What are Squamous Epithelial Cells (SECs)?
Squamous epithelium is a layer of skin that covers most of the body. It’s purpose is to protect our bodies from infection and keep us healthy. SECs are cells found inside the squamous lining of your mouth, nose, throat, esophagus, stomach and intestines. They’re responsible for protecting these organs from bacteria and viruses. They also help regulate mucus production in the lungs.
How do they get into my urine?
The answer lies in how you drink your water. If you have a glass or plastic bottle, it contains no filter material and therefore allows any liquid to pass through the cap. When drinking from a cup, there is usually some sort of filter on top which prevents the liquid from entering your bladder. However, if you use a straw, the liquid will enter your bladder directly.
Why do I need to worry about them?
If you drink too much water and don’t replace it with enough food or drink regularly, you could develop kidney stones or other health problems. These problems can cause pain and discomfort in the kidneys and may even lead to death. You’ll probably notice that your urine becomes cloudy when this happens. If you want, you can test your urine’s ph level at home with a ph tester. Most home-ph testers use a color-based scale and will usually turn different colors based on the liquids you place on it. If you want to be sure about your ph levels, go see a doctor or go to an urgent care clinic and they’ll check it for you.
What if I have too many SECs in my urine?
This isn’t a very common occurrence, but drinking excessive amounts of water in a day can lead to an increased number of SECs in your urine. If you notice an increase of these cells, it’s a good idea to cut back on your water consumption and drink more milk or eat more yogurt. Some types of milk can also help enhance your immune system which may help protect against infection.
How do I get rid of the cells?
If you don’t want to drink more water, there are a few things you can do to flush out the excess SECs from your body. One way to get rid of these cells is to force yourself to vomit. If you feel sick to your stomach or have a sour taste in your mouth, go ahead and vomit. It’ll help get rid of some of the extra liquid from your body. You can also try to do some stretching exercises. Stretching your legs, arms, back and other muscles can help relieve the pressure in your bladder. If you continue to feel sick, go see a doctor immediately because you might have developed an infection or some other condition that needs immediate attention.
What if I have too few SECs in my urine?
If you notice that you have too few SECs in your urine, you may have a condition known as diabetes. This is because the cells that produce and store insulin, known as beta cells, have been destroyed. If this is the case, you need to go see a doctor immediately. Having too few SECs in your urine is a sign of diabetes and can lead to blindness, coma and even death.
What do I do if I think I’m leaking SECs?
If you feel like you’re constantly leaking SECs into your underwear or pants, there are a couple things you can do. One way to remedy this problem is to wear a pad or panty liner. These generally disposable and can be bought at most convenience stores or grocery stores. Try not to wear these for more than a few hours at a time because they can cause rashes after extended use. If you’re worried about having an accident and aren’t near a store, carry some with you in a bag or purse.
Another way to remedy this problem is to wear absorbent socks or underwear. These can be worn just like regular underwear and will absorb any moisture that leaks through. If you don’t want to wear these all the time, you can keep a few pairs in your locker at school, in your backpack and in your car. This way, when you know you might leak, you can put a fresh pair on before you leave your house.
What should I do if I’m leaking SECs everywhere?
If you’re leaking SECs everywhere, it’s best to change immediately into a pair of absorbent socks or underwear and change again as soon as you can. Try not to go too long without changing because urinary tract infections and other problems can occur when you don’t clean yourself properly. If you have a bottle or jug that can be used for containment, use it to collect the SECs that are leaking. This can either be poured down a toilet or thrown away according to the rules from your municipal government.
What should I do if I’m leaking SECs in public?
If you’re leaking SECs and don’t have any way to stop the flow, try to find the nearest bathroom as quickly as you can. If there is none in sight and you can’t hold it any longer, you’ll have no choice but to “leak” in your clothing. Try to cover yourself with your hands and quickly find a place where you can safely clean up.
