Archive for July, 2009

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Alternatives to delivering a baby

Friday, July 31st, 2009

It seems commonly assumed that the way to deliver a baby is in a hospital.  Or to be more specific it is assumed that medicine is necessary to deliver a baby. In this article we are going to break those assumptions.We are going to describe some different methods that might be better for you.

Of course these observations are going to be coming from the viewpoint of my experience running a San Diego midwife service.If you don’t know midwives in general are women who help other women during the delivery of a baby.A lot of the times without the use of medicine in a homebirth.

So why do some women choose this method?For the many women that go with this method and understand it, it is because of several reasons.

First of all, when you don’t use medicine in the labor, it actually makes the process of labor and delivery faster.Quite a few women don’t understand that when you use medicine it makes the labor slow down.Women always use it because they are told it helps with the pain, but in reality it makes the pain happen longer.  There are many certified midwives in San Diego who can show you proof of that.

Second, when you do use a natural method such as a waterbirth, it actually helps the muscles and the body because it soothes and relaxes during the delivery.This naturally helps reduce the pain and makes the labor and delivery happen much quicker.  I have seen it helping many women have a waterbirth in San Diego.

Those are a couple of the reasons that women choose a homebirth as the method to deliver.So even without the use of medicine and although there are no doctors, this method has been proven safe.  The delivery at home actually helps the delivery remain private and dignified.Rather than when you are in a hospital where there will be a lot of people who poke and prod during the labor part.  So for these reasons many woman prefer a homebirth.  It is safe and dignified and a great natural process.

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Types of Breast pumps: How To Know Which One Would Be the Best for You?

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

If you are an expectant mother, especially one who is planning to be on the go from the beginning, you will soon find that you are in a place where a breast pump is going to be a good option for you. There are plenty of different reasons why you want you might be interested in getting a breast pump, but the truth of the matter is that they can be used for anything from enhancing the breastfeeding experience, to helping you ensure that your baby will always have a ready supply of milk no matter where you are. Similarly, you can also use a breast pump transition to separating from your baby if you go back to work.

You’ll will soon realise that there are numerous kinds of breast pumps out there in the light of these given facts. Be definite to find the one that suits your needs the best and that you take the time to consider all the options to finally settle with one that will fit in you lifestyle.

For instance, the most common type of pump that you will likely be able to find is the manual breast pump. It is great for regular use and it essentially relies on the strength of your hand to get the milk flowing. There are variations in this type of pump which are cylinder pump and the rubber manual pump.

Don’t forget to take a look at the mini breast pumps that are available in the market. For example, the mini breast pumps is light weighted and very handy when compared to the manual ones, and these are great for regular use too. Also remember, though, that this pump does tend to be pricier than a manual pump. It is still very easy to use, however, and is fast becoming a crowd favorite with nursing mothers.

Another option that you might take look at is the hand-held battery operated breast pump, which will use batteries to help you avoid straining your hand. These pumps are designed for single pumping and they are actually more recommended when you are looking at occasional use. Some can be converted to electrical use.

Electric breast pumps, on the other hand, will use electricity through an AC adapter or might plug directly into an outlet. Not only can these be used frequently, they are one of the best options if you are considering double pumping. If you are looking for a high quality product, make sure that you consider getting a hospital grade quality pump. Professional quality breast pumps of this type will help you maintain your milk supply.

Take some time to consider what the role of the right breast pump is going to be in your life. Since the options are wide and the flexibility to choose is like never before, you can choose which ones would suit your situation the best!

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Blog Documents Personal Diabetic Pregnancy Journey

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

I’d like to fill you in on a website featuring a mother with diabetes is describing her struggles through diabetic pregnancies to help others find data relevant to themselves.  Diabetic testing, for people like her, is an hourly task.  For juvenile diabetes sufferers like her, the pancreas shuts down and stops producing insulin.

For years, she took insulin shots via syringe several times a day and would always need to carry and use glucose tablets.  Currently, she claims that she wears an insulin pump which has helped her A1C test scores since getting it.  She has given birth on 3 occasions, and, of course, had diabetes throughout each birth.  She now has three kids and keeps up with athletics such as running, rock climbing, skating, taking classes at the rec center, etc.  She enjoys life, but does not enjoy negotiating with insurance corporations over diabetes supply arguments.

Her web page has been set up to make a public place for her information and experiences with you.  You ought to head on over and look through the pages of articles that are there.  She has been authoring and gathering articles for people interested in learning more about the disease.

