Birth defects and birth disorders affect millions of people every year in the world. Although a birth defect may be caused by genetic or environment factors, over sixty percent of birth defect causes are currently not known. Education on prevention, causes, and treatment is one way to help families manage birth defects.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Just What is Downs Syndrome?

It's unfortunate that many people today just don't have the proper understanding of Downs Syndrome and what exactly this means. Some make wrong assumptions about those with this condition, their abilities, and their intelligence level. It's true that many with Downs Syndrome have typically lower than average cognitive abilities, but only a very small percentage of those with this condition are impaired enough to need constant supervision or to keep them from functioning on their own.

The actual condition itself is caused by a disorder of the chromosomes, with all or part of an extra twenty-first chromosome. There are some physical characteristics that are common among those with Downs Syndrome, including almond-shaped eyes caused by a fold in the eyelids. Some also have a particular type of crease on the hands, shorter limbs than average, poorer muscle tone than average, and a protruding tongue. Those with Downs Syndrome are often easy to spot because of these physical characteristics, but rarely do any of those with this condition have physical abnormalities that would keep him or her from functioning in normal circumstances. There is also an increased risk for heart defects, acid reflux disease, ear infection, sleep apnea, and often thyroid disease or disorders. Other than these conditions, those with Downs Syndrome rarely have any type of severe physical limitations or concerns.

This condition is different for everyone that has it in severity and limitations. However, most of those with Downs Syndrome are able to be integrated into public schools, sports, and the workplace. They may have certain limitations when it comes to their understanding of complex concepts but typically can handle money and a budget, manage their own apartment or home, and can also care for a baby when needed. The majority of those with this condition can care for themselves and their family as well as anyone else.

It's very shortsighted to assume that anyone with Downs Syndrome is severely disabled or unable to function or make decisions on his or her own. Again, this condition affects each patient differently, but the vast majority is just as functioning as anyone else.

Some years ago there was a very popular television series that revolved around a young man with Downs Syndrome, his family, and his schooling. They portrayed how successful he was in fitting in with other classmates, making decisions about his own activities, and even in running for class president. The TV series was very realistic about his limitations as well, but was an honest portrayal of what it's like to have this condition. Anyone with Downs Syndrome should be considered as capable and functioning as anyone else, and should be given every chance to succeed.

DO NOT GIVE CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS. It is believed that large unused quantifies of calcium inn the downs syndrome fetus was a major contributing factor in causing the health related problems. Common Vitamins and over the counter products may help with Downs Syndrome.

Boron is known as the calcium helper and assists calcium absorption and utilization in the body.

Vitamin E promotes the natural body healing mechanism and oxygen to the heart and other muscles in the body. In addition it improves circulation.

Ginkgo is needed for the proper functioning of the vascular system and for improving blood circulation to the brain.

Vitamin B is known to help maintain the normal vasodilatation.

Amino Acid helps regulate growth, digestion and maintaining the body's immune system.

Oat Bran helps to regulate blood glucose levels, aids in lowering cholesterol, and helps in the removal of toxins.

Vitamin C is essential for defending the body against pollution and infections and enhances the immune system.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

To learn more visit
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

The ill effects of alcohol consumed during pregnancy causes a pattern of mental and physical defects in some unborn babies, known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome was named in 1973 by two dysmorphologists, Kenneth Lyons Jones and David W. Smith of the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle.

In the United States, there are more babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome than HIV or Downs Syndrome. A child born with FAS may be seriously handicapped, possibly requiring a lifetime of special care. Most of the disabilities of FAS are caused by a pregnant woman consuming alchohol between the 10th and the 20th week of pregnancy.

Alcohol interferes with the ability of the fetus to receive sufficient oxygen and nourishment for normal cell development in the brain and other body organs. FAS is characterized by abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous system problems. People with FAS have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, hearing, or a combination of these. FAS is a permanent condition and affects every aspect of an individual’s life.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) is a term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual. FASDs include FAS as well as other conditions in which individuals have some but not all of the clinical signs of FAS.

In the United States, FAS rates range from 0.2 to 1.5 per 1000 live births. Other FASDs are believed to occur approximately three times as often as FAS.

FASDs are preventable if a woman does not drink alcohol during pregnancy. Fathers can play an important role by encouraging mothers not to drink. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed a legislation that made it mandatory for warning labels to be placed on all alcoholic beverage containers. In 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on Alcohol Use in Pregnancy to raise public awareness. It is expected that such steps will contribute to a reduction in the number of cases of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum.

