Bleeding During Pregnancy

getting pregnant Miscarriage, Pregnancy
Bleeding During Pregnancy

There is no certain amount of “normal” bleeding during pregnancy. While bleeding during pregnancy is cause for concern, it is a fairly common symptom during early pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, 20 to 30% of women experience bleeding of some type during the first trimester of pregnancy and 10% of women report bleeding throughout their pregnancy.

Bleeding by itself is not a major risk factor for miscarriage. It is the amount and type of bleeding that needs to be monitored to determine if there is risk to the fetus as well as when during the pregnancy the bleeding occurs.

 

First Trimester Bleeding During Pregnancy

Many women experience bleeding during the first trimester pregnancy as a result of implantation bleeding. This seems to be the cause of most first trimester bleeding not related to other health risks.

bleeding during pregnancyImplantation bleeding is a normal symptom of early pregnancy. It usually occurs within 6-12 days of the implantation of the embryo.

For this reason many women do not realize they are pregnant right away and often mistake the bleeding as their normal menstruation cycle. Patients described as having implantation bleeding report the symptoms differently and it usually presents itself as a light, spotty flow of blood anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Other common causes for none threatening bleeding during early pregnancy include a pelvic or urinary tract infection or irritation of the cervix during intercourse or after a pelvic exam.

If bleeding whilst pregnant during the first trimester occurs longer than a few days, is heavy, is dark, or accompanied by a vaginal discharge of mucus, a strange odor or cramping, there is more cause for concern of health risks. This can sometimes be caused by other conditions. Some of the most common conditions that accompany these types of symptoms include possible risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

 

Bleeding During Second Half of Pregnancy

Bleeding during the second half of pregnancy is of more concern to health care providers. This can be a sign of health risks or conditions which may impact the pregnancy.

Some causes for bleeding during the second half of pregnancy include irritation of the cervix or possible growths on the cervix.

During the last few weeks before labor a woman may experience a small discharge of blood mixed with mucus. This is normal. It is caused from the cervix thinning out which ejects the mucus plug covering the cervix as the body prepares for labor.

If a woman experiences this earlier than a few weeks before delivery she should contact her healthcare provider immediately as it may be a sign of early labor.

Other conditions that include bleeding during the second half of pregnancy include placental abruption, placental previa and preterm labor. These conditions are usually associated with women who have other risk factors as well such as previous episodes, unusual cramping or pain, women over the age of 35 or are carrying multiple fetus.

 

Bleeding During Pregnancy- When to Call a Health Care Provider

Health care providers recommend that pregnant women contact a health care provider immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Moderate to heavy bleeding
  • Bleeding accompanied by pain
  • Chills or fever
  • Pass tissue with the bleeding.

These are indicators that the bleeding can be serious and pose a health risk to the woman and fetus.

Women who experience bleeding during pregnancy should always report it to their health care provider regardless of when it occurs.

 

What to Expect From a Health Care Provider

The health care provider can determine if there is cause for further investigation of the cause for the bleeding and it should never be taken lightly. In most cases, when the bleeding isn’t serious, the health care provider will recommend rest and to drink plenty of fluids until the bleeding subsides.

If patients are experiencing bleeding whilst pregnant, health care providers will likely recommend that they wear a sanitary pad to monitor the amount of bleeding. They may ask to see the pad to determine the type and amount of bleeding.

Never insert anything into the vaginal area until the cause for bleeding has been diagnosed; this includes tampons or participating in an act of intercourse. Intercourse should be avoided until the seriousness of the bleeding is accessed by a health care professional.

Coping With My Emotions After Miscarriage

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Miscarriage
Coping With My Emotions After Miscarriage

As of this morning, the stitches are out. I feel new. The laparoscopic surgery following my miscarriage is all done. That’s the physical side of things, but what about my emotions after miscarriage?

It would be great if it were indeed that easy, but I think there will be bumps along the way. Like this afternoon. Just a few hours after I felt this renewed feeling, no longer being held together by some thread, I felt a deep sad feeling.

 

My Physical Wounds After Laparoscopic Surgery Miscarriage

emotions after miscarriageIt’s like I need to take the time now to lick my wounds – physical and emotional. There are four holes that the doctors used to enter my abdomen for the laparoscopic surgery. My belly button and three equally spaced points all just below my underwear line.

Requiring two stitches, the one on my left didn’t seem to heal too well. The wound is still deep and looks like it won’t be closing anytime soon. I’ve put on Aloe Vera lotion, placed a band over it and watched it turn red throughout the day. Not sure that anything I did made it better, but it was therapeutic to tend to my wounds.

 

Emotions After Miscarriage

The emotional wounds after miscarriage can’t be tended to so easily. It seems that when I least expect it feelings surface – crying for my attention.

My head then fills with thoughts like: “how it could have been to be pregnant with our first child” or “we were so close – literally speaking only a couple of inches” or “will we ever have a child?”

These moments are totally unpredictable. They come when I’m writing an email for work, when I’m on the phone, or when I’m folding my clothes.

