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iugr – intrauterine growth retardation

pregnancy life — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:33:04 +0000

IUGR stands for Intrauterine Growth Retardation. Very simply it means that the fetus (your baby) is not growing as fast as it should. There are risks of serious problems developing in an iugr baby. An iugr baby weighs less than 9 out of 10 other babies at your stage of pregnancy. Or your Doctor might use the term percentile and in that case your baby’s weight is in the 10th percentile. If your baby is afflicted by iugr then he or she will have a higher risk of injury or even death than a baby who has a normal gestational weight. It is believed that smoking can inhibit your baby’s growth. Also if you (the Mother) gain too little weight during pregnancy then it can influence whether your baby has IUGR. Obviously not smoking and good nutrition are very important for a pregnant woman and should begin BEFORE pregnancy begins. There is evidence to suggest that a woman consuming 1500 calories or less, per day, during pregnancy is more likely to have an IUGR baby. Other factors such as blood flow restrictions, especially pre eclampsia, or high blood pressure (hypertension) in the Mother can limit normal fetal growth. Other causes of IUGR are kidney disease, altitude (if you live at high altitudes), alcoholism, drug use, multiple fetuses, fetal infections, or problems with the umbilical cord. Clearly this is a long list of possible causes and illustrates why regular Doctor visits are so important. A Doctor will check how your uterus is growing and if it is not growing normally this can indicate IUGR. A baby with IUGR is at risk of dying before delivery and sometimes delivering before full term (maybe via C-Section to reduce fetal distress) is the best course of action.

Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks

pregnancy life — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:35:50 +0000

Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks – What can I do to prevent stretch marks?
To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy a lot depends on your skin elasticity and the type of skin you have. And while we can look after our skin and keep a good diet before and during pregnancy this means that preventing stretch marks is largely outside our control. One helpful tip is to try and make sure that you don’t put on weight too quickly (note that your baby is the first priority and needs adequate nutrition) by avoiding unnecessary snacking and by consulting your doctor for any conditions such as gestational diabetes in a timely manner. There are many creams and ointments and the market that claim to help prevent pregnancy stretch marks but there is no proof we are aware of that they work. As time goes on and after your baby has been born the stretch marks will generally become narrower and smaller and go a light color but more often than not they will not disappear altogether.

heart disease and pregnancy

pregnancy life — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:12:01 +0000

Pregnancy adds approximately 50% extra load to a pregnant women’s heart. If a woman has a heart condition or heart disease before becoming pregnant then it is very important to understand that pregnancy will put extra stress on the heart. Different heart complaints have different implications – the main thing to realise is that a woman who has or “suspects” they have a heart condition should seek professional advise before becoming pregnant. Congenital heart problems can seriously affect health and a Doctor may advise against pregnancy.

high blood pressure during pregnancy

pregnancy life — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:01:33 +0000

Hypertension or high blood pressure can cause problems for both mother and her unborn baby. For pregnant women the problems can vary from headaches, stroke or even kidney damage. For the unborn baby it can mean decreased blood circulation to the placenta and this can result in lower baby birth weight or a condition know as IUGR (Intra Uterine Growth Retardation). Any mother to be who has high blood pressure before pregnancy must monitor their blood pressure during pregnancy. It is vital to discuss high blood pressure with your doctor even if you are only thinking about becoming pregnant.

what is the average weight of a woman before and after pregnancy ?

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:49:50 +0000

The average weight of a woman before pregnancy is 164.7 Lbs or just under 75 Kgs (note that this is the average weight of a woman in the USA and does not apply to the UK or Australia or other parts of the world). This data applies to women who are 20 years and older.

Interestingly, the average height of a woman (again based on data from the US) is 63.8 inches or 162 cm and the average waist circumference measurement is 37 inches or about 94 cm.

Obviously data changes over time as eating and exercise habits change in a population over time. Again, note that this information is based on the average weight of a woman in the US.

pregnancy and heartburn

pregnancy life — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:59:36 +0000

Heartburn and pregnancy often go hand in hand. Thats not to say that you will have heartburn if you are pregnant, or you won’t have heartburn if you are not pregnant. It is just more likely to happen during pregnancy or lets say its a “common occurance” during pregnancy.

Heartburn can be considered a symptom of pregnancy but its unlikely to be an early pregnancy symptom. More often than not heartburn occurs in the middle of pregnancy and you will surely know by then that you are pregnant. Again, that is not to say that there are women out there who will get heartburn earlier on.