In “diabetes mellitus,” as it’s more accurately named, an individual’s pancreas does not correctly create enough insulin or the individual’s body won’t properly respond to the insulin that is manufactured.  Insulin is important for changing sugars found in what we eat into the energy that the body needs, so people with diabetes naturally either can’t create enough insulin or can’t rightfully make use of the insulin that they manufacture, or both.  This can end up to create and excess sugar accumulation in the person’s blood which can have harmful side-effects.  In ‘09, the ADA released a report saying that there are about 23,600,000 people in the U.S. alone who are diabetic.  That is approximately 7.8 percent of the country’s people.  Of these, about 17,900,000 individuals in the U.S. have been diagnosed as diabetic.  If you’re following along, that leaves an estimated 5,700,000 individuals that have no idea that they are diabetic.

It is crazy to think that there are that many people that still don’t know much about diabetes, and so many individuals have diabetes and aren’t even aware of it themselves.  Public awareness needs to be increased.  Take a look at the web page and browse the articles to help improve your awareness.

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Childbirth DVD’S Is One Of The Crucial Thing While Preparing For Your New Arrival

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Expecting a child is one of life’s most exciting times.  We prepare the nurseries, read every childbirth and childrearing book we can put our hands on and we anticipate every moment before the arrival.  We’re now fortunate enough to have many resources available in this era of technology to further our childbirth education and expectations.  DVD libraries, countless television programs and of course, the internet, all play a role in our plan.  Despite the many titles, choosing a childbirth DVD isn’t as overwhelming as you might think.  It’s simply a matter of making a selection that closely follows your own beliefs, expectations and ideas of how you, as the new parents, want this blessed event to unfold. 
Usually, our first source of information and guidance is our own mothers and there was a time that was our only source.  Today, the number of childbirth DVDs is countless.  This is indicative of parents wishing to provide only the best starts for their little ones.Education is the best way to enhance our knowledge and become a better parents.Many educational materials are available in the market which tends to the trend is the opinion of expert.
Selecting The Best Childbirth DVD
With a wealth of information available, choosing the best childbirth DVD can be achieved by browsing your local department store’s selections or any of the numerous online retailers.  If you’ve chosen natural childbirth, there are many options that explain to new parents exactly what to expect.  Those who choose aquatic births are also given detailed information, via the childbirth DVDs, of the benefits of this new and rapidly growing method.  There are a number of titles that give a wealth of information regarding each trimester, as well as what to expect and exactly what expectant parents need to know throughout the term of the pregnancy.
Childbirth DVDs continue to grow in topics and numbers and these numbers are likely to continue for as long as there are parents who await the births of the newest members of their families.Many information and advices are there which helps when a mother is having twins ,triplets or other muliples.  There are many that speak directly to couples who choose in-vitro fertilization and other methods of conception.  These childbirth and parenting DVDs are created to make us more confident, to allow us to better prepare and to provide alternatives and other theories that new parents might have never known had they not chosen these valuable resources as part of their overall parenting plan.

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Childbirth And Associated Issues

Monday, July 20th, 2009

Childbirth is also known as labor, birth which is the completion of human pregnancy period which results in the delivery of one or more babies from a woman womb. The procedure of childbirth is divided in o three broad categories. Sometimes it is also achieved by caesarian section.

Stages of Normal Human Birth
First stage: contractions
This stage of labor starts when the cervix is 3 cm enlarged. The oncoming of actual labor is specified when the cervix starts to increasingly dilate. Breach of the tissue layer, or a blood stained ‘appearance’ may or may not happen at around this stage.
During self-effacement, the cervix gets integrated into the lower section of the uterus. This muscle contraction causes reducing of the upper section and dragging up of the lower section, in a gradual movement. This attracts the cervix up over the baby’s head. Full distension is attained when the cervix is the sizing of the baby’s head; about 10 cm dilation.
The time period of childbirth changes widely, but active phase averages 8 hours for women giving birth to their first baby and 4 hours for those who have already given birth.
Second stage: delivery
In this stage, the head is fully locked in the pelvis. It has also passed below the interspinous diam. After this all that will continue is for the fetal head to move below the pubis arch and out through the introitus. The fetus head is seen to ‘crown’ as the labia part. At this time the woman may have a sense of burning or stinging.
Obstetrical delivery of the fetus head indicates the successful finish of the fourth mechanism of labor, and is observed by the fifth and sixth mechanisms. A neonate with umbilical cord ready to be clamped
Third stage: placenta
At this stage, the uterus ejects the placenta (afterbirth). The placenta is usually delivered within a period of fifteen to thirty minutes of the child being born. Paternal blood loss is confined by contraction of the womb following delivery of the placenta. Nursing soon after birth and kneading of the top of the uterus causes uterus compressions that encourage delivery of the placenta. This is the natural childbirth process

After The Childbirth
Doctors typically recommend breastfeeding of the first milk, colostrums, to assist with uterine compression to reduce postnatal bleeding in the mother, and to pass proteins, resistances and other welfare to the baby. Ceremonies like naming ceremony, sacrament , thread ceremony etc., just after child birth is quite common in many cultures.

