Category: Child Birth

The umbilical cord is the apparatus through which a fetus derives all of its nourishment from its mother and is often disposed of immediately after the birth of a child. For many generations, few suspected an umbilical cord could have any possible use after the baby was born and started eating from its mother or drinking from a bottle. It has only been in recent years that the umbilical cord has been used as a source of healing for those with leukemia, lymphoma and other deadly diseases. Umbilical cord blood is rich in properties that produce blood cells, and people suffering from these conditions are usually lacking in blood cells and require bone marrow transplants from relatives. In many cases, there are no exact matches within the family, so they have to look outside the family for transplants.

Umbilical cord blood expands the choices for such patients and is saving the lives of many people per year. On any given day 6,000 people are in need of such transplants, and the umbilical cord may provide the answer to these diseases. It isn’t difficult to decide to donate umbilical cord blood, but arrangements should be made with the hospital ahead of time. If the staff is aware that you are prepared to donate umbilical cord blood, then the blood will be drained painlessly after delivery and preserved for donation.

The umbilical cord blood is needed because it has unique properties which produce blood cells. Some patients require red or white blood cells, and umbilical cord blood can be used as a transplant for many types of patients.

Since the usefulness of umbilical cord blood has been discovered, many more women are interested in donating umbilical cord blood to those who need a transplant or opt to save the blood in a special bank in case a family member should ever need it. Often people .need to find someone within their own families in order to find an exact match

Few would have thought a few years ago that umbilical cord blood would have any use. The term “cut the cord” was used to demonstrate independence, a freedom from something useless. Throughout most of history, the umbilical cord has been regarded as useless after the birth of the infant and is customarily discarded shortly after birth. However, in recent years, the wondrous, lifesaving properties of umbilical cord blood have been discovered. Leukemia and lymphoma patients who had to rely on a match within their families now have hope if they do not find what they are looking for through traditional meals. Umbilical cord blood can regenerate blood cells for these patients, and can save or extend their lives.

Unlike many kinds of blood, umbilical cord blood can build new cells. Most blood cells suffer from reduction or can stay the same, but do not produce more. Umbilical cord blood has the power of producing life-saving cells for patients with a variety of diseases. These cells produce more cells and can give patients a new chance at life.

Umbilical cord blood must be fit for use, so all donors must be approved. To donate umbilical cord blood, a pregnant woman must make arrangements with the hospital ahead of time and answer a questionnaire. After the umbilical cord blood is taken shortly after birth, the blood and the mother are tested again. Many women with certain conditions and blood problems cannot donate umbilical cord blood, but those who are in good general health are free to donate. However, not all umbilical cord blood even from healthy mothers is deemed acceptable to be kept in a blood cord bank. This is decided by professionals who inspect the blood.

Some women choose to store their umbilical cord blood in case their baby may have problems later and may need the blood, or for other family members who require treatment. Others donate their umbilical cord blood to banks that will give the blood to anonymous recipients.

Choosing when to give birth is something that we cannot decide for ourselves. However, it is up to us to choose where we want to give birth. It could be at home, in the hospital, at a birthing center, or even under water. The debate continues on whether underwater birth is good for the baby or not. Those in favor of this technique put forth some valid points. Underwater birth is proven to speed up labor, provide significant pain relief, reduces Caesarean section rates, minimizes the need for drugs and interventions, and gives the mother the flexibility of more positions during labor and delivery.

If you decide to have an underwater birth at home, you will need to consult with your doctor, midwife, and doula in order to make all the necessary arrangements for the arrival of your baby. Underwater birth has become popular the world over and one of the reasons behind this is research which points out that babies born in water develop at least six months faster than their counterparts in the first two years. They learn to walk, and talk faster than the other babies.

However, data to support this is very minimal and more research is ongoing on the subject.
Other than the fact that you would be giving birth underwater, there would be no major differences between this and giving birth in a hospital. Medical assistance would be at hand and so would your spouse. If you wish so, you could also have a home video made of the entire proceedings quite easily for you to preserve as a keepsake. Underwater birth also seems to be catching on as a fad with quite a few celebrities opting for it in recent times. There are also special classes conducted by trained personnel targeted at those preparing for such a birth.

There are two ways to deliver a baby. Expecting mothers will either experience a vaginal birth, or have a surgical procedure called a caesarean section. Delivering a baby vaginally is the safest way to bring a life into the world. Few complications are associated with a vaginal delivery, and mother and child can usually leave the hospital and return home within 24 – 48 hours. On the other hand, a caesarean or C-section involves risks. For example, there is always the chance of extreme blood loss with a C-section. Mother and child usually remain in the hospital for up to five days, and on rare occasions, some women have died during the procedure. For this reason, many physicians prefer a vaginal birth.

