When your baby “drops”

If this is your first baby, between weeks 36 and 38 your baby’s head will probably move down your uterus, called “dropping” or “lightening,” to press against your cervix. (If you have had a baby before, this may not happen until labor begins.) When your baby does drop, you will feel a little less out of breath and have less heartburn because your uterus won’t be pressing up against your lungs and stomach quite so much.

It will, however, press down a little more on your bladder, and you may need to urinate even more often. Just a little more time until your baby is born, and these common late-pregnancy discomforts will disappear!

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

How will you greet your new baby?

If your birth is uncomplicated, plan to spend a quiet hour or more holding and getting to know your new baby skin-to-skin, on your chest, with a light blanket over both of you for warmth. Research suggests newborns allowed 70 to 80 minutes of undisturbed skin-to-skin contact with their mothers right after birth sleep more, cry less, and are less stressed than infants who are held briefly (for 15 to 20 minutes), then separated for washing and dressing. If you plan to breastfeed, nursing your baby during this time will help you to get the best start possible.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

A message to partners and friends: how you can help

Your support can make all the difference as the new mother manages the last weeks of pregnancy. You can help her feel more comfortable with foot and lower-back massages. Extra pillows when she is sitting or lying down, a glass of water by her side, and simple, healthy meals are easy things to provide that she may not do for herself. If she has other small children at home, extra time with you and other close adults will both comfort mom as she focuses on her approaching labor and give her the rest she needs to build her energy. If she plans to breastfeed, learn as much as you can about the benefits of breastmilk and how breastfeeding works so that you can help support her during the early days of nursing.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Parenting Q&A

Q:“My baby is in a breech position. Is it possible that she could turn? Is it a given that I will have to have a cesarean section?”

A:No, it is not assumed that you will definitely have a cesarean section if the baby is in a breech position. She could still turn on her own, even as late as 37 weeks. In fact, many babies at 32 weeks are in the breech position and eventually turn with their head down at the mother’s pelvis. If your baby is 36 to 38 weeks and has not turned on her own, your healthcare provider may decide to try to turn the baby. This is called external cephalic version. Your childbirth educator may also be able to suggest exercises that you can do to turn a breech baby.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Ear infections caused by both bacteria and viruses The recommended treatment for mild to moderate middle ear infections is to watch and wait, and new research backs up this strategy. The watch-and-wait philosophy came about because antibiotics weren’t clearing up the infections, and doctors worried that giving repeated courses of drugs or changing types of antibiotics would create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. New research shows that the antibiotics probably were killing the bacteria but infections weren’t clearing up because, in addition to bacteria, viruses were present in the ear. Two-thirds of the children included in this study had both bacteria and viruses present in the inner ear fluid during their middle ear infection.

Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases 43 (2006):1417–22.

Feathering your nest

You’ve heard about it, but is it real? The “nesting instinct” is a supposed flurry of activity experienced by women in late pregnancy, an urge to wash curtains, scrub floors, and sort drawers. While there’s no scientific explanation for this surge of energy, many mothers feel a sensible need to get organized before their baby arrives.

What will your baby need?

Gather and arrange your baby’s things in these last weeks of your pregnancy. All a newborn truly needs is:

• your warm arms
• your breastmilk (or formula)
• a safe place to sleep
• an approved rear-facing car seat, installed in the back seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• a small collection of soft shirts and one-piece stretch suits
• a few lightweight baby blankets
• cloth or disposable diapers
• for winter babies, a padded suit with a hood
• for summer babies, a sunhat

What will you need?

Purchase or borrow:

• three nursing bras, one to wear, one to wash, and one ready to go
• some shirts you can lift from the waist and nightgowns you can open from the top for nursing
• a safety-approved baby front pack or sling that drapes across one shoulder and around your waist that will keep your baby close to you and your hands free when you need them
• a small safety-approved baby seat for a convenience when your baby is awake and you want to put him down for a few minutes (mostly, though, babies are happiest when they can touch, smell, and hear you, and feel your movements)

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Parenting Q&A

Q:“I read that typically boys are heavier at birth than girls, and have bigger heads. Does that mean that a mother should expect a longer labor and more difficult delivery if she is having a boy?”

A:Babies of both sexes come in all sizes. Birth weights are a result of genetics, maternal nutrition during pregnancy, length of pregnancy, and other influences, rather than gender. In addition, the length of individual labors is equally unpredictable and influenced by numerous factors. One mother might have a very easy, relatively swift labor to give birth to a nine-pound girl, while another might have a long and tiring labor to give birth to a six-pound boy.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Folic acid and neural tube defects Taking folic acid during pregnancy is known to help prevent neural tube defects (NTD) such as spinal bifida. A recent study shows it might help improve the survival rates of babies born with NTD as well. Researchers compared the one-year survival rate of infants with NTD born before and after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required the fortification of grain and other products with folic acid. The study showed a 92% first-year survival rate since the FDA mandate versus a 90% survival rate prior to it.

Source: Pediatrics 117 (2006): 803–13.

The Baby Expert: You

You’re probably hearing a lot of advice these days from family, friends, and even strangers on the bus about how to take care of your baby. Everyone has an opinion. Then there are the long shelves of books written by experts, racks of magazines, and websites for new parents. How can so many people have so much to say about babies? Do they all say the same thing? Who is right and to whom should you listen?

The answer depends on the question. If you want information or advice on your baby’s physical needs-feeding, care when he is ill, keeping him safe-it is wise to rely on your own doctor or sources written by specialists in those areas, such as pediatricians and lactation consultants.

When it comes to general parenting advice, you’ll find a wide range of approaches. Some will suit you, and some won’t. The way we raise our children, after all, is a result of our individuality as much as anything else. Do read and learn from the many wonderful books written for new parents, but pay most attention to the real expert on your baby: you. As you read and listen to family and friends, you will discover that some advice feels more right to you than others. Use that sense of rightness as a guideline in parenting, in the early days and throughout your child’s growing years.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Parenting Q&A

Q:“What happens if my water breaks at home or in public? What is the fluid like? Will I be in terrible pain; do labor pains start right away? How quickly do I need to get to the hospital before my baby is in danger?”

