Bed rest will differ from woman to woman and may range from simple periodic resting at home to full bed rest with monitoring in a hospital.  Some women will discover that their health care provider places them on bed rest for a brief period to help a complication stabilize, while other women may be placed on bed rest throughout most of their pregnancy if they have what is called, a high-risk pregnancy.

What are the common reasons for bed rest during pregnancy?

Your healthcare provider may prescribe bed rest for any number of reasons, but in all cases, it is to increase the probability that you continue with a healthy pregnancy.

Here is a list of pregnancy complications that may lead to bed rest:

• • High blood pressure, such as preeclampsia or eclampsia
  • Cervical changes, such as the incompetent cervix or cervical effacement
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Premature labor
  • Multiples
  • History of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or premature birth
  • Poor fetal development
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Placenta complications, such as placental abruption, placenta previa, and placenta accreta

How will bed rest help?

In most cases, bed rest is used to give the body it’s best chance to normalize. Bed rest will be used with women who have conditions related to high blood pressure in order to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Work, activity, lifting, or exercise may worsen or provoke certain situations, so bed rest may be prescribed to reduce vaginal bleeding or decrease the chance of premature labor. Bed rest may also be necessary to help increase blood flow to the placenta.

What is the best position for bed rest?

The best position for bed rest will depend on your situation and what complication your health care provider is trying to address or prevent. In most cases, your healthcare provider will request that you sleep and rest on your side, usually with your knees or hips bent, and maybe with a pillow between your knees.

You may be asked to lie on your back while being propped up with pillows or to lie on your back with your hips or legs elevated higher than your shoulders.

How can I deal with bed rest discomforts?

Bed rest will tend to cause your muscles to lose tone and make some of your joints ache. Lying down for long periods of time can also reduce your blood circulation. Changing from side to side will help stimulate your muscles and relieve pressure.

Exercise is important for your blood circulation, but make sure that you visit with your health care provider before you begin any exercises.
Below are common exercises that may be used:

• Squeezing stress balls
• Pressing your hands and feet against the bed
• Turning your arms and feet in circles
• Tensing or tightening your arm and leg muscles

Avoid using your abdominal muscles when you are stretching or exercising.  Again, consult with your healthcare provider about the best ways for you to get exercise in your situation.

“Do’s” and “Don’t’s” during bed rest:

The “do’s” and “do not’s” during bed rest will vary from woman to woman, depending on your situation and the reasons that bed rest is prescribed by your health care provider.  It is important to get a clear understanding of what is allowed during your bed rest period.
In most cases, bed rest will require that you avoid lifting, exercising, or any strenuous activity.

Here is a list of activities to discuss with your health care provider:

• Cooking
• Light chores
• Walking
• Bath or shower
• Driving
• Exercise
• Sexual intercourse

If your bed rest occurs for a long period of time, it is important to discuss exercises or activities that you are allowed to do to keep your blood circulating.

How can I make the best of bed rest?

Bed rest may sound fun, but it is usually challenging for most women, particularly if it is for longer periods.

There are a number of activities you can engage in to make your bed rest a more positive experience:

• Start a journal: Putting your thoughts to paper can be therapeutic and imagine sharing what you were thinking and going through with your LO one day. Whether you share with them or keep it as a private journal, these days and weeks will go by faster than you think. It can be fun to look back and remember how far you have come.
• Create a vision board and set life goals: I am sure you have heard about the power of attraction. Whether you believe it is true or not, it is always a great idea to make goals, so you can achieve them. Anything is possible. Why not reach for the stars? Set reachable short term goals that align with extraordinary long-term goals. A vision board is perfect for creating what you want your life to look like. Pick out how much you want to make, what you want your career to be, what car you want to drive and what you want your house to look like. These are a few examples. Really you can have anything on your vision board, look at it daily and imagine what it feels like to already have these things. Be happy and positive. Stay focused and see how many things come true that you put your mind to.
• Become a Pinterest master: If you don’t have a free Pinterest account already, do it! You can create boards like baby’s nursery, recipes, dream homes, DIY projects or interior design ideas. To name just a few, really it is up to you what you create and Pin. Be prepared to lose all boredom into the Pinterest abyss and be sure to Follow APA on Pinterest!
• Start a blog: A blog should reflect your interests so you never run out of things to write about. Who knows you could end up starting your own business or join the large and highly paid mommy blogger universe.
• Join a pregnancy community: Let’s face it, nobody knows what you are going through like other moms that have been there or moms-to-be. You will end up finding other mommas to share experiences, advice, and hope with. You may even make a few friends. Who else is really up all hours of the night googling stuff about pregnancy and babies?
• Establish a routine: Bed rest may make you feel as if you are not in control. Establish a routine to help you feel more in control of your situation.  Change into comfortable clothes and have a schedule for the day.
• Simple organization: You are stuck in bed, but this is an excellent opportunity to organize photo albums, make changes to address books, update recipes, or work on other projects that need attention.
• Give Google a rest: Googling all day and night can become a source of stress which is what you need to be avoiding.
• Connect with friends: After the baby arrives you will be busy, so visiting with friends may be difficult. Use this time to make phone calls to your friends.
• Baby preparations: Bed rest provides you with an opportunity to get organized and plan for the baby. You can begin planning for baby names, a baby registry, a new will, guardianship, insurance, baby announcements, thank you notes and financial matters. You may also use this time to order nursery items on the internet or the phone.
• Medical preparations: Bed rest will also give you time to research and plan to deal with a complication. You can get online or read books to discover how you can be prepared for handling an early delivery or other complications.
• Allow friends and family to help: Your family and friends care about you and are interested in helping you out.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help with meals, household chores or errands. You may even find that people will call to ask what they can do to help. Make it easier on yourself by having a “to do” list with you.
• Become a parenting expert: Bed rest provides you with an excellent opportunity to search the internet, read books, and go through baby and parenting magazines to gain information on parenting.
• Love those around you: Bed rest will require those around you to invest more time in chores and activities that you may normally have handled. Take this time to do something for them to show your appreciation such as make a card, write a letter, or order a special gift.
• Get organized: Being confined to the bed does not mean that you cannot be productive, whether it is accomplishing things for your family, your home, or just doing something for yourself.

Here is a checklist of items you may want near the bed or couch:

• Lots of water and snacks
• Telephone, charger, directory or address book
• Journal, Pens, pencils or paper
• Brush, comb, and mirror
• Books, magazines, or other reading materials
• Remote controls to the TV and VCR
• Laptop computer
• Cosmetics, nail files, etc.

Want to Know More?

• Pregnancy Exercise Guidelines
• Remote Nurse Monitoring
• Pregnancy-friendly Ice Cream

Compiled using information from the following source:
Nemours Foundation, Reposo en cama que comúnmente se prescrita durante el embarazo para aliviar ciertas complicaciones del embarazo. Algunas mujeres saben que viene debido a su historial médico, mientras que otras son sorprendidas durante un chequeo de rutina. No se alarme porque el reposo en cama es común.
El reposo en cama será diferente con cada mujer y puede varear desde un simple descanso periódico en su casa a descansando en cama bajo monitorio en un hospital. Algunas mujeres descubren que su doctor los coloca en reposo en cama durante un breve período para ayudar a estabilizar una complicación, mientras que otras mujeres pueden ser colocados en reposo en cama durante la mayor parte de su embarazo.