To learn more visit
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Natural Vitamin

Natural vitamins are derived directly from food sources. Vitamins that are found naturally in some types of foods come with different components like enzymes, co-enzymes and co-factors. All these components work together to produce their intended biologic effects. For instance, bioflavonoids are co-factors found in Vitamin C.

The majority of vitamins that are sold in pharmacies, grocery stores and vitamin shops are synthetic vitamins. They are only isolated portions of the vitamins that occur naturally in food.

It is best to get vitamins from whole foods since they provide complete vitamins rather than fractions of them. In many cases, whole foods also provide the minerals that are necessary for optimal vitamin activity. For example, sunflower seeds are an excellent whole food source of vitamin E and the mineral selenium, which work together to create optimum health benefits.

In the last decade, research has confirmed that synthetic vitamins are dangerous, whereas the same vitamins from foods show no evidence of harm. In 1995, a direct co-relation between consumption of synthetic vitamin A and birth defects was established in a four-year study involving 22,748 pregnant women. The results showed a 240% increase in birth defects when the women took 10,000iu per day and a 400% increase in risk from taking 20,000iu per day of synthetic vitamin A. No birth defects or other risk were found in actual foods containing vitamin A. No amount of consumption of naturally occurring vitamin A, even liver containing as much as 30,000iu in three ounces, showed any evidence of contributing to birth defects.

It is best to use nutritional supplements that list actual foods as an ingredient. While some synthetic and isolated vitamins have been shown to provide minimal health benefits, on the whole, most of them cause more harm than good. Most doctors these days recommend natural vitamin sources for their patients.

For more info visit
http://www.pregnanct-guidelines.com
http://preganacyguidelines.blogspot.com

Antidepressants and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

When the drug Paxil was initially released into the market it was hailed, arguably, as the next greatest step forward in the antidepressant and signature drug line and the start of a long expected boom in that industry. Paxil (or paroxetine) is used to treat a number of conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, anxiety attacks, panic attacks and of course it is most popularly known for treating symptoms of depression.

While it is reasonably effective in fulfilling its intention, there are certain side effects of taking the Paxil drug that could pose a problem to certain groups of people. These side effects have since been confirmed to be much more severe than initially thought, causing the Food and Drug Administration to increase its warning on Paxil.

One of the worst and most tragic side effects of the Paxil drug was observed in the offspring born to pregnant women that took the drug during their pregnancy. It caused damage to the fetus and many children were born with either a heart or lung defect, and a condition known as , Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn or PPHN for short. The astounding number of reports of children born with birth defects has made the whole tale a sad one and in response to this, on September 27, 2005, the FDA issued a strong warning to pregnant women about the risk of Paxil causing birth defects. In addition to this warning, Paxil labels now include the risk of birth defects but it is a step that has come far too late for some families.

A closer look at PPHN

Paxil belongs to a class of drugs referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. All drugs in this class are used to treat conditions similar to the ones that Paxil is effective for. Multiple SSRIs, including Paxil have been linked to the PPHN condition due to the absorption of some of the ingredients into the placenta of a pregnant woman and the eventual damaging of the developing fetus.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn is a condition that is similar to normal hypertension but is occurring in newborn infants. Infants can not breathe because of the constriction of blood vessels and the cutting off of oxygen to the blood. PPHN can also be responsible for causing severe damage to organs like the brain and the kidneys, both of which are very sensitive to changes in blood oxygen content. Because the problem occurs in newborns and actually happened at a stage of development before birth, the defects can be very severe and cases where newborns are not able to recover despite rigorous and prolonged treatment are not uncommon.

It is very important to note that while Paxil does cause these birth defects, it is not the only SSRI drug to do so. Pregnant women, if taking any SSRI and especially Paxil, should consult their Doctor before doing so and should only take the drug under medical supervision for the duration of their pregnancy. Women that act otherwise are risking that the child they are carrying might potentially be born with a severe lung or heart defect.

For more info visit
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

What Do You Need to Eat for an Active Pregnancy?

Maternal weight gain closely relates to infant birth weight, but how much food do you need to eat and how much extra weight is a healthy amount to gain? Low birth weight babies have a greater incidence of malnutrition, which increases the chances of birth defects and illness.

It is important for a woman to increase her calorie intake when pregnant and doctors suggest that the proper weight gain for a pregnant woman is 25-30 pounds. Typically the extra weight gain can be broken down as follows.

