Search Results for: blog alcohol consumption and pregnancy

Swine Flu and Pregnancy

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I know what you are thinking: more swine flu news? On the pregnancy blog? Unfortunately, the swine flu has hit pregnant women especially hard. In fact, pregnant women will likely be given priority when the swine flu vaccinations are distributed in the fall. According to a recent AP wire, “pregnant women account for 6 percent of U.S. swine flu deaths since the pandemic began in April, even though they make up just 1 percent of the U.S. population.” Pregnant women are more susceptible to severe illness, according to World Health Organization experts, and could suffer spontaneous abortion and/or death, especially … Continue reading →

Women Not Heeding Advice on PrePregnancy Health

Women’s health experts recommend preparing for pregnancy before you start trying to conceive. The theory is that if all women of child bearing age took certain health and lifestyle precautions, it could increase the outcome of pregnancies. In fact, many pregnancies are not planned and certain habits can contribute to problems for both mom and baby. Although experts in many countries have been making these recommendations for many years, it now appears women may not be getting the message. Research conducted in the UK shows that women aren’t hearing the warnings or making changes prior to becoming pregnant. The research … Continue reading →

The Pregnancy Blog Review for November 13 – 18

The pregnancy blog offers information on all aspects of reproductive health, from trying to conceive until the post partum period. The review is a synopsis of recent topics covered in the blog. This is a quick and easy way to catch up on your reading. By now, we all know that drinking alcohol can be damaging to the baby. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the result of consistent alcohol consumption or frequent binge drinking during pregnancy. There is a less severe, but still damaging form of the disorder. Read more in Fetal Alcohol Effects. Damage caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is … Continue reading →

More Ways to Hurt Your Unborn Child

You don’t need to stroll down the baby book aisle at your local library or even Google “pregnancy concerns” to learn about all the ways you can harm your unborn child. Stress, unhealthy eating, excessive consumption of alcohol and spending too much time in a hot tub are huge no-nos for pregnant women. Now, women looking to add to their families can tack yet another risk to the ever-growing list: Working after the eighth month of pregnancy. According to a new study conducted by the University of Essex–which compiled research done in the UK and the US–women who continue to … Continue reading →

Caffeine Linked to Underweight Babies

Here is one more reason to avoid caffeine, especially if you are pregnant. A new study published in the British Medical Journal found that even a little caffeine during pregnancy can put your baby at risk for being born with a low birth weight. In fact, the study examined the consumption of caffeine from multiple sources, including tea, cola, chocolate and even prescription drugs. Even a little use of caffeine is linked to slower fetal growth. Underweight babies are subject to a number of problems, including some that occur later in life, such as heart conditions, high blood pressure and … Continue reading →

Increasing Male Fertility

About one quarter of infertile couples have trouble conceiving due to issues with male fertility, most often a low sperm count. If male factor infertility is suspected, your doctor will want to perform a semen analysis. This test looks at both the number and the quality of the sperm. Many doctors start with this test, since diagnosing male factor infertility is easier than female infertility and the doctor may want to rule it out before starting a battery of tests on the woman. A diagnosis of male factor infertility is difficult, but it isn’t necessarily the end of the road … Continue reading →

Optimizing Development of Your Baby

We all want a happy, healthy baby and. although the uterus is an exceptionally safe and comfortable environment for your growing baby, there are additional precautions that all expectant mothers can undertake to ensure that their baby receives the best start in life. Eat an adequate and balanced diet before and during pregnancy The nutritional needs of your developing baby as well as your own depend on a sound diet. Serious malnutrition, not only from lack of food but lack of nutritious food, can interfere with normal prenatal growth and may limit your baby’s intelligence. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption Studies … Continue reading →

Safe Cocktail Alternatives

Most pregnant women know that consuming alcohol can be dangerous to the baby. Experts are not in agreement regarding a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Some may tell you that one glass of wine on Christmas or New Year’s Eve is fine. Others prefer to be more cautious and advise patients to avoid alcohol completely. The holidays and toasting seem to go hand in hand. Whether you are having a family get together or will be hosting a New Year’s bash, you may miss toasting with friends and loved ones. There are some great alternatives to the typical … Continue reading →

Is Your Lifestyle Putting You At Risk For Breast Cancer?

That’s the question I asked soon after my mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. After all, I was my mother’s daughter and besides indulging in more chips than the average person, my mother was the picture of health. My mother’s diagnosis came just a few months after I gave birth to my daughter. I knew from my obstetrician (prior to my mom’s diagnosis) that women who gain more than 38 pounds during pregnancy had a 40% higher risk of developing breast cancer after menopause. Mainly due to the fact that higher blood levels of estrogen during pregnancy fuel … Continue reading →

Forgetting to Remember: Part 1

Does your child forget easily? Do you have to repeat instructions or remind your child on a regular basis? Many learning disabled kids have the symptom of poor memory. Daniel, our youngest, falls in this category. The old saying, “You’d lose your head if it wasn’t screwed on”, pretty much describes his ability to remember things. We have a weekly chart to help him remember his daily chores, including tooth brushing and flossing, walking the dog, emptying the trash, etc. I strategically place post-it reminders in areas to help him remember to do whatever he needs to on a given … Continue reading →