PUPPP Rash (Pruitic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy)

You’re 35 weeks pregnant. You feel like you’re ready to pop. Then one morning you wake up to see a few little red, pimple like dots on your tummy. You don’t think anything of it and just go on with your day. Then the next day you see more dots on your tummy. It kind of makes you scratch your head and you think about it the rest of the day. But the next day you wake up and your stretch marks are red, your tummy is almost covered in the little dots. And what’s worse; it ITCHES!

When I discovered this rash on my tummy, my first thought was an allergic reaction to Palmer’s Cocoa Butter cream so I stopped using it. But the rash didn’t go away and it just kept spreading. And I just wanted to scratch! It was so uncomfortable. I would wake up in the middle of the night so itchy and uncomfortable that I couldn’t sleep. I was already tired from being 39 weeks pregnant. I told my sister-in-law about it and she talked to one of the OB-GYN doctors who told her that it could be one of two things. A gall bladder infection or the PUPPPS Rash. So I did what most people do when they have a medical problem and don’t want to go all the way to the doctor. I turned to the internet. I looked at pictures and my rash looked identical to the pictures. My doctor confirmed it when I went for my 40 week visit. She took one look at my stomach and said “Let’s get you induced.”

PUPPP, also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, is the most common rash in pregnant women. It normally occurs in the first pregnancy during the third trimester usually at 35 weeks. Thankfully, PUPPP does not usually affect subsequent pregnancies.

This article is for your information only. Be sure to consult a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment.

What causes PUPPP?

The cause of PUPPP is unknown. It is not associated with preeclampsia, autoimmune disorders, hormonal abnormalities, or fetal abnormalities. Investigators suggest that the rapid abdominal wall distension damages connective tissue and causes an inflammatory response. One study found male fetal DNA in a skin biopsy of the rash. Since 70% of women with PUPPP give birth to boys, a new hypothesis has found that male fetal DNA can act as a skin irritant.

The Diagnosis

The diagnosis of PUPPP is solely based on the appearance of the rash. There are no lab tests that detect PUPPP. Skin biopsies are not performed unless there is a question about the diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment of PUPPP is symptomatic. High strength steroid creams or ointments, such as clobetasol (Temovate) or betamethasone (Diplrolene), used up to 5 to 6 times a day often relieve the itching and prevent the spread of the rash, see your doctor for the best treatment for you. Once the rash is under control, changing to a lower strength steroid used less frequently is advisable. For severe cases, daily oral steroids may be prescribed to control itching. Oral antihistamines such as atarax, benadryl, and zyrtec, are generally less effective for itching than steroids but can be useful at night to help with sleep.

The Appearance of PUPPP

The rash almost always begins in the stretch marks (striae) of the abdomen. It does not involve the belly button distinguishing it from other common rashes of pregnancy. The rash itself consists of small, red wheals (a firm elevated swelling of the skin) in the stretch marks that grow together to form larger wheals on the abdomen. Sometimes the rash can include small vesicles (a bubble of liquid within a cell). Over the next several days, the rash can spread over the thighs, bum, breasts, and arms.

The rash is very itchy, or pruitic, hence the name!  This condition is thought to be harmless to mother and baby, but can be very annoying. It can last an average of 6 weeks and resolves spontaneously 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. The most severe itching can last for more than 1 week.

By: EA Walker

For more information visit these sites:

www.whattoexpect.com

www.suite101.com

www.about.com

Benefits of massage during pregnancy

A good massage can also provide relief from many discomforts brought on by pregnancy symptoms like muscle cramps and spasms; myofascial pains felt on neck, shoulders, lower back, hips and legs; stressed knees and ankles; swelling of the hands, arms, legs, and feet due to fluid retention; difficulties in sleeping; and, psychological cares like anxiety and restlessness. And according to a number of studies, the fetus also benefits from the massage treatment the mother receives. A massage therapy also makes the mother’s body more pliant resulting into a less painful labor and easier delivery.

