Pregnancy Risks – Know Them To Avoid Them

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:38:14 +0000

Pregnancy risks are one of the many things; a woman should be concerned about, once she knows that her baby is on the way. The quality of medical care and awareness of behavioral risk factors has drastically reduced pregnancy related complications today. Yet, it is important that that every woman going through a period of pregnancy is aware of certain things related to her pregnancy week by week.
Pregnancy Risk Factors
Undesirable lifestyles, genetic background, and existing medical conditions are some of the main factors that contribute toward high-risk pregnancy.
How Is Your Lifestyle?
Unhealthful lifestyles before or during pregnancy adds to pregnancy risks. This can negatively affect the long-term health of the mother and newborn child. A would be mother should keep the following points in mind.
1. Quit substance use-Alcohol, drugs and cigarettes harm the developing fetus. Consume coffee and tea in moderation.
2. Learn the importance of nutrition-Avoid certain foods that may harm the unborn baby. Some of these are certain kinds of fish that contain mercury, raw meats and unpasteurized milk that can contain harmful bacteria called Listeria. Eat a balanced diet that contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals.
3. Avoid stress and anxiety-Statistical studies have shown that expectant mothers who are distraught by anxiety, fear, and emotional turmoil are more prone to conditions like pregnancy-induced hypertension. This condition is also called Toxemia or Preeclampsia.
4. Exercise in moderation-Vigorous and strenuous physical activity can contribute to pregnancy risks. Consult your doctor for prenatal exercise tips. Moderate walking and light housework are helpful pregnancy exercises.
5. Avoid sex during pregnancy, if your doctor or pregnancy health care provider detects certain significant complications with your pregnancy.
Other Pregnancy Risks
Certain aspects of genetic background and existing medical conditions may add to pregnancy risks. These are:
1. Family history of genetic diseases or birth defects
2. Previous history of pregnancy loss
3. Pre-existing medical conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease etc.
4. Age factor such as, getting pregnant before the age of 18 or after 35
5. Chronic anemia
If any of these or other factors hold true for you, it is important to consult your doctor at once.
Seek Support
It is good to keep in mind that pregnancy risks are an unpleasant fact. However have a positive approach towards life. Seek guidance from your doctor and persons close to you. Your husband, for instance can provide great emotional support. All these will go a long way in dispelling fear of pregnancy or labor. Keep in mind that you as a woman is endowed with God greatest gift -that of giving birth to another human being.

When you know the pregnancy risks that you might face in your pregnancy week by week, you can take precautions to avoid them. A high risk pregnancy can be averted with the right pregnancy diet and lifestyle.
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How to Prevent and Cure Preeclampsia

