Ovulation: Occurs two weeks, or an average of 14 days,
after the beginning of a woman’s last period. A woman has
a rise in her luteinizing hormone (LH) when the egg is
available for fertilization. This is the most probable time
frame to get pregnant.
Conception: When the egg is available for fertilization and
350 million sperm is released inside or near the woman’s
vaginal area, about 200 sperm will reach the egg. Of those
200 sperm, only one will actually penetrate the egg, thus
causing conception.
Gestation: How far along the fetus is, determined by the
beginning of the mother’s last period. Babies are usually
born at 40 weeks, but considered full-term from 37 weeks,
and extends to 42 weeks.
Women and Health
Friday, October 27, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Prenatal care
What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is the health care you get while you are pregnant.
Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care.
Prenatal care is the health care you get while you are pregnant.
Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy. Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care.
Doctors can spot health problems early when they see mothers regularly. This allows doctors to treat them early. Early treatment can cure many problems and prevent others. Regular health care is best for you and your baby.
Your doctor will give you a schedule of all the doctor's visits you should have while pregnant. As your pregnancy progresses, you'll see the doctor more often. Most experts suggest you see your doctor:
*about once each month for the first six months of pregnancy
*every two weeks for the seventh and eight month of pregnancy
*every week until the baby is born
At the first visit, you should ask questions and discuss any issues related to your pregnancy. Find out all you can about how to stay healthy.
Later prenatal visits will probably be shorter. Your doctor will check on your health and make sure the baby is growing as expected. Most prenatal visits will include:
*checking the baby's heart rate
*checking your blood pressure
*checking your urine for signs of diabetes
*measuring your weight gain
While you're pregnant your doctor or midwife may suggest a number of laboratory tests, ultrasound exams, and other screening tests.
Extracted from: womenshealth.gov
Monday, October 16, 2006
Mother to be ? :Ultrasound Evaluation " A must have"
Ultrasound Evaluation during the First Trimester is an important diagnostic tool for any pregnant woman and her baby. It takes less than 30 minutes and is performed at different times during the pregnancy. It is performed via transdominal or may also be performed as a transvaginal study, it is not painful.
Helps ensure baby is healthy, it is considered safe for mother-to-be and her baby and aiding in diagnosis and treatment of a variety of medical conditions and common pregnancy complications, pregnancy ultrasound has become a “must-have diagnostic procedure”.
In early pregnancy helps to establish the site and status of the Gestational Sac which is the first element measurable and used for estimating gestational age. Useful between 5 and 8 menstrual weeks with accuracy of +/- 0.5 week . After that , the length of the embryo (crown-rump length.) is among the best documented parameters to date the pregnancy , with accuracy of +/- 3-5 days.
Some clinical Indications for First Trimester Obstetric Sonography are:
1.) Confirm ongoing pregnancy in the setting of vaginal bleeding and pain (Threaten Abortion)
2.) Establish gestation age and EDC (due date) when menstrual history inadequate.
3.) Exclusion of Ectopic pregnancy: Primarily by identification of intrauterine implantation.
It is expected that a fetal ultrasound will be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the second trimester and the third, but it can be performed at different times during pregnancy, many healthcare providers perform ultrasounds at eight to 12 weeks of pregnancy to determine the actual due date by viewing the fetus and its size; at 10-13 weeks to check the development of the brain and spinal cord; at 16-20 weeks to check baby’s size, growth and likelihood of birth defects; Further scans may sometimes be done at around 32 weeks or later to evaluate fetal size (to estimate the fetal weight) and assess fetal growth. or to follow up on possible abnormalities seen at an earlier scan. Placental position is further verified, to check the amount of amniotic fluid and the baby’s overall well-being and development. The most common reason for having more scans in the later part of pregnancy is fetal growth retardation. Doppler scans may also be necessary in that situation. The total number of scans will vary depending on whether a previous scan has detected certain abnormalities that require follow-up assessment.
Helps ensure baby is healthy, it is considered safe for mother-to-be and her baby and aiding in diagnosis and treatment of a variety of medical conditions and common pregnancy complications, pregnancy ultrasound has become a “must-have diagnostic procedure”.
In early pregnancy helps to establish the site and status of the Gestational Sac which is the first element measurable and used for estimating gestational age. Useful between 5 and 8 menstrual weeks with accuracy of +/- 0.5 week . After that , the length of the embryo (crown-rump length.) is among the best documented parameters to date the pregnancy , with accuracy of +/- 3-5 days.
Some clinical Indications for First Trimester Obstetric Sonography are:
1.) Confirm ongoing pregnancy in the setting of vaginal bleeding and pain (Threaten Abortion)
2.) Establish gestation age and EDC (due date) when menstrual history inadequate.
3.) Exclusion of Ectopic pregnancy: Primarily by identification of intrauterine implantation.
It is expected that a fetal ultrasound will be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the second trimester and the third, but it can be performed at different times during pregnancy, many healthcare providers perform ultrasounds at eight to 12 weeks of pregnancy to determine the actual due date by viewing the fetus and its size; at 10-13 weeks to check the development of the brain and spinal cord; at 16-20 weeks to check baby’s size, growth and likelihood of birth defects; Further scans may sometimes be done at around 32 weeks or later to evaluate fetal size (to estimate the fetal weight) and assess fetal growth. or to follow up on possible abnormalities seen at an earlier scan. Placental position is further verified, to check the amount of amniotic fluid and the baby’s overall well-being and development. The most common reason for having more scans in the later part of pregnancy is fetal growth retardation. Doppler scans may also be necessary in that situation. The total number of scans will vary depending on whether a previous scan has detected certain abnormalities that require follow-up assessment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)