Pregnancy Brain: Is it a just a myth?
I’ve always said that being pregnant has been the ruin of what used to be an extraordinary intelligence– mine, that is. I used to be smart. Really. I was always at the top of the class. I figured things out. I was sharp. Clever. Witty. But ever since I had kids, I find it hard to think, sometimes, to find the right words. I can’t remember how old I am. I don’t remember birthdays or other significant events, and sometime I’m not even sure what day of the week it is.
The bad news is that the so-called “pregnancy brain” may not really exist. According to The Australian, “A team at the Australian National University found that the memory and brain functioning speed of mothers and pregnant women were no different from those of childless women.”
So I guess I’m just loosing it. Maybe this is what happens as we age. But twenty-six– er, twenty-seven, is young to start feeling senile, don’t you think?
At least I’m not alone. Paula Kruger from ABC feels the same way: “I myself, being four months pregnant, could not remember the name of my four-year-old son this morning. I could think of several names for the pet Labrador, especially given he’d stolen another slice of jam toast off the bench-top. But to remember my own son’s name, I had to take a moment and a deep breath. So you could imagine my confusion on hearing that scientists at the ANU have found the widely held belief that pregnancy and motherhood can turn a woman’s mind to mush is actually myth.”
According to Professor Helen Christensen from the ANU’s Centre for Mental Health Research, “it’s a miss-attribution of a normal cognitive function lapse.” That’s great. So am I really just getting old? Could be. But she also attributes this pregnant “dippiness” to things such sleep deprivation and fatigue, which makes me feela little bit better, although I’m not sure why. Aks me again after I’ve had a full night’s sleep…
Smart Fats: Breast milk, Omega-3’s, and Baby IQ
When it comes to proper nutrition, there’s a lot of talk lately about omega-3 fats: “smart fats” that are found in especially high amounts in seafood, as well as some plants (like flax seed oil, canola oil, nuts, and seeds). Growing brains, especially those of infants and small children, need omega-3 fats in order to function properly.
Human breast milk is a high-level source of omega-3 fats may explain why breast-fed babies have a higher IQ than those who are not. In the words of Dr. Sears:
Oceans of recent research show that omega-3 fats make brains healthier, especially the brains of young kids and older adults. Researchers believe that the high levels of omega-3 fats in breast milk help to explain the differences in IQ between children who received human milk in infancy and those who did not. The body uses omega-3 fats to make cell membranes. Omega-3 fats are also needed to make myelin, the insulation around nerves, and to help neurotransmitters function at the optimal levels. Omega-3 fats are known as essential fatty acids from food. Other types of fats can be manufactured in the body, but the body cannot make essential fatty acids. That is why it is important for growing brains to get adequate amounts of these smart fats from food. If there are not enough “smart” fats available to make brain cells and other key substances, the body uses lesser-quality fats and produce s lesser-quality cells. The “dumb” fats (known as replacement fatty acids), the kind that come from the trans fats in hydrogenated oils, clog the receptors in the cell membrane, and the brain cell does not function well.
Neurotransmitters, the biochemical messengers that carry information from one brain cell to another, fit into receptors on cell membranes like a key fits into a lock. The keys and the locks must match. If the cell membrane is composed of the right fats, the locks and keys match. But if the receptors are clogged with the wrong fats, the neurotransmitter keys won’t fit, and the brain-cell function suffers. Omega-3 fats keep the receptors open so the neurotransmitters fit and the brain can function optimally.
For more info on omega-3’s and children’s health, visit these links:
A.D.D. or N.D.D. (Nutritional Deficit Disorder)?
Smart Foods for the Teenage Brain
Food for Thought: Best Brain Food
Dr. Sear’s L.E.A.N. Program: Making kid nutrition fun, tasty, and easy! nutrition fun, tasty, and easy
Your flu shot can protect your baby from a deadly virus
If you’re pregnant, getting the flu shot might be a good move on two counts: Aside from the obvious benefit (protecting yourself from the flu!) you might also be protecting your baby!
A clinical trial has revealed that a pregnant woman who receives a flu shot can potentially protect her baby from the flu virus up to 6 months after the birth. This is importnat becuase flu shots are not recommended for babies under six months old, and antiviral drug treatments for the flu are not approved for children under a year old. The study determined that with the flu shot, an infant’s risk of contracting the virus was reduced by at least 63 percent. The risk of respitory infections was also reduced by 29 percent.
