by Olivia Fens Copyright © 2009
Cigarette smoke causes abnormalities in babies' brains, putting them at greater risk of sudden infant death sydrome (SIDS), a new study has found.The study looked at the brain tissue of 67 babies who died from SIDS, and found that 81% had been exposed to cigarette smoke.The Australian researchers specifically found that any exposure to secondary smoke, not just smoking by the mother during pregnancy, could lead to brain cell changes.These brain cell changes were found in the region of the brain that controls breathing and heart function in babies.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Babies who put on weight quickly more likely to grow up overweight
by David Rose Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
Babies who put on weight too quickly in the first months of life are more likely to become overweight when they get older, research suggests.
A study of girls found that weight gain in the first nine months was critical to how heavy they would be at 10 years old.
Being overweight or obese could put children at increased risk of a range of diseases in later life, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The study, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund, examined data from 2,715 girls from birth to two months, two to nine months and nine to 19 months.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
Babies who put on weight too quickly in the first months of life are more likely to become overweight when they get older, research suggests.
A study of girls found that weight gain in the first nine months was critical to how heavy they would be at 10 years old.
Being overweight or obese could put children at increased risk of a range of diseases in later life, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The study, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund, examined data from 2,715 girls from birth to two months, two to nine months and nine to 19 months.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
Why a mother's love is always the best medicine
by Mary Feely © Herald.ie 2008
It's the phone call that every working parent dreads: "Katie has thrown up in class," the school secretary informs you. "How soon can you collect her?"
Er, after the meeting with new clients I'm supposed to be leading this afternoon? You see, usually I could ring my mother-in-law and ask her to get Katie, only she's on a mini-break in Budapest.
Sometimes the stay-at-home mum next door is willing to help out, but as it happens her own children have chickenpox. No point in asking Katie's dad to get her -- he's hanging on to his job by a thread these days.
Only, you can't say any of the above. The school doesn't want to know. A sick child has to leave the premises, so that the teacher can get on with the job at hand. Anyway, the other kids don't need your child's vomiting bug, thanks all the same.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
It's the phone call that every working parent dreads: "Katie has thrown up in class," the school secretary informs you. "How soon can you collect her?"
Er, after the meeting with new clients I'm supposed to be leading this afternoon? You see, usually I could ring my mother-in-law and ask her to get Katie, only she's on a mini-break in Budapest.
Sometimes the stay-at-home mum next door is willing to help out, but as it happens her own children have chickenpox. No point in asking Katie's dad to get her -- he's hanging on to his job by a thread these days.
Only, you can't say any of the above. The school doesn't want to know. A sick child has to leave the premises, so that the teacher can get on with the job at hand. Anyway, the other kids don't need your child's vomiting bug, thanks all the same.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Gardai appeal to mother who abandoned newborn
by Barry Duggan ©Independent.ie
GARDAI and the HSE are appealing for a mother who abandoned her new-born baby hours after she gave birth to the girl to come forward and contact them.
Efforts are continuing this week to locate the mother, who gave birth to the healthy infant at the Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick last month and fled shortly afterwards.
The baby girl, who is just over a month old, was named Patricia by hospital staff and is now in foster care.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
GARDAI and the HSE are appealing for a mother who abandoned her new-born baby hours after she gave birth to the girl to come forward and contact them.
Efforts are continuing this week to locate the mother, who gave birth to the healthy infant at the Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick last month and fled shortly afterwards.
The baby girl, who is just over a month old, was named Patricia by hospital staff and is now in foster care.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Breastfeeding melts 'baby fat'
byDr. Monique Rainford © Copyright 1997-2009 Gleaner Company Ltd.
Throughout my medical career , I have always encouraged my patients to breastfeed. In fact, my interest in breastfeeding predates medical school.
While I was growing up, my mother worked with the Ministry of Health as the director of the nutrition division. As a result, not only was I exposed to several posters about healthy eating (which I proudly carried to school), but I was also exposed to the various breastfeeding campaigns which the division spearheaded.
This interest led me to perform a research study on breastfeeding in the early years of medical school. Having given birth to my first child last year, it was time to put 'my money where my mouth is'.
I vividly remember when the nurse brought my baby boy to me, for the first time, and announced that "he is hungry". It was about 3 a.m. and so my first experience of breastfeeding began. It certainly was not easy. Although the lactation consultants assured me that my technique was correct, I still had to feed my little boy as often as every hour and I experi-enced sore nipples, engorge-ment and blocked ducts. I also vividly remember the stab of pain every time he latched on to the breast.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Copyright 1997-2009 Gleaner Company Ltd.
Throughout my medical career , I have always encouraged my patients to breastfeed. In fact, my interest in breastfeeding predates medical school.
While I was growing up, my mother worked with the Ministry of Health as the director of the nutrition division. As a result, not only was I exposed to several posters about healthy eating (which I proudly carried to school), but I was also exposed to the various breastfeeding campaigns which the division spearheaded.
This interest led me to perform a research study on breastfeeding in the early years of medical school. Having given birth to my first child last year, it was time to put 'my money where my mouth is'.
I vividly remember when the nurse brought my baby boy to me, for the first time, and announced that "he is hungry". It was about 3 a.m. and so my first experience of breastfeeding began. It certainly was not easy. Although the lactation consultants assured me that my technique was correct, I still had to feed my little boy as often as every hour and I experi-enced sore nipples, engorge-ment and blocked ducts. I also vividly remember the stab of pain every time he latched on to the breast.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Copyright 1997-2009 Gleaner Company Ltd.
Sleeping with baby can be deadly, parents are warned
by Jenny Hope © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Parents have been given a stark new warning on the dangers of sharing a bed with their babies.
Coroners, pathologists and Britain's leading sudden infant death charity have joined forces to insist that the safest place for newborns is always a cot or crib.
But their guidance is likely to anger some parents who argue that sharing a bed strengthens bonds, promotes breastfeeding and is part of child-rearing in some cultures.
The experts issued the guidance after researching a series of unexpected infant deaths.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Parents have been given a stark new warning on the dangers of sharing a bed with their babies.
Coroners, pathologists and Britain's leading sudden infant death charity have joined forces to insist that the safest place for newborns is always a cot or crib.
But their guidance is likely to anger some parents who argue that sharing a bed strengthens bonds, promotes breastfeeding and is part of child-rearing in some cultures.
The experts issued the guidance after researching a series of unexpected infant deaths.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Pregnant Lucy prepares for her new role
by Cormac Murphy © Herald.ie 2008
Trying to rein in Podge and Rodge was a walk in the park compared with Lucy Kennedy's next role.
The popular TV presenter will welcome a new addition to her family, it emerged today.
Newlyweds Lucy and husband Richard Governey are expecting their first child.
Lucy (33) is 14 weeks pregnant. Her agent has said that she and Richard are "overjoyed" with the news.
She recently had a scan and everything is going really well, her agent added.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Trying to rein in Podge and Rodge was a walk in the park compared with Lucy Kennedy's next role.
