When I delivered my first child, I wanted to go through labor medication-free. I was optimistic, confident and convinced that I would be doing my baby good if I opted for as natural a childbirth as possible. I thought, millions of other women were able to do it, why can't I?

It turned out that I had excellent support from the hospital staff, particularly the midwife assigned to me. With their assistance and words of encouragement, I reached full dilation without having needed medication for labor pain relief.

However, things took a wrong turn. The baby's head was in the wrong position, leaning towards his left shoulder rather than chin down, and wouldn't progress through the birth canal. That was the end of my medication-free labor. From that point on, I was given shots for muscular pain, a drip to stop the contractions, an epidural dose, and finally another drip to re-start the contractions. If my baby didn't come out when he did, I would have had to have a Caesarian section.

Was I disappointed when my plans of a natural childbirth were foiled? No. I have my baby, he's healthy and normal, and I made it through. What is there to regret?

How much weight did you gain during pregnancy? I recall I maxed out the allowable (or was it recommended?) normal weight I should gain during the whole pregnancy.

I don't remember now how much exactly (it has been more than 5 years!), but it was around the lines of 175-185 lbs. For someone who barely stands 5 feet, that's a lot of weight to reach by the time you reach a full time pregnancy.


© Mrs. Flinger



Of course it won't be good too if a pregnant woman don't gain much weight as she progresses. Pregnant women are supposed to gain weight, though not too much because you put yourself and your baby at risk to some medical conditions.

Every woman to got pregnant at one time or another, have been told these by their Ob-Gyne.

But of course, we all know that packing additional weight while pregnant can get out of hand, but then that's a totally different story.

Meanwhile, according to this report from Science Daily:

Women who gain more or less than recommended amounts of weight during pregnancy are likely to increase the risk of problems for both themselves and their child, according to a new report by the RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center.

From the said report, the following caught my eye:

• Strong association between high maternal weight gain and increased fetal growth and infant birth weight, which can contribute to complications during labor if a baby is too big, and can lead to long term health effects for the child
• High maternal weight gain also is associated with cesarean delivery and weight retention by mothers after childbirth.
• The review also confirmed that gaining too little weight during pregnancy can be a problem.
• Low maternal weight gain is associated with poor fetal growth, lower birth weight, and the chance of a baby being born prematurely.

Hmmm...no wonder I couldn't give birth normally! ;-) Ha ha.

In a breakthrough medical case, German scientists report of having successfully re-transplanting ovarian tissues in a patient following a period of cryopreservation. In this particular case, the ovarian tissues were removed prior to cancer therapy to prevent them from getting damaged, which may possibly result to infertility. After the re-transplantation, she reported having meses back, and in theory should be able to get pregnant.

In this particular case, harvesting and re-transplanting the ovaries hay a valid and legitimate medical grounds. But I wonder... could this technique then be used (or misused?) to postpone pregnancy? Are we soon going to see women in their 30s perhaps, having their ovaries preserved this way, to be used at a later time, when they're "more ready" to face motherhood? Or could this perhaps be a possible route to treat infertility- women who can't bear children because of ovarian issues getting cryopreserved ovaries from other women?

Sounds surreal. But perhaps not for long anymore.

In time for Mother's Day, RevolutionHealth is hosting an virtual expo highlighting women's health, and has got a "booth" dedicated solely to healthy pregnancy. It contains loads of information, from planning your pregnancy, all the way to delivering and bringing your bundle of joy home. The content are all trustworthy, having been provided by distinguished partners such as Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinc and Harvard Health Publications.

Check it out!

Pardon the temporary hiatus; I took a few days off blogging following the birth of my little girl! :)

Yes, what used to be the "next nine months" has turned to "the past nine months" for me. It's over. The pregnancy, at least. Sure there are still many post-natal issues I will have to wade through and overcome, but finally, my baby is out. On one hand, it's such a relief to have my baby in my arms (rather than in my belly). On the other hand, I know that from this moment on, it's a totally new ballgame, not necessarily easier than the past nine months of pregnancy.

There is still so much about pregnancy and childbirth that I haven't covered, though. So watch out for more of those in the entries ahead!

Yeah, why not? Every woman can work while pregnant. But of course it won't be easy. I always believe that it is best to tell your boss and colleagues about your pregnancy. Be sure to tell them though after the first trimester. That's when it's best to announce it to others because during the first trimester is the highest risk of miscarriage.


© jordanfischer



Also, discuss everything with your doctor, most especially the kind of work that you do. High risk pregnancy women are women 35 years of age and older.

Colleague Dr. Laurie Zephyrin, an obstetrician/gynecologist, advises that pregnant working women bring any questions or concerns to their doctor, especially if they are older than 35 since those women run a higher risk for complications like preterm labor and preeclampsia.

Dr. Tamara Kuittinen, an emergency medicine physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and an expecting mother, said in a prepared statement:

"By anticipating and planning for some of these challenges, working mothers-to-be can enjoy these nine months both on the job and off.

It pay to not miss any doctor's appointment while pregnant.

I never had any problems working while I was pregnant. And I did everything my ob-gyne told me. Of course it wasn't easy, especially with the additional on my back, hips and belly. But it can be done.

What about you, any problems at work while pregnant?

Read the full report from The Washington Post.