Disruptive pregnancy

Author(s):  
Alexandra Fanghanel

This chapter examines what happens when the pregnant body in public space is perceived to be troublesome, or, because of its ambiguous position, disruptive. This chapter focuses on the pregnant body in public space as a sexualized body. Running through this chapter are snippets of sex advice given to pregnant women in specialist magazines. The first part examines representation of sexualised pregnant bodies in mainstream discourses; notably ‘sexy’ pregnancy photoshoots and advertising. The concept of herethical sexual ethics is analysed in dialogue with these representations of motherhood-to-come (Kristeva, 1985). The second part of the chapter draws on data from women in the USA and UK to examine sexual harassment of pregnant women. Sexual harassment is a mode of gender exclusion, in any case. When women who are pregnant experience sexual harassment in pregnancy, it becomes a further technique of control, fuelled by rape culture, which codes public spaces as places in which pregnant women do not belongThis chapter establishes how norms of pregnancy uphold heteropatriarchal performances of, and interactions with, gender and sexuality in public space. It argues that mobilising becoming-minoritarian politics established by Deleuze and Guattari and the herethical approaches of Kristeva, we start to set the scene for a guerrilla war machine to emerge.

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Folashade Ogunmodede ◽  
Jeffery L. Jones ◽  
Joni Scheftel ◽  
Elizabeth Kirkland ◽  
Jay Schulkin ◽  
...  

Background:Listeriosis is a food-borne disease often associated with ready-to-eat foods. It usually causes mild febrile gastrointestinal illness in immunocompetent persons. In pregnant women, it may cause more severe infection and often crosses the placenta to infect the fetus, resulting in miscarriage, fetal death or neonatal morbidity. Simple precautions during pregnancy can prevent listeriosis. However, many women are unaware of these precautions and listeriosis education is often omitted from prenatal care.Methods:Volunteer pregnant women were recruited to complete a questionnaire to assess their knowledge of listeriosis and its prevention, in two separate studies. One study was a national survey of 403 women from throughout the USA, and the other survey was limited to 286 Minnesota residents.Results:In the multi-state survey, 74 of 403 respondents (18%) had some knowledge of listeriosis, compared with 43 of 286 (15%) respondents to the Minnesota survey. The majority of respondents reported hearing about listeriosis from a medical professional. In the multi-state survey, 33% of respondents knew listeriosis could be prevented by not eating delicatessen meats, compared with 17% in the Minnesota survey (p= 0.01). Similarly, 31% of respondents to the multi-state survey compared with 19% of Minnesota survey respondents knew listeriosis could be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized dairy products (p = 0.05). As for preventive behaviors, 18% of US and 23% of Minnesota respondents reported avoiding delicatessen meats and ready-to-eat foods during pregnancy, whereas 86% and 88%, respectively, avoided unpasteurized dairy products.Conclusions:Most pregnant women have limited knowledge of listeriosis prevention. Even though most respondents avoided eating unpasteurized dairy products, they were unaware of the risk associated with ready-to-eat foods. Improved education of pregnant women regarding the risk and sources of listeriosis in pregnancy is needed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (10) ◽  
pp. 1503-1509 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. JACKSON ◽  
M. IWAMOTO ◽  
D. SWERDLOW

SUMMARYInfection by Listeria monocytogenes in pregnant women may result in fetal loss or invasive disease in the newborn. We examined listeriosis cases reported through the U.S. Listeria Initiative during 2004–2007. Cases were classified as pregnancy-associated if illness occurred in a pregnant woman or an infant aged <28 days. Of 758 reported Listeria cases, 128 (16·9%) were pregnancy-associated. Maternal infection resulted in four neonatal deaths and 26 (20·3%) fetal losses. Invasive illnesses in newborns (n=85) were meningitis (32·9%) and sepsis (36·5%). Pregnant women with Listeria were more likely to report Hispanic ethnicity (52·8% vs. 25·6%, respectively; OR 3·3 95% CI 2·2–4·8) than mothers giving live birth in the USA during 2005 and were more likely to report consumption of Mexican-style cheese (OR 2·6, 95% CI 1·6–4·2) than were non-pregnant patients with Listeria infection. Pregnant woman comprised a considerable proportion of reported listeriosis cases. Further declines in pregnancy-associated listeriosis will require education about avoiding high-risk foods, and continued regulatory and industry efforts to decrease Listeria in foods.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Taylor ◽  
J. Golding ◽  
A. M. Emond

