News Moms Need

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) today announced new guidelines on Pap smears and cervical cancer screenings. The organization says that women can wait until they’re age 21 to have their first Pap tests. ACOG also says that women between the ages of 21 and 30 should have a Pap test and cervical cancer screening once every two years instead of once every year. Women aged 30 and older who’ve had no previous complications in their last three screenings can have a Pap test once every three years.

The organization revised its recommendations based on the latest research about Pap tests and cervical cancer rates, showing that most cervical cancer cases come from women who don’t regularly see health care providers. ACOG also says that data shows testing at two and three year intervals can be just as effective at preventing cervical cancer.

While these recommendations represent a shift in women’s health care, talk to your health provider about what is best for you.

When was the last time you ever heard of someone getting the mumps? While most of us can say it’s been a while (if not, never), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting the largest outbreak of mumps in three years. Most of these outbreaks took place in New York and New Jersey.

Friendly reminder – the best way to protect kids from getting the mumps is by getting kids vaccinated. The combination measles-mumps-rubella immunization helps protect kids against these illnesses, which are less common thanks to the large number of kids and people who’ve been vaccinated over the years. Women who aren’t sure if they’ve been vaccinated against the mumps can also talk to their health providers about getting this vaccine before getting pregnant (this vaccine cannot be given during pregnancy). It’s important that the immunization rates in our population stay at high levels to avoid the opportunity for this and other diseases to return with full force.

Learn more about other important immunizations for your child.

It’s that time of year. I woke up with a sore throat and a headache. Hopefully, it’s just a regular old cold and it passes in a few days. I haven’t been sick since the baby is born.  I guess I’m due. Taking care of a little one is hard enough, but then doing so when you’re not feeling well can be a real drag. Here are some tips on taking care of yourself while taking care of your baby.

• Sleep when the baby sleeps – you need to rest! I know it’s hard when there are things that need to be done around the house, but try it.

• Skip the chores – the laundry isn’t going anywhere. Leave everything until you’re feeling up to it.

• Wash your hands – A LOT! Try to avoid getting others in your house sick. Cough and sneeze into your arm, too.

• Ask for help – ask your partner, family and friends to take turns entertaining the baby and preparing meals. 

• Drink plenty of fluids – keep yourself hydrated. Your body needs  fluids to replenish those being lost due to cold symptoms.

• Breastfeeding – if you’re nursing, continue to do so. The baby will receive antibodies that can protect him from getting sick.

• Keep comfortable – take a shower, put on clean PJs, change your bed linens, crack open a window for some fresh air

• Call your doctor – any time you are concerned about your health or if symptoms linger or get worse. If you’re nursing, ask about the safety of over-the-counter medications.

Feel better soon!

Thanksgiving is just two weeks away! Where did the time go? Between family get-togethers, holiday gift shopping and my husband’s birthday (which usually falls on or around Thanksgiving), the end of the year feels like one big race to New Year’s. Thankfully, both my and my husband’s families are just a few hours drive from our home. But plenty of my girlfriends are hopping on a plane to see their loved ones.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently strengthened its position on air travel during pregnancy. The organization reassures women that air travel is safe for most pregnant women. So long as a woman’s pregnancy is healthy and free of complications, it’s safe for her to travel by air. Most airlines allow women who are up to 36 weeks in their pregnancy to travel, but it’s a good idea to double check with your air carrier.

If you’re pregnant and plan to travel by air this holiday season, follow these tips (which are helpful for everyone as well):
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing. You may want to wear support stockings.
• When it’s safe to move about the plane’s cabin, take a walk up and down the isle. This can help improve your circulation and avoid the risk of blood clots.
• Stay hydrated, but avoid foods and beverages that may cause gas. Gas in your belly expands at high altitudes, making you feel less comfortable.
• Always wear a seat belt when seated to avoid injury in the case of turbulence.
• When making air travel arrangements, try getting an isle seat so you don’t have to climb over other passengers to go to the bathroom. Also, try sitting towards the front of the plane, where the ride feels smoother.
• If you’re experiencing nausea during pregnancy, you may want to take a preventative anti-nausea medication before getting on the plane. Talk to your health provider about a medication that’s safe during pregnancy.

