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How Will My Antenatal Visit Go?

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Antenatal care is the attention mothers receive during pregnancy. It ensures you and your baby are in the best state of health. Over the period of pregnancy, the doctor follows up on you and your baby’s health to ensure your pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible.

Attending your antenatal appointments is quite important. Any potential risks to the baby can be identified and prevented or reduced. Antenatal care is important in the prevention of several pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.

Antenatal clinics serve as good avenues to learn more about the baby’s growth per trimester. This is a chance for the doctors and midwives to educate you on any important changes in your lifestyle you may need to make.

Some hospitals have classes just before the clinics begin. Others have these on special days. Here, you will get information that will prepare you for childbirth, care of your baby such as bathing, diapering, breastfeeding.

What happens during the antenatal clinic?

Your doctor would obtain an account of your medical history and lifestyle from you to determine any risks you may have

The antenatal care you get throughout your pregnancy depends on:

  • your health and any risks you or your baby may have
  • the stage of pregnancy you are at, and
  • any problems you may experience.

The caregiver would :

  • Ask for the date of your last period, to estimate when the baby is due, what trimester you are in and what this means for you and your baby(ies)
  • Find out about your medical history, general health, and how any previous pregnancies were
  • Ask for the ethnic origins of you and your partner to find out whether your baby may be at risk of certain genetic inherited conditions
  • Confirm what (if any) medication you may be taking
  • Ensure you’ve had a recent pap smear (to assess the risk of cervical cancer)
  • Make sure you are in a good state of mental health, and providing support if you have depression or anxiety
  • Check your blood pressure and weight
  • Test your urine
  • Provide advice on a healthy diet
  • Examine your tummy to determine if you have a singleton or multiple pregnancy
  • Estimate the baby’s position and size, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat
  • Advise you on care for your baby after pregnancy

How many antenatal visits will I have?

The frequency of your antenatal visits is determined by the results of your assessments. Pregnancies with possible complications would come with more antenatal visits, for example, if a mother has gestational diabetes or sickle cell disease, the doctor needs to monitor the pregnancy more closely than others.

In most hospitals in Nigeria, they schedule you to have one visit per month until the pregnancy is about 22 weeks. Then one visit every two weeks till about 32 weeks and once a week till birth.

What assessments would I undergo?

Image: Shutterstock

You would have ultrasound pregnancy scans done between 8 to 14 weeks to check for any abnormalities in the baby’s organs. These are repeated based on need.

Also, you would have blood tests to check for your blood group and genotype, HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis, and other infections that can affect your pregnancy or be passed on to your baby. Every visit, your doctor would also examine your pregnancy to check the baby’s heartbeats and movements.

Antenatal visits can seem very stressful and time-consuming. However, it is still in the best interest for you and your baby. To get the best out of your visit, be sure to write down beforehand questions or concerns you have. Always ask questions and make notes of the responses your doctor gives you.

Antenatal care has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes

Good luck!

References

NHS; 30/6/2020; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/antenatal-midwife-care-pregnant/

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/antenatal-care

HOW TO CHOOSE THE  BEST HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR YOUR PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH

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Selecting the right healthcare provider for your pregnancy and childbirth is a big decision. The choice you make may significantly influence your entire birthing experience. Unlike what most people may think, this choice should not be based on medical expertise alone.

The period of pregnancy and childbirth is one of the most life-changing moments of your life. So the healthcare providers you choose should not only be medical experts but also people who you trust and feel safe with.

Choosing the best healthcare provider for your pregnancy and childbirth
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To help you make the best choice, we have summarized the essential things you should note when selecting your healthcare provider. This will ensure you have a supportive and safe journey from conception to delivery.

Start Early To Choose Your HealthCare Provider

The process of selecting a healthcare provider should start early in your pregnancy. This gives you enough time to research, schedule consultations, and build a rapport with your chosen provider

The earlier you begin to engage with your chosen provider, the more time you have to foster the sense of security and trust needed for a positive birthing experience.

Consider Your Preferences in A Healthcare Provider

Reflect on your preferences and expectations regarding prenatal care and childbirth. Some women prefer the personalized approach of midwives, while others feel more secure with obstetricians. 

You may also have personal preferences as regards your type of birth, birthing partner or even medical interventions, such as epidurals or cesarean sections.

Research and Recommendations

Extensive research is fundamental to making an informed decision. You can try seeking recommendations from your friends, family, or even online forums.

To help you gain more confidence in their expertise, you could choose to investigate the healthcare provider’s credentials, hospital affiliations, and patient reviews. This could help you properly gauge their reputation and competence.

Evaluate Communication Styles of Your Healthcare Provider

Effective communication is pivotal in any healthcare relationship. A healthcare professional who communicates clearly and empathetically can alleviate anxiety and enhance your overall experience.

The numerous consultation sessions provide you with the opportunity to assess how well your potential provider understands you. Pay attention to how well they listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain medical information. 

Choosing the best healthcare provider for your pregnancy and childbirth
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If you feel seen and heard after consultations with them, then they are a good option for you. If you do not, you may need to look elsewhere. 

Accessibility and Availability To Your Healthcare Provider

Your chosen healthcare provider must be not only available but also easily accessible. You can determine this by researching their policy on appointments, emergencies, and after-hours care. 

Knowing that your provider is accessible when needed can provide reassurance during the unpredictable journey of pregnancy.

Hospital Affiliation

Understanding the hospital or birthing centre where your chosen healthcare provider practices is crucial. It is important that you evaluate the facilities, support staff, and birthing options available. Consider the inclusivity of your care team, including nurses, midwives, and specialists.

Choosing the best healthcare provider for your pregnancy and childbirth
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This is because the quality of your birthing experience depends not just on your selected healthcare provider, but on the hospital facility as a whole. In many cases, pregnancy and childbirth involve a collaborative effort from various healthcare professionals. 

Birth Plan Alignment

Discuss your birth plan with potential healthcare providers to ensure it aligns with their practices. Whether you envision a home birth, water birth, or prefer certain medical interventions, make sure your provider supports your choices and is open to making adjustments when needed.

