'I didn't abduct my child. I just want my daughter to be brought up in Ireland'

THE American dream has turned sour for one young mother as she spends the festive period in a legal limbo, unable to take her child home to Ireland.

Ciara (not her real name) was branded a child abductor after she failed to bring her three-year-old daughter Lauren back to the martial home on the west coast of the United States after a visit to her family in Ireland. It was during this trip that her husband telephoned her to say their marriage was over and he was filing for divorce.

Ciara decided there was nothing left for her in the States and she and Lauren would stay permanently in Ireland.

However, her husband issued proceedings under the Hague Convention demanding that the girl be brought back to the US.

By Breda Heffernan ©Independent.ie

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HSE was warned a year ago Coombe posed 'serious risk'

The Health Service Executive (HSE) was warned a year ago that the Coombe Women's Hospital building is "rapidly deteriorating" and poses serious risks in areas like infection control.

But nine months later, in September, it was again pleading with the HSE to provide €3.2m in capital funding -- otherwise it could not take responsibility for the risks involved.

Coombe Women's Hospital Master Chris Fitzpatrick wrote to former head of the National Hospital's Office Ann Doherty in January saying the hospital "urgently needed secure realistic continuous investment".

In May, he said the staffing ratios were "exposing our patients to adverse perinatal outcomes" -- referring to the time at or around birth.

By Eilish O'Regan ©Independent.ie

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My nightmare at two hospitals that were unhygienic and overcrowded

The staff were under so much pressure they couldn't spend time showing me how to breastfeed

WHEN I was first pregnant with my son Mitchell seven years ago I thought it sensible to go semi-private in a busy Dublin maternity hospital. In the end, it made no difference.

The delivery suites were full while I laboured and I had to wait in line until one became available. Likewise, the private and semi-private rooms were full, so I was put into a public ward.

The staff tried their best but were under so much pressure they could not spend time showing me how to breastfeed. The lowest point came a few hours after giving birth; as I hobbled towards the toilet, the lady in the bed next to me said she would "watch my things".

By Siobhan O'Neill White ©Independent.ie

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The most popular baby names of 2009

Jack – the moniker of Messrs Nicholson and Straw – retained its title for the 15th year running.

Olivia secured a second successive stint as the girls' favourite having taken over from Grace in 2008.

The highest climbers this year were Lucas, which raced 24 places up the charts to make number 15, and Maisie, which moved up 29 places to 41st.

Layla also scored well, up 21 places to number 46 while Lexi leapt 18 spots up to number 43.

© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2009

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The birth of a baby crisis

SADLY, people who avail of hospital services these days routinely expect to be put on a waiting list for some sort. It's a symptom of the times. However, patients who are already stressed by the impact of economic recession should at least be able to feel safe and secure in a hospital.

One group of patients remains resolutely indifferent to cutbacks and the under-resourcing of services.

They ignore calls to put up with delays and wait their turn. Babies are stubborn creatures who demand attention on their own terms, not according to a roster and budget set down by the Health Service Authority.

Yet it appears women no longer have the comfort of security when they go in to have their babies.

Instead, as we report today, mothers and babies enter a bewildering and troubling environment, with pregnant women queuing to get into overcrowded labour wards.

By their nature, maternity hospitals find it nigh impossible to comply with instructions to reduce services and cut back on staff, especially in the middle of a baby boom.

Correspondence revealed today shows that doctors and managers in Dublin's maternity hospitals have been pleading with the HSE to introduce safety improvements immediately, and not to wait for moves which are planned for years from now.

©Independent.ie

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List Of Drinks Pregnant Women Should Avoid

Champagne and eggnog are holiday favorites, but if you're pregnant, those two drinks are on the top of the list of drinks you should avoid.

Homemade eggnog tops the list because it contains raw eggs, which carry the risk of getting you and your baby sick with salmonella.

That eggnog is especially bad if your party host decides to mix it with alcohol.

Store-bought eggnog is fine as it is pasteurized and poses little risk.

Nonalcoholic champagne is drinkable, but it is not known for sure how much even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect a pregnancy, so steer clear of it entirely.
By PJ O'Keeffe © 2009

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Precautions Allow for Smooth Travel While Pregnant

Traveling during the holidays can be difficult, even more so when you're pregnant. Hauling luggage, navigating crowded airports and sitting for hours in cramped seats can make you wish you stayed home.

But you don't want to miss the eggnog at Grandma's annual gathering, right?

To avoid problems, pregnant women should take a few precautions, Dr. Charles Hux, an obstetrician and maternal fetal medicine expert, advised.

"Most women can safely travel during pregnancy," said Hux, who also appears on cable channel TLC's "A Baby Story." "With a little extra planning and precaution, you should not encounter any problems."

©2009 Bloomberg

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Many Women Quit Breast-Feeding Early

Though a growing percentage of American moms start their infants on human milk, relatively few continue breast-feeding for the baby's first six months of life, let alone an entire year.

Why not stick it out longer? Numerous obstacles can prove difficult for new moms, but California researchers say they found that returning to work soon after giving birth presents a major barrier to successful breast-feeding.

