MaternaCare 101

Childbirth: Wait to Restart the Pill, CDC Says

2011-07-12T10:32:00.004-05:00

Women who have just given birth should wait at least three weeks before they start using birth control pills because of the risk of serious, potentially fatal blood clots, public health officials announced las week. Women who delivery by Caesaran section or have other risk factors for blood clots — like obesity or a history of previous blood clots — should wait at least six weeks before using

Thyroid Function and Miscarriage

2011-05-01T20:55:00.006-05:00

An article published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2010 demonstrates an increased pregnancy loss rate in thyroid antibody negative women with a TSH level between 2.5 and 5 in the first trimester of pregnancy. The thyroid gland is an important endocrine organ involved in metabolism. Disruption of the thyroid can result in impaired reproductive function, including

Omega 3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy

2011-04-23T06:53:00.000-05:00

During pregnancy, your baby gets their food from the foods you eat and vitamins you take. Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3s) are an important family of building blocks needed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The two most important omega-3s are DHA and EPA. These are known and essential fatty acids as our bodies cannot manufacture them, so we have to get them from our diet.Omega-3s are important

How to Identify An Indigo Child

2011-02-20T09:16:00.005-06:00

By Ezmeralda Lee, contributor to eHowIndigo children may have possibly been around for several decades however, it was not until the 1982 book, "Understanding Your Life Through Color" by self-styled, psychic Nancy Ann Tappe, when the term was coined. New Age followers firmly believe that such children are born with a high spiritual consciousness and may even possess psychic abilities. However,

Avoid Complications Associated with Cesarean Delivery

2010-11-30T08:35:00.003-06:00

A wonderful, concise, evidence-based article by Dr. Patrick Duff was published in the December edition of Obstetrics and Gynecology entitled, "A Simple Checklist for Preventing Major Complications Associated with Cesarean Delivery".Dr. Duff proposed the following evidence-based eight steps to significantly reduce maternal morbidity and mortality associated with cesarean delivery:1. Clip the hair

Diet Soda Linked to Preterm Labor

2010-08-24T16:54:00.004-05:00

Danish researches have found that women who never drank carbonated beverages sweetened with artificial sweeteners compared to women who downed four or more diet (artificially sweetened) carbonated drinks a day were 78 percent more likely to deliver early than women who never drank the beverages. And those who had four or more diet, non-carbonated drinks daily were 29 percent more likely to

Moxibustion for Breech Presentation

2010-03-17T10:00:00.001-05:00

Breech PresentationTreated with Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine With Chinese Medicine, we are able to treat babies in breech presentation with an herb called moxibustion. The treatment is safe, relaxing, and highly effective. In some studies from China, success with this method in turning babies is over 90%. The British Medical Acupuncture Society cites a success rate of 84.6% after

Fainting (Syncope) During Pregnancy

2010-03-01T06:00:00.002-06:00

What is syncope? Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness and postural change often caused by a brief decrease in blood flow to the brain.How common is syncope (AKA "fainting" or "loss of consciousness") during pregnancy? Approximately 4.6% of women suffer from at least one episode of syncope during pregnancy. 28.2% of women interviewed reported a pre-syncopal episode including the symptoms of

Restricting Food and Fluid in Labor May Not Be Helpful

2010-01-26T17:33:00.006-06:00

Published by MedScapeAuthor: Laura BarclayJanuary 20, 2010 — Restricting food and fluid intake during labor may not be helpful or necessary for women at low risk for complications, according to the results of a systematic review reported online January 20 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews."Since the evidence shows no benefits or harms, there is no justification for nil by mouth

Induction for Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Preeclampsia After 36 Weeks Gestation

2010-01-19T14:07:00.001-06:00

In a recent article published on line by the Lancet, there is now evidence to support induction of labor after the 36th week of pregnancy if a woman develops pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) or mild preeclampsia. Study design: This multi-centered, parallel, open label, randomized study (HYPITAT) was conducted in the Netherlands. Koopman, et al recruited 756 women who presented with PIH or

