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What does vaginal bleeding and pain mean?
2008-03-22 11:13:00
Vaginal bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy is common and does not always mean there is a problem. However, bleeding can be a warning sign of a miscarriage. If all the tests are normal and no cause for the bleeding has been found, then you need not worry. An ectopic pregnancy is when the pregnancy is growing outside the womb (uterus), usually in the fallopian tube. A molar pregnancy is a much rarer condition where the placenta is abnormal. Both ectopic and molar pregnancy can cause bleeding and pain but these are much less common pregnancy problems. For further information on ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy see Useful organisations. See your doctor or midwife if you: experience bleeding feel pain stop feeling pregnant. How can I get help? You can get medical help from: your general practice, midwife or obstetrician the A&E department at your local hospital NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (if you are in England or Wales) NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 (if you are in Scotland)...
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A difficult birth: what is shoulder dystocia?
2008-03-22 10:07:00
What is shoulder dystocia? Shoulder dystocia occurs unexpectedly during childbirth. It is when the baby?s head has been born but one of the shoulders becomes stuck behind the mother?s pelvic bone, preventing the birth of the baby?s body (see diagram below). Shoulder dystocia can occur during a normal (spontaneous) birth or an instrumental (ventouse or forceps) birth (for further information see An assisted birth (operative vaginal delivery: information for you). Very rarely, there can be difficulty delivering the baby?s shoulders at caesarean section. In a normal birth there is a small delay between the delivery of the head and the body but in shoulder dystocia the delay is longer than normal. The head has been born but the baby cannot start breathing because its chest remains compressed in the mother?s pelvis. At this time, the baby?s body also squashes the oxygen carrying umbilical cord. In this situation the baby?s shoulders need to be quickly released so that the baby?s body can...
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new fertility,pregnancy and birth community
2008-03-21 01:06:00
ok, I have set up a brand new fertility, pregnancy and birth social newtwork, a little like myspace! You can have youre own profile, keep a diary, upload pictures, visit the forum and more. Whats great is that I'm giving away a free pregnancy or ovulation prdiction test for every person that joins! Check it out here www.fertilitydiaries.com
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ovarian stimulation
2008-03-19 22:28:00
Stimulation Fertility drugs that mimic the body?s natural hormones are given daily by injection in hopes that three or more eggs will develop during the treatment cycle. In general, the more eggs fertilized, the better the chance for pregnancy. Fertility drugs commonly given in this program include the following: Leuprolide (leuprolide acetate, Lupron) Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH; Commercial names include, but are not limited to: Follistim, Gonal-F or Bravelle) Human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG; Commercial names include, but are not limited to: Pergonal or Repronex) hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, chorionic gonadotropin). Antagon (ganirelix acetate) - may be utilized instead of leuprolide. On the first day of your menstrual cycle proceeding the IVF cycle you will begin taking oral contraceptive pills (OCP?s) unless contraindicated. You will initiate injections of leuprolide between the 21st and 35th day of OCP?s to suppress secretion of the naturally occurring...

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss)
2008-03-10 23:05:00
What is OHSS? Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially serious complication of fertility treatment, particularly of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. What are the symptoms of OHSS? The symptoms are abdominal swelling or bloating because of enlarged ovaries, nausea and, as the condition gets worse, vomiting. Mild OHSS ? mild abdominal swelling or bloating, abdominal discomfort and nausea. Moderate OHSS ? symptoms of mild OHSS but the swelling and bloating is worse because fluid is building up in the abdomen. There is abdominal pain and vomiting. Severe OHSS ? symptoms of moderate OHSS plus extreme thirst and dehydration because so much fluid is building up in the abdomen, passing very small amounts of urine which is very dark in colour (concentrated), difficulty breathing because of build-up of fluid in the chest and a red, hot, swollen and tender leg due to a clot in the leg or lungs (thrombosis). If you develop any of the symptoms, seek medical help immed...
