Baby Guide 2009

Helpful tips for expectant moms

POSTED: February 6, 2009

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Alcohol and Pregnancy Don't Mix Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born with birth defects and have disabilities that are called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which are 100 percent preventable. FASDs can cause problems in how a person looks, grows, learns and acts. FASDs also can cause birth defects of the heart, brain and other major organs. The problems last a lifetime. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. All drinks with alcohol can hurt an unborn baby. A 12-ounce can of beer has as much alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1-ounce shot of liquor. There is no safe time to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during pregnancy. It can cause problems in the early weeks of pregnancy, before a woman even knows she is pregnant. The CDC lists the following prevention tips: If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, do not drink alcohol. Even if you are not trying to get pregnant, but could become pregnant, do not drink alcohol. If you are pregnant and drinking alcohol, stop now. Mothers-to-be are not the only ones who can prevent FASDs. Friends and family members can help by encouraging women to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Schools, health and social service organizations, and communities can promote FASD prevention activities through education and intervention. For example, members of a Wheeling youth group called We Are the Future teamed up with the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition last year to design and place signs (see photo) warning about FASD in local bars and places that sell alcohol. Delivery Kit Includes Must-Haves Based on customer feedback, Destination Maternity has created a must-have Mom-to-be Delivery Kit. It's packed full of essentials for the new mom's hospital stay and comes in a carrying case that can be grabbed quickly as you head out the door. The kit includes 14 items hand-picked by the retail store's "expert" panel and based on what customers have said they couldn't have lived without. Included in the kit are: Preggie Pops lollipops, vanity kit, vitamin E stick, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, cozy socks, headband, shampoo and conditioner, Head to Toe Bella B products, a massager, massage soap bar and facial soap. The $48 kit is available at Destination Maternity stores (the closest location is Polaris Mall in Columbus), or online at www.destinationmaternity.com. First-Time Moms Could Benefit From Classes First-time mothers want more information about how a newborn will impact their lives, according to a study in The Journal of Perinatal Education. Thirty-five percent of those surveyed did not feel prepared for the physical experience following birth and 20 percent did not feel prepared for the emotional experience, according to the study of 151 first-time mothers attending community child health centers in Brisbane, Australia. Focus groups were conducted with eight mothers seven to nine months following entry to the service. The study was published in September. "This study demonstrates that new mothers are eager for high-quality, accurate information of what to expect of life with a newborn," said the study's lead author, Margaret Barnes. One way first-time mothers can educate themselves while pregnant is by taking childbirth educations classes. "Classes can empower women to have positive birth experiences and be informed about early parenthood challenges such as breastfeeding, handling fatigue and infant care," said Lamaze International President Allison J. Walsh. Childbirth education classes are available at all local birthing facilities. Pregnant With Asthma? Get Control Uncontrolled asthma during the first trimester of pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects in babies, according to new research to be published in the June issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Canadian researchers concluded that women who had an asthma flare-up in the first three months of pregnancy were 48 percent more likely to have a baby with at least one congenital defect than asthmatic mothers who did not have a flare-up in the first trimester. The rate of birth defects among the children of mothers who experienced a flare-up was 12.8 percent vs. a rate of 8.9 percent for mothers with better-controlled asthma, according to study data. Researchers analyzed more than 4,300 pregnancies through health care and pharmacy records. The findings underscore the need to keep asthma well-managed throughout pregnancy, but especially in the first trimester - a crucial period for fetal development. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends all pregnant women with a history of asthma consult with an allergist/immunologist to ensure the asthma is well-controlled. To learn more about asthma and pregnancy or to find an allergist/immunologist, visit www.aaaai.org. Feet Killing You? Try These Survival Tips Bellies are not the only things that grow and swell during pregnancy. For most expecting women, swollen feet are a common side effect. It's essential to treat your feet right during pregnancy. Pampering feet helps ease swelling and choosing shoes that are roomy, comfortable and provide adequate support is important for preventing pain. To ease pregnancy-related foot discomfort, Dr. Oliver Zong of NYC FootCare recommends wearing an arch support to help support the extra weight your feet will be carrying, wearing athletic shoes with a roomy toe box, and wearing support stockings to minimize foot and ankle swelling. "The natural weight gain experienced during pregnancy alters a woman's center of gravity, changing her weight-bearing stance and adding pressure to the knees and feet. As women grow larger, the tendency to 'waddle,' as opposed to walking, causes pronation of the feet (flat feet)," Zong said. If flat feet are left untreated, disorders such as metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain) and plantar fascitis, or intense heel pain can result. The condition can be avoided or treated, however, by wearing properly fitting footwear that provides extra arch support. Zong offers the following tips for choosing the right shoe during pregnancy: Have your feet measured. It's not uncommon for them to increase in size during pregnancy. Avoid wearing heels. Find a comfortable shoe with wide toe room, cushioned insoles and arch support. Buy your shoes at the end of the day or after a long walk. This will insure that you are being measured at a time when your feet have swelled. Avoid pointed-toe shoes. As your ligaments and tendons may become more lax during pregnancy, tight shoes can lead to wider feet, and possible development of bunions.

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