Experience and Specializations of Your Healthcare Provider

The experience and specializations of your healthcare provider are very important. The journey of pregnancy and childbirth is a complicated process that requires expert management to keep both mother and child safe. 

Thus, ensure that you inquire about your healthcare provider’s expertise in managing pregnancies, handling complications, and performing deliveries. 

Specialized knowledge in areas such as high-risk pregnancies or fertility concerns may be crucial, depending on your unique circumstances.

Insurance and Cost Considerations

Practical considerations, such as insurance coverage and associated costs, should not be overlooked. Confirm that your chosen healthcare provider accepts your insurance plan, and discuss any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

The last thing you want to be worrying about is bills and insurance when your baby is kicking and ready to come out. 

Trust Your Instincts

Intuition often plays a significant role in decision-making. So do not be afraid to trust your instincts when making your choice. 

You may feel a strong connection with a particular healthcare provider and sense a genuine commitment to your well-being. As long as you have ascertained their expertise and all the other factors listed above, feel free to make them your choice. 

A Word From Edie and Amy

Selecting the right healthcare provider for your pregnancy and childbirth is an important decision. You need to carefully consider medical expertise, communication skills, accessibility and finances. 

Additionally, your healthcare provider should be one whom you trust and feel secure with. They should be able to understand your birthing plan and share the vision of your birthing experience.

The best way to choose the right healthcare provider is to start early, research thoroughly, and consider personal preferences. By doing this, you will no doubt enjoy every step of this life-changing experience with a supportive and capable healthcare team by your side.

ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE: IS GETTING PREGNANT AFTER 35 RISKY?

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Pregnancy in women over 35 is referred to medically as “advanced maternal age” (AMA). Today, a large number of children are being born to women in this category. 

Advanced maternal age
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According to a 2014 survey, the number of expectant women giving birth to their first child in their 40s is up to four times more than it used to be. Thus, it is now common for people to start a family when they are over 35 compared to older generations. 

Notwithstanding, the term “advanced maternal age” is used due to the potential risks associated with getting pregnant after the age of 35.

Risks of Advanced Maternal Age

No matter your age, pregnancy carries some level of risk. But as you age, the likelihood of complications increases. This is mostly because you are born with all the eggs you will have throughout your lifetime. 

The older your age, the older your eggs and the greater the risks of abnormalities or complications during pregnancy. Some common risks associated with advanced maternal age include: 

  • low birth weight in the baby
  • premature birth
  • miscarriage
  • Stillbirth
  • postpartum haemorrhage
  • chromosomal abnormalities
  • birth defects
  • labour complications, such as early labour
  • cesarean delivery
  • preeclampsia, a serious form of high blood pressure
  • gestational diabetes
  • multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets

The most effective way to lower these risks is to take care of your health throughout the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth. This is especially important if you are planning to get pregnant over the age of 35.

Advanced Maternal Age
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Tips For Advanced Maternal Age

Although getting pregnant at an older age can come with challenges, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of developing complications. Some of these include:

  • Taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid
  • Choosing the right healthcare team for you
  • Managing underlying health conditions before getting pregnant
  • Take advantage of additional check-ups and tests
  • Eat a healthy nutrient-dense diet
  • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
  • Avoid substances like alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics
  • Explore the option of preconception testing
  • Seek informed consent on labour induction
  • Find ways to relax and manage stress

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor?

It’s recommended you visit your healthcare provider before attempting to conceive if possible. They can assist you in taking the initial steps towards having a healthy baby.

Geriatic Pregancy
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When you get pregnant, be prompt about seeking antenatal care. Consult your healthcare provider for advice on how to ensure you have the best chance of having the healthiest pregnancy possible.

Take Home Message

The health of your pregnancy is not dependent on your age alone. However, if you plan to have a baby over the age of 35, you should consult your healthcare provider. To ensure you are having a safe pregnancy, your healthcare provider may probably advise some additional monitoring throughout your pregnancy.

Due to your age, you may have concerns about having a difficult pregnancy, labour, or delivery. These concerns are very valid. However, be rest assured that women who are above 35 can still have healthy pregnancies.

Managing Threatened Miscarriage

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A threatened miscarriage is also referred to as a threatened abortion or a threatened spontaneous abortion. Abortion is sometimes used as a medical term for a miscarriage. Abortion occurs when a pregnancy ends before the embryo is ready to survive on its own. It could be a threatened miscarriage, an early pregnancy loss, or a spontaneous abortion.

In this post, you will learn all there is to know about threatened miscarriage; the causes, possible complications, symptoms, and diagnosis.

Let’s Get Started!

What Is Threatened Miscarriage? 

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines threatened abortion as a pregnancy-related bloody vaginal discharge or frank bleeding during the first half of pregnancy without cervical dilatation. 

During the first trimester of pregnancy, some pregnant women experience vaginal bleeding. This blood loss can occur with or without abdominal cramping. A threatened abortion occurs when the symptoms show that a miscarriage is likely to happen in the future.

threatened-abortion

Causes of threatened miscarriage 

Some of the possible causes of threatened miscarriage are:

  • An infection or irritation that may occur following sex.
  • Miscarriage, minor falls, injuries, or stress during the first trimester of pregnancy.
  • Ectopic pregnancy; is a condition that arises when an embryo implants outside of the uterus.
  • Molar pregnancy; is a rare uterine growth.

Other factors that can raise your chances of miscarriage include:

Symptoms of Threatened Miscarriage  

The main symptom is vaginal bleeding in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is also important to note that the intensity of this bleeding can vary from light to severe. Furthermore, some people also experience stomach cramps or lower back pain.

Women who have a regular miscarriage frequently experience dull or sharp pain in the abdomen and lower back. They may also pass vaginal tissue containing clot-like material.

If you’re pregnant and experiencing these symptoms or bleeding at any point during pregnancy, contact your doctor or obstetrician immediately.

