Lactation

Lactation or the secretion of milk and its discharge from the breasts in suckling is the function of the breast.

This may be considered in two phases:

        1: The secretion of milk

       2: Its discharge from the breast.

There is a little secretion in the breasts from the sixteenth week of pregnancy which keeps the ducts open and ready to function. After the birth of a baby a thin fluid, called COLOSTRUM, which is rich in protein, is secreted during the first 2-3 days;then a free flow of milk is established, gradually becoming 

Mature milk. A hormone of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland prolactin is important in stimulating the secretion of milk.The maintenance of this secretion is controlled by hormones from the anterior pituitary and the thyroid glands.A nursing mother needs encouragement,especially with a first baby,to establish normal lactation.This does not depend only on the suckling efforts of the infant but also on a mechanism in the breast which by contraction expels milk from the alveoli about breast feeding, can influence lactation, but with knowledge, practice and relaxation, this relationship between mother and baby can be happily established.

Disorders of the Breast

During lactation, in particular, a milk duct may become obstructed when a cyst which is called a galactocele  may form. Infection may occur in any part of  the of the breast , more usually during lactation.

    The breast tissue may be the site of either simple or malingnant tumour. The latter is fairly common in the breast and therefore any irregularity,swelling or contraction of the breast  should at once be seen by a surgeon.In any infection or tumour of the breast the axillary lymphatic glands may be affected.Both infection and carcinoma are spread by permeation of the surrounding structures and by infiltration of the lymphatics.

Signs of Pregnancy & Early Pregnancy Symptoms:

It would not  be difficult knowing that the woman  were pregnant if the uterus came complete with flashing lights and twirling tassels which activate when origin has occured! But unfortunately, the only pregnancy symptoms we can rely on hormonal changes that occur within in our body.

You may begin noticing pregnancy symptoms and be able to notice pregnancy after implantation, which occurs from around 7 to 10 days post ovulation. If you have conceived, the embryo starts to create hCG after implantation and not before, so it is not possible to notice pregnancy or have pregnancy symptoms prior to this time. So the longer you stay to test after ovulation, the more precise the result will be and the darker the potential positive test line may be. Pregnancy testing should ideally be done from the day your period would have been due.

Morning Sickness:

Morning sickness : 

Morning sickness  is another well known pregnancy symptom. It is not bad for the health of the woman.Morning sickness can pay you a visit any time of day, so make sure eat sufficient and avoid letting your blood sugar levels drop. Ginger is a great natural medicine for nausea so it is worth a try, although some women find that nothing seems to help their morning sickness, which usually hangs around for the first trimester before getting better or if you are unlucky, the second trimester or even whole pregnancy.

Missed / No Period:

One of the first pregnancy symptoms that the woman may notice is that the period does not arrive. Although this symptom is one we commonly associate

with pregnancy, there may be other reasons that why a period has not arrived, for example,it my be not arrived due to high levels of stress, major illness or surgery. On the other hand, it is possible to continue to have  periods during pregnancy. Some women may bleed for just a few months or even their whole pregnancy.

Breast Changes During Pregnancy:

The early symptoms of pregnancy that the women may notice is changes in the breasts, including:

1:Nipples may be sensitive and tender. some women explain their nipples to be irritatingly sensitive!

2:Breasts may be painful and / or lumpy

3:Nipples may deepen in colour

4: In the breast area, Veins may become more noticeable and enlarged .

5:circles around the nipples appear.

6:The little ‘bumps’ on your areolas (Montgomery’s Tubercles) may increase and / or enlargen

Increased Cervical Mucus:

A flow in progesterone often results in a surge of soft cervical mucus production. Some women may notice a little and some notice much more.

Cramping

This symptom of early pregnancy can also be an uncomforting one for parents-to-be, as regularly there is a fear of miscarriage. However, even when not pregnant, the uterus is continuously contracting. When the woman pregnant, the foetus pushes and  grows against the walls of the uterus, which causes it to contract. It is very normal.

Women can have both bleeding and cramping in pregnancy and be able to continue on with a healthy pregnancy.

Signs of Pregnancy & Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Constipation & Wind:

When the woman is pregnant , hormones increased which can effect on the intestines, making them more relaxed –it makes the more space for the baby as the uterus expands. As a result the women may get constipation. But there are some constipation remedies available from the pharmacist that are safe for pregnancy.

Sense of Smell:

Food and cooking smells are usually the culprit, however every woman is different and may dislike all sorts of smells.

Nasal Stuffiness / Colds:

At an early age, a foetus is very clever. In a healthy pregnancy, the immune system is prevented and suppressed from rejecting and attacking the foetus as if it were an foreign object by hormones and antibodies the foetus produces. The antibodies also take part in the development and growth of the placenta. Due to the hormonal changes to your immune system,women are more susceptible to colds and flu.

Cravings / Changes in Taste:

When the woman is pregnant ,the hormone level in the blood can reflect in saliva. A metallic taste in the mouth alters the taste of foods that usually enjoy. Some women will not eat meat and some women gag when brushing their teeth from their toothpaste!

Change in Colour of Vagina:

When the woman is pregnant ,then the level of blood is increased in the pelvic region, then vagina will appear more purplish than normal.

What is pregnancy?

Pregnancy is the word which is  used to describe when a woman has a rising fetus inside of her. In most cases, the fetus grows in the uterus.

Pregnancy in Human lasts about 40 weeks, or just more than 9 months, from the start of the last menstrual period to childbirth.

What are the signs of pregnancy?

Missing of one or more consecutive menstrual periods is the primary sign of pregnancy.  However, because many women experience menstrual irregularities that may reason missed periods, the women who miss a period should see their cunsultant doctor,to find out whether they are pregnant or whether there is another health problem.

Others signs and symptoms of pregnancy may include:

       1:Morning sickness, Nausea or vomiting

       2: Fatigue

       3:Fatigue Sore breasts or nipples

       4: Food cravings or aversions

       5: Headaches

       6:Mood swings

       7;Frequent urination