The necessities of life are requiring me to move on. How long will I need to deal with the loss of this miscarriage? How can I deal with the pain so that it does not creep into every part of my life? What can I do to help myself recover emotionally from miscarriage?

No one is feeding me answers to these questions. I’m just taking one day at a time.

 

The Positive Side to Miscarriage

I allow myself to cry. I allow myself to be sad. But I redirect my thoughts when I start to wallow in what could have been. I frequently remind myself of my doctor’s advice to look forward, and I try to focus on the positive side of this. Yes, there is a positive side to an ectopic pregnancy.

For me, this is the first sign after three years of trying to get pregnant that it’s been possible. Having an ectopic pregnancy is certainly not something most would chalk up as progress, but I do. There is hope and I will make it through this – bumps and all.

If you enjoyed reading my blog, please write a comment here or bookmark it to a social bookmarking site by using the link below. Thanks!

Vegetarian Diet and Fertility- Will It Work?

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Fertility Diet, Fertility Problems, Fertility Treatments
Vegetarian Diet and Fertility- Will It Work?

It’s official. I’m no longer a vegetarian. Not because I crave meat, not because I changed my mind about animal treatment, but because I believe that a vegetarian diet does not boost fertility. Or to put it more bluntly: I believe that a vegetarian diet and fertility don’t go together and contribute to infertility.

This is not the conclusion I wanted to come to as a vegetarian. But at the end of the day the facts and evidence point to animal protein as part of a healthy fertility diet. So after happily avoiding poultry for the past five years and red meat for the past fifteen years, I’m putting them back on my plate.

How did I come to this, for me, a radical decision? Research and experimentation.

 

Insulin Regulation is Vital to Fertility

vegetarian diet and fertilitySifting through books and articles on fertility and health I’ve come across various studies on the effects of animal and vegetable protein on fertility. There is, however, no consensus on which source is best for improving your changes of conception. What doctors and researchers do agree on, though, is that insulin regulation is vital to fertility.

 

What is Insulin Exactly?

When you eat easily digested carbohydrates – like potatoes or white bread – they’re broken down into sugar and enter the bloodstream. To lower this high blood sugar level the body produces insulin which escorts the sugar out of the bloodstream and into your cells. Sounds like a good system, but the insulin spikes caused by such easily digested carbohydrates reek havoc on your reproductive system.

 

Linked: Reproductive System, Insulin and Protein 

Dr. Ernest Zeringue from the Davis Fertility Clinic has successfully been using nutrition to control insulin with his fertility patients for years, and he describes the effect of elevated insulin levels on fertility by stating, “The insulin can interfere with the development of the eggs as they’re growing, as well as interfere with the establishment of a pregnancy inside the uterus.” (1)

Protein is key to controlling insulin levels.

Dr. Jeremy Groll, fertility doctor, research scientist and author of the book Fertility Foods recommends a diet and exercise program that “will improve your insulin sensitivity and make you more fertile.” For this, he points out, protein is critical: “Our goal in this plan is to promote lean body mass to reduce insulin, and you can’t do that without protein.” 

 

Vegetarian Diet and Fertility- Why is Animal Protein Necessary?

What we know then is that protein is key to regulating insulin and insulin regulation is key to boosting fertility. So why can’t insulin be regulated without animal protein?

Dr. Groll admits that getting enough protein (without dramatically increasing carbs) and getting all the essential amino acids is harder for vegetarians. He does believe it’s possible, but several other fertility specialists and I disagree. And here’s why:

There are a limited number of vegetable sources of protein and each source poses a unique problem to fertility. A high reliance on beans comes with a full load of carbohydrates, which can cause an imbalance in insulin levels. Dairy and soy are very controversial as to their role in infertility with numerous fertility specialists recommending these be kept to a minimum until the jury is out. That leaves nuts which shouldn’t be relied on too heavily because they deliver a lot of fat.

I’ve tried everything as a vegetarian to make a higher protein/lower carb fertility diet work, but for me, it was a dead end (see my blog: 4 Fertility Diet Principles).

Initially, I even tried adding fish as a protein source but it wasn’t enough because the weekly recommendation is limited to just two servings a week due to mercury contamination.

It’s important to point out that vegetarians certainly can, and do, get pregnant. But for those of us struggling with infertility, adding meat into our diet to control insulin could be the missing link that our body needs.

Some vegetarians may feel like this isn’t an option due to their beliefs, but for me it’s about the treatment of animals and buying only organic ensures that the animals are treated properly and are free of toxins.

 

Vegetarian Diet and Fertility- Making the Leap!

I can report that I’ve made the leap. Just the other night I made baked organic chicken with ginger and steamed vegetables on the side, not quite as tasty looking as the creations on the food channel, however, still worth a photo session. I have to say that I haven’t missed having poultry over the past 5 years, but you know what, I thought it tasted really good.

Organic red meat was supposed to be next. But I chickened out. I bought it and it’s been sitting in my freezer for the past several days. I can’t bring myself to cook it. My husband has volunteered to make something “yummy”, but I’m skeptical, of the meat, not the cooking of course!

