From: HADCRJAM@admin.uh.edu (MILLER, JIMMY A.)
Subject: Some effects of Pregnancy
Organization: University of Houston Administrative Computing
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 19:43:46 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.20


  Well, as promised (but a little late, sorry) here's what I found on the
effects of pregnancy.  It is mostly physical.  The primary source is *Under-
standing Pregnancy and Childbirth* by Sheldon Cherry, M.D., copyright 1973,
revised editions 1983 and 1992.  My own comments will be enclosed in brackets,
[like so].  Pardon the occasional misspelling.  Let us begin:

  Weight: prompted by hormonal secretions [like many of the changes] the meta-
	bolism of the body changes to increase efficiency in obtaining nutri-
	tion from food, with having to "eat for two".  This can result in a
	slight acqusition of body fat.  The average weight gain is 24.5 pounds,
	most of which is the fetus and supporting systems.  10 to 20 pounds
	will be lost within 10 days of delivery.  Proper diet and exercise will
	return the woman to normal weight within 2 months.  Weight gains above
	35 pounds are not good and can result in permenant obesity.  An in-
	crease of about 300-500 calories depending upon exercise and intention
	to nurse is reccomended.

  Fluid:  There is a general increase of about 3 lbs of body fluid.  Most of
	this occurs near the end of gestation.  This will likely cause some 
	swelling of the face and fingers (but NOT legs and ankles, which is 
	caused by the pressure on the veins from the fetus, placenta, and 
	amniotic fluid).

  Skeleton:  The increased presence of the uterus generally results in the
	throwing back of the head and shoulders, exaggerating the curve of
	the back.  This can result in backache or muscle strains.  Old theory
	held that the mother's teeth decalcify to provide calcium and phosphor-
	ous for the fetus, but this now known to be invalid (inflammation of
	the gums IS common, however). [It would seem that some posters still
	hold to this belief, that the fetus drains calcium from the the 
	mother's bones.  This apparently is incorrect.  Sheldon does not men-
	tion any such concerns.  However, since the fetus does use calcium,
	it IS neccessary to increase its intake, so there is sufficient for
	both.  It seems that perhaps this belief developed out of insufficient
	calcium intakes in the past, with weaker bones/teeth as the result.
	This last is just my guess]

  Skin:  The nipple areas may darken, as well as warts, moles or scars.  A line
	may appear running from the navel to the pubic bone.  These areas fade
	after delivery.  Another condition chlorasma, may vary from small-
	yellow-brown spots to extensive dark-brown patches on the nose, cheeks,
	and neck.  These may be unsightly, but also fade within a few weeks of
	delivery.  Also, there may be red "spidery" patches on the face, neck, 
	chest, and arms.  These also disappear after delivery.
	  Stretch marks are also common, mostly on the stomach, but may also
	appear on the breasts and thighs.  These appear as thin pink lines, but
	may also become dense and white and brown and appear as loosley wrinkled
	skin.  These are likely to remain after delivery as narrow ribbons of 
	silver-white.
	  Skin may also be more sensitive to UV light, and hair may thin.  Both
	these conditions return to normal.

  Vagina and vulva:  The veins enlarge enormously, and the vulva takes on a deep
	port color.  Intercourse may be more difficult during this time because
	of the enlarged veins.  Vaginal disharge may increase.  The vagina en-
	larges and then shrinks back to its normal size following delivery.
	Commonly (in the US) a small slit is made on the opening of the vagina
	to facilitate the baby's exit and prevent tearing (an episiotomy). 
	This requires stitches, but heals faster, better, and less painfully
	than a tear.  The muscle tone returns over an 8-week period.

  Abdomen:  Naturally, the abdomen stretches a great deal.  The navel may pop 
	out.  A tight feeling may develop.  Regaining good muscle tone after
	delivery is sometimes a problem.[Sheldon mentions no complications,
	but I recall Muriel's complaint of difficulty breathing, I guess due
	to damage to the diaphragm--anyone care to expand on this?]

  Breasts:  The breasts grow a certain extent, beome softer, and have larger
	veins which may be visible as bluish streaks.  The nipples are more
	erect and fluids may ooze out rather early.  They may tingle and
	throb, and even feel lumpy.  Proper support is very important to pre-
	vent sagging.  Some loss of tone is probable, but may be lessened or
	repaired via exercise.

[The following is a less detailed list of things to expect during the 
 pregnancy]

 Muscle cramps, dizzyness, gas, hemorrhoids, shortness of breath, backache,
constipation, excessive urination, swollen ankles and varicose veins, fatigue,
headaches, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, rhinitis (postnasal drip).  These
all vary as to degree, and pass afterwards.

  Physical activity gradually has to be curtailed.  Exactly how and when 
varies.[there is a section on exercise and diet]

  The rate of c-section is about 25%.  This is riskier but not especially so 
[the doctor did not specify].  Having one does not preclude the possibility
of a normal birth later on.  Up to 80% of women had a c-section may now be
able to deliver normally, depending on several factors [I'm not going to
list them now, although I will if there is interest].

  Ectopic pregancies occur about 1% of the time.  The consequences can be
very serious, from loss of the affected tube to death.  Modern techniques 
make it much easier to detect such pregnancies, and there are several ways to 
treat them.  Having had one, the risk of having another increases to as much
as 10-15%.

  Toxemia is less-well-understood condition of pregnancy, which appears to be
far more dangerous to the baby than the mother [so the doctor indicates].  Most
cases are mild, however.

  Depression and anxiety are common during and after.  75% have the "baby 
blues" which usually, go away within a few hours to two weeks.  Some may
develop the more dangerous depression.[the doctor did not state %'s]

*************************************
end excerpts.

  Whew, that was long.  I apologize for the lateness, but this took longer than
I thought to enter.  I note that Dr. Cherry did not go into lavish detail on
the awful things that could happen, and % type stats were generally not pre-
sented.  He uses words like "most", "usually", etc...$$ was addressed only 
peripherally.  This is quite reasonable, since this is a book primarily add-
ressed at those who are deliberately seeking a baby (though there is a section
on birth control, including abortion, which avoids moralizing), and so he no
doubt wishes to avoid causing over-anxiousness.

  There's a lot to cover.  If there is something specific about which you
want to know, please ask before you flame.  I may be able to provide it.  Or I
might not--but I will try.  And I'm not a doctor.  Please complain about med-
ical disagreements with him, not me (and present your credentials at the door,
too :-) ).


semper fi,

Jammer Jim Miller 
Texas A&M University '89 and '91
********************************************************************************
* Aggie in Cougarland -- I just work here.				       *
* Speak for my employers?  They don't even know I exist!		       *
*"Become one with the Student Billing System. *BE* the Student Billing System."*
*             *********************************************		       *
* "Power finds its way to those who take a stand.  Stand up, Ordinary Man."    *
*      ---Rik Emmet, Gil Moore, Mark Levine: Triumph 		               *
********************************************************************************
Newsgroups: talk.abortion