Women with lupus can have healthy pregnancies

‘LUPUS’, chronic inflammatory disease, aka Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common health disorders that affect women during their childbearing phase. Fatigue, fever, arthritis, a photosensitive rash, serositis, Raynaud phenomenon, glomerulonephritis, and hematologic abnormalities are some typical clinical symptoms of SLE. Most of the pregnant women are generally scared of lupus, because of risks to their own and their fetus’ health. But promising research done by experts may offer hope for women having lupus concerned that pregnancy was too risky.

Complicacy caused by lupus during pregnancy

The problems (risks as well) created out of SLE includes:

• PIH(pregnancy-induced hypertension) which causes sudden increase in blood pressure, fluid retention and access protein in the urine.
• Blood clots that blocks oxygen and nutrition supply for the baby in the placenta.
• Can make early delivery, premature birth (with symptoms of premature labor like backache, pelvic pressure, abdominal cramps etc.) – about one out of every three.

Mainly two categories of pregnancy complications were observed: the health of the mother and of the fetus. For the mothers mild, moderate or severe increases of lupus activity, or flares were found. For the fetus, the research examined the worst outcome — death — or situations in which the well-being of the infant would require extended hospitalization in a critical care unit.However, do not panic much. Research found favorable outcome among 80% of lupus patients and around 10% of miscarriage. To avoid any risk pregnant women having lupus require additional monitoring like medical checkup for kidneys, heart and lungs, blood pressure, certain protein test in the blood etc.

Preparing (plan i.e.) for Pregnancy

It’s recommended that plan your pregnancy simply after feeling enough healthy and having full control over SLE. Or, mat be, consult with your physician about planning of pregnancy after through close monitoring and testing of blood and urine so that problems can be identified and treated early (specially kidney related disease – caused by lupus).

Pregnant women are also suggested to consult obstetrician who has experience with high-risk pregnancies. Check also your health insurance plans, check the entire coverage of the plan carefully.

After delivery problems

Lupus may create following problems after delivery:

• Mothers who have premature delivery (or taking certain medications) may face trouble producing breast milk for the newborns. Most of such problems can be resolved through special consultation with the doctor.
• About 30% of babies born to women having lupus may have neonatal lupus (transient from mother).

But do not panic much. Research indicates babies born to mothers having SLE are not at higher risk. After delivery it’s recommended to consult physician for regular checkup for mother and baby together.

5 Ways to ditch the baby weight without exercise

Additional weight gain is a common phenomenon for any pregnant woman after giving birth of a new baby – especially during the last few months. Gynecologists advise to lose weight through light postpartum exercise like practice in Gym (consulting with experts), regular walking, light yoga etc. Here are simple (5) ways to finally combat your baby weight safely without doing any exercise.

Through breastfeeding

Through breastfeedingReport says that breastfed women typically experience weight loss at a rate of about one or two pounds per month; so instead of working on shedding baby weight through dieting or exercise, just focus on the extra calories you’re burning simply by nourishing and bonding with your little angle.

Drink plenty of water

Water is considered to be the cheapest medicine, drink plenty of water to feel healthier and fitter. Best thing in water is that it doesn’t have any calorie at all. A glass of water helps to let out all the digestive juices and sort of lubricates the insides of the stomach shrinking enough. Drink minimum eight glass of water per day. Avoid soft and sweet drinks like cola, soda, as sugar contains a lot of calorie. Apart from water, tea and coffee are harmless by themselves.

Give up unhealthy fast foods

High calorie fast food like red meat, burgers, foods containing additives and chemicals build up your body overnight, beefing up to store fat in the body. Consume nature friendly food, green vegetables which not only will help you weight loss, but also protect you against deadly diseases, and keeps you healthy. Just stay away from fried stuff, heavy meal, eat fresh fruits a lot, specially those that contains water such as tomatoes, watermelons.

Do not skip meals. Skipping meals have just the opposite effect of what you want. You need to have at least four regular meals on daily basis.

Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises too helps to lose weight a lot. When you are doing the breathing exercises properly (good have instruction from experienced Yoga teacher), you actually apply pressure on the muscles (around the mid-section); you can even feel a tightening of these muscles each time you breathe in or breathe out. This eventually leads to weight loss.

POSTURE PERFECT

And the last suggestion is related to some simple activities into toning exercises and postures. Little walking, light physical work (simple activities) may help to keep your body fit and fresh. Hold your baby in the front with your two arms instead of holding on your side. Try to keep shoulders down and back straight while pulling belly towards your spine.

Focus on losing excess water weight by light exercise regularly, eating as per healthy diet chart and drinking plenty of water. Always it is recommended to consult physician after delivery.

