WHAT ARE OMEGA-3 ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS?

Omega-3s are a family of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential nutrients for health and development, yet are not synthesized by the human body, and therefore must be obtained from diet or supplementation. However, omega-3s are drastically deficient in the American food supply.

Research indicates that the two most beneficial omega-3s are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Although EPA and DHA naturally occur together and work together in the body, studies show that each fatty acid has unique benefits. EPA supports the heart, immune system, and inflammatory response, while DHA supports the brain, eyes, and central nervous system, which is why it is uniquely important for pregnant and lactating women.

WHAT FOODS CONTAINS OMEGA-3s (EPA + DHA)?

The best sources of EPA and DHA are cold water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, and herring. Many people are justifiably concerned about mercury and other toxins in fish, especially during pregnancy. For this reason, purified fish oil supplements are often the safest source of EPA and DHA. A high quality fish oil supplement from a reputable manufacturer delivers the health benefits of EPA and DHA without the risk of toxicity.

Many people think that flaxseed and/or flaxseed oil contains omega-3s. But flaxseed contains the shorter-chain omega-3, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is different from the longer-chain EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are the omega-3s that the body needs for optimal health and development. While it was once though that the human body could convert ALA to EPA and DHA, current research shows that such conversion rarely and inefficiently occurs, if it occurs at all. Fish oil is a more reliable source of EPA and DHA.

WHY ARE OMEGA-3s IMPORTANT?

Adequate intake of Omega 3 fats is essential to maintaining the balanced production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins help regulate many important physiological functions including blood pressure, blood clotting, nerve transmission, the inflammatory and allergic responses, the functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, and the production of other hormones. Depending on the type of fatty acids in the diet, certain types of prostaglandins may be produced in large quantities, while others may not be produced at all, and this prostaglandin imbalance can lead to disease.

The role of omega-3s in producing beneficial prostaglandins may explain why they have been shown to have so many health benefits, including the prevention of heart disease, improving cognitive function, and the regulation of inflammation. High doses of omega-3s have been used to treat and prevent mood disorders, and new studies are identifying their potential benefits for a wide range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

WHY ARE OMEGA-3s ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT DURING PREGNANCY?

Omega-3s have been found to be essential for both neurological and early visual development of the baby. However, the standard western diet is severely deficient in these critical nutrients. This omega-3 dietary deficiency is compounded by the fact that pregnant women become depleted in omega-3s, since the fetus uses omega-3s for its nervous system development. Omega-3s are also used after birth to make breast milk. With each subsequent pregnancy, mothers are further depleted. Research has confirmed that adding EPA and DHA to the diet of pregnant women has a positive effect on visual and cognitive development of the child, and studies have also shown that higher consumption of omega-3s may reduce the risk of allergies in infants.

Omega-3 fatty acids can also have positive effects on the pregnancy itself. Increased intake of EPA and DHA has been shown to prevent pre-term labor and delivery, lower the risk of pre-eclampsia, and may increase birth weight and gestational weight. Omega-3 deficiency also increases the mother’s risk for depression. This may explain why postpartum mood disorders may become worse and begin earlier with subsequent pregnancies.

Given the overwhelming amounts of data on omega-3s, and their safety, it is distressing to note that, in a 2006 national survey, over two-thirds of pregnant women and mothers said that their doctor never told them anything about omega-3s.

IS IT SAFE TO TAKE FISH OIL DURING PREGNANCY?

Yes. While fish can contain environmental toxins like mercury that accumulate during its life span, these toxins can be virtually eliminated during the manufacture and processing of fish oil, with the use of high quality raw materials and a technologically advanced refining process utilizing advanced distillation technologies.

Any reputable fish oil manufacturer should be able to provide documentation of third-party lab results that show the purity levels of their fish oil, down to the particles per trillion level. Some brands are of higher quality than others; asking for this documentation is a way to ensure that your fish oil supplement is pure and safe.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING FISH OIL?

1. Investigate the manufacturing process. How is the fish oil manufactured, and what are the quality standards that the manufacturer is using? The quality standards that exist for fish oil—including the Norwegian Medicinal Standard, the European Pharmacopoeia Standard, and the voluntary U.S. standard established by the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s 2006 monograph—guarantee quality by setting maximum allowances for toxins. 2. Smell. Does the fish oil smell fishy? Research shows that fish oils only smell unpleasant when the oil has started to degrade and is becoming rancid. A high quality fish oil supplement will not smell fishy. 3. Taste. Does the fish oil taste fishy? The freshest and highest-quality fish oils should not taste fishy. Avoid fish oils that have really strong or artificial flavors added to them because they are most likely trying to hide the fishy flavor of rancid oil.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO TAKE?

ISSFAL (the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) has established the following recommended minimum dosage chart:

Infants (1–18 months): 0–15 lbs: 32 mg/lb EPA+DHA

Children (1.5–15 yrs): 15 mg/lb EPA+DHA

Adults (15–115 yrs): 500 mg EPA+DHA (with a minimum of 220 mg EPA and 220 mg DHA)

Pregnant and Lactating Women: 300 mg DHA daily

The post Omega 3 fatty acids: FAQs appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

If nutritional demands are not met completely, particularly when it comes to fat, both mom and baby may be at risk for very preventable disease states. When it comes to fat, we are not talking about a French fry deficiency, rather an Omega-3 fatty acids deficiency. If taken during the prenatal period, studies have shown that the Omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA, may lower the risk of pre-term birth and lower the risk of post-partum depression in new mothers. Additionally, inadequate maternal intake of Omega-3s has also been linked to child-onset Type 1 Diabetes.

Facts about Omega-3 Fatty Acids

DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) are considered “essential fatty acids” in that they cannot be synthesized by the body, and therefore must be obtained from the diet. The human body needs to consume fat in all forms, in order to make brain and eye tissue, as well as cell membranes for every living cell in our body. Quality of fat is critical. The type of fat that is ingested by the mother will set the foundation for structural integrity of nerve cells as well as the phospholipid membrane of every other cell in its body.

DHA is important for development of the central nervous system in all mammals. There is an enormous growth spurt in the human brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months, with a large increase in the cerebral content of Arachidonic Acid (AA) and DHA. The fetus and the newborn infant depend on a continual maternal supply of DHA and AA.

Studies show that the maternal supply of Omega-3 fats is being preferentially shuttled from the mother’s own supply during pregnancy, primarily from her brain, and is directly transported thought the placenta to the developing fetus. If a pregnant mother is not eating fish on a regular basis then she may not be getting enough Omega 3s and it will leave her feeling depleted. Women who eat enough fish during pregnancy or supplement with a high quality fish oil product are less likely to suffer from post-partum depression.