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Alcohol and pregnancy
2008-03-10 23:03:00
The consumption of alcohol offers no benefits in relation to the outcomes of pregnancy and alcohol is both teratogenic and fetotoxic in the human. Under reporting of alcohol consumption is thought to be widespread and the effects of alcohol consumption in the offspring may not always be recognised. It is important for GPs, obstetricians and midwives to devise ways of identifying women who may suffer from problem-drinking during or before any pregnancy, at a time when potentially beneficial interventions can be offered. On the other hand, there is considerable doubt as to whether infrequent and low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy convey any long-term harm ? in other words, is there a safe upper limit for alcohol consumption in pregnancy? Since 1981, the US Surgeon General?s Office has given consistent advice that, in the USA, women who are pregnant (or considering a pregnancy) are advised not to drink alcoholic beverages and alcohol-containing products carrying a healt...
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embryonic development video
2008-03-10 22:37:00
A lovely fertilisation and embryonic development video that I found on you tube. It was posted a year ago, but I like it anyway. Its stage by stage and very detailed.
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Postnatal depression (PND)
2008-03-10 22:16:00
What is PND? Postnatal Depression is what happens when you become depressed after having a baby. There may be an obvious reason, but often there is none. It can be particularly distressing when you have looked forward to having your baby through the months of pregnancy. You may feel guilty for feeling like this, or even feel that you can't cope with being a mother. It can last for weeks or several months. Mild PND can be helped by increased support from family and friends, more severe PND will need help from your GP, health visitor or, in some cases, mental health professionals. Around 1 in every 10 women has PND after having a baby. Without treatment it can last for months, or rarely years. Women who suffer from PND will feel low, unhappy and wretched for much or all of the time. You may feel worse at particular times of the day, like mornings or evenings. Occasional good days give you hope but they are followed by bad days which make you despair. Irritability may be an issue...

Yoga For Pregnant Women
2008-03-08 12:54:00
By Amie Porter Master your mind! Gain control over your body! Be relieved of your stress through the practice of gentle art of Yoga ! Pregnancy is a physical as well as mental experience. Women often becomes hyper aware of all the changes their bodies are going through. Yoga allows pregnant women to adapt to these changes more gracefully and to feel proud and a sense of appreciation for their bodies. Yoga exercises can increase flexibility, strength, circulation and balance. Many pregnant women find that regular yoga exercises help to reduce swelling, back and leg pain, and insomnia. However, Yoga must be practised very carefully among pregnant women, as improper exercises will bring negative effect on both moms and babies. Here are some tips for pre-natal pregnancy Yoga practise: 1. The general yoga exercises are recommended for the first 2 months. You must consult your doctor and find very experienced Yoga teachers. With proper guidance, you can practice some yoga right in...
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What is Morning Sickness? Does it mean there's a problem?
2008-03-08 12:31:00
By Marc Hofkens Whether you’re extremely sick or not sick at all is not a predictor of a pregnancy’s success or failure. Morning sickness has become synonymous with pregnancy in our culture. But certainly not every pregnant woman experiences it. (A medical term used to refer to extreme forms is hyperemesis gravidarum.) Only a little more than half of pregnant women are afflicted with nausea. Many people believe that pregnancy sickness is the body’s natural defense system at work, protecting your baby from harmful toxins. It’s easy to jump to the conclusion, then, that if you’re not sick, your body must not be protecting your child from harmful toxins. But it doesn’t work that way. The bottom line is that no conclusive evidence exists that not being sick is a bad sign. Nausea is caused by a number of factors. The most popular theory about morning sickness is that it’s due to elevated hormones, primarily human chorionic gonadotropin and estrogen. Researchers belie...
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Getting rid of stretch marks
2008-03-08 11:06:00
By Nicky Pilkington Having stretch marks can cause your level of self-confidence to drop dramatically. Whenever you wear clothing that exposes the part or parts of your body that has stretch marks, you are probably so worried about whether people can see the stretch marks that you don’t enjoy doing whatever is your doing. If you’re in this situation, you are probably obsessed with finding a solution to erase stretch marks on your body. If you are, hopefully you haven’t wasted too much money. While no product on the market will completely erase stretch marks, there are some products available that can reduce the skin condition so that you feel more comfortable when exposing your body in public. The good news about these products is that they will give you the results you desire without the expensive cost. For dramatic results, you need to follow a rigorous skin treatment program. Barmon’s Stretch Mark Cream is a product on the market that contains one of the best elements ...