Pregnancy Week 16

Mom and I work very well together now. I am sixteen weeks old and well accustomed to her little oddities, as if muscle twitches. When she is totally relaxed, her breathing is softer, slower. I can feel it pressing on my sac every now and again through the uterus, when it is deep, maybe she is sighing. I hope she is not unhappy, but I do not think so. I am bathed in a wonderful warm feeling, like a loving breath, so different from the fluid that I float in.

I can pull faces. Sometimes they turn into something that I did not want, because some part is still forming, but mostly it turns out like I think I want. With this coming of feeling of my face, I can taste. Not well, but I can taste the amniotic fluid. Doesn’t taste of anything really, but sometimes what comes from Mom is really nice. I do not know what it is, but I like it immensely. I shall try to remember it on the outside.

My innards are moving into their final positions. It feels funny, but somehow I know they have to be in certain places. It can tickle me, and I stretch my mouth to feel amusement. One part of me is working very hard already. I do not know why it is working so hard, but I vaguely understand it is insulin it is making, for what, I do not know.

My arms and legs can get in my own way, and I can get impatient with them. They are so long, and my hands and feet seem so far away by feel. The bones in them are becoming solid, and my joints work fine. I can kick quite well by now, and I do, when Mom eats or drinks something I do not like. I can already sense the tastes of simple sweet and sour things. She likes sweet things, though, so we agree on food usually. I would like to have more of the sweet things and less of the sour.

The woman is really enjoying her pregnancy now, although there are some things that concern her a little. Her heartbeat has increased, to provide more blood to the baby, but it needs to, to carry the extra blood. This volume will increase with the pregnancy’s growth, and will eventually be thirty to fifty per cent extra; by the time, she is ready for birth.

About now, neural tube defects can be picked up by a Alpha-fetoprotein Test (AFP) which can be offered. This is a maternal blood screening, and usually works best when taken during the fifteenth-seventeenth weeks of pregnancy. The test can often be a Quad or Triple Screen.

Do not try to squeeze into clothes that are too tight. The baby will resent it, and one will feel very uncomfortable. Look around for some maternity clothes that look good on one, and suit the body. There are many now, which are very suitable. In a pinch, a shirt of one’s partner may do, but is really better to wear around the house.

For Dads, suddenly finding ones best shirt decorating ones partner may not be so endearing. One has a choice, to grow accustomed to it, or go buy some more for yourself. One forgets, one’s shirt is very comfortable, if the partner is packing on the weight, and does not want to buy new dresses every week, which can easily happen.

Reasons Of Bleeding In First Trimester Of Pregnancy

First trimester refers to the period of first three months of the pregnant woman – as trimester lasts around three months, thus entire pregnancy period contains three trimesters. Study says approximately 30% of pregnant women suffers from vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, most commonly in the first trimester (the first 12 weeks of pregnancy). Vaginal bleeding may vary from light spotting to severe bleeding with clots. Although most possible cause of bleeding in the first trimester goes to miscarriage, but that’s not enough. Here are the most common reasons for first-trimester bleeding; some are serious and significant, some are less serious and pose no threat to the pregnancy.

1. Cervicitis

It is a condition when delicate cells at the mouth of the womb (or the cervix) bleed due to the mechanical action of intercourse, acidity in the vagina (pH), or any infection on these cells.

2. Implantation Bleeding

This is probably the most benign type of bleeding during pregnancy. A very small amount of bleeding (spotting) occurs with the normal implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall, in the implantation bleeding. Normally It is very minimal and painless, but if it frequently occurs then women get confused with the period. But the risk is very minimum and no cause for concern

3. Decidual Bleeding

It’s actually a certain type of light spotting occurring at intervals in early pregnancy during menstrual period. Sometimes a small piece of tissue gets disintegrated, may be hormonally stimulated through any unknown reason, and thus causing spotting confuses with the miscarriage.

4. Infections

Any of vaginal infections (or bacterial) can be worrisome enough, since some infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, and Gardnerella may increase the risk of second-trimester miscarriage or preterm birth. Proper microscopic evaluation is the best approach rather than any simple assumption.

5. Ectopic Pregnancy

It’s considered to be very dangerous cause of first trimester bleeding. It occurs if the fertilized eggs implants mostly in the fallopian tube instead of inside of the uterus. It is sometimes very painful posing life threatening to the mother. However, this syndrome occurs in about 3% of all pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancy causes 6 percent of all U.S. maternal deaths

6. Cervical Sensitivity

Small spotting (harmless) can be resulted from the hormonal changes of pregnancy or intercourse.

