Pregnancy & Childbirth
- Episiotomy affects Next Birth
- More Children, More Tooth Loss
- Eating and Drinking Safe for Labor
- Prenatal Smoking affects Menopause
- Chinese Mothers Demand Cesareans
- How to Have the Birth You Want
- Pregnancy Stress and Allergies
- FDA Recommends New Labeling
- Mothers May Under-Report Alcohol
- Thin Mothers at Risk for Nausea
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
New research shows that when episiotomies were done during the first birth, that it increased the likelihood of tearing during later births.
Experts now agree that there are few, if any, benefits to the mother when care providers perform an episiotomy during labor. And in fact the case to avoid doing episiotomies just got even stronger.
The June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology has published a study that indicates that doing episiotomies previously was more likely to cause tearing in subsequent births.
Over 6,000 mothers were included in the study from 1995 to 2005 with nearly 50% of the total having had episiotomies. Only 26% of the mothers who did not have an episiotomy the first time ended up with a second degree tear, while over 50% of the mothers with episiotomies had second degree lacerations with later births.
Researchers found that having a prior episiotomy was a significant risk factor for both second degree tears as well as deeper tears, such as third or fourth degree lacerations.
If you are interested in reducing your chances of tearing, talk to your own care provider about this research and other ways to avoid an episiotomy.
Brenda
The June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology has published a study that indicates that doing episiotomies previously was more likely to cause tearing in subsequent births.
Over 6,000 mothers were included in the study from 1995 to 2005 with nearly 50% of the total having had episiotomies. Only 26% of the mothers who did not have an episiotomy the first time ended up with a second degree tear, while over 50% of the mothers with episiotomies had second degree lacerations with later births.
Researchers found that having a prior episiotomy was a significant risk factor for both second degree tears as well as deeper tears, such as third or fourth degree lacerations.
If you are interested in reducing your chances of tearing, talk to your own care provider about this research and other ways to avoid an episiotomy.
Brenda
More Children, More Tooth Loss
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
A recent study looks at the relationship between parity and the loss of a mother's teeth.
It has long been known that there are correlations between pregnancy and dental health. Studies have shown that poor dental health can lead to preterm labor.
New evidence now shows that the more children a mother has, the more likely she will have missing teeth. The trend seems to hold across racial and socio-economic boundaries among American women.
Dr Stefani Russell explains that there may be a cause and effect result from pregnancy and dental health in the following areas:
Brenda
New evidence now shows that the more children a mother has, the more likely she will have missing teeth. The trend seems to hold across racial and socio-economic boundaries among American women.
Dr Stefani Russell explains that there may be a cause and effect result from pregnancy and dental health in the following areas:
- Since pregnancy often makes mothers more prone to gum inflammation. several pregnancies could result in tooth loss in women.
- Mothers may not make their own dental treatment a priority when they have other financial concerns with having a family.
- Perhaps the time required to care for her children decreases the time a mother spends on her own oral health.
Brenda
Eating and Drinking Safe for Labor
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
More evidence that childbirth professionals see benefits to both eating and drinking during the long hours of labor.
If you are the average mother today, you will be in the early part of labor for many hours. Even active labor can be on average 4-6 hours, not to mention pushing for another 2 hours. Mothers often find that their stamina quickly diminishes and motivation to keep going becomes harder to find. One thing that makes a long labor harder is not being able to eat or drink during labor.
The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) has recently released a clinical bulletin that says that restricting a mother's intake of food and drink does not always benefit her. In addition to hydration and nutrition, knowing you can drink and eat as you please provides the mother with a sense of control and can decrease her stress level.
Even many anesthesiologists now recommend that clear fluids should be allowed for women during labor.
ACNM does recommend that the woman's health status be considered in whether or not it is advisable to eat and drink.
Be sure to discuss the option of eating and drinking during labor with your caregiver prior to your due date.
Brenda
The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) has recently released a clinical bulletin that says that restricting a mother's intake of food and drink does not always benefit her. In addition to hydration and nutrition, knowing you can drink and eat as you please provides the mother with a sense of control and can decrease her stress level.
Even many anesthesiologists now recommend that clear fluids should be allowed for women during labor.
ACNM does recommend that the woman's health status be considered in whether or not it is advisable to eat and drink.
Be sure to discuss the option of eating and drinking during labor with your caregiver prior to your due date.
Brenda
Prenatal Smoking affects Menopause
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
The American Journal of Epidemiology is reporting that when female babies are exposed in utero to cigarette smoke, they are more likely to have early menopause.
While experts have known for many years that smoking causes the adult woman to reach menopause sooner than a non-smoker, new research indicates that the effects of chemicals can also have long-range consequences for the female baby after she is an adult.
Scientists believe that smoking not only interferes with the mother's estrogen production, thereby reducing her production of ovarian follicles, but they could also affect the development of the follicles in utero.
Yet one more reason for why smoking is clearly a substance to be avoided during pregnancy. If you are just finding out that you are pregnant and you are a smoker, please consider quitting now! Or if you live with a smoker, try to reduce your exposure to secondary smoke as much as possible.