But seriously, I can better meet my four fertility diet principles (for more see my blog: 4 Fertility Diet Principles) with poultry and meat on my menu and hopefully it will bring my body into balance.

If you enjoyed reading my blog, please write a comment here or bookmark it to a social bookmarking site by using the link below. Thanks!

Clumsiness During Pregnancy

getting pregnant Pregnancy
Clumsiness During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, I mean really pregnant, you have probably noticed that you run into things easily, drop almost everything you pick up, and can’t seem to control what that huge belly of yours in running into- or whom it is running into. This clumsiness during pregnancy is very normal, and it has some pretty easily-understood causes.

 

3 Reasons For Clumsiness During Pregnancy

Fluid

First of all, the reason that pregnant women seem to be dropping everything isn’t because they are just plain clumsy. It actually isn’t their fault at all. It has a lot to do with her giant sausage fingers and flimsy joints. Women who are pregnant retain water.

This causes the fingers to become much larger than normal. Have you noticed that your ring-finger rings don’t fit at all, and that your thumb rings seem to fit better on your ring finger? These large fingers are not what the woman is used to, and thus it can be much harder to grip what used to be very graspable.

 

Loosening Joints

clumsiness during pregnancyAnother reason for dropping everything is the loosening of joints. All of the joints in a woman get looser as her due date comes nearer, not just the pelvic bones. This means that a well-coordinated (pre pregnancy) woman may find herself dropping things for no reason, unable to grip those coffee mugs and other breakable objects.

 

Balance

Balancing also seems to be more difficult for the pregnant woman. This seems to have an obvious cause: the fact that your body is growing in the midsection at record paces! This can obviously throw anyone off kilter, but there are also deeper reasons for the lack of balance.

The same hormonal issues which are making your fingers swell up like sausages and your joints loosening, like a poorly put together Frankenstein, can affect the balancing act that has to be performed.

 

 Clumsiness During Pregnancy- What You Can Do

There are a few things that a pregnant woman can do to help herself out in this hormonally-induced mess of clumsiness.

First of all, slow down. Take your time in doing whatever you are doing which needs balance to be successful. Walking carefully (especially in the winter time) can help you avoid huge unwanted problems (like a broken limb) which could cause labor to be even harder than it would normally be.

Also, because you can’t see under your large bulge, make sure that the floor is well cleaned. If there are things lying around, it is possible to take a spill due to not being able to see them there.

Most of all, get your loved ones to help. Even of you drop your keys a hundred times, they will be willing to help you pick them up. There are few worse things than bending over and standing back up in your state.

Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Fertility Diet, Fertility Treatments
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility

Digestive enzymes, probiotics and fertility- how are these connected?

Why do I want to upgrade a fertility diet that has done such amazing things for my body so far – like shorten my menstrual cycles, increase my energy, eliminate my acne and regulate my digestive system?

Because it seems like there’s still a piece of the puzzle missing.

 

Something is Not Quite Right

My cycles are still too long (at 36 days), I have a few days of spotting before my period each month, my luteal phase is short (at around 10 days), I still have an occasional bout of fatigue, and my hands and feet are extremely dry and cracked.

And for the last, more information than you wanted, observation: my stool sometimes looks very undigested. Why am I not totally digesting my food? It’s normal to see certain food in your stool, like corn (which is a good way to test the transient time of your digestive tract), but I can see all kinds of veggies. OK, I’ll stop with the ‘too much information’.

 

But How can I Improve My Digestion?

I turned to the books on my shelf that harbor a wealth of information. Expecting to be immersed in them for weeks to find out how to improve my digestion, I spotted a new book that I’ve been meaning to crack open for weeks: Diets for Healthy Healing.

With only a half-hour before I planned on heading to bed, I thought I’d just flip through the chapters to get a start on what the topics were. An hour-and-a-half later, I was still glued to the book.

I love when a crystal clear picture emerges.

It hit me that two of the five things the author recommended for improving digestion were missing from my diet: probiotic bacteria and digestive enzymes.

 

Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility

Probiotic Bacteria

probiotics and fertilityProbiotic bacteria are the friendly bacteria that live in our digestive systems. They are vital to our health and well being and are responsible for breaking down our food, manufacturing many vitamins like the B-complex vitamins and producing antibiotics that prevent colonization of the harmful bacteria.

And it’s no stretch of the imagination to think that probiotic bacteria could affect our fertility: indirectly through proper digestion and directly since these bacteria break down and rebuild hormones such as estrogen.

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are also critically important to our bodies. They’re found throughout our digestive system and are responsible for breaking down food to make the nutrients available to our bodies.

Our bodies produce digestive enzymes, however, enzymes are also found in certain foods.

Without enzymes our bodies can become depleted and we suffer from gas, indigestion, bloating, discomfort, undigested food in our stools, undigested fat in our stools and food sensitivities.

 

What Do the Experts Say About Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility?

The funny thing is that probiotic bacteria and digestive enzymes aren’t new to me. I’ve come across them before as an essential part of a healing diet.