Possible complications include:

  • Anemia
  • Infection
  • Miscarriage

Furthermore, the doctor will want to make sure the symptoms or complications aren’t caused by an ectopic pregnancy, which is a potentially lethal complication. To achieve this, it is important to make a proper diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Threatened Miscarriage

To properly diagnose a threatened miscarriage, the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and medical history. Furthermore, he or she will have to perform a physical examination.

bloating during pregnancy

Some of the tests involved include:

  • Fetal heart monitoring via ultrasound
  • Tests on the blood; The following blood tests are done:
  • Beta HCG (quantitative) test (pregnancy test) performed over a period of days or weeks to confirm the continuation of the pregnancy
  • A complete blood count (CBC) is performed to determine the presence of anemia.
  • Progesterone concentration
  • A white blood cell count (WBC) with a differential is done to rule out infection.

Treatment of Threatened Miscarriage

Miscarriages are sometimes unavoidable. In some cases, your doctor will recommend certain measures to reduce your chances of miscarriage.

Some of these preventive measures include:

  • Treating conditions that increase the risk of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes or hypothyroidism.
  • Your doctor may also prescribe a progesterone injection to boost your hormone levels.
  • If you have Rh-negative blood and your developing fetus has Rh-positive blood, your doctor will also give you Rh immunoglobulin, also known as immune globulin. This prevents your body from producing antibodies against the blood of your child.

Prevention of Threatened Miscarriage:

Although it is really difficult to prevent miscarriage during pregnancy, you can increase your chances of having a healthy pregnancy by:

  • Attending your antenatal clinics regularly
  • Avoiding alcohol
  • Regulating your caffeine consumption
  • Taking prescribed prenatal vitamins
  • Reporting any viral or bacterial infections during pregnancy to your doctor immediately

Long-term prospects

Thankfully, many women who experience threatened miscarriages go on to have healthy children. If your cervix hasn’t already dilated and the fetus is still securely attached to the uterine wall, this is more likely. If your hormone levels are abnormal, hormone therapy can often help you carry the baby to term.

Nonetheless, a threatened abortion can be a very stressful experience for some people, leading to anxiety and depression. If you are experiencing symptoms of either condition following a threatened abortion or miscarriage, you should consult your doctor. They can assist you in obtaining the necessary treatment.

Your doctor may also be aware of local support groups where you can share your experiences and concerns with others who understand what you’re going through.

In Conclusion,

It helps to remember that most miscarriages are often unavoidable. However, if you have two or more miscarriages in a row, please contact your doctor to identify and treat the underlying cause. In addition, studies show that women with proper prenatal care often have better pregnancy outcomes and fewer cases of threatened miscarriage.

Baby Measurement | What You Should Know

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Regular visits to your doctor have become a normal part of your routine since you became pregnant. An ultrasound scan may even be performed on occasion. This helps to monitor your baby’s health while still in your womb. In addition, an ultrasound can be used to determine your baby’s measurement before he or she arrives in your arms.

Furthermore, your antenatal clinics will also include tests that reveal your hormone levels, blood pressure readings, and sugar levels during pregnancy.

In this article, you will learn some of the things you should expect during antenatal visits, what baby measurement means; how to do it, what it means if your baby is measuring ahead, the possible risk factors, and some takeaways.

baby measuring scan

What to expect during antenatal visits

Most pregnant women see their doctor at least once a month during pregnancy. However, some moms-to-be end up seeing their doctor more than once a month especially when the baby is approaching term or because of an underlying disease that may impact the health of the baby.

During these visits, your doctor will perform a brief physical examination on you.

With a nurse’s help, your doctor will determine your height, weight, and blood pressure. Furthermore, you will be asked some questions to determine your background health and family history. The doctor will also ask about your baby’s movements in the womb, your sleep patterns, and prenatal vitamin use.

For the physical part of the examination, your doctor will check:

  • Your fundal height (or belly size)
  • Your baby’s heartbeat
  • Weight gain
  • Swelling, especially in the foot.

What does baby measurement mean?

This is a means to approximate your baby’s size while still in the womb.

There is usually a relationship between your fundal height and the timeline of your pregnancy. For instance, for a 20 week-pregnancy, your fundal height should be about 20 ± 3 cm.

However, it is important to note that this measurement is not always accurate due to factors like:

What does it mean if your baby is measuring ahead?

When your baby is measuring ahead or big, it means that your baby’s measurement values seem to be higher than their expected gestational size for the week of pregnancy you are in. This does not always mean there’s something wrong with your baby or that you will have problems with delivery.

For this, you do not have to worry.

How to measure your fundal height

Before you try to measure your fundal height at home, make sure you know where your pubic bone is and how to locate the top of your uterus. You can ask your doctor or midwife to show you how to locate them.

baby measurement

Once you know the location, you can follow the following steps to measure your fundal height:

  • Make sure that your bladder is empty: A full bladder has the potential to increase your fundal height measurement by a few centimeters. Also, when you’re at the hospital for follow-up, make sure your bladder is empty too before your doctor measures your fundal height.
  • Lie down on your back with your legs in front of you.
  • Use a centimeter-graded tape measure: Then place the zero mark at the top of your uterus and move down vertically until you reach the top of your pubic bone. Whatever measurement you get is your fundal height.

Why your baby is measuring ahead

There are a lot of reasons your baby may be measuring ahead.

One of them is that your baby will come out big or you’re carrying more than one baby. This should not be a reason for fear or worry, especially as to if you’ll be able to have a normal vaginal delivery or a C-section.

baby measuring ahead

Your doctor or midwife can guide you through this and help you make the best decision.

Another reason your baby may be measuring ahead is excess amniotic fluid production. As you’d learn in this post, amniotic fluid surrounds your baby and offers some sort of protection during pregnancy. Excess amniotic fluid production leads to a condition called polyhydramnios.

You may also have sizeable fundal measurements because you have fibroids of significant size. Large fibroids can force your womb to the front, causing your baby to measure ahead. You can also read this article to know if fibroids can affect your chances of getting pregnant.

Risk factors

Some factors can put you at risk of measuring ahead. Thankfully, some of these factors can be controlled.

These include:

  • Previous history of measuring ahead: If you have given birth to a large baby before, you are at an increased risk of having another large baby so most likely, you’ll measure ahead again.
  • Obesity and diabetes: If your diabetes is not well controlled, it is possible that your baby will have larger shoulders and fat compared to a baby whose mother is not diabetic.
  • Having a boy: Male babies sometimes weigh more than females. If you’re having a male child, there’s a high chance that he would measure ahead.
  • Overdue pregnancy: If you are past your due date, your baby is at an increased risk to measure ahead.