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Being Pregnant Is Not A Hurdle To Enjoy A Little Romance
2008-03-08 10:36:00
By Sara Jameson Most of the time pregnant women are afraid to have a little romance. Probably they are afraid something could happen to their baby. Well, that’s wrong. It is important that you do not ignore your own needs or those of your spouse’s during pregnancy. Unless your doctor has warned you otherwise, it is generally safe to have intercourse while pregnant. You will not hurt the baby, nor will your hubby crush it by lying atop you. You probably have a big belly, and difficult to move your body, but being loved is something that will not go away from you. You still want to taste the love from your husband. You can still initiate a sexy cuddle or some fooling around with your spouse/partner. Remember, after the baby comes, you will both be exhausted from 3 a.m. feedings and long days, filled with diaper changes. Why do you need to continue having a little romance although you’re pregnant? You may not feel like being sexual, but it is at least important to cuddle or ...
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BABY SHOWER-NOVEL WAY OF ARRANGEMENT
2008-03-08 10:34:00
By David Chandler Baby shower games. Photo matching - enticing baby shower game- all the guests should bring the baby picture of themselves. Arrange all pictures on a board. Give each picture a number. Each guest has to match the adult guest name with the corresponding baby picture. The guest with the most correct matches wins. Top Baby Songs- entertaining baby shower game-divide the guests into teams. Ask them to write down as many songs that have the word baby in the title in 3to 5 minutes. The team with most song titles wins. The losers can sing a baby song chosen by the winners. Baby shower invitations. Baby Shower invitations can be as formal or informal. The baby shower invitation can be simple or complicated. We can decide that. However, it is worth putting some time and effort into baby shower invitations, because it sets the mode and tone for that special Baby Shower Party. The invitation must have Time, Date & location of party. The baby shower invitation must c...

Healthy pregnancy tips
2008-03-08 10:08:00
By Jane Thurnell-Read It is always important to take whatever steps you can to be healthy, but while you are pregnant it is even more important: not only do you need to take good care of yourself, you are also profoundly affecting the life of another person – your baby. Here's 7 tips to help you along the way. 1.If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do is to stop smoking: babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average birth weight, are more likely to be born prematurely, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome than babies of non-smokers. Sometimes mothers feel having a low birth weight baby could be an advantage as it will make the baby easy to deliver. This is not necessarily the case, as it may lead to an emergency delivery, which can result in all sorts of complications. Even if you are already pregnant, stopping smoking will benefit the baby for the rest of your pregnancy. It is not only the baby who benefits. You are like...
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Safe excercise during pregnancy
2008-03-08 10:02:00
By Tia Rodriguez Pregnancy is a time of celebration, love, and unwanted but necessary weight gain. However, being pregnant doesn’t mean that your health and figure has to suffer permanent damage. You can gain weight in a healthy fashion while doing some very easy and safe heart healthy pregnancy exercise routines. One of the simplest and most effective pregnancy exercises you can do is walking. Not only is walking one of the best cardiovascular exercises, it is also one of the safest pregnancy exercises you can engage in. Walking is one of the few pregnancy exercises that you can do for the complete duration of your pregnancy. Another extremely beneficial heart healthy pregnancy exercise is swimming. Countless doctors and pregnant women have attested to the wonderful benefits of swimming during pregnancy. A weekly pregnancy exercise routine of swimming gives both the arms and legs a great workout while promoting cardiovascular health. Because of the nature of being subdued in...
