News Moms Need

Nope.  Sometimes genetics plays a part (for example, you and your mom both have a uniquely shaped uterus, a liver disease, diabetes or high blood pressure), but usually your mom’s birthing history will not impact yours. 

C-section, or cesarean delivery, can be a lifesaving operation when either you or your baby face certain problems before or during labor and delivery. Read more about reasons for cesarean section and watch our videos at this link.   Many women who deliver surgically never planned to do so, but an emergency made it necessary.  Some health care experts, however, believe that other, non-emergent c-sections are not medically necessary. A cesarean section is major surgery and should be done only when the health of the mother or baby is at risk.  Even if you had your first baby via cesarean delivery, you may or may not need to deliver a second baby that way. It all depends on the reasons for performing the first cesarean and how the incisions were placed in your body.  It’s important to discuss this with your health care provider before your next birth experience.

We know that breastfeeding is the best food for most babies. But did you know that breastfeeding can have benefits for moms, too?

The New York Times recently reported on a study showing that women who breastfeed at some point during their lives have a lower chance of facing high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later on in life. And the longer a woman breastfeeds her baby, the better her chances are of avoiding these health issues during her lifetime. It’s still not clear how this relationship works, but it’s one more reason to breastfeed if you can!

There are things you can do, before you get pregnant, to help give your baby a better chance of a healthy and full-term birth. See your health care provider before pregnancy and ask about the following topics.

What do I need to know about…

1. Diabetes, high blood pressure, infections or other health problems?
2. Medicines or home remedies?
3. Taking a multivitamin pill with folic acid in it each day? 
4. Getting to a healthy weight before pregnancy?
5. Smoking, drinking alcohol and taking illegal drugs?
6. Unsafe chemicals or other things I should stay away from at home or at work?
7. Taking care of myself and lowering my stress? 
8. How long to wait between pregnancies?
9. My family history, including premature birth?

I attended an all-day conference yesterday and its focus was on obesity. As you know, obesity is an epidemic in our country. One of the speakers, a physician, said, “if you don’t think obesity is a problem, just got to the beach!” While this comment was meant to make the audience chuckle, this is a serious public health issue that many become seriously ill or die from. Just off the top of my head, I can think of a few people in my own family that struggle with their weight.

The problems associated with being overweight and obese are too numerous to list, but I do want to mention the impact that it has on preconception health. Preconception health has become a popular phrase and according to many experts, is the key to improving pregnancy outcomes. It’s believed that the health of the mom before pregnancy is just as important as her health during pregnancy.

For example, if a woman is obese and trying to become pregnant it may be difficult because it can affect ovulation and her menstrual cycle. During pregnancy, obesity can cause diabetes and high blood pressure. Being overweight or obese can also increase the chance of certain birth defects, delivering prematurely and the likelihood that the baby will be overweight as a child.

For all women preconception health is important and for the overweight woman even more so. No matter how much you weigh, please talk to your doctor if you’re thinking about having a baby.

Initially reports of women who became pregnant after weight-loss surgery warned of possible complications. Problems included bleeding in the woman’s stomach or intestines, anemia and limited growth of the baby in the uterus.

More recent studies are more reassuring. They suggest that weight-loss surgery may help protect obese women and their babies from these health problems during pregnancy: gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, overly large babies and cesarean delivery.

Weight-loss surgery is not for everyone who is overweight. So, talk to your health care provider to learn about the risks and benefits and the effects it may have on pregnancy.

While more of our country’s people are becoming overweight, diabetes is quickly becoming a major health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently did a study about how diabetes can affect an unborn baby’s health.  It showed that a woman who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy is four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than are other moms.

Women need to be extra careful of diabetes.  It’s important to keep a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating a well-balanced diet.  If you are currently overweight and are thinking about getting pregnant, you may want to try losing some weight beforehand.  This will help lower your chances of having health problems that can affect you and your baby.

Keep an eye on your health by having regular checkups with your health provider. Also, be sure to schedule a preconception visit when you’re thinking about pregnancy. 

Remember – having a healthy baby begins before pregnancy.  The healthier you are, the healthier your baby will be.

Continuing our post on the ABC’s of a healthy pregnancy A-G (July 10), here are guidelines H-Q to help increase your chances of having a healthy baby.

H: History can teach us a lot! Understanding your family history can make an important difference in your life and the lives of your children.

I: Iron is a mineral that helps create red blood cells, which are needed to carry oxygen to your baby. Be sure to get enough iron in your diet to prevent getting anemia.

J: Join a childbirth education class to help you understand what to expect during labor and birth.

K: Keep you and your baby safe during a disaster by planning ahead of time. Prepare for a disaster by making a list of medications you’re taking and having a handy contact sheet with your health provider’s information.

L: Lots of back pain? Backache is one of the most common problems for pregnant women. Avoid heavy lifting and standing for long periods of time. Wear comfortable shoes and consider a pregnancy massage to ease some of your pain.

M: Medical conditions, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, should be carefully monitored by you and your health provider. Also, talk to your provider about any medications that may need to be adjusted during pregnancy.

N: Nausea is very common during pregnancy and certain foods can trigger the feeling. Try substituting other nutritious options for the foods that make you feel ill. Eat 5-6 small meals a day, rather than three large ones.

O: Oh, baby! Get ready to care for your baby before you bring her home from the hosital. Choose a health provider for her and make sure your home environment is all set and safe for your new baby.

P: Prenatal care is essential for having a healthy baby, so be sure to make all of your visits. During these appointments, prenatal tests will be given to help your provider know how you and your baby are doing.

Q: Quit bad habits such as smoking and drinking. Smoking can cause your baby to grow more slowly and gain less weight in the womb. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, which can cause your baby to be born with both physical and mental birth defects.

Visit us next Thursday for the final part of our series, the ABC’s of a healthy pregnancy R-Z.

If you have diabetes and you want to have a baby, it’s really important to talk to your doctor and to establish good blood sugar control first. A woman with preexisting diabetes can have a healthy baby just as long as her blood sugar level remains normal before and throughout pregnancy. If you have good blood sugar control around the time of conception, your risk of having a baby with a birth defect is nearly the same as that of women without diabetes.

Women with poorly controlled diabetes in the early weeks of pregnancy are at an increased risk of having a baby with a serious birth defect, such as a heart defect or a neural tube defect. They also have an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth as well as increased risk of having a very large baby (macrosomia), which makes vaginal delivery more difficult and puts the baby at risk for injuries during birth.

Research has shown that high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity are related to heart disease. Genetics also play a role. To help prevent heart disease, it’s important to identify people at risk as soon as possible. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should be screened for cholesterol between the ages of 2 and 10 if they:

• * Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease
• * Are overweight or obese or have a family history of these conditions
• * Have a family history of high blood pressure or diabetes  

To be screened, a child has a blood test. 

A healthy diet and physical activity are especially important for anyone at increased risk of heart disease. If screening shows that your child is at risk, his or her health care provider will help you choose healthy foods and exercise for him.

To learn more, read the news release from AAP. 

So when are you two going to have a baby? That question makes, “so when are you two going to get married” seem like a walk in the park. You still haven’t unpacked your bags from the honeymoon and your MIL is already harassing you for grandchildren.  “You’re not getting any younger you know.” Thanks for the reminder! The truth is many healthy women from age 35 into their 40s can get pregnant and have healthy babies. A lot of women over 35 are in good health. But, no matter how old a woman is she should have a preconception visit with her doctor before trying to get pregnant.  It’s important to manage any conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes and discuss any medications you may be taking.  To learn more about pregnancy after 35 read the fact sheet on our website.