Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus. Most of them occur in a fallopian tube. Sometimes are called tubal pregnancies. The fertilized egg in a tubal pregnancy cannot develop normally and must be treated. An ectopic pregnancy happens in 1 out of 60 pregnancies.

Women who are more at risk for having an ectopic pregnancy include the following:

• Are 35-44 years of age
• Have had a previous ectopic pregnancy
• Have had pelvic or abdominal surgery
• Have Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Have had several induced abortions

Ectopic pregnancies are caused by one or more of the following:

• An infection or inflammation of the fallopian tube
• Scar tissue left behind from a previous infection.
• Previous surgery in the pelvic area or on the tubes can cause adhesion.
• An abnormality in the tube's shape can be caused by abnormal growths or a birth defect.

The following symptoms may be used to help recognize an ectopic pregnancy:

• Sharp pain in the pelvis, abdomen or even the shoulder and neck that may come and go and vary in intensity.
• Vaginal bleeding, heavier or lighter than your normal period
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting

How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed?

Ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed by your physician, who will probably first perform a pelvic exam to locate pain, tenderness or a mass in the abdomen. Your physician will also use an ultrasound to determine whether the uterus contains a developing fetus.
An hCG level and progesterone that is lower than what would be expected is one reason to suspect an ectopic pregnancy.
Your physician may do a culdocentesis, which is a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the space at the very top of the vagina, behind the uterus and in front of the rectum.

An ectopic pregnancy may be treated in any of the following ways:

• Methotrexate may be given, which allows the body to absorb the pregnancy tissue and may save the fallopian tube.
• If the tube has become stretched or it has ruptured and started bleeding, all or part of the fallopian tube may have to be removed
• Laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia may be performed. This procedure involves a surgeon using a laparoscope to remove the ectopic pregnancy and repair or remove the affected fallopian tube
The chances of having a successful pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy may be lower than normal but if the fallopian tubes have been left in place, you have approximately a 60% chance of having a successful pregnancy in the future.

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Personal Path To Pregnancy Powerhouse Strategies And Tips To Increase Your Odds Of Getting Pregnant.

Food to avoid during pregnancy

There are certain foods that you should avoid when you're pregnant, because they might make you ill or harm your baby:

Dairy products
Dairy products such as skim milk, mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese can be a healthy part of your diet. But anything containing unpasteurized milk is a no-no. These products may lead to food-borne illness.
Unless these soft cheeses are clearly labeled as being made with pasteurized milk, don't eat:
• Brie
• Feta
• Camembert
• Blue cheese
• Mexican-style cheeses, such as queso blanco, queso fresco, queso de hoja, queso de crema and queso asadero


Pâté
Avoid all types of pâté, including vegetable. This is because pate can contain listeria.

Raw or partially cooked eggs
Avoid eating raw eggs and food containing raw or partially-cooked eggs. This is to avoid the risk of salmonella, which causes a type of food poisoning.



Raw or undercooked meat
Make sure you only eat meat that has been well cooked. This is especially important with poultry and products made from minced meat, such as sausages and burgers. Make sure these are cooked until they are piping hot all the way through and no pink meat is left.

Always wash your hands after handling raw meat, and keep it separate from foods that are ready to eat. This is because raw meat contains bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Liver products and supplements containing vitamin A
Make sure you don't have too much vitamin A. This means you should avoid eating liver and liver products such as pâté and avoid taking supplements containing vitamin A or fish liver oils (which contain high levels of vitamin A). You need some vitamin A, but having too much means that levels could build up and may harm your unborn baby.

Some types of fish
You can eat most types of fish when you're pregnant. But there are a few types you should avoid and some others where you should limit the amount you eat.

Avoid eating any shark, swordfish and marlin. Limit the amount of tuna you eat to no more than two tuna steaks a week (weighing about 140g cooked or 170g raw) or four medium-size cans of tuna a week (with a drained weight of about 140g per can). This is because of the levels of mercury in these fish. At high levels, mercury can harm a baby's developing nervous system.

Have no more than two portions of oily fish a week. Oily fish includes fresh tuna (not canned tuna, which does not count as oily fish), mackerel, sardines and trout.