¿Cuáles son las razones de reposo en cama?

El médico puede prescribir reposo en cama por cualquier número de razones, pero en todos los casos se trata de aumentar la probabilidad de que de continuar con un embarazo saludable.
Aquí está una lista de las complicaciones que puede resultar con reposo en cama:

• Alta presión arterial, como preeclampsia, y eclampsia
• Cambios cervicales, como cuello uterino incompetente o borramiento cervical
• Sangrado vaginal
• Parto prematuro
• Múltiples
• Historia de pérdida del embarazo, muerte fetal o parto prematuro
• Desarrollo fetal deficiente
• Diabetes gestacional
• Complicaciones de la placenta, tales como desprendimiento placentario, placenta previa y accreta de la placenta

¿Cómo ayudara el reposo en cama?

En la mayoría de los casos, el reposo en cama se prescribe para darle al cuerpo la mejor oportunidad para normalizarse. El reposo en cama se puede recomendar a las mujeres que tienen condiciones relacionadas con la alta presión arterial con el fin de disminuir el estrés y la presión arterial. El trabajo, la actividad, levantando cosas, o el ejercicio puede empeorar o provocar ciertas situaciones, por lo que el reposo en cama puede ser recetado para reducir el sangrado vaginal o disminuir el riesgo de parto prematuro. El reposo en cama también puede ser necesario para ayudar a aumentar el flujo de sangre a la placenta.

¿Cuál es la mejor posición para el reposo en cama?

La mejor posición para el reposo en cama dependerá de su situación y que complicación su doctor está tratando de resolver o prevenir. En la mayoría de los casos, su doctor le pedirá que duerma y descanse de su lado, por lo general con las rodillas o las caderas flexionadas, y tal vez con una almohada entre las rodillas. Se le puede pedir que se recueste sobre su espalda mientras era apuntalado con almohadas o que se acueste boca arriba con las caderas o las piernas elevadas superiores a los hombros. Más información sobre las posiciones para dormir durante el embarazo.

¿Cómo puedo lidiar con molestias cama de descanso?

El reposo en cama tiende a causar que sus músculos pierden tono y causan dolor de las articulaciones. Acostándose durante largos períodos de tiempo también puede reducir la circulación de la sangre. Cambiando de lado a lado le ayudará a estimular los músculos y aliviar la presión. Ejercicio es importante para su circulación sanguínea, pero asegúrese de que usted visite con su médico antes de comenzar cualquier ejercicio.
A continuación son comunes ejercicios que pueden utilizarse:

• Exprima bolas de estrés
• Presione sus manos y pies contra la cama
• Pase los brazos y los pies en círculos
• Tenso o apretando sus músculos de brazos

Evite el uso de los músculos abdominales cuando se está estirando o haciendo ejercicio. Una vez más, consulte con su doctor acerca de las mejores maneras para que usted consiga el ejercicio en su situación.

“Que Hacer” y “Que No Hacer” Durante el Reposo en Cama

Los “Qué hacer” y “no hacer” durante el reposo en cama pueden variar de una mujer a otra, dependiendo de su situación y de las razones por las que el reposo en cama es prescrito por su doctor. Es importante tener una comprensión clara de lo que está permitido durante su período de reposo en cama. En la mayoría de los casos, con el reposo en cama, será necesario que no levante objetos, haga ejercicio o cualquier actividad extenuante.
Aquí está una lista de actividades para discutir con su doctor sobre:

• Cocinar
• tareas ligeras
• Caminar
• Bañera o ducha
• Conducir
• Ejercicio
• Las relaciones sexuales

Si el reposo en cama se produce durante un largo período de tiempo, es importante de hablar de los ejercicios o actividades que se le permite hacer para mantener la sangre circulando.

¿Cómo puedo hacer lo mejor de reposo en cama?

El reposo en cama puede sonar divertido, pero por lo general es difícil para la mayoría de las mujeres, sobre todo si es para períodos más largos.
Hay una serie de actividades que usted puede participar en para hacer su reposo en cama una experiencia más positiva:
Establezca una rutina: El reposo en cama puede hacerla sentir como si usted no está en control. Establezca una rutina para ayudarle a sentirse más en control de su situación. Cambiando se en ropa cómoda y tenga un horario para el día.
Limpieza de primavera: Usted puede ser atrapada en la cama, pero esta es una excelente oportunidad para organizar álbumes de fotos, hacer cambios para hacer frente a los libros, actualizar recetas, o para trabajar en otros proyectos que requieren atención.
Conectase con amigos: Después de que llegue el bebé va a estar ocupada, y puede ser difícil visitar con los amigos. Aproveche de este tiempo para hacer llamadas telefónicas a sus amigos.
Preparaciones del bebé : El reposo en cama le proporciona una oportunidad para organizarse y planificar para el bebé. Puede comenzar a planear para nombres del bebé, un registro del bebé, un nuevo testamento, la tutela, los seguros, los avisos del bebé, notas y los asuntos financieros. También puede utilizar este tiempo para ordenar los elementos de vivero en el Internet o el teléfono.
Preparaciones médicas: El reposo en cama también le dará tiempo para investigar y planear para hacer frente a una complicación. Usted puede obtener en línea o leer libros para descubrir cómo usted puede estar preparada para manejar un parto prematuro o otras complicaciones.
Permita que amigos y familiares le ayuden : Su familia y amigos se preocupan por usted y están interesados en ayudarla. No tenga miedo de pedir ayuda con las comidas, las tareas domésticas o mandados. Usted puede incluso encontrar que la gente va a llamar para preguntar qué pueden hacer para ayudar. Que sea más fácil para ti de tener una lista de “cosas de hacer” con usted.
Conviértase en un experto en la crianza de los hijos: El reposo en cama le proporciona una excelente oportunidad para buscar en internet, leer libros, y revistas sobre el bebé y la crianza para obtener información sobre la crianza.
Ame a los que estén alrededor de usted: El reposo en cama requerirá los que te rodean a invertir más tiempo en las tareas y actividades que es posible que normalmente ha manejado. Tome este tiempo para hacer algo por ellos para mostrar su aprecio, como haciendo una tarjeta, escriba una carta o pida un regalo especial.
Organizarse: Estando confinada a la cama, no significa que no puede ser productivo, si se está logrando cosas para su familia, su casa, o simplemente haciendo algo por si mismo.
Aquí hay una lista de artículos que usted puede desear cerca de la cama o en el sofá:

• Teléfono, directorio y agenda de direcciones
• Bolígrafos, lápices y papel
• Cepillo, peine y espejo
• Libros, revistas o otros materiales de lectura
• Control remoto al televisor
• Computadora portátil
• Cosméticos, limas de uñas, etc.

Compilado utilizando la información de la siguiente fuente:
Nemours Foundation,

The post Reposo en Cama appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Pregnancy Smoothies Help Maximize Your Nutrition

Why Vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the proper development of your baby’s growing nervous system and brain while pregnant. As well as, helping with early symptoms of pregnancy, like nausea.
If you wish to learn more about all the ways vitamin B6 aids for a healthy pregnancy and baby, check out APA’s article on vitamin B6 and pregnancy or our extensive breakdown of the roles of vitamin B during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Smoothies Recipes Packed with B6

Luckily, several foods that you would normally put in a smoothie are rich in vitamin B6. Unlike, nutritional yeast which has a cheesy taste yet packs 140% of your DV of B6 in 1 tablespoon.
For these recipes, we are sticking to fruits and veggie combinations that make naturally sweet-tasting smoothies.

