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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 6:16 pm
The following was compiled by Moniquill and Nethilia (at least, I have them credited in my text file).
Take solace in the fact that every pregnancy holds the risk of death.
These are the normal, frequent or expectable temporary side effects of pregnancy:
-- exhaustion (weariness common from first weeks) -- altered appetite and senses of taste and smell -- nausea and vomiting (50% of women, first trimester) -- heartburn and indigestion -- constipation -- weight gain -- dizziness and light-headedness -- bloating, swelling, fluid retention -- hemorrhoids -- abdominal cramps -- yeast infections -- congested, bloody nose -- acne and mild skin disorders -- skin discoloration (chloasma, face and abdomen) -- mild to severe backache and strain -- increased headaches -- difficulty sleeping, and discomfort while sleeping -- increased urination and incontinence -- bleeding gums -- pica -- breast pain and discharge -- swelling of joints, leg cramps, joint pain -- difficulty sitting, standing in later pregnancy -- inability to take regular medications -- shortness of breath -- higher blood pressure -- hair loss -- tendency to anemia -- curtailment of ability to participate in some sports and activities -- infection including from serious and potentially fatal disease (pregnant women are immune suppressed compared with non-pregnant women, and are more susceptible to fungal and certain other diseases) -- extreme pain on delivery -- hormonal mood changes, including normal post-partum depression -- continued post-partum exhaustion and recovery period (exacerbated if a c-section -- major surgery -- is required, sometimes taking up to a full year to fully recover)
These are the normal, expectable, or frequent PERMANENT side effects of pregnancy:
-- stretch marks (worse in younger women) -- loose skin -- permanent weight gain or redistribution -- abdominal and vaginal muscle weakness -- pelvic floor disorder (occurring in as many as 35% of middle-aged former child-bearers and 50% of elderly former child-bearers, associated with urinary and rectal incontinence, discomfort and reduced quality of life) -- changes to breasts -- varicose veins -- scarring from episiotomy or c-section -- other permanent aesthetic changes to the body (all of these are downplayed by women, because the culture values youth and beauty) -- increased proclivity for hemorrhoids -- loss of dental and bone calcium (cavities and osteoporosis)
These are the occasional complications and side effects:
-- hyperemesis gravidarum -- temporary and permanent injury to back -- severe scarring requiring later surgery (especially after additional pregnancies) -- dropped (prolapsed) uterus (especially after additional pregnancies, and other pelvic floor weaknesses -- 11% of women, including cystocele, rectocele, and enterocele) -- pre-eclampsia (edema and hypertension, the most common complication of pregnancy, associated with eclampsia, and affecting 7 - 10% of pregnancies) -- eclampsia (convulsions, coma during pregnancy or labor, high risk of death) -- gestational diabetes -- placenta previa -- anemia (which can be life-threatening) -- thrombocytopenic purpura -- severe cramping -- embolism (blood clots) -- medical disability requiring full bed rest (frequently ordered during part of many pregnancies varying from days to months for health of either mother or baby) -- diastasis recti, also torn abdominal muscles -- mitral valve stenosis (most common cardiac complication) -- serious infection and disease (e.g. increased risk of tuberculosis) -- hormonal imbalance -- ectopic pregnancy (risk of death) -- broken bones (ribcage, "tail bone") -- hemorrhage and -- numerous other complications of delivery -- refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease -- aggravation of pre-pregnancy diseases and conditions (e.g. epilepsy is present in .5% of pregnant women, and the pregnancy alters drug metabolism and treatment prospects all the while it increases the number and frequency of seizures) -- severe post-partum depression and psychosis -- research now indicates a possible link between ovarian cancer and female fertility treatments, including "egg harvesting" from infertile women and donors -- research also now indicates correlations between lower breast cancer survival rates and proximity in time to onset of cancer of last pregnancy -- research also indicates a correlation between having six or more pregnancies and a risk of coronary and cardiovascular disease
These are some less common (but serious) complications:
-- peripartum cardiomyopathy -- cardiopulmonary arrest -- magnesium toxicity -- severe hypoxemia/acidosis -- massive embolism -- increased intracranial pressure, brainstem infarction -- molar pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease (like a pregnancy-induced cancer) -- malignant arrhythmia -- circulatory collapse -- placental abruption -- obstetric fistula
And a few more permanent side effects:
-- future infertility -- permanent disability -- death.
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:43 pm
It actually comes from this very good site:
http://www.gate.net/~liz/liz/004.htm
While we did promote the use of it, this is the site I went to.
