long months, you can now have enough reasons to extract a ‘feel-good-factor’ from this nausea. It is recently found that this ‘suffering’ – if you call it as, after finding out what it indicates — from pregnancy-related nausea can assure of the fact that you have a lowered breast cancer risk. Yes, nausea during pregnancy is linked with a 30 per cent reduced chance of developing the disease later in life in comparison to mothers-to-be who sailed through nine nausea-free months, according to the new research. A hormone– human chorionic gonadotropin — made in the placenta and affects foetal development, is found to be able to potentially protect a woman against cancer. Presenting the findings last week at the annual meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research in Boston, Massachusetts, study leader David Jaworowicz Jr, a Buffalo doctoral candidate said, Although the exact mechanism responsible for causing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy has yet to be pinpointed, it likely is a result of changing levels of ovarian and placental hormone production, which may include higher circulating levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. In-vitro studies have shown that this hormone possesses several activities that have potential protective effects against cancer cells. So, though nausea during those hard pregnancy days is not welcome, it is sure to assure you of breast cancer-free life in later years.
Is aspirin an antidote for pre-eclampsia?
A major study has revealed that intake of aspirin during pregnancy may ward off the occurrence of fatal condition called pre-eclampsia. Preeclampsia is a complex disorder that affects 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women. A woman is diagnosed with preeclampsia if she has high blood pressure and protein in her urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Findings are based on the study of more than 32,000 women; data collaborated by the scholars in Sydney. It concluded that cases of pre-eclampsia, which is caused by a defect in the placenta, dropped by 10% on daily consumption of aspirin. Risks of preeclampsia: Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood. If the placenta doesn’t get enough blood, your baby gets less air and food. And this can cause low birth weight and other problems for the baby. Signs and symptoms: 1. Severe headaches 2. Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity 3. Upper abdominal pain, usually under the ribs on the right side 4. Nausea or vomiting 5. Dizziness 6. Decreased urine output 7. Sudden weight gain, typically more than 2 pounds a week Concerns remain US experts James Roberts and Janet Catov, from the University of Pittsburgh, said that while some women were so obviously at high risk that aspirin was justified, it was harder to balance whether the potential harm caused by aspirin was a price worth paying in pregnancies where pre-eclampsia was less likely. Under no circumstances should pregnant women self-medicate with aspirin. While this study suggests that aspirin can have benefits to women at high risk, yet, the decision to use aspirin should only be made in consultation with your doctor. Read
‘Freeze Your Clock’ Service – Women can now postpone having babies peacefully
Women these days are postponing their plans of starting their family as they get busy in their careers. But, as their biological clock keeps ticking, women worry of conceiving unhealthy babies in their later years. Now, with new technological advancements, they can get over such worries and conceive at a time when they are comfortable and prepared to start a family. Women are increasingly opting to freeze their eggs and store them in ‘Fertility Banks’ to use them at a later stage to conceive. A clinic in Toronto offers a service called "Freeze Your Clock" offering a long-term service of freezing eggs and sperms of young and healthy people. Freezing eggs is not a new concept; in fact, it has been used by women who are undergoing treatments for various medical conditions such as cancer and Turner’s syndrome. Since it is not advised to conceive during the treatments, freezing eggs is considered a good option for such women who want to conceive later. The treatment costing $5000 involves 10 to 12 days of fertility treatments including injections of follicle stimulating hormone to produce multiple eggs, which are then surgically removed, frozen and stored and $300 for a year’s storage. When the women are ready to conceive, the eggs are thawed, fertilized and the resulting embryo is then implanted in the womb. A new technique called ‘Flash Freeezing Eggs’ makes it possible to protect eggs from getting damaged during the thawing process, giving women chances of higher pregnancy rates. The clinic claims that they try and dissuade younger clients from undergoing such an invasive and expensive procedure and the clients first meet a psychologist for counseling before they start the treatment. The health officials are worried as it raises ethical issues such as ‘generation of older parents’ even as more and more young couples are opting for such services. Canadian officials are also contemplating on restricting the number of clinics that are licensed to perform the procedures. Image Source
Pre-pregnancy planning guards your baby
If you wish to be a mom, than you should plan your pregnancy for the goodness of your babies. All females can take few steps before they conceive to improve their chances of giving birth to a healthy baby. Just go through these eight points given below to get help in planning your pregnancy: 1) Every woman should take folic acids. Folic acid is a B vitamin that can helps in preventing birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects (NTDs). Consult with your doctor. 2) If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant than, it is time when you have to give some attention to your immunization history. Check whether all of your immunizations are up to date including the vaccinations against chickenpox and rubella. Both of these diseases likely to cause birth defects and few other complications if a female is attacked by them during their pregnancy period. 3) Try to quit smoking if you have this habit. Smoking may cause difficulty in conceiving. It would be good for your pregnancy if you don’t smoke because smoking can raise the chances of miscarriage and also doubles the chances of having a baby low-birth-weight babies. Also avoid drinking alcohol during your pregnancy period. 4) Always try to have that much weight that suits to your body structure. If you are overweight than it raises the chances of gestational diabetes and various other problems related to pregnancy. You should achieve healthy weight before getting pregnant. 5) By doing exercises you can have full control on your weight and also you can shed few pounds if you want. It also helps in removing stress. If you are pregnant, than consult your doctor that which type of exercises you can do during pregnancy period. 6) If anyone of you have some chronic medical problem, than you should consult your doctor about the risks you can have on your body during pregnancy and also ask him that whether you should still consume those prescription drugs during the pregnancy period. You should also tell your doctor if there are any hereditary disorders in your family history, before you plan to get pregnant. The care by the doctors in the beginning before pregnancy helps to lower the risks to mother and baby caused by few chronic conditions. 7) If you are using any contraceptive and want to be a mom than you should have to stop using it. And one important thing is that before you try for conceiving, you should at least wait for one menses or period. 
