Pregnancy Information

What is the Medical Abortion?

2008-08-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Abortion the most painful thing that can happen to a women. Medical Abortion is a form of early abortion caused by the combination of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol that is an option for women who are 8 weeks pregnant or less..
During the first appointment at the clinic you receive the mifepristone pill to take orally. Then 24 to 72 hours later, in the privacy of your own home, you take the the second medication, misoprostol. Misoprostol causes contractions resulting in a miscarriage. When used in combination, mifepristone and misoprostol are 95-97% effective within two weeks. Mifepristone and misoprostol are FDA approved.

Characteristics of Medical Abortion
- Up to 8 weeks (49 days) for best success (97%). Success rates decrease as the pregnancy advances.
- Usually 2 visits to the provider.
-Take mifepristone on day 1.
-Take misoprostol pill buccally (allowing the pill to dissolve inside the mouth between the cheek and gum, or under the tongue) on day 2, 3, or 4.
-It usually takes several hours for the abortion to occur.
-Follow-up scheduled two weeks from first appointment.
- From mild to very strong cramping off and on throughout the abortion (commonly a 1 to 3 hour period).

- Pain pills are provided for use as needed.
- Heavy bleeding and passing clots is common during the abortion. Afterwards, lighter bleeding is common from 9 to 14 days or longer.
- 97% successful. When it fails, a surgical abortion is necessary

Last stage of pregnancy

2008-07-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is the last stage in pregnancy i.e the third trimester where some ladies become increasingly uncomfortable as their due date nears. The fetus grows in size and crowds the abdominal cavity, some mothers-to-be have difficulty taking deep breaths or getting comfortable at night for sleep, while others are free from any discomfort as they anxiously await the arrival of their new son or daughter. The following is a list of changes and symptoms that a woman may experience during the third trimester and includes:

• Increased skin temperature, as the fetus radiates body heat, may cause the mother to feel hot.

• The increased urinary frequency returns due to increased pressure being placed on the bladder.

• Swelling of the ankles, hands, and fa occur (called edema), as the mother continues to retain fluids.

• Hair may begin to grow on a woman's arms, legs, and face due to increase hormone stimulation of hair follicles.

• Hair may also feel coarser.

• Leg cramps may become more frequent.

• Stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, breast, thighs, and buttocks.

• Dry, itchy skin may persist, particularly on the abdomen, as the skin continues to grow and stretch.

• A woman's libido (sexual drive) may decrease.

Guess What is the Best Age Of Getting Pregnant?

2008-07-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

Best Age Of Getting Pregnant

According to me , It is not really an age factor, its a maturity factor. As long as you are mature enough to support a child, mentally, physcially and financially, then the age part shouldn't matter.The best years to have a baby are from 17-24, you are more physcially capable to have a baby and a healthy one at that. The older you get the more likely there will be serious health risks associated with the baby and yourself.
"I find that younger mums just go with the flow and are less anxious than older mums. They tend to take to breastfeeding more easily, too.
• "At this age it’s often easier to get pregnant in the first place – you’re in peak physical condition. But one of the problems with very young mums (teens to early 20s) is that they have a higher risk of pre-eclampsia, and no one really knows why. On the plus side, you have boundless energy so the stresses and strains of looking after a baby are that much less."

Baby's smile gives mothers a natural high

2008-07-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

A baby's smile not only lights up a mother's life - it is also the right tonic that gives her a natural high, a new study has revealed.

Researchers have carried out the study and found that the sight of a smiling infant stimulates the 'feel-good' part of the mother's brain which deals with sensations of reward and pleasure too.

These are the areas that have been activated in other experiments associated with the neurotransmitter dopamine. It may be that seeing your baby's smiling face is like a natural high, lead researcher Lane Strathearn said.

Dopamine is a key chemical messenger in the body, important for motivating, sleeping and controlling movement.

For the study, the researchers put 28 first-time moms of babies, aged between five and ten months, into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scanner, British newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

The participants were then asked to look at pictures of their own and other babies. In some of the pictures, the children were seen smiling and in others they had sad or neutral expressions.

When the mothers looked at the faces, the machine showed the flow of blood in their brains and revealed the regions that were the most active at any time.

