mom sectionmom section
A surrogate is a woman (that a couple knows or use through an agency) that will carry their baby for them in her womb. The couple or the agency is responsible for financially caring for the surrogate during this time and the surrogate is responsible for ensuring a healthy baby at delivery. Though a surrogate gives parents that otherwise cannot conceive a chance to have a baby of their own, there are risks for both the couple and the mother considering becoming a surrogate.
Each year in the United States, 1,500 babies are born with gastroschisis, a birth defect that leaves part of a baby's intestines outside the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although survival rates are high, the condition leads to gastrointestinal complications, long hospital stays and costly medical bills. Knowing the risk factors can help new moms take steps to ensure they have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Most pregnant women cannot wait to get their ultrasounds; these belly scans provide them with the first glimpses of their unborn babies. Ultrasounds have been used in obstetrics since the late 1950s and are used to confirm pregnancy, establish the gestational age and size of the fetus, show the sex, track development and placement as well as indicate any problems the fetus may have.
Before getting pregnant, a woman should do her best to maximize her nutrition and take care of any known health issues or risks (like smoking) that she can. Sometimes, though, complications can occur even when all seems well.
A pregnancy is described as high risk when certain factors put either the mother's or the baby's life at risk. A woman who is planning to get pregnant should be in the best health possible to lessen the chances of a high risk pregnancy.
A high risk pregnancy is defined as one in which some condition puts either the mother or fetus at higher than normal risk for complications.
While pregnancy can be a wonderful experience for some women, it can also be a very confusing time, especially when it comes to safety for mom and baby. One big debate is whether a heating blanket is safe to use during pregnancy. The biggest concern in this case is the safety of the fetus.
After 31 weeks of pregnancy, a woman is in her third trimester and only nine weeks away from delivery. At this point, the baby's growth has slowed down, but brain development is increasing rapidly, says eMedTV.com. The baby is approximately 11 inches long and weighs almost four pounds.
In 2007, the teenage birth rate rose in the United States, according to the March of Dimes. This was the second time in a row after a decline between the years of 1991 and 2005. Compared to other developed countries, the United States has high teen birth rates, and teenagers who become pregnant may face many challenges. These challenges include risks for them and their babies.
Trained massage therapists will not put a pregnant client in any dangerous positions on their massage table. Therapists are trained to work with pregnant women, and they have a number of techniques at their disposal to promote the comfort and safety of their client. They may use a specially designed massage table or conduct the treatment with the client lying on her side. Be sure to tell your massage therapist about your pregnancy so he can plan the treatment accordingly.
Iron, an essential nutrient needed by the body for survival, helps the body distribute oxygen, produce energy and maintain a healthy immune system. During pregnancy, iron absorption increases in the body, particularly during the third trimester. It is important that pregnant women consume more dietary iron to prevent anemia.
A sexually-transmitted infection that occurs in over 6 million people every year, human papillomavirus (HPV) can easily be contracted by a pregnant woman. Although similar to regular instances of HPV, HPV contracted during pregnancy does come with certain additional health risks that every pregnant woman should be familiar with.
A pregnancy is labeled as high risk if the chances are higher than normal that complications may occur during the pregnancy. Some pregnancies start out high risk due to preexisting medical conditions and others develop into high risk pregnancies over the course of the pregnancy.
Handling a high risk pregnancy is not easy for any woman. This article provides information on how to manage your stress and reduce your risk of early delivery.