Clinical Nutritionalist, Elizabeth Lipski, emphasizes the importance of both in her book, Digestive Wellness; Jordan Rubin presents both as vital components to his amazing recovering from Crohn’s Disease in his book, The Maker’s Diet; and naturopath Linda Page has been using them successfully with her patients and presents this in her book, Diets for Healthy Healing.

The thing is though, neither probiotics nor enzymes are highlighted as important components to a healthy diet in scientifically based nutritional books, like Eat, Drink and Be Healthy from Harvard Medical School researcher, Dr. Walter Willett.

This is why I never added them. The hard science is still outstanding.

But the reality of nutrition is that we do not understand everything – not even close.

Dr. Willett even says in the book, Eat, Drink and Be Healthy, “It will be decades before we have identified all of the complex compounds in food and even longer before we truly understand how they interact with one another and what they do in our bodies”.

 

Taking Action

So, I’ve decided not to wait a few decades before I upgrade my fertility diet to include foods in my diet with probiotic bacteria and digestive enzymes. There’s enough evidence and – interestingly – fermented foods, which contain probiotics and enzymes, have long been recognized as an integral part of a healthy diet, like Miso in Japan, Lassi drinks in India, Kimchi in Asia and sauerkraut in Europe.

Most importantly, I’ve come across nothing to say that adding probiotics and enzymes in their natural form can in any way be harmful (nor did I find anything about them being harmful in supplemental form  – but I’m going to start al natural).

The bottom line is that I’m interested in healing myself… and as the saying goes, “The one who heals, is the one who’s right”.

 

Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility Conclusion

In my upcoming blogs you’ll find me writing about which foods naturally contain probiotic bacteria and digestive enzymes, what exactly they do in the body, and how I’ll be adding them to my diet. I’ll also be writing about the effect this diet upgrade is (or is not having) on my system. Let’s see what happens…

HCG Test for Pregnancy

getting pregnant Ectopic Pregnancy, Fertility Blog
HCG Test for Pregnancy

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone normally produced by the placenta. If I am pregnant, the test will detect it in my blood. Today I’m having this hCG test for pregnancy.

This clinic is getting too familiar and this blood test is what I’m considering the final call hCG test!

The value didn’t go up on Wednesday and if it does not go up today then I will have broken the pattern of increasing every three days. If that is the case, it will remove the tiniest bit of hope buried deep inside that somehow this pregnancy will work and it will eliminate the possibility of a dangerous ectopic pregnancy.

 

hCG Test for Pregnancy- Giving Blood and Waiting for Results

Something inside me says that the value is going up. I want more than anything for it to drop. After leaving the clinic with yet another vile of my blood, I tell the lady at the counter that I will call them today for the results. If I do the calling I’ll spare myself the waiting stress – that’s the theory anyway.

I decided to call an hour early; you never know, maybe the results are in early. It rings nine times before someone picks up to tell me that I’m calling too early. I really could have known. I wait until 1:15 to call back.

It takes a couple of calls to get through. I’m relieved to hear someone pick up and ask what results I’m calling for. Before long she puts me on hold. This waiting thing is unavoidable.

I call; they call; what’s the difference. She’s back on to tell me that my hCG test for pregnancy results are still in the doctor’s office for review. I should call back in a half hour.

 

Can’t Get Through to the Doctor

hCG test for pregnancyNow my impatience is getting unbearable. Richard and I go for a walk. We only have a half hour to kill.

Naturally, I take a b-line for the phone when we get back. It’s Friday and 1:45pm I have fifteen minutes before their phones systems close and I don’t want the panic scenario that I had last week where I had to wait over the weekend.

I can’t get through. The minutes are flying by. Fifteen minutes turn into ten, which turn into five. I begin cursing their phone system.

Now, Richard is trying with his cell phone. I begin calling their other lines hoping I can get through somehow. No luck. It’s now 2:00. The phone lines are telling me that they are now closed. My brow is wrinkled in complete frustration. I haven’t stopped cursing.

What if my hCG value went up? I need to know. This could be dangerous. Worn down nerves are not a good starting point for this. I sit in disbelief with the phone in my hand and my dialing finger literally sore.

 

The hCG Test for Pregnancy News

That’s it I’m driving to the clinic. I need to go to the store anyway. I’ll bring my cell phone in case they call me and I’ll knock on the door until they open.

Not but two minutes into my fifteen minute drive, my cell phone pierces the silence. In a rush to get to the hCG value I pull over, rip out the head piece and answer my phone.

The caller is from the clinic, but she doesn’t offer me my value. “You are to check into hospital Kuss immediately. Dr. T is waiting for you.”

What? Where? She repeats the instructions and I ask her to repeat the hospital name and the doctor’s name. I have nothing to write with, but am hoping that the names get ingrained into my brain.

“What do I bring?” I ask her.

“You’re overnight things,” she says.

Before I let her hang up I ask her for my hCG test results value. Her voice is stiff, “It’s now over 1300.”

My heart falls into my stomach. Over a thousand is dangerous, rings in my head. The car seems to be on autopilot back home. I call Richard to tell him he is taking me to the hospital.

