Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Docs Talk About Play: Patricia O’Day, MD – SMDC Health System

Duluth Clinic maternal-fetal medicine physician Patricia O’Day, MD, says the first time she visited Duluth she was impressed. It’s nice not having to deal with noise, traffic and pollution. www.duluthclinic.org

Is A Used Baby Gift Ok?

Various aspects of used baby gifts.

There is a lot of contemplation as the time nears for a new child to be born. The clothes, food, medicine, visits to the doctor are the things that the parents have to think about. The expenses that one has to bear for all the new things that need to be bought is astronomical at times. So there is a respite for them who can’t afford to bear the expenditure.

There are used baby gifts galore in the market today that can easily be bought for the new born baby at a very reasonable price. Whether it is for a baby shower or for any other purpose, the best place for the shopping would be the net.

There are clothes available that have been worn rarely. Apart from clothes if you are looking for the toys for the new baby or the diaper products, all of it is easy to purchase online. You can also get maternity clothing at these online stores.

You could also take part in the auction that takes place online and win the best bargain. All kinds of dresses which are absolutely in good condition can be found. For both summer and winter wear, the online sites are the best option. These clothes generally come from European countries and these are quality products. Most of the time there are discounts offered on baby clothes and other items.

However you must be a little careful when purchasing used baby gifts. The buttons and the other fittings need to be checked. They may be loose. The zippers and the clasps too need to be firm. The stitching of the dresses is another aspect that may need proper inspection. Make sure that you check the fabric with which the dress is made. At times fabric like fleece disintegrates and emits gases like ammonia and benzene. This can prove to be extremely harmful for the baby as well as the person taking care of the child.

The next important thing to remember while purchasing second hand dresses is that the time period listed for it. If the baby’s dress is said to fit a six to nine month baby better beware. In most cases the dresses will either be short or too long for the baby. You should also be careful of the fabric once again because when washed, different fabrics behave in different ways. Some like cotton may shrink so carefully choose your material.

Hand me down baby gifts are unique because they can cut down the expenditure drastically. Small toys for the child can be bought at half the original price. It is always wise to buy products that have blunt edges so that the baby is not hurt. Try to avoid painted or coated games and toys because they may peel off.

Second hand clothing for the mother too is a great way to cut down on the extra expenses. During pregnancy, there are well meaning friends and neighbors who offer to gift their maternity clothes to you. Do not turn down such offers.

TTTS Survivors: Brennan & Gideon

My baby brothers; Brennan and Gideon, are TTTS suvivors. Dr.Walker at Evergreen Maternal Fetal Medicine took good care of mom and the babies and now i have some great brothers. amazing! Give hope to other babies and families who have twins with TTTS.

Fetal Diagnostic Center with Julianne Toohey, MD

Julianne Toohey, MD, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist at St. Jude Medical Center, discusses the services of the Fetal Diagnostic Center.

Chromosone Issues – Pregnancy

Burton Rochelson MD Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstectrics at NS/LIJ Healthcare System www.DrMDK

Pregnancy Week 22 – a Personality with Fingerprints

Pregnancy Week 22

Pregnancy week 22 means that the embryo has now progressed well into the foetal period, which usually starts at end of the 10th week of gestation. The precursors of all major organs have already been created some time back and these are developing into full fledged organs by the pregnancy week 22. At this point of time the foetus is not as susceptible to damage from exposure to environmental hazards as was the embryo, however there can still be physiological or congenital abnormalities due to exposure to various toxins. The gestational age at pregnancy week 22 is 21 weeks while the embryonic (or rather the foetal) age is 19 weeks. The eye, ear, nose, liver, pancreas, kidneys, lungs, heart, brain, spinal chord, arms and legs have all taken distinct shape by this time while the digestive, urinary, reproductive, circulatory and other systems also start becoming functional. Unique features start to develop, such as the retinal striations and fingerprints.

