Growing Your Baby - Parenthood from Pregnancy to Pre-school » pregnancy

Study: Stress During Pregnancy Can Affect Child’s Health

Summer — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:17:13 +0000

When a pregnant woman is stressed, her baby can be affected by it. This is conclusion that researchers in Boston, Massachusetts think may be true based on their findings.

Researchers, with help from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University in Boston, studied the immune system markers found in the blood from infants that were born of highly stressed mothers and those with lower stress levels. They looked at the umbilical cord blood to see if there were any differences in these markers for the two groups of children.

What they found was a noticeable difference in the immune system markers patterns. These differences may be linked to asthma and related issues later in life. According to the researchers, the high stress of urban life is linked to the high rates of asthma among African-American children.

Previous studies on animals found that stress during pregnancy could negatively effect the immune system of the children. The stress these animal mothers felt impacted their children by making them more likely to become ill and catch diseases. Now researchers are looking for similar links in human mothers and infants.

Further studies will be done to find a more exact links, as well as to see if there are other health issues that may be related to stress. The results of this study is published in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. – Summer, staff writer

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Jenna Jameson Reveals She Had A Double Ectopic Pregnancy

Lisa — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:50:56 +0000

One year after welcoming twins(pictured below) Jenna Jameson has revealed that she has undergone surgery to correct a double ectopic pregnancy.

The somewhat rare condition means that the fertilized egg has implanted outside the uterus. For Jenna this was even more unusual as two fetuses were growing outside her womb, while a third was growing inside her uterus.

Writing on Twitter earlier this week, the former adult film star said:

“Had surgery for a double ectopic pregnancy illso had a pregnancy in my uterus. This is so insane. I just wanted to get this off my chest (sic).”

She later added:

“OK, I’m going to sleep now, love y’all… tomorrow will be a better day… Thx for all your prayers!”

These are the days we count our blessings and her adorable boys Jesse Jameson and Journey Jette are just that.

Gisele Bündchen Talks Pregnancy, Parenting and Benjamin With VOGUE

Lisa — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:54:18 +0000

New mom Gisele Bundchen recently opened up to VOGUE Magazine’s contributing editor Joan Juliet Buck about her new role as mother, Benjamin’s intimate arrival and a new beauty line she is launching.

The supermodel, who admits she used to work 300 days a year, now lives in Boston with quarterback husband Tom Brady. It was in there that, with the help of a mid-wife, she welcomed her first child, Benjamin Rein, via waterbirth.

“I wanted to experience the transformation,” says Gisele. A midwife friend of hers came in from Brazil as did her mother; her husband was there too. Gisele meditated through the birth. “It was the most amazing experience of my life, feeling him come through my body. And once he was born, I never felt so empowered as looking at him and thinking, Oh, my God, we did it together!”

After his arrival, Gisele wanted to call him River ‘because I wanted something always flowing, immortal’ but Tom was not too fond of the idea saying, ‘There’s no way we’re going to call him River.’ So the two settled on a shorter version of her father’s name is Reinoldo.

As expected, she regained her figure almost immediately after delivery with no more exercise than some yoga on a mat in the living room.

“I think it’s muscle memory,” she says

But she has always been in shape. As a young child growing up in southern Brazil, she spent most of time outdoors, “like a little monkey, jumping from tree to tree in bare feet.”

During her pregnancy she ‘did kung fu up until two weeks before Benjamin was born, and yoga three days a week. I was mindful about what I ate, and I gained only 30 pounds.’

Gisele also reveals that she kept herself out of the public eye for months while pregnant.

“I felt like my pregnancy was a sacred moment for me. I stayed in Boston and I didn’t work apart from the contracts I have, and then I only let them use my face.”

Her idea of family is a big family.

“I’m so lucky to have my little munchkin, and I have two because I also have John.” John, a.k.a. Jack, is her stepson, now two and a half, born to Bridget Moynahan after Moynahan’s breakup with Tom Brady.

Gisele says they doesn’t see John as much as they would like, but are in the process of building a place in Los Angeles to be closer to him.

The couple also has a house in Costa Rica(used for the photo shoot) that they get away to for a month each year.

Gisele’s next project is the launch of her new beauty line called Sejaa. The products, which can’t be called organic because of the short shelf life, are called “natural,” created with ingredients that are held to a high standard of purity, with coconut oil acting as the preservative.

Sejaa will not be sold in stores but on a Web site, to create a community—”So I can give my little tips, and it’s not me telling anyone to have an awakening.”