But remember that eating fish is good for your health and the development of your baby, so you should still aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, including one portion of oily fish.

Undercooked ready meals
Avoid eating ready meals that are undercooked. Make sure you heat them until they are piping hot all the way through.
Herbal tea
Although herbal tea may be soothing, avoid it unless your health care provider says it's OK — even the types of herbal tea marketed specifically to pregnant women. There's little data on the effects of specific herbs on developing babies. And large amounts of some herbal teas, such as red raspberry leaf, may cause contractions.


Alcohol and caffeine

When you’re pregnant, it’s best to stop drinking alcohol altogether.

You should limit the amount of caffeine you have each day, but you don't need to cut it out completely. Caffeine occurs naturally in a range of foods, such as coffee, tea and chocolate, and it's also added to some soft drinks and 'energy' drinks.

It's important not to have more than 300mg a day. This is because high levels of caffeine can result in babies having a low birth weight, or even miscarriage.

Each of these contains roughly 300mg of caffeine:
• 3 mugs of instant coffee (100mg each)
• 4 cups of instant coffee (75mg each)
• 3 cups of brewed coffee (100mg each)
• 6 cups of tea (50mg each)
• 8 cans of cola (up to 40mg each)
• 4 cans of 'energy' drink (up to 80mg each)
• 8 (50g) bars of plain chocolate (up to 50mg each). Caffeine in milk chocolate is about half that of plain chocolate
So if you eat a bar of plain chocolate and drink 3 cups of tea, a can of cola and a cup of instant coffee in a day, you'll have reached your 300mg limit.

Remember that caffeine is also found in certain cold and flu remedies.


Should I avoid peanuts?

Your baby may be at higher risk of developing a nut allergy if you, the baby's father, brothers or sisters have certain allergic conditions such as hay fever, asthma and/or eczema.

If your baby is in this higher-risk group, you may wish to avoid eating peanuts and peanut products when you're pregnant and breastfeeding.



Gardening and changing cat litter
Always wear gloves when you're gardening or changing cat litter, and wash your hands afterwards. This is to avoid toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in meat, cat faeces and soil. The infection can be harmful to unborn babies.

Toddler Café: Fast, Healthy, and Fun Ways to Feed Even the Pickiest Eater

Aspirin and Pregnancy

Almost any medication used during pregnancy can have some effect on your baby. Small doses of aspirin could be acceptable during pregnancy but put in mind that aspirin use can increase bleeding. Do not take any amount without discussing it with your doctor. Research has shown there may be situation in which aspirin use is beneficial. Very low dose of aspirin in the evening may be good insurance against some pregnancy complications, such us premature labor and high blood pressure. Baby aspirin contains 81 ½ mg. of aspirin may be prescribed. Usually it is taken early in the pregnancy before reaching the 16th week.


Review
At last! A grounded and highly readable scientific guide to pregnancy that combines the best of both worlds—conventional and alternative
-- Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause
The Whole Pregnancy Handbook

What to eat when you're pregnant

During pregnancy you need to make sure that your diet is providing you with enough energy and nutrients for the baby to grow and develop, and for your body to deal with the changes taking place.
What to eat:
It's important to try to eat a variety of foods including:
• plenty of fruit and vegetables (fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or a glass of juice). Aim for at least five portions of a variety each day
• plenty of starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice and potatoes - try to choose wholegrain options
• foods rich in protein such as lean meat and chicken, fish (aim for at least two servings of fish a week, including one of oily fish), eggs and pulses (such as beans and lentils). These foods are also good sources of iron (see 'Do I need extra iron?' below)
• plenty of fiber. This helps prevent constipation and is found in wholegrain bread, pasta, rice, pulses and fruit and vegetables
• dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt, which contain calcium
It's also a good idea to cut down on foods such as cakes and biscuits, because these are high in fat and sugar. This can also help you to avoid putting on too much weight during pregnancy.