It is highly recommended you stick to organic produce to avoid foods heavy in pesticides and or genetically modified foods with the pesticides genetically bonded to the seed of the produce.
This process attacks the intestines of the insect, liquefies it to kills them from the inside. Does not sound very yummy when you are pregnant.

Plus, ripe organic fruits and veggies taste way better!
Several different combinations of these foods will supply you with a great natural boost of B6.

Natural Food Sources of B6:

• Bananas
• Avocados
• Sunflower Seeds/Seed Butter
• Hazelnuts
• Wheat Germ
• Peas
• Spinach
• Walnuts

Try these yummy pregnancy smoothie recipes rich in vitamin B6. Let us know your favorite one or any other yummy recipes you enjoy made with vitamin B6 rich foods.

“Tropical Dream” Smoothie Recipe

• 1 Banana
• 1/2 ripe Avocado
• 1-2 cups Spinach (fresh and rinsed well)
• ½ cup Pineapple chunks (frozen or fresh)
• ½ cup Mango chunks (frozen or fresh)
• 1 tsp of local honey (optional)
• 4-5 Ice cubes
• 1 cup Coconut Water or Pineapple Juice

“Wonder Woman” Smoothie Recipe

• 1 Banana
• 2 tbs of Sunflower Seed Butter
• 1 tsp of local honey
• 1 cup Blueberries (frozen or fresh)
• 2 handfuls of Spinach (fresh and rinsed well)
• 4-5 Ice cubes
• 1 cup Cold Cashew Milk or Flaxseed Milk (Hazelnut Milk or Almond Milk)

“Strawberry Fields” Smoothie Recipe

• 2 handfuls of Spinach (fresh and rinsed well)
• 1 cup Strawberries (frozen or fresh)
• 1 cup Pineapple chunks (frozen or fresh)
• 1 tbsp Sunflower Seed Butter
• 1 tsp of local honey
• 1 Banana (frozen or fresh)
• 2 tsp Flax Seeds
• 1 cup cold Cashew Milk or Flaxseed Milk (Hazelnut Milk or Almond Milk)

If you wish to read more about nutrition during pregnancy we highly recommend the following books:

The post Pregnancy Smoothies appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Nuestros socios están aquí para apoyar su embarazo

La Asociación Americana del Embarazo se asocia con empresas de la más alta calidad con productos líderes en el mercado.

Fairhaven Health

DNA Diagnostics

Nordic Naturals

Affordable Cord Care

ViaCord

My Fetal Life

Safe Catch

Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream

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Mis Tres Opciones Sobre mi Embarazo

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Tomando una Decisión

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Te mereces el mejor apoyo para tu embarazo

La Asociación Americana del Embarazo se asocia con compañías de la más alta calidad con productos líderes del mercado.

Fairhaven Health

DNA Diagnostics

Nordic Naturals

Affordable Cord Care

ViaCord

My Fetal Life

Safe Catch

Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream

Directorio de Nombres de Bebés

Directorio

Búsqueda de Proveedores

Boletín de Semana a Semana

Acerca

Contact

El Blog

Quedar Embarazada

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and Fertility

Bacterial Vaginosis or BV is the most common genital tract disorder in reproductive-aged women. It is characterized by a shift…

Fertilidad

Gametos Transferencia Intratubárica (TIG)

¿Qué es gametos transferencia intratubárica (TIG)? Gametos transferencia intratubárica (TIG) es un procedimiento de reproducción asistida que consiste en extraer…

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Common Infertility Terms

Adverse outcome: A pregnancy that does not result in a live birth, including miscarriage, induced terminations, and stillbirths.

ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology): Any procedure where eggs are surgically removed from a woman’s ovaries and combined with sperm to assist a woman in getting pregnant. ART procedures include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT), and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT).

ART cycle: The process includes 1) an ART procedure, 2) ovarian stimulation, or 3) frozen embryos thawed for transfer into a woman. This process begins when a woman starts fertility medications or has her ovaries monitored for follicle production.

Canceled cycle: An ART cycle in which ovarian stimulation was carried out but was stopped before eggs were retrieved, or in the case of frozen embryo cycles, before embryos were transferred. The reasons a cycle maybe have been canceled include undeveloped eggs, the patient becomes ill, or the patient chose to stop treatment.

Combination cycle: An ART cycle which uses more than one ART procedure. Combination cycles usually combine IVF with either GIFT or ZIFT.

The concentration of motile sperm: A measurement of the sperm that can readily swim to fertilize the egg. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there should be a minimum of 10 million motile sperm per milliliter of semen.

Cryopreservation: The process of freezing extra embryos from a couple’s ART cycle for potential future use.

Diminished ovarian reserve: A diagnosed condition which means the ability of the ovary to produce eggs is reduced. The reasons may either be congenital, medical, surgical causes or advanced maternal age (older than 40).

Donor egg cycle: An embryo is formed from the donor egg of one woman (the donor) and then transferred to another woman who is unable to use her own eggs (the recipient). All parental rights are relinquished by the donor.

Donor embryo: An embryo that is donated by a couple who previously underwent ART treatment and had extra embryos available.  All parental rights are relinquished by the donor couple.

Ectopic pregnancy: A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants in a location outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube, the ovary, or the abdominal cavity.

Egg: A female reproductive cell, also called an oocyte or ovum.

Egg retrieval (also called oocyte retrieval): A procedure to collect the eggs contained in the ovarian follicles.

Egg transfer (also called oocyte transfer): The procedure of transferring retrieved eggs into a woman’s fallopian tubes through laparoscopy; this procedure is used only in GIFT.

Embryo: An egg that has been fertilized by a sperm and undergone one or more divisions.

Embryo transfer: The procedure of placing an embryo into a woman’s uterus through the cervix after in vitro fertilization (IVF). During the process of zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), the embryos are placed in a woman’s fallopian tube.
Endometriosis: A medical condition that involves the presence of tissue similar to the uterine lining in abnormal locations. This condition can affect both fertilization of the egg and embryo implantation.

Fertilization: The penetration of the egg by the sperm and the resulting combining of genetic material that develops into an embryo.

Fetus: The unborn offspring from the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth.

Follicle: A structure in the ovaries that contains a developing egg.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps an egg mature and is released. High levels of FSH indicate ovarian reserve is low and chances of conception are poor.

Fresh eggs, sperm, or embryos: Eggs, sperm, or embryos that have not been frozen. However, fresh embryos may have been conceived using either fresh or frozen sperm.

Frozen embryo cycle: An ART cycle in which frozen (cryopreserved) embryos are thawed and transferred to the woman.

Gamete: A reproductive cell, either a sperm or an egg.

GIFT (gamete intrafallopian transfer): An ART procedure that involves removing eggs from the woman’s ovary, combining them with sperm, and using a laparoscope to place the unfertilized eggs and sperm into the woman’s fallopian tube through small incisions in her abdomen.

