Pregnancy Risk Factors

Undeniably, there are cases of pregnancy where certain conditions tend to develop along the way thereby putting the baby and the mother's health into a greater risk. Along the course of pregnancy, some pregnant women are exposed to certain substances, drugs, chemicals, infections and radiation which may negatively affect the mother as well as the baby's health.
Prescription and OTC Drugs in Pregnant Women
Whether aware or unaware of their pregnancy, some women have taken drugs such as isotretinoin, anticonvulsants, antibiotics, lithium, ACE inhibitors, warfarine and thalidomide which can be harmful to the baby's health. Intake of these drugs actually increases their baby's risk for birth defects. Some drugs work by blocking the activities of the folic acid or folate which play vital roles in preventing the onset of neural tube defects and other birth defects.
According to research, more than 90% of pregnant females are taking social drugs, over the counter drugs and prescription drugs during their pregnancy. As a general rule, pregnant women should avoid using drugs during pregnancy unless necessary because they may contain substances which may cause harm not just to the mother's health but to the foetus as well. Around 2-3% of birth defects have actually resulted from the use of drugs.
How Can Drugs Affect the Health of the Developing Foetus
When drugs are taken within 20 days after the process of fertilization, only two scenarios are possible. Either the drug completely kills the foetus or it doesn't incur any adverse effect to the foetus. According to research, foetuses are very resistant to many forms of birth defects during this period. But foetuses are very vulnerable to birth defects from the 3rd to 8th week after fertilization. During this period, the essential organs of the body are forming and developing.
Intake of drugs during this period may trigger miscarriage or may cause a permanent birth defect. In some cases, permanent birth defects are induced but they are only noticed later in life. If drugs are taken after the development of organs, it may not necessarily trigger the development of some birth defects but it may alter the functions and growth of the organs and tissues affected.
How Drugs Affect the Foetus
Drugs taken my pregnant women are usually taken by the foetus through the placenta which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby in the uterus. Drugs can directly affect the neonate which may damage or affect the normal development of the foetus. It may trigger the onset of birth defects and even death in babies.
Drugs may also change the ways on how placenta works. It may trigger the narrowing of the blood vessels which results to a reduced supply of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby. This is one of the main reasons why some babies are underdeveloped and underweight.
Also, drugs may also trigger a forceful contraction of the uterus which may cause an injury to the foetus. In some cases, it reduces the supply of blood and induces preterm labour and delivery.
The use of nicotine, alcohol and cocaine also bring adverse effects to the human body. It increases the pregnant women's risk for miscarriage while babies are out at a greater risk for birth defects and being underweight.
Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy
The use of alcohol can actually cause the development of mental retardation and foetal alcohol syndrome. Meanwhile, women who have used cocaine during their pregnancy are at an increased risk for placental abruption, a condition characterized by the premature detachment of the placenta. It may also prevent the growth of the foetus and promote stillbirth and premature birth.
Alcohol consumption actually doubles the risk of pregnant women for miscarriage. Though the exact quantity of alcohol required to trigger the onset of foetal alcohol syndrome and other related disorders is yet unknown, doctors strongly advised pregnant women to abstain from taking alcohol during pregnancy.
Foetal alcohol syndrome is characterized by small head, inadequate growth and development before and after delivery, mental retardation, abnormal behavioural development and facial defects. It may even trigger an abnormal functions and position of the joints. In some cases, excessive consumption of alcohol may trigger the onset of heart defects.
Cigarette Smoking on Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should also avoid from cigarette smoking during this crucial period. Cigarette smoking increases the risk for stillbirth and other pregnancy complications such as placental previa, premature membrane rupture, placentral abruption and premature birth. It may also hinder the growth and development of the foetus. According to research, cigarette smoking elevates the children's risk for mental retardation and other behavioural problems later on.
Many babies are born underweight. One of the most common culprits behind this phenomenon is cigarette smoking. According to research, the more a pregnant woman smokes, the lesser is the weight of the babies. In fact, babies to smoking mothers have an average weight of 6 ounces less than the weight of babies who are born to mothers who do not smoke.
Smoking moms increase their baby's risks for birth defects of the brain, face and heart. Also, babies are put at a greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Other complications include preterm labour, stillbirths, miscarriages and uterine infections.
Also, cigarette smoking heightens the children's risks for deficiencies in intellectual, behavioural and physical growth and development. Cigarette smoking actually harms the baby through its carbon monoxide and nicotine content. Carbon monoxide plays a vital role in reducing the supply of oxygen to the blood vessels while nicotine triggers the release of certain hormones that facilitate in the constriction of the blood vessels which supply blood to the placenta and uterus. In effect, less nutrients and oxygen are delivered to and received by the foetus.
Caffeine in Pregnant Women
Though there are still insufficient evidences relating caffeine consumption to birth defects, doctors strongly advised pregnant women to stay away from caffeine during their pregnancy. According to research, caffeine may negatively affect the foetus' heart rate. Also, it plays a vital role in reducing the supply of blood to the placenta as well as in reducing the abruption rate of iron which may lead to anaemia. There are scientific evidences claiming that excessive intake of caffeine increases a pregnant woman's risk to have preterm delivery, premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage and baby with low birth weight.
Opiods and Amphetamines in Pregnant Women
The use of opiods such as morphine, methadone and heroin rarely ends up with birth defects however, according to research, it may cause substance addiction to the foetus. Some foetus may experience withdrawal symptoms within 6 hours to 8 days after delivery. When used during pregnancy, opiods can increase the likelihood for certain complications which include preterm delivery, abnormalities and miscarriage. Meanwhile, amphetamines can trigger the development of birth defects especially in the heart.

