Pregnancy and Preemies: What to do?

The 32-week old preemie

2011-10-09T18:43:00.000-04:00

Today I visited a client of mine who gave birth by c-section to a 32-week gestation preemie. Patient's BP had begun to sky-rocket and she was seriously retaining fluid. When she went in for her routine visit on Thursday, they decided that baby would probably be safer out than in.

Baby weighed 2 lbs, and 13 oz and is now in a incubator but doing well ...for a 32-week preemie. Mother and baby are doing kagaroo-care and all is well in terms of the bond taking place.

Mom old me when I visited that her milk is beginning to come in and she is pumping every few hours. Of course I took her my "Lullabies for Mother-Baby Bonding" and she was so excited about learning these lullabies to sing as well as playing the CD for babies calming and sleeping needs! If you haven't gotten this CD or download yet, be sure click on the link on this page and order yours now!

The Use of Early Pregnancy Sonograms

2010-08-21T13:17:00.001-04:00

Today we have a fascinating guest post by Susan White.

Pregnancy is a time of great joy and anticipation; while you’re bursting with happiness most of the time, there are apprehensive moments too as you wonder about the health of your unborn child and pray that there are no unforeseen complications. To this end, the ultrasound scan is a boon in the field of obstetrics. It is safe for both mother and child, and from the fourth week of pregnancy, can be used to determine information and eliminate undesirable conditions.

In the early stages of pregnancy, between the fourth and seventh weeks, ultrasounds confirm the pregnancy through the presence of the gestational sac, the yolk sac and the fetal pole (the heartbeat of the fetus). They also rule out ectopic pregnancies (when the fetus is in the fallopian tube) and molar pregnancies, and in the presence of vaginal bleeding, can tell if there is a risk of miscarriage using the rate of the fetal heartbeat.

As the pregnancy progresses, ultrasound scans are used to determine the size and weight of the fetus, and based on these, calculate the date of conception. They’re also very useful in determining if there are any anomalies or abnormalities in the fetus. Some conditions are preventable by intervention at the right time while others raise the question of whether to terminate the pregnancy or continue with it and raise a child who may have health problems all their life. It’s a decision that only the parents can make, but ultrasound scans help them prepare for what they can expect in the future.

When it comes to determining the sex of the baby, an ultrasound helps only after the 17th week, and even then, the position of the fetus plays a large role in being able to accurately determine if it is a boy or a girl. Some people are anxious to know the sex beforehand because it gives them an opportunity to choose names and prepare for the arrival of the baby. Others are not concerned one way or the other. But there are some countries where determination of the sex of the baby through an ultrasound scan is illegal because female fetuses are aborted immediately.

China and India are notorious for this practice – in the former, the strict one-child policy enforced by the government forces couples to wait for a boy because they want to continue their family lineage; and in the latter, the girl child is seen as a burden in middle and lower class families because they have to shell out large sums of money as “dowry”, a kind of fee paid to the groom’s family, during her marriage.

Isn’t it ironic how something that was invented to make pregnancies easier and safer is also being used as a reason to kill?

By-line:

This article is contributed by Susan White, who regularly writes on the subject of rad tech schools. She invites your questions, comments at her email address: susan.white33@gmail.com.

Guided Imagery Reduces Prenatal Stress

2010-06-02T23:30:00.000-04:00

Here's the latest from http://www.belleruthnaparstek.com/!

Monday, 24 May 2010

Researchers from University Hospital Basel in Switzerland compared the immediate effects of brief guided imagery and relaxation exercises - two active and one passive 10-min relaxation technique - on prenatal stress in a randomized, controlled trial with 39 healthy pregnant women.

Subjects were assigned to one of two active relaxation techniques, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) or guided imagery (GI), or a passive relaxation control condition.

Measures were self-reported relaxation on a visual analogue scale (VAS); the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S); scores on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (cortisol and ACTH); and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system activity (norepinephrine and epinephrine). Additionally, measures were taken of cardiovascular responses, such as heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Scores were measured at four points before and after the relaxation exercise.

New Moms Get Lonely Too!

2010-05-10T16:28:00.000-04:00

This article was found on (http://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/week-17/new-mom-on-the-block.aspx)
Feeling isolated with a new baby? Here's how to seek out other new mommies near you.

Sure, you adore your little one (Who wouldn't? Those eyes! Those cheeks!), but sometimes you might find yourself craving a grown-up friend who speaks actual words rather than sputtering raspberries at you (as adorable as that can be!). It's pretty common for new moms to feel isolated since they have little time for licking a stamp, let alone chitchatting with their (perhaps single and baby-free) gal pals. So how can you find a real-life connection? Let your baby be your guide!
One way to satisfy your craving for adult conversation and spend quality time with your roly-poly baby is to find other new moms. Mommy-and-me type groups can be found in just about every city and town these days; you just have to know where to look. Whether it's a designated time in a park, or a baby-friendly coffeehouse, or even someone else's living room, your outing can be gratifying for both mommies and babies.
So where to start? Well, the playground and your pediatrician's office are like singles bars for moms seeking moms. You can also check out the bulletin boards at your house of worship, local library, or maybe chat someone up at the supermarket (Hey, babies make great conversation starters!). At the very least, or in addition to finding actual friends-in-the-flesh, you can establish some pretty rewarding relationships with other new moms online.

