Pregnancy and Heartburn

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy. Although it has nothing to do with the heart, heartburn involves a burning sensation in the center of the chest.

What causes heartburn during pregnancy?

Heartburn occurs when the valve between the stomach and the food pipe (esophagus) are unable to prevent the stomach acids from passing back into the esophagus. Pregnancy can increase the frequency of heartburn because the hormone progesterone causes the valve to relax. This allows the stomach acid to pass into the esophagus and irritate the lining.

Heartburn and indigestion are more common during the third trimester because the growing uterus puts pressure on the intestines and the stomach. The pressure on the stomach may also push contents back up into the esophagus.

What can you do to treat heartburn during pregnancy?

Preventing heartburn is the best way to deal with it! Here are some helpful hints to avoid heartburn:

·         Eat five to six smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals

·         Wait an hour after eating to lie down

·         Avoid spicy, greasy and fatty foods

If you are experiencing heartburn, there are a few natural things you can do to relieve the symptoms:

·         Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk

·         Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk

·         Over-the-counter antacids may prove helpful in relieving you of heartburn problems. Do not take over-the-counter antacids without speaking to your health care provider. Some antacids contain high levels of sodium, which can cause fluid buildup in body tissues. Some may also contain lead.

If your heartburn symptoms are severe, your health care provider may prescribe medication for you.

Source: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/heartburn.html

Swelling on Pregnancy

Swelling  or edema, is a very common discomfort of pregnancy. It's estimated that about 75% of women will experience this excessive accumulation of fluid around the legs and ankles at some point during pregnancy. Here are some helpful hints on dealing with normal swelling in pregnancy:

Try rest.

When the weather is warm, or you've been standing on your feet for awhile, or even just at the end of your day, you may notice that your feet feel tight, your shoes don't fit, or just a general puffiness. In general swelling is nothing to be alarmed about. Most women report that swelling subsides after a good night's rest, or several hours lying down.

What you take in counts.

 If you'd like to take a more active approach in treating edema, there are a couple of things you can do to help relieve the symptoms. The first, and probably one of the best and most important, is to drink a lot of water. While it doesn't seem like it makes sense to get rid of fluids by taking in more, the extra fluids will help flush out your system of waste products which may have increased swelling. You really need at least 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day. The best tip I have for accomplishing this is to fill up a container to carry around and empty it by the end of the day.

The truth about salt.

While many people believe that swelling is caused by excessive amounts of salt in the diet, the opposite is also true. Limiting the amount of salt you take in can cause swelling as well. As with all things, moderation is the key to balance.

Try water or hydrotherapy.

 A new study out last fall suggests that even beyond the once told water immersion, water aerobics can help with swelling. Being in a pool of water helps the body shed the excess fluids through the kidneys, while supporting the pregnant uterus.

Here are some other basic tips to help reduce swelling and related discomforts:

•Don't wear elastic topped socks or knee-hi pantyhose.

•Wear comfortable shoes. Slip on types work best.

•Put your feet up when possible.

•If you stand at work, try to move around slightly or get a stool to prop a foot up.

•Try support pantyhose.

When Swelling is Not Normal

When swelling is sudden or extreme, or found in not only the legs and feet, but face and hands, it can be something serious. You should report this type of swelling to your midwife or doctor immediately. You should also report swelling that does not go away after many hours of rest. If you're at a higher risk for complications that include swelling like preecclampsia your practitioner should have explained what you are looking for and when it needs to be reported.

Whenever you're concerned about your swelling or other medical questions, never hesitate to talk to your doctor or midwife.

Source: http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/symptoms/a/swelling.htm

Torch Infections

TORCH is an acronym for a special group of infections. These may be acquired by a woman during pregnancy. "TORCH" stands for the following infections:

toxoplasma infection, also called toxoplasmosis

other infections, such as hepatitis B, syphilis, and herpes zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox

rubella, the virus that causes German measles

cytomegalovirus, or CMV

herpes simplex virus, the cause of genital herpes

What is going on in the body?

All of the TORCH infections can affect people of any age or sex. However, the term TORCH is only used when it applies to pregnant women and their unborn or newborn children. As a group, the TORCH infections represent a common cause of birth defects. They can also cause stillbirth, the delivery of a dead baby.