I’m at the point now where I ask myself that question almost on a daily basis. I think it’s safe to say that this has become a really bad habit. I’ve run out of ideas and I’m bored with what I make. Pasta. Chicken. Fish. Repeat. I like to shop for fresh veggies and meats, but end up throwing a lot of it away because with only two people we just don’t get to all of it. I hate wasting food. In a perfect world I would have the energy to plan our meals each week — a variety of healthy dishes that taste delicious and are effortless to prepare. I would make batches of things and freeze them. But sadly, I don’t do these things. On nights when my husband works late I usually just pour myself a bowl of cereal and call it a day. Now that I’m introducing solids into my daughter’s diet I need to work on my culinary skills and get organized. I want her to develop healthy eating habits right from the start and I know that I’m the one responsible for establishing that. I wish cooking didn’t feel like such a chore though. Maybe I should take a class. What are you having for dinner?

Do you get a knot in your stomach when you hear about people getting sick from eating unsafe hamburger meat? Do you worry when you hear that some canned food has been recalled?

Well, now there’s one place to help you get answers. Several federal agencies are working together on a new Web site about food safety.  Everything in one place. Great idea!

And here are some March of Dimes resources:

   * Food-borne risks in pregnancy
   * Food safety dring pregnancy
   * Feeding and food safety for baby

It may be tempting to put your infant or toddler in front of the television, especially to watch shows created just for children under age two. But the American Academy of Pediatrics says: Don’t do it! These early years are crucial in a child’s development. The Academy is concerned about the impact of television programming intended for children younger than age two and how it could affect your child’s development. Pediatricians strongly oppose targeted programming, especially when it’s used to market toys, games, dolls, unhealthy food and other products to toddlers. Any positive effect of television on infants and toddlers is still open to question, but the benefits of parent-child interactions are proven. Under age two, talking, singing, reading, listening to music or playing are far more important to a child’s development than any TV show. For more information on your child’s health, visit www.aap.org.

On most days it’s just me and my 9 month old. My husband works long hours. We moved about a year ago and I’m further away from my friends. Needless to say, I’m feeling a little isolated. And with winter approaching it’s only going to get worse. I don’t want the majority of our outings spent roaming around a shopping mall or grocery store. I need to branch out and get to know other moms. After having a new baby, what are some ways for new moms to network and meet other new moms in their area? Please help!

It’s hard to believe, but Halloween is right around the corner. My husband and I are both off from work today, so we’re headed out to buy decorations and mums for the front stoop. Our little pumpkin is too young for trick-or-treating, but it’s not too soon for us to learn how to enjoy this holiday safely with her. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some helpful Halloween safety tips on their website. Click here to check them out.

A few weeks ago, I was having dinner with family when the topic of the flu, particularly the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine, came up. My in-laws (one is a mom, the other is a nurse) talked about their concerns with both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines and whether or not they or their children should get them. I quickly realized that there’s a lot of misinformation floating around out there. To help get through all of the confusion, it might help to know the myths from facts.

Myth: You can get a cold or flu from the seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine.
Fact: The flu vaccines CANNOT get you sick with a cold or flu. My in-law said that the last time her son got his seasonal flu vaccine, he got a runny nose and cough a few days later and had to stay home from school. But the truth is that the two situations are unrelated. The reason it’s called “flu season” is because lots of people tend to come down with the flu at around the same time period. In the case of my in-law, it’s most likely that her son caught a cold at around the same time he got his vaccine, but the symptoms didn’t show until a few days later.

Myth: The H1N1 vaccine hasn’t been tested enough, so it can’t be safe.
Fact: The H1N1 vaccine is made exactly the same way the seasonal flu vaccine is made every year. And the seasonal flu vaccine has been thoroughly tested for years. The H1N1 flu is simply a new virus strain. Millions of Americans get the seasonal flu vaccine each year without any problems. To be doubly careful, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the vaccine makers have conducted more rigorous tests on the H1N1 vaccine than they do on other flu vaccines. The clinical trials conducted have shown that the new H1N1 vaccine is both safe and effective.

That said, there are certain people who shouldn’t get the H1N1 vaccine. Generally, these are the same people who shouldn’t get the seasonal flu vaccine. For example, people with egg allergies shouldn’t get the flu vaccines because eggs are used to make both flu vaccines. Learn more by visiting the CDC Web site.

Myth: Getting the seasonal or H1N1 vaccine during pregnancy may be the reason I miscarried.
Fact: Sadly, miscarriages are more common than we think. Everyday, about 2,000 miscarriages occur. In fact, as many as 2 out of 5 pregnancies may end in miscarriage because many losses occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant. It’s common to want to understand why something like this happened.  But please know that getting the H1N1 vaccine doesn’t increase your risk of miscarriage or any other health-related event like heart attacks or strokes. It’s important to know that one event doesn’t necessarily cause the other. 

Remember: it’s very important that pregnant moms get both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines. If you have questions, talk to your health provider. You can also submit a question to one of our health information specialists.