Baby's First Aid Kit

When getting ready for baby's arrival it can seem overwhelming sometimes all the things that are needed! Even more overwhelming is the selection of things when we go to shops specializing in baby gear. The selections and choices were overwhelming! Even your local baby gear store can have more strollers or crib bedding to choose from than you could have previously thought!

One item that there can be a lot of choices on are First Aid kits. Baby gear stores sell them, your local department stores also sell them. There are number of brands and choices - so what is the right kit for a home with a new baby? I'm not able to recommend or endorse any one kit at this time, but I can share with you what to look for and what to be cautious of.

Most kits have most of these basic staples:
*Absorbent compress
*Adhesive bandage (aka band-aids)
*Adhesive tape
*Antibiotice ointmenet
*Antiseptic swab
*Antiseptic wipe
*Antiseptic towelete
*Bandage compresses in different sizes
*Burn dressing
*Burn ointment
*CPR barrier sheet
*Cold pack
*Eye covering
*Eye wash
*Gloves
*Roll bandage in different sizes
*Sterile pads
*Triangular bandage
You would want to have a majority of these items in your First Aid Kit. You may also want to add really small bandages as the bandages in the kit are probably too big for baby. You may also want to add a package of disposable wipes to clean with as the antiseptic cleaners will sting on an open cut or scrape. If you child has any special medical conditions or allergies you should include any special supplies that you would need in an emergency.

What to avoid or be cautious of:
Medications: Most infant medications have not been tested on infants and studies have not conclusively shown that OTC medications have much effect on infants. You run a greater risk of illness by overmedicating your child. Just because it is in the kit does not mean that you need to use it. Also, medications do expire! Check the expiration dates on the packaging.
Burn Cream: If your baby or child has a burn one of the first things your physician or the emergency room staff might need to do to treat it would be to remove anything you put on the burn. So any burn ointment or other goop (my generic term for creams, salves, etc.) you may have put on the burn would need to be scraped off. This can be very painful. If your baby or child has a burn that appears like a bad sunburn or worse, blisters or causes immediately peeling of the skin do not put any goop on the burn and contact your physician right away. Again, just because it is in the kit does not mean that you need to use it.

Do you need to have an official First Aid kit in your home? No, you don't. You can have any of the basic First Aid materials in your home, car, diaper bag, etc. As long as the materials are easy to find and reach. Make sure any other care givers in your home know where you store your First Aid kit.

Want to know more about how to use some of the First Aid supplies? Take a First Aid class! Check with your local doctors office or hospital to find out where classes are held locally in your area.

Do you know there IS such thing as nipple confusion

That a newborn baby, in is first week of life, should wet the number of diapers as the number of days old they are? So for example on the first day 1 wet diaper is normal, on the second day 2 wet diapers is normal and so forth. Did you also know that your baby can and will lose up to 10% of its weight in its first few days of life? This is normal. A mothers milk will take 3 to 4 days after birth to come in. During this time its normal for a newborn to loose weight while just drinking colostrum. Don't let nurses and hospital staff scare you into bottle feeding or formula feeding because of weight loss. If you introduce artificial nipples this could jeopardize you being able to breastfeed and cause nipple confusion.

There are some basic mechanical differences between how a baby gets milk from a bottle and how a baby gets milk out of the breast. Giving bottles or pacifiers to young, breastfeeding babies often leads to nipple confusion. Baby tries to use the bottle-feeding technique on the breast and has difficulty latching-on and sucking. Baby gets very frustrated, and so does mother. Nipple confusion can even lead to baby refusing the breast. Here's an explanation.

To get milk from the breast, baby must coordinate tongue and jaw movements in a sucking motion that's unique to breastfeeding.

* When baby latches onto the breast, he opens his mouth wide and draws the very stretchable nipple and areolar tissue far back into his mouth.
* The tongue holds the breast tissue against the roof of baby's mouth while forming a trough beneath the nipple and areola.
* The gums compress the milk sinuses underneath the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) while the tongue rhythmically "milks" the breast with a wave-like motion from front to back, drawing the milk from the areola and the nipple.
* Since the nipple is far back in baby's mouth, it's not compressed by the gums, so it's less likely to get sore.