If you haven't already discovered them, the What To Expect First Year Message Boards are full of amazingly supportive and welcoming women who know exactly what you're going through and share your interests precisely (who else is happy to comment on the color of your baby's poop?). Who knows? You may meet a mommy who's just two towns over! So reach out and touch someone, either in person or virtually. You just might make a friend for life.

"Lullaphones" to the Rescue!

2010-03-31T15:12:00.000-04:00

Someone very near and dear to me gave birth last Friday! We had talked about her using the headphones and she wasn't sure she wanted to, but when she found out that women who have C-sections don't have their own private room, she changed her mind. It seems that there was at least one very loud woman just a few feet away on the phone with her husband and this woman was not a bit happy with him. My patients wasn't feeling that great and decided to put on the headphones to block out all the hostile vibes around her and said it absolutely did the trick!

These pre-programmed headphones are absolutely sonic medicine with no side-effects! Let's get the word out!

Preemies and Mozart: What the research says

2010-03-20T21:26:00.000-04:00

Listening to the music of the master seems to help the babies grow. Exposing the infants to 30 minutes of Mozart's music daily appears to calm them, report researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel. This is good news, because the less agitated the preemies are, the less energy they'll expend and the faster they’ll gain weight - that boosts their immunity to infections and other illnesses and enables them to go home from the hospital. The researchers measured the physiological effects of the music on the babies and compared the "after Mozart" results with earlier measurements. Why Mozart? The Israeli researchers suggest that unlike the compositions of Beethoven or Bach, Mozart's music has a melody that is highly repetitive, perhaps similar to the rhythm of the heartbeat they would hear in the womb, which the investigators speculated may affect the organizational centers in the babies' brains. The Israeli study is part of an international effort to determine what environmental effects promote the health and survival of susceptible infants. Next, the Israeli team plans to expose premature infants to other types of music to see what evokes a similar response. One of them suggested "rap" as a type of music that is also highly repetitive. What would Mozart think of that?

source: http://www.drweilblog.com/

The Bradley Method of Childbirth: I did it and it works!

2010-03-15T12:27:00.000-04:00

I have given birth three times. Each time I had a healthy baby girl that weighed between 7.5 and 8.1 lbs, but the labors were all different! The first two time I used the "Lamaze Method" of breathing and childbirth where the breathing is different depending on what phase of labor the woman is in. With my third daughter I used the Bradley Method, which I had learned about at La Leche League meetings in Louisville, KY. I could not believe how easy and effective it was. Simply beginning the slow, steady, rhythmic breathing at the beginning of each contraction got me through each contraction without feeling that I was losing control or being swept away with pain. I was hooked up to a monitor for the last 6-8 hours so once the contractions were coming regularly, my husband would wake me up and start breathing with me and I just did what he did! Things were going so well that at one point my OB asked if I would be willing to allow some residents to come in and observe me. I was happy to do that, but strangely, when I begin talking with them, my labor came to a complete stop for a brief period so I had to bid them good-bye.

I highly recommend the technique though and feel that it is the easiest and the most effective!

What is the Bradley Method?

Dr. Robert Bradley developed this method in the late 1940s. This Bradley method emphasizes an extremely natural approach, with few or no drugs and little medical help during labor and delivery. Almost 90 percent of women who use this method are able to deliver their babies without medication. Stressing good diet and exercise during pregnancy, it teaches deep relaxation techniques to manage pain, and educates a woman's husband or partner so they can be an effective coach.

Some parents find the method empowering. For other parents, the method may not be right.(See Even though the courses aim to teach you how to avoid unnecessary pain, some women prefer to have pain medication as an option. But many are attracted by the idea of giving birth to a baby who is unexposed to drugs, and consider the Bradley method for that reason.

What to expect in a Bradley course?

Typically eight to twelve weeks long, it is taught by certified teachers. To make sure the classes are comprehensive and also personal, no more than eight couples as a rule make up a session. You will spend alot of time practicing coaching techniques (often included are videos you and your partner can take home). You will also learn during these courses:

• Natural childbirth

• Active participation by the husband as coach

• Excellent nutrition (the foundation of a healthy pregnancy and baby)

• Avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, unless absolutely necessary

• Training: "Early Bird" classes followed by weekly classes starting in the 5th month and continuing until the birth

• Relaxation and NATURAL breathing

• "Tuning-in" to your own body and trusting the natural process

• Immediate and continuous contact with your new baby

• Breastfeeding, beginning at birth provides immunities and nutrition

• Consumerism and positive communications

• Parents taking responsibility for the safety of the birth place, procedures, attendants, and emergency back-up

• Parents being prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth and cesarean section

Copyright © Angelia Fenton. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.

Causes of Spotting in Late Pregnancy

2010-03-13T07:33:00.000-05:00

•Preterm labor- Spotting during late pregnancy can be a symptom of preterm labor. Preterm labor can happen quickly so it is important to spot the symptoms early. Symptoms of preterm labor include bleeding, menstrual like cramping, backache, changes in vaginal discharge, leaking fluids, or an increase in pelvic pressure. If you have had spotting later in your pregnancy or have symptoms of preterm labor call your doctor right away.

•Placental abruption - Bleeding after the twentieth week of pregnancy can be due to a problem with your placenta. The placenta is attached to the uterine wall. If the placenta begins to separate from the uterus, you may have bleeding. This is called a placental abruption. It can cause the baby to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients that it receives from the placenta.

