The Pros and Cons of Prenatal Diagnostics

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

The thought of having some of the available prenatal tests available may cause you a little anxiety, and with due cause. Fortunately, the choice as to which tests to have, if any, is always up to the parents.

Before you make your decisions you need to be informed—and there are plenty of hospitals, clinics, labs and doctors who are only too happy to perform tests and generate a great deal of money for performing unnecessary prenatal testing. Your best interests and those of your unborn child are not always at the forefront, and some feel that ethics are lacking.

There are two kinds of tests; invasive and non-invasive. There are inherent risks involved with invasive testing, and the earlier in the pregnancy invasive testing is done, the greater the chances of damage to the fetus and a miscarriage.

The case for or against prenatal testing hinges primarily on the “need” for a test, as well as safety. Some tests are not conclusive at all; you may get a false positive or a false negative result. What then? If tests are designed to aid a professional care provider to make the best decisions for the patient and her baby, but the test results can’t be trusted, is there value in the test? Much of the accuracy of an ultrasonograph, for example, depends on the expertise and opinion of the technician performing the scan; a human being.

Why would I want prenatal tests?

While it’s true that sometimes early insights about what’s going on in a woman’s womb can be beneficial, women have been having healthy babies for eons, without tests, and we’re here to talk about it. If a couple is considered to be in a particularly high risk group for a specific birth defect, and a test can be performed safely and with very minimal risk to mother and fetus, AND the results can be relied upon, then perhaps that is a case for a screening.

Ultrasonographic Imaging

For most young couples very little testing is necessary. Older mothers may run a higher risk of having a baby with Down syndrome, however, and of course there are tests for that. Thankfully, the mother’s blood will usually tell the story. An ultrasonograph can also get a view of the back of the neck of the fetus and may help provide a reliable prognosis in tandem.

Is having an ultrasound “to verify fetal age” s sound medical proposition? Does it really matter how old the fetus is? Will a week or two make that much difference? Doesn’t a woman have enough on her plate without going for unnecessary ultrasonographic testing? Probably, but there’s money in it. If you have an ultrasound you should advise your caregiver whether you want to know the sex or not; otherwise they may insensitively just blurt it out. And what if they’re wrong and you’ve gone and done the nursery and all the baby clothes in pink, when you really needed green and blue?

Amniocentesis

Often a doctor will recommend an amniocentesis between 16 and 18 weeks into the pregnancy. Sticking a 7 ½” needle—no matter that it’s .8 mm wide—through the abdominal wall and into the amniotic sac is invasive, to both mother and baby.

Why would this procedure be requested? If there is a high risk of certain conditions that result from abnormal or damaged chromosomes, amniocentesis is nearly always accurate. However, the specific defect under consideration must be known because roughly one hundred different defects can be isolated. If they’re looking for Down syndrome or spina bifida, they have to look for that up front when doing the lab work or they won’t find it.

Amniocentesis will NOT detect structural defects in the heart wall or hip formation, for example, which are not a result of chromosome abnormalities. And then there are multiple reasons why things could go wrong in the lab and provide an incorrect result. When you consider that the verdict could be cause for a couple to terminate a pregnancy, is it worth having the test?

What are the risks? One woman who did significant research into the procedure has asked, If you wouldn’t abort, why would you even think about amnio? When you’re informed, you know that any outside interference into the baby’s sterile environment bears risk—for both mother and fetus. Here are some of the recognized possible outcomes:

  • Fetal damage
  • Hemorrhage
  • Amniotic fluid leak
  • Risk of miscarriage
  • Bleeding and cramps
  • Uterine infection
  • Rh sentization
  • Ear problems
  • Increased visits to neonatal intensive care
  • Clubfoot

Clearly, a superior, less invasive method is required to assess fetal development that doesn’t pose such high risks. A company called Sequenom, which specializes in genetic analysis products is currently developing invitro prenatal testing that fills the bill. Their new products will open up the status of fetal gene and chromosome abnormalities in trimesters one and two with minimal risk to the baby using Fetal Nucleic Acid Technology.

