Is the web's fetal health resource center. Provides information on prenatal development, primarily focusing on amniocentesis. Includes the world's first embryo images and 3d fetal portraits, as well as a discussion on chromosomes.
Fertility technology is advancing at such an astonishing pace that couples who fail to have children in their forties could realistically wait until their sixties to try again?
Frederick Leboyer, author of the gentle birth method, "Birth Without Violence," proposes a revolutionary way that mothers can begin doing Indian chanting to transform their pregnancy and chilbirth experiences into a more spiritual experience. Chanting also produces a healthier, happier and calmer baby.
Colostrum is different from mature milk in other ways as well. It contains more salt and protein, and less sugar and fat then mature milk. It even looks different. It is ranges in appearance from clear and watery to thick, yellowish and sticky. Some expectant mothers find that they leak lots of colostrum during pregnancy, while others are able to express only a drop or two. The amount of colostrum produced prenatally has no relationship to the amount of milk the mother will produce later on.
Colostrum is very concentrated, and the volume produced is very small. Most mothers will have teaspoons rather than ounces. During the first 24 hours after birth, an average of 37 ml of colostrum is produced (an ounce contains 30 ml). Babies take in an average of 7-14 ml at each feeding. When the mother's milk comes in a few days after birth, it is called "transitional milk." This mixture of colostrum and mature milk is produced from 4-10 days after birth. As the volume of milk increases, the protein content decreases and the amount of sugar and fat increase. Transitional milk may look yellowish due to the colostrum content.
After 10-14 days, mature milk is produced. It still contains lots of valuable antibodies and immune factors, but no more colostrum. That's one reason that early breastfeeding is so important. Even if a mother nurses her baby for only a short time after birth, she is giving her newborn a precious gift that won't be available to him later on.
DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive Web site database featuring extensive information about thousands of different medications and drugs currently on the market or previously available worldwide. DrugWatch.com includes up-to-date information about prescription and over-the-counter medications and includes details about associated side effects to aid in the protection of patients and consumers.
An introduction and overview of endocrinology. Important information for couples to know about the functioning of the endocrine system and things to have checked before conception. Endocrine imbalances at the time of conception can lead to disorders in a developing fetus and after birth.
A University of South Florida site that discusses the causes of infertility in men and women. Includes a presentation of research findings on coffee, food additives, MSG, plastics, nutrasweet, alcohol, food additives, cosmetic chemicals, job occupations, cigarettes, pesticides, vehicle exhaust, geographic locations, and more.
This site explains how exposures to certain toxicants might result in adverse effects on reproductive health. It also includes a pdf that can be downloaded with the information. **This site is no longer active. Please see the PDF below from the site.
A resource site and service of the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Includes definition of Fetal Alchohol Syndrome, its characteristics and symptoms, risks to the developing fetus, research, pictures of babies, children and adults with FAS and more.
Includes discussion on human development and developmental milestones, fetal development, genetic testing, and abilities of the developing fetus and more.
An overview of a rare disorder that a baby can be born with. Classic galctosemina is a rare genetic metabolic disorder. Site discusses the history and background of the disorder and how it is diagnosed.
Discusses the importance of building a baby's intelligence. Includes resources and articles on how babies learn to listen, critical windows for opportunity, the importance of early brain development and more. Includes free ecourse on "Develop Your Child's Genius."
Presents discussion of in vitro fertilization techniques with pictures of oocytes, sperm and embryos. You can also take a tour of the IVF lab and see an embryologist at work.
Mesothelioma which is commonly referred to as asbestos cancer, is an aggressive cancer caused primarily by the inhalation of dangerous asbestos fibers. The disease attacks the mesothelium, a protective, two-layered membrane that covers the internal organs of the body including the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. Between these layers, the cells produce fluid, which allows easy movement of the heart and lungs within the chest cavity. The layer that covers the lungs is called the pericardium, which is where pericardial mesothelioma is known to occur. The peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity. Mesothelium also lines the male and female reproductive organs.
Boston University’s School of Medicine is involved in an ongoing national study to help better understand which medications are safe for women to take during pregnancy and which medicines might harm an unborn child.
A new study suggests the typical angle at which most obstetricians position their patients may be sub-optimal for promoting healthy blood flow during childbirth.
This method teaches that in the absence of fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be a part of labor. The Mongan Method is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education, enhanced by hypnosis techniques that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing in a way that most mirrors nature.
An organization that promotes, protects, and supports normal birth through education and advocacy. Includes history, mission and vision of the organization. Also includes books for expectant parents, 10 tips for a helathy pregnancy and normal birth, the Lamaze philosophy of birth, the Lamaze parenting philosophy and much more.
An overview of Doula Services (woman in the service of another). Provides an overview of pregnancy and birth issues, including doula services during birth. Provides reading resources, childbirth education classes and more.
Provides detail information on what to consider in developing a meaningful plan for a gentle birth. Includes discussion of selecting a care provider and the types, deciding on location of birth, testing, IVs and monitoring, clothing, eating and drinking, pain relief, the birthing process, after birth and much more.
A site developed by the Global Maternal Child Health Association and Waterbirth International Research. Includes an overview of the gentle birth method of waterbirth. Includes information and an explanation on waterbirth and the types, birth stories, a bibliography and related links.
