How Soon Can You Discover Twin Pregnancy?

And then there were two!

For most women who did not use fertility treatments, the news that they are having twins can be quite shocking, to say the least. Here you were expecting one bundle of joy – and just like that, you found out you are being blessed with two. (Or more!)

Most of the time, the amazing discovery of a twin pregnancy doesn’t occur until a woman has her first routine ultrasound. Or, until an attentive health care provider notices that either her hCG levels (through serum blood tests) are through the roof, or the height of her ‘fundus’ (the measurement of your uterus as you progress through pregnancy) is increasing more quickly than it should. Or maybe the provider thinks they may hear more than one heartbeat at the 9 week to 11 week office visit, and quickly orders an early ultrasound.

According to recent statistics from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, around 3 out of every 100 women will carry twins. Also, just because YOU are a twin, or your dad is a twin, doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have twins yourself.  For instance, your chances of having identical twins (when a fertilized egg spontaneously splits in half) have nothing to do with genetics and is the ‘luck of the draw’, so to speak.  However, your chances of fraternal twins (when two eggs are fertilized by different sperm at the same time) ARE often part of your genetics. If someone in your family has fraternal twins, then you have an increased chance of having fraternal twins yourself. You also have an increased chance of having fraternal twins if you have undergone fertility treatments, are over the age of 30 (because older women often tend to release more than one egg during ovulation), are African-American, or have had a multiple pregnancy in the past.

If you suspect twins early on – chances are you want to know as quickly as possible!  Many women have an inkling that they are carrying twins from the beginning.  In particular, many women pregnant with twins have more severe pregnancy symptoms in early pregnancy due to higher hormone levels.  You also may measure larger than expected, or be gaining more weight than typical for your due date.  All of these things can prompt your health care provider to schedule an early ultrasound.

Specifically speaking however – a twin pregnancy can only be accurately detected with an ultrasound. And amazingly, an ultrasound can pick up a twin pregnancy by the existence of two fetal sacs as early as the 4th week of pregnancy. Even so, many doctors will choose to wait to affirmatively diagnose a twin pregnancy until the 10-week or 12-week mark, due to the commonality of ‘vanishing twin syndrome,’ which is thought to occur when one of fetuses is not viable and is reabsorbed by the placenta during pregnancy – most often without the pregnant mother’s knowledge (and without harming the other baby).

Having twins can be a wonderful experience. Your maternal instinct may lead you to believe you are having twins just by the way you feel, and you may try to encourage your doctor to test you. However, the longer you wait for a diagnostic ultrasound to confirm that you are carrying more than one viable baby, the better off you will be in the long run.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Mom-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Alcohol During Pregnancy and Your Baby’s IQ

Various theories have emerged over the years about the effects of alcohol on pregnancy. Certain official recommendations state that pregnant women should totally refrain from drinking alcohol, while others say that moderate or light drinking is acceptable. However, a study found that even moderate drinking during pregnancy can affect the IQ of a child.

How does alcohol affect a child’s IQ?

After ingestion of alcohol, enzymes will metabolize ethanol to acetaldehyde. However, the differences in the genes of people result to the variations on how enzymes metabolize ethanol. So, people who metabolize ethanol slowly have increased levels of alcohol that last longer than those who metabolize quickly. Experts believe that fast ethanol metabolism prevents damage to the brain development of infants as smaller amounts of alcohol are exposed to the fetus.

About the Study

The researchers used the study data of Children of the 90s (ALSPAC) which was participated by over 4,000 mothers and their children. The trial was first to use genetic variation (Mendelian randomization) in analyzing the effect of moderate drinking (less than 1 to 6 units of alcohol per week) of pregnant women on the IQ of their children. Genetic variation is ideal since every woman has a different DNA, which is not linked with lifestyle factors.

The studies showed that a strong link was found between a lower IQ at 8 years old and 4 genetic alternatives in the genes that metabolize alcohol in the 4,167 children. In each genetic modification of a child, the IQ was found to be 2 points lower in children whose mothers reported moderate alcohol drinking during their pregnancy. On the other hand, this link was not found among children whose mothers did not drink during pregnancy. This indicates that there is no direct relationship between the low IQ of a child and alcohol exposure in the womb.

At week 18, mothers answered questions about the average amount of alcohol consumed and the frequency of alcohol drinking prior to their pregnancy. At 32 weeks, they completed the second survey on average amount of alcohol they had on weekdays and weekends. Those who answered the first survey were considered light drinkers, while those in the second survey were moderate drinkers.

Results

At age 8, the IQ of the children was tested using the Wechslet Intelligence Scale for Children. The results suggest that even at low levels of alcohol consumption, there are differences in childhood IQ. This means that even at moderate levels, alcohol affect the brain development of a fetus.