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that children of women who took fish oil supplementation during pregnancy and while nursing had higher IQs than children whose mothers received a placebo. Additionally, researchers found that women who ate less than 12 ounces of fish or other seafood a week while pregnant were more likely to have children with verbal and other developmental delays than women who ate more than 12 ounces each week.

How Can I get Omega-3s in My Diet and How Much do I Need?

Omega-3s are found in high concentration in deep-sea cold-water fish such as salmon, cod, tuna, and sardines. However, because many fatty fish are also high in mercury and PCBs, it is advised that pregnant women not consume fish on a daily basis, and instead take a high quality fish oil supplement that is high in DHA. The FDA and the EPA limit the amount of fish a pregnant woman can eat to 12 ounces of fish per week.

Currently, the proposed adequate intake of DHA for pregnant and lactating women is 300 mg. per day. Clinically, I recommend 450mg of DHA daily throughout pregnancy and a more balanced blend of EPA and DHA, roughly 625mg of DHA and 410 mg of EPA, during lactation. The energy demands on a mother’s body during the initial period of lactation is greater than during the latter part of pregnancy, especially if she is taking care of other children. EPA and DHA occur together in nature and work synergistically together. An excellent way to meet your need for these essential fatty acids is in Prenatal DHA by Nordic Naturals during pregnancy and Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod liver oil during lactation.

The production of breast milk requires an additional average of 640 calories per day. Optimal milk production requires a total caloric intake of at least 2,000 calories daily. One of the primary energy sources for lactation is from fat storage from the diet. This requires an additional 500 calories from fat a day, just for the formation of healthy breast milk. A reserve needs to be left over for mom so that she can maintain her own levels of Omega-3s for mental clarity and tissue integrity. Fish oil supplementation is rapidly becoming an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet for both mom and baby.

Dr. Keri Marshall is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine. She has published several scientific papers, magazine articles, a book on protein and appears regularly on radio and TV.

The post Preventing the Baby Blues appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Does my prenatal vitamin have enough vitamin D?

Probably not according to a recent study that found women taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily had the greatest benefits in preventing preterm labor/births and infections. The study confirmed that vitamin D at this level is not only safe for you but for your baby and the researchers from this study now recommend this daily dosage of vitamin D for all pregnant women. The average prenatal vitamin only contains 400 IU of vitamin D so additional supplementation should be taken daily.

Why do I need Vitamin D during pregnancy?

Vitamin D is beneficial for your own personal health. Vitamin D now has extensive research supporting its role in immune function, healthy cell division and bone health. Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus . Many studies are finding a connection between low serum vitamin D levels and an increased risk of certain types of cancers, autoimmune disease, neurologic disease, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D also invests in the well-being of your baby by supporting healthy bone development. Deficiency with vitamin D is related to preeclampsia.

What contributes to Vitamin D deficiency?

At this time, 40-60% of the entire U.S. population is vitamin D deficient, including pregnant women. The reasons for this widespread deficiency are many, and to begin to unfold this issue you can start with understanding that there is a very short list of foods that contain vitamin D. These foods are egg yolk, salmon and cod liver oil, however, most vitamin D is consumed through fortified foods like milk. For the 75% of the population that is lactose intolerant, fortified milk products are not a reliable source for their vitamin D consumption. Additionally, many factors influence the body’s ability to make and absorb vitamin D. These factors include: where you live, the season, how much time you spend outdoors without sunscreen, skin pigmentation, age, obesity, pollution, and having healthy intestines with optimal absorption capacity. These factors come in to play because Vitamin D is actually a hormone and needs sunlight to turn on manufacturing by the body. At this time, a large part of the U.S. population falls into one or more of these categories: 1. obese, 2. uses sunscreen, 3. is a senior citizen (50+), so it is not surprising that vitamin D deficiencies have risen to such proportions.

What steps can you take to get Vitamin D?

You can begin by making an effort to eat more vitamin D containing foods. Next, research suggests, that sensible sun exposure (usually 5-10 min of exposure of the arms and legs or the hands, arms, and face, 2 or 3 times per week) can help as well. However, the best way to really ensure adequate vitamin D is through simple supplementation. When supplementing, your choices will be between two forms of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol is the vegetarian form of vitamin D and cholecalciferol is the animal-sourced form, usually derived from fish liver oil or lanolin from sheep. The cholecalciferol form is the most absorbable and utilized form for the body but if you are vegan you should choose ergocalciferol. Quality is important. I recommend Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 (1000 IU per soft gel) in the natural form cholecalciferol form. The carrier oil is organic, extra virgin olive oil and they come in small soft gels that are very easy to swallow. I also like Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA with added vitamin D3 (400 IU per 2 soft gels). This product provides two of the most important nutrients for pregnant women backed by a long standing, reliable company that guarantees optimum purity, quality, and freshness.

Reference Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy Part 2 NICHD/CTSA Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT): Outcomes. Carol L. Wagner, Donna Johnson, Thomas C. Hulsey, Myla Ebeling, Judy Shary, Pamela G. Smith, Betty Bivens, Bruce W. Hollis. Pediatrics/Obstetrics, Medical University of SC, Charleston, SC.

Maternal Vitamin D and Fetal Growth in Early-Onset Severe Preeclampsia. Chrstopher Robinson, Carol Wagner, Bruce Hollis, John Baatz and Donna Johnson. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2011 June.

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If you are pregnant with multiples, you know that you’ll soon face unique joys and challenges that may not accompany the single birth experience. With twins, a common question that parents have is whether the twins are identical or fraternal. DNA Diagnostics Center offers a Twin Zygosity DNA test that definitively shows whether twins are identical or fraternal.

A Twin Zygosity test compares the twins’ DNA profiles to see whether they match—an exact match proves that the twins are identical. When twins are born, the physician usually is able to tell whether twins are identical or fraternal by examining the placenta; identical twins usually share a placenta, while fraternal twins are usually in two different placentas. However, there are many reasons to consider a Twin Zygosity DNA Test in addition to placental inspection.

A Twin Zygosity DNA Test is a simple procedure performed sometime after the babies are born; some parents choose to start testing right away, while others prefer to wait to initiate testing until the twins’ features emerge later in life. The test consists of a painless buccal (cheek) swab collected from each twin. The swabs are shipped to DNA Diagnostics Center’s fully accredited laboratory, where the DNA from the samples is extracted, analyzed and compared. Like all DNA tests performed by DNA Diagnostics Center, each sample is analyzed twice to ensure 100 percent accuracy.

Reasons To Consider a Twin Zygosity DNA Test Include:

• Records from birth may be lost or inaccurate.
• The twins’ placentas may have been discarded or damaged before twin zygosity was determined, especially in the event of an emergency or health-threatening birth experience.
• Different physical traits emerge as the twins grow, casting doubt on an original zygosity determination earlier in life.
• Personal curiosity.

