Posts Tagged ‘labor’

What Are The Signs That I Am In Labour?

Saturday, August 20th, 2011

When you conceive and turn out to be pregnant, your physique begins to finely tune to give birth. Pregnancy is considered to be full-term about 38 weeks from fertilization, i.e. approximately 40 weeks from the start of the last menstruation. As you approach the final weeks of pregnancy, you may perhaps question when labor will start, whether signs and symptoms you may be having could be the start of labor, and when you will need to call your doctor or head to the hospital. Do you want to know how to bring on labour naturally?

If you are with visions of either giving birth in your car or producing repeated “fake alarm” trips to the hospital or birth center, this quick guide is for you. To begin with, forget about Television portrayals of labor, where pregnant girls suddenly look startled, clutch their bellies, and puff, “I am heading to have my child NOW!” Then the child is born with a rush of emotion and swift measures. The mother doubles over from the discomfort of a sole contraction, and the baby appears prior to the commercial break. Acupressure for labour can be very beneficial for regulating yourself when labour should start.

In fact, labor often starts much less dramatically. You’ll have time to work things out. The average labor lasts 9 hrs for first-time mothers and six-and-a-half for women laboring once more – and that’s from the onset of typical, painful contractions, happening 5 to 3 minutes apart. Most women have several, if not many, additional hours from the time the initial vague twinges start and this pattern setting in.

Every single woman’s labor is unique. But comprehending the typical signs of labor can help you know what to anticipate as your due day approaches. There will be countless signals your body will give you to let you know you are preparing for labor. Your body is organized and finely tuned to give birth, and there are numerous indicators that will tell that you are in labor. No one understands exactly what causes labor to commence or why so many pregnancies become overdue. You can choose to induce labor using tried and tested natural methods.

One of the recent studies published in European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology (Vol. 132, June 2007) uncovered that when the degree of certain mRNA molecules in mom’s blood circulation increases the labor is about to start. What is interesting is that these molecules are of fetal origin. Could it be probable that the child sends a message to the mother’s body when it’s time to deliver? What if the mother’s body doesn’t recognize this communication? Could that be one of the reasons why so many pregnancies turn out to be overdue and EDD are passed?

Regardless of the truth that no one knows for certain what triggers labor — the truth is that each and every woman’s birthing experience is exclusive. But as your due date approaches it’s useful to understand the common indicators of initial labor. Before we discuss about what the very first signs and symptoms of your labor are and how you can recognize them, it’s good to be conscious of what the early labor truly is and how you should respond to the first indicators of labor.

Baby In The Boardroom : How To Jugg-e The Demands Of Pregnancy And Your Job

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

The truth is, its not impossib-e for a woman to continue working during pregnancy, as -ong as she remains hea-thy during this period. However. this can present some cha–enges especia–y since pregnancy has its share of aches and pains. Take morning sickness, for examp-e. Its name may be mis-eading some women into thinking that it on-y strikes at a particu-ar time of day, but the fee-ing of nausea may actua–y threaten to overwhe-m a pregnant woman at any given time of the day especia–y during the first trimester, but it may continue throughout the pregnancy. Women are a-so more easi-y tired and uncomfortab-e as their bodies cope with the increasing demands of carrying the baby, and the stress of being pregnant is often aggravated by job stress. Certain work conditions may a-so aggravate job stress or be dangerous for both mother and unborn chi-d such as frequent shift changes, strenuous physica- tasks, hot or co-d working environments, -ong commutes, pro-onged standing, repetitive -ifting of heavy objects, heavy vibrations such as from -arge machines and exposure to harmfu- substances.

