Standing Too Long In Pregnancy May Affect Fetal Growth

Pregnancy Over 40, Avoid Prolonged Standing

When I was pregnant, I was teaching a class at a local college.  I found it very difficult to do a lot of standing just because I was tired and the extra weight of the pregnancy made my feet hurt.  However, there may be other good reasons not to stand too much during pregnancy.

See More On How To Avoid Pregnancy Complications at www.getpregnantover40.com

If you have a job which requires long hours standing, you may want to modify your work situation, especially in the 3rd trimester. Standing for long periods at this time may affect fetal growth:


But during the third trimester of pregnancy, they found that long periods of standing were significantly associated with a 3 percent smaller head circumference in infants. In addition, working more than 40 hours a week was associated with a smaller head circumference and lower fetal growth. Long working hours were associated with approximately a 5 to 7 ounce lower birth weight.

“This effect seems to be of similar magnitude than the effects of other well-known lifestyle factors, such as smoking and caffeine intake,” the authors wrote.
from:


www.foxnews.com

COMMON PREGNANCY FEARS

Dealing with Common Pregnancy Fears

Author: Crystal Egger

Experts claim that many pregnant women constantly worry about the baby's health and are fearful about the experience of childbirth. Laura Riley, who wrote healthy pregnancy book such as ‘Pregnancy: You and Your Baby' says, "If your first pregnancy was easy, you worry that your second one will be hard; if your first one was hard, you're terrified that history will repeat itself. And if you've never done this before, well, your imagination can simply go wild as you begin to imagine every worst-case scenario possible". Here are few common pregnancy fears and ways to deal with them.

Fear of miscarriage

Soon after discovering the early signs of pregnancy, many woman start obsessing about miscarriage. Experts, however, claim that most pregnancies result in the delivery of healthy babies and American Pregnancy Association states that miscarriages account for only 10-25% of pregnancies. Karyn Morse, who is associated with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center says, "Remember also that most miscarriages also happen within the first few weeks of pregnancy". This means that once you have crossed this sensitive phase, it is unlikely that you will experience miscarriage. And if you have already suffered one miscarriage, there is reassuring news for you. Diane Ashton, medical director, March of Dimes states that chances of second miscarriage are less than 3%.

Consequences of morning sickness

Many pregnant women think that morning sickness is preventing the baby from getting adequate nutrition. Morse, however, has a different opinion. According to Morse, babies are capable of deriving nutrition from whatever you are eating. Ashton agrees with this fact when she remarks that you should worry only if you start suffering from severe dehydration and feel so sick that you have to call your doctor. Apart from that, morning sickness will not interfere with a healthy pregnancy. Morse provides the pregnancy advice of eating small, frequent meals and opting for prenatal vitamins, if required.

See Also: Strange Early Pregnancy Symptoms (getpregnantover40.com)

Fear of eating things that are not allowed in your pregnancy diet

Most would-be mothers are under the tremendous pressure of eating the ‘right' things and believe that even a small mistake may interfere with a safe pregnancy. Doctors, on the other hand, state that there is no need to fret if you mistakenly eat anything that is not allowed, while being pregnant. As Ashton says, "Even the risks associated from things like eating unpasteurized cheese or dying your hair during your first trimester — both of which doctors' advice against — are probably very, very small, and we're just being extra cautious." Of course, for the sake of a happy pregnancy, avoid eating the forbidden food too often.

Pregnancy care for reducing birth defects

Most moms whisper a silent prayer every time they go for prenatal tests, desperately hoping that results will show that the baby is experiencing a healthy development. Relax! Experts reveal that only 4% of babies are born with birth defects. These include serious problems such as Down syndrome and other minor problems that hardly interfere with the normal life. To reduce the risk for birth defect, do not forget to include folic acid in your pregnancy nutrition. A report published in the National Institutes of Health reveals that folic acid supplements taken before and during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk for birth defects.

Importance of pregnancy exercises

Many women believe that they will never be able to shed the post-pregnancy extra weight. Experts say that to get back into shape after birth of your baby, it is crucial to stick to weight guidelines recommended by American Pregnancy Association. For a happy pregnancy, you may opt for light exercises such as walking, jogging or swimming. A report published by the University of Auckland states that aerobic exercises contribute in a safe pregnancy by positively affecting the baby's health. Other studies suggest that regular exercises during pregnancy make it easier for the mom to shed the extra fat after the baby is born.

It is understandable that pregnancy brings in loads of excitement, changes and fear about the unknown. It is crucial not to stress too much about these changes, since it may negatively affect your baby. Learn to relax, while being pregnant and enjoy the best phase of your life.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/dealing-with-common-pregnancy-fears-4844925.html
About the Author
Crystal Egger is the editor of MyBabies'Planet.com, a website providing information on pregnancy, parenting, and baby's gifts. In addition to parenting articles, pregnancy articles and baby gift ideas, the site also provides a forum for pregnant women and parents. To access more information about stages of pregnancy and parenting advice visit http://www.mybabiesplanet.com/
   

Why Is Maternal Mortality Increasing?

Maternal Mortality:  Reasons why

I was surprised when I read the following article which discusses an increase in the maternal mortality rate.
See also: www.getpregnantover40.com for more on pregnancy complications and pregnancy over 40
 It seems like we live in such a "medically advanced" society that we should be seeing a decrease. According to the article, the increase may be attributed to everything from more c-sections, quality of care, and obesity. Read more:

Reasons for Increase
A rise in the number of caesarean sections -- which now account for 29% of all births -- could be a factor in the increased maternal mortality rate, some experts said. According to a review of maternal deaths in New York, excessive bleeding is one of the primary causes of pregnancy-related death, and women who have undergone several previous c-sections are at particularly high risk of death.

Some studies have found that race and quality of care also factor into the maternal mortality rate. The maternal mortality rate among black women is at least three times higher than among white women. Black women also are more susceptible to hypertension and other complications, and they tend to receive inadequate prenatal care. Three studies have shown that at least 40% of maternal deaths could have been prevented with improved quality of care.

The rise in obesity also might be a factor, some experts said. According to researchers, overweight women tend to have diabetes or experience other complications that could affect pregnancy outcomes. Overweight women also might have excessive tissue or larger infants, which could make a vaginal birth more difficult and lead to more c-sections. More women also are giving birth in their late 30s and 40s, when risks of pregnancy complications are higher, according to the AP/Post (AP/Washington Post, 8/24).
from
 (www.medicalnewstoday.com)