For many years, experts have known that heavy alcohol consumption can cause birth defects. Now we are learning that even moderate drinking can have subtle effects on children as they grow. Because researchers don’t know how much (or how little) is a safe amount of alcohol to consume when you’re pregnant, they err on the side of caution and suggest all pregnant women abstain from drinking alcohol. Factors that can impact the effects of alcohol on a fetus include maternal metabolism and enzymes, as well as the amount of alcohol consumed. Many doctors leave the decision up to the individual mother, saying that there’s no evidence an occasional drink can harm a fetus. So educate yourself and so you can make healthy choices for yourself and your developing baby.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Folic Acid in Pregnancy Might Lower Autism Risk

According to Norwegian researchers, folic acid taken before and during pregnancy might lower the risk of autism. Women who take folic acid supplements a month before the pregnancy as well as in the first weeks of pregnancy may have a lower risk of giving birth to autistic children.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate and plays a vital role in the production of new cells during pregnancy and infancy. Folate and folic acid are necessary to produce RNA and DNA, to make healthy red blood cells, and to metabolize homocysteine.

About the Study

The authors of the study deduced that folic acid supplements around the time of conception reduce the risk of neural defects in children, leading to the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid. Generally, women who are planning to become pregnant ideally take a daily supplement of folic acid a month prior to conception.

Pal Suren, MD, MPH of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and his team investigated the link between the intake of folic acid supplements around conception and the subsequent reduction in the risk of autism in children.

The study involved 85,176 children born in 2002-2008. By the end of 2012, the children’s ages ranged between 3.3 and 10.2, with an average of 6.4.

Results

The results showed that .32% or 270 of the children were diagnosed with autism eventually. 114 of which had autistic disorder, 56 had Asperger’s, and 100 had PDD-NOS. An inverse risk was also found between the use of folic acid before and during the pregnancy and the subsequent diagnosis of ASD. .10% of the children whose mothers took folic acid a month before conception and on the first 2 months of pregnancy were diagnosed, while .21% of children whose mothers did not take folic acid were diagnosed with ASD.

Conclusion 

Other studies have found similar results, such as one from UC Davis MIND Institute, which found that taking folic acid during the first month of pregnancy reduces the risk of having an autistic child.

Although the findings do not establish a cause-effect relationship between autism and folic acid use, they provide a rationale for replicating the analyses in other studies to further investigate the genetic factors and biological mechanisms that may explain the association.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Seven Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Pregnant Woman

During the long nine months of pregnancy, it’s likely that you’ll experience a number of conversational no-nos. People seem almost unable to control themselves around pregnant women, and are likely to let at least one of the following slips. Here are seven things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman (but are likely to hear during your pregnancy):

  1. “Wow, you can’t have long to go!” – Er, actually, I’ve got three whole months of pregnancy left, but thanks for drawing attention to my massive bump. Thanks a lot for giving me something to worry about when I’m lying awake in bed tonight.
  2. “I can’t believe how big you are.” – This one is rarely said by strangers, it’s usually friends and family who strut this belter out. It almost puts you off socialising altogether, doesn’t it? Surprisingly, most pregnant women don’t actually want to be reminded of how big they are on a regular basis.
  3. “Are you sure you’re not carrying twins?” – Oh great, another reference to big babies. Well, of course it’s quite possible that the ultrasound technician is less savvy than you, and failed to pick up, using the latest technological advances and years of medical knowledge, what you have picked up using just your eyes and keen sense of judgement. But, to be honest, I’m probably not carrying twins, thanks anyway for drawing it to my attention though.
  4. “You must be having a <insert gender here> because <insert old wives’ tale here>” – Sigh. Ok, there’s a 50/50 chance you’re right, but you could be equally as wrong. And, truth be told, I don’t want to spend nine long months discussing which sex the baby could be, I have other things to worry about. I also don’t need to hear that I’m carrying high or low or round, or whatever else you might feel the need to use as evidence of the baby’s sex.
  5. “Make sure you get plenty of sleep now, you won’t get chance once the baby arrives.” – Oh, thanks for the advice. I have been keeping myself awake on the off chance that I won’t need sleep when the baby arrives, but thanks to your wise input I can turn things around now. The fifteen bathroom breaks, nausea, backache and tiny acrobat flying around in my belly hopefully won’t cause too many problems for my new sleep quest.
  6. “Was it planned?” – Wow, that’s a personal question. Oh, and none of your business.
  7. “Any news?” – No. The news is either ‘Yes, I’m having a baby this very minute’, ‘Yes, I’m cuddling my tiny newborn this very minute’ or ‘No, I’m the same fed up, angry pregnant woman I was when you asked me yesterday’. Whichever of these it is, believe me, I’ll tell you when I’m good and ready, please stop asking me for news.