The popular TV presenter will welcome a new addition to her family, it emerged today.
Newlyweds Lucy and husband Richard Governey are expecting their first child.
Lucy (33) is 14 weeks pregnant. Her agent has said that she and Richard are "overjoyed" with the news.
She recently had a scan and everything is going really well, her agent added.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Breastfeeding could protect your health
By Katie McPhilimy © copyright goodtoknow.co.uk 2009
Breastfeeding could reduce your risk of a heart attack, heart disease or a stroke, new research shows.
Why is breastfeeding in the news?
A new study carried out by the University of Pittsburgh has shown that your risk of a heart attack, heart disease or a stroke could be cut by 10% if you breastfeed for a year.
It could also reduce your risk of diabetes and high cholesterol by 20%, and your risk of high blood pressure by 12%. These all contribute to heart disease.
The research shows that breastfeeding even for just a month could cut your risk of these.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © copyright goodtoknow.co.uk 2009
Breastfeeding could reduce your risk of a heart attack, heart disease or a stroke, new research shows.
Why is breastfeeding in the news?
A new study carried out by the University of Pittsburgh has shown that your risk of a heart attack, heart disease or a stroke could be cut by 10% if you breastfeed for a year.
It could also reduce your risk of diabetes and high cholesterol by 20%, and your risk of high blood pressure by 12%. These all contribute to heart disease.
The research shows that breastfeeding even for just a month could cut your risk of these.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © copyright goodtoknow.co.uk 2009
Delivery with a view: Woman gives birth to baby on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park
by Jotham Sederstam © 2009 Daily News, L.P.
A pregnant woman successfully gave birth to a baby girl on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park Friday as cheering well-wishers applauded the doctors who delivered the child.
Mount Sinai nursing manager Lucille Nassery said she heard the mom-to-be screaming from inside her office - and instantly recognized it as the sound of a pregnant woman.
"I heard a woman screaming and I said, 'That's the sound of someone having a baby,' said Nassery. "That sound is different than someone screaming in horror.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Daily News, L.P.
A pregnant woman successfully gave birth to a baby girl on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park Friday as cheering well-wishers applauded the doctors who delivered the child.
Mount Sinai nursing manager Lucille Nassery said she heard the mom-to-be screaming from inside her office - and instantly recognized it as the sound of a pregnant woman.
"I heard a woman screaming and I said, 'That's the sound of someone having a baby,' said Nassery. "That sound is different than someone screaming in horror.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Daily News, L.P.
strength in numbers
by Joy Orpen ©Independent.ie
Gretta Kieran Cullen is a very lucky little girl from Termonfeckin, near Drogheda. She is fortunate to have two incredibly supportive and loving parents and there is no doubt that, like most children, she will be given every opportunity to lead a fully productive, joyous life.
But, to achieve that, this baby, who was born in August 2008, will need a little more help than average, because she suffers from a rare illness that's known as septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), or de Morsier's Syndrome.
There is no known cause for the condition, and while symptoms may vary, they are caused by abnormalities present in the brain at birth.
As a result of SOD, Gretta is blind. In addition, her pituitary gland -- the gland that controls hormonal function -- is affected, and she has an uncommon form of diabetes: diabetes insipidus.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Gretta Kieran Cullen is a very lucky little girl from Termonfeckin, near Drogheda. She is fortunate to have two incredibly supportive and loving parents and there is no doubt that, like most children, she will be given every opportunity to lead a fully productive, joyous life.
But, to achieve that, this baby, who was born in August 2008, will need a little more help than average, because she suffers from a rare illness that's known as septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), or de Morsier's Syndrome.
There is no known cause for the condition, and while symptoms may vary, they are caused by abnormalities present in the brain at birth.
As a result of SOD, Gretta is blind. In addition, her pituitary gland -- the gland that controls hormonal function -- is affected, and she has an uncommon form of diabetes: diabetes insipidus.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Post Pregnancy: No time to waist
by Siobhan O'Neill-White ©Independent.ie
As celebrities are snapped looking svelte on the red carpet weeks after giving birth, the pressure is mounting for real mums to shift the baby weight fast -- but is it realistic?
Celebrity mums have a lot to answer for. Many of them, just weeks after giving birth, adorn the covers of glossy magazines looking lean and lithe in their skinny jeans. In the undoubtedly air-brushed pictures, the mums look perfect while their babies sleep like angels
This image of domestic bliss makes regular mums wonder what they are doing wrong as they struggle to run a brush through their hair most days, never mind applying make-up or exercising for any length of time.
However, one celeb mum who recently went too far is R&B star Usher's wife Tameka Raymond. She gave birth before Christmas and, seemingly unhappy with how she looked afterwards, wanted liposuction. Such surgery is not advised until at least four months after the birth.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
As celebrities are snapped looking svelte on the red carpet weeks after giving birth, the pressure is mounting for real mums to shift the baby weight fast -- but is it realistic?
Celebrity mums have a lot to answer for. Many of them, just weeks after giving birth, adorn the covers of glossy magazines looking lean and lithe in their skinny jeans. In the undoubtedly air-brushed pictures, the mums look perfect while their babies sleep like angels
This image of domestic bliss makes regular mums wonder what they are doing wrong as they struggle to run a brush through their hair most days, never mind applying make-up or exercising for any length of time.
However, one celeb mum who recently went too far is R&B star Usher's wife Tameka Raymond. She gave birth before Christmas and, seemingly unhappy with how she looked afterwards, wanted liposuction. Such surgery is not advised until at least four months after the birth.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Report: Jennifer Hudson pregnant with her first child with David Otunga
by Mike O'Brien © 2009 Daily News
She's enjoyed great highs and suffered terrible lows, but now rumors abound that Jennifer Hudson has some joyous news: She's pregnant.
Despite denials by her reps, two sources close to the singer/actress confirmed to Essence magazine that Hudson expecting her first child.
The Grammy and Oscar winner is engaged to Harvard law graduate David Otunga, who appeared on the reality show "I Love New York 2," but so far no date has been set for their nuptials.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Daily News
She's enjoyed great highs and suffered terrible lows, but now rumors abound that Jennifer Hudson has some joyous news: She's pregnant.
Despite denials by her reps, two sources close to the singer/actress confirmed to Essence magazine that Hudson expecting her first child.
The Grammy and Oscar winner is engaged to Harvard law graduate David Otunga, who appeared on the reality show "I Love New York 2," but so far no date has been set for their nuptials.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Daily News
Baby departs for stem-cell treatment
by Louise Roseingrave © 2009 irishtimes.com
THE FAMILY of a baby girl travelling to China for stem-cell injections defended their decision to seek treatment abroad before departing Ireland yesterday.
Eight month old Gretta Kieran Cullen suffers from a rare condition, Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD), causing blindness, hormone deficiencies and low muscle tone.
The family left Dublin airport yesterday and will arrive tomorrow night in China, where Gretta will receive a course of eight stem-cell injections over the course of the next four weeks.
