Preeclampsia Awareness Month on May, 2024: Headache AND blurry vision 23 weeks pregnant? No preeclampsia?

May, 2024 is Preeclampsia Awareness Month 2024. Preeclampsia Awareness - Many symtoms go unnoticed‎ Click to download a brochure and more.

Headache AND blurry vision 23 weeks pregnant? No preeclampsia?

Pregnancy headaches are often caused by a lack of protein and water which can effect your blood pressure or blood sugar levels in pregnancy. If you are not getting proper care switch caregivers immediately. Anyone can pick up your case at any time. One gal changed her caregiver during labor and the whole hospital heard about it. He kept saying he was going to c-section her and she kept saying no. She ended up firing him and used the operating room to push her baby out on her own. Think about a midwife, long prenatal visits with time to talk about all the aspects of your pregnancy, your midwife will also sit at your side during labor and childbirth instead of giving orders to a nurse through his cell phone or from the operating room.

Keep a close watch on your blood pressure with whoever is caring for you. These are warning signs of impending health challenges during pregnancy as your intuition and body awareness is telling you. When you snack, snack on protein, always have water at your side, a warm, clear baths at night will also help with your health now.

Has anyone had a baby who died during the delivery?

Has anyone had a baby who died during the delivery?

Dear Barbara, I am going to give you statistics at the end of this but before I do I want you to know that every woman's birthing experience is different. Just because you Mum went through this tragic experience does not mean that you will also go through it. 30 years ago medicine was not what it is today. There were many things that doctors did not know and were not able to prevent. During your labor you will be carefully monitored by a fetal heart monitor. This will let the doctors and nurses know if your baby is in any distress and give them the time to take care of it. Here are the statistics that you wanted but please do not dwell on them.

Stillbirth is the death of an infant in-utero and past 20 completed gestational weeks. It can happen before or during the onset of labor and can happen to any woman. About 1 in 100 pregnancies will end with the death of a baby to stillbirth or about 30,000 per year in the United States alone.

Many full-term stillbirths occur to low risk mothers and approximately 40% of stillbirths occur with no diagnosable cause of death. These deaths are called Sudden Antenatal Death Syndrome, or SADS. This means that a baby has died at or near term for no explainable reason.

The most common diagnosable causes for stillbirth include:

- Placental problems: Women who smoke cigarettes have a much greater risk of placental abruption. High blood pressure (preeclampsia) also increases the risk of abruption. Other problems with the placenta, which prevent it from supplying the infant with enough oxygen and nutrients, may also increase the risk of stillbirth.

- Birth defects: Between 5 and 10 percent of stillborn babies have chromosomal anomalies. Others may have structural anomalies which can result from genetic, environmental, or unknown causes.

- Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): Infants who are not growing at an appropriate rate for their gestational age are at an increased risk of stillbirth due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) both before and during birth.

- Infections. Bacterial infections often cause no symptoms in the pregnant woman and may go undiagnosed. These infections increase the likelihood of stillbirth or premature birth.

Education + Awareness=Reduction

Scientists and physicians do not fully understand the causes of many stillbirths. We do know that at this time, stillbirth cannot be prevented or predicted. However, there are some helpful strategies for pregnant women to follow to help reduce the risk of stillbirth:

1. Around 26 weeks of pregnancy, begin doing daily “kick counts.” If you count less than 8-10 kicks during a two-hour period or if the baby is moving less than usual and you are concerned, contact your doctor immediately.

2. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs (unless prescribed by your physician).

3. Report any vaginal bleeding, leakage, or sharp pain to your health care provider.

4. If you are post-term, be sure to discuss your options and concern with your physician. Pregnancies which last longer than 42 weeks ge station may be at greater risk of stillbirth.

5. It may be necessary to request a second or even a third opinion during your pregnancy to put your mind at ease. Your caregivers should be empathic and respectful of your concerns and you have every right to expect the best care for you and your baby.

NOTE: This information is not intended to replace you doctor’s advice . This is for informational purposes only. Please call your physician if you have any other questions.

Holidays also on this date Wednesday, May 1, 2024...