•Placenta previa is one of the most common causes of bleeding during the third trimester. During a normal pregnancy the placenta attaches to the upper portion of the uterus. With placenta previa, the placenta attaches to the lower section of the uterus. The lower section is weaker and full of tiny blood vessels. As your uterus stretches some of these tiny vessels may burst and cause bleeding. Placenta previa can be dangerous to baby and mom. Complications include hemorrhaging, placental abruption, preterm labor, or anemia.
Other causes of spotting during pregnancy

•Spotting after sex- Sometimes sex can cause spotting during pregnancy. If your cervix has been irritated from having sex, you might notice a little spotting afterwards. You should let your doctor know if you have had intercourse before you noticed spotting.

•Start of labor- Normal labor may start with light spotting. This is sometimes known as having a bloody show. If you are at the end of your pregnancy, and notice a pink, red or brown discharge you may be starting labor.

•Hemorrhoids- This might sound silly but many women have mistaken a small bleed from a hemorrhoid with vaginal bleeding. If you are not sure you are better off calling your doctor or midwife just to be safe.

•Internal exams- You may have some spotting after having an internal exam. During pregnancy you have an increased blood supply to the cervix. Any irritation of the cervix might cause a little spotting.

article cited on http://www.justmommies.com/

Breastfeeding a Preemie in the NICU

2010-03-02T22:40:00.000-05:00

Premature babies may find their way home earlier when they are fed on demand, not on schedule, the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group suggests. The Cochrane Neonatal Review Group based their findings on data retrieved from eight related studies, according to the Center for the Advancement of Health.
The study suggests that by responding to a premature baby's hunger cues rather than a strict schedule, the premature baby could go home earlier than those kept on strict feeding schedules. Going home earlier translates to huge health care savings for families and their health insurers. With healthier babies making their way home sooner, there would me more room in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units for premature babies with serious health problems or that require surgery.

Realities of Feeding Babies in the NICU

As a parent of a premature baby, I am going to agree with the co-author of the study, William McGuire who states, "it might make be time to ease away from rigid schedules" found in hospitals.

My premature baby was fed on a strict schedule, and when that schedule was modified by my baby or by me, some of the nurses were not too happy. In one such instance, during my son's last week of his six-week hospitalization, it took a long time to breastfeed. He was still hungry after I left to go eat, and the nurse was not happy that "her" schedule was changed.

In the NICU, premature babies are checked on for temperature, weighing, regular diaper changes and visits by the doctor and nurses on staff. Because the babies are not visible to the NICU staff at all times, it would be impossible for them to respond to a baby's hunger cues. If there was one nurse for every premature baby, a camera monitoring system, or an available parent on site, on-demand feeding would be more reasonable.

Parents and the NICU Schedule

While in the NICU, I was one of the few parents that was able to spend eight to 10 hours a day with my son. Some parents came once a day, others only a couple of times a week. If the on-demand system of formatting is going to be considered as a way to expedite a premature's homecoming, more parental involvement would be required.

Should you Bank Your Baby's Cord Blood?

2010-02-27T14:15:00.001-05:00

The pros and cons, costs, and reasons behind saving your newborn's umbilical cord blood.

Current Cord Blood Use vs. Future Hopes

The current uses of cord blood are limited. But many experts hope that stem cells will be a crucial part of future treatments for diabetes, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, heart failure, stroke, and many other conditions. If it really were possible to make stem cells develop into any kind of cell, the possibilities would be almost endless.

But this is only theoretical. It's important to distinguish between what doctors can do now with cord blood stem cells versus what they might be able to do in the future. Some people don't realize the distinction. They have exaggerated ideas of what is possible today.

"People talk about stem cell therapy like its alchemy," says Caplan, "as if we can turn a stem cell into anything, just like alchemists hoped to turn base metals into gold. But it's not like that."

Even if researchers do have future successes with stem cells, they may not come from cord blood.

"The science is moving fast right now," Caplan tells WebMD. "I personally am not so sure that using stem cells from cord blood will be the approach we take in the future." Instead, Caplan is more optimistic about techniques using embryonic stem cells or stem cells derived from adult tissue.

Public Cord Blood Banking

There is an alternative to private banking. Some parents decide to donate their child's cord blood to a public cord blood bank for free, which makes it available to anyone who needs it. Most doctors and medical organizations favor public donation. The Institute of Medicine has proposed that Congress create a National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank Program along the lines of the national bone marrow donation system.
In the unlikely event that your child ever needs the cord blood you donated to a public bank, odds are good that you will be able to get it back.
"The chances that anyone will ever use a particular unit of cord blood that you donate is small," says Feig. "So if your child needs it 10 years down the pike, there's an overwhelming chance that the cells will still be available."
Obviously, there's no guarantee, but it's something to keep in mind. If you are interested in public cord blood donation, get in touch with the National Marrow Donor Program at www.marrow.org. You can also ask your health care provider about medical centers in your area that might accept donations.
But Ecker points out that we're still a ways off from organized public cord blood banking. In most of the country, a public donation isn't even possible. There's no system in place. So for many people, the choice isn't between public and private banking. It's between private banking and letting the cord blood go to waste.

post excerpted from http://www.webmd.com/

Shingles During Pregnancy

2010-02-26T22:08:00.000-05:00

Shingles is related to chicken pox, and is a nuisance to anyone who contracts the virus. The situation is especially stressful for a pregnant woman, as shingles can harm the baby before and during birth. Such side effects can include illness, deformation or even death. However, serious side effects are rare, and may be prevented.
.The Facts

Shingles, formally known as herpes-zoster, is the second stage of chicken pox. Not everyone will develop shingles, but it is exclusive to those who have had chicken pox already earlier in their lifetime. In fact, chicken pox and shingles are both derived from the same virus, called varicella-zoster. The chance of contracting shingles becomes greater with age.

