What Cuases Stillbirth and Miscarriages?

Miscarriages and Stillbirths:
Miscarriages are medically referred to as spontaneous abortions. This term is used to describe the loss of a fetus in the first half of pregnancy (before 20 to 24 weeks). After this time, if a baby dies in a mother's uterus on or after the 24 week mark, it is known as a stillbirth.

Both events can be devastating for prospective parents, so understanding the causes, what precautions can be taken and how to deal with the feeling of loss caused by a miscarriage or stillbirth is vital.

In this section we look at: the risks of miscarriage and stillbirths, possible causes, and what diagnosis can be given for miscarriages and stillbirths.

What Causes Miscarriages?
Women can miscarry for various reasons. Most of the early miscarriages occur when the embryo fails to attach to the wall of the uterus because the lining isn't prepared for implantation or because the embryo has severe chromosomal or developmental defects. The presence of an autoimmune disorder, severe infection or illness, or an abnormality in the shape of the womb may also occasionally lead to miscarriage. If the embryo is exposed to so-called 'teratogenic' substances (e.g. x-rays, certain medications or drugs) within the first two weeks of conception, then either a very early miscarriage will take place or the pregnancy will go ahead as normal and the child will not have been damaged. The cause of most miscarriages, however, is not known.

Later miscarriages can be caused by problems such as genetic or chromosomal defects; abnormalities of the uterus (for example, a subdivided/septate uterus) or of the placenta; severe illness; metabolic disease in the mother (diabetes or thyroid problems); bacterial or viral infections (e.g. toxoplasmosis and listeriosis); or incompetence of the cervix.

The chances of a woman miscarrying increase with age, and also (but less so) with the number of previous pregnancies. As miscarriage is common, affecting nearly 15% of clinically recognised pregnancies, many women may have a miscarriage if they have enough pregnancies. Thus, a history of miscarriage doesn't really make it any more likely that you'll go on and miscarry again. It's advisable, however, to wait at least three months before attempting to conceive after a miscarriage, as the uterus lining needs some time to recover.

Rarely, some women have what is known as recurrent miscarriage, but this refers to those with three or more consecutive miscarriages. This is sometimes due to a medical reason such as one of the parents carrying a predisposition to chromosome problems in the baby, or the mother having an autoimmune problem or an abnormally shaped uterus. The majority of women who miscarry go on to have a successful next pregnancy.

The most common symptoms of miscarriage are similar to those of a period and are bleeding (which occurs in 95% of cases), possibly with clots, and/or cramp-type pain.

Stillbirth/ Intrauterine Deaths:
Stillbirth is the delivery of a dead fetus in the last half of pregnancy. In Ireland, it is still defined as delivery after 24 weeks, whereas increasingly a definition of delivery after 20 weeks is used. Stillbirth is also sometimes referred to as late fetal death or intrauterine death.

Sadly, the exact cause of stillbirth remains unknown in over 30% of cases. In the rest of the cases, stillbirth may be due to poor fetal growth, severe fetal abnormality, placental problems, pre-eclampsia, uncontrolled diabetes, severe cases of Rhesus incompatibility, infections, antepartum haemorrhage and post-maturity. This is one reason why obstetricians usually recommend induction of labour at term (from 38 weeks) if there are problems in the pregnancy.

How common is it? The incidence of stillbirths in Westernised countries is fortunately declining, having fallen from around 2% in the UK in the 1950s to 0.3% in the early 1990s. Stillbirths tend to be more common in deprived communities, in older women and in women who receive poor care during their pregnancy.

What are the signs? If the baby has died movements stop, the uterus may also start to shrink and there is weight loss.

Stillbirth is often preceded by a reduction in fetal movements in the days or week before the baby dies inside the womb. For this reason, if you're over 30 weeks pregnant, it's important to report any major reduction in the frequency of movements over a period of a day or so to your healthcare professional.

Often when you feel no movements, your baby will be shown to be moving when tested in hospital. But some babies will show signs of distress, and can be saved by early delivery.