The infection usually causes few, if any, symptoms in the pregnant woman. On the other hand, babies risk serious birth defects if they catch one of these infections during pregnancy or delivery. Babies are usually most severely affected when the mother gets the infection in the first trimester, or first three months of pregnancy. This is the time of pregnancy when the baby's organs are first starting to form.

Preeclamsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy condition in which high blood pressure and protein in the urine develop after the 20th week (late 2nd or 3rd trimester) of pregnancy.

Causes

The exact cause of preeclampsia is not known.

Possible causes include:

•Autoimmune disorders

•Blood vessel problems

•Diet

•Genes

Preeclampsia occurs in a small percentage of pregnancies.

Risk factors include:

•First pregnancy

•Multiple pregnancy (twins or more)

•Obesity

•Older than age 35

•Past history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease

Symptoms

Often, women who are diagnosed with preeclampsia do not feel sick.

Symptoms of preeclampsia can include:

Leg cramps during pregnancy - causes, treatment and prevention

Leg cramps are a very common occurrence for many women during their pregnancy. Most leg cramps are caused from the fatigue of carrying around textra weight that is put on while you are pregnant. As you gain more weight, your leg cramps may increase. Cramps can also be aggravated by the expanding uterus putting pressure on blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart and the nerves leading to your legs. Leg cramps can occur at any time, but you will most likely notice them at bedtime.

There is some speculation that too little calcium, potassium, or too much phosphorus can cause leg cramps. There are no good studies that support these theories at this time. However, it is a good idea to increase your calcium intake during your pregnancy and to avoid phosphorus (found in processed meat, snack foods and soda), which will combat any problems that a lack of calcium could cause. Phosphorus has the same effect as not getting enough calcium because it can prevent your body from absorbing the calcium you do ingest.

To try and avoid leg cramps you can take these precautions:

•Don’t stand or sit with your legs crossed for long periods of time.

•Stretch your calf and leg muscles during the day and before bed.

•Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you are sitting.

•If your doctor or midwife allows it, try to take a walk each day. Even a short 10 minute walk can help.

•Lie on your left side to improve your circulation.

•Rest when you are tired and elevate your legs when possible.

•Wear supportive stockings.

•If your doctor or midwife allows it, take a warm bath to help relax your muscles before bed.

•Drink plenty of water.

•If your doctor or midwife allows it, take a magnesium supplement in addition to your prenatal vitamin. Magnesium has been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of leg cramps.

If, despite all your precautions, you do get a leg cramp you should immediately stretch your calf muscle by flexing your toes back toward your shin. If someone is with you, ask them to massage the muscle that is cramping. This may hurt at first, but it will ease the spasm and the pain will gradually go away. Warming the muscle with a hot water bottle or heating pad may help relax the cramp. You can also try walking around, or standing on a cold surface. Some women have found that Tylenol or Acetaminophen is helpful in relieving the pain.

If none of these remedies help, or if you have constant leg or muscle pain, or if you notice swelling or tenderness you should call your doctor.

Source: http://www.amazingpregnancy.com/pregnancy-articles/33.html

Blighted Ovum

Chances are you didn’t even know you were pregnant or had just found out you were expecting when you received the shattering news that there is no visible developing embryo on the ultrasound.  You are probably feeling sad and confused.  As you take time to understand what this means, also take time to grieve as you would for any loss. And remember you are not alone.

What is a blighted ovum?

A blighted ovum (also known as “anembryonic  pregnancy”) happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo does not develop.  Cells develop to form the pregnancy sac, but not the embryo itself.  A blighted ovum usually occurs within the first trimester before a woman knows she is pregnant.  A high level of chromosome abnormalities usually causes a woman’s body to naturally miscarry.

How do I know if I am having or have had a blighted ovum?

A blighted ovum can occur very early in pregnancy, before most women even know that they are pregnant.  You may experience signs of pregnancy such as a missed or late menstrual period and even a positive pregnancy test.  It is possible that you may have minor abdominal cramps, minor vaginal spotting or bleeding.  As with a normal period, your body may flush the uterine lining, but your period may be a little heavier than usual.