Things To Know Before Investing

Getting laser hair removal could be just what you need to change the way your body looks and feels for good. The good news is that you will not have to pick up a razor again after using this treatment. That is because it gets rid of your hair permanently in the treated areas. Because of the high-powered laser's use, the follicle is damaged just enough to prohibit the ability of it to produce hairs. This gives you the smooth hairless body you are looking for. However, before committing to this type of process, it is a good idea to consider what it is, how it works, and what limitations it offers.
It Is Not for Everyone
One of the most important things to know about laser hair removal is that it does not work for everyone. The vast majority of people will benefit from it, but those who have light colored skin and light colored hairs will not. To work, the hair has to be dark enough for the device to pick up on its presence. If that is not the case, it will not work as effectively.
You Will Need More Than One Appointment
Sometimes, it can take six or seven treatments to get the total hair-free look you are after. That is because hair does not all grow at the same time and rate. Rather, the cycle is varied. In this treatment, every single follicle needs to be treated. For that to happen, hairs must be in the proper growth stage. This means you will need to come back every few weeks to get another treatment. The good news is that every treatment results in fewer hairs until there are no longer any left.
It Does Last
Though some treatment options promise long-term hair-free skin, such as waxing, nothing is better than this method. It works permanently to restrict the ability of hairs to grow in each of the follicles. Therefore, treated follicles will never produce hair again. If that sounds like a good thing to you, as it does to so many others, now is a good time to talk about your options with a specialist. Find out if this is the right option for you and if you can achieve permanently hair-free skin.
Laser hair removal is a proven method for this purpose, but it does take time. Individuals will find that those with ample experience and knowhow in the field are the best providers to seek out for this type of treatment. You do want to go to a specialist so that you can save time and have fewer appointments to get the results you want.

A Dentist Can Help Senior Citizens With Oral Issues

If you are a senior citizen, your dental care is very important. You may have some specific situations in your mouth, or your financial situation may have changed, making it harder to afford frequent care. As you get older, your health naturally declines and sometimes you are left with no choice but to have your bad teeth extracted, which is often what the government program Medicare covers.
Sensitive teeth are a common problem in seniors, and this is often a result of them being loose due to lack of good dental care. So as soon as you start noticing that they are sensitive, you should make an appointment with your dentist so that you can get treatment for them to avoid the serious gum diseases. As you age, chances of this get higher, as a healthy diet is harder to achieve without getting help. If you struggle getting to your dentist, get some help so that you can get there for good dental care.
A good way to make sure that you are practicing good dental hygiene is by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Your dentist can help you find specialty toothbrushes to help you get to those hard to reach places in your mouth. You also need to know what to watch for to avoid tooth decay, mouth cancers, and dry mouth.
Often, the only choice you have is to have all your teeth pulled and have them replaced with dentures. Sometimes you can just replace a few teeth or replace them all due to rampant gum disease, or from an injury to your mouth. It is necessary that you get your teeth replaced right away so that your remaining teeth do not move. This way, you can talk and properly chew your food and continue to get your proper nutrition.
Dentures are not cheap, however, as they do cost anywhere between $400 and $8,000. How much you will need to pay depends on extensiveness of your situation and how much preparatory dental work you may need to help your dentures fit comfortably in your mouth. It will cost more if you have to travel to a prosthodontist as well as any specialty tools that may be necessary to help the dentures fit. Your fee will also depend on how much Medicare and/or your dental insurance will cover and what kind of warranty is available for your particular appliance.
When your homework is complete, you should have a great dentist and dentures that are the right fit for your mouth so that you can eat, talk, and live comfortably.