Abnormalities of Maternal Thyroid Function During Pregnancy Affect Neuropsychological Development of Their Children at 25-30 Months

2009-12-22T14:23:00.007-06:00

Author: Li Y, et al. Clinical Endocrinology Published on line 10/31/09 Study Summary: To examine the relationship between specific thyroid abnormalities (subclinical hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinaemia or elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody titers) in women during pregnancy and the subsequent neuropsychological development of their offspring. Design/patients: Serum was collected

A Walk to Beautiful - Revisited

2009-12-03T18:54:00.012-06:00

A Walk to Beautiful is a documentary about an amazing program in Ethiopia developed in 1974 by Drs. Catherine and Reginald Hamlin to assist women with the birth-related injury: obstetrical fistula. This Emmy award-winning documentary was initially shown in its shorter version on PBS in 2008.There is now a feature length film: A Walk to Beautiful, 85 minutes in length available on DVD. The new

Treating Depression During Pregnancy

2009-11-23T09:35:00.006-06:00

Pregnant women who suffer from depression face complicated decisions regarding treatment of their depression during pregnancy. As many reports have recently indicated, using antidepressants during pregnancy may affect fetal outcome. However, persistent maternal depressive symptoms also affect the developing fetus. Infants born to women with depression have increased irritability, impaired

Mother's Exercise decreases Fetal Macrosomia

2009-10-18T17:52:00.005-05:00

Exercise during pregnancy is beneficial for mom. But, does it have an effect on baby, too?Fetal macrosomia is defined as a baby weighing greater than 4000 to 4500 grams (approximately nine pounds). Fetal macrosomia contributes to increased maternal risks including increased perineal lacerations, cesarean delivery and postpartum hemorrhage. Fetal macrosomia contributes to fetal risks such as

Home Birth Gone Awry

2009-10-01T05:25:00.011-05:00

This is an excellent MedScape article that discusses the potential perils of home birth but offers a balanced discussion about improving the care for women who opt for a home birth in the United States. Important clarifications about the different midwifery certifications is reviewed - they are not one size fits all. As medical costs continue to climb in the United States, and home birth is 1/3

H1N1 2009 Influenza Virus Infection during Pregnancy

2009-08-09T18:26:00.001-05:00

The H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the swine flu virus, was first identified in April, 2009. While pregnant women have always been more affected by the influenza virus, the H1N1 virus has hit them particularly hard. The CDC states that pregnant women infected with H1N1 are four times more likely to be hospitalized with their illness than the general population. A study recently published in the

Postpartum Depression Linked to Poor Sleep

2009-07-13T00:56:00.006-05:00

How well are you able to sleep when your baby sleeps? This is the single most important question to ask yourself if you think you may be depressed. If your answer is "not well" or "I can't" you may be suffering from postpartum depression.Approximately 13% of women giving birth in the United States will suffer from postpartum depression (PPD). Postpartum depression is defined in the United States

IOM Issues New Recommendations for Weight Gain During Pregnancy

2009-05-29T19:04:00.011-05:00

May 28, 2009 — The Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council today released a report recommending new guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy. The report updates guidelines that were last set in 1990 and takes into account changing US demographics, particularly the increase in the numbers of women of childbearing age who are overweight and obese. The new guidelines are

Early Predictors of Successful Pregnancy

2009-05-28T18:19:00.004-05:00

May, 2009Successful pregnancy can be predicted with up to 94% accuracy between days 33 and 36 using transvaginal ultrasound to detect 3 markers, according to new findings presented by Dr. Soyoung Bae at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 57th Annual Clinical Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.The predictors include ultrasound findings between 33 and 36 days after conception

Diabetes May Double Risk of Perinatal Depression

2009-05-24T14:03:00.004-05:00

Pregnant women and new mothers that have diabetes, whether the diabetes was discovered during pregnancy or before, are twice as likely to experience depression than women who do not have diabetes (Kozhimannil, 2009).The authors reviewed the medical records of 11,024 low-income women who delivered in New Jersey between 2004-2006. 657 women had diabetes. 15% of those with diabetes had or