Infant at birth - 7½ pounds
Placenta - 1 pound
Blood increase - 4 pounds
Uterus increase - 2½ pounds
Amniotic fluid - 2 pounds
Breast increase - 3 pounds
Fat stores - 5-10 pounds

Low birth weight babies are typically born to women who gain less that 20 pounds in weight with women gaining more than 35 pounds in weight probably adding excess bodyfat. In the first three months most women gain about 2-4 pounds, although some women can lose weight due to suffering with morning sickness. After the first three months, the average weight gain is about 1 pound a week.

The recommended calorie allowance for women of childbearing age is 2000 calories a day, plus 300 extra calories a day to support pregnancy. If the mother is exercising then additional calories will need to be added depending on the type of exercise performed, its duration and how often it is performed. Increased carbohydrates and the associate fibre from good carbohydrate food choices are important for an exercising pregnant woman as she will need the additional energy for her exercise and the developing baby's growth requirements.

The bodyfat that has been built up during the first six months of pregnancy is typically burned up during the last three months of pregnancy, with an additional 9 pounds of fat used for lactation and breast-feeding. Breast-feeding is a great way for the mother to get back in shape after childbirth as it uses 600-1100 extra calories above normal requirements to support lactation.

All vitamin requirements increase during pregnancy, however one vitamin in particular that is more important to pregnant women is folic acid, a B-complex vitamin. Folic acid requirements double during pregnancy and research has shown that folic acid taken in the early stages of pregnancy may prevent serious birth defects such as neural tube defect.

A pregnant woman performing exercise must also pay attention to fluid intake to replace body losses due to sweating and perspiration. Plenty of fluids also helps to keep the body cool and prevent a rise in body temperature which could harm the developing baby.

A balanced diet, with extra protein, carbohydrates, iron and calcium together with proper fluid intake will ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy for all active mothers-to-be.

For further advice on pregnancy health and nutrition, visit
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

What You Should And What You Shouldn't Do During Pregnancy

When hearing every day different versions of what to do and what to avoid you surely wonder which steps you should actually follow.

Make sure you eat proper food, healthy for you as well as for your unborn child. Certain food such as unpasterized milk, cheese, fish and uncooked meat can cause miscarriages and all kind of birth problems.

When you had any contact with cats see a doctor about toxoplasmosis. It is caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma Gondi and can cause malformations, miscarriages or other birth defects.

Premature birth, miscarriages and low birth weight can also be caused by smoking during pregnancy period. It is absolutely forbidden to smoke while you are pregnant! Also second hand smoke can cause you harm so avoid being in smoking areas! Problems for your pregnancy can also cause a larger than 300 milligrams caffeine per day as we know larger amounts of coffee can harm you all the time.

Pregnancy problems can be caused by chemical cleaners, aerosol cans, solvents and paint fumes. If you really insist on doing the housework yourself try to be more careful and avoid the stairs area while cleaning.

Try to avoid sauna and hot baths during pregnancy, keep your fluids level and your body temperature constant especially in the first trimester. It can keep you from having problems with your pregnancy such as birth defects.

Keep in mind the fact you must completely avoid alcohol and any kind of drugs. It can always harm you too; think about the effects on a growing embryo or fetus. Cocaine was proven to stop the oxygen getting to the child. Cocaine can also create an addiction to the unborn child.

Exercise is also very important during pregnancy although it can harm if you abuse on it. Highly trained sportswomen should decrease their normal rhythm. Walking a bit every day can help you feel better and prepare for labor.

Talking about Do’s and Don’ts we must understand that needs are different for every woman. That is why our advises should not replace medical consult and supervise.

For more information visit
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
http://prenancyguidelines.blogspot.com

Defective Drug Side Effects

Paxil is a popular antidepressant that has a several dangerous side effects, birth defects, pregnancy risks, birth injuries, and may even cause death. Dangers of persistent primary hypertension in newborns also called PPHN.

Although Paxil is used primarily to treat depression, many doctors use it to also treat panic disorders, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder in millions of people around the world. The Food and Drug Administration advised doctors that prescribing Paxil to children and teenagers could significantly increase the likelihood of violence and suicidal tendencies.

Furthermore, Paxil may also cause a number of serious birth defects. In recent studies, it was revealed that Paxil significantly increased the number of congenital heart defects such as primary pulmonary hypertension in developing fetuses. Two independent studies revealed that among women who took the during their first three months of pregnancy had babies with Paxil heart birth defects at 1.5 to 2 times the rate of normal births.