It goes without saying that the above replies aren’t answers you should try yourself, well, not to good friends anyway. It’s just a little fun. Are there any conversational gems missing from the list, what have people been saying to you? What would you include in things you shouldn’t say to a pregnant woman?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Pregnancy and Depression

You’ve had a rough first trimester. Just when everyone told you things would get better, you find yourself down in the dumps, extremely tired, and feeling like an emotional train wreck. You wonder if it is the hormones. You worry that right now, when you should be feeling elated and happy, your feelings of depression are a sign that something is wrong with you. And if you are like the hundreds of thousands of women who suffer through pregnancy with depression, you keep your feelings to yourself worried about being shamed by others.

Pregnancy and depression often go hand-in-hand. Around 1 out of 10 women suffer from depression during pregnancy. And recent research shows that the sudden surges and changes in hormones that occur throughout pregnancy, can and do in fact alter brain chemistry, which can bring on full bouts of depression.

Women who have had fertility issues or who endure fertility treatments are 10 times more likely to have depression during pregnancy. For women who have suffered with mental illness, anxiety or depression prior to pregnancy, the risk of depression darkening pregnancy is higher. Troubled relationships, family history of depression or mental illness, history of miscarriage and a high-risk pregnancy can also lead to depression during pregnancy.

One of the problems is that most people write off their mood swings or emotional instability to hormones or cliché moodiness in pregnancy, when the reality is that they are suffering from real depression. If you have depression, you might experience some of the following symptoms. Experts say if you’ve experienced three or more of these symptoms for more than two weeks, you should talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should see a therapist:

  • A sense that nothing feels enjoyable or fun anymore
  • Feeling blue, sad, or “empty” for most of the day, every day
  • It’s harder to concentrate
  • Extreme irritability or agitation or excessive crying
  • Trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time
  • Extreme or never-ending fatigue
  • A desire to eat all the time or not wanting to eat at all
  • Inappropriate guilt or feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

Finally, mood swings with cycles of depression alternating with periods of an abnormally high spirits — including increased activity, little need to sleep or eat, racing thoughts, inappropriate social behavior, or poor judgment — are signs of a serious condition called bipolar disorder, which requires immediate attention.

While anxiety is normal during pregnancy, if your anxiety becomes too much to bear – or interferes with your ability to do routine things in your life, you should contact a healthcare provider as well.

The most important thing to realize is that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There is no reason to live in shame, or to hide your feelings from others just because you are pregnant. If you talk to your healthcare provider, and your loved ones you will find that you can gain some resolution and hopefully, some peace. The good news is that pregnancy induced depression, when treated, most often dissipates within the first 12 months of having your baby.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Fibroids During Pregnancy

According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as many as half of all women have fibroids during pregnancy. Oftentimes, these fibroids existed prior to pregnancy as benign cysts in the uterus that went relatively unnoticed. Then, during routine examinations or ultrasounds during pregnancy, many women are alarmed and worried to find out they have fibroids.

Fibroids are essentially a benign mass of muscle fiber within the uterine wall, or sometimes attached to it. During pregnancy, with the increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, fibroids may grow along with the uterus. The growth of these fibroids can cause pain, inflammation, and discomfort – especially as they grow rapidly in size. For most women, fibroids are just something that are monitored by their doctor during pregnancy. And most women have fibroids that are so small in size they don’t recognize any painful symptoms resulting from the cysts.

In rare instances, very large fibroids can cause pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, preterm birth or a baby being stuck in a breech position. In these cases, doctors will talk with you about your options – including the possibility of having to schedule a cesarean birth. This is especially true if the fibroid is located low in the uterus or near the cervix where it could impact the descent of the baby for childbirth.

The good news is that most women, pregnant or otherwise, have fibroids from time to time without even knowing it. Most often, the fibroids resolve themselves on their own and the same is true during pregnancy. Most women who had fibroids during pregnancy find that after labor and delivery the fibroids have dissipated – or shrunken back down to their pre-pregnancy size.

While the thought of having cysts in your uterus, especially while pregnant can be frightening, the reality is that it is normally nothing to worry about. For the 10-30% of women who have complications, most are handled with bed rest, pain medications and ice packs.

If you have recently been diagnosed with fibroids, relax. Trust that your doctor will keep an eye on the growths to make sure  they don’t complicate your pregnancy. Be sure to report any new or alarming signs of pain or discomfort to your physician. And enjoy your growing baby without worrying too much!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Drinking Herbal Teas During Pregnancy

If you have cut completely or reduced your caffeine consumption during pregnancy, you may be wondering what you can replace your favourite hot drink with. Many herbal teas are considered safe for pregnant women, but there are a few notable ones to be avoided.

