Tag Archives: pregnancy

50% pregnant women will avoid flu vaccinations this year due to perceived risk

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giving birth, birth, childbirth, the truth about giving birthBabies born to women who have flu are four times more likely to be born prematurely and have a low birth weight

The peak season for flu in the UK begins in November and between 2009 and 2012 it was the leading cause of death for women in the UK who died during pregnancy or shortly afterwards. It is estimated that that the flu vaccine (which helps to protect both mother and baby), could have prevented half of these deaths. In a bid to raise awareness of the importance of vaccinating while pregnant, the UK’s leading support resource for mums to be, Emma’s Diary, in conjunction with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), has surveyed more than 2,600 women about their experience of vaccinations.

The results revealed that 44% (nearly half) avoid vaccinations (including flu) while pregnant, through fear of the health risks to their unborn baby and also risks to their own health.

The study asked women what their reasons were for avoiding vaccinations designed to protect mother and baby, such as flu and whooping cough; worries about health risks to both mother and baby was the number one factor (44%), this was followed by admissions from women about their hectic schedules with many claiming ‘they simply don’t have enough time to have the vaccination’ as being a main reason (16%). A further 11% say they don’t believe in vaccinations and others say they either don’t need it or they believe the vaccination is ineffective. These findings come despite the real risks associated with babies born to women with flu, such as a greater chance of premature birth (being four times more likely), low birth weight and in some cases it can lead to stillbirth or even death in the first week of life.

The research revealed the most pregnant women rely on their midwife to obtain information about vaccinations. As such, midwives across the country are working hard to ensure that pregnant women have access to all of the information they need this season to make more informed decisions about the vaccinations that can protect them and their unborn babies.

Nick Watts, Managing Director at Emma’s Diary said: “Working with the RCM on the pregnancy vaccination research has been hugely beneficial and insightful. We’ve been able to tap into our engaged audience to better understand women’s perceptions of having vaccinations during pregnancy. We are using these findings to help shape new resources that will support pregnant women in making more informed choices on having vaccinations while pregnant now and into the future.”

Mandy Forrester, Head of Quality and Standards at the Royal College of Midwives said: “One of the most important findings to come out of our survey was that pregnant women want and need more time to talk about vaccinations with their midwives before they make a decision. Having that time is so important because there can be misconceptions about some vaccinations and although it is useful to have leaflets and websites to refer to, there is nothing quite like having a real conversation, to talk through any concerns or questions.”

The RCM is working closely with Emma’s Diary to develop new resources to boost awareness of vaccinations in pregnancy, and to share the findings of its survey to pregnant women across the country.

For further information on vaccinations while pregnant please visit: http://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/pregnancy-and-birth/pregnancy/1st-trimester-of-pregnancy/avoiding-pregnancy-risks

Secrets of Glo | Beauty Review

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Secrets of Glo is a new beauty brand from actress, model and musician Glo Butane. Handmade with love, her serum can be used in conjunction with your existing beauty regime, or alone. All the ingredients are natural and UK sourced. There is approximately a one month supply in a bottle. It is for crows feets, laughter lines, veins…basically any problem you are having with your skin. It minimises the look of age lines. You leave it to soak in for 10 minutes and then massage it in and then apply your regular moisturiser.

Glo has always been passionate about essential oils, but she did not develop the serum until she was pregnant with D-R, when she noticed lines and veins popping up everywhere, and could not use her regular products because they had unsafe ingredients that could affect her child’s development. Because this formula is natural and it works it has been a part of her skincare regime ever since.

This is a brilliant serum and I highly recommend it. A great, natural product that really works.

www.secretsofglo.com

Bringing Back That Old Looks After Giving Birth

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After giving birth, no matter how difficult was your labor; it’s only natural to take it slow with everything. This especially goes for bringing back your old-self before the birth of your child. For the past nine months, your looks have drastically changed, as it should according to the laws of Mother Nature. Getting back in shape will require your patience and some time as to get the best results. There is no need to rush with fitness routines and diets, on the contrary, the best results are achieved in a long run.

Therefore, here are some tips on how to get back in shape after giving birth:

Start with baby steps

Little by little, some easy-to-do activities can help you begin with the workout. Before six weeks have passed, it is not recommended for women who gave birth by a C-section to engage in any sports activities. Generally, they can start with workout only after bleeding has ceased. Don’t urge yourself to start right away with the intensive workout, but rather start with baby steps. Some simple activities like walking or yoga only a couple of months after giving birth are a good idea.

