Reasons for Irregular Periods after Marriage

Stomach pain in womenAfter marriage women undergo many emotional and hormonal changes that can lead to irregular periods. Here are some of the reasons of irregular periods after marriage.

Reasons for Irregular Periods after Marriage

Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome

Hormonal imbalance is one of the leading causes of irregular periods after marriage. Polycystic ovaries syndrome is a condition of hormonal imbalance in women. Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones responsible for periods, and an imbalance in them can lead to:

• Changes in menstrual cycle, cysts in ovaries and trouble in getting pregnant.
• Absent periods.
• Irregular periods that may range from light to heavy.

Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills and other hormonal birth control techniques can also lead to irregular periods. Post marriage a woman usually starts taking birth control pills but her body takes time to adjust with the new hormonal levels. Ones the body adjusts itself, the periods come back to normal.

Birth control pills alter the amount of estrogen level in your body thus changing the time, amount and regularity of periods. Due to changed hormonal levels, the body starts to react in a different manner and that might lead to an irregular menstrual cycle.  In addition to affecting the sex hormones it also stops egg release from the ovary.

There are various types of birth control pills available in the market, that differ in effectiveness, potency and combination of drugs. It is wise to consult your doctor before you start taking birth control pills.

Other Possible Causes

• Recent childbirth or miscarriage.
• Breastfeeding.
• Menopause.
• Sever emotional stress can lead to irregular menstrual cycles. If you are anxious, worried or fatigued then you are more likely to have an irregular period.
• Being overweight and underweight are other possible causes of missed or irregular periods. Expert suggests that excessive weight is found to have adverse interference in menstrual rhythm.
• Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia are often linked to irregular periods. So if you have any kind of eating disorder then you are more likely to have an irregular menstrual cycle.
• Exercises that strain your body also disrupt the menstrual pattern.
• Poor nutrition disbalances the hormonal level and finally the periods.

Reasons for Irregular Periods after Marriage

5 Things to Watchout for During Pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, it can become the most pressured nine months of her life. With so many worries when it comes to being pregnantand birthing a healthy child, paranoia can set in. However, there is no need for it to go that far.

Here are the five main things to watch out for when pregnant:

5 Things to Watchout for During Pregnancy

1. No Drugs or Alcohol:

• Most people know that at the very first sign of pregnancy, the drinking and drugs have got to go. However, it should be emphasized since these two factors alone are the highest cause of birth defects and infant deaths. In fact, if you are trying to get pregnant and have had experience with either substance, it is best to do a cleanse and make sure your body is free of any toxin before pregnancy.

2. Fish:

• Unfortunately, certain fish contain the chemical mercury in them, which is not only unhealthy for you, but also dangerous to your unborn child. It does not mean you cannot eat any fish at all, however, certain fish like the swordfish, the white snapper, and the king mackerel should be avoided at all costs.

3. Smoking:

• Not only can smoking cigarettes affect your lungs and mouth, it also affects your baby. Most women know not to smoke while pregnant or around children, however, most neglect the consequences of second hand smoke.   Second hand smoke is just as deadly as first hand, so avoid smokers at all cost and try your best to stay in a clean aired environment.

4. Diet:

• Although your stomach will most likely get larger with a baby inside you, it by no means gives you the permission to pig out. It is more important than ever to get you and your unborn child started on a healthy diet by fitting in all the food groups. Not only will your baby benefit from the excellent food choices, but so will you.

5. Exercise:

• Even though the unborn child inside you cannot exercise right along with you, it benefits immensely if you workout. With you maintaining a healthy body and mind, you create a healthy environment for the baby to grow and prosper.

Pregnancy in a woman’s life is a beautiful life event that should be cherished. Taking all of these tips in mind, not only will you feel better, but your soon-to-be baby will no doubt love you and appreciate you for it.
5 Things to Watchout for During Pregnancy

What is Emergency Contraception?

Woman take tabletsEmergency contraception is use of drug or device to prevent unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Such measures must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

What is Emergency Contraception?

History of Emergency Contraception

Even though, emergency contraception has been around for several decades but its first recorded use was in 1960s. It was first used by doctors on a rape victim. Its usage as a solution to failed birth control devices was extremely controversial till 1990, they were only used by rape victims. It was only after 1997 that FDA approved emergency contraception plan.

Since 1998, emergency contraception is largely use by people, they are also available over-the-counter. However, some physician and religious hospitals still refuse its usage.

