News concerning the pregnancy, the storage of umbilical cord blood stem cells and their potential use in treating diseases.
This section is updated according to the news Safetycord deemed relevant for the sector, taking into account families who are considering storing stem cells from umbilical cord blood of their baby.
“Making babies wait too long for the first critical contact with their mother outside the womb decreases the newborn’s chances of survival, limits milk supply and reduces the chances of exclusive breastfeeding,” said France Bégin, UNICEF Senior Nutrition Adviser. “If all babies are fed nothing but breastmilk from the moment they are born until they are six months old, over 800,000 lives would be saved every year.”
Well, according to a review of vitamin supplements in pregnancy in the latest Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, the true price may be less. The article said: “For most women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant, complex multivitamin and mineral preparations promoted for use during pregnancy are unlikely to be needed and are an unnecessary expense.”
In the new study, researchers at the University of California–Los Angeles analyzed data from 142 women who were participating in a study with the Community Child Health Network – a collaboration of health scientists and community partners that investigates mothers´ and children´s health in poor and ethnic minority families. That study examined how chronic stress affects new parents and their babies...
Dr. Artal is the primary author of a report on physical activity and exercise during pregnancy released in December from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which offers advice on how to prevent and relieve back pain...
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that if pregnant women follow the recommendations jointly drafted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they will be at risk of exposing their unborn babies to high levels of mercury because the recommendations are not specific enough. Mercury is a chemical that can harm the brain development in fetuses and young children when consumed in large amounts...
Being overweight or obese in pregnancy causes babies to be born larger, according to new research. The study, led by the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, also found that mothers with a higher blood sugar - even within a healthy range - tend to have bigger babies. However, having higher blood pressure in pregnancy causes babies to be born smaller, the international research collaboration found...
Pregnancy can be a glorious time, but it can also be a confusing time, particularly when it comes to matters of beauty. Hormones throw your usual skin balance out of whack, and a glow on some complexions might be a greasy slick on others. Hair is simply different. And then there’s the more pressing matter of whether the products in your medicine cabinet are safe to use; even seasoned beauty editors find themselves squinting at the complex lists of ingredients, trying to discern which formulas are fair game and which aren’t...
You already know that reading to your children is important for their development, but when you have a tiny newborn or a baby that´s only a few months old, it feels like teaching them to sleep and memorizing their feeding schedule is more important. I totally understand, but there are some books every parent should read their baby before they turn one...
Now that you’re pregnant, you’re not only thinking about your health but also the health of your growing baby. The basic principles of healthy eating during pregnancy remain more or less the same – getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats. There are key nutrients, however, that are important for both you and your baby’s health during pregnancy. Here are some must-eat foods during that protect your health and ensure adequate nutrients you’ll need for your baby’s development...
Mothers whose diets included increased vitamin D intake gave birth to children who had a reduced likelihood of developing allergic rhinitis at school age, according to recent research...
Delayed umbilical cord clamping has gathered popularity in recent years, with many believing it helps babies receive increased essential nutrients in the first few moments of their lives. When it comes to the type of birth you´re considering, there are many things to think about. But would you be tempted to think about delayed cord clamping? We take a look at what it´s all about...
Dr. Al Romeo shared the good and bad news about skin medications during pregnancy. Calls about exposures to isotretinoin, which people know as Accutane but is also Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret, and Zenatane are very common. The use of isotretinoin in pill form for acne during pregnancy can lead to birth defects that affect the brain, ears, heart, and cause developmental delays. If you are using isotretinoin, the iPLEDGE program requires the use of two forms of contraceptives...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 47 percent of women gain too much weight during pregnancy. Yet experts agree that in our celebrity-obsessed culture where stars are back in their bikinis two weeks after giving birth, women who cut calories, over-exercise, weigh themselves daily and become obsessed with gaining weight during pregnancy are a real phenomenon...
Women who experience severe heatwaves or cold snaps during their pregnancy are more likely to have small and underweight babies, a new study suggests. It is the first time that extreme changes in the weather have been linked to birth outcomes. Babies who are born smaller are more likely to suffer from health problems in later life, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure...
A collection of valuable information related to pregnancy and babies by Fraser Health...
From barbecues to birthday parties, pregnant women are used to hearing that it’s not just okay to splurge on your diet -it’s pivotal for your baby’s health. But experts cast doubt on this, saying that while a woman’s nutrient requirement increases considerably, her energy intake does not. They also point out that eating too much while pregnant can also carry its own complications, including excessive weight retention post-birth and gestational diabetes...
While everyone talks about the joys of pregnancy, the right diet to follow, exercise tips, books to read, but people seldom talk about the stress a woman can face during pregnancy. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry, you are not alone. Many women get stressed during pregnancy -work-life balance, fear of labour pain, strain of pregnancy- everything can take a toll. However, stress during pregnancy isn’t good either for the mother or the baby...
Each week of pregnancy includes a description of your baby’s development, as well as an explanation of the changes taking place in your body. You’ll also find important medical info that will help keep you and your baby healthy.
A woman who miscarries early in pregnancy is often told to wait at least three months before trying to get pregnant again. But a new study suggests it can be fine to try again as soon as possible. Researchers studied 998 pregnancies lost at 20 weeks gestation or less. (They included spontaneous losses only and excluded ectopic or molar pregnancies, which are known to require extended care.)
Women who had pregnancy-related high blood pressure multiple times had recognizable heart abnormalities between pregnancies that could help predict their risk for heart and blood vessel disease during subsequent pregnancies and even later in life, according to new research in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.
According to the study published by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) on February 4, it is not only the Zika virus that can cause physical abnormalities and intellectual disabilities but also drinking alcohol when pregnant. CDC noted that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which are physical, behavioural and intellectual disabilities that last a lifetime...
When it is absolutely necessary to travel to these places while pregnant, such as for urgent family or business issues, mosquito bite prevention is key. You can avoid bites by using insect repellent, wearing appropriate attire to shield your extremities, and staying in places with windows, screen doors, or air conditioning. EPA-registered insect repellents that contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for use during pregnancy. The CDC website contains detailed information on how to avoid mosquito bites...
Samantha Meltzer-Brody, director of the Perinatal Psychiatry Program at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, thinks this is a move that’s long been needed in the US. The US Preventive Services Task Force made the new recommendations. "Mental health is often left off the table" Meltzer-Brody says...