Takeaway

Most times, you may not be able to prevent measuring ahead, however, you can take control and have a healthy pregnancy irrespective of your baby’s size.

You can do this by:

  • Scheduling a preconstruction appointment with your doctor before conception. This way, the doctor will provide guidance on what you should and should not do during pregnancy.
  • Monitor your weight during pregnancy: Gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy supports your baby’s growth and development, especially if you have a normal weight before pregnancy.
  • Follow your doctor’s advice and recommendations for physical activities. This will ensure you don’t add too much weight during pregnancy.

You can also read the post on pregnancy-safe exercise options to try.

Conclusion

Measuring ahead is not something you should be scared of. Ensure you go for your routine check-up and follow your doctor’s advice.

All you have to do is stay healthy and anticipate the arrival of your little one.

7 Early Signs of Labor at Home | What You Should Do

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Like every other journey in life, pregnancy has an endpoint. At the end of this exciting journey of changes, development, and anticipation, your precious one (or two!) would lie blissfully in your arms; just after a major event called labor. Again, like other major events, labor occurs in stages and has obvious signs. In this article, you’d learn 7 early signs of labor and what you should do during this period.

This knowledge is really important because your doctors may ask you to remain at home in the early stages of labor until your contractions are closer and stronger.

Thankfully, this article would carefully guide you on all you need to do in this period of early labor.

What Is Labor?

Labor simply refers to the natural process of childbirth, as opposed to other ‘assisted’ methods of child delivery like cesarean sections or surrogacy. It is characterized by labor contractions which are the repeated tightening and relaxation of the uterine muscles as your body prepares for childbirth.

early signs of labor

As we mentioned earlier, labor begins with an initial steady contraction and continues until both your baby and the placenta have been safely delivered.

Interestingly, labor is unique for every mom-to-be.

In fact, some women experience little to know signs or symptoms of labor. On the other hand, other would-be-moms go through all of the 7 signs of early labor that would be discussed in this article.

Just before we learn about the signs of labor, let us consider the stages involved in the all-important event that is labor.

Stages of Labor

For most women, labor occurs in stages characterized by these two factors:

  • Degree of cervical dilation (extent of cervical widening)
  • Timing of contractions

As a result of these factors, there are three obvious stages of labor:

  1. Early Labor: At this stage, the cervix is about 3cm dilated and the mild and slightly irregular contractions may last for about 30-45 seconds with about 30 minute intervals between each contraction.
  2. Active Labor: At this point, cervical dilation is around 4-7cm and the stronger contractions may last for about 45-60 seconds with a 3-5-minute interval.
  3. Transition: This is the final stage of labor before your baby arrives. At this stage, your cervix would be about 8-10cm wide and the contractions may last for about 60-90 seconds with 2-minute intervals.

7 Signs of Early Labor

As we mentioned earlier, each labor is unique.

early signs of labor

In this section, you’ll learn about seven common signs of early labor. They are:

1.     Contractions

This is the first and most obvious sign of early labor. In plain terms, labor contractions are the repeated tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscles in preparation for delivery. During contractions, it is normal to feel a certain discomfort or ache in your back or lower abdomen.

For most women, these contractions travel in a wavy motion from the top of the uterus and are similar to menstrual cramps, although labor contractions become stronger and more frequent as time goes on. Thankfully, contractions come at intervals and you can rest between phases.

2.     Lightening

Lightening during labor is the process of your baby moving into your pelvis before delivery. This is also called ‘baby dropping’. In some cases, lightening can occur weeks or hours before labor.

An extension of this sign of early labor is frequent urination. This is because the uterus rests on the bladder and after lightening your uterus would become significantly heavier due to your baby’s weight.

3.     Diarrhea

Another tell-tale sign of early labor is the passage of loose or watery stools. As your body prepares for childbirth, the muscles in your uterus relax and contract periodically. In addition, your intestinal muscles also relax, leading to pre-labor diarrhea.

Thankfully, the good news is that this sign of early labor is completely normal and all you’ve got to do is drink enough water.

4.     Mucus Plug Passage

During pregnancy, your body does all it can to protect your little one. A prime example is the presence of a mucus plug that seals off your uterus from the external environment. In the early stage of labor, this mucus plug may come out in one large piece or tiny little bits.

Mucous Plug

Furthermore, some women also notice increased or thickened vaginal discharge in the final days of pregnancy.

5.     Weight Fluctuations

Of course, every pregnant woman is no stranger to this.

In most cases, pregnancy weight gain tapers off at the end of this beautiful journey. Sometimes, the early stages of labor may even cause you to lose a bit of weight. This is a result of any or all of the following factors:

  • Reduced amniotic fluid volume
  • Increased urination
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased movements/activity

6.  Loose Joints

During pregnancy, your body releases a certain hormone called ‘relaxin’. This hormone loosens up your joints and ligament in preparation for labor and childbirth.

Just before labor, it is normal to feel a little wobbly and more relaxed in your joints. Don’t worry, it’s just your body’s way of making sure your little one has a smooth passage into your arms.

7. Back Pain

Here’s another common sign of early labor.

In this period, it is normal to experience pain in your lower back while moving through the stages of labor. Sometimes, this pain may remain constant throughout labor. In other instances, it may come and go.

Water Breaking During Labor

In many instances, water breaking during labor comes after other symptoms of early labor have already arrived.

Yes, we know this is in sharp contrast to the popular belief that labor only begins after your water breaks. While this may occur, it is a very unlikely situation. Furthermore, water breaking may even happen before a pregnancy is up to term or due for labor.

The concept of ‘water breaking’ refers to the process of membrane rupture that is characterized by the leakage and outward pouring of amniotic fluid.

In fact, it is one of the final signs of labor.

What To Do At Home During Early Labor

As we discovered earlier, labor occurs in three stages.