It’s best not to worry about the people around you because they’re more concerned with themselves and getting home than with your leakage. If anyone gives you a weird look, just pretend that it’s raining and pull your hood up over your head. Chances are, unless someone already knows, they’ll never even know. Please remember that if you do “leak” in your clothing, it’s best to dispose of them in the trash so no one else will use them.
What are some good resources I can read to learn more about incontinence?
There are a lot of great articles online that you can learn from. Here are some of the best:
“Living With Incontinence” By The Mayo Clinic: This is a great website put out by one of the most trusted medical organizations in the world. They have a lot of information, and even a questionnaire that will help you determine whether or not you may have incontinence issues.
“Incontinence” From Medline Plus: This is a government run website with an abundance of information on a variety of health topics. This page in particular has a lot of great information on causes and treatments for stress incontinence.
“Living with a Heavy Flow” From The Girl’s Guide to Depening: This is a great guide that was written by a young woman who suffers from stress incontinence. It has a lot of good tips and tricks for dealing with heavy flow days, as well as stories from other women suffering from the same problem.
“The Poise Guide for Women With Incontinence” From Amoena: This is a great publication put out by a company that specializes in products to help with incontinence. While it’s more product focused, the guide has some great information on causes and treatment of stress incontinence.
“Stress Incontinence” From The Mayo Clinic: This is the Mayo Clinic’s own page on stress incontinence. It has a lot of great information and even gives some info on surgical methods to correct the problem.
“Stress Incontinence: What You Need to Know” From Medline Plus: This is a government run website with an abundance of information on a variety of health topics. This page in particular has a lot of information on the topic, from causes to methods of treatment.
“Incontinence in Children” From The Mayo Clinic: This page has some great information on incontinence in children. While adults and children suffer from different types, the page has lots of good basic information on the topic.
“Incontinence in Children” From Medline Plus: This is a government run website with an abundance of information on a variety of health topics. This page in particular has a lot of great information on incontinence in children.
“Children’s Incontinence Products” From Amoena: This is a great guide from a company that specializes in products to help with incontinence. The guide has some general information about children and incontinence, but also has suggestions for specific products.
“Incontinence and the Childbearing Year” From the Continence Foundation of Australia: This isn’t a guide, but an extensive list of resources on incontinence. While it doesn’t have much general information on the topic, it has a lot of great resources for finding out more about it.
I’ve suffered from incontinence my whole life and have never been able to do anything about it.
Now that I’m pregnant, what can I do to manage it?
First and foremost, don’t despair! Pregnancy can exacerbate any condition you already have, and incontinence is no exception. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your options. You may find that your incontinence gets worse as the weight of the baby puts more pressure on your bladder, or it could be caused by pressure from the uterus. There are a number of things your doctor may be able to do to help alleviate the symptoms.
Not everyone who suffers from incontinence is a candidate for surgery. If you don’t have insurance or your insurance won’t cover the procedure, you may find the costs prohibitive. Many doctors won’t perform the procedure unless you’re experiencing problems, as it’s not likely to help if you don’t need it. Even those who are candidates may not find it helpful.
While some people find that incontinence surgery has given them their lives back, others find that it hasn’t helped at all. Your doctor will be able to help you decide if you’re a candidate, and help you navigate the insurance quagmire, as well as tell you whether they think the surgery will help or not.
Before you make any decisions, though, be sure to do your research! Check out lots of informational resources online. Many incontinence sufferers have left first person accounts of their experiences with different surgical options and how they worked (or didn’t work) for them. There are a lot of resources out there to help you make an informed decision for yourself.
Once you’ve decided if surgery is the right choice for you, your next step is to talk to your doctor about what your options are and go from there. Good luck!
Incontinence is really common after child birth, but how can you prevent it from happening?
While there’s no sure fire way to prevent incontinence after labor and delivery, there are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of getting it. First and foremost, if you find that your baby is bigger than average or was in the womb for a longer period of time than most (as some doctors like to point out to new parents), let your doctor know. Your doctor can then keep a closer eye on you and decide if you need to be induced or have your delivery expedited if your baby is larger than normal. Additionally, there are things you can do in the last month or two of your pregnancy to help ensure an easier delivery:
Don’t lift anything heavy
Don’t smoke (duh!)
Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine
Get exercise (walking is great! Just don’t overdo it. Talk to your doctor first if you haven’t been exercising at all)
Wear support hose to help with swelling and keep from damaging your veins
Don’t stand for long periods of time
Eat healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, lean meat, low fat dairy)
Rest as often as you can
Expect the unexpected. Nothing is certain! You could go into labor early, or not at all. You could have a large baby or a small one.
Your water could break prematurely or you could go into labor days or even weeks late. While doing all the things listed above will certainly help, the only thing you can truly control is yourself! Getting enough rest, eating properly, and staying as stress free as you can will all help your body prepare for labor and delivery. Don’t worry if you don’t do all of these things perfectly. Just try your best. Not smoking and not drinking are probably the two most important things you can do.
Labor is something that has to be experienced to be understood.
What was your experience like?
While everyone’s labor is different, there are some similarities. You’ll probably start out with mild contractions, which are similar to really bad menstrual cramps. They come in sets and get closer together as your labor goes on. In the beginning you may have a long period of time between contractions, followed by a shorter period of time before the next one hits. As labor progresses, the time decreases until you’re practically in transition and having constant contractions. The best thing you can do for yourself is to focus on relaxing during each contraction. Find a pain relief method that works for you! Some common options are given below, but if none of these work for you, your midwife or doctor should have other suggestions.
As far as actual pushing, this can last anywhere from thirty minutes to several hours. For some women it’s very quick and easy, and for others it’s very long and difficult. If you’ve done all the preparation for labor and delivery by getting proper rest, eating well, and staying stress free as much as possible, you should be in a good position to have an easier labor and delivery.
Most women have an epidural to help with pain relief during labor and delivery. Epidurals are administered through injections in your back that block the sensation in your body from the waist down. It basically makes you numb from the waist down, and also can have an effect similar to that of anesthesia. You’re completely aware of everything going on, but you simply can’t feel anything!
Your doctor or midwife can still perform all the necessary procedures to help with your delivery while you’re numb from the waist down. An epidural can be administered several hours before you start actively pushing, so this is definitely a pain relief method to consider if you think you’ll need it.
Most women will begin to feel the urge to push sometime during active labor. The active phase of your labor is the time period right before your cervix is completely dilated to ten centimeters. During this phase you may have strong urges to push, even though the doctor or midwife may not tell you it’s time to start pushing. This could last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
It’s a good idea to let your doctor or midwife determine when the time is right for you to start pushing, but if you’re feeling the urge and they haven’t said it’s time yet, don’t be afraid to let them know.
Once your doctor or midwife gives the word that you can start pushing, this is often the easiest part of labor for most women. This is where all your hard work in preparing for labor pays off, because you’re finally able to push the baby out. This part of labor tends to be the shortest. You’ll push the baby out and experience the greatest moment in your life when you first see your new baby.
Some women are able to deliver their babies with no complications and have an easy first stage of labor followed by a quick and easy pushing stage. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone. The second stage of labor begins when your cervix is fully dilated, and you begin the process of pushing the baby out. The second stage of labor tends to be a lot longer than the first stage, and it tends to be a lot more difficult physically.
The second stage of labor begins when your cervix is fully dilated and you begin the process of pushing the baby out.
As with the first stage of labor, there are many things you can do to prepare for the second stage. One of the most important ones is making sure you’ve selected your doctor or midwife well. You don’t want to choose someone who doesn’t have a lot of experience with home births and/or has a policy against doing them. You also want to make sure you’re comfortable with this person, because you’ll be in contact with them throughout the entire second stage of labor.
The second stage of labor tends to be a lot longer than the first stage.