The burning sensation in your throat, possibly a bad taste in your mouth and general discomfort is not a great feeling to have, particularly at this time of major body changes, fatigue and changing hormone levels.

Its is believed that pregnancy heartburn is caused by increased hormone levels (due to pregnancy) that can cause ligaments in the esophageal sphincter to relax. When this happens acid is more likely to reflux into your throat and mouth.

HIV and pregnancy – what happens if I have HIV and get pregnant

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:50:24 +0000

Infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), one of the world’s most fatal diseases. A woman who is infected with HIV may pass the virus to her baby either during pregnancy, labour and delivery or through breastfeeding.

If you are HIV positive you should consult an obstetrician who is an expert in HIV care either prior to becoming pregnant or as early in the pregnancy as possible. He will advise you on the use of medication to reduce the chances of your baby becoming infected with the virus.

• If you are already taking HIV medication prior to pregnancy and are in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy you should talk to your doctor regarding the risks and benefits of continuing the HIV drugs.
• If you are more than three months pregnant and have been taking HIV drugs prior to pregnancy you will probably be advised to continue with the medication.
• If you are diagnosed HIV positive in the first three months of pregnancy the HIV drugs will not normally be commenced until around 14 weeks.

If you have not taken HIV drugs during your pregnancy you can still reduce the risk of your baby being infected by the virus by using HIV medication during labour and birth.

You may be advised to have an elective caesarean section as this reduces the risk of passing the infection onto your baby during birth.

Breastfeeding is not recommended as the HIV virus can be passed to your baby in the breastmilk.

SLE and pregnancy

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:07:22 +0000

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. If you suffer from SLE it is important to seek pre-conception advice. Although research indicates that if the disease is in remission pregnancy outcomes are good, SLE can sometimes result in:

• Pre-term labour
• Low-birth weight
• Congenital heart block

If you suffer from SLE you will need to have combined antenatal care with your physician and obstetrician and you should have an early antenatal assessment and ultrasound scan. The frequency of your antenatal check-ups will depend on the severity of your condition. The control and treatment of SLE ranges from simple analgesics such as paracetamol, to stronger medication such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.

If you suffer from any complications such as pre-eclampsia or renal problems your labour may be induced early or your obstetrician may recommend an elective caesarean section.

Following delivery of your baby you should rest as much as possible as tiredness and stress can worsen your condition. You will be closely monitored for 24-48 hours after your baby is born and your baby will have a thorough examination by a paediatrician.

Kidney disease and pregnancy

admin — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:22:36 +0000

Chronic renal (kidney) disease

If you suffer from a long-term renal problem it is important that you seek pre conception advice before becoming pregnant. A pregnant woman with pre-existing renal disease is considered to be at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia, hypertension, pre-term delivery and her baby may be small-for-dates. The added strain put on renal function during pregnancy may also cause your renal condition to deteriorate.

If you have renal disease your care will be combined by your obstetrician and nephrologist. A hospital delivery is essential. The outcome of your pregnancy will depend on the severity of your renal disease, the stability of your blood pressure and prevention of kidney infections.

The aim of your care in pregnancy is to prevent any deterioration in your kidney function. Therefore, you will need to attend for antenatal visits more often. Renal function tests will be performed at intervals throughout your pregnancy and your blood pressure will be monitored carefully.

You will require admission to hospital if your kidney function deteriorates, your blood pressure increases or if there are any problems with your baby.

If your pregnancy progresses with no complications, your labour may be induced at 38 weeks.

Thyroid problems and pregnancy – hyperthyroidism

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:05:37 +0000

Thyroid problems – Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism occurs in approximately 0.2% of pregnancies. Poorly controlled hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery and low-birth weight. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism you will be (may be) prescribed an anti-thyroid drug. This drug crosses the placenta so the aim is to use the lowest dose possible to control the condition and prevent any side-effects in your baby. You will probably be seen monthly by an endocrinologist for estimation of your thyroid levels and your medication will be adjusted accordingly.

Unfortunately, diarrhoea can be a problem for women with this condition so it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Your thyroid hormone levels will be measured after your baby is born and your baby’s thyroxin levels may also be measured.

Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid)
Approximately 0.9% of women suffer from hypothyroidism.

If you suffer from hypothyroidism you will commence on thyroxine in order to normalise thyroid function. Your thyroid function will be monitored every month during pregnancy and your medication adjusted as necessary. Your weight will be monitored closely as women with this condition put on weight easily. Constipation may also be a problem so drink plenty of fluids and eat a high-fibre diet. After your baby is born he or she will (may) have a blood test to measure his thyroid function.