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What
does gestational age and
fetal age mean?
These
terms are used to date
your pregnancy. Gestational
age refers to the length
of time since your first
day of your last menstrual
period. If your gestational
age is 5 weeks, this simply
means it has been 5 weeks
since the first day of
your last period. Fetal
age refers to the age
of your baby, counting
from the estimated date
of conception. The gestational
age is 2 weeks ahead of
the fetal age. However
doctors tend to rely on
ultrasound reports and
fundal measurements (measuring
the height of your uterus
done routinely at your
prenatal visits) to cross-check
the accuracy of your due
date as well as ensuring
your baby is developing
on target. Most women
prefer using gestational
age over fetal age to
keep track of their pregnancy.
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How
soon should I schedule my
first appointment?
Studies
have demonstrated the
benefits of first-trimester
prenatal care. That is
why most doctors recommend
that pregnant women be
seen as soon as they realize
that they are pregnant
- typically 6-10 weeks
after the start of the
last menstrual period.
This is even more important
if you have not seen your
doctor for a pre-pregnancy
consultation. If your
doctor does not consider
it necessary to see you
at this point, you may
want to consider changing
your caregiver - this
person is clearly a little
behind the times when
it comes to understanding
best practices in prenatal
care. |
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I
find myself worrying about
every little ache and twinge.
How can I tell what is normal
and what is not?
Worrying
kind of goes along with
the territory of becoming
a mum. Perhaps you are
being prepared for the
lifetime of worry that
goes along with being
a mother. You may find
yourself less worried
if you familiarize yourself
with the list of situations
when there is a definite
source of concern (the
theory being that if the
symptom is not on the
reasons to worry list,
you can probably hold
off pushing the panic
button for now).
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Is
it normal to experience
cramping after having sex?
Yes,
that is your body's response
to the oxytocin that is
being released during
orgasm. There is no need
to worry about sex putting
you into labor prematurely
unless of course you are
already at risk of premature
labor. The other issue
is again assuring: intercourse
and orgasm during late
pregnancy actually reduces
the risk of preterm delivery
in low risk patients |
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Do
breasts really get bigger
during pregnancy or is that
a myth?
Most
women find their breasts
grow by one full cup size
by the end of the first
trimester and by another
cup size by the time the
baby arrives. Some women
welcome these changes
while some are not too
thrilled with the change.
It is a very individual
thing. |
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What
are the tell-tale signs
of vaginal infection?
If
your vaginal discharge
becomes foul smelling,
thick, yellow or greenish
or if it causes itching
or burning, then you have
it. Treatment should be
sought promptly because
certain types of infection
increase your chances
of experiencing premature
birth and because you
don't want to pass on
an infection such as yeast
infection to your baby
during birth.
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Are
yeast infections dangerous
to the baby?
They
are not dangerous to the
developing baby but they
can interfere with breastfeeding
if baby acquires the yeast
infection during the birth
process and develops thrush.
Thrush can lead to nipple
soreness in the mother.
It can also cause baby
to develop yeast based
diaper rash that can be
very painful and extremely
difficult to get rid of.
With a sore perineum,
labor is going to be even
more painful. Fortunately
there are all kinds of
effective products to
treat this infection.
Check with your doctor
on what is suitable for
you. |
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What
is fetal fibronectin test
or fFN?
This
is a diagnostic test used
for predicting the risk
of going into premature
labor. It is similar in
procedure to a pap smear
and is performed between
weeks 24 and 34 and when
there are symptoms of
preterm labor. The test
can only be conducted
on intact membranes and
when cervical dilation
is minimal (i.e. less
than 3 cm). It is an expensive
procedure and is not routinely
offered to every pregnant
woman. |
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What
is salivary estriol test?
Its
brand name is SalEst;
as the name suggests it
is a saliva test performed
between weeks 22 and 36.
The accuracy is 98% in
identifying low risk candidates
but only 9-20% in highlighting
those who are risk. This
test is cheaper than the
FFN test. |
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I
have itchy, inflamed patches
of skin under my breasts
and abdomen. How can this
be treated?
This
seems like a skin rash
caused by a fungal infection
that is prevalent when
folds of skins are in
close contact and prevents
sweat from evaporating
naturally. Overweight
women are more prone and
the affected areas are
usually under the breasts
and the groin area. Antifungal
cream is able to treat
this problem. You can
prevent intertrigo by
washing the areas often
and powdering with talcum
powder or cornstarch.
If the itching is severe
calamine lotion along
with the antifungal cream
may help. Consult your
doctor on medicated creams.
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I
am a fit person but of late
I can't seem to handle even
a flight of stairs. Is this
normal?
The
breathlessness is a common
third trimester complaint.
Your growing uterus is
causing pressure on the
diaphragm. However the
hormone progesterone,
is helping you by causing
you to breathe more deeply.
This ensures your baby
receives plenty of oxygen
despite your diminished
lung capacity. Although
there is no cure other
than giving birth, there
are a couple of things
you do to ease the situation.
Make a habit of sitting
and standing with your
back straight and your
shoulders back. Prop yourself
on a pile of pillows or
lie on your side so that
some of the pressure will
be taken off the diaphragm
when you are resting in
bed. However there isn't
much you can do to reduce
your breathlessness when
taking a flight of stairs,
besides climbing slowly. |
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What
does the test involve?
A
woman is typically tested
between weeks 35 & 37;
there is some controversy
on the timing because
although she may test
negative earlier she may
in fact be tested positive
at the time of labor.
Some doctors forgo the
screening and treat any
pregnant woman with the
following risk factors
with antibiotics during
labor:
1. Preterm labor
2. Preterm rupture of
membranes
3. Prolonged rupture of
membranes (membranes have
been ruptured for more
than 18 hours before baby
is born)
4. Has previously delivered
baby with GBS
5. Has fever during labor
6. Has previously tested
positive for GBS in a
prenatal urine culture
(Note: a woman tested
positive for Strep B but
undergoing C-section need
not be on antibiotics
during labor if her delivery
occurs before labor begins
or rupture of membranes
occurs) |
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Will
castor oil speed up the
labor process?
While
there is some truth in
this, it is not recommended
because taking castor
oil may trigger some powerful
bowel cramps that will
only add to your misery
during labor. |
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Is
it safe to use herbal products
to induce labor?
No.
It is not a good idea
to use herbal products
to induce labor. Herbal
products have not been
standardized in dosage
and potency for you to
have an accurate sense
of how much you should
take. Secondly you risk
triggering contractions
that can be very strong
- strong enough to cause
the placenta to separate
prematurely from the uterine
wall causing a medical
emergency for you and
your baby. |
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What
is the difference between
being postdate and being
overdue?
Ten
percent of all babies
don't arrive until at
least 2 weeks past their
due date; these are described
as postdate. Overdue pregnancy
is one where baby arrives
a little after its due
date. |
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