The baby’s mother, Maria Kieran, defended the family’s choice to opt for the controversial treatment, which is set to cost €60,000.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
THE FAMILY of a baby girl travelling to China for stem-cell injections defended their decision to seek treatment abroad before departing Ireland yesterday.
Eight month old Gretta Kieran Cullen suffers from a rare condition, Septo-Optic Dysplasia (SOD), causing blindness, hormone deficiencies and low muscle tone.
The family left Dublin airport yesterday and will arrive tomorrow night in China, where Gretta will receive a course of eight stem-cell injections over the course of the next four weeks.
The baby’s mother, Maria Kieran, defended the family’s choice to opt for the controversial treatment, which is set to cost €60,000.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
Crohn's and Pregnant -- Research Summary
Copyright © 2009 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease is a chronic, long-term illness in which the intestine, or bowel, becomes inflamed. It is part of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Crohn's disease can affect any area of the GI tract, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ and can cause pain, fever and diarrhea. The disease can surface at any age, but it is most common between the ages of 15 and 30. People with Crohn's disease experience periods of severe symptoms, followed by weeks or years of remission. Treatment may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery or a combination of these options. The goal is to control inflammation and relieve the symptoms. Treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence, but there is no cure.
CROHN'S AND PREGNANCY: In the past, women with Crohn's were counseled against pregnancy. However, current medical management strategies have made childbearing safer for both mother and baby. Some medications are best avoided during pregnancy, but others are considered safe because of their long history of safe use by patients. Research studies have shown that some drugs commonly used for both maintenance therapy and acute flare-ups of Crohn's are safe for pregnant women to use. They include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), forms of mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa), and corticosteroids (Prednisone). Other drugs like azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia) and infliximab (Remicade) appear to be safe to take during pregnancy.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease is a chronic, long-term illness in which the intestine, or bowel, becomes inflamed. It is part of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. Crohn's disease can affect any area of the GI tract, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ and can cause pain, fever and diarrhea. The disease can surface at any age, but it is most common between the ages of 15 and 30. People with Crohn's disease experience periods of severe symptoms, followed by weeks or years of remission. Treatment may include drugs, nutrition supplements, surgery or a combination of these options. The goal is to control inflammation and relieve the symptoms. Treatment can help control the disease by lowering the number of times a person experiences a recurrence, but there is no cure.
CROHN'S AND PREGNANCY: In the past, women with Crohn's were counseled against pregnancy. However, current medical management strategies have made childbearing safer for both mother and baby. Some medications are best avoided during pregnancy, but others are considered safe because of their long history of safe use by patients. Research studies have shown that some drugs commonly used for both maintenance therapy and acute flare-ups of Crohn's are safe for pregnant women to use. They include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), forms of mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa), and corticosteroids (Prednisone). Other drugs like azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia) and infliximab (Remicade) appear to be safe to take during pregnancy.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Good mummys need time for themselves
by Marisa Mackle © Herald.ie 2008
Why can't men read labels? That's what I was thinking to myself the other day when my baby's daddy put him in a babygro aged 2-3 years. I don't know where in God's name he even found it!
"The baby is only two months old," I pointed out helpfully, even though a blind man could have seen that the child looked ridiculous in the oversized garment.
Sometimes I think men play up the helplessness thing to avoid paternal duties. Parenting is never 50:50. Mums do most of it, and in my case it's about 90:10.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Why can't men read labels? That's what I was thinking to myself the other day when my baby's daddy put him in a babygro aged 2-3 years. I don't know where in God's name he even found it!
"The baby is only two months old," I pointed out helpfully, even though a blind man could have seen that the child looked ridiculous in the oversized garment.
Sometimes I think men play up the helplessness thing to avoid paternal duties. Parenting is never 50:50. Mums do most of it, and in my case it's about 90:10.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Parents need control to help restless babies sleep
by Grainne Ryan ©Independent.ie
My son is nine months old and has never slept through the night. He used to wake up a couple of times for a feed when I was breastfeeding, but now he is being bottle fed and on three spoon feeds a day, he is waking up even more often and it takes ages to get him back to sleep again. Is he hungry?
Should I be offering a bottle when he wakes up in the middle of the night?
I WOULDN'T advise this for a few reasons. Giving bottles of milk at night is bound to affect his appetite for solids during the day, which will mean he will not be getting the range of nutrients he needs.
Secondly, offering a bottle when he wakes up at night will mean he will begin to associate having a bottle with settling down and won't learn to sleep by himself. Also, milk from a bottle left on teeth overnight can cause decay.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
My son is nine months old and has never slept through the night. He used to wake up a couple of times for a feed when I was breastfeeding, but now he is being bottle fed and on three spoon feeds a day, he is waking up even more often and it takes ages to get him back to sleep again. Is he hungry?
Should I be offering a bottle when he wakes up in the middle of the night?
I WOULDN'T advise this for a few reasons. Giving bottles of milk at night is bound to affect his appetite for solids during the day, which will mean he will not be getting the range of nutrients he needs.
Secondly, offering a bottle when he wakes up at night will mean he will begin to associate having a bottle with settling down and won't learn to sleep by himself. Also, milk from a bottle left on teeth overnight can cause decay.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Breastfeeding 'protects mother'
© MMIX
A US study found women who breastfed for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop the conditions than those who never breastfed.
Even breastfeeding for at least a month may cut the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The research features in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting breastfeeding has health benefits for both mother and baby.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © MMIX
A US study found women who breastfed for more than a year were 10% less likely to develop the conditions than those who never breastfed.
Even breastfeeding for at least a month may cut the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The research features in the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting breastfeeding has health benefits for both mother and baby.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © MMIX
Home birth safe for low risk women
Copyright © 2009.
Having a baby at home is as safe as having a hospital birth, but only for women at low risk, a new study indicates.However, the researchers added that the safety of home birth has to be considered in the context of the availability of local services.The Dutch study, which involved more than half a million women, compared planned home births with planned hospital births and looked at the risk of intrapartum death (occurring during labour and delivery), neonatal death (in the first 28 days of life), and admission to neonatal intensive care.“The number of babies that died or were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit was the same in both groups (seven per 1000),” the researchers found.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009.
Having a baby at home is as safe as having a hospital birth, but only for women at low risk, a new study indicates.However, the researchers added that the safety of home birth has to be considered in the context of the availability of local services.The Dutch study, which involved more than half a million women, compared planned home births with planned hospital births and looked at the risk of intrapartum death (occurring during labour and delivery), neonatal death (in the first 28 days of life), and admission to neonatal intensive care.“The number of babies that died or were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit was the same in both groups (seven per 1000),” the researchers found.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009.
`Grey's Anatomy' actress pregnant with first child
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.
NEW YORK (AP) — Paging McDreamy: Do you know your fiancee is pregnant? Not really — just the actress who plays her.
Ellen Pompeo — who plays Dr. Meredith Grey, the future bride of Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy" — and her real-life love, Chris Ivery, are expecting their first child together.
