Archive for the 'PREGNANCY FAQS' Category

While herbalists believe that herbs are often cheaper, healthier and better compared with conventional medicines, medical practitioners do not recommend herbs for pregnant women because of the unknown risks.

Risks of using natural herbs during pregnancy:

You are advised to consult an experienced and trained herbalist if you want to take herbs during pregnancy because some of the herbal products contain toxic agents that are contraindicated during pregnancy.

In addition, the FDA suggests that pregnant women should not take any herbal products without talking to their doctor or midwife.

While tests on the effects of herbs on pregnant women are ongoing, herbal products consist of components that can lead to miscarriage, uterine contractions, and injury to your fetus or premature birth.

Herbs to avoid during pregnancy:

• Black cohosh: Used orally when you are not at term.
• Blue cohosh: A uterine stimulant which can induce labor.
• Dong quai: A uterine stimulant which has a relaxant effect.
• Ephedra: Harmful when used orally.
• Goldendeal: Can cross the placenta and is dangerous to your baby.
• Pennyroyal: Harmful when used orally or topically.
• Passion flower: Harmful when used orally.

Yes, it is necessary. You need to avoid various medications throughout your pregnancy, because taking various medicines during pregnancy can result in various health problems.

You should talk with your doctor about what type of prescription and over-the-counter drugs you can and cannot use throughout your pregnancy.

So, you need to bear some of the pregnancy-related symptoms like constipation and heartburn without using any medications.

The problems that can arise when you take the medicines during your pregnancy are, the medicines can easily cross the placenta and enter into your baby’s bloodstream.

Medicine particles are very tiny, so they can easily cross the placenta along the nutrients required for your baby development.

Possible risks on your baby with the use of medications:

First trimester is the most important period during your pregnancy. Some medications can cause very serious complications when you take them in the first trimester, but sometimes they are safe in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.

First trimester is the stage in which your baby’s organs start to grow. So, when you take medicines at this time, it can seriously affect the growth of the organs. Sometimes, this can also lead to malformations and birth defects. If the defects become very serious, then it can lead to miscarriage.

Pregnancy changes your entire body, including your hair also.

Hair loss after pregnancy is really normal, similar to the hair loss during pregnancy. This is a major concern for many women.

Similar to various changes developed during pregnancy, hair loss is also a temporary problem that you will face.

Normal hair loss for every woman is 100-125 hairs per day, but after delivery this will be increased to 500 a day.

40-50% of pregnant women face hair loss after pregnancy. This process continues for three months after your delivery.

Why hair loss after pregnancy happen to many women?

The main reason behind hair loss after pregnancy is, during your pregnancy the increased levels of hormones keeps your hair away from falling, but once after your delivery, the hormones return into their original levels, thus allowing hair fall to return to the normal cycle.

During pregnancy, your body produces increased levels of estrogen in order to support the health and growth of yours and your baby. High levels of estrogen can lead to hair growth. Also, estrogen boosts your metabolism thus allowing the nutrients to spread every where in your body, including your hair also.

Worried about having intercourse during your pregnancy? Pregnant women think that sexual intercourse will result in miscarriage.

But the fact is that it doesn’t cause any harm during your pregnancy.

Unless you are told by your doctor or midwife about the particular risk, it is fine to continue sexual intercourse.

For women with normal pregnancy, sex is considered as safe at all stages of your pregnancy.

Now you will get a doubt about what is normal pregnancy. A normal pregnancy is considered as a stage that has low risk for complications like pre-term labor or miscarriage. So, to know about your condition, you need to talk with your health care provider about whether you fall into this type or not.

As sex during pregnancy is safe, it doesn’t mean that you necessarily have it. Most pregnant women find that their wish for sex varies in certain stages of pregnancy. Some women feel it as uncomfortable as their bodies becomes larger.

During these times, you need to discuss it with your partner about the sexual relationship. Find out other ways in order to satisfy your needs for relationship. Instead of having sex in missionary position, try other positions in which you will feel more comfortable.

Always remember that periods and pregnancy can never occur simultaneously. Missing the periods is your first sign of pregnancy.

Bleeding during pregnancy is a very common condition during the early periods, but this is not the sign for your regular menstrual cycle.

One thing you need to know is that the hormones developed during your pregnancy will completely prevent the process of ovulation.

This is the period during which an egg is released into your uterus so that you will experience menstrual bleeding. In a pregnant woman the egg is already fertilized, so there no chance of bleeding during your pregnancy.

Usually, the irregular bleeding during pregnancy is of dark brown or light pinkish. It is not always feasible to find the cause of prenatal spotting or pregnancy bleeding.

Main causes of bleeding during pregnancy:

There are various causes that are associated with bleeding during pregnancy. They include:

Bleeding during pregnancy in early pregnancy periods:

Bleeding that occurs during early stages of pregnancy is not a regular menstrual period. Usually it is termed as early pregnancy bleeding. This bleeding during pregnancy may cause little confusion in calculating the delivery date and even delay you in receiving medical care.

Being pregnant is so great for every woman.

However, there can be several pregnancy questions that rise among pregnant woman, especially during first time pregnancy.

It is essential for you to clarify all your pregnancy questions in order to maintain healthy environment for the baby.

The pregnancy question can be related to planned or unplanned pregnancy. So, to clear your pregnancy questions, here are some answers.

I am Planning To Terminate My Pregnancy. What Are The Possible Alternatives For Me?

This pregnancy question commonly develops when you have unplanned pregnancy. The termination of pregnancy is possible through non-surgical or surgical methods, when you are below nine weeks pregnant from the date of your last menstrual period.

The non-surgical method to terminate your pregnancy includes two methods of combination pills: Methotrexate/Misoprostol and Mifepristone/Misoprostol. These are oral medications that can terminate your pregnancy within four hours.

It is 95% effective when used before nine weeks of pregnancy. Consult the doctor before using drugs to terminate your pregnancy.

However, the surgical methods for abortion are vacuum aspiration, dilation and curettage, dilation and evacuation. The doctor performs all these methods and 99% effective in terminating pregnancy. It is better to choose the surgical procedure that makes you feel most comfortable.