The second stage of labor tends to last anywhere from thirty minutes to six hours. The average length of time for the second stage of labor is usually ninety minutes, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve given birth within this length of time, or you may have problems. You and your doctor or midwife will work together to determine whether you’ll need extra time, or if you’re progressing at a normal pace.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re mentally prepared for the process of giving birth. While it’s very rare, some women experience fear or even panic when giving birth. This is known as birth trauma , and while everyone hopes it doesn’t happen to them, it can be very serious. You don’t want to complicate your labor simply because you’re having a panic attack while trying to give birth.
If you think this may be an issue for you, it’s best to speak with your doctor or midwife about how to handle the situation before it happens.
In addition to thinking about how you’ll handle the birth, you also need to think about your surroundings and how you want to give birth. While it may be tempting to just give all control over to your doctor or midwife, this may not be in your best interest. You want to make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible during the birth, so you may need to speak up and let them know what you need.
Some women find that squatting or being in a hands and knees position helps with the pushing of the baby. Others may prefer to be sitting or lying down. You’ll need to find what position is most comfortable for you so that you can birth your baby as quickly and easily as possible. Your doctor or midwife should be able to accommodate these needs if possible, but if they don’t seem like they’re willing to help you, you may want to consider switching doctors or midwives.
You may also want to consider using pain management techniques if you’re not using natural childbirth. While you don’t have to listen to this advice, it’s perfectly fine to do so. There are many different pain management techniques that your doctor or midwife may suggest, so discuss these with them before the big day.
If you don’t want to listen to any of this advice and you just want to dive right in, that’s perfectly fine. While there are many things you can do to prepare for the big day, ultimately, only you know your body best. Do what you need to do to feel prepared for the big day, whether that means nothing at all or preparing for it months in advance.
Labor
You have arrived at the second stage of labor. This part of labor is referred to as “the pushing stage” because this is where you’ll be pushing your child out of your uterus and into the world. This may sound scary, but try not to worry too much about it. While there will certainly be pain involved, it’s a very natural feeling, and if you remain calm, then everything should go smoothly.
First, let’s talk about positioning. You’ll want to find a position that you feel most comfortable in. Most women prefer to be either kneeling or sitting while they push their child out. Whichever position you feel most comfortable in is the position you should go with, just make sure you remain comfortable.
You may also feel the desire to pull your hair back, or wear it down. This is all up to you and your preferences, so do what you need to do.
Now that you’re in the right position, it’s time to start pushing. While it’s best to let your doctor or midwife tell you when to push and how hard to push, we’ll go over some basics of the pushing stage now.
First, you’ll slowly begin pushing in short bursts with occasional breaks. This type of pushing is referred to as “empounteous” pushing. It’s important to not push too hard or too fast. While it may feel like you’re not making any progress, you’ll notice your doctor or midwife carefully watching the baby on the monitors.
When they see that the baby’s heartbeat begins getting closer and closer to flying out of your body, then it’s time to push harder.
It’s very important to listen to your body and how it’s reacting to these contractions. While you can’t give in to the pain, you also can’t hold yourself back from it. If a certain position is hurting more than it’s helping, then try a different one. If pushing with all of your might is just too painful, then back off a bit.
Your doctor or midwife will tell you if you’re doing fine or if you need to do something differently, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help.
After some time of empounteous pushing, your doctor or midwife should tell you when to start “enforcement” pushing. Enforcement pushing is when you push with all of your might, while your doctor or midwife gives you a slight assist by helping the baby out a bit. When doing this, your doctor or midwife will most likely use one or two fingers to pull the baby’s head out in order to properly align it before its pushed the rest of the way out.
Once your child has been properly positioned, it’s time to finish up the delivery. At this point there shouldn’t be much pain, but it’s still a very strenuous activity. All you need to do is continue with enforcement pushing until your child is out.
It’s normal for the umbilical cord to come out at around the same time as the baby. Once you see that the head has emerged, all that should be left is the body and whatever is left of the umbilical cord.
Sources & references used in this article:
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