Pregnant lady can be labeled as 'hypothyroid' patient in many ways. This includes; having Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, thyroid nodules or goiter, elevated TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) etc. If she has had radioactive iodine (RAI) or any kind of surgery of the thyroid and now receiving any kind of thyroid hormone replacement then also she is labeled as person with hypothyroidism.
Statistically, woman has 25% higher risk to develop the hypothyroidism after pregnancy if she has diabetes or any other autoimmune diseases. During pregnancy, hypothyroidism can affect pregnancy in many ways like; it can cause infertility in woman as it prevents the egg production, pregnant lady is at higher risk for miscarriage if she has hypothyroidism. If the hypothyroidism is left untreated during the entire period of pregnancy, the lady is likely to develop high blood pressure and premature delivery.
One has to be very careful if she develops certain hypothyroidism symptoms like; dullness, droopy eyelids, abnormal weight gain, constipation, muscle cramps, thickening of skin, swelling around neck etc. However, during pregnancy, a lady is thoroughly checked by a doctor regularly, so any change in the blood report, they hypothyroidism is usually detected.
On the other hand, baby produced by mother who was untreated or partially treated hypothyroidism may not reach its full intellectual potential. The study was published in 1999, New England Journal of Medicine stating, "Women with untreated thyroid deficiency during pregnancy are four times more likely to have children with lower I.Q. scores".
It is not that that hypothyroidism will take of your joy during pregnancy. It is to be well treated and total control over the disease will keep you as happy as normal. Once hypothyroidism is diagnosed, the thyroid hormone replacement therapy is started by doctor. The dosage is an important factor during pregnancy and is decided by your specialist. The treatment is safe and also essential to mother and fetus. One should not stop the medications by any means as this may result into dangerous irreversible situations. For the baby, it is quite rare case that you may give your hypothyroidism to your baby as hereditary. Congenital hypothyroidism appears one per 4 to 5 thousand infants. But be sure to have your thyroid treatment started as early as possible (like in first trimester) because untreated thyroid will not only affect the mother but will also make child's physical and mental impairment.
After pregnancy also, your doctor may advise you to continue the pills for thyroid. As far as breastfeeding is concerned, trace amount of thyroid hormone medication are excreted in breast milk. But you have to see the doctor and continue nursing to baby. In fact, you must be having proper thyroid functioning and normal level of thyroid hormone to ensure enough breast milk to baby.
When a lady becomes pregnant, she is to be fed with high nutritional foods including iodine salt. She must follow the diet chart given by the specialist. All the elements like iron, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats should be supplied in well manner and with proper quantity. This will help her not only to prevent disease like hypothyroidism but also to produce a healthy child.
More articles on Hypothyroidism:
Hey Congratulations you've found out your having a baby -What Now!
You've heard all the things your friends and family have told about what to expect, Morning sickness, weight gain, pain, swelling Back aches, tiredness need I continue !
But hey there is a plus side to this- the miraculous body transformations altering every system in your body- and with that does come different aches /pains, SO if you haven't had a massage before now is a PERFECT time to start! Not only will you benefit from a massage but your little growing life inside you will also.
Bodywork (massage) will ease your pregnant body as it transides through each changing trimester, Improving maternal and infant health in a myriad of ways.
--Eases muscular aches/discomforts --reduces stress --Aids in digestion --enhances blood and lymph circulation --promotes body and mind awareness Pregnancy massage will also prepare mother for labour/birth. Support lactation and can assist in any postpartum depression.
FIRST TRIMESTER MASSAGE In the first trimester the client is able to lay on her stomach (obviously if nipple pain is to server) on her side or back. Deep Pressure points are to be avoided in first trimester, Long relaxing strokes are great. SECOND TRIMESTER MASSAGE In the second trimester the lady may not be able to lay on her stomach so side laying or a pregnancy table is preferred. From week 13 onwards a small pillow should be placed under her right hip this tilts the pelvis to the left and shifts the uterus off the inferior vena carva (a vein) and facilitating the return of blood to the heart.
THIRD TRIMESTER MASSAGE After the sixth month of pregnancy the unborn can sense massage of the abdomen and responses to the touch, pregnant women can do their own bellies daily not only when her belly begins to grow but as so as she finds out she is pregnant, moisturizing cream as this is soothing and bonding (great to help with stretch marks) she may even notice her unborn responding to her touch.
The latter stages of pregnancy massage can assist in swollen legs feet, assist lumbar pain /discomfort and help prepare the body for labour and childbirth, plus general feeling of relaxation.
Once the women begins labour, massage can be helpful, the father to be ,can assist in this , circular motions on her lower back can help labour pains, whether she is laying on her side or sitting in chair or bath/shower. This will aid in comfort and reassurance and help him to feel useful.
Massage during labour can assist in reducing anxiety and stress which can stall labour and help replace it with endorphins which will facilitate a healthy labour.
Both Ranju & Tracy Jenkins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ranju has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wrinkles, Pregnancy Problems and Acne Treatment. Ranju is a publisher of . Ranju's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.
Tracy Jenkins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems. Tracy, the owner of Knots Corner is a qualified Massage Therapist, who is visited by a great number of clients with a wide range of reasons for a massage, from relaxation to muscular repair, headache relief to everyday stresses.. Tracy Jenkins's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.