Herbal Health

Oestrogen and Progesterone

But the placenta also produces other chemicals in conjunction with the ovaries. Oestrogen and progesterone are produced, together with other hormones which affect all parts of the system. In fact, everything is now geared to the safe development of the baby and to his needs after his birth. For this reason, the breasts commence development very early in pregnancy under this hormonal influence.

They become larger, the nipples more supple and bigger. The milk glands enlarge and after a while start to produce fluid. This is very thick, yellowish and creamy at first, and is called colostrum. But soon after birth, a regular, highly nutritious milk supply quickly becomes established. This fulfils baby’s needs, and may continue on for many months.

Development of the Foetus

To give an indication of how the foetus looks during the early weeks of pregnancy, the following table sets out some of the features of development.

Where a miscarriage has occurred in early pregnancy, a casual examination of the foetus will reveal many of these features.

It is pointed out that many conceptions terminate in miscarriage (which is technically called an “abortion”—this word in medical discussions has no illegal overtones as it frequently has in lay connotation).

Recent work indicates that perhaps as many as 60 to 80 per cent of all pregnancies may end prematurely, often in the first weeks. It is now understood that many congenital defects can take place, and it is considered to be nature’s way of maintaining a healthy race.

By eliminating a new life well before it means too much to the parents, and certainly many months before birth, gross defects or deficiencies, both physical and mental, can be rectified by this normal and natural means. It has often been likened to nature’s way of maintaining “quality control” of the human race.

Nature (and in effect, God) is trying to be kind. This avoids headaches and heartaches. Caring for physically and mentally abnormal children (and adults) is a major problem today. This is one way in which it may be checked, normally and naturally. Therefore, women undergoing a miscarriage should never be too upset. By considering the possible alternatives, they are invariably being done a favour by nature. Never forget this.

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Pregnancy is the most intimate and heartwarming experience in the life of a married couple. Not only are the events which lead up to it very personal, but the actual incident represents a merging of the essential features of both partners.

Characteristics of both parents, including physical, mental and psychological elements, are united in an amazing manner. These factors take place at the moment of conception, and are inevitably destined to go with the new life from that point onwards to the end of his life.

In recent years, more is becoming known of this life before birth. Chromosomes, the microscopic filaments that bear the genes, the actual heredity-bearing organs, can now be studied in detail by the use of special mechanisms. The amazing extent of “genetic predetermination” is becoming understood more and more as these intricate items are visualized under powerful microscopes.

By taking cells from the amniotic fluid, the watery substance in which the baby floats in prenatal life, and examining these, a great body of information can be adduced.

The sex of the developing baby can be determined. If the infant is likely to have certain physical abnormalities, this too can often be discovered. Indeed, in several trials carried out in the United Kingdom, the researchers even claimed they could give an indication if the developing baby would grow up to be a criminal!

In every pregnancy, there must be two elements, a male and a female. The male contributes to reproduction the single-celled units called spermatozoa. These are produced as a continual, ongoing process in the testes which are located in the scrotum.

As they are produced, they are conveyed by a narrow canal called the vas deferens into the body. Here they are deposited in a storage chamber located behind the urinary bladder, and named the seminal vesicles.

Certain glands add fluid to this storage tank, so that the sperms are able to move actively about. The fluid contains nutritive elements to enable them to keep alive and very active.

Each sperm has a head and an actively waving tail which is used to propel it along. Located in the head is the nucleus, and deeply inside this, are positioned the tiny filaments called the chromosomes. These contain small knobs along heir length, termed genes. The chromosomes and genes are the heredity-bearing elements of the cell.

Just before they are discharged by the testes, the number of chromosomes in each sperm is halved. A normal cell contains forty-six, but the sperm contains only twenty-three. Included in this number is the sex-determining chromosome. This is referred to as either an X or Y chromosome.

When the sperm finally unites with the female counterpart, the ovum (which also has divided so that it contains twenty-three chromosomes), the sex of the subsequent infant will be immediately determined. An X-bearing sperm will produce a female; a Y-bearing sperm will produce a male. The ovum contains only X chromosomes, so the male contribution is the sex determinant.

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The average pregnancy will proceed with few problems until “term,” and a normal, healthy baby will be delivered. Mother and baby will be fit and well. The family will share the delight.

