Healthy Pregnancy Centre

Archive for September 2nd, 2009

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Expecting parents, especially those awaiting for their first-born become very excited not only for the delivery date but also for the gender of the baby. If in the olden times, predicting baby gender revolved only around superstitions, technology can now determine baby gender with a higher percent of accuracy. One of the most common and modern ways in predicting baby gender is through an ultrasound. What is an ultrasound? Who should get one? Is is safe to get an ultrasound? Below, we will share with you a few basic information about an ultrasound.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a medical process used during pregnancy. It can help detect possible baby defects and baby gender. More than that, it can also accurately count and determine your due date as well as check your baby’s growth and size. If your baby is positioned correctly, predicting baby gender by the 16th week is possible. An ultrasound uses sound waves which are above the range of human hearing. The waves then create images of organs within the mother’s body. When the waves bounce back from the internal body structure back to the machine, the reflection of the waves is analyzed by the computer and is turned into photographs. In the aspect of predicting the sex of your baby, the ultrasound has been proven to be 95% accurate.

Who should get an ultrasound?

There remains controversy as about the value of a routine ultrasound among pregnant women. Studies have been made about this and while some researchers suggest a benefit of the ultrasound, others do not. This contradiction has resulted to conflicting recommendations from medical practitioners. IN Canada and Europe for instance, prenatal ultrasounds are routinely recommended to pregnant women. In the United States; however, there remains no official recommendation to perform routine ultrasounds among soon-to-be moms. To date, approximately between 45-70 percent of women have taken an ultrasound during their pregnancy. A lot of US doctors advise that all pregnant patients take at least one ultrasound exam, ideally  between their 18th and 20th week, during their pregnancy.

Is an ultrasound reliable?

It is said that the accuracy of an ultrasound depends on several factors: the type of equipment used, the mother’s weight, fetal position, the skill of the operator, gestational age and the amniotic fluid volume. An ultrasound has proven to be accurate in diagnosing a wide range of fetal problems. Problems like spina bifida, enlarged kidneys as well as abdominal wall defects can be detected through an ultrasound. Nevertheless, a routine ultrasound does not guarantee detecting club foot and heart defects. An ultrasound exam can confirm any serious problem developing in your fetus. More than just that, it can also give you and your physician important information about your pregnancy and your unborn baby prior to delivery. These tests are proven to be safe and easy to perform.

True enough, an ultrasound does not only help you determine baby gender. It also helps you detect, prevent and prepare for problems which could have only been discovered during your delivery.

There seems to be a general consensus among medical experts that too much caffeine intake during pregnancy could be harmful to a fetus.  What remains undecided is just how much caffeine is too much.  While most experts would be pleased if pregnant women cut caffeine out of their diets altogether, they would also agree that it may not be necessary to stop it completely.  So, is caffeine safe during pregnancy? Or is it best to just stop consuming it completely?

Recent studies have shown that mothers whose caffeine intake exceeds 200 mg daily nearly double their risk of miscarriage compared to those who didn’t consume any.  However, not all studies are conclusive on this matter, so the exact amount of caffeine that is safe remains up for debate.  However, most experts would agree that 200 mg or less is probably a safe amount.

The risk of miscarriage is not the only danger tied to caffeine intake during pregnancy.  Some studies have shown that women who consume large amounts of caffeine also doubled their risk of stillbirth.  Though there have been studies showing a link between lower birth weight and caffeine consumption, the research in that area is still inconclusive.  In addition, it seems that mothers who consume more than 500 mg of caffeine daily while pregnant have faster heart and breathing rates, and have more trouble sleeping after delivery.

The possible dangers to your baby aside, you may wish to consider cutting back or eliminating caffeine simply because you may feel a lot better if you do.  Caffeine is a stimulant, so it makes your heart beat faster, may raise your blood pressure, could make you jittery and cause insomnia.  Caffeine intake can also contribute to heartburn, which is a problem for many pregnant women to begin with.

While you may realize that there are many advantages to cutting your caffeine intake during your pregnancy, you will also need to become aware of all the places where caffeine can be found.  Coffee is the obvious source of caffeine, but black tea, energy drinks, soft drinks, chocolate and coffee ice cream all contains enough caffeine to be significant.  In addition, many herbal and over-the-counter remedies contain caffeine as well.  Now, more than ever, it’s important to read labels carefully.

Once you have identified the sources of your caffeine intake it’s time to figure out how to cut back.  Some pregnant women find that their morning sickness makes them averse to a lot of caffeinated beverages, making quitting very easy.  Others find it simple to switch to decaffeinated versions of their favorite drinks.  Decaffeinated drinks sometimes still contain caffeine, just much less.

To answer the question, is caffeine safe during pregnancy, there is no black and white answer.  No one will dispute that no caffeine is a good thing, but the consensus seems to be that a small amount, up to and less than 200 mg daily is quite safe.  Fortunately, quitting caffeine, while somewhat uncomfortable, is still much easier than other, more dangerous habits like smoking and drinking.

So, it’s swimsuit season again and the thought of having to bare all in front of the dressing room mirror seems a bit daunting.  To complicate matters just a bit, this time around you are expecting a baby and you are wondering how you will find a comfortable and flattering swimsuit for those hot months. Fear not! Over the past several years, maternity clothing has become hip, stylish, and flattering, and maternity swimwear is right there alongside the most stylish maternity wear. Keep a few things in mind, and you will find a swimsuit that is perfect for your individual needs.

1) Make sure to buy maternity swimwear. This is very important, as many expectant mothers decide to buy regular swimwear in a size larger. Maternity swimwear is cut to fit expectant mothers, meaning that they leave extra room from the growing belly, bust, and hips. The material is also a bit stretchier, allowing for room to breathe and grow. Prego, Maternal America, and BellaBumBum all make great maternity swimsuits, along with a multitude of other brands.

2) Not ready to show off that gorgeous belly? Go for a one piece, a cut that has become very popular as the styles get cuter and cuter. A great option is the Maternal America Keyhole Swimsuit. With a ring in the front, this swimwear option is both hip and practical, and sure to flatter your body. Prego also makes some great one-piece options in a variety of colors.

3) If you are not comfortable showing your entire belly, but would like to show a little, go for a tankini style. They are stylish while providing coverage for an expanding belly. The tankini is one of the most popular maternity swimsuits styles, meaning you have your choice of colors and cuts. Maternal America’s Jenni Tankini is incredibly popular, and the Fiesta color print it comes in adds to its stylishness. A tankini is also great because it allows room for your belly to expand.

4) Feeling brave? Wear a cute maternity bikini! Yes, that’s right…maternity bikinis are incredibly popular this season. First off, they allow plenty of room to grow and will not constrict your stomach in any way. BellaBumBum makes a great striped bikini in an array of vibrant colors. It has a side tie on the bottom, meaning it can be adjusted throughout your pregnancy as your hips grow. Another cute option is the Prego Black Dot Bikini. With its stylish pattern and detail, this bikini is both comfortable and cute.

5) Consider a halter tankini or bikini, because of the adjustable straps it offers. While enhancing your bust line, a halter top also allows you to adjust the size so that the top is fitted perfectly to your body. Cute, feminine, and practical, a halter top is a great option for all body types.

Overall, make sure you feel great in whichever style you choose. The goal is to feel beautiful during one of the most exciting times of your life, and with the great maternity swimwear options available today, this is entirely possible! Shop around, look at the wide variety of online options as well, and you will find something great for your body!