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Some options for your pregnancy

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

One of the most precious times for a woman’s life is pregnancy.  So many woman long to have children.It is in the time of the pregnancy that those desires come to reality.

During that pregnancy a lot of choices need to be made.One of the things to think about is which method of delivery will be used.  Sounds strange to say it is a choice but it is.Quite a few woman usually make the choice of using medicine to aid in the delivery.  But there is a growing movement of women who choose to go natural.  That means no medicine to aid in delivery.  I have seen this from first hand experience as a San Diego midwife.It is taken from that experience that I am going to express various benefits.

So why is it that quite a few women are opting for a non medical delivery.  A couple of reasons.First point is that a lot of women are now realizing that medicine actually makes the delivery go slower.When you have so much pain and your only desire is to have the baby as quickly as possible, using medicine kills that prupose.Quite a few women are now realizing that.What most women don’t think is possible is that they have another way to do it. If they make the choice to have it done that way, they can utilize the services of a midwife.  In my part of the country there are quite a few midwives in San Diego.

A midwife is able to help a woman gently deliver.They could pick maybe delivering through waterbirth.Waterbirth is a form of delivery that utilizes water to help with the pain and help during delivery. 

Also if a woman chooses, a midwife can help if they choose to deliver at home. Once again you can find a homebirth midwife in San Diego if you look.

The many benefits of having the delivery at home is that the environment is less stressed and more relaxed. These two benefits alone make it inviting to have it naturally.If you are with child, it could be a decision you might want to consider.

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How to Calcuate Your Baby Due Date

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

It’s hard to calculate an accurate baby due date when it’s your first pregnancy. With some simple arithmetic though, you should be able to calculate baby’s birth date to within a couple of weeks. This is how it’s done.

A normal pregnancy will last for an average of 40 weeks. This calculation is always taken from the first day of your last normal period and not from the conception date, because it’s hard to be sure when conception actually happened. Providing your periods are fairly regular, you should have a good idea of the date that baby will be due.

For the easiest way to calculate your baby due date, just add 9 months and 7 days to the date of the first day of your last period. There are also pregnancy calculators on the internet which make this calculation easier.

Of course not every pregnancy is going to go like clockwork. Babies are often born prematurely (less than 37 weeks) or late (after 42 weeks). If your periods are very irregular, calculating a baby due date is a lot harder. There is a test called a pregnancy ultrasound which can help.

A pregnancy ultrasound should be done as early as possible, at between 6 and 12 weeks for greatest accuracy. An ultrasound is a completely safe test that uses sound waves to form an image of the developing baby. This procedure calculates the gestational age of the baby by measuring key body parts like the baby’s head.

A pregnancy ultrasound can also determine any abnormalities such as ectopic pregnancy, where the fetus has lodged in the fallopian tubes, or placenta praevia where the placenta obscures the neck of the womb. An ultrasound is also able to uncover any possible health issues with the baby itself.

Is there a problem when your baby is premature

A premature baby born today has a very high chance of survival (close on 100%) due to the level and expertise of today’s paedeatric care and advances in technology. Therefore there is no need for undue concern.

However it’s best if your pregnancy goes full term. Preemie babies may suffer from respiratory problems and increased risk of infection. How can you lessen the chances of a preemie baby?

Pregnancy and alcohol don’t mix so please don’t drink alcohol or smoke while pregnant. Make sure your food intake is nutritious and sufficient to maintain both you and your baby. Avoid getting into stressful situations and last but not least, ensure you get a prenatal checkup frequently to make sure your pregnancy is progressing normally.

So working out your baby due date let’s you be organized for the birth of your baby both physically and emotionally. If you having trouble working out when your baby is expected, your doctor or obstetrician can be of help.

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Infertility Treatment Options

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

If you have been trying with your partner to conceive for over a year now without birth control and you have not been able to get pregnant, then you are considered by doctors as being infertile. This does not mean that there is no way you are ever going to get pregnant, but it does mean that you are most likely going to need to get help if you do ever want to have children and start a family.

Of course the infertility treatment cost is the first thing that most people worry about, but before you get overly concerned with that, you should learn about the different types of infertility treatment that are available and work with your doctor to see which are going to stand to offer you the best results.

Fortunately there are a few different options that couples have for infertility treatment today, and which will be discussed here in more detail.

Infertility Treatment Through Donor Insemination

This is one of the most commonly chosen infertility treatment options. For some couples who are having troubles getting pregnant, this just may be the best thing that they can do if they are looking for an infertility treatment. The couples who are going to benefit from this type of treatment is when the man is the one who is infertile.

Doctors must have already decided on this aspect, before the assisted conception treatments can begin. Typically this implies that the sperm is weak and may not meet woman’s egg and fertilize it, and so for this treatment doctors will basically help the sperm to fertilize the egg.