Listen to your body

Always listen to your body because it knows just what type of pressure it can handle. With crunches, you might put the pelvic floor under a lot of pressure which can lead to health issues later one. Pilates is not the best choice either. Do an exercise that will make the muscles of the pelvic floor stronger e.g. Kegel exercise. You can do this on a daily basis. If the abdominal separation occurred, consult a health care specialist on how to proceed with the physical therapy.

Breastfeed and burn calories

No need to give your baby its bottle just yet. Actually while continuing to breastfeed, your body will burn a staggering number of calories. Some studies suggest loosing up to 500 calories only by breastfeeding. In addition to this as being a fast weight loss method, breastfeeding will help to tighten the uterine muscles as well. Therefore, while breastfeeding, along with caring for your baby; you will be taking care of the weigh. When you think about it, it’s a win-win situation, for you and for your baby, too.

Even at home, make yourself at the gym

Needless to say, since the baby has come, your free time has never been so limited. After you find a balance between sleep time and baby time, try to find some free time and use it to work out in the comfort of your home. Motivate yourself with the right sports equipment like the yoga tights & pants by Lasculpte . With the right outfit, you will be able to move easily and keep track on your progress. Nowadays, exercising at home has never been easier with online workouts tutorials. Not to mention that you can even find various healthy diets and recipes.

The power of protein

Protein is considered as an energy booster because it helps to obtain muscles mass. It is often recommended to mothers who are breastfeeding as well as to pregnant women. Using it can help you   not only build mass but lose calories, too. Therefore, protein powder for weight loss is a quite effective weapon in this battle. When buying a protein powder, make sure it doesn’t contain sugar substitute. Always consult your doctor about which protein powder you should use and do not neglect to get your regular protein intake from food e.g. fish, eggs and meat.

Getting back in shape

Getting back in shape is indeed a hard work, physically and emotionally. One thing that you have to remember is that it’s all about patience and taking it slow in the beginning as to get the optimal results later on. So, take your time. Listen to your body and act according to it. Start with your workout at home. Get your energy up with enough protein intake. Many women tend to put themselves under pressure in order to look like a red carpet celebrity just a couple of months after giving birth. Never fall for that. Indeed, it’s a hard task to get back in shape, but being a full-time mom is even harder.

 

By Ian Pearson

 

Mindful Pregnancy & Birth: Nurturing Love and Awareness By Riga Forbes

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mindfulness, pregnancy

This is a great book which gives you the inspiration to go through your pregnancy and birth with a mindful approach. As well as advice it also has meditative exercises and insights. A great, helpful book for mothers-to-be. 

Focusing on the entire journey; from pregnancy through to early parenthood, this guide to living mindfully for expectant mothers helps prepare you for birth and improve your wellbeing with the ancient practice of mindfulness. When we talk about making something, it usually refers to creating, manipulating, or forming a material. In pregnancy, our bodies are wrapped up in doing all of these things at once, and on a grand scale. But in the act of making space in ourselves through mindfulness, none of these things apply. In Mindful Pregnancy & Birth we engage in an act of “not doing”. Of not changing, but of simply “being” in the experience of ourselves. Pregnancy is a phase in which to reconcile what has been, with what will become. It is a process, a time of change, and even more so for a first-time mother. It is a recognition of our dreams for the future being in transit, in gestation, in the making.

Mindful Pregnancy & Birth: Nurturing Love and Awareness By Riga Forbes is available here.

Coping with Hyperemesis Gravidarum – mums speak out on severe morning sickness

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As news of the Duchess of Cambridge’s third pregnancy makes waves across the nation, we are reminded of the realities of morning sickness and its level of severity in some rare cases.  The UK’s leading support resource for mums to be Emma’s Diary, (verified by the RCGP – Royal College of General Practitioners), has spoken to several mums suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (which affects 1 in 100 pregnant women) about their experiences, in a series of candid interviews.

Around 80% of pregnant women suffer from morning sickness (and despite its misleading name, it doesn’t just happen in the morning).  For some, like the Duchess of Cambridge, extreme vomiting triggered by pregnancy can be severe, even life threatening for those diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). In a bid to share their stories and raise awareness of this less common condition, these mums have spoken out to warn others that if you believe you are suffering from extreme sickness, not to be fobbed off by suggestions that ‘it’s normal’, because it might not be the case:

Bella Drew from Norwich in Norfolk said:

“My baby is due in just over two weeks time. The moment I first found out I was expecting, my heart filled with excitement but that was soon to be diminished a week later.  My experience of so-called ‘morning sickness’ started at around three weeks, I couldn’t keep anything down but I was told that was normal.  As my suffering worsened I was put on medication which didn’t really help in my opinion.  I had lost around two and a half stone, had sustained haemorrhages within my eyes from the straining while being sick. 

