> > 3) News Flashes > > German maternity care guidelines specify that every mother should have > two ultrasound scans, although a current study showed an average of > 4.7 scans per woman. In Wiesbaden Hospital in Germany, out of 2376 > pregnancies, only 58 of 183 growth-retarded babies were diagnosed by > ultrasound before birth. Forty-five babies were wrongly diagnosed as > being growth-retarded when they were not. Only 28 of 72 severely > growth-retarded babies were detected before birth. -AIMS Journal > Autumn 1998 > ==== > > 4) Hyperemesis Gravidarum > > The links between psychological characteristics and hyperemesis > gravidarum (HG) appear to be wildly exaggerated in medical research. > The evidence to substantiate any claims of psychological "risk > factors" for HG is extremely weak at best and in the case of many > traits, virtually nonexistent. Nevertheless, some authors claim that > "unquestionably" there is a link to psychological factors such as > "infantile and immature personality," "hysteria," "strong maternal > dependence," "protest reaction against pregnancy," "poor communication > with husband," and "stress and doubts about pregnancy." Studies that > purport such relationships admit there is a severe lack of data to > support these findings. Studies on psychological components of HG > "have been scarce, uncontrolled, or, when controlled, have covered > series that are too small to provide valid tests." > It is thus inexplicable why so many researchers have appeared to > embrace the existence of these psychological components. Such > speculation may encourage doctors and others to view HG as essentially > a psychosomatic condition, which is a disturbing prospect. > While the relation between most psychological factors and HG appears > to be unfounded, there is some case-study evidence suggesting that > dietary behavior may play a role. A risk factor for HG seems to be an > "unsuitable diet, with large and infrequent meals." > ==== > References for this excerpt only: > Broussard, C. & Richter, J. (1998). Pregnancy and Gastrointestinal > Disorders. Gastroenterology Clinics 27(1):1. > Fairweather, D., & Loraine, J. (1968). Nausea and vomiting in > pregnancy. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 102:135. > Godsey, R. & Newman, R. (1991). Hyperemesis gravidarum: A comparison > of single and multiple admissions. J Reprod. Med. 36(4): 287. > Hod, M. et al. (1994). Hyperemesis gravidarum: A review. (1994). J. > Reprod. Med. 39:605. > ==== > > > > (The preceding excerpts are from The Birthkit newsletter No. 26, > Summer 2000. It includes a summary of data about HG, natural remedies, > a midwife's response to the issue of HG, and an HG sufferer's > commentary. To subscribe to The Birthkit, a Midwifery Today > publication, go to: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/products/S1BK.htm > Scroll to find the subscription and back issues to fit you!) > ==== > > When nothing can be kept in the system, other measures must be taken > to stabilize the blood sugar and turn the situation around. Keep in > mind that some underlying cause such as vitamin B malabsorption, liver > compromise, or active disease, kidney infection, pancreas or gall > bladder problems, hydatidiform mole, or multiple gestation may be > influencing the symptom picture. Dietary practices that encourage > women not to gain weight, to eliminate salt, or to eat very little > protein could also be at fault. > Nutritive enemas are a good first step to see if hospitalization for > IV parenteral nutrition therapy can be avoided. An enema made up of > wheat grass juice or a combination of liquid chlorophyll and herbal > infusions and tinctures that settle the stomach may be helpful. This > should be mixed with an electrolyte IV solution such as Ringers > Lactate or unflavored Pedialyte. Have the woman lie on her left side > and infuse the solution slowly into her colon. Have her retain as much > of it as she can as long as she can. If dehydration is significant, > the body will make use of the fluid and little will be expelled; the > colon will absorb the fluid right into the system. Once nausea > stabilizes, she must immediately begin to take nourishment orally. If > this and everything else you can think of does not quickly turn the > situation around, get the woman to a hospital without delay. -Anne > Frye, Holistic Midwifery Vol. I, Care During Pregnancy > ==== > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