Even if the job doesn’t present any obvious threat, there wi– sti– be a need to make some changes to a pregnant woman’s working conditions. These changes must be made to ensure the continuing good hea-th of both mother and chi-d. Here are some ideas that the pregnant woman may want to fo–ow for a troub-e-free pregnancy at work:

-    Avoid anything that may trigger an attack of nausea, and drink p-enty of f-uids. Keep a supp-y of crackers, bott-ed water, hard candy, -emon drops, ginger a-e, ginger tea and other b-and foods handy in the office to he-p ease the nausea in case it attacks.
-    Pregnant women tire easi-y, with their energy -eve- f-uctuating throughout the day. During this time it is extreme-y important that a woman gets an adequate amount of s-eep at night and opportunity to take short, frequent breaks during the day to recharge. This may mean rethinking your work schedu-e and sca-ing back on activities both inside and outside the home such as doing chores. It may a-so he-p if you have a comfortab-e chair and enough pi–ows to support your back, and a p-ace to put your feet up.
-    Exercise does wonders during pregnancy, because it great-y improves your overa– hea-th and we–being.  It boosts mood, enhances the qua-ity of s-eep, reduces pregnancy aches and pains, and prepares you for chi-dbirth by strengthening musc-es and bui-ding endurance. This is especia–y important because during pregnancy and chi-dbirth, a woman’s body is subjected to a great dea- of stress. Exercise a-so makes it much easier to get back in shape after your baby’s born, and he-ps ease constipation, backache, fatigue,  varicose veins, circu-ation prob-ems and other hea-th issues re-ated to pregnancy. The most recommended exercises for pregnant women are wa-king, swimming, yoga, stretching, and -ow-impact aerobics. Pe-vic exercises ca–ed Kege- exercises are a-so beneficia- to the expectant mother, he-ping to strengthen the pe-vic f-oor. The pe-vic f-oor musc-es support the uterus, bowe-, and b-adder; these body parts are put under pressure during pregnancy and chi-dbirth.
-    Bending and -ifting. Proper form can spare your back, even if you’re -ifting something -ight. Bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the -oad c-ose to your body, -ifting with your -egs — not your back. Avoid twisting your body whi-e -ifting. If a -oad is too heavy to hand-e easi-y, ask for he-p.

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natural labor induction 

 

How To Naturraly Induce Labor

Monday, August 30th, 2010

natural labor induction

Natural labor induction

is the artificial starting of labor with the use of pitocin, castor oil, or herbal preparations such as blue or
black cohash. Other methods used to start labor include breaking the amniotic sack (an amniotomy), stripping of the
membranes (separating the membranes of the amniotic sack from the uterine wall), and inserting prostaglandin gel,
or pieces of Misoprostol tablets into the vagina to soften the cervix. The idea is to get labor going artificially, by
starting contractions of the uterus. The most commonly used agent is pitocin, an imitation of the natural hormone,
Oxytocin, which stimulates labor contractions spontaneously. This is administered by an intravenous drip, and the
major side effect is violent and extremely painful contractions of the uterus. Castor Oil is frequently proscribed by
midwives, and causes diarrhea, which can stimulate the body to produce natural oxytocin, and start labor
contractions.

Giving childbirth through this practice as common in the United States, its not so normal on other places.
Interference in a natural process such as birth can cause negative side effects, as well as lead to more risky
interventions. It is important that all pregnant women educate themselves on the pros and cons of all interventions
(medical and otherwise) before agreeing to them.

Many natural labor inductions are performed because women are deemed to be past their due date. The medical community fears
postmaturity syndrome, which means that the baby is past due, the placenta may have started to function less
efficiently, depriving the baby of nutrients, oxygen, and sufficient amniotic fluid. While this is a very serious
condition, it is also rare. Obstetric Myths i’s her book vs. Research Realities, author Henci Goer discusses research
indicating that postmaturity syndrome may actually be caused by Intrauterine Growth Retardation, a disease of
malnutrition or system failure, rather than being overdue. More research needs to be done to confirm this, but it
brings into question the practice of automatically inducing because a woman is considered overdue.
One of the new ways to induce women to have “big” babies its the most recent macrosomia. It is important to
note that methods used to determine a baby’s size can unreliable, measuring up to 2 lbs. off in either direction.
Ove estimate the size of the baby its the most usuall.

A study done in 1993 by Combs, et al, noted that:

“We conclude that elective induction of labor after sonographic diagnosis of macrosomia increases the cesarean rateand does not prevent shoulder dystocia”. Shoulder Dystocia, when a baby’s shoulders get stuck during birth,ususally resolves easily with the use of the Gaskin Manuver (turning the mom on to her hands and knees), andgentle, gradual mother-initiated pushing. Another study done in 1983 by Boyd, et al, showed that an increase of csections for macrosomia did not improve perinatal out comes, yet this is still done frequently. Both Obsteteric
Myths vs. Research Realities by Henci Goer, and Understanding Diagnostic Testing in the Childbearing Year by
Anne Frye, CNM cite important research on this topic.

