Showing posts with label premature labor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label premature labor. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Ectopic Pregnancy - An Ectopic Pregnancy May Prove Fatal!

Pregnancy by itself can be a very stressful time for the mother-to-be. Add to that, all the complications that can occur during the gestation period, and it all becomes too much to handle! One complex situation that can arise is an "ectopic pregnancy" or a "tubal pregnancy", which if left untreated for long, can prove to be a life-and-death situation for the mother with child.

Neither of the couple is responsible for the ectopic pregnancy; it is just a mysterious quirk of nature. The pregnancy has to be terminated and this news brings grief to all concerned - the parents-to-be, other family members, relatives and friends. All the same, it is important that proper care is taken to ensure that the woman continues to remain healthy and fertile.

But before we go into the details of uncommon symptoms to watch out for, let us define an ectopic pregnancy, at least for the benefit of first-time pregnant women. When the egg is fertilized, it has to naturally implant itself in the uterus. In this case, it gets implanted either in the cervix or ovaries or fallopian tubes. The commonest 'outside place' for the fertilized ovum is the fallopian tubes; hence, another name for ectopic pregnancy is "tubal pregnancy".

This unusual condition can herald problems even before the woman is aware that she is carrying a child. For instance, she can experience such intense abdominal pain that she has to rush to a doctor for treatment. Other signs she can present with are low back pain, dizziness, and breakthrough bleeding or spotting. A sample of her urine is therefore taken to test for different hormones and chemicals present in the body. This is sufficient to reveal a positive pregnancy.

Now that the doctors know that the woman is pregnant, they have to look for the cause of her present symptoms. A pelvic exam is in the offing. An ultrasound can only be attempted after one and a half months or after six weeks. Of course, once the doctors suspect an ectopic pregnancy, the patient is put under close surveillance for they are well aware that the mother-to-be could lose her life if she is not careful, or possibly lose her fertility. A live birth is simply not possible! It is therefore imperative that close family members and friends understand the mother's agony and treat her with utmost respect.

As far as treatments go, the advancement of medical science has made ectopic pregnancy easier to deal with. Depending on how far advanced the pregnancy is, a suitable method of treatment is chosen.

If the problem is detected early, an injection is given to dissolve the fertilized egg; it is then reabsorbed into the woman's body. The reproductive organs are neither harmed nor scarred, ensuring that fertility is left intact. Surgery may be warranted for a long-term problem. Laser treatment is popular today as it can lessen the damage caused to the pregnant woman's body. Even after treatment, the patient's hormone levels are monitored for at least 3 months to ensure that no signs of an ectopic pregnancy have remained.

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Understanding Pregnancy Labor Stages

There are four Pregnancy labor stages in the childbirth process depending upon the changes in the uterus and cervix.

Stage 1

Starts with the beginning of labor, till the time when the cervix is 100 percent effaced and dilated to 10 centimeters.
Time period for first time mothers ranges from 10-14 hours.

Stage 2

Starts when the cervix is fully effaced and ends with the birth of the baby.
Time period for first time mothers ranges from 1-2 hours.

Stage 3

Starts with the birth of the baby till the placenta is delivered.
Time period for all vaginal deliveries range from 5-15 minutes.

Stage 4

Starts with the delivery of the placenta till 1-2 hours after delivery.
Prodomal Labor or Early Labor Pains- A Part Of The Pregnancy Labor Stages
These early pains can last from a few hours to several days. During this stage the cervix softens and the baby settles in the cervix. You may have false pains, which are irregular, strong or mild at times. This is just a way for the body to prepare itself for the childbirth process. So don't worry, relax, eat well and get all the rest you can get. Be confident of your body, it knows what it's doing.

What Happens In The Pregnancy Labor Stages?

The baby moves through the pelvis and the birth canal, which can take from 15 minutes to several hours.

The urge to push gets stronger as the baby moves further in the birth canal.
You may feel a stretching, burning, stinging feeling near the vaginal opening just before the baby is born. This is a sure shot sign- you are there.
When the baby's head emerges out, it turns to one side to accommodate the shoulders and the rest of the body slips out.

What Can Be Done To Help?

Just go with the flow and do what feels right. Taking deep breaths help through the contractions.
Make sounds according to what you feel helps.

It is important for the partner or family to be encouraging, quiet and supportive. Shouting will only make things worse.

Changing positions such as squatting, side pushing help if the progress is slow.
Warm compresses on your abdomen may help. It helps in relieving tension in the perineum.
It is very natural to have labor pains in pregnancy. They guide you through the labor. It always better to be equipped with knowledge so reading, researching a bit on the pregnancy labor stages will definitely help.

The childbirth process includes four pregnancy labor stages. It is very natural to have labor pains in pregnancy. There can also be false labor pains or early labor pains sometimes. Going with the flow of your body helps during the labor stage pains.For more information visit pregnancy.

Pregnancy Test - This Technique Will Help You Instantly Discover If You Are Pregnant!

Pregnancy Test: The Initial assessment.
There is a hormone that is produced in your body almost a week after your periods or a few days after the fertilized egg has been rooted in the wall of your uterus, this hormone is called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG).

The human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone is detected by a Pregnancy test. This test is taken to measure the amount of the hormone HCG in your blood or urine which in turn determines whether you are pregnant. This step is necessary to confirm that you are pregnant and your symptoms are a result of that pregnancy.

Pregnancy Test: The Kit.

There are many ways to use a pregnancy kit but improper use of these kits can cause negative results especially when there is a baby in the womb. It is advisable that care is taken to ensure that you consult with your doctor and do regular check ups to confirm the state of your body. There are a number of pregnancy kits available today with different easy-to-use methods but one of the basic criteria used to determine accuracy and give you the desired result, is to collect a urine sample early in the morning when the HCG in the body is still pure.

The pregnancy kit contains a little strip that you dip into the urine you've collected and depending on the kit you buy the results will either show a positive sign (+), a purple or pinkish line showing that your results are positive or a negative sign (-). In any case, make sure you get medical advice from a qualified personnel if in doubt.

Pregnancy Test: Chemical Pregnancy

There is a hormonal imbalance that takes place in your body that suppresses the normal development of an embryo due to an abnormal increase in the level of HCG in the body. When a Pregnancy test is taken it will show a high level of HCG in urine. This is known as Chemical Pregnancy in which a fertilized egg produces HCG but fails to develop further.

None of these pregnancy test kits are 100% accurate so it is very important to get a doctor to confirm the pregnancy and do the tests recommended to you. Never hesitate to ask questions to clear your doubts and your fears because although this stage in a woman's life is an awesome experience it can be short lived if not properly attended to.

Ensure that you do all in your power to be ready and as prepared as possible for pregnancy.
URGENT!!! Discover these secrets now!

The early stages of pregnancy. Prenatal Testing. Find a detailed example of a typical birth plan questionnaire. The hidden facts about having sex during pregnancy and when to avoid it. Can you still fly and travel? How to deal with Premature labor. The truth about an epidural, Will it cause you to have back problems later? Your baby has jaundice, how would you deal with that? ALL these and more when you visit our website today.