On parting, the new mom offers Ms. Buck her two secrets to life:

“The first is wake up in the morning and be grateful you are here, alive and healthy. And the second is: Give.”

To read the whole interview please visit VOGUE.COM or pick up a copy of the APRIL 2010

New Gestational Diabetes Guidelines Could Find More Women at Risk

Atula — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:15:08 +0000

New research suggests that babies born to women with gestational diabetes are more likely to become obese, which has prompted new set of guidelines that are designed to detect the condition earlier, effectively reducing many of these risks associated with it.

This comes after a major study that included more than 23,000 women in nine countries found maternal blood sugar levels once considered normal were still linked to overweight babies, early deliveries and preeclampsia.

Gestational Diabetes is a condition in which women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. Mother and the baby also have higher chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes in later years.

Reducing the threshold could mean twice as many pregnant women will be diagnosed with the condition.

Researchers discovered that a fasting blood sugar level of 92 or higher, a one-hour level of 180 or higher on a glucose tolerance test or a two-hour level of 153 or higher on a glucose tolerance test may present grave risks to both mother and child. Before, these numbers were believed to be in the normal range.

Currently, pregnant women should take an oral glucose tolerance test at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. If the test comes up abnormal, the mother-to-be takes a second test.

Moms who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes are advised to be screened again within six months of giving birth. But less than ten per cent are actually do.

A Harvard University study that tracked 1,826 women from pregnancy to the first five years of of their babies’ lives, released this month in the journal Pediatrics, suggested childhood obesity prevention should begin before babies are even born. Hopefully this new iniative will do just that. – Atula, Staff Writer

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Dannii Minogue Shows Off Her Blooming Belly!

Lisa — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:48:28 +0000

Dannii Minogue glowed this morning as she greeted fans and proudly showed off her growing baby bump during her arrival for the start of the 2010 Australia’s Got Talent auditions in Melbourne, Australia.

The mom-to-be, who is 17 weeks pregnant today, tweeted that the ‘Baby craves chocolate, so its fun!’

{FAME}

NY Mom Expecting Her 3rd Set Of Twins – All Conceived Naturally!

Lisa — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:41:38 +0000

In a rare event, a Brooklyn mom has been blessed with a set of twins for the third time!

Twelve years ago Gezime Amer gave birth to her first set of twins 12 years ago, Abdulah and Rahman. Two years later, she and her husband were hoping for a girl with their second pregnancy and they got one – plus her sister!

Now the fertile mom is six months pregnant with her third set of twins.

“God blessed me with the genes to have twins,” said the elated Sheepshead Bay mom. “They came to me all natural, too.”

Gezime’s gynecologist, Ayman Shahine, said he’s never come across a mom so genetically prone to twins – identical or fraternal – in his 20 years of practice.

“When she had her first twins, she was scared. Then she had two girls and she could not believe it. Now, she’s an expert.”

Only 15 out of 26,000 members of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins have reported giving birth to several sets of twins.

“It is rare, but multiple births do happen,” said Pam Krell, executive vice president of the group. “An extra baby means extra joy.”

A fact that Gezime agrees with. Even though the family doesn’t have a lot of money, the couple teaches their kids to appreciate each other. “Blood is thicker than water.”

The older kids say they can’t wait for the babies to arrive so that they can school them ‘in the ways of twindom.’

“We are very close. We go everywhere but the bathroom [together],” Rahman said of him and his brother.

“When you are [a] twin, you know someone always has your back,” said Kerima. “You know you’ll never be alone.”

Good luck to this couple – not that they need it. They’re pros!

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Mom Of 8 Expects Twins At 54

Jen R — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:09 +0000

Karen Johnston was heartbroken when she went through menopause six years ago but, thanks to treatment by in vitro fertilization, she is currently six months pregnant with twins.

Karen and her husband Roger have eight children ranging in age from 33 to two years and they will soon add another little boy and a little girl into the mix.

“All I’ve ever wanted to be is a mother and after every child I’ve soon found myself wanting to have another baby,” Karen said.

She admits to being a bit of a baby addict, “I love the smell of them and the whole experience of being pregnant, and having children around the house is just wonderful. Having young children is a privilege and it gives me a sense of purpose in life.”

Britain’s Health Service does not perform IVF treatments on women over the age of 39, though some private clinics set the cut off at 50. Other countries set the IVF age limit considerably higher.

In 2007, the Johnstons turned to a clinic in the Czech Republic where Roger’s sperm and donor eggs were used to conceive their daughter Willow, who is now two.

