THE FATE OF YOUR UNBORN CHILD LIES IN YOUR HANDS: DOS AND DON'T

Its very unfortunate how after bringing forth life in its full form,nine months of pain,sweat,persiverance there exist an inbalance in form or structure of the child.This disheartening conditions might decrease the love for the child.But what we need to know is who caused it?.We would learn in the course of reading through this post.

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"Push" the doctor cooed,a sharp but yet soothing tone.

I could feel my husbands warm hands on my shoulders,massaging and rubbing me gingerly,invigorating me to give my all and give life.

I could feel her protruding from me creeping ever so slowly. Amidst the pain, i felt joy, knowing that every surge of contraction was bringing my seed into the world.I raised my head to steal a glimpse of her, i couldn't see her and my heart cringed.

"Keep pushing, she's almost there!" the doctor urged and i willed myself to do so.

"There she!...there she is." the doctor's tone changed.

Then i heard a cry.

A shrill frail cry. A small voice wary of being roused from uterine sleep.

"Let me see her!" I beamed joyously. I looked up at my husband hoping to see his warm ever loving grin bearing down on me but...his expression was contorted with fear...and confusion....

A shard of fear pierced my heart. What was wrong with my baby?

Slowly, my gaze trailed after his...and met a sight that plunged me into a despair i would never recover from...

My child was a blood covered mangled form in the doctors arms, Her head was a globular mass, barely kept up in place in the doctor's arms...

I screamed

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SO WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED?

Its easy for an individual to think he/she knows everything based on healthy living in relation to feeding habbit,exercise etc...

SPECIFICALLY PREGNANT WOMEN.

They fail to understand that there are some underlying factors pregnant women expose themselves to IGNORANTLY on a daily basis that could lead to Birth disorders.

SOME REVEALED FACTORS

1. Self Medication: This has been one of the major causes of Birth disorders, drugs like paracetamol that are taken over trivial illnesses can be detrimental during pregnancy. It is advisable to stay away from such AND other drugs like:
   ◇antihistamines
   ◇antifungal medication
   ◇antibiotics
   ◇acne medications
   ◇aspirin
   ◇painkillers etc

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PREVENTION:

normally self medication is unadviceable even without pregnancy. During pregnancy, both the mother and the child become susecptible to these disorders. What to avoid?:

1. SELF MEDICATION:
   ◇pills taken should be only based on those prescribed by a doctor etc

2. NO EXCERCISE:
   It has been noted that most pregnant women use their pregnancy periods to take a vacation from work, chores and other physical activities...

Note That:
excess calories are burnt through exercise. It also helps to boost the release of stress hormone (A hormone that relieves stress) and boosts circulation. Most importantly, it prepares the body for labour and delivery and helps in fetal growth and development.

1. Neglecting Ante-natal Classes:
   Some women often believe that there is no need to attend ante-natal classes because they already know the basics

BUT DO YOU KNOW?
◇regularity at which an individual should breastfeed i.e at right timing
◇managing labour
◇what to eat in order to lactate well

IMPORTANTLY!:

Take antenatal classes during the first trimester during the period when things are at the developing state.

1. Mindset About Eating For Two:
   In as much as the body requires some amount of calories i.e about 1700 to 2000. The baby does not need that much for development. When a woman gains excess weight during pregnancy the effect can be high.

2. Avoiding Sweet Diet:
   Sweet intake should be avoided or reduced during the second trimester. This is so that an individual may be able to abstain from gestational diabetes and other allied problems.

There are other factors that make infants prone to birth defects. Read below:
https://www.medicinenet.com/birth_defects/article.htm#birth_defects_facts

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SOME BIRTH DISORDERS

◇Club Foot

Clubfoot is a range of foot abnormalities usually present at birth (congenital) where the baby's foot is twisted out of shape or position. In clubfoot, the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual.hence associated with muscles and tissues.this affects only the foot area hence its name.

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REFERENCE READ: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/clubfoot-topic-overview

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◇cleft lip and cleft palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate, also orofacial cleft.Shows its effect facially.associated with opening from the top lip towards the nose usually at the middle,right or left.The child might have problem with feeding,talking and other things associated with the mouth.

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REFERENCE READ:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/cleftlip.html

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◇edwards syndrome etc

Edwards' syndrome, also trisomy 18, is a rare but serious genetic condition.Most babies with Edwards' syndrome will die before or shortly after being born.note also that there are milder forms of this condition where the child might reach early adult but rare to see the child go beyond that this is seen in partial trisomy 18.

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REFERENCE READ:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/edwards-syndrome/

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CONCLUSION

Most pregnant women after given birth to a child that has Birth Disorders do not realise these health conditions seen in their children are mostly caused by themselves. This post is to enlighten the general public in a simple and understandable way.