Healthy snacks to have instead include malt loaf; currant buns without icing; sandwiches or pitta bread filled with cottage cheese, chicken or lean ham; low-fat yogurts; vegetable and bean soups; and fruit including fresh, tinned in juice or dried fruit such as raisins or apricots.
Check this book you may find it useful.
Baby Facts: The Truth about Your Child's Health from Newborn through Preschool

Figuring your due date

1. Gestational age – menstrual age
2. Ovulatory age – fertilization age
3. Trimester
4. Lunar months

The beginning of your last periods the point from which the pregnancy is dated. The due date is important because helps your doctor determine when some test should be made. Also estimate baby growth and development. Pregnancy lasts about 280 days or 40 weeks, from the beginning of the last period. Have many ways of counting the due date and it depend what work fro you. For example you can count 280 from the first day of your period or count back three months from the first day of your period and add seven days this will give you an approximate date of delivery. Calculating pregnancy these ways gives you the menstrual cycle or more common gestational age. Most of the doctors keep track of the pregnancy by this method (gestational age).There is ovulatory age called also fertilization age, which is two weeks shorter and dated from the actual date of conceiving.

I believe it would be easy if we don’t get stuck with dates but we have a due week – a seven day period in which the delivery may occur. Very few women deliver on their due day (only 5 %) so the rest of us may feel more quiet if we have a whole week margin for the delivery.
For me was easier way to count was by weeks. Some woman count pregnancy by trimesters. This divides pregnancy into three periods, each about 13 weeks.
You may even hear about lunar months. A pregnancy lasts an average of 10 lunar months ( 28 days each).

Don’t forget that babies have their own plans. Think of your due date as a goal – a time to look forward to and to prepare. You are experience one of the great miracles in life so enjoy it.

Dealing with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Dealing with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Not every woman suffers from nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Morning sickness is cause from HCG (human chorionic gonodotropin) hormone. The same hormone that makes your home pregnancy test change colors. The level of this hormone goes down at the end of the first trimesters so you will begin to feel much better if you experience those symptoms. Here are some tips to help you pass this period easily.

• Eat small meals. Keep your stomach from being overfull.

• Drink lot of fluid

• Find out what food makes you nauseated

• Avoid coffee because it stimulates stomach acid

• A high- protein or high- carbohydrate snack before bad may help stabilize blood sugar

• Dry toast, crackers or dry cereal in the morning before you gets up, eat it in the bed, absorb stomach acid

• Keep your bedroom cool at night, and air it out often

• Get out of bed slowly

• If you take iron take it one hour before food or two hours after a meal

• Pour boil water over raw ginger and drink it as tea

• Salty food helps some woman with nausea just don’t overdo it

• Lemonade and watermelon may make you feel better

Revealed: How to End Your Morning Sickness, PERMANENTLY in Less Than 24 hours, Using a Safe, Natural Technique more info

How Would You Like To Relieve Morning Sickness Quickly? more info

Buy Smart - safe and enjoy the same time

You do not need to buy everything right away. Items such as highchairs and full-size cots can be left until later. Babies need clothes and nappies, place to sleep and some sort of a transport and of course food. If you cover these basic requirements you are ok. I know that a new mum is eager to buy stuff but wait till the baby come because some babies don’t like to use the stuff you buy. Try to buy the necessity for the rest you will have plenty of time ones you know your baby.

• Clothing – 4-5 full outfits should be enough to start with.


• Diapers - you have a choice between disposable and reusable. If you choose the latter, you'll need at least 12 and perhaps even 24. Babies get through six to eight nappies a day in the early weeks.


• Pram or pushchair.


• Car safety seat - many of these double as carriers. I got from Bimbo market over the internet: pram, pushchair and car seat 3 in 1. Price was great 320 Euro and the quality perfect very easy system for me and for the baby.


• Somewhere to sleep - a crib, cot or pram top, plus bedding (but not pillows, as they're not safe until your baby's one year old).


• Feeding equipment - if you're bottle-feeding you'll need bottles, formula and sterilizing equipment. If you're breastfeeding and plan to express milk, you'll need bottles and teats, and a breast pump if you're not doing it by hand.

These are mainly most of the necessary things you need to have for your baby.
You may wish to get some extras that will probably make your life easier.