“Infants under six months have the highest rates of hospitalization from influenza among children in the U.S.” according to Dr. Steinhoff. The good news, based on the new study, is that when mothers are vaccinated the odds of infants contracting the flu could be cut in more than half. Dr. Steinhoff stated, “Our study shows that a newborn’s risk of infection can be greatly reduced by vaccinating Mom during pregnancy. It’s a two-for-one benefit.”
It is now being recommended that expectant mothers get their flu shot a few weeks before flu season starts.
Visit www.healthnews.com for more information!
All about Water Births
Water birth is a method of giving birth immersed in a tub of warm water. Proponents believe this method to be safe and provides many benefits for both mother and infant, including pain relief and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby. Women who have chosen water birth describe it as being peaceful, joyous, comforting, and more relaxing than a “land birth.” Critics argue that the procedure introduces unnecessary risks to the infant such as infection and water inhalation.
Benefits for Mother:
- Water is soothing, comforting, relaxing. Water birth is a form of hydrotherapy which, in studies, has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for a variety of conditions especially lower back pain (a common complaint of women in labor).
- In the later stages of labor, the water seems to increase the woman’s energy.
- The buoyancy lessens her body weight, allows free movement and new positioning.
- Buoyancy promotes more efficient uterine contractions and better blood circulation, resulting in better oxygenation of the uterine muscles, less pain for the mother, and more oxygen for the baby.
- Immersion in water often helps lower high blood pressure caused by anxiety.
- Water seems to alleviate stress-related hormones, allowing the mother’s body to produce endorphins, which are pain-inhibitors.
- Water causes the perineum to become more elastic and relaxed, which reduces the incidence and severity of tearing and the need for an episiotomy and stitches.
- As the laboring women relaxes physically she is able to relax mentally, concentrating her efforts inward on the birth process.
- The water provides a sense of privacy, which releases inhibitions, anxiety, and fears.
Benefits for Baby:
- Provides a similar (warm, watery) environment as the amniotic sac.
- Eases the stress of the birth, providing reassurance and security.
Risks involved in Water Births:
Although there are no proven disadvantages to birthing in water, it is still a controversial means of delivery. Critics cite possible risks, including:
- Water aspiration. If the baby is experiencing stress in the birth canal or the umbilical cord becomes kinked or twisted, the baby may gasp for air, possibly inhaling water into the lungs. This would be rare because babies do not inhale air until they are exposed to air. They receive oxygen through the umbilical cord until they start to breathe on their own or until the cord is cut.
- The umbilical cord could snap as the baby is brought to the surface of the water. This is preventable by using caution when lifting the baby up to the mother’s chest.
- Another concern is that the water could increase the risk of infection. However, studies to date do not show increased risk of transferring bacteria from infant to mother or mother to infant.
- Slowed labor, due to the documented relaxing effects of water, may be seen as a benefit rather than a rsik. Laboring in water is sometimes associated with a decrease in the intensity of contractions, and is thus thought to slow labor.
- Maternal blood loss. For care providers who are inexperienced in delivery in water, it may be difficult to assess the amount of maternal blood loss. Although there are well-developed methods of determining maternal blood loss in water, many providers prefer to deliver the placenta out of water for this reason.
Water births may be discouraged in the following situations, and should be discussed with your health care provider:
- If you have Herpes: Herpes transfers easily in water, so you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
- If your baby is breech: Though water birth has been done with bottom or feet first presentations you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
- If you have been diagnosed with excessive bleeding or maternal infection.
- If you are having multiples: Though water births have been successful with twins around the world, you will want to discuss this thoroughly with your health care provider.
- If preterm labor is expected: If a baby is two weeks or more prior to due date, water birth is not recommended.
- If there is severe meconium: Mild to moderate meconium is fairly normal. Since meconium floats to the surface in a tub, your health care provider will watch for it and remove it immediately, or help you out of the tub.
- If you have toxemia or preeclampsia: You will want to thoroughly discuss this with your health care provider.
For more information, check out:
Wikipedia (includes history and studies associated with water births)
YourWaterBirth.com (Offers supplies for an at-home water birth, such as pools, hoses, thermometers, protective floor covers, birth kits, and more)
Your pregnancy diet can decrease baby’s risk of obesity
What pregnancy eating style do you think would contribute toward obesity in children? A high fat diet? Too many extra calories? Junk food? Well, none of those are good for your growing baby, but here’s some surprising news: Women who eat too little during pregnancy increase the risk of obesity in their children! Go figure!
Researchers have discovered eating too few calories while pregnant changes the way that a baby’s fat cells behave once they are born. It causes excessive levels of inflammation which can damage the body’s ability to metabolise food, which leaves the youngsters at risk of putting on excessive weight.
