Friday, November 4, 2011

Autism now linked to low birth weight preterm infants

We know autism is on the rise, but what is the clinical evidence saying about actual risk factors or causes?  There have been speculations from pitocin used in the delivery room to the caseins in milk, but a team of researchs have something impressive to report.

A recent study, published in Pediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP) reports the prevelance of autism spectrum discorders (ASD) is 5 times higher in low birth weight, preterm infants than in the general popluation. The study tracked 862 infants over 21 years. They found that infants with a birth weight less than 4 lbs 6 oz had a 5% prevelance of autism spectrum disorders compared with 1% in the general popluation. 

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Food Avoidances in Pregnancy

Deli Meats: luncheon meats (including deli meats such as ham, turkey, salami and bologna) unless they are reheated until steaming hot. They can be contaminated with listeria.

Smoked Meats - Refrigerated, smoked seafood often labeled as lox, nova style, kippered, or jerkey along with pate may also contain listeria. Canned meats or shelf-safe meats are ok. Some smoked meats may also contain nitrates or nitrites.

Unpasteurized milk or cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola and Mexican style cheeses that include queso blanco and queso fresco can be unpasteurized. Check the labels. Again, listeria and other bacteria are the concern. If it says it is pasteurized, it is ok. Unpasteurized milk is very hard to come by in most states, mainly found on farms.  Unpasteurized is overall not recommened in prengnacy, however this milk can be safe and even good for you if you are sure if is free from contamination from bacteria and know the source.

Fish with high levels of mercury: A sample of these types of fish include: shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. See a complete list here.

Nitrates - While controversial, some providers recommend avoiding or limiting nitrates to a few times a month.  Specifically, nitrates found in hot dogs, cured meats like bacon and ham, or smoked meats. Check labels.


Raw Eggs: Homemade caesar dressings, mayonnaise, cookie dough, homemade ice cream or custards, and Hollandaise sauces may be made with raw eggs.


Caffeine most studies show that caffeine intake in moderation is OK. As a general rule, caffeine should be limited to fewer than 300 mg per day during pregnancy. Depending on the strength, an 8-12 oz cup of coffee has roughly 150 mg of caffeine. 


Alcohol There is NO amount of alcohol that is known to be safe during pregnancy, and therefore alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.


Smoking Should be completely avoided in pregnancy as well as exposure to second-hand smoke.


Over the Counter Drugs Tylenol is safe to take in pregnancy, as recommended on the bottle. Any other medication should be discussed with your heath care provider.


*All dietary changes, restrictions and conditions should be discussed with your health care provider. 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

BIRTH: A Play by Karen Brody

A free webcast of BIRTH: A Play by Karen Brody will broadcast tomorrow night (September 5th) at 7pm EDT from New York City. If you miss it, it will be re-broadcast September 17th and September 24th.  

BIRTH, the play, is akin to the vagina-monologues, except it is all about birth.  This art celebrates the successes, emotions, and women in and around birth.  The play is the bread and butter of a movement called BOLD "a global movement to make maternity care mother-friendly."  The play proves to be a great treat for any friend to mothers worldwide.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

5 Things to think about before choosing an obstetrical provider.

Routine gynecological care can be just what it is. . . routine. But when the time comes to choose whose hands will be the first to caress your little infant child, the choice in provider becomes ever so much more important.  Luckily, in most locations in the United States, women have a choice.
First off, yes intuitive sense or the feeling you get is one of the best ways to size someone up.  There also are some other things to consider.

1) What is your provider/group's cesarean rate? 
The cesarean rate in the United States is 32% (NY Times article) and even higher is some states like New Jersey (38%) and Florida (37%).  The World Health Organization recommends a cesarean section rate of 15% and it's completely acceptable to expect your provider to have a cesarean section rate around 18-20%.  States like Alaska and Utah boast rates of 22%. 

2) What happens when your provider is unavailable, goes on vacation, is sick, or has a special event?
Most providers have a "back-up" physician or midwife that covers their patients and deliveries while they are away.  It is helpful to know who that person would be and to see if you are comfortable with that provider.  Some physicians don't routinely work weekends or certain days of the week like Mondays, so ask.

3) How far away from the hospital, birth center or your home does your provider live?
If your doctor lives 60 minutes away and your last labor was 1 hour, then you may want to consider someone else.

4) How does your provider/group feel about induction?
Induction is something that most women don't think will happen to them, until it does. Induction can increase a woman's likelihood of having a cesarean as well as increase her need for medication interventions. There are several reasons why a woman's labor may be induced: Postdates or 42 weeks; rupture of membranes without labor; convenience or size of the baby. It is helpful to know your providers stance on induction, induction rates and flexibility on induction policies.


5) How many deliveries does your provider do in a month/year?
This can be helpful to know so you can see how available they will be for you when you are in labor. If someone does 30 deliveries a month, practicing solo, they may very well have someone else in labor at the same time as you.

Monday, August 8, 2011

World Health Organization (WHO): 10 Facts On Midwifery

At the inception of this blog, I'm attempting to serve two purposes: 1) give midwives a voice as well as a stronger presence in the field of women's health and 2) attend to the needs of women.  I hope to abate the need to persistently explain the purpose and dire need for midwifery services.  Therefore, I'm dedicating a few of my first posts to doing just that. Justifying my cause.  See below:

Taken from http://www.who.int/en/

10 FACTS on Midwifery

Worldwide, approximately 350 000 women die every year due to pregnancy and childbirth related complications. Many maternal and newborn deaths can be prevented if competent midwives assist women before, during and after childbirth and are able to refer them to emergency obstetric care when severe complications arise. Most of these largely preventable deaths occur in low-income countries and in poor and rural areas.

#1  Competent midwives decrease the risk of dying during childbirth.

About 1000 women and almost 10,000 newborns die every day due to largely preventable complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period. In addition, every year, nearly 3 million babies are stillborn. Many of these lives could be saved if every birth were attended by a midwife.

#2  More than one third of all births take place without a midwife or other skilled health staff.

The WHO aims to improve maternal health with its Millennium Development Goals (MDG 5) . "Today, maternal mortality is the slowest moving target of all the Millennium Development Goals – and that is an outrage . . .no woman should have to give her life to give life." Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General

#3 Midwives also provide essential care after birth.

After childbirth, midwives support mothers. They attend to the health of the newborn and the mother. They also counsel the mother on newborn care, birth spacing and family planning.

Click here for the complete list of 10 Facts on Midwifery

WHO supports countries' efforts to make sure that every women and every newborn baby receive the best possible health care.