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Pre-eclampsia
If allowed to go unchecked or if it is undetected, pre-eclampsia can cause death in both the mother and her baby. It is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and immediately after birth. Symptoms include high blood pressure and the presence of protein the urine. In addition, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and blurred vision. In some cases, there are very few symptoms to report.
Pre-eclampsia occurs after 20 weeks into the gestational period. It is imperative that expectant mums are checked regularly be their health care giver so that if there are signs of the condition they can be treated.
Women who are pregnant for the first time have a more likely chance of showing symptoms of pre-eclampsia. The risk is higher in teenage mothers and in women over the age of 40. Mothers carrying multiple fetuses are also more prone to pre-eclampsia. It is also known to run in families.
Unfortunately there is no one test to diagnose pre-eclampsia. A peak in blood pressure is often the first sign of a problem and your health care provider may do a urine test and blood tests. Once the diagnosis is made, you should be seen at least once a week and even possibly every day.
Because pre-eclampsia can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood, the baby can be impacted in a negative way. Its birth weight could be low. However, most women with pre-eclampsia deliver healthy babies. Without regular prenatal care, and monitoring by physicians, it is possible that the mother will develop a condition called eclampsia which can threaten the life of the mother and baby.
As soon as it is feasible in the pregnancy where pre-eclampsia exists, the baby should be delivered. This usually will insure a happy ending to the pregnancy.
Premature Birth:
Premature birth is on the increase in both the United States and the UK. In the UK the number of premature births is one in 14 babies, or approximately 49,000 a year.
Premature births can be caused by a variety of problems in the pregnancy, or for no apparent reason. The best way to carry a baby to term is to have good prenatal care, have regular visits with a health care provider and make sure your diet and exercise level follow all guidelines.
Babies born too soon may suffer from many debilitating illnesses. Though science is able to keep these babies alive and many flourish, the earlier the birth, the more problems for the baby.
Plagiocephaly
This condition refers to the flat spot that some babies may get on their heads due to constant pressure on that same point. You may have heard of babies’ heads moulding during labor and delivery in order to fit through the birth canal. You may even notice your own baby’s head has a “cone” shaped appearance. This is completely normal and treatable. Premature babies have a greater instance of plagiocephaly because the bones in the skull get harder and stronger during the last ten weeks of the final trimester. Also, premature babies are placed in the same position in the NICU for use of respirators and other life saving units. Babies who sleep solely on their backs are also at risk of getting a flat shaped area on the back of their heads. There are some ways that you can prevent plagiocephaly from occurring:
- Try to alternate sides of your baby’s crib in which her head is facing
- Don’t feed your baby on the same side every time
- Limit the time that your baby is in her baby bucket seat
Fortunately, most babies that do have plagiocephaly have a chance to correct the problem by using a special helmet that is worn to reposition the bones in the baby’s skull. As your baby grows and her hair grows with it, usually the condition is quite undetectable. It has no real medical repercussions and has no life threatening consequences. If you suspect your baby has plagiocephaly, seek medical advice.
Placenta Praevia
Sometimes a normal placenta develops in an abnormal location and partially or completely covers the cervix. This is called placenta praevia. A placenta that covers the cervix is prone to sudden and possibly life threatening hemorrhage before or during labor. This condition occurs in approximately one in two hundred deliveries. Sometimes it is suspected if a woman has painless bleeding anytime during the second half of pregnancy, especially during the final month. Sometimes the woman has no signs of bleeding and placenta praevia is discovered on diagnostic ultrasound. The goals of treating placenta praevia are to prevent bleeding and lessen the risk of premature delivery. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest or limited activity if there is a danger of bleeding. Depending on the degree of the placenta praevia, baby may or may not have to be delivered by cesarean. With modern technology, placenta praevia can be detected before the health of mother and baby are in danger, and given proper medical treatment, most mothers go on to deliver healthy babies.
Polio
Polio is a highly contagious disease. It is viral and is spread by non-vaccinated people drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. The symptoms of polio are:
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- stiff neck and back
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- weakness
- constipation
- muscle spasms
- difficulty swallowing
Polio is treatable but there is also a vaccination to protect you against polio. For more information, consult your physician.
Polyhydramnios
Polyhydramnios is a condition in which there is too much fluid surrounding the fetus. This condition is extremely rare. The reason why this is a concern is because it may lead to preterm labor or the water breaking too early on. The symptoms of polyhydramnios are:
- uterus growing at a very fast rate
- abdominal swelling
- uterine contractions
If you believe that you have polyhydramnios, your doctor will perform an ultrasound and measure the fluid in your uterus. If it is determined that you have polyhydramnios, your doctor may give you medication or try to reduce the amount of fluid with an amniocentesis. If you are far enough along, your doctor may even induce your labour.
Postnatal Depression
Postnatal depression is a very serious issue for some women after the birth of their baby. It is more serious than just baby blues. Baby blues is an extremely common reaction occurring in the first few days after delivery, usually appearing suddenly on the third or fourth day. Symptoms of the blues are briefly unpleasant and usually disappear on their own, sometimes as quickly as they came.
Postnatal depression can occur within days of the delivery or appear gradually, sometimes up to a year or so later. Symptoms may include:
- sluggishness, fatigue, exhaustion
- sadness, depression, hopelessness
- appetite and sleep disturbances
- poor concentration, confusion
- memory loss
- over concern for the baby
- uncontrollable crying, irritability
- lack of interest in the baby
- guilt, inadequacy, worthlessness
- fear of harming the baby
- fear of harming yourself
- exaggerated highs and/or lows
- lack of interest in sex
A woman suffering from postnatal depression will usually experience several of the above symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Postnatal depression is real and can be treated. If you believe that you have postnatal depression, seek medical attention immediately.
Piles
Piles are varicose veins in the rectum that may cause rectal pain and bleeding. The increased blood volume of pregnancy and the pressure of the enlarging uterus on pelvic structures can cause the veins in the rectal wall or around the anal opening to enlarge into pea or grape size clusters that bulge out, bleed itch and sting, especially during the passage of a hard bowel movement. Swollen blood vessels that occur inside the rectum are called internal piles. They may bleed but are usually not painful. Some ways in which you can prevent piles are:
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time
- Practice you kegel exercises- contractions of your vaginal muscles
- Eat a fiber rich diet in order to keep your bowel movements frequent and loose
- Use a soft scent and dye free toilet tissue
- Avoid putting undue pressure on your rectal muscles by straining during a bowel movement
- Wipe gently after a bowel movement If you get piles, there are some remedies for them:
- Apply cool or cold compresses
- Short soak in a arm bath to which a half cup of baking soda has been added
- Place a cotton ball pad soaked in cool witch hazel against the piles to help shrink it
Check with your doctor before using an over the counter medication. Though there is little evidence that these ointments are dangerous to baby, some of them can be absorbed through the rectal tissue and into the bloodstream.
For support, contact:
www.pilesadvice.co.uk
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