Types of Emergency Contraception

• Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs): They are commonly referred to as ‘morning after pill’ or simply ‘contraceptive pills’. These pills are intended to disrupt fertilisation process and finally unwanted pregnancy.
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs): IUDs are mostly use as primary contraceptive method. It is use for emergency contraception only when the women don’t want to get pregnant for couple number of years. IUDs don’t allow fertilise egg to join uterus. With IUDs pregnancy can be prevented for 10 years.
• Birth control pills: Regular birth control pills contain the same hormone as ‘morning after pills’. In emergency these pills can be use as an alternate to emergency contraception. However, it is important to consult doctor before taking them as the required dose will vary from one brand to another.

When to use Emergency Contraception

You must use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy when:

• You forgot to use birth control measure.
• Condom broke.
• You are forced to have sex.
• You forgot to take two or three birth control pills in a row.
• Your diaphragm slips out of place.
• You suspect that your birth control measure has failed.

Depending on the brand emergency contraceptive pills can be effective up to five days after unprotected sex. Most pills works up to 72 hours of unprotected sex while some claim to work till 120 hours. Some contraceptive pills are taken in two doses .i.e. one up to 120 hours of unprotected sex. And second dose after 12 hours. Like some of the contraceptive pills, IUDs can also be used up to five days of unprotected sex. In both the cases it is important to consult your doctor before using emergency contraception.

 What is Emergency Contraception?

Yeast Infections during Pregnancy

Yeast Infections during PregnancyDuring the second trimester of pregnancy yeast infections are a common occurrence in women. Symptoms are an increase in the amount of a thin, white or greenish odd smelling discharge; redness, itching on the lips of the vagina; burning during urination and intercourse. They do not have any deleterious effect on pregnancy, but could be a cause for considerable discomfort.

Yeast Infections during Pregnancy

When the normal levels of acid and yeast in the vagina are imbalanced, the overgrowing yeast causes discomfort resulting in a condition called a ‘yeast infection’. Yeast infections are generally caused for some of the following reasons:

• Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy when the body is undergoing various chemical changes, especially in the vaginal area; more sugar in the secretions which the yeast can feed on, causing an imbalance resulting in excessive fungus
• Before periods when similar hormonal changes are in progress
• Taking hormones and birth control pills, antibiotics and steroids
• A diabetic condition with high blood sugar on which the yeast feed on
• Vaginal intercourse
• Douching
• Blood and semen

If a doctor has ruled out yeast infection, the person may be suffering from sexually transmitted diseases like Chalmydia, Gonorrhea ,Trichomoniasis or a bacterial infection called Bacterial Vaginosis, which have similar symptoms. These can be excluded at a doctor’s clinic by a simple swab to remove the discharge and follow it with a microscopic examination of the discharge, or in rare cases, a culture could be sent to a clinical laboratory. An examination of the genitals by a doctor could also detect this condition.

The recommended treatment of yeast infection during pregnancy is by the use of vaginal creams and suppositories. If left untreated, yeast infections may be passed on to the baby’s mouth during delivery, causing it to develop‘thrush’ which requires treatment with Nystatin.

Generally it takes about two weeks to be completely cured of yeast infection during pregnancy. Subsequently one should use a starch-free drying powder like Nystatin on sores to prevent reinfection.

Tips to prevent Yeast Infections

• Use of loose, cotton , breathable clothing and cotton underwear.
• Wear loose, cotton, breathable clothing, and cotton underwear.
• After washing, use of a blow dryer to dry the genital area.
• After using a restroom, wipe from front to back always.
• After swimming one should take a shower and change out of wet or damp clothes immediately.
• Avoidance of douches, feminine hygiene sprays, sanitary pads, tampons containing deodorants, coloured or perfumed toilet papers, to prevent recurrence.
• Reduce sugar intake, as sugar promotes yeast growth.
• One should take plenty of rest which helps the body to fight infections.

In case the symptoms recur again, one should contact the doctor as soon as possible. As explained in this article, yeast infection symptoms are similar to sexually transmitted diseases, which are far more dangerous.
Yeast Infections during Pregnancy

Caffeine during Pregnancy

Now that you have tested positive for pregnancy, it becomes extremely important for you to plan the next nine months accordingly for maintaining healthy food habits and regular exercise. Physical stamina should be increased for sustaining another life inside your body that is solely dependent on you!

Caffeine during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, caffeine must be avoided. We all crave for our morning cup of coffee but very few know that caffeine intake during pregnancy increases the chances of prenatal complications. This includes miscarriage or stillbirths as well. The best alternative to beat your craving is to switch over to herbal teas or green tea. Caffeine intake increases the pressure of blood in your body. Caffeine has guareine and mateine which are found in beans, plants and seeds. This is another reason why soft drinks have traces of caffeine so mild that the addiction is often not realised by regular caffeine drinkers.

