Ultrasound? Check. Blood work? Check. For many moms-to-be, these tests aren’t cause for alarm. But what about screening for Down syndrome?  

It’s one of the scarier things to consider during a pregnancy – that your baby might be born with a major problem. Yet if you’re over 35 or if you or your partner have a personal or family history of Down syndrome or other present-at-birth (congenital) problems, your doctor will likely mention screening tests.  

Screening tests can identify – or rule out – if your baby is at increased risk of having Down syndrome, spina bifida or other major problems at birth.  They’re typically done between 11 and 15 weeks and involve a maternal blood test and sometimes a nuchal translucency scan. 

According to a Wiser Pregnancy survey, 51% of doctors suggested a quad screen blood test or similar screening test.  (There are four types of screening tests, but many offices only offer one or two types because they offer similar information.) 
Read the rest of this entry »

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?

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 »

Sinus infections, UTIs, strep throat… if you’ve had one of these bacterial infections, your doctor likely treated you with antibiotics. But when you’re pregnant, it’s normal to start questioning the safety of everything you take into your body.

And in light of a recent CDC report linking two antibiotiocs to birth defects, the caution is certainly warranted. However, the report does affirm that most antibiotics are safe for pregnant women.

That’s good news for the majority of pregnant women who do take antibiotics. An ongoing WiserPregnancy survey finds that most pregnant women do take antibiotics when prescribed by their doctors:

• 87% of pregnant women who tested positive for Group B strep were given antibiotic
• 91% of pregnant women take prescribed antibiotics when they have a UTI during pregnancy
• 100% of pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis take prescribed antibiotics during pregnancy

The two types of antibiotics warned against by the CDC are nitrofurantoins and sulfonamides (also called “sulfa” drugs); they are most commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections. These two drugs have been linked to an increased risk of having a baby with a birth defect such as anencephaly (malformation of the skull and brain), heart or limb defects and cleft palate.

On the safe list (unless you are allergic to them): penicillin, erythromycin and cephalosporin – three of the most common infection fighters.

You’re not alone if you’re torn about taking antibiotics if you contract a bacterial infection during pregnancy.  Many women are willing to deal with the annoying and sometimes painful symptoms to keep your baby safe.  However, your doctor may urge you to take antibiotics to prevent you from developing potentially dangerous complications, such as preterm labor or maternal sepsis (blood infection).

Have you taken antibiotics for a bacterial infection during pregnancy?  How do you feel about taking antibiotics during pregnancy?