Pain In Childbirth

The pain of childbirth may have benefits on which women who opt for painkilling epidurals miss out, a senior male midwife has said.

Dr Denis Walsh, associate professor in midwifery at Nottingham University, said pain was a "rite of passage" which often helped regulate childbirth.

He said it helped strengthen a mother's bond with her baby, and prepared her for the responsibility of motherhood.

But an obstetrician said epidurals were an important option for some women.

Dr Walsh, who wrote on the subject in the journal Evidence Based Midwifery, agreed that in some cases epidurals were very useful.

But he said epidural rates had been rising over the last 20 years, despite the fact that alternative, less invasive ways to manage pain in labour were available.
He said pain in labour was known to have positive physiological effects, such as helping to establish a rhythm to childbirth.

It also triggered the release of endorphins which helped women to adjust to pain.

Dr Walsh said epidurals were known to increase the risk that hormone treatment would be needed to boost contractions, and that devices such as forceps would be needed to complete the birth successfully.

He said: "I am concerned that if we increase epidural rates we do not know the long-term impacts of that."

But he warned that a culture had emerged where most hospitals effectively offered women epidurals on demand.
Official figures show the number of mothers receiving an epidural rose from 17% in 1989 to 1990 to 33% in 2007 to 2008.

Dr Walsh said the NHS should encourage alternative ways to deal with pain such as yoga, hypnosis, massage and birthing pools.

How To Eliminate Stress During Pregnancy

Stress is your body's natural response to events that make you feel threatened or upset. In small doses it can be helpful making you feel focused and alert. At some point however it stops being helpful and begins to damage your health, your emotions and your quality of life. Studies have also proved that as early as 17 weeks into a pregnancy stress hormones in the mother are passed into the amniotic fluid; this means that when you are feeling stressed your baby is too.

It's very important therefore to remain as stress free as possible during pregnancy - eliminating sources of stress, and when this is not possible learning how to cope with it. The first step is learning to recognise the symptoms of stress and this can sometimes be difficult because the signs mirror some of the normal complaints of pregnancy. Symptoms might include: being quick to anger; nail biting; being unable to concentrate; loss of appetite; skin problems; frequent coughs and colds; indigestion; tense muscles; headaches and rapid heartbeat.

If you think you are suffering from stress, talk to someone! This could be your partner, family, friends or your midwife. Sometimes just getting it out into the open can be extremely helpful.
There are many ways to combat stress, here are just a few:

Eat regularly and healthily - both you and your baby will benefit from healthy nutritious food. During times of stress it's easy to forget to eat or to reach for the junk food, but the food you eat can have a direct affect on your mood. Stress busting foods include bananas, broccoli, avocados, citrus fruits and whole grain breads, pasta and rice. Try to avoid caffeine too.

Take regular, gentle exercise -this helps to get rid of stress hormones such as adrenaline from your body whilst encouraging the production of endorphins, the "feel good" hormones. Swimming and walking are both ideal during pregnancy. Exercise benefits both your physical and mental health but remember to always consult your doctor before starting an exercise programme.

Try relaxation techniques - yoga, meditation and visualisation are all good. Practicing every day will help to calm you, and make you less susceptible to stress.

Listen to relaxation music -This is a quick, cheap and effective way to beat stress. Pick something that you enjoy listening to, preferably with a tempo of around 60 bpm. Clinical trials in Taiwan showed that mums to be who listened to relaxing music during their pregnancies showed a marked decrease in stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Get enough good quality sleep -try to get into a good bedtime routine - going to bed at roughly the same time each night, having a relaxing bath before bed, and making your bedroom as calming as possible. Try to avoid eating too soon before bedtime as this can increase the chances of heartburn.

Take some time out - call a friend; go for a walk somewhere beautiful; paint your nails; watch a funny film or have a massage - any of these will help you to put your worries into perspective, and pregnancy is the perfect time to pamper yourself.

Hope this will help you to eliminate some stress during you pregnancy and remember all you need is to adopt a positive attitude and keep learning.

Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby

This is an article that i saw in the BBC Website and i think it will be helpful to share it here.