For most women, healthcare providers recommend staying at home until the second or active stage of labor. While waiting, you can follow these steps to stay healthy and ready:

  • Have a community: Receive support from your family, friends, or partner as you await delivery.
  • Use distractions: For this, you can watch TV, listen to music, or walk around your house
  • Get a massage: A shoulder and lower back massage can do wonders to ease the pain of contractions during labor
  • Focused breathing: You can read this article to learn how certain breathing techniques can ease the pain and make your labor easier
  • Take a warm shower
early signs of labor

While moving through the stages of labor, remember to call your doctor if:

  • You’re experiencing vaginal bleeding
  • There’s any feeling of sharp or severe pain
  • You are having blurry vision or a serious headache
  • You have a high fever

Conclusion

Finally, it helps to remember that labor occurs in stages, and you may or may not experience all the signs discussed in this article. Also, remember that these signs may come early in labor or appear later in the active stage of your labor process.

As a result, the best option is to eat healthily, exercise well, attend your antenatal clinics and follow your healthcare provider’s guidelines on when to come to the hospital.

Conception Dates – How Accurate Are They

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Some women don’t get to know they are pregnant until a few weeks or even months after conception. It is possible that this bundle of joy will start developing inside you and you won’t know except you’re very familiar with the early signs of pregnancy. Since the time frame between conception and getting to know you’re pregnant is a little wide, an accurate estimation of the conception date becomes difficult.

The conception date is the date your baby was conceived. It can be a little difficult, if not impossible for you to know this date by yourself. This is because you can’t tell when the sperm actually fertilized your egg. In fact, you can have sperms living in your womb for about three to five days following intercourse.

conception dates

As you continue reading this article you will get to know why it is important to know your conception date, how you can know it, and the accuracy of ultrasound in knowing your conception date.

Table of contents

How early can you know you are pregnant?

You can go for a pregnancy test if you think you have missed your period or you have symptoms related to early pregnancy. The earliest time to take a pregnancy test is two weeks after fertilization has taken place. This is because, at that time, your body is already responding to the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy.

Thankfully, you can conduct a pregnancy test at home using a pregnancy test strip.

Why Is Your Conception Date Important?

There are a couple of reasons why you should know your conception date. Knowing your conception date is important because it helps to calculate your due date. With an accurate conception date, your health care provider can use a mathematical formula to calculate when it’s likely for you to deliver. If you don’t get to know your conception date, only an approximate delivery date will be used based on your last menstrual period (LMP).

You can also read this article to learn how to calculate your conception and baby due dates.

Another important reason why you should know your conception date is that it helps to keep track of your baby’s development. Your baby’s body development in the womb depends on the number of weeks he or she has spent there. Different parts of the body develop at different times. Therefore, knowing your timeline would help you follow the stages of pregnancy and prenatal development.

How can you know your conception date?

There are different methods to know or calculate your conception date. One of them is using your LMP. If you remember your LMP, it is easy to use mathematical formulas to know the range of days conception took place.

Read this post to see the mathematical formula to calculate conception dates.

This method has a number of shortfalls. Firstly, it is not possible to find the actual conception date, as one only gets a range. Secondly, some women don’t remember their LMP. This makes it difficult for the health care provider to estimate their conception date.

Another method to find conception dates is via an ultrasound. It is a medical device that uses sound waves to look inside your body and convert these waves to images.

During an ultrasound, a transducer at the top of your stomach emits sound waves that bounce off on your baby in the womb. The transducer then picks the echoes produced and translates them into the image of your baby and this is what you get to see on the screen.

In addition to being really easy to conduct, ultrasounds are safe for both the mother and the child.

How do ultrasounds determine conception dates?

Ultrasounds can tell how far you’ve gone in pregnancy. This happens by comparing your baby’s growth with standard growth patterns for babies. While in the womb, babies grow really fast and the growth pattern is similar for babies all around the world.

When an ultrasound converts the sound waves to images on the screen, the image that pops up is compared with the available standard growth patterns for babies. The appearance of some organs or parts of the body also tells the possible week your pregnancy might be.

The baby’s size can also be measured alongside certain other distinguishing features since specific parts or organs of the body grow at different rates and at different times. With a careful analysis of all these factors, an accurate estimate of the conception date is gotten.

Are ultrasounds really accurate in knowing your conception date?

Ultrasounds are very accurate in determining the date you actually conceived your baby. It measures the crown to rump length of your baby (i.e. head to buttocks) and this length can be used to estimate how old your baby is in the womb.

This can be traced back or compared with standard patterns to tell your conception date.

How can you get an ultrasound?

Most health care facilities, especially obstetrics and gynecology clinics have ultrasound machines. Some even offer free ultrasound scanning during antenatal clinics. With effective ultrasounds, you can easily track the progress of your pregnancy.

Conclusion

If you think you are pregnant or you recently discovered that you are pregnant, it is good that you get to see a doctor. It is very important to know your conception date as you monitor the progress of your pregnancy. The accuracy of the available methods of estimating the conception date differs.

Nevertheless, with an ultrasound, you’re as sure as you can ever be.

Fetal Tachyarrhythmia: Causes and Treatment

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Your baby’s heart is fully functional by the 16th week of pregnancy. This means that it has completely formed its various parts and is able to carry out its unique function of pumping blood. At this point, the normal fetal heart rate ranges from 110-160 bpm(beats per minute).

However, this may not always be the case.

During pregnancy, it’s super important to closely monitor the fetal heart rate and rhythm in order to quickly detect any abnormalities. If they do occur, an abnormal change in the heart rate and rhythm of a fetus’ heart is termed fetal arrhythmia.

In this article, you’d discover all you need to know about fetal tachyarrhythmia, an important heart condition in growing babies. You’d also learn how doctors monitor a baby’s heart rate.

Don’t Stop Reading.

What Exactly Is Fetal Tachyarrhythmia?

In plain terms, fetal tachyarrhythmia is a sustained heart rate that is higher than normal (higher than 160bpm). Generally, this heart rate is too fast for a baby. You might want to see fetal bradyarrhythmia too.

