Health Advices Blog

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy and Breastfeeding’ Category

Can I choose the sex of the baby?

With modern techniques it is possible to choose the sex of the baby, but in reality, very few cases where medically necessary to choose the sex of the offspring. Synthesizes only to cases of communicable diseases to a particular sex of the children, such as hemophilia, who pass the suffering of women and sons and sometimes severe ways that compromise the lives of children. In these cases there must always be parental consent, because often these techniques go against their religious or philosophical beliefs.

Where can perform these techniques?

These techniques are usually performed in centers specializing in infertility.

Home methods of low complexity

Shettles and Rorvik doctors, authors of “How to choose the sex of your baby,” based on their own experiences that the Y sperm (male children) are faster and live shorter lives than the X chromosome sperm (from daughters). It would be logical then that having sex on the date closest to ovulation would be far greater chance of having a baby male. They also advise that the relationship is in a position to allow penetration of the vagina very deep and that the female orgasm is prior to male ejaculation. There should be a withdrawal after 3 or 4 days prior to ovulation to have intercourse. Read the rest of this entry »

The recommended dose varies according to the history of diseases in women or their close relatives.

• Women with no history of neural tube diseases
As 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, and prevention in women of childbearing age should indicate daily supplements of folic acid of 0.4 mg, in addition to foods containing the vitamin.
In the case of seeking a pregnancy is recommended folic acid supplement of 1 mg daily, 2 months before pregnancy and for 3 months after conception.

• Women with a history of pregnancies with neural tube disease
Should receive a supplement of 4 milligrams of folic acid during the time they plan a pregnancy, if possible from 2 months before pregnancy and continue it during the first trimester.
No association with multivitamins because they may exceed the recommended doses of other vitamins such as vitamin A, which can be teratogenic (producing malformations in the fetus). Read the rest of this entry »

What is folic acid?

Folic acid, also called pteroilmonoglutamic acid, vitamin B9 or folacin, is a vitamin along with vitamin B12 is involved in DNA synthesis, the protein that makes up chromosomes and contains the genetic code that governs the metabolism of cells, therefore it is vital for growth. Prevents the appearance of cold sores and promotes the health of the skin. It also delays the onset of gray hair, helps to increase breast milk protects against intestinal parasites and food poisoning spoiled.

Why should I take folic acid?

It is known that folic acid supplementation before conception by 50% prevents the occurrence of neural tube diseases such as anencephaly, spina bifida and myelomeningocele. These diseases are common, about 1 per 1000 births, and are sometimes cause for termination of pregnancy spontaneously, and in countries where abortion is permitted, is grounds for termination of pregnancy. Read the rest of this entry »

In short, the mother breastfed babies are less likely to have:

- Childhood allergies, wheezing, pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
- Ear infections, stomach and/or bowel.
- Gas, constipation and diarrhea.
- Diseases of the skin.
- Syndrome sudden infant death (SIDS)
- dental caries
- Obesity or weight problems
- diabetes Read the rest of this entry »

In the case of mothers who have overcome a childhood cancer may be more defenses to breastfeed. In this regard, researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Memphis, United States, found that breastfeeding has the potential to positively influence bone density in the risk factors of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and secondary tumors.

Other benefits that get women to breastfeed are:
- Strengthen the bond with your child
- Lose weight more easily.
- Be less likely to have menstrual periods during the time they are breastfeeding.
- Stimulate contraction of the uterus and help you return quickly to its normal size, because the nurse was releases a hormone called oxytocin that causes this effect. Read the rest of this entry »

Breastfeeding offers many benefits for both baby and mom. A recent study found that breastfeeding provides protection against cancer for women who have been treated to overcome various types of cancer during childhood. In this article we tell you more details on this finding and other benefits of breastfeeding and breast milk.

Breast milk not only provides essential nutrients and antibodies against diseases to babies. As mentioned earlier, the benefits of breastfeeding are not just for newborns. Mums can also benefit from breastfeeding or breastfeeding. Read the rest of this entry »

During pregnancy, adequate maternal nutrition is essential for normal growth and development of the fetus. A fetus that does not have adequate nutrition might be small for gestational age, fail to have normal brain development, have learning disabilities as a child, and be at increased risk for chronic illnesses as an adult.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can result in fatal megalobalstic anemia and neural tube defects or folic acid deficiency, inadequate bone calcification vitamin D and calcium deficits, and hypothyroidism iodine deficiency. Other health risks for the developing fetus are so disturbing that is why pregnant mother need to be careful on what they eat and they should have a monthly check up with their Doctor. They should follow all the prenatal vitamins prescribe to them.

The fetal stage lasts from 9 weeks to birth. All body organs and system continue to grow and develop. At the end of the first trimester, some reflexes are present, kidney secretion begins, Doppler can hear the heartbeat, and the sex of the infant is distinguishable by outward appearance. At the end of the second trimester fetal heart tones are audible by stethoscope, the liver and pancreas are functioning, hair forms, sleep-wake patterns are established, lung surfactant is produced, and eyelids open. At the end of the third trimester, testes have descended, lung alveoli are formed, subcutaneous fat is deposited, and the fetus actively kicks. By birth, the average neonate weighs 7.5 lb and is 20 inches long.