Try to familiarise yourself with your baby's movements and contact your healthcare professional without delay if you don't feel anything for six to eight hours.

Although labour will follow naturally within a few days to weeks after the death of the baby, in the majority of cases women prefer to have labour induced straight away. Caesarean sections are not normally carried out, so that the mother isn't subjected to an unnecessary operation. Counselling and support will be provided and every effort will be made to try and discover the cause.

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What is the Cause of a False Positive Pregnancy Test?

False positive pregnancy test basically means HCG was detected in the urine. HCG is present in the placenta when the embryo is attached to the uterus. False pregnancy is rear by do occur. If you have done the home pregnancy test and result shows positive, we blindly accept it, after all pregnancy tests are supposed to be 99% accurate. However there are several reasons sighted about why a home pregnancy test could be misguiding.

The chances of inaccuracy rises up when the guidelines mentioned in the kit is not followed and also when the result is not read in the stipulated time. Keep a track of the time, since you will not realize how time flies when one is anxious and impatient. Double checking the result could also give you false positive pregnancy test. This possibly is the main cause of inaccurate tests. So adhere to the instructions mentioned on the kit.

If urine is contaminated with protein or medicine like phenothiczune it could interfere with the results leading to wrong results. The pregnancy tests are accurate sometimes while on the other hand it is also possible that the tests may not be accurate. There are many reasons behind this fact which we will discuss here.

When the strip changes color, the result is said to be positive, but if manipulated it could also give inaccurate results. Evaporation lines start appearing after 3-5 minutes. Reading after the stipulated time could result in inaccuracy.

If your pregnancy test result is positive consult your doctor immediately, sometimes certain types of cancer like chorocarcinama, ovarian, breast cancer can cause increase in the level of HCG, thus leading to false positive pregnancy test.

Using pregnancy kit which has crossed the expiry date could give you false indications. Always check the best before date before you proceed.

A woman who has been undergoing treatment for infertility and was given HCG injection will test positive too. The container where urine needs to be collected should be free of detergent or soap deposits; this could result in false positive pregnancy test.

Thus there are many chances of false positive pregnancy test results. The results are only due to certain chemical reactions. The presence or absence of proteins in the urine or blood may cause the pregnancy test strips to change color. Thus even if your pregnancy test is positive, it is very much possible that you are not pregnant. The best way to go about it is that when you feel that you are pregnant, you must go and see a doctor about it. Ask for the doctor's advice with regard to your eating habits and rest while you are pregnant. This will keep you as well as your baby safe from any mishap.

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10 weird pregnancy symptoms your Doctor might forget to Mention

Aside from being a Master Herbalist, I'm the mother of two. I remember many details about being pregnant, some with pleasure, some with gratitude and some I would have been happier not having to deal with. Here are a few of the things you may notice during your pregnancy, and what (if anything) you can do about them.

1) Abdominal Movement: As your baby approaches the time to be born, he or she is fairly sizable. I remember watching our daughters turning over and moving around. You could see the movement, and it can cause a lot of stares if you're out in public.

2) Cravings: There are two types of cravings, one is psychological and one is biological. The psychological part is that we're told that pregnant women crave things, therefore we should, too. The biological, I believe, is your body telling you that you are missing something in your diet. As an example, if you are craving orange juice, you may low on Vitamin C. Try to notice if there is a pattern to your cravings and mention them to your OB. It may be important information.

3) High Blood Pressure: This could be the sign of pre-eclampsia or toxemia in pregnancy. Consider it an emergency and get medical help right away. If it's after hours, call the doctor for instructions and be prepared for a trip to the emergency room.

4) "I Gotta Go!" When the girls would kick out in the area of my bladder, it caused an intense urge to head to the bathroom. If I was lucky, I got there in time, but...

5) Kicking Daddy Awake: We were sure our younger daughter was going to be a hockey star. Not only could she wake *me* up with kicking, she could kick my husband awake. That's some pretty powerful kicking.

6) Losing the Mucus Plug: At the beginning of labor, your cervix will dilate enough that the plug protecting the baby from outside infections comes out. That is called the mucus plug, and it is a sign that your baby is ready to be born.

