Pregnancy : Treatments

Women with heart disease, diabetes, lupus, and some hereditary conditions should consult a health professional before getting pregnant, as these conditions increase the risk of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and child. Prenatal care i...

Prior to modern medicine, many mothers and their babies did not survive pregnancy and the birth process. Today, good prenatal care can significantly improve the quality of the pregnancy and the outcome for the infant and mother. Good prenatal care includes: Good nutrition and health habits before and during pregnancy; Frequent prenatal examinations; Routine ultrasounds to detect problems with the baby. Women who choose to have an abortion usually do so in the very early stages of the pregnancy (usually before 12 weeks gestation. Abortion is legal through the 24th week of pregnancy. The abortion procedure, however, becomes more difficult with advancing gestational age, and many providers do not perform pregnancy terminations in the second trimester. Women who plan to continue a pregnancy to term need to choose a health care provider who will provide prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services. Provider choices in most communities include: Doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN; Certified nurse midwives (CNMs; Family practice physicians; Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) or physician assistants (PAs) who work with a doctor. Family health care providers, or generalists, can help manage women throughout normal pregnancies and deliveries. If there is a problem with the pregnancy, your doctor will refer you to specialist. The goals of prenatal care are to: Monitor both the mother and baby throughout the pregnancy; Look for changes that may lead to a high-risk pregnancy; Explain nutritional requirements throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period; Explain activity recommendations or restrictions; Address common complaints that may arise during pregnancy (such as morning sickness, backaches, leg pain, frequent urination, constipation, and heartburn) and how to manage them, preferably without medications. Women who are considering becoming pregnant, or who are pregnant, should eat a balanced diet and take a vitamin and mineral supplement that includes at least 0.4 milligrams (400 micrograms) of folic acid. Folic acid is needed to decrease the risk of certain birth defects (such as spina bifida. Sometimes higher doses are prescribed if a woman has a higher than normal risk of these conditions. Pregnant women are advised to avoid all medications, unless the medications are necessary and recommended by a prenatal health care provider. Women should discuss all medication use with their providers. Pregnant women should avoid all alcohol and drug use and limit caffeine intake. They should not smoke. They should avoid herbal preparations and common over-the-counter medications that may interfere with normal development of the growing baby. Prenatal visits are typically scheduled: Every 4 weeks during the first 32 weeks of gestation; Every 2 weeks from 32 to 36 weeks gestation; Weekly from 36 weeks to delivery. Weight gain, blood pressure, fundal height, and fetal heart beats (as appropriate) are usually measured and recorded at each visit, and routine urine screening tests are performed. WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR Call for an appointment if you suspect you are pregnant, are currently pregnant and are not receiving prenatal care, or if you are unable to manage common complaints without medication; Call your health care provider if you suspect you are pregnant and are on medications for diabetes, thyroid disease, seizures, or high blood pressure; Notify your health care provider if you are currently pregnant and have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, chemicals, radiation, or unusual pollutants; Call your health care provider if you are currently pregnant and you develop fever, chills, or painful urination; It is urgent that you call your health care provider if you are currently pregnant and notice any amount

Achieving adequate nutritional support is difficult during cancer therapy or treatment. However, preservation of body composition and proper nutrition will help to maintain strength and may improve daily function and ability to cope with cancer therapies. Adequate nutrition may contribute to a patient feeling better and stronger and may help to fight off infection. Malnutrition is a primary concern and is an important cause of illness in cancer patients due to difficulty consuming enough calories and nutrients. Protein-energy malnutrition (or protein-calorie malnutrition) is particularly problematic, which is the most common secondary illness in cancer patients. It occurs when a lack of protein and energy (calories) are consumed to sustain the body composition, instigating weight loss . When body stores are severely compromised, the body's functionality declines, which may lead to illness and perhaps death. Exhaustion, weakness, decreased resistance to infection, progress wasting, and difficulties tolerating cancer therapies may result from inadequate nutrition. People with cancer commonly experience anorexia , which is characterized by a loss of appetite. Anorexia is the most predominate cause of malnutrition and deterioration in patients with cancer. Another common problem in cancer is weight loss and cachexia. Cachexia is a condition where the bodyweight wastes away, characterized by a constant loss of weight, muscle, and fat. It is known as a wasting syndrome and can occur in individuals who consume enough food, but due to disease complications, cannot absorb enough nutrients. Malnutrition, anorexia, and cachexia are serious in cancer patients and can lead to death.