Identical vs. Fraternal Twins

Identical twins come from one fertilized egg, called a zygote. The zygote, which usually develops into one child, instead grows and splits early in development to form two embryos—identical twins. Because the twins come from one egg and one sperm, they have exactly the same DNA.

Fraternal twins, on the other hand, develop when there are two different eggs in the mother’s womb that are fertilized by two different sperm. Fraternal twins will not have exactly the same DNA, although like other siblings, they can be expected to share some of the DNA they inherit from both parents.

Need More Information?

For more information about twin zygosity testing, please call DNA Diagnostics Center at 1-800-798-0580 to speak with a case manager who will review the information you provide and can guide you through the testing process.

The post Are my twins identical or fraternal? appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Morning Sickness Relief: A Day in the Life

In the Morning:

Allow yourself plenty of time to get out of bed. If you usually get up at 6:00 a.m. set your alarm for 5:00 a.m. It is a good idea to keep a stash of crackers or dry cereal by your bed, so you can put something in your stomach as soon as you wake up. Get out of bed slowly as you start your day.

During the Day:

Eat small meals throughout the day to avoid getting too full or too hungry. Progesterone slows the speed of food passing through your digestive tract. To further prevent your stomach from getting too full or too empty, you should drink fluids a 1/2 hour before or after a meal, but not with your meals. But DO drink fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration.

Get plenty of rest when you can. This is especially important if you have to get up early in the morning. But DON’T take a nap right after a meal. This can cause nausea to be worse.

Avoid foods or smells that make your nausea worse, and avoid being in warm places, which can increase your nausea.

In the Evening:

For dinner avoid spicy, greasy foods. Prepare things that are bland and do not have a strong odor. You may have to avoid cooking for the first trimester.

Most importantly, go to bed early! You need your rest to have the energy to get up early and do it all over again. If you happen to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, try to eat something from your bedside stash!

Morning Sickness Relief: Suggested Meals

• Cold foods (sandwiches, raw vegetables, salad when properly prepared to prevent listeria)
• Bland foods (chicken soup, broth, plain baked potato)
• Plain vegetables or fruits
• Keep meals small, but eat as frequently as you need

Morning Sickness Relief: Suggested Snacks to Eat

• Lemons (eat them, suck on them, sniff them)
• Ginger (ginger ale soda, ginger tea, ginger jam on toast, ginger snaps)
• Peppermint tea
• Crackers
• Jell-O
• Flavored popsicles
• Pretzels

Morning Sickness Relief: Treatments & Supplements

Preggie Pops: flavored lollipops in flavors known to reduce nausea. (Available flavors include: ginger, mint, lavender, sour raspberry, sour lemon, and sour tangerine)

• A natural way to ease nausea
• Drug free and doctor recommended
• Great for labor
• Alleviates dry mouth
• Quick energy boost

Sea Bands: wristbands that use acupressure pulse points to fight nausea.

• For all forms of nausea – including morning sickness
• No drugs, no side effects
• Used by doctors and hospitals
• The only clinically tested wristband
• One size fits all

Relief Band Device: device that can be worn continuously for relief of mild to moderate nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy.

Vitamin B6: Taking Vitamin B6 (50 mg) daily has been shown to help with pregnancy-induced nausea.

Talk with your health care provider about any supplements and treatments for morning sickness. If morning sickness is so severe that you are constantly throwing up and not keeping anything down, consult with your health care provider about the possibility of having hyperemesis gravidarum.

Compiled using information from the following sources:

Williams Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al, Ch. 8.

American Academy of Family Physicians, http://familydoctor.org

The post Morning Sickness Relief: Eating with Morning Sickness appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

Nutrition During Breastfeeding

The following recommendation is from the American Pregnancy Association Medical Advisory Board member, Dr. Sebastian Faro, in his audio series, Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy, and other tips for breastfeeding are in an audio program, Caring for your Baby from Birth to Age One. 

The requirement for increased calorie intake will continue after pregnancy if you plan to breastfeed your baby. You will secrete 425 to 700 calories into your breast milk daily. Therefore, you should increase your caloric intake by 500 calories each day, so your total number of calories would be approximately 3000 calories per day. These calories should be healthy calories, not the empty calories from sweets or snack foods.

You should also drink approximately 2 quarts of water per day while breastfeeding. Avoid foods that produce gas like chocolate, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower as well as spicy foods and caffeine. Caffeine causes you to urinate in larger amounts and more frequently, meaning that you will lose fluids you need for your body and your breast milk.

For more information on breast feeding and caring for your baby, check out a new audio course, Caring for your Baby from Birth to Age One, by a leading pediatrician. 

The post Nutrition during Breastfeeding appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

What makes a healthy baby?

A healthy mom who prepares her body’s nutrient stores as adequately as she can prior to conception. In addition to taking a prenatal vitamin, women must consider including a prenatal omega-3 fatty acid supplement, as well. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats, with EPA and DHA, found in fish, being the most critical.

When should I start taking omega-3′s and for how long?

A pure, high quality omega-3 fish oil should be included in a woman’s supplement regimen before and during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. Both EPA and DHA are important, but DHA is particularly important throughout pregnancy and during the early stages of an infant’s life. These omega-3 fats are called essential fats because they are not synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Women should allow at least six months prior to conception to build up this important essential fat and also consider that multiple pregnancies, especially those that are close together, can deplete the mother’s store of omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA in particular.

Can’t I just eat fish every day?

Actually no; the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency have advised women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid certain types of fish because of heavy metals and other environmental contaminants. So, this creates a problem for women who are avoiding fish precisely when they need DHA the most. Supplementation with fish oil has become a trusted source for a safe and pure way to obtain EPA and DHA.

What does DHA do for my baby?

DHA is essential to ensure optimal fetal brain, eye, immune and nervous system development. Taking omega-3 fatty acids pre-conception is important, but remember that keeping levels sufficient during the entire pregnancy is also important. DHA decreases throughout pregnancy in the mother as it is selectively transferred to the fetus. In the third trimester, the largest amount of brain development takes place and DHA is transferred at even higher rate from mother to baby at this time. This redistribution of DHA is essential to ensure optimal fetal brain, eye, immune and nervous system development but can leave the mother depleted and at risk for problems associated with essential fatty acids deficiency, such as post partum depression.

Is DHA really that important after delivery?

Yes, after delivery a mother’s level of DHA can remain low as breastfeeding transmits her reserves of DHA to the breast milk for baby. The need for DHA remains critical for your new baby through two years of age as brain development continues through this time. According to researchers at the University of Kansas, infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of DHA at delivery had advanced levels of attention spans well into their second year of life. During the first 6 months, these infants were 2 months ahead of babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels. According to lead researcher in this study, John Colombo, PhD, attention is considered an important component of intelligence early in life.

What else will DHA do for my baby?