admin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:17:09 +0000

Preeclampsia is also called pregnancy-induced hypertension, toxemia of pregnancy, or acute hypertensive disease of pregnancy. Preeclampsia acts as a disorder that occurs during pregnancy, which is related to pregnancy-induced hypertension. Characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine, preeclampsia usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Sometimes referred to as pregnancy toxemia, preeclampsia can range from mild to severe. Without proper care and management, preeclampsia can cause a number of serious health complications, including preterm labor, seizures, and even death.The hypertension component of Preeclampsia is present when the systolic blood pressure is greater than 140 mm Hg or the diastolic blood pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg in a woman known to be normotensive prior to pregnancy. The diagnosis requires 2 such abnormal blood pressure measurements recorded at least 6 hours apart.Causes of PreeclampsiaThe precise cause of Preeclampsia is unknown. But there are some causes which will increase the risk of suffering Preeclampsia. These causes include:1, Having chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before becoming pregnant)2, Having diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), or scleroderma3, Having developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy (especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy).4, Being obese prior to pregnancy5, Being pregnant under the age of 20 or over the age of 406, Being pregnant with more than one baby7, Insufficient blood flow to the uterus8, Damage to the blood vessels9, A problem with the immune system10,Poor dietPeople who are at the risk of PreeclampsiaPreeclampsia occurs in 5% to 8% of all pregnancies in the United States. Though any pregnant women can develop preeclampsia, the vast majority of sufferers are women experiencing their first pregnancies.Other risk factors area also known to increase your chances of developing the condition, including:1, having a personal history of preeclampsia (in a previous pregnancy)2, having a family history of preeclampsia (mother or sister developed it)3, being obese4, being teenager or a women over the age of 405, having a history of high blood pressure6, experiencing a multiple pregnancy7, suffering from an autoimmune disorder (such as Lupus or Multiple Sclerosis)How to recognize PreeclampsiaThe most common symptoms of preeclampsia are:1, High blood pressure2, Excessive swelling in hands, face and other parts of your body3, Abdominal pain4, Large amounts of protein in your urine5, Small amounts of urine6, Blood in your urine7, Severe headaches8, Vomiting blood9, Dizziness10 Fever11 Double vision12 Blurred vision13 Rapid weight gain (more than 2 pounds per week)14 Nausea and vomitingHow Preeclampsia can affect you and your baby There are vast majority of preeclampsia sufferers who experienced only mild symptoms, but some pregnant women can develop severe preeclampsia. When severe, preeclampsia can create a number of health complications for mom:1, increased risk of stroke (due to high blood pressure)2, kidney and liver dysfunction3, eclampsia (a condition which causes the development of seizures)4, HELLP syndrome (the most severe form or preeclampsia)Preeclampsia, if left untreated, it can lead to abruptio placenta, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral vascular accident, acute renal failure, and intrauterine growth restrictions for the fetus.1, Intrauterine Growth RestrictionDue to high blood pressure levels and narrow uterine arteries, blood flow to your placenta can become restricted. This means that your baby will receive less oxygen and nutrients while in the womb. As a result, your baby may not develop properly or could be born with a low birthweight.2, AcidosisIf your baby does not receive enough oxygen from the placenta, he will begin extracting oxygen from fuel stores in his body. This produces a toxic byproduct known as lactic acid. If this lactic acid builds up to high levels, it can result in acidosis, which can render your baby unconscious.3, Preterm BirthThe biggest complication of Preeclampsia is preterm birth. Because preeclampsia can become dangerous for both mother and baby, it is sometimes necessary to deliver baby before 36 weeks. This can result in possible developmental problems and even fetal death.Treatment for Preeclampsia1, Allow frequent monitoring of both you and your baby by your doctor. When a woman has been diagnosed with preeclampsia, it's very important to monitor the situation closely. Monitoring includes frequent ultrasounds, biophysical profiles, non-stress tests, blood pressure checks, weigh-ins for the mom and checking the amount of protein present in the mom's urine.2, Go on bed rest, either at home or in the hospital, if it's too early to deliver the baby. For mild cases of preeclampsia, bed rest at home can be indicated. Bed rest helps increase blood flow to the baby and helps lower the mom's blood pressure. In cases of severe preeclampsia, bed rest at the hospital is likely. Being at the hospital can allow for closer monitoring of both the mom and the baby.3, Take medications prior to delivery to help with preeclampsia. Corticosteroids can help mature the baby's lungs in case early delivery occurs. Taking drugs, such as hydralazine, can help lower the mom's blood pressure and prevent preeclampsia from progressing. Your personal doctor will know which medications are best for you and your baby.4, Deliver the baby. Delivery is the only real cure for preeclampsia. If the baby is at or near full term and a woman is diagnosed with preeclampsia, labor may be immediately induced or a caesarean section scheduled. If it's too early to deliver the baby, doctors may try to hold off delivery using the other treatments described in this article until delivery is absolutely necessitated.5, Use the drug magnesium sulfate during labor and delivery. For women with preeclampsia, magnesium sulfate can help prevent seizures in the mom during delivery and help increase blood flow to the baby and the placenta. IVs are often used to administer magnesium sulfate to the mom during delivery. Tips:Depending on the disease severity, the management varies. There have been several nonpharmacological therapies shown to be helpful in the prevention or, at the least, the progression of preeclampsia. "Eight milligrams of baby aspirin can be of some benefit to the at-risk mother as well as 2 grams of calcium daily," says Atlas. Women should avoid taking vitamin E while pregnant because of the higher risk of developing preeclampsia, Atlas adds.

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Toxemia.net » High Risk Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risks – Know Them To Avoid Them

How to Prevent and Cure Preeclampsia