The Johnstons returned to the clinic to have the same procedure completed to conceive the twins. The babies are expected in June and the family couldn’t be happier. – Jen R, Staff Writer

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Baby Isaiah Loses His Fight

Lisa — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:50:05 +0000

I am sad to report that baby Isaiah lost his fight this afternoon while being held by his parents Rebecka and Isaac May.

The infant’s parents, who were to appear in court today, dropped a court battle to keep him on life support and let him go in peace.

Their lawyer, Rosanna Saccomani, said Isaiah was surrounded by his family when he passed today at around noon.

“Isaiah has been a blessing to us and his spirit will always be in our hearts,” the parents said in a statement read by Ms. Saccomani.

“We will never forget the miracle of his birth, the Christmas we spent together and the early spring day when we said our goodbyes. We will always cherish our son and the gift of time with him.

“We have set our tiny miracle free and he is now home in the arms of angels.”

The Alberta baby arrived on October 24th after his mom, was in labor for 40 hours, pushing for 5 of those hours.

At some point during his delivery Isaiah’s umbilical cord got wrapped around his neck at birth, depriving him of oxygen leaving him with severe and irreversible brain damage.

Last month, doctors wanted to take Isaiah, who is four months old, off life support. But his parents won a court order preventing doctors from removing life support until he is assessed by outside specialists.

I am very proud of this couple for their perseverance. At least they will always know that they did everything they possible could for him.

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Pregnant Supermodel Claudia Schiffer: Stylish In Stripes

Lisa — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:48:34 +0000

Model Claudia Schiffer showed off her growing belly this morning while taking son Caspar to school.

Even though it looks like she is just a few months along, Claudia is actually 7 months pregnant. Her cute shape is definitely enviable!

Baby #3 is due in May.

{WENN}

And Suddenly There Were Three: Mom’s Pregnancy Mistaken For IBS

Jen R — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:02:42 +0000

A 21-year-old British woman, diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome discovered, quite suddenly, that she was actually about to have a baby.

After her IBS diagnosis, Belinda Waite went on with her life as normal and without a thought that she was pregnant. In the time that she was unaware of her pregnancy, she went on roller coasters, water slides and was even hit by a car.

“I can’t believe I was pregnant all this time - you would have thought the doctors would have noticed,” said.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome was only her first misdiagnosis. On Christmas Day, she was taken to the hospital with swelling to her hands and feet. At that point she was diagnosed as having either gout or an allergic reaction.

The new mom explained, “I did feel like something was moving inside me. But I never considered I was pregnant - and it doesn’t seem to have crossed the doctors’ minds.”

On February 6^th, Belinda was taken to the hospital again, this time in agony. She was finally told she was pregnant but, again, misdiagnosed as only three months pregnant.

She was sent home and gave birth three hours later to a full-term, 8lb 11oz baby girl. Waite and her partner Wayne Boyles have named their daughter Louise.

Louise was born at 1:00 a.m. on February 7^th, with the assistance of Wayne’s mother Sylvia.

“No one believed us when we told them we suddenly had a child, but she is a beautiful baby and we’re really happy,” Waite said.

The Devon hospital responsible for Waite’s multiple misdiagnoses is investigating the matter.-Jen R, Staff Writer

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Acupuncture May Help Pregnancy Depression

Summer — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:30:52 +0000

A new study that will be published in the March issue of “Obstetrics and Gynecology” suggests that acupuncture could help fight depression during and after pregnancy.

Researchers at Stanford University in California followed several pregnant women who had or were suffering from depression for an eight week study. The women were divided into three groups, one receiving massage therapy while the other two groups received some form of acupuncture. After eight weeks of treatment the women were tested to see how their symptoms of depression were. The researchers found that the group who had received acupuncture treatments already tested for depression shown the greatest reduction in pregnancy depression.

“We that found 63 percent of the women who received the acupuncture for depression ended up responding to treatment, which is really at the high end of response rates for treatment for depression in outpatients,” stated Rachel Manber, a Stanford University psychiatry professor.

Depression during pregnancy poses an additional risk as many women cannot or chose not to take medications that may harm the fetus. This can extend after pregnancy if the mothers choose to breastfeed. Finding a safe alternative that could be used along side psychological counseling was very important. Acupuncture is relatively safe during pregnancy. Many women already use acupuncture treatments for physical conditions such as nausea or pain.