Babies suck from a bottle entirely differently. Thanks to gravity, milk flows from a bottle so easily that baby does not have to suck "correctly" to get milk.

* He doesn't have to open his mouth as wide or correctly turn out the lips to form a tight seal.
* The bottle nipple does not need to be far back into the mouth, nor is the milking action of the tongue necessary.
* Baby can lazily gum the nubbin of the rubber and suck with only his lips.
* When the milk comes out too fast, baby may thrust his tongue forward and upward, to stop the flow from the nipple.
* Milk keeps on coming during feedings from bottles--whether or not baby sucks--so there are no pauses to rest during bottle-feedings.


Problems occur when babies apply the lessons learned from bottle-feeding to nursing at the breast. When you compare the illustration of sucking at an artificial nipple with the illustration of sucking at the breast, you will see that if baby sucks from the breast the same way he does the bottle, the tongue and the gums will traumatize mother's nipple.

* Babies who get bottles soon after birth may thrust their tongue upward during sucking and push the breast nipple out of their mouth.
* They don't open their mouths wide enough when latching-on, so they suck only the tip of the nipple. They don't get enough milk, and mother's nipples get sore.
* Baby becomes accustomed to the immediate flow of milk that comes from the bottle; at the breast, babies have to suck for a minute or two to stimulate mother's milk ejection reflex and get the milk flowing.


Does this mean that bottle-feeding is easier than breastfeeding? Yes, and no. Bottles require less sucking finesse and less effort. However, studies comparing premature infants during bottle-feedings and during breastfeedings have shown that breastfeeding is actually less stressful.

* Babies' breathing and heart rate are more stable during feedings at the breast.
* Babies have more control over the milk flow and can establish a more regular rhythm of sucking, swallowing, and pausing.
* Feeding at the breast also requires less energy.


PREVENTING NIPPLE CONFUSION

It is easier to prevent nipple confusion than to fix it--though it is a problem that can be solved, should it occur (see below). Breastfed babies should not be given artificial nipples during the first three to four weeks when they are learning and perfecting their breastfeeding skills. Avoiding artificial nipples means avoiding pacifiers as well as bottles. Supplements, if medically necessary, can be given in ways that don't involve artificial nipples. (See Alternatives to Bottles.)

Will it be more difficult to introduce the bottle later? Many mothers, because they are going back to work or because they eventually plan to get out for a few hours by themselves, want their breastfed babies to accept feedings from bottles. They have heard stories of babies who adamantly refused anything but the breast. Getting baby to accept a bottle at age two or three months may take some patience, but most babies will catch on after a few tries. (Babies can also be fed with alternatives to bottles when mother is gone.) While introducing the bottle at one or two weeks of age may insure that baby accepts the bottle later, you're taking a risk. Some babies easily go back and forth between breast and bottle, but many others do not. Don't jeopardize your breastfeeding relationship when it has barely begun.
UN-CONFUSING THE NIPPLE-CONFUSED BABY

When a baby who is getting bottles begins to balk at taking the breast, nipple confusion is probably at the heart of the problem. Here's how to re-teach a baby what to do at the breast:

* Banish bottles and pacifiers. Even if your baby will eventually have to learn to use the bottle because you are returning to work, don't ask him to learn both skills at the same time.

* If supplements are needed, they can be given in ways that don't use artificial nipples. (See Alternatives to bottles.)

* Reacquaint baby with the pleasures of breastfeeding. Give her lots of skin-to-skin contact. Carry her in a sling near the breast between feedings.

* Breastfeed when baby is calm, usually in the morning or upon awakening from a nap. Don't wait until baby is ravenously hungry--she'll be in no mood to try something new.

* Review the latch-on basics. Be sure that baby is positioned properly in your arms. Wait until her mouth is wide open and her tongue is down before latching her on to the breast.