There are no guarantees about anything in life, so it’s unrealistic to look for guarantees in a pregnancy. A positive outlook and a reverence for the new life inside—no matter what may be the outcome—is the best insurance policy for parents.

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Down Side of Pregnancy

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

Pregnancy is a time for joy, but also a time of challenges and obstacles that will sometimes get in the way of enjoying day-to-day life. You probably know that there are some very tricky things to throw you off course that you need to be aware of so you can deal with them in the safest, most effective ways and carry on with your life.

Mood swings

If you suffered greatly with PMS, chances are you may have more pronounced mood swings during pregnancy, more so in the first and third trimesters. The latest research shows that our “second brain” is in our gut, where much of the feel-good hormone serotonin is produced.

What this means to a pregnant lady is that if she focuses on diet, she may be able to mitigate the swings and regulate her mood. There are health professionals who have cured schizophrenia and other issues through diet, so it stands to reason that we can improve our mental states by eating foods that stimulate the production of serotonin in both our head, and our gut.

Load up on healthy, complex carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables— and not so much pasta and bread and white flour. Eat healthy portions of protein, and avoid sugar and starchy foods that add empty calories and little nutrition. This, paired with generous amounts of pure water may keep your moods on the up side much of the time.

Sick—morning, noon and night?

Just as not all women experience nausea or have an intimate relationship with the porcelain throne in their pregnancy, not all feel sick in the morning. Unfortunately for some, nausea knows no bounds and can visit at any time of the day or night.

Regulating food intake seems to help, so you are never starving or over-full. Eat small amounts of nutritious food frequently throughout the day and it could help stave off the sick feeling.  If you feel your worst in the morning, keep some crackers by your bed and eat some about ten minutes before you rise.

Did your mother ever give you ginger ale when you were sick as a kid? Ginger has verified medicinal properties and helps soothe an upset stomach. You can drink the ale, make some tea, add a paste to savory dishes you make, like stir-fries, eat ginger cookies, or simply take a ginger capsule supplement. Lemon works for others. Try some lemonade or suck on a slice.

Still others claim a Sea-band wristband (an acupressure product) work wonders for prenatal nausea. Another naturopathic remedy for nausea and heartburn is pressing firmly on the navel with two fingers for a minute. Women are as unique as the day is long, and many have found that eating everything from spearmint gum to chicken or miso soup sends the wretched feelings on their way. Try what your intuition tells you your body wants and discover your own cure for nausea. Many agree that if they can ward off that yucky feeling first thing in the morning, it won’t come back later on. Once nausea sets in, however, it may be your companion all day.

Here are some more tips:

  • Eat and drink slowly
  • Drink cool, clear beverages between meals, rather than with them
  • Don’t lie down flat on your back within 2 hours of eating
  • Avoid fatty foods
  • Caffeine can dehydrate; avoid caffeinated food and drink
  • Eat bland food rather than highly spiced or containing onions and garlic

If you experience severe morning sickness and vomit a lot, it can affect your electrolytes and the health of the baby. See your doctor if it’s extreme.

Heartburn & Indigestion

Wear loose clothing, use the same tactics as above for nausea, and don’t take OTC antacids.

Swelling or Edema

Most pregnant women experience swelling, particularly later in the pregnancy. It’s normal, and your best strategy is to sit when you can get off your feet, and elevate your feet to hip height or more, if possible.

Signs of a more serious condition called pre-eclampsia include:

  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Facial swelling
  • Seeing spots or flashing lights while at rest
  • Severe headache

This condition could have serious repercussions in your pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately.

I Can’t Leave My Baby!

Many women find that when it comes time to go back to work, that they just can’t face leaving their baby. Pregnancy and childbirth forge a powerful bond between mother and offspring and for some new mothers, just the thought of separation is cause for tears and anguish.

This is where a real soul-searching about the economics of pregnancy and parenthood can come in handy. If you took measures to pay off debt, reduce your monthly expenses and increase income, you may have the luxury of rethinking your decision to go back to work—at least for a few months, until you’re emotionally ready to part with your baby and reenter the work force. Mom and Dad will have to discuss the options, if there are any. It’s something a mother has to come to terms with in her own way, in her own time, for the best of all concerned.

