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Archive for March 25, 2009

FAMILY MEDICAL CARE: EXERCISE IN PREGNANCY

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 6:23 am

The recommendation is to act normally. If you are a keen follower of participation sport, then continue with this by all means. There is absolutely no need to mollycoddle yourself as if you were suffering from some debilitating internal illness. You are healthy, fit and well. So, get with whatever you normally enjoy in the exercising or sporting area. This applies to fairly vigorous activities as well as those requiring less effort.

If you are a keen tennis player, play on. If you follow squash, vigoro, skating or whatever, so much the better. There is no reason why activity need be curtailed.

Just to be on the safe side, some doctors suggest a slight curtailment of vigorous activity on the occasion when the first four menstrual periods would normally take place. This can be simply calculated and borne in mind. But others do not think it is important. If there is a tendency to previous miscarriages, then the rule might be applied a little more seriously.

Swimming and surfing likewise may be followed in a normal, natural manner. Many women, particularly on the Australian and New Zealand scene, are very enthusiastic on these sports. Swimming activates nearly every muscle in the system, and is good, wholesome activity.

Surfing has similar advantages, as well as the added value of acting as an external massager of the entire body. It is a fine activity, and does much to keep the body in tip-top tone and physical condition.

Walking, running, jogging and similar activities can also be followed as in the pre-pregnant days. However, many other women are not attracted to vigorous sporting activities. Then, there is no need to start energetically to engage in such enterprises. There is no great benefit to be derived from a sudden increase of physical exertion if this is not what the system is usually accustomed to do.

Becoming a sudden fanatic for exercise for the sake of exercise (or for the sake of the baby, as some will declare) is foolish. At the same time, there is no point in becoming a physical cabbage. A sensible in-between level can readily be followed.

*70/76/5*

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(posted in General health)

PREGNANCY AND REPRODUCTION: FATHER BECOMES INVOLVED

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 6:20 am

These modern days there is a tendency for the father to become more involved in the entire proceedings. This is a good thing, and more and more doctors actively encourage “father participation.”

This encourages the idea of sharing, of making the male parent feel that he is more than just an onlooker, and the person who is around to pay the bills. Involvement pays off. It brings both prospective parents into closer unity right throughout the happy months of the pregnancy.

Many hospitals and many obstetricians actively encourage the father to be present at the actual moment of the birth. In this way, he shares in a very real way the full mental and physical aspects of this wonderful event. He becomes part of the scene, and frequently lives every moment of the experience with his wife. Sharing the momentous event inevitably yields a warmth and humanity that can occur in no other way, and once involvement of this nature occurs, it is likely to continue for years to come. This of course, spells success from a very early date.

However, even though the idea of togetherness is an excellent one, and is used by many modern hospitals and obstetricians, do not be upset if your own doctor does not approve. Every doctor has his own ideas. These are generally moulded over a number of years, and he will set out quite clearly what he prefers, and what he feels is in your own interest. Some hospitals are not physically geared to have extra people around when they are not actively engaged in the working routine. But if the opportunity is given for father to be present at the birth, give the matter some thought; it is the experience of a lifetime.

Of course, there are many males around who are very strong and physically masculine—that is, until it comes to the sight of blood, and things like injections. Then, many of the bravest and most stout-hearted suddenly find their knees turn to water!

It is no joke, but a fact of life, and nothing to be ashamed of. But on numerous occasions, tough he-men have been known to faint dead away on the delivery-room floor when the going became rough, or the patient required an injection, or they caught a sudden sight of blood.

So, be guided by the advice your own doctor gives you both at the time. He is most likely to know both of you well, and from his experience, he will offer the most suitable recommendations, tailor-made just for the two of you.

*55/76/5*

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(posted in General health)

FAMILY PLANNING: POST-PILL AMENORRHOEA

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 6:17 am

However, whenever nature is being thwarted, there is always likely to be a problem. This applies to man’s efforts at preventing pregnancy. One of the most worrying, quite unrelated to common side-effects, is a condition commonly called “post-Pill amenorrhoea.” In short, it means that when a couple decides they wish to reproduce, the female stops the Pill, and normally expects to see an immediate return of menstruation. If this occurs, of course, it shows that ovulation is occurring again, an essential prerequisite for conception, and the chances of becoming pregnant are back to normal.

