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Category Archives: Pregnancy Complications
Feb 1 2012

Female Genital Wart – Symptoms, Treatment and Its Effects on Pregnancy

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Female genital wart is the most widely spread sexually transmitted infection among women. They usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. A highly contagious sexually transmitted virus called Human Papillomavirus or HPV causes these. HPV can cause cancer but the types that cause cancer is different from the types that cause this kind of warts. There are two types of HPV namely, the high-risk and the low-risk. High-risk types of HPV can cause cancer while low-risk type of HPV can cause these warts. Since most of them are caused by low-risk type of HPV, it normally will not turn into cancer even if left untreated.

Some women infected with the genital warts virus do not show any symptoms of infection. It is very important to know the symptoms of genital warts when they develop. The infected person may first experience redness, itching, or soreness in the affected area. Then flat or slightly raised bumps appear which can be red, gray or flesh-colored. They generally do not hurt. These bumps grow to form clusters that take on a cauliflower shape.

If the warts are untreated, they may grow, remain unchanged or disappear on their own. However, if you see the growth of even a small bump, it is better to seek professional help and treat the warts while it is on its early stage rather than waiting to see if it would grow or eventually fade.

There are several treatment options to remove female genital wart. The cheapest way is using natural home remedies such as crushed garlic, apple cider, juice of cut onions sprinkled with salt and Vitamin E oil. Most doctors would prescribe gels and creams. Other options are physician-performed treatments that use acid, electricity, laser or surgery. Your doctor may help you choose this option most suitable for your case.

Even if the warts are completely treated, the most important thing to remember is that the virus that caused it remains in the body. There is no cure for the virus and the infected person may unknowingly pass the virus through unprotected contact. Using condom during intimate moments could help reduce the risk of infection. However, since condoms do not cover all the genital area, it does not provide complete protection. Vaccines to protect against genital warts are available in the market. These are only effective if given before exposure to the virus.

Having female genital warts does not affect a woman's ability to become pregnant. Most pregnant women with genital warts do not have HPV-related complications during pregnancy or childbirth. You should discuss your treatment options with your physician. The genital warts may grow during pregnancy because of the changes in the immune system but and the child does not experience any HPV-related complications. On very rare cases, warty growths occur in the child's throat. However, caesarian delivery is not an option to prevent it.

Female Genital Wart - Symptoms, Treatment and Its Effects on Pregnancy

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Jan 29 2012

Spotting During Early Pregnancy 101 – The What, Who, Why, When & How!

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Pregnancy, for most women I know or have met, is usually a time when they are at their most excited. This is usually as a direct result of the anticipation of new life. This anticipation and excitement can be short-lived and overshadowed by the fear that spotting or light bleeding causes. Although this spotting is usually indicative of complications like miscarriages and ectopic pregnancy, it is not usually affirmative, and as such should not be worsened by the development of anxiety as a first course of action. This article will discuss the various aspects of spotting during early pregnancy so that you can have well-rounded knowledge about what it really entails.

1. The Misunderstanding...Allow me to state from the get go that; the fact that quite a number of women become certain that they are experiencing a miscarriage once they begin spotting, the appearance of light bleeding is not an automatic conclusion or indication that a miscarriage is unavoidable. The fact is this; during pregnancy over 1 in 10 women will experience non-malignant spotting at some point in their pregnancy term. When evaluating spotting you should consider the when and the how - that is, when it occurs, and how it presents itself.

2. The Nature...Not all spotting is alike - this is an important point to note. For example; implantation bleeding is a type of spotting that many women experience. This type of bleeding is characterized by a light "period-like" flow of blood which usually occurs around a time when a woman would normally see her period. This fact makes it a very confusing condition for most women as they usually mistake it for their periods and become worried because of its dissimilarity to the said period. This implantation bleeding usually occurs 5 - 12 days after the fertilization of the egg, a term referred to commonly as "conception". It does not last for long and has a light texture and color. This is the most common cause of spotting during early pregnancy.

3. Time Frame...It is entirely common to spot during your fist trimester. You must endeavor to report all sightings of vaginal discharges (light pink, brownish, yellowish etc) to your health care provider; doctor, midwife, nurse, whoever. Just make sure you do not get into a panic as that won't be beneficial in any way. Due to the fact that your body is adjusting to the changing levels of its hormones, you are more prone to these kinds of spotting, especially if you are a first-time mother. As the blood vessels on the cervix' surface become more engorged and sensitive, you may begin to experience post-coital bleeding which may remain throughout the rest of your pregnancy term.