"What we saw is if women take very short maternity leaves, of six weeks or less, they run more than a three times higher risk of quitting breast-feeding compared to those still at home who haven't returned to work," said Sylvia Guendelman, a professor who chairs the maternal and child health program at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.

Their study, published earlier this year in Pediatrics, was part of a larger analysis called "Juggling Work and Life During Pregnancy," funded by the U.S. government's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

By Karen Pallarito © 2009 Microsoft

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Bisphenol-A In Plastic Packaging & Products Is Highly Dangerous

Many clinical studies have concluded that exposure to large amounts of Bisphenol A can be fatal, and now the US Senate has started discussing legislature relating to a proposed ban on it's use in products for kids under the age of three, like toys and baby's bottles. It seems like a storm is brewing for this particular organic compound, and now people are finally beginning to take real note of it's alleged side effects. It has been blamed on heightening the risk of various cancers (breast and prostate heavily), and on encouraging the onset of diabetes and heart disease, but it will be a hard element of the consumer world to replace. That's because it is used in a lot of the packaging and plastic products which we use, but it is never included on any lists of ingredients.

WHAT DO WE USE BISPHENOL A FOR?
Extracted from specially grown plants, Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic compound, but it is often referred to as an industrial chemical, or as a synthetic sex hormone. There are approximately 2-3 million tonnes of it produced each year for use in our plastic products, and it has been widely used from the early part of the 20th century, because it has the ability to make plastic clear and strong. Common polycarbonate products with BPA as an integral ingredient include plastic containers, carrier bags, baby's bottles, eye glasses and cd's/dvd's. It is also used in epoxy resins, which often form a protective lining on the inside of metal food and beverage cans, but this widespread usage has only been seriously questioned since 2008, when many governments began to publicly question it's alleged side-effects, although there had been some questions circulating about it's safety since the 1930's.

Copyright © 2008-2009

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How to be a Super Dad

Sleepless nights and crèche runs used to be the lot of the working mother, but now working fathers are feeling the strain too.

This comes as no surprise to parenting coach Sheila O'Malley, who has seen an increase in the number of men attending her courses in recent years. "Much more is expected of the Irish father these days," says Sheila.

"Now both parents are working, no one is in a supporting role. Men are juggling a lot more than they were a decade ago." Now up to 50pc of her courses are attended by men, with many of them coming on their own. "They are forging their own relationships with their children and this is very enriching for them, but they are under pressure and they need to learn how to multi-task."

A new report, published in the UK by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has revealed the extent of these pressures. According to The Fathers, Family and Work report, some 54pc of fathers with children under one felt they were not devoting enough time to them, while 42pc felt they were not able to spend enough time with their children. Some 62pc thought that, in general, fathers should spend more time caring for their children, yet six out of 10 were working more than 40 hours a week.

By Nikki Walsh ©Independent.ie

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A pregnancy survival guide. . . for men

I'm sitting down with my wife to watch a DVD. She's pregnant with our second child, and I'm wary. Why? The DVD is called Being Dad, and it promises "real-life pregnancy and birthing advice that men can relate to, and will want to watch". Uh-oh.

Being Dad is the creation of first-time father, Troy Jones. A reality-style documentary, it follows the filmmaker as he makes sense of his partner's first pregnancy, interviewing several experts and talking to 40 real-life fathers in an effort to find out "what I can expect, now that Stacey is expecting". The film rides the full, nine-month rollercoaster, and ends with the birth of Troy and Stacey's baby.

Popping the disc from its jacket, the first thing I notice is that Being Dad is marketed at women. "(It) will make him the perfect pregnancy and birth partner," the cover proclaims.

By Pol O Conghaile ©Independent.ie

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Pregnant women able to better distinguish emotions in others

Pregnant women may be better at reading the emotions on people’s faces, especially late in the pregnancy.

While hormonal changes and mood swings often occur during pregnancy, new research reveals that women may also have the ability to better read the emotions on others faces while pregnant.

Researchers at the University of Bristol in the U.K. asked 76 women in the early stages of pregnancy to identify the emotion on 60 computer-generated faces. The process was repeated later in the pregnancy, around week 34.

Researchers conducting the study, published in the journal Hormones and Behavior found that during both the early and late stages of pregnancy, women were equally able to identify faces showing happiness and surprise. Yet women were more sensitive to and accurate at gauging emotions like fear, anger and disgust later in pregnancy.

By Shawn Douglas Copyright © 2006-2009

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Schoolboy Ryan McLaughlin wins vitamin D campaign

Pregnant women are to be educated about the importance of taking vitamin D supplements thanks to a campaign by a 14-year-old Glasgow schoolboy.

Ryan McLaughlin, whose mother Kirsten has multiple sclerosis, took his case to the Scottish Parliament's petitions committee earlier this year.

He believes taking vitamin D can help prevent the condition.

In a written response, the Scottish government said it would put in place an action plan to increase awareness.

It said recent research had found there was an "urgent need" to provide information to all health professionals who work with pregnant women and young children about current guidance on vitamin D.

© MMIX

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Green light for new €160m hospital plan

A NEW €160m maternity and children's hospital in Sandyford has been given the green light by Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council.