Getting enough DHA during pregnancy can improve behavior, attention, focus, and learning in children. Other benefits that have been found by having adequate DHA during pregnancy is a reduced risk of allergies in infants and a positive influence on immune development. Lower brain DHA levels are associated with cognitive deficits and increased behavioral indicators of anxiety, aggression, and depression in children. Fish oil is a safe and natural source of DHA, ideal for pregnancy and nursing. International Experts recommend 300-600 mg of DHA per day for pregnant and lactating women. Be sure to use a high quality fish oil product that is carefully processed to remove environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, PCBs, and dioxins. Studies have concluded that fish oil may be a healthier source of DHA than fish because environmental toxins can be removed from fish oil. As a practitioner, I have found that Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA adequately fulfills a mom’s needs during this critical time while also ensuring purity, quality and freshness. Also try Nordic Naturals new Baby’s DHA, a liquid fish oil product specially formulated for an infant’s omega-3 fatty acid needs.

Dr. Bradley R. West is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor that specializes in integrative, traditional, and functional medicine. Since 2005, Dr. West has maintained a part-time practice where he uses detoxification and deep healing through drainage/homeopathy, nutrition and food-as-medicine, fasting and internal-cleansing, exercise therapeutics, bio-identical hormones, and physical medicine. A 2004 graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, he has worked as a medical consultant in the nutrition and supplement industry since 2006. Dr. West often lectures and writes on various wellness topics.

References

• J Perinat Med 2007;35::S19—24.
• Obstet Gynecol Surv 2004;59:722—30.
• Requirements for the essential omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA; ISSFAL
• 1999: National Institutes of Health. Washington DC.
• Olsen SF, Sorensen JD, Secher NJ, Hedegaard M, Henriksen TB, Hansen HS, Grant A: Randomised controlled trial of effect of fish-oil supplementation on pregnancy duration. Lancet 1992;339:1003-1007.
• Fleith M, Clandinin MT: Dietary PUFA for preterm and term infants: Review of clinical studies. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2005;45:205-229.
• Freeman MP, Hibbeln JR, Wisner KL, et al. An open trial of omega-3 fatty acids for depression in pregnancy. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2006;18:21-24.
• Freeman MP, Hibbeln JR, Wisner KL, Brumback BH, Watchman M, Gelenberg AJ: Randomized dose-ranging pilot trial of omega-3 fatty acids for postnatal depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2006;113:31-35.
• Br J Nutr 1995;74:723—731, Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58:429—443,
• Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:226—233.
• Obstet Gynecol Surv 2004;59:722—30.
• Exp Biol Med 2001;226:498—506, BJOG 2000;107:382—395.
• J Affect Disord 2002;69:15—29
• Child Dev 2004;75:1254—1267.
• Pediatrics 2003;111:39—44.
• J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;112:1178—1184.
• Clin Exp Allergy 2004;34:1237—1242.
• Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2006;75:329—349.
• Colombo et al, Child Development, July/August 2004, Vol 75: pp.1254-1267.
• Measurement of mercury levels in concentrated over-the-counter fish oil preparations: Is fish oil healthier than fish? Arch Pathol Lab Med 2003;127:1603—1605.
• Measurement of organochlorines in commercial over-the-counter fish oil preparations: Implications for dietary and therapeutic recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids and a review of the literature. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:74—77.

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Are Pregnancy Stretch Marks Different?

Stretch marks, the lines that develop on the abdomen, as well as on other areas of the body, are a common skin concern in pregnancy. While they pose no risk at all to mother or baby, the discomfort created if they lead to itching, not to mention the cosmetic effects of their appearance, can cause pregnant women much distress.

What causes stretch marks?

Interestingly, the cause of pregnancy stretch marks (or striae gravidarum) comes down to two factors, one of which is unique to pregnancy. Firstly, there is the physical stretch of the skin that occurs in pregnancy (and in other periods of rapid weight gain such as adolescence) While the skin adapts to continuous movement by expanding and contracting, during these periods the skin has insufficient time to adjust. As the body expands faster than the skin covering it, the skin tears. The resulting scar that forms from this tear is what we know as a stretch mark.

The second factor, which is still a subject of debate among experts, involves the priming of the skin by increased levels of hormones in pregnancy. Together, these hormones attract more water into the skin, which relaxes the bonds between collagen fibers. This makes it easier for the skin to tear when it is stretched and for stretch marks to form.

When and where do they form?

While stretch marks generally become visible during the later trimesters of pregnancy (around the sixth or seventh month), some women will start to see them forming as soon as their bellies start growing. Most lighter-skinned women tend to develop pinkish stretch marks, whereas darker-skinned women tend to have stretch marks that are lighter than the surrounding skin. Their pattern of development follows three stages:

stages of stetchmarks during pregnancy

Stage 1: Early stretch marks will appear pink in color, and may also be itchy. The skin immediately around the stretch marks may also look ‘flattened’ and ‘thin’.

Stage 2: Gradually, the stretch marks will enlarge in length and width and become a reddish or purple color.

Stage 3: Once the stretch marks have matured, they lose their reddish/pink hue. In the months after pregnancy, they will start to fade and become pale white or silver. They may also appear slightly depressed and irregular in shape or length.

Most women develop stretch marks on their abdomen during pregnancy, however it is also common to get them on the breasts, thighs, hips, lower back and buttocks. While they can appear anywhere on the body, they are most likely to appear in places where large amounts of fat are stored.

While it’s important to know why, how and where stretch marks form in pregnancy, even more important is to know how to help prevent them from forming in the first place. A topically-applied product like Bio-Oil is specially formulated to maximize the skin’s elasticity and ensure that it is supple and well-hydrated. By applying it twice daily right from the first trimester, your body will be better able to withstand the “big stretch” of pregnancy!

The post Are Pregnancy Stretch Marks Different? appeared first on American Pregnancy Association.

What can be done to prevent stretch marks?

One’s best defense against stretch marks is to ensure that skin maintains its maximum elasticity throughout pregnancy. This is achieved by keeping skin well-hydrated and supple at all times.

Skin Food

Collagen and elastin fibers in the skin are necessary to keep rapidly growing skin taut, and the stronger they are, the less likely they are to break and leave resulting stretch marks. It therefore makes sense to eat foods that are rich in Vitamin E and C, zinc and silica, which help to form collagen. Vitamin C in particular is an important antioxidant that helps protect tissue from damage. Vitamins B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin) are also said to help promote and maintain healthy skin.

Drinking sufficient water (approximately 2 liters a day) is essential in order to help strengthen and renew your skin.

Exercise

In addition to boosting energy levels, reducing mood swings, improving sleep patterns and enhancing one’s overall self-image, exercise too can help prevent stretch marks. Exercise improves circulation, which keeps the skin elastic and more able to stretch as it grows. This improved circulation also reduces the possibility of varicose veins and swollen ankles in pregnancy.