As mothers identified their own children, the areas of the brain associated with 'reward' were on alert and the brain chemical dopamine was seen to be active.

In fact, the strength of the reaction depended on the expression of the babies and smiling faces triggered the biggest reaction, while neutral or sad-looking babies provoked the least response.

Crying babies made little difference to the reward centres of the brain -- mothers reacted to their own crying babies in exactly the same way as a stranger's crying child, the study revealed.

According to the researchers at the Texas Children's Hospital, the findings could explain the strong bond between mothers and babies -- and possibly why that bond is sometimes missing.

"The relationship between mothers and infants is crucial for child development and in some cases, that doesn't develop normally. Neglect and abuse can result in devastating effects on a child's development," Dr Strathearn said.

The study has been published in the latest edition of the 'Pediatrics' journal.

Facts About 8th Month Pregnancy

2008-06-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

The crucial time for a mom to be, this week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. He weighs a little over 3 pounds and is headed for a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and he's beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath his skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, his arms, legs, and body are filling out. She has very tiny toe nails and her fingernails have grown in, too. Some babies have a head of hair already; others have only peach fuzz.

Tips How To Take Care of Your Baby in 8th Month

If you're having trouble sleeping at night, try wedging a pillow between your legs and behind your back.
If frequent trips to the bathroom are robbing you of your zz's, cut back on fluids by late afternoon or evening.
You may be feeling a little fatigued lately, and that's perfectly understandable.
If you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, try wearing a maternity belt that supports your abdomen and helps redistribute some of the weight.
Many midwives recommend massaging the perineum (the area around your vagina) to help prevent tearing during childbirth. This is a good time to start, though not everyone is comfortable with this technique and it may not help in every case. You can learn how to do it here.
You may notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly (they might even spread to your thighs and buttocks).

Pregnant Again After miscarriage

2008-06-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

Trying to get pregnant after miscarriage can be scary and confusing. When can you try again? What are your chances of success? What are the causes of miscarriage?

A miscarriage can be devastating. There's a feeling that somehow what happened was your fault, that something you did may have triggered the loss - exercise, a minor fall, sexual intercourse. This is rarely the case. Some women also worry that a previous abortion has affected them and may have caused their miscarriage, but there's no evidence to back this up either.

Research suggests that Miscarriages are surprisingly common occurrences. Up to 25% of women will experience at least one miscarriage during their childbearing years. Some women will experience more than one miscarriage in their lifetime. Up to 50% of pregnancies are actually thought to end in miscarriage, however, many of these pregnancy losses occur before the woman even knows she is pregnant. The risk of miscarriage increases as you age, with women over the age of 40 having a 30% chance of experiencing a miscarriage.

Symptoms of Miscarriage

If you are pregnant, it is important that you be able to identify the signs of a miscarriage. If you think that you are having a miscarriage, contact your health care provider or local hospital right away. Symptoms of a miscarriage include:

* Vaginal Bleeding That Doesn't Stop Within A Few Days
* Abdominal Cramping
* Lower Backache
* Heavy Bleeding Accompanied By Blood Clots Or Tissue

It is important to understand that many pregnant women experience slight bleeding during their pregnancies. Bleeding is often a normal occurrence and doesn't always signal a miscarriage. To be on the safe side though, inform your health care provider of any type of vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy.

Causes of Miscarriage

Unfortunately, many women experience miscarriages for which there are no explanations. It is often difficult to determine the cause of a miscarriage, especially if it occurs during the first trimester. Your health care provider will examine your fetal tissue in order to try to determine why your baby was miscarried. Sometimes, reasons for a miscarriage can be determined after careful examination.

