by Diego Armando

Although it is rare for breast cancer to strike younger women, the fact remains that all women are at risk. And for those of childbearing age, the first sign and symptoms of breast cancer leading to a diagnosis can not only be upsetting and unexpected, but complicated as well.

Developing breast cancer at a younger age-in a woman's 40s, 30s, even 20s-will mean making important and difficult decisions about one's life and future perhaps much sooner than originally expected.

One concern is developing breast cancer during pregnancy, which although rare, can still occur. In this case, the treatment chosen will not only affect the patient and her body, but the growing baby inside her as well. It will depend on what stage of pregnancy she is in (first, second or third trimester) and what stage her cancer is in-such as whether or not it's advanced.

Most pregnant women can have treatment for their breast cancer without affecting the baby. But some might be advised by their obstetrician or health-care practitioner-or even decide themselves-to terminate the pregnancy, more so if the pregnancy is in its earlier stages, in order to receive certain treatments that would be too risky otherwise. But it is essential to remember that it is a woman's own decision-it is not medically necessary to terminate a pregnancy if the expectant mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. All it does is limit treatment options. Breast cancer itself will not affect the fetus-only certain tests and treatments will.

Generally speaking, tamoxifen, chemotherapy, radiation, and other drug-related therapies are avoided if the woman is pregnant because of their associated risks with birth defects. Tamoxifen, especially, is considered very unsafe because it is a hormonal therapy and is never recommended if the woman is pregnant or planning on conceiving.

Surgery-either a lumpectomy or mastectomy-is the most common and preferred method of treatment for breast cancer in pregnant women.

Another concern is whether or not breast cancer survivors can or should go on to have children after treatment and recovery. It's a very controversial issue with firm advocates on both sides of the debate.

There are two main questions here, for both the medical and health community and breast cancer survivors wanting their own children:

1) Do certain breast cancer treatments affect fertility?; and
2) Is it actually considered safe to conceive and carry a baby to term following breast cancer and breast cancer treatments?

As far as fertility goes, there is no definite answer here. For chemotherapy, it depends on the age and what specific drug was used-some affect fertility more than others. And taking tamoxifen after chemotherapy to prevent recurrence is not recommended if the woman desires to become pregnant right away. Although tamoxifen is sometimes used as a fertility treatment, there is evidence to suggest that it damages developing embryos, and therefore is not considered safe to use.

Many doctors caution these women to wait several years to ensure receiving the best breast cancer treatment possible and to go past the point of the biggest threat of breast cancer recurrence. But some women decide to go ahead and have babies anyway, since it's so important to them.

Footnote: Always check with your health professionals before making any decisions. As time passes medical breakthroughs may make the information in this article irrelevant.

by Wriley Baker

It's always a big deal when you're sending your baby off to daycare. You find yourself leaving your baby in the care of strangers even if they are qualified strangers. It means that you could miss some precious hours of your baby's life. However, if you're a working mom, you know that returning to work can be rewarding as well as necessary to sustain your family's quality of life.

When you're properly prepared for this type of situation it can really make a difference in the quality of the experience. Once you know that you have provided everything you can to make your baby's daycare experience a happy successful one then you can rest easy with the confidence that your baby will have all that he or she needs. There are things that you can do as a parent to get your baby ready for daycare.

One of the first most important things you can do is become familiar with the policies and procedures required by the daycare. Most daycares provide a manual for new clients explaining the basics. Usually there is a section the talks about whether or not meals are provided, where to park, important security details and the daycare's hours. In addition to that information there might be information on how to label bottles and food, times when it is appropriate to keep your child at home, and the daycare's disciplinary policies. Be sure to ask any questions by your child's first day.

It is imperative that you know the phone number for your daycare's main office, the phone number for your child's room and his room assignment. Should the director of the daycare have his or her own extension or phone number it is a good idea to keep that number handy or saved with other important contact information just in case you need to discuss a problem with them that can't be worked out directly with the teacher.

The day care may also give you a list of essential items to bring with your baby on their first day. It could include items such as blankets, bibs, a pacifier, extra premised formula or breast milk, diapers and wipes. By having these items packed and ready you will have one less thing to worry about on the first day. Luckily all of the items your baby might need can be found at Babies R Us. They've got everything from diapers and bibs to toys and formula.

Make sure to finalize last minute details. Once you're a week or so away from your child's first day of daycare, review materials that have been provided to make sure that you have completed all of the necessary paperwork. The paperwork could include verification of required immunizations, a doctor's note for required medications or authorization for emergency medical transportation. It would be in your best interested to have this paperwork completed and submitted before the first day in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

by Kelly Nixon

Midwifery has been a popular job that provides health care to pregnant women makes it a rewarding experience and a widely sought career. The salaries vary depending on the experience and is very competitive. Midwives are hired by pregnant women who opt to have their baby born at home in comfort and privacy. Let's learn more about the roles of a midwife.

Midwives in general takes care of pregnant women. Midwives are there to assist pregnant women all through out the pregnancy and even after the baby is born. This means the midwife must attend to her patient when she is in labor until she delivers a child.

The prenatal period is also a part of the pregnancy that midwives help women. As the woman waits for her time to deliver a baby, one major task of a midwife is to provide the necessary assistance and care to her patient. She must make sure her patient learns how to take of herself to avoid miscarriage and other problems.

A midwife does not only take care of the pregnant woman but also to the newborn child. Before and after the birth, a midwife is expected to monitor the condition of the baby so she can give necessary medications for the pregnant mother or the baby. She should also help educate the parents about how to breast feed and baby sit and all the other stuff that parents need to know.

After the birthing process, the least task of every midwife is to give advice and information to both parents. It is mostly information regarding nutrition and how to take care of the baby that she offers to the parents in order for the newborn to be taken well cared for.

You have just read the different roles that a midwife has. A midwife not just helps during the delivery but in educating the parents and the people about what to do before and after the delivery as well. Midwives can be trusted in their expert professional skills for assisting you during labor and delivery