The side effects from the withdrawal from Paxil are also a serious concern for patients. Glaxo, the company behind Paxil, recently had to remove from the packaging of the drug, the statement that their drug was not addictive. Whether or not to include a Paxil warning on the packaging for the drug has yet to be determined. Another recent study has linked Paxil to a potential increase in deaths among patients who have coronary artery disease. The study revealed after three years of follow treatment, 21.4% of people with CAD on antidepressants died compared to 12.5% of those not on the drug.

Paxil is the brand name of the anti-depressant drug paroxetine used in the United States and Canada. Paxil is categorized in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of anti-depressants. It has been used to treat depression 1992.

For more information visit
http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com

Why Is Folic Acid Important When Trying To Get Pregnant?

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is a B vitamin which is needed by the body to make new cells. Everybody needs folic acid but during pregnancy when new cells are formed in the baby and therefore more folic acid is needed. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent major birth defects of her babies brain and spine. These birth defects are neural tube defects. Women need to take folic acid every day, starting before they are pregnant to help prevent Neural Tube Defects (NTD).

How much of extra Folic Acid should be taken?

Folic acid occurs naturally in food like green leafy vegetables. But CDC & doctors recommend that women should take folic acid tablets once every day to prevent defects of her baby's brain and spine. Recommended dose is 400 mcg of Folic Acid every day.

CDC (Center for Disease Control, USA) recommends every woman of child bearing age to take Folic Acid 400 microgramme (400 mcg) every day to prevent birth defects.

Why should women take folic acid before being pregnant?

Women should take folic acid before pregnancy to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine, as these happen in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman finds out that she is pregnant. All women should get in the habit of taking folic acid daily even when they are not planning to get pregnant. For folic acid to help, a woman needs to take it every day, starting before she becomes pregnant.

Why should you take Folic acid when you make effort to eat a healthy and nutritious diet?

You might think that you can get all the folic acid and other vitamins you need from the food you eat each day. But it is hard to eat a diet that has all the nutrients you need every day. Even with careful planning, you might not get all the vitamins you need from your diet alone. That's why it's important to take a vitamin with folic acid every day.

For more information visit
http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
http://prgnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

Myths About Down Syndrome That Everyone Should Know

Down Syndrome is a genetic chromosomal syndrome affecting physical features and causing mental retardation. Down Syndrome is caused by having an extra third copy of chromosome 21. Down Syndrome can be diagnosed prenatally in the womb during pregnancy using several different tests including ultrasound, amniocentesis and CVS.

Diagnosis after birth can usually be done from examining the baby’s physical and facial features such as:

  • Flattened face
  • Snub nose
  • Flattened nasal bridge
  • Upward slanting eyes
  • Short neck
  • Enlarged and protruding tongue
  • Abnormally shaped ears
  • Short stubby hands
  • Short stubby feet
  • Infant not crying much
  • Below are some of the major myths about Down Syndrome. Each myth is debunked with the truth concerning one specific aspect of Down Syndrome.

    Myth: Down Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder.
    Truth: One in every 800 to 1,000 birth is a child with Down Syndrome condition. This figures represents approximately 5,000 births per year.

    Myth: Most children with Down Syndrome are born to older parents.
    Truth: 80% of children with Down Syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age. However, as the age of the parents increases, so does the incidence of births of children with Down Syndrome condition.

    Myth: Children with Down Syndrome are severely retarded.
    Truth: Children with Down Syndrome have an I.Q that falls between the mild to moderately retarded range. Children with Down Syndrome can be educated. However, educators and researchers have not been able to verify and document the full educational potential of Down Syndrome children.

    Myth: Most people with Down Syndrome are institutionalized.
    Truth: In recent years, Down Syndrome children are seen in the public together with the families, going about their educational, social and recreational activities. Some adults with Down Syndrome have also seen to work in café and fast food chains.

    Myth: Adult with Syndrome are unemployable.
    Truth: As society’s acceptance and understanding towards adults with Down Syndrome children increases, businesses around the world are employing young adults with Down Syndrome for a variety of positions.

    Myth: Adults with Down Syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationship leading to marriage.
    Truth: Many adults with Down Syndrome are able to socialize and form ongoing relationship such as courtship and marriage. Although women with Down Syndrome can have children, but the chances of getting a Down Syndrome child is 50%.

    Myth: People with Down Syndrome condition can never be cured.
    Truth: As the medical research advances, it was identified that the gene on chromosome 21 is responsible for Down Syndrome. Scientists believe that there is a possibility in the future to improve, correct and prevent the varies problems related to Down Syndrome.

