16h. Fertility - Pregnancy Conditions

Question 1

What is morning sickness characterised by?

Answer 1

Nausea
Vomiting
Aversions to certain foods
Metallic taste in mouth
Hunger when nauseous
Relief from nausea by eating

Question 2

Contributing factors to morning sickness

Answer 2

Rising hCG levels (human chorionic gonadotropin)
High oestrogen
Enhanced sense of smell
Poor nutritional status/blood sugar control

Question 3

Ways to alleviate morning sickness

Answer 3

Take supplements with food
Stay hydrated
Ginger tea
Eat smaller, frequent meals
B6 - 3x day (for 4 days)
Acupressure at P6 point on wrist

Question 4

What is pre-eclampsia?

Answer 4

Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Protein in urine
Oedema

Question 5

Risk factors for pre-eclampsia

Answer 5

Advanced maternal age
First pregnancy
Twin pregnancy
FH
Hypertension
BMI>35

Question 6

Symptoms of pre-eclampsia

Answer 6

Water retention
Severe headaches
Vision problems
Pain below ribs

Question 7

Orthodox treatment for pre-eclampsia

Answer 7

Give birth 37-38 weeks

Question 8

Complications of pre-eclampsia

Answer 8

Poor foetal growth
Stroke
Liver/blood clotting disorder

Question 9

Nutrients to support pre-eclampsia

Answer 9

Ca
Mg
Zn
Vit D
O3
CoQ10

Question 10

Dosage of Ca to support pre-eclampsia

Answer 10

2g/day
(2nd/3rd trimester)

Question 11

Dosage of CoQ10 to support pre-eclampsia

Answer 11

200mg/day
(from wk 20)

Question 12

Dosage of Mg to support pre-eclampsia

Answer 12

500-750mg/day
(reduce in 3rd trimester)

Question 13

How can gestational diabetes occur?

Answer 13

When pregnancy hormone make the body insulin resistant

Question 14

What does gestational diabetes increase the risk of?

Answer 14

Mother/baby developing diabetes
Larger birth weight
Caesarean birth
Neonatal hypoglycaemia

Question 15

Risk factors for gestational diabetes

Answer 15

FH diabetes
Obesity
FH of large birth weight

Question 16

Recommendations for gestational diabetes

Answer 16

Low GI diet
Daily exercise (walk after meals)
Cr picolinate (4-8mcg)

Question 17

Why can heartburn occur during pregnancy?

Answer 17

Hormonal changes allow the muscles in the oesophagus to relax more frequently
Reduced space of enlarging uterus/baby

Question 18

Heartburn trigger foods to avoid

Answer 18

Spicy food
Chocolate
Caffeine
Tomatoes

Question 19

Recommendations for reducing heartburn during pregnancy

Answer 19

Pasteurised apple cider vinegar
Raise head off bed
Sleep on left side
Osteopathy to release diaphragm

Question 20

Why can constipation occur during pregnancy?

Answer 20

Enlarged uterus/baby reducing digestive organ space
Increase in progesterone relaxes intestinal muscles

Question 21

Recommendations for reducing constipation in pregnancy

Answer 21

Hydration
Increase fibre-rich foods
Ground flax in water
Mg citrate

Question 22

What should be avoided during pregnancy to relieve constipation?

Answer 22

Aloe vera
(contains anthraquinones which can cause uterine contractions)