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Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:38 pm
Ummm... is there another, less biased source for this information? The site you gave was a bit bitter and bordered on being misandrist. I'd like to use something a little less controversial for a debate I'm going to have soon.
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Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:53 am
PhaedraMcSpiffy Ummm... is there another, less biased source for this information? The site you gave was a bit bitter and bordered on being misandrist. I'd like to use something a little less controversial for a debate I'm going to have soon. Her source is less objectionable: www.safemotherhood.org. It's the underlined words at the top of the page.
The specific link isn't working, but I think this is what she was aiming for: http://www.safemotherhood.org/facts_and_figures/every_pregnancy.htm
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Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:43 pm
That helps a little. Thank you. But I'm wondering where I can find a source for the same information about the side effects of pregnancy that's a little less... like the first one was.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:46 am
PhaedraMcSpiffy That helps a little. Thank you. But I'm wondering where I can find a source for the same information about the side effects of pregnancy that's a little less... like the first one was. *blinks*
It isn't like the first one is.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:20 pm
That's not what I meant.
I mean, I'm looking for a source that backs up the long list of side effects from the first source. The second source didn't have anything like that as far as I saw.
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Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:20 pm
PhaedraMcSpiffy That's not what I meant. I mean, I'm looking for a source that backs up the long list of side effects from the first source. The second source didn't have anything like that as far as I saw. *scratches head* http://www.safemotherhood.org/resources/facts/globaldata.html#risk question
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Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:40 pm
Gah. I'm looking for a long, extensive list of the dangers of childbirth, as well as the "minor" side effects. But the site which had those was quite biased.
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Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 12:26 pm
PhaedraMcSpiffy Gah. I'm looking for a long, extensive list of the dangers of childbirth, as well as the "minor" side effects. But the site which had those was quite biased. Hm. Well, I googled sections of it a dozen times. She must've compiled it herself.
Perhaps ask Moniquill if she has any other sources for it?
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Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:48 am
Under "These are the normal, expectable, or frequent PERMANENT side effects of pregnancy:" you should put "incontinence" aswell, I've seen it happen to a few women.
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Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:23 am
I have decided to compile my own bit of research on the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth. I hope that you find it informative and useful. I found an excellent page that outlines some risk factors that are present before a pregnancy even occurs, and what those specific risk factors can lead to. Take this snippet, for example: MERCK The age, weight, and height of women affect risk during pregnancy. Girls aged 15 and younger are at increased risk of preeclampsia (a type of high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy). Young girls are also at increased risk of having underweight (small-for-gestational-age) or undernourished babies. Women aged 35 and older are at increased risk of problems such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), and complications during labor.There are numerous other risk factors that are hashed out to varying degrees of specificity. MERCKHere is a fairly lengthy -- though, by no means is it exhaustive -- list of complications that can occur during a pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association * Bacterial Vaginosis * Bed Rest * Bleeding During Pregnancy * Blighted Ovum * Cervical Cerclage * Chicken Pox * Cholestasis of Pregnancy * Common Pregnancy Complications * Concerns regarding Early Fetal Development * Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection * D&C procedure after a Miscarriage * Ectopic Pregnancy * Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD); Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) & Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) * Fetal Growth Restriction * Gestational Diabetes * Group B Strep Infection * High Amniotic Fluid Levels : Polyhydramnios * Hyperemesis Gravidarum * Incompetent Cervix * Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): Small for Gestational Age (SGA) * Listeria * Low Amniotic Fluid Levels : Oligohydramnios * Miscarriage * Molar Pregnancy * Placenta Accreta * Placenta Previa * Placental Abruption * Preeclampsia * Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) * RH Factor * STD'S & STI'S During Pregnancy * Tipped Uterus * Toxoplasmosis * Urinary Tract Infection * Yeast Infection American Pregnancy AssociationAnd, as for the bolded section on the list I have provided, this is the copy of the article it leads to. American Pregnancy Association There are several things that may cause a complication in your pregnancy. However, some are more common than others. Below is a list of the most common pregnancy complications.
Ectopic Pregnancy:
* Ectopic pregnancies can be caused by an STD, such as chlamydia, or an infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease. Women who have undergone sterilization procedures or have been diagnosed with endometriosis or other female reproductive disorders are also at risk. * If the fallopian tube is getting tighter, or more narrow, the egg is fertilized outside the uterus, and in the tube, thus the name: "Tubal pregnancy." * Causes heavy bleeding, severe pelvic pain, dizziness and may result in death. * Emergency surgery or Methotrexate are used for treatment.