7) Milk Letdown: This also usually occurs towards the end of pregnancy. Whether you intend to breast feed or not, milk production will start prior to labor and delivery. You'll notice it most strongly if you are around a crying baby. I recommend that you get the lactation pads normally used for breastfeeding moms and wear them when you go out. It can be very embarrassing, otherwise.

8) Prelabor Contractions: These are actually called Braxton-Hicks contractions. They are normal, and they're helping you prepare for the birth.

9) Relaxing the Pelvis: In order to allow the child to pass through the birth canal, the joints in your pelvis need to be stretched somewhat. A hormone is released that will relax the joints. It doesn't feel very good, but it is normal.

10) Swollen Ankles: Some swelling is expected, but it can also be a sign that you are heading into pre-eclampsia and/or toxemia. Make sure to mention this to your OB, so it can be checked out.

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How to treat Nausea in First Trimester of Pregnancy

I have been a victim of morning sickness, and it is an annoying part of pregnancy. In most people, it lasts only the first trimester or so, though it can go on throughout the entire pregnancy. Finding a safe way to combat it is imperative or you won't be able to live a normal life, and it could put the baby at risk.

There are things that you can do safely, though I recommend you discuss them with your OB before implementing them. That will help insure that neither you nor the child will be harmed.

1) Apples: Fresh, raw apples are best, though you might find some relief from applesauce, as well. I recommend eating both skin and flesh, but in this matter the flesh is the more important part. Choose an apple that doesn't have a lot of sourness to it, as the acids could be detrimental.

2) Crackers: Despite my ban on eating things that crumble in bed, the saltines my mother recommended actually did help. Eat them before you sit up, as for some reason the motion of that process can make your stomach roll even more. The crackers will absorb stomach acid and may boost sugar levels.

3) Eat Slowly: Growing up in a large family taught me to consume my meals quickly. It wasn't a lack of funding, but seven people can put a dent into any dining table, and when my brother was in his growing stage, he could handle it alone with one hand tied behind his back. I had to unlearn that during pregnancy. Eating slowly, carefully chewing and taking small bites are going to help you keep the food you consume in the right location.

4) Hydration: You need to consume more fluids during pregnancy, both to take care of the baby and to prevent sickness. If you are dehydrated, it could cause premature labor and other life threatening issues.

5) Lie on your Left Side: There is a special muscle, called a sphincter, that separates your esophagus from your stomach. Lying on your left side helps insure that this muscle prevents stomach contents from washing up into your esophagus.

6) Peppermint Tea: This is one to clear with your OB. Some approve, some don't. I've used it successfully, and no one I know of has had any problems with it, but it's best to be sure. One warning, if it's strong and the inevitable happens, it will burn your nose, throat and mouth. Eating saltines or a plain piece of bread could help.

There may come a point when you need medical intervention. If you are unable to keep anything down, if you become dehydrated or if it lasts past the first trimester, discuss it with your OB. He or she can make the determination about whether or not you would benefit from medications.

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Role of Multivitamins In Pregnancy

Adding prenatal vitamins to my already long list of things I must do or not do for the coming baby seemed a bit much. However, the doctor recommended it and I went along. Now, I know better and in turn, I recommend that you use them.

You may wonder why you need a special formula during pregnancy. Why wouldn't a regular vitamin do the job? While you aren't eating for two, you are providing nourishment for two, and that means you need more of certain vitamins and minerals.

When I was growing up, there was a saying handed down for generations. A woman lost a tooth per child born. In a way, that is correct. Without enough calcium in your diet or your vitamin, the baby will get it from your bones. That translates to early osteoporosis, and it may also mean tooth loss.

There have been both commercials and news reports about the necessity for folic acid during the early part of a pregnancy. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, your baby's nervous system is being developed. Without proper amounts of folic acid, there is a strong chance that there will be problems in this development.

The scary thing is that most women don't know they're pregnant until it's too late. If you're trying to conceive, start taking the vitamins immediately so as to make certain an adequate amount is taken.