4. Other Considerations...Bleeding during the second and third trimesters can be indicative of health issues that are more grievous to you or your unborn baby. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the following; pre-term labor, placental previa, or ectopic pregnancy.

5. Significance...Unfortunately, over 50% of spotting which occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is indicative of an impending loss of pregnancy. If you experience cramping and the passing of clots accompanying slight bleeding which progressively becomes heavier, you might actually, unfortunately be experiencing a miscarriage. Regrettably, this can rarely be avoided or prevented. This is because your body is naturally dealing with ectopic, molar or an otherwise unhealthy pregnancy and this is its way of doing it, theoretically.

6. Caution...Whatever the type or kind of spotting, spotting during early pregnancy should be reported to your health care giver so that they can professionally evaluate your condition and advise accordingly. Avoid wearing tampons and go for pads instead. Pads help you monitor the frequency and volume of the spotting so that you can track its severity and determine what type it is. Ensure that you keep your doctor in the loop at all times.

Spotting During Early Pregnancy 101 - The What, Who, Why, When & How!

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Jan 28 2012

Worrying About Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage?

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Your dreams and hopes were shattered when your doctor informed you that you have a miscarriage. It's difficult to come to terms with your pregnancy loss. You are probably feeling guilty and are blaming yourself for the pregnancy loss.

One of my friends who had a miscarriage told me that she didn't get over her pregnancy loss until she was pregnant again. So when can you try getting pregnant after miscarriage. Your doctor may advise waiting up to three months but actually there is no reason to wait unless you have health problems. You are probably worrying that you may have miscarriage again if you get pregnant. Most women does not have problem getting pregnant after miscarriage and most carry their pregnancy to full-term. A minority of them may experience recurrent miscarriages.

Cause Of Miscarriage or Recurrent Miscarriage

You are probably still wondering what causes your miscarriage. Your doctor may not be able to give you a definite answer.

1. Chromosomal Abnormalities

Most miscarriages which occur in the early part of your pregnancy are caused by chromosomal problems within the fetus. After your egg and sperm meet, numerous changes occur before a fetus can be formed. Mistakes in the chromosomes can happen resulting in miscarriage. Usually these chromosomal abnormalities are caused by random errors and are non-recurrent. Most women are able to have healthy pregnancy after miscarriage. In rare cases. the chromosomal abnormalities are passed on to the fetus by one of the parents. In this case, the woman will continue to have recurrent miscarriages until she or her partner is treated.

2. Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, consuming alcohol and taking illegal drugs increase your risk of miscarriage. If you want to have a healthy pregnancy and for the sake of your unborn baby, you should stop doing these activities. If you have difficulty discontinuing these activities, you may want to consult your doctor.

3. Low Progesterone Level

When you are pregnant, your body secretes progesterone which thickens the lining of the uterus to support the pregnancy. If your progesterone level is too low, your egg cannot implant properly in the uterus and miscarriage occurs. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to test your progesterone level. If your progesterone level is too low, you will have to take the progesterone supplement prescribed by your doctor.

4. Incompetent Cervix

This is a condition when the cervix opens too soon during pregnancy and result in miscarriage. This usually happens after 12 weeks of pregnancy when the fetus puts more weight on the cervix. Your doctor may recommend placing a stitch through the cervix to strengthen your cervix and prevent later pregnancy loss.

5. Uterine Problems

Uterine fibroids, uterine polyps, scar tissues in the uterine due to Asherman's syndrome or abnormal shaped uterus can result in miscarriage.

6. Medical Conditions

Some medical disorders like pelvic infection, diabetes, insulin resistance syndrome, thyroid disease, thrombophilia, lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome may increase your risk of early pregnancy loss. If you have any of these disorders, work with your doctors to ensure your condition is under control before planning to get pregnant.

7. Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants and grows at the wrong place, very often in the fallopian tube.  If the embryo is left to grow within the fallopian tube, the tube will rupture causing severe haemorrhage and miscarriage. The tube will then have to be removed. Therefore, etopic pregnancy normally has to be ended if discovered early.

Symptoms of A Miscarriage

The common symptoms of a miscarriage are abdominal cramping or vagina bleeding. Light bleeding or spotting is fairly common in early pregnancy as the fertilized egg implants onto the wall of the womb. If you experience bleeding and severe cramping during pregnancy, see your doctor straight away.

Reduce Your Miscarriage Chances

Here are some preventive measures you can take to prevent miscarriage and have a healthy pregnancy.

  1. go for a thorough medical check-up if you plan to get pregnant again. Discuss with your doctor the risk factors and causes of your past pregnancy loss.

    Worrying About Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage?

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