    For more information visit
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com

    What is Down Syndrome?

    Every year, one child in every 800 to 1,000 births will be born with a condition known as Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a disorder in which the child has extra genetic material. This extra genetic material causes the baby to develop differently in the womb. This abnormal development occurs during the early stages of cell division, soon after conception.

    There is no known reason for Down syndrome or a cure for it.

    The disorder came by its name when an English physician, John Langdon Down, published a description of the characteristics of a person with the condition in 1886. Since Dr. Down was the first person to give the syndrome a name, the disorder is known as Down syndrome.

    The Common Forms of Downs

    There are three distinct forms of Down syndrome. The most common form is Trisomy 21. This is when a child has an extra chromosome 21.

    Instead of having 46 chromosomes in each cell (23 from the father and 23 from the mother), he has 47. Ninety-five percent of children born with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21.

    Translocation is another form of Down syndrome and makes up 3 to 4% of the population of people with the disorder. Translocation occurs when part of chromosome 21 breaks off and attaches to another chromosome, changing the genetic makeup. In this form of Down syndrome, each cell has the normal 46 chromosomes, but there is extra genetic material from the broken off chromosome.

    The third and final form is called Mosaicism, and is the rarest form of Down syndrome, occurring in only 2% of all cases. Mosaicism happens when some of the cells in the forming embryo have 46 chromosomes, and some have 47. Thus, the alternating pattern gives it the name Mosaicism.

    People with Mosaicism may not be as affected with the physical and/or developmentally delayed characteristics of those born with the other two forms of Down syndrome.

    Common Physical Traits

    Babies with Down syndrome are usually diagnosed at birth or shortly thereafter. Because Down syndrome affects a child physically, there will be certain features that an alert doctor or nurse will pick up on. Most children with the syndrome will have some or all of these traits.

    Among the most common physical characteristics are:

    • Low muscle tone
    • Small nose and flat nasal bridge
    • An upward slant to the eyes (almond shaped)
    • Small skin folds on the inner corner of the eyes
    • Tongue large for size of child’s mouth
    • Small, sometimes abnormally shaped ears
    • A single crease across the center of the palm
    • Fifth finger, the pinky, has only one crease instead of two
    • Larger than normal space between the large and second toe
    • Joints are hyper flexible, able to extend greater than average

    These physical traits are characteristic of a baby with Down syndrome, but in order to determine if a child does indeed have the disorder, a chromosome analysis will need to be performed.

    This is done by taking blood from your baby and the analysis will be done in a laboratory. Your doctor will notify you of the results.

    Jane Orville is the mother of a 17 year old Daughter with Down Syndrome and has spent years researching and compiling all the wisdom she has gained into a simple guide to assist parents deal with the concerns of raising a child with Down Syndrome.

    For more information visit
    http://www.pregnacy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

    Monday, March 10, 2008

    Antidepressants and Atrial Septal Defects

    The Atria of the heart are responsible for processing both arterial and venous blood with one atrium responsible for the blood to the arteries and the other atrium responsible for the blood coming in from the veins. In order to prevent the mixing of these two blood groups (which could have consequences on the overall maintenance of the body) the heart has evolved a wall between the two atria.

    This wall, known as the interatrial septum or sometimes simply just the septum, is responsible for regulating blood flow and preventing arterial and venous blood from mixing with each other. In a baby before birth, the lungs are too poorly developed to constantly ensure well oxygenated blood traveling through the developing fetus and as such the mother’s lungs are largely responsible for ensuring that the baby fetus receives well oxygenated blood up until their birth.

    To facilitate this and allow venous blood direct access to the circulatory system, the interatrial septum does not develop fully until very close to childbirth as at that point in human development it would be counterproductive to do so. This septum, however, is necessary in any human that has developed beyond the pre-birth stage. The lack of an interatrial septum or the lack of a fully developed one is known as an atrial septal defect (people in this condition sometimes also are referred to as having ahole in heart) and this type of defect can cause pulmonary hypertension as well as result in some blood pressure complications at later stages of life, making it a potentially big problem.

    Where Paxil Comes In

    In late September of 2005, the FDA strengthened its warning on Paxil and the risk of birth defects was added to the label of the drug, warning all pregnant women that taking the drug could result in birth defects such as their child being born with a hole in heart defect. Paxil is a drug used by people of all kinds in order to help them with conditions like clinical depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic attacks.