Keeping skin supple

In addition to ensuring that you keep your skin supple through eating the right foods and getting enough exercise, you should use a topically-applied product like Bio-Oil that is specifically formulated to maximize the skin’s elasticity. By applying Bio-Oil twice daily from the first trimester throughout pregnancy, your skin will remain well-hydrated and better able to stretch.

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OV-Watch® Fertility Predictor: Advanced Technology, Advanced Notice, Advanced Results. Know the Facts about Trying to Get Pregnant, not just predicting ovulation.

Advanced Technology:

OV-Watch is a patented, clinically proven and FDA-Cleared fertility predictor. It’s advanced technology is unlike any other ovulation predictor, helping the user to maximize their chances of getting pregnant……faster. What makes OV-Watch different is that it is designed to detect the chloride ion surge on the surface of the skin. This surge occurs 6 days prior to ovulation and is the earliest indicator of fertility during the cycle. When you use OV-Watch, you will be alerted to the 4 most fertile days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation.

Advanced Notice: The 4 days before ovulation hold the highest probability of pregnancy for the women trying to conceive. Find those days with OV-Watch.

According to an article published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, “Proper identification of the fertility window may shorten the time to conception from 6 months to one month for the majority of women.” (3 out of 4 women) 1

If you have been trying to get pregnant, ask yourself one question: are you sure that you are utilizing your entire fertile window (the 5-6 days during the month that intercourse is most likely to lead to pregnancy) or are you like many couples “saving up for that one day that you plan to have intercourse”? The medical literature shows that conception is possible from intercourse beginning 5 days before ovulation extending through the day of ovulation2,3 and that the highest probability of conception occurs with intercourse on the days prior to ovulation, rather than just the day of ovulation itself. 3,4 Since sperm may survive for up to 6 days in the female reproductive tract.5, you should be having intercourse on the 4 days before ovulation when trying to get pregnant.

Below is a chart that references the chances of conception during the days of the fertile window. 4

Note that the 4 days before ovulation hold an 80% chance of conception. The day of ovulation, only provides a 5% chance. If you are only having intercourse when you are ovulating, you may not be getting pregnant because you may not be having intercourse at the right time-before you ovulate. Remember that to maximize your chances of getting pregnant; you want to ensure that sperm are waiting for the egg.

Advanced Results: Can the OV-Watch really find the most crucial fertile days that you have? There is clinical proof.

In obtaining FDA clearance to market OV-Watch as a fertility predictor, it was determined that OV-Watch was “substantially equivalent” in predicting ovulation as compared to LH testing, however, more importantly, it was also noted that “This device (OV-Watch) provides the user with notice up to 4 days before ovulation during which the user may have the greatest chance of becoming pregnant.” And “Properly used, OV-Watch gives more notice for conceiving and is not invasive.” 6 To put it simply, 66% more pregnancies are estimated to occur by month 6 with OV-Watch over LH kits. 6

OV-Watch is easy to use:

OV-Watch is worn beginning from the 1, 2, or 3rd day of your period through the day of ovulation. It needs to be worn for at least 6 hours per day and can be worn at night while you sleep. Every 30 minutes that it is worn, a special sensor on the back of the watch will take a reading of the salt (chloride ion) concentration from the moisture on your skin. When OV-Watch senses the surge that it is looking for, it will alert you to the 4 fertile days before ovulation and the day of ovulation. That’s it. It’s easy, convenient and ….it works. Read the OV-Watch success stories for yourself.

Use OV-Watch fertility predictor to find the 4 days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation

Maximize your chances of getting pregnant.

66% more pregnancies are estimated to occur with OV-Watch over LH test kits. 6

If you want to purchase OV-Watch and become an OV-Watch success story yourself, please visit www.ovwatch.com or call 1-866-ovwatch. For $15 off an OV-Watch Value kit 2 or 3, please enter promo code APA15 at checkout.

 For Further information visit http://www.ovwatch.com or email customercare@ovwatch.com

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In simple terms, cervical mucus is a fluid secreted by the cervix, the production of which is stimulated by the hormone estrogen. Throughout your menstrual cycle, the amount and quality of cervical mucus that is produced fluctuates, and by observing these changes you can begin to predict the most fertile days in your cycle. As you approach ovulation, your estrogen levels begin to surge, which causes your cervix to secrete more cervical mucus that is of a so-called “fertile quality”. This fertile-quality cervical mucus, also known as egg white cervical mucus (EWCM), is clear and stretchy, similar to the consistency of egg whites, and is the perfect protective medium for sperm in terms of texture and pH. So, having enough egg white cervical mucus during your fertile window actually improves your chances of conceiving. And, by noticing when your body is producing egg white cervical mucus, you will be able to identify your most fertile days.

The most accurate way to identify changes in your cervical mucus is to collect and observe a sample of mucus on a daily basis. To do this, wash and dry your hands well, then insert your middle or index finger into your vagina, getting as close to your cervix as possible. Remove your finger and observe the consistency of the mucus sample by rolling the mucus between your thumb and finger and pressing your fingers together and then slowly moving them apart.

The following information describes the typical progression of the cervical mucus quantity and quality you can expect to see as you move through your menstrual cycle:

After your menstrual period: The production of cervical mucus is at its lowest immediately following your period, and some women report “dryness” during this time. But, over the next several days, more mucus will become present and it will like be yellow, cloudy, or white in color, and somewhat sticky to the touch.

As Your Ovulation Date Approaches: As you enter your fertile window, your cervical mucus will increase in quantity and moistness. Color may be cream-like in appearance.

At the Time of Ovulation: In the days immediately preceding ovulation, the production of cervical mucus will be at its highest and the consistency and color of the mucus will be similar to egg whites. Once you detect the presence of this fertile-quality cervical mucus, you will know you are in your most fertile days.

After Ovulation: After ovulation, the quantity of cervical mucus begins to decline and become thicker in consistency. Unfortunately, after tracking changes in your cervical mucus, you might find that you really don’t produce very much fertile-quality cervical mucus around the time of ovulation. Or, you might even realize that the cervical mucus you produce is “hostile”, meaning it is thick and sticky, instead of thin and stretchy. Either condition can hinder your reproductive efforts by making it difficult for sperm to travel efficiently and safely to the Fallopian tube to meet the egg for fertilization. Insufficient production of fertile quality cervical mucus or the presence of hostile cervical mucus may result from a variety of factors including diet, stress, hormonal issues, or even from taking prescription medications like Clomid.