Brenda
Scientists believe that smoking not only interferes with the mother's estrogen production, thereby reducing her production of ovarian follicles, but they could also affect the development of the follicles in utero.
Yet one more reason for why smoking is clearly a substance to be avoided during pregnancy. If you are just finding out that you are pregnant and you are a smoker, please consider quitting now! Or if you live with a smoker, try to reduce your exposure to secondary smoke as much as possible.
Brenda
Chinese Mothers Demand Cesareans
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
Research from the May issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology indicates that mothers from Southeast China are requesting cesareans without a medical reason.
The issue of cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) or elective cesareans without an indicated risk, has been one that seems to have growing attention worldwide. From celebrities to average women across many cultures, cesareans on maternal request appear to be increasing.
Research over a 12 year period in 21 countries in Southeast China indicates an increase in cesareans from 22% in 1994 to 56% in 2006. The greatest contributor to the overall cesarean rate, experts believe, is the rising numbers of cesareans on maternal request. This statistic of CDMR has shyrocketed from .8% to 22% from 1994 to 2006.
Interestingly, the requests for elective cesareans were not dependent on the mother's age, hospital of choice or occupation.
One has to wonder why we are seeing this trend in other countries and how we have come so far from recognizing the benefit of vaginal birth as our bodies were designed for.
Brenda
Research over a 12 year period in 21 countries in Southeast China indicates an increase in cesareans from 22% in 1994 to 56% in 2006. The greatest contributor to the overall cesarean rate, experts believe, is the rising numbers of cesareans on maternal request. This statistic of CDMR has shyrocketed from .8% to 22% from 1994 to 2006.
Interestingly, the requests for elective cesareans were not dependent on the mother's age, hospital of choice or occupation.
One has to wonder why we are seeing this trend in other countries and how we have come so far from recognizing the benefit of vaginal birth as our bodies were designed for.
Brenda
How to Have the Birth You Want
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
Many women find that having a natural birth or non-traditional options for their birth is increasingly difficult. What are things you can do to have your ideal birth?
Not long ago, I attended an amazing birth that demonstrated yet again how mothers can indeed beat the odds stacked against them and have the kind of birth they want. It does require some work, prior research and good support. However, no matter where you choose to have your baby, there are simple ways you can advocate for yourself.
1. Ask for more time. If you are rushed into making any decision, be sure to ask if waiting for an hour or longer is possible.
2. Distinguish between true emergencies and routines. If your care provider recommends something, is it because there is a problem or a true indicated risk to you or your baby? Or is it something that is a routine procedure? Find out before you agree to something that may have an irreversible outcome.
3. Use additional support. It is hard to not be biased in this recommendation given that I am a doula myself and I believe wholeheartedly in the value of having a birth doula present. Very often having an additional person there to faciliate dialog can be a huge advantage to parents. Not only that, but birth doulas are skilled in comfort techniques and way to help labor progress. To me it is a no brainer that more parents need to use a doula since without the support and knowledge, there are seldom any options.
4. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. This is your day, your birth and your baby! There are very few events in your life that are more important so be assertive even if it requires you that you need to step outside your comfort zone.
My heartfelt desire is that all of the expectant mothers reading this blog would have the kind of birth they want.
Warmly,
Brenda
1. Ask for more time. If you are rushed into making any decision, be sure to ask if waiting for an hour or longer is possible.
2. Distinguish between true emergencies and routines. If your care provider recommends something, is it because there is a problem or a true indicated risk to you or your baby? Or is it something that is a routine procedure? Find out before you agree to something that may have an irreversible outcome.
3. Use additional support. It is hard to not be biased in this recommendation given that I am a doula myself and I believe wholeheartedly in the value of having a birth doula present. Very often having an additional person there to faciliate dialog can be a huge advantage to parents. Not only that, but birth doulas are skilled in comfort techniques and way to help labor progress. To me it is a no brainer that more parents need to use a doula since without the support and knowledge, there are seldom any options.
4. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself. This is your day, your birth and your baby! There are very few events in your life that are more important so be assertive even if it requires you that you need to step outside your comfort zone.
My heartfelt desire is that all of the expectant mothers reading this blog would have the kind of birth they want.
Warmly,
Brenda
Pregnancy Stress and Allergies
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
New findings indicate that there may be a correlation between the mother's level of stress during pregnancy and her baby's risk of asthma and allergies.
What affect does stress have on your pregnancy or on your growing baby? Research tells us that there may be a link between stress and your baby's likelihood of developing allergies and asthma.
Babies whose mothers reported more stress during pregnancy had increased levels of lgE. lgE is an antibody that is present during both asthma and allergies reactions.
One of the study's authors, Dr. Peters, speculates that stress might make women more susceptible to allergens because it "may make the cells more permeable." In this case, even a low level exposure could trigger a reaction. It is quite possible that mothers whose immune systems are altered by stress could pass that tendency down to their babies.
Yet one more example of how important it is to remain healty and as stress-free as possible during pregnancy!
Brenda
Babies whose mothers reported more stress during pregnancy had increased levels of lgE. lgE is an antibody that is present during both asthma and allergies reactions.