 

Packing for Hospital

I’m back at the house instantaneously and Richard is already standing in the driveway ready to hop into the driver’s seat. I forgot to tell him that I need to pack my things first – not to mention that I haven’t the slightest idea where this hospital is. When I pull up next to him I have absolutely no recollection of anything I was told. Yes, it was a mere two minutes ago, but I have no idea anymore.

We go inside. I begin packing and he starts researching to find the hospital. I tell him the details I can remember. With a few threads of information Richard manages to find the hospital and the doctor.

For some reason I think that I need to pack light so I stuff my toothbrush and shampoo into a zip lock bag and pack it in a small duffel bag with my nightgown and some magazines. I have no idea what to bring. It seems so secondary. I need to get to the hospital.

 

The Stress of Getting to the Hospital

The stress on Richard’s face is easy to see. I wonder if mine is just as visible. He realizes on the way there that he forgot the directions as he had left them in the printer.

“Will you find it?” I ask.

“Yes, I don’t need it,” he confidently says after a pause. He is too stressed; I can’t question him. If I doubt him now he’ll crack.

We sit in silence as he works his way through traffic to the hospital. We turn down a small road near a larger hospital.

“It’s got to be right here,” he says.

I carefully ask questions trying to jog his memory. It’s no use, we are driving in circles. He parallel parks in a disabled parking spot. It seems to take him forever to get into it.

“Are we there?” I ask carefully.

“No, I’m going to ask this person,” he says with a shaky voice. “Why are you parking?? Just pull over”.

I take a deep breath as he finishes his final maneuvering. He gets out to ask an old lady walking by. We’re in luck. I can see her pointing down the street and around the corner.

We’re basically there. We drive around the corner and park against the traffic in front of the entrance. I feel safe. If something happens now, I’m only a few steps away from help.

 

My Shared Room

We go to check-in. It all seems so surreal. I’m fine. I’m not in pain. The lady checking me in asks for my insurance card and if I want a single room.

“Yes”, Richard answers for me.

“It will cost extra,” she said since it is not listed on my insurance card.

Richard doesn’t flinch with his response, “That’s OK”.

I let him take the lead. I’m too scared to decide anything right now. It turns out the first single room will be available tomorrow.

How long will I be here? How will they decide if I can go home? Are they planning already to operate? This opens the floodgates for questions in my head and I fall into a feeling of being lost and out of place.

We cautiously walk into my double room. There is someone there already chatting with her parents. She has a drainage tube of blood showing from under the covers. I wince. Is that going to be me?

I set my stuff down and feel so relieved that I will have my own room tomorrow. Thank god Richard requested one. I feel strange hopping around the room while this woman obviously has a recovery period ahead of her.

The nurse tells me to put my pajamas on and the doctor will be by. Really, my pajamas? It’s still light out. I’m not sick. This is so strange. Richard feels even more out of place than me.

We both feel uncomfortable in the room with other people so we head outside to the sitting corner. I’m dressed in my pajamas and my dress shoes (forgot my slippers). We wait a couple of hours until we are told to go over to the doctor’s office next door with my paperwork. We head over and I find myself in a regular doctor’s office waiting room – in my pajamas.

 

hCG Test for Pregnancy- Doctor’s Verdict

Oh, the weirdness just continues. Thankfully, the waiting isn’t long and he calls us in.

He sits behind his desk with dark black hair and friendly eyes. I feel as if I know him already. Without delay, he explains to Richard and I that Doctor K feels this is an ectopic pregnancy and that is why we are here. We talk about my medical history and the risks involved in an ectopic pregnancy.

Richard and I aren’t totally convinced. What evidence is there besides the hCG test for pregnancy values indicate that this pregnancy is not OK?

He senses the hope in our voice. “Some perfectly healthy pregnancies can start off with hCG values like this”, Richard argues.

“There is a slight chance that this is a normal pregnancy but it’s not likely”, Dr. T says with a soft voice, “but Dr. K has a very good feel for these things and is often right.” He goes on to admit that this decision is based more on feelings and experience than on a definitive sign. He sees that we are losing sight of the danger of the situation. He clears his throat and says, “Some women have only a stomach ache, go to bed, and don’t wake up the next morning”.  This of course brings us back to reality.

 

Urgency!

It’s hard to grasp that I am sitting here listening to the possibility that my fallopian tube is harboring a pregnancy that could explode at any moment. I realize that I have spaced out when the doctor begins to explain how the surgery will be conducted with a diagram in front of me. The next thing I know I am signing consent forms.

“There will be no time if I have to operate in the middle of the night”, he explains and goes on to say, “Also, I want you to know that I have scheduled the surgery for Monday so don’t be surprised if you notice that you’re already on the schedule”.

Richard is still looking a little confused why we are here on a feeling. He wants to take me home. “We don’t live far, if she has pain in the night I can bring her here immediately and we’ll probably even be here before you”, he argues.

The doctor looks like he understands our feelings but advises us strongly to leave me here overnight. The indecision hangs in the air.

 

Ultrasound, is there a Pregnancy?