I was being sick every 15 minutes throughout the day and night.  I was bedridden and eventually I gave up.  I couldn’t cope anymore and I was admitted to hospital diagnosed with HG. Despite all of the recent media attention the condition is still massively misunderstood. I wouldn’t wish this debilitating illness on anyone and we really need to spread more awareness of the impact and symptoms of HG.” 

Emma Eaton from Gosport in Hampshire said:

“I am pregnant and am currently suffering with HG; I was also hospitalised for two weeks in my last pregnancy having almost died from starvation and dehydration.  I have been in and out of hospital numerous times during my current pregnancy to have IV fluids and IV anti-emetics to help control the symptoms. I have to take two different types of tablets to help prevent me from being sick as I have been physically passing out and collapsing – also knocking myself out in the process. I believe there needs to be much greater awareness of this life-threatening condition amongst pregnant women and those who are planning to have children.”

Gemma Edwards from Walsall in West Midlands said:

“I was diagnosed with HG with all three of my pregnancies which has left me with some long term health problems. I am losing my teeth due to the impact of the stomach acid because I was vomiting anything from 20 to 50 times a day. I was also hospitalised for weeks on end with ketoneuria (ketones in my urine – a sign of dehydration) and my veins kept collapsing, this condition made me very ill and my kidneys went into pre-failure meaning my life was at risk and also that of my children.  This is a very serious condition and more awareness of the long term health risks it poses is much needed.”

Many women who are diagnosed with HG say they can’t keep anything down. They can also lose a lot of weight and fluids and sometimes have to be admitted to hospital for re-hydration treatment as well as require antiemetic medication to stop the vomiting.  In terms of adverse effects on the baby, experts say there are usually very few unless weight gain continues to be poor during the second half of pregnancy; or indeed the symptoms are more severe over a sustained period of time.

Sufferers of HG reported:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Weight loss
  • Depressed mood
  • Tooth loss
  • Kidney failure
  • Severe dehydration (with ketones present in urine)
  • Disturbed salts in the blood
  • Eye haemorrhages
  • Long term health issues

Dr Shauna Fannin FRCGP, Chair of the Editorial Board at Emma’s Diary said: “Every pregnancy is different and whilst pregnancy sickness is extremely common, Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) only affects 1% of pregnant women and is a condition at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness scale. HG sufferers will vomit frequently and can become dehydrated very quickly so it is very important to seek urgent medical advice.”

Faye Mingo, mum of two and Marketing Director at Emma’s Diary said: “It’s really brave for these women to speak out and share their experiences with others.  What is apparent is a desire to build greater awareness on the topic of HG and to dispel any myths about what is considered to be ‘normal’, the message from most of the mums we spoke to is to trust your instincts and to keep pushing for medical support if you believe you or your pregnancy might be at risk.”

 

5 Top Tips to Surviving Pregnancy

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Healthy Pregnancy Guide

We’ve lost count of how many pregnancy announcements there have been over the last two weeks.

If you’re planning on getting pregnant or have already conceived, we’ve asked our experts for their best advice for common pregnancy side effects:

Morning Sickness

It’s one of the most common complaints in pregnancy, with almost 90% of women experiencing some form of morning sickness. Although it is known as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day or night. Dr Marilyn Glenville, the UK’s leading nutritionist and author of ‘Natural Alternatives to Sugar’ says:

“Morning sickness can definitely eased by regulating your blood sugar levels. Make sure that you eat little and often, using complex carbohydrates as snacks to keep your blood-sugar levels up. Suitable choices include rice cakes, wholemeal bread, rye crackers and any whole, unrefined products.”

“Vitamin B6 has been found to be very helpful in reducing the attacks of nausea and vomiting. One theory is that morning sickness may be caused by high oestrogen levels, and vitamin B6 is helpful in clearing excess oestrogen from the body by optimising liver function.”

“Ginger is a traditional remedy for morning sickness, and it can be extremely effective, as confirmed by a 1991 double-blind clinical trial. It can be taken in the form of supplements, capsules or herbal tea. Another good method of taking ginger is in lemon and ginger tea. If you are having trouble keeping fluids down, sweeten the tea with a little honey or maple syrup and freeze as ice cubes to suck as required.”

Cravings

From chocolate and pickles to spicy foods and ice cubes, most pregnant women experience cravings. Nutritionist, Cassandra Barns says:

“Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast, as this can lead to cravings later in the day for sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods. Make sure your meals contain a serving of a protein-rich food such as meat or fish, cheese or yoghurt, seeds and nuts, or beans and lentils: protein can help to slow down absorption of sugars and starches into the blood and lessen cravings later on.”

