I AM GOING TO HAVE A BABY ABROAD ...             
 

 

 

 

 

SOME ILLNESSES

 
 
 RHESUS INCOMPATIBILITY  :
 
 
If the mother has a negative Rh blood and if the father has a positive one there is a risk of incompatibility between the foetus and the mother. Indeed in most cases the father gives a positive rhesus to the baby, which increases this risk of incompatibility.
 
The risk is higher at the delivery : blood cells from the positive baby might go through the placenta into the mother blood. The mother's body will try to destroy these cells by forming antibodies to Rh+.
 
For the first pregnancy there is generally no problem. However the incompatibility is likely to happen at the second pregnancy if the baby is Rh+. (Note : abortion and miscarriages are considered as pregnancy, so if you have aborted or miscarried tell it to the doctor).
 
The solutions consist in giving an injection of anti-rhesus globulin to the mother when Rh+ blood cells from the baby are found into Rh- mother.(French term : une injection de gammaglobulines). In extreme cases the doctor may decide to change the whole baby' s blood (French term : exsanguino-transfusion). However it is very rare to do it because of the preventive cure of anti-rhesus globulin injection treatment.
 
 
 TOXOPLASMOSIS  :
 
It is a very common illness in France, especially due to nutrition habits. Indeed this illness is due to a parasite found in not enough cooked pork and lamb meat.
 
80% of French women have caught the illness without knowing it. Indeed for a non pregnant woman the illness is benign. The symptoms are little fever, tiredness, muscular pain.
 

During the first term it is not common that the toxoplasmosis parasite goes through the placenta. But when it is the case, it provokes miscarriage.

After the fifth month, it can go through the placenta and provokes visual or brain malformations.
 
If you are not immune to toxoplasmosis you will be asked to do a blood test every month.
 
 
How to avoid catching toxoplasmosis :
 
don't eat raw or bloody meat, but well done one.
 
avoid cats because the parasite is carried by cat faeces.
 
for the same reason, garden with gloves.
 
wash properly vegetables and fruits before eating them.
 
 
 DOWN' S SYNDROME OR MONGOLISM  :
 
During the visit of the 4th month you will have a discussion with the gynaecologist about the risks of having an abnormal baby and about the tests to do to know it. This difficult subject had already been brought up at the 1st scan prescription. Indeed for the measure of the nape of the baby.
 
Mongolism is the result of a chromosomal abnormality : the foetus has an extra chromosome. The cause of this abnormality is unknown. Doctors just know that the risk is emphasized by the age of the mother, and by the heredity factor.
 
Analyses are not compulsory : the doctor will explain mongolism to the parents, and ask them if they agree to make the tests. The result comes around 3 or 4 weeks after, which is very long when you are waiting for the final answer
 
Moreover, through the discussion with the gynaecologist, you will understand how much it is difficult to know if the baby you are waiting for is abnormal. Therefore if you are absolutely against abortion, even for medical reasons, don't ask for the test.
 
There are two major tests which are done in France, even if the 1st scan has revealed a normal size of the nape. However none of them can be done without your authorisation. It is a blood test for :
 
searching the presence of the hormone responsible for mongolism (it is called HT21 analysis),
 
searching the alpha fetoprotein responsible for brain development abnormality or for the spina-bifida.
 
In case the risk of having a Down's syndrome baby is suspected either by the 1st scan or by blood tests, an amniocentesis will be prescribed to confirm the blood result.
 
 
 PRE - ECLAMPTIC TOXEMIA.:
 

(French term : Toxémie gravidine.)

It is a disease provoked directly by the pregnancy.
 
The symptoms of pre-eclamptic toxemia are :
 
swelling of hands and fingers, feet and ankles
 
excessive and rapid weight gain
 
an increase of blood pressure
 
albumin in urine
 
headaches
 
visual disturbance
 
These symptoms show kidneys damage.
Young women and especially those who are pregnant for the first time are the most affected by the illness.
 
How to fight pre-eclamptic toxemia :
 
to rest in bed
 
some doctors prescribed a diet without salt.
 
Generally pre-eclamptic toxemia disappears progressively.
 
Consequences on the baby : If you are not cured, the consequences could be serious for the baby :