Your Embryonic Stem Cells

Why are human embryonic stem cells so special?

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) offer a unique opportunity to potentially treat many currently incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury, diabetes or heart insufficiency. This is thought to be possible because these cells have the ability to grow into virtually any cell type of the human body. In some cases, scientists are already able to grow replacement cells in the laboratory to substitute for the cells which are destroyed during a disease process, such as heart cells or neurons. In the next step, scientists are hard at work to find out if and how those cells can be used to cure diseases. For this purpose, the first clinical trials are under way in the U.S. and abroad. It is not just severe diseases where hESCs could be extremely helpful, but also other applications such as growing your own red blood cells for potential transfusion for surgery, growing pigment cells of the skin for extra protection if you suffer from burns, or replacing aging skin cells.

Create & bank your own embryonic stem cells from your discard frozen IVF embryos

As an in vitro fertilization (IVF) patient, you may have one or more discard frozen embryos which you do not plan to use for pregnancy attempts because they are e.g. of inferior quality or your family planning is complete. Furthermore, you may not be interested in keeping these embryos in storage any longer. In this case, there is now the possibility of growing your discard frozen embryos into human embryonic stem cells. Similar to banking umbilical cord blood samples, those hESCs are then stored exclusively for your future use. As far as science presently knows, your hESCs will last forever when stored in liquid nitrogen at -320 degrees Fahrenheit.

How can my embryonic stem cells be of use to me and my family in the future?

The hESCs created for you would be approximately 50% genetically identical to you, your partner or your child and, to a lesser extent, to other blood relatives. Furthermore, because hESCs are created from your embryos at such an early point of development, their immune identity is thought to be not fully established. This immunological immaturity may be retained to some extent even when the hESCs are grown into certain specialized organ cells. This may enable your or your family member's body to accept cells grown from your hESCs with little or no immunosuppressive medication which is needed for virtually all conventional organ transplantation, such as liver transplants. This is particularly true when the cells are transplanted to a part of the body which has naturally little exposure to the immune system, such as the eye for retina repair. Other individuals unrelated to you may also be able to accept cells grown from your hESCs, especially if the hESCs have some genetic match with them.

Conclusion

Creating and banking your own embryonic stem cells from your discard frozen IVF embryos may allow you to address your future health needs and your family's. It has the potential to treat Alzheimer's, diabetes, spinal cord injury, heart insufficiency and more. And it is a good alternative if you don't want to keep the embryos in storage any longer.

The Eye Doctor Should Not Be Avoided

Visiting the eye doctor is something that many people tend to avoid. That's because it's not something that is really stressed as much as going to the dentist or to a general practitioner. This is probably because people don't see the sense of going if they aren't experiencing any issues. This is a valid argument in some cases.
However, what should people do when they are actually experiencing problems with this particular body part? In this case, it would be best to pay the eye doctor a visit. There are several reasons why it's not a good idea for you to avoid visiting this particular medical professional if you suspect you are having trouble in this area.
The first reason you should make an appointment at the first sign of a problem is that pain or discomfort is often a warning sign of something bigger. There are many people who ignore pain. They think just because it doesn't hurt extremely bad that it can't be that big of a deal. So, they end up waiting until the last minute, when the pain becomes more persistent and is almost impossible to handle. It's always best to address the issue at its onset. The longer you wait, the worse the problem gets. This goes for any part of the body, but this is especially true for something like your eyes.
Many people don't realize how important their eyesight is until they lose it. They don't understand how much easier and more enjoyable it makes their lives. Waiting too long to see the eye doctor can put you in the woeful position of not appreciating something so essential to living until it is gone.
These professionals are so beneficial because they can give you relief for any pain or discomfort you may be feeling. Some people decide not to go out of fear that they will be given a bad report. So, they try to endure the pain in an attempt to ignore the situation and avoid hearing anything bad. Little do they know, most times the issue is not as severe as they think. All the medical professional would've done was given them something to ease their pain.
It's easy to see why visiting the eye doctor is so important. Much of the importance stems from the fact that this particular part of the body is so beneficial to everyday life. Most people cannot imagine living without their eyesight, and this is precisely why they should seek treatment.