Are U 5 Weeks Pregnant

2008-06-17T02:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, until now, the embryo has been a mass of cells, but by this point in your pregnancy a distinct shape begins to form. The neural tube, which will eventually form into the spinal cord and brain, runs from the top to the bottom of the embryo. A bulge in the center of the embryo will develop into your baby's heart. At this time, the placenta develops. It is through the placenta and its fingerlike projections, called chorionic villi, that an embryo receives nourishment from its mother

Food That U Should Avoid During This Period

* Soft Cheeses Such As Feta, Goat, Brie, Camembert, And Blue Cheese
* Unpasteurized Milk And Juices
* Raw Or Undercooked Meats, Including Hot Dogs And Deli Meats
* Raw Eggs Or Foods Containing Raw Eggs, Including Mousse And Tiramisu
* Raw Shellfish
* Paté

Skull injuries During Pregnancy

2008-06-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

The journey of a baby from uterus to the outside world is a dangerous journey. The skull has to mould to facilitate passage through the pelvis and there may be cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD). Malposition increases risk whilst malpresentation demands caesarian section. Contractions tax the reserve of the placenta. The lungs and circulation undergo great changes. Difficulties in delivery may compound the situation. Delivery may need to be expedited because of fetal distress.

Injuries may be caused by a combination of mechanical trauma and hypoxia but this article will concentrate on mechanical injuries.

Birth injuries may be minor and transient but they can produce serious and permanent effect as well as being fatal. It used to be assumed that most cases of cerebral palsy were due to obstetric mismanagement but nowadays the figure for those caused by obstetric trauma is put at around 5%.

The Factors That Increases The Risk Factors of Skull Injuries During Pregnancy

* The size of baby especially if weighing more than 4,500g
* Instrumental delivery, especially midcavity forceps or ventouse delivery for deep transverse arrest
* Breech delivery.
* A premature baby has a small head and incompletely formed skull and precipitate delivery can cause "champagne cork popping", risking intracranial haemorrhage.
* Shoulder dystocia
* A skilled midwife or obstetrician will reduce the risk
* Cephalopelvic disproportion

Some Hideous Facts About Teenage Pregnancy

2008-06-11T02:59:00.000-07:00

These are some of the hideous facts about tenage pregnancy that we can not ignore in present day scenario. So we have to keep the following information in mind.

Each year the federal government alone spends $40 billion to help families that began with a teenage birth.
Nearly 80% of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare.
The sons of teenage mothers are 13% more likely to end up in prison, the daughters are 22 % more likely to become teen mothers themselves.
3 in 10 girls will experience at least one pregnancy before reaching age 20.
Only 41% of teenage mothers graduate from high school and only 1.5% will earn a college degree by age 30.
Nearly 80% of fathers of babies born to teen mothers do not marry their babies mothers.

Teenage Pregnancy

2008-06-10T01:36:00.000-07:00

This time let us discuss about "Teenage pregnancy" where a teenage or underage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant. The birth rates have gone up and down over the last 50 years . Do You know what is the present scenario of teenage birth rates today? The statistics point to a downward trend, which hopefully can be continued in the coming years.

Researchers are pointing towards teenage pregnancy prevention programs, contraception availability and just overall more sex education and unsafe sex to the drop in numbers. The United States still has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies when compared to other counties of similar status.

Teenagers who have babies are more likely to not finish high school and have their future plans interrupted. This leads to less income and more people in poverty.

Babies Born to Teenage Mothers

Babies born to teenage mothers are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care, and cognitive and social stimulation. As a result, they may have an underdeveloped intellect and attain lower academic achievement.

Baby Girls born to teenage mothers are 22% more likely to become teenage mothers.

Babies born to teenage mothers are at greater risk for abuse and neglect.

Baby Boys born to teenage mothers are 13% more likely to be incarcerated.

Early Detection OF Pregnancy

2008-06-02T01:16:00.000-07:00

Follow This CheckList If You Want To Detect Your Pregnancy

The Very First Step to detect your pregnancy is home test, be sure to do a home pregnancy test then have a pregnancy test done at your doctor's office. Pregnancy Symptoms allways vary from person to person, in their intensity, frequency and duration. Consider these early symptoms of pregnancy, which may begin in the first few weeks after conception.

1. Mood swings
2. Nausea with or without vomiting- Morning Sickness
3. Breast tenderness
4. Missed Periods
5. Frequent Urination
6. Dizziness/ Fainting
7. Sensitivity towards aroma
8. Constipiation/ Head Burn/ Heart Sink
9. High Body Temperature
10. Back Pain
11. Weight Gain

Researchers Have Found That If Your Mom Smokes At The Time Of Pregnancy Then It Is Very Difficult For A Person To Quit Smoking

2008-05-29T03:07:00.000-07:00

It is easy to quit smoking -- anyone can do it, for a brief time but not taking it up again -- that is the part that has proven so difficult for most people, especially those who have been exposed to nicotine before birth.

