This chapter has been taken in part from the chapter on FASD in my first book by Dr Sterling Clarren. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term for conditions that are caused as a result of drinking alcohol during pregnancy but is not a diagnosis. Alcohol is a substance that causes birth defects
Pregnancy loss or Miscarriage can have a profound impact on parents. The term miscarriage refers to early pregnancy loss. Miscarriage is common, around one in five pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Parents reactions to miscarriage can vary from not been hardly affected at all to the miscarriage being a devastating life event. Support and information
Overdue? When you first see your midwife or doctor they give you a date that your baby is due. Sometimes this date changes during the course of your pregnancy, but mostly it stays the same and women look forward to it with great anticipation. The reality is however that only five per cent of
Women at risk of pre-eclampsia should not take high doses of Vitamins C & E during pregnancy. Press Release from Tommy's Baby Charity Research published by The Lancet, shows that women at high risk [1] of developing pre-eclampsia – approximately 20,000 women in the UK each year - should not take high doses of
By Jane Palmer We know more and more these days about the effects of cigarette smoking on pregnancy. For instance did you know that cigarette smoke contains 2000 components. Some of the most harmful for pregnant women and their babies is thought to be nicotine, carbon monoxide and cyanide. These substances have been found
By Jane Palmer Often I receive emails from people asking what they should pack to to go to the hospital, so I thought it would be helpful to provide a suggested list here on my website. Your hospital should provide you with further information. Ideally start gathering items together from about 34 weeks of
Pubic symphysitis is one of the most common causes of pain in pregnancy. It can manifest as pain on one side of the lower back, pain radiating into one or both groin areas, or pain around the pubic bone. Pubic symphysitis results when the ligaments and joints of the pelvis become relaxed due to
Unfortunately, back pain during pregnancy is a common problem. There are a number of physical reasons for back pain in pregnancy, some of which include: Pregnancy hormones soften ligaments causing joints to move more than usual. In some cases the ligaments can be strained. Postural problems caused by the growing uterus. Position of baby
What is happening? During this period the baby increasingly matures as well as gains weight. At 34 weeks of pregnancy, the baby weighs around 2 kilograms and their chances of survival are very good. The lungs are much more mature and able to cope with life outside the uterus. The baby’s fingernails have now
by Hannah Dahlen What is chicken pox? Chicken pox is a very contagious illness caused by a virus called herpes zoster (also known as Varicella-Zoster virus). Over 90% of the population will have had chickenpox by the age of 15, making it a common childhood illness. What are the symptoms? Chickenpox begins with a
