This occurs when your growing uterus actually forces your abdominal muscles (stomach muscles) apart. You may notice after giving birth that these muscles may still be separated and extremely weak. You can easily determine whether you have abdominal-muscle separation.
Lay down on the floor on your back
Bend your knees slightly
Take your index and middle finger and place them in between the abdominal muscles right above the belly button.
There is usually a noticeable separation
Several months after your baby is born, your large abdominals will come back together. This type of separation becomes more and more pronounced with each subsequent pregnancy.
Abdominal pain
If your child suffers from a belly ache from time to time, there may be a wide array of causes. Frequently, stress can be the culprit. There are many physical reasons for your child to have abdominal pain as well. Here are some possible causes:
Diarrhoea
Irritable bowel syndrome
Appendicitis
Gastroenteritis
Constipation
Lactose intolerance
Food allergy
Kidney stones
Parasite infections
Heartburn
For mild pains, you may want to give your child water or other clear fluids. Try to avoid giving your child solid food. Do not give your child citrus fruits, foods high in fat, or fried food. Tomato products should also be limited. There are also some over the counter heartburn medications that can be taken as per your doctor’s recommendation.
It is important to remember that the degree of the pain is not easily communicated by your child so if there is any doubt that this may be a larger problem, seek medical attention.
Abruptio placentae (placental abruption)
In this condition, the placenta separates from the uterine wall before or during later. This is not a common occurrence but does happen to about one percent of pregnant women. Symptoms of abruption placentae are:
sudden onset of profuse bleeding
severe back or abdominal pain
uterine tenderness
Placental abruption may be detected by a sonogram but often does not. If your doctor or midwife suspects that you do in fact have abruption placentae, you will be put in the hospital and monitored for your baby’s well-being and your blood loss. If the bleeding does not continue and your baby shows no signs of distress, your doctor or midwife may send you home and put you on bed rest. This condition is not indicative of a cesarean section but you may be closely monitored to determine the degree of separation in order to ensure you and your baby’s safety.
Active Birth
If you’ve ever taken a childbirth education class, you were shown how to manage your labor and delivery of your baby. During the course of your birth plan, you may realize that this route may be what is right for you.
You may want to make use of the many tools that are available to you in order to achieve your ideal birth experience. This may mean using:
a birth ball
hot tub
massage tools and oils
music
squatting bar for second stage pushing
professional doula
You may decide that you’d like to be left alone to labor on your own. This may mean that you won’t use any of the aforementioned tools. The most important thing to remember about active birth is that you should get through each contraction as it comes and not to get caught up in all of the “gadgets” that may be available.
Adenoids
The adenoids are similar to the tonsils in that they are lymphoid tissue that help fight infection and are also located in the throat. They are a little higher and further back than the tonsils though. They are closer to the nasal passages. When they become enlarged, they may actually block the nasal passages completely. This happens when they get infected. The symptoms of enlarged adenoids are:
Swollen glands
Sore throat
Discomfort or pain with swallowing
Stuffy nose
Chronic ear infections
Nosebleeds
Sleep apnea
Infected adenoids are treated with antibiotics if the doctor believes it to be a bacterial infection. If it is something else, your doctor may recommend removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
Allergies
An allergy is your body reacting to a substance called an allergen that may be ingested or airborne. Children who have allergies may find themselves coughing, sneezing, experience itchy or watery eyes, or swelling. In some children, these reactions can be severe or even fatal. The important thing to know is how to detect and prevent allergy attacks from occurring in the first place.
Sometimes it is easy to know what exactly your child is allergic to. If you notice that every time she is near a cat or an animal with excess fur and has an allergy attack, then the trigger is obvious. If your child develops hives when she is stung by a bee, this is also an obvious trigger. However, there are allergies which may be unclear to you as to where or why your child had a particular reaction. In cases like this, you may need to have a clear diagnosis by a doctor. There are three steps that your doctor will take to determine what your child is allergic to:
They will take a personal and medical history by asking you questions. They will want to understand your symptoms to try and determine the possible causes so it can be helpful to bring your notes to help you remember. You should also be prepared to answer questions about your family history, your lifestyle at home and at work and any medicines your child may take.
They will perform a physical examination of your child and if they suspect an allergy, they will pay particularly close attention to the eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin, and chest. This might also include an x-ray of your child’s lungs and sinuses.
The doctor will perform a test to determine your child’s allergens and this test can include a skin test, a blood test or a patch test.