Researches have suggested that at pregnant women should quit smoking to avoid exposing their unborn children to nicotine, and that they should do so without the use of nicotine products such as patches or gums that also present a risk to the baby.

Smoking during pregnancy can harm the baby in ways that extend far beyond preterm delivery or low birth weight. It may cause changes in the brain development of the baby that can last a lifetime.The researchers studied two groups of rats: those that had been exposed to nicotine prenatally and those that had not. Initially, both groups of rats consumed nicotine at the same rates -- about ten hits per session. After four weeks, the researchers forced the rats to go "cold turkey" for a week, during which they had no access to nicotine. Once the scientists restored access to nicotine again, they witnessed a dramatic difference in the rates at which the two groups resumed the habit. The rats that had been exposed prenatally took nearly double the nicotine hits compared with those that had not.

While the rates of smoking in the United States are declining, approximately a quarter of Americans have mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown these individuals have a higher chance of sudden infant death syndrome, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, obesity and even of becoming a lifelong smoker themselves.

Taking Daily A Small Glass Of Wine in Pregnancy Is Very Safe

2008-05-26T04:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone might be surprised with this statement that women can safely drink 1 small wine glass during pregnancy. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said that women can drink up to 1.5 units of alcohol a day without harming their unborn baby.

This contradicts Department of Health advice that mothers-to-be should not drink at all and will leave women wondering which set of 'official' guidelines to follow.

After reviewing a series of studies on drinking in pregnancy, the NICE advisers, who include doctors and midwives, said that other than possibly increasing the risk of miscarriage, it appeared small amounts of alcohol did not harm the unborn baby.

A small glass of wine counts as one unit, as does half a pint of ordinary strength lager, while a bottle of alcopop counts as 1.5 units.

A spokesman said: 'Although there is scientific uncertainty about the precise impact of excess alcohol on unborn babies, we believed the time was right to introduce a strong, consistent and precautionary approach.

'Our advice is simple: avoid alcohol if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.'

Common Myths About Pregnancy

2008-05-19T04:44:00.000-07:00

These are some myths about pregnancy that still exists in our society which are baseless and useless but still people in our culture follow those myths. These myths are as follows:-

1. Don’t share with everyone that you are pregnant.-
2. Don’t go to funerals when you are pregnant or don;t even look at dead bodies.
3. If you wet your hair too much whilst pregnant the baby is born with a cold
4. If someone knocks at your door don’t open the door.
5. Don’t entertain strangers especially at night
6. Don’t go out in dark that is at night.
7. Standing on your head after sex can increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
8. he shape and height of your belly can indicate your baby's sex.
9. Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby's sex.
10. The shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's sex.
11. Glow For A Girl. No Glow For A Boy
12. If You Deny Yourself A Food Item That You Crave During Pregnancy, The Baby Will Have Some Fluid Oozing Out Of His Ears!
13. It Is Very Common Eat More Because U Have To Eat For Two.
14. Eating Ghee And Butter Will Ensure A Smooth Delivery
15. Sleep Positions Affect Delivery
16. Certain Foods Will Give You A Fair Or Dark Baby
17. Sex Will Induce Labor
18. Ou Can’t Get Pregnant If You’re Breastfeeding
19. Small Breasted Women Will Not Have Enough Milk
20. Avoid The Computer!