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The health benefits of breastfeeding mothers
2008-03-05 23:05:00
Breastfeeding is a major public health issue. Extensive research, especially in recent years, documents the diverse advantages of breastfeeding not only for infants but also for breastfeeding women and their health. However, campaigning for mothers in the UK to breastfeed has proved a slow and somewhat daunting task. Indeed, the many benefits of breastfeeding have been expounded hand in hand with vigorous lobbying. Numerous research-based reports have confirmed repeatedly that breastmilk has the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and antibodies to fight illness and infection, and can minimise the risk of newborns contracting gastroenteritis, respiratory, ear and urinary tract infections, or developing eczema. But, despite great efforts on the part ofNational Breastfeeding Awareness Week (NBAW) since 1993 and the NHS Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–2006, which aims to increase breastfeeding initiation rates by 2% annually, the UK still lags behind it’s European ...
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Twins after ivf
2008-03-03 15:45:00
by Suzy I met my husband when I was 29 and when at 33 we tied the knot when I was keen to start trying for a baby as soon as possible. I was paranoid from the start that we would have problems – having children was all I ever wanted - it would almost be too good to be true if they came along easily. Friends & family told me to just relax and it would happen – they meant well but had no idea how frustrating and infuriating their words were. After ten months of trying with no success I went to see my GP, my mum had an early menopause and I was worried I may be going the same way. My blood tests and my husbands sperm test all came back normal and I was booked in for a lap and dye. The possible outcomes of the lap & dye weren't explained to me and when they found both my tubes to be swollen, blocked & fluid filled – useless & beyond repair I was gobsmaked and I felt like the bottom of my world had fallen out. My worst fears were realised, I may never have children...
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hydrosalpinx (blocked fallopian tubes)
2008-02-28 11:42:00
A hydrosalpinx is a blocked, dilated, fluid-filled fallopian tube usually caused by a previous tubal infection, for example sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia trachomatis and gonorrhea. The build-up of fluid is usually at the end of the tube nearest the ovary. Diagnosis of hydrosalpinx is usually made by a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), an x-ray procedure in which contrast dye is injected through the cervix into the uterine cavity to demonstrate the shape of the uterus and the patency (degree of openness) of the fallopian tubes. If the tubes are open, the liquid will spill out the ends of the tubes (Figure A). If the tubes are blocked, the liquid is trapped. Hydrosalpinx may also be diagnosed by laparoscopy, which is the insertion of a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope into the abdomen through an incision to visually inspect the tubes. They may also be visualized by ultrasound. Many patients with a hydrosalpinx have chronic or recurrent pelvic pain, whil...

Accupuncture and success of IVF
2008-02-28 10:58:00
"Acupuncture can increase the chances of getting pregnant for women undergoing fertility treatment by 65%," according to The Guardian's news pages.The Times, The Daily Telegraph and BBC News covered the story and quoted Edward Ernst, a professor of complementary medicine, who cautioned that the effect might be due to a placebo effect caused by the women expecting acupuncture to work. He said that the expectation might cause them to relax which would improve pregnancy rates.The study behind this story is a systematic review which combined the results of "high quality" studies on acupuncture, rates of pregnancy and live birth in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Although the methods used by this study are robust, some possible biases cannot be ruled out. Studies that have negative results are less likely to be published and may therefore not have been included.When interpreting the 65% increase in pregnancy rates, it should be remembered that the differences in pregnancy...
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Male Exposure To Toxins Could Harm Generations Of Offspring, Link To Infert
2008-02-28 10:50:00
Scientists claim that men who smoke, drink heavily or are exposed to pesticides while trying for a baby could harm generations of offspring.Researchers said animal studies showed abnormalities caused by environmental toxins were caused by genetic changes that were passed on through generations. Smoking, drinking alcohol and cocaine were found to cause chemical changes to semen Dr Cynthia Daniels of Rutgers University, said: "If I were a young man I would not drink heavily and I would not be smoking two packs of cigarettes per day while trying to conceive a child.""Studies have shown significant associations between male toxic exposures and increased rates of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and childhood health problems.""We need to open our eyes and look at the evidence. Sixty per cent of all birth defects have unknown sources. Why are we not examining such an obvious source of harm?" Dr Matthew Anway, of the University of Idaho, gave pregnant female rats daily injections of th...