    The problem with pregnant women taking the drug is that it can cause birth defects (some which are quite severe) and as a study released in December of 2005 showed, pregnant women that took Paxil were much more likely to give birth to a child that was born with some kind of defect. The study was a double-blind experiment (which meant that none of either the control group of women or the study group of women was aware of which procedure they were following in the study) and the difference was severe enough to be statistically significant. Paxil has been linked to many different birth defects and the atrial septal defect is just one of them.

    A baby born with an atrial septal defect can experience a wide range of symptoms because of it, many of which will cause physical pain to the child. The best way to avoid your child potentially being born with an atrial septal defect due to use of a drug like Paxil is to simply avoid taking any drugs like Paxil during your pregnancy. If this is not possible, consult your physician and do not deviate from the advice they give you. Doing so could mean the difference between a healthy child and one with a defect such as the atrial septal one.

    To learn more visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

    Pregnancy and Diabetes

    When you are pregnant, there are many things that you can do to ensure your health and the health of your baby. When you have diabetes, it is essential that you take extra precautions to have a healthy pregnancy. Studies show that babies born to women with diabetes are at a greater risk for birth defects because high blood glucose levels and ketones can pass through the placenta to the baby.

    The most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy baby is to make sure that your diabetes is in control before you get pregnant. The better control you have of your blood glucose levels, the less chance your baby has of being born with a birth defect. Many of your babies organs are formed before you even know you are pregnant so the time to take control of your diabetes is before you try to conceive a child.

    During pregnancy, careful monitoring of your diabetes will help your pregnancy to progress smoothly. If you have type 1 diabetes, being pregnant will bring changes to your insulin regiment. While you are pregnant, you will need more insulin, so your doctor will put you on a schedule to slowly increase the amount you take each month. As the placenta produces certain hormones, it causes your body to require more insulin. These hormones are important to your baby's growth, but they block the action of your insulin, meaning you will have to increase your dosage.

    If you have type 2 diabetes, you might have to switch the type of oral medication that you take. Some medications, such as metformin are safe during pregnancy, but not all diabetic medications are recommended for pregnant women. Some women with type 2 diabetes are given insulin shots for the duration of their pregnancy, because it is safer than oral medication. If you control your diabetes through diet, you might need to see a dietician to help you plan menus that take into account your baby's nutritional needs.

    You can also help your doctor treat you by maintaining careful records of what you eat, exercising regularly, and making sure that you eat at regularly scheduled times. If you don't have a regular exercise routine before you get pregnant, don't start a strenuous program. Choose low impact exercises such as walking, low impact aerobics, or even swimming.

    Once your baby is born, your blood glucose levels may be hard to monitor. The hormones that are going through your body can make your glucose levels unpredictable, but continue to monitor them and take your medication. If you plan to nurse, talk to a dietician about planning a menu that provides the extra nutrients you need and helps keep your blood sugar levels stable.

    Having a baby is a wonderful experience. Making sure your diabetes is under control when you are pregnant helps you to enjoy your pregnancy more.

    To learn more visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

    Pregnancy Complications - Minimize Complications With Vitamin C

    Pregnancy consists of two very common and strongly felt effects for expectant mothers – the joy of giving birth on the one hand and the fear of pregnancy complications on the other. Most women fear if their pregnancies end up with negative outcomes like premature birth of babies etc. As per the recommendations of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin C plays a role in reducing the intensity of various types of complications that may arouse during pregnancy. A small quantity of vitamin C contributes a great deal in alleviating complications that may affect both baby and mother in the second trimester of pregnancy.

    What Is Premature Birth?

    Premature birth is commonly known as delivering of the baby prior to the due date. Normal pregnancy is said to end at about forty weeks. In clinical language, a premature birth marks the delivery of the baby before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature delivery takes place when the membranes or the wall of the sac that supports growth of the baby and contains amniotic fluid appears to break or ‘rupture’. Across the world, about 10 to 20 percent of the pregnancy cases may end up in this Premature Rupture Of Membrane or PROM.

    Premature birth implies delivery of baby before complete pregnancy development in the womb. Therefore, babies delivered prematurely show several complications in them. First of all, due to premature delivery the baby feature improperly developed legs, lungs and other limbs. This is why those underdeveloped organs may not function as they do and cause various health complications such as infections. The main reasons to contribute to the increase in the risk of PROM are smoking habit, lack of proper nutrition, infections in vaginal areas during the months of pregnancy.

    How Far Is Vitamin C Beneficial In Minimizing Pregnancy Complications?