But a significant number of young women and the number appears to be slowly increasing, now find that normal menstruation simply does not occur. In short, their ability to become pregnant does not return.

Until such time as ovulation (and periods) starts again, it means that there cannot possibly be a baby.

Until fairly recently this was a probability of no small degree. However, various measures have become available. A medication aimed at re-establishing normal ovulation is a preparation called bromocriptine. Given in a certain manner, his can readily make menstruation recommence, and pregnancy may follow very quickly, often within a few months.

It has been found, with the newer methods of measuring body blood chemicals and hormones called radio-immunoassay, that a hormone called prolactin, produced by the pituitary gland of the brain, can inhibit ovulation if present in high levels. These high levels are common in women taking the Pill, and it persists afterwards, often for many months or even years. It does not matter how long the patient is taking the Pill, the same effect may occur. It has been found in trials in women taking it for as short a time as three months. At the other end of the scale, it has been found in other women who have been constantly taking the Pill for fifteen years.

However, bromocriptine is the prescribed treatment for women with amenorrhoea.

*40/76/5*

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(posted in General health)

ABOUT MARRIAGE: THE IN-LAWS

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 5:57 am

How do you feel about his parents (her parents)? Do you find them interfering bores, who meddle and carry on in a way that drives you mad? Sometimes you can get away from in-laws, but often you cannot. If there is any squabble, the girl will tend to opt for her parents to back her up. They will take her side nearly every time, whether you be right or wrong.

Ideally of course, getting along with the in-laws is best. In fact, in spite of the mean things that are thrown at in-laws as a group, many of] them are wonderful people, and many sons-in-J law and daughters-in-law find the new relationship just great. It is a delight to see this state of affairs. Approaching it all with this in mind, of course, is much more likely to yield successful results than the reverse.

In fact, over the years I have seen the son-in-law or daughter-in-law become more attached to the in-laws than to her own parents. Somehow they “just click.” It is an interesting phenomenon.

I must recount a little story that still stands out in my memory. It is a gem, and I love to think about it. It is a bit complicated, so follow carefully.

Jim and Jane both attended the university which is not far from where I practice. They were a lovely couple of kids, in their late teens. Jim’s parents were pretty tough on him, and when he met Jane, he really fell head over heels in love with her. What’s more, he made the grade with Jane’s mother, who was a friendly person and took to Jim in a kind of mother-and-son relationship, as it should have been.

Jim spent quite a bit of his spare time there, although trying to pass examinations at university level didn’t leave too much time for socializing. However, the two were at the same institution and saw a fair bit of one another, particularly after classes. I saw them from time to time and immediately felt what a great match they would make. You know, sometimes two young people just click, and I think I clicked with them too.

However, one forlorn day they came along. I immediately suspected trouble, and wasn’t far wrong.

“Think I’m pregnant,” Jane mumbled, with an unhappy look on her face. “I think she’s right,” Jim added. “It’s my fault. I accept the entire blame. However, our problem now is, what to do?”

(This was in the days before legal terminations were introduced. In fact, as many will remember, because it is not that long ago, having a termination carried out for anything other than strict medical reasons was a criminal offence and could result in a gaol sentence. Besides, abortion in such a case as this is contrary to my principles; so we didn’t even discuss it.)

“There is only one thing,” I said. “Jane is pregnant, so she’ll have to go through with it all. Either you can get married, or let Jane battle through alone, and adopt the baby out when it is born.”

“What are your thoughts on marrying under circumstances as these?” they both asked. I had to tell the truth.

“Marriage entered into because you ‘have to’ surely isn’t the best foundation for a lasting family union,” I replied. “However, it is done by somebody every day of the week. It depends on how you both feel about it.”

“We’ll think it over,” they said as they left.

A week or two went by, then Jim turned up on his own.

“I’ve got problems,” he said. “Big problems and I want your advice.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“It’s Jane’s mum. She’s cut up real rough.”

“That’s to be expected,” I answered. “I’m not surprised that she has thrown you out and is mad at you and won’t let you back in the house.”

“I go along with that, “Jim said. “But it’s not that way. She is blaming Jane for getting pregnant, and has thrown her out of the house . . . literally packed her bags and told her to get lost—like on a permanent basis.”