7. Vanishing Twin

Bleeding is even more common with twins. In case of twins, when one of the two twins is miscarried (other one is viable), bleeding occurs, and this refers to ‘vanishing twin’.

Bleeding affects 20-30% of all pregnancies. If you notice bleeding (even very minor) it’s highly advisable to consult immediately to consult your health care provider to rule out any serious consequences.

Pregnancy Week 15

Mom and I are going through a great deal of changes together. Most of these changes result because of what is happening in each other. Now, if she is uncomfortable, I must do what I can to accommodate her. Fair enough, she did all the accommodating in the first trimester. What I put her through! I am ashamed, but I will have forgotten when I am born. I am fifteen weeks now, almost halfway through the fourth month of the pregnancy.

I am producing urine. I have nowhere to put it, nor do I have any control over it, so I simply pass it into the amniotic fluid, which surrounds me. It will do no harm there, as it is sterile, and I will not produce too much, so I will not drown myself. I amuse myself by breathing the amniotic fluid in and out of my lungs. They really do not function yet, so I am safe from harm also while I practice this trick.

I know what my amniotic fluid is, but that is another thing I will have forgotten by the time I am born. No one really knows where it comes from, that is another part of being that just is. But I know that it completely regenerates itself every three hours. It has to, or it would get smelly and foul, although I would not know what it smelled like, because nothing in here has any smell, just that of being.

If Mom reads a book to me now, I will remember what it is when I am born, if she reads it enough. I love to hear her voice, and know it is especially for me. It sounds so warm, I can sense the warmth.. Sometimes she sounds impatient if I do something that makes her uncomfortable, but mainly she sounds like the angel I have in my mind. I can reason very primitively, and I am beginning to have dreams, though I cannot remember what they are, only how they make me feel. Some of them can be really nasty, though I do not know why this is.

I am twelve point five centimetres or four point nine two inches. I push at the big bag surrounding me when I want it to shift. It expands as I grow, and grows as I grow. It does not get thinner when I push on it. It feels like spongy rubber, if I could understand what that was.

The mother to be is settling into the pregnancy now. She is comfortable with her body as a whole, and the diminishing of the nausea and vomiting is a blessing. There are the unlucky ones who will suffer with sickness all through the pregnancy, but they will survive it. By now, if they are unlucky enough to suffer still, they will have come to an uneasy truce with the feeling.

Dad might be feeling a sneaking sensation of pride. This is fine, if he shares it with his partner. It is still, as a whole, up to both if they care to share with others or not. They may prefer to keep it a secret for a little longer, especially if the woman is not showing a great deal. It is a personal thing, with both maybe only wanting to share with each other.

Pregnancy Week 14

I am into my fourteenth week of existence. Mom is into her second trimester. My teeth are formed in the gums. I cannot bite, that is for a later date. I have these long string- things that, when I am born, will be called intestines. But, for now, they are moving themselves from the cord that holds me to my mother into me by a miraculous plan.

In these cords are strange things that look like hairs. They are called villi, and will help with movement of meconium, or faeces, when I am born. My pancreas is also secreting insulin, although I do not need it yet. I am truly learning to be able to function as a healthy child, but, although I badly want to be out in the world now, I could not survive.

So, I fill in time by amusing myself. I suck my thumb. I practice breathing, in and out. If I were another type of a pregnancy, such as a fruit, I would be as big as a lime. I weigh .5 to .7 ounces in weight and 3 inches long.

My placenta can make my parents give up sex, if it is the wrong place, such as over the mouth of the cervix. There are other reasons for not having sex, also, personal for me. I am compressed, and may make Mom dizzy and blackout from the vena cava being compressed between her body and me.

The mother should be through the worst of her nausea and vomiting. Her body is settling into a shape that is comfortable for her, and she begins to enjoy sex again. She may instigate it, in fact, as the hormonal effect levels off to a certain degree, and she finally has relief from the sickness.

The baby is at no risk from sexual intercourse. A thick mucus plug protects the uterus and the baby from almost anything passing from the father during intercourse Also the baby is within a very protective sac filled with amniotic fluid. From this time on, however, it is better to find a position different from the woman lying on her back. Pressure on the vena cava and other arteries and veins running behind the uterus does cause giddiness and possibly fainting in the woman.

Now that most of the problems of the first trimester in are the past, most people start to share their joy by telling close friends and relations. It is still wise to find a tactful way of putting those who have a virus or the flu, or any other problem off for a little while longer. Viruses, especially, can pass over the placenta, and to the child forming, so it is better to a few hurt feelings at this early stage, then a major guilt trip later.