For heavy metals that have any degree of transfer though the placenta to the fetus, it is unlikely that there are safe limits for maternal blood levels. The only means of reducing fetal exposure is to minimise maternal exposure. There are few recommendations for levels of concern. With the exception of US recommendations for maternal Pb levels, but there are no international levels of concern or cut-off levels specifically for pregnancy for heavy metals, so that comparisons can generally only be made with national reference values relating to similar physiological statuses or age groups. These include recommendations for Cd levels by Germany (reference value for non-smoking adults aged 18–69 years, 1 µg/l) and for Hg by Germany (reference value for adults age 18–60 years with fish intake ⩽3 times per month, 2.0 µg/l) and the USA (cut-off level for women, 5.8 µg/dl). To illustrate the lack of cohesion, we present data on blood Pb, Cd and Hg levels from pregnant women enroled in the UK Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children study and compare the values with present levels of concern and recommended cut-off values. We also compare the levels with those found in other groups of pregnant women worldwide to strengthen the database for the development of levels of concern in pregnancy. The need for clarity of terminology in describing levels of concern is discussed. There is a pressing need for international consensus on levels of concern for all age groups and physiological statuses, particularly for pregnancy.


Author(s):  
Alexandra Fanghanel

This chapter builds on themes established in previous chapters by examining these potentialities in relation to the creation of war machines and establishment of a praxis (Freire, 1968). I return to a consideration of how the guerrilla war machine works in relation to State apparatus which produces codes in public space which, for instance, privilege certain types of body over others. I consider how we might create a war machine and imagine how this might foster the sort of molecular revolution which alters what dominant systems of exclusion, marginalization and commodification might do.Mobilising some politics of ‘making the familiar strange’ (Brecht, 1996 [1964/1935]), of critical exteriority (Kristeva, 1981; Lorde, 1984), and of disinvestment from power (Freire, 2017 [1970/1986]), it does offer some ways in which to conceive of different ‘Becomings-’ and alternative imaginations of social, spatial, gendered justice.


Author(s):  
Dr. Archana Mohana ◽  
Dr. Sujata Badoniya

The Aim of this study is to Review the timing of intervention which will provide the Best Outcome in Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy. Hypothyroid pregnant women are appropriately managed with regular antenatal checkup and thyroxine therapy during pregnancy, a good maternal and fetal outcome can be achieved and congenital cretinism and other neuro developmental sequele in the offspring can be averted. Keywords: Intervention, Hyperthyroidism, Pregnancy & Thyroid disease.


1965 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Aboul-Khair ◽  
J. Crooks

ABSTRACT Studies of iodine metabolism have been carried out in 15 pregnant women, 33 cases with sporadic goitre and 11 with thyrotoxicosis. A low plasma inorganic iodine was common to the three groups. In pregnancy and sporadic goitre the thyroid clearance of iodine was elevated and the absolute iodine uptake normal. A high thyroid clearance of iodine in thyrotoxicosis was associated with a high absolute iodine uptake. The results suggest that both pregnancy and sporadic goitre are physiological responses to an iodine deficiency state while the iodine deficiency state of thyrotoxicosis is secondary to increased thyroid activity.


1960 ◽  
Vol XXXV (IV) ◽  
pp. 575-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Borel ◽  
J. Frei ◽  
A. Vannotti

ABSTRACT Enzymatic studies, on leucocytes of pregnant women, show an increase of the alkaline phosphatase activity and a decrease of the glucose consumption and lactate production, as well as of proteolysis. The oxygen consumption, with succinate as substrate, does not vary.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tabeta Seeiso ◽  
Mamutle M. Todd-Maja

Antenatal care (ANC) literacy is particularly important for pregnant women who need to make appropriate decisions for care during their pregnancy and childbirth. The link between inadequate health literacy on the educational components of ANC and maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undisputable. Yet, little is known about the ANC literacy of pregnant women in SSA, with most studies inadequately assessing the four critical components of ANC literacy recommended by the World Health Organization, namely danger signs in pregnancy; true signs of labour; nutrition; and preparedness for childbirth. Lesotho, a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in SSA, is also underexplored in this research area. This cross-sectional study explored the levels of ANC literacy and the associated factors in 451 purposively sampled women in two districts in Lesotho using a structured questionnaire, making recourse to statistical principles. Overall, 16.4 per cent of the participants had grossly inadequate ANC literacy, while 79.8 per cent had marginal levels of such knowledge. The geographic location and level of education were the most significant predictors of ANC literacy, with the latter variable further subjected to post hoc margins test with the Bonferroni correction. The participants had the lowest scores on knowledge of danger signs in pregnancy and true signs of labour. Adequate ANC literacy is critical to reducing maternal mortality in Lesotho. Improving access to ANC education, particularly in rural areas, is recommended. This study also provides important recommendations critical to informing the national midwifery curriculum.