Best Sleeping Tips For Pregnant Women

2008-05-03T03:15:00.000-07:00

Most pregnant adult females may experience more wash uped than usual and would eventually sleep more. During the first trimester of pregnancy, your bosom pumps faster and bring forths more blood to foster the babe inside you. When the foetus inside you turns, then your pot eventually would turn bigger. It's variety of hard to bump a comfortable sleeping position and it would be difficult for you to acquire some good sleep. It is reded that you essay to acquire utilized to sleeping on your side during the first few days of your pregnancy. You can do this by lying on your side with your knee joints set slightly upward. This position would alleviate the force per unit area of the inferior vena cava, which is made by the babe's weight. In the latter component part of your pregnancy, you may bump it uncomfortable to change sleeping position during your sleep. Shifting is a natural natural event that no i can command but when your pot is bigger than usual, your physical structure adapts to change and shifting at dark are minimised since you would eventually backwash up if you do so. If you still bump it difficult to sleep, essay to utilize your pillows and experiment with what you can do with them. You can insert a pillow under your belly. If you are sleeping on your side, you can put them in between your legs. To ease away force per unit area from your dorsum, you can essay stuffing in thin pillows or a cover beneath the infinite between the surface of the bed and the arch of lower dorsum. There are also pregnancy pillows that can aid further a good sleep.

Reasearchs Indicates That If Yoy Skip Breakfast You Could Gave Birth To Baby Girl..............

2008-04-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

Scientists have discovered that women on low-calorie diets or who skip breakfast at the time of conception are more likely to give birth to girls than boys. It also shows that child's sex is associated with the mother's diet, and higher energy intake is linked to males.

There has been a small but consistent decline, of about one per 1,000 births annually, in the proportion of boys being born in industrialized countries over the past 40 years.In humans, going without breakfast may be interpreted by the body as signaling low food availability, since it depresses levels of blood sugar.

Although sex is genetically determined by fathers, it is known that high levels of glucose encourage the growth and development of male embryos while inhibiting female ones, although the exact mechanism is unclear. In evolutionary terms, this correlation may make sense.

Males' breeding potential is strongly influenced by fitness, while females breed more consistently.

"If a mother has plentiful resources then it can make sense to invest in producing a son because he is likely to produce more grandchildren than would a daughter. However, in leaner times having a daughter is a safer bet," Mathews said.

Some researchers have been sounding alarms for years over the change in sex ratios in developed countries and have in the past blamed pollutants and synthetic chemicals such as those found in some pesticides which disrupt human hormones.

Researchers Have Found That New Treatment May Increase Up Pregnancy Rate

2008-04-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

Doctors has introduced a new formula that significantly improves embryo implantation rates and reduce pregnancy complications in assisted reproductive technology. Existing assisted reproductive technology procedures triple the risk of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and pre-term births, some of which are life-threatening to the mother or her baby. But, the researchers hope to correct these problems with the new treatment.

According to lead researcher professor Claire Roberts, "Assisted reproductive technologies provide some hope for the couples, but they have a relatively poor success rate with 15% to 40% of embryo transfers resulting in ongoing pregnancies, depending on maternal age.

"Fertility in women declines significantly with age, and so too does the success of ART. Since women are delaying childbearing, ART is increasingly required to make couples' desire to have children a reality. ART techniques act primarily to facilitate conception, rather than to promote embryo implantation and placentation. Therefore, they do not assist in some forms of infertility and pregnancy complications............

Common Problems That Almost Every Women Faces During Pregnancy...........

2008-04-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

Morning sickness in pregnancy
Indigestion and heartburn in pregnancy
Itching (cholestasis) during pregnancy
Low lying placenta praevia
Constipation in pregnancy
Bleeding in pregnancy
Backache in pregnancy
Hemorrhoids
Constipation in pregnancy
Baby anxiety
Stretch marks

New Research Shows That Mother's Antibody Production May Affect Child’s Fetal Brain

2008-04-10T01:52:00.000-07:00

New research shows that the mothers of some children may have made antibodies against their fetuses brain tissue during pregnancy that crossed the placenta and caused changes that led to autism.
The causes of autism, a disorder manifesting itself with a range of brain problems and marked by impaired social interactions, communication disorders and repetitive behaviors, remain unknown for an estimated 90 percent of children diagnosed with it.

Scientists caution that the findings neednt be cause for alarm, but should be viewed instead as a step forward in untangling the complex nature of autism.

Mostly anecdotal past evidence of immune system involvement has emerged from unusual antibody levels in some autistic children and from postmortem brain tissue studies showing immune abnormalities in areas of the brain. Antibodies are proteins the body makes in response to viruses and bacteria or sometimes mistakenly against its own tissues. Yet, the majority of children with autism have no clinical evidence of autoimmune diseases, which prompted scientists to wonder whether the antibodies transferred from mother to child during pregnancy could interfere with the fetal brain directly.