Find some time to inspect some groups that are available online, or at the clinic or hospital in the area. They can help one through the gestation, especially if someone or other is sharing the same type of pregnancy. If one has something go wrong and ends confined to bed, this friendship can aid one get through this phase.

The risk of miscarriage is much less, than it was in the first twelve weeks, but this does not mean one can take deliberate risks. Still maintain caution, and consider what risks one is willing to take, in order to give the baby the best chance of life. Alcohol and smoking should definitely stay on the banned list.

How to Remain Beautiful during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is considered to be blessing or gift of God, a time of joy and celebration for any woman. But at the same time, pregnancy should not cause a woman to feel insecure, it should make her feel vibrant as well as beautiful taking enough care of her own health and look.

Here are some tips to deal with the challenges during pregnancy and remain beautiful even after giving birth.

Proper Diet

The way to keep your hair beauty

Many women suffer from intensive hair shedding and worsening during pregnancy: grease hair becomes greaser, and dry hair becomes drier. Special medicated hair nourishing shampoo with natural conditioner should be used; regular head skin message is suggested specially before going to be at night. Consulting with the professional hairdresser as for an appropriate haircut is also recommended.

The way to keep healthy teeth

Following rules are applicable for keeping teeth healthy:

• eat food containing calcium and vitamin C

• reduce sugar content in your food allowance, so that to prevent caries development

• remember to brush your teeth twice a day

• consult dentist for a preventive medical inspection regularly.

Cosmetics

Skin breakouts, blotchiness, fatigue, nausea, and bloating are nightmare to pregnant women. Pregnant woman should use natural cosmetics as per skin care is concerned. To protect eyes against dark circles around eyes (Combat melasma i.e.) natural fruits like orange, apples or strawberries can be utilized on skin.It is also helpful to drink plenty of water to help moisturize your skin and make your skin smooth as well.

The way to choose clothes and shoes

A well-dressed woman has higher vitality, as she can overcome her pregnancy easier, being in good mood. If outer clothing is loose and not squeezing waist, it will hide an increasing belly and make her more elegant.

Exercise

Gentle exercise like walking, swimming, yoga or Pilates on regular basis is must for a pregnant woman to make muscles toned, body flexible and prevents excess weight. Exercise also provide energy and strength while pregnant helping stay beautiful.

How accurate are home pregnancy tests

Most women take a Home Pregnancy Test (HPT) when they suspect that they might be pregnant. Of course, pregnancy is detected at the very first day when women miss period – recommended by many doctors. This is normally about two weeks after conception. However, there are few tests that are more sensitive (not reliable) than others and can be taken earlier. HPT measures presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone in woman’s urine, the hormone appears in the urine after 10-14 days after being conceived. Home pregnancy tests are around 97% accurate considering that the test is done correctly (means in ideal conditions).

Following instructions are advised for better results of Home Pregnancy Test:

1. The very first morning urine sample is the key factor of accurate pregnancy test.
2. Do not drink large volume of water or any other liquid food (or fluid i.e.) which may dilute urine that you have to collect in the morning. Also it is advisable to hold your urine for a while (approx. 4 hours) before testing for pregnancy.
3. Read all the instructions on the home pregnancy tests carefully and follow them strictly during the urine collection.
4. If you are taking medications, specially fertility drugs, you must consult the physicians thoroughly about bad effects on the results of the tests.

There are different types of home pregnancy tests which can be taken either at home or in a clinic. The test involves collecting your urine in a cup and dipping a stick into the urine, or putting urine into a special container with an eyedropper is named as ‘Dip Test’. And the second one is ‘Midstream Test’ that involves placing a stick into your urine stream and catching your urine in midstream. Both pregnancy tests come out with a positive or negative results, positive naturally indicates probability of pregnancy that enforce you to seek prenatal care from a qualified doctor or midwife.

However, the accuracy of a pregnancy test (specially those taken at home) greatly depends on the quality of the pregnancy test kit that you have used. The accuracy of pregnancy test kits obtained from a reputed well established brand will always be higher, although most pregnancy test kits are available almost in the same price range.Furthermore, a home pregnancy test might be accurate and a solid indicator of a confirmed pregnancy, it is always better to consult a professional to know for sure. Blood tests can also be used to detect pregnancy, and though they are less sensitive, they are more accurate.

Pregnancy Week 13

Hey, look at me! I am a big girl now. I weigh 0.3-0.5ounces or seven grams. My head takes up approximately half my body length, but so many changes are going on in there that I need all of the space I can have. I can reason, very primitively, but I can. I am practising how I will get  food when I am born by making sucking motions. By the time I am born, I will simply know how to suck, unless there is something that prevents me from doing so.