Even though there is no way to fully prepare for a vaginal birth, little techniques can help ease pain and nerves. For starters, pregnant women might consider accepting pain medications. Many expecting mothers attempt to deliver their babies without pain killers. Child birth involves intense pain. It’s often described as the “worst pain imaginable,” and feels like your body is being “ripped apart.” Nonetheless, some women want to experience natural child birth and refuse medications. As the pain intensifies the majority of mother’s breakdown and accept pain relievers.

If planning for a vaginal birth, another technique to prepare for delivery is to watch documentaries or videos of real child births. This way, you know what to expect. Many different situations can arise during labor and delivery. The baby might be positioned wrong inside the womb, or the cervix could dilate at a slow rate. Throughout this tense time physicians and nurses may use unfamiliar terms, which might cause the expecting mother to worry. However, the majority of complications are minor, routine, and easily fixable. Learning information about the vaginal birth process can prepare you for possible obstacles, and help ease your worries.

If you are pregnant and plan on having a baby, most likely you will have a traditional, vaginal birth which is also often referred to as pushing birth. This method of childbirth involves the mother “pushing” the baby out. Many mothers take educational classes that help them learn breathing techniques and methods to help make the big day a little bit easier. There are many different positions that can be used during a pushing birth, and which one you choose is really up to you. Many women round their bodies into a “C” position and tuck their chins into their chests to help them get more leverage. Some women actually prefer to squat or kneel, at least during the first stages of labor. It’s a good idea to practice some different positions before the big day so that you can decide which method will be the most comfortable and effective for you.

Aside from the various positions involved in pushing birth, breathing methods are also very important. Deep, slow, cleansing breaths are preferred, although it’s often difficult to focus on this when you are actually in labor. A lot of intense practice is really the best way to develop your own individualized breathing methods that you can actually put into action on the day your baby is born. Taking a class with other new moms is a wonderful way to get support. A lot of emotions are involved in pushing birth, and you may feel almost all of them, from happiness to sadness, but this is completely normal. Usually women feel this way during their months of pregnancy, and all of the emotions have built up until the big day. When you experience the miracle of pushing birth, you will understand that it’s all worth it once you see your newborn being brought into this world.

There are two basic kinds of childbirth: vaginal births and births via Caesarian section. The most common birthing type is vaginal births. Vaginal births are generally statistically safer to the mother than a Caesarian birth, mostly because the birthing process is more natural, and does not require any kind of surgical procedure. In essence, the baby is born directly through the vaginal cavity and delivered as normal with vaginal births. Most births take place in a hospital, where the mother is checked in as soon as she feels any signs of going into labor. Labor can last from a few short minutes to several hours. Other births take place in unconventional places in instances where the mother cannot be taken to a hospital in time. Some mothers choose to birth their children at home, and this is often done with the help of an in home nurse or midwife.

In most vaginal births, the baby comes out head first, but a small percentage of babies come out feet first which is known as breech birth. Usually the mother is given a dose of pain medication delivered through the spine known as an epidural. This is to help numb the mother from the waist down so that she feels less pain while in labor and while during delivery of the baby. For most women, if the baby is of normal weight, vaginal births are more likely. Women who are carrying their children further along than expected (also known as “late”), or women whose babies are slightly heavier or weigh more than expected will usually be subject to a Caesarian section. Many women prefer vaginal births because it allows for the event of childbirth to feel more natural, but this can only be determined by a medical professional, who will assess each individual situation separately.

For women who are pregnant and are anticipating the birth of their first babies, the last trimester can be a difficult and challenging time. The whole idea giving birth may seem vague to the women as her physical symptoms become all the more tangible and feeling “in the dark” about such an important event may create worries and nerves. Few women, even mothers, actually witness a birth, and many women who give birth do not see what is going on through a mirror. There are many birthing videos nowadays that make it possible to see a women giving birth, or a woman can simply attend the labor of a close friend if she wants to see what is happening with a labor.

While the number of people allowed into the birthing room is usually confined to a strict minimum, if you have a friend who is home birthing, she is not subject to hospital restrictions and might be willing to have you observe, especially since you are about to give birth yourself. To see a women giving birth can be a miraculous experience, but at the same time, there may be moments of worry or concern. It is best not to plan to attend a high risk birth so you don’t have to witness certain procedures you would rather not see which would weaken your morale. Try to find a woman who has had experience giving birth and has nor reason to suspect that this birth might pose problems.

If it is difficult to arrange to see a women giving birth live, you can choose from a large selection of birth videos. Perhaps a friend who has a birth video will be willing to watch hers with you and discuss the experience with the benefit of hindsight. It is a good idea to see a women giving birth who is a friend and can explain what is going on.

The shaken baby syndrome or the shaken impact syndrome refers to a drastic kind of abuse that is inflicted on a child. When an angry parent shakes a baby vehemently, the baby unfortunately may develop this kind of syndrome.

Know About The Shaken Baby Syndrome
When you become a parent, you should know how to handle your baby. Babies have a delicate structure; they need to be handled very tenderly and lovingly. Some unfortunate babies have parents shaking them vigorously for a minor reason like crying continuously.

