I am one of those with high risk pregnancies. I don’t completely relax until that baby is born and I know he/she is healthy. Many women think that once the baby is born and pronounced healthy, life will be perfect. What we don’t anticipate is a well baby check-up that yields concern on the doctor’s face. Autism is one of those life complications we keep hearing about, however we never believe it could be us getting that diagnosis. Autism has been a mystery thus far. Many people attribute it to vaccinations although unsupported in studies conducted.

The National Birth Defect Registry has recently released a study. It is a small sampling so of course not entirely conclusive as far as evidence based care goes. However, I think this is an amazing step in that direction. The direction of figuring out what causes this disease and if we can prevent it in some form or fashion. I also found this doctor’s very interesting take on it all.

Hopefully in the next few years we will know the causes of this disorder/disease. If it is indeed changes we can make prenatally, we will be able to arm women with that very powerful information and nearly eradicate it once again. If perhaps it is genetics, then our very intelligent doctors will be able to find a cure.

To all of you who this is a very real issue each and every day, may you find encouragement that we are one step closer. Our world is a much better place because of your dedication!

As pregnant women we are inundated with the message of eating well while our cravings don’t comply.  One aspect of our wellness we need to hear more about is our posture.  I know I sound like your mom, “sit up straight!”, “stop dragging your feet!”.  Tune out mom’s voice and keep reading.

As you are sitting here reading this, did you just straighten up a little?  As you are sitting (straight with your core engaged), put your hands under your buttocks.  Do you feel a bone poking out on either side?  These are your “sit” bones.  Now, hunch over and give that core a break.  You don’t feel those bones, right?  Your pelvis is now tipped backward which can encourage your baby to change their position in your uterus.  Prolonged bad posture can cause your baby to be in an unfavorable position for birth.  This can cause a longer labor and “back” labor (most of your pain is centered on the lower back)

You want a labor as short as possible and the most pain you can eliminate the better, right?  Pay attention to posture!  Here are a couple great articles on pregnancy and posture.  Dr Sears and WebMD

During pregnancy you are not only caring for your own body, but that little baby too. What better gift to give the baby then health? What better time then the moment that stick has a plus sign? I know the first trimester is tough and at that point what you can keep down is perfect. Once you have made it past the pukey stage, it’s time to think about the kind of health legacy you want to give to your child. Is it important to you? Is it just not a priority? Do you want your child to live on fast food and the infamous red dye 40 (it’s so good, I know!)? Is your goal to feed them whole grains with some fruit and veggies mixed in there? Take a few minutes and ponder on this.

What do you wish your parents had done differently?
What did you appreciate about how your parents handled physical health?
What were your habits pre-pregnancy?
What habits do you want to change/keep?
Where are you on the spectrum between fast food for every meal and everything organic with no candy or fast food?
Do you anticipate the veggie fight (not every family does)?
What do you envision the dinner time experience to be in 10 years?
Are you all around the table, or are you all sharing a couch?
What food is on your plate?
Do you plan to cook meals?
Do you want to raise your children as vegetarians or as meat and potato people?
What ethnic foods do you want your children to experience?
What type of example do you want to model for them?

Maybe this is the perfect time to change your own habits for the better. Perhaps you have never given it a thought or maybe it is a daily decision. What one or two things can you easily change? What one or two things are a bit of a stretch but doable?

Now, if you are good with the awareness these questions have brought you, you don’t have to read on. If there are areas you want to change, keep reading.

Close your eyes, envision what you want your life to look like in 10 years. Really feel it, smell it, touch it, taste it, see it. Do you have that life strongly anchored in your mind?

Now make goals short term (perhaps when you bring the baby home), medium (when your baby is about age 5 and habits are formed), long term (that 10 years).
Make them:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time framed

Now that you have goals, set yourself up for success. For instance, if you have a goal to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day, make sure your fridge is always well stocked with them. Maybe take it a step further, set aside a space in your fridge to put your fruits and veggies for that day. If your goal is to eat less sugar, just don’t keep it in your house. If vending machines are a weakness, just don’t take cash to work with you.