To test their hypothesis, the research team used a technique called immunoblotting (or Western blot technology), in which antibodies derived from blood samples are exposed to adult and fetal brain tissue to check whether the antibodies recognize and react against specific brain proteins.

Comparing the antibody-brain interaction in samples obtained from 100 mothers of autistic children and 100 mothers of children without autism, scientists found either stronger reactivity or more areas of reactivity between antibodies and brain proteins in about 40 percent of the samples obtained from the mothers of autistic children. Further, the presence of maternal antibodies was linked to so-called developmental regression in children, increasingly immature behaviors that are a hallmark of autism.

While the findings suggest an association between autism and the presence of fetal brain antibodies, the researchers say further studies are needed to confirm that particular antibodies do indeed cross the placenta and cause damage to the fetal brain.

The mere fact that a pregnant woman has antibodies against the fetal brain doesnt mean she will have an autistic child, Singer says. Autism is a complex condition and one that is likely caused by the interplay of immune, genetic and environmental factors.

Injuries That May Happen At The Time Of Birth..........

2008-04-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

No one in this universe can guarantee to deliver a baby without the risk for barin injury during birth that can happen because of following

• Prolonged Labor

• Prematurity - delivery before 37 weeks

• Large birthweight - eight pounds, 13 ounces or more • Size of maternal pelvis

• Abnormal presentation - breech delivery

Ways that birth can injure the baby's brain

1. Skull Injury: A baby's skull is soft and the bones are not firmly fused. That means that if anything compresses the skull, it can damage the brain. This could be done by: • The force of labor contractions against the skull - which would usually not cause lasting damage. But sometimes the scalp is bruised and the associated swelling can cause brain injury • Too strong a use of forceps - which can compress the skull and cause lasting brain injury

2. Lack of oxygen :Insufficient oxygen to the baby's brain for too long a period will cause permanent brain injury. Ways this can happen are: • The baby does not get enough oxygen in between contractions to last for the duration of contractions, when oxygen stops flowing through the placenta. • The baby is born prematurely with inadequately developed lungs. Therefore when it takes the first breath after birth, it is immediately in Respiratory Distress Syndrome. This can be treated with an artificial surfactant to substitute for the baby's missing natural surfactant in the lungs. It's a foamy substance that lowers surface tension inside the tiny lung air sacs and keeps them from collapsing. But if it is not done quickly, the brain can be deprived of oxygen too long and sustain injury.

• Fetal distress: during birth was not noticed. If no fetal monitoring is done of the baby's heart rate, the delivery room staff may not know it is getting insufficient oxygen. A baby with fetal distress should be immediately be given a C-section. • Placental abruption - the placenta separates from the uterine wall, therefore being cut off from the mother's blood circulation. This lowers the baby's blood circulation. • Cord prolapse - the umbilical cord becomes pinched during birth, cutting off the baby's supply of oxygen

All these situations need swift intervention to prevent brain injury to the baby.

4. Cerebral palsy :This is a name for a cluster of results of brain injury during birth. They are permanent conditions of disordered physical movement, posture and balance. The impairment becomes evident in infancy, as the child is slow to learn how to sit, crawl and walk. Each case is individual. There may be seizures, breathing problems, bladder control problems, dental problems, and many more, and they can range from mild to very severe.

Above 30 Yrs Getting Pregnant Take Care

2008-04-04T02:47:00.000-07:00

The doctors from across the world proves that fertility among ladies drops after age of 30 it means that the ability of women to become pregnant decreases sharply from the age of 31 to that of 35. The chances for pregnancy were high from the age of 25 to that of 35 and declined rapidly thereafter

The research has health and social implications for women who, in increasing numbers, are delaying child-rearing to pursue professional careers or for other reasons.

The research was conducted among 2,193 women who were married to sterile men and who were trying to conceive through artificial insemination with donor semen. Over a period of about one year women were inseminated in 12 ovulation cycles and were given pregnancy tests at frequent intervals.

The physicians and scientists who conducted the study assert that this was a more reliable fertility research than had previously been done. The few previous studies had been complicated by such unknown factors as the degree of the husband's fertility, the frequency of the couple's sexual relations, and latent diseases.