“You must be joking,” I said, hardly believing my ears. I knew Jane’s mother, and had always found her to be reasonable.

“As for me, I’m getting on with her better than ever. I clicked with her the moment we met, and really love the old dear—not that she’s that old, I suppose.

“She has told me she is ashamed of the way Jane must have acted, and she wants me to know she bears no grudge against me, and welcomes me into the house whenever I like. ‘Please keep in touch,’ sort of thing. My problem is with Jane and trying to get her housed somewhere.”

“What about getting married?” I asked.

“Jane’s mother is totally against the idea. She flew into a rage when it was broached.”

So, the unhappy pair plodded on. Jim found adequate accommodation for Jane, and paid the bills and did his share in looking after her, which in these modern times is really something. So often, when there is talk of a child, the father-to-be simply vanishes into space. I must say I admired him for his stand. What’s more, he kept in close touch with Jane’s mother, and did his best to lead her tactfully around to accepting the idea of reinstating her daughter.

University students well know that beggars can’t be choosers, for funds are invariably scant. Relying on the home front is important when you are an impoverished student.

With Jim’s tact, he finally talked Jane’s mother around to accepting the idea that Jane was pregnant. In fact, she gradually became enthusiastic, and more and more overjoyed at the idea that she would be a grandmother. This would be her first grandchild.

“Things are going fine,” Jim said one day when he called around to give me the latest progress report. In fact, I found myself becoming more and more involved with this lovely pair of kids in strife.

“Glad to hear it,” I replied.

“Yes, Jane is back home. Her mum has fully accepted the situation, and now says she will fully support the whole thing, and in fact is really looking forward to the baby, and can hardly wait till she is a granny. How is that?”

“It sounds fine,” I answered, really happy that the family was becoming reunited again.

*25/76/5*

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(posted in General health)

ABOUT MARRIAGE: GENTLENESS BETWEEN PARTNERS

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 | 5:39 am

Some people try to enshroud sex with all sorts of mystique. Some try to make it look ugly, dirty, and associate it with greed, lust, promiscuity, disease, and so on. Perhaps these ideas are right under certain circumstances. But within the marriage bond, sex should be regarded as part of life, something physically available that can be enjoyed to the full extent.

With youth on your side, when your hormonal system is working to full capacity, as it certainly is in most couples of average marriageable age, this is the best time to make the most of what you have available.

But as everything else should be shared in a kindly manner, this applies to sex also. It is not there merely for the grabbing. Self-gratification by one partner to the complete disregard for the other will only bring ultimate unhappiness. Each should think of the other, their needs, their likes and dislikes, their mental and physical attitudes. It may take some time to work all this out, for the sexual prowess and capabilities of each will vary. It is an aspect that must be worked at, like all other aspects of married life.

It takes time, gentleness, persuasion. However, if each considers the needs and wants of the other, very soon an admirable sexual adjustment can be worked out.

The male who wants to indulge in intercourse every night, have his orgasm and roll over and be asleep in five minutes flat while his ever-loving wife is still somewhere up in the clouds waiting to achieve a climax of her own is thoughtless in the extreme. This situation is not likely to last indefinitely. One day she might just opt out and say, “I’ve had enough, young fellow. Life was meant for me to enjoy a bit of the cake too.” And he comes home from work one day and she is gone!

Don’t snigger and say, “What’s he talking about? Rubbish and nonsense.”

The hard, cold fact is that practically nearly every smashed-up marriage in this country (and every country for that matter) has sexual incompatibility as the basic cause. It goes by all sorts of strange names: “Mental cruelty,” “thoughtlessness,” “he beat me up,” “he was unkind,” “there were money problems.”

But look behind the scenes. Clear away the euphemisms, and usually (say about 90 per cent of the time, plus a little) sexual incompatibility, or downright pigheadedness, foolishness and selfishness at the sexual level are the basic causes.

It is food for thought. This will be dealt with in greater detail later on. It is mentioned at this point for its importance. Sexual compatibility is essential for a happy, long-lasting marriage. Sharing, consideration and being thoughtful and considerate of your partner are the basics of success in this field.

*11/76/5*

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(posted in General health)

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