However, while this is the usual picture, a certain number of abnormalities can take place. Some women appear to be at special risk, and are more prone to running into trouble than others.

Some of the more important complications that may take place during the course of pregnancy are outlined briefly. This is not done to frighten the mother-to-be; nor is it meant to deter anyone from falling pregnant. This chapter is written solely to let women know that things can sometimes go wrong.

It is important that these abnormalities be recognized. The earlier this takes place, the sooner suitable treatment can be started. The majority of these complaints are readily amenable to treatment.

Many of the so-called complications may be discovered only by the doctor during his routine regular examinations. This is one very important reason why these prenatal visits should not be neglected, for, maybe quite unbeknown to you, some sinister problem is starting to develop. The doctor may pick this up promptly, but if left, it may not become evident until trouble strikes in a much bigger way.

So consider these points. The important symptoms are set out. If you notice any of these starting to make their appearance, it is essential that you contact your doctor promptly.

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So many heartaches and heartbreaks have occurred in recent years that the position has suddenly assumed major magnitude in the lives of many, and in the minds of many more, doctors included.

Without knowledge, a great many errors are made regularly. With increasing knowledge, the chances of reducing these errors increase also. Fewer errors mean fewer disasters. In turn, this yields fewer dilemma situations and sorrowful incidents.

Everybody loves to see a new life develop and be born. But nobody rejoices when that life is marred by some unfortunate, ugly deformity. There are no laurels for martyrs these days. Having a major defect at birth, or even worse, of developing one some years later for reasons entirely out of one’s control, but due to influences occurring before birth, is an even more difficult plight to contend with.

Current knowledge allows many of these problems to be stopped before they occur. Care in medication, care if certain diseases are contacted or contracted, sticking implicitly to medical advice, all plays a valuable part.

It is imperative that every prospective mother (and father too, for that matter) at least be aware of the potential hazards in the world of today. They are many. But equally, many can be avoided by sound common sense.

Please read this advice, try to remember it, and at least be practical about it. It could make someone’s future so much brighter.

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Cytomegalovirus Infections (CMV). Infection with this virus is common among adults, and it often passes unrecognized. However, should a pregnant woman become infected for the first time, the virus readily passes the placental barriers into the developing embryo. Here, serious consequences can occur. In fact, in many cases it causes the death of the developing infant. But in instances where it survives, severe neo-natal illness invariably follows.

The liver is affected, and jaundice can occur to a severe degree. But the most important defect is in the brain. The virus is responsible for serious neurological complications which frequently result in mental retardation. In fact, about 10 per cent of the cases of mental retardation in the United Kingdom are allegedly due to CMV infections before birth. At best, treatment is poor, and the outlook for babies affected before birth is grave.

Other Viral Infections. Since the recognition of these two well-established viral foes to developing infants, a large amount of investigation has been carried out with other common forms of viral infection.

Although the evidence is not so concrete, it seems that almost any viral infection during early pregnancy may, in some cases, produce developmental problems. The common cold, due to an ever-changing number of related viruses, and various forms of influenza, have also been incriminated.

No doubt time and more research will give a clearer picture of their virulence and danger in the pregnancy picture.

Poliomyelitis is fortunately a disease that has almost vanished from the scene of Western medicine. But sporadic cases are still reported. It is worth noting that pregnant women are quite prone to this very disabling disease, and the risks of paralysis, it seems, are more likely in the early stages of the disease.

Therefore, women who have not received immunisation against polio are advised to have this carried out. This is even more important if they intend travelling in the near future to a country where polio is still rampant, and there are many countries in the world where this is the case.

Bacterial Infections. Two other infections are worthy of mention. These are both venereal in nature, and are represented by gonorrhoea and syphilis. Both may have an adverse effect on the developing embryo, as well as having serious repercussions on the parent if left untreated.

Both diseases are produced by bacteria. Therefore, they are much more amenable to treatment. Massive doses of currently used antibiotics can quickly destroy the bacteria before they can do much harm to the embryo, provided therapy is instituted promptly.

However, there must be a history of sexual contact (presumably with an infected partner) before these diseases can be contracted. Both diseases have been fairly quiet until very recent times, when both have shown a marked upsurge in activity. It is now well recognized that promiscuous living and a variety of sexual partners constitute the most common way of contracting either or both of these diseases.

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