* Show and tell. Open your mouth as you say "open" to baby during latch-on. Even newborns can imitate adult facial expressions.

* Provide baby with instant gratification at the breast. Use a breast pump or manual expression to stimulate your milk ejection reflex and get the milk flowing before latching baby on. She'll be rewarded with a hearty flow of milk after the first few sucks.

* Use an eyedropper or feeding syringe to drip milk into baby's mouth as she latches on to the breast. (Get some help with this one.) This may encourage baby to stay latched-on and to continue sucking.

* For more suggestions and support, get help from a La Leche League Leader or a lactation consultant.


Babies often act puzzled or uncertain when they are re-introduced to the breast. Be patient. Praise your baby for every tiny step she takes back to breastfeeding. It may take a few days to woo baby back to the breast, but you can do it.

If you must supplement in the hospital with either pumped milk/ colostrum or formula ask for alternatives to bottles and artificial nipples. This way it wont interfere with breastfeeding. Alternatives include cup-feeding, spoon-feeding, an eyedropper or feeding syringe, or a nursing supplementer. Which method to choose depends on your reasons for supplementing, how long you will be giving supplements, and your own preferences. Check out this link as to how to use alternatives:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T026000.asp

What Happens To Your Baby After Delivery?

What will happen to my baby immediately after birth?
Newborn babies don't have good temperature control, so it's very important that they be kept warm and dry. If you have a vaginal delivery and you and your baby are both in good condition, he can be placed directly onto your abdomen and dried off there. He'll be covered with a warm towel or blanket and given a cap to keep him from losing heat through his head.

Skin-to-skin contact will help keep your baby warm and let the two of you start bonding as well. (Don't worry about bonding if you can't hold your baby right away because one of you needs immediate medical care. There'll be plenty of time for bonding later.)

Your practitioner will clamp the umbilical cord in two places and then cut between the two clamps. (Your partner can do the honors if he or she wants to!) Your caregiver will collect a tube of blood from the cord to check your baby's blood type and possibly use for other tests as well.

During your baby's birth, your caregiver may have suctioned your baby's mouth and nose before the delivery of his shoulders. If your baby still seems to have too much fluid in his mouth or nose, she may do further suctioning at this time.

While you and your baby are locking eyes, he'll be closely observed to ensure that he continues to do well. At one and five minutes after birth, an Apgar assessment will be done to evaluate your baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex response, and color. Your caregiver can do these simple assessments while your baby is resting on your belly.

When can I start breastfeeding?
Babies tend to be very alert right after birth, so now's a good time to begin breastfeeding if you're both willing. There's no need to panic if your newborn seems to have trouble finding or staying on your nipple right after birth — he may just lick your nipple at first. Most babies will eventually begin to nurse within the first hour or so, given the opportunity.

Don't be shy about asking your caregiver or nurse to help you get started while you're still in the birth room (or recovery room if you had a c-section). Later, when you get to the postpartum unit, there may be a lactation consultant available for one-on-one coaching or group breastfeeding classes. You should be able to find out ahead of time what resources are available. Be sure to ask for all the help you need. And keep asking questions and asking for help until you are satisfied.

What if my baby has problems at birth?
If your baby has any problems at birth that require extra observation or a full-fledged resuscitation (or anything in between), your practitioner will quickly clamp and cut the cord. Your baby will then be dried off and placed on a radiant warmer in your birthing room. The warmer allows him to be left naked without getting cold so his medical team can do whatever is necessary to help him make the transition to life outside the womb.

An Apgar assessment will be done, as will more suctioning, if needed, and whatever other interventions are necessary. If your baby needs further care after being stabilized, he may be taken to an intensive care nursery. But if he's doing well and needs no more assistance, he'll be swaddled in a warm blanket and brought to you so you can nuzzle, bond, and breastfeed.