Babies have weak and fragile neck muscles that are unable to provide support to the head. The violent shaking of the baby makes the head move back and forth severely. This usually results in serious and even fatal brain injury. During shaking, if the baby’s head hits a surface the problem is aggravated.

The Trauma
If the head of the baby hits a hard surface, the baby can develop subdural hematoma in which blood is accumulated between the dura (the fibrous outer membrane around the brain) and the surface of the brain. This is a direct outcome of the veins (connecting the brain to the dura) being stretched beyond its elasticity.

When the brain strikes the inner surface of the skull, the harm is inflicted on the brain substance itself. God forbid, if a child stops breathing during shaking, due to the lack of oxygen, irreversible damage can be caused to the brain.

The shaken baby syndrome can also lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage, which suggests bleeding between the brain and the aracnoid (web-like membrane filled with spinal fluid surrounding the brain).

Breakage of nerve cell branches (in the cortex and even in the deeper structures of the brain) can be caused by the vigorous shaking of the brain. When the injured nerve cells start releasing chemicals, it bars the brain from receiving oxygen resulting in further damage to the brain cells.

Apart from the brain-related injuries, the baby with the shaken baby syndrome may also suffer bone fractures, including limbs, collarbone and ribs. The baby has fair chances of suffering bruises all over the body too.

Shaken Baby Syndrome Symptoms
The babies within the age of 2 years stand chances of acquiring the shaken baby syndrome. The symptoms are essentially case-specific and keep changing for different babies. The symptoms usually appear soon after the shaking of the baby. The baby with the shaken baby syndrome may experience drowsiness with irritability, altered level of consciousness, decreased appetite, state of coma, seizures or convulsions; they develop dilated pupils that do not respond to light, breathing problems, vomiting, a posture with head bent backwards and back being arched, abnormally slow respiration, cardiac arrest and even death.

Word Of Advice For The Angry Parent…
If you are a parent and lose your temper very often, then you must vow to avoid the shaken baby syndrome under any circumstances. Firstly, learn to have a control over your rage and get it into your head that the baby must be dealt with affectionately and softness every time. If you find the crying of your baby unbearable, then leave the baby alone or call a trusted caregiver who can handle the baby well, but for God’s sake do not abuse the baby.

If you think you’re pregnant, most likely you will go to the local drug store and get an over the counter pregnancy test. These tests are designed to give you fast results and help you find out if you are pregnant or not. When conception occurs, an egg is fertilized. This egg produces a hormone called HCG. The hormone can be found in your urine about 6-10 days after ovulation. Today’s modern pregnancy test has something called monoclonal antibodies, which are designed to be able to detect the presence of HCG in urine. When you urinate on the special strip included in the pregnancy test, it activates the antibodies which cause the strip to change colors. Usually the process takes about two to five minutes to be complete. Those few minutes can be grueling, but well worth the wait to get a determination of pregnancy.

When you buy a pregnancy test, be sure to read all of the included instructions thoroughly, as all tests are not alike. It is important to pay special attention to the testing time as well, since this can be the difference between an accurate and an inaccurate reading. The first morning urine is usually the best to use because the urine is concentrated. This typically provides the most accurate results. If you decide to take a pregnancy test during the day or in the evening, try not to drink too much close before it, or else you may dilute your urine and get results that are not as clear or accurate. A home pregnancy test is a good way to find out if you are pregnant or not, but a follow up test from your doctors is really the best way to find out whether or not you are in fact 100% certain you are pregnant.

Today it’s easy to learn if you’re pregnant by taking an at-home pregnancy test. These pregnancy tests can be purchased online or in your local pharmacy or drug store. An at-home test is not only easy to use but is found to be 99% accurate, which is the same rate found in urine tests performed in a doctor’s office. A prescription is not necessary to purchase a pregnancy test, making these tests available to everyone. Many women prefer using an at-home pregnancy test because of the privacy it offers.

Pregnancy tests will require you to place a few drops of urine or a stream of urine onto a chemically treated strip. This chemical will determine whether the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) pregnancy hormone is detected. If hCG is detected the strip will react by changing color or revealing a symbol or words informing you that you are pregnant. Following the directions on this test is essential for accuracy. Taking the test earlier than 10 days following conception may lead to a false negative. Some home tests get accurate results earlier than others. The more sensitive, the earlier it can detect a pregnancy. To ensure accurate testing results, a woman should wait between 5 and 10 days after their period is late before taking the pregnancy test.

If you feel the test did not give you accurate results, be sure to see your physician. Pregnancy tests are often performed in the doctor’s office either with a urine test or under special circumstances, a blood test. A blood test was the usual way to determine pregnancy a few years back but now with cost to consider, urine tests are the wiser way to go. With urine at-home tests you can have your results almost immediately and with the same accuracy you’d find in your doctor’s office.