A gestational carrier (also called a gestational surrogate): A woman who carries an embryo that was formed from the egg of another woman. The gestational carrier usually has a contractual obligation to return the infant to its intended parents.

Gestational sac: A fluid-filled structure that develops within the uterus early in pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy, a gestational sac contains a developing fetus.

Home fertility screening: Over-the-counter fertility testing kits that allow for screening for both men and women.
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection): A procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg; this procedure is most commonly used to overcome male infertility problems.

Induced abortion: A surgical or other medical procedure used to end a pregnancy.

IUI (intrauterine insemination): A medical procedure that involves placing sperm into a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. IUI is not considered an ART procedure because it does not involve the manipulation of eggs.

IVF (in vitro fertilization): An ART procedure that involves removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them outside her body. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the woman’s uterus through the cervix.

Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument (a laparoscope) is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen to view the inside of the pelvis.

Live birth: The delivery of one or more babies with any signs of life.

Male factor: Any cause of infertility due to low sperm count or problems with sperm function that make it difficult for a sperm to fertilize an egg under normal conditions.

Miscarriage (also called spontaneous abortion): A pregnancy ending in the spontaneous loss of the embryo or fetus before 20 weeks of gestation.

Multi-fetal pregnancy reduction: This procedure is also known as selective reduction. A procedure used to decrease the number of fetuses a woman carries and improve the chances that the remaining fetuses will develop into healthy infants. Multi-fetal reductions that occur naturally are referred to as spontaneous reductions.

Multiple factors, female-only: This diagnostic category means that more than one female infertility cause was diagnosed.

Multiple factors, female and male: A diagnostic category used when one or more female/male infertility causes are diagnosed together.

Multiple-infant birth: A pregnancy that results in the birth of more than one infant.

Multiple-fetus pregnancy: A pregnancy with two or more fetuses, determined by the number of fetal hearts observed on an ultrasound performed early in pregnancy.

Oocyte: The female reproductive cell, also called an egg.

Other causes of infertility: These include immunological problems, chromosomal abnormalities, cancer, chemotherapy, and serious illnesses.

Ovarian monitoring: The use of ultrasound and/or blood or urine tests to monitor follicle development and hormone production.

Ovarian reserve: Refers to a woman’s fertility potential in the absence of problems in her reproductive tract (fallopian tubes, uterus or vagina).

Ovarian stimulation: The use of medications to stimulate the ovaries to develop follicles and eggs.

Ovulatory dysfunction: A diagnostic category used when a woman’s ovaries are not producing eggs normally. It includes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and multiple ovarian cysts.

Pregnancy (clinical): A pregnancy documented by ultrasound that shows a gestational sac in the uterus. For ART data collection purposes, pregnancy is defined as a clinical pregnancy rather than a chemical pregnancy (i.e., a positive pregnancy test).

Pregnancy Symptoms: A group of physical changes that occur in a woman’s body related to pregnancy and the increased levels of the hCG hormone.

Sperm: The male reproductive cell.

Sperm motility: The sperm’s ability to readily swim forward to fertilize the egg. Also referred to as sperm mobility.

Stillbirth: A fetal death that occurs after 20 weeks gestation.

Stimulated cycle: An ART cycle in which a woman receives oral or injected fertility drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce more follicles.

Thawed embryo cycle: Same as frozen embryo cycle.

Tubal factor: A diagnostic category used when the woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, making it difficult for the egg to be fertilized or for an embryo to travel to the uterus.

Ultrasound: A technique used in ART for visualizing the follicles in the ovaries, the gestational sac, or the fetus.

Unexplained cause of infertility: A diagnostic category used when no cause of infertility is found in either the woman or the man.

Unstimulated cycle: An ART cycle in which the woman does not receive drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce more follicles.
Instead, follicles develop naturally.

Uterine factor: A structural or functional disorder of the uterus that results in reduced fertility.

ZIFT (zygote intrafallopian transfer): An ART procedure in which eggs are collected from a woman’s ovary and fertilized outside her body. A laparoscope is then used to place the resulting zygote (fertilized egg) into the woman’s fallopian tube through a small incision in her abdomen.

Our Ultimate Fertility Resource Guide provides the information you need on fertility, tips on how to get pregnant faster, and how to boost fertility through sometimes simple tweaks to your lifestyle and approach. The guide is easy to read and meant for anybody wanting to increase their ability to conceive. It’s a free download and includes coupon codes for essential products. Even free Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream.

Want to Know More?

• Infertility 101: What You Need to Know First
• Male Infertility
• Female Infertility
• Infertility Medications
• Ovulation: Frequently Asked Questions

The post Infertility Terms To Know appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Let’s explore how Bacterial Vaginosis affects fertility.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis can be a vicious circle of triggers, which means that breaking the BV cycle of bacterial imbalance can be very difficult. Women with BV have reduced levels of amylase in the vagina, an enzyme that breaks up big carbohydrates into smaller carbohydrates called glycogen that healthy bacteria eat. Without this preferred food source, the friendly lactobacillus bacteria can’t grow and thrive. Women with BV also have reduced levels of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that can fight off invading bacteria. In healthy vaginas, vaginal mucosal cells normally make AMPs.

Can Sperm and Eggs Survive Bacterial Vaginosis?

Bacterial Vaginosis is three times more common in infertile women than fertile women. BV, and other infections in general, can decrease fertility in a number of ways:

• Increasing inflammation and immune system activity, making a toxic environment for reproduction
• Causing damage to sperm and vaginal cells
• Interfering with the production of healthy cervical mucus during ovulation
• Blocking the fallopian tubes through scar tissue damage from infections, so that sperm and egg can’t meet

Can BV Affect My Pregnancy?

Bacterial Vaginosis is associated with a two-fold increase in risk of preclinical pregnancy loss, sometimes called a chemical pregnancy, following IVF. For women with BV present during pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of miscarriages, preterm birth, and low birth weight complications for the newborn, as well as postpartum infections.

Can My Vaginal Microbiome Affect My Baby?

Research has shown that a baby born vaginally will have a microbiome that closely resembles the mother’s microbiome. Fetal microbial influence can start as early as in the womb through microbes shared from the placenta, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord blood. Breastfeeding after birth can also pass the mother’s microbiome to the baby but the largest transfer of microbes occurs during the baby’s trip down the vaginal canal. Your child’s best possible lifelong health and immune system are impacted by the microbiome in your vagina during birth so it’s wise to keep the vaginal ecosystem in a healthy state during pregnancy.

How Does BV Develop?

For about 90% of women who are diagnosed, Bacterial Vaginosis develops after a persistent loss of lactic acid producing bacteria in the vagina. Lactic acid producing bacteria help a healthy vagina maintain an acidic vaginal pH. This pH of around 4.5 keeps the bacteria that cause BV at bay. The acidic pH also supports normal exfoliation, or shedding, of vaginal mucosal cells, which in turn releases glycogen for the good bacteria to eat.

If you are able to restore the conditions in the vaginal ecosystem that allow the healthy bacteria to thrive, it is possible to stop the vicious cycle of BV. However, if the bad bacteria populations continue to grow, there won’t be enough glycogen for the healthy lactobacillus bacteria to eat. The BV bacteria will then make a biofilm at an elevated pH that coats and protects these bad bacteria, making it difficult for the lactobacillus to return to healthy levels.