All this activity during pregnancy week 22 requires a healthy diet for the mother – rich in protein, carbohydrates and supplemented by vitamins and minerals like calcium. The additional 300 to 500 calories that needs to be ingested specially for the growing foetus during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters should come from all the 4 food groups. Medicines should be avoided as far as possible because whatever the mother ingests will reach the foetus sooner and later and some components can be harmful to a still forming human being. Alcohol, caffeine, smoking, processed food, raw meat, any food item that may be contaminated with mercury, disinfectant, unauthorised preservatives, viruses, bacteria are all to be strictly avoided right through pregnancy. Meals should ideally be small in quantity but more in number – between 5 and 6 in a day.

At pregnancy week 22 a woman would no longer fit into normal clothes and maternity clothes that are stretchable and breathable become necessary. These clothes must provide support to sensitive areas, especially around the breasts, chest and abdomen.

Low back pain is frequently associated with the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, due to changing posture, the body’s centre of gravity and the rapidly enlarging uterus. For this reason pillows, cushions, bolsters and maternity belts become very necessary to relieve the pain and doctors advise sitting up straight as well as lying down on the side as the correct postures to adopt.

Another concern pregnant women have during pregnancy week 22 is stretch marks and acne. While both are temporary and the latter usually disappears by the 3rd trimester, stretch marks lighten after delivery, but often remain as a reminder of the special experience called pregnancy. Mothers are also said to ‘glow’ during and after pregnancy week 22 – caused by the increase in blood flow all over the body, but especially to the face and neck, resulting in a flushed and fuller visage. Some women who have gone through acne when in their teens are prone to develop the same during pregnancy and these appear across the face, arms and back – caused by increased hormonal activity.

Postpartum Depression

Postnatal depression is another clinical term used for the disease, which is comparatively less frequent in men. Women suffer from this disease in first few months after the delivery of a child.

Patients suffer from psychological symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, emotional outbursts, feeling of loneliness etc. Most of the times women who suffer from this disease ignore treatment or clinical consultation which may lead to severe mental imbalance. Lack of vitamins can be a cause for this disease. Hormonal changes during pregnancy are also responsible for this psychological imbalance. But this is not the only factor responsible because hormonal medicinal treatment cannot help in such cases. Family members and group can help the patient to come out of this disease. Psychiatric treatment and clinical consultation is the right way to fight it.

Patients of this disease suffer from many mental problems like low self esteem, lack of confidence, fatigue, short temperedness, and frequent outburst of emotions, sessions of crying, irritability, sleeplessness, and feeling of loneliness, severe and continuous headache.

“Baby Blues “is a common emotional imbalance faced by many women after birth of child. Low mood and spirit is a sign of “Baby Blues.”  This mental state is sometimes found in fathers too.

The change in schedule, lack of sleep, responsibility of a newborn baby etc. are some causes behind “Baby Blues”  it is not considered a serious mental disorder as it prolongs for some weeks and proper rest, balanced diet, adequate sleep, support of friends and family can help in this case.

Postpartum depression is a serious mental disease because it harms body too. If proper treatment is not available at right time, it may have severe consequences for the patient.

Childcare stress, prenatal anxiety, habit of smoking, single parenthood, socio-economical problems and unplanned pregnancy etc. are some harmful factors responsible for this disease.

Formula of feeding is also a cause to depress women in first few days of their maternity.  History of depression is also a major cause behind postpartum depression. Sometimes it could be a hereditary disease so such so that patients have to be careful in the period of their pregnancy.

Prenatal depression can also co-relate to postpartum depression. Problems in holding pregnancy, severe stomach aches, lack of vitamins, deprived care and attention, unwanted pregnancy are the causes for prenatal depression. Such patients develop a tendency to hate the newborn baby. They neglect breastfeeding the newborn infants. It causes many physical problems too.

Lack of social support may lead this disease to become a serious long-lasting mental imbalance.

Psychiatric treatment and counseling sessions can help in recovery. Sometimes, depression pills are also prescribed for fast recovery. Balanced food habits, affectionate surrounding of friends and family, proper sleeping hours, meditation, healthy relationship with your partner, proper habits of caring and feeding baby etc. can make your lifestyle a happy one. Proper parental help in babysitting too helps a lot in this regard.

Becoming a mother is a divine bliss of Mother Nature. Accept it with proper care and a great joy! Have a happy maternity!!!