The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them
Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz
University of Pittsburgh

A US study found women who breastfed for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop the conditions than those who never breastfed.

Even breastfeeding for at least a month may cut the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The research features in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting breastfeeding has health benefits for both mother and baby.

Research has found that breastfeeding reduces a woman's risk of ovarian and breast cancer and osteoporosis in later life.

And the list of benefits for the baby is long, with breast milk credited with protecting against obesity, diabetes, asthma and infections of the ear, stomach and chest.

The latest US study, by the University of Pittsburgh, focused on nearly 140,000 post-menopausal women.

On average, it had been 35 years since the women had last breastfed - suggesting the beneficial impact lasts for decades.

As well as cutting the risk of heart problems, breastfeeding for more than a year cut the risk of high blood pressure by 12%, and diabetes and high cholesterol by around 20%.

Fat stores

It has been suggested that breastfeeding may reduce cardiovascular risk by reducing fat stores in the body.

However, the researchers believe the effect is more complex, with the release of hormones stimulated by breastfeeding also playing a role.

Researcher Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz said: "We have known for years that breastfeeding is important for babies' health; we now know that it is important for mothers' health as well.

"Breastfeeding is an important part of the way women's bodies recover from pregnancy.

"When this process is interrupted women are more likely to have a number of health problems (including heart attacks and strokes).

"The longer a mother nurses her baby, the better for both of them."

In the UK, the Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months.

June Davison, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Breastfeeding has long been thought to be beneficial to baby and mother.

"This research suggests that it might have also have heart health benefits for mum too.

"However, it only showed an association between breast feeding and these health benefits. We will need further research to understand why this is the case."

Week 35 Of Pregnancy

You

Your uterus is measuring 33 cm and her cervix may begin to shorten.

Your body prepares for childbirth, you will feel contractions many times each day, they are not very frequent, but occur at regular intervals, during which your belly hardens.

Your baby

It now measures 45 cm and weighs 2.4 kg. He is preparing for its entry into the world and can begin its descent into your pelvis.

It continues to grow, the lanugo begins to disappear and fat accumulates under the skin.
His kicks is more and more vigorous. In the right moment he will secrete a hormone that triggers the delivery.

Good to Know

This is the last line and baby can arrive at any time. Therefore prepare your bag with things that you will need for your motherhood.

Especially sit well and practice breathing exercises and relaxation.

You can continue to have sex but know that at this stage this can trigger a delivery because semen contains hormones which act on the muscle fibers of the uterus.

Week 33 of Pregnancy

You

The weight of your uterus is now 1 kg more than the beginning of your pregnancy, it contains 1 liter of amniotic fluid.

You can experience again a frequent desire to urinate because your baby is down and press again your bladder.

Your breasts are heavy and start to take volume.

The ligaments of your pelvis relax, so you can feel some small twinges.


Your baby

It measures 42 cm and weighs 2.1 kg.

His immune system and brain are mature, it could come now, but it should be put in incubators because it is still fragile.

He swallows a lot of amniotic fluid.

He accumulates meconium in his intestines that will be quickly removed at birth.


Good to know

If you work, you must leave at the end of this week for your maternity.

Remember to send your social security certificate to your work in order to receive your benefits.

Week 32 of Pregnancy

You

You may be subject to loss of balance due to the movement of your center of gravity.

Your vaginal discharge will be more abundant.

You will need a diet rich in calcium, baby needs it for the ossification of the skeleton, therefore beware of deficiencies.

Your baby

It measures 40 cm and weighs 1.9 kg and continues to grow steadily.

His brain continues its development.

He began to plump, his skin turns pink and folds disappear, nails were driven out of the fingers.

It consumes a lot of calcium and bones continue to strengthen.

Good to Know

You spend your sixth mandatory prenatal visit. Your doctor may prescribe a radio to see if your baby will be in the place to go.

This week is your last week of work.

Beware of the position of your back.

Exercise During Pregnancy: When and Why Should I Practice?

Practicing exercises during your pregnancy is good thing to do; it will keep you healthy and your baby too. Discover when you should and shouldn't practice exercises during your pregnancy.