What if I have a c-section?
If you have a c-section, your baby will be handed to a nurse or pediatrician as soon as he's delivered and taken to a radiant warmer. He'll be dried off, his mouth and nasal passages will be suctioned, an Apgar assessment will be done, and he'll get any other attention he might need.

In many hospitals, if your baby is doing well, he'll be swaddled in a warm blanket and brought to your partner (who'll be sitting by your head) to hold while you're being stitched up. This way, you can admire and kiss your baby while you're still in the operating room. Afterward, in the recovery room, you can begin to breastfeed if you want.

When do they do the ID bands and footprints?
Whether your baby is lying on your body or on a radiant warmer, a nurse will put ID bands on you, your baby, and your partner minutes after the delivery (and certainly before taking your baby out of the room for any reason).

She'll also footprint your baby. Most hospitals routinely make two copies of the baby's footprint, one for his hospital record and the other as a keepsake for you. (If they don't usually do this and it's something you'd like, be sure to ask for a copy.)

What else will happen in the first hour?
A nurse will put antibiotic ointment or drops in your baby's eyes within an hour after birth. The ointment or eyedrops are required by state law in the United States to help prevent eye infections — some of which can cause blindness — from a variety of bacteria that your baby could have been exposed to just before or during birth, including gonorrhea and chlamydia.

She'll also weigh your baby and give him an injection of vitamin K to help his blood clot. She may measure his length and head circumference, or that may be done later by the pediatrician.

What else will be done for my baby before we leave the hospital?
After your baby's temperature has remained stable for at least a few hours, a nurse will give him a sponge bath and wash his hair if needed. Baths usually take place in the nursery so the baby can be put under radiant heat to warm up afterward, but you can ask for your child to be bathed in your room if you want.

Your baby will get a complete pediatric exam. Like the bath, this is usually done in the nursery but can be done in your room, instead. After the exam, you can ask to have your baby back or have him taken to sleep in the nursery. If you're breastfeeding, it makes sense to keep the baby in your room, as you'll probably need to feed him every few hours.

What tests will be done on my baby?
When your baby is 48 hours old, his heel will be pricked and a small amount of blood taken to test for phenylketonuria (PKU), hypothyroidism, and other disorders. All 50 states require newborn screening tests (sometimes referred to as "the metabolic screen"). But the number and type of genetic and metabolic disorders tested for vary widely from state to state, from as few as four conditions to more than 40.

If you live in a state that does only limited testing you can pay for additional testing, but you may need to make arrangements ahead of time. If you deliver at a birth center or at home, you'll need to bring your baby to the doctor for these tests before he's a week old. And if you give birth in a hospital but are discharged early — within 24 hours after delivery — your baby will need repeat testing one to two weeks later because the screening test done for PKU in the first day of life isn't always accurate.

Many hospitals routinely perform newborn hearing tests before your baby is discharged. In some states it's required by law. (Both the March of Dimes and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend testing for all babies.)

If your HIV status is unknown, your baby's cord blood may be tested for the virus. (In some states, this is required.)

Will my baby get a hepatitis B shot?
Your baby will probably get his first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine before being discharged from the hospital. If you're a hepatitis B carrier or your status is unknown, your baby should definitely be vaccinated within 12 hours of birth. (If you're sure that you, other family members, and anyone who will be caring for your baby are all negative for hepatitis B, the first dose can be delayed and given when you are ready to do so. I mean think about it. The only way the baby can contract hepatitis B is if you are carrier, if the baby partakes in risky behavior like having sex, doing drugs or getting tattoos... You really think your baby is going to be doing any of that anytime soon? So my theory is to delay this until they come of age to be thinking about doing something of this nature.)

Babies of mothers who are known hepatitis B carriers will also receive an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth. If your hepatitis B status is unknown, your blood will be drawn for testing, and if you're found to be positive, your baby should receive a dose of HBIG as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that you have the ability to make decisions for yourself and your baby regarding accepting vaccines, vitamin K shots, eye drops and even when the chord is cut. I encourage you all to do your homework and find out the pros and cons to each procedure.