USPSTF Recommends Folic Acid Supplements for Women of Child-Bearing Age

2009-05-17T11:03:00.004-05:00

By Laurie Barclay, MDMay 12, 2009 — New observational evidence supports previous evidence from a randomized controlled trial that folic acid–containing supplements lower the risk for pregnancies affected by neural tube defects, according to a US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) statement and review of evidence reported in the May 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. The review

Effect of Food Intake During Labor

2009-05-14T08:28:00.006-05:00

There is an ongoing international debate about food consumption during labor. The current rationale for women fasting during labor is to protect them from pulmonary aspiration should general anesthesia be needed for an emergency cesarean delivery. Other concerns include increased cesarean rate (Scheeper, 2002) or prolongation of labor (Tranmer, 2005) should women be allowed to eat while

Fibroids and Infertility

2009-05-07T11:03:00.010-05:00

Q: Do fibroids cause infertility?Fibroids are common benign tumors of the uterus. They occur predominantly in premenopausal women, and their growth appears to be hormone (estradiol, progesterone) dependent. They may grow towards the uterine cavity (submucosal) or towards the abdominal cavity (subserosal), or they may be located within the uterine wall (intramural). Fibroids may be asymptomatic

Monique and the Mango Rains

2009-04-10T23:33:00.013-05:00

Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway-Bidwell is the true story of the life and death of a remarkable West African midwife, seen through the eyes of a young Peace Corps Volunteer who worked side-by-side with her, birthing babies and caring for mothers, in a remote, impoverished village. It is a rare tale of friendship that reaches beyond borders to vividly and irrevocably unite another

Successful Breastfeeding

2009-03-14T08:37:00.004-05:00

Breast milk is the preferred nutritional support for all newborns throughout the first six months of life and is highly recommended throughout the first year. The most likely reason women stop breastfeeding is due to a lack of confidence. Remember, preparation is the key to success.The medical journal, American Family Physician, recently published an article by Drew Keister, MD and colleagues

Miscarriage and Treatment Options

2009-03-05T14:59:00.006-06:00

When a woman discovers she is pregnant it can be a time of fluctuating emotions. But, once the reality settles in, most women are happy to be pregnant. However, if she experiences first trimester bleeding, worry ensues. Communication with a healthcare professional at this time is very important. Until she has been evaluated by a health professional to understand the source of bleeding,

Maternal Mortality - A Global Issue

2009-02-26T08:18:00.007-06:00

All over the world women are unnecessarily dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications.As of 2007 the US ranked 41 out of 171 other countries in maternal mortality rate. It is estimated that 1 out of 4,800 women have a life-time risk of dying due to pregnancy-related complications in the United States. This compared to the top-10-industrialized countries' average of 1 out of 16,800.The

Influenza Vaccination during Pregnancy: Clinical Efficacy in Mothers and Infants

2009-01-13T14:59:00.002-06:00

An Update on the Influenzae Vaccination during Pregnancy as posted on Medscape:Posted 01/05/2009Tamar F. Barlam, M.D.; Dennis L. Kasper, M.D.Influenza is a serious disease in pregnant women and young infants, often prompting hospitalization. Transplacentally passed maternal antibodies can protect infants during the first months of life. Currently, it is recommended that pregnant women be

Maternal exposure to folic acid antagonists during pregnancy

2009-01-03T13:44:00.008-06:00

Maternal exposure to medications known as folic acid antagonists appear to increase the risk of adverse outcomes of pregnancy due to their effects on the placenta (i.e. preeclampsia) as reported by Wen and others in the December 2, 2008 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.Previous studies have shown that folic acid antagonists when taken during pregnancy are associated with

Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Primary Cesarean Section

2008-12-31T12:33:00.014-06:00

Article Review: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of cesarean delivery according to results published in the online Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism on December 23, 2008. The study was performed in a Boston urban teaching hospital. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between maternal serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Caffeine during pregnancy linked to fetal growth restriction

2008-12-09T15:22:00.008-06:00