Desert Storks

High blood pressure during pregnancy

High blood pressure during pregnancy is always of some concern. However, a woman’s blood pressure can fluctuate for many reasons and the occasional high reading does not always indicate there is a problem. The following is a brief overview of high blood pressure readings as well as an explanation of pre-eclampsia(the type of high blood pressure that is usually associated with health concerns during pregnancy). If you would like to have a better understanding of how the blood pressure is measured, why it usually increases and decreases during pregnancy and what this may indicate, you can read tests during pregnancy - blood pressure. For more in depth information on the health effects of pre-eclampsia and how this condition may be treated you can read blood pressure, pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Read more »

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

Diabetes is a common condition in which the body is unable to use the glucose in the blood for energy as effectively as usual. This is because the body isn’t making enough of the hormone insulin, or the insulin isn’t working properly. Insulin moves glucose from the blood into the body’s cells where it can be used by the body for energy.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. From 3 to 8 % of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy.

Who is at increased risk of gestational diabetes?
• Women over 30 years of age.
• Women with a family history of Type 2 diabetes.
• Women who are overweight.
• Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.
• Certain ethnic groups are also at increased risk:
- Indian - Vietnamese
- Chinese - Middle Eastern
- Polynesian/Melanesian
• Women who have had gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies.
• Women who have had difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term. Read more »

The Amazing Journey of Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an amazing journey. While we often talk about it lasting for nine months, pregnancy is generally measured by weeks, lasting 40 weeks or 266 days from conception. Each month brings unique changes for your baby’s growth and development. Enjoy a tour through the entire length of pregnancy in ultrasound pictures and descriptions of how your baby is growing and changing at each stage of pregnancy.

These months are designed to be generic and may or may not specifically relate to your pregnancy. Please direct any questions you have about your baby’s growth or your progress to your doctor or midwife. Pregnancy is a normal process and questions are a natural part of that process. Read more »

Birth Plans

Birth Plans have been around for many years. Birth Plans originated to assist women to inform their midwife or doctor of their wishes during labour, particularly if they wanted to avoid routine interventions. Birth Plans have evolved since their humble beginnings. Birth Plans now may be comprised of many things, including thoughts and expectations of what you would like for the birth of your baby. I must say from the out set, that I personally dislike the term ‘Birth Plan’. The term ‘Birth Plan’ implies that there is some control over birth and that you are able to plan for it. The reality is that you have little control over labour and birth, making it very difficult to formulate any sort of plan. Perhaps it would be better to think in terms of listing ‘Birth Preferences’ or compiling a ‘Wish List’. Read more »

Smoking During Pregnancy

We know more and more these days about the effects of cigarette smoking on pregnancy. For instance did you know that cigarette smoke contains 2000 components. Some of the most harmful for pregnant women and their babies is thought to be nicotine, carbon monoxide and cyanide. These substances have been found to cross the placenta and reach the baby. One of the most concerning effects of smoking during pregnancy is that the baby’s growth is restricted. A baby of a woman who smokes weighs on average 170 to 200 grams lighter. The more a woman smokes the greater the weight reduction. Having a smaller baby is not a positive thing. A smaller baby does not mean that the birth will be easier. The reason babies are smaller is that cigarette smoking restricts blood vessels therefore reducing the amount of nutrients and oxygen reaching the baby. This leads to a lower birth weight and a baby more prone to becoming ill after birth. Read more »

Listeria and Pregnancy

Listeria is a bacteria that is found in nature and lives in some foods. Sources of Listeria include most animals, soil, vegetation and sewerage. Because of this, Listeria can easily enter our food chain. An infection with Listeria can cause mild ‘flu-like’ symptoms, urinary tract infections or even quite serious illness. In adults who have an impaired immune system, Listeria can cause illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia and encephalitis. The bacteria that causes Listeria is called Listeria monocytogenes. In pregnancy this bacteria can pass across the placenta and reach the baby. Listeria during pregnancy can cause abortion, premature rupture of membranes, premature birth and very sick babies. Listeria infections are not new, however it has only been known since 1980’s that it can be passed onto humans through food. Read more »