Ever get a craving for red meat? Sometimes that’s your body telling you it needs more iron – and that need becomes a requirement for pregnant women.

Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, a condition that can cause dizziness, fatigue and pregnancy complications. Think that seems unlikely? It’s not: About 10% of pregnant women develop anemia, according to a WiserPregnancy survey.

That’s because when you’re pregnant, your body can deplete its normal iron supply. Your body makes more blood during pregnancy; it uses iron to make the red blood cells that carry oxygen to your cells and to the placenta. Your baby needs iron to build healthy red blood cells, blood vessels and muscles.

When anemia is severe, your baby may not get enough oxygen or could have complications such as preterm birth or low birth weight.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy builds a good foundation for keeping you and your baby healthy, but food alone doesn’t give you – or your baby – the nutrients you both need. Many women – including 85% of women diagnosed with anemia – take iron supplements to boost their iron levels.

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Crowds, long lines and the same holiday songs blaring over store loudspeakers can bring on a pounding headache even for the heartiest of holiday shoppers. When you’re pregnant and feel a headache coming on, do you take over-the-counter (OTC) medication to fend off the inevitable pain, or do you decide to do without any medication and suffer the consequences?

According to a WiserPregnancy survey, moms-to-be are split down the middle on this issue. About half of pregnant women take OTC painkillers to treat common ailments, including headaches (55%), colds (51%) and back pain (50%).

If you’re in the no-medication-during-pregnancy camp, you’re not alone. Taking medication during pregnancy is somewhat taboo in U.S. culture, and with good reason. Studies have linked some medications to an increased risk of birth defects or other pregnancy complications, and many moms do not want to take any chances.

However, some drugs have been thoroughly studied and are considered safe for you and your baby. They can make you more comfortable, and your doctor may recommend OTC treatment, especially if your symptoms prevent you from functioning normally and focusing on sustaining a healthy pregnancy.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is one OTC medication on the okay list and a medication of choice for many expectant moms.

New study findings in the January 2010 publication of Obstetrics & Gynecology magazine report that there is no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects. In fact, the study suggests that when women used Tylenol or other acetaminophen-based drugs to lower fever in the first trimester, they had a lower risk of having a baby with certain birth defects in comparison to women who did not use fever-reducing medication.

Remember to check with your doctor if you are considering taking OTC medication during pregnancy to be on the safe side.

How do you feel about medication during pregnancy? Have you treated any pregnancy ailments with OTC medication?

We may be in a recession, but our national production of babies is booming.  

A new report by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics finds that babies were born in the U.S. in 2007 than in any previous year. There were more than 4.3 million births in 2007, an uptick of 1% from 2006.  

Unfortunately, the report also shows that the U.S. has not made much progress in one critical area: infant mortality.  Infant mortality in the U.S. was 6.77 deaths per 1,000 live births, similar to 2006 rates but still high when compared to other developed countries such as France and Japan.  

Why? Higher rates of preterm births may be to blame.

Premature delivery increases the risk for newborn health complications.  Preemies are also at higher risk for long-term health problems, including respiratory, learning and behavioral problems.  Most experts recommend that women try to carry the baby at least 39 weeks before delivering to prevent newborn health complications.

What can you do to prevent premature delivery?  Getting good prenatal care and working closely with your doctor to manage maternal complications is a start.  Anemia and gestational hypertension are among the many conditions that can cause premature delivery.

The good news is that a recent WiserPregnancy survey has found that most women already seek help for conditions like these: 87% of women with anemia were treated for the condition and 100% of women diagnosed with gestational hypertension saw their doctors monthly or more often.

However, certain symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain may also indicate a problem, so it’s a good idea to call your doctor if you experience them. 

Has premature delivery been a concern for you?  What advice has your doctor given you?

Lamaze, Bradley… different birthing methods have their fans. But the truth is, when it comes to choosing a childbirth class, women care primarily about two things:  location and cost.

Birthing classes aren’t for everyone – only about half (46%) of pregnant women even attend birthing classes, according to a recent WiserPregnancy survey.

But once a woman decides to take a class, the philosophy behind the class isn’t as important as practical considerations.  The #1 factor for pregnant women? Location (26%). Cost is a close runner-up with 23%.  For 20% of women surveyed, a health care provider’s recommendation is the most influential factor when choosing a birthing class.

Despite the passionate loyalty of the most popular birthing classes, only 17% of women surveyed consider birthing philosophy first and foremost. They also don’t put a lot of weight in recommendations from friends and famil – 9% of women rank that highest when choosing a class.  

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While gathering the best pregnancy data (our specialty) is essential, sometimes you just want more – someone to relate to and ask questions. And maybe have a few laughs.

That’s why we are happy to welcome our new pregnancy blogger, Jenny, and her blog Jenny’s Craving Pickles!