As well as having a nutrient-rich diet, taking a pregnancy multivitamin, such as Natures Plus Source of Life Garden Prenatal Multi (£42.95, naturesplus.co.uk) can help to prevent deficiencies that could provoke cravings.

Swollen Limbs

It’s not just your tummy that grows while your pregnant, for many women their hands and feet also swell during their pregnancy. Kimby Osbourne, leg health expert at Activa UK

“Pregnancy can obviously affect the legs and feet as there is a lot more pressure and weight on them during this time. Common problems incurred by pregnant women include swollen ankles, tired, aching legs and a feeling of heaviness. This is due to hormonal changes and the extra weight gain during pregnancy, which affects the leg veins. Varicose veins are also more common during pregnancy, especially if they run in the family. Compression hosiery and simple exercises are the best solution to help prevent and alleviate these symptoms and save you from storing up health concerns for the future”.

Back Pain

As well as general fatigue, many women say that back pain is a problem especially towards the end of their pregnancy. Cassandra says:

“Back pain can be a problem for many women in the later stages of pregnancy, as the weight of the baby pulls the body forward, causing the woman to lean back to compensate. The first thing to remember, therefore, is to maintain a good posture and walk upright, trying not to lean back. Avoid high heels, as they put more strain on the back – go for pretty flats instead. Other things that may bring relief include back massage, hot showers (or warm baths, but not hot), and exercise, especially prenatal yoga.”

Skin Problems

Increased hormone levels are the main cause of skin problems during pregnancy, acne is quite common with more than half of pregnant women can expect to develop some form of acne during their first trimester. Marilyn says:“Iron deficiency is more likely to be a problem as the baby starts having a growth spurt in the last trimester it always important to get this monitored. Low iron levels can cause hair loss, the skin to become pale and dull and the nails to become weak. Iron rich foods include all dark green leafy vegetables, tofu, dried apricots and blackstrap molasses.”

“Make sure the diet is rich in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables as these contain antioxidants including Vitamin E that naturally regulates blood pressure. Taking a good fish oil (Omega 3 Support, £27.77) and Vitamin C (NHP Vitamin C Support, £15.77) can be very supportive on top of the antenatal formula (NHP Antenatal Support, £22.97, all naturalhealthpractice.com).”

“Zinc is also essential for skin, hair and nails and can get used up rapidly when under stress. Eat plenty of brown rice, pumpkin seeds and oats.”

Dr Adam Friedmann, consultant dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic, adds:

“If there is oiliness or acne a gentle cleanser can be applied. Treat acne pimples with topical creams (usually prescribed by the GP or dermatologist) and moisturise with a light moisturiser. Use high factor SPF during the spring and summer months.”

Look for light formulaes that also have anti-inflammatory ingredients and promote skin cell renewal like the What Skin Needs Soothing Skin Gel. Dr Roger Henderson, GP with a special interest in dermatology explains: “The Soothing Skin Gel (£14.99, whatskinnneeds.co.uk) helps soothe and provide moisture to dry skin to protect after exposure to the elements as well as helping reduce the irritation of rashes”

How old is too old to have a baby? 44, according to British women

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how old is too old to have a baby? post natal depression, PND,How old do you think is too old for a woman to become a mother? Well new research conducted by the Private Pregnancy UK Show reveals that when it comes to having babies, British women believe that 44 is “too old” and should be the cut-off point. This is despite social factors such as focusing on careers and not finding the right partner, as well as advancements in medicine and science, playing crucial roles in the surge in older women having babies.

The research aims to start a debate on how far medical intervention and assisted conception can go in aiding women who wish to preserve their fertility or delay having children, as well as highlighting the need for increased fertility awareness for adult women and calls for sex education to include information on fertility options.

The five most cited reasons as to why women believe 44 should be the cut-off age are:
1.    It is unfair on the child to have old parents
2.    Increased likelihood of health complications like Down’s Syndrome for the child
3.    Women aged 50-plus should not be allowed fertility assistance via vitro fertilisation (IVF)
4.    Parents won’t live long enough to see the child grow up
5.    It is “unnatural” to have babies after that age

The research also reveals that almost three-quarters (74%) of women believe that there isn’t enough fertility education available for women about not “leaving it too late” to start a family, or the options now available to help preserve a woman’s fertility and likewise, to assist with conception. The majority of women (75%) questioned believe that the responsibility to educate women about these time-sensitive issues lies with government health officials.

