An analysis of 68 million births over 23 years has found a link between maternal weight gain and boy fetuses. “Over all, 51 percent of babies born are boys. But Kristen J. Navara, an endocrinologist in the Poultry Science Department at the University of Georgia, found that the amount of pregnancy weight gained and […]
research
Pre-eclampsia risk reduced with low dose aspirin
Pre-eclampsia, a condition affecting roughly 5-8% of pregnancies, is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Onset of the condition is typically sometime after 20-weeks and symptoms include visual disturbances, swelling and rapid weight gain, and headaches. Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of infant and maternal illness and mortality around the […]
New research about the Vitamin K shot at Birth
Yesterday, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, APRN of Evidence Based Birth published a thorough and comprehensive article about the research and evidence for administering the vitamin K shot to newborns after birth. We are unable to make Vitamin K, a fat-soluable vitamin needed for clotting, ourselves and there are only 2 sources from which it […]
Advanced maternal age may be linked to decreased congenital malformations.
It is fairly common in our society for women to delay pregnancy, especially when compared to our parents’ generation. For a variety of reasons including career goals and delayed marriage, many women are waiting until their 30’s to start families. Waiting may consider these moms “high-risk” by most obstetricians for being of advanced maternal age, […]
Placenta capsules are not a scam and here’s why…
Earlier this week, placenta encapsulation was discussed in the Yahoo article, Are Placenta Pills a Miracle Cure or Just a Scam? The article discussed one mother’s amazing testimony that placenta capsules helped her postpartum recovery significantly. In the article, the mom states that she recovered from birth more quickly, had energy, and an overall feeling […]
A Hormone that Prevents Preeclampsia
A study found that the presence of the hormone, adrenomedullin, is crucial for a mom to avoid getting preeclampsia. The hormone, emitted by the developing fetus into the placenta, allows the mother’s blood vessels to dilate so that the increased blood flow can reach the fetus. Without adrenomedullin, the vessels in the placenta can not […]