Pregnancy

This report from The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) "... reflects new medications that have emerged and updates treatment recommendations for pregnant women with asthma."

In a recent study, researchers report a 60 percent increase in the risk for miscarriage when the father is 40 or older, regardless of how old the mother is.

Compared to fathers who were 25 to 29 years old, researchers found a 60 percent increase in the risk for miscarriage when the father is 40 or older. The risk was three times greater when the man was between 35 and 39 years of age.

There is concern about the possible effect of phthalates on the reproductive systems of infants, especially boys. See:http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/83/8346specialtychem5.html to

New research published on Environmental Science and Technology's Research ASAP website (DOI: 10.1021/es060356w)

Some startling facts are coming from the Texas Birth Defects Registry which has been crunching numbers from 6 years of data to try to see if there is a link between the very high rate of birth defects and environmental hazards such as refineries and landfills in Nueces County.

Children's acceptance of a healthy diet is influenced by their mother's diet while they are in the womb and during breast feeding. Repeated exposure to a variety of foods in the mother's diet is necessary.

In a study published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Gary Steinman, MD, PhD, an physician at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, reported that women who consume animal products, specifically dairy, are five times more likely to have twins than vegan women who eat no meat. He concluded that the possibility of having twins is determined by diet and heredity.

As women age, their responsibilities usually lessen: they have more time for themselves; they become happier; and have less depression. Jane Ussher, Professor of Women's Health Psychology at the University of Western Sydney believes that women are being told that they need medication for PMS, post-natal depression and menopausal stress because their bodies are not functioning properly when in reality their problem is not hormonal, but social.

Obesity during pregnancy and delivery has become a major concern of obstetricians.

A study by The British Columbia Reproductive Care Program researchers, based at BC Women's Hospital, indicates that "... obese women face numerous risks of complications and adverse conditions, including a far greater incidence of gestational hypertension and diabetes."

"The FDA advised women of childbearing age and children not to eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish and to limit consumption of all other fish to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week, including no more than six ounces of albacore tuna or tuna steaks. Some supermarket chains including Wild Oats, Safeway and Whole Foods, have independently required their stores to post signs bearing this advice."

"The baby blues can happen in the days right after childbirth and normally go away within a few days to a week. A new mother can have sudden mood swings, sadness, crying spells, loss of appetite, sleeping problems, and feel irritable, restless, anxious, and lonely. Symptoms are not severe and treatment isn’t needed. But there are things you can do to feel better. Nap when the baby does. Ask for help from your spouse, family members, and friends. Join a support group of new moms or talk with other moms."