Identification

Shingles is an itchy, painful rash that spreads exclusively on one side of the body. The virus is contagious to those who have had the chicken pox and to those who have not. Individuals who have not had the chicken pox yet and come into contact with exposed shingles sores will develop chicken pox.

Early Pregnancy

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, if a pregnant woman catches the varicella virus anytime before the fetus is 20 weeks old, the baby has a one in 100 risk of developing birth defects. These defects may include cataracts, an abnormal development of the head and brain, mental retardation and short limbs. Contracting chicken pox before 30 weeks of gestation may also lead to birth malformations, according to the National Institutes of Health. Another risk during early pregnancy is the development of varicella pneumonia as a result of shingles. Not only is it a life-threatening condition for the mother, but if she has the illness before 24 weeks of gestation, it is fatal to the fetus.

Late Pregnancy

Mothers who catch shingles in the last stages of pregnancy (five to 21 days before birth) give their baby a high risk of developing shingles before the age of five. In some cases, the mother is able to provide enough antibodies to the baby during birth to prevent this. The biggest danger is when a mother contracts the virus at the time of birth. The mother's immune system doesn't have time to develop a defense and pass it to her baby. A newborn's immune system is still relatively weak at this point. If a newborn develops chicken pox as a result, it is likely fatal. In order to help prevent death, the newborn is given a shot made of antibodies from the blood of individuals who recently had shingles or chicken pox, and recovered, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Prevention/Solution

Vaccines for chicken pox and shingles should not be taken by pregnant women. However, if a non-pregnant woman is in childbearing age, it is recommended that she get a chicken pox vaccine if she has not yet contracted the virus. Shingles vaccines are exclusive to individuals who are over the age of 60.

.By Kristeen Mandak

eHow Contributing Writer

Jaundice in the Newborn

2010-02-11T08:49:00.000-05:00

All three of my babies had jaundice beginning on the 2nd or 3rd day of life. I was not prepared for this and did not understand what was going on and so would like to offer this great information for expectant mothers.
Definition

Newborn jaundice is a condition marked by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. The increased bilirubin cause the infant's skin and whites of the eyes (sclera) to look yellow.

Alternative Names

Jaundice of the newborn; Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Causes

Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that's created in the body during the normal recycling of old red blood cells. The liver processes bilirubin in the blood so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Before birth, the placenta -- the organ that nourishes the developing baby -- removes the bilirubin from the infant so that it can be processed by the mother's liver. Immediately after birth, the baby's own liver begins to take over the job, but this can take time. Therefore, bilirubin levels in an infant are normally a little higher after birth.

High levels of bilirubin in the body can cause the skin to look yellow. This is called jaundice. Jaundice is present to some degree in most newborns. Such "physiological jaundice" usually appears between day 2 and 3, peaks between days 2 and 4, and clears by 2 weeks. Physiological jaundice usually causes no problems.

Breast milk jaundice is another common, usually non-harmful form of newborn jaundice. Breast milk may contain a substance that increases reuse of bilirubin in the intestines. Such jaundice appears in some healthy, breastfed babies after day 7 of life, and usually peaks during weeks 2 and 3. It may last at low levels for a month or more.

Breastfeeding jaundice is a type of exaggerated physiological jaundice seen in breastfed babies in the first week, especially in those that are not nursing often enough. It is different than breast milk jaundice in that it occurs later and is caused by the milk itself.

Sometimes jaundice can be a sign of a serious underlying problem. Higher levels of bilirubin can be due to:

•An event or condition that increases the number of red blood cells that needs to be processed

•Anything that interferes with the bodys ability to process and remove bilirubin

The following increase the number of red blood cells that need to be processed:

•Abnormal blood cell shapes

•Congenital spherocytic anemia

•Elliptocytosis

•Blood type incompatibilities

•ABO incompatibility (Mother has type O blood, baby does not)

•Rh incompatibility (Mother is Rh negative, baby is not)

•Cephalohematoma or other birth injury

•Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

•High levels of red blood cells (polycythemia)

•More common in small for gestational age babies

•More common in some twins

•Infection

•Prematurity

•Pyruvate kinase deficiency

•Transfusions

The following interfere with the body's ability to process and remove bilirubin:

•Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

•Biliary atresia

•Certain medications

•Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

•Congenital herpes

•Congenital hypothyroidism

•Congenital rubella

•Congenital syphilis

•Congenital toxoplasmosis

•Crigler-Najjar syndrome

•Cystic fibrosis

•Gaucher's disease

•Gilbert syndrome

•Hypoxia

•Infections (such as sepsis)

•Lucey-Driscol syndrome

•Neonatal hepatitis

•Niemann-Pick disease

•Prematurity

In otherwise healthy babies born at 35 weeks gestation or greater, those most likely to eventually develop signs of newborn jaundice are those who have:

•A brother or sister who needed phototherapy for jaundice

•A high bilirubin level for their age, even if they are not yet jaundiced

•Been exclusively breastfeed, especially if weight is excessive

•Blood group incompatibility or other known red blood cell disease

•Cephalohematoma or significant bruising

•East Asian ancestry

•Jaundice in the first 24 hours of life

Symptoms

The main symptom is a yellow color of the skin. The yellow color is best seen right after gently pressing a finger onto the skin. The color sometimes begins on the face and then moves down to the chest, belly area, legs, and soles of the feet.