Many women assume their pregnancies are on track because their  hCG levels are increasing. The placenta can continue to grow and support itself without a baby for a short time, and pregnancy hormones can continue to rise, which would lead a woman to believe she is still pregnant.  A diagnosis is usually not made until an ultrasound test shows either an empty womb or an empty birth sac.

What causes a blighted ovum?

A blighted ovum is the cause of about 50% of first trimester miscarriages and is usually the result of chromosomal problems. A woman’s body recognizes abnormal chromosomes in a fetus and naturally does not try to continue the pregnancy because the fetus will not develop into a normal, healthy baby. This can be caused by abnormal cell division, or poor quality sperm or egg.

Should I have a D&C or wait for a natural miscarriage?

This is a decision only you can make for yourself.  Most doctors do not recommend a D&C for an early pregnancy loss.  It is believed that a woman’s body is capable of passing tissue on its own and there is no need for an invasive surgical procedure with a risk of complications.  A D&C would, however, be beneficial if you were planning on having a pathologist examine the tissues to determine a reason for the miscarriage.  Some women feel a D&C procedure helps with closure, mentally and physically.

How can a blighted ovum be prevented?

Unfortunately, in most cases a blighted ovum cannot be prevented. Some couples will seek out genetic testing if multiple early pregnancy loss occurs. A blighted ovum is often a one times occurrence, and rarely will a woman experience more than one. Most doctors recommend couples wait at least 1-3 regular menstrual cycles before trying to conceive again after any type of miscarriage

Source: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/blightedovum.html

Molar Pregnancy

A molar pregnancy is an abnormality of the placenta, caused by a problem when the egg and sperm join together at fertilization. Molar pregnancies are rare, occurring in 1 out of every 1,000 pregnancies. Molar pregnancies are also called gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), hydatidiform mole or simply referred to as a “mole.”

What is a molar pregnancy?

A molar pregnancy is the result of a genetic error during the fertilization process that leads to growth of abnormal tissue within the uterus. Molar pregnancies rarely involve a developing embryo, and the growth of this material is rapid compared to normal fetal growth. It has the appearance of a large and random collection of grape-like cell clusters. There are two types of molar pregnancies, “complete,” and “partial.”

What is a complete molar pregnancy?

Complete molar pregnancies have only placental parts (there is no baby), and form when the sperm fertilizes an empty egg. Because the egg is empty, no baby is formed. The placenta grows and produces the pregnancy hormone, hCG. Unfortunately, an ultrasound will show that there is no fetus, only a placenta.

What is a partial molar pregnancy?

Partial Mole occurs when the mass contains both the abnormal cells and an embryo that has severe defects. In this case the fetus will be overcome by the growing abnormal mass rather quickly.

An extremely rare version of a partial mole is when twins are conceived but one embryo begins to develop normally while the other is a mole. In these cases, the healthy embryo will very quickly be consumed by the abnormal growth.

Who is at risk for a molar pregnancy?

In the US, approximately 1 out of 1,000 pregnancies is a molar pregnancy

Mexico, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines have higher rates than the US for molar pregnancies in women

White women in the US are at higher risk than black women

Women over the age of 40

Women who have had a prior molar pregnancy

Women with a history of miscarriage

What are the symptoms of a molar pregnancy 

• Vaginal spotting or bleeding
• Nausea and vomiting
• Develop rare complications like thyroid disease.
• Early preeclampsia (high blood pressure)
• Increased hCG levels
• No fetal movement or heart tone detected

How do I know if I have a molar pregnancy?

A pelvic exam may reveal a larger or smaller uterus, enlarged ovaries, and abnormally high amounts of the pregnancy hormone hCG.

A sonogram will often show a “cluster of grapes” appearance, signifying an abnormal placenta.

How is a molar pregnancy treated?

Most molar pregnancies will spontaneously end and the expelled tissue will appear grape-like.

Molar pregnancies are removed by suction curettage, dilation and evacuation (D & C), or sometimes through medication. General anesthetic is normally used during these procedures.

Approximately 90% of women who have a mole removed require no further treatment.

Follow-up procedures that monitor the hCG levels can occur monthly for six months or as your physician prescribes.

Follow-up is done to ensure that the mole has been removed completely. Traces of the mole can begin to grow again and may possess a cancerous-type threat to other parts of the body.

