Prenatal testing….

Posted on April 18, 2011 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy can be wonderful and exciting but then you start reading on the web and up come more questions than you can handle.

Here is a great review of all the tests that you could consider as an expectant parent. I would recommend reading it a little at a time. Try not to stress out and use this as a jumping off point for a discussion with your doctor.

Most of all enjoy all the excitement about being pregnant.

Prenatal testing can be a multi-edged sword. Usually, test results are reassuring, which puts expectant parents’ minds at ease. But some people argue that because birth defects are rare, these tests in most cases cause undue stress; others argue that they allow people to create “designer” children. Then there are the parents who discover very real, sometimes dire, problems with their babies and face the decision of whether to keep or terminate a pregnancy. Testing is a difficult and confusing issue, and what’s right for one family may be entirely wrong for another.

via.http://www.fitpregnancy.com/yourpregnancy/health/Prenatal-Testing-116595708.html

Pain killers and birth defects

Posted on April 16, 2011 by llpitlwp

News from the March of Dimes about pain killers. If you are trying to become pregnant it is a good idea to check with your doctor regarding any medications that you take.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Pain killers and birth defects

Babies born to women who take opioid pain killers such as codeine, oxycodone or hydrocodone just before or in early pregnancy are at increased but modest risk of birth defects, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found 2-3 percent of mothers interviewed were treated with prescription opioid pain killers, or analgesics, just before or during early pregnancy. (The study did not examine illicit use of these medications.)

The most commonly used opioid meds reported by women were codeine and hydrocodone. Treatment with these pain killers was linked to several types of congenital heart defects as well as spina bifida, hydrocephaly, congenital glaucoma and gastroschisis, an abdominal wall defect. (The findings with some congenital heart defects also appeared in previous studies.) This study found that women who took prescription opioid medications just before or during early pregnancy had about two times the risk for having a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (one of the most critical heart defects) as women who were not treated with them.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect, affecting nearly 40,000 births in the United States each year. Many infants with congenital heart defects die in the first year of life, and infants who survive often require many surgeries, lengthy hospitalizations and a lifetime of treatment for related disabilities.

The studies lead author, Dr. Charyl S. Boussard, said , “It’s important to acknowledge that although there is an increased risk for some types of major birth defects from an exposure to opioid analgesics, that absolute risk for any individual woman is relatively modest. However, with very serious and life threatening birth defects like hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the prevention of even a small number of cases is very important.”

For more information on this study, click here. Always talk with your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and you have taken or are considering taking any medication, whether prescription, over-the-counter or herbal.

Tags: birth defects, codeine, hydrocodone, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, opioids, oxycodone, pain killers, Pregnancy

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 13th, 2011 at 9:37 am and is filed under Planning for Baby, Pregnancy. You can follow any responses to this entry t

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Baby showers, and “sprinkles”

Posted on April 10, 2011 by llpitlwp

“Baby showers, and sprinkles”

For me “Sprinkles” means cupcakes…delicious ones from Beverly Hills now with a store closer to home here in Chicago. But apparently there is another meaning…continue reading a post from the March of Dimes.

I guess I could serve Sprinkles to the guests …YUM!

“We were talking about baby showers the other day and how nice they are for first time moms, how hugely helpful they are in jump-starting the whole ”there’s a baby in the house!” transition.

The question came up about whether or not folks give showers for second babies. One gal thought not, because you already have a crib and gear and baby clothes. Another one said, “Hey, we can’t gyp this baby out of cute stuff just ‘cause he’s second in line!” A third said where she’s from they have showers for the second one, but they’re kind of toned down in the volume of gifts and the party is called a “sprinkle.” Cute! And my favorite response was from a gal who said where she’s from they have a party after the baby arrives called a “sip ‘n see.”

How ‘bout you? Do you attend second showers or sprinkles? What happens if the mom is pregnant with twins? Do you call it a downpour? Would triplets be a thunderstorm? Personally, I get a big kick out of these names and think that any support you can give a pregnant woman is a great idea. I mean really, who doesn’t need diapers and butt cream?

Tags: baby gifts, baby shower, Pregnancy, pregnant woman, sprinkle

via News Moms Need » Blog Archive » Baby showers, and sprinkles.”

Pregnancy Fashion…Past and Present

Posted on April 8, 2011 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy and the word fashion stir up many feelings…right?

For anyone who was pregnant in the ’80’s these two words never appeared near each other in the same sentence.

At that time maternity clothes resembled tents made out of denim and literally every pregnant woman looked like she was expecting multiples!

Thanks to I am not sure what….fashion has finally addressed the needs of the pregnant woman and styles now emphasize her ‘baby bump’ rather than try to hide it. The fashions can actually be called ‘cute’.

One of my favorite fashionistas when it comes to pregnancy styles is Amy Tara Koch ,who has written a book, Bump It Up…while you check out her book also have a look at her “Bump It UP Style Solutions” tour on her blog.

If you are pregnant or know someone that is…this book is a must for looking good and feeling good while pregnant. All the tricks of dressing well during each pregnancy trimester including the fourth trimester are included here.

This year has been a year to focus on celeb pregnancies as well…just look at young and beautiful Natalie Portman and the more mature celebrity fashion stylist Rachel Zoe. They along with others have taken their pregnancy bumps and fashion to a new level.

Many times feeling good is akin with looking good …

In today’s world so many pregnant women continue work in and outside the home. Each and every one of them deserves to look and feel good.

