Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Symptoms

· Deformities of joints, limbs, and fingers

· Mental retardation, and delayed development

· Vision difficulties or hearing problems

· Small head circumference and brain size

· Heart Defects

· Abnormal behavior such as a short attention span, hyperactivity, extreme nervousness, poor impulse control, and anxiety

· Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip

Diagnosis

It is impossible for a doctor to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome before a baby is born.

However if you have been drinking during pregnancy it is important to tell your doctor so he can watch the baby for symptoms after birth. If the doctor knows you have been drinking he will watch for facial deformities, heart defects, and growth defects. The doctor can also do an IQ test and evaluate language development. Your doctor may also suggest that you have a geneticist test your child to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms.

Treatment

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. Supportive treatment for symptoms may be available. It is recommended that parents receive counseling in how to help their child cope.

Dealing With It

· Implement a daily routine that your child can become accustomed to

· Use a reward system to encourage good behavior

· Teach your child everyday living skills

· Create and enforce simple rules and limits

For more information visit the Mayo Clinic website, and eMed TV

Spina Bifida

Neural tube defects are a scary thing. Spina Bifida is probably the most common of all neural tube defects. spina bifida occurs when the in the first weeks of development the spinal column does not close completely, and an area of the spine is left exposed. Often with Spina Bifida there is often nerve damage to the legs that can cause some paralysis. Children with Spina Bifida may also suffer from learning disabilities, bowel and urinary problems and hydrocephaly, or water on the brain.

Sadly there is no cure for Spina Bifida, only supportive treatment. Frequently an individual with spina bifida will undergo surgery to attempt and fix the spine as much as possible, as well as participate in physical therapy and take medication. Most individuals with Spina Bifida will need assistance when walking. While the exact cause of Spina Bifida is unknown, studies have shown that taking folic acid during the first few months of pregnancy greatly reduces the risk of Spina Bifida. However, it is not enough to start taking folic acid as soon as you learn you are pregnant. By the time most women discover they are pregnant, they are far enough along that the baby's neural tube as already formed. Because of this issue women who are at risk of getting pregnant should make sure to take folic acid daily. Folic acid can be found in many multivitamins designed for women.

For more information about Spina Bifida please visit the National Institue of Neuroligial Disorder and Stroke or Medline Plus

The Danger's of Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a small parasite that primarily lives in cats. It can also live in the soil for a year after a cat shed’s it in its feces. The problem with Toxoplasmosis is that if a pregnant woman catches it, it can cause severe damage to her unborn child. While it is rare that severe damage will occur, it is best to do whatever possible to prevent infection. If infected, especially during the first trimester, it is possible that the baby will be born with defects such as blindness, or brain damage.

To avoid infection with Toxoplasmosis it is best to avoid cat’s all together. But, if you already have a cat, stay away from the litter box! Also avoid gardening or being near a sandbox, as cats use these area’s as outside litter boxes. It is also helpful to avoid undercooked meets, as the animal may have been infected.

For more information on Toxoplasmosis please visit drgreene.org or Wikipedia

Having a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy

Making sure your pregnancy is a healthy and happy one can help reduce the risk that your child will be born with a birth defect or health problem. I was doing some research the other day and came across several articles about having a healthy pregnancy. I would like to share exceprts from one by Rebecca D. Williams from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Worries and pregnancy seem to go hand in hand. Fortunately, however, most women of childbearing age are healthy and most pregnancies are considered "low-risk." For most women, the surest way to have a healthy baby is to live a healthy lifestyle. The March of Dimes suggests the following precautions:

• Get early prenatal care, even before you're pregnant.
• Eat a well-balanced diet, including a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid.
• Exercise regularly with your doctor's permission.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and illicit drugs, and limit caffeine.
• Avoid x-rays, hot tubs, and saunas.
• Avoid infections.

Eating for Two

Good nutrition is another crucial step in having a healthy baby. A pregnancy takes about 300 extra calories a day to maintain, and an average-sized woman can expect to gain between 25 and 35 pounds overall.

Those extra calories should be nutritious ones, however. A pregnant woman needs a balanced diet complete with protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and a minimum of sweets and fats.

"Good nutrition is extremely important even before a pregnancy," says Shirley Blakely, Ph.D., a registered dietitian with the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "If nature favors the growing fetus, the mother will suffer if she hasn't had a good diet."

According to the March of Dimes, a pregnant woman should increase her daily food portions to include:

• 6 to 11 servings of breads and other whole grains
• 3 to 5 servings of vegetables
• 2 to 4 servings of fruits
• 4 to 6 servings of milk and milk products
• 3 to 4 servings of meat and protein foods
• 6 to 8 glasses of water, and no more than one soft drink or cup of coffee per day to limit caffeine.

Some nutrients have been found to provide specific benefit to mother or child. For example, the B vitamins have been found to be especially important. One of them, folate, or its synthetic form, folic acid, can reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, called the "neural tube."

Natural sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, and citrus fruits. It's also in many fortified breakfast cereals and some vitamin supplements.

Calcium and iron are also especially important during pregnancy. Getting enough calcium will help prevent a new mother from losing her own bone density as the fetus uses the mineral for bone growth. Iron helps both the mother and baby's blood carry oxygen. Most women need supplements to maintain adequate levels of these minerals. A daily vitamin supplement, while not an adequate substitute for a healthy diet, helps fill in the gaps on days when a woman's diet is less than perfect.

Avoid Infections

Many infections during pregnancy can be dangerous to an unborn child. Urinary tract infections and any sexually transmitted diseases need to be treated immediately.

Cat litter and raw meat may contain the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause toxoplasmosis infection. It's rare for a pregnant woman to get the infection, but if she does, her baby could be at risk for serious illness or death. Get someone else to change the kitty litter if possible, or wear a face mask and rubber gloves for protection.

Problems also may arise when a pregnant woman eats undercooked or raw foods, or cooked foods that have been cross-contaminated with bacteria from raw food nearby. Food poisoning can cause meningitis, pneumonia, or even death to an unborn child, plus the vomiting and diarrhea involved leave the mother exhausted and dehydrated.

Another interesting website I found is one created by Huggies called Happy and Healthy Pregnancy

I wish you good luck on your pregnancy and hope that it is a joyful experience. And remember to be smart about what you put in your body, because your putting it into your baby's body too!