The plan from Landmark Developments will see the extensive facility sited on the Beacon Medical Campus on Blackthorn Road in Dublin 18.

The original plan for the hospital was refused by An Bord Pleanala in November last year because of insufficient drainage and water facilities in the area.

However, a fresh planning application was lodged earlier this year. Among the supporters of the scheme was the Sandyford Business Estate Association (SBEA) which wrote to the council expressing its backing.

By Cormac Murphy © Herald.ie 2008

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Southwest Airlines plane diverted as baby born mid-flight

A COMMERCIAL jet was forced to divert after a passenger gave birth to a boy mid-flight.

The Southwest Airlines plane was heading to Salt Lake City and flying at 30,000 feet when the passenger went into labour.

The plane was immediately diverted to Denver and two doctors travelling on the plane came to the passenger’s aid.

But the child couldn’t wait and the doctors helped deliver the baby after moving the woman to the rear galley just before the jet touched down.

Copyright 2009 News Limited

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Swine flu vaccine side effects: Miscarriages and more

Swine flu vaccine alert: Many pregnant mothers are reporting miscarriages shortly after taking the swine flu vaccine. Various websites and blogs are receiving disturbing reports of miscarriage and other dangerous side effects which occurred within hours to days after individuals received the vaccine. Yet these reports are receiving little to no press coverage.

Here a a few of the many examples of miscarriages from comments posted after a short article on about.com: Sue says: "I had the H1N1 vaccination and 24 hours later had a miscarriage." Linda Hill says: "My daughter in law was 10 weeks pregnant and had the H1N1 vaccine on Friday. That night she miscarried." EBWashington: "I was so excited to be pregnant after trying for a year. Last Monday, I got the H1N1 vaccine. On Tuesday morning, I started cramping and on Wednesday I started bleeding heavily. I was almost 6 weeks along. I am an emotional wreck."

By Fred Burks Copyright © 2009 Clarity Digital Group

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Magazine names local consultant as Obstetrician of the Year

A consultant at St. Luke’s General Hospital for Carlow/Kilkenny has been named “Obstetrician of the Year” at the second annual Maternity & Infant magazine Awards (supported by Hibernian Aviva Health).

Trevor Hayes was presented with the award at a ceremony in the Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel earlier this month, hosted by RTE’s Sharon Ní Bheoláin.

Maternity & Infant magazine is published bi-monthly. It carries articles on health, behaviour, development, nutrition and general parenting issues – in addition to advice from respected Irish and international experts, top reader tips and the latest maternity and children’s fashion.

The awards are described as celebrating the very best in products and services, as voted on-line by parents/readers of the magazine nationwide. The highlight of the event was the People Awards which acknowledge the passion and commitment of people in their professional contribution to parents and children across Ireland. Mr Hayes was one of four members of the medical profession cited as demonstrating excellence in their profession (there were also awards for Nurse, Midwife and Paediatrician of the Year).

© 2009 Galway Advertiser

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GPs should offer vaccine to all women of childbearing age

GPs should offer the swine flu vaccine to all women of childbearing age, chair of the ICGP Education Committee, Dr Mary Favier, has said.

“The advice is when a woman comes in for a pill prescription you should offer her the swine flu vaccine. It should be offered to all women of childbearing age because if they became pregnant they would then be in a high-risk group,” she said.

She told the conference the prevalence of pandemic H1N1 had decreased over the last three weeks but to expect another peak in February. “That is the pattern in other countries in the southern hemisphere during their winter,” she said.

She said GPs should also expect a peak in meningococcal disease in the coming weeks.

By Niamh Mullen © Medical Publications Ireland Ltd 2007

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Swine flu update: Maternity hospitals to restrict visiting times

Maternity Hospitals in Dublin will restrict visiting from Friday to minimise the spread of influenza A H1N1.

The measures will come into force from 8am at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital.

Master of CWIUH Dr Chris Fitzpatrick said it was a temporary measure that would be reviewed on a daily basis. “All of the hospitals have seen cases of swine flu coming through. This is a temporary but appropriate measure. The complications experienced by pregnant women who contract the virus are four-fold,” he said.

Visiting will be restricted to the partner, or one nominated visitor for expectant and new mothers, as well as gynaecology inpatients. Only parents and guardians of infants will be allowed in the paediatric (baby) unit. Only one person should accompany adults attending the Outpatient Department.

By Lisa Mullins © Medical Publications Ireland Ltd 2007

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Study Links Soda Intake to Higher Risk of Diabetes for Pregnant Women

A new study has discovered the first link between sugary soda drinks and the risk of diabetes.

According to a study found in Diabetes Care, women who drink more than five ounces of sugar-sweetened cola a week before becoming pregnant significantly increase their risk of developing the disease during a pregnancy.

The study found that women who consumed five soda servings a week were likely to develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), or a glucose intolerance that begins during pregnancy.

"Compared with women who consumed less than 1 serving per month, those who consumed more than 5 servings per week of sugar-sweetened cola had a 22% greater GDM risk," noted lead author Dr. Liwei Chen.

By Donna Parker © 2009 Better Health Research

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Glue injections saving sick babies' lives

Glue is being used at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital to save the lives of youngsters suffering from a rare condition which usually kills babies within days.

Children with Vein of Galen malformation have abnormal communication between the arteries and veins in their brain.

This puts stress on their heart and they usually die within three or four days as a result of heart failure or hydrocephalus (water on the brain).

But a treatment which involves a tissue adhesive called Histoacryl - similar to Super Glue - being injected through a catheter in the baby's groin is proving increasingly successful at saving lives by blocking the affected area of the brain.

Copyright © 2009 The Press Association.

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Trying to conceive? Try yoga

Trying to conceive can be an exciting, emotional and stressful process. A holistic approach, such as the one yoga uses, can be very beneficial. Practicing simple yoga asanas (physical postures) can boost your chances of getting pregnant, while improving your overall health.
Yoga is known to boost hormones and stimulate the reproductive organs. It is also very effective in combating stress, which is scientifically proven to inhibit fertility. For us women, it also disrupts the menstrual cycle and delays ovulation. For men, stress has a telling negative impact on the sperm count. Yoga helps relieve stress and relax the body. A restorative yoga class, where the body, mind, and spirit learn the art of relaxation will benefit both partners to further aid fertility and conception.
In the case of women undergoing fertility treatment, yoga also makes it easier for the body to bear the effects of the drugs and makes the body more receptive towards the treatment.
The following is a guide to home practice and is suitable for both partners. This posture stimulates abdominal organs like the ovaries and prostate gland.
By Lee Kennedy Copyright © 2009 The Mayo News.

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Chemical Controversy: Baby Bottle Ban Call

Campaigners are calling for baby bottles containing a controversial chemical to be banned.

The National Childbirth Trust says there is "compelling" evidence linking Bisphenol A (often abbreviated to BPA) to breast cancer and other conditions.

The chemical is widely used in plastics and is commonly found in food and drink containers.

Some experts believe young children may be particularly vulnerable.

By Rob Cole Copyright ©2009 BskyB

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Woman gives birth to 15 pound baby

At eight months, a doctor warned Wendi Dolton her baby was going to exceed ten pounds. But nothing could prepare her for the big bundle of joy that arrived last week.

"They said 15.6 and I thought I was kind of groggy I was on pain killers, I didn't know if it was 15.6 the time," said Dolton.

Wendi and her husband Mike, from Racine, Minn., named their baby Axel Laverne.

"I had some clothes ready for him, and yep, he's outgrown them already," said Dolton. "And my family bought clothes and they won't fit him."

© Copyright 2000 - 2009

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Plastics Chemical Phthalate May Shorten Pregnancy

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women who are exposed to higher levels of an increasingly controversial chemical in certain plastics may deliver their babies slightly earlier than women with less exposure, results of a study hint.

"The magnitude of the effects seen," the study team wrote in today's issue of Pediatrics, "might be associated with adverse health effects in newborns."

The chemical, DEHP -- short for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate -- is a "plasticizer" used widely in consumer products to help make vinyl plastic soft and flexible.

"Exposures (to DEHP) are ubiquitous," Dr. Robin M. Whyatt from Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health in New York City told Reuters Health. DEHP breakdown products "have been detected in 95% of the general U.S. population."

By Megan Brooks Copyright © 2009 ABC News

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Diabetes research partnership launched

TWO UNIVERSITIES and two State health organisations have formed a cross-Border partnership on research into diabetes.

The Atlantic-Alliance for Co-operation on Research into Diabetes grouping involves NUI Galway, the University of Ulster, the Health Service Executive West and its Northern counterpart, the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

Diabetes is to be targeted because of its “increasing prevalence and the associated healthcare costs”, the grouping says.

Participants will include researchers and clinicians with their patients, and allied health professionals, including dieticians, podiatrists, diabetes specialist nurses, information technology specialists and psychologists.

By Lorna Siggins © 2009 irishtimes.com

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Obesity is now the main cause for rise in Caesarean births

Growing obesity levels among mothers-to-be are driving up caesarean section rates, the Master of the Rotunda hospital has said.

According to Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, obesity in pregnant women is contributing to an increase in the number of C-sections being carried out.

The delivery method has reached record levels in the Rotunda and Dublin's two other main maternity hospitals.

Dr Coulter-Smith explained that a dramatic change in lifestyles over the past generation had lead to increasingly overweight women giving birth.

By Andrew Phelan © Herald.ie 2008

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Swine Flu Vaccine: Physicians' Rejection of the Injection

One senior physician at Pediatric Village is refusing to recommend H1N1 shots or nasal spray to any of her patients. She is one of a small cadre of outliers who remain skeptical about the government's unprecedented immunization campaign, citing doubts about the risks presented by the H1N1 virus or the safety of the vaccine.

"My feeling is that this is all being over-hyped," said Laurence J. Murphy, a pediatrician in Burke who also will not inoculate his patients. "Most people who get this virus do beautifully. I believe the vaccine hasn't been tested enough. I just think the benefit of it at this point is not outweighed by the possible risk."

Murphy said he has no reason to think the vaccine is unsafe -- he, like many of the skeptics, said he generally supports vaccinations. But he wonders whether it was tested enough.

"They just didn't have the time to do that properly. They mean well and they are not doing anything to mislead people in any direct way. The reality is no one knows. I'm not pretending to know. I don't think they should pretend to know," he said.

By Dr. Mercola © Copyright 2004-2009 foodconsumer.org

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MS progression and pregnancy

"Having children could slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS)," The Independent reported. It said researchers have found that, compared to women with MS who have never had children, those who had children after the onset of the disease were 39% less likely to have progressed to a stage where they needed assistance when walking 100m.

This research looked at the medical records of women attending an MS clinic in Belgium. The study has a number of limitations. One of these is that, rather than childbirth slowing down the progress of MS, an alternative explanation is that women who have less severe MS are more likely to decide to have children than those who have a faster-progressing disease.

Due to these limitations, this study does not provide conclusive evidence about the effects of pregnancy on the long-term progression of MS. Further, larger studies that examine this question are needed.

©2009

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Holy Family parish créche takes top award

A DUNDALK childcare facility has been named the top crèche in the country at the Maternity and Infant Magazine 2009 Awards ceremony.

Holy Family Parish Community Crèche in Muirhevnamor and it's subsidiary pre-school service based at Claddagh Park scooped the "Maternity and Infant Crèche of the Year Award".

Holy Family was honoured at a glittering event held in the Shelbourne Hotel for the quality of service it offers to local children and their families.

"This has been a fantastic year for the Crèche. We have recently won the Best Training Initiative from the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce Awards," said Holy Family Crèche Manager Christine Brennan.

By Tamara O'Connell ©2009

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Does exercising while pregnant put the baby at risk?

For women who are avid exercisers, pregnancy can present a challenge in terms of making necessary modifications to ensure baby's safety. Lisa Druxman, who specializes in pre- and postnatal fitness, says that pregnant athletes don't have to completely overhaul their normal routine, as medical guidelines for exercise are now much less conservative than in years past.

"Original guidelines for exercise during pregnancy cautioned women to never exceed a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, which most fitness enthusiasts would hardly consider a workout," Druxman states. "Now, more and more experts agree that pregnant athletes, when properly trained and monitored, can safely exercise beyond these guidelines and are actually typically more efficient at handling the stresses of exercise during pregnancy."

Druxman advises that it is still important for athletes to use caution when it comes to protecting their own health and that of their unborn babies.

By Marjie Gilliam © Copyright 2009 The Detroit News

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Exposure to tobacco smoke and lead while pregnant leads to ADHD in children

Researchers out of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have found that when combined, tobacco smoke and lead, ingested while pregnant, create a significant risk of symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children later in life.

The study, published today in the journal Pediatrics, focused on data collected from 2001 to 2004 on 3,907 children aged 8 to 15 in the United States. The researchers also polled mothers on their cigarette use during pregnancy.

Researchers found that when exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally, children were 2.4 times more likely to exhibit ADHD symptoms, and those exposed to lead were 2.3 times likely to have the symptoms. Researchers also pointed out that when looking at lead exposure in the blood, levels were found to be well below the Centers for Disease Control action level, suggesting that even small doses of the metal may have an effect on behavior.

When the two substances were combined in vitro, the team found an eight times higher risk of ADHD when compared to children not exposed to the two substances.

By Shawn Douglas Copyright © 2006-2009

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Self-heating baby milk bottle Yoomi arrives in UK stores

The bottle, which has already won a series of innovation and research awards, ensures that the milk is heated to between 32 and 34 degrees in just 60 seconds and stays warm for up to an hour.

It can be recharged up to 100 times and even features an anti-colic teat which allows a baby to latch on more easily.

It was invented by a husband and wife team who were tired of having to painstakingly heat milk to an exact temperature in the microwave or ask waiters for hot water to heat a bottle while out.

Jim and Farah Shaikh, an engineer and a solicitor, came up with the idea following the birth of their eldest son Danial. Six years ago, Mr Shaikh sketched out a plan on a pub napkin and the prototype was tested on their second son Niall, who is now two.

© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2009

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Pregnant? Beware of alcohol!

Mums-to-be who consume high levels of alcohol in late pregnancy are likely to give birth to aggressive kids, a new study has revealed.

The research team from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research suggests that the amount and timing of alcohol consumption in pregnancy affects child behaviour in different ways.

“Mothers who reported what we would classify as heavy drinking in the first trimester of pregnancy were nearly three times as likely to report that their child suffered with anxiety and/or depression or somatic complaints,” said lead author Colleen O'Leary.

“Those who drank moderately during that first trimester were twice as likely to report those types of behavioural issues for their child. Exposure to moderate or heavy levels of alcohol in late pregnancy increased the risk of aggressive types of behaviours in the child. This research suggests that both the timing and the intensity of alcohol exposure in the womb affect the type of behaviour problems expressed,” she added

Copyright © 2009 HT Media Limited.