What To Pack In Your Labor Bag

FOR YOU- labor

• Your birth plan.

• Your insurance card and any hospital paperwork you need.

• Your eyeglasses, if you need any. Even if you usually wear contacts, you'll probably need or want to take them out at some point during your stay.

• A hair band and barrettes, if you think you might want them.

• Lip moisturizer- This is an item most mommies-to-be don't think about bringing to the hospital, but believe it or not, all the heavy breathing and licking your lips during labor will make your lips VERY chapped and sore, so you will DEFINITELY want to bring this!

• A bathrobe, nightgown, slippers, and a couple of pairs of socks. Hospitals provide gowns for you to use during labor and afterward, but most will allow you to wear your own clothes if you prefer. Choose something loose and comfortable that you don't mind getting ruined. You'll need to wear a gown instead of pants so that your practitioner can check your cervix. Choose a top with short, loose sleeves so you your blood pressure can be checked easily and so you can slip your top off easily if you want to change and have an IV in place. You might also want to bring your own slippers and robe for walking around during the early stages of labor. If you don't want to risk soiling your robe, you can ask for a second hospital gown to wear as a robe to cover your backside.

• Entertainment: Something to read, a handheld video game, an iPo....

• Massage oils or lotions, music, an extra pillow, whatever you need to help you relax. (If you do bring your own pillow, be sure to use a patterned or colorful pillowcase so it doesn't get mixed up with the hospital's.) You might consider bringing tennis balls or a rolling pin in case you have back labor and need them for massage.

For your partner/labor coach

• Money for parking and change for vending machines.

• A few basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant.

• A change of clothes

• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages.

• A camera/video camera and film or tape or a memory card and batteries. Someone has to document the big event! (NOTE: Not all hospitals allow videotaping of the birth itself, but there's usually no rule against taping during labor or after the birth.)

• A bathing suit. If your partner wants to take a bath or shower during labor, you may want to jump in with her.

FOR YOU- Postpartum

• A fresh nightgown.

• Snacks! After many hours of labor, you're likely to be pretty hungry and you don't want to have to rely on the hospital's food. So bring your own crackers, raisins, and granola bars.

• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear, if you'd prefer not to wear the net panties they'll give you at the hospital. Chances are, whatever underwear you do wear the first few days will get stained, even with sanitary pads (which the hospital provides).
Also bring some of your OWN pads to place into your panties- the ones the hospital gives you are like giant boats!

• Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hairbrush, lip balm, deodorant, lotion, and makeup: if it's important to you. You might also want to put some make-up on in the early stage of your labor before things get rough (if you have time), because some mommies like to look nice for the pictures that will probably be taken of them.
Just a reminder: Hospitals will have soap, shampoo, and lotion, but you might prefer your own brands.

• Your address book and prepaid phone card or cell phone. After the baby's born you'll want to call family and friends to let them know the good news. Note: Some hospitals don't allow cell phones to be used in the labor and delivery area, so you may want to ask about it ahead of time.

• A going-home outfit. Bring something roomy and easy to get into — believe it or not, you'll probably still look 5 or 6 months pregnant — along with a pair of flat shoes. The last thing you'll be worrying about when you go home is whether your outfit is fashionable.

For your baby

• An infant car seat. You can't drive your baby home without one!

• A going-home outfit (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest) and a snowsuit if it's very cold

• A receiving blanket/ burp cloth (a heavy one if the weather's cold)

• A pair of socks or booties

• A cap (although they'll usually give you one at the hospital)

• Baby nail clippers or emery board. "The hospital where my son was born didn't supply clippers for fear of liability, and as a consequence my son gouged his face before he was 12 hours old.
Also bring some baby mittens, so that your baby doesn't scratch his/her face! Their nails can usually be really long after they're first born!

What NOT to bring

• Jewelry

• Lots of cash, credit cards, or any other valuables

• Work. Yes, we actually know fast-track types who have sent business e-mails from the hospital room, made work-related phone calls, and reviewed spreadsheets.