2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Sharmeen ◽  
PA Shamsunnahar ◽  
TR Laita ◽  
SB Chowdhury

Objectives: Thyroid disorders are among the common endocrine problems in pregnant women. It is now well established that not only overt but subclinical thyroid dysfunction also has adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome. There are few data from Bangladesh about the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy. With this background, this study aims to find out thyroid dysfunction (both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism) in pregnancy and its impact on obstetrical outcome.Methods: We studied the evaluation of 50 admitted pregnancies corresponding to 29 women with subclinical hypothyroidism and rest 21 was overt hypothyroidism. Detailed history and examination were performed. Apart from routine obstetrical investigations, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) estimation was done. Their obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were noted.Results: Overt hypothyroidism was significantly (p<0.05) higher in 25 to 44 years age group. However two and three abortions were significantly (p<0.05) higher in overt hypothyroidism patients. In sub clinical hypothyroidism 86.2% conceived firstly within 2 years and 66.7% in overt hypothyroidism patients conceived firstly in between 3 to 5 years after marriage. Overt hypothyroids were prone to have pregnancy-induced hypertension 42.9%, intrauterine growth restriction (P=0.001) and gestational diabetes (38.1%) as compared to subclinical cases. Neonatal complications were significantly more in overt hypothyroidism group. Mean TSH level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in overt hypothyroidism patients but mean FT4 level was almost similar in both groups. Majority of the patient underwent caesarean section in both groups due to associated medical and obstetrical complications. None of the babies showed hypothyroidism by cord blood tests. In this analysis our results showed that overt hypothyroidism among Bangladeshi pregnant women are associated with more maternal complication & adverse parental outcome than subclinical hypothyroidism. The adequate treatment of hypothyroidism during gestation minimizes risks and generally, makes it possible for pregnancies to be carried to term without complications. Significant adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcome were seen emphasizing the importance of routine antenatal thyroid screening.Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2014; 40 (2): 52-57


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chonge Kitojo ◽  
Frank Chacky ◽  
Emmanuel S. Kigadye ◽  
Joseph P. Mugasa ◽  
Abdallah Lusasi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tanzania started implementing single screening and treatment (SST) for all pregnant women attending their first antenatal care (ANC) visits in 2014, using malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and treating those who test positive according to the national guidelines. However, there is a paucity of data to show the acceptability of SST to both pregnant women and health care workers (HCWs), taking into consideration the shortage of workers and the added burden of this policy to the health system. This study assessed the perceptions and opinions of health service users and providers to determine the acceptability of SST policy. Methods Pregnant women and HCWs in eight health facilities in two districts of Lindi region (Kilwa and Lindi) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires with open and close-ended questions. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, including demographic characteristics, women’s experience, their perception on SST and challenges they face when receiving services for malaria offered at ANC. Experience of HCWs regarding the implementation of SST as part of routine services and the challenges encountered when providing ANC services for malaria in pregnancy (MIP) were also assessed. Results Of the 143 pregnant women interviewed, 97% viewed testing favourably and would wish to be tested for malaria again, while 95% were satisfied with services and reasons for testing during the first ANC visit. Nearly all (99%) would recommend their fellow pregnant women to be tested for malaria and all women recommended that the Ministry of Health should continue the SST strategy. This was despite the fact that 76% of the women experienced pain and 16% had anxiety as a result of finger prick. Sixteen HCWs (mostly nurses) were interviewed; they also viewed SST implementation favourably and reported feeling empowered to use RDTs for malaria screening. The main challenge identified by HCWs was that nurses are not allowed to prescribe anti-malarials to women who test positive and need to refer them to the outpatient department for treatment. Conclusion SST was considered an acceptable approach to control MIP by HCWs and pregnant women, and they recommended the continuation of the policy. In addition, consideration should be given to implementing a task-shifting policy to allow nurses to dispense anti-malarials to pregnant women.


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