Month: January 2015

13 Commonly Asked Questions Regarding C-Sections

13 Commonly Asked Questions Regarding C-Sections

Video created by my dear friend from West End Creative Group, see more of their beautiful videos at westendcreativegroup.com. Schedule with them and use the code westendbabies for a 10% discount! My heart sympathizes when I see my laboring patient’s eyes swell with disappointment and 

Cervical Dilation & Effacement with a Fruity Theme

Cervical Dilation & Effacement with a Fruity Theme

What is the Cervix? Cervix in Latin means neck (English Dictionary, 2008). Anatomically, picture the cervix being the neck of the uterus. You can also think of the cervix as the protection gate that keeps your baby inside the uterus until ready for birth.   Where 

One of The Least Expensive Ways to Protect Your Unborn Baby

One of The Least Expensive Ways to Protect Your Unborn Baby

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One of The Least Expensive Ways to Protect Your Unborn Baby but Highly Effective
One of the least expensive ways to protect your unborn Baby but one of the most effective.  
Folic acid, a B vitamin that aids our body in making new cells- A must take vitamin for all sexually active woman.  Just 3-4 dollars at your local grocery store for a healthier babe.

It is widely known that Folic acid supplements taken regularly during conception and pregnancy decreases the chances of infants having major neural tube defects including anencephaly (baby is born without parts of the brain and skull) and spina bifida (a defect in the baby’s spine). Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourages women to take 400mcg of folic acid daily, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.

In addition to this, a recent Norwegian study published that folic acid in early pregnancy does even more than thought before.  In 2011 The Journal of The Medical American Medical Association (JAMA) supported this by stating that the maternal use of folic acid in early pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of severe language delay in children at age 3 years.

The evidence:

The study included 38,954 children testing their language abilities at age three.  The children were set in four different groups showing the percentage of children considered to have a severe language delay (only able to speak one word or unintelligible utterances).   The groups and percentage of children within these groups considered to have a severe language delay are displayed bellow.

Group one: children whose mothers took no dietary supplements during 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception, .9% had a severe language delay

Group two: children whose mother regularly took dietary supplements but no folic acid during 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception, .9% had a severe language delay

Group three: children whose mother’s only took folic acid during 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception, .4% had a severe language delay

Group four: children who took folic acid in combination with other supplements during 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception, .4% had a severe language delay

Conclusions to draw:  Make sure your prenatal vitamin includes at least 400mcg of folic acid and it is taken regularly!

References

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, January 13). Facts About Folic Acid. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html

C, Magnus P, Schjølberg S, et al. Folic Acid Supplements in Pregnancy and Severe Language Delay in Children. JAMA.2011;306(14):1566-1573. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1433.

 

Check List of What to Bring to the Hospital

Check List of What to Bring to the Hospital

Download PDF checklist shown in the picture here: Check List of What To Bring to The Hospital  Momma’s Hospital List Picture ID and insurance card These will be taken at registration. Any medications you are currently taking or a list  Sometimes you are allowed to take 

The Most Common Medications in Labor & Delivery

The Most Common Medications in Labor & Delivery

It is your right to know the effects and side effects of the medications offered to you When I go to the car mechanic I am lost and frustrated in their car mechanic lingo.  Healthcare lingo is also a different language… our tools and procedures 

Roller Coaster of Emotions, keep your arms and legs in at all times!

Roller Coaster of Emotions, keep your arms and legs in at all times!

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emotionsThe complaints I hear the most about from the significant other is the pregnant woman’s draining emotions… that with the new increase in appetite causing the significant other to gain “sympathy weight”.  I like to believe that the dramatized emotions are there to help the to be mom and to be dad deepen and grow in their relationship in preparation of the stresses that come when adding a new member to their family. Take advantage of this uncomfortable time by learning healthier ways to communicate and problem solve, try to look at it as a challenge and not hopeless situation.

Feeling a loss of control of emotions creates new emotions in of itself, it’s a good idea to remind yourself that these emotions are due to the hormones your body is creating to keep baby in a healthy environment! It is also important to recognize these emotions are also influenced by external circumstances, some that you may control.  These include the amount of sleep and rest you obtain, the foods you decide to eat, the people you surround yourself with, and the amount of extra responsibilities you accept.  Keeping good physical care of your self and looking to the people you love for support helps to keep your emotions stable. 

It is normal for a pregnant or postpartum woman to feel impatient, irritable, or just feel like crying.  These emotions generally come and go quickly, this may be referred to as the baby blues.  When a pregnant or postpartum woman has feelings of being guilty or worthless, or hopeless without relief, or has uncontrollable crying spells, lack of interest in the baby, or thoughts of harming the baby or themselves they need to seek medical attention right away.  This is referred to as “perinatal mood and anxiety disorders” or if after birth “postpartum depression”. These are real conditions that need to be treated.

A tip:  I encourage my patients to make and write a post delivery plan. This includes 10 things that they may do to help better their mood. For example, a walk outside, listening to a special playlist, a trip to target, a smoothie, a nap, painting your nails, etc. This plan also needs to have five written names of people you feel you can trust and rely on as well as their phone numbers.  It also includes your doctor’s telephone number and hospital’s phone number.  If you ever experience these symptoms you may know exactly who to call to keep yourself and baby protected.

References:

Moran E. D., Kallam G. B., (2013).  In A new beginning: your personal guide to postpartum care. Arlington, TX: Customized Communications, Inc.

NCT (2012). Emotions during pregnancy. Retrieved from: http://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/emotions-during-pregnancy

True Labor Vs. False Labor

True Labor Vs. False Labor

You might hear many people say, “You will absolutely know when you are in labor”.  Well what defines labor?  Labor is when the cervix is becoming thinner (effacement) and opens (dilates) due to the uterus contracting at regular intervals. Signs that you are approaching labor