“Babies are not able to metabolize or excrete caffeine very well, so a breastfeeding mother’s consumption of caffeine may lead to caffeine accumulation and symptoms such as wakefulness and irritability, according to expert Ruth Lawrence, MD, published in Journal of Caffeine Research, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.”
The nation’s preterm birth rate slipped under 12 percent for the first time in nearly a decade, the fourth consecutive year it declined, potentially sparing tens of thousands of babies the serious health consequences of an early birth.
The national preterm birth rate declined to 11.99 percent last year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which released its report “Births: Preliminary Data for 2010,” on the first-ever World Prematurity Day. Despite the improvement, still too many babies, one out of every eight, was born too soon.
“As our volunteers and partners across the globe gather on World Prematurity Day to honor the 13 million infants born too soon worldwide, we celebrate the news of this exciting success,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “Four consecutive years of declines in our nation’s preterm birth rate is a testament to the combined hard work of researchers, health care professionals, our volunteers, sponsors, donors and others who know that there is no single answer to the problem of premature birth. We are continuing to work together to prevent as many preterm births as possible because we owe our babies a healthy start in life.”
Preterm birth, birth before 37 weeks gestation, is a serious health problem that costs the United States more than $26 billion annually, according to a 2006 Institute of Medicine report. It is the leading cause of newborn death, and one million babies worldwide die each year as a result of their early birth.
Babies who survive an early birth often face the risk of lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities and others. Even babies born just a few weeksearly have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants. If there are no complications that require an early delivery, at least 39 weeks of pregnancy are critical to a baby’s health because many important organs, including the brain and lungs, are not completely developed until then.
Babies born just a few weeks too soon, between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, accounted for most of the decline in the national preterm birth rate, according to the federal report.
The report also found that cesarean sections declined slightly. Research by the March of Dimes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2008 found that cesarean sections accounted for nearly all of the increase in U.S. singleton preterm birth rate between 1996 and 2004.
The decline in the 2010 preterm birth rate is a 6 percent drop from the high of 12.8 percent in 2006. Preterm birth rates declined significantly in 44 states and the District of Columbia when compared to 2006, according to the federal report.
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March of Dimes foundation Medical News Today |
Are you nearing the end of your pregnancy? Had enough, want your baby out now? I’m sure you’ve heard the stories, “…sex worked for me…” or had suggestion given to you by others, (wanted or not) ”…try some spicy food…”
Do they really work?
We will share with you the most common methods and reasons why we think they work.
1. Exercise (walking, climbing stairs…). This method is thought to work in two ways. one way is by using gravity to help the baby drop down lower to your pelvic region to help speed up your labor. The other is the release of a hormone called Oxytocin when exercising, this hormone is said to cause the uterus to contract and start the labor process.
2. Sex (intercourse, masturbation, or just nipple stimulation). Masturbation and nipple stimulation releases the hormone Oxytocin. Sex helps in two folds, besides the hormone Oxytocin, semen from the ejaculation contains a hormone called Prostoglandins. This hormone helps to soften the cervix, thereby starting the labor.
3. Acupuncture or acupressure. It is said that certain pressure points can induce labor. These pressure points can stimulate contractions and help the cervix dilate.
4. Starvation. (Yes, some people even suggest starvation). The idea behind starvation is that hungry babies will escape the womb in search for food.
5. Spicy food & laxatives. These two methods may create intestinal activity that could give the uterus a nudge.
Some people swear by one method or the other. It may all be coincidental. There are no conclusive scientific evidence that any of these methods work or don’t work. The most recent theory of how labor is initiated appears to be the baby itself. It is thought the fetus produces a hormone that begins the labor process.
Wether or not any of the methods work. Always let your physician know what you are doing.
The Sound Beginnings family believes in giving babies the best start in life. Follow us or visit http://www.sound-beginnings.com for more updates on Sound Beginnings and on prenatal research.
A new research released today by Professor Mary C. Sullivan from the University of Road Island has found premature infants are less healthy, have social and educational struggles and are at a greater risk of cardiovascular related problems. There are some positive news that came out of this study. Children who were born pre-term have a persistent drive to succeed. Called protective factors, Mothers can work to counter the effects of pre-term birth by providing a nurturing environment and becoming a strong advocate for them in school. Evidence shows pre-terms perform better academically, socially and physically.
To read more on this study please visit the University of Road Island website The Sound Beginnings family believes in giving babies the best start in life. Follow us or visit http://www.sound-beginnings.com for more updates on Sound Beginnings and on prenatal research.
American Physiological Society presented their strongest evidence that type 2 diabetes can begin in the womb. The study finds even moderately undernourished expecting and breastfeeding moms’ babies are consistently found to be pre-diabetic before adolescence. This is the first time that diabetes has been liked to prenatal origins.
To read more on this study please visit the American Physiological Society.
The Sound Beginnings family believes in giving babies the best start in life.
Follow us or visit http://www.sound-beginnings.com for more updates on Sound Beginnings and on prenatal research.