Fetal tachyarrhythmia is divided into:

  • Mild Fetal Tachyarrhythmia: a sustained fetal heartbeat that ranges between 161-180 bpm.
  • Fetal Tachyarrhythmia: a sustained fetal heartbeat that is above 180bpm.

How Can I Know My Baby’s Heart Rate?

There are two major ways to monitor a baby’s heartbeat. These include:

1. External Fetal Heart Monitoring

This involves the use of an ultrasound listening device to listen to and record your baby’s heartbeat. As expected, It is commonly done during routine antenatal clinics.

2. Internal Fetal Heart Monitoring

This method involves the use of a thin wire connected to your baby’s scalp through the cervix. Although this method gives more accurate readings, it is often uncomfortable for the mother.

How Does My Baby’s Heart Beat?

A baby’s heart, like an adult’s, beats by a series of electrical activities which spread throughout the walls of the heart. These electrical signals are generated from the sino-atrial(SA) node, which functions as the natural pacemaker of the heart.

The SA node is called the pacemaker because it sets the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Generated impulses are conducted from the SA node to the chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles). Contraction of the atria and ventricles in response to transmitted electrical impulses is what results in a heartbeat.

As we mentioned earlier, tachyarrhythmia occurs when the heartbeat process occurs a lot faster than it should.

What Causes Fetal Tachyarrhythmia?

Generally, arrhythmias are caused due to problems with the heart’s conducting system. However, medical research shows certain conditions that are associated with fetal tachyarrhythmia.

Experts group these potential causes into maternal and fetal causes:

1. Maternal Causes

A persistently high fetal rate may be due to problems arising from the mother just as some cases of neonatal herpes. These include:

  • Maternal fever
  • High blood pressure
  • Maternal ketosis
  • Medications such as anti-cholinergic medications (e.g Benadryl)
  • Substance abuse

2. Fetal Causes

In other instances, fetal tachyarrhythmia may result from problems in the fetus. These problems include:

  • Fetal anaemia
  • Prolonged fetal movement
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Chronic fetal hypoxia (low oxygen)
  • Chromosomal anomalies
umblical cord

Types of Fetal Tachyarrhythmia

The most common forms of fetal tachyarrhythmia are generally classified into four types. From mild to severe, the types include:

1. Sinus tachyarrhythmia

In this case, there is normal conduction of signals from the atria to the ventricles. However, the heart rate is higher than normal (more than 180bpm but usually less than 200bpm). Most times, sinus tachyarrhythmia is temporary and is due to increased fetal activity.

In other cases, it may persist due to any of the underlying maternal or fetal conditions mentioned earlier.

2. Supra-ventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT)

This is the most common form of fetal arrhythmia.

Most times, this condition develops between the 24th and 32nd weeks of gestation. In this type of fetal arrhythmia, the upper chamber of the heart beats significantly faster than the lower chamber. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia results from defects in the electrical conducting system (SA node) of the heart.

Sometimes, the fetal heart rate may even be as high as 200bpm.

3. Atrial flutter

This is often classified as a type of SVT. It is an abnormal heart rhythm that starts in the atria of the heart, causing the atria to beat a lot faster than the ventricles.

Thankfully, atrial flutter hardly persists in most developing babies.

4. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT)

This is a rare form of fetal tachyarrhythmia in which the ventricles beat at a faster rate than the atria. Most times, ventricular tachyarrhythmia is associated with heart conditions like cardiomyopathy, complete heart block, and long QT syndrome.

Diagnosis of Fetal Tachyharrhythmia

Generally, fetal arrhythmias are detected during routine maternal antenatal check-ups.

During these sessions, the doctor listens to the fetal heart rate with an ultrasound machine. If the pattern of heart rate recorded suggests fetal tachyarrhythmia, he/she would perform a comprehensive examination.

The comprehensive exam evaluates fetal movement, tone, and amniotic fluid level.

What Are The Associated Risks?

Usually, abnormal heart rhythms have little or no effects on the fetus. However, in more serious cases, there are certain risks that accompany the condition.

As with all forms of fetal arrhythmia, the major risks of fetal tachyarrhythmia are the development of “hydrops fetalis” and intrauterine death.

Hydrops fetalis is a serious condition that presents with the abnormal build-up of fluid in two or more body areas of a fetus. The development of Hydrops fetalis often calls for inducement of labor and immediate delivery of the baby.

Treatment of Fetal Tachyarryhthmia

Mild cases of fetal tachyarrhythmia usually require no form of treatment or therapy. However, the fetal heart rate should be closely and regularly monitored until the condition has fully resolved.

For more serious cases of fetal tachyarrhythmia, the treatment plan includes:

  1. Medications given to the mother to lower heart rate.
  2. Emergency delivery in case of foetal distress.
  3. Less commonly, open heart surgery may be necessary to correct the cause of the abnormal heart beat.

Delivery

Emergency delivery of a baby with tachyarrhythmia is a delicate process. In fact, it should only occur in a tertiary hospital with health workers skilled in postnatal cardiac care. This is because the delivery and postnatal care of patients with this condition involve a team of special cardiologists, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners.

In most cases, especially when the baby is at risk, a cesarean section is the safest option.

Postnatal Treatment

Of course, the treatment requirement after birth differs based on each baby’s arrhythmia and underlying conditions.

fetal

In mild cases, the heart rate may normalize on its own without treatment. However, medications may be necessary to lower the heart rate. Furthermore, mothers with underlying health conditions should continue using their regular medications.

In Conclusion,

The best option is to closely monitor every child with tachyarrhythmia until the condition is fully resolved.

This is really important because proper monitoring and treatment may be the key to a healthy and successful life for babies with this condition.

Finally, it helps to remember that with the right group of specialists and medical care, most cases of fetal tachyarrhythmia have excellent outcomes.

Fetal Bradyarrhythmia| What It Is

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The heart is the most vital organ in the body, even in a growing fetus. As a result, it’s very important to monitor a baby’s heart rate and rhythm during pregnancy. In fact, this process involves careful consideration of the various stages of pregnancy and the resulting changes to heart functions.

This way, everyone is sure that your baby is healthy and strong.

In this article, you’d discover all you need to know about fetal bradyarrhythmia, an important heart condition in growing babies. You’d also learn how doctors monitor a baby’s heart rate.