Pregnancy requires specially trained massage therapists

The techniques used in pregnancy massage differ from those used in other types of massage because the health and safety of the fetus is given utmost consideration. For this reason, massage therapists who work on pregnant women receive special training and must be duly certified.

Things to remember when it comes to pregnancy massage:

•    Pregnancy massage should be performed only on women who are past their third month of pregnancy. The reason is massage therapy increases blood circulation but this may cause dizziness and aggravate the morning sickness symptoms.

•    The pregnant woman must be carefully positioned during the massage to ensure her safety and that of her unborn child.

•    If a massage table must be used, it should be semi-reclining. Consider using extra pillows to wedge the body and provide extra padding to increase patient comfort.

•    As a precautionary measure, the pregnant woman should never be made to lie prone with her belly beneath her. Also, it is ill-advised to use a flat table with a hole provision for the bulging abdomen as this will stress her lower back unnecessarily.

•    The therapist should not massage or press the pregnant woman’s specific body parts, such as the left and right sides of the ankles and the webbing between the thumbs and index fingers. These critical points can cause premature labor if subjected to constant pressure.

Under normal circumstances, any pregnant woman can enjoy a good body massage without fear for her safety. However, if she has a special condition, she will need clearance from her obstetrician or health care provider before going in for a pregnancy massage. Women who ought to think twice about pregnancy massage are those who have pre-term labor risk and those suffering from blood clots and other related disorders.

The healing power of massage

Still, pregnancy massage is just like the other types of massage in that it uses the healing power of the human touch. Humans need physical connection from other human beings. This physical connection through the touch promotes comfort, love, caring, and security. It increases awareness and raises the sensory levels. For this reason, many people, pregnant or not, seek massage

I was in my 18th week of pregnancy, and flabbergasted by the question. “Will I know what the results mean,” I asked. Going a little red I admitted, “I don’t even know what I’m being tested fo r.”

It’s my fourth pregnancy, so when my doctor said, “Go get your blood drawn,” I obediently went. I am, after all a very good pregnant lady, taking my prenatal vitamin every day, eschewing caffeine, and faithfully doing yoga for pregnant women.

I like to leave all the fancy medical terminology and the worries that go with it to my doctor. When a week later, the doctor told me the tests were normal, I breathed a sigh of relief, though I wasn’t quite sure what bullets my baby and I had dodged. As I left the clinic, however, I vowed to become better informed.

The four tubes of blood I’d given were used to type my blood and for the triple screen test (also known as multiple marker screening and AFP plus). The test is used to project the probability of genetic birth defects like Down’s syndrome or spina bifida.

The test looks at the levels of three specific substances in the blood, alpha-fetalprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin and estriol. The results are combined with the mother’s age, weight, ethnicity and gestation of pregnancy in order to assess probabilities of potential genetic disorders. It is very important when reading the test to know the age of the fetus, since the levels of these substances considered normal changes as pregnancy progresses.

Abnormal test results don’t automatically mean a baby will have a birth defect. The test has a very wide range of abnormal results to prevent missing a fetus that has a serious condition. These tests DO NOT diagnose a problem; they only signal that further testing should be done.

Recently, prenatal screening tests have also become available in the first trimester as an option for patients who are known to be at a high risk for having babies with birth defects because of age or a family history of birth defects. The testing combines maternal blood tests with an ultrasound evaluation.

After an abnormal triple screen, a doctor may recommend an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.

Chorionic villus sampling, (or a CVS) is done in the first trimester and is also recommended to those patients whose medical histories reveal a higher possibility of birth defects. It can also be used to determine paternity. It is usually performed between 10 to 13 weeks. CVS is a diagnostic procedure that involves removing some chorionic villi cells from the placenta at the point where it attaches to the uterine wall. The American Pregnancy Association describes the two different ways samples can be collected.

Transcervical: An ultrasound guides a thin catheter through the cervix to your placenta. The chorionic villi cells are gently suctioned into the catheter. This is the most common method.