Treatments – What to Do and Not Do

Antibiotics such as metronidazole (aka Flagyl), clindamycin, and tinidazole are often prescribed and will destroy some of the bacteria that cause symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. But, it is well-known that antibiotics kill off the good bacteria along with the infection-causing bacteria, which has potentially dire long-term impact on vaginal health. In a groundbreaking study published in Nature, Martin Blaser of New York University’s Langone Medical Center maintains that antibiotics’ impact on friendly bacteria is permanent.¹ Blaser argues that the consequences of this are so serious that antibiotic prescriptions should not be given to pregnant women and young children.

Since vaginal health correlates to the presence of good bacteria, antibiotics must be used only when absolutely necessary. Killing off the good bacteria along with the bad can lead to vaginal imbalance and recurring instances of BV. Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of women treated for BV will experience a recurrence within 12 months.² BV is most typically recurrent following a course of antibiotics.

Given that there are no easy answers when it comes to treating BV, the best course of action may very well be to help our vagina heal itself by putting the good bacteria back in charge. Options to try instead of antibiotics may include  a vaginal probiotic with healthy doses of micronutrients that are required for a healthy vaginal ecosystem (such as iron, zinc and manganese). If you and your doctor feel a course of antibiotics is necessary, make sure to change your routine to include things such as using probiotics and pH balancing gels to ensure your relief from BV is more than temporary.

How Can I Prevent Bacterial Vaginosis?

Healthy bacteria are the best defense against bacterial vaginosis, so anything you do to encourage the growth of lactobacillus bacteria will be a positive step forward in your fight against BV. First and foremost, don’t douche. Douching washes out all the good bacteria with the bad, and many douches contain harsh chemicals. When you are looking for vaginal health products to eliminate odor, maintain pH or lubricate for intimacy, choose products without glycerin (glycerol), coating oils, or parabens. It is also important to select products that are isotonic with vaginal cells, meaning that the salt/ion concentration of the product is the same as your vaginal tissues. Many lubricants and freshening gels have salt (ion) concentrations that are 4 times higher than vaginal fluids. High salt levels will pull water from cells and have been found to permanently damage vaginal mucosal cells and lactobacillus. Never use household oils such as coconut oil in your vagina. Coconut oil can contain toxic peroxides and inflammatory chemicals due to exposure to light and storage at room temperature, and can coat the vagina thereby interfering with vaginal self-cleaning.

A few additional comments about pH: remember that a healthy vaginal pH is acidic, with a pH level of 4.5. When choosing products for odor control or lubrication, be sure to select products that have a pH of no lower than 4 and no higher than about 5.5. The one exception is when you are trying to get pregnant, it is best to use a pH 7 lubricant during your fertile window to avoid harming sperm.

How Does BV Impact My Overall Vaginal Health?

Bacterial Vaginosis:

• Can cause scarring of the Fallopian tubes and associated fertilization failure.
• Keeps the vagina’s immune system into a persistent, raised state of response.
• Causes chronic inflammation. Women with BV have an increase in vaginal chemicals associated with inflammation, called interleukins.
• Compromises the white blood cells that fight infection, making women with BV more prone to other vaginal infections. Studies show BV is associated with increased rates of human papillomavirus and HIV infection.

Good Vaginal Health is Good for Fertility Too

Bacterial Vaginosis is no fun to deal with, and is especially impactful not only when you are trying to conceive, as it can harm sperm and eggs, but also during pregnancy. Like with most health conditions, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By choosing vaginal care products that support the growth of healthy bacteria (or at a minimum don’t harm healthy bacteria), you can keep your vaginal ecosystem in the proper balance, and key BV at bay.

Our Ultimate Fertility Resource Guide provides the information you need on fertility, tips on how to get pregnant faster, and how to boost fertility through sometimes simple tweaks to your lifestyle and approach. The guide is easy to read and meant for anybody wanting to increase their ability to conceive. It’s a free download and includes coupon codes for essential products. Even free Nightfood Nighttime Ice Cream.

Want to Know More?

• Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy
• Yeast Infections During Pregnancy

Sources
¹Blaser MJ. Stop the killing of beneficial bacteria. Nature 476, 393–394 (25 August 2011). doi:10.1038/476393a
²Bradshaw CS, et al. (2006). “High recurrence rates of bacterial vaginosis over the course of 12 months after oral metronidazole therapy and factors associated with recurrence” J Infect Dis. 2006 Jun 1;193(11):1478-86.
³Nasioudis et al. Bacterial Vaginosis: A critical analysis of current knowledge. BJOG 2017;124:61-69

The post Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and Fertility appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

1. What decision you and she will make for the pregnancy & developing baby (parenting, adoption, abortion)
2. Your relationship with your girlfriend
3. Your future

In this post, we’ll talk about how to respond after she tells you the news (or you find out together), how to approach decision-making, the details behind each decision, how to handle a pregnant girlfriend, what this might mean for your future, and how to talk to her parents. If your girlfriend is still in her teens, it may be helpful for her to read our teen pregnancy articles:  teen pregnancy, healthy teen pregnancy, and challenges of teen pregnancy.

The Decisions to Make When Your Girlfriend is Pregnant

Hopefully, if you and your girlfriend are sexually active, you’ve already had the conversation about what you would do if there was an unintended pregnancy. (If you’re reading this and you haven’t, you might want to put it on your list.) If not, here are a couple frequently asked questions to consider below.

As the boyfriend, do I have any say?

In this situation, ultimately the choice is up to your girlfriend as to what she chooses for the pregnancy. You can, of course, express your opinions and beliefs about the pregnancy and how you would or would not like to be involved, but you can NOT force her into any decision. If her parents are in the picture (especially if she’s under 18 years of age), they also cannot force her to make a specific decision. It is important to remember that if you decide you do not want to be involved, but she decides to parent the baby, you will likely be required to pay child support. This would be up to her to decide if she feels she needs financial help to raise the child.

What if we disagree?

This is bound to happen for some couples and seems to be more likely if (1) the relationship is fairly new, (2) one of you desires to have kids one day and the other adamantly does not, and/or (3) you have different moral beliefs about parenting, adoption, or abortion (i.e. one of you thinks adoption is “weird,” or one of you is pro-life and the other is pro-choice). There might also be disagreements over how the relationship will end up depending on the choice you make:  if you choose to parent, does one of you believe that marriage needs to come next? or if she has an abortion, will the relationship be okay and continue on (if you disagree)?

The important thing is that both of you are able to express your opinions calmly and clearly to each other. It might be helpful to have an unbiased mediator (a counselor, mentor, pregnancy educator at a center, etc.) sit with you while you have the discussion. Write down your thoughts and things you want to say beforehand so to ensure you are able to clearly express yourself.

Here’s one example of a situation where the two parties disagreed:

The couple has only been officially together for a few months, but is really excited about and invested in the relationship; then they find out that she’s pregnant. The girlfriend does not agree with abortion and believes that if she had one, she would regret it and have a hard time coping emotionally. She wants kids someday but does not feel that they are ready to parent (she’s still in school, he is trying to focus on his career and is not financially stable), and has considered adoption.