The study is headed by Dr Helen Budge, who reminds us that what a mother eats while pregnant can have a large impact on the health of their baby in later life. Instead of viewing obesity as entirely the fault of the individual, pregnant women must realize that genetic and environmental factors play a huge part. “What is particularly interesting is that we are not just talking about babies that have been malnourished while in the womb but those that are born within normal weight ranges,” says Dr. Budge.
Over-eating is similarly harmful too. So what is the advice? A healthy, balanced diet, of course!
Pregnant women should avoid Perfume, risk to baby boy’s fertility
It smells so good, but it could be bad news for the baby in your belly! New research shows that using perfumes or scented body creams can cause unborn boys to suffer infertility or testicular cancer in later life. The reproductive system of male fetuses can be damaged as early as at eight weeks’ gestation by chemicals such as those found in many cosmetics.
Professor Richard Sharpe, principal investigator at the Medical Research Council’s Human Sciences Unit, says that women who want to protect their babies should stop using body creams and perfumes. “Although we do not have conclusive evidence that they do harm, there are components about which there are question marks… It might have no consequence, but it’s something positive women can do for their baby.”
It would seem that if you are attempting to conceive, or there is a possiblity that you could become pregnant, you should avoid using perfumes and similar cosmetics, as well!
Maternity Insurance: Protecting your baby and yourself!
Being pregnant (not to mention actually having a baby) can be expensive! In addition to the physical, emotional and lifestyle changes new parents have to deal with, the financial burden can put a strain on even the most excited parents-to-be. Maternity clothes, check ups, vitamins, and labor coaches are only few of the expenses. To help expectant mothers get through this very important stage in her life, insurance companies provide assistance through maternity insurance plans.
Getting a maternity health insurance, or pregnancy health insurance, is one of the best ways one can take care of her unborn baby. With the help of a dependable maternity insurance company, the couple can eliminate worries about how to pay for pregnancy and childbirth expenses, and focus on getting the proper care. Without these worries, mother can focus on being as physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy as possible.
Make sure to see about getting maternity benefits before you actually become pregnant. If you already have a maternity insurance plan, study it to see what kind of health insurance maternity coverage you have. Getting maternity health insurance will be difficult if you’re already pregnant.
Prior to choosing your hospital and OBGYN, go over the names of providers in your plan’s network. Make certain that you have the latest directory listings provided by your insurance company as well as any updates. It’s important that your directory of providers is up to date because doctors and hospitals are constantly being picked up and dropped from network lists. You should also find out when your medical provider’s contract expires with your insurance company. If your provider’s contract expires before your expected date of delivery, you should look for another provider in your directory’s network.
Pregnancy and childbirth can involve some risks. That is why getting a maternity insurance is a wise decision to make. To prevent future problems, make certain to rely on a reputable insurance provider. This will help you enjoy peace of mind during what should be an exciting and joyful period of life!
Source:Maternity Insurance Guide
Photo: Childbirth connection. org
6 Ways to avoid depression during pregnancy
Pregnancy can make you vulnerable to emotional swings, which are caused by hormones and physical changes, as well as psychological change. Bouts of depression may increase during pregnancy. Much depends on how the pregnancy effects you emotionally, what the pregnancy means to you, how you deal with your new body image, and the state of your support system. However, how well you take care of yourself physically and emotionally, throughout the course of your pregnancy, can greatly improve your over-all mood. Watch this video to learn about six tricks to help you during this monumental year.
Should You Avoid Nuts During Pregnancy?
Scientists now know that what a woman eats during pregnancy has long-lasting effects on her baby. The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care recently studied mothers’ consumption of a variety of foods such as vegetables, fish, eggs, milk products and nuts. Nearly 3,000 mothers participated in the study, with children from birth to 8 years of age. Researchers concluded that mothers who ate nuts daily increased their baby’s chance of developing asthma symptoms by 47%. (Not so with any of the other foods on the list.)
Based on the results of this study, there appears to be a pathway for allergy antibodies to pass from mother to baby. Researchers do not recommend that mothers completely eliminate nuts from their diet, but limiting your intake of highly allergenic foods, such as nuts, may be a good idea. Additionally, if you have a strong family history of allergies, experts recommend reducing the amount of nuts you eat during pregnancy.
Pediatrician recommended that children under the age of three not be given nut or nut products. And since the proteins from peanuts can be carried through breast milk, nursing mothers should try to reduce or eliminate nuts from their diet.
For more information, see Suite 101.