Transabdominal: An ultrasound guides a long thin needle through the abdomen to your placenta. The needle draws a sample of tissue and then is removed. This procedure is similar to that of amniocentesis.

While chronic villus sampling can be performed earlier in the pregnancy to sooner identify genetic problems, it has a slightly higher risk of miscarriage than an amniocentesis (1-3 out of 100 cases).

Similar to a chronic villus sampling, but more widely known, is an amniocentesis. Amniocentesis detects chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects and genetic disorders.  It is performed between 14 and 20 weeks. An ultrasound is used as a guide to determine a safe location for a needle to enter through the mother’s belly into the amniotic sac so the fluid may be safely removed. A sample of amniotic fluid is collected through the needle.

Down syndrome or Trisomy 21 is the most common chromosome abnormality it detects. Genetic disorders include disorders like cystic fibrosis. The most common neural tube defect is spina bifida. An Amniocentesis is occasionally used late in pregnancy to assess whether the baby’s lungs are mature enough for the baby to breathe on his own.

An amniocentesis is 98 percent accurate in determining if chromosomal defects are present, however, it cannot determine the severity of the associated birth defects.

Although an amniocentesis is a fairly common procedure, there are some risks associated with it. The risk of miscarriage is 1 to 2 out of 200. After the procedure the mother may experience cramping, leakage of fluid, or minor irritation around the puncture site.

Though pre-natal testing can cause anxiety, these tests are performed by experienced professionals hundreds of thousands of times each year. Being informed about the procedures can help ease the apprehension.

For more about prenatal testing visit American Pregnancy.org or Baby Center.com .

Infertility

While many women can easily conceive, there are some that have a difficult time due to infertility. Many women cannot become pregnant for months or even years creating stress on themselves and even their relationships. The longer it takes to conceive the harder it can become emotionally. Seeing others around you becoming pregnant and even having their baby while you are still trying can be frustrating. It is important to consider that you may not become pregnant the first month. Statistics show that for couples having unprotected intercourse:

50% will be pregnant in 4 months
75% will be pregnant in 8 months
90% will be pregnant in 1 year

If you and your partner have been trying for over one year without success, you may need help from an infertility specialist. Contact your gynecologist or infertility specialist for testing and an exam. Many problems are easy to overcome once detected.

Miscarriage

Most women experience at least one miscarriage during their reproductive years. It is important to know that having a miscarriage is not your fault. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, reduced stress, and being a healthy weight, will help improve your chances for long-term pregnancy. Women should avoid smoking or drinking alcohol while trying to conceive. In most cases, you can start trying to conceive again after your next cycle with your doctor’s approval if a miscarriage occurs.

Folic Acid

Getting plenty of folic acid will help reduce your risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect. While trying to conceive, women should take a supplement or consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day. Folic acid is also known as vitamin B9.

Your home

You and your partner are very ready for a baby, but is your home? Pregnancy is often a time of sickness, tiredness, and stress. Having a home that is ready for a baby is something that takes time. Here are some simple questions to ask yourself that will help you to know if your home is ready for baby number one, or another baby.

-Is our home big enough?
-Where will the nursery be?
-What will we need to do to the nursery to be?
-What will we need to do to childproof our home?
-Is our home in a desirable location for raising a child?

Having your home ready now, or having a plan for preparing your home for your new baby will help to relieve stress during your pregnancy.

Bringing a child into the world is a wonderful chapter in life. Being ready and knowing what to expect will help to make the process very enjoyable. While you will still have many surprises, doing your research will prepare you for what lies ahead.

More on ready to have a baby at Voice of Women

A good source of help for those trying to get pregnant at Pregnancy Charts

If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and you have no other medical problems, it is probably safe to exercise. However, it is always necessary to check with your doctor before you start any exercise program.

Tips for safe exercise during pregnancy

After doctor approval, the American Pregnancy Academy gives these tips for exercising during pregnancy.