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Weeks from 36 to 40

Posted on March 23, 2011 by admin

Mom is no doubt sick of being pregnant, and just wants to get it done, but when the home stretch is in your sights, life is good—no matter how bad. When game day comes, the pain and discomfort will be quickly forgotten and your spirits will soar with excitement, pride and joy for the miracle of life that you and your partner created with every ounce of your love and dedication.

Week 36

The Inside Story: Your little package is almost ready for delivery. The pudgy neck and wrists have creases, and little dimples appear on the skin at the joints. Your baby could begin to safely descend head-first into the pelvis at this point.

The Maternal Experience: Mom’s discomfort is maxing out now and trips to the doctor are weekly, but take heart; only a month to go!

Just in case, here are some common symptoms of labor that you need to be aware of. If you experience any of these now, let your caregiver know. (Wouldn’t it be great to get a home run NOW and skip the last 4 weeks?)

  • Bloody Show – you pass a bloody, stringy mass of mucous that seals the cervical opening
  • Rupture of Membranes – your water broke, which only happens outside the labor room in 10% of cases
  • Lightening – the baby drops into your pelvis and your belly is further from your breasts
  • Diarrhea – (yours) means it’s time to empty the intestines to make more room for baby
  • The Nesting Instinct – you have a lot of energy and a powerful urge to prepare the home or nursery
  • Contractions – true labor pains start high up in the uterus and work their way down through the abdomen and lower back, are rhythmic, and do not stop no matter what you’re doing, whereas false labor pains are usually very low in the groin and stop on their own
  • Effacement – ripening of the cervix – detectable only by a health professional
  • Dilatation – widening of the cervix – same as above

Week 37

The Inside Story: Babies are usually about 6 ½ pounds this week and will be grasping with their hands and working on breathing. At this point, a baby will also instinctively turn toward a light.

The Maternal Experience: You may experience more vaginal discharge now and hopefully the baby will be descending into the pelvis in the head-first position. If not, it could mean you’ll be having a cesarean section. The alternative is for an external abdominal manipulation to turn the baby.

Week 38

The Inside Story: Baby’s first bowel movement (meconium) is accumulating in the intestines. The brain and nervous system function better all the time. The head and abdomen are the same size now, in readiness for the journey through the birth canal, and baby adds an ounce of weight each day.

The Maternal Experience:Mom could be feeling false labor pains—or the real thing! Make sure your hospital bag is packed.

Week 39

The Inside Story: The lubricant in Baby’s lungs is increasing to prevent the inner lining of the air sacs from sticking together when the lungs inflate and deflate. Most of baby’s body hair is gone now. A baby usually weighs over 7 pounds this week.

The Maternal Experience: The uterus won’t permit much mobility for Baby, but be aware of your baby’s small movements and contact your caregiver if the activity decreases or stops. Your lungs have more room to function now, but the drop in the uterus means your bladder is feeling the pressure, so be prepared for frequent bathroom breaks.

Week 40

The Inside Story: Your prize is ready to be claimed (in good time). The vernix is disappearing and Baby is about 7 ½ pounds, and 14 inches long from crown to butt. The fat covering the body will help keep the newborn warm outside your body.

The Maternal Experience: You may be desperate to meet your baby, but don’t get too attached to your estimated delivery date. It is perfectly normal to deliver weeks before, and weeks after. Your caregiver knows how long to wait, if you’re pushing past the estimate, so just try to relax. When it’s time—it’s time!

There are a few things you can do now, while you’re waiting for the big day. Have you visited the maternity ward or birthing rooms at the hospital, if that is where you chose to deliver? Have you decided on names for your new family member? Are you clear on the route to the birthing place of your choice? Do you have all the accessories you’ll need to care for your baby? If you’ve decided to breast feed, have you learned what you’ll need to know about it?

If you’ve chosen to go back to work after your maternity leave is over, are you familiar with your employer’s stand on either bringing babies to work or leaving to care for them or breast feed each day? There’s a lot to consider, but there’s a wealth of resources on the internet about everything associated with parenthood so you needn’t worry.

Good luck and congratulations to the new parents.

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