Males should undergo some planning before pregnancy. If any one of you have the habit of smoking or drinking than try to quit it because it puts effect on your fertility and also on your sperm count. One should also try to avoid hot tubs and sauna baths. These may increase body temperature and possibly raise the risk of NTDs.
Aspirin may reduce premature births and other pregnancy problems
The analgesic you might be using to get rid of some minor aches and pains during pregnancy may have duel advantage to your body. While relieving you of that pain, it might also help reduce your pregnancy related problems. This is blessed by the analgesic ‘Aspirin.’ Might bring a great relief to mothers-to-be, skeptical about taking any medicines during pregnancy, the drug may amazingly reduce risk of giving birth prematurely and of potentially fatal complications, a new research claims. If you are a mothers-to-be and taking aspirin or other anti-platelet drugs, it may amazingly reduce your pre-eclampsia risk by 10 percent! Pre-eclampsia, marked by a sudden blood pressure increase after 20 weeks, can prove fatal to both the mother and the baby in her womb. Lelia Duley, professor of obstetric epidemiology at the University of Leeds said, It is something that pregnant women who are at high risk of pre-eclampsia should discuss with their obstetrician, doctor or midwife. So, take aspirin, not just to cure any pain, but also if you are high with pre-eclampsia risk or had a history of the disease before. Oops! This is not recommended for all! Discuss it with your obstetrician or doctor before taking any such dosages. Image
Health benefits of including apples and fish in the pregnancy diet
Time and again people have stressed the importance of following a healthy, balanced diet, packed with a wide variety of nutritional foods during pregnancy. What the expectant mother consumes may have a bearing on her child’s health. A recent study presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2007 International Conference in San Francisco has brought to the forefront the health benefits of eating fish and apples during pregnancy on the child’s well-being. Expectant mothers by way of including apples and fish in their diet could reduce the risk of their children developing allergies and asthma. Scottish and Dutch researchers established these results following a research on 1200 children. Monitoring the women when they were 32 weeks into their pregnancy and thereafter the children till they were 5 years of age, the researchers concluded that these children were least likely to exhibit symptoms of asthma or suffer from the skin infection, eczema. The researchers did not delve into the exact constituents present in apples and fish that contributed to the health of the children but reported that when weighed against the various risk factors for asthma and allergies, apples and fish proved their merits in plummeting the possibility of children having to put up with asthma and allergies during their growing years. A little thoughtfulness on the part of the expectant mother to include apples and fish in her diet might just make a positive difference to her child’s health. Image: Zeenews Source: Webmd
Secondhand smoking during pregnancy, exposes foetus to mental problems!
This is not only firsthand smoking by pregnant mothers that exposes their foetuses to mental as well as physical health problems, as secondhand smoking during pregnancy does the same, claims a new study. Before rolling out with this conclusion, researchers monitored a group of children between the ages 7 to 15, all of whom had serious psychiatric problems. Further, these children were divided into three groups:- 1. Children with mothers who smoked during pregnancy. 2. Children with mothers who didn’t smoke during pregnancy, but were exposed to secondhand smoking. 3. Children with mothers exposed neither smoked nor exposed to secondhand smoking. Finally, it was concluded that kids with mothers exposed to firsthand or secondhand smoking were more susceptible to externalizing behaviors when compared to kids with mothers unexposed to any kind of smoking. In the words of Gatzke-Kopp: Children of smokers, as well as of women exposed to secondhand smoke, were much more likely than the offspring of non-exposed women to have externalizing behaviors, which include “acting out, getting in trouble, being aggressive, breaking rules. Actually, brain possesses a system called, dopamine, which is know to regulate our behaviors, however, exposure to smoking, irrespective of the fact, it is firsthand smoking or second smoking , it effects mental health of an unborn baby startlingly. This confirms the fact that exposure to smoking during pregnancy is quite harmful for the mental health of an unborn baby. However, it must be clarified here that this is not the first study that uncovers harmful effects of smoking over the health of unborn babies, as several studies conducted earlier have also come up with similar findings. For instance, passive smoking has been linked to miscarriage, even. In addition, threats caused by firsthand smoking during pregnancy can also not be ignored, as they may also result in several forms of health problems in babies, like:- 1. Prenatal Smoke Exposure Results in Teen Attention Problems 2. Chances of Baby Boy May End in Smoke with Smoking 3. Smoking Moms Risk ADHD In Kids Via: Stuff
Stressed-out moms of young children may risk mental health
Men need to be more supportive to their wives, especially when they are parents of young children – if not anything else, atleast emotional support and a bit care for their children is not just expected but needed from him. This reduces the risk of mental health problems among women by more than three-times, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles concluded, If parenting stressors such as those examined here are to be addressed, changes may be required in community support systems, and improvements in relevant social policies may be needed. It is also found that moms of small children, who face a substantial risk of mental health problems, can eventually influence their child’s health and development in turn. But, the question arises, if a father’s striving to improve child care quality as well as provide mental support to his wife keeps him away from the mental health stresses! Image