If you notice that you are not producing a significant amount of cervical mucus during your fertile time of month, or that it is not “fertile quality” in nature, you might find the following suggestions helpful for improving your quantity and quality of cervical mucus. First and foremost, staying properly hydrated is very important, so be sure to incorporate plenty of water into your diet. Secondly, taking FertileCM, a dietary supplement designed to increase cervical mucus production and tone the lining of the uterus, can enhance your trying-to-conceive efforts. And finally, while you work to improve your cervical mucus production, consider using a sperm-friendly lubricant like the PreSeed product, which features a pH and consistency that is similar to egg white cervical mucus, during intercourse to help guarantee that as many sperm as possible will survive the journey through your reproductive tract. These products are all available at Fairhaven Health, a leading provider of natural, doctor-designed products to help couples conceive.

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If you are new to the TTC world, you are probably learning more than you ever thought you would need to know about how your reproductive system works. Things like how long a sperm can survive inside the female reproductive tract and how long an egg is viable after it is released from the ovary might have once seemed trivial or inconsequential, but this information takes on a deeper significance now that you are actively trying to conceive. As you might already know, in order for conception to take place, at least one healthy and vigorous sperm must be waiting in the Fallopian tube at the moment that ovulation occurs, and must be able to fertilize the egg within 12-24 hours of the egg being released from the ovary. Because sperm can only live for a maximum of 7 days in the female reproductive tract and only a small number of sperm will even survive the long journey through the female reproductive tract, trying to conceive couples should plan to have intercourse a number of times in the days just prior to ovulation. To do this means that you must be able to predict when you will ovulate, a task that is sometimes more difficult than you might think. Fortunately, for those of us who need help, there are several reliable ways to predict when your most fertile days will occur during each cycle.

Before we embark on a discussion of how to pinpoint your fertile window, it might be helpful to briefly review the stages of your menstrual cycle, as hormonal changes that occur during the different phases set the stage for ovulation and provide clues as to when ovulation is coming. In the first several days of the menstrual cycle (called the follicular phase), certain hormones, specifically follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), begin the maturation process of follicles (the sacs that hold the egg) in the ovaries. In the second week of your cycle, FSH levels begin to decline and a single dominant follicle continues to develop. This growing follicle produces increasing amounts of estrogen, which initiates the ovulatory phase. Estrogen plays a key role in the ovulatory process and helps to prepare the body for pregnancy. This hormone helps build the lining of the endometrium, facilitates the secretion of fertile-quality cervical mucus (which helps to protect and transport sperm through the reproductive tract) and triggers the production of the luteinizing hormone (LH). By paying close attention to how your body responds to increasing estrogen in the first couple weeks of your menstrual cycle you can begin to predict ovulation. For example, many women know that ovulation is just around the corner when they see an increase in production of fertile-quality cervical mucus.

Tools for predicting ovulation

Modern technology has provided present day TTCers with several reliable and convenient tools for predicting ovulation. Here is a brief introduction to some of the available tests and devices that can be used to help you pinpoint your fertile window.

Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are a popular method for predicting ovulation. OPKs detect the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. In many women, the amount of LH in the body surges approximately 12-36 hours before ovulation occurs. By testing with OPKs, you can identify this LH surge, which allows you to know that ovulation is just around the corner and that you are in your fertile window.

Ovulation microscopes or saliva ferning scopes, allow women to identify their most fertile days by observing the visual changes that take place in saliva throughout the monthly cycle. Just prior to ovulation, women experience an “estrogen surge,” and a distinct fern-like pattern in the saliva becomes visible under the microscope due to increased estrogen levels. Because the estrogen surge typically precedes the luteinizing hormone surge (luteinizing hormone is the hormone detected by urine-based ovulation tests), ovulation microscopes can often provide more advanced notice of ovulation, giving trying to conceive women more time to appropriately plan their “baby dancing”.

Electronic fertility monitors, like the OvaCue, provide a higher degree of accuracy and more advanced warning of impending ovulation than other ovulation prediction methods. The OvaCue fertility monitor is a hand-held electronic monitor with a color screen, a spoon-sized oral sensor and a vaginal sensor. The OvaCue provides 5-7 day advance notice of peak fertility and confirms ovulation by using the patented Electrolyte MethodTM to measure and track changes in the electrolyte levels in the saliva and cervical mucus. As a woman moves through her menstrual cycle, the levels of various hormones circulating in her body go up and down, and these hormonal fluctuations produce changes in the electrolyte characteristics of her saliva and cervical mucus. Using measurements obtained from the oral and vaginal sensors, the OvaCue produces a numerical reading that reveals the relative trends in electrolyte levels. This allows the OvaCue to identify the hormonal changes that occur during the ovulatory process, thereby allowing it to predict and confirm ovulation. There are a few different electronic fertility monitors available, the OvaCueOvaCue is manufactured by Fairhaven Health, LLC.

Taking the time and effort to determine your fertile window can help take some of the stress and frustration out of your TTC journey. So, while there are many different way to predict ovulation, the most important thing is to choose a method that works for you!

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This is not a diagnosis. The calculations that are provided are estimates based on averages.

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Pregnancy Week 40 – What changes are occurring with your body?

During pushing and delivery, your baby’s head will begin to make an appearance through your vaginal opening with each contraction. When your baby’s head remains visible and does not slip back in, it is known as crowning.

As your baby’s head crowns, you will experience a burning or stinging sensation, often referred to as the ring of fire, as your baby stretches the vaginal opening. As soon as you feel this, stop pushing! If you continue to push and bear down, you increase your risk of tearing or needing an episiotomy.

The burning or stinging sensation only lasts for a short time and is followed by a numb feeling. This is due to your baby’s head stretching your vaginal tissue so thin that the nerves are blocked. The result is a natural anesthetic.

Pregnancy Week 40 – Tips to fight that urge to push:

• Lean back and try to go limp.
• Make a conscious effort to relax the muscles of the perineal floor (the layers of muscles and tissue between the vagina and rectum).
• Focus your energy into deep breathing techniques.
• Allow your contractions to do the work for you during this time.

How big is your baby?

Your baby should be between 19 and 21 inches long and weigh anywhere from 6 ¾ to 10 pounds. If you are having a boy, then he is most likely on the larger side of these ranges, because on average boys are bigger than girls.*

Pregnancy Week 40 – What is happening with your baby?

Your baby’s bones have become hard, with the exception of his/her skull. The bones in the skull need to remain soft and pliable for delivery so that they can overlap as they pass through the birth canal. Because a newborn’s skull is designed this way, your baby’s head may have a cone appearance for the first several days of life. Your baby will actually have two soft spots, or fontanelles, on his/her head which allow for an easier delivery. The front fontanelle will become hard between the eighth and fifteenth month of life. The back fontanelle becomes hard between the third and fourth month.*

Pregnancy Week 40 – What should you plan for this week?