• Baby carrier or sling - this allows you to carry your baby and keep your hands free.


• Baby bath - washing-up bowl at the very beginning.


• Toys - although not really necessary at first, they're nice for you and your baby to enjoy together.


• Changing gear - you might want a changing mat or baby dresser with a changing top.

Saving your baby’s stem cells

Stem cells, which are present in the blood, have proved very successful in treating many diseases. Cord blood is blood left in the umbilical cord and placenta after the baby is born. In the past we used to throw them away after delivery. Now stem cells are used to treat cancer, genetic diseases, leukemia, some immune and blood diseases.
Cord blood contains the same valuable cells that are found in bone marrow. They build the blood and the immune systems. Inside the cord blood these cells are still undeveloped and because of that they don’t need to match as closely for a transplant as bone-marrow blood does.

Before your baby’s birth, you may request that the baby’s cord blood be collected and banked for future use. Latter the blood could be used by your child, siblings or parents. Immediately after delivery the blood is collected from the umbilical cord. The procedure is absolutely painless for mother and child. The blood is collected after the umbilical cord is detached from you and the baby.

After collected the blood is transported to a banking facility where it is frozen and cryogenically stored. Usually storing cost is around 1500$ -initial fee and then every year fee of 100 $ - for storage, but prices may vary depend on the facility. Blood storage is not covered by insurance. I believe in the near future this will change because the most precious gift that you can give your baby is his chances of surviving diseases that until now has no cure for.

I know that is it extra expense coming in time where you have many but this is a very important expense. Give you baby a safe start.

But if you decided not to safe the baby’s cord blood, think about donating it. A nonprofit bank can match it with someone who needs it.
For more information check this book:
Stem Cells For Dummies^®"

Packing for the Hospital

Getting ready for the hospital could be difficult sometime. Don’t packed too early but don’t wait till the last moment. Good idea is to pack about 2-3 weeks before your due date.
The list below should cover nearly all of what you might need;
For You

• Cotton nightgown or T-shirt for labor
• Lollipops to use during labor
• Books and magazines to read
• One or two nightgowns for after labor(a nursing gown if you are planning to breastfeed)
• Slippers with rubber soles
• Two bras (a nursing bra and pads if you are planning to breastfeed)
• One long robe for walking around the hospital
• Few pair of panties
• Brush, Toothpaste, Toothbrush,Soap,Shampoo/Conditioner
• Hair band (if you have a long hair)
• Glasses if you where contacts (you cannot ware contact during labor)
• Paint roller or a tennis ball for lower back massage
• MP3 player, CD
• Camera and batteries
• List of important phone numbers
• Charge for the phone
• Wipes for your breast(if you are breastfeeding)
• A small amount of money


For the baby
• Undershirt
• Sleepers
• Outer clothes
• Blankets
• Diapers
• Infant car seat
• Baby mittens, socks or booties
• Pacifier, if not planning to breastfeed

These are the most common things that you might need.

Ways to have a great Pregnancy

There are few steps in order to achieve a happy, healthy pregnancy.
• Involve family and friends in your pregnancy.
• Create memories. These nine months looks like they will go on forever but in reality they pass extremely fast. Take steps to document the many changes that are occurring during your pregnancy. Include your family; make them write down their thoughts and feelings. Take many photos of them, too!
• Relax when you can. For you now is very important to leave stress free. Try to enjoy this precious time of your life.
• Focus on the positive things in your life. You may hear sad and scary stories but don’t pay any attention to them. Most pregnancy work out great.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Friends and families will be pleased if you ask them for help. Your pregnancy is important for them as well.
• Prioritize your life. Check what is important for you and the baby the rest could wait. Don’t push yourself you will have plenty of time after the pregnancy.
• Get informed. There are many ways to get the right information now a day. As much as you know as much you will feel comfortable and in control of every stage in your pregnancy.
• Be happy. Enjoy the miracle of life, now you are part of it.