As you are preparing the baby’s room, stocking up on diapers, and going to all those appointments, why not take some time to think about how you want to parent that sweet bundle? Use this as a fresh start if there are things in your life you want to change. What better way to honor your baby then a happy, healthy parent?

You always hear “the experts” telling you to ask questions.  Weren’t we raised to be nice girls?  We aren’t supposed to question those in authority (for all the schooling the doctors sure do deserve some authority haha).  I always viewed myself as being informed and asking all the questions I had, especially with the complications pregnancy brings to my life.

Maybe it’s the fact it’s number four, or perhaps I feel empowered by the books I am studying to become a doula.  I don’t know for sure.  I have asked any question that has come into my head without hesitation.  I find myself speaking up more.  Example, your random fact for the day….Did you know the blood pressure cuff doesn’t actually measure your heart?  I thought it measured the intake and outflow at the heart.  The top number is the number when the blood starts flowing through the cuff and the bottom number is when blood is fully flowing.  I just learned that one last week and it was by asking.  Although I love those caring for me and would recommend them to anyone, I feel like I have some control over my health (my PICC line is a great example of that one!  I was persistent and got it.)

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they are as silly as how a blood pressure cuff works.  I have found the nurses and doctors are more than happy to explain it to you.  If they aren’t, it is time to find others who do.  You deserve good care!  Think of this as good practice.  If your child’s teacher mentions your child having a hard time at school, wouldn’t you ask tons of questions?  In a way, not only are you advocating for your own body, but you are beginning to be the advocate for that little baby swimming in your uterus.  If you feel lost or timid, visit your local library.  There is such great power in books!  The Birth Partner is a fantastic book to get you started.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions!  The more you ask, the empower you will be to make good choices for you and your baby.

Trust me, I know how much work it is to have a new baby.  One of those times I wish there was a camera in my house.  When my third was born, my first was potty training (potty training and teething, my dreaded enemies!).  I remember one time, I was breastfeeding the baby.  Chandlur says he has to go potty.  I can’t unlatch because it was an effort to get him latched on correctly.  I also nursed my kids using the football positioning.  I got up, ran to the bathroom with Vahn still latched.  I helped him on the potty, sat and waited, did the happy potty dance, and helped put his undies and pants back on.  All this while Vahn was eating away.  I was chuckling at that moment and will probably laugh about it the rest of my life.

Even though, your house may be crazy, you still need to take care of yourself.  What good would you be if you died from something that may have been prevented, if only you took action for yourself?  It isn’t selfish by any means!  As mommies, we have to take care of ourselves first or we won’t be able to care properly for our families.

Our boobies (yes, i said boobies), should be at the top of that list.  We have come to learn much more about breast cancer in recent years.  It is growing at an amazing rate, and did you know a majority of women who get breast cancer are the first in the family (this has rung true for my family)?

Here’s some facts:

-Estrogen fuels breast tumors.  Fat cells produce estrogen.  This means, take care of your body and take steps to get rid of your fat.  Also, you will have more energy to play and care for your kiddos.

-This leads me to exercise, which is really just movement.  Don’t think you have to go to the gym.  Lace up your shoes, pull out the stroller, and go for a walk (just work up a sweat, no lolly-gaggin’).  You can even dance with your toddler for a little while.  We know how much sweat we can work up entertaining a little one! This exercise kills off that estrogen producing fat.

-Don’t worry about your birth control raising your risk.  A Danish study of more than 54,000 women found, they don’t increase the likelihood of breast cancer.

-Lastly, the breast is best.  This isn’t just for your baby, but you too.  Breastfeeding lowers hormone levels, however, you have to keep it up for several months for the full benefit.

Now, lace up your shoes, and go for a walk.  If a walk would be a hassle with the number or age of kids, just play with them and work up a sweat.