Pregnant and I know it

 

Ha ha ha!

Evidence for an extra few minutes

Do you know that it is considered "delayed" cord clamping if it is more than 30 seconds after baby is out?


One of my students asked me for some research to present to her OB that suggests delayed cord clamping is beneficial, since the OB's opinion is that it is better to clamp and cut immediately due to increased risk of jaundice. As a side note, I would like to say that I always recommend my students also do their own research and then consult their personal health care provider to be the best consumer of health care and advocate for your family as possible. Secondly, props to my student for asking about these issues early on to figure out what is best in your situation and what your provider recommends. And thirdly, yay for a doc who is willing to listen to what the "research shows." This is a great example of how medical opinion varies and that in some cases, while the studies do "show," there may be either a delay in the change of the practice or even resistance. 


So, to help you my students and consumers of health care on your way to discovering for yourself what is best for you and your family, I wanted to share links to some studies that that you may find interesting, in addition to a previous post of mine.

• Very interesting video of grand rounds at University of South Carolina - 2011 Dr. Nicholas Fogelson presenting data to show positive physiologic and clinical outcomes. I watched the whole thing and really recommend it, if you (or your provider) are on the fence about allowing the intervention of "early" cord clamping.
• World Health Organization - current commentary in their Reproductive Health Library recommends delaying of cord clamping, with the caution of taking into consideration that there is a increased incidence of jaundice requiring phototherapy which may not be available in underdeveloped countries.
• Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health - 2001 literature review showing many benefits in the first week through 2 months of age.

Car seat safety

Although you already know you need one and have probably registered for or bought the car seat for your baby, it can be a little tricky to make sure you use it correctly. It seems silly to read instructions for something like that, but seriously read them and keep them. More often it is the installation of the car seat (or base rather) that is done incorrectly, but I've seen the baby strapped in incorrectly as well (yes, I did say something). Some of you may be getting close to 36 weeks or more - it is a good time to get it set up and checked out. While the nurse won't let you go home from the hospital without visually seeing the car seat, she won't check the installation for you.

Here is a link to CHP law and from there you can find a place to have your installation of the car seat checked.

Here is a link to a video of how to install the infant seat base.

Here is a link to a video of how secure the baby in the car seat.

When does learning begin?

Pop quiz: When does learning begin? Answer: Before we are born. Science writer Annie Murphy Paul talks through new research that shows how much we learn in the womb -- from the lilt of our native language to our soon-to-be-favorite foods. 


From the Bradley perspective, this video reaffirms The Bradley Method's emphasis on the importance of nutrition, relaxation (dealing with stress in a healthy way), as well as the importance of mom's physical presence immediately upon birth - the baby really does know you already!


Click here if you have about 17 minutes to watch this interesting bit.

The machine that goes "ping"

And now, entirely for entertainment purposes... remember Monty Python?

C-section video

We didn't have time to view a C-section video in class, but in the unlikely event that you have one, you may want to see one.

Mathematician's rendering

Clink through the link below to see a sample of "From Conception to Birth," a really cool digital rendering of a developing baby as well as the baby being born, presented by Alexander Tsiaras, a mathematician, artist, and design theorist from Yale. It is amazing to see how the baby helps itself be born with the stepping reflex shown as he appears to push with his feet from the inside of mom, as mom is curving her back during the contractions to push him out.