Drinking During Pregnancy~ Another BAD Idea

How much alcohol is too much?
Alcohol and pregnancy don't mix. That's because is it known to be harmful to a developing baby- even though no one knows EXACTLY what harmful effects even the smallest amount of alcohol has on a developing baby. All public health officials in the United States recommend that mothers-to-be play it safe by steering clear of alcohol entirely.

"We don't really know what a safe level of alcohol consumption is for a pregnant woman — and it's probably different for every woman because no one metabolizes alcohol in the same way," says Pam Phipps, research manager of the fetal alcohol and drug unit in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. "Since it's impossible to identify a safe dose, we advise abstinence." So do experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What effects could alcohol have on my baby?
When you drink, the alcohol quickly travels through your bloodstream to your baby. Your baby may end up with higher levels of blood alcohol than you have. Basically, if you are getting drunk, your baby is getting drunk- and the effects of drinking can be MUCH greater on your baby than you.--- I mean, think about it: you wouldn't give your newborn a shot of vodka, would you?

Drinking endangers your growing baby in a number of ways: It increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. As little as one drink a day can increase the odds for low birth weight and raise your child's risk for problems with learning, speech, attention span, language, and hyperactivity. And some research has shown that expectant moms who have as little as one drink per week are more likely than nondrinkers to have children who later exhibit aggressive and delinquent behavior.

The most severe result of alcohol use is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a permanent condition characterized by poor growth, abnormal facial features, and damage to the central nervous system. Babies with FAS grow poorly in the womb or after birth, or both. In addition to abnormal facial features, they may have abnormally small heads and brains; heart, spine, and other anatomical defects. The central nervous system damage may include mental retardation, delays in physical development, vision and hearing problems, and a variety of behavioral problems.

Frequent drinking (seven or more drinks per week, including mixed drinks, wine, and beer) or binge drinking (five or more drinks on any one occasion) greatly increases the risk that your baby will suffer from FAS. But babies whose moms drink less can also develop this syndrome. And babies exposed to alcohol in utero — even if they don't have full-blown FAS — may still be born with some of these birth defects or later exhibit a number of mental, physical, or behavioral problems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, fetal exposure to alcohol is one of the main preventable causes of birth defects and developmental problems in this country. More than 10 percent of women in the United States drink during pregnancy, and one in 30 pregnant women drink frequently or binge drink: The babies of all these women are at risk. So whether you have a severe drinking problem or a more moderate one, if you find yourself unable to completely give up alcohol, it's vital to get help as soon as possible. Talk to your provider about counseling or treatment options.

What about "nonalcoholic" beer and wine?
The term "nonalcoholic" is a bit misleading when it comes to the supposedly alcohol-free versions of beer and wine. In fact, all "nonalcoholic" beers and many nonalcoholic wines do contain some alcohol, typically less than half a percent. While few would say that the trace amount of alcohol in an occasional glass of nonalcoholic beer is going to harm your baby, it's something to be aware of — especially if you drink these beverages often or in large amounts. So before you drink up, read labels carefully and remember that "nonalcoholic" and "alcohol-free" aren't interchangeable terms: Drinks labeled nonalcoholic can contain trace amounts of alcohol, while those labeled alcohol-free can't.

Smoking During Pregnancy~ NOT a good idea!

Smoking during pregnancy will expose your baby to nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other harmful toxins that can stunt his growth — including brain growth. An expecting mom with a pack-a-day habit will reduce her baby's birth weight by about half a pound, on average. (Remember, "average" means that some babies are far more affected than others.) This is significant because low birth weight is one of the main factors linked to newborn illness, disability, and death.

Cigarette smoking is also associated with increased risk for many pregnancy complications. These include premature labor, ectopic pregnancy (in which the fertilized egg implants outside the womb), miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption, vaginal bleeding, and premature delivery.

