Health Tip: Keep Teeth Healthy During Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Regular dental checkups and proper daily hygiene are important during pregnancy.

The American Dental Association (ADA) offers these suggestions for pregnant women:

Use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth at least twice daily. Floss teeth at least once daily, as well.Eat healthy, nutritious foods and keep snacking on sugary or fatty foods to a minimum.Get regular dental checkups.Talk to your dentist about using an antimicrobial mouth rinse.Discuss any problems with your dentist, such as gums that bleed, swell or become red.If you have morning sickness, rinse your mouth with a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda and water. Avoid brushing just after vomiting to prevent contact of more stomach acids with the teeth.

-- Diana Kohnle
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

View the original article here

Iron Supplements May Prevent Anemia During Pregnancy

The benefits also include improved birth weights, analysis shows

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, June 21 (HealthDay News) -- Taking iron supplements during pregnancy reduces women's risk of anemia and is linked with an increase in birth weight and a reduced risk of low birth weight, a new analysis finds.

Researchers examined more than 90 studies that included a total of nearly 2 million pregnant women and found that daily iron supplements significantly reduced women's risk of anemia during pregnancy.

Anemia during the first or second trimester was associated with a significantly higher risk of low birth weight and preterm birth, according to the study, which was published online June 20 in the journal BMJ.

In addition, the investigators found that for every 10 milligram increase in iron dose per day (up to 66 mg), mothers had a 12 percent lower risk of anemia, birth weight increased by 15 grams and the risk of low birth weight fell by 3 percent.

The World Health Organization recommends that pregnant women take 60 mg of iron per day, the study authors noted in a journal news release.

They also said iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world, and the most common cause of anemia during pregnancy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is estimated that iron deficiency affected 32 million pregnant women worldwide in 2011.

"Our findings suggest that use of iron in women during pregnancy may be used as a preventive strategy to improve maternal [blood] status and birth weight," Batool Haider, of the departments of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, and colleagues wrote.

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Could 'Moderate' Drinking Be Safe During Pregnancy?

British study finds no problems with balance in kids, but some experts have concerns about the findings

By Alan Mozes

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) -- Children of women who drink moderate amounts of alcohol while pregnant don't appear to have any neurodevelopmental problems when it comes to balance, a new British study suggests.

Researchers assessed the long-term health impact of drinking while pregnant by testing roughly 7,000 10-year-olds on their balancing abilities, a method that offers a reliable reflection of fetal neurodevelopment. For the study, "moderate" alcohol consumption was defined as between three to seven glasses of alcohol a week.

The research team cautioned, however, that other variables, such as maternal wealth and education, might have influenced the findings.

The bottom line, according to study co-author John Mcleod, is that "[there's] certainly no evidence that moderate alcohol use by pregnant mums is good for their kids, and [there are] reasons to be cautious about other messages around 'benefits' of moderate alcohol use by pregnant mums. But equally, [there's] no strong evidence for important harmful effects."

Macleod, chair of clinical epidemiology and primary care with the School of Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol, and his colleagues discuss their findings in the June 17 online edition of BMJ Open.

The research comes on the heels of another British study, released in April, which reported no connection between "light" drinking (one to two drinks per week) during pregnancy and increased risk for mental defects among children at the age of 7.

For the new study, the researchers focused on 6,915 children from southwest England who had participated in the larger Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.

The team first analyzed maternal drinking habits self-reported at both the 18-week mark of pregnancy and then again when the children were 4 years old.

The vast majority of mothers -- 70 percent -- said they drank no alcohol during pregnancy, while 25 percent said they had consumed drinks in the range of "low" (one to two per week) to "moderate" amounts on a weekly basis. Among such drinkers, one in seven had actually engaged in "binge drinking," meaning at least four glasses of alcohol at a sitting.

By the time their children were 4 years of age, 50 percent of the mothers said they consumed three to seven glasses of alcohol weekly. The research team noted that those who drank moderately were older, more affluent and better educated.

At the age of 10, the children underwent two balance tests, which included walking across a balance beam (to assess so-called "dynamic balance"); standing heel-to-toe on a beam with eyes open and closed (to assess "static balance"); and standing on just one leg, eyes open and closed.

