Effects of Smoking Before and After Pregnancy
We all are aware of the effects (adverse health effects) of smoking during pregnancy by the mother. Smoking by mother before pregnancy and after childbirth can also have adverse health effects on the mother as well as the baby.
Effects of smoking before pregnancy:
The most important effect of smoking (by expectant mother or woman) before pregnancy is on fertility. A good percentage of women smoke three months prior to conception and delivery at some point or other, although many women may not smoke daily.
Infertility is more common among smoking women (as well as men). The risk of infertility is calculated to be approximately 60% higher among women who smoke in compare to women who do not smoke. There is also health problems (e.g. increased risk of lung cancer, COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, cough, increased risk of asthma and many more health problems) associated with smoking in general.
Categories: Pregnancy & Women's Health Tags: Pregnancy, smoking
Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy on Fetus
Smoking during pregnancy by mother has ill health effects on the growing fetus, which may be continue and be evident after birth also. The health problems that may be seen in the baby, if mother smokes during pregnancy includes LBW (low birth weight), SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), future obesity, birth defects, withdrawal symptoms and future habit of smoking etc.
Low birth weight:
On an average, babies born to smoking mothers are approximately 200 grams less than non smoking mothers and the risk of low birth weight babies is two fold higher among smoking mothers. Low birth weight babies are at greater risk of infant mortality and also have greater risk of disabilities such as learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, mental retardation etc.
Categories: Pregnancy & Women's Health Tags: LBW, Smoking during pregnancy, Sudden infant death syndrome
Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy
The ill effects of smoking in general apply equally to pregnant mothers. In addition there are several health problems that occur due to smoking among pregnant women. Numerous studies have shown that smoking during pregnancy is associated with abortion, miscarriage and many other health threats to the growing fetus. Passive smoking (i.e. smoking by father) is also equally dangerous to the fetus and pregnancy, as that of active smoking by the mother. Women (mothers) should not smoke before, during and after pregnancy and fathers should not smoke during and after pregnancy.
Effects of smoking on ongoing pregnancy:
Smoking during pregnancy can lead to number of health problems to the mother as well as the growing fetus.
Categories: Pregnancy & Women's Health Tags: IUGR, placenta previa
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Peri-menopause
There is reduction of ovarian mass as well as fertility after age of 35 years. Many changes occur during peri-menopause and most common being irregularity in menstruation (shortening of menstrual cycle is most common).
Symptoms of Peri-menopause:
These are symptoms that occur during preceding (peri-menopause precede menopause by 2-8 years) few years of menopause. The common symptoms include hot flashes, irregular menstrual bleeding, dryness of vagina, night sweat, disturbance of sleep etc. These symptoms are age related or due to ovarian dysfunction are not clear. Other perimenopausal symptoms include mood swings, depression, impaired memory or concentration, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction etc.
Categories: Pregnancy & Women's Health Tags: Menopause, peri-menopause, treatment
What Problems May Arise During Pregnancy?
Although pregnancy is a physiological process, it may lead to several complications. Each year millions of women suffer from pregnancy related health problems. As many as half a million pregnant women die each year due complications arising due to pregnancy and childbirth and many more millions suffer life threatening conditions due to pregnancy. Some of women suffering from pregnancy related complication; the problem may become permanent, meaning the health problem persists after delivery. Most of the pregnancy related complications that arise during pregnancy can be prevented or reduced with proper care before conception and proper antenatal care. The medical/health condition of the woman before pregnancy plays an important role in development of complications during pregnancy.
Categories: Pregnancy & Women's Health Tags: Anemia, Hemorrhoids, Urinary tract infection
What is Menopause?
Permanent cessation of menstrual bleeding in women is called menopause, which is due to loss of function of ovarian follicles. Consecutive 12 months amenorrhea (absence of menstruation is called amenorrhea) should be present to diagnose menopause. Normally menopause occurs in between 45 and 55 years of age. In the United States the average age of menopause is 51 years. Women who smoke, menopause can appear two years ahead of normal time.
Peri-menopause is the term used to refer the period preceding menopause. During peri-menopause the menstrual cycle becomes irregular along with waning of fertility. The period of peri-menopause lasts for two to eight years with an average of four years. During peri-menopause, menstruation should be absent for at least a year to call that menopause has begun. The period after menopause is called post menopause and during this period a woman may suffer typical health problems.
Categories: Pregnancy & Women's Health Tags: Amenorrhea, hormone replacement therapy, Menopause, peri-menopause