Great book to read and get ready:
365 Things to Do With Your Kids Before They're Too Old to Enjoy Them

Down Syndrome

What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is caused by a gene problem that happened before birth. The kids born with this syndrome have some degree of mental retardation which varies from person to person. It is a lifelong condition but with the right care they can grow and have normal, healthy live.


What causes Down syndrome?
Problem with baby’s chromosomes caused Down syndrome. Chromosomes contain your DNA. Normally we have 46 but a person with Down syndrome have with one more. This is what changes the brain and the body development. We know now that older woman is at higher risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome. Many tests are offered to determine whether a baby will have Down syndrome. Look at the following statistics.

• At age 25 the risk is 1 in 1300 births
• At 30 it is 1 in 965 births
• At 35 it is 1 in 365 births
• At 40 it is 1 in 109 births
• At 45 it is 1 in 32 births
• At 49 it is 1 in 12 births

It doesn’t look good by this why but there is another way to look up these stats. If you are 49 you have 92% of delivering a child WITHOUT Down syndrome.
The father’s age is always very important. Men after 55 have twice the normal risk of fathering a child with Down syndrome.
Test for Down syndrome are:

• Chrorionic Villus Sampling – between 9th and 11th week of pregnancy
• Alfa-fetoprotein Testing – between 16th and 18th week of pregnancy
• Pap Smears
• Triple-Screen Test
• Amniocentesis - between 16th and 18th week of pregnancy
• Quad-screen Test
For more information I found this book very useful
Diagnose Down- Syndrom."

Tests before conceiving

• Dental check up
• A physical exam
• A pap smear test
• Breast exam (35+ mammogram)
• Rubella titers
• Blood type and Rh – factor
• HIV
• Hepatitis
• Cystic fibrosis screening
• X-rays -done only if you sure that you are not pregnant because of the radiation exposures
• CT scans- done only if you sure that you are not pregnant because of the radiation exposures
• MRIs - done only if you sure that you are not pregnant because of the radiation exposures
• PGD – preimplantation genetic diagnosis (this is often done if you have IVF )
In this test few cells are removed for generic testing before the embryo is implanted to identify genes that may be responsible for some severe hereditary diseases. That is how the doctors select healthy embryos for implantation to avoid serous generic diseases.
It is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor prior IVF process or natural pregnancy.


Great book to read
The Whole Pregnancy Handbook: An Obstetrician's Guide to Integrating Conventional and Alternative Medicine Before, During, and After Pregnancy

Closed Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian tubes can be blocked due to several reasons: mucus, infection, adhesion from surgery, inflammation etc. There can be many other causes.

If the Fallopian tubes are damaged, then your only treatment option would be IVF (in vitro fertilization, test tube baby). Do not waste your time, money and energy pursuing incorrect treatment. This will just lead to frustration. Financial limitations are a major problem today for treatment of infertile couples. The fallopian tube is a very complex structure, and the fact that it has got blocked means it is damaged. They could be open with a surgery but the rates of pregnancy after that are very poor. Many times doctors could not tell the reasons why they are blocked. It is possible to unblock them and they stay unblocked long enough for a pregnancy but most of the time they will slowly re grow themselves and possibly become blocked again. Sometime mucus can be the cause of a blockage, and when they inject the dye into your tubes during an HSG, that can clear up that type of blockage. Sometimes it’s only the blocked tubes that is stopping you from having a baby and some time not. The "little fingers" calle cilia move the eggs down into the tube and their absence can affect fertility as well.

Do not to let the tubes get in the way of you having a baby. Don’t be afraid of all the medication and procedures because the outcome is worth it. I tried three times and the third was successful. Don’t quit everything is possible have faith.
Tests that are good to take before becoming pregnant.

What is HSG?