Sometimes, infants with significant jaundice have extreme tiredness and poor feeding.

Exams and Tests

All newborns should be examined for jaundice at least every 8 to 12 hours for the first day of life.

Any infant who appears jaundiced in the first 24 hours should have bilirubin levels measured immediately. This can be done with a skin or blood test.

Babies should be assigned a risk for later developing jaundice before they leave the hospital. Babies are classified as low risk, low intermediate risk, high intermediate risk, or high risk. Many hospitals do this by routinely checking total bilirubin levels on all babies at about 24 hours of age.

Further testing varies on the infant's specific situation and test results. For example, the possible cause of the jaundice should be sought for babies who require treatment or whose total bilirubin levels are rising more rapidly than expected.

Tests that will likely be done include:

•Complete blood count

•Coomb's test

•Measurement of levels of specific types of bilirubin

•Reticulocyte count

The level of albumin in the baby's blood may also be checked. Low albumin levels may increase the risk of damage from excessive jaundice.

Treatment

Treatment is usually not necessary. Keep the baby well-hydrated with breast milk or formula. Frequent feedings encourage frequent bowel movements, which helps remove bilirubin through the stools. (Bilirubin is what gives stool a brown color).

Sometimes special blue lights are used on infants whose levels are very high. This is called phototherapy. These lights work by helping to break down bilirubin in the skin. The infant is placed naked under artificial light in a protected isolette to maintain constant temperature. The eyes are protected from the light. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding be continued through phototherapy, if possible.

In the most severe cases of jaundice, an exchange transfusion is required. In this procedure, the baby's blood is replaced with fresh blood. Treating severely jaundiced babies with intravenous immunoglobulin may also be very effective at reducing bilirubin levels.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Usually newborn jaundice is not harmful. For most babies, jaundice usually resolves without treatment within 1 to 2 weeks. However, if significant jaundice is untreated, very high levels of bilirubin can damage the brain. For babies who require treatment, the treatment is usually quite effective.

Possible Complications

Rare, but serious, complications from high bilirubin levels include:

•Cerebral palsy

•Deafness

•Kernicterus -- brain damage from very high bilirubin levels

When to Contact a Medical Professional

All babies should be seen by a health care provider in the first 5 days of life to check for jaundice.

•Those who spend less than 24 hours in a hospital should be seen by age 72 hours.

•Infants sent home between 24 and 48 hours should be seen again by age 96 hours.

•Infants sent home between 48 and 72 hours should be seen again by age 120 hours.

Jaundice is an emergency if the baby has a fever, has become listless, or is not feeding well. Jaundice may be dangerous in high-risk newborns.

Jaundice is generally NOT dangerous in term, otherwise healthy newborns. Call the infant's health care provider if jaundice is severe (the skin is bright yellow), if jaundice continues to increase after the newborn visit, lasts longer than 2 weeks, or if other symptoms develop. Also call the doctor if the feet, particularly the soles, are yellow.

Prevention

In newborns, some degree of jaundice is normal and probably not preventable. The risk of significant jaundice can often be reduced by feeding babies at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first several days and by carefully identifying infants at highest risk.

All pregnant women should be tested for blood type and unusual antibodies. If the mother is Rh negative, follow-up testing on the infant's cord is recommended. This may also be done if the mother blood type is O+, but it not necessarily required if careful monitoring takes place.

Careful monitoring of all babies during the first 5 days of life can prevent most complications of jaundice. Ideally, this includes:

•Considering a baby's risk for jaundice

•Checking bilirubin level in the first day or so

•Scheduling at least one follow-up visit the first week of life for babies sent home from the hospital in 72 hours

References

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2004 Jul;114(1):297-316.

Mercier CE, Barry SE, Paul K, et al. Improving Newborn Preventive Services at the Birth Hospitalization: A Collaborative, Hospital-Based Quality-Improvement Project. Pediatrics. 2007 Sep;120(3):481-488.

Moerschel SK, Cianciaruso LB, Tracy LR. A practical approach to neonatal jaundice. American Family Physician. 2008 May;77(9).

Preparing for Labor and Delivery

2010-02-10T23:29:00.000-05:00

What an exciting time this is! Preparing for labor and delivery is a time to cherish and savor the excitement of preparing to meet your new baby! In addition to practicing your childbirth techniques, you want to be sure you've got your suitcase packed with all the vital necessities! Of course different people recommend different things, but here of some of these most popular items to pack:

Checklists Contents

BabyPartner checklists: packing for labor

The moment you go into labor is not the time to start making last minute plans!

Try to prepare for the moment you enter labor early. The ride to the hospital will be stressful enough, without the anxiety of trying to remember if you brought everything you might need.

Prepare for labor by packing a suitcase well in advance. Leave it by your front door or in the trunk of your car, so that when the big moment arrives you can simply drive to the hospital. If you can, you and your partner should drive to the hospital so that you know the route, and during the last few weeks of your pregnancy, make sure that your car has a full tank of gas! Buy and install a car seat so that you can bring your baby home when you leave the hospital.