The results showed that women 25 and under had a 73 percent rate of successful conceptions, those from 26 to 30 had a 74 percent rate, those from 31 to 35 had a rate of 61 percent, a significant drop of 13 percent from the lower age group. A relatively small group, 144 women, of those older than 35 had a 53 percent rate of success. In the latter group, there were 16 women over the age of 40.

The studies were conducted at 11 artificial insemination centers across France by physicians working with a federation of organizations for the study of human reproduction.

Although the subjects in the study were a special group with special problems, experts in the field said they believed the success in conceiving in this experiment would be roughly similar to that of women studied under different circumstances.

Facts About Preganacy

2008-04-02T22:33:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy is a wonderful and incredible experience. Pregnancy Calendar is attempting to help you understand your pregnancy and the fetal development taking Preganacy is divided into three trimesters. 1st Trimester 2nd Trimester and 3rd Trimester .

Month - 1

• Tiny limbs open out; these grow into arms and legs. • Formation of heart and lungs; heart starts beating by 22nd day. • Formation of neural tube which later develop into brain and spinal cord. •

Your baby is around ¼ inch in length at the end of first month.

Month -2

• Most body organs form but do not develop fully. • The placenta which exchanges nutrients from your body for waste products produced by the baby, begins to develop. • Eyelids form but are closed. Ears, fingers, toes, ankles and wrists also appear. • Your baby is now 1 inch long and weighs less than 28.3 g. Week-8 Week-12

Month - 3

• Your baby's nails begin developing. • Small buds start forming in the mouth that later grow into teeth. • Soft hair begins to grow. • As your pregnancy progresses, all the body organs of your baby will develop further and the baby gains weight. • Your baby grows to about 2½-3 inches in length.

Month - 4

• You continue to nourish your baby through the umbilical cord. • Your baby displays movement. • Baby's skin is pink and transparent. • Your baby is now about 6-7 inches long and weighs about 0.11-0.14 kg. Week-16 Week-20

Month - 5

• Your baby sleeps and wakes at regular intervals • The baby becomes more energetic and lively and movements become more intense. • Finger and toe prints are formed • The baby is now around 10 inches long and weighs about 0.22-0.45 kg.

Month - 6

• Eyelids begin to part and the eyes open. • The skin becomes red and wrinkled and covered with fine, soft hair. • At the end of 6 months, your baby is around 12 inches long and weighs about 0.68-0.9 kg. Week-24 Week-28

Month - 7

• The baby responds to light and sound. • The baby sucks its thumb, opens and closes its eyes. • The baby constantly kicks and stretches its body. • The baby is now about 15-16 inches long and weighs about 1.13-1.36 kg.

Month - 8

• The brain continues to grow at a fast pace. • Your baby starts rolling around, kicking and stretching. • Sometimes an elbow or heel of the baby against your abdomen can be noticed. • Fingernails grow to the tips of fingers. • Lungs may still not be completely developed. • Sometimes an elbow or heel of the baby against your abdomen can be noticed. • Sometimes an elbow or heel of the baby against your abdomen can be noticed. Week-32 Week-36 Week-40

Month - 9

• The ninth month marks the full term of the baby. • The baby's lungs are completely developed and begin to work independently. • The baby gains a little bit of weight. • The baby usually drops into a head-down position and rests lower in your abdomen. • By the end of ninth month, the baby is 19-21 inches long and weighs about 2.72-4.1 kg. Key points • Growth of the baby takes up to 40 weeks. • Pregnancy is divided into three periods or trimesters, each consisting of 3 months. • Formation of heart and lungs; heart starts beating by 22nd day. • During the fifth month the baby sleeps and wakes at regular intervals • At the end of 6 months, the baby is around 12 inches long and weighs about 0.68-0.9 kg. • During the seventh month the baby constantly kicks and stretches its body. • During the eight month lungs may still not be completely developed. • During the ninth month the baby usually drops into a head-down position and rests lower in your abdomen.