Dr Amin Gorgy, fertility consultant and IVF specialist at The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy comments:

“The ideal age for women to become pregnant is in their twenties and early thirties. A woman’s fertility potential declines rapidly after the age of 35 and drops even faster after the age of 40. Indeed, successful egg freezing through vitrification has made it possible for women to postpone conception to later in life but as a society, we should be encouraging couples to have children at a younger age, in fact, I recommend that couples should aim to complete their families by the age of 35. There isn’t enough education available to women, many of whom still believe they can go on forever.

Theoretically, through egg donation and using eggs frozen at an earlier age, women can conceive at any age, in fact, the receptivity of the womb for implanting embryos declines only after the age of 54 but usually, we take 50 as the age limit for assisted conception and only under special circumstances will we consider someone beyond the age of 50. IVF must be put into perspective if used after the age of 35 as the chances of having a live birth with an IVF cycle declines dramatically with age, for example, there is a 20% success rate at the age of 40 which falls to just 1% above the age of 45.”

Dr Alex Eskander, consultant gynaecologist at The Gynae Centre comments:

“My feeling is that women in the UK enjoy much more the liberty, freedom and opportunity to further their careers over settling down to have children, the latter of which is now a thoroughly outdated concept of the traditional family.

I find the two key points of pressure for these women to have children come from their parents’ “need” to have grandchildren and a growing understanding of their biological clock. As a clinician, let’s be clear, I am not scare-mongering, it is a fact that ovarian function declines significantly from 30 years of age and even more sharply after 35 years.

I agree that 44 is too old for women to have children. From the ovaries standpoint, the number of eggs decline and the egg quality is poor. As a result, it is difficult to conceive and the conception maybe associated with a high rate of chromosome abnormalities and increased chances of miscarriage. From the mother’s standpoint, there is a high risk of hypertension, pre-eclampsia and caesarean section.

My advice for young women who may want to delay conception for any reason beyond the age of 35 is to seriously consider egg or embryo freezing (with donor sperm) as your “insurance policy””.

The two doctors will be joining a wider panel of experts who will be hosting this debate in a women’s healthcare Question Time seminar on Sunday 22 May at the Private Pregnancy UK Show.

For more information, please visit www.privatepregnancy.co.uk

 

 

Top 5 Money Saving Pregnancy Tricks

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By Layla Anna-Lee, English TV Presenter and soon to be mum.

pregnancysavingtips

Don’t buy a baby changing unit! A baby changing unit is literally a chest of drawers with a baby changing section on top and an extra zero added to the price. Proper padded anti-roll baby changing mats add the same amount of height to the sides of a mat that any changing unit would have. You must never leave your child alone on a changing unit or mat regardless. So don’t feel obliged to purchase overpriced units when your current chest of draws with a safety mat could be just fine! (Just make sure the chest of drawers is the right width for the mat and is strong enough to take the weight of a baby.) I bought mine from www.safetots.co.uk

 

Eco nappies.  In two years of a child’s life the average spend on disposable nappies is £1,800. The same stretch of time in reusable nappies is around £350 and if you are planning on having another child you can use them again saving yourself much, much more. Modern day Eco nappies are incredibly well designed, there’s no need for old fashioned soaking and can be washed at 30 degrees. Of course washing adds some expenditure but even then it’s less than all the bin liners and nappy sacs you’ll be needing for those disposables. Not to mention the cost on your conscience that disposable nappies are the largest single household contributor to landfill sites. I bought mine from www.totsbots.com

 

The Baby Show! Get your ticket, get there early and don’t leave! This was my favourite shopping spot of all. So easy to compare a huge range of baby products all under one roof and so many incredible discounts. I had purchased my buggy before attending the show then saw the exact same one at the show with over £200 off – That’s a pretty impressive discount and at The Baby Show discounts like that are everywhere. There are a variety of invaluable talks to attend, such as first aid and breast feeding talks are included in the ticket price. If you’re a savvy haggler stay right until the end and you might get even more taken off the price tag as exhibitors don’t want to pack up all the stock to travel home. The next show is taking place at Kensington, Olympia from the 23rd-25th October: www.thebabyshow.co.uk

 

You don’t need a cot straight away. When looking to save money sometimes timing is the answer and when choosing your cot you have time to get it right. A baby can sleep in a Moses basket up until around 3 months or until the baby can sit up or roll. This means  there’s no rush, you can wait for a sale, a hand me down from a close friend or indeed simply take your time to make sure you’re making an educated purchase. Mine is from www.mobauk.com

 

Don’t be afraid to ask for things you actually need. Everyone loves buying presents for a new baby. Whether it be an excited mother in law or if you’re throwing a baby shower. It’s important to be honest because your friends really do want to get you something you will actually use. If you don’t need 45 hats and another plush bunny rabbit then just say so! Make a little list of what you need and let your loved ones help you, it truly makes the world of difference.