Hey, look at me! I am a big girl now. I weigh 0.3-0.5ounces or seven grams. My head takes up approximately half my body length, but so many changes are going on in there that I need all of the space I can have. I can reason, very primitively, but I can. I am practising how I will get  food when I am born by making sucking motions. By the time I am born, I will simply know how to suck, unless there is something that prevents me from doing so.
It is wonderful to be as big as I am. A whole thirteen weeks in existence. It seems an eternity to me, but there is another eternity to go. I feel my mother’s anxiety for me and my health, such as warm, loving feeling that washes over me all the time. I feel it in the vibrations that come and go from somewhere not far from my ears. I have not yet managed to understand most of them yet, but one is very welcome and reassuring to me. I look forwards to hearing it all the time.

There are many things I look forward to. I feel vaguely what is around me, but I want to feel, taste, hear and see it for myself. So many things I do not understand, but I know the time is coming when I will do all of these things. I am eager to experience it all, although some of it is not important as yet. I yearn to really taste nourishment and see where it comes from.

In this week, the mother should begin to put in place her basic support system. Some may already be in place, such as relatives and close friends and the partner, but outsiders, such as birthing suits or hospitals should be inspected, to find if they are what one wants. Starting to set up the necessaries, such as towels and things for comfort and use during the birth if one wishes to have a home birth.

The other partner should involve themselves in all of this. It will give them a feeling of being included, and part of all that is going on. Reassurance and simply supporting the mother is very important as the pregnancy progresses. Ensure she does not drag heavy furniture around by herself, and give as much aid as one can.
Supporting her diet does not mean one has to change one’s own, but joining her in a simple sandwich or whatever she feels like eating brings a further closeness between the partners. Bringing her in a cup of tea and crackers in bed first thing in the morning usually can brighten her mood to begin her day.

Eating is a very important part of pregnancy at all stages of it. Following the old wives story of eating for two is not really necessary, as long as one eats healthily. Weight gain should be monitored, and eating too much, even though it be healthy food, can lead to a weight gain that may not shift so easily after birth.

Continue the morning and afternoon walks to help control the weight, and strengthen the body. If one cannot manage an afternoon walk, then choose a comfortable length in a walk in the morning and combine it with gentle yoga or another program for pregnant women, which feels comfortable. Reverse this, if one has more time in the afternoon, or involve the partner in a plan that allows one to have the exercise.

Pregnancy Week 12

I have made it through my first twelve weeks. Now I am twelve weeks old. Everything is as I wish, for me to grow strong, big and healthy. I need to remind Mom every so often of what she is eating when it upsets me, but she is being mostly very good.

I have fingernails, and the colour of my eyes appears. Isn’t that wonderful! Although my skin is very thin and transparent, it is growing with me. It is keeping my organs in place and my blood supply. Otherwise they would simply start growing into space, and I will die before I am born.

I can actually hit Mom now, as well as kick her. I can form a fist, and swing it. I am getting more and more strength in my body now. I am about two inches long and very visible on a scan, and my placenta is functioning well. It is taking over from my direct contact with my mother, but I am still firmly attached to her by my placenta.

My ears are migrating from their present position on the back of my neck to the correct place on each side of my head. I shall be able to hear properly soon! I have these odd buds, which will form my teeth. They are very tiny, like the ones, which are going to form my hair.

The mother’s body may now become more normal with nausea and vomiting settling down, apart from in the unlucky few. There is a risk of gaining too much weight, but this should be discussed with one’s health practitioner. Walking is the best exercise to keep the weight down and the body helped to strengthen for delivery of the child. Gentle yoga is also helpful.

Ensure that the footwear is suitable for the walking. Sneakers provide protection, but should be simple and supportive, as it is easy to fall down when pregnant, from being off balance and dizzy. Take care on one’s walk and do not strain to go too far. Be comfortable in clothing and, as has been mentioned, footwear.

For the other partner it is a very good idea to accompany the significant other to her prenatal appointments from now on. One will feel more involved with the pregnancy, and be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Ask the health practitioner if a visit can be scheduled for a time when one can make it, if one cannot be there for one’s partner when her original appointment is due. Involvement makes things more real, and easier to understand the changes in one’s partner.

It is three months now, one third through the pregnancy. From now on, the changes will be more gradual, and more noticeable. The areola on the breasts will be much darker now, and the breasts changing shape, feeling much heavier. Now is definitely time to change one’s bra to give one more support and comfort. Wide straps keep the weight more balanced on the shoulders, and help to stop the bra cutting into the shoulder tops. This can lead to excoriation, pressure and soreness if left unattended.