A little won't hurt? Alcohol advice in pregnancy

While many news outlets are running headlines that say small amounts of alcohol are fine in pregnancy, that is not what the study says. In fact, the study actually says, "Furthermore, as no safe level of drinking during pregnancy has been established, the most conservative advice for women is not to drink alcohol during pregnancy."

So put down your wine glasses for a minute and consider this warning from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:

Drinking during pregnancy: the jury may be out for researchers, but ACOG recommends that pregnant women avoid alcohol

Healthy mom/Healthy newborn - guest bogger, Katie Moore

What Expectant Moms Can Do to Have a Healthy Newborn

There are many things pregnant women can do to give their newborns a healthy start. Beginning as soon as a woman finds out she is pregnant and up until the days before she delivers and even into the first few weeks of life there are a number of preparations a mom-to-be can make to help bring a healthy newborn into the world. Here are just a few:  

1. Get prenatal care. As soon as a woman thinks she is pregnant, she should make an appointment to confirm and create a plan of care. How often she is seen will depend on her age, risk factors and overall health. In the first trimester or so, most women go about once a month. This increases with time; most see their doctor every week in the final weeks of pregnancy.

2. Eat well. Expectant moms should eat a balanced meal with enough protein and plenty of vegetables and fruit. They should also stay away from fish that might contain mercury. Take vitamins with folic acid. This B vitamin lowers the risk of brain and spine defects. Pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins with 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid a day.

3. Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Not surprisingly, research shows nicotine and alcohol can cause health problems for newborns. Women should also protect themselves from secondhand smoke.

4. Exercise with moderation. Women who’ve always worked out should ask their doctors whether they need to adjust their routines. Those who don’t usually exercise should ask about how to introduce mild exercise. Each pregnancy is different and doctors will advise patients based on their risk factors, overall health and fitness background. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for expecting moms.

5. Take a childbirth class. A childbirth class can help educate an expecting mother about necessities like pain management available and what to expect during delivery. It can also educate mothers about optional procedures available post-deliver, like circumcision and cord blood banking that can potentially benefit your child’s future health. Cord blood banking involves collecting the umbilical cord blood for the stem cells contained within. Stem cells from cord blood are used to help treat nearly 80 diseases today.  

6. Prepare your home. Putting together a nursery in your home is a big step in getting your home ready for baby. Having items like a crib, changing table and dresser filled with baby clothes and supplies will help you feel confident that your home is ready for your newborn. It is also never too soon to baby proof your home with outlet covers, cabinet locks and moving furniture that has sharp edges.

7. Lastly, make sure to give in to any body signals and get plenty of rest. Going into the delivery room well rested, prepared and relaxed with help delivery go smoother and you will be holding your newborn in your arms before you know it.

"This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.  If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26."

Fetal Origins - Health of mom and baby

Mom's health (mental and physical) affects baby's health.

Gee Whiz!

Long-range fertility = long life?
According to an article in the Deseret News, women who give birth in their 40s and 50s tend to live longer. So, if you are having a baby later in life and are worried that you may not live long enough to raise the child, perhaps there is a protective factor in your hereditary makeup that goes along with the longer fertility. The fact that the brothers of women who have children later in life also live longer suggests genetic, rather than environmental factors.

Perhaps the rate of aging is retarded overall, affecting not only the reproductive organs, but other vital cells as well.

This does not mean you should try to prolong your life by having a baby at age 49, but if menopause seems to be delayed for you, there may be a silver lining that goes with it. (Click the post title to read the report)A ray of sunshine in the storm of tragedy
Other news: Alaska has joined the list of states that now will issues Certificates of Birth to mothers of stillborn babies. Governor Palin signed the Bill on May 1st. Though Alaska has only about 50 stillbirths a year it is important to every one of those mothers who suffered the tragic loss.

Utah was the second state to sign on, giving parents these certificates, which help the grieving parents deal with their loss by validating the reality of their tragedy. Death certificates have been required for a very long time, but the question remained, "how can you have a death without a birth?" and the short life of their baby in the womb seemed unrecognized. These certificates are important in the healing process. The M.I.S.S. Foundation works to encourage legislation to support the parents in their loss. The M.I.S.S. Foundation believes that all states should record births as births... whether live or still. Click on the underlined name here to see how the other states stand on this issue and the progress that has been made.

As the mother of a full-term, stillborn baby, I can attest to the importance of this kind of recognition, which was not available when I delivered. If you or someone close to you has experienced this kind of loss, you will appreciate what the foundation is doing.

What can I do?
By way of reminder of what can be done to prevent stillbirth - take good care of yourself, attend your prenatal appointments, eat right, gain weight appropriately, be screened for gestational diabetes (take it seriously if you do develop it) and monitor your baby's movements starting around 26 weeks. Most stillbirths are unexplained but there is a higher rate among obese mothers and those with diabetes, so exercising and careful attention to diet can help reduce your risk. Fortunately, most babies are born healthy, so don't worry excessively while you are pregnant. We don't want the stress hormones to get out of control either!