Caffeine can cause blood contamination in pregnant women as it is the fastest absorbent when left to mix with blood. Women planning pregnancy should avoid caffeine at least two to three months before taking the plunge! The drinks to be avoided also include hot chocolates, soft drinks, coffee, tea and alcohol. Also, many dietary supplements can have caffeine in them. A thorough research on such products and consultation from your healthcare practitioners are important before you modify your diet.

The most common and visible effects of caffeine are as follows:

• Restlessness and respiratory problems.
• Feeling thirsty too often.
• Increased heart rate or palpitation.
• Excessive sweating.
• Increase in blood pressure level.

As every person has a unique body type, the damage caused by caffeine differs from one individual to another. Read on to know the damages that caffeine can cause on the development of the foetus:

• Caffeine can cause the placenta to shed which can lead to the termination of pregnancy mid way. Usually, the blood flow in the body is able to break caffeine components in the body. But certain body types respond differently during pregnancy making it uncertain for the pregnancy to be successful.
• Caffeine can travel through the placenta and reach the food pipe of the foetus making it consume caffeine. This can damage the growth of the baby and may result in preterm labour.
• At times, the placenta manages to create caffeine deposits in the body delaying a full term pregnancy.

Women should cut down their caffeine intake slowly, letting the body normalise itself according to this change. Drastic cut-down can cause nausea or headaches. An alternative is a decaf coffee or herbal teas. Drink a lot of water so the toxins get flushed out!

Caffeine during Pregnancy

Baby Kicks during Pregnancy

Baby Kicks during PregnancyFeeling the movement of your baby is one of the greatest feelings, especially for first-time-moms. It can be felt after 13 weeks of conception but normally, it would be felt within 24 weeks. You need to monitor the baby kicks from the time you experience it first. Lack of foetal movement or its slowing down may be an indicator of some problem.

Baby Kicks during Pregnancy

The quickening

The first foetal movements felt by a woman are called quickening. Expecting mothers report that it feels like butterflies or bubbles going off in the tummy. In early pregnancy, you may not feel the baby’s movement very often. As the baby is quite small, the frequency of baby kicks would depend on his location in the womb.

Keeping track of the baby kicks and movements

As you reach the third trimester, it would be a good idea to chart the baby’s movements. The American Pregnancy Association has specified the number of kick counts that you should feel when 28 weeks pregnant. 10 kicks is the norm when 28 weeks pregnant. They even recommend having honey and milk with sugar if the kick counts are less than 10. The reason of less kick counts may be that the baby was asleep. If kick counts are less than 10 even after 2 hours, it is time to call your physician.

Sleeping patterns of the baby

You should start to monitor the sleeping patterns of the baby. The babies have their sleeping times and their active times. When you know that the baby is going to have active time, let him get used to your voice by singing or reading to him. Your husband can join in the fun as it helps to develop a bond with your child before even being born.

Too much of baby movement

While it is a problem to find sudden end of baby kicks and other movements, sudden increase in these movements is a cause for concern too. With the gradual increase in the baby’s size, it is expected that the foetal movements would continue to diminish. If instead, you find that the foetal movement has increased and it is frantic, there is a good chance that it is due to some kind of foetal distress. It may be nothing but why take a chance. Do not hesitate to visit your doctor if you face a situation of frantic foetal movements.

Baby Kicks during Pregnancy

Study: Birth Control Pills Affect Memory

According to a new UC Irvine research, women who take birth control pills experience memory change. This research basically studies the influence of hormonal contraception on memory. Nielsen (researcher) is of the view that medication doesn’t damage memory. It only changes the type of information that the brain remembers.

Study: Birth Control Pills Affect Memory

In spite of the fact that birth control pills are used by more than 100 million women across the globe, till now there are only a handful of studies that have studied the effect of birth control pills on memory.

Researcher, Larry Cahill has contributed these changes to suppressed sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. Previously, these hormones were linked to strong ‘left- brain’ memory.

In this study, a group of women on contraception and another one not on any form of hormonal contraception were shown photographs of a car accident, that of a mother and her son. The audio narratives were different for some women. Some were told that boy was critically injured after the car hit him, while the others were told that car hit the curb. After one week, all the women were asked to recall the story. Results showed that women who were on hormonal contraceptives for less than a month clearly remembered the main steps in the traumatic event. But women who were not using hormonal contraceptives remembered more details.

Women on oral contraceptives remembered different elements of the story. This shows that estrogen had in fact affected how these women remembered emotional events.
Study: Birth Control Pills Affect Memory

Is it when your odds to conceive are at the strongest, or is it when you’ve matured enough to be able to take a proper care of your baby?

