Mom Health
Rubella
Infection with Human Parvovirus B19 is the cause of “Fifth Disease”, one of the five common viral exanthems (the others are measles [rubeola], chicken pox, mumps, and German measles [rubella]). The disease is asymptomatic in about 20% of those infected. This means that one has the infection but shows no symptoms. The symptoms of Fifth… »
Herpes Infection
There are actually several “herpes” viruses. What is commonly called “genital herpes” is an infection caused by one of two herpes viruses, either Herpes simplex virus I or Herpes simplex virus II……both abbreviated as HSV. Both of these viruses may be sexually transmitted, and spend their lifetimes travelling up and down nerve pathways close to… »
Rh Sensitization
A woman with Rh-negative blood who becomes pregnant by an Rh-positive man creates the possibility of having a Rh-positive fetus inside a Rh-negative mother. In rare circumstances, if the blood of the fetus mixes with the mother’s blood (they’re not supposed to!), the mother makes “antibodies” against the fetus’s blood. These antibodies, if produced early… »
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. Almost all living creatures on earth require oxygen to sustain life. In humans the blood is responsible for carrying oxygen to the cells of the body. Without oxygen, the cells die. Anemia may be caused by many things. The most common… »
Medical Problems During Pregnancy
Many of the problems discussed above do not cause serious health risks for the pregnant woman and her unborn baby. The problems discussed below may be associated with poor outcomes for the mother and/or baby. “Risk” is a relative term when it comes to pregnancy. Any one condition may involve, maternal risk, fetal risk, both… »
Constipation
Constipation is a common problem in pregnancy sometimes aggravated by the iron supplements frequently prescribed to treat or prevent anemia. Calcium supplements may also constipate. Several natural factors contribute to constipation in pregnancy. Motility of the gut is reduced, water reabsorption in the colon is increased (extraction of water from the stool), and the enlarging… »
Heartburn
During pregnancy the hormones which relax smooth muscle in other parts of the body (for example, the uterus and lining of the blood vessels) also relax the muscle at the entrance of the stomach (called the cardiac sphincter). Because of this, acid produced in the stomach can “regurgitate” and irritate the lining of the food… »
Swelling
Swelling is common in pregnancy. In fact, in one of the largest studies ever done on pregnant women, it was shown that among the women who did not develop pre-eclampsia, those who had some swelling had healthier pregnancies than women who did not. Do you need to swell to have a good outcome? Of course… »
Stretch Marks
The scientific name for stretch marks is “striae gravidarum”. Some doctors and midwives may call them simply, striae (pronounced, “stree-eye”). Stretch marks are the result of separation of the outer layers of the skin and overstretching (and damage) of underlying connective layers of skin. The results are reddened stripes on the breasts, abdomen and thighs…. »
Varicose veins
Many women see their first varicose vein during pregnancy…..usually on the lower part of the leg or the thigh. A varicose vein may appear as a bulge in the skin, or one may clearly see the vein itself. Often the vein is twisted and bumpy. The area around a varicose vein may feel uncomfortable. What… »