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These days many women are aware of the side effects and contraindications associated with drugs, either prescription or non-prescription medicines, and how it can affect their pregnancy adversely. However, with the list of teratogenic substances growing, it is important to have a greater understanding of how the fetus may be affected rather than just avoiding specific drugs and related substances.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis are two important causes of infertility and women suffering from either condition may be concerned about their chance of falling pregnant. However, treatment options are available which may increase the chance of pregnancy in women eager to conceive.

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Frequent bowel movements (more than three times a day) with passage of loose, watery, or unformed stools of more than 200 grams per day is known as diarrhea. It should be taken seriously in a pregnant woman, especially if it continues for more than two days. The causes may be varied but it is important to guard against the danger of dehydration, for which treatment should be initiated promptly.
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Many women become anxious about vaginal discharge during pregnancy but usually the discharge may be considered normal if it is odorless, thin in consistency and white in color. However, vaginal discharge that is yellowish or greenish in color, looks like cottage cheese or has an unpleasant smell may indicate an infection, especially if accompanied by vaginal itching. A blood stained or brownish discharge may be a cause for concern too and needs to be brought to the doctor’s notice.
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Whether air travel is safe during pregnancy is a question that worries a lot of would-be moms. Concerns about whether it will have any adverse effect on the pregnancy such as a miscarriage or early delivery or if it can harm the baby in any way is normal. Generally speaking, in case of an uncomplicated pregnancy, travel by air is considered to be absolutely safe.
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Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes

All pregnant women should be routinely screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If you fall in the high-risk category for developing diabetes during pregnancy, you will need to be tested for diabetes as soon as you become pregnant and later again at 24 to 28 weeks.

An oral glucose tolerance test involves drinking 50g of glucose solution and your blood sugar is tested after one hour. If screening is positive, you will need to take another glucose tolerance test. This will be done after you have been advised to take an unlimited carbohydrate diet for 3 days, overnight fasting, and resting for 30 minutes before the test.

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Diabetes mellitus (a condition where there is high levels of glucose in the blood) is of special concern during pregnancy because of the many risks for both mother and baby. In order to carry on a healthy pregnancy, expectant mothers should realize how important it is to maintain a normal glucose level, whether it is by diet control and exercise or with medication.

Women with established diabetes prior to pregnancy need regular monitoring of their blood sugar levels from the time pregnancy is planned – both for conceiving (Causes of Infertility) and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. If you previously had a normal blood sugar level but have developed diabetes during your pregnancy, you are suffering from a condition known as gestational diabetes. It is very possible that your blood sugar will return to normal after delivery of your baby, but there will remain a chance that you will develop diabetes in subsequent pregnancies or later in life.

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The thought of childbirth or delivery can be daunting and extremely scary, especially if this is your first baby. The uncertainty and lack of knowledge of what is transpire is the main hurdle that a first time mother has to overcome. Childbirth classes can be helpful to you prepare for this final stage of your pregnancy and answer many of your questions.

Alternatively you can discuss your concerns with your gynecologist and obstetrician who will direct you to appropriate reading material and videos on the labor process.
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Swine flu or infection by the H1N1 influenza virus reached pandemic proportions in 2009 and it is believed that a large number of seasonal flu cases in 2010 may be the swine flu. This may persist for years to come. Although specific antiviral agents and vaccines have been able to control the epidemic to a significant degree, the danger is not entirely over.

Swine flu is a highly contagious viral infection which produces flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, headache and body aches. Although the entire population is at risk, certain groups of people are in more danger of contracting the disease as well as having more severe complications once they do get the disease.

Pregnant women fall under this high-risk group and complications as well as deaths have occurred, especially in the third trimester (last 3 months) of pregnancy. It could be that pregnant women are particularly at risk because their normal immune mechanism is suppressed during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable, and so more likely to get a severe form of the disease.

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Bleeding at any stage of pregnancy should be a cause for concern and medical advice should be sought immediately. It is important to bear in mind that the first trimester is a ‘touch-and-go’ time in any pregnancy. A host of complications are possible in early pregnancy that can lead to a miscarriage or threaten the life of the mother. Vaginal bleeding is one of those important signs that should alert expectant mothers of a possible problem.

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