Vital Information About Risk Factors Which Present During Pregnancy

Undeniably, there are cases of pregnancy where certain conditions tend to develop along the way thereby putting the baby and the mother's health into a greater risk. Along the course of pregnancy, some pregnant women are exposed to certain substances, drugs, chemicals, infections and radiation which may negatively affect the mother as well as the baby's health.
Prescription and OTC Drugs in Pregnant Women
Whether aware or unaware of their pregnancy, some women have taken drugs such as isotretinoin, anticonvulsants, antibiotics, lithium, ACE inhibitors, warfarine and thalidomide which can be harmful to the baby's health. Intake of these drugs actually increases their baby's risk for birth defects. Some drugs work by blocking the activities of the folic acid or folate which play vital roles in preventing the onset of neural tube defects and other birth defects.
According to research, more than 90% of pregnant females are taking social drugs, over the counter drugs and prescription drugs during their pregnancy. As a general rule, pregnant women should avoid using drugs during pregnancy unless necessary because they may contain substances which may cause harm not just to the mother's health but to the foetus as well. Around 2-3% of birth defects have actually resulted from the use of drugs.
How Can Drugs Affect the Health of the Developing Foetus
When drugs are taken within 20 days after the process of fertilization, only two scenarios are possible. Either the drug completely kills the foetus or it doesn't incur any adverse effect to the foetus. According to research, foetuses are very resistant to many forms of birth defects during this period. But foetuses are very vulnerable to birth defects from the 3rd to 8th week after fertilization. During this period, the essential organs of the body are forming and developing.
Intake of drugs during this period may trigger miscarriage or may cause a permanent birth defect. In some cases, permanent birth defects are induced but they are only noticed later in life. If drugs are taken after the development of organs, it may not necessarily trigger the development of some birth defects but it may alter the functions and growth of the organs and tissues affected.
How Drugs Affect the Foetus
Drugs taken my pregnant women are usually taken by the foetus through the placenta which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby in the uterus. Drugs can directly affect the neonate which may damage or affect the normal development of the foetus. It may trigger the onset of birth defects and even death in babies.
Drugs may also change the ways on how placenta works. It may trigger the narrowing of the blood vessels which results to a reduced supply of nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby. This is one of the main reasons why some babies are underdeveloped and underweight.
Also, drugs may also trigger a forceful contraction of the uterus which may cause an injury to the foetus. In some cases, it reduces the supply of blood and induces preterm labour and delivery.
The use of nicotine, alcohol and cocaine also bring adverse effects to the human body. It increases the pregnant women's risk for miscarriage while babies are out at a greater risk for birth defects and being underweight.
Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy
The use of alcohol can actually cause the development of mental retardation and foetal alcohol syndrome. Meanwhile, women who have used cocaine during their pregnancy are at an increased risk for placental abruption, a condition characterized by the premature detachment of the placenta. It may also prevent the growth of the foetus and promote stillbirth and premature birth.
Alcohol consumption actually doubles the risk of pregnant women for miscarriage. Though the exact quantity of alcohol required to trigger the onset of foetal alcohol syndrome and other related disorders is yet unknown, doctors strongly advised pregnant women to abstain from taking alcohol during pregnancy.
Foetal alcohol syndrome is characterized by small head, inadequate growth and development before and after delivery, mental retardation, abnormal behavioural development and facial defects. It may even trigger an abnormal functions and position of the joints. In some cases, excessive consumption of alcohol may trigger the onset of heart defects.
Cigarette Smoking on Pregnant Women
Pregnant women should also avoid from cigarette smoking during this crucial period. Cigarette smoking increases the risk for stillbirth and other pregnancy complications such as placental previa, premature membrane rupture, placentral abruption and premature birth. It may also hinder the growth and development of the foetus. According to research, cigarette smoking elevates the children's risk for mental retardation and other behavioural problems later on.
Many babies are born underweight. One of the most common culprits behind this phenomenon is cigarette smoking. According to research, the more a pregnant woman smokes, the lesser is the weight of the babies. In fact, babies to smoking mothers have an average weight of 6 ounces less than the weight of babies who are born to mothers who do not smoke.
Smoking moms increase their baby's risks for birth defects of the brain, face and heart. Also, babies are put at a greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Other complications include preterm labour, stillbirths, miscarriages and uterine infections.
Also, cigarette smoking heightens the children's risks for deficiencies in intellectual, behavioural and physical growth and development. Cigarette smoking actually harms the baby through its carbon monoxide and nicotine content. Carbon monoxide plays a vital role in reducing the supply of oxygen to the blood vessels while nicotine triggers the release of certain hormones that facilitate in the constriction of the blood vessels which supply blood to the placenta and uterus. In effect, less nutrients and oxygen are delivered to and received by the foetus.
Caffeine in Pregnant Women
Though there are still insufficient evidences relating caffeine consumption to birth defects, doctors strongly advised pregnant women to stay away from caffeine during their pregnancy. According to research, caffeine may negatively affect the foetus' heart rate. Also, it plays a vital role in reducing the supply of blood to the placenta as well as in reducing the abruption rate of iron which may lead to anaemia. There are scientific evidences claiming that excessive intake of caffeine increases a pregnant woman's risk to have preterm delivery, premature birth, stillbirth, miscarriage and baby with low birth weight.
Opiods and Amphetamines in Pregnant Women
The use of opiods such as morphine, methadone and heroin rarely ends up with birth defects however, according to research, it may cause substance addiction to the foetus. Some foetus may experience withdrawal symptoms within 6 hours to 8 days after delivery. When used during pregnancy, opiods can increase the likelihood for certain complications which include preterm delivery, abnormalities and miscarriage. Meanwhile, amphetamines can trigger the development of birth defects especially in the heart.