Next to the increased risk for cesarean surgery, one of the other most common negative side effects is actually the
possibility that the baby will be premature, and unable to sustain life outside the womb. This means that the baby is
born too early, and may suffer serious health and developmental problems. According to a 1990 study published in
the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the average length of pregnancy is actually 41 weeks and one day. This
would extend the overdue period to 43 weeks. Additional reasons commonly given for induction include medical
complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, fetal growth restriction (AKA: intrauterine growth retardation),
oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid), and blood incompatibility. Sometimes, however, inductions are done
simply for the convenience of the parents, or medical personnel.

Obstetrics Illustrated lists the following complications of induction: failure to induce effective contractions;
placental separation (abruption); bleeding; prolapse of the cord; infection; pulmonary embolism of amniotic fluid;
poor uterine action; abnormal fetal heart rate patterns; hyperstimulation; rupture of the uterus; water intoxication;
50% increased risk of a cesarean section, and a general trend toward the need for more invasive and risky medical
interventions. This last one is known as the domino theory of obstetrical interventions, in which one intervention
leads to another, and more increasingly invasive, and thus more risky, interventions, and so on, until the woman
ends up with complications that require a cesarean section. It is important that parents also educate themselves
regarding the risks of major surgery, which are numerous, as well as potentially life threatening.

Continue reading —>

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Alcohol And Pregnancy: Not As Bad As Assumed?

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Wine, drinking, and alcohol have always been associated with a variety of negative effects, particularly on pregnant women and the fetuses they carry. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy has been linked to a number of unwanted side effects, including stunted cell growth and impaired nervous system development. The damage done by drinking during pregnancy can also sometimes lead to neurological disorders later on in life, though only under certain circumstances. However, recent medical studies have discovered that a little drinking during pregnancy may not pose such a high risk as it has been thought to be, provided the amounts are carefully monitored and are not in excess.

Now, numerous studies have pointed out that drinking while pregnant is a negative factor. These same studies have shown that women who had drinking binges while expecting have children who develop a variety of problems later in life, both in physical wellness and mental health. However, it is worth noting that the studies have not exactly determined what in alcohol causes these problems, or if alcohol indulgence causes these issues at all. In recent studies, evidence has come to light that alcohol may not be as large a factor for causing ill effects during pregnancy as initially believed. There is some debate on whether or not it is as damaging as initially believed, but most do not doubt that it would have a few side effects.

Recently, the University of Oxford conducted studies into the issue under the leadership of Dr. Ron Gray. The researchers began by reviewing the results and conditions of 14 previous studies to try and eliminate any factors other than the biological and chemical that might have contributed to the results. According to the team’s preliminary findings, previous studies limited their definitions of what it means to ‘binge drink’ and did not seem to take certain factors into account. Factors such as frequency were paid attention to by some, while others ignored it in favor of amount of alcohol ingested.

Currently, no studies have revealed a link between occasional drinking binges and effects such as stillbirths, miscarriages, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Other problems include poor IQ scores and social development skills, suffering academic performance, and learning disabilities. The word ‘occasional’ is considered to be the critical term in the study’s definition. There is no doubt that regular binging on alcohol is going to guarantee some sort of damage to the fetus, but there is no evidence what imbibing smaller amounts with less frequency can do. Some parties have taken issue with the study’s definition of binge drinking, which only includes women who drink throughout the pregnancy period. This puts their assumption that ‘occasional drinking doesn’t cause much damage’ into a questionable light.

For the time being, most doctors are still likely to advise women to stay away from drinking. While there may be no damage done in a drink or two, there is still no direct information on just how much alcohol it would take to cause damage. The amount of time in between drinks is also unknown, which adds another complication. It may be that occasional drinking can do no damage, while regular intake (even of smaller amounts) can cause long-term defects. Or it is possible that quantity of alcohol imbibed, regardless of what intervals are in between binges. At the moment, researchers are taking the stand that further study is needed to fully understand all possible angles of this situation.

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