Don’t Stop Reading.

What Is Fetal Bradyarrhythmia?

By the 3rd trimester, the normal fetal heartbeat ranges between 110 to 160 bpm (beats per minute). In most cases, this heart rate remains until labor.

In simple terms, any deviation from the normal heartbeat range of 110-160bpm is an arrhythmia. You should see fetal tachyarrhytmia. Most times, the detection of any form of arrhythmia serves as an indication that the mother or baby is at potential physical risk.

Therefore, fetal arrhythmia is a general term for any form of abnormality in the heartbeat of a fetus.

Examples of arrhythmias include:

  1. Fetal Bradyarrhythmia: a sustained heart rate that is lower than normal (lower than 110bpm).
  2. Fetal Tachyarrhythmia: a sustained heart rate that is higher than normal (higher than 160bpm).
  3. Irregular heart beat

How To Monitor Your Baby’s Heartbeat

As we mentioned earlier, a baby’s heart rate serves as a key indicator of his/her health status before birth. As a result, doctors monitor fetal heart rate during your regular antenatal clinics. This way, any changes can be caught on time to prevent further damage.

The major method of monitoring fetal heart rate is through ultrasonography, where an ultrasound machine is used to observe the baby in the womb.

Another means is through the use of an internal device that is directly connected to the baby’s scalp. This method helps to measure the fetal heart rate more accurately but can be uncomfortable for the mother.

How Does My Baby’s Heart Beat?

A baby’s heart, like an adult’s, beats by a series of electrical activities which spread throughout the walls of the heart. These electrical signals are generated from the sino-atrial(SA) node, which functions as the natural pacemaker of the heart.

The SA node is called the pacemaker because it sets the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Generated impulses are conducted from the SA node to the chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles). Contraction of the atria and ventricles in response to transmitted electrical impulses is what results in a heartbeat.

As we mentioned earlier, bradyarrhythmia occurs when the heartbeat process occurs a lot slower than it should.

What Causes Fetal Bradyarrythmia?

Generally, fetal arrhythmias are very uncommon, affecting only about 1-2% of all pregnancies. However, when they occur, they are often a result of problems associated with the heart’s electrical conducting system.

The main cause of low heart rate in a fetus is a problem with the sino-atrial node of the heart. The sino-atrial node (SAN) is the natural pacemaker of the heart where electrical impulses that make the heartbeat are generated. Another cause could be a problem with the transmission of these impulses from the upper chamber of the heart to the lower chamber.

Other Associated Conditions

Most times, fetal bradyarrhythmia doesn’t walk alone. It may be linked to any of the following maternal or child health conditions:

  1. Congenital heart defects
  2. Maternal lupus
  3. Chromosomal abnormalities e.g Trisomy 18 (Edwards’ syndrome)
  4. Maternal hypotension
  5. Sjogren’s syndrome

Types of Fetal Bradyarrhythmia

Depending on the severity, fetal bradyarrhythmia may be classified into the following groups:   

1. Sinus Bradyarrhythmia

This is a form of slow heartbeat which is often asymptomatic. Furthermore, this form of bradyarrhythmia is transient, as it resolves on its own.

In sinus bradyarrhythmia, the heartbeat is generated in the sino-atrial node but is slower than normal (less than 110bpm). As we mentioned earlier, this is due to the improper functioning of the heart’s pacemaker, the sino-atrial node.

Sometimes, the condition is temporary and may result from excess pressure on the uterus.

after pains

In other instances, sinus bradyarrhythmia can be an indication of fetal distress such as lack of oxygen. In such cases, doctors perform an emergency cesarean section to save the baby. However, mild sinus bradyarrhythmia often requires no form of treatment.

2. Atrioventricular block

In other instances, this is termed a 1st-degree heart block.

It occurs due to a delay in the transmission of electrical impulses between the chambers (atria and ventricles) of the heart.

3. Partial Atrio-ventricular block

2nd-degree heart block is another name for a partial atrio-ventricular block.

In this instance, there’s partial or complete interruption of the transmission of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. This makes the heart beat slowly or skip some beats.

4. Complete heart block

In other instances, this is termed a 3rd-degree heart block.

When this happens, electrical impulses from the atria do not reach the ventricles at all. In order to compensate for the lack of signal, the ventricles act as a substitute pacemaker and generate impulses on their own.

However, the signals generated by the ventricles are weaker, irregular, and not reliable. As a result, the heartbeat becomes slower, leading to bradyarrhythmia.

Diagnosis of Fetal Bradyarrhythmia

Thankfully, fetal bradyarrhythmia is detectable during routine maternal ante-natal clinics when the doctor listens to the fetal heart rate with an ultrasound machine.

In the case of an abnormal heart rhythm, a comprehensive examination to confirm the diagnosis is necessary. This comprehensive exam is to evaluate fetal movement, tone, and amniotic fluid volume.

How Risky Is Fetal Bradyarrhythmia?

Although mild cases of bradyarrhythmia are not harmful to the fetus, severe cases can be life-threatening.

In severe cases, the fetus suffers a higher risk of developing heart failure and non-immune “Hydrops fetalis”. Hydrops fetalis is a serious condition characterized by the abnormal build-up of fluid in two or more body areas of a fetus. If this condition develops, labor is induced and the baby is delivered immediately.

The Treatment Of Fetal Bradyarrhythmia

As we mentioned earlier, mild cases of fetal bradyarrhythmia require no form of treatment or therapy. However, the fetal heart rate should be closely and regularly monitored until the condition has fully resolved.

For more serious cases of fetal bradyarrhythmia, the treatment plan includes:

  1. Medications given to mother to increase heart rate e.g beta-sympathomimetic drugs
  2. Use of steroids to hasten development of the baby’s lungs in case there is a need for preterm delivery.
  3. Emergency delivery in case of fetal distress.

Delivery

Emergency delivery of a fetus with bradyarrhythmia is a delicate process. In fact, it should only occur in a tertiary hospital with medical workers skilled in postnatal cardiac care. This is because the delivery and postnatal care of patients with this condition involve a team of special cardiologists, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners.

In most cases, especially when the baby is at risk, a cesarean section is the safest option.

Postnatal Care

As expected, the treatment plan after birth is based on each child’s arrhythmia and the presence of underlying conditions. In mild cases, the heart rate may resolve on its own without treatment. In other cases, patients may require some sort of medication for proper treatment.

Furthermore, mothers with underlying connective tissue diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, should follow up on their routine treatment plan after delivering a baby with fetal bradyarrhythmia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s really helpful to remember that most cases of fetal bradyarrhythmia are not life-threatening. In fact, with proper management and care, both the mother and child are going to be just fine.

Fetal distress: All You Need To Know

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As you anticipate and prepare for the big day when your baby will come, there are some unplanned processes that may come up. Labor can be long and very uncomfortable such as induced labor. Sometimes, it may bring with it some risks and threats to you, your baby, or both of you. One of these risks is fetal distress.

When your baby is in distress during labor, it is a sign that he or she is not coping well and your doctor needs to speed things up in order to save you and your baby.

This article provides you with all the info you need to have about fetal distress is; the causes, risk factors, complications, and the next steps to take.

Table of contents

What is fetal distress?

Fetal distress is also called “non-reassuring fetal status.” This rare complication is often associated with labor. However, it may also occur during pregnancy. It is a sign that your baby is not getting enough oxygen through the placenta.

Fetal Distress

Loss or reduction in the amount of oxygen supplied to your baby can lead to a reduced heart rate for your baby in the womb or during delivery. This always requires urgent medical attention. Most times, surgery is the best possible option.

If your baby does not get sufficient oxygen, he or she can end up breathing in amniotic fluid which contains meconium. (Meconium is the waste product or feces of your child produced while in the womb). This can make breathing difficult for your baby after delivery, and in some bad cases, he or she may not breathe at all.

What Causes Fetal Distress?

The commonest cause of fetal is distress is a disruption in the supply of oxygen to the baby due to problems associated with the placenta or the umbilical cord. Problems of the placenta include placenta insufficiency or placenta abruption. Sometimes, umbilical cord compression may also cause fetal distress.

In addition, underlying health conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, problems with the kidneys, or liver disease may also lead to fetal distress. Furthermore, studies have shown that overdue pregnancies and prolonged labor also cause fetal distress in most women.

Other times, too strong or too close contractions during labor can also be a precipitating factor for fetal distress. Other major causes of fetal distress include:

  • Preeclampsia.
  • Placenta abruption.
  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
  • Lying flat on your back for a long period of time during labor. This eventually puts pressure on your big and major arteries, cutting off the supply of blood, and ultimately, oxygen, to your baby.
  • Excess amount of amniotic fluid.
  • Insufficient amount of amniotic fluid.
Fetal Distress Image

Risk Factors for Fetal Distress

Your baby is at risk of experiencing fetal distress if:

  • There’s a long or complicated labor.
  • The pregnancy is overdue.
  • You have preeclampsia.
  • There is a history of uncontrolled diabetes.
  • You have excess or insufficient amniotic fluid.
  • Your baby has intrauterine growth restriction.
Fetal Distress Baby at Risk
  • There’s a problem with the placenta.
  • You have had a stillbirth before.
  • You have a multiple pregnancy (i.e., being pregnant with more than one baby at a time).
  • There’s a problem with the umbilical cord.
  • You smoke.
  • You are obese.
  • If you have an underlying chronic disease like kidney problem.

Diagnosing fetal distress

To diagnose fetal distress, the baby’s heart rate must be read.

A slow heart rate or a heart rate with an unusual pattern is a pointer to fetal distress. Fetal distress can also be picked sometimes during routine antenatal checkups. This is done when your doctor or midwife listens to your baby’s heart during pregnancy.

During labor, your baby’s heart rate is usually monitored to check for signs of fetal distress.

Diagnosing Fetal Distress

Fetal distress can also be diagnosed if there is meconium in the amniotic fluid. A greenish or brown-colored amniotic fluid suggests the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid which can lead to fetal distress.

What Can Be Done if Your Baby is in Distress?

Before labor,

  • If you notice a change in the movement or kick count of your baby, you need to call your doctor.
  • If your water breaks and it is greenish or brownish in color, you need to go to the hospital immediately. It is a sign that that amniotic fluid is stained with meconium already.

During labor,

  • You will be placed on a fetal monitor to check the activities of your baby and to know whether he or she is in distress.
  • If your doctor or midwife notices your baby is in distress, you will be given oxygen and some IV fluids.
  • Also, you may be asked to change or move position by turning to another side. This can help to reduce the baby’s distress.
  • Labor-inducing drugs like oxytocin may be withrawn in cases of fetal distress.
  • If your labor is natural, you may be given drugs to reduce your contractions because contractions that are too strong can cause fetal distress.
  • If these methods above do not work, your doctor or midwife may need to assist your delivery. This is because a baby in distress has to be born quickly. This can be achieved via assisted delivery with the use of a forceps or vacuum extractor or you may need to undergo an emergency cesarean section.

Complications of fetal distress

Although fetal distress can be managed adequately, babies who experience it are at risk of greater complications after birth. The complications can also result from the cesarean section or the assisted delivery process used. Some of these complications are:

  • Injury to the brain due to lack of oxygen supply.
  • Cerebral palsy.
  • Loss of blood by the mother during cesarean section.
  • Infections.
  • Mild difficulty in feeding
  • Jaundice which is usually short-term
  • Sometimes, still birth.

Conclusion

Every pregnancy is different and each comes with its own peculiarities. That your baby experienced distress in this pregnancy does not mean babies in subsequent pregnancies will suffer the same.

You can speak with a counselor or your doctor if you are traumatized by your experience during your previous pregnancy.

References

Parer, J. T. and Livingston E. G. (1990). What is fetal distress? American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Jun;162(6):1421-5; discussion 1425-7. Accessed on 7th January, 2022 from https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9378(90)90901-I

Suresh Tharmaratnam (2000). Fetal distress. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2000, Pages 155-172. Accessed on 7th January, 2022 from https://doi.org/10.1053/beog.1999.0069