 If you are just starting an exercise program as a way of improving your health during your pregnancy, you should start very slowly and be careful not to over exert yourself.

 Listen to your body. Your body will naturally give you signals that it is time to reduce the level of exercise you perform.

 Never exercise to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness. This is a sign that your baby and your body cannot get the oxygen supply it needs.

 Wear comfortable exercise footwear that gives strong ankle and arch support.

  Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids during exercise.

  Avoid exercise in extremely hot weather.

  Avoid rocky terrain or unstable ground. Your joints are more lax in pregnancy and ankle sprains and other injuries may occur.

  Contact sports should be avoided during pregnancy.

 Weight training should emphasize improving tone, especially in the upper body and abdominal area. Avoid lifting weights above your head and using weights that strain the lower back muscles.

 During the second and third trimesters, avoid exercise that involves laying flat on your back, as this decreases blood flow to your womb.

 Include relaxation and stretching before and after your exercise program.

 Eat a healthy diet that including plenty of fruits and carbohydrates.

It is important to remember to slow down your level of exercising during pregnancy. Give yourself permission to rest.

If you have exercised before pregnancy, you can continue as long as you feel comfortable and your doctor approves.

For healthy pregnant women, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.

If you have not been exercising, start with just five minutes a day and build up your physical activity a little at a time until you reach 30 minutes daily.

Exercises that might be right for you

You don’t have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment, walking is great exercise for beginners, it provides moderate conditioning with minimal stress on to your joints. Try walking around your neighborhood. Grab a friend, a good chat will help the time fly.

Many fitness centers and hospitals offer classes that are designed for pregnant women. It can be a fun way to meet other mothers in your area and having a scheduled time can keep your exercising more consistent.

Other good exercise choices for pregnant women include swimming and cycling on a stationary bike. If these exercises are not appealing to you, think outside the box. Try dancing, easy hikes or rowing. Check with your doctor to make sure anything you do is approved.

Stay well hydrated and try to exercise during the coolest parts of the day in summer. Never exercise to the point of exhaustion. Take it easy and take lots of rests. Pushing yourself too hard is not good for you or your baby.

More information at the Pregnancy.org website . Visit Family Doctor for more tips on having a healthy pregnancy.

GAINING AND GROWING As you’re gaining and growing, be careful to reach a healthy weight that your body frame can comfortably manage. A person starting at a normal weight should gain from 25 to 35 pounds. An underweight person might need to gain more: 28-45 pounds, while an overweight woman may need to gain less: 15-25 pounds. Whatever your size, it is important to discuss with your doctor what a healthy, comfortable pregnancy weight is for you. That weight can be maintained through a healthy diet and regular moderate exercise. Underweight women may have challenges during the actual birth while overweight women are more likely to experience varicose veins, lower back pain, and swollen feet during the actual pregnancy. Whatever your comfort complaint is, be sure that it is not related to an unhealthy pregnancy weight. Pregnant women who struggle with under or overweight problems should talk to a doctor about a regimented diet.

BELLY COMFORT Being comfortable around and inside the belly during pregnancy can be a pregnancy challenge. Overeating can cause indigestion and constipation. Be careful to eat a well-rounded diet, and if the baby is crowding your stomach, try eating six small meals instead of three regular ones. Six small meals are a good way to avoid overeating and the pain of indigestion. It can also help you feel well fed throughout the day so that you avoid that big hungry feeling that often hits just before mealtime. If indigestion becomes a problem, talk to your doctor about a good over-the-counter antacid.

Moving around and getting some exercise is important. Take a low impact aerobics class or a short 20 minute walk each day. Exercise will help chase that tired pregnancy feeling away and help you have more energy. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day will also keep your insides in good shape and the blood and food flowing. Should constipation strike, talk to your doctor about natural options such as prune juice or a natural fiber laxative.

