Posted by Melissa Maimann on Mar 6, 2009 in
Birth,
Midwifery,
Obstetrics For further information, please contact Melissa Maimann at Essential Birth Consulting.
As infant weights rise, parents are urged to take steps early to prevent obesity
HealthDay, Sunday, March 1, 2009
SUNDAY, March 1 (HealthDay News) — … The trend toward bigger and bigger babies is drawing concern from health experts as well … American infants up to 6 months of age are 59 percent more likely to be overweight than were babies born 20 years ago, a recent study found.
And though chubby babies might be viewed as cute and healthy, parents need to think about preventing obesity at the earliest stages of life, health experts are warning. That means paying attention not only to infant weights, but also to a mother’s weight before conception and her weight gain during pregnancy.
“A mother’s weight gain during pregnancy, particularly gaining more than is recommended, is associated with an increased likelihood of childhood obesity,” said Dr. Christine M. Olson, professor of community nutrition at Cornell University, in Ithaca, N.Y.
The impact was greater among women who were overweight or obese before they became pregnant.
“… overweight mothers are at risk for having overweight infants,” he said. “Mothers who have gestational diabetes … are also at greater risk….”
What to do? Greer and Olson have a number of suggestions.
Besides getting down to a healthy weight before becoming pregnant, women should follow the weight-gain guidelines during pregnancy …
Breast-feeding for the first four to six months can help reduce the chances that a child will become overweight …
- Health and nutrition during pregnancy are vitally important for the health of the woman, her baby, and ultimately the family and community. Maintaining a healthy weight can be achieved through good nutrition, motivation, goal setting, exercise and know-how. I have worked with many women – and men, to achieve a healthy weight, more energy and better quality sleep.
For further information, contact me at Optimum Health & Nutrition, or Essential Birth Consulting.
Tags: Babies
Posted by Melissa Maimann on Mar 6, 2009 in
Birth,
Midwifery,
Normal Birth,
Obstetrics For further information, please contact Melissa Maimann at Essential Birth Consulting.
From http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/nichd-02.htm
Low Levels of Vitamin B12 May Increase Risk for Neural Tube Defects
Children born to women who have low blood levels of vitamin B12 shortly before and after conception may have an increased risk of a neural tube defect … Women who consume little or no meat or animal based foods are the most likely group of women to have low B12 levels, along with women who have intestinal disorders that prevent them from absorbing sufficient amounts of B12.
Neural tube defects are a class of birth defects affecting the brain and spinal cord. One type, spina bifida, can cause partial paralysis. Another type, anencephaly, is a fatal defect in which the brain and skull are severely underdeveloped.
Researchers have known that taking another nutrient, folic acid, during the weeks before and after conception can greatly reduce a woman’s chances of having a child with a neural tube defect.
… “If women wait until they realize that they are pregnant before they start taking folic acid, it is usually too late,” Dr. Mills said.
“Our results offer evidence that women who have adequate B12 levels before they become pregnant may further reduce the occurrence of this class of birth defects,” Dr. Mills said.
Vitamin B12 is available in milk, meats, poultry, eggs, as well as fortified cereals and some other fortified foods … Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, fruits, and dried beans and peas.
An interesting study that highlights the importance of preconception care and good nutrition before and during pregnancy.
Changing your food habits is often a difficult thing to do. Optimum Health & Nutrition can provide assistance.
Melissa Maimann, Essential Birth Consulting.
Tags: Preconception care
Posted by Melissa Maimann on Mar 6, 2009 in
Birth,
Home birth,
Midwifery,
Normal Birth From http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/04/2507192.htm
For further information, please contact Melissa Maimann at Essential Birth Consulting.
Posted Wed Mar 4, 2009 1:36pm AEDT
An advocacy group on the New South Wales far south coast says recommendations in a Federal Government review of maternity services have not alleviated the strain on hospital maternity units … The recommendations made in the report are positive overall, but … an option for publicly-funded home birthing was not proposed.
… many local families and mothers want the option of home birthing, but are put off due to the high costs – … around $3,000 to $5,000,” she said.
The president of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, Dr Dennis Pashen, says he is unsure whether home birthing would occur.
“People have always got a personal choice as to how they have their delivery,” he said.
“I think that was looked at very closely and there’s some very [strong] advocates of home birthing.”
Home birth is available privately through midwives who generally charge $4000 – $5000 in Sydney. The services are comprehensive. Typically, women can expect antenatal home visits for 1 – 2 hours, labour and birth at home, and postnatal care at home too, for up to 6 weeks. When you break down the cost of the home birth hour-for-hour of the midwife’s time, the midwife may only earn $50 per hour. Private home birth services are very time-intensive – we like to form a really strong relationship with the women and families we care for.
Melissa Maimann, Essential Birth Consulting.
Tags: Birth choices, Home birth, Maternity Services Review, Midwifery services, Normal Birth, women's rights