Iron is used by the blood, and now you need to provide enough for two bodies. In order to make sure both you and the child have enough, prenatal vitamin/mineral tablets add it.

B-Complex is mostly for you. The B vitamins provide energy, and that's important while you're gestating. Pregnancy is hard on your body and you will find yourself lagging without adequate intake.

Some women can't tolerate prenatal vitamins well. This is especially true if you're already dealing with morning sickness. Talk to your doctor so that you can find a vitamin you can tolerate. There are liquids and chewable tablets available now, and they may not make you feel sick.

When it comes to choosing a brand, you may want to ask your doctor for guidelines. Not all of these products are the same. Some may not have enough of one nutrient or too much of another. Many doctors have a specific brand in mind when they recommend them to you, and it's a good idea to listen. This means they've already reviewed the nutrition information on it and they feel confident it will provide you what you need.

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Is it advisable to induce labor Using Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Towards the end of pregnancy, I think all of us would like the child to decide to make his or her debut. At that point in time, we can no longer even see our feet, we have to bend backwards when we try to walk and sleep is almost impossible between our big bellies and the lively kicking match in our womb.

Over the generations, there have been a number of ways of trying to bring Junior out quickly. Some work, some don't and some are downright dangerous. It is a difficult subject and a decision that should not be made lightly.

About once a year, a news story will show up on our local television station about a special salad this or that restaurant offers its pregnant guests. The dressing is usually made with balsamic vinegar, and it is rumored to start labor. That may or may not be true, though you should be aware that balsamic vinegar does usually contain some lead.

Blue cohosh is another method used in the past. This does work, but it has too high a price tag in many cases. It can cause both the mother's and the child's blood pressure to rise dramatically. Women and children have died from this, usually from a heart attack.

My mother told my husband to drive me down a bumpy road to get the festivities started. This does not work and it's very uncomfortable for all concerned. Neither does walking or jogging.

Another old wive's tale is that taking a laxative will help. Again, not true and very uncomfortable. The sphincter muscle is the same, but the substance only irritates the colon, it doesn't have any affect on the reproductive system.

Raspberry leaves are good for pregnant women, but they can cause uterine contractions. This does not mean that it is likely to start labor. More often, it stops premature birth or a miscarriage. Because it can cause contractions, always check with your doctor before using it (or any other herb).

There is one way to get things rolling, and it's the thing that probably got you in this condition in the first place. Because of the hormones released during intercourse, having sex is a good way to do the job. Your doctor has probably been told by many patients what caused their labor to begin.

Keep in mind that self inducing can be dangerous both for you and for your child. If it's too early, the baby could have serious complications, including low birth weight. If it's an herb, it will cross the placental barrier. Discuss this with your doctor before using anything to make sure it's the right choice in your situation.

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Finding Out You're Pregnant, Taking a Pregnancy Test

Once upon a time, a woman had to be almost finished with the first trimester before she could safely assume she was pregnant. That's a long time, and this could result in birth defects and miscarriages. What she did and what she consumed could have tragic results.

Now, we have a lot of tools to detect pregnancy. At home tests are available, and blood tests can determine to the hour how long you've been gestating. That's necessary because the formation of most of the child's body systems happen in the first three months.

The first thing to know would be the symptoms of a pregnancy. Many women develop morning sickness, though not all do. This can start almost as soon as the baby is implanted, and includes nausea and vomiting, usually when you first wake up. You may also feel some pain in the hips and lower back as your body prepares to carry the child.

If it's your first pregnancy, at about two months of gestation, your nipples will change color, from pinkish to brownish. This change only happens the one time, they will stay the same in subsequent pregnancies.

At home tests are not as strong as those your doctor uses. It may take two or three weeks before there is enough of the hormones to change the test from blue to pink. This is especially true of the older kits, newer versions are a bit stronger. Even your doctor's tests must occur after the baby is implanted, as the hormones being tested for don't start being reproduced until that point.

One reason to see your doctor the moment you suspect that you're pregnant is if you are in a high risk category. Women under twenty and over forty are automatically in that group. If you've had a difficult pregnancy before or you suffer from a serious illness, you also belong in this group.

