Pregnancy Briefs

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ALCOHOL AND PREGNANCY DON'T MIX

A recent study by the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health in West Virginia found 15 percent of babies born in a Wheeling hospital in August had alcohol in their systems. Wheeling had the highest percentage of the eight hospitals tested from around the state.

Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should not drink any alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even moderate or light drinking during pregnancy may harm the baby.

Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome and its related disorders. FAS is the No. 1 cause of birth defects, and it is 100 percent preventable by abstaining from drinking alcohol.

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can have abnormal facial features, learning disabilities, vision or hearing problems, speech problems, difficulty sucking as a baby, intellectual disability or low IQ, among other problems.

Sources: March of Dimes West Virginia Chapter, Centers for Disease Control and Prevetion

PRESERVE YOUR PREGNANT BELLY

Before the trial of ex-Martins Ferry police chief Barry Carpenter in November, I had never heard of a belly cast.

Witnesses testified Carpenter showed the photo of the item, belonging to the surrogate mother bearing twins for Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, on his cell phone.

As soon as I read about the belly cast, my curiosity was piqued.

A quick Internet search revealed that, according to a company called Blissful Births in Raleigh, N.C., "a belly cast is a unique keepsake that is made from creating a mold of a pregnant woman's belly during her third trimester."

Belly casting apparently has been around for decades, but became trendy in celebrity circles in the 2000s.

Today, it is mainstream, as kits by mom-owned ProudBody Inc. sell for between $25-$35 online or at Burlington Coat Factory's Baby Depot. The Proud Body kit includes casting material, an exclusive all-natural lubricant to protect skin, non-latex gloves, plastic drop cloth, a sanding screen, step-by-step instructions and decorating ideas.

Photos of the belly casts on the ProudBody site include president and founder Wendy Tuey's four belly casts, two each from her two pregnancies.

She decorated two with Asian landscapes for complementary display, one with the Japanese character for love and one with an embellished Celtic cross.

Other pictures showed casts (which include belly and breasts) painted as a monkey, a frog, a jack o'lantern, a winter landscape, a seascape, abstract art, you name it.

A mother's imagination is the only limitation. Several online outlets, including Belly of Love and Orginal Belly Works even offer to "fiberglass" your cast, making it into a durable sculpture with a smoother surface.

- Betsy Bethel

BITE INTO THIS TIDBIT

Pregnant women with gum disease are more at risk of giving birth prematurely or to a low-birth-weight baby, according to a recently published study.

To help prevent such outcomes, pregnant women are encouraged to add "Dentist" to their list of prenatal appointments.

"There is evidence associating periodontal disease and increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight," said Dr. Beverly Largent, past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists.

"Because premature births have become the No. 1 obstetric problem in the United States, we felt the need to provide more guidance about necessary oral care for expectant moms, in addition to promoting oral health as a key part of pregnant women's overall health," she said.

"Dental treatment is safe throughout pregnancy," Largent added.

Many women with poor oral health also may be at greater risk of infecting their children with the bacteria that causes cavities, increasing their children's caries risk at an early age. Early childhood caries is an infectious but preventable disease that causes tooth decay in baby teeth. When left untreated, ECC can affect speech and communication, eating and dietary nutrition, sleeping, learning, playing and quality of life - even into adulthood.

To prevent the spread of bacteria, mothers should not share utensils, food or drinks with children.

The new guidelines also state babies should see a dentist before their first birthdays.

FINANCIAL 'BABY STEPS'

While today's economy continues to put extra stress on most Americans' wallets, those preparing to welcome a new child into the family experience the added pressure of a whole new set of expenses to go along with their new bundle of joy.

From diapers to baby furniture and daycare, the expenses for new parents mount quickly. For some, the reality of these expenses is daunting. For others, they are completely unaware of how the joy of a new child will impact their financial situation.

So, just how much does a baby cost? The answer depends on many factors. Does one parent stay at home or does the family hire a child care provider? Will the child attend public or private school? Is there a need for a larger home or car for the growing clan? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raising a child costs an average of nearly $11,000 the first year and more than $220,000 for the first 18 years.

So where do expecting and new parents start? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans offers these five "baby steps" to help them prepare.

1. Start early. During your pregnancy, take the time to determine your family's immediate financial needs as well as your long-term goals.

2. Create a realistic budget. Determine the true cost of what you will need and weigh it against the new realities of your household income situation. This is particularly important if you plan on leaving the workforce for an extended period of time. Consult another new parent for a list of monthly baby expenses to get a clear picture of those costs.

3. Start and/or increase an emergency fund. The chances of unexpected expenses will become much greater when the little one comes on the scene.

4. Protect through proper insurance. Consult with a financial professional to insure your health, property, income and life through appropriate insurance. In addition, consider a juvenile life insurance policy when your child is born. Also, be sure to update the beneficiary designation on your own policies once the baby is born.

5. Save for college. Before you know it he will leave the nest, so start saving for Junior's college experience now. A financial professional can assist with the various investment tools available today for college savings. Furthermore, opening a savings account in the child's name is a great starting point for depositing monetary gifts given to the child.