pregnancy and women health

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Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Breast Health
Among the many changes your body goes through when you're pregnant are changes in your breasts. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and lactation increase the breasts' volume and firmness, making it harder to detect breast masses. During pregnancy your breasts will enlarge, feel more lumpy and bumpy, hurt, and have other unusual symptoms. Don't ignore these symptoms and assume that they are all related to your pregnancy. Show your doctor what you are feeling so that a clinical breast exam can verify all is well. If an abnormality is found that requires immediate investigation and treatment, concerns about the safety of the developing fetus can complicate treatment decisions. A study published in the April 2005 issue of the journal Radiology reports that ultrasound provides a safe and accurate method of detecting breast cancers in pregnant women, as well as in assessing response to chemotherapy in women who undergo chemo during pregnancy. Investigators at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center recently studied the largest group of women who were both diagnosed and treated for breast cancer during pregnancy. Most of the women in the study were found to have locally advanced breast cancer. Because of the advanced stage of the cancers in this study, 16 patients (70 percent) underwent anthracycline-based chemotherapy in their second and third trimesters in an attempt to shrink the tumors. This type of chemotherapy poses minimal risk to the developing fetus and is the preferred method of treatment for pregnant women, in whom radiation treatments and surgery are usually avoided. Twelve of the 16 women underwent ultrasound to assess their tumors' response to chemotherapy. The researchers found that ultrasound provided an accurate depiction of treatment response in all 12 patients. Women can be and are diagnosed with breast cancer during their pregnancy. It's a frightening thing to think about, and perhaps for this reason some women delay reporting breast changes until after the pregnancy is over and symptoms persist. Now, though, research tells us that they needn't wait to be diagnosed and get any necessary treatment. Heart Attacks Increase During Pregnancy If a pregnant woman were to complain of chest pain, my first thought would be that she's a young woman and almost certainly couldn't be having a heart attack. After all, women's levels of estrogen tend to protect them from heart attacks until after menopause, when estrogen levels go down. Much to my surprise, a study from Duke found that pregnant women had heart attacks three to four times more often than women of the same age who weren't pregnant. The risk of a heart attack during pregnancy, the study said, was dramatically higher in women over the age of 35. Other risk factors for a heart attack were diabetes, high blood pressure, an elevated blood platelet count, and cigarette smoking (even in women who had stopped smoking as soon as they knew they were pregnant). Because blood platelets can trigger a blood clot, and blood tends to clot more readily during pregnancy, it's understandable that an elevated platelet count could increase the likelihood of a blood-flow-stopping clot in a coronary artery. In the study, cardiac catheterization, which involves use of X-ray equipment, was carried out in fewer than half of the pregnant women who suffered a heart attack, presumably because their doctors were afraid of radiation damage to the fetus. Interventions with angioplasty or thrombolytic (clot-busting) therapy were also relatively uncommon. A heart attack is still a rare event during pregnancy, but certainly one can occur in older women and those with other risk factors. Pregnant women and their families need to pay attention to symptoms suggestive of a heart attack in order to get swift and proper treatment.
How Pregnancy Affect My Oral Health?
It's a myth that calcium is lost from the mother's teeth and "one tooth is lost with every pregnancy." But you may experience some changes in your oral health during pregnancy. The primary change is a surge in hormones-particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone-which is linked to an increase in the amount of plaque on your teeth.
a build-up of plaque affect me?
If the plaque isn't removed, it can cause gingivitis-red, swollen, tender gums that are more likely to bleed. So-called "pregnancy gingivitis" affects most pregnant women to some degree, and generally begins to surface in the second trimester. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy. If untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, a more serious form of gum disease. Pregnant women are also at risk for developing pregnancy tumors, inflammatory, benign growths that develop when swollen gums become irritated. Normally, the tumors are left alone and will usually shrink on their own. But if a tumor is uncomfortable and interferes with chewing, brushing or other oral hygiene procedures, the dentist may decide to remove it.
How to prevent these problems?
You can prevent gingivitis by keeping your teeth clean, especially near the gumline. You should brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and after each meal when possible. You should also floss thoroughly each day. If toothbrushing causes morning sickness, rinse your mouth with water or with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes. Good nutrition-particularly plenty of vitamin C and B12-help keep the oral cavity healthy and strong. More frequent cleanings from the dentist will help control plaque and prevent gingivitis. Controlling plaque also will reduce gum irritation and decrease the likelihood of pregnancy tumors.
should I see my dentist?
If you're planning to become pregnant or suspect you're pregnant, you should see a dentist right away. Otherwise, you should schedule a check-up in your first trimester for a cleaning. Your dentist will assess your oral condition and map out a dental plan for the rest of your pregnancy. A visit to the dentist also is recommended in the second trimester for a cleaning, to monitor changes and to gauge the effectiveness of your oral hygiene. Depending on the patient, another appointment may be scheduled early in the third trimester, but these appointments should be kept as brief as possible.
What I should avoid?
Nonemergency procedures generally can be performed throughout pregnancy, but the best time for any dental treatment is the fourth through six month. Women with dental emergencies that create severe pain can be treated during any trimester, but your obstetrician should be consulted during emergencies that require anesthesia or when medication is being prescribed. Only X-rays that are needed for emergencies should be taken during pregnancy. Lastly, elective procedures that can be postponed should be delayed until after the baby's birth

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