The result: moderate maternal (and paternal) drinking while pregnant, and maternal drinking after delivery appeared to be associated with better overall balance, particularly in terms of static balance.

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Study Pinpoints Women at Risk for Blood Clots From Pregnancy

Factors include age, disease history and weight

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Several factors that increase the risk of blood clots in women during or after pregnancy are outlined in a large new study.

Women who were older than 35, who were overweight or obese, or who smoked were at somewhat higher risk of developing blood clots during pregnancy. Medical complications such as pre-existing diabetes, varicose veins and inflammatory bowel disease were also associated with increased risk.

The findings could help doctors identify at-risk women and take measures to prevent them from developing blood clots, which can be dangerous and potentially deadly if they break free and travel to areas such as the heart, brain or lungs.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 400,000 pregnancies that occurred between 1995 and 2009.

Among new mothers, being obese was associated with a fourfold increased risk of developing a blood clot. The risk was two times higher than normal among those who had a cesarean delivery, a premature birth, bleeding in pregnancy or had given birth three or more times, according to the study, which appeared April 2 in the journal Blood.

Women who had a stillbirth were six times more likely to develop a blood clot, formally known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

"We believe the strong association between stillbirths and premature births and [blood clots] in particular is a finding of real importance that has received only limited attention to date," study leader Dr. Matthew Grainge, of the School of Community Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, in England, said in a university news release. "[Stillbirths and premature births] are not currently incorporated in the guidelines for risk assessment for [blood clots] and, if they were, then many cases associated with those risk factors could potentially be prevented."

Blood clots affect about one or two pregnancies per 1,000, according to the news release. Despite being rare, blood clots are a leading cause of death in expectant and new mothers in developing countries.

"Preventative measures for [blood clots], such as a daily dose of the blood thinner heparin, may not be cost effective or safe and are therefore only recommended for women who are considered high risk," Grainge said. "However, there is currently inconsistency and disagreement over the factors that put women in that high-risk category, and we hope this research will provide clinicians with valuable new information."

View the original article here

Rubella in Pregnancy Rare in U.S., But Can Be Devastating for Baby

Title: Rubella in Pregnancy Rare in U.S., But Can Be Devastating for Baby
Category: Health News
Created: 3/28/2013 12:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 3/29/2013 12:00:00 AM

View the original article here

Stress During Pregnancy May Raise Heart Defect Risk for Baby

Large Danish study looked at women who had lost a close relative while expecting

By Randy Dotinga

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, March 25 (HealthDay News) -- Stress in mothers before and during pregnancy may boost the risk of congenital heart defects in their children, more new evidence suggests. But the findings aren't conclusive, and the effect -- if it exists -- appears to be small.

Still, "there are several studies now that show an association," said Dr. Edward McCabe, senior vice president and medical director of the March of Dimes, who is familiar with the results of the large new study. "It suggests there needs to be continued investigation of this."

McCabe said he's not aware of any other research linking stress in mothers to a specific kind of birth defect.

Congenital heart defects, among the most common kinds of birth defect, include conditions such as holes in the heart and other kinds of problems. Most cases aren't fatal, McCabe said, and physicians can repair some kinds of problems with surgery. In other cases, the defects don't need to be fixed.

The new study follows up on previous research linking stress to this form of birth defect.

The researchers looked at nearly 1.8 million children born in Denmark from 1978 to 2008 and tried to find out if congenital heart defects were more common in kids born to a specific group of about 45,000 women. These were women who had lost a parent, sibling, child or partner between the approximate time of conception and delivery.

Women in that group were slightly more likely than the other women to give birth to a child with a congenital birth defect, researchers found. Study co-author Dr. Jorn Olsen, professor and chairman of the department of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the findings take into account the possibility that congenital heart defects may run in families and have killed some of the relatives who died.

Why might stress in a mother cause birth defects? Animal studies have shown that stress during the development of a fetus could affect heart development, Olsen said.

It's also possible, he said, that stress could lead women to do things that are risky to their unborn children, such as changing to a less healthy diet. McCabe said another possibility is that stress alters the DNA of the child in the womb.