A:The actual water breaking typically does not hurt; you may not even feel it. If contractions started before your water broke, however, they will become more intense afterward. At full term there tends to be more fluid present than if your water broke before 37 weeks, but that can vary. If the fluid is a greenish color, the baby’s bowels have already moved (which typically occurs after birth) which means your baby may be in stress and require immediate attention. Once you believe your water has broken, call your doctor (or doctor on call) and give him or her the details of the situation, the time, the color of the fluid, and if contractions have begun.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Exercise linked to IVF failure

A new study has found a tentative link between regular exercise and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) failure. Women who exercised regularly for four or more hours per week for the past year or more were twice as likely to have an implantation failure or pregnancy loss after IVF and 40% less likely to have a live birth after IVF than women who didn’t exercise. The researchers theorize that exercise affects body fat percentage and hormone levels, but caution that more research is needed. They do not recommend that women undergoing IVF give up exercising.

Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology 108 (2006): 938–45.

Car Seat Controversy

Some of you may have heard about the big uprise from car seat companies because of a Consumer Reports article a month ago. Interestingly, Diane brought the original article to my attention when it was published by Consumer Reports. On the news, all of these companies shouted out at the top of their lungs that their products were safe. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports had to retract their findings and submit to the companies, because the companies were afriad that people would stop using car seats all together.

It sounds like the politics of the situation forced Consumer Reports to fold under the pressure. “Real” researchers in support of the companies claim Consumer Reports crash tested the seats at 70 mi/hr. I really wished they would have held their ground, because I can’t image that a well known company like Consumer Reports would make a mistake that big if they wanted to keep their reputation. Read this article for the full details from ABC, but keep in mind that ABC holds a liberal perspective in support of the companies: Magazine Retracts Car Seats Report

For the original findings check out this email alert Diane got:10 Car Seats Fail New Crash tests

Best Cities to Have a Baby

Here is an interesting site Diane stumbled upon. If you wonder how Diane stumbles on sites so frequently, just ask her how fun her work-days are :). The cool thing is that this site has been taking data about all 50 states for some time and has some good criteria to define how prepared a state is for baby care. This may help some people who are going to move soon or want to raise their baby in the safest, most baby-conscientious area. Have fun checking it out: Best Cities in America to have a Baby

How Does Daddy Get to Bond

Diane found this really great article that gives some tips on how the daddy can bond with his baby. Since the mom has numerous situations to bond with him, it is sometimes difficult for the dad to feel as close to him as she does. Be prepared dads. You may get the not-so-fun tasks more often.

The Daddy-Baby Connection

Preparing to breastfeed

Your breasts have been preparing to feed your baby since you conceived, growing larger as milk-making structures develop within them. Since the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, your breasts have been capable of producing milk for your baby.

You may have already noticed beads of deep yellow fluid on your nipples. This “liquid gold” is colostrum, your baby’s first food, and it usually appears sometime in the third trimester. This special, early milk is crammed with elements that protect your baby from bacteria and viruses. It is high in nutrition and easy to digest. If you nurse your baby early and often in the first days after birth, the colostrum will soon turn to mature milk, tailor-made to provide your baby with all the nutrients he needs until he is 5 to 6 months old, and beyond.

The only preparation for breastfeeding you need to do during pregnancy (other than learning as much as you can about how and why it is so good for your baby) is to check that your nipples can extend outward. To do so, squeeze gently just behind the nipple with your thumb and forefinger. This imitates the motion your baby will make while nursing. Do your nipples extend, or fold inward? If they do not point out when squeezed, let your doctor, midwife, or a lactation consultant at the hospital know and they can show you a few ways to encourage them to extend.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Preparing for your baby’s arrival

Your newborn won’t need much equipment in the first weeks other than safe and comfortable places for sleeping, nursing, changing, and riding in a car. Will your baby sleep in a crib in a separate room or in a bassinet beside your bed for the first few weeks? If you plan to keep your baby in your bedroom, she still needs a bed of her own. Research shows that babies who sleep in adult beds or any surface not designed specifically for infant sleep are at serious risk for suffocation. (Infant “sidecars” can be purchased and safely attached to the side of your bed, if you want to keep your baby close by. Keeping your baby in your room during the first three months, in a separate bed, is one of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS.)

Do you have a comfortable chair or rocker (with arm support and a small stool on which to rest your feet) for nursing during the day? (Babies are also very happy to be nursed while you are lying down at night, so you can get as much as rest as possible.) Do you have a convenient place for diaper changes, one that won’t require you to bend over and strain your back?

A new, well-made, backward-facing infant car seat, installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, is your only other necessary piece of equipment.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

A note on infant car seats

Selecting a safe car seat for your newborn and installing it correctly can be a confusing process. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be kept in rear-facing car seats, installed in the back seat of the car, until their first birthdays. Newborns may need other features that allow them to be safely buckled and supported; look for a car seat that is designed for newborns as well as older babies. When you have chosen a seat, you’ll want to be certain it is installed correctly. Sometimes local police stations hold car seat and bicycle safety check days. Your local department may be happy to check the installation of your seat even if they do not sponsor such events. Finally, avoid attaching a lot of mobiles, mirrors, and toys to your baby’s car seat, as they can become a hazard if you are involved in an accident.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Parenting Q&A

Q:“I read that a baby’s gastrointestinal system is slow to develop and function in utero, because the fetus receives nutrition and elimination through the umbilical cord. Is it true that the system is not fully mature until they are toddlers, age 3 or 4? And if so, what does that mean? Is their digestive system particularly sensitive?”