The long-term consequences of smoking during pregnancy can linger far after childbirth. Recent studies suggest that babies born to mothers who smoked are more likely to have learning problems, short attention spans, and hyperactivity disorders. They're more vulnerable to breathing problems such as asthma. Smoking during pregnancy can also put your baby at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

What about Second hand smoke?

Second hand smoke during pregnancy is risky. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke raises a non-smoker's risk of developing lung cancer by at least 15%. The American Heart Association says non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke have a 30% increased risk of dying from heart disease and are at increased risk of asthmatic attacks and emphysema.

We have firm evidence that the use of tobacco products by adults (environmental tobacco smoke) increases childhood mortality and morbidity; otitis media, tympanostomy, tonsillectomy, asthma, coughs, lower respiratory tract illness, hospitalisations, and deaths. The studies linking second hand smoke to pregnancy problems show mixed results.

A study, released at a 1996 meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, says the compounds associated with second hand smoke can cause genetic damage and may be a prelude to childhood leukemia and other cancers. The study suggests that cancer-causing chemicals in cigarette smoke pass from mother to unborn baby, whether the mother smokes or not.

Pregnant women exposed to the secondhand smoke of co-workers or family members pass some of the blood-borne chemicals to their unborn babies, though babies of smokers have much higher levels of the chemicals. Researchers at the University of Louisville studied 410 pregnant women, measuring levels of three tobacco carcinogens in the mothers and their newborns-- benzo(a)pyrene, which causes lung and skin cancer; 4-aminobiphenyl, which causes bladder cancer; and acrylonitrile, which causes liver cancer.

All three substances attach themselves to hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying protein in red blood cells. The carcinogens continue to circulate through the babies' blood for the life of the red cells, about four months.

The study found that levels of the three chemicals were four to five times higher in the passive smokers' babies than in the non-smokers' infants and they were 10 to 20 times higher in the cigarette smokers' babies.

Here is a great link to help you quit smoking during pregnancy:http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy-quitting-smoking

Fetal Movements: Feeling Your Baby Move

(provided by babycenter.com)

When should I start to feel my baby move?
You probably won't feel your baby kick until sometime between 16 and 22 weeks, even though he started moving at 7 or 8 weeks and you may have already witnessed his acrobatics if you've had an ultrasound.

Veteran moms tend to notice those first subtle kicks — also known as "quickening" — earlier than first-time moms. (A woman who's been pregnant before can more easily distinguish her baby's kick from other belly rumblings, such as gas.)

Your build may also have something to do with when you'll be able to tell a left jab from a hunger pang. Thinner women tend to feel movement earlier and more often than women who carry more weight.

What does it feel like?
Women have described the sensation as being like popcorn popping, a goldfish swimming around, or butterflies fluttering. You'll probably chalk up those first gentle taps or swishes in your belly to gas or hunger pains, but once you start feeling them more regularly, you'll recognize the difference. You're more likely to feel these early movements when you're sitting or lying quietly.

How often should I feel movements?
At first the kicks you notice will be few and far between. In fact, you may feel several movements one day and then none the next. Although your baby is moving and kicking regularly, many of his jerks and jolts aren't yet strong enough for you to feel. But later in the second trimester, those reassuring kicks will become stronger and more regular.

If you're tempted to compare notes with other pregnant women, don't worry if your experience differs from that of your friends. Every baby has his own pattern of activity, and there's no correct one. As long as your baby's usual activity level doesn't change too much, chances are he's doing just fine.

Do I need to keep track of the kicking?
Once you're feeling kicks regularly, pay attention to them and let your practitioner know right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's movement. Less movement may signal a problem, and you'll need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Once you're in your third trimester, some practitioners will recommend that you spend some time each day counting your baby's kicks. There are lots of different ways to do these "kick counts," so ask for specific instructions.

Here's one common approach: Choose a time of day when your baby tends to be active. (Ideally, you'll want to do the counts at roughly the same time each day.) Sit quietly or lie on your side so you won't get distracted. Time how long it takes for you to feel ten distinct movements — kicks, twitches, and whole body movements all count. If you don't feel ten movements in two hours, stop counting and call your midwife or doctor.

Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Greater Rates Of Cesarean Section

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Center (BMC) found that pregnant women who are vitamin D deficient are also at an increased risk for delivering a baby by caesarean section as compared to pregnant women who are not vitamin D deficient. These findings currently appear on-line in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

At the turn of the 20th century, women commonly died in childbirth due to "rachitic pelvis" rickets of the pelvis. While rickets virtually disappeared with the discovery of vitamin D, recent reports suggest that vitamin D deficiency is widespread in industrialized nations.

Over a two-year period, the researchers analyzed the relationship between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the prevalence of primary caesarean section. In total, 253 women were enrolled in this study, of whom 43 (17 percent) had a caesarean section. The researchers found that 28 percent of women with serum 25(OH)D less than 37.5 nmol/L had a caesarean section, compared to only 14 percent of women with 25(OH)D greater than 37.5 nmol/L.

"In our analysis, pregnant women who were vitamin D deficient at the time of delivery had almost four times the odds of caesarean birth than women who were not deficient," said senior author Michael Holick, MD, PhD, director of the General Clinical Research Center and professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at BUSM and Anne Merewood assistant professor of pediatrics at BUSM and lead author of the study.

According to Holick, one explanation for the findings is that vitamin D deficiency has been associated with proximal muscle weakness as well as suboptimal muscle performance and strength.

Notes:

This study was funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Maternal Child Health: R40MC03620-02-00, and by the US Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Award.

Source:
Allison Rubin
Boston University

Caffeine During Pregnancy (You have never heard this before! Must Read!)

A new study published online in The FASEB Journal shows that the equivalent of one dose of caffeine (just two cups of coffee) ingested during pregnancy may be enough to affect fetal heart development and then reduce heart function over the entire lifespan of the child. In addition, the researchers also found that this relatively minimal amount of exposure may lead to higher body fat among males, when compared to those who were not exposed to caffeine. Although the study was in mice, the biological cause and effect described in the research paper is plausible in humans.

According to Scott Rivkees, Yale's Associate Chair of Pediatric Research and a senior researcher on the study, "Our studies raise potential concerns about caffeine exposure during very early pregnancy, but further studies are necessary to evaluate caffeine's safety during pregnancy."

To reach their conclusion researchers studied four groups of pregnant mice under two sets of conditions for 48 hours. The first two groups were studied in "room air," with one group having been injected with caffeine and another injected with saline solution. The second two groups were studied under conditions where ambient oxygen levels were halved, with one group receiving caffeine and the other receiving saline solution. They found that under both circumstances, mice given caffeine produced embryos with a thinner layer of tissue separating some of the heart's chambers than the group that was not given caffeine.

The researchers then examined the mice born from these groups to determine what long-term effects, if any, caffeine had on the offspring. They found that all of the adult males exposed to caffeine as fetuses had an increase in body fat of about 20 percent, and decreased cardiac function of 35 percent when compared to mice not exposed to caffeine.

"Caffeine is everywhere: in what we drink, in what we eat, in pills that we use to relieve pain, and even in candy," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "This report shows that despite popular notions of safety, there's one place it probably shouldn't be: in the diet of an expectant mother."

Notes:

The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) is published by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) and is the most cited biology journal worldwide according to the Institute for Scientific Information. FASEB comprises 21 nonprofit societies with more than 80,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB advances biological science through collaborative advocacy for research policies that promote scientific progress and education and lead to improvements in human health.

Article Details:
Christopher C. Wendler, Melissa Busovsky-McNeal, Satish Ghatpande, April Kalinowski, Kerry S. Russell, and Scott A. Rivkees. Embryonic caffeine exposure induces adverse effects in adulthood . FASEB J. first published on December 16, 2008 as doi:10.1096/fj.08-124941.
http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.08-124941v1

CNN Reports on Doulas

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/06/hm.doulas/index.html#cnnSTCText

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