    Inadequate amount of Vitamin C in the pregnant woman’s body is supposed to be the main cause of pregnancy complications. The cells in the bodies of expectant mother are not supposed to be deficient of vitamin c as it is an important ingredient to produce and repair connective tissues in the body. Moreover, vitamin c plays a vital role in restoring the membranes or the walls of the sac to prevent PROM. This is the reason why medical experts advise adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables enriched with vitamin C. Vitamin C is also a good source of antioxidants to fight against free radicals and environmental damages.

    Several studies have been conducted to establish the significant contribution of vitamin c to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy complications. Studies prove that women who consumed vitamin c in sufficient amounts have been found to have a lower risk of premature birth than those with lower vitamin C intake. This conclusion related to vitamin C were made after studies were undertaken that observed notable changes in 120 women with random intake of 100 mg of vitamin c supplements or use of placebo. All these 120 women were healthy and were pregnant for 20 weeks. The evaluations were taken every four weeks starting from their twenty week of pregnancy. Women with this vitamin c intake lessened their incidence of pregnancy complications by 74 percent in comparison to those who did not consume vitamin C.

    During your pregnancy, you should try to avoid pregnancy complications. Pregnancy is the most important phase of life and you should stay healthy and fit during all 40 weeks of pregnancy.

    For more information visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

    Sunday, March 9, 2008

    The Do's and Dont's of Pregnancy, To Avoid Birth Defects

    With so many people giving their opinion on what to do and what not to do during pregnancy, it becomes hard to determine what is fact and what is fiction. Below is a list of some of the more important factors to consider in regards to pregnancy do's and dont's.

    Food during pregnancy
    Certain foods need to be avoided during pregnancy. Listeria, which is caused by uncooked meats, some seafood, unpasterized milk and soft cheeses, can cause birth defects, miscarriages and stillbirth.

    Cat litter
    Toxoplasmosis, is a disease which is contracted by contact with cat feces. It is spread by a parasite which can lead to miscarriages, stillbirth and birth defects.

    Smoking
    Smoking during pregnancy is definitely a no no. It has been linked to a low birth weight, miscarriage and premature birth in many different studies. Second hand smoke poses the same dangers during pregnancy, and should be avoided at all costs.

    Caffeine
    Some studies on caffeine during pregnancy have led to the conclusion that the two do not mix well together, as caffeine may increase the possibility of miscarriage and low birth weight. On the other hand, other studies have shown no link between the two. Obviously an excessive amount of caffeine is a bad idea regardless of pregnancy. An excessive amount of caffeine is generally regarded as over 300 milligrams per day. If you stay well clear of this figure, caffeine during pregnancy is less likely to cause problems.

    Safety around the house
    There are many hazards around the house for pregnant women, but almost all can be easily avoided. If you still insist on doing all the house work yourself, try to stay clear of aerosol cans, industrial strength cleaners and fumes from paint, solvents and strippers. All of the above have been linked to birth defects and other pregnancy complications. It also pays to take it a little easier around certain parts of the house such as stair cases.

    Body temperature
    Keeping a moderate body temperature during pregnancy (especially during first trimester) is important as it may lead to birth defects. It is a good idea to keep an eye on your temperature during exercise and keep your fluids up. Things such as saunas and hot baths are not recommended during pregnancy.

    Alcohol and drugs
    To be safe with alcohol during pregnancy it is probably best to avoid it altogether, as there is no safe level of consumption. It can have detrimental affects on an unborn child. In comparison to a fully grown woman, a baby is very small, so you could imagine the potential damage to the baby if the mother was drunk or even tipsy. Drugs during pregnancy have been shown to have a negative effect. Drugs such as cocaine have been shown to hinder the development of a baby’s vital oxygen and nourishment, leading to complications such as birth defects and even an addiction in the child itself.

    Exercise
    Exercise during pregnancy is recommended for most women, but only at a moderate pace. Women who participated in high impact exercise, weight lifting, contact sports, high altitude training or scuba diving before pregnancy, will have to readjust their routines. Walking is highly recommended for at least the first two trimesters, as it can help your body withstand the rigors of labor and delivery more easily.

    The do's and don’ts of pregnancy are different for each woman and each pregnancy. The above information is not a medical opinion and should not substitute a professional medical opinion. Always consult your doctor or care provider before making any major decisions before, during and even after pregnancy.

    To learn more visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

    What Are Steps To Take Before Becoming Pregnant,, To Avoid Birth Defects?