The best way your child can avoid an allergy attack is to avoid the particular trigger. There are also various allergy medications including antihistamines that are sold over the counter and by prescription. Allergy shots are also a common preventative measure that gives long term relief of allergies. It is called immunotherapy. It works the same way that vaccines do in that it is a dose of the allergen that is the particular trigger and it is increased over time. The child eventually becomes less sensitive to the allergen. Unfortunately, this procedure is not effective for children with food allergies or relieving hives.
For support, contact:
Action Against Allergy, PO Box 278, Twickenham TW1 4QQ
www.actionagainstallergy.co.uk
020 8892 2711
For a list of information packs send an SAE to the above address. Alternatively, send an email with your name and address to:
Allergy UK, No 3 White Oak Square, London Road, Swanley,
Kent BR8 7AG
Helpline: 01322 619864 Open Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm
Amniocentesis
An amniocentesis is a prenatal test to gather genetic information about the fetus. While this test is a valuable tool it is not without risk to mother and baby. The main concern is that it may cause miscarriage. Risk levels may be higher or lower depending on the experience of the professional performing the procedure, so be sure to do your research. Find out how often your practitioner performs this test. Also, the test carries a risk of infection. Here are some reasons why this test is performed:
parents have had a previous child with a genetic abnormality, such as Down Syndrome
parents already have a child with a metabolic disease
mothers who are carriers of inherited genetic disorders
parents already have a child with a spinal defect
mothers AFP levels are high for no apparent reason (this is a blood test)
triple-screen test indicates the fetus is at high risk for Down Syndrome (another blood test)
Both parents are carriers of an inherited genetic disorder, such as Tay-Sachs disease or sickle-cell anemia.
ultrasound has identified a fetal abnormality that suggests a serious or even lethal genetic defect
a preterm induced delivery is being considered for the best interest of mother or baby
a mother is over the age of thirty five
How is it done? Mum lies on the examining table and her belly is washed with an antiseptic solution. The doctor numbs the skin with a local anesthetic. Then an ultrasound is performed to find where the baby and the placenta are and the doctor then inserts a very long needle through the skin on your belly into the uterus and takes out some amniotic fluid. The sample of fluid is then sent to a lab for genetic testing and analysis.
Amnioinfusion
An amnioinfusion is the term for the procedure in which a salt water solution is injected into the uterus to prevent fetal distress or preterm labor. Essentially, your body will have enough amniotic fluid to sustain your baby every day. Every day, the fluid is replenished. If the presence of amniotic fluid is too little, this can cause you to have contractions, which may lead to preterm labor complications.
Amniotic Fluid
This is the warm, comfortable fluid that your baby is floating in while she is growing in the uterus. It is designed to protect your baby from infection and acts as a cushion. Until around four weeks, your body will make this fluid but after that, the baby will actually add to it with her own urine production. This occurs because the baby develops her kidneys at eleven weeks. The baby will make most of the fluid after twenty weeks with her urine. Baby will drink the fluid and pass it out again through their digestive tracts. They will also breathe the fluid in through their developing air passages. Amniotic fluid is made up of:
nutrient-enriched saltwater
fatty acids
amino acids
fructose
glucose
and may other nutrients
Your amniotic fluid will fluctuate in volume. It will rise between thirty-four and thirty-eight weeks and fall between thirty-nine and forty weeks.
Amniotomy
An amniotomy is usually referred to as artificial rupture of membranes. This is when a doctor or midwife breaks the bag of water that the baby is floating in by using a device called an amnihook. The doctor or midwife may break your water if:
they need to make your labor progress more quickly
to induce labor
if an internal electronic fetal monitor needs to be used
The electronic fetal monitor is applied directly to the baby’s head before delivery and therefore needs to be in direct contact with the baby. While this is a widely used practice among health care professionals, there are some risks involved. These risks may include:
risk of infection
compression of the umbilical cord and the pelvis
more painful contractions
once the membranes are ruptured, there may be a time frame in which the baby must be delivered
The reason for this time management is because the risk of infection for the baby is increased when it is not floating in its protective sac of amniotic fluid.
Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylactic shock occurs when your child has an allergic reaction due triggers such as:
Food allergies
Bee or wasp stings
Drugs such as penicillin
latex
Your child may experience difficulty breathing or pass out. You may notice that she may loose color and begin to sweat. Vomiting or diarrhoea may also occur. She may develop hives or collapse. If you know that your child is in anaphylactic shock:
call 999
lie her down
elevate her feet
if stung by a bee, locate the stinger and remove it
administer antihistamines
Anaphylactic shock can be prevented by avoiding the triggers that cause them. Once it is established that your child does in fact have this reaction, your doctor may recommend that you have an anaphylactic kit which includes an injection for severe reactions.