Labor bag basics
Your birthplan
Health insurance card
Pediatrician's name and phone number
Books, magazines, board games, cards, music, etc
Glasses (if you need them)
Hairband, grips or haircomb
To prevent hair falling into your eyes.
Nightgown and robe
Slippers
Thick socks or legwarmers
Sanitary pads
Nursing bra
Breast pads
Maternity panties
Nursing pillow
Lip salve or chapstick
Scented wipes or tissues and cologne
For Natural Pain Relief
Massage oil or talcum powder
Tennis ball or spinal roll
To Keep You Warm
A hot water bottle
To Keep You Cool
Face cloth or sponge
Small handheld fan
Box of tissues
To Give You Energy
Glucose sweets or isotonic drink
Most hospitals won't let you eat in case you need to be anesthetized
Postpartum bag basics
Clothes and comfortable shoes for the trip home
Choose something that fit comfortably during month six of pregnancy.
Toiletries
Cosmetics
Hair dryer
Camera or video
Make sure you have spare batteries and spare film, so that you can take pictures of the newborn
Birth announcement cards
Don't forget to bring envelopes, stamps and a pen!
Address book or PDA
So that you can call the relatives
Mobile phone or prepaid phone card
Pillow from home
A favorite pillow can make you more comfortable. (Choose patterned design that won't get mixed up with the hospital laundry)

Many labor rooms have a television installed, but the local provider may air your favorite shows at different times!
Baby bag basics
Infant car seat
The hospital will not let you take your baby home without one!
Baby clothes for the trip home
Booties, mittens; hat
Receiving blanket
Birthpartner bag basics
Handwipes
Food & drink for yourself
Food &; drink for mom
She won't be allowed to eat during labor, so after delivery she will be hungry
A change of clothes
Books or music to pass the time (I would suggest your iPod or pre-programmed "Childbirth Serenity Headphones."

Items marked with a pink asterisk are optional
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Music and Preemies: Research Documents Music's Power

2010-01-28T23:05:00.000-05:00

Babies born prematurely are at increased risk for a host of health problems. But now research by Israeli scientists has uncovered a non-drug way to help preemies gain weight and grow stronger quickly. A new study by Dr. Dror Mandel and Dr. Ronit Lubetzky of the Tel Aviv Medical Center, which is affiliated with Tel Aviv University's Sackler School of Medicine, found premature infants exposed to thirty minutes of Mozart's music daily grew far more rapidly than premature babies not exposed to the classical music.

"It's not exactly clear how the music is affecting them, but it makes them calmer and less likely to be agitated," Dr. Mandel said in a statement to the media. "The repetitive melodies in Mozart's music may be affecting the organizational centers of the brain's cortex. Unlike Beethoven, Bach or Bartok, Mozart's music is composed with a melody that is highly repetitive. This might be the musical explanation. For the scientific one, more investigation is needed."

By measuring the physiological effects of music by Mozart played to pre-term newborns for 30 minutes, Dr. Mandel and Dr. Lubetzky and colleagues documented that when the babies were exposed to the music, they expended less energy -- a process that can lead to faster weight gain and growth. That's important because the sooner preemies attain an acceptable body weight, the sooner they can go home. The longer they have to stay in the hospital, the more they are exposed to possible infections. What's more, a healthy body weight is believed to strengthen their immune systems so the babies are more likely to avoid illness in the future.

The researchers pointed out that several other environmental effects, such as tactile stimulation (whether the baby is held and stroked adequately) and room lighting, are already known to affect the survival and benefit the health of fragile premature infants. The new study, however, is the first to directly study the effect of music on these newborns.

"Medical practitioners are aware that by changing the environment, we can create a whole new treatment paradigm for babies in neonatal care," Dr. Mandel stated. "The point of our research is to quantify these effects so that standards and care-guides can be developed. We still don't know the long-term effects of the music, or if other kinds of music will work just as well."

For more information:

http://www.aftau.org/site/News2?pag...

http://www.naturalnews.com/026668_t...

Music During a Ceasarean Birth

2010-01-16T21:41:00.000-05:00

This is a very interesting study looking at the use of music during a Ceasarean birth. Sometimes C-sections are scheduled in advance because of known problems and sometimes they become suddenly necessary because mother or baby is endangered. Having your programmed iPod or headphones with you is a really good idea no matter you plan to deliver your baby!

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the benefits of music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia to improve clinical and psychological outcomes for mothers and infants has not been established.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia for improving clinical and psychological outcomes for mothers and infants.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 September 2008).

SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials comparing music added to standard care during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia to standard care alone.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors, Malinee Laopaiboon and Ruth Martis, independently assessed eligibility, risk of bias in included trials and extracted data. We analysed continuous outcomes using a mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). MAIN RESULTS: One trial involving 76 women who planned to have their babies delivered by caesarean section met the inclusion criteria, but data were available for only 64 women. This trial was of low quality with unclear allocation concealment and only a few main clinical outcomes reported for the women. The trial did not report any infant outcomes. It appears that music added to standard care during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia had some impact on pulse rate at the end of maternal contact with the neonate in the intra-operative period (MD -7.50 fewer beats per minute, 95% CI -14.08 to -0.92) and after completion of skin suture for the caesarean section (MD -7.37 fewer beats per minute, 95% CI -13.37 to -1.37). There was also an improvement in the birth satisfaction score (maximum possible score of 35) (MD of 3.38, 95%CI 1.59 to 5.17). Effects on other outcomes were either not significant or not reported in the one included trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that music during planned caesarean section under regional anaesthesia may improve pulse rate and birth satisfaction score. However, the magnitude of these benefits is small and the methodological quality of the one included trial is questionable. Therefore, the clinical significance of music is unclear. More research is needed to investigate the effects of music during caesarean section under regional anaesthesia on both maternal and infant outcomes, in various ethnic pregnant women, and with adequate sample sizes.

