Normally the acidic contents of the stomach remain within the stomach and pass out into the neighboring duodenum (first part of the small intestine) in small quantities. The stomach has mechanisms to withstand the highly corrosive acid and the small intestine has its own mechanisms to neutralize the acids. It is abnormal for stomach acid to enter the esophagus and backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus is prevented by the action of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Food that enters the mouth passes down the throat and into the esophagus where the LES opens in a controlled manner to allow it to pass into the stomach.
Sometimes the acidic stomach contents flows backwards into the esophagus where it cause severe irritation of the delicate inner lining of the esophagus. This acid reflux is felt as a burning chest pain known as heartburn. It is usually acute and can be easily treated and may then never occur again. However, sometimes there is ongoing reflux irrespective of the usual trigger factors. Acid reflux is more correctly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), although the latter term is usually used to refer to the more chronic state.
There are many skin conditions that either start during pregnancy or is exacerbated in the pregnant state. The more common conditions include acne, hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and eczema. Facial hyperpigmentation that is not associated with itching or other changes of the skin and arises more often with pregnancy is known as melasma (previously referred to as chloasma). This condition has afflicted women for ages and used to be known as the veil or mask of pregnancy. It is more likely to be prominent on the sun-exposed areas of the skin.
Planning to have a baby extends well beyond the medical aspect but without proper advice, conception can take longer than expected and pregnancy may be difficult. Understanding when is the best time to conceive and preparing both mother and father for the implications of pregnancy and the measures that need to be taken can expedite conception and minimize pregnancy complications. It may even extend well into the future and minimize long term health effects for the child even into adulthood. Clearing up misconceptions and being well informed prior to pregnancy can make for a happier and healthier pregnancy, both for mother and child.
Pregnant women, especially first time mothers, have many concerns relating to pregnancy and rightfully so. Pregnancy is a delicate period in a women’s life and utmost care should be taken. Education about the facts of pregnancy from diet to lifestyle and signs of impending danger are important in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and giving birth to a healthy baby. One of the many concerns is whether carrying the baby low is a indicative of any problem in pregnancy or not. Another common query is whether a low pregnant belly is an indication of the baby’s gender.
Dieting during pregnancy takes many forms but generally centers around low calorie and low fat intake with the goal of minimizing weight gain during pregnancy. Despite the claims of health gurus and fitness experts advocating dieting during pregnancy, dieting should NOT be undertaken in pregnancy except in certain situations. Attempting to maintain one’s figure by minimizing the weight gain during pregnancy is a dangerous practice that can have a life long impact on the child. Although often passed off as an old wive’s tale, the age old adage that a pregnant women is ‘eating for two’ is actually quite correct. This does not mean that a pregnant woman has to eat for two adults but it does mean that the food intake is significantly increased and well beyond the pre-pregnancy eating habits.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can occur at anytime in life and may lead to serious and even life-threatening complications. It can be of greater concern in pregnant women as it can jeopardize the pregnancy. It therefore needs to be constantly monitored in pregnant women and treated if necessary to limit the complications. Sometimes the hypertension is present before pregnancy and persists through or even exacerbates with pregnancy. At other times, hypertension arises during pregnancy in women without a history of high blood pressure. Irrespective of the time of onset, hypertension carries the a definite risk in maintaining a health pregnancy. Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure exceeding 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or more.
Constipation is a fairly common bowel irregularity that is more often seen in women. It may be exacerbated or even start up in pregnancy for a number of reasons that are not applicable in women who are not pregnant. However, treating constipation during pregnancy needs to be done with caution – the safety of the fetus and the mother is paramount and the mother’s body may react differently to otherwise innocuous remedies. The complications of severe constipation and treatment of it can even adversely affect pregnancy. It is therefore imperative that pregnant women seek medical advice if constipated rather than waiting for it to pass or attempting to self medicate.
Teenage pregnancy, whether intended or unintentional, carries some potential risks with it, both for the mother and the baby. The most important consideration is that a teen’s body, particularly in the early teenage years, is not mature enough to deal with the changes that are inevitable with pregnancy. Adolescence is the time of normal growth and development of the body. If at this time, additional strain is put on the body as a result of pregnancy, the teen’s body may not be fully equipped to cope with such a situation. This physical strain, compounded with emotional and social issues, especially in case of unmarried teens, may pose various threats to the pregnancy as well as health of the mother and her child.
Any pregnancy exceeding 42 completed weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP) is known as a prolonged pregnancy or post-term pregnancy. Without proper management, postmaturity carries risk of perinatal mortality, which includes stillbirth and death of the baby due to problems during delivery. Accurate assessment of gestational age is important to prevent misdiagnosis. First trimester ultrasound may be a better way of assessing duration of pregnancy rather than LMP. Recurrence is possible in subsequent pregnancies.
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.