Once you find out you are expecting a baby, the next question is usually, "Is it a boy or a girl?" Before ultrasound and amniocentesis, you had to wait until the baby was born to find out. Now, if the baby cooperates, you can know fairly soon what the gender is via ultrasound and definitely through amnio. This comes in handy for two reasons; you can know what colors to use for clothing and the nursery and if there is a danger of gender specific birth defects, you can find them. Some of these defects can now be corrected in utero.

If you're pregnant or think you may be, early detection can play a key role in both your health and that of your unborn child. Congratulations!

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A Few Things to watch out for during first Trimester of Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones begin to be released as soon as the baby attaches to the placenta. You may not be aware of the pregnancy for a few weeks, but things are already beginning to change in your body. Here are a few signs to watch out for:

Cravings and Aversions: Some cravings may be your body's way of letting you know you need more of a key nutrient. Others may be caused by stress and other factors. It's the same with aversions, your body knows what it needs and doesn't need. I remember mine to this day, it took me years to get over some of them.

Morning Sickness: While this problem doesn't occur in every pregnancy, it is a common complaint. Nausea and vomiting on arising isn't a pleasant way to start the day. I was told to keep some saltine crackers by my bed and to eat a couple of them before sitting up, and it seemed to help.

Nipple Color: About two months into your first pregnancy, you may notice that your nipples have changed color. This is a permanent change. They will go from a pinkish color to a brownish one. Not all women develop this phenomenon, but most do.

Pelvic Pain: Changes to the bones in the pelvis occur both in the first and the third trimester. The hip bones may need to turn to support the baby, and in the last trimester, all of the joints in that region become looser to allow passage of the baby's head. It's best to mention this pain to your doctor, because there are other causes for it and you'll want to rule them out.

Sore Breasts: In order to feed the child after it is born, your breasts have to change. These changes can be painful, and are often the first indicator that you're pregnant. You may also notice that they are larger. That particular change is not lasting. They will return to their original size after delivery or after weaning the baby.

If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, there are a few things you need to do. Make sure you are eating properly, remain hydrated and get adequate rest. You may also want to start taking prenatal vitamins before conception so that your body is prepared. See your doctor regularly throughout the nine months so that any complications that come up can be dealt with before they become serious.

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What To Eat While Pregnant | Pregnancy Diet Tips

If you are pregnant then not only medicine will improve your health, you also need love and care from your family. In early stage of pregnancy, the pregnant women suffer from vomiting and nausea problems and she have also problem to take foods. However, this is necessary that she must maintain balance diet and must take sufficient amount of vitamins. Your diet should be as much as enough to fulfilling your hunger and also keep your weight up to date. Here we outline the latest diet tips for pregnant to keep and maintain her diet plan and maintain her health during pregnancy.

1. This is necessary for pregnant that she should provides all kinds of nutrients to her body. The food which gives you best nutrients are includes grains, fruits, bread, dairy products, vegetables, poultry which is the best solution of protein and mea, nuts fish etc.

2. This is best advice for pregnant that she should take food in number of times due to tendency of vomiting during pregnancy.

3. Choose to eats rice, bread, whole gain, fruits and vegetable because these foods are high in fiber.

4. To ensure iron and calcium are present in your pregnant body, you must take dairy products as your daily pregnant diet. Moreover, you must include vitamins and minerals in good amount for your pregnancy diet.

5. According to the experts:- The pregnant ladies need 70Mg of vitamin C. The source of Vitamin C foods like honeydew, orange, grapefruits, cauliflower, papaya, strawberries, green paper, mustard green, and tomatoes should be taken in your routine diet.

6. At the last this is important to know about those foods which should be avoided during pregnancy. This should be in your knowledge that this is very much harmful to loss weight during pregnancy. As well as this is also necessary to know that dieting is also risky during pregnancy. Correct nutrients and vitamin is needed by your body as well as your baby. So this is best advice for you to take balanced diet for your and your baby’s health.

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