Recent Pregnancy Blog | January 2009 Posts

How Much Water to Drink in Labor?

by Pattie Hughes

In the eleven years since I got pregnant with our first baby, I've often laughed at changing recommendations. Both during various pregnancies and with each baby there seems to be a new recommendation or a change from past ones. Recent research may lead to changes in drinking water during labor.

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Kidney Infection in Pregnancy

by Pattie Hughes

Kidney infections often result from untreated bladder infections. When a bladder infection is left untreated, the bacteria can continue to travel up the urinary tract, until it reaches the kidneys.

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Bladder Infection in Pregnancy

by Pattie Hughes

Bladder infection is a bacteria infection that causes inflammation in the bladder. This is also called cystitis or a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract runs from the kidneys to the bladder to the urethra. A bladder infection results when bacteria enter the urethra and travels to the bladder.

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Dealing with Pelvic Pain

by Pattie Hughes

Pelvic pain is common in pregnancy, as the baby grows. The pelvis joint expands throughout the third trimester as the body prepares for child birth. This expansion combined with the weight of the baby is responsible for pelvic pain during pregnancy.

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Identifying and Treating Postpartum Depression

by Pattie Hughes

Post partum depression is often underdiagnosed. New mothers don't seek help for a variety of reasons or fail to notice the symptoms of PPD. Health care providers have limited contact and women often put on a brave face, which prevents diagnosis in some cases.

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ACOG Guidelines for Exercise

by Pattie Hughes

Most medical professionals agree that exercise during pregnancy is beneficial for otherwise healthy women. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology advocates exercise for healthy women at least three times a week.

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What is a Tilted Uterus?

by Pattie Hughes

A tilted uterus (also called a tipped uterus or retroverted uterus) is when the uterus is slightly tilted backwards. Normally, the uterus is straight and vertical to the pelvis or tipped slightly forward.

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Fertility Drugs and Cancer Risk

by Pattie Hughes

Many women undergoing treatment for infertility are given fertility drugs when they are trying to conceive. Two of the most commonly used fertility drugs are Clomid and injections of a class of drugs known as gonadotropin releasing hormones.

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What to do if You Face Pregnancy Discrimination

by Pattie Hughes

As I reported in this blog, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reported an increase in pregnancy discrimination complaints. Many mistakenly believe this type of discrimination no longer happens with laws designed to prevent it.

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Health Risks Related to Teen Pregnancy

by Pattie Hughes

Teen pregnancy continues to be a problem around the world, despite lower teen pregnancy rates. There are health risks specific to teen pregnancy that pregnant teens and parents should discuss with the doctor or midwife.

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Pregnancy Discrimination Complaints on the Rise

by Pattie Hughes

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington D.C. tracks complaints of pregnancy related discrimination in the United States each year. The organization has reported a dramatic increase in complaints for the year 2007.

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Review: Gaiam Prenatal Yoga DVD

by Pattie Hughes

Prenatal yoga was my exercise of choice in my last two pregnancies. I found that when I took the time out of my day to practice yoga, I felt better. I experienced fewer aches and pains, had more energy and felt more relaxed and peaceful. There is evidence to suggest I am not alone.

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