Before I head back to my room, the doctor would like an ultrasound. I get undressed and put my legs into the stirrups as if this is my daily routine, which in the past few weeks it has been. He enters the ultrasound wand gently. Not what I expected, but it made me realize his concern. He finds nothing except a built up vaginal wall with no pregnancy. Like the 8 o’clock news: pregnancy reported but missing since week six.

Me in pajamas and dress shoes gives Richard and I both an awkward feeling as we find our place in the sitting area outside my hospital room. We discuss going home. I’m uncomfortable with it, but as a scientist I’m missing hard facts for why I should stay. There aren’t any.

In the middle of this discussion with no resolution the doctor comes up and asks of if we are discussing staying. The doctor came after us to talk to us? My trust in him skyrockets.

“You can go for a walk and out to dinner. This isn’t a jail. But please stay the night, if something happens there are people here that can help immediately,” he says softly.

Richard and I nod our head in agreement. We feel like we’re in good hands.

 

Going Out

I put on my clothes and we head out to dinner. We are quiet. What is there to say? We have no decisions to make; we are just hanging in midair waiting.

The most expensive appetizer looks good. I don’t hesitate. I’ll have that and the risotto. “What would we do if I started having pain right here?” I ask, breaking the silence.

“Call the ambulance?” Richard says hesitantly.

I guess we wouldn’t have any other option. The hospital is only a couple blocks away, but Richard couldn’t carry me back.

 

Richard Heads Home

Back in my hospital room, I notice that Richard is uncomfortable. He whispers trying not to disturb my roommate. “Why don’t you head home”, I say. He looks relieved. He hugs me and heads out the door.

It’s only 8:00. I pick up my book to read but notice spite the early hour that I’m falling asleep. I’m exhausted. Why fight it? I double check that I can reach the emergency call button and curl up to sleep.

If you enjoyed reading my hCG Test for Pregnancy blog, please write a comment here or bookmark it to a social bookmarking site by using the link below. Thanks!

Early Signs of Pregnancy

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Pregnancy
Early Signs of Pregnancy

Before jumping into my Fertility Blog post, let’s take a quick look at what to look out for with the early signs of pregnancy:

11 Early Signs of Pregnancy

  1. Missed period– earliest and most reliable sign for women with regular monthly menstrual cycle.
  2. Feeling sick and vomiting– commonly known as Morning Sickness. This can happen any time of the day or night.
  3. Changes in your breasts– breasts may become larger and feel tender, similar to what they might feel just before a period. They may tingle and veins may be more visible with the nipples darkening or standing out.
  4. Tiredness– hormonal changes during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy can make you feel exhausted, emotional and upset.
  5. Urinating more often– you may feel like urinating more often. This is caused by hormonal changes.
  6. Constipation
  7. Vaginal discharge– increases without soreness or irritation.
  8. Metallic taste– unusual taste in your mouth.
  9. Changes in what you want to eat– such as craving new foods and losing interest in foods and beverages you used to enjoy.
  10. Losing interest in smoking– if you are a smoker.
  11. Enhanced sense of smell– more sensitive than usual, especially with foods and cooking.

 

Fertility Blog- Early Signs of Pregnancy

 early signs of pregnancyI felt exhausted, and the last thing I wanted to do involved moving furniture from one room into another. But Woods needed to move his stuff into my office that would soon become his bedroom, so I mustered up all of my energy and began shlepping – first the bookcase, then the computer, the chair, the desk.

I stopped, out of breath, before I could actually claim an empty room and collapsed onto the stairs just outside the door. I felt like I had the flu – nauseous, fatigued, the smallest bit of effort left me feeling weak and over-heated.

Laying there on the stairs, frustrated with my sickness, until I managed to crawl to the third floor where I promptly fell asleep.

 

Tired and Sick

I woke late the next morning, still feeling tired and sick. Then I decided to stay in bed and get some rest before going out with my girlfriends that evening. In and out of sleep, I tossed and turned. I tried reading for some time, but couldn’t manage to concentrate on the words without drifting off into some unfortunate place between dreams and reality where all I recognized was a desire to vomit!

Dan, the man I adored and who said adored me, came in a few times to see if I wanted to accompany him on an adventure, an adventure I would normally have jumped on were I feeling up to par.

Instead I lay there, looking up at him with what I’m sure were desperate and defeated eyes. Sweet man that he was, he crawled in next to me and did some reading of his own so I wouldn’t feel quite so alone in my misery.

 

Eating Out

Eventually it was time for me to go meet my friends for dinner. I slumped out of bed, put on my best face, and made my way over to pick Kelly up.

Although I still felt very nauseous, I was starving and ate up everything that landed on my plate. I left fairly early and completely sober – both unusual acts for me – but I felt miserable enough that all I wanted to do was heal my body better. Lack of sleep and alcohol were not on the top of my list that night.

 

Realization that I Had Early Signs of Pregnancy

All day at work on Monday, I wanted to sit down wherever I happened to be and cry. I couldn’t believe how ill I actually felt. Never had I been sick like this in years. I wrote the date on a shipping form, and that’s when it hit me.

I’m over a week late!