A:The gastrointestinal tract of the newborn is immature and cannot digest anything but breastmilk or infant formula. The first breastmilk, colostrum, is designed to coat and seal the newborn gut, preventing large molecules, which can make a baby ill or cause allergies, from penetrating the surface of the intestine. Mature breastmilk is perfectly designed to continue the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract, soothing and protecting it with each nursing. Babies are not able to digest solid foods until they are 4 to 6 months old; each baby will show his or her readiness with a clear interest in trying new foods. Until then, they will show they are not ready for solid food by pushing anything fed to them out with their tongue.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Lupus poses increased risk in pregnancy Lupus, a chronic illness affecting the immune system, has been associated with higher-risk pregnancies. A new study has found that women with the most severe form of the disease have 20 times the risk of dying in pregnancy than healthy women. The disease also increases the likelihood of complications such as blood clots and anemia. The researchers recommend that women with lupus work closely with their doctors to plan and monitor their pregnancies.

Source: Duke University Medical Center, Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, National Institutes of Health, Nov. 2006, Washington D.C.

Why breast is best

No question seems to draw more opinion and advice than how you plan to feed your baby. You’ve heard that “breast is best” but may worry that learning to breastfeed will be difficult.

The fact is that more and more mothers are trying, and succeeding, to breastfeed their babies. A study of two million new moms in the US shows that a record number are choosing to nurse their babies: about 70% of moms now breastfeed their newborns, and more than 35% are still breastfeeding when their babies are 6 months old.

Your obstetrician wants you to, also, for some very good reasons:

• Breastfeeding lessens your blood loss after delivery.
• Breastfeeding decreases your lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, and premenopausal breast cancer. The longer you nurse, the lower your risk.
• Breastfeeding helps you return to your prepregnancy weight.

Your baby’s pediatrician hopes you will breastfeed because:

• Research provides strong evidence that breastmilk (via breast or bottle) decreases the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, asthma, ear infections, bacterial meningitis, botulism, and urinary tract infections in infants. Increasing evidence suggests that being breastfed as an infant may also decrease the risk of certain health problems later in life, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
• Breastfeeding uniquely supports the development of your baby’s brain and vision.
• Breastmilk is uniquely designed to meet the complete nutritional needs of your baby as he grows.

Mothers who breastfeed will tell you that the experience of successfully nursing their babies is one of the most fulfilling experiences of their lives. With knowledge and support, you can breastfeed your baby and give him the start in life that nature intended. In fact, breastfeeding is the best way to continue the nurturing and nourishing your body was already giving to your baby during pregnancy.

It takes some practice and lots of support to learn to breastfeed. Read and learn all you can now and, during the early weeks, stay in close touch with someone who has successfully breastfed. A friend who has happily nursed her baby can be a source of advice and inspiration. Certified lactation consultants or nurses trained in supporting breastfeeding mothers are on our hospital staff to help you and your baby off to a good start. La Leche League, a volunteer organization of nursing mothers, probably holds monthly meetings for new mothers near your home. And let your partner and family know how much you want to breastfeed your baby-and that their help and support will make all the difference.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Do kicks at night mean sleepless nights ahead?

Are little kicks keeping you awake at night? Is your baby a night owl already? Do a fetus’s sleep patterns in the womb predict his sleep schedule after he’s born? In fact, there isn’t any real evidence to support this popular theory. Just like newborns, babies in utero don’t yet have a day/night schedule for sleeping and waking. They rest for a few hours and then are awake for a few hours over the course of 24 hours. Fetuses do begin to develop a sleep/wake cycle at the beginning of the third trimester, when they start having active, or REM (rapid-eye-movement), sleep, the phase of sleep in which we dream. They add non-REM sleep-also known as quiet sleep-a month or so later, near or soon after birth. It takes another two months after birth for babies to establish a predictable sleep routine.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Parenting Q&A

Q:“My doctor told me it was fine to continue my antidepressant medication during pregnancy. However, I’ve heard that the medicines are present in breastmilk and can cause intestinal discomfort and fussiness in my baby. Should I be worried that these drugs are adversely affecting my baby?”

A:With the variety of antidepressant medications on the market, it is best to speak directly with your physician and your pediatrician. One drug may have side effects for your baby, while another may not. Schedule a visit to your pediatrician before birth if possible and bring a list of all your questions.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Early multivitamin use reduces risk of preeclampsia

A new study has found that taking a multivitamin supplement regularly three months prior to conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy may significantly reduce the risk of preeclampsia later in pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a rapidly progressive, potentially life-threatening condition characterized by high maternal blood pressure and protein in the urine. Overall, women who used a multivitamin regularly in the months before pregnancy and during the first trimester showed a 45% reduction in preeclampsia risk. The benefit was even more pronounced in mothers who were not obese prior to pregnancy. The study was not able to determine which nutrient in the multivitamins was responsible for the reduced risk.

Source: American Journal of Epidemiology 164 (2006): 470–77.

Catching your breath

You’re nearly there now; just a few more weeks and your baby will be in your arms. Is it all moving so fast that you feel out of breath? Actually, your uterus has grown so high now that your lungs have less room to expand. You may be short of breath from time to time until your baby’s head moves down into your pelvis just before birth. If you feel short of breath, try moving a little more slowly, so your heart and lungs don’t have to work so hard. Sleeping with your head, shoulders, and chest raised up will reduce heartburn and also help you to draw fuller breaths.

That growing uterus is also putting pressure on your bladder, sending you to the bathroom more often. In the last weeks of pregnancy, you may find that the urge to urinate wakes you several times at night. A nap or two during the day or early evening will help you get the rest you need.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Parenting Q&A

Q:“My ankles, feet, and hands are so swollen. Is this normal or is it a sign that my blood pressure is too high? As a first-time mother, I’ve heard high blood pressure is common. What happens to the fetus if my blood pressure goes up, and when should I be contacting my doctor?”