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Selective Single Embryo Transfer Of A Blastocyst For IVF Increases Pregnanc
2008-02-28 10:48:00
The aim of any IVF treatment is for the woman to become pregnant and to give birth to a healthy baby. In order to achieve greater success, some doctors implant more than one embryo into the womb of a woman during IVF. This practice often leads to multiple pregnancy and though commonly seen as desirable by parents, multiple pregnancy carries an increased risk of preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and pre-eclampsia, thereby increasing maternal, perinatal and infant mortality. There is also a greater risk of long-term poor health for surviving babies, including the risk of cerebral palsy. In order to lower the multiple birth rate in IVF, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), British Fertility Society (BFS) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have all recommended single embryo transfer (SET). The catch of choosing SET for many parents has been that in the past, pregnancy rates have been lower per cycle (although they can increase ...
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My fertility journey (male & female factor infertility)
2008-02-28 10:38:00
By Claire We started ttc in Jan 2006. From the beginning we were unsure if we would have male factor issues, as dh had mumps orchitis when he was 16 years old, and as a result one of his testicles had been left much smaller. We saw his GP, and dh did a SA. The result was very poor/abnormal, and we had to wait for dh to be able to repeat the SA. During this time, he made lifestyle changes, and the 2nd result was much better. In June 2006, I discovered I was pg, but unfortunately started bleeding, and miscarried very shortly after. After the mc, my cycles became quite erratic. I was treated for cervical erosion at this time, and discussed my cycles/mc with my consultant. In Sept 2006, he did bloods, which showed I was not ovulating, at that time. He suggested starting clomid, to see if it would help regulate/ induce ovulation. My FSH and LH levels were fine. I started on 50 mg clomid in October 2006. Initially I had low cd 21 progesterone results, although my consultant said I wa...
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Pregnancy calender weeks 17-20
2008-02-26 08:01:00
20 weeks gestation 17 weeks gestation Your baby is anywhere from 4.4 to 4.8 inches by pregnancy week 17 and weighs almost 3 ½ ounces. He or she would fit nicely into the palm of your hand if you were able to hold them. At this stage, the baby should be able to start hearing things and should start to put on tiny layers of fat from this week on. Some women may notice the baby moving between 17 and 20 weeks, as it will become increasingly active. Between 18 and 19 weeks, the baby should measure between 5-7 inches and many abnormalities can now be picked up by ultrasound. An anomoly scan (major scan for detecting any defects) is usually carried out between 18 and 22 weeks. By 19-20 weeks the baby will start to produce meconium, the baby's first bowel movement,and the womb can be felt just below the belly button. The sex can almost certanly be determined by ultrasound at this point although it depends very much on the position of the baby! At this stage, the womb is rapidly ...
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Eating well during pregnancy
2008-02-26 07:51:00
Nutrition in pregnancy By Alana Juman Blincoe One of the most vital instances when a balanced diet and good nutrition are needed is when a women is about to become pregnant or is pregnant. It is well noted that women who have poor diets, have a greater tendency to give birth to babies who have a low birth weight. A baby born at fulwl term weighing less than 2.5kg is likely to suffer from illnesses and may have difficulty feeding ( There is also mounting evidence suggesting a mother’s diet can also have more far reaching effects for the fetus, leading to ill heath for a child in later life. It is therefore, of great importance that women about to conceive or who have conceived are educated about the necessary dietary requirements for optimum nutrition, both for themselves and their unborn child. Foods to eat n Based on information from the World Health Organisation, the government recommends we all eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. A variety of fruit an...