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a very common fertility test that most women struggling with infertility will undergo.
Hysterosalpingogram (Uterotubogram) or HSG is a specialized X-ray of the uterus and tubes. Doctors refer to it as a HSG. Most infertile women who have done a HSG prefer not to refer to it at all, because it is quite a painful procedure. Most women will experience a considerable amount of pain. You should be prepared for this - and taking a pain-killer prior to the procedure will help to reduce the pain.
This test of the uterus and tubes allows the doctor to confirm that the uterine cavity is normal; and that the fallopian tubes are open.
An HSG is done after the menstrual flow has just stopped - usually on Day 6 or 7 of the period, at which time the lining of the uterus is thin. It is done in an X-ray Clinic. The patient is advised to take an antibiotic and a pain-killer before the procedure by many doctors. After being positioned on the X-ray table, the doctor places a special instrument into the cervix, called a cervical cannula, which is made of metal. Many doctors now prefer to use a balloon catheter , as this makes the procedure less painful. A radio-opaque dye (a liquid which is opaque to X-rays) is then injected into the uterine cavity. This is done slowly under pressure, and pictures are taken - preferably under an image intensifier. The passage of the dye into the uterine cavity and then into the tubes and from there into the abdomen can be seen; and X-ray pictures taken. These provide a permanent record.

Interesting video it may help I haven't try it but sound logical.
Tests that are good to take before becoming pregnant.

Dedication

This Blog is dedicated to my parents who I am very thankful for bringing me up in this world and teaching me all necessary things to survive. To my husband being there every step of the way, supporting me and giving me his own piece of mind with which I manage to stay sane and drive him crazy. And most of all to YOU who is going to go true the same scary but hopefully successful IVF process which will bring light in your life and change it forever as it did mine.

Worries before IVF

I will put few pages of my dairy before I start the first IVF program (I had three after that in a period of one year) just to assure you that your feelings could be a roller coaster even before you start the process and there is nothing wrong with that.

Saturday, December 1st -2007

I know that I will go thru IVF in January. It is a little scary but on the other hand I am happy and looking forward.
Why scare and happy?
Well, if you are married for several years and one day you and your partner decided that is time your marriage to get to another level by having kids but your period keeps coming you will be scared too. We’ve been married for many years and all this time I thought that when comes the right time for as to have babies I will stop the contraceptive pills and the babies will knock on the door. For some woman that happened but for some don’t.

So I wait and wait and the period keeps coming and it looks as it is never been more regular as now. Then one day I decided to go and check what is wrong why the stork doesn’t bring the babies. It took my entire strength to go and find out what was wrong with me.

That is how the journey began.

I made all the regular tests with OB/GYN and I was sent to make one more test HSG.Check what is HSGWhat is HSG? In my opinion this test should be band with law. Now a days the health care is so advance and the way this test is done it is just like we are still in medieval age. But this is what we have for now so I had to do it. The picture showed that my fallopian tubes were closed. Reasons many; could be cold, infection, tissue etc ….in fact closed. Reasons why they may be closed.
The test was very painful some women taking the test with me told me that it is just like a delivering a baby (just shorter time). Well I will not mind if that will be the result of the suffering but in my position was even more painful because I got the bad news that I cannot have baby naturally. The sperm should travel thru the fallopian tubes in order to reach the ovaries where the eggs are.

After the test I was a mess, worried constantly. Then I turn to Internet trying to find a solution. I start reading everything about conventional and not conventional way to get pregnant. I found tons and tons of information, many advertisements about products doing miracles, acupuncture, yoga massage, herbs especially brew to open the fallopian tubes.

As much I was reading as much as I was getting worried and confuse. I came to realize that my only solution is IVF.
Many questions run thru my head: is it ok to have IVF?
I am broth up in a Christian family and I wasn’t sure if we didn’t interfere with some of the things that usually God do? But then you can still do the IVF and not get pregnant so it’s still the will of God, right?
Are the kids (usually multiple pregnancies) going to be normal just like other kids or protecting then in the lab from all those batteries and diseases will alter them somehow and make them different?
Could we afford the IVF? I’ve heard that most probably will not happen from the first time. Some of those questions become clear to me few days ago and now as of today I am still worried but full of hope. I know that have way, that my chances are 60% and adding to that my prays and good will maybe even 100%.

For many of you who read this article don’t gave up when you understand what is the problem take this as a new begging and keep the faith. My personal experience shows me that everything is possible no matter how bad it looks.
Tests that are good to take before becoming pregnant.

The Complete Guide to IVF: An Inside View of Fertility Clinics and Treatment"