Driving home in a stupor through a rush hour that for once failed to make me yell with anger and impatience, I walked in to Dan’s room and told him my suspicions.

“No, let’s not freak out just yet.”
“Yes, let’s give it a few more days.”
“I’m sure everything is fine – we are simply overreacting.”

 

Pregnancy Test

We decided not to worry until we knew what was truly causing my sickness. Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that my sickness was actually more than a sickness. While at the store, I snuck a pregnancy test into our groceries.

Okay, okay. So we’re probably overreacting, but I decided I’m going to take a test just to ease my mind. It will make both of us feel better when we definitely know.

He looked at me and slowly nodded his agreement. Disappearing into the bathroom, I could hardly breathe. I already knew what the test would read, but at the same time I was in complete denial. Wait three minutes. Then look. One line for negative. Two for positive.

I didn’t believe it. I tried to talk myself out of it. Sure there were two lines, but one of them was so faint it couldn’t possibly be the decision-maker on such a significant event in my life. The second line was barely there – it couldn’t count. I tried to tell myself that. I tried to tell Dan that. We didn’t believe me.

“Honey, I think we’re pregnant!”

Probiotics and Fertility Part 1

getting pregnant Fertility Blog, Fertility Diet, Fertility Treatments
Probiotics and Fertility Part 1

In this post I’ll be covering probiotics and fertility- that is, the little beneficial critters that live in our gut!

Life is returning to normal, so I’m back to upgrading my fertility diet. I mentioned in my blog, Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics and Fertility, that I’ll be adding two critical – and missing – components to my fertility diet: probiotic bacteria and enzymes.

 

What are Probiotic Bacteria?

Probiotic bacteria are the friendly bacteria that live in our digestive systems. Doctors and nutritionists agree that these bacteria are one of the most important aspects to our overall health and well being.

Dr. McDougall refers to them in his book, Digestive Tune-up, as “so important to our health and survival that they should be thought of as a vital organ”. In her book, Allergies, by Carolee Bateson-Koch writes that the cultivation of these bacteria “can mean the difference between radiant health and chronic debilitating conditions”.

 

Benefits of Probiotic Bacteria

probiotics and fertilityIt’s not a surprise that these little inhibitors are so important to us given the slew of responsibilities they have. Just to name a few of these responsibilities of probiotic bacteria:

  • Break down our food
  • Manufacture vitamins like biotin, niacin, folic acid and B-6
  • Increase the absorption of minerals
  • Normalize bowel transit time
  • Produce antibiotics that prevent colonization of the harmful bacteria

A Micro-biome of Life in Our Digestive Tract

Interestingly, this micro flora isn’t just a few bacteria scattered throughout our digestive tract. Trillions of bacteria inhabit our digestive system. The bacteria weigh a total of about four pounds and account for half of the volume of the contents of our large intestine.

Where Does Our Gut Biome Come From?

These bacteria begin to colonize our bodies at birth; finding their way into our system through the air we breathe, the breast milk we drink and the things we put in our mouths.

We need to continuously replenish these bacteria, though, as many don’t set up camp permanently. They regularly exit our digestive systems – making up over half of the dry weight of feces – many of which are still living (if you who weren’t grossed out enough).

 

What Destroys Probiotics and Fertility?

Excretion isn’t the only factor affecting the bacteria balance in our gut. Bacterial infections, hormones, antibiotics (which kill the good and the bad bacteria), high stress levels, steroid drugs, excessive alcohol intake, poor diet, and a number of other factors can throw the beneficial bacteria out of balance.

 

Symptoms of Improper Balance of Probiotic Bacteria

This improper balance of flora can cause the following symptoms:

  • Acne
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Ear infection
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Hormonal disturbances
  • Intestinal symptoms
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low back pain
  • Nervousness
  • Rashes

So, probiotic bacteria are important to our health but what do they have to do with fertility?

 

Probiotics and Fertility- Can it Help?

There don’t seem to be any studies yet that directly link probiotic bacteria to fertility, but there are two aspects that make it very likely that these bacteria play a role.

  1. Probiotic bacteria influence our hormones. They break down and rebuild, for example, hormones such as estrogen. Knowing that an imbalance of estrogen can make getting pregnant harder it seems quite likely that a healthy bacteria balance will create a more fertile body.
  2. Probiotic bacteria manufacture important vitamins like biotin, niacin, folic acid and B-6. And not that it’s a surprise, but a recent study shows that vitamins may play an important role in getting pregnant (not to mention that folic acid is important for a healthy baby – reducing the chances of having a baby with neural tube defects).

Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap Review

getting pregnant Pregnancy
Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap Review

After the pregnancy and the arrival of a beautiful newborn, a woman’s greatest woe is regaining her abdominal tone. By utilizing the Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap, women are able to regain the pretty shape of a flat belly and at the same time reduce stretch marks.

A tummy wrap goes a long distance in getting the post-pregnancy abdomen back in shape. The Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap is one such marvelous belly support for a new mother.