Acupuncture is sometimes used as a treatment for depression in non-pregnant people. A similar study was done in 2001 at the University of Arizona using acupuncture for depression in women, with promising results. Professor Manber wanted to test if it would also be effective during pregnancy as well. – Summer, staff writer

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Would You Do Acupuncture To Get Pregnant?

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Study: Ideal Age To Become A Mother is The 20s For Most Women

Atula — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:47:23 +0000

With a career in place and some financial security, most women feel the next step is the plunge into motherhood. This has been revealed by a recent survey conducted by ForbesWoman.com and TheBump.com.

Sys Carley Roney, editor-in-chief of TheBump.com. “As women balance biology with modern goals like a fulfilling career, bustling social life and happy marriage, there’s no doubt that women are increasingly trying to find that sweet spot on when to become a mother and have it all.”

Of the 2210 women questioned, half of whom were mothers, 75 percent said that 25 to 34 years of age was the perfect time to become a mother. 42 percent of them narrowed it down further and said that 25 to 29 was the best age while 17 percent were still undecided as to the best time to have or adopt a baby.

The number one reason for choosing this age bracket, according to the women was the established careers and financial security. Only 21 percent considered the ticking biological clock, thus showing that modern women consider career and being emotionally ready, as a more important reason for planning babies than fertility.

What the surveyors also found out was that younger moms were more content with the timing of their first child than others. More than a third of the mothers aged 30-35 wished they had their child at an earlier age. Also, more than 50 percent of the women wanted to have two children and about a third wanted 3 or more.

Jenna Goudreau, of ForbesWoman.com who worked on the survey said,

“Women are looking for a good balance. The number one factor in coming up with this ideal age bracket was career and financial security.”

What the surveyors also found out was that:

more than 50 percent of the women wanted to have two children and about a third wanted 3 or more
62 percent of these women also thought that motherhood had a negative impact on a women’s career
only 30 percent actually felt an affect on their career after a child

Francesca Donner, editor of ForbesWoman.com concluded “It is apparent that the decision to have a baby is dependent on many variables, and will continue to evolve along with women’s roles in the workplace and in society at large.”

The perfect age to become a mother will thus continue to evolve as a women and the different role she plays evolve too. – Atula, Staff Writer

Australian Couple Welcomes Identical Triplets!

Lisa — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:00:34 +0000

An Australian couple has shattered the medical odds after giving birth to naturally conceived identical triplets – a combination thought to occur only once every 160,000 births.

To the delight of Lisa and Kieran Billing, Xavier, Cooper and Noah Billing arrived at 32 weeks gestation 11.42am yesterday, weighing 3.74lbs, 3.43lbs and 3.3lbs respectively.

“They’re so delicate,” said Mr Billing between visits to the boys’ humidicribs yesterday.

“You can hold them in the palms of your hands they’re that small,” Mr Billing said.

While naturally conceived triplets are rare, identical triplets are far less common. A variety of estimates, place the odds anywhere from 1:150,000-160,000 up to 1:200 million.

In this case, it took three visits to two different obstetricians for the Billings to learn the full extent of the pregnancy.

Their first doctor indicated a single birth, then at their next appointment told them to expect twins.

Mr Billing, 29, learnt there was a third baby after returning home from work to a sobbing wife fresh from her third visit.

“Thank God they stopped there,” he said.

In preparation for the babies homecoming, the couple has bought a bigger car and extended their house.

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An Expectant Amy Adams Strolls With Emily Blunt In LA

Lisa — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:17:03 +0000

A very pregnant Amy Adams enjoyed a sunny stroll in Venice yesterday afternoon with girlfriend Emily Blunt.

The actress looked happy and radiant as she showed off her growing bump in a long, grey dress, which she paired with a long black cardigan.

{SPLASH}

Jools and Jamie Oliver Expecting Baby #4!

Lisa — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:39:06 +0000

Just 11 months after welcoming baby #3, Petal Blossom Rainbow, Jamie and Jools Oliver have announced that they are expecting #4!

A statement on behalf of the couple said:

‘Jamie and Jools Oliver are delighted to announce that they are expecting their fourth child.’

Jamie later wrote on Twitter:

‘Guess what… I’m going to be a dad again!!! We’re expecting, so happy, feel very lucky.’

Jools, who suffers from polycystic ovaries, had her first child through IVF but was able to conceive naturally for her second and third.

There’s no doubt Jamie is hoping for a boy this time around.

He has previously said he would consider adopting a son to balance out his ‘oestrogen-filled house’.

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