Premature babies gain weight faster with Mozart!

2010-01-13T14:42:00.002-05:00

Playing Mozart music to premature babies seems to help them gain weight faster and become stronger, new research found.

Once a day for two consecutive days, doctors played either 30 minutes of music by the 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, or no music, to 20 pre-term babies at the Tel Aviv Medical Center in Israel. After listening to the music, the babies were calmer and so expended less energy than the no-music group. When babies' energy expenditure is decreased, they don't need as many calories to grow, so can gain weight and thrive more quickly – exactly what preemies need.

"It's not exactly clear how the music is affecting them, but it makes them calmer and less likely to be agitated," said researcher Dror Mandel, a lecturer at Tel Aviv University.

Though the sample size was small, the scientists said their findings were statistically significant.

Previous research has shown that music can reduce stress, decrease heart rate, and increase oxygen saturation in preterm infants. Oxygen saturation is a measure of the amount of oxygen carried in the blood relative to the maximum amount the blood could carry. When this number gets low it can be a sign of heart or lung problems.

The researchers didn't try playing any music other than Mozart's, so they don't know whether the effect would hold true for other tunes.

"We want to know if what we found is a Mozart effect, or just music," Mandel told LiveScience. "I think that other composers will also have effects, however it might be that the Mozart music has particular effects compared to other composers."

The researchers decided to try Mozart music because of a 1993 study that found that college students could temporarily improve their performance on spatial–temporal tasks by listening to a Mozart sonata for 10 minutes a day.

"The repetitive melodies in Mozart's music may be affecting the organizational centers of the brain's cortex," Mandel said. "Unlike Beethoven, Bach or Bartok, Mozart's music is composed with a melody that is highly repetitive."

However, the so-called Mozart effect has sometimes been taken too far. A company called Baby Einstein (now owned by Disney) that publishes a series of Baby Mozart videos and music disks offered a refund last year for all Baby Einstein videos, after receiving complaints that the company had falsely claimed the videos were educational.

The Israeli researchers plan to test out different kinds of music soon. One team member suggested that rap music might evoke the same response as Mozart, since it has a similar pulsating and repetitive frequency.

Mandel and his colleague Ronit Lubetzky published their findings in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Lullabies for Mothers and Others

2010-01-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

Pregnant women are concerned about lots of thing; some they can do something about and some they can't. Often, the more psychologically aware women are worried about bonding with their baby, especially if it's their first child. One of easiest and most enjoyable things you can do is to begin listening to some lullabies yourself. Mothers have lulled their babies to sleep since the beginning to time. It's the most natural thing in the world for a mother to hold her baby close and hum, croon, or sing to that precious child.

New mothers worry if they'll be able to soothe and comfort their infants when they begin to cry. Knowing 5 or 6 different lullabies is a good way to feel a little more prepared and even reading the words can be very calming for the mother-to-be or new mother.

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of lullabies from around the world and from ancient times until the present. Many of my adult clients and patients who suffer from insomnia and they listen to lullabies themselves to get to sleep each night. Sometimes they listen to music on a CD player or perhaps an MP3 player. Whatever is most convenient and comfortable for mother and child is best.

Once the baby is born, singing to your child is the very best way to calm him or her. If your baby heard these same lullabies in utero they will calm down even quicker because they sound familiar to baby and bring back memories of security, warmth and comfort.

Below is a quaint poem called “My Mother”. It was written by Ann Taylor (1783 –1866). She’s the sister of Jane Taylor, the author of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Ann and Jane published books of rhymes and poems together.

The illustrations below were done by Walter Crane. Here’s what Crane wrote about it in 1910:

“My Mother” is mid-Victorian-just after crinolines had gone out-but mothers are always in fashion, bless them…

My Mother

Who fed me from her gentle breast,

And hush’d me in her arms to rest,

And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?

My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,

Who was it sung sweet hushaby,

And rock’d me that I should not cry?

My Mother.

Who sat and watched my infant head,

When sleeping in my cradle bed,

And tears of sweet affection shed?

My Mother.

If you are pregnant now, or the mother of a newborn, do begin listening to and singing lullabies! Your child will thank you and will benefit greatly!

What is the Mucous Plug and what does it do?

2010-01-02T23:44:00.000-05:00

What is the mucous plug (or mucus plug)?
The mucous plug is a collection of cervical mucus that seals the opening of the cervix. It keeps bacteria and infection from entering into the cervix, providing a protective barrier for the developing baby.

What does the mucous plug look like?
Some women describe the mucous plug as looking more like the mucous in your nose. It may look like a thick glob of stringy mucous, thicker than what you would see with normal vaginal secretions. If you are close to going into labor you may see pink, brown, or red blood around the edges of the mucous plug. This is called the “bloody show”.

When do you lose your mucous plug?
Some women will lose their mucous plug or part of their mucous plug weeks before they go into labor. Losing your mucous plug does not always mean labor will begin shortly. Keep in mind that even if a woman has begun to dilate, it may be weeks before she actually goes into labor.

However, if you notice blood tinged mucous before your thirty-sixth week of pregnancy, notify your doctor right away.
As your body prepares for labor your cervix will begin to dilate and thin. As your cervix opens up, your mucous plug may fall out. Losing your mucous plug is a good sign that labor is on its way. Though, it could be days or even weeks after you lose your mucous plug before labor actually starts. Many women do not lose their mucous plug at one time; instead, they lose it more gradually. They may notice an increase in vaginal secretions weeks before they go into labor.