He wants kids someday but feels that right now is a bad time for them to start a family. He believes that abortion is the right choice for them. He has considered adoption but thinks that it would be odd having someone else raise their child and also does not think that she could emotionally handle adoption. She feels she would resent him if they decided for her to go through with an abortion and feels that she would not mentally recover well. He feels like he would resent her if she decided to have and parent the child. She doesn’t know if the relationship could stand an abortion, and he doesn’t feel their relationship could continue with parenting.

However, they both really desire to continue their relationship and see a future with each other. For the relationship to continue, it looks like they should look into the option of adoption. This is the type of thinking and consideration that must go into a decision. Their next step would be to (1) confirm the pregnancy with an ultrasound if they have not already done so, and then (2) visit one or more adoption agencies or adoption professionals and ask questions/find a good fit. (3)If both agree, they will move forward with the process, and if they do not agree, then they must go back to the drawing board, figure out a way to reconcile their differences, or to part ways and make their own decisions about the pregnancy.

Below we explore the three pregnancy choices: parenting, adoption, and abortion. While reading through, think about what might be best for (1) the developing baby, (2) your relationship with your girlfriend, (3) your girlfriend and her life plans, and (4) you and your life plans.

Your Three Options for an Unplanned Pregnancy

The three options for any pregnancy are parenting adoption or abortion. Before you make a decision for the pregnancy, have you confirmed the pregnancy with a lab-grade test and ultrasound? An ultrasound will determine if the pregnancy is viable (able to continue) and the age of the growing fetus. Contact a local pregnancy center for a free test, confidential counseling about your decision, and the option for a free ultrasound.

Parenting

More than likely, you were not planning on being a parent right at this moment. Parenting can be an immensely difficult but amazingly rewarding experience that will definitely change your life. If your girlfriend still lives with her parents and/or is financially dependent, you’ll need to have a conversation with her parents (and yours!) about how parenting would work. What would they expect, can she stay home, would they financially support her, etc. Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you’re considering your options:

• Did I want to have children (think in the future)? Do I like children? (Caveat: many parents say that they didn’t like kids, but they LOVE their own children and have grown in that area.)
• How will parenting work? Will my girlfriend and I stay together, get married, or go separate ways?
• Do I have a job that can pay to support my child either through direct parenting or child support?
• Where will my child grow up/where will he or she live?
• Will my parents or my girlfriend’s parents help us through the transition to parenthood?
• (If you are still in school) How will my girlfriend and I finish high school/college?
• Who will care for my child (childcare) and am I able to pay for it?
• Does my girlfriend have a job that can help support us and the baby?
• What influences do I want and NOT want for a child to be around? Would my lifestyle/girlfriend’s lifestyle/her parent’s or my parent’s lifestyle fit these desires?
  • Consider the type of punishment (spanking versus words), religious influence, drugs/alcohol, education opportunities, food/nutrition, foul language, etc. that you want for your child.

Here are some additional pages on the subject of parenting:

• Different types of parenting
• Things she’ll need as you both prepare for her due date

Resources to help you

Think you or your girlfriend are not prepared to be parents? Don’t worry, a lot of people feel that way (even people who planned to have a child!). Talk to your parents, hers, or other parents in your life that you trust for advice, the hardest parts and the most rewarding parts of parenting. Also, a lot of local community centers and pregnancy centers (places of worship as well, like churches) offer free parenting, pregnancy, and childbirth classes that can help prepare you. There are also a lot of places that offer material assistance for new parents, such as pregnancy centers, places of worship, food banks, and other donation centers. You don’t have to go through it all alone!

If you need, there are also a lot of government programs designed to help families in times of crisis to stay on their feet. Programs like Medicaid (for pregnancy & infants), Women Infants and Children (WIC), Food Stamps, Temporary [Financial] Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and more. A local pregnancy center can help you collect resource information:

Adoption

Adoption can be a great middle-of-the-road option for many young couples. This allows you to continue your normal life after 9 months, to have the medical care and other expenses paid for, to avoid the option of abortion if you disagree with the choice, and to give the gift of life to a couple who may not be able to have a baby on their own. Many young couples choose the option of adoption because they don’t feel they could give a child the life they’d desire for him or her, but they still want the child to be able to have a good life. You’ll have a lot more choices through adoption than many people think. These days there exists many options:

• If you’d like, you get to choose the parents. This could mean sorting through adoptive parent applications or meeting possible parents in person.
• You get to choose if you see the baby after birth, or if the birth will be the last contact with the baby.
• You get to choose how involved (if at all) you are with the child and his/her adoptive family:
  • Closed Adoption:  Neither you nor the adoptive parents and child will receive any identifying information about the other. Check out our pros and cons lists.
  • Semi-open Adoption:  You will each know some identifying information about the other. Interactions between yourself and the child either remain through letters or chaperoned visits. Check out our pros and cons lists.
  • Open Adoption:  Each of you will know to identify information about the other. Interactions may be in person. The specifics of each open adoption will be discussed by the birth and adoptive parents. Check out our pros and cons lists.

For more information on what the adoption process looks like for birth parents, please visit our Adoption Process page, or call a local or national adoption agency for free information. (American Adoptions is available to answer questions at 1-800-236-7846, or feel free to call our helpline at 1-800-672-2296 to discuss your pregnancy options with a Pregnancy Educator.)

Abortion

Abortion is another option for an unplanned pregnancy. This means the termination of a pregnancy by choice. Most states in the USA have legalized abortion up to 20 weeks, or a bit further to the point of viability. The point of viability will be determined by a doctor, may differ among pregnancies, and is usually between 24-28 weeks. This means that is when a baby could survive (with assistance) outside the womb. There are two types of abortion and depend on the age of the fetus:  medical and surgical. Many women or couples who choose abortion do so because they do not feel like there is any other option for the pregnancy. We encourage you & your girlfriend to never make a decision out of fear, or because you feel forced to because of your situation or people around you! Before you choose, learn more about the options and resources that are available. For more information on abortion and the different procedures and the associated risks, check out these different topics about abortion:

• Different abortion procedures
• Follow-up care after an abortion
• Possible physical side effects
• Possible emotional side effects
• And more here.

Remember that if your girlfriend is a minor (under 18), she may need her parents to sign off on an abortion procedure. Contact a teen pregnancy center in your area to find out more about the laws in your state. You’ll also need to have an ultrasound performed to find out how far along she is, as this determines the type of abortion procedure available to you.

Your Relationship

In any relationship, there are defining moments where each person makes a choice of whether they wish to continue with the other person or part ways. An unplanned pregnancy can definitely be one of those moments. The things that usually split couples up is when their decision for the pregnancy does not match, or one person realizes they would be excited to have a child, while the other realizes they don’t want to have children. The strength of your relationship will definitely be tested; but, like all relationships, it takes work to maintain.

If you wish to continue the relationship with your girlfriend, you’ll have to come to an agreement in regards to the pregnancy that both of you can morally and emotionally deal with. That means neither person can force the other to make a specific decision because this puts tension on a relationship. It is, of course, easier to find a choice you both agree on if you have similar morals to which you hold (which is important for a relationship in general!). This is a big part of why we suggest that couples who are sexually active have a conversation about what the plan would be if there were an unplanned pregnancy. Would you choose adoption? Would you be willing to raise a child together, or get married? Would you seek an abortion (and if so, do you know what that looks like)? As the relationship continues, make sure to reevaluate your choice. Dating at three months versus two years can mean very different desires for unintended pregnancy.