Food Precautions Taken While Pregnant

2008-02-29T03:15:00.000-08:00

1. Fish from mercury contained water, Prawns,Tuna, Eelish Japanese Sushi -- underdeveloped brain, nervous system of Baby

2. Papaya, -- miscarriage

3. Spicy junk food, Burgers, Frozen food -- obese baby,heart disease of baby

4. Tea, caffeine and Cola drinks, chocolate .. strictly NO as per American Food advisory -- low birthweight, miscarriage

5. Dates(Khajur)

6. Pineapple -- Not even in mixed fruit juice

7. Unripe Mango ( Kachchi Aam ) -- Indian grandmother forbids to take mango achar, aam paana or kachchi aam -- miscarriage

8. Teel in food -- used in Indian village for natural abortion by drinking overnight teel soaked water in morning

9. Soya Milk -- undefined sex of Baby or Hizra

10. Sugar should be replaced by Honey -- Specially for mother with Diabetic Family history, bad tooth of baby due to low Calcium absorption

11. Half boiled egg-- You should only eat eggs if they are cooked until both the white and the yolk are solid.

Pregnancy Symptoms

2008-02-26T01:13:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, grows inside a woman's uterus (womb), and develops into a baby. In humans, this process takes about 264 days, but the obstetrician will date from the last menstrual period or 280 days (40 weeks).

* The doctor will use certain terms in discussing a woman’s pregnancy. Some of the following definitions are useful:

o Intra–uterine pregnancy: A normal pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus (womb) and an embryo grows.

o Embryo: The term used for the developing fertilized egg during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

o Fetus: The term used for the developing embryo after 12 weeks of gestation.

o Beta human chorionic gonadotropin (also called beta–hCG): This hormone is secreted by the placenta and can be measured to determine the presence and progression of the pregnancy. Urine or blood can be tested for its presence, and it is the hormone measured by a home pregnancy test. A positive result means a woman is pregnant; however, this test result can stay positive for several weeks after delivering a baby or after a miscarriage.

o Trimester: The length of time of a pregnancy is divided into three sections called trimesters (about three months each). Each trimester has particular events and developmental markers. For instance, the first trimester builds the foundation of the different organ systems.

o Estimated date of delivery (EDD): The delivery date is estimated by counting forward 280 days from the first day of the woman’s last period. It is also called the estimated date of confinement (EDC).

* The woman who is pregnant and her doctor will monitor the pregnancy either to prevent certain conditions from developing or to treat those conditions early. These conditions include the following:

o High–risk pregnancy: If a woman is considered to be likely to have complications during pregnancy, the pregnancy may be termed high risk. Examples include pregnancies in women with diabetes and those with high blood pressure. Age–related complications can occur in women such as teenagers, women who are over the age of 35, or women who have been treated for infertility or with pregnancies from the use of assisted reproductive technologies.

o Ectopic pregnancy: This is a pregnancy in which the egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. This can be life threatening. Ectopic pregnancy must be diagnosed early to avoid damage to the Fallopian tubes and to prevent serious illness or death. It is also called tubal pregnancy (if the egg implants in the Fallopian tubes) or extra–uterine pregnancy.

o Cervical Incompetence or Preterm Labor: This is a condition in which the cervix begins to dilate (widen) and efface (thin) before the pregnancy has reached term. Cervical incompetence can be a cause of miscarriage and preterm birth in the second and third trimesters.

o Preeclampsia/eclampsia: Preeclampsia is a systemic disease that can affect various organ systems. Vascular effects cause the blood pressure to rise in the woman who is pregnant, changes in kidney function, swelling throughout the body, and alterations in blood chemistry and nerve reflexes. If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, a serious illness that causes seizures, coma, and even death.

o Multiple Gestation (for example twins, triplets): Preterm birth is twice as likely in twin pregnancies as in singleton pregnancies. The percentage of preterm birth is even greater for triplet pregnancies and quadruplet pregnancies. Preeclampsia also occurs three to five times more frequently with multiple gestation.

Pregnancy Symptoms

Symptoms of pregnancy include the following:

* Breast tenderness

* Nausea, vomiting, or both

* Missing a period or having an abnormal period

* Weight gain

* Breast enlargement, nipples darkening, or breast discharge

* Urinating more frequently than usual

* Fetal movement (may be perceived after 20 weeks for new mothers)