Sometimes it is as easy as finding a scarf already in her closet and the purchase of a new luscious lip gloss to go with it, for a pregnant woman to accomplish just that.

And if you want to LOL ( and who doesn’t need a laugh) catch a glimpse of the video above and have a few chuckles on those of us who were pregnant in the ’80s.

Related Posts:

Stylish and pregnant…

Alcohol awareness month…

Posted on April 6, 2011 by llpitlwp

Alcohol is not recommended in any amount while pregnant…here is what the March of Dimes has to say:

Alcohol awareness month

Lots of women are aware that heavy drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects, but many do not realize that moderate or even light drinking also may harm their developing baby. In fact, no level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been proven safe – none.

Many folks think that a glass of wine is good for your heart, which may or may not be true, but it’s not good for a developing baby. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a wide range of physical and mental birth defects. The term “fetal alcohol spectrum disorders” (FASDs) is used to describe the many problems associated with exposure to alcohol before birth. Did you know that each year in the United States, up to 40,000 babies are born with FASDs? It’s such a shame because these problems are totally preventable – totally. It’s so simple, just don’t drink if you’re hoping to be or are pregnant. Isn’t a healthy baby worth waiting a few months for that glass of vino?

We’ve given tips before about partying without the booze and offer different recipes for drinks. We wanted to remind you of them during Alcohol Awareness Month. Take these suggestions to heart to keep your little one safe.

Tags: alcohol, alcohol awareness month, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, Pregnancy

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Planned Parenthood needs your help…

Posted on March 25, 2011 by llpitlwp

Planned Parenthood’s Federal funding is in jeopardy…it is perceived that they provide abortions which they do not.

They do however provide women with other healthcare options and full information concerning their options for unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. No federal funds pay for abortions.

Please follow the link below to learn more about this organization and perhaps sign on to support their fight to maintain their funding so that they can continue to serve women in need.

https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_healthcareprofessionalsad

Study O.K.’s Light Drinking During Pregnancy. Too Good to Be True?

Posted on March 17, 2011 by llpitlwp

This is interesting information from a study published not too long ago…

The emphasis is on the definition of “light” drinking.

I do not necessarily agree with drinking while pregnant but I do like to present current information and the sources.

It is kind of appropriate information for St. Patrick’s Day….right?

“A glass of wine or two a week — and not more than one large glass on any occasion — may be safe during pregnancy, according to a large study just published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. The British research found no negative effects of such light drinking on 5-year-olds whose mothers had imbibed while pregnant with them. Indeed, these kindergartners were slightly less likely to have behavioral problems and performed somewhat better on cognitive tests than children whose mothers had abstained. (More on Time.com: 5 Pregnancy Taboos Explained (or Debunked))

But this does *not* mean that light drinking in pregnancy is good for your baby. When researchers controlled for factors like maternal education and income, which tend to be higher in light drinkers, it significantly reduced the positive effects associated with alcohol. For example, before adjusting for these kinds of differences between the groups, the researchers found that light drinking was connected with 33% lower rates of overall behavior problems in boys — after the adjustment, that effect fell to 23%.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/06/study-o-k-s-light-drinking-during-pregnancy-too-good-to-be-true/#ixzz1GrMXpFmc

Study O.K.’s Light Drinking During Pregnancy. Too Good to Be True? -… – StumbleUpon.”

Stylish and pregnant…yes you can…

Posted on January 28, 2011 by llpitlwp

Pregnancy and style can actually appear in the same sentence.

I know this sounds like a no win situation but if you plan it right you can look good throughout pregnancy.

Gone are the days when moms-to-be wore huge T-shirts with an arrow pointing downward at the word BABY as if anyone could not figure it out. The styles today are really somewhat friendly to the pregnant woman.

Some of the things that are musts are a great pair of leggings, a good pair of maternity jeans and tops from your favorite designers perhaps in a larger size. Careful not to over buy and just mix and match…white shirts are always great and topped with a wonderful long scarf will make anyone feel dressed for work or going out. A splash of color in the scarf category goes a long way especially on dreary days or days that you simply feel dreary.

Shoes should be comfortable, but heels are not out if that is what you enjoy wearing…just be careful as your center of gravity changes later on in the pregnancy. Winter makes boots totally welcome especially with so much snow around. But even without the elements enjoy the wonderful boots of the season.

Now if you are always hot layering is definitely something you will want to consider. Long lighter sweaters seem to fit this situation. Blazers, even borrowed from your man’s closet can look good and don’t forget to look at some of his shirts in a pinch.

Coats for winter are another story. They can be expensive and “ugly”…try to look for sales and maybe do with a size larger. Some pre-planning ahead here is a good idea so that you are not stuck with something that you really hate.

Think about looking your best… get your hair styled …hair usually thickens during pregnancy so enjoy it…get some new lip colors and don’t forget moisturizer and blush. Again a splash of bronzer or color can give you a lift.

I recommend a pedicure as well…about once a month if you can do it. Nothing feels better than someone massaging your tired feet.

Remember pregnancy is in trimesters so each trimester make the adjustments that will make you feel good all over…take a trip to H&M and Zara’s as well as the make-up counter.

If you want a stylist’s guide, check out Amy Tara Koch’s book and blog…“Bump It UP”

Remember: You are preparing yourself for your baby’s birthday and want to look and feel your best.

Parenting in the Loop

Tag Archives: pregnancy