Talking to Her Parents (and Yours)

We’re not going to lie to you, these conversations are not going to be easy, especially if you’re still living with your parents and/or are financially dependent on them. Come up with some type of plan before you tell them. Have you both reached a decision on the pregnancy? There are more questions to ask yourself and plans to set in place after you choose which way you will go.

Parenting

Here are some of the many questions to consider:

• Where will you live? Will you live together?
• What will your relationship look like:  do you plan to get married? end the romantic relationship but both parent?
• How will you pay bills?
• What insurance will she be on for the pregnancy?
• Will you both have jobs/how will you provide?
• What would childcare look like?
• Would you both finish/continue your education?

Adoption

Here are some questions to ask yourselves:

• What adoption agency do you wish to use?
• How do they pay for medical care?
• How will you choose the parents?
• What type of adoption do you want:  closed, semi-open, or open?
• Why are you choosing adoption? (Your parents will want to know)
• How much school or class would she miss (if still in school)?

Abortion

Here are some important things to think about:

• How far along is she?
• What type of procedure would be available?
• What are the reasons you are choosing abortion? (Your parents will want to know)
• Are you aware of the risks and the actual procedure involved?
• How are you going to pay for the abortion?
• Where do you plan to get the abortion performed?
• Does abortion agree with your parents (and your) morals/beliefs?

After you have an idea of a plan for the pregnancy, you will be more prepared to have this conversation. If you have a plan, at least you will be acting responsibly in a not-so-perfect situation. Another thing to remember is that it will likely be quite a shock to her parents and your parents. They may react with a lot of anger, disappointment, or be ashamed. The important thing is to try to act calmly, humbly, and to NOT be defensive. You both did something to cause this pregnancy, and so it is best to own up and not try to blame anyone but yourselves. If you are angry and yell back at your parents or her parents, it is just going to escalate the situation and make things more tense and worse at the end.

Living Life with a Pregnant Girlfriend

Whether you choose adoption or parenting, these 9 months are going to bring a lot of changes. Your relationship may be tested, but remember that it is a complex and beautiful process going on inside your girlfriend’s belly! This might mean passing on a blessing to another family or bringing home a little bundle of joy. Hang on to that end goal, and don’t forget that your girlfriend is giving a lot of her body to make this happen. Have fun with each other – take her on dates, make sure that bump on her belly hasn’t changed how you feel about her (unless it has for the better!). A lot of your world right now might revolve around the pregnancy and preparation, but don’t forget that your girlfriend is still there and needs love and support, too. If you and your girlfriend do not plan to continue the relationship, or if tensions are high, figure out ways that you can support and help her from a distance.

Emotional and Physical Changes

Here are some things that might affect how your girlfriend acts or feels and that you’ll want to prepare for:

• Mood swings – her hormones may be bouncing all over the place and making it hard to make her happy. Try to roll with the punches and find ways you can talk and connect with her that help her stay calm and steady.
• Nausea, vomiting (maybe), and food aversions – going out for a “quick bite” might not be so easy. Pizza and burgers may give her heartburn, or the smell of your tuna-salad sandwich might send her gagging to the bathroom. Make a list for yourself of what she can eat or drink. If she’s nauseated, have some dry crackers, ginger cookies, or lemon drops on hand to help ease nausea. If even the thought of tacos makes her gag, don’t suggest them.
• Headaches, backaches, and cramping – her hormones may cause some of these symptoms, along with the gained weight from the baby. Sometimes early in pregnancy, mothers will stop drinking caffeine (for pregnancy health) and may experience some withdrawal headaches.
• Growing belly & breasts – obviously, pregnancy will mean weight gain and often includes breast tissue growth. She’s going to look different, but don’t forget that a lot of women struggle with body image during pregnancy. Encourage her!
• Fatigue – many women deal with a lack of energy and a heightened desire to sleep during pregnancy. This might mean date nights are cut short or that you see her less often because she needs to rest. Fatigue is normal during pregnancy!
• Ante- and Postpartum depression – not all women will deal with this, but some women will have symptoms of depression during or after a pregnancy. This can be a serious problem, and if you have any concerns, the Maternal Mental Health program offers a free, 24-hour helpline for information & services at 1-800-662-HELP (2457), or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is important to let her doctor know about your concerns.

Schedule/Lifestyle Changes

There are some extra activities you may participate in with her during the pregnancy:

• Doctor’s appointments –  these may include ultrasounds, blood draws, information, gynecological exams, among other things. Support her during these times, and ask her what she wants from you during an appointment. Does she want you to let her talk? Does she want you to help remember what questions she’d like to ask?
• Frequent trips to the bathroom – pregnancy weight/direct pressure and hormones can cause a very active bladder. This might mean keeping your eye out for the closest bathroom if you’re out together.
• Baby shower – you might be asked to help with a baby shower or asked to attend.
• The birth – if you are on good terms and plan to continue the relationship past the pregnancy, this is something you should consider attending. If you’ve gone through childbirth classes with her, you’ll know that it is important to have someone to help guide and care for her during this difficult process. Hold her hand, give her ice chips, and be a good support person!
• Shopping for baby items – if you plan to parent the child, there are many items you’ll want to have ready to go before the birth. She may request your help in obtaining these items. This might include car seats, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula (if not breastfeeding), a highchair, stroller, bassinet, pack N play, crib, and much more.

Pregnancy might mean a lot of changes, but try not to let that get to you. There are new dads groups and counseling available if you are choosing adoption. There is help out there to guide you through the process so that you can support your girlfriend well!

• Embrace Grace has wonderful support groups for both partners. Find a group near you.

Want to Know  More?

• Am I Pregnant, or is it Something Else?
• Pregnancy Symptoms – Early Signs of Pregnancy
• Medicaid for Pregnant Women
• Benefits of Adoption

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods.

2. National Child and Maternal Health Education Program: Mom’s Mental Health Matters.

The post Is My Girlfriend Pregnant? appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

La parte más importante de la lactancia materna exitosa es el pestillo. Si su bebé no está cerrada correctamente a su seno, la alimentación podría ser doloroso. Existen técnicas específicas que se pueden utilizar cuando se enganche a su bebé a su seno.
La posición en la que sostiene a su bebé también es crucial. Cuando se obtiene una buena posición y cierre, la lactancia materna puede ser una experiencia maravillosa entre la madre y el bebé. Un especialista en lactancia puede resultar útil para conseguir las técnicas de abajo.