In principle, you can practice your favorite sport during your pregnancy, since his practice is moderate and is not violent. For pregnant women, the sport is even more beneficial. Indeed, several studies have shown that pregnant women who regularly engaged in a sporting activity seemed less pain in childbirth, and therefore less use of analgesics. In addition, they took less weight during pregnancy, and more easily lose excess weight after childbirth. Paying less prone to stretch and venous complications caused by pregnancy, the sport is also essential for the oxygenation of the mother and baby.

When should I practice exercises?

I advise you to be very vigilant when you practice exercises, you should always seek the advice of your doctor. Indeed, in your early months of pregnancy, changes in the body of the mother affect its ability to make the sport she used to practice. Some of theme are:

-*- an increase in heart rate tension,

-*- an increased oxygen need,

-*- faster hypoglycaemia,

-*- more difficult thermoregulation,

-*- a change in the balance,

-*- an increase in blood volume,

Recommended Sports for pregnant women

Swimming

An excellent sport for the back and the circulation of blood to the heart and joints.

Gymnastics

There are gymnastics classes specially designed for pregnant women. The strengths of these meetings revolve around exercises Basin and strengthening the abdominal muscles, relaxation and the training to the perception of his own body.

The aqua

The benefits of water and gymnastics in one! It is strongly recommended for pregnant women because it strengthens the abdominal and back muscles and stimulates blood circulation.

Walking

It is good for the body and good for the heart.

Dance

To the extent that you do not make sudden movements or contortions.

Yoga

Some positions, suited to pregnant women, help the body and mind to relax.

You still need to monitor !

-*- Gradually reduce the effort, monitoring the supply of the body in carbohydrates, especially in a sport of endurance, avoid a sudden increase in body temperature

-*- Be extremely careful not to practice a sport where you could get injured. Indeed, the consequences of an injury (radio, anesthesia ...) and the convalescent period that follows could seriously increase the risk for your pregnancy!

-*- Sport is also strongly not recommended for women with diabetes, women who have already suffered a miscarriage, having heart problems or where there is a risk of premature birth.

When shouldn't I practice exercises?

All violent sports should be excluded during pregnancy. In effect, they increase the risk of premature birth. The hormones secreted by the body during intense efforts cause contractions.

Some of the sports listed below may have even cause more serious problems, be very careful!

Team sports

Volleyball, basketball, etc...

Combat sports

Judo, fencing

Sports at risk of falling

Such as water skiing, surfing, the tackle, Roller skating.

Sports over 2000mètres altitude.

Sports asking too much of endurance or strength.

Marathon, body-building,

And of course any type sport parachuting, bungee jumping, boxing, diving, etc...

Whatever sport you want to practice during your pregnancy, consult your doctor, because he alone is able to determine what sport are suited for you.

Week 22 Of Pregnancy: 24 Weeks Of Amenorrhea

You

This week you may be prone to illness and feel weaker because your blood pressure decreases and your blood flow increases.
The weight of your belly is growing and will more and more difficult to bear.
The size of your kidneys has increased and they are working more and more.
A brown line may appear on your belly navel of the pubis, normal phenomenon that will disappear.

Your baby
It measures 26 cm and weighs 500 g.
Her skin has thickened. A viscous substance, vernix caseosa, protects your baby while bathing in amniotic fluid.
Her eyes are still closed but the eyelashes and eyebrows have emerged.
His immune system is being set up because his body begins to produce white blood cells.

Good to Know
Remember to sign up for a meeting for the preparation of childbirth.
You will experience some back pain, sit properly and keep you straight.
Feel free to practice a little weight lifting and swimming to relax your muscle.
To prevent dizziness caused by increasing your blood volume, do not suddenly change your position from lying to sitting or standing, and do not stay in places too hot.
Avoid the sun, consider putting a protective sunscreen cream to prevent the mask of pregnancy.

21st Week Of Pregnancy: 23 Weeks Of Amenorrhea

You

Your diaphragm back and your stomach is up slightly on the side because the uterus magnifying moves your internal organs. It always has the size of a melon.
Your weight increases and you feel a great desire to sleep.
The leaking can occur, in fact your perineum is hard because it is impregnated with progesterone
Be careful because the fungal vaginal secretions will also increase.