And while it’s up to a person to choose, there are statistics and science nobody could rebuff of
Age and Fertility

Biologically, we are more fertile during a certain timeframe. Right time to conceive begins as we turn 18 and extends into 20s. With early 30s approaching, our reproductive abilities start declining gradually. However, it’s not before reaching the age of 35 when fertility can become a problem. Towards 40s, women are more likely to encounter more difficulties getting pregnant. While the nature signals the best time for pregnancy is reaching 20s, social realities weigh in and 20s just seem not that right for many young moms.

Why Old Age Pregnancy

Today’s women tend to miss fertile 20s as they are busy with starting a career, figuring out an advanced education, or even both. Having a baby in 20s may be very challenging financially, without job security and all. Let’s face it, having a baby requires not only parental love, it also needs sound household budget.

Early pregnancy may be hard on a relationship, too. Younger moms simply don’t have enough life experience to deal with baby-related stresses while fathers may feel alienated as they see their wives suddenly preoccupied with a child. This transition period would take a lot of tolerance to come through and emerge stronger as a family. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t pass the test.

Form this perspective, matured couples would have fewer problems having a baby. They gain more experience with age and are more ready to make sacrifices which parenthood requires. Maturity also matters when it comes down to weathering the trauma of pregnancy and labor. Older women are more likely to be easier with the problem of pregnancy pounds and other post-pregnancy issues.

Pregnancy Complications

But as we proceed with our careers, reproductive time’s ticking away. Now as you’ve crossed the age of 30, it might take a bit harder to conceive. Of course, turning 30 doesn’t mean at all you are getting irretrievably infertile. And the study of the University of Texas at Austin just backs up the assumption. According to scientists, the best time to get on a journey into motherhood is 34. At this point a woman is quite healthy to have a baby and achieves financial stability.

However, beyond this line, pregnancy complications can be piling up. Another study conducted by Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, UK, showed a steady rise of fertility treatments among women over 35. More and more babies are born as a result of IVF treatment with higher risk of birth defects. So older age pregnancy doesn’t seem like a totally safe haven. Obviously, as we get older, our health weakens. Many women over 35 are very likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure, making it tougher to carry and deliver a healthy baby.

Pregnancy is a milestone event whatever time it happens. So, what time seems best to you?

Ten Ways to Make Healthy Food Choices during Pregnancy

Being pregnant, and a teenager, doesn’t mean eliminating your favorite foods from your diet. However, pregnancy does mean that you are providing nutrition for two. Both you and your baby are dependent on what you put in your mouth for nutrition. By learning to make healthy food choices you can increase your baby’s chance of being born healthy.

1. Most teens eat lots of sandwiches and hamburgers. Be sure to put lettuce, tomatoes, and other sliced veggies – the more the better – on your sandwiches and burgers when you are pregnant to increase the nutritional value of your meal.

2. If you are trapped in a “white bread world,” pregnancy is a good time to learn to use only whole-grain breads and rolls.

3. Pizza is not always an unhealthy choice for pregnant teens. Make your pizza healthier by adding lots of vegetables and extra cheese instead of fat-laden meats such as pepperoni and sausage.

4. Fruit juices and milk are an especially important component of a pregnant teen’s diet. Sodas and coffee consumption should be minimal during pregnancy.

5. Eat lots of fresh veggies and fruit when you are pregnant. Just don’t try to make them “tastier” by adding additional fat such as butter, creams, or sauces.

6. Always a good idea for reducing fat and particularly important for pregnant teens is to prepare meats by baking, broiling, or grilling instead of frying.

7. Calcium is vital for the healthy development of your baby and the health of your own growing bones and teeth. Instead of eating ice cream when you are pregnant, try eating more low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese.

8. Baked potatoes without butter or sour cream are a far healthier choice during pregnancy, or anytime, than french fries.

9. Instead of eating candy bars or cookies for snacks, try eating fresh dried fruits or raw veggies.

10. Everyone loves desserts, but traditional desserts such as pies, cakes, and cookies are not a healthy choice for pregnancy. Make dessert time a healthy choice by choosing fresh fruit or yogurt next time.

While you are pregnant, you will need additional nutrients to keep you and your baby healthy.
However, that does not mean you need to eat twice as much. An increase of only 300 calories per day is recommended.

For example, a baked potato has 120 calories, so getting those extra 300 calories should not be that difficult. Make sure not to restrict your diet during pregnancy because you might not be getting the right amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals that are necessary to properly nourish your unborn baby. Low-calorie intake can cause the mother’s stored fat to break down, leading to the production of substances called ketones. Ketones, which can be found in the mother’s blood and urine, are a sign of starvation or a starvation-like state. Constant production of ketones can result in a mentally retarded child.