Getting laser hair removal could be just what you need to change the way your body looks and feels for good. The good news is that you will not have to pick up a razor again after using this treatment. That is because it gets rid of your hair permanently in the treated areas. Because of the high-powered laser's use, the follicle is damaged just enough to prohibit the ability of it to produce hairs. This gives you the smooth hairless body you are looking for. However, before committing to this type of process, it is a good idea to consider what it is, how it works, and what limitations it offers.
It Is Not for Everyone
One of the most important things to know about laser hair removal is that it does not work for everyone. The vast majority of people will benefit from it, but those who have light colored skin and light colored hairs will not. To work, the hair has to be dark enough for the device to pick up on its presence. If that is not the case, it will not work as effectively.
You Will Need More Than One Appointment
Sometimes, it can take six or seven treatments to get the total hair-free look you are after. That is because hair does not all grow at the same time and rate. Rather, the cycle is varied. In this treatment, every single follicle needs to be treated. For that to happen, hairs must be in the proper growth stage. This means you will need to come back every few weeks to get another treatment. The good news is that every treatment results in fewer hairs until there are no longer any left.
It Does Last
Though some treatment options promise long-term hair-free skin, such as waxing, nothing is better than this method. It works permanently to restrict the ability of hairs to grow in each of the follicles. Therefore, treated follicles will never produce hair again. If that sounds like a good thing to you, as it does to so many others, now is a good time to talk about your options with a specialist. Find out if this is the right option for you and if you can achieve permanently hair-free skin.
Laser hair removal is a proven method for this purpose, but it does take time. Individuals will find that those with ample experience and knowhow in the field are the best providers to seek out for this type of treatment. You do want to go to a specialist so that you can save time and have fewer appointments to get the results you want.