Your baby
It measures about 24 cm, weighs approximately 450 grams and starts sucking his thumb.
It looks more and more like a newborn. His hair and nails continue to grow.
The placenta is definitively established and produces the necessary hormones.
The lungs continue to grow. The respiratory movements are more frequent, but still irregular.
You can now communicate and play with him because he perceives the sounds from outside.

Good to Know
Always have a balanced diet, take care not to take too much weight, weigh yourself once a week.
Beware of hemorrhoids and don’t remain constipated to avoid them.

Week 20 Of Pregnancy: 22 Weeks Of Amenorrhea

You

Your uterus is measuring 20 cm, it is the size of a melon.
You can encounter bloodstream problems and have heavy legs. Indeed, your blood volume increases by 40% to feed your baby via the placenta. Your baby grows and has therefore increasing needs.
Your thyroid gland is also very active and causes an increase your temperature, you sweat more and have hot flashes.

Your baby
It has grown and now measure 23 cm and weighs about 385 g. His head is less bulky compared to the rest of the body, he began to fit.
His brain is developing very quickly. His muscles are consolidating.
The pancreas starts to produce insulin to regulate blood sugar in the blood.
He swims in 500 cm3 of amniotic fluid and drink more and more, which may give him the hiccups.
The internal sexual organs continue their development, if it is a girl's vagina begins to form and her ovaries are already producing sexual primitive cells.

Good to Know
It is time to move to your second ultrasound, known as morphological. The doctor will examine your baby in detail in order to detect any anomalies. The examination takes about 30 minutes. If you wish, you can also find out the sex of your baby.
Think to sleep legs slightly elevated, avoid hot showers and walk at least 30 minutes a day.

Week 19 Of Pregnancy: 21 Weeks Of Amenorrhea

You

Your belly is increasingly heavy because it has yet taken the volume. Your uterus has reached your navel. Don’t lean too backward, thing that you'll tend to be done to counterbalance the weight of your belly.
You're happy, flourishing and healthy but you always feel some chest pressure because the volume of your ribcage is reduced and you have to eliminate carbon dioxide for two.

Your baby
It measures 22 cm and weighs 350 g. It moves a lot and is increasingly active. It is capable of getting his hands or his feet and have fun with the umbilical cord.
He sleeps a lot (16 to 20 hours per day), unfortunately it was the night he wakes up. It alternates between phases of deep sleep and light sleep phases.
His immune system starts to develop.

Good to Know
Try to practice breathing exercises regularly, they will be very useful for delivery. Think also to do some exercises for your perineum, these muscle work a lot during pregnancy and during delivery.

Week 14 Of Pregnancy: 16 Weeks Of Amenorrhea

You

You'll be in better shape this week and you will have better mine.
Your nipples become more salient and you can have a yellowish flow at the breasts: colostrum
Your heart must make additional efforts to ensure the bloodstream (flow of 5.5 liters of blood per minute, 4 in normal times).

Your baby
It was now about 14 cm long and weighed around 100 g.
His legs and his arms are in balanced proportions.
The heart beats 110 to 120 beats per minute.
He can move his eyes and eyebrows but he cannot yet open its eyelids.
His intestine that was wrapped around the umbilical cord will return to the abdomen.
It will slowly begin to kicking that you can not even feel.

Good to Know
Eat light and not too acidic because your uterus going back may have an impact on digestion.
Drink plenty of water to produce amniotic fluid and facilitate the increase in blood volume.
Watch your weight.

Rib Pain During Pregnancy

I got a message from a reader named Tania and she's asking a question about pain during pregnancy. Please feel free to add your comment for helpful information.

Question: 

Hi, 

I want to know if you can give me some information because I should give birth on August 18 and I have great difficulty in my pond on the left side. I am pregnant with my second baby and for the first, I did not have this problem. 

Tania 

Answer: 

Hello Tania, 

Remember, first, that each pregnancy is unique and each baby as well. It is normal that you feel different symptoms during your successive pregnancies. Perhaps your second baby is positioned in such way, so that it makes you feel uncomfortable! However, if this feeling is getting worse, do not hesitate to talk to your gynaecologist.. 

Sara