Jan
21

Pregnancy after Forty

By Shawn · Comments (0)

These days, most women feel that forties are now new thirties, and it is not too late to have babies.  However, the odds of getting pregnant are much lower as women age, and after 45, it is practically impossible to get pregnant with own eggs.  Getting pregnant after 40 can be quite discouraging and daunting task form many women as there are many misconceptions regarding starting a family late in life.  Some of the problems due to late conception could be caesarian delivery, inability to conceive due to reduced fertility, complications during delivery and so on.

Though there are several dangers and complications associated with late pregnancy, there are many women who have countered all the roadblock to have a baby in the later stages of their lives.  As per the researches, more than 40% of the women get pregnant after the age of 40, and the percentage is going to increase.  The main area of concern if trying to become pregnant after 40 is the higher chances of genetic disorders such as Down syndrome.  Dealing with pregnancy later in life leaves woman with many mixed emotions.

Some of the most common feelings of a woman are denial, fear and frustration.  Waiting to have children has some financial benefits, and working women save enough money every year for their kids, and are also more likely to return to their jobs after maternity leave, offering more financial security.  There are also certain psychological and physical benefits over the younger counterparts, and older women tend to have the healthier life-style, are more highly educated, and are financially more stable.  Some evidence also suggest that older mothers make the wiser parenting decisions, are more likely to breastfeed and provide a solid foundation to raise the family.

There are also some financial benefits associated with late conception, and researchers have found that women with more experience in the workplace before having babies tend to return to the work much earlier after the maternity leave.  Most common genetic problem is Down syndrome, and additional tests must be done to determine if the fetus has any kind of genetic abnormality or not.   There are also emotional benefits for couples who wait to have children as they are more focused on their children.  However, the fact remains that it is very difficult for women to get pregnant with their own eggs when they are in their late forties, and using the donor eggs boosts the chances of getting pregnant.

Tubal ligation reversal increases the chances of having the natural pregnancy after 40.

Jan
09

Gingivitis Likes to Strike at Pregnant Women

By Shawn · Comments (0)

It is understandable that the excitement of pregnancy keeps you busy in many ways. A simple word of caution is recommended here: This is an especially important time to look after your dental health.

Actually, some would suggest that this is the time to really pay attention to overall health and well-being. There is an old saying about the number of teeth missing being equal to the number of children a mother gives birth too.

Though certainly not one-hundred percent accurate, there may be a kernel of truth in this. The fact is that women are more likely to develop gum health problems during pregnancy. Hormones have a great role to play in this scenario.

If you are a mother-to-be, pay special attention to your oral health. Do not be content with just brushing and flossing. Consider using  a good oral irrigator, such as a hydrofloss.

Another excellent product to consider would be an oxygenated, ph balanced mouthwash. There are many mouthwashes on the market but very few that harness the power of oxygen with a proper pH. The importance of this should not be overlooked. A mouthwash such as the therabreath brands might be useful.

Chew xylitol gum. Xylitol has been used in Finland since WWII and they have found that the incidence of dental disease is lower as a result. Xylitol is fine for human consumption but keep it away from pets.

Make sure there is someone looking at your gums a little more frequently during pregnancy – just to make sure that problems are not creeping in. As mentioned before, the probability for developing gingivitis / gum disease increases during pregnancy. If you do not know what you are looking for, then you need someone who can help. Besides, it is not so easy for a person to examine her own mouth.

If you prefer a natural approach, Oramd, may be helpful.

Ask your practitioner about your pocket depths and how they relate to the health of your gums and teeth.

Author:  David

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

Jan
08

Infertility Causes – Sex, Age & Lifestyle Factors

By Shawn · Comments (0)

Infertility Symptoms – Definitions

When a couple cannot have a baby after 12 months of regular and unprotected intercourse, they can be classified infertile. Infertility is the inability to have a baby.

Couples respond in different ways after being told they are infertile. Extreme reactions often come from couples who are childless.