Pompeo's publicist, Jennifer Allen, did not give a due date.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.
NEW YORK (AP) — Paging McDreamy: Do you know your fiancee is pregnant? Not really — just the actress who plays her.
Ellen Pompeo — who plays Dr. Meredith Grey, the future bride of Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on "Grey's Anatomy" — and her real-life love, Chris Ivery, are expecting their first child together.
Pompeo's publicist, Jennifer Allen, did not give a due date.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Risk for babies if pregnant mums eat chocolate
by Eilish O'Regan ©Independent.ie
MOthers who snack on foods like chocolate and white bread during later pregnancy may give birth to heavier babies.
The babies also have a greater risk of childhood obesity, according to a new study by Irish researchers.
The research published in the 'British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology' was carried out by scientists from the Conway Institute at UCD and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) in Dublin, and focuses on high GI (glycaemic index) foods like chocolate.
It looked at sheep models of pregnancy and discovered that high GI snack diets among ewes during the third trimester of pregnancy resulted in a heavier birth weight and postnatal growth rate of newborn lambs.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
MOthers who snack on foods like chocolate and white bread during later pregnancy may give birth to heavier babies.
The babies also have a greater risk of childhood obesity, according to a new study by Irish researchers.
The research published in the 'British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology' was carried out by scientists from the Conway Institute at UCD and the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) in Dublin, and focuses on high GI (glycaemic index) foods like chocolate.
It looked at sheep models of pregnancy and discovered that high GI snack diets among ewes during the third trimester of pregnancy resulted in a heavier birth weight and postnatal growth rate of newborn lambs.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
'Breastfeeding is one of the pure joys of motherhood'
by Katie Gunn ©Independent.ie
The star of Confessions of a Shopaholic Isla Fisher has admitted that she is "addicted" to breastfeeding. The actress, who is still feeding her 16-month-old daughter Olive, joked that she will only stop when her daughter leaves home and goes to university -- she simply can't bear the thought of giving it up.
I can relate to that. My first child, Kaya, was born in 2004, and having been fortunate enough not to have experienced any problems, I continued to feed her until she was almost two -- and I only stopped as I was almost five months pregnant with her brother Marley. I hadn't pre-planned feeding to that length; the truth was, that once I had started I simply didn't want to stop.
That's not to say I was a long-term breastfeeding martyr. I had no problem giving a bottle when needed, using a dummy, eating whatever I fancied, or, I must admit, having the odd drink or two. All of which, for me, made the whole process a lot less debilitating.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
The star of Confessions of a Shopaholic Isla Fisher has admitted that she is "addicted" to breastfeeding. The actress, who is still feeding her 16-month-old daughter Olive, joked that she will only stop when her daughter leaves home and goes to university -- she simply can't bear the thought of giving it up.
I can relate to that. My first child, Kaya, was born in 2004, and having been fortunate enough not to have experienced any problems, I continued to feed her until she was almost two -- and I only stopped as I was almost five months pregnant with her brother Marley. I hadn't pre-planned feeding to that length; the truth was, that once I had started I simply didn't want to stop.
That's not to say I was a long-term breastfeeding martyr. I had no problem giving a bottle when needed, using a dummy, eating whatever I fancied, or, I must admit, having the odd drink or two. All of which, for me, made the whole process a lot less debilitating.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Working mum or stay at home, do whatever makes you happy
© Herald.ie 2008
For women, so many of the choices we make are about being damned if you do, or damned if you don't.
If a woman decides against having children, they're branded a self-obsessed, unmaternal robot.
If she decides to have a family, society prefers that she should give up her career to care for them -- which is all well and good, but the last time I looked out the window, it was pouring with recession.
As if there's not enough to feel guilty about in the career versus babies tug-of-war, a new survey says there are other issues making women feel bad about their choices.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
For women, so many of the choices we make are about being damned if you do, or damned if you don't.
If a woman decides against having children, they're branded a self-obsessed, unmaternal robot.
If she decides to have a family, society prefers that she should give up her career to care for them -- which is all well and good, but the last time I looked out the window, it was pouring with recession.
As if there's not enough to feel guilty about in the career versus babies tug-of-war, a new survey says there are other issues making women feel bad about their choices.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Louth baby to receive stem-cell treatment in China
by Louise Roseingrave © 2009 irishtimes.com
THE FIRST child from the Republic to receive revolutionary stem-cell treatment for a rare disorder affecting the optic nerve will travel to China next week for the procedure.
Eight-month old Gretta Kieran Cullen, from Termonfeckin, Co Louth, will fly with her parents to Beijing on Tuesday to receive a course of eight stem-cell injections.
The child was diagnosed with a rare condition, septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), three days after she was born in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last August.
The condition can cause blindness, hormone deficiencies and low muscle tone.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
THE FIRST child from the Republic to receive revolutionary stem-cell treatment for a rare disorder affecting the optic nerve will travel to China next week for the procedure.
Eight-month old Gretta Kieran Cullen, from Termonfeckin, Co Louth, will fly with her parents to Beijing on Tuesday to receive a course of eight stem-cell injections.
The child was diagnosed with a rare condition, septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), three days after she was born in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda last August.
The condition can cause blindness, hormone deficiencies and low muscle tone.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
Exercising while pregnant strengthens unborn babies
by Jane Kirby © Herald.ie 2008
Women who exercise in pregnancy could strengthen their baby's lungs and nervous system.
Experts from the US studied the impact of exercise and found potential benefits for unborn babies.
They also suggested exercise may be able to help prevent cot death but said far more research was needed.
Dr Linda May, of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, said her results were "exciting".
She said: "We tested foetal breathing movement and the way the baby's nervous system was developing.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Women who exercise in pregnancy could strengthen their baby's lungs and nervous system.
Experts from the US studied the impact of exercise and found potential benefits for unborn babies.
They also suggested exercise may be able to help prevent cot death but said far more research was needed.
Dr Linda May, of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, said her results were "exciting".
She said: "We tested foetal breathing movement and the way the baby's nervous system was developing.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Low vitamin D linked to Caesarean risk
Copyright © 2009
Pregnant women with insufficient vitamin D intake may be at increased risk of giving birth by Caesarean section, according to the results of a new study. The study followed 253 women who gave birth over a two-year period. Thee results showed that pregnant women who were deficient in vitamin D at the time of delivery had almost four times the odds of giving birth by Caesarean than those who had adequate amounts of vitamin D. One explanation for the findings is that vitamin D deficiency has been linked to muscle weakness and poor muscle performance and strength, according to Dr Michael Holick of Boston University School of Medicine, senior author of the research.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009
Pregnant women with insufficient vitamin D intake may be at increased risk of giving birth by Caesarean section, according to the results of a new study. The study followed 253 women who gave birth over a two-year period. Thee results showed that pregnant women who were deficient in vitamin D at the time of delivery had almost four times the odds of giving birth by Caesarean than those who had adequate amounts of vitamin D. One explanation for the findings is that vitamin D deficiency has been linked to muscle weakness and poor muscle performance and strength, according to Dr Michael Holick of Boston University School of Medicine, senior author of the research.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009
Company Matters
© Post Publications Limited
QUESTION I am the human resources manager of a medium-sized company. A senior employee has been on maternity leave and we have allocated her role to other staff. Given the fall-off in business, we no longer need this person. I understand that an employee cannot be made redundant while on maternity leave. Can she be given redundancy notice when she returns to work?ANSWER Under the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004, any purported termination (or notice of termination) of an employee’s job while on protective leave is void.Protective leave means maternity leave, additional maternity leave, leave to which a father is entitled where the mother has died, or leave granted on health and safety grounds.Once an employee on maternity leave gives four weeks’ written notice of her intention to return to work, then, under the acts, she has a general right to return to work - or, where this is not reasonably practicable, to a suitable alternative position. If this employee’s position is to be made redundant, this may only be done on her return to work from maternity leave.However, you must remember that, in selecting any employee for redundancy, it is the position and not the person that is redundant.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Post Publications Limited
QUESTION I am the human resources manager of a medium-sized company. A senior employee has been on maternity leave and we have allocated her role to other staff. Given the fall-off in business, we no longer need this person. I understand that an employee cannot be made redundant while on maternity leave. Can she be given redundancy notice when she returns to work?ANSWER Under the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004, any purported termination (or notice of termination) of an employee’s job while on protective leave is void.Protective leave means maternity leave, additional maternity leave, leave to which a father is entitled where the mother has died, or leave granted on health and safety grounds.Once an employee on maternity leave gives four weeks’ written notice of her intention to return to work, then, under the acts, she has a general right to return to work - or, where this is not reasonably practicable, to a suitable alternative position. If this employee’s position is to be made redundant, this may only be done on her return to work from maternity leave.However, you must remember that, in selecting any employee for redundancy, it is the position and not the person that is redundant.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Post Publications Limited
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Being first among friends with a baby means some strains along the way
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press.
About three weeks after my son was born I went out to meet a friend for coffee. It took Herculean effort to get out the door — finding sweatpants that fit over my yo-yoing waist and a hat to cover my dirty hair, strapping my protesting infant into a carrier, packing diapers and blankets and pacifiers - and by the time I got to the cafe I was a sweaty, anxious mess.
My friend was wearing heels and looked sickeningly well rested.
"Oh!" she said, "I didn't know you'd be bringing the baby!"
No, I thought I'd just leave him home alone, tended by our cats.
But I couldn't blame my friend. Until you have one of your own you can't fully appreciate how significantly a child changes your life. It doesn't really sink in that the baby - your baby - is your responsibility every single minute of the day. In fact there's a lot about having a kid that's just unknowable before you have one.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press.
About three weeks after my son was born I went out to meet a friend for coffee. It took Herculean effort to get out the door — finding sweatpants that fit over my yo-yoing waist and a hat to cover my dirty hair, strapping my protesting infant into a carrier, packing diapers and blankets and pacifiers - and by the time I got to the cafe I was a sweaty, anxious mess.
My friend was wearing heels and looked sickeningly well rested.
"Oh!" she said, "I didn't know you'd be bringing the baby!"
No, I thought I'd just leave him home alone, tended by our cats.
But I couldn't blame my friend. Until you have one of your own you can't fully appreciate how significantly a child changes your life. It doesn't really sink in that the baby - your baby - is your responsibility every single minute of the day. In fact there's a lot about having a kid that's just unknowable before you have one.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press.
Prenatal Testing of Thyroid Is Debated
by Ingfei Chen Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
When women think about pregnancy, the thyroid gland is seldom the first thing that leaps to mind. Nestled in the neck, the gland makes hormones that govern metabolism, helping to regulate body weight, heart rate and a host of other factors.
But if the thyroid malfunctions, it can produce too little or too much of these hormones. During pregnancy those conditions, known as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively, may lead to miscarriage, premature birth and pre-eclampsia — and in the case of hypothyroidism, impaired intelligence in the child.
A decade and a half of research has now brought the cumulative evidence of these risks to a critical mass. Clinical guidelines call for vigilant monitoring and treatment of patients to keep thyroid reserves normal and to safely guide women through pregnancy and early motherhood.
But because thyroid problems can easily go undiagnosed, the hazards have also set off a debate over whether every woman who is pregnant or planning to be should have a blood test to check her thyroid. That test measures for thyroid-stimulating hormone, or T.S.H., which spurs the gland’s hormone production.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
When women think about pregnancy, the thyroid gland is seldom the first thing that leaps to mind. Nestled in the neck, the gland makes hormones that govern metabolism, helping to regulate body weight, heart rate and a host of other factors.
But if the thyroid malfunctions, it can produce too little or too much of these hormones. During pregnancy those conditions, known as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively, may lead to miscarriage, premature birth and pre-eclampsia — and in the case of hypothyroidism, impaired intelligence in the child.
A decade and a half of research has now brought the cumulative evidence of these risks to a critical mass. Clinical guidelines call for vigilant monitoring and treatment of patients to keep thyroid reserves normal and to safely guide women through pregnancy and early motherhood.
But because thyroid problems can easily go undiagnosed, the hazards have also set off a debate over whether every woman who is pregnant or planning to be should have a blood test to check her thyroid. That test measures for thyroid-stimulating hormone, or T.S.H., which spurs the gland’s hormone production.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Placenta Sandwich, Anyone?
© Fashion.ie 2003 - 2oo6
You know, just because I have chosen to not have a child in my lifetime, some people like to label me as a child hater, selfish or whatever else.But on the contrary, I do like kids. I’ve just never felt the desire to give birth and to be responsible for another human being. Or to go through the actual birthing process.To me, mothers are a completely different species than I. I look at them and wonder how they do it. I admire their selflessness and patience. But I also appreciate my sleep and my freedom.So back to the other species thing..Being as I am not familiar with giving birth or having babies, I found it shocking and a little gross that some mothers will consume their baby’s placenta after giving birth in hopes of warding off postpartum depression and contracting their uterus. I have heard of planting the placenta under a tree, like Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves did, but eating it? Unfathomable in my book.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Fashion.ie 2003 - 2oo6
You know, just because I have chosen to not have a child in my lifetime, some people like to label me as a child hater, selfish or whatever else.But on the contrary, I do like kids. I’ve just never felt the desire to give birth and to be responsible for another human being. Or to go through the actual birthing process.To me, mothers are a completely different species than I. I look at them and wonder how they do it. I admire their selflessness and patience. But I also appreciate my sleep and my freedom.So back to the other species thing..Being as I am not familiar with giving birth or having babies, I found it shocking and a little gross that some mothers will consume their baby’s placenta after giving birth in hopes of warding off postpartum depression and contracting their uterus. I have heard of planting the placenta under a tree, like Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves did, but eating it? Unfathomable in my book.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Fashion.ie 2003 - 2oo6
Pollution may affect foetus growth
by Deborah Condon Copyright © 2009
Developing foetuses may have their normal growth curbed if their mothers are exposed to air pollution, particularly traffic pollution, during early and late pregnancy, the results of a new study indicate.Researchers looked at almost 336,000 singleton births that took place in New Jersey in the US between 1999 and 2003. They used information from birth certificates and hospital records, which included details such as the mother’s marital status, education, tobacco use during pregnancy and when prenatal care was started.Daily readings of air pollution from monitoring points around New Jersey were also retrieved from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Data from the monitoring point within 10 km (6 miles) of the mothers’ homes were used to calculate levels of exposure to average air pollution during each of the three trimesters of the pregnancy, to estimate the associated risk of foetal growth restrictionThe researchers also looked at whether mothers with certain complications of pregnancy were more likely to have a restricted growth baby following increases in air pollution late in pregnancy, compared to mothers without these complications.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009
Developing foetuses may have their normal growth curbed if their mothers are exposed to air pollution, particularly traffic pollution, during early and late pregnancy, the results of a new study indicate.Researchers looked at almost 336,000 singleton births that took place in New Jersey in the US between 1999 and 2003. They used information from birth certificates and hospital records, which included details such as the mother’s marital status, education, tobacco use during pregnancy and when prenatal care was started.Daily readings of air pollution from monitoring points around New Jersey were also retrieved from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Data from the monitoring point within 10 km (6 miles) of the mothers’ homes were used to calculate levels of exposure to average air pollution during each of the three trimesters of the pregnancy, to estimate the associated risk of foetal growth restrictionThe researchers also looked at whether mothers with certain complications of pregnancy were more likely to have a restricted growth baby following increases in air pollution late in pregnancy, compared to mothers without these complications.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Copyright © 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Could taking Vitamin E harm your baby's heart?
by Beezy Marsh © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Pregnant women have been warned that taking even modest amounts of vitamin E can dramatically increase the risk of heart defects in babies.
Expectant mothers who consume only three-quarters of the recommended daily amount of the vitamin, either through food or supplements, have up to nine times the risk that their child will be born suffering a heart abnormality, a study showed.
The same link between heart damage and vitamin E was seen in women who had taken similar levels of the vitamin in the month preceding conception.
Last night leading obstetricians said women should avoid vitamin E supplements if they are planning to conceive or are pregnant.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Pregnant women have been warned that taking even modest amounts of vitamin E can dramatically increase the risk of heart defects in babies.
Expectant mothers who consume only three-quarters of the recommended daily amount of the vitamin, either through food or supplements, have up to nine times the risk that their child will be born suffering a heart abnormality, a study showed.
The same link between heart damage and vitamin E was seen in women who had taken similar levels of the vitamin in the month preceding conception.
Last night leading obstetricians said women should avoid vitamin E supplements if they are planning to conceive or are pregnant.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Pregnant Women Linked to Birth Defect
by Reuben Chow Natural News Network © 2008
About Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Birth DefectsThe researchers had noted that folic acid fortification in food had helped to lower the prevalence of neural tube defects by about 50% to 70%. As it was not likely that levels of folic acid added would be increased anymore to further help prevent neural tube defect occurrence, they set out to investigate another modifiable risk factor - vitamin B12. This nutrient was chosen due to the fact that it was metabolically related to folic acid, and also because previous research had suggested that mothers who gave birth to babies affected by the condition tended to have low levels of it.Details and Findings of StudyFor the study, the team looked at data on pregnancy vitamin B12 levels of close to 1,200 Irish women, at a time when food fortification or consumption of vitamin supplements was still uncommon. Three separate groups of women, each having a sub-group of pregnancies hit by neural tube defect and a sub-group which acted as controls, were used. The first group compared with controls women when they had a pregnancy affected by neural tube defect; the second group compared with controls women who had previously been affected by the condition but whose present pregnancy was not; and the third group was similar to the first group.The researchers found that women whose children had been affected by the said defect had markedly lower levels of vitamin B12 in their blood. This was consistent throughout the three groups. After adjustment, the risk of a woman in the lowest vitamin B12 quartile having a child hit by neural tube defect was two to three times that of a woman in the highest quartile.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Natural News Network © 2008
About Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 and Birth DefectsThe researchers had noted that folic acid fortification in food had helped to lower the prevalence of neural tube defects by about 50% to 70%. As it was not likely that levels of folic acid added would be increased anymore to further help prevent neural tube defect occurrence, they set out to investigate another modifiable risk factor - vitamin B12. This nutrient was chosen due to the fact that it was metabolically related to folic acid, and also because previous research had suggested that mothers who gave birth to babies affected by the condition tended to have low levels of it.Details and Findings of StudyFor the study, the team looked at data on pregnancy vitamin B12 levels of close to 1,200 Irish women, at a time when food fortification or consumption of vitamin supplements was still uncommon. Three separate groups of women, each having a sub-group of pregnancies hit by neural tube defect and a sub-group which acted as controls, were used. The first group compared with controls women when they had a pregnancy affected by neural tube defect; the second group compared with controls women who had previously been affected by the condition but whose present pregnancy was not; and the third group was similar to the first group.The researchers found that women whose children had been affected by the said defect had markedly lower levels of vitamin B12 in their blood. This was consistent throughout the three groups. After adjustment, the risk of a woman in the lowest vitamin B12 quartile having a child hit by neural tube defect was two to three times that of a woman in the highest quartile.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE Natural News Network © 2008
Stem cell collection: The banking crisis
by Mary Kirwin ©Independent.ie
THEY may be merely microscopic but stem cells have been grabbing more headlines than even Brad and Angelina of late. President Obama (below) has endorsed these miracle cells, heralded as being capable of everything from restoring hearing, mending hearts to growing bigger breasts.
While embryonic stem-cell research is an ethical hot potato, it is only one method of obtaining them. Another effective method of extracting stem cells is by harvesting them from umbilical cord blood.
These stem cells found in umbilical blood are called the building blocks of blood cells and are able to transform themselves into any of the human body's specialised tissues.
When stem cells divide they can turn into anything, from insulin-producing cells in the pancreas or nerve cells from the brain.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
THEY may be merely microscopic but stem cells have been grabbing more headlines than even Brad and Angelina of late. President Obama (below) has endorsed these miracle cells, heralded as being capable of everything from restoring hearing, mending hearts to growing bigger breasts.
While embryonic stem-cell research is an ethical hot potato, it is only one method of obtaining them. Another effective method of extracting stem cells is by harvesting them from umbilical cord blood.
These stem cells found in umbilical blood are called the building blocks of blood cells and are able to transform themselves into any of the human body's specialised tissues.
When stem cells divide they can turn into anything, from insulin-producing cells in the pancreas or nerve cells from the brain.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
No need for mums to stress over sleepless nights
by Grainne Ryan ©Independent.ie
Don't be discouraged by the horror stories! Having a baby is challenging, but at the same time it's one of life's wonderful experiences. I still remember my children's arrivals 23, 20 and 14 years ago. I don't remember the sleepless nights but all the happiness they brought.
The important thing is to be positive. The first few weeks can be a bit of a rollercoaster, with fluctuating hormones, broken sleep, recovery from labour and delivery. For that reason it is important to get as much support from anyone else who can help you.
The good news is there is a lot you can do right from the start that will settle your baby into a good sleep pattern. Newborns need between 16 and 20 hours sleep per day in order to grow and develop. In the first few weeks, this will be more or less evenly divided between night and day. Get some rest when your baby sleeps so that you can face the night-time feeds.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Don't be discouraged by the horror stories! Having a baby is challenging, but at the same time it's one of life's wonderful experiences. I still remember my children's arrivals 23, 20 and 14 years ago. I don't remember the sleepless nights but all the happiness they brought.
The important thing is to be positive. The first few weeks can be a bit of a rollercoaster, with fluctuating hormones, broken sleep, recovery from labour and delivery. For that reason it is important to get as much support from anyone else who can help you.
The good news is there is a lot you can do right from the start that will settle your baby into a good sleep pattern. Newborns need between 16 and 20 hours sleep per day in order to grow and develop. In the first few weeks, this will be more or less evenly divided between night and day. Get some rest when your baby sleeps so that you can face the night-time feeds.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Men just can't help making a right boob ...
by Marisa Mackle © Herald.ie 2008
The man entered the waiting room in Holles Street National Maternity Hospital. He was the only man among seven women. We were all waiting to get our babies X-rayed and were secretly eyeing up each other's tots. We were probably all thinking that ours was the most gorgeous. The man must have been very nervous. Why else did he feel the need to keep talking?
He took a bottle from his bag.
"This will have to do," he told his baby boy. "But it's not the same as the boob, is it?" he then proceeded to ask nobody in particular.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
The man entered the waiting room in Holles Street National Maternity Hospital. He was the only man among seven women. We were all waiting to get our babies X-rayed and were secretly eyeing up each other's tots. We were probably all thinking that ours was the most gorgeous. The man must have been very nervous. Why else did he feel the need to keep talking?
He took a bottle from his bag.
"This will have to do," he told his baby boy. "But it's not the same as the boob, is it?" he then proceeded to ask nobody in particular.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Gareth Gates welcomes baby daughter
© RTÉ 2009
Gareth Gates has become a father for the first time, it was announced yesterday.
The singer is currently starring in the title role in the West End production of 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.
His wife Suzanne gave birth to their 7lb 8z daughter Missy this morning.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © RTÉ 2009
Gareth Gates has become a father for the first time, it was announced yesterday.
The singer is currently starring in the title role in the West End production of 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.
His wife Suzanne gave birth to their 7lb 8z daughter Missy this morning.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © RTÉ 2009
From au pair to nightmare
by Danielle McLaughlin © 2009 irishtimes.com
YOUR INCOME is down, your debts are up, and your childcare costs are more than €2,000 a month. Welcome to the world of the cash-strapped parent, struggling to balance the books in the aftermath of a drastic pay-cut or reduced working hours.
As the recession bites deeper, parents may consider dispensing with the services of a nanny or crèche and opting for an au pair instead. Au pairs became one of the symbols of success in Celtic Tiger Ireland, cheaper than a Hermès bag and without the long waiting list. But for many, an au pair is now a necessity rather than a luxury, as mum slinks back to work rather than to the hairdressers.
But are au pairs really a childcare solution? Almost three years ago, heavily pregnant with my son, and with my freshly-scrubbed daughters then aged one and three in tow, I waddled in breathless anticipation to the airport arrivals hall to greet Katerina (not her real name), our first au pair.
They say that you never forget your first. Well they certainly got that one right. Katerina, 18 according to her agency profile but looking a young 12, ambled awkwardly off her flight (paid for by us) and launched our household into three highly charged weeks of compulsive brand-name shopping (paid for by us), tearful home-sickness and loud teenage tantrums before we drove her, at her request, back to the airport for her flight home (paid for by us).
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
YOUR INCOME is down, your debts are up, and your childcare costs are more than €2,000 a month. Welcome to the world of the cash-strapped parent, struggling to balance the books in the aftermath of a drastic pay-cut or reduced working hours.
As the recession bites deeper, parents may consider dispensing with the services of a nanny or crèche and opting for an au pair instead. Au pairs became one of the symbols of success in Celtic Tiger Ireland, cheaper than a Hermès bag and without the long waiting list. But for many, an au pair is now a necessity rather than a luxury, as mum slinks back to work rather than to the hairdressers.
But are au pairs really a childcare solution? Almost three years ago, heavily pregnant with my son, and with my freshly-scrubbed daughters then aged one and three in tow, I waddled in breathless anticipation to the airport arrivals hall to greet Katerina (not her real name), our first au pair.
They say that you never forget your first. Well they certainly got that one right. Katerina, 18 according to her agency profile but looking a young 12, ambled awkwardly off her flight (paid for by us) and launched our household into three highly charged weeks of compulsive brand-name shopping (paid for by us), tearful home-sickness and loud teenage tantrums before we drove her, at her request, back to the airport for her flight home (paid for by us).
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
Suffer little children: families cut deepest by changes
by Medb Ruane ©Independent.ie
They don't know what faces them. They are worried about how to pay their bills.
The challenge for them is to maintain family morale
BEWARE the first of May. If you're aged roughly 30- to 40-something, it's the day you really start to lose.
Your mortgage relief is gone, your early childcare payment halved, then killed off. No matter what you save in lower interest charges, you'll be seriously out of pocket.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
They don't know what faces them. They are worried about how to pay their bills.
The challenge for them is to maintain family morale
BEWARE the first of May. If you're aged roughly 30- to 40-something, it's the day you really start to lose.
Your mortgage relief is gone, your early childcare payment halved, then killed off. No matter what you save in lower interest charges, you'll be seriously out of pocket.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Independent.ie
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Baby Petal Blossom Rainbow for chef Jamie Oliver and wife Jools
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2009
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools are celebrating after their third daughter Petal Blossom Rainbow was born in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The baby girl, weighing in at 6lb 10oz joins the equally florally-named Poppy and Daisy Boo.
Oliver said: "We're both really happy. She doesn't know what she's let herself in for."
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Guardian News and Media Limited 2009
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his wife Jools are celebrating after their third daughter Petal Blossom Rainbow was born in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The baby girl, weighing in at 6lb 10oz joins the equally florally-named Poppy and Daisy Boo.
Oliver said: "We're both really happy. She doesn't know what she's let herself in for."
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Guardian News and Media Limited 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Dad delivers baby in car after mum sent home by hospital
by Conor Feehan and Claire Murphy © Herald.ie 2008
A young mum gave birth in the family car just hours after being sent home from a maternity hospital.
Esther McKeon (24) and her partner Simon Barker (29) were frantically driving from their home in Meath when they were forced to pull over.
Esther had gone into full labour and Simon was forced to deliver the baby on the outskirts of Dunboyne.
Little Sean Thomas was wrapped in jackets after his dad brought him into the world with just mobile phone contact from emergency personnel to help.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
A young mum gave birth in the family car just hours after being sent home from a maternity hospital.
Esther McKeon (24) and her partner Simon Barker (29) were frantically driving from their home in Meath when they were forced to pull over.
Esther had gone into full labour and Simon was forced to deliver the baby on the outskirts of Dunboyne.
Little Sean Thomas was wrapped in jackets after his dad brought him into the world with just mobile phone contact from emergency personnel to help.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Pregnant European women drink, right?
by Amy Graff © 2009 Hearst Communications Inc.
The British pregnant woman. She's hanging out in a pub sharing a pint with her hub, right? Isn't drinking while pregnant widely accepted throughout Europe?
That has been the case in the past, but some are starting to frown upon it. A pregnant woman was recently refused a drink at a pub in England and then asked to leave by staff who said they were protecting her unborn child.
Caroline Williams, 26, was with her husband and some friends at the Cricketer pub in Hove, East Sussex. "I was on a rare night out with some friends," Williams told the Daily Mail. "I had a pint of lager and a friend offered to get me another half--that was going to be my limit. He was refused service because it was for me and when I later took a sip from another friend's glass the assistant manageress asked me and my friends to leave."
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Hearst Communications Inc.
The British pregnant woman. She's hanging out in a pub sharing a pint with her hub, right? Isn't drinking while pregnant widely accepted throughout Europe?
That has been the case in the past, but some are starting to frown upon it. A pregnant woman was recently refused a drink at a pub in England and then asked to leave by staff who said they were protecting her unborn child.
Caroline Williams, 26, was with her husband and some friends at the Cricketer pub in Hove, East Sussex. "I was on a rare night out with some friends," Williams told the Daily Mail. "I had a pint of lager and a friend offered to get me another half--that was going to be my limit. He was refused service because it was for me and when I later took a sip from another friend's glass the assistant manageress asked me and my friends to leave."
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 Hearst Communications Inc.
Woman gets €16,000 in unfair dismissal case
by Andrew Bushe © 2009 irishtimes.com
A FORMER worker with a Co Meath bedding company has been awarded €16,000 compensation after an Employment Appeals Tribunal found she had been selected for redundancy because she was pregnant.
Machine operator Ludmilla Ambrasiene of Oldcastle was handed a letter saying she was being made redundant in May 2008, a year after she began working for Briody Bedding of Ballinride, Oldcastle.
“This was the first indication that she was given that her position might be in jeopardy,” according to a determination from the tribunal yesterday.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
A FORMER worker with a Co Meath bedding company has been awarded €16,000 compensation after an Employment Appeals Tribunal found she had been selected for redundancy because she was pregnant.
Machine operator Ludmilla Ambrasiene of Oldcastle was handed a letter saying she was being made redundant in May 2008, a year after she began working for Briody Bedding of Ballinride, Oldcastle.
“This was the first indication that she was given that her position might be in jeopardy,” according to a determination from the tribunal yesterday.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © 2009 irishtimes.com
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Baby defied medical odds to survive and go home
by Juley-Ann Collins ©Fingal-Independent.ie
As part of Organ Donor Awareness Week, the Fingal Independent have spoken to one family about their young son's extraordinary plight after he was born with kidney failure last year and told by doctors he had no chance of surviving. Nicola Meegan and her partner Ciaran Nolan, who works for Wavin, had been living Balbriggan for some time before they bought a new home in Bettystown two years ago to start a new family together.
In June of last year, Nicola gave birth to her first born Killian in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
But in the first few moments of his life, the doctors new there was something wrong and he was sent to Temple Street Children's Hospital for treatment.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Fingal-Independent.ie
As part of Organ Donor Awareness Week, the Fingal Independent have spoken to one family about their young son's extraordinary plight after he was born with kidney failure last year and told by doctors he had no chance of surviving. Nicola Meegan and her partner Ciaran Nolan, who works for Wavin, had been living Balbriggan for some time before they bought a new home in Bettystown two years ago to start a new family together.
In June of last year, Nicola gave birth to her first born Killian in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
But in the first few moments of his life, the doctors new there was something wrong and he was sent to Temple Street Children's Hospital for treatment.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE ©Fingal-Independent.ie
New baby on the way... so Robbie and Claudine check out a €3m home near friends in Malahide
by Melanie Finn © Herald.ie 2008
Ireland captain Robbie Keane is looking to score big shortly -- on the Irish property front that is. He and the boys in green are gearing up to take on Italy in a crucial World Cup qualifier in manager Giovanni Trapattoni's homeland tomorrow but it's nice to see he's still engrossed in his domestic duties.
The soccer star, who's shortly expecting his first baby with blooming wife Claudine Palmer, was recently spotted house-hunting in the upmarket northside enclave of Malahide.
Swish
Worth an estimated €15m, the Tallaght-born star was seen looking into properties in the super-swish Abington estate, which is already home to a rake of well-known celebrities with houses there starting at the €3m mark.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
Ireland captain Robbie Keane is looking to score big shortly -- on the Irish property front that is. He and the boys in green are gearing up to take on Italy in a crucial World Cup qualifier in manager Giovanni Trapattoni's homeland tomorrow but it's nice to see he's still engrossed in his domestic duties.
The soccer star, who's shortly expecting his first baby with blooming wife Claudine Palmer, was recently spotted house-hunting in the upmarket northside enclave of Malahide.
Swish
Worth an estimated €15m, the Tallaght-born star was seen looking into properties in the super-swish Abington estate, which is already home to a rake of well-known celebrities with houses there starting at the €3m mark.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE © Herald.ie 2008
HSE denies MGH to be downgraded
by IMN
The HSE has denied there is a proposal to downgrade Mayo General Hospital (MGH) to a district hospital.“There is no proposal to downgrade MGH in any sense. Staff are actively working, even in these difficult circumstances to expand the range of services offered at MGH and to improve the quality of [those] services. Significant progress has been made in 2008 and it is expected further progress will be made in 2009,” HSE West stated in response to a query by Health Regional Forum member Cllr Patsy O’Brien.
The spokesperson also dismissed rumours that there were proposals to remove the maternity or orthopaedic services from the Hospital.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE
The HSE has denied there is a proposal to downgrade Mayo General Hospital (MGH) to a district hospital.“There is no proposal to downgrade MGH in any sense. Staff are actively working, even in these difficult circumstances to expand the range of services offered at MGH and to improve the quality of [those] services. Significant progress has been made in 2008 and it is expected further progress will be made in 2009,” HSE West stated in response to a query by Health Regional Forum member Cllr Patsy O’Brien.
The spokesperson also dismissed rumours that there were proposals to remove the maternity or orthopaedic services from the Hospital.
READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE
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