During this last visit be prepared for the following tests:

• Non-stress test
• Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI)
• Sonogram biophysical profile score

Your healthcare provider will discuss the following possibilities:

• The possibility of going past your due date
• Induction (at the doctor’s discretion)
• Cesarean Birth

Tips for making your pregnancy better:

Once you have delivered your baby, he/she will be given their first test in life, the APGAR. Put away the flash cards, and don’t expect too much too early; rarely does any baby get a perfect score on this test. Although it is your child’s first assessment, it is not a predictor of their future behavior or intellect.

The APGAR is a quick assessment of overall newborn well being. The APGAR is used immediately following the delivery of the baby. The scores are recorded at one minute and five minutes of life. At the one minute APGAR, scores between seven and ten indicate that the baby will need only routine post delivery care. At the five minute APGAR, a score of seven to ten is normal.

Tips for mom’s partner:

You and your partner may hear of a wide variety of techniques to help labor get started. While it may be tempting to try one or all of these, it is important that you discuss these wives’ tales with your healthare provider before utilizing them. Most of these techniques have not proven to be consistently effective, and some are not safe.

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For pregnancy week 39, you most likely have not experienced a lot of changes over the last week or two. You probably have not gained any weight or noticed that you are bigger, but there are still changes that are taking place.

The closer you get to the end of your pregnancy, the more you will hear about “being effaced.” Effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens, and becomes thinner. You may hear terms like “ripens,” or “cervical thinning” which refer to effacement. *

Pregnancy Week 39: How big is your baby?

Your baby is now between 18 and 20 ½ inches long and around 6 ½ to 8 pounds.*

Pregnancy Week 39: What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is continuing to grow and working on the layer of fat underneath his/her skin. This is an important part of your baby’s ability to regulate it’s body temperature once it is born. Your baby is also beginning to form new skin cells which will replace older skin cells.*

Pregnancy Week 39: What should you plan for this week?

Honestly, at this point you should really plan to take it easy. Whether this is your first child or fourth, your life will not be the same once this new addition arrives. So take some time for yourself, your partner, your family, and your friends.

Pregnancy Week 39: Tips for making your pregnancy better

Even though the delivery of your baby is very near, continue monitoring your baby’s movements. Many doctors may have you actually counting movements as discussed in Week 35.

You may have purchased and/or been given many things for your baby. You may want to be cautious in taking off the tags. You could find out that the items are not the right size, color, or may even be for the wrong gender. While sonograms can be a good way to judge the size and gender of your baby, they are not always right. By leaving the tags on certain items, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

Pregnancy Week 39: Tips for mom’s partner

Begin talking with your partner about who you would like to be present at the birth of your baby. Do you want to be alone, or do you want to be surrounded by friends and family? Now is a good time to address these concerns. This gives you a little time to make any necessary arrangements.

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Pregnancy Week 38: What changes are occurring with your body?

You may begin to experience some swelling in your feet. This can be a normal part of pregnancy, especially towards the end. However, if you experience excessive swelling in your hands or face or severe and sudden swelling in your feet and/or ankles, you should contact your health care provider. This could be a sign that you are developing a condition called pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). You may also hear the names preeclampsia or toxemia. All three of these terms are synonymous for the same condition. For more information on this condition see Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH): Preeclampsia or Toxemia.*

Pregnancy Week 38: How big is your baby?

Babies sizes vary around the last several weeks of pregnancy, but most likely your baby is between 17 and 20 inches long and weighs 6 ¼ to 7 ½ pounds.*

Pregnancy Week 38: What is happening with your baby?

Your baby is continuing to grow, but the vast majority of his/her organs are mature and fully functioning. The only exceptions are his/her brain and lungs. These two organs are at a point that they will function outside of the womb, but will also continue to mature during childhood.

You may have an idea of what your baby will look like. Maybe you want your baby to have Aunt Ellen’s red hair, your partner’s green eyes, or your father’s long legs. You most likely will not be able to tell right away what color of eyes your baby will have unless they are brown. If they are brown there is a good chance they will stay that way. However, if your baby’s eyes are gray or blue, they can stay that way or turn green, hazel, or brown. Normally this occurs by the time your baby is nine months old.*

What should you plan for this week?

Your healthcare provider should discuss the following information with you if it has not already been covered:

• Who to call when you think you are in labor and when the call should be made
• Early labor completed at home
• Any medical problems
• Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)
• Gestational diabetes
• Anemia
• Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
• Decreased fetal movements
• Breech positioning

Pregnancy Week 38: Tips for making your pregnancy better

If your health care provider thinks that your baby is in a breech position, he/she may order another sonogram for confirmation. This can give you one last look at your baby before he/she enters the world.

Some women may have to spend the last several weeks of their pregnancy having non-stress tests performed. A non-stress test can be performed at your health care provider’s office or in a hospital setting. You will be asked to lie down, and a fetal monitor will be attached to your abdomen. You are asked to push a button every time you feel your baby move, and the monitor records your baby’s heartbeat. While having these kinds of tests can be overwhelming, they can also provide an opportunity to form additional bonding between mother and child. Many mothers actually come to the point that they enjoy this time, because they can hear their child’s heartbeat.

Pregnancy Week 38: Tips for mom’s partner:

Have you packed your bag for the hospital? If not, you might want to go ahead and get that taken care of, because the baby could be arriving at any moment.

Many fathers like to get their son or daughter a special gift. It could be a toy, first football, doll, book, or stuffed animal. If you are planning on this you want to go ahead and pack it with your bag. You might want to also think about getting your partner a special gift. This can be a great way to remind her how much you love and appreciate her. Remember these do not necessarily have to be extravagant or expensive gifts, just something to show that you care.

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Pregnancy Week 37: What changes are occurring with your body?

If you have been measuring your uterus throughout your pregnancy, you may notice that there is little to no difference at this point. Most likely you will not notice any significant weight gain from this point on. Your total weight gain should be around 25 to 35 pounds.

The amount of amniotic fluid begins to decline around 37 weeks. Braxton Hicks contractions also increase in frequency. As your body begins to prepare for labor, your cervix will begin to dilate and efface, and you will pass the mucus plug.

During pregnancy, a mucus plug blocks the opening to the cervix to prevent bacteria from entering. Before labor, this mucus plug is expelled in preparation of delivery. Passing a mucus plug is a sign that your cervix is dilating, and your body is starting to prepare for birth. Labor could be hours, days, or even weeks away as the cervix gradually opens over time. Find out more about losing your mucus plug.*

Pregnancy Week 37: How big is your baby?

Your baby is probably about 18 inches long and weighs 6 to 7 pounds.*

Pregnancy Week 37: What is happening with your baby?

Even though by the end of this week your baby is considered full term, it is still better in most situations for the baby to remain in the womb until he/she signals that he/she is ready to come out.