In the big picture, Olsen said, "this and other studies tell us to take care of pregnant women who experience severe stressful events shortly before or while they're pregnant."

For his part, McCabe said it's important for pregnant women under stress to talk to their physicians about quitting smoking, which they may increase because they're anxious. "We can't modify whether stress is going to happen in our lives," he said, "but we can modify certain effects of that stress."

The study appeared online March 25 and in the April print issue of the journal Pediatrics. Although it showed an association between maternal stress and risk of congenital heart defects, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

View the original article here

Meth in Pregnancy May Blunt Child's Reaction to Stress: Study

Title: Meth in Pregnancy May Blunt Child's Reaction to Stress: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 3/20/2013 12:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 3/21/2013 12:00:00 AM

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Cont. to run during pregnancy, advice?

I am about 10 weeks along. I was an avid runner(half marathon and marathon trained) all the way up till the day that my HPT came back postive. I stopped running because I am a new mom and wanted to talk to my doctor first before continuing any exercise. I also wanted to make sure that everything was going smoothly before getting back into my running habit.
My doctor told me I can continue to run, but in moderation; i.e. no more 12 mile runs :( To keep hydrated and not to overheat. I've been walking alot more because I am kinda nervous about over-doing it with the running. I tend to be a pusher when it comes to physical fitness. I went for my first run last weekend(about 3 miles) and took walking breaks. I felt great, didn't have any issues post-run, besides being tired. But I wanted to know if any other running mommies have advice for me.
Can I run straight through or do I really need to take those walking breaks?
How far is too far? My doctor didn't specify, she just said no more long runs, which could mean anything to me since I've run 26 miles.
Do I need to run slower? I'm not talking sprinting, but I avg. about 9:15 min/mile, should I tune that down to 10:00 or even 11:00?
The doctor, I feel can only tell me so much from what she knows, and I like to hear about experiences. I learn more when I read other peoples errors and triumphs. So any advice is wonderful. :)

View the original article here

Fetal Heart May Develop Later in Pregnancy Than Thought

Title: Fetal Heart May Develop Later in Pregnancy Than Thought
Category: Health News
Created: 2/21/2013 10:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 2/21/2013 12:00:00 AM

View the original article here

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy May Predict Later Ills, Study Says

Title: High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy May Predict Later Ills, Study Says
Category: Health News
Created: 2/11/2013 4:35:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 2/12/2013 12:00:00 AM

View the original article here

Antidepressants During Pregnancy: Safe?

Jan. 1, 2013 -- Antidepressant use during pregnancy, long debated for its safety, is linked with a higher overall risk of stillbirth and newborn death. Now, a new study shows that risk may not be warranted.

"After taking maternal characteristics such as smoking and maternal age into account, as well as previous hospitalization for psychiatric disease ... there was no association between SSRI (antidepressants) and stillbirth and infant [death]," says researcher Olof Stephansson, MD, PhD, of the Karolinksa Institutet in Stockholm.

The Swedish study included more than 1.6 million births in five Nordic countries. Nearly 30,000 of the women had filled a prescription for an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) during pregnancy.

But a U.S.-based expert has some concerns about the study.

"This study looked at information on dispensed drugs, not ingested drugs, and these numbers are often quite different," says Adam Urato, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Tufts University School of Medicine.

That could result in inaccurate findings, he says. "I don't find the study results particularly reassuring," he says.

Up to 19% of pregnant women have depression during pregnancy, according to the researchers. The depression itself is linked with ill effects, including an increased risk of early delivery, which in turn may cause harm to the newborn.

The new research was funded by the Swedish Pharmacy Company.

The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Previous research about SSRI use during pregnancy has suggested it may be linked with an increased risk of prematurity, stillbirths, and birth defects. Some studies show an increased risk of miscarriage and other problems. 

The three areas the researchers focused on were stillbirths and newborn and infant deaths. The researchers compared the birth outcomes for the women who took SSRIs and those who did not from 1996 through 2007. They got information on the use of SSRIs  from prescription registries.

This type of antidepressant is the most-often prescribed for depression during pregnancy, the researchers say.

Overall, more than 6,000 babies were stillborn. More than 3,600 died as newborns, and another 1,578 died later, from ages 28 days old to 364 days old.

Women registered with an SSRI prescription had higher stillbirth rates -- 4.62 for every 1,000, compared to 3.69 per 1,000 for women who were not on the drugs.

Women registered with an SSRI prescription also had a higher risk of their infants dying at ages 28 days to just under a year.

The rates of early newborn death were similar between groups.

Next, the researchers took into account factors that could have played a role in stillbirths or infant deaths. These included the mother's age, cigarette smoking, and the severity of the mother's psychiatric disease.

When they took those risk factors into account, they found no substantial link between the antidepressant use and risks of stillbirth or death.

Even so, the researchers say women need to discuss SSRI use with their doctor to weigh the pros and cons. "Always discuss medication for depression with your obstetrician in early pregnancy for advice," Stephansson says.

View the original article here

7 Pregnancy Complications: Bleeding, Preeclampsia, and More

Some symptoms during pregnancy are par for the course, but others are cause for alarm. How do you know the difference?Reviewed by Nivin Todd, MD, FACOG

You may wonder what symptoms during pregnancy warrant immediate medical attention and what symptoms can wait until your next prenatal visit.

Always ask your health care provider at your visits about your concerns. But keep in mind some symptoms do need swift attention.

If you are newly pregnant, or trying to conceive, you have many questions about what to expect. How will your body change? What's happening inside you? Here's what to expect week by week.

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Bleeding means different things throughout your pregnancy. “If you are bleeding heavily and have severe abdominal painand menstrual-like cramps or feel like you are going to faint during first trimester, it could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy,” Peter Bernstein, MD, ob-gyn professor at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, says. Ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, can be life-threatening.

Heavy bleeding with cramping could also be a sign of miscarriagein first or early second trimester. By contrast, bleeding with abdominal pain in the third trimester may indicate placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine lining.

“Bleeding is always serious,” women’s health expert Donnica Moore, MD, says. Any bleeding during pregnancy needs immediate attention. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room.

It's very common to have some nausea when you're pregnant. If it gets to be severe, that may be more serious.

“If you can’t eat or drink anything, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated,” Bernstein says. Being malnourished and dehydrated can harm your baby.  

If you experience severe nausea, tell your health care provider. Your doctor may prescribe medication or advise changing your diet.

What does it mean if your previously active baby seems to have less energy? It may be normal. But how can you tell?

Some troubleshooting can help determine if there is a problem. Bernstein suggests that you first drink something cold or eat something. Then lie on your side to see if this gets the baby moving.

Counting kicks can also help, Nicole Ruddock, MD, assistant professor of maternal and fetal medicine at University of Texas Medical School at Houston, says. “There is no optimal or critical number of movements,” she says, “but generally you should establish a baseline and have a subjective perception of whether your baby is moving more or less. As a general rule, you should have 10 or more kicks in two hours. Anything less should prompt a phone call to your doctor.”

Bernstein says to call your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor has monitoring equipment that can be used to determine if the baby is moving and growing appropriately.

Contractions could be a sign of preterm labor. “But a lot of first-time moms may confuse true labor and false labor,” Ruddock says. False labor contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions. They’re unpredictable, non-rhythmic, and do not increase in intensity. “They will subside in an hour or with hydration,” Ruddock says. “But regular contractions are about 10 minutes apart or less and increase in intensity.”

If you're in your third trimester and think you're having contractions, call your doctor right away. If it is too early for the baby to be born, your doctor may be able to stop labor.

View the original article here

7 Pregnancy Complications: Bleeding, Preeclampsia, and More

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WebMD Feature Reviewed byNivin Todd, MD, FACOG

You may wonder what symptoms during pregnancy warrant immediate medical attention and what symptoms can wait until your next prenatal visit.

Always ask your health care provider at your visits about your concerns. But keep in mind some symptoms do need swift attention.

Pregnancy Week by Week
If you are newly pregnant, or trying to conceive, you have many questions about what to expect. How will your body change? What's happening inside you? Here's what to expect week by week.

Weeks 1-4 Weeks 5-8 Weeks 9-12 Weeks 13-16 Weeks 17-20 Weeks 21-25 Weeks 26-30 Weeks 31-34 Weeks 35-40  

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. 1. Bleeding

Bleeding means different things throughout your pregnancy. “If you are bleeding heavily and have severe abdominal painand menstrual-like cramps or feel like you are going to faint during first trimester, it could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy,” Peter Bernstein, MD, ob-gyn professor at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, says. Ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, can be life-threatening.

Heavy bleeding with cramping could also be a sign of miscarriagein first or early second trimester. By contrast, bleeding with abdominal pain in the third trimester may indicate placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the uterine lining.

“Bleeding is always serious,” women’s health expert Donnica Moore, MD, says. Any bleeding during pregnancy needs immediate attention. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room.

2. Severe Nausea and Vomiting

It's very common to have some nausea when you're pregnant. If it gets to be severe, that may be more serious.

“If you can’t eat or drink anything, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated,” Bernstein says. Being malnourished and dehydrated can harm your baby.  

If you experience severe nausea, tell your health care provider. Your doctor may prescribe medication or advise changing your diet.

3. Baby’s Activity Level Significantly Declines

What does it mean if your previously active baby seems to have less energy? It may be normal. But how can you tell?

Some troubleshooting can help determine if there is a problem. Bernstein suggests that you first drink something cold or eat something. Then lie on your side to see if this gets the baby moving.

Counting kicks can also help, Nicole Ruddock, MD, assistant professor of maternal and fetal medicine at University of Texas Medical School at Houston, says. “There is no optimal or critical number of movements,” she says, “but generally you should establish a baseline and have a subjective perception of whether your baby is moving more or less. As a general rule, you should have 10 or more kicks in two hours. Anything less should prompt a phone call to your doctor.”

Bernstein says to call your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor has monitoring equipment that can be used to determine if the baby is moving and growing appropriately.

4. Contractions Early in the Third Trimester

Contractions could be a sign of preterm labor. “But a lot of first-time moms may confuse true labor and false labor,” Ruddock says. False labor contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions. They’re unpredictable, non-rhythmic, and do not increase in intensity. “They will subside in an hour or with hydration,” Ruddock says. “But regular contractions are about 10 minutes apart or less and increase in intensity.”

If you're in your third trimester and think you're having contractions, call your doctor right away. If it is too early for the baby to be born, your doctor may be able to stop labor.

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How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

After pregnancy, most women wish to lose their weight and get back in shape as they were before pregnancy. However, it is very easier said than done. Women need to be very careful about the kind of diet which they choose after pregnancy for losing weight. After delivering a child, women can get back in good shape by following various ways. Here, we tell you how to lose weight after pregnancy.

Before women start any kind of weight loss diet after pregnancy; they should consult their doctor. Till the time, they get a green signal from their doctor, they should wait. Women who are breastfeeding their babies should not cut their diet as they need more calories to milk their babies.

Women who wish to lose weight after pregnancy should do aerobic and resistance exercises. However, they should tell their doctors about the exercises which they will be doing. Some exercises might not be safe for women after pregnancy because their joints may be lax and certain exercises may hurt them.

After pregnancy, women should realize that their bodies have gone through a lot of tough experience. They should not try to be too hard on themselves. Women should make small weight loss goals and be practical while making these goals. Don’t try to push yourself too hard as it may hurt you.

Women should eat more green fresh vegetables, fruits and salads in order to lose weight after pregnancy. They should stay away from fast food and foods which have more fat. To follow a healthy diet is the best way to reduce weight after pregnancy. More water should also be consumed by women as it will help them to avoid the habit of overeating.

When women bear a baby in their womb, all people advise them to work less and take less strain. They also get used to a lethargic lifestyle where they can binge on whatever food item they like. After delivering their babies, women should realize that now that time period when it was fine for them to stay lazy and do less work is over. Women should start doing household work and move their bodies. Also, they should have control on their food instincts. They should neither overeat nor eat those foods which are fatty.

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Brad has written 437 articles .

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