One of the study's authors, Dr. Peters, speculates that stress might make women more susceptible to allergens because it "may make the cells more permeable." In this case, even a low level exposure could trigger a reaction. It is quite possible that mothers whose immune systems are altered by stress could pass that tendency down to their babies.
Yet one more example of how important it is to remain healty and as stress-free as possible during pregnancy!
Brenda
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
The FDA advises that precription drug labeling be more comprehensive to benefit pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and breastfeeding infants.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are more than likely exposed to at least one type of medication prescribed by your physician or medical caregiver. Now the FDA is recommending that prescription drugs carry more comprehensive information about the effects of medications so that providers can provide more accurate and detailed information to their pregnant or breastfeeding patients.
According to the new FDA report, "The proposed rule outlines what important information about the use of medicines during pregnancy and breast-feeding would be required to be added to product labeling for newly approved drugs. Under the proposal, drug labeling would explain, based on available information, the potential benefits and risks for the mother and the fetus, and how these risks may change during the course of pregnancy."
The new proposed labeling would include three parts:
1. Fetal Risk Summary - describing known drug effects on the baby.
2. Clinical Considerations - potential effects of the drug if the mother takes it before she knows she is pregnant.
3. Data - more information on the use of the drug in human and animal studies that were used to identity the Fetal Risk Summary.
The new recommended labeling can only help women and their babies be more educated about drug effects and other potential things to avoid during pregnancy.
Brenda
According to the new FDA report, "The proposed rule outlines what important information about the use of medicines during pregnancy and breast-feeding would be required to be added to product labeling for newly approved drugs. Under the proposal, drug labeling would explain, based on available information, the potential benefits and risks for the mother and the fetus, and how these risks may change during the course of pregnancy."
The new proposed labeling would include three parts:
1. Fetal Risk Summary - describing known drug effects on the baby.
2. Clinical Considerations - potential effects of the drug if the mother takes it before she knows she is pregnant.
3. Data - more information on the use of the drug in human and animal studies that were used to identity the Fetal Risk Summary.
The new recommended labeling can only help women and their babies be more educated about drug effects and other potential things to avoid during pregnancy.
Brenda
Mothers May Under-Report Alcohol
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
While mothers know that alcohol consumption is not recommended at all during pregnancy, research suggests that mothers may be under-reporting alcohol use.
It is generally understood that as soon as women become pregnant, alcohol is considered to be off-limits. Experts do not recommend any levels of alcohol that are safe so mothers are told that she should plan to avoid consuming alcohol at all during pregnancy.
Given that recommendation, it is interesting that a new study has shown that mothers may not be telling the truth about their own alcohol use.
Swedish mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire about alcohol use and urine and hair samples were taken. About 25% of the mothers who participated were identified as potential alcohol consumers. While only 1 mother indicated that she was a heavy user of alcohol, 7 mothers were identied as heavy alcohol users by the urine and hair samples.
This study seems to indicate that, despite warnings to the contrary, as many as 1 in every 4 mothers are drinking some alcohol and a few are even drinking substantially during pregnancy.
Brenda
Given that recommendation, it is interesting that a new study has shown that mothers may not be telling the truth about their own alcohol use.
Swedish mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire about alcohol use and urine and hair samples were taken. About 25% of the mothers who participated were identified as potential alcohol consumers. While only 1 mother indicated that she was a heavy user of alcohol, 7 mothers were identied as heavy alcohol users by the urine and hair samples.
This study seems to indicate that, despite warnings to the contrary, as many as 1 in every 4 mothers are drinking some alcohol and a few are even drinking substantially during pregnancy.
Brenda
Thin Mothers at Risk for Nausea
Posted by
Brenda Lane
Brenda Lane
If your body mass index is considered to be underweight for your height, you may be at a greater risk for hyperemesis, a severe form of morning sickness.
Many mothers suffer from nausea during pregnancy. Some of them develop a severe form of morning sickness also known as hyperemesis gravidarum. One of the biggest risks of hyperemesis is dehydration resulting from severe naseau and vomiting. Hyperemesis may even require medication and hospitalization for IV fluids.
While experts do not know the exact cause of nausea during pregnancy and treatment does not work the same for each person, new research is showing that mothers who are underweight prior to becoming pregnant are at a greater risk for hyperemesis.
About 900,000 mothers took place in a Swedish study that compared the use of anti-nausea mediation and hospitalization in the following three groups: underweight, normal weight and over ideal weight mothers.
The results indicated that mothers who are under the ideal weight are more likely to use medication and require hospitalization for hyperemesis. The group with the least risk for hyperemesis was the group of mother over their ideal weight.
Brenda
While experts do not know the exact cause of nausea during pregnancy and treatment does not work the same for each person, new research is showing that mothers who are underweight prior to becoming pregnant are at a greater risk for hyperemesis.
About 900,000 mothers took place in a Swedish study that compared the use of anti-nausea mediation and hospitalization in the following three groups: underweight, normal weight and over ideal weight mothers.
The results indicated that mothers who are under the ideal weight are more likely to use medication and require hospitalization for hyperemesis. The group with the least risk for hyperemesis was the group of mother over their ideal weight.
Brenda
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