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Epidural- How is it done? (video)
2008-02-26 07:36:00
Epidural anaesthesia is a type of anaesthetic used for childbirth, whether it be a vaginal or caesarean birth. It does not make the woman unconscious, but it stops her feeling any sensation in the lower body. This means there will not be any feeling in your abdomen (stomach), pelvis and legs. Epidural anaesthetic is a popular method of pain relief during labour and childbirth because you stay conscious throughout. The epidural is usually given once labour has started, before the cervix has started to dilate This video shows how its done- you can see the area being anaesthetised first
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A PCOS success story
2008-02-25 11:50:00
By Elaine I found out I had PCOS when I was about 17 - I had really irregular periods - they could be as far apart as 18 - 24 months apart ... anyway as soon as I got married in October 1997 we knew we wanted to have a family ... hadn't been using any protection for quite a while before we got married ... so I went to my GP who referred me to a consultant - I was booked in for a laparoscopy in March 98 which confirmed my PCOS and that everything else appeared to be ok - my DH also had the usual test done - I was prescribed 50mg of clomid in May 98 and amazingly got a BFP from my June cycle (2nd cycle) - by the time we were due to go back for my DH's result I was pregnant so there was no need to go back. My pregnancy went really smoothly and Callum was born at 38 weeks and was delivered naturally -- I needed a few stitches but apart from that everything went really easily ... if you need to know more about my actual labour let me know as I've assumed you want to know more about ...
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GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS
2008-02-25 10:28:00
Most of us will not have heard of Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep or GBS), yet it is a common type of bacteria carried by about one third of us without us usually knowing. It is one of a number of bacteria that normally live in our bodies. Occasionally, however, GBS causes life threatening infections in 1 in every 1,000 babies born in the UK. Each year, 700 babies develop GBS infections (Septicaemia, Pneumonia, or Meningitis, 100 of these babies die, and 20 babies suffer long-term mental and/or physical handicaps, from mild learning disabilities to severe mental retardation, loss of sight, loss of hearing and lung damage. GBS is also a recognised cause of preterm delivery, maternal infections, stillbirths and late miscarriages. BUT GBS CAN BE TESTED FOR AND INFECTIONS PREVENTED IN MOST CASES. Medical research estimates that testing, offering intravenous antibiotics to known GBS carriers and women in premature labour would prevent 80-90% of GBS infections in newborn babies i...

ivf- birth story
2008-02-25 10:14:00
From The Times Online: Imogen Edwards Jones wrote about her three-year struggle to become pregnant - a journey that has cost thousands of pounds and involved countless doctors, procedures and health scares. Her daughter, Allegra, was born and, here, Imogen's husband, Kenton Allen, describes the experience from the proud father's point of view I really do not know what all the fuss was about. The moment all 6lb 4oz of a rather grey and slimy Allegra Carmen Elizabeth Allen popped into view, three years of heartache vanished in an instant. All those years of failure suddenly seemed like one bad night out in Birmingham. All those worries about miscarriage or having a small baby or the 400 other obsessions I had been taught to fret about by medicine's finest minds vanished in a heartbeat. And not just any old heartbeat, but a brand new heartbeat from a brand new person. A person I had become convinced would turn out to be a male midget with a cleft palate and the promise of a care...
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A water birth denied
2008-02-24 14:45:00
A Water Birth Denied Deborah Byrne source: From MIDWIFERY MATTERS, Issue No.109, Summer 2006 For the purposes of confidentiality, names have been changed and no identifiable information has been given. During early shift on the birth centre, I welcomed a woman and her partner into our unit and introduced myself and my midwife mentor, Jenny. Lucy was expecting her second baby and had been experiencing regular uterine contractions for two hours with intact membranes. Lucy's contractions were regular, every five minutes lasting for approximately forty seconds. On palpation the contractions felt moderate to strong. Lucy's fundus was term, and the fetus was presenting in the left occipito anterior position with a cephalic, longitudinal lie. Lucy was a strong woman who was breathing through her contractions and mobilising. I asked Lucy and her partner Paul if they had a birth plan. Paul handed me a comprehensive plan which stated that Lucy wished to have an active birth with minim...

Another normal vaginal birth
2008-02-24 14:32:00
Another normal vaginal delivery
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