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HSE advise those affected by floods

The HSE South has advised people living in flood-affected areas how to protect their health when using emergency water supplies and how to clean up safely after floods.

“Infection problems arising from floods in the Republic of Ireland are rare. Usually, any harmful bugs in floodwater become very diluted and present a low risk, but there are a few precautions that can be taken,” said Dr Elizabeth Keane, HSE South director of public health.

The HSE also said that there are some basic precautions people can take to protect themselves and their families while cleaning up flooded homes.

It has advised that wherever possible, try to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater. If you have to go into the water, wear waterproof gloves and rubber boots and remember to be careful of potentially concealed hazards.

By Joanne McCarthy Copyright © 2009

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New mum Lucy won't rush TV return

Reports that new mum Lucy Kennedy will be the face of RTE on Saturday nights have been trashed by the broadcaster.

It was claimed that the former sidekick of Podge and Rodge has been chosen to co-present a new chatshow with burly journalist Brendan O'Connor in January.

But an RTE spokesperson has said that no decision has been made in relation to the slot left behind by Ryan Tubridy.

"No announcement will be made about our entertainment show for Saturday nights in 2010 until next month," she said.

By Melanie Finn © Herald.ie 2008

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Taking care of baby teeth and beyond

Babies start to develop their teeth when they are growing in the womb. These milk teeth, or deciduous teeth, begin to emerge at around six months.

This process is known as teething and most children will have their full set of first teeth by the time they are two-and-a-half to three years of age. A full set of first teeth contains 20 in total.

As your child gets older, their permanent adult teeth will start to appear -- adults can have up to 32 permanent teeth.

Permanent teeth develop in the jaw -- they press on the roots of the first teeth and dissolve them so that the first tooth falls out and the adult tooth can come through.

By Eilish O'Regan ©Independent.ie

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Under-fives next for swine flu vaccine

By Conor McHugh

MORE than 17,600 people in Kildare and West-Wicklow have been given the swine flu vaccination since it was introduced on Monday, November 2.

Those vaccinated were in the at-risk group, including pregnant women, cancer patients and people aged under 65 with long term illnesses.

That's according to the HSE which says that, in the past week, it began writing to parents of children aged fr
om six months to under five years to let them know when it is time for them to bring their child to the HSE clinic for their vaccine.

Parents of children in this group will begin to receive letters this week and throughout November and into early December.

As part of the phased roll-out of the vaccine, people aged 65 and over will begin to be invited over the coming fortnight.

FULL STORY CLICK HERE © 2009 Johnston Press Digital Publishing

Insist your child gets medical attention, say bereaved couple

THE PARENTS of a 14-week-old baby who died of leukaemia have urged other parents to "kick down doors" to demand medical attention if they feel their child requires it.

Tom and Julia O'Connor, from Mallow, Co Cork, claim the health system failed their son Adam, their first-born, who died earlier this year on February 17th, just two days after he was diagnosed with leukaemia.

The death followed weeks of GP visits, calls to Cork's out-of-hours doctor service SouthDoc and two visits to the Cork University Hospital (CUH) accident and emergency department, all of which failed to detect any serious illness.

Adam was born on November 10th, 2008, and weighed a healthy 9lb 6oz, but within weeks he began to show signs of distress.

It was thought initially the child was suffering from colic or constipation. Repeated visits to their GP yielded only laxative medication.

FULL STORY CLICK HERE LOUISE ROSEINGRAVE © Irishtimes.com

Folic acid supplements carry cancer risk

Folic acid supplements could increase the risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, researchers have found. However, folic acid has proven benefits for pregnant women, as it cuts the risk of babies being born with major deformities of the brain and spine. The doses of folic acid linked to cancer are higher, and were taken for longer, than the doses recommended for pregnant women.

What do we know already?

Our bodies use folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, to help build new cells. The natural form of the vitamin, called folate, is found in spinach, broccoli, beans, and peas. Most people get enough folate from food, but it's recommended that women who are pregnant or thinking of having a baby take folic acid supplements. Extra folic acid cuts the risk of birth defects like spina bifida.

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Guardian News and Media Limited 2009

Pregnancy Complication May Be Linked to Thyroid Problems

New research offers bad news for women who develop a condition known as preeclampsia duringpregnancy: They're at higher risk of reduced thyroid function and may be more likely to have thyroid problems in later life.

Preeclampsia develops in the second half of pregnancy and can cause serious problems such as extremely high blood pressure. The causes aren't clear, but may have something to do with high levels ofproteins in the body.

Researchers in the United States and Norway looked at two groups of pregnant women: those who developed preeclampsia and those who didn't, and published their study findings in the Nov. 18 online edition of BMJ.

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright ©2009 U.S. World and News

Exercising during pregnancy good for mum and baby

Exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of a baby, a new study has found.

According to researchers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, low-level physical activity during pregnancy has positive effects on the health of both mother and baby.

The study of 160 healthy women aged 25 to 35, also found that women who were overweight before becoming pregnant, and did not partake in any exercise, gave birth to heavier newborns.

According to experts, babies with excessive weight (more than 4 kg) are more at risk of developing diabetes and certain types of cancer as adults, in addition to complications that may occur at birth.
By Olivia Fens

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009

Never too young to go potty

DURING a recent trip to Ireland, actress Natascha McElhone commented in a radio interview that she had amazingly toilet trained her youngest son, Rex, when he was just eight months old.

The Californication star was inspired by techniques that she saw mothers using in Africa. These mothers used a system of signing and sounds that enabled their babies to communicate when they needed to go to the toilet.

The movie Meet the Fockers also highlighted this unusual method of infant toilet training, albeit in a more comedic manner.

Jack Byrnes, played by Robert de Niro, has high hopes for his one-year-old grandson Little Jack, and only communicates with the toddler using sign language, including when he needs to use the potty.

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie

Swine-flu mum and baby out of danger

A MUM who underwent an emergency Caesarean to save the lives of herself and her unborn baby after contracting swine flu is returning to health.

Audrey Murray, from Newbridge, Kildare, was rushed into hospital for an operation after the rapid onset of the deadly virus.

Baby Robert, who was delivered at just 28 weeks, has been kept in the neonatal unit of the Coombe Hospital.

Audrey is now stable in St James Hospital and her sister, Annette Akerlind, said that each day she is making positive steps.

By Claire Murphy

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008

HEALTH Stretch marks and skin care in pregnancy

It’s official, there’s a baby boom on. The highest number of births since 1896 were recorded last year, and if my own circle of pals are any indicator – five bundles of joy have arrived in the past ten weeks! – the boom is continuing.
Aromatherapy has a very supportive role to play during pregnancy, helping to reduce anxiety, aches and pains, fluid retention and the big one brought on by bumps, stretch marks.
Firstly, though, the most important point with regard to using essential oils during pregnancy is to use them in a much lower concentration (1 per cent or less) – they may be natural, but this doesn’t mean you can lather them on. Wine is made from grapes, but it doesn’t mean you can wash down a gallon of it without ill effect. ‘Everything in moderation’, especially when pregnant.
Another important point: It is generally recommended to use essential oils after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. At around 12 weeks, the first scan normally takes place and many women find nauseous symptoms have passed and their sense of smell, which often triggers nausea, is settling down. Essential oils have potent aromas, and like some foods, they may be too intense for some people in the first trimester.
Obviously, the skin stretches in pregnancy, but the effects of that stretching depends on the elasticity available. Every woman’s skin is different, and just like different fabrics (think of a cotton pillow case verses a cotton t-shirt) it will be affected in a different way.

By Ellen Cox

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2005 - 2009 The Mayo News.

Brooke Shields recalls suicidal thoughts after pregnancy: 'The baby would be better off without me'

Brooke Shields' bout with post-partum depression was far more serious than she ever let on.

While accepting an award Monday at the Hope for Depression Research Foundation in Manhattan, the actress revealed that her well-publicized struggles with the disease had her contemplating suicide, reports People.com.

Shields admitted that after she stopped taking medication for her condition, she almost drove her car into a wall while driving on the highway - with her baby daughter in the backseat.

Shields, 44, told the audience she felt like she "should not exist" after the birth of Rowan, now 6, in 2003.

By Robert Dominguez

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Copyright 2009 NYDailyNews.com.

Vaccine's the best defence in flu battle

IT has been one of the worst weeks yet for swine flu. The seemingly inexorable march of the H1N1 virus has seen it infect tens of thousands more of our citizens.

Thankfully, most will recover, but the first death of a pregnant woman with the virus was recorded in the East of the country.

The story of five-year-old Ruby Ayoub, wrongly diagnosed as having swine flu, but who was then found to be suffering from meningitis, also touched the nation's heart.

Hospital staff, young children and those over 65 as well as at risk groups were among those protected against the virus this week as the phased roll-out of the vaccination campaign continued.

READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008

How I got through the baby blues

By Anna Coogan © Herald.ie 2008
Author Claire Allan's struggle to bond with her first baby, and the emptiness and bleakness of feeling she wasn't a good mother, undermined her confidence so much that she didn't think she would ever be able to have a second child.
Yet her dream of having a sibling for five-year-old Joseph came true last March when she gave birth to daughter Cara. Her arrival was the toughest decision writer Claire has ever had to make -- what if she once again had to do battle with the post-natal depression which had wrecked her life following the birth of her first child?
In an uplifting account of the arrival of her new baby, Claire offers hope to all young mums who have suffered from the condition. Her new novel, Jumping in Puddles, which is out this month, shows that there really is light at the end of the tunnel for any new mum enduring the darkness of depression after having a baby.
"I was on a high for days after my daughter Cara was born last March. There were no feelings of failure, of drudgery, of having made a mistake. Yes, there were tough days and there were days when I wondered if things were going wrong again. That was one of the toughest aspects -- wondering if a bad day was something more when in fact it was just a bad day.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008

Flu Shot in Pregnancy Protects Baby

By Steven Reinberg Copyright © 2009 U.S.News & World Report
Pregnant women head the list of people who should get H1N1 swine flu and seasonal flu shots, and four new studies highlight the benefits of vaccination for moms-to-be and their babies.
Bigger, healthier newborns, fewer preterm births and reduced rates of hospitalization top the findings, which are to be presented this week at the annual meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America in Philadelphia.
In one study, U.S. researchers analyzed data on 6,410 births in Georgia and found that the risks of premature delivery and having a low birth-weight infant were significantly reduced among the 15 percent of women who received a flu shot during pregnancy.
During the height of the flu season premature births among vaccinated women fell 70 percent, compared with unvaccinated women, Dr. Saad B. Omer, an assistant professor of global health and epidemiology at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, said during a news conference Thursday at which all four studies were discussed.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 U.S.News & World Report

Irish experts say swine jab safe in pregnancy

The Irish Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has stressed that the swine flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women.
In a statement, the Institute said no concerns had been raised regarding the seasonal flu vaccine in pregnancy over many years of use and a similar safety profile with the H1N1 vaccine is anticipated.
It said evidence suggests that pregnant women are four times more likely to develop serious complications or to be hospitalised from swine flu than non-pregnant women. These include early labour or severe pneumonia.
The risk of these complications is higher after 14 weeks of pregnancy and for pregnant women who are at risk of medical complications.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE By Niall Hunter Copyright © 2009.

Overweight pregnant women are 'condemning children to lifetime of obesity'

Pregnant women who are overweight could be condemning their children to a lifetime of obesity unless they trim down while trying for a baby, U.S. experts say.
Researchers from medical centres in New York and Quebec found an obese mother's womb may send a signal to their unborn baby that encourages them to grow into a fat child and adult.
The process is more than just passing along genes that promote obesity but the scientists said they have yet to track down a biological explanation for the signal.
Robert Waterland of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston studies the effects of obesity in mice.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd

Pregnant women warned to get flu jab

By Evelyn Ring © Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited
Consultant obstetrician Dr Michael O’Connell said pregnant women who contracted the virus were four times more likely to develop complications including early labour or pneumonia from the virus. "This disorder is serious enough that if you get the serious end of the spectrum it can potentially be fatal," he said. The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is now urging pregnant or breastfeeding women to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. "We are not trying to scaremonger. This is to try to give advice on the best thing to do and our feeling at this stage to prevent this is to take the vaccine," said Dr O’Connell. As many as 21,000 of the 70,000 pregnant women in Ireland could contract the virus and at least 10% could face hospitalisation, the doctor warned. Dr O’Connell would not give an indication of the number of pregnant women who have been hospitalised but it is understood one critically ill pregnant women is currently on a life support machine. Nine people with swine flu in Ireland have died and another 14 are fighting for their lives in intensive care. The latest person to die after contracting the virus is a 14-year-old boy who had an underlying medical condition. He died in a Dublin hospital.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited

Malaysia baby born on plane to go home healthy

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A Malaysian woman who gave premature birth aboard a plane said Saturday that doctors are expected to release her son from a hospital Monday or Tuesday.
Liew Siaw Hsia had been flying home Wednesday after quitting her job as a waitress when she started having labor pains. A doctor on the flight helped her deliver while the plane was still 2,000 feet (600 meters) in the air.
She had been 27 weeks pregnant, 11 weeks short of the full term.
Liew told The Associated Press that doctors at a hospital outside Kuala Lumpur have told her they do not expect any health complications and she can take the baby home Monday or Tuesday. She said her boy's current weight was about 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms).
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.

Alternative Treatments May Boost IVF Success

Copyright © 2009 U.S.News & World Report LP
New research suggests that mind-body treatment can boost the odds that infertile women will become pregnant by in vitro fertilization -- at least after more than one cycle. Dr. Alice Domar, who specializes in mind-body therapy in Boston, assigned one group of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) to take part in 10 sessions of a mind-body program; another group undergoing IVF did not take part. There was no difference in pregnancy rates between the two groups.
But things changed during the next cycle of IVF treatments. Then, 52 percent of the women who took part in the mind-body program became pregnant, compared with 20 percent of those in the other group.
Mind-body sessions appeared to be especially helpful for women who were more depressed, judging from test scores, the study found.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 U.S.News & World Report LP

Reusable cloth nappies — a cheaper option

© 2009 Galway Advertiser
Nappies are a huge expense. They are a necessity for parents, so we often take the cost for granted, and because we get used to buying them on a weekly basis, the overall cost is probably never considered. But when you consider that one baby will need upwards of 6,000 nappies over a two-year period, it certainly adds up.
Cloth nappies, as well as now being back in fashion, are a much cheaper option. They could save you up to €1,000 for the first baby, and even more if you keep them and use them for subsequent children, and the added bonus is that you’d be doing your bit for the environment.
Figures suggest that over eight million nappies are thrown into landfill every day in the UK and Ireland, with the average disposable taking from 200 to 500 years to decompose.
Here in Ireland, we are lagging behind our UK neighbours in adopting the cloth nappy culture. There are still memories of terry towels and safety pins, and people often see it as being backward instead of forward. In the UK, 35 per cent of parents use or have used reusable nappies for their baby. In Ireland, estimates range from one to five per cent of parents trying reusables for their child.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Galway Advertiser