Jenny, a married mother of a 20-month-old boy, is 19  weeks’ pregnant with her second child. So is it easier the second time around? Not so much!

Follow Jenny’s experience as she manages the ups and downs of pregnancy, her physical and emotional changes, and the decisions she and her husband are making. And feel free to ask her questions! You can also follow Jenny on Twitter.

Welcome Jenny!

What do women worry about most while pregnant?  Concerns about the baby’s health top the list.

A new March of Dimes survey found that the leading cause of worry for moms-to-be is birth defects (78%), followed by concern that stress in their lives might harm the baby’s health (74%) and wondering whether their baby will be born too soon (71%).

If these or other issues worry you, learning the odds may provide some peace of mind.  For example, couples have a very low chance (3%–4%) of having a baby with a birth defect.  Just 2% of couples have a family history of birth defects, according to a WiserPregnancy survey.

If you are concerned that your baby might be born with a birth defect, you can do certain tests to learn if you are at increased risk of having a baby with a problem.  A genetic counselor can help you decide if testing is right for you and make decisions based on your personal values and beliefs.

What else can you do?  Research and talk about your concerns with others.  Learning the facts, hearing a reassuring voice or outlining an action plan can put your mind at ease.  Your health care provider, spouse or partner, family, birthing class instructor or nutritionist can help answer questions and ease your worries.  Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you love your job or you bear it out of economic necessity, you’re probably doing the math to see how many days of leave you can take during or after pregnancy.

Even excluding taking leave to give birth, 100% of pregnant women plan to reduce their work hours, take additional leave or quit their jobs, according to a WiserPregnancy survey.  Nearly 40% of women plan to reduce their work hours, and about 60% of women plan to take additional time off or quit their jobs during pregnancy or after the baby arrives.

The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires U.S. employers to give employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year.  You’re guaranteed your group health benefits during this leave, but paid maternity leave is rare in the U.S. 

Compared to leave policies in other developed countries, the U.S.’s leave policy is somewhat stingy.  Some European countries offer more than 4 months of 100% paid leave. 

Therefore, many women in the U.S. combine short-term disability, sick leave, vacation, personal day and unpaid family leave (also called maternity or parental leave) to take the time they need before delivery and before returning to work.   

Many new moms want more time with the new baby.  Some women cut back on their hours to make working while pregnant more manageable or make it easier to ease back into professional life after having been out for several weeks. 

Taking extra leave may be a necessity as much as a desire.  Your doctor may order you to avoid unnecessary stress or prescribe bed rest.  You may struggle to stay productive at work if you suffer from morning sickness, fatigue, the urge to urinate frequently, back pain or other common pregnancy symptoms. You may also have safety concerns about your job or need to attend frequent doctor appointments.

 How much leave did you take?  Why did you decide to take that much (or that little) leave?

Don’t have diabetes? Your blood sugar levels can still cause you problems during and after pregnancy.

A new study conducted by doctors at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital shows that women with gestational glucose intolerance (also known as “pre-diabetes”) are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later on.

A recent WiserPregnancy survey has found that although only 6% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes, others suffer from blood sugar intolerance.

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If you’re expecting, you may have already had one or more prenatal tests such as amniocentesis or a triple screen.

But sometimes it can be hard to know which test to get and what the results mean. Here’s a brief guide.

Pregnancy tests can give health care providers and parents information about the baby’s well-being and the pregnancy’s progress. They can show whether you are carrying twins or if your baby has a birth defect.

There are two types of prenatal tests: screening tests and diagnostic tests.

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We’re well into December, a month full of rich food, festive parties and holiday cheer. Skip the homemade eggnog, enjoy the treats (with moderation) and don’t forget to stay active.

If you’re like most women, you probably aren’t increasing the amount you exercise during pregnancy. According to a WiserPregnancy survey, about two-thirds of pregnant women regularly exercise. Only 11% of women get more exercise during pregnancy than before, and the primary motivation is to control weight gain.

However, if you’re consuming calorie-laden holiday treats—and if your doctor gives you the okay to exercise—December is not the month to slack off exercising or eating a healthy diet. Of women who increase the amount they exercise during pregnancy, 61% do so to control weight gain.

Why is weight control during pregnancy important? For one, fit women who gain the recommended amount of weight (25 pounds on average) suffer fewer pregnancy discomforts. Delivery and postpartum recovery tend to be easier for new moms who did not gain excessive weight during pregnancy. Also, gaining too much pregnancy weight can lead to long-term health problems for you and your baby—you’ll be at higher risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Exercise also has other benefits. Half of women (49%) stick to the exercise routine to keep their baby healthy. About 1/3 of women (31%) increase exercise to try to fight fatigue and other common pregnancy ailments.

What are you doing to stay healthy during the holiday season?