Encuentre un especialista en lactancia en su área

La lactancia materna puede causar que sus pezones a ser dolor. Mientras corregir el pestillo hará una diferencia para su comodidad a largo plazo, puede resultar útil usar una crema pezón para aliviar el dolor de inmediato. Look at Nipple Creams Here.

señales de hambre

Su bebé puede primero mostrar algunas señales de hambre, lo que indica que él / ella está listo para alimentarse. Él podría chupar el labio, lengua, dedos o puño. Inquietud y el malestar en este momento también son indicadores de que su bebé tiene hambre. El llanto es una señal de hambre tarde y puede hacer más difícil para comenzar la lactancia materna.
Trata de prestar atención y aprender los signos de hambre anteriores. Tenga en cuenta que pañales, chupetes y manoplas pueden inhibir las señales de hambre, como la boca y las manos del bebé se encuentran restringidas.

enclavamiento en

Un buen enganche es vital para una lactancia exitosa.
Los siguientes técnicas utilizadas con el posicionamiento adecuado, pueden ayudar a asegurar un buen enganche:

• • • Obtener en una silla cómoda con un gran apoyo para la espalda para alimentar a su bebé. El uso de un taburete para descansar los pies sobre ayudará con una buena postura y le impide forzar su cuello y hombros.
    • UUse su almohada apoyo a la lactancia si tiene uno. (Y si no lo hace, el uso de cualquier tipo de almohadas se pueden encontrar para ayudar a usted y al bebé apoyan.) Una buena almohada lactancia puede hacer una gran diferencia en conseguir al bebé en una posición adecuada para agarrarse bien.
    • Asegúrese de que su bebé está pansa-a-pansa con usted en todo momento.
    • Asegúrese de llevar a su bebé a usted, y no tratar de apoyarse en el bebé. Esto no sólo causa una fuerte presión en el cuello y los hombros, pero puede afectar a la posición del bebé.
    • Recuerde que debe mantener la oreja, el hombro de su bebé y de la cadera en la alineación, lo que hará más fácil la deglución.
    • La nariz del bebé debe estar frente al pezón.
  • • Apunte el pezón hacia el labio superior / nariz del bebé, no el medio de la mouth.You podría tener que frotar el pezón a través del labio superior para obtener su bebé a abrir su / su boca.
    • La cabeza del bebé debe inclinarse ligeramente hacia atrás. Usted no quiere que su barbilla al pecho.
    • Cuando abre la boca con la barbilla cayó y la lengua hacia abajo, debe prenderse al pezón. Si no se abre de ancho, no trate de empujar el pezón y mover la boca abierta. Lo mejor es volver, cosquillas el labio de nuevo con el pezón y espere a que la boca de par en par.
    • Trate de obtener la mayor cantidad de la porción inferior de la areola (el área alrededor del pezón) en la boca del bebé.
    • Mentón del bebé debe sangrar la parte inferior de tu pecho.
    • Mira a ver si las nalgas del bebé y el labio superior se bridas fuera como los labios de pescado. Si no es así, puede utilizar el dedo para tirar de la parte inferior uno abajo y abrir la parte superior una más.

Colocación del bebé se alimente

Hay muchas posiciones diferentes que pueden trabajar durante la lactancia. Es importante encontrar uno que sea cómodo para usted y su bebé. Asegúrese de utilizar los consejos de la lista anterior para ayudar a asegurar que su posición es correcta.

Cross-Cuna espera:

Esta posición es a menudo el más útil para las madres inmediatamente después del nacimiento y hasta que consiguen más confianza en conseguir a su bebé prendido correctamente. Se siente incómodo para muchas madres al principio, pero una vez que ven cómo se les permite utilizar ambas manos de manera más eficaz, las mamás obtener más cómodo con él.
Que va a utilizar el brazo en el lado opuesto se le alimentando de sostener y apoyar a su bebé, mientras se utiliza la mano en la cara que está alimentando de apoyar a su mama.
Coloque a su bebé junto a usted, barriga-a-boca abajo, con la mano opuesta apoyando la parte posterior de la cabeza. Usted quiere asegurarse de que tiene en sus manos en el cuello, por lo que se acaba de guiar la cabeza. Que va a utilizar la otra mano (en el mismo lado que el bebé se está alimentando de) poseer y navegar por su pecho y el pezón. Una vez que el bebé esté bien prendido, puede mover los brazos a la posición de cuna.

posición de cuna:

Esta posición se utiliza a menudo después de que su bebé tenga un par de semanas de edad y es más seguro en su bodega lactancia. Su bebé se establecen a través de su frontal a nivel del pecho con su / su barriga hacia el pecho. La cabeza de su bebé va a estar descansando en el interior del codo, en el mismo lado se le Enfermería de. Que va a utilizar la otra mano para ayudar a sostener su seno si es necesario para ayudar a que su bebé se aferró correctamente.

Hold Fútbol:

Su bebé sentará junto a tu lado bajo el brazo, con la mano el apoyo a la parte posterior del cuello del bebé. Parte inferior del bebé debe chocar contra lo que usted está sentado en (respaldo de la silla, sofá, etc.) Asegúrese de doblar las piernas del bebé en la cadera, por lo que no empuja los pies contra lo que usted está apoyada contra, ya que esto afecta la forma en que será capaz de enganchar.
Esta bodega es realmente grande para una madre que tuvo un parto por cesárea y para las mujeres con senos grandes.

Side-mentira:

Ponga a su bebé sobre su costado / con una almohada detrás de la espalda de apoyo. Usted también debe poner de su lado frente a su bebé. Puede utilizar una almohada detrás de la espalda o entre las rodillas para apoyarse. La nariz de su bebé debe estar en línea con el pezón.
Hay otras posiciones que pueden trabajar para usted y su bebé. Asegúrese de que usted y el bebé se sienta cómodo. Si no, pruebe otra posición.

Los signos que confirman un buen enganche:

• • • Lengua se ve cuando el labio inferior se tira hacia abajo
    • Las orejas de maniobra
    • Hay movimiento circular de la mandíbula en lugar de movimiento de la barbilla rápida
    • Las mejillas se redondean
    • Usted no se oye al hacer clic o chasquido de ruidos
    • Usted puede oír tragar
    • Chin está tocando tu pecho
    • Cuando el bebé sale de la mama, el pezón no se aplana o deformada
    • Cualquier molestia termina rápidamente después de que el bebé aferrado
    • Su bebé termina la alimentación con signos de saciedad / satisfacción. Estos signos incluyen: el bebé se ve relajado, “cae” en el pecho, tiene las manos abiertas, y / o se queda dormido.

Recuerde, la lactancia materna no debe ser doloroso. Un buen pasador ayudará a mantener las molestias al mínimo. Cuando el bebé no ha aferrado así, otros problemas pueden desarrollar incluyendo los pezones agrietados y doloridos. Una vez que te acostumbras a posicionar a su bebé y ayudarlo / a conseguir un buen enganche, la lactancia materna puede ser una experiencia maravillosa, sin dolor unión entre usted y su bebé.
Si usted todavía está experimentando cualquier dolor en el pezón, la sequedad o malestar, pruebe una crema pezón. Buy Nipple Cream Here.
Si necesita más ayuda, muchos hospitales tienen especialistas en lactancia. Tratar de trabajar con un especialista en lactancia en el hospital o centro de parto en el que usted entrega. Si ya casa usted puede hablar con su proveedor de atención médica. También puede llamar a una línea de ayuda de lactancia o en contacto con un especialista en lactancia independiente.

Encontrar un especialista en lactancia en su

La lactancia materna Línea de Ayuda: 800-994-9662

LaLeche League https://www.lalecheleague.org/

Compilado utilizando la información de las siguientes fuentes:

Breastfeeding: How to Breastfeed Your Baby. Renfrew, Mary et al, 2004.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. La Leche League International, Ch. 4.

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