Pregnancy should be avoided for one year after a molar pregnancy.

Any birth control method is acceptable with the exception of an intrauterine device.

How will I feel emotionally after a molar pregnancy?

Although the removal of a molar pregnancy is not the termination of a developing child, it is still a loss. Even when an embryo is present, it does not have the opportunity to develop into a child. Most women discover that they are dealing with a molar pregnancy after the discovery and anticipation of being pregnant. Dreams, plans and hopes are cancelled all at once; it is still a significant loss.

There will have to be healing time for all involved, and grief will be experienced.

Recognize that people may try to console you with statements like, “Well at least it wasn't a baby.” This doesn't help, but at least know that they are trying. Let them know what you need.

What makes this type of loss further different from a “normal miscarriage” or loss is the continued concern of the mother's health. Make sure that you stick with your follow-up appointments.

Support groups and counseling may prove beneficial.

Can I have another molar pregnancy?

If you had a molar pregnancy without complications, your risk of having another molar pregnancy is about 1-2%.

Source: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/molarpregnancy.html

Bleeding During Pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding can occur frequently in the first trimester of pregnancy and may not be a sign of problems. But bleeding that occurs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy can often be a sign of a possible complication. Bleeding can be caused by a number of reasons.

Some basic things to know about bleeding are:

• If you are bleeding, you should always wear a pad or panty liner so that you can monitor how much you are bleeding and what type of bleeding you are experiencing.
• You should never wear a tampon or introduce anything else into the vaginal area such as douche or sexual intercourse if you are currently experiencing bleeding.
• If you are also experiencing any of the other symptoms mentioned below in connection with a possible complication, you should contact your health care provider immediately.

First Half of Pregnancy:

Miscarriage:
Bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage but does not mean that miscarriage is imminent. Studies show that anywhere from 20-30% of women experience some degree of bleeding in early pregnancy. Approximately half of pregnant women who bleed do not have miscarriages. Approximately 15-20% of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage, and the majority occur during the first 12 weeks.
Signs of Miscarriage include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramping pain felt low in the stomach (stronger than menstrual cramps)
• Tissue passing through the vagina

Most miscarriages cannot be prevented. They are often the body's way of dealing with an unhealthy pregnancy that was not developing. A miscarriage does not mean that you cannot have a future healthy pregnancy or that you yourself are not healthy.

Dental Care and Pregnancy

It's important for you to take good care of your teeth and gums while you are pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase your risk of developing gum disease, which in turn, can affect the health of your developing baby.

Below are some tips to help you maintain good oral health before, during, and after your pregnancy.

Before You Get Pregnant

Try to make a dental appointment before getting pregnant. That way, your teeth can be professionally cleaned, your gum tissue can be carefully examined, and any oral health problems can be treated in advance of your pregnancy.

Dental Care While Pregnant

Tell your dentist (and doctor) if you are pregnant. As a precautionary measure, dental treatments during the first trimester and second half of the third trimester should be avoided as much as possible. These are critical times in the baby's growth and development and it's simply wise to avoid exposing the mother to procedures that could in any way influence the baby's growth and development. However, routine dental care can be received during the second trimester. All elective dental procedures should be postponed until after the delivery.

Sleep Problem: Insomnia during Pregnancy

Why it happens

Many pregnant women say it's hard to sleep because they can't get comfortable, need to run to the bathroom constantly, have leg cramps, and are excited – and anxious – about their baby's arrival.
With so many physical and emotional changes happening, it's no surprise that 8 out of 10 women have insomnia and other sleep problems during pregnancy. Misery may love company, but it won't provide much comfort when you're watching the numbers on your clock change in the middle of the night.

What you can do about it

• Start winding down before bed with some sort of soothing ritual. Take a warm bath, have a cup of chamomile tea, listen to quiet music, ask your partner to rub your feet – whatever helps you relax.
• Once you're in bed, progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery can help you sink into sleep. For more details, see our complete article on relaxation techniques for better pregnancy sleep.
• Make sure your room is a comfortable temperature for sleeping. Is it dark and quiet enough? Heavy or dark-colored curtains can help keep out unwanted light, and sound machines can help mask the drone of traffic with white noise.