If your baby has not turned and is not in the head down position, you should begin talking with your health care provider and partner regarding the various options that are available. There are several ways that babies can be turned. There are both natural techniques and medical techniques. Remember that breech presentations occur in about 1 in 25 full-term births. For more information regarding breech presentation and turning your baby please see breech births.*

Pregnancy Week 37: What should you plan for this week?

You should be finishing up childbirth classes and taking care of any other preparations for the baby. Make sure your bags are packed, and you may want to try a test run to the hospital just to be on the safe side.

Tips for making your pregnancy better:

Basically you are in a waiting game from this point on. However, just because you do not know when the big day will come, this does not mean that you cannot prepare now. If there are any last minute preparations that need to be completed before the arrival of your baby, now is a good time to finish these up. Some women also like to make sure that things are in order, such as the house or apartment being clean.

When you first arrive back at home with the baby, things can be quite chaotic. To better prepare yourself for this transition, it can be a good idea to have a supply of take-out menus available so that a quick dinner can be ordered. Maybe you love to cook and prepare several meals that can be frozen and eaten once you and the baby are back at home.

Pregnancy Week 37: Tips for mom’s partner:

Is there anything that you can help your partner with during these last couple of weeks? Has she repeatedly asked you to put together the crib or finish painting the nursery? Perhaps it is another household chore that she would like you to do or needs your assistance with. Maybe you have done a great job in keeping up with her “honey-do” list, and you just need to take her out for one last “date” before the baby comes.

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Pregnancy Week 36: What changes are occurring with your body?

Your baby is continuing to put on the weight (about an ounce a day), but you most likely will not notice a change in your own weight. You may feel like there is no room left for your baby to grow and may be very tired of feeling so "big", but remember that the longer your baby is in its protective environment up until its due date, usually the better it is.

You may notice an increase in the amount of Braxton Hicks contractions that you experience. True labor will eventually follow the Braxton Hicks contractions, but many women are often told that they are actually experiencing a false alarm or false labor. While this can be incredibly frustrating, it can be a good practice run for getting to the hospital.*

Pregnancy Week 36: How big is your baby?

Your baby is likely between 17 ½ to 19 inches long and weighs 5 ¾ to 6 ¾ pounds.*

What is happening with your baby?

The fine downy hair, lanugo, that has covered you baby’s skin is beginning to disappear, along with the vernix caseosa. Vernix caseosa is the thick, creamy substance that has protected your baby’s skin while he/she has been submerged in amniotic fluid. Both of these are swallowed by your baby, along with additional amniotic fluid, which combine together to form meconium, or your baby’s first bowel movement.

Your baby should be in the head down position, but do not panic if he/she has yet to attain this position. If by next week he/she is still not head down, then your health care provider may suggest trying external cephalic version. For more information regarding this procedure please read about Breech Births.*

Pregnancy Week 36: What should you plan for this week?

When you have your appointment this week you should be prepared for:

• Cervical cultures- specifically Group B Strep
• Discussion of External Cephalic Version (ECV) if your baby is in a breech presentation
• Cesarean or VBAC

Packing for the hospital can be a cumbersome task. Now that you have reached 36 weeks, it is best to go ahead and begin this. Talk with other women for ideas and see our recommendations on packing for your birth. Some basic things to remember are:

Essentials for Mom

• Health insurance card
• Breast pads- You will need these whether or not you are breastfeeding since they stop leaks by absorbing milk.
• Going-home outfit- Choose one that fit when you were 6 months pregnant.
• Sanitary pads- Many women feel more comfortable when they bring their favorite brand with them; just make sure they are designed for a heavier flow.

Essentials for Baby

• Infant car seat and infant head support- You will not be allowed to leave the hospital without one; include the instructions.
• Going-home outfit
• Newborn diapers

Tips for making your pregnancy better:

If your breasts make you uncomfortable during the night, you may want to begin sleeping in a nursing bra. Nursing bras provide much needed support even before your baby is born. These can also be worn during the day if they make you more comfortable.

Pregnancy Week 36: Tips for mom’s partner

While it is very important that your partner has her bag packed for the trip to the hospital, there are also things that you can pack to prepare for the delivery of your baby. Here are a few suggestions:

• Change of clothes
• Pajamas if spending the night
• Bathing suit- This is important if your partner is planning on a water birth or using the birthing pool during labor.
• A watch with a second hand
• Video/still camera-Make sure you have extra tapes, film, batteries, chargers, etc.

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Pregnancy Week 35: What changes are occurring with your body?

From your belly button it should be about 6 inches to the top of your uterus. By this point, you should have gained anywhere from 24 to 29 pounds. (If you have concerns regarding your weight gain or fundal height, consult your health care provider.)

If you have been short of breath, it is due to your uterus being underneath your rib cage, causing you to have difficulty breathing. Towards the end of your pregnancy, your baby drops, which is called lightening. The baby is beginning to settle deeper into your pelvis which relieves pressure on your diaphragm, so you are not so short of breath. Lightening can increase the pressure on your bladder, causing more trips to the bathroom.*

Pregnancy Week 35: How big is your baby?

Your baby is continuing to grow and most likely measures between 17 to 18 inches long and weighs 5 ½ to 6 pounds.* The video below represents the 8th month and shares the same information from last week.

Pregnancy Week 35: What is happening with your baby?

The vast majority of your baby’s growth is complete by 35 weeks. His/her kidneys are completely developed, and the liver is beginning to process waste. Because your baby has grown so much, you will notice that he/she will no longer be performing an aerobic workout. There just is not enough room for somersaults. However, this does not mean you will not feel your baby move. His/her kickboxing routine should stay the same. Calculating your baby’s movements will be discussed in the next section.*

Pregnancy Week 35: What should you plan for this week?

Between 35 and 36 weeks your health care provider will most likely want to begin seeing you once a week until you deliver. He/she may also ask you to begin counting your baby’s movements if you have not already begun to do so.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you time how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks, flutters, swishes, or rolls. Key things to know about keeping track of movements:

• Ideally, you want to feel at least 10 movements within 2 hours.
• Use a notebook or kick counts chart to record movements.
• If you have not felt 10 kicks by the end of the second hour, wait a few hours and try again.
• If you still do not feel much movement, make sure to read our information on kick counts and when it is necessary to call your health care provider.

Tips for making your pregnancy better:

With the birth of your baby only a few weeks away, you need to begin finding a pediatrician for your baby. Talk with your OB/GYN or midwife and family and friends to see if they have any recommendations for your area. It is a good time to ask about policies regarding after hour phone calls, nurse lines, immunizations, policies for scheduling and canceling appointments, etc.

Pregnancy Week 35: Tips for mom’s partner

How involved do you want to be in the birth of the baby? Discuss the various options with both your partner and her health care provider. Will they allow you to cut the umbilical cord or video tape the birth? It is best to find out the answers to these questions beforehand. This allows time for any preparations to be made.

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