A Dentist Can Help Senior Citizens With Oral Issues

If you are a senior citizen, your dental care is very important. You may have some specific situations in your mouth, or your financial situation may have changed, making it harder to afford frequent care. As you get older, your health naturally declines and sometimes you are left with no choice but to have your bad teeth extracted, which is often what the government program Medicare covers.
Sensitive teeth are a common problem in seniors, and this is often a result of them being loose due to lack of good dental care. So as soon as you start noticing that they are sensitive, you should make an appointment with your dentist so that you can get treatment for them to avoid the serious gum diseases. As you age, chances of this get higher, as a healthy diet is harder to achieve without getting help. If you struggle getting to your dentist, get some help so that you can get there for good dental care.
A good way to make sure that you are practicing good dental hygiene is by brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Your dentist can help you find specialty toothbrushes to help you get to those hard to reach places in your mouth. You also need to know what to watch for to avoid tooth decay, mouth cancers, and dry mouth.
Often, the only choice you have is to have all your teeth pulled and have them replaced with dentures. Sometimes you can just replace a few teeth or replace them all due to rampant gum disease, or from an injury to your mouth. It is necessary that you get your teeth replaced right away so that your remaining teeth do not move. This way, you can talk and properly chew your food and continue to get your proper nutrition.
Dentures are not cheap, however, as they do cost anywhere between $400 and $8,000. How much you will need to pay depends on extensiveness of your situation and how much preparatory dental work you may need to help your dentures fit comfortably in your mouth. It will cost more if you have to travel to a prosthodontist as well as any specialty tools that may be necessary to help the dentures fit. Your fee will also depend on how much Medicare and/or your dental insurance will cover and what kind of warranty is available for your particular appliance.
When your homework is complete, you should have a great dentist and dentures that are the right fit for your mouth so that you can eat, talk, and live comfortably.

What to Look for in an Obstetrician to Deliver Your Baby

For most people finding out that they are expecting a baby is an exciting moment. With others, sometimes it might take a little while to get used to the idea and have it sink in. In both of these cases, the mom will realize fairly quickly that she needs an Obstetrician if she does not already have one.
If you have ever had a baby, you know that each Obstetrician has their own style of dealing with patients. You may definitely prefer one style over another. You might want to schedule a consultation with a few of the obstetricians that you know. By doing this, you will be able to find out their philosophy on caring for and delivering babies.
If you go with more of a natural style then you might want a doctor with more of a midwife approach or something similar. Other moms-to-be have a C-section-and-go perspective on delivery. These moms will want an OB with a similar perspective.
You might find a doctor that you think you will like, but then after a few visits, you might not like their style of dealing with you or just in how they handle your pregnancy. If this happens, you should be able to switch. Sometimes if you go to an OB clinic where there are a number of doctors, you might end up seeing all of them periodically. In these cases, there are more people looking at your pregnancy. This can be positive and negative. It can be good to get other points of view, but we have all heard that too many cooks spoil the pot. Too many perspectives can sometimes cause problems and unnecessary worry for the parents-to-be.
Something that you should make sure not to do as you are considering what OB to choose is neglect getting care. Even if you have not chosen your official Obstetrician, you should not wait to get an ultrasound to see how your baby is doing. It is important to begin getting care fairly early in your pregnancy.
Finding an Obstetrician who fits your style and way of think will definitely help you during your pregnancy. It will help you to have someone else on the same page with you. AS your time to deliver comes closer, he or she can help you develop a birth plan that works for you. Do not settle for an OB that will not help you pursue what you believe to be the healthiest and best choices for your unborn baby within the bounds of acceptable medical practices.