    The whole dynamic of pregnancy is an incredible process. In this section, I include some insight into possibly giving birth to a completely healthy baby. The removal of toxins, and eating healthy are a start to producing a birth defect free baby.

    What Are Tips For Getting HealthyPregnancy?

    For the woman, she should get off the pill if she's on it. Also, eating healthy, maintaining her weight and to avoid smoking and taking drugs should help the woman get on track for getting pregnant. The man should be careful taking certain medications, and to eliminate exposure to chemicals.

    Remove Toxins

    It really is amazing to me that more people don't know about the harmful effects of toxins ( chemicals, metals, insecticides, pesticides, food additives and preservatives). Cleanses are ideal for clearing the body of harmful toxins that could be responsible for birth defects in babies. I think it would be a great idea to do a full body cleanse prior to becoming pregnant.

    Eating Healthy

    There are more foods these days that have preservatives and food additives, which actually cause sickness and disease at an alarming rate. A typical diet these days consist of over 70% processed foods, which also means up to 70% of the food is denatured. Preservatives and poisonous drugs are similar in the fact that both of them have the same illness causing effects on body tissues. For example, coal tar a studied cancer-causing agent is often used for coloring and flavoring. Here is a list of birth defect causing preservatives and food additives:

    Mono-and Di-glycerides- Can cause birth defects and cancer. They are found in breads, pies, cakes, ravioli's, peanut butter, and margarine.

    Propyl Gallate- Can cause birth defects and damage the liver. They are found in potato sticks, chewing gum, pickles and meat products.

    Red Dye 40- Maybe a cancer suspects and causes birth defects. They are found in cereals, baked goods, red sweets, red soft drinks, and Frankfurters.

    There are too many babies being born with birth defects and the knowledge in this section an additional information on my website will help to reduce the chances of more birth defects.

    To learn more visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

    What Are Steps To Take Before Becoming Pregnant, to avoid birth defects?

    The whole dynamic of pregnancy is an incredible process. In this section, I include some insight into possibly giving birth to a completely healthy baby. The removal of toxins, and eating healthy are a start to producing a birth defect free baby.

    What Are Tips For Getting Pregnant?

    For the woman, she should get off the pill if she's on it. Also, eating healthy, maintaining her weight and to avoid smoking and taking drugs should help the woman get on track for getting pregnant. The man should be careful taking certain medications, and to eliminate exposure to chemicals. More detailed information on this topic is on the website located in the resource box below.

    Remove Toxins

    It really is amazing to me that more people don't know about the harmful effects of toxins ( chemicals, metals, insecticides, pesticides, food additives and preservatives). Cleanses are ideal for clearing the body of harmful toxins that could be responsible for birth defects in babies. I think it would be a great idea to do a full body cleanse prior to becoming pregnant.

    Eating Healthy

    There are more foods these days that have preservatives and food additives, which actually cause sickness and disease at an alarming rate. A typical diet these days consist of over 70% processed foods, which also means up to 70% of the food is denatured. Preservatives and poisonous drugs are similar in the fact that both of them have the same illness causing effects on body tissues. For example, coal tar a studied cancer-causing agent is often used for coloring and flavoring. Here is a list of birth defect causing preservatives and food additives:

    Mono-and Di-glycerides- Can cause birth defects and cancer. They are found in breads, pies, cakes, ravioli's, peanut butter, and margarine.

    Propyl Gallate- Can cause birth defects and damage the liver. They are found in potato sticks, chewing gum, pickles and meat products.

    Red Dye 40- Maybe a cancer suspects and causes birth defects. They are found in cereals, baked goods, red sweets, red soft drinks, and Frankfurters.

    There are too many babies being born with birth defects and the knowledge in this section an additional information on my website will help to reduce the chances of more birth defects.

    To learn more visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com


    Friday, March 7, 2008

    Introduction to Causes of Birth Defects

    This is my first post in the blog I decided to choose this topic of the blog as most of the parents are not fully aware of the causes of birth defects.
    Sometimes birth defects just happen and are not caused by anything that the parents did or didn't do. Many parents feel guilty if they have a child with a birth defect even if they did everything they could to have a healthy child. If you have a child with a birth defect, it might be helpful to talk with other parents who have had a child with the same condition.
    Sometimes the causes of birth defects are figured out after the baby is born. Whenever possible, it is important to know what you can do for a better chance of having a healthy child in the future. I hope that the information in my blog will be helpful in indentifying the causes of birth defects.
    To learn more visit
    http://www.pregnancy-guidelines.com
    http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com