Couple who are infertile and who’ve never had a baby are classified under primary infertility.

On the other hand, secondary infertility describes the condition wherein couples who have successfully become pregnant once are having difficulties in getting pregnant again.

The Male Factor

Several emotional and physical factors can cause infertility.

Infertility cases in men, like low sperm count, retrograde ejaculation, scarring from sexually transmitted diseases, hormone deficiency, and impotence, make up approximately 30-40% of cases.

Sperm count may be negatively influenced by marijuana abuse or use of prescription drugs, like cimetidine, spironolactone, and nitrofurantoin.

Femaleness

Ovulation dysfunction, fallopian tube abnormality, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, scarring from STDs, hormonal imbalances, pelvic infection, poor nutrition, and tumors are just some of these “female factors.” These make up between 40 and 50 % of infertility problems among couples.

Factors from both male and female, including other unknown causes, make up 10 to 30% of infertility cases.

It has been found that a small number, just 10 to 20%, of couples fail to conceive after trying for a year. It is essential for couples to keep trying to conceive for a year at the very least.

Factors Related To Age

Couples who are healthy, are below 30 years old, and have intercourse frequently have just a 25 to 30 per cent chance a month of conceiving. A woman’s fertility peak is during her 20s. Pregnancy for women more than 35 years old is 10% less, even lower for those over 40.

Others Factors Not Related To Age

Age-related factors are not the only causes of infertility. Infertility may also be increased due to the following:

* Having had sex with more than one partner
* Sexually transmitted diseases
* History of pelvic inflammatory disease
* History of epididymitis or orchitis in men
* Mumps among men
* Vein engorgement in the scrotum
* Health history citing DES exposure (both sexes)
* Eating disorders among women
* Anovulation and irregular menstruation
* Endometriosis
* Problems with the uterus or the cervix
* Long-term disease like diabetes

Other Useful Information

Read this to find out more on how to increase pregnancy chances .

Go here to learn more about infertility insurance coverage .

Jan
04

Buying Last Minute Items Before Baby Arrives

By Shawn · Comments (0)

If you are a new parent, or at the very least someone you know is, you could be asking what are some things that are must haves before the baby actually arrives. The items that are listed below are not among the most obvious, and they all have merit towards making your life as a parent a little bit easier. So here goes.

You see, I cannot assume what you consider to be the most important in terms of purchases for the new baby, and therefore I have opted to provide you with some more obscure choices. The reason that these are best purchased before the baby arrives, is that it will be easier to now rather than with a newborn.

A breast pump is the first on this list of things that you might not have considered. You see, you cannot dispute the research to suggest that breast milk is the best nourishment for a newborn. However, breastfeeding in general is not always as easy as it might appear to some. That is when having one of these pumps would come in handy to fill bottles for later use. You might opt for a single breast pump, but you can cut the time in half and make twice the bottles with a double electric breast pump.

You might also want to consider purchasing a mobile for the crib. A lot of cribs come with one of these, but they are interchangeable. Giving your child a few options is never a bad call. You see, this is meant to entertain them as they fall asleep on their own in the crib. This is why it might benefit you to keep the process intriguing for them.

Baby bath tubs are also very important in the stages of your infant’s growth. This makes bath time a lot more fun, and more importantly, a lot safer. Safety is a huge concern for many parents. Much like anyone else, babies require baths often to keep them healthy.

You are likely to already have these on your list, but you can really never have enough. Some of these essentials are: diapers, wipes, outfits (onesies), baking soda powder as a safe and green diaper deodorizor and burp cloths. You might find it pretty obvious why all of these are important, but stock piling them only benefits you in the long run. No new mother or father wants to spend all day doing laundry to keep up with the demands. So preparing yourself so you have a little bit of slack is the way to go.

Having a new baby can be a very stressful time. That only really stresses the importance of having these important items before your new baby comes home from the hospital. While you could get along without them, you might have an easier time if you had them.