Infertility Treatment Through In Vitro Fertilization

For most couples who need an infertility treatment, the first thing that doctors try is the In Vitro Fertilization. This is the treatment for infertility that we are all so used to hearing about, with the multiple births that typically occur in the cases that IVF is used.

For this treatment doctors will usually give the woman fertility drugs to stimulate her ovaries, and in a normal menstrual cycle these drugs will need to be taken once a month. This treatment is quite effective, but couples have to be aware that even with the high success rate, the IVF is not a sure guarantee.

Often times couples who are having problems conceiving and having a child find that they have to go through a bit of trial and error before they are able to have a child and start a family of their own.

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Can Gum Disease Cause a Low Birth Weight?

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Women have a lot to worry about when they are pregnant. Unfortunately, studies show that they now have another worry: the likely link between low birth weight babies and gum disease. This problem is distressingly more prevalent than a lot of expecting mothers may even realize. For your health and the health of your unborn child, you need to familiarize yourself with gum disease, its risks, and how to prevent them.

In the United States alone, as many as 10 percent of all babies are born prematurely. Naturally, premature babies seem to have a lower success rate. It is a bit more difficult for these babies to thrive and survive. Their development might be at risk as well. Out of all the infant deaths in this nation, almost sixty percent of them are due to the babies being premature with low birth weight.

The use of oral irrigators might help to improve dental health, especially the health of the gum tissue.  Certain brands may be better than others in this regard.

Such high numbers of afflicted mothers and bablies demanded research. Tons of studies are still being done. Some of the results already stumbled upon an astonishing, downright chilling fact. There is a surprisingly strong link between mothers who have gum disease during their pregnancy. The study done suggests that these mothers were an astounding seven times more apt to give birth to babies with low weights at birth.

A special mouthwash referred to as therabreath contains oxygenated compounds that may also be helpful in fighting or preventing gum disease. This mouthwash is also pH balanced, possibly providing further protection to your dental health. In any case you should make an attempt to end gum disease and prevent it from coming back again. 

Thus, a little more than eighteen percent of all babies born prematurely can be attributed to maternal gum disease. If the results are correct, that means that gum diseases causes low birth weight more than drinking or smoking during pregnancy.

A primary reason for these disturbing findings is due to the fact that, in general, if a mother has an infection during her pregnancy, her baby is more at risk for being born prematurely. This all begs the question, how can expectant mothers stop this from happening?

For starters, you have to visit your dentist on a regular basis. You especially need to go if you experience any of the telltale signs of gum diseases, such as bleeding, sore, or red gums.

Disclaimer: If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, please visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment. This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to provide advice, diagnosis or treatment for any health condition. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about any products in this article.

 

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Protect Against Lung Infections With Better Periodontal Health…

Monday, July 6th, 2009

It has recently become quite clear that there is a possible link between lung infections and gum disease. Because both of these problems are serious in and of themselves, neither should be taken lightly. With studies showing that periodontal disease can ultimately cause lung infections, that is yet more incentive to practice effective oral hygiene. Not only are your teeth and gums too important to risk, but your respiratory health is as well.

One device that is quite useful is known as the oral irrigator. This tool can aid in helping to fight the daily build up of plaque that is happening in your mouth.

Lung infections are also commonly known as bacterial respiratory infections. At least, that is one type of lung infection. Specifically, it is the one with which we are most concerned for the purposes of this article. These infections are caused when you inhale fine amounts of bacteria into your lungs. Naturally, within the droplets, there are bacteria. Those germs will first begin breeding and then multiplying – right inside your lungs. To say they can cause significant damage that way is an understatement. Essential oil blends such as ora-md might be helpful in this regard.

Ozone generators can be used to create oxygenated water that can then be used as an oxygenated mouth rinse. If you use a lot of mouthwash this could be a great way to save cash.

There was recently some research done which shows that this harmful bacteria can exist in the mouth. From there, it can be inhaled down into the lungs. A primary infection can occur from this, or an existing one can become worse.

What is the specific link here? Gingivitis is caused by bacteria. The worst part is that a large number of people currently have some form of gum disease and they do not even know it. Even in the best case scenario, we all have bacteria in our mouths, all the time. When you do not take care of your teeth and gums, however, the bacteria will get worse and worse. Microbes may infest the plaque building up between your teeth. That can easily be aspirated into your respiratory tract.

This article is not intended to provide advice, treatment or diagnosis for  gum disease or any other health condition and is for information purposes only.   You should seek diagnoses, treatment, advice and care from a periodontist or other dental professional if you have or think you might have gum disease or any other oral health problem.  For other health problems, visit a physician.  The FDA has not evaluated statements about the products mentioned in this article.

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