A:Most women experience some swelling of the extremities during pregnancy. Some women tend to retain more fluid than others even prior to pregnancy. Swelling is common during warmer weather, after prolonged standing or sitting, and at the end of the day. If the swelling does not decrease after sitting with your legs elevated and lasts longer than 24 hours, call your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor if the swelling is accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, or blurred vision. Depending on the date of your last visit, your doctor may want to check you for symptoms of preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure, protein in your urine, and rapid weight gain. High blood pressure can affect the vessels in your placenta and potentially restrict blood flow to the fetus.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

A pain in the rear

Pregnancy has many joys-one of which most certainly is not hemorrhoids. If you are bothered by this problem, there are some safe and effective ways to feel better.

Swelling, which causes hemorrhoids, is normal in pregnancy, and usually occurs in the legs. (If your hands or face swells, let your doctor know.) You can reduce the swollen veins in your legs, known as varicose veins, by elevating your legs whenever possible, resting on your side, and not wearing tight stockings or socks. Try not to cross your legs when sitting and, if you must sit a lot, stand up and move around from time to time. Gentle exercise, especially walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike, will also help.

Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the rectum. Constipation, also common in pregnancy, can make them worse. A high-fiber diet, plenty of liquids, and daily exercise will keep both constipation and hemorrhoids under control. Do check with your doctor before turning to any over-the-counter medication for hemorrhoids or swelling. Take heart: the situation will certainly improve after your baby is born!

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Planning for the first moments of your baby’s life

Before your baby is born, talk to your doctor or midwife about what will happen right after the birth of your new baby. In uncomplicated births and cesarean sections, it is usually possible and helpful for new parents to spend a quiet hour or more holding and getting to know their new baby. If a mother can hold her newborn skin-to-skin during this initial period, on her chest with a light blanket over both mother and baby for warmth, research suggests that the benefits are even greater. In one new study, full-term newborns who were allowed 70 to 80 minutes of undisturbed skin-to-skin contact with their mothers right after birth slept more, cried less, and were less stressed overall than infants who were held briefly (for 15 to 20 minutes) by their mothers, then taken for washing and dressing. If a baby nurses for the first time during this initial period, breastfeeding tends to become established more easily in the first week of life.

By the way, if you have not yet written a will with your partner, it is wise to have one drawn up-and select a guardian for your child-before your baby is born.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Backaches and heartburn

What a pain! Backaches and heartburn are at the top of the list of late pregnancy discomforts for most women. As your baby grows and your uterus enlarges, the increased curve of your spine and weight centered in your abdomen put stress on your lower back. Good posture-standing as straight as possible and keeping your chin level-will reduce the tendency of your spine to curve. Squatting-knees fully bent, heels flat on the floor-is a good exercise to prepare for birth and will also relieve the strain on your back.

Heartburn in late pregnancy is also caused by your growing uterus and hormones that relax the opening at the top of your stomach. The combination allows stomach acids to come back up and cause a burning sensation in your chest. Eat frequent small meals instead of a few large meals and avoid eating just before bed to minimize heartburn.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Extra pillows can help

If backaches and heartburn are keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep, a few extra pillows can help. While lying on your side, try placing one pillow between your knees, another at the small of your back, and two under your head so that your shoulders and chest are raised at an angle along with your head. You may wish to hug a pillow in front of your chest as well. The pillows at your legs, back, and chest will lessen the strain on your back, and the pillows under your shoulders and head will allow gravity to keep your stomach acids where they belong.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Smoking reduces chances of successful IVF Cigarette smoking has been shown in the past to lead to decreased levels of fertility. New research has found that heavy smoking may impact the womb itself. Researchers found that smoking ten cigarettes a day or more makes the uterus less receptive to an embryo, reducing the odds that it will implant and result in pregnancy. Heavy smokers, therefore, are less likely to become pregnant through in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Source: Human Reproduction 21 (2006): 2930–34.

Parenting Q&A

Q:“I feel dizzy when I get up from a sitting position. Yesterday, I almost fainted when shopping. Is this a normal discomfort during pregnancy or is this something harmful to my baby?”

A:Dizziness is a frequent complaint during pregnancy. It can be related to inadequate blood supply for the rapidly enlarging circulatory system, or it can be caused as the uterus expands and places pressure on the blood vessels. Dizziness can occur when you rise rapidly from a sitting position and can be prevented by rising slowly. You may also feel dizzy because of low blood sugar as a result of waiting too long to eat between meals or because you are in a closed, overheated area. Fainting, however, is less common. If you have fainted, definitely contact your doctor and describe the incident in detail, what you were doing at the time, and how long it lasted. Fainting is a symptom of a number of conditions affecting you and your baby that would be of concern to your doctor.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Clean teeth do not prevent preterm birth Past studies have found a link between periodontal disease and preterm birth, suggesting that women with dental problems should address those during, rather than after, pregnancy. A new study counters the findings of the prior studies and finds no such link. Researchers stress that dental treatment during pregnancy appears safe, but say that women should feel no undue pressure to deal with dental problems before birth because periodontal cleaning and plaque removal during pregnancy did not significantly improve rates of preterm birth.

Source: New England Journal of Medicine 355 (2006): 1885–94.

Parenting Q&A

Q:“Is it possible to make the baby move in response to your touch outside your stomach?”

A:Yes, and sounds can also stimulate your baby to move. If your baby has her foot in your ribs, try changing positions, moving around, or rubbing the area. See if these things will get your baby to move and for you to feel more comfortable.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Braxton-Hicks contractions

You may have felt an occasional squeezing or tightening across your abdomen in the last few weeks. As you enter your third trimester, this feeling, known as a Braxton-Hicks contraction, may get stronger and more frequent. As the end of your pregnancy approaches, you may wonder how you can tell the difference between a Braxton-Hicks contraction and a true labor contraction.