Should I call my doctor if I lose my mucous plug?
If you are full term and have lost your mucous plug, there is usually no need to call your doctor. You may lose your mucous plug weeks before labor starts. If you notice regular, timeable contractions after losing your mucous plug, follow your doctor’s protocol for proceeding to Labor and Delivery. If you have a history of preterm labor and you suspect you have lost your mucous plug, call your doctor right away. If you notice blood tinged mucous and are earlier than thirty-six weeks call your doctor immediately. Moreover, you should also call your doctor if you have sudden bright red bleeding. Bleeding can be a sign of placenta previa or placental abruption.

What does gestional diabetes do the the unborm baby?

2009-12-31T18:26:00.000-05:00

Gestional diabetes is a condition that some women develop during pregnancy. Between 2 and 7 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy.

These days, most women who develop diabetes during pregnancy go on to have healthy babies. Your practitioner will monitor you closely and you'll most likely be able to keep your blood sugar levels under control with diet and exercise, and by getting insulin shots if you need them. However, poorly controlled diabetes can have serious consequences for you and your baby.

For most women with gestational diabetes, the main worry is that too much glucose will end up in the baby's blood. When that happens, your baby's pancreas needs to produce more insulin to process the extra glucose. All this excess blood sugar and insulin can cause your baby to make more fat and put on extra weight, particularly in the upper body.

This can lead to what's called macrosomia. A macrosomic baby may be too large to enter the birth canal. Or the baby's head may enter the canal but then his shoulders get stuck. In this situation, called shoulder dystocia, your practitioner and her assistants will have to use special maneuvers to deliver your baby. Delivery can sometimes result in a fractured bone or nerve damage, both of which heal without permanent problems in nearly 99 percent of babies. (In very rare cases, the baby may suffer brain damage from lack of oxygen during this process.) What's more, the maneuvers needed to deliver a broad-shouldered baby can lead to injuries to the vaginal area or require a large episiotomy for you.

Because of these risks, if your practitioner suspects that your baby may be overly large, she may recommend delivering by cesarean section. Fortunately, only a minority of women with well-controlled gestational diabetes end up with overly large babies.

Shortly after delivery, your baby may also have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) because his body will still be producing extra insulin in response to receiving extra glucose from you. Your delivery team will test his blood sugar at birth by taking a drop of blood from his heel. If it's low, you'll want to feed him as soon as possible, either by breastfeeding or giving him some formula or sugar water.

Most of the information for this post came from www.babycenter.com.

Music with Labor and Delivery

2009-12-03T11:19:00.006-05:00

Today we have an excellent post from a guest blogger, Carol Smith! I know you're going to enjoy it!

Labor and Delivery: Can Music Make a Difference?
Not for nothing did William Congreve say that "music had charms to soothe the savage breast;" if you’ve ever seen a woman about to give birth, you’ll know that if anyone needs soothing, it is her. Labor pains can wrack your body and make you feel like you’re being put through a wringer; it’s something that’s hard to understand if you’ve not gone through it yourself. No matter how prepared you are with your Lamaze and natural breathing classes, there’s always the chance that you may lose control because of the pain. And when you’re in the throes of pain, how do you calm yourself? One answer that really works is – MUSIC. So how does music make a difference during labor and delivery?
• According to this article, scientists have proved that music has therapeutic properties. It eases labor pain and removes the depression that moms feel after giving birth.
• When you listen to your favorite songs or slow music, you take your mind off the labor pain and the impending delivery.
• Music also helps you drown out the other sounds that could grate on your nerves – like the traffic outside your room or the noise made by other patients and workers in a hospital.
• It helps create a setting where you are at peace with yourself and your surroundings.
• Music reduces stress and anxiety and boosts your chances of having a normal and safe delivery
• It reduces the need for epidurals and other pain medication which could potentially harm your baby as it raises your pain threshold. You’re able to bear much more pain without suffering the accompanying physical agony.
• Music helps you relax and breathe deeply from your abdomen.
• Songs which have inspirational lyrics help soothe your mood and prepare you for the impending birth of your child. Some songs encourage and motivate you through the pain with their uplifting lyrics and soothing tunes.
One man’s meat is another’s poison, so what works for your friends may not necessarily work for you. Before you go into labor, be prepared with a collection of your favorite songs, tunes and melodies that calm and relax you and put you in a good mood so that you can play it while you’re in labor and waiting to deliver. Music is much better, more effective, and definitely safer than drugs that are meant to mitigate your pain.

By-line:
This article is contributed by Carol Smith, who regularly writes on the topic of ultrasound tech school http://ultrasoundtechschools.org/ . She invites your questions, comments at her email address: smithcarol.311@rediffmail.com

Calm a crying, fussy baby

2009-11-06T09:32:00.004-05:00

Hearing a baby cry and cry and cry is very difficult for me. I knew before I had children that there was no way I could just let my babies cry themselves to sleep in order not to "spoil" them! I've never agreed with that philosophy because I believe that babies always cry for a reason: hungry, lonely, in pain, scared and hundreds more good reasons.

Scientists tell us that babies cries are very intentionally hard to ignore because if a baby cries, it needs attention of one kind or another! How about a lullaby? As a mother and a professional musician, I believe that singing, humming, or playing