 

Features of the Belly Bandit Wrap

Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy WrapFor a reasonably low-price, it has some wonderful features like:

  • Five different sizes to reduce the bloated abdomen and to help toning the muscular system
  • Brings back normal tone to the sagging abdomen after the pregnancy and reduces the post-partum stretch marks
  • The abdominal compression wrap also helps reduces the uterus swelling
  • Helps in reducing bloating of the abdomen due to water retention
  • Comfortable and lightweight belly wrap that helps the new mother regain her body tone quickly

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Benefits of the Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap

As a new mother, use the Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap to give extra strong support to your abdomen, back, and the hip region. While giving support to the muscular system, it also subdues the abdominal discomfort and distention. Not only is is beneficial right after child-birth, but many mothers continue to gain benefit from wearing it 6 months after child-birth.

The Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap can be used after the first day or two after delivery. On consultation with the Obstetrician or medical expert, it can also be used after the C-section which helps in post-C-section recovery time.

 

How to Use the Belly Bandit Wrap

Belly Bandit - Original Postpartum Belly WrapTo get the best fitting tummy wrap, measure the girth of your abdomen starting at the belly button and get the right size.

The tummy wrap can be best worn by keeping the label side towards your body and by keeping the 5 inch Velcro facing towards the outside. The bands can be secured by having the 2 inch Velcro side over the 5 inch Velcro band.

You can choose between having a side closure or a center closure to give you better comfort.

Use it for about 2 months to help your abdomen get back almost to the shape it was before the pregnancy.

You can keep the Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap on for whole day if you like. If there is any discomfort, then removing it for a few minutes to hours will help.

This tummy wrap should not cause discomfort to you so choose a snugly-fitting size. It is lightweight and can be worn under the jeans, trousers, or skirt without displaying its bulk.

The creases formed in the belly wrap are normal and helps in the mobility and comfort.

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Taking Care of Belly Bandit Original Post-Pregnancy Tummy Wrap

To avoid shrinkage and damage, do not wash the belly wrap in hot water or in tumble dryer. Do not wring it. It should be hand-washed in cold water and dried to air.

As the drying can take a much longer time, you can have a pair of Belly bandit wraps so you can alternate between them whilst one is being washed.

 

In Conclusion

Belly Bandit Original Postpartum Tummy WrapBelly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap is available at Amazon website for a very affordable price.

This product is recommended for post-pregnancy abdominal support and to get better toning of the abdominal and back muscles after the pregnancy.

Always buy the right size Belly Bandit Original post-pregnancy tummy wrap for better fit and comfort.

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10 Tips: History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy

getting pregnant Pregnancy, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy
10 Tips: History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy

Thankfully we live in an age that, if a person has a psychiatric history, it’s okay. And if that person is pregnant, and has a psychiatric history that’s okay too. In this article we give 10 ‘History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy’ tips to guide women with taking appropriate steps to ensure their pregnancy goes smoothly.

 

10 Tips for Women With a History of Mental Illness and Pregnancy

  1. Be straight-forward and frank with your doctor.

    Doctors ask for a medical history for a reason, and that is to give you and your unborn child the best health care possible.

  2. Listen to your doctor.

    Mental Illness and PregnancyWith the information that you give your doctor about your psychiatric history, they can determine the best possible program for you to follow. Make sure that you follow it. Remember it is for your health and that of your baby.

  3. Do not be ashamed of your psychiatric history.

    For some reason people tend to think differently at a weakness of the mind, and a weakness of the body, but don’t. There a many things that can cause any of us to have a psychiatric history. Some of these might be illness, fever, infection or a severe trauma.

  4. Get Help if your are uncomfortable with your history.

    Pregnancy should be a time of joyful anticipation. If your psychiatric history is causing you concerns, talk to your doctor about getting counseling.

  5. Talk to close friends and family about your concerns.

    Ask for their help and support if necessary. Also, reassure them that everything is going well. Let them share in your joyful anticipation.

  6. Don’t dwell on your psychiatric history.

    Remember to think about what you think about. It will do you no good to dwell on the past, it has already happened. For the present, concentrate about the ‘now.’

  7. Make sure to keep yourself busy.

    My granny used to always say, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” It’s a statement we’ve all heard in our lifetime. Take up a hobby, start walking. If we keep ourselves busy, we don’t have much time to dwell on the past.

  8. Group Therapy.

    If you have concerns about your pregnancy and the baby once it gets here, talk to your health-care provider or local hospital about a group therapy session. Group therapy is not a group of friends discussing things; it is a group of people who doesn’t even know each other on a personal level, except that they have common concerns.

  9. Eat well-balanced meals.

    Don’t just eat a lot of food, but do eat good, well-balanced meals. By keeping your nutrition up, you will be keeping your baby’s nutrition up.

  10. Feel good about yourself.

    Your psychiatric history is just that; your psychiatric history. Keep in mind that you are a unique human being, and worthy of loving yourself. How you feel about yourself determines how you feel about others.

 

Having a history of mental illness and pregnancy need not spoil your pregnancy experience.  Enjoy your pregnancy and enjoy life. Your baby will benefit from it.

Check out our related article with additional tips for Women With Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy.