Articles by Azzam Sheikh on ArticleSnatch.com

Pro Abortion Is Pro-Choice

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

In the war between those who are pro abortion, or Pro-Choice, and those who are anti abortion, or Pro-Life, the most important thing to remember is that not everyone who is pro abortion is against having children. On the contrary, there are many pro abortion people who would not have an abortion themselves, but consider themselves Pro-Choice because they believe that every woman has the right to choose for herself whether or not she gives birth. Pro abortion or Pro-Choice people are primarily concerned with womens rights. The major question about abortion that they consider when arguing for abortion rights is, does a woman have the right to choose what happens to her own body? Overwhelmingly, their belief is yes. The primary issues that pro abortion people concentrate on aside from the womans right to choose are the effect on the crime rate and back-alley abortions. Economists have studied the crime rate in the United States for decades. But the most interesting recent data shows that the crime rate has dropped dramatically since the legalization of abortion is 1973 with the Supreme Courts ruling on Roe vs. Wade. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Trendy Maternity Clothes for the Chic Set

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Fortunately, designers have heard the cries of pregnant women who long for a chic, sophisticated look during their pregnancies. Trendy maternity clothes are now a staple of boutiques, department stores, and website clothiers. Therefore, if youre in the market for trendy clothes, keep in mind that you have a number of options from which to choose. An online leader in trendy clothes is BellaBlu. BellaBlu Maternity prides itself on offering clothes tailor-made for the fashion-conscious mama. Their maternity wear tends to be whimsical perfect for pregnant women with a flair for the dramatic. In fact, BellaBlu Maternity clothing is considered to be some of the most intriguing maternity wear around, so its well worth investigating. Chances are that, once you see BellaBlus designs, youll fall madly in love. For BellaBlu, trendy maternity clothes are both eye-pleasing and comfortable, making them a true joy to wear. BellaBlus internal line of maternity clothing is known as Serena Maternity and specializes in maternity dresses and tops. BellaBlu also has the advantage of offering a wide selection of trendy clothes. These include career wear, jeans, formal wear, swimwear, and lingerie which can show off your new figure in the most flattering way possible. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Researches About Exercise During Pregnancy

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Researches about exercise and pregnancy struggle with the pros and cons of exercise during pregnancy. For many years, physicians suggested moderate activity levels for pregnant women, and then made a drastic flip, stating that pregnant women should continue with their activities, or give up sedentary lifestyles in favor of regular physical exercise, stating that it would facilitate an easy labor and delivery. It seems, according to current researches about exercise during pregnancy, in some ways, both were right. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development provided $150,000 in grant money to fund a research project designed to determine the accuracy of existing methods of measuring energy expenditure in pregnant women. According to exercise physiologist, James Pivarnik, though there have been improvements in ability to measure, or estimate, energy expenditure in field settings, most of the research has been done on people who were not pregnant, so there is still much to be learned in researches about exercise during pregnancy. Dr. Pivarnik postulates that this research will go a long way in determining the role of physical activity and energy expenditures effects on pregnancy. According to Dr. Carole B. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Signs Of Miscarriage To Watch For

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

A pregnancy loss is a devastating experience for any couple to have. Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy prior to 20 weeks gestation. Miscarriage most commonly occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and is much more common than most people realize. The most common signs of miscarriage to watch for include bleeding from the vagina or cramping. While the most common cause of this loss is due to genetic problems in the developing embryo, it doesnt make the loss any easier. Many miscarriages occur before any signs of miscarriage or even pregnancy occur. A relatively small portion of pregnancies result in successful implantation of the fertilized egg. While early miscarriage is a very common part of pregnancy, watching for signs of miscarriage can be unnerving to the pregnant woman. It's important to remember that not all bleeding means that a miscarriage is going to happen. If you are bleeding, you must get it checked out immediately and while your doctor may see bleeding and cramping as signs of miscarriage and categorize this as a threatened abortion, you may have a good chance of carrying your pregnancy to term. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

The Basic Stages of Pregnancy Development

Sat, 17 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Generally, pregnancies are welcomed with smiles and anticipation. Most people look forward to the arrival of a baby. A lot of people are vaguely aware of some of the things that will happen to the expectant mother during her pregnancy, but there are also some points along the way that can be potential problems. Being aware of the stages of pregnancy development can help others, and the mother, know what to expect, and how to prepare for certain situations. One of the first potential problems in the stages of pregnancy development is what is euphemistically called morning sickness. The name seems to indicate that the woman will get sick only in the morning. Not all women get morning sickness; many women will get the nausea and experience vomiting during various parts of the day. Generally, this isnt a problem because most people have experienced some degree of nausea at some point in their lives. If, however, the woman experiences morning sickness in the late afternoon or evening, she might not think she is pregnant. If she is pregnant, the expectant mother needs to be careful to eat a good, balanced, healthy diet at this point. **End Summary** Topics: Pregnanc]]> Abortion]]> Breastfeeding]]> Childbirth]]> Maternity Clothes]]> Pregnancy Food Diet]]> Pregnancy E]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

The Timing Of Various Abortions

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

It is extremely important. This is true for both the choice of procedure used in the abortion, and when considering the legality of the abortion procedure in certain countries. Certain abortion procedures can only be done at a certain time during the gestational period. And certain procedures, according to new legislation in the United States, are prohibited. Also, the major debate about abortion, when does life begin, is central to the question of the timing of various abortions. During the first twelve weeks of pregnancy called the first trimester - surgical abortions can be done by Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA), Electric Vacuum Aspiration (EVA), and Dilation and Curettage (D&C). Chemical abortion can be performed by using mifepristone. In the second trimester, which is weeks 13 through 27, the timing of various abortions is more important. Abortion during this time can be done by D&C for the first few weeks of the second trimester. Also, Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) can be used, as well as the late-term abortion methods like hysterotomy, Intact Dilation and Extraction (IDX), and Early Induced Labor (also called Induced Miscarriage). The question of the timing of various abortions comes into play when considering late-term abortion. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

The Choice To Have An Unassisted Childbirth

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Unassisted childbirth is an option that some people take that is essentially, delivering a baby without any supervision or medical assistance whatsoever. As with any childbirth plan, this is a choice that has both pros as well as cons. One of the cons is that unassisted childbirth is illegal in some places. In some countries and states, you may not deliver a baby unless medically trained and qualified. In an unassisted childbirth, a plan is made to have a child without any assistance from a doctor or midwife and doing so could result in prosecution. While this is common in some underdeveloped countries, it's now becoming more common in countries such as the USA where some women's groups support the right of the mother to make her own choice about how she will give birth to her child. Another obvious con might be the fact that if something goes wrong with the labor and delivery, the mother as well as the child could be at serious risk. Many believers in unassisted childbirth have determined that they feel completely safe in their plan to have an unassisted birth and that they are exercising their right to give birth without medical intervention. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Society and Teenage Pregnancy in Jamaica

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Rates of teenage pregnancy in Jamaica are among the highest in the Caribbean, with the birth rate for 15-19 year olds at 108 births per 1,000 women. Forty-five percent of all Jamaican women who are 15 to 24 years old have been pregnant by 19 years of age, and 41% have given birth. Females between the ages of 10 and 19 account for roughly 25% of all births in Jamaica and about 22% of births in 15-19 year-olds are second births. There are a number of consequences to teenage pregnancy in Jamaica. First of all, the education of the adolescent mother is disrupted and often completely ended. Indeed, only 36% of teenage mothers complete more than four years of secondary school, compared to 50% of girls who never become pregnant. The mother, then, is severely limited in her job opportunities. Furthermore, parents and society in general will not look kindly upon a young girl who has engaged in sexual activity at a young age, and often a girl is disowned and must support herself and her child alone. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Pregnancy Fitness and Birth

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Living a healthy lifestyle and being fit will help your chances of conceiving if you are trying to get pregnant and will also help with the trauma during pregnancy. Fitness is important so that you cope with the extra weight and strain of pregnancy let alone the birth experience. Researchers in the field of pregnancy fitness used to think that being fit would reduce chances of concept but now being fit is better for your health and well being during pregnancy. Keeping fit also reduces the chance of miscarriage but if you have had more than one miscarriage you should consult your doctor before commencing pregnancy fitness programmes. Pregnant women are at risk of similar injuries to what athletes develop such as muscle injuries as well as back problems like sciatica. Exercises for your posture are ideal to help reduce backache during pregnancy. Fitness regimes that help work your abdominal muscles are also worth following as these will help flatten your tummy after childbirth. Pelvic floor exercises are extremely important as pregnancy puts pressure on these muscles and can cause incontinence or prolapses. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Pregnancy Nutrition Diet, Health Mens Issue Also

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

As a family, the conception of a baby is an event that affects both the mother and the father. Often, the focus is primarily on the mother naturally. She is the one carrying the baby. But a pregnancy nutrition diet, health, mens food choices and the level of physical activity are all part of the big picture. The truth is that even fertility itself is affected by nutrition. If you have been trying to conceive with no results, it is important that both the man and woman look at their diet. A womans conception chances can be improved with a vitamin filled pregnancy nutrition diet. Health, mens nutritional status and the increased production of sperm are also major factors increasing successful conception possibilities. The Same Plan To put it simply, the healthier a mans sperm is, the better his chances are he will conceive. Sperm health includes sperm counts and sperm motility. With a pregnancy nutrition diet, health, mens dietary needs and basic overall nutritional requirements are met. So a father-to-be can follow the same plan as the mother-to-be. The only adjustment that needs to be made is for the size and weight difference between men and women. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Pregnancy Symptoms By Trimester

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Most people are familiar with the common symptoms of pregnancy. Pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and odd food cravings are often discussed with a touch of humor and confusion. It can be a little disconcerting to suddenly crave bologna if you have hated it for your entire life. However there are pregnancy symptoms that go with each of the three trimesters. Each phase has its own unique and sometimes baffling experiences that are perfectly normal no matter how strange they may be at the time. As mentioned before, morning sickness and unusual eating preferences are normal in the first trimester. Some other less well known pregnancy symptoms are common as well. While usually associated with the third trimester, moms in their first trimester often have a need for more frequent urination than ever before. Changes to the breast are another visible change that happens early in pregnancy. The mom to be may experience swelling and sensitivity of her breasts. Often the areola becomes darker as well. Due to the tremendous surge of hormones in this trimester it isnt unusual for mood swings to become a part of daily life at least for a little while. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Teenage Pregnancy Rates in the US

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Roughly 40% of females in the United States become pregnant before they reach 20 years of age. Half of these pregnant teens give birth each year, while around 45% have abortions. 18-19 year old women have the highest birth rate among adolescents; in 1996, for instance, the birth rate for 18-19 year olds was 86.5 births per 1000 women, while the birth rate for 15-17 year olds was 38.7 per 1000 women. Fortunately, only a few births were registered for teens under 15 years of age (1.2 per 1000). Teenage pregnancy rates seem to vary across racial lines in the United States, though this is most likely due to the socio-economic status in which many minorities unfortunately find themselves. Black teenagers were at the greatest risk for pregnancy in 1991, but between 1991 and 1996, the birth rate for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 in this group decreased by 21%, a greater percentage than for any other group. However, there is a disparity between birth rates for white teens and that of minorities. In 1996, the birth rate for Black teenagers between 15 and 19 years old was 91. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Some Abortion Debate Facts

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

There are two major sides to every argument, and when we are talking about abortion debate facts, it is no different. Pro-Choice is a term used for those who are essentially pro-abortion. There are many levels of Pro-Choice activism, including those people who would not choose to have an abortion themselves, but do think that the expectant mother has a right to choose what happens to her own body. The major question that Pro-Choice advocates address is the question of womens rights. They believe that a woman has the right to choose whether or not she gives birth. Pro-Choice advocates are in favor or abortion being available on demand, and usually, at any time during the pregnancy. This is especially true when it comes to therapeutic abortion, or abortion in cases of rape or incest. Pro-Life is a term used to describe those people who are basically against abortion. When discussing abortion debate facts, it is important to remember that there are many levels to this side as well. Some people may consider themselves Pro-Life even if they are in favor of certain types of abortion: for example, therapeutic abortion or abortion in cases of rape or incest. **End Summary** Topics: Abortion]]> abortion pictures]]> abortion statistics]]> abortion information]]> abortion pill]]> abortion fact]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Teenage Pregnancy Statistics - What the Numbers Reveal

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Teenage pregnancy statistics in the United States vary by state. In 2000, teen birth rates were highest in Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, and New Mexico; Nevada had the highest teen pregnancy rate at 113 per 1000 women. Birth rates were lowest in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Maine; the lowest birth rate was found in North Dakota, with 42 per 1000 women. Abortion rates among teenage girls were highest in the District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Nevada, and California. Indeed, more than fifty percent of pregnant adolescents in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia choose to terminate their pregnancies. Adolescents in Utah, Kentucky, South Dakota, and North Dakota had the lowest abortion rates; South Dakota, Kentucky, and Utah had fewer than 17% of their pregnant teenagers choose abortion. According to available teenage pregnancy statistics, Arkansas has the highest pregnancy rate among its non-Hispanic white teen population, with 77 per 1000. Other southern states also showed a similar trend, having high non-Hispanic white pregnancy rates; the teenage pregnancy statistics regarding rates for Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, and South Carolina, for example, ranged from 71 to 73 per 1000. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Week Three Stages of Pregnancy

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Generally, people think of a fetus as being recognizable as a small human. During the first days of the pregnancy, the fetus does not technically exist. In those first days, the fetus is considered an embryo. An embryo has none of the visual characteristics associated with being human. It is only in week three stages of pregnancy that the fetus that begins to be recognizable as a potential baby. Even so, the fetus will hardly be noticeable at this stage. It is hardly recognizable as a human baby. At a length of only about 1/5 of an inch, the fetus doesnt cause obvious major changes in the appearance of the mother. Only major technology can even detect the fetus at this stage, but it is known that the fetus is beginning to develop as early as the third week. It is during week three stages of pregnancy that a noticeable heartbeat develops. This can occur on or about the 25th day of the pregnancy. Obviously, the heart beat will not be heard by the pregnant woman, but new technology can distinguish a heartbeat this early in the fetal development. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity cloth]]> maternity]]> miscarriage]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Common Pregnancy Questions

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Lets face, whether it is your first, second, or more pregnancy, every expectant mom has questions. While the material you can find on the Internet, from healthcare professionals, and even relevant personal experience is helpful, each pregnancy is different and new situations arise all the time. Having pregnancy questions is important for the well being of the mother and unborn child. No one should ever feel uncomfortable or like they are being a bother to get the answers they need. With that in mind, here are a few more common pregnancy questions and their answers. One of the most often heard of the pregnancy questions is how much weight is healthy and normal to gain? The answer is that with a normal sized woman having a normal sized baby, the gain is usually between 25 and 35 pounds. For an underweight mom, doctors may suggest a higher amount. For an overweight mom, recommendations may be to gain less if possible. The important thing for moms of any size is to eat regular healthy meals and stay hydrated. The importance of this cant be emphasized enough. Another common question relates to exercise. Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy? **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Pregnancy Stages Information That Everyone Should Know

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Pregnancy stages information is usually readily available for the woman who has just learned she is pregnant. Some information is becoming more available for the men in the womans life. Sometimes, pregnancy stages information for children can be harder to find. There is such a variety of childrens ages and readiness to understand the pregnancy that people dont know what to tell the child. Adults need to look at how the child absorbs other information. Some children will not want or need a lot of information. Other children will seek pregnancy stages information themselves. One of the first issues to consider is the relationship of the child to the expectant mother. The expectant mother can be the childs mother, another relative, the mother of a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, or any other woman who might be close to the child. Closely connected to this particular issue will be the age of the child. Some mothers may not want their small children to ask too many questions or be told too much information. Other people may want to tell the child everything about the pregnancy that the child wants to know. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> miscarriage]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Pregnancy Stages: Last Trimester

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Once a woman has reached the pregnancy stages, last trimester, she becomes increasingly eager for the birth. The fetus has accomplished most of its development. All the facial features are obvious. The fingers and toes are well-formed. In fact, it is even possible for the fetus to suck its thumb at this stage. Much of what happens during this last trimester strengthens what already exists. For example, the lungs have now been completely formed and the fetus could begin breathing air if it had to. The additional few weeks of the pregnancy will allow those tiny lungs to develop and strengthen even more, limiting the possibility of early breathing problems. The brain of the fetus is also developing. The basic components of the brain now exist, but it is smooth and doesnt have the wrinkles that are generally associated with brain development. The last several weeks of the pregnancy stages, last trimester allow the brain time to grow, curving in upon itself, thus developing the familiar wrinkles. The bones of the fetus are all developed and present, but they are still pliable, which will make the birth process easier. After the delivery, some of the bones will harden and fuse. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Stages of Pregnancy: What Happens?

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

There are three major stages of pregnancy. These are called trimesters and generally last about thirteen weeks. The stages of pregnancy each have different characteristics. The first of the stages of pregnancy, commonly referred to as the first trimester, is the easiest to miss. Many women may not know they are even pregnant until the end of the first trimester. In some women, morning sickness develops. This is because the womans body is getting itself acclimated to its new condition. A womans body needs to change to enable it to nourish both the baby and the mother. These shifts in a womans condition cause a variety of natural functions to shift as well. The major change is the growing size of the uterus. The uterus will cause increased pressure on near-by organs such as the bladder. Later, as the uterus gains rapidly in size, the fetus will put pressure on the back and can cause the woman back pain. The growing uterus may also cause a womans posture to change, which can also cause back problems. In the second of the stages of pregnancy, the woman can experience an ebb and flow of emotions as well as cravings. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Taking the Risk Of Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The decision to become pregnant after miscarriage can be an emotional roller coaster. On one hand you still want a baby, maybe more than ever but on the other hand, the fear of suffering another loss can be paralyzing. The fact is, that many women are able to become pregnant after miscarriage without any difficulty. If you become pregnant after miscarriage, you may find yourself fearful that you will miscarry again. This is extremely normal and an emotion that many women feel. With the statistics of one in five pregnancies ending unexpectedly, it can be difficult to feel at ease, especially in the early first trimester. Once that week twelve-milestone hits, many couples feel a sense of sweeping relief as they know that their chances of miscarriage drop dramatically. Blaming ones self for a miscarriage is a common thing. There is a strong likelihood that nothing you could have done would have changed the outcome of a miscarriage. Most miscarriages occur due to chromosomal problems with the fetus and are out of our control. This can be difficult to accept and may play on your heart and your conscience. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

The Epidemic Of Teens Abortion

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Teens abortion has been declining over the last several decades. In the 1970s, the rate of teens abortion went up, but this rate stabilized in the 1980s. Since the 1980s, teens abortion rates have declined considerably, especially in the 1990s. The rate of teens abortion was about 26.5 in 1000 teenagers as of 1990, but this was reduced by 45% to only 14.5 per 1000 teens in 2000. The incidence of a teens abortion depends greatly on their race. A teen who is black is more likely to have an abortion than a white teen or a Hispanic teen. There are 14.8 abortions per 1000 white teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 19, and 30.3 per 1000 Hispanic teens. However, there are 57.4 abortions per 1000 black teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 19. The older a teenager gets, the more likely she is to have an abortion if she becomes pregnant unexpectedly. 14.5 per 1000 teens between the ages of 15 and 17 have an abortion. Only 0.9 per 1000 teens under the age of 15 have an abortion. But a whopping 37. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Real-life Stories on Teenage Pregnancy Feeling a Little Less Alone

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Whether a pregnant teenager looks online, in a magazine, or in a pamphlet at a clinic, it is always helpful for her to know that she is not the only one going through such an ordeal. Stories on teenage pregnancy are a comfort to pregnant teens; they look to these stories for suggestions, strength and inspirations. For example, girls can read stories on teenage pregnancy that deal with the terror an adolescent feels when she finds out she is pregnant: Two pink lines stared back at me. I was numb. The next few weeks were filled with conflicting emotions about the pregnancy. The things I knew about unwed young mothers werent good things. I knew how I looked upon girls I knew that got pregnant and it wasnt how I wanted to be looked at. Stories on teenage pregnancy can show girls how teenage mothers cope with how society views them: As my pregnancy continued and then as my son grew I got use to the stares and the remarks, You look to young to be his mother! But as I talked with people they always ended up saying how different I was then other teenagers that got pregnant. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms Cramping

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Occasional, short-lived abdominal discomfort is commonly found among the very early pregnancy symptoms; cramping signals hormonal changes and the enlargement of the uterus. It can be associated with many normal causes, though it can also be a sign of something more serious. Harmless abdominal pain is one of the very early pregnancy symptoms. Cramping can be caused by gas and bloating, constipation, and Braxton-Hicks contractions. If the pain doesnt subside, and/or it is accompanied by spotting, bleeding, fever, chills, vaginal discharge, faintness, discomfort while urinating, or nausea and vomiting, it may indicate a problem. Abnormal abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants anywhere outside the uterus. A woman will usually feel the symptoms of this condition around six or seven weeks after the fertilization, though they could present earlier, along with other very early pregnancy symptoms. Cramping or pelvic pain or tenderness, vaginal spotting or bleeding, pain that gets worse during physical activity or while moving the bowels or coughing, or pain in the tip of the shoulder are all symptoms of ectopic pregnancies. If left untreated, ectopic pregnancies could be fatal. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

The Types of Pregnancy Test

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

All the signs are there, the bloated feeling, a touch of nausea, and sore or tender breasts. Most telling is the absence of your normal monthly cycle. Of course pregnancy is the first thing that comes to mind. There are several methods for determining if a little one is going to make an appearance in nine months. You can take a home pregnancy test, one online, or make an appointment with the doctor. Regardless of the results of an online or home test, if it is positive an appointment with your doctor will confirm the results and get you started on a healthy pregnancy. Any woman who has had children or suspected they may be pregnant is probably familiar with using a home pregnancy test. Many jokes have been made about peeing on sticks at many baby showers. Home tests are typically wand like devices made to be placed in the urine stream or in a container holding urine. After about 1 minute, the results can be clearly seen by a line in the test window. The appearance of a line means a positive pregnancy result, no line means the likelihood of pregnancy is low. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center

A Look at Pregnancy Week by Week

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Especially in the early stages of pregnancy, the changes to the mothers body seem to be slow. Just because all of the many miraculous events are undetectable to the eye doesnt mean that pregnancy week by week is anything short of ever changing. From the moment of conception to the actual arrival of the newborn, pregnancy is a constant state of a work in progress. Each week brings more changes and development for both mother and child. For a look at pregnancy week by week, lets take a particular week from each trimester to get a clear look at how quickly things change inside an expectant mothers uterus. Week 6 of the first trimester is usually about the time mom discovers the existence of her little one. By this stage, the baby already has a heartbeat but is only about 1/17 of an inch long. That heartbeat is moving the babys own blood through the tiny body and the beginnings of arms and legs are forming. Facial features are also on their way to development at this early stage. Each baby and pregnancy is unique so this is a rough guess of the state of progress at week 6. **End Summary** Topics: pregnancy]]> abortion]]> breastfeeding]]> childbirth]]> maternity clothes]]> Pregnant food and diet]]> pregnant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Azzam Sheikh Facilitator 'Strengthening families, strengthening communities' parent programme. pregnancy resource center