As your baby grows, the belly stretches. This can cause itching and stretch marks which might be bothersome. A good nourishing lotion is important for both the soul and baby belly. Try a lotion with cocoa butter or vitamin E. Slather it on after showering or bathing and before you go to sleep at night. Lotion will help ease any itchiness that your skin may develop from stretching, and it may or may not prevent stretch marks which are usually caused by a lack of elasticity in the skin.

SITTING AND STANDING Sitting and standing for long periods of time when you’re pregnant can cause a lot of discomfort. As the uterus grows, a large amount of pressure is put on the major nerve located on the right side of the body called the sciatic nerve. Blood flow is also increased during pregnancy, putting extra pressure on the veins. Sitting too much, especially with your legs crossed, can hamper how the blood is flowing from the legs to the fetus. Standing too much puts extra pressure on the veins as they work to get the extra blood from the legs to the upper extremities. Women who stand or sit too much during pregnancy can develop sore legs and varicose veins. If possible, find a balance throughout your day between sitting and standing. If your job requires you to stand more than sit, ask for a stool to be put nearby so that you can sit from time to time as your work permits. If you sit the majority of the day, be sure to take a few walking breaks to get the blood supply moving. You can also wear extra supportive hose and be sure to elevate the feet when resting. Sleeping on your left side with the right leg positioned on a body pillow can also help legs feel better. Should any soreness or swelling develop in your legs and feet, take a warm soothing bubble bath and be sure to consult your doctor.

OH MY ACHING BACK! When the muscles in the back work hard, they have a tendency to ache. As you move during pregnancy, the muscles around the baby and your back are working hard to support all the extra weight you are carrying. The baby may be laying on some of your nerves and this too, can cause pain in your back or down the side of your leg. Be careful of how you bend. Bend from the knees. Squat down from your knees to pick up that dropped toy or napkin. At the end of the day have your partner or loved one give you a massage. No takers? Make an appointment with a professional. Should the baby sit on one of your nerves or just happen to find an uncomfortable spot within you, rock your pelvis back and forth while gently nudging your belly. If the baby is awake, this will sometimes help him or her to move over to a different spot. Staying comfortable during pregnancy can be a challenge. Just remember to be wise and nurture both yourself and the baby. A healthy weight, proper skin care, a balance between sitting and standing, and watching your back can bring more comfort and joy to your pregnancy experience.

We recommend the following links for more information:

Information on healthy pregnancy weights

Resource on the skin and stretch marks.

Help for avoiding varicose veins during pregnancy

Information on lower-back/nerve pain attributed to pregnancy and how to avoid it.

The Cause of Miscarriage in Pregnancy

Miscarriage in pregnancy affects many women each year. It is the loss of a developing baby. Miscarriage usually occurs within the first trimester between the thirteenth and twentieth week of pregnancy. Miscarriage occurs later in pregnancy often due to developing abnormalities in the fetus or extreme trauma to the Mother. Miscarriage due to trauma is often caused by an unforeseen event, such as a car accident.

Miscarriage is caused by a variety of different medical conditions. One of them is chromosome abnormality; where the fetal tissue does not have enough chromosomes to continue normal development. Other causes include abnormalities in the uterus as well as hormonal, immunological and environmental factors. Women over the age of 35 are at a higher risk to experience a miscarriage. 

Because miscarriage usually occurs so early in pregnancy, many women do not realize that they are experiencing a miscarriage. Often what is really a miscarriage is just thought of as a heavier period with painful cramps. The following tips will help you determine if what you are experiencing is indeed a miscarriage.

Is it a Miscarriage or a Period?

Each woman’s menstrual cycle is different; some woman experience a regular period while others have irregular periods’ that are difficult to predict. If you are regular, be sure to track your period on a calendar so that you can be aware if you are having a period or possibly a miscarriage. If you consistently experience irregular periods, talk to your medical professional about what can be done to help regulate your cycle. Irregular periods are actually quite common and are often caused by a hormonal imbalance that can be corrected through lifestyle changes and hormone drug therapy.

A late period is a good indicator that you might be pregnant. A home pregnancy test will measure the amount of the hormone hCG in your body. hCG is one of the first hormones present in the body after conception and is critical to the successful development of a baby. If you have missed your period and suspect that you might be pregnant, wait one week before taking a home pregnancy test to ensure that the test will be accurate. You can also visit your medical professional to have a blood test. Knowing whether or not you are actually pregnant will help you understand if you are experiencing a miscarriage or just another period. You can find a pregnancy counselor in your area online through Epigee

Signs and Symptoms of Miscarriage

Spotting or slight bleeding during early pregnancy is normal for many women. The key in identifying a miscarriage lies with the condition of the cervix. If you experience bleeding and a medical professional determines that your cervix is open or dilated, you are indeed experiencing a miscarriage. Consult a medical professional immediately regarding any bleeding during the course of your pregnancy.

A miscarriage usually begins with cramping and light bleeding that will progress to more painful cramps with heavy bleeding that may include clots. The cramping occurs in the abdominal area where the uterus is located and will be similar to regular labor pains. The bleeding may start out as light brown or pink and progress to a dark red color with fetal tissue or clots passing through the cervix.
During miscarriage, the cramping is painful and may spread across the lower abdominal area going into the lower back and affecting the upper legs. Talk to your medical professional about over the counter pain relievers that may help relieve your pain.

Should you have concerns regarding any changes in bleeding or cramping during a miscarriage, be sure to consult a medical professional immediately. Heavy bleeding and/or intense pain that is localized in one area is a strong indication of a more serious medical condition.

Clotting during a miscarriage is normal and the uterine muscles will cramp to remove as much of the fetal tissue as possible. Your medical professional may request that you save some of the fetal tissue for testing. Bleeding usually lasts one to two weeks with the cramps lessening as the fetal tissue is expelled.

At ten weeks or earlier the body should be able to expel all of the fetal tissue naturally. Beyond ten weeks, a surgical procedure known as a D and C is required to remove all of the fetal tissue from the womb.

D and C stands for Dilation and Curettage. A medical professional will dilate the cervix and then remove all of the tissue from the womb with a surgical instrument or suction. General anesthesia can be used during the procedure to minimize pain. Prescription pain pills or over the counter pain relievers recommended by your medical professional are often recommended to relieve pain after a D&C.

Physical and Emotional Recovery: The Five Stages of Grief

Physical recovery from a miscarriage varies depending on the amount of complications. Recovery time for a natural miscarriage (no D&C) without complications is usually one to two weeks. A miscarriage that requires a D&C or has complications will take longer. Healing takes time. Be patient with yourself during your recovery. After having a miscarriage it is normal to go through a grieving process over the loss of your developing baby. The five natural stages of grief are:

1. Denial which is often accompanied by numbness or a detached feeling.

2. Anger toward the circumstances that are beyond your control.

3. A feeling of persistent sadness accompanied by tears and emotional outbursts.

4. Acceptance of the loss and a lessening of the sadness. This is a tricky stage as some people, upon reaching this stage, start to feel guilty about feeling better. It is important that if you do have feelings of guilt during the healing process to consult a mental health professional to help you overcome those feelings so that you can ultimately feel better and reach the final healing stage.

5. Final healing occurs when you have worked through the denial, anger and sadness to reach a point where you have accepted the loss and are able to continue with normal day to day activities and hobbies. At this stage, you should really feel better and be able to enjoy life again.

Should the grief process become prolonged or overwhelming, be sure to consult a mental health professional for appropriate treatment.
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Consult Your Medical Professional

If you suspect you are experiencing a miscarriage, please consult a medical professional immediately. A medical professional can diagnosis a miscarriage and determine if a more serious medical condition is present. A medical professional can also determine the cause of a miscarriage and recommend treatments that may help prevent miscarriage during the course of future pregnancies.

Find answers to pregnancy questions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

For more information on complications associated with miscarriage and pregnancy visit this link to the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Read more about the grieving process and how to cope with the loss of your baby at Health Politics with Dr. Mike Magee

Even when expecting my fourth child, I still found it difficult to know when to head to the hospital. My water had broken twice at labor’s onset and my third delivery had been an induction. So, I started getting frustrated when I would feel contractions nightly, only to have them go away after a couple of hours. I wondered how I would ever know when to go to the hospital, Then one night, my water broke, It was finally time.

Labor and delivery are different for everyone, One of my labors lasted only 2 and a half hours, other women contract for over 24 hours.

It is important to talk to your doctor about labor during your last trimester. She will give you instructions about when to go to the hospital, You may have special concerns with your pregnancy that make it different for you than for other people.

No one knows when labor will start or what causes it to start, Even for the same woman it can be different in every pregnancy, Hormonal and physical changes can be signs labor is close,

Your baby may lower and settle into your pelvis, This is called lighting, Some people may also say the baby “has dropped.” It can occur a few weeks or a few hours before labor.

When the cervix starts to open, the mucus plug that has been accumulating there will discharge, It may be clear, pink, or slightly bloody, Again, it can occur a few weeks before labor,

During your last few doctor visits, your OB will check your cervix for labor progress with a pelvic exam, Your cervix thins out and opens up to allow your baby’s head to pass through, This thinning, called effacement is measured in percentages from 0 percent to 100 percent, When your cervix is halfway ready, it is 50 percent effaced, when it is completely thinned out it is 100 percent effaced. The opening, or dilation of your cervix is measured in centimeters, It is completely dilated at 10,

Dilation of the cervix is caused by contractions, Most women use the strength and timing of their contractions to determine when it is time to go to the hospital, This can be confusing, because before true labor begins, you may have false labor pains or Braxton Hicks contractions,

Unlike true labor, Braxton Hicks contractions come and go, They do not get closer together and do not increase in intensity and length with regularity.

True labor contractions generally begin 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds, The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart, When the contractions are strong, last 45 to 60 seconds and occur 3 to 4 minutes apart it is probably time to go to the hospital.

One sure sign your baby will be born in the next 24 hours is when the amniotic membrane or “your water” breaks, It may come in a sudden gush, or a steady trickle, When this happens, go to the hospital, or contact your doctor immediately.

For most women, the amniotic membrane doesn’t rupture until well into labor when they are already at the hospital, Sometimes the doctor will rupture the membrane himself,

If you ever have any questions about whether or not you are in labor, call your doctor for instructions.

Though at the end of your pregnancy you may feel your baby will never come, labor will one day catch you by surprise and you’ll know it’s finally time.

For more information on labor and delivery, visit Medicine Net, Labor and Delivery.

Pregnancy Hormones: What do they do?

Human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG is a hormone released by the embryo soon after conception. The production of HCG is continued through a part of the placenta. The function of this peptide hormone is to preserve an integral part of the ovary as well as maintain progesterone production that is so important in the development of a healthy baby.

Progesterone lines the uterus with life sustaining blood vessels and capillaries to cushion and protect the growing fetus. HCG also protects the baby from the mother’s immune system, letting the body know through chemical messengers that the baby is an acceptable, developing part of the mother’s body.

Levels of HCG are higher in woman pregnant with multiple babies. An over the counter pregnancy test will be positive if HCG is present in the blood stream. HCG levels are highest during the twelfth week of pregnancy and generally taper off during the sixteenth week of pregnancy when the 1st trimester ends and the 2nd trimester begin. Pregnant woman generally report feeling better or “over” the morning sickness after the sixteenth week of pregnancy.

Estrogen is a hormone that is released from the female reproductive system and the placenta. Estrogen is considered the “female hormone” and is used to regulate the female reproductive system. During pregnancy, the primary purpose of the hormone is to regulate progesterone, protecting the baby throughout the pregnancy. This hormone is also critical to the development of many major organs and functions of the baby’s body. Estrogen levels are extra high during pregnancy adding to the major chemical changes going on within a pregnant woman’s body.

Another hormone called human placental lactogen, or HTL, is produced by the placenta and becomes a part of the pregnancy hormone system. HTL sustains the mother’s organ systems while diverting enough energy to enable the fetus to grow properly. It also activates the milk glands in the breasts to prepare for the possibility of breastfeeding.

Theory of Morning Sickness

It is theorized among the medical community that a combination of hormones and low blood sugar sustained from not eating during the night is the possible cause of morning sickness. Morning sickness is a condition that affects at least fifty percent of all pregnant women. The organ systems of the fetus are laid out during the first three months of development. Medical expert references find it interesting that at this critical time, the condition of morning sickness develops. Although morning sickness is far from being a pleasant experience, there is a medical theory that maintains that morning sickness could be a sign of a healthy, developing baby.

Morning Sickness: Sign of a Healthy Baby?

As the organ systems of the baby are laid out, the baby has only a very small need for nutrients and is more susceptible to chemicals and other harmful agents that could cause birth defects. The medical theory proposes that within certain foods, even vegetables, are toxins that could cause birth defects and other harmful conditions. The theory suggests that morning sickness actually helps a pregnant woman’s body ingest only the healthiest nutrients that are critical to the baby’s development at this time. Some official medical studies have shown that women with morning sickness have less chance of experiencing a miscarriage and less chance of the baby having a birth-defect. However, some experts do not believe in a link between morning sickness and a healthy baby. Certainly, a mother not experiencing morning sickness need not worry, as morning sickness is not the only indicator of a healthy baby.

Take some comfort! Spending all morning in the bathroom throwing up may be a very positive sign. Hormones at work in your body are creating, sustaining and developing something wonderful that in nine months will be a precious joy to hold in your arms.

More resouces on morning sickness at Child’n Parent and Wikipedia .

Start getting your child ready for the new baby around the second trimester. At this point, there is less chance of miscarriage, but still plenty of time to make adjustments. When talking about the baby, always refer to it as “our baby”. This helps your older child feel like a part of an expanding family. She will form a bond with the baby early on as she shares in the anticipation.

For a toddler, begin reading books about babies coming into the family and talk about the baby. Show her your growing stomach and talk about the growing baby inside. Though she may not completely understand, she’ll start to get a general sense that a baby is coming. Imitation and role playing is also good for children this age. Introduce a special baby doll while you’re pregnant or when the baby is born.

Older children may enjoy helping you shop for the baby or prepare the baby’s room for his arrival. Giving children a special responsibility helps them feel a part of caring for the new baby. Don’t shut out older siblings, but allow them to help in age appropriate ways with rocking, feeding, or changing diapers.

If having a new baby involves shifting bedrooms or moving to a big kid bed, make this change at least six weeks before the baby is born. Your child is then less likely to feel the baby kicked him out.

Expect children to regress a little. Toilet trained children may start wetting their pants, toddlers may want to drink from a bottle or suck on the binky. Older children may ask for help with tasks they know how to do on their own. The new baby is getting a lot of attention, the big sister or brother may looking for a little more. Don’t scold or be critical, but sit down with your child and talk about his feelings.

Help your children talk through any negative feelings. Bottled up feelings, may came out in anger or aggression towards the baby.

Explain that babies, need lots of care and attention. Show your child pictures of herself as a baby and assure them she too was treated like a princess upon arrival. Show her a few special gifts she received.
Point out things your big kid can now do because he is not a newborn, like sitting on Mom’s lap for a story or playing on the slide at the park. Set aside one-on-one time for you and your child without the baby. Even a few minutes will make a big difference.

Reinforce your love for big brother or sister through special treats, notes, lots of hugs and the three most important words, “I love you.”

For more tips on getting children ready for baby’s arrival, visit ivillage .