If you read this word the first thing that comes into your mind is knowing what is amniocentesis (amnio) means, and how is it done. This is also known as amniotic fluid test which is a procedure done by medical professionals and this is used in diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections in which a small amount of amniotic tissues/fluid is extracted in the amnion sac and submit it for examinations.

Amniocentesis (Amnio)

This is usually performed in second trimester from 15 weeks of pregnancy. The procedure done is letting the mother take analgesic first to relieve the pain or let her feel less discomfort when a needle is inserted in her abdominal wall then passing through the uterus then to amnion and this done also with the aid of ultrasound guidance and extracting at least 20 ml of amniotic fluid. The following patients who are required to have amniocentesis are those with family history of genetic abnormalities, if an ultrasound showed congenital problem in the fetus and if the mother is more than 35 years old.

What are the common chromosomal abnormalities that can be detected in amniocentesis? These are Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 16, Fragile X, neural tube defects and later it can also detect infection, Rh incompatibility and prediction of maturity of the lungs. The earlier the detection of abnormalities the better because there will be an early medical management. So if you are pregnant try and seek amniocentesis (amnio) test.

I think many women are very particular about what are the risk factors for miscarriage because they don’t want that what they have made will just put into waste, it’s a drastic and unacceptable event. So, what are those risk factors for miscarriage?

In medical factors pregnant woman have a greater chance of miscarriage if she gets pregnant when she’s more than 35 years old, having a known recurrent miscarriage cause like septate uterus, certain bacterial and viral infections during the period of pregnancy especially in early pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, a known chronic medical illness, pregnant women who are obese and malnourished, and conceiving after infertility.

Risk Factors for Miscarriage

Moreover, lifestyle of a pregnant woman is also considered a great risk like using substance abuse, drinking alcohol, smoking, taking some herbs and drugs which are also known to be teratogenic and occupational exposures to chemicals.

Here are some other factors that possibly can contribute to cause of miscarriage such as high caffeine intake, chronic stress and anxiety and exposure to radiations. It’s been a wrong misconception of everybody if sexual intercourse can also cause miscarriage, well medical experts says that it cannot. All of these risk factors for miscarriage will be lessen if you go hand in hand, you help yourself by avoiding those avoidable factors that can cause miscarriage and of course have a regular prenatal check up to your obstetrician and follow that they say.

While you are pregnant there are a lot of do’s and don’ts to follow, a lot of limitations to watch out and travelling is one to be considered. I will try to give you some insight into travelling while pregnant. This is the most common questions being asked by pregnant women, it’s when to travel safe? What to do if we feel discomfort while travelling? Does our baby will put them to harm if we travel during our near term pregnancy?

Travelling While Pregnant

Actually travelling while pregnant is okay if there are no complications in your pregnancy you just have to ask your doctor. But there are some pregnant women prefer not to travel during the first trimester because as they say this is the sensitive period of pregnancy this is the time they feel more discomfort like nausea and vomiting. Furthermore some airlines will not allow a near term pregnant to travel with them because they may experience premature labour.

The safe time to travel is on 14-28 weeks of pregnancy because of a lesser chances of miscarriage and after 28 week is the risk of early labour. If you travel it is important to bring your prenatal records and consult your obstetrician first before travelling. You have to put in your mind that anything you do, anything you take might harm your baby.

So, you have to have an extra careful in choosing what and where to eat because you have to be aware of food and water borne diseases. Check everything that you take is safe. Another important thing is do not travel when you are alone. I hope I did give extra information about travelling while pregnant. So, to all pregnant women out there just sit back, relax, enjoy and have a safe travel.

After a long wait finally you will welcome a new angel in your life and everybody is so excited in this momentous event. You are now in the final wave, it’s time to gather all the things needed in your labour and delivery in your hospital bag.

Hospital Bag Checklist

You have to prepare things for yourself, your partner and of course for your baby. For you, you have to prepare your birth plan and maternity notes, toothbrush together with toothpaste, pillows, dressing gown, socks because , your feet feels cold during labour, you also include slippers, lip balm, massage oils, toiletries and towels, hairbrush, nursing bra, watch with a second hand, to time of contractions, digital camera or camcorder, address book or a list of phone numbers, snacks and drinks not only for you but also for your partner so that he will not leave you anymore just to buy food to eat when he gets hungry.

Then, the things to prepare for your baby are one outfit for the trip home Two or three sleep suits and vests while you are staying in hospital, baby blanket, nappies, a pair of socks or booties, hat jacket or snowsuit for winter babies and a muslin squares. Since your done preparing packing all the things you need in your hospital bag, now you have to prepare yourself to the challenge in child delivery.

Being pregnant is a bigger responsibility and it is much more when the baby is finally out. During pregnancy period sometimes it is really stressful so you find a way to get rid from stress and find time to relax for the welfare of yourself and of course for your baby as well. This is when you have to consider pregnancy and yoga and the benefits you will gain from it. According to fitness expert that yoga would be beneficial to pregnant women can help them breath and relax, which can help you adjust to the physical demands of labour, birth and motherhood also.

Pregnancy and Yoga

It can calm both mind and body which then provides physical and emotional relief to stress. But you have to take consideration that you should be aware of the precautions like telling your yoga teacher if how many months are you pregnant, you should not do any on your back after first trimester because it reduces blood flow to the uterus and avoid poses that stretches the muscles too much especially your abdomen, backbends, balancing poses with one leg, camel, handstands, headstands and upward bow these are poses that you should avoid.

Yoga is considered the best way to stay flexible, relieve stress, prepares yourself for birth and ensures optimum supply of blood and nutrients to the developing baby.