Getting pregnant could be one of the greatest thrills every woman longs to experience. While welcoming a new born into the family evokes unquantifiable happiness and fulfillment, being pregnant for the first time could be exhilarating.
On the average, first time moms are struck with paranoia and uncertainty while pregnant. They worry about everything- how to walk while carrying the pregnancy, what to eat to keep the fetus healthy, what to do but most of all, things to avoid during the nine month period.
Based on all of these factors, women are advised to make antenatal sessions a tradition as they help to point expecting mothers in the right direction as to keeping their babies safe from harm. However, despite such visits to the hospital, some women may end up going through one of two tragedies – a miscarriage or pushing a baby that is biologically not ready to be birthed.
According to expert gynecologists, miscarriage is used for a pregnancy that ends on its own, within the first 20 weeks of gestation and it is the most common type of pregnancy loss. Studies reveal that anywhere from 10 to 25 per cent of all clinically recognised pregnancies will end in miscarriages.
Why miscarriages could occur
Most miscarriages occur during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. Experts also say that “Chemical pregnancies may account for 50 to 75 per cent of all miscarriages. This occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of her expected period.”
While explaining why miscarriages could occur, Medical Director of Mojibola Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr Taiwo Babayomi, said “during the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal abnormality – which means that something may not be correct with the baby’s chromosomes. Most chromosomal abnormalities are the cause of a damaged egg or sperm cell or are due to a problem at the time that the zygote went through the division process.”
Other causes for miscarriages were identified as Hormonal problems, infections in the bloodstream of the mother, lifestyle which involves negative behaviours like alcoholism and drug dependence or maternal health problems.
Dr Babayomi added that miscarriages are quite different from premature deliveries but they may have similar causes. However, miscarriages occur later and could be risky for the baby.
Speaking about the chances of having a miscarriage, the expert said that “women who are underweight could be at risk of miscarriage because their bodies may be too weak to carry the pregnancy. Also, women with infections in their bloodstream, deformed or malformed womb could be at greater risks of having miscarriages as well as women who smoke. Women with high blood pressure, women who are obesed or women who have respiratory distress syndrome are also at higher risks of experiencing miscarriages.
“A diabetic mother may have difficulties controlling prescribed drugs and this may end up affecting the baby, women with multiple pregnancy such twins, triplet, quadruplet may also be at risk. Poor nutrition, problems with the uterus, cervix or placenta are also severe risk factors,” he added.
Dr Babayomi described the signs of miscarriage as thus: A woman may feel sudden pressure when she is about to have a miscarriage, her water may break and fetus, placenta may be expelled with much pain. Other signs such as bleeding, severe cramps, pain, contraction, weakness or back pain, may also be experienced.”
Elucidating on premature deliveries, the expert said, “Premature deliveries are also known as preterm births. It is the birth of a baby at fewer than 37 weeks of gestational age. A normal pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. Preterm labour can lead to premature birth, which poses much risk for the baby. A child who is born prematurely needs assistance and additional care.
“Babies who are born less than 33 weeks are very fragile and should be kept inside an incubator, a machine that gives the baby the so much needed oxygen for breathing. The baby could stay in the incubator for two to three weeks depending on how early the child was born so that it can be strong enough to live on its own. The earlier the baby is born, however, the higher the complication.”
Effects of premature deliveries on babies
“While not all premature babies experience health complications, being born too early can cause long and short term problems,” Dr Babayomi explained.
“Children who are born premature may have developmental challenges or may encounter other health problems dealing with their health. However, some may live normal lives without having any health issues.
“Though many such children tend to have problems breathing at birth which may be because their lungs did not have enough time to mature before they were born.”
The expert advised that for those children who later reflect developmental problems like battling with some subjects at school, learning at a slower pace than other children or finding it difficult to interact, extra care and guidance should be given to them.
Fruits that may pose significant risk to pregnancies.
Pineapple
Based on findings from scientific researches, fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme which softens the cervix and brings about early labour. Bromelain tablets are never recommended for use during pregnancy because they can break down proteins in the body and lead to abnormal bleeding. So, pregnant women are most times advised to stay away from pineapples. But the harm does not lie in eating pineapples but in overeating them as pineapples contain vitamins that are much needed by pregnant women.
One pineapple contains very small amount of bromelain. Therefore, the amount of bromelain in a single serving of pineapple is not likely to impact pregnancy. To induce a miscarriage from eating just the fruit alone, a woman may need to eat between seven and ten fresh pineapples at a time. Pineapples may be taken in moderate quantities as it will have no effect on labour and delivery, however, its intake should be restricted during the first trimester to avoid any unforeseen event such as softening of the cervix.
Papaya
Papaya intake, according to research, apparently brings on labour early or causes miscarriage. Papayas, especially the unripe and semi-ripe ones are rich in latex, which is known to trigger uterine contractions.
Green papaya was often applied directly to the uterus, but food forms such as green papaya salad, the seeds of papaya in the parasite killing papaya seed smoothie ahead, as well as supplements containing papain enzyme should be avoided during the third and final trimester of pregnancy.
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