• The uterus is a large muscle, and a Braxton-Hicks contraction is an irregular, involuntary flexing of that muscle-a gentle workout to prepare it for the hard work of labor. Usually, women feel them begin near the pubic bone and move up toward the top of the uterus.
• True contractions…(In an effort to keep this site G-rated, this excerpt has been cut. If you’d like to know more, read more here)
• Braxton-Hicks contractions can be strong enough to require deep breathing and can occur more than three to four times in an hour, like labor contractions. They are especially likely to be strong and frequent if you are a little dehydrated or running a fever. If they are Braxton-Hicks, drinking four to six glasses of water and lying on the left side usually calms them down, while true labor contractions will increase in frequency and strength.
• Braxton-Hicks contractions may also occur after a sudden burst of activity, like running up the stairs, or first thing in the morning when you awaken with a full bladder.
• Fetal movement can also mimic a contraction. You can tell the difference by placing your hands on the top and sides of the uterus. If it’s a contraction, the uterus will feel hard all over and tight to your pressed fingertips. If the uterus feels hard in some places and soft in others, your baby’s movements are probably causing the sensation.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Feeling blue

Feeling a little blue and weepy once in a while is common during pregnancy. Having a new baby, after all, is a tremendous change, and one that brings on many strong emotions, as well as waves of hormones that affect your mood. Bright light, whether from a special light-therapy box or from a walk in the morning sunshine, has been shown to reduce depression symptoms in pregnant women by 50%. If you are feeling down without relief for more than a week or two, talk to your doctor about ways to help you feel better.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Care for premature infants

If your baby is born between now and 37 weeks, he will be considered premature, yet able to survive outside your womb. The care of premature infants has made great advances in recent years. Many babies born early are thriving, growing, and developing normally. If your baby is born prematurely, it is important for you, the parents, to share in his care as much as possible. As your baby grows stronger, you will be able to touch and gently massage him, hold him, and even give him your breastmilk-all important ways of helping and bonding with your new baby.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Kangaroo Care

If your baby is born prematurely, your medical staff may recommend that you work with them to provide Kangaroo Care. KC is a simple but powerful method of easing premature babies into the world by keeping them skin-to-skin on their mothers’ chests as much as possible. The nearness of her familiar scent, motion, and heartbeat seems to help many preterm infants stabilize their bodily processes and catch up to their full-term peers more easily. Full-term infants also reap benefits from KC and being held skin-to-skin.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Are you Rh negative?

Just as we all have a certain blood type (A, AB, B, or O), our blood is also Rh positive or Rh negative. The Rhesus (Rh) factor is an antigen on the surface of the red blood cells; if you have this antigen, you have Rh-positive blood. If you do not, you have Rh-negative blood. When a woman who is Rh negative is pregnant with a fetus that is Rh positive, her immune system forms antibodies to the fetus’s Rh antigen, which can harm the fetus. If you are Rh negative, your doctor will give you an injection of Rh immune globulin-usually in week 28 of pregnancy and again just before delivery-that allows the pregnancy to proceed safely.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Pregnancy for childhood cancer survivors

A new study has found that women who survive cancer in childhood have an increased risk of pregnancy complications later in life. Researchers found that the childhood cancer survivors were twice as likely to give birth prematurely as women who hadn’t had cancer. Infants born to the survivors were also more likely to be of lower birth weight, but that may be related to early birth. Women who received radiation therapy to the uterus were particularly likely to experience preterm birth or low fetal birth weight. Researchers suggest that women who survived childhood cancer consider consulting an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies during pregnancy planning.

Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute 98 (2006): 1453–61.

Parenting Q&A

Q:“Is it true once the baby’s taste buds can distinguish sweet, sour, and bitter, she will make facial expressions in response to the taste?”

A:By 13 to 15 weeks’ gestation, taste buds have formed. From that point forward, researchers believe, fetuses can taste the amniotic fluid, which carries the dominant tastes in the mother’s diet, such as curry, garlic, or onions. During the third trimester the baby swallows, on average, about a quart of amniotic fluid each day. Even in the uterus, babies suck more in response to sweet tastes than to bitter or sour, a preference that continues after birth and that is satisfied by the sweetness of breastmilk. That breastmilk, however, is also flavored by the dominant flavors in the mother’s diet. The tastes to which fetuses become accustomed in the womb, therefore, may acclimate and prepare them for the flavors of their mothers’ diets, and eventually the foods of the culture into which they are born.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Finding a childbirth class

Have you signed up for a childbirth preparation class yet? A once-a-week class will teach you and your partner what to expect through the end of your pregnancy, how to be more comfortable during labor, and how your partner or labor companion can best support you. Some classes even cover baby care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR. Parents usually say that they learn a lot in their childbirth classes and make lasting friendships with other new parents.

A class that prepares you to breastfeed may be as important as a childbirth class. A recent study found that the combination of education and support was most effective at helping new mothers breastfeed to six months and beyond. Group classes that review the benefits of breastfeeding, principles of lactation, myths, common problems, and solutions appear to have the greatest single effect on how long women continue to breastfeed.

Classes for pregnant women and their partners or companions can be found at our hospital or through your doctor or midwife’s office. If you will be taking a class outside the hospital, look for one taught by an educator certified by the International Childbirth Education Association-the ICCE following their name indicates that the teacher is trained and competent in areas tested by ICEA or other nationally certified childbirth groups. Classes by teachers certified by Lamaze International (those with LCEE after their name) are also recommended.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Finding childcare

If you plan to return to a job outside your home after you baby is born, you may wish to begin looking for childcare now. If your baby won’t be cared for in your home, visit both childcare centers and family daycare (childcare in someone’s home) in your area-wonderful childcare can be found in both. Look for a licensed provider, a low adult/child ratio (at least one adult for every three babies ages 0-24 months, and no more than six babies in a classroom or home), cleanliness, and children who seem content and engaged in age-appropriate activities.

Research confirms that caregivers with education in child development or learning make a difference in your child’s development. Also, it is important that the person who cares for your child share your values and childrearing attitudes. Your childcare setting should be open to you at all times. You should feel free to drop in whenever you want.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Low vitamin E in pregnancy linked to childhood asthma

Children whose mothers took in too little vitamin E during pregnancy were up to five times more likely to develop asthma by age 5 than children whose mothers took in higher amounts, according to a recent study. The study found no correlation between a child’s wheezing or asthma and maternal intake of iron, vitamin C, magnesium, copper, or beta-carotene. The researchers caution that pregnant women should not increase their consumption of vitamin E supplements based solely on this study. Instead, they recommend that women eat foods rich in vitamin E such as green leafy vegetables, whole grain cereals, and fish.

Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 174 (2006): 499–507.

Coping with bed rest

Most pregnancies are healthy and allow you to be active. Sometimes, however, complications require a mother to be inactive instead. If your doctor says you must rest-even staying in bed until you deliver-to prevent premature labor or another possible danger to you and your baby, take heart. Many women and their families have found ways to cope.

How much bed rest a mom might need varies. In strict bed rest, a mother must remain in bed at all times. In some cases, she is allowed to get up to go to the bathroom. And in limited bed rest, a mother may get up for part of the day or take meals with her family. Some women are asked simply to take it easy, to avoid walking, lifting, or standing for long periods.

In any of these situations, you’ll need support from family, friends, and neighbors. If you are a single mom, consider asking a friend or relative to stay with you for the time of your bed rest. Let people know how they can help, and why it is so important for you to limit your activity. You can also find valuable support online. Many websites include message boards where you can communicate with other women in the same situation. You can share concerns and advice on adjusting to horizontal living.

If bed rest is prescribed for you, hang in there-it will help you to reach your goal: a healthy baby.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Flu shots

The Centers for Disease Control recommends the flu shot for women who will be pregnant during flu season. Call your doctor to make an appointment sometime between September and December, before flu season gets underway.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Pregnancy and exercise

Exercising during your pregnancy will help you feel good, and may make your labor and delivery easier. While gaining 25-30 pounds is healthy for most pregnant women, becoming seriously overweight can cause health issues for mothers and babies. To stay fit through pregnancy, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Most exercises are safe during pregnancy, as long as you exercise with caution and stop when you feel tired. The safest and most productive activities are those that carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can be continued until birth: swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling and elliptical machines, and low-impact aerobics.
• Your developing baby and the other demands of pregnancy require more oxygen and energy. You may find that you become out of breath or fatigued more easily.
• Hormones produced during pregnancy cause the ligaments that support your joints to stretch, increasing the risk of injury.
• Your center of gravity shifts during pregnancy, and the added weight of your uterus and baby puts stress on your joints and muscles in the lower back and pelvic area. It is easier to lose your balance, so you may wish to avoid exercises that require it. Tennis, squash, and other court sports requiring rapid movements may become risky as your pregnancy proceeds. Also avoid exercises in which you must twist at the waist while standing or, after your third month of pregnancy, that require lying on your back or right side for more than a few minutes.

Please note that if you have a medical problem, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, your doctor may want you to limit your exercise program or monitor it closely. Your doctor may also wish to limit or monitor the exercise you do if you have an obstetric condition such as: bleeding or spotting, low placenta, threatened or recurrent miscarriage, previous premature births or history of early labor, and weak cervix.

No hot tubs please! Whatever your chosen exercise, take care not to raise your core body temperature beyond the level at which your body can cool itself through sweat and fluids, as doing so will raise your baby’s temperature and might be harmful. Ending your exercise routine with a spell in the sauna, hot tub, or steam room, therefore, is not safe during pregnancy.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Research Briefs from The Parent Review

Flu vaccine safe for young toddlers

Toddlers who get the flu are at a higher risk of complications from the illness. Government health experts have therefore recommended annual vaccination against seasonal flu for children from 6 to 23 months of age since 2004, based on preliminary safety data. A new study of more than 45,000 children backed up the preliminary data and found that seasonal flu vaccines are safe for young toddlers.

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association 296 (2006): 1990–97

Parenting Q&A

Q:“At what point can a fetus, though premature, potentially survive outside the womb, provided it is in a hospital with the necessary equipment? Other than a respirator, what else does the premature baby need to develop further?”

A:This depends on the hospital where you deliver your baby. Some babies may survive outside the womb as early as 24 weeks. Their chance of survival increases with each day in the uterus. There are many aspects of care for a premature baby. A neonatal intensive care unit with specialist nurses and doctors has the necessary equipment and skills to monitor and support these tiny babies’ hearts, nutrition, and other vital functions.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Cord-Blood Banking

In recent years, a new option has become available for parents who wish to plan for every possibility. In the past, after a baby was delivered, the placenta and umbilical cord were discarded. Then it was found that these organs are a source of the same kinds of blood-forming stem cells as is bone marrow. These cells can be collected, stored, and, if needed, used to treat a range of serious illnesses.

Cord-blood stem cells are especially useful when the recipient was the source, that is, if a child needs stem cells some day, then the first choice will be those from her own cord blood, or that of a sibling. While no one wants to think that a child may develop any of the disorders that can be treated with the help of stem cells, knowing you have these cells if ever they are needed can be reassuring.Parents who decide to have their newborn’s cord blood collected and stored must arrange to do so well in advance of delivery. It is collected soon after birth in both vaginal and cesarean deliveries with a kit ordered ahead of time from a cord-blood bank. The more blood collected, the more stem cells collected. If using the stem cells ever becomes necessary, having more to implant increases the chances of successful transplant.

Once collected and delivered to the cord-blood bank, the stem cells are separated from the rest of the blood and frozen. If needed, they can be thawed and used by the person who donated them, or they can be donated to another person in need. It is believed that the cells can be stored safely and stay effective for decades.

Some parents consider banking their newborn’s cord blood because they have a family medical history of diseases that can be treated with stem cell transplants, including leukemia or lymphoma, anemia, sickle cell anemia or an immune deficiency. The chance that a child without risk factors will ever need his own banked cord blood is low.

While reassurance is always nice to have, cord-blood banking is expensive and can require a yearly maintenance fee for as long as the blood is stored. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cord-blood banking for families without a medical history of disease. They do state that, “Banking should be considered if there is a family member with a current or potential need to undergo a stem cell transplantation.”

If your family history suggests that cord-blood banking may be of value, it is good to know the option exists now, in time to make an informed decision.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Sleeping comfortably

As your pregnancy progresses, finding a restful position in which to sleep may become difficult. Extra pillows placed at your back, against your stomach, and between your knees will make you comfortable. Your doctor or midwife may tell you to sleep on your left side, rather than on your right, as well. While there’s no harm to sleeping on your right, the advice is often given because lying on your left side may help your kidneys empty more efficiently. When your kidneys are working efficiently, you are less likely to have swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands. You should sleep on the side that is most comfortable for you, however, unless told otherwise by your caregiver. As your uterus and your baby grow, sleeping on your back will become less and less comfortable. Putting the full weight of your uterus on your spine, back muscles, intestines, and veins can give you a backache or hemorrhoids, as well as impaired breathing and circulation. If you’re a back sleeper, try to sleep on your side until after the baby is born.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Hiccups

Have you felt a light, repetitive thump thump thump in your abdomen yet? Soon you may feel the odd sensation of your baby having hiccups. When babies swallow a little amniotic fluid, they sometimes get hiccups as a reflexive response. Some babies hiccup a lot during the second and third trimesters, often daily, while others do so only once in a while. Both are normal, and a charming reminder that yes, there really is a baby in there.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Ultrasound Facts & Info

These days, almost every woman at some point in her pregnancy is given a sneak peek at her growing baby with an ultrasound. Usually done to find out a fetus’s size and position, ultrasounds use reflected sound waves, rather than X-rays or other types of radiation, to produce an image of the fetus and placenta on a video monitor. They are considered completely safe for both fetus and mother. You may have had one in your first trimester to confirm your pregnancy and estimate your due date. From week 14 through 26 of pregnancy, ultrasounds can tell the age of a fetus within 7 to 14 days by measuring the size of the fetus’s head, limbs, and body. (By week 18 of pregnancy, an ultrasound can usually also tell the sex of the fetus.)

Ultrasounds measure a fetus’s length from the top of its head to its bottom (or, crown to rump, or “sitting height”) in the first trimester. When you are told your baby’s length, therefore, know that the measurement does not include its legs; it is not a “head to heel” length. After the first trimester, most technologists measure a combination of the skull, the thigh bone, and the abdomen to calculate the fetal weight. In the third trimester, ultrasounds are less useful to estimate the size of a baby but will reveal a baby’s position as labor and delivery approach.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Traveling while pregnant

You can travel safely by car, boat, plane, or train through much of your pregnancy. After 36 weeks of pregnancy, airlines request that you not fly, and your doctor may ask you to stay within driving distance of the hospital. Before week 36, a few simple precautions will keep you safe on your journeys.

Always wear a seatbelt when driving or riding in a car. Place the lap belt as low as possible across your abdomen, against your upper thighs, and the upper belt across your shoulder and between your breasts. Adjust both parts of the belt to fit snugly.

Traveling by air is safe until week 36. Metal detectors at the airport security checkpoints do not harm fetuses. When you fly, ask for an aisle seat so that you can stand up and walk around whenever possible and reach the bathroom easily. Avoid flying in small planes with unpressurized cabins at altitudes higher than 7,000-9,000 feet.

Traveling any long distance should be discussed with your doctor as you near the end of your pregnancy. If you must travel in your second or third trimester, be certain that you will be able to stand up and walk around at least every two hours to reduce swelling in your feet and legs. Carry light snacks with you to avoid nausea, and drink extra fluids (especially when flying). Do not take any over-the-counter motion-sickness or anti-nausea medications before flying or boating.

Schedule a prenatal appointment before you leave and take a copy of your medical records with you. If you plan to be away for more than a couple of weeks, ask your doctor for the name of a doctor in the area you are visiting, in case of emergency. If you are traveling out of the country, talk to your doctor first. Depending on where you are going, you may need certain immunizations you can’t have during pregnancy. Some places may expose you to contaminated water or food that can cause diarrhea and other illnesses of concern to pregnant women.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

2 Cats and a Baby

This is a really good article to consider if you have cats. We have two, Ben & Jerry. They are very well mannered cats and have proven they can be very gentle around babies. However, the reason we investigated to find this article is because Ben started becoming a bit touchy after his latest visit to the vet. We never heard him hiss before he got a rabies shot in the rear. He continued to have an attitude even 3 days after the shots. This raised concerns with how he would act around the soon to be alien in his world. As it turns out, however, he is sick with a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). I guess if I had to go to the bathroom 8 times / hr, that would make me cranky too. But even still, this article, Introducing a new baby to a cat, gives some good tips to getting your cats used to the drastic changes to their world - like smells, sounds, and a little bundle of joy.

Well in to the 2nd Trimester

Feeling better

Phew! Isn’t it nice to be past those early weeks of pregnancy at last? The second trimester is often the most enjoyable of pregnancy as you have more energy and less discomfort.

If you still have nausea, ease it by “grazing,” or eating frequent small meals, especially foods high in vitamin B12 (whole grains and nuts), and by nibbling crystallized ginger or sipping ginger tea. A high-protein diet will keep your blood sugar levels at an even level to lessen your nausea. Gentle exercise-walking, yoga, swimming, or a prenatal exercise program-will help you sleep well at night, so you’ll get the rest you and your baby need.

Are you eating for a boy or a girl?

How’s your appetite? While a hearty appetite is no proof of the gender of your baby, one study showed that pregnant women who are carrying boys eat about 10% more than mothers carrying girls. Overall, the diets of women with male fetuses averaged 8% more protein, 9.2% more carbohydrates, 10.9% more animal fat, and 14.9% more vegetable fat than women with female fetuses.

Are you eating for three?

If you’ve had an ultrasound recently, you may have received the astounding news that you are carrying more than one baby. If you are pregnant with twins, increase your daily caloric intake by 600 calories over your prepregnancy rate (300 more than if you were carrying one baby). Also increase your fluid intake. Drink as much water as you possibly can, in fact; 12-15 glasses a day is not too much. Premature delivery is the main concern for any pregnancy with multiples, and dehydration increases that risk. An average-weight woman carrying twins should gain 35-45 pounds over the course of her pregnancy, about 10 pounds more than the mother of a singleton.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

For the Dads

If you are having this baby with a partner, he may be making his own preparations, conscious and unconscious, for becoming a father. In fact, it is not unusual for fathers-to-be to share some of the symptoms of pregnancy with their babies’ mothers, including weight gain, nausea, food cravings, or mood swings. An approaching birth is always a transforming event for both members of a couple, pregnant or not.

Pregnancy and birth together make up one of life’s great milestones. If you are having a baby with a partner, expect to learn much about your partner and about yourself, as you both enter this new stage of life. Becoming a family after having been a couple can be a big change.

Partners face nearly as many adjustments to pregnancy as mothers do. While their bodies are not affected, they may experience a range of powerful emotions. Some partners feel a little left out as the new mother focuses on her pregnancy and prepares for the baby. Some may become anxious or overprotective, as so much in their lives suddenly is beyond their control. Others may feel strained by the looming responsibility of parenthood. Realize that it is normal for joy and panic to blend as both members of a couple take their first step in the lifelong adventure of parenthood.

Pregnancy and childbirth proceed with less stress when both members of the couple are fully involved and informed. Help your partner adjust to parenthood by including him now in your own preparations. He may wish to attend childbirth classes with you, read the same books and articles you find helpful, and join in getting a space ready for the baby. Talk about the change pregnancy brings to both your lives, from worries to sexual feelings, and your partnership will be strengthened.

Other couples or single parents in the same stage of life can be a great source of support and information. You may find other new parents to talk with in a childbirth education class, an online message board, your neighborhood, or place of worship. It is important to have people in your life to share the concerns and excitement of parenthood, now and in the future.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

The Experts for Mothers and Babies

• Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are doctors who specialize in the general medical care of women, including their needs during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period, and have been certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Your gynecologist may also provide obstetric (pregnancy) care for you, or you may have a separate obstetrician just for your pregnancy. Doctors in family practice may also provide care for their pregnant patients. Your obstetrician or family doctor will coordinate your overall care, referring you to other professionals as needed.
• Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who have received special training in caring for women through pregnancy and delivery, have a graduate degree in midwifery, and have passed a certification test given by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The profession today is a highly modern and skilled one. While trained to handle emergencies as well as comprehensive routine care, CNMs all have arrangements with obstetricians with whom they consult or can call if complications develop during pregnancy, labor, or birth.
• Nurse-practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with advanced academic and clinical experience. NPs assist OB-GYNs during office visits and provide routine care-blood pressure checks, measurements, and more-during your prenatal visits.
• Childbirth educators are trained to provide expectant and new families with information and emotional support. Certified by one or more of the associations dedicated to healthy mothers and babies, childbirth educators hold classes in hospitals or other settings for mothers, fathers, and other family members. They will help you prepare for birth and parenthood as well as answer any questions you have about pregnancy.
• Labor and delivery nurses are there for you once you are in labor and arrive at the hospital. They will monitor you and your baby’s progress, provide comfort and support, and assist you throughout your delivery. After your baby is born, postpartum or neonatal nurses, sometimes called mother-baby nurses, will take care of you and your baby, answer your questions, and help you feel comfortable caring for yourself and your baby once you leave the hospital.
• Lactation consultants (LCs) are experts in lactation and helping mothers learn to breastfeed. They can be nurses, midwives, childbirth educators, obstetricians, pediatricians, or La Leche League leaders-anyone who has passed a rigorous certification exam offered by the International Lactation Consultant Association. Our hospital has an LC or nurse trained in breastfeeding support on staff, and one of the healthcare providers looking after you and your baby may also be a certified lactation consultant, or have additional training in helping nursing mothers. An LC can help make the learning days of nursing as smooth as possible.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

A good article

Ringing up baby: What infants really cost

Pregnancy Posture

As the baby grows, your ligaments loosen and your center of gravity shifts. You are carrying the weight of your baby and uterus, as well as any energy stores of fat added to your hips and torso. The way you walk, sit, and stand are likely to change and may strain your back. Protect your back and neck by paying attention to your posture:

• Keep your chin level. When your head is held up and your neck straight, your spine relaxes and falls into a straight line.
• Relax your shoulders.
• Tilt your pelvis forward to counteract the arch of your lower back.
• Bend your knees slightly, and avoid locking them when you stand.
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and wear flat shoes or those with medium-height heels.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email

Pregnancy over 35

If you are older than 35, there is no reason to expect your pregnancy to be less healthy or active than that of someone in her 20s. Women over 35, however, are slightly more likely to develop certain conditions, including high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. They also have an increased risk of placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta covers part or the entire opening of the cervix. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, however, these conditions can be safely managed.

Several of the tests you may be given or have already received are designed to rule out chromosomal abnormalities more common among babies born to women over 35, including Down syndrome. The increased chance of chromosomal abnormalities as women age also increases the risk of miscarriage.

In spite of the slightly increased risk of certain complications, with good prenatal care and healthy choices the vast majority of “older” mothers and their babies do just fine.

Source: Valley Medical Center, Weekly Parenting Email