Teas to avoid

Some teas are considered unsafe for consumption during pregnancy due to the potential side effects. The following teas should be avoided during pregnancy:

  • St John’s wort tea – pregnant women are advised to avoid St John’s wort during pregnancy
  • licorice root tea – it is believed consumption of licorice root tea may be linked with preterm delivery
  • ginseng tea – this may cause fetal development problems and should be avoided during pregnancy
  • pennyroyal tea – this may stimulate uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy
  • ephedra tea – ephedra should be avoided during pregnancy because it can stimulate uterine contractions. It has also been found to cross the placenta and increase fetal heart rate.
  • yarrow tea – yarrow is a muscle relaxant and is thought to be linked to risk of miscarriage
  • dong quai tea – this herb may stimulate bleeding

Teas in moderation

The following teas contain caffeine, and so should be enjoyed in moderation. Pregnant women are advised to restrict their caffeine intake to less than 200mg each day. If you’re trying to avoid caffeine during pregnancy, you should avoid the following teas altogether:

  • black tea
  • green tea
  • chai tea
  • earl grey tea
  • oolong tea
  • darjeeling tea
  • lapsang souchong tea
  • golden monkey black tea
  • lychee tea
  • hong mao tea
  • nilgiris tea

A note about green tea

There is some debate about how safe green tea is for pregnant women. It contains caffeine and so intake should be restricted, but there is also evidence to suggest that it can reduce folic acid absorption. Folic acid is very important during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, and so some women choose to avoid green tea altogether during pregnancy.

Safe teas

The following herbal teas are considered safe to drink during pregnancy:

  • raspberry leaf tea – this one is considered safe once you have reached week 24, but should be avoided until that point
  • ginger tea – many women rely on this drink to help them through the rocky weeks of morning sickness in early pregnancy
  • peppermint tea – another tea often used to combat nausea in early pregnancy
  • dandelion leaf tea – high in potassium, and safe to drink in pregnancy
  • rooibos tea – caffeine free and full of antioxidants, this is tea comes highly recommended for pregnant women

There isn’t much research on the effect of drinking herbal teas during pregnancy – on pregnant women or developing babies. Some people advise limiting your herbal tea intake just just one or two cups a day. There isn’t any evidence to suggest herbal teas can cause problems, but it is worth being cautious with the amount you drink, just in case.

What are your favourite herbal teas, and have you had any success in using them to stave off nausea?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Single and Pregnant: Going it Alone

Pregnancy can be a daunting time, and it is common for pregnant women to experience anxieties, worries and concerns about impending motherhood. If you are facing pregnancy alone, whether planned or unplanned, you may find yourself worrying about how you will cope as a single parent. Rest assured that most pregnant women in relationships are just as terrified as you. As a single woman you have extra things to consider though, including:

Support
Looking after a baby can be exhausting, so you’ll need a support network around you to help out. You may choose to ask your best friend, or a family member, to join you at antenatal appointments and scans. Identify the friends and family who you feel will best support you, and ask them if they will help out a little bit when the baby is here.

Birth partner
Childbirth can be hard work, amazing and scary all at the same time. Do you have a close friend or family member you’d like to be your birth partner? Having support during labour is invaluable. While it may seem a big task, many people would be honoured to be asked. If you can’t think of anyone you want to ask, you could hire a doula. Though sometimes pricey, doulas are professionally trained birth partners who support labouring women.

Groups
Once the baby arrives, you should find some local baby groups to attend. Baby massage, baby sign and play groups are all great places to meet and interact with other mums. It’s always helpful to have friends who understand what you’re going through, so try to seek out some other single parents to buddy up with. Some areas have groups for single mothers to meet and socialise, but if there isn’t one near you, you could join an online forum to speak to people in a similar situation.

Finances
You may be entitled to some financial assistance as a single mother, find out if this is the case. Lots of people miss out on benefits they are entitled to simply because they don’t ask. You may be entitled to educational grants, training grants or money towards childcare costs to help your transition back to work after the baby is born.

Look after yourself
It’s important to look after yourself, so you give your baby the best care possible. Life can be pretty exhausting as a single mum, so don’t be shy about asking for help. Ask your best friend to entertain the baby for a couple of hours, so you can have a relaxing bath and enjoy some time focusing on yourself for a change. Ask your mum to help out with the laundry, or your sister to pick up some groceries on her way round.

The dad
If the father wants to be involved, together you can work out how he can help out, both financially and practically. If he doesn’t want to be involved, then see it as his loss. Try to focus on the positives – you’ll get to make all the decisions, and enjoy all the cuddles from your little one. Make sure you receive any financial support you are entitled to, unless you have decided you don’t want it.

Are you single and pregnant, do you have any tips to help other women in your situation?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.