A Link a Day: Amniotic-fluid embolism and medical induction of labour

Amniotic-fluid embolism and medical induction of labour

"Medical induction of labour seems to increase the risk of amniotic-fluid embolism. Although the absolute excess risk is low, women and physicians should be aware of this risk when making decisions about elective labour induction." 

The overall risk of AFE is very low, it can easily fatal if not properly diagnosed. One easy way of reducing the risk is to avoid unnecessary inductions. According to this study, the risk of AFE was DOUBLED when the mother was induced.

Unnecessary, convient, scheduled, and (more common than you might think) induction proceedures used DURING labor (which my "doctor" ordered for me but I refused, and consented to by a friend of mine during her labor) can be harmful and even fatal to the mother or baby. Babies need to cook as long as is healthy for them and their mother.

Bragging Time

I rarely brag or post about my baby. I just don't want to come off as the type that is always saying "My baby is soooo cute! Look at this!" Every parent feels their child is the best/cutest/whatever and I know you all don't really care that he just hit that next milestone. It's not your kid.

Anyway, here's a video I took today:  

A Link a Day: Teething May Not Be Linked to Fever

Teething May Not Be Linked to Fever

"In a safety announcement from April 2011, the FDA states that over-the-counter gels and liquids with the ingredient benzocaine should not be used on children under age 2" 

Ok, so the quote really doesn't relate to the title, but I did want to point it out.

I know that my son's pediatrician would tell me in a heartbeat that any slight fever without other symptoms would be attributed to teething. Now there is some proof that may not be the case. In the study mentioned, no babies recorded a temperate high enough to be considered a fever even though each baby gained on average five teeth.

Give it about 5 years or so before this information disseminates throughout the medical community and they believe it enough to change their minds about causes of infant fever and symptoms of teething.

A Link a Day: Blood Test Detects Fetal Sex Much Earlier in Pregnancy

Blood test detects fetal sex much earlier in pregnancy

"A May analysis in The Lancet estimates that between 4.2 million and 12.1 million female fetuses were "selectively" aborted in India from 1980 to 2010" 

  Although many would be able to use this information for good, such as testing for rare gender-based diseases and other genetic disorders, many feel that the abortion rate would increase due to gender-selection.

It is well known that India and China have long practiced gender-selection, and a tool like this may make it even easier. It is much easier, and some consider less amoral to abort a fetus during the first trimester. Currently, gender can't be determined until around the 20th week via ultrasound.

Not sure where I stand on this one. I have no desire personally to know the gender of my child before he or she is born. If my child was at risk for a gender-specific genetic disease, I may choose to find out, but only that it may prepare my mentally for the possibility of a special needs child, not so I could abort a potentially imperfect baby.

A Link a Day: Are American Women Out of Touch with the Reality of Childbirth Facilities?

Are American Women Out of Touch with the Reality of Childbirth Facilities?

 "Our [sic] of the 51 states in The United States, only excluding Puerto Rico, there are 19 states with no freestanding birth center option."

I have heard many times over the benefits of using a free-standing birth center. It would actually have been my first choice in location to deliver my baby. Unfortunately, (I foresee this word popping up in almost every one of these posts...) this simply wasn't an option for me, and it isn't an option for a large portion of the population. I won't get in to specifics about reasons for choosing different types of birth, that's another topic. I do want to point out, that even if you know what kind of birth you would strive to achieve, you are still limited to the resources around you--and those resources can be limited. The numbers are sad: 19 states have no birth centers, it is illegal for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) to practice in ten states and are unregulated in three, five states have no other option besides hospital births. Women need options. Industrialized countries where 70-80% of the births are attended by midwives have lower rates of infant and maternal mortality. Proof that hospitals and OB's do not improve outcomes for low-risk pregnancies.

A Link a Day: Hospital Support for Breastfeeding

Hospital Support for Breastfeeding

"Babies who are fed formula and stop breastfeeding early have higher risks of obesity, diabetes, respiratory and ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and tend to require more doctor visits, hospitalizations, and prescriptions."

 Only 4% of our nation's hospitals are considered baby-friendly as described by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. This is terrible. There is so much information available about the risks of exclusive formula feeding, yet those in positions to help new mothers the most, seem to be ignorant of them. Or worse yet, do nothing with such information because maybe it would be inconvenient to change hospital policy and practices. In a country where most of our births happen in hospitals, it is up to them to educate mothers and to realize that every baby deserves the best food for him-- his mother's milk. It is awesome when a mother can be an advocate for her baby and speak up about unnecessary pacifiers and supplements. Unfortunately, not all women, maybe most women, are not convicted, or brave, or outspoken enough to speak up to hospital staff. The doctors and nurses are supposed to know and do what's best for babies, why is it that we as mothers, cannot put our full faith in them?

A Link a Day: The Business Case for Breastfeeding

I'm starting a new series about pregnancy, birth, and childcare. Everyday I will post an interesting link about one of these topics, and include my thoughts on the subject. Here's the first one:

The business case for breastfeeding

"...one-day absences to care for sick children occur more than twice as much for women who formula-feed their children." 

This is really a no-brainer. Healthy kids and healthy moms means more productive employees, and lower health care costs. Finally, following California's lead, our federal government has extended the right to pump milk at work to most American women. This is a huge step forward culturally for our nation. Not only is it healthier for moms and babies, but it is a step that will help change our mindset. It will be a relief for women who have grudgingly had to choose between nursing their baby and returning to work. I am grateful that not only is my employer accomodating for my needs, but that if necessary, I can quote federal law to back me up.