Anaemia
One of the most common side effects of pregnancy is anaemia. This is when you develop a deficiency of iron. Iron is necessary to make the extra blood you need to nourish your baby and to make the billions of red blood cells your baby needs. Insufficient iron makes for a tired mum. Most women need to double the amount of iron in their diet when they’re pregnant, taking in at least 60 milligrams of elemental iron each day. Usually doctors will prescribe an iron supplement for pregnant patients.
How do you know if you’re anaemic? Here are some ways to tell:
fatigue
irritability
poor concentration
tired muscles
If your doctor determines that you are in fact anaemic by taking a blood test and your hemoglobin levels are low, you will need to eat more iron rich foods. Some foods that are a good source of iron are:
liver
oysters
beans
blackstrap molasses
artichoke
barley
lentils
dried apricots
prunes
figs
raisins
shrimp
If gone untreated, anaemia can result in baby having a low birth weight or being born prematurely so it is better to be proactive and start eating these iron rich foods before you come down with the symptoms.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. Your appendix approximately 3 ½ inches long and it extends from the large intestine. The human body has evolved so that we no longer are aware of what its function is. When your child needs an appendectomy, it means that she needs to have her appendix removed. If it is left untreated, your child may suffer a burst appendix which will spill infectious materials into her abdomen.
When the child’s’ appendix becomes blocked, it swells as a result of the infection the blockage causes. Your child may have appendicitis if:
She experiences loss of appetite
Has nausea or vomiting
Abdominal swelling
Fever
Inability to pass gas
Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the upper or lower abdomen, back, or rectum
Severe cramps
Has constipation or diarrhoea
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. The standard procedure from there is to remove the appendix. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent appendicitis.
Asthma
Like most chronic allergic problems, asthma may get better for some women during pregnancy and worse for others. You may already find difficulty in breathing because of the pressure of the baby and increased blood volume in your body. If you feel as though you aren’t getting enough oxygen, your baby isn’t getting enough oxygen either. If you are normally asthmatic, here are some ways you may try to manage it during pregnancy:
figure out what medications you can and cannot take during pregnancy
invest in a good air filter for your home
avoid unnecessary exposure to allergens and pollutants
flush your nasal passages with saltwater or saline solution a few times a day
It is important thing to remember about using medications for asthma while pregnant is to determine what the benefits and the risks are. Some medications, such as albuterol, are given the green light for using during pregnancy. Always consult your physician before taking any medication during your pregnancy.
Asthma seems to strike children more than it does adults. Most people living with asthma are under the age of 18. It is actually the most reoccurring condition among school age children. It may be difficult to diagnose children at first because they seem to get better or worse depending on the day. There have also been studies shown that children who are subject to antibiotics early on in life are doubly at risk for developing asthma. If your child has asthma, she may:
have a tight hacking cough
have difficulty breathing
experience wheezing
may have excess mucus resulting in vomiting
feel fatigued
contract chronic bronchiolitis
If your child is showing that she has one or more of these signs, it may be wise to report it to your physician. Treatment of asthma may consist of using an inhaler or other drugs to control the attacks. Because the instances of childhood asthma have increased in recent day, there are plenty of outlets that you can seek for support.
For support, contact:
Asthma UK, Providence House, Providence Place, London
N1 ONT
Tel: 020 7226 2260
Asthma UK advice line: 084507010203. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm. Charged at local rates.
Asthma UK Scotland, 2a North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh
EH2 4HR
Tel: 0131 226 2544
Go to www.asthma.org.uk for advice
Autism
Autism is a developmental disability that can be seen in children during the first three years of life. It is a behavioral disability that affects more boys than girls. There is no known cause of autism so there is no real way to prevent it from occurring. The most difficult aspect of this disease is that it interferes with your child’s social graces and sensory development. A child with autism may say and do socially inappropriate things for no reason at all and by no means is it the fault of the parents. A child with autism may:
exhibit repeated body movements
show attachments to objects
resist changes in routine
act socially inappropriate
present aggressive behavior
have difficulty forging relationships
If you suspect that your child does have autism, it is important to have a correct diagnosis in order to move forward. There are many educational programs which are available through the public school system. For information and support, contact your child’s school. They may be able to provide sensory integration therapy.
