Pregnancy News
April 26, 2007
Urine Test To Predict Pregnancy Complications
A recent study lead by Dr. Vesna D. Garovic and colleagues of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota suggests that a urine test may be more effective than blood tests in identifying preeclampsia during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and fluid retention in pregnant women that can cause serious health complications for both the mother and baby. The researchers analyzed podocyturia, the presence of certain kidney cells in urine, a method which proved to be a more accurate predictor of preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia were found to have a greater number of kidney cells present in their urine. However, further research is required to determine the exact link between kidney cells and preeclampsia. The study was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Source: CNN.com
April 25, 2007
Substandard Diets May Lead To Baby Blues
An Alberta researcher and naturopath, Dr. Brenda Leung, has suggested that poor diets during pregnancy are likely to contribute to depression in women. The researcher notes that depression during pregnancy as well as post-partum depression are more common than is generally believed. Since diet is largely linked to depression, Dr. Leung suggests that the link is only magnified during pregnancy. A study analyzing 1,000 pregnant women and their dietary intake is set to begin in January.
Source: The Calgary Sun
April 22, 2007
Caesarian Sections Increase Risk Of Emergency Hysterectomy
A study conducted by researchers from Oxford University concluded that women who had previously undergone a caesarian section were three times as likely as other women to be at risk of an emergency hysterectomy during their next delivery. Women who have had two previous caesarian section deliveries were up to sixty times as likely to be at risk of hysterectomy. The study comes in light of recent increases in the number of births taking place by caesarian section; in the UK, the number of caesarians performed has risen by seven times during the past thirty years, accounting for one in four births annually. The increase is attributed to several factors including the popularity of "designer births" whereby women can schedule their delivery appointments, a higher number of older mothers, and a perception that caesarians offer an easier, safer and less painful option. In other words, women are following some of the recent birthing trends set out by celebrities such as Britney Spears and Victoria Beckham, and opting for caesarian sections when there is no medical need. Ten women died of the operation between 2000-2002.
Source: The Daily Express