Rh Negative Disease:
* Rhesus isoimmunization. * Rh factor is determined by the presence of a protein surrounding red blood cells. Without the protein, a woman is considered Rh negative. * The mother is Rh negative, and her child is born Rh positive, and she starts to build antibodies up against the next Rh positive baby. * During the beginning of the pregnancy, the mother is tested to see if she has been sensitized. (Meaning the baby's red blood cells have been affected my the mother's developed antibodies). * RhoGAM is a medication given around 28 weeks to prevent the build-up of these antibodies. * RhoGAM is given again at birth, only if the baby is Rh positive.
Group B Strep:
* Group B Strep is the leading cause of infections in newborns. * Not group A strep (strep throat). * Doctors find Group B Strep through cultures during pregnancy. * Can be treated during or after pregnancy.
Preterm Labor:
* When the mother's body is trying to deliver the baby before she has reached full-term (37 weeks). * There is a risk of delivering the baby too early when the contractions are closer, stronger, and longer. * Can feel like menstrual cramping or a subtle backache. * In serious situations, bed rest and medications are necessary to help the pregnancy go full-term.
Gestational Diabetes:
* Gestational Diabetes develops during pregnancy, when a woman's body is not making enough insulin. * Develops usually in second trimester. * Cannot be treated by pills, most treatment is through diet or insulin.
Low Birth Weight:
* Caused by poor nutrition, substance use (cigarettes, alcohol, drugs). * Can be an effect of a STD, other contagious diseases, or no pre-natal care. * When a baby is born pre-maturely, it stays in the hospital for up to four months. * Babies who are born at a low birth rate run the risk of respiratory infections, blindness, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, and heart infections. American Pregnancy AssociationThe following website had many of the same complications listed; however, there are two other complications that were not listed on the American Pregnancy Association's webpage that this website notes. Women'sHealth.gov Symptoms
Soreness or a lump in the breast accompanied by a fever and/or flu-like symptoms; possibly nausea and vomiting; yellowish discharge from the n****e; breasts feel warm or hot to the touch; pus or blood in the milk; red streaks near the area; symptoms could come on severely and suddenly.
Potential Problem
Mastitis: This is an infection in the breast.
Diagnosis
Evaluation by a doctor.
Treatment
If symptoms are not relieved within 24 hours of the following steps, see a health care provider (you may need an antibiotic). Relieve soreness by applying heat (heating pad or small hot-water bottle) to the sore area. Massage the area, starting behind the sore spot. Use your fingers in a circular motion and massage toward the n****e. Breastfeed often on the affected side. Rest. Wear a well-fitting supportive bra that is not too tight.
....
Symptoms
A low-grade fever and tiredness followed by a facial rash that looks like "slapped cheeks." The rash also can look lace-like and be on the trunk, legs, and arms. Some adults do not have the rash, but may have painful and swollen joints.
Potential Problem
Fifth Disease: This is a viral infection caused by the human parvovirus B19. Most pregnant women who are infected with this virus do not have serious problems. But, there is a small danger that the virus can infect the fetus. This raises the risk of miscarriage during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Fifth Disease can cause severe anemia in women who have red blood cell disorders like sickle-cell disease or immune system problems.
Diagnosis
Based on appearance of the rash. A specific blood test can be done to confirm it.
Treatment
No specific treatment, except for blood transfusions that might be needed for people who have problems with their immune systems or with red blood cell disorders. There is no vaccine to help prevent infection with this virus. US Department of Health and ServicesAnd, if you don't like American Pregnancy, the Mayo Clinic has a little more information regaurding a few of the risk factors listed on their website -- each of the risk factors listed also lead to specific articles. Mayo Clinic Articles
* Gestational diabetes * Placenta previa * Placental abruption * Preeclampsia * Premature birth * Preterm labor: Prevention is key Mayo ClinicAnd, of course, if you enjoyed the first reference that I posted, here is a bit more information regaurding pregnancy complications from the very same website. What I post will not be in its entirety, as the information on the website, if posted directly, would stretch the page excessively. I have taken the liberty of posting the primary focal points. MERCK During pregnancy, a problem may occur or a condition may develop to make the pregnancy high risk. For example, pregnant women may be exposed to something that can produce birth defects (teratogens), such as radiation, certain chemicals, drugs, or infections. Or a disorder may develop. Some disorders are related to (are complications of) pregnancy.
Drugs
Disorders that develop during pregnancy
Fevers.... Infections.... Disorders that require surgery.... Thromboembolic Disease.... Anemia.... Urinary tract infections....