Learn About Your Breast Reconstruction Options

When you have to make a decision about whether or not to have a mastectomy, one of the things you need to consider is what options you have afterwards. Before you start putting off the idea of doing something that will keep you healthy, think about how breast reconstruction can offer you new life after your mastectomy. You need to seek out a professional surgeon who specializes in chest reconstructive surgery so you can find out what they can do for you.
You need to be aware that breast reconstruction is considered plastic surgery. It consists of several different procedures that can be used to recreate your bosom, so that it is the same size, shape and structure as they were before you had them removed. In some cases, you can opt for a slightly larger or smaller size to help increase your comfort level and appearance goals. It may take a few surgeries to complete the process; however you do have the option of starting your surgery started immediately after your mastectomy or some time later on in the future.
You do have a few options available with breast reconstruction. You can choose to have your chest redone with implants. Your surgeon will use an expander to create enough space underneath your chest tissue by stretching the skin so that it can house the size implants you desire. Once the implant shells are placed into their new location, your surgeon will then proceed to fill them with a saline or silicone solution. This is something you will decide on before the date of your operation. Most patients opt for silicone. Keep in mind that breast implants do not last forever. They often need to be replaced or refilled every five to eight years. They can also deflate and cause some unnecessary scarring.
You also have the option of a tissue flap procedure. In this procedure, the surgeon uses excess tissue and blood vessels that can be removed from your abdomen, buttocks and thighs. This tissue is used to reconstruct your bosom. Breasts that are created with this method feel more real than they would if implants were used. Some breast reconstruction procedures can also combine the use of implants and tissue.
Don't forget that during a chest reconstruction, you can also have your nipples and areola recreated as well. This is not done at the same time of your original reconstructive surgery. It is something that surgeons perform a few months after your chest has healed from your previous operation. Your surgeon will build your nipple from tissue that is taken from a small and inconspicuous are of your chest or from some other area on your body. If the areola is missing, the surround skin of the nipple will be colored to look like an areola. Remember, when it comes to having a mastectomy, ask your doctor about your breast reconstruction options. You will find that a good surgeon can provide you with a chest that rivals your previous one.

7 Development: What To Expect And One Beneficial Food

What Happens Inside Your Body?
By the seventh week of your pregnancy, your baby continues to develop in such a rapid rate. The baby's size has almost developed and approximately, he is about the size of a blueberry. The head is noticeably larger than the body and the forebrain has already divided into two cerebral hemispheres. Every minute, more than a hundred nerve cells are created in these hemispheres.
The arms and the legs continue to develop, as well as the brain, eye lenses, nostrils, intestines, appendix, pancreas and bronchi. The baby's kidneys are now getting ready to perform their jobs which basically include secretion and pee production. By this time, your baby is still considered as the embryo since he still contains that little tail. As time passes by, the tail continues to reduce in size and in a few weeks time, it will eventually disappear.
What Can You Expect?
By this time, you should expect morning sickness to come in full swing. Even eating has become a difficult chore to do nowadays. Food aversions are getting more prevalent.
Fatigue is pretty normal these days because your body is working very hard in building the placenta which is vital in your baby's health. Other pregnancy symptoms which are evident this week include indigestion, heartburn, constipation, food cravings, food aversions, excess saliva, nausea and vomiting.
You will then begin to notice that your breasts are getting the size of melons. This is due to the surge of pregnancy hormones, build-up of fats and increased blood flow which are necessary for breastfeeding later on. Also, you can notice some blue veins sprouting out on your breasts.
The increasing volume of blood and other fluids processed by your kidneys may cause you to urinate more often. The increased flow of blood on the pelvic area is caused by the increasing number of pregnancy hormones in the body. Since your uterus has almost doubled its size since you became pregnant, greater pressure is put on your bladder. In effect, going to the bathroom has become more frequent.
This week, you will need to go to a midwife or obstetrician for your first prenatal checkup. She will begin charting your weight gain, determine your due date and ask you for any genetic disorders and diseases which run in the family as well as your pregnancy history.
Healthy Lifestyle for Pregnant Women
The first trimester of your pregnancy is definitely the most important stage for your baby's development. Make sure to acquire sufficient vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to optimize your baby's growth and development. By this time, stop taking medications unless prescribed by your doctor.
Smoking and alcohol consumption should also be avoided to minimize risk for your baby. Maintaining a healthy diet is very important these days. Your body is working on a Herculean task of supplying your baby's every need. On the other hand, your baby needs to acquire the maximum nutrients he can get to enhance his body and brain development.
Grapes For Good Health
Grapes are probably one of the best fruits to take during pregnancy. Just like many fruits, grapes are packed with lots of essential nutrients which are very beneficial not just to the baby, but to your health as well.
Grapes are excellent sources of calcium, phosphorus, iron, lecithin, organic acids, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C and carotene. These nutrients play important roles in the foetus' development. Grapes are scientifically proven to contain resveratrol, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins which are known to be effective at reducing one's risk for certain types of cancer.
These fruits can also be of great benefit to pregnant women who suffer from low blood pressure, cold feet and hands and poor blood circulation. Grapes are said to be effective at improving these conditions in pregnant women. Furthermore, this fruit is believed to perform a tocolysis role in foetus development.
Grapes also help in preventing the formation of haemorrhoids in pregnant women. Aside from its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, grapes also make excellent laxatives which are great remedies for problems on constipation. Apart from its capacity to treat uterine bleeding, grapes also contain high levels of antioxidants which are beneficial in reducing blood vessel and heart problems in pregnant women.
Europeans consider grapes as an excellent treatment for a wide range of health conditions which include diarrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetic complications, constipation, liver disorder, ocular abnormalities and cardiovascular diseases.

3 Ways to Make Downtime Work for You

It's Monday morning, and you struggle to wake up. The week is just starting, but already you're feeling weary and bloated--like you need a vacation.
You thought you were getting a "weekend," but instead you are suffering from WEAK ENDS, departures from the routines that keep you feeling alert, sound, and fit during the week.
For many of us, Saturday and Sunday morph from a relaxing, fun two days into a period that lacks the structured self-care we work so hard to keep in place during the week. The result? You're set up for a whole week of stress and struggling to catch up, lacking the energy and focus that keep you productive.
Especially if you are looking to gain vitality or drop extra pounds, be on the lookout for these common weekend slips that can stall or reverse the results you want.
1) "Weak-End" Sleeping
Resist the temptation of long sleep-ins on the weekend. Staying in bed hours later than usual can be an exhausting luxury.
Often, the pattern begins with staying out late on Friday and Saturday night. This leads to sleeping late on the following mornings, which in turn makes it difficult to fall asleep at a regular bedtime on Sunday night. Sound familiar? (If you have young children, you are excused.) That translates into meeting Monday morning deprived of sleep--and maybe reaching for extra coffee and something too sugary to give you the energy fix you need to think, focus, and perform. If the pattern continues throughout the week, the cycle of sleep deprivation, stress, and overeating deepens come Friday night.
Your Weekend Fix: If weekends mean you sleep more than 2 hours past your regular wake-up time, set your alarm. Consistency in your sleep schedule ensures a good night's rest on Sunday followed by an alert, refreshed Monday morning. If staying up late on Friday and Saturday nights makes this plan difficult, a 20-minute nap (at the most) will help.
2) "Weak-End" Exercising
Though we may set aside time to exercise on Saturday or Sunday, it's easy to get sidetracked with projects, friends, and errands. Before we know it, the day has flown past--along with any possibility of exercising to achieve and maintain better health, stress release, weight loss, and energy.
Your Weekend Fix: Make a realistic plan for weekend fitness, and stick to it. Working out first thing in the morning is usually the best plan. Or, make exercise a social event by inviting friends to join you in going for a walk or trying a new activity. Staying in motion will make a difference in how you feel come Monday morning.
Your weekend is meant to be a time of renewal. Don't let it become a stumbling block instead. Grasp control of your plans beginning this weekend--because it's a sure thing, keeping up the momentum you gain during the week and carving out time for self-care is crucial to overall wellbeing.
3) "Weak-End" Eating
We work so hard practice good wellness habits during the week... but for some of us, that goes out the window with a weekend full of social events. Alcohol, irregular meal times, and a vacation mentality can override good judgment. Lack of consistency leads to indulgence and fluctuating blood sugar, which negate gains from the week before. Often, weight loss plateaus can be traced to poor "weak-end" eating choices.
Your Weekend Fix: Plan ahead. A good plan will let you navigate social situations without encountering those frustrating plateaus or, worse, backsliding.
Being consistent with your eating plan is the key to success, regardless of the day. Enjoy time with friends and family, but take a few steps to limit the damage indulgence can wreak.
- Eat regularly throughout the day, especially when you'll be going out for meals. "Eating before you eat" will keep from being so hungry you overeat.
- Going on an outing? Bring along healthful snacks such as nuts, cheese, and fruit.
- Pace alcohol consumption so you aren't tempted to fill up on bread, desserts, or other foods that sabotage weight maintenance.