Pregnancy complications
Ectopic pregnancy.... Hyperemesis Gravidarum.... Preeclampsia.... Gestational Diabetes.... Rh Incompatibility.... Fatty liver of pregnancy.... Peripartum Cardiomyopathy.... Problems with the amniotic fluid.... Placenta Previa.... Abruptio Placentae.... MERCKThe following is a list of symptoms that you should watch out for while pregnant. Maryland Medical Women's Center * Vaginal bleeding * Vaginal discharge that is different * Severe, persistent, frequent headaches * Pain or burning with urination, or decrease in urination * Persistent nausea or vomiting * Leakage of fluid from the v****a * Sharp pelvic pain or severe cramping * Frequent dizzy spells or fainting * Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, white lights or flashes, dots in front of the eyes * Sudden swelling in hands, feet, and face * Falling or hitting your abdomen * Noticeable decrease or absence of fetal movement * High fever with chills, over 100.4º Fahrenheit orally * Contractions more often than four an hour if you are less than 37 weeks * Low back pain that comes and goes but never goes away * Any other problem that feels unusual University of Maryland Medical CenterUnfortunately, many of these problems are not limited to the pregnancy itself -- many of the problems faced during pregnancy have been linked to increased risk for other medical problems later in life. DukeMedNews Young women who have a range of complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or preterm birth, are at an increased risk of developing heart disease and of dying later in life, according to new analyses by a team of Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center cardiologists and obstetricians. Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by a sharp rise in blood pressure during pregnancy and may be accompanied by edema (swelling) and kidney problems.
The researchers also found that mothers who continue to smoke cigarettes during pregnancy are not only harming health of the developing fetus but are doubling their own risks of dying from future heart disease or from any cause. Duke University Medical CenterAnd, of course, we mustn't forget the mental aspects of a pregnancy. Take this snippet, for example: March of Dimes Depression During Pregnancy
Out of every 10 women who are pregnant, one or two have symptoms of major depression. Women who have been depressed before are at higher risk. March of DimesOr, perhaps, you might be interested in what the US Department of Health and Services has to say about pregnancy and depression. Women'sHealth.gov How common is depression during and after pregnancy?
Depression that occurs during pregnancy or within a year after delivery is called perinatal depression. The exact number of women with depression during this time is unknown. But researchers believe that depression is one of the most common complications during and after pregnancy. Often, the depression is not recognized or treated, because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, stronger emotional reactions, and changes in body weight may occur during pregnancy and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression. What causes depression?
There may be a number of reasons why a woman gets depressed. Hormone changes or a stressful life event, such as a death in the family, can cause chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression. Depression is also an illness that runs in some families. Other times, it’s not clear what causes depression.
During Pregnancy During pregnancy, these factors may increase a woman’s chance of depression:
* History of depression or substance abuse * Family history of mental illness * Little support from family and friends * Anxiety about the fetus * Problems with previous pregnancy or birth * Marital or financial problems * Young age (of mother)
After Pregnancy Depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression or peripartum depression. After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression. During pregnancy, the amount of two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, in a woman's body increases greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, the amount of these hormones rapidly drops back down to their normal non-pregnant levels. Researchers think the fast change in hormone levels may lead to depression, just as smaller changes in hormones can affect a woman's moods before she gets her menstrual period.
Occasionally, levels of thyroid hormones may also drop after giving birth. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that helps to regulate your metabolism (how your body uses and stores energy from food). Low thyroid levels can cause symptoms of depression including depressed mood, decreased interest in things, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and weight gain. A simple blood test can tell if this condition is causing a woman's depression. If so, thyroid medicine can be prescribed by a doctor.
Other factors that may contribute to postpartum depression include:
* Feeling tired after delivery, broken sleep patterns, and not enough rest often keeps a new mother from regaining her full strength for weeks. * Feeling overwhelmed with a new, or another, baby to take care of and doubting your ability to be a good mother. * Feeling stress from changes in work and home routines. Sometimes, women think they have to be "super mom" or perfect, which is not realistic and can add stress. * Having feelings of loss — loss of identity of who you are, or were, before having the baby, loss of control, loss of your pre-pregnancy figure, and feeling less attractive. * Having less free time and less control over time. Having to stay home indoors for longer periods of time and having less time to spend with the your partner and loved ones. US Department of Health and ServicesHell, why not go for the trifecta? Here is a third source regaurding pregnancy and depression. University of Michigan Depression Center Depression can be confusing for women when it occurs during pregnancy. They can't figure out why they feel bad during a time when they should feel good. However, up to 10% of women will experience depression during pregnancy. The most likely women to have depression during pregnancy have a personal or family history of depression. University of Michigan Depression CenterHow about complications that occur during childbirth? The following is a good source of information. NYU Medical Center Risk Factors for Complications During [Childbirth]
* Multiple gestation (two or more babies) * High blood pressure * Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure combined with swelling and protein in the urine) * Premature rupture of membranes * Group B streptococcal infection of the mother * Placenta previa (placenta positioned over the cervical opening) * Abruptio placentae (premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall) * Umbilical cord prolapse (umbilical cord slips out of the cervical opening before the baby's head) * Small mother with big baby * Diabetes (insulin-dependent, non-insulin-dependent, or gestational) * Anemia * Bleeding disorder * Lung or heart disease * Obesity * Baby with congenital disease * Mother with infectious disease (eg, active genital herpes infection, HIV) * Rh-negative incompatibility between mother and baby
Possible Complications
* Bleeding * Uterine infection * Urinary tract infection * Perineal tears, including tears through the rectum * Complications requiring forceps, vacuum extraction, or cesarean section * Blood clots * Mastitis (breast infection) * Postpartum depression
What to Expect in The First Few Weeks After Childbirth:
After your baby arrives, you'll notice you've changed both physically and emotionally.
Physically, you might experience the following:
* Sore breasts–Your breasts may be painfully engorged when your milk comes in, and your nipples may be sore. * Constipation–The first postpartum bowel movement is typically delayed to the third or fourth day after delivery, and sensitive hemorrhoids and sore muscles may make bowel movements painful. * Episiotomy–If your perineum (the area of skin between the v****a and the a**s) was cut by your doctor or if it was torn during the birth, the stitches may make it painful to sit or walk for a little while during healing. * Hemorrhoids–Although common, hemorrhoids (swollen a**l tissues) are frequently unexpected and initially unnoticed. * Hot and cold flashes–Your body's adjustment to new hormone and blood flow levels can wreak havoc on your internal thermostat. * Urinary or fecal incontinence–The stretching of your muscles during delivery can cause you to inadvertently pass urine when you cough, laugh, or strain or may make it difficult to control your bowel movements, especially if a lengthy labor preceded a vaginal delivery. * "After pains"–The shrinking of your uterus can cause contractions that worsen when your baby nurses or when you take medication to reduce bleeding. * Vaginal discharge (lochia)–Heavier than your period and often containing clots (sometimes golf-ball sized), vaginal discharge gradually fades to white or yellow and stops within two months. * Weight–Your postpartum weight will probably be about 10 pounds (the weight of the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid) below your full-term weight, before additional water weight drops off within the first week as your body regains its sodium balance.
Emotionally, you may be feeling:
* "Baby blues"–About 80% of new moms experience irritability, sadness, crying, or anxiety, beginning within days or weeks postpartum. Like the more severe associated syndromes of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, these baby blues result from hormonal changes, exhaustion, unexpected birth experiences, adjustments to changing roles, and a sense of lack of control over your altered life as you adjust to your new baby. * Postpartum depression (PPD)–More serious than the baby blues, this condition is evident in 10-20% of new moms and may cause mood swings, anxiety, guilt, and persistent sadness. Your baby may be several months old before PPD strikes, and it's more common in women with a family history of depression. * Postpartum psychosis–Postpartum psychosis is a severe and fairly rare condition that makes it difficult to think clearly or function and may become life-threatening to you or your baby. It's common for women with postpartum psychosis to have thoughts about harming themselves or their babies. If you experience any such feelings, call your doctor immediately. * In addition, when it comes to sexual relations, you and your partner may be on completely different pages. Men may be ready to continue where things left off before baby's arrival, whereas women may not feel comfortable enough—physically or emotionally—and may be craving nothing more than a good night's sleep. NYU Medical CenterAnd, to illustrate the risk of death as a result of pregnancy/childbirth as compared to the risk of death associated with abortion, I have provided the following. Harvard Medical In [America] and Europe, one in 4,000 women die during childbirth. HarvardBy comparison: Alan Guttmacher Institute The risk of death associated with abortion increases with the length of pregnancy, from one death for every one million abortions at or before eight weeks to one per 29,000 at 16–20 weeks—and one per 11,000 at 21 or more weeks. Alan Guttmacher InstituteAnnals of Internal Medicine The overall case-fatality rate for abortion is less than 1 death per 100 000 procedures. American College of PhysiciansAmerican College of Obstetrics & Gynecology The risk of death associated with childbirth is about 12 times as high as that associated with abortion. -Taken from American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2006, 194(1):92–94. And, with all of these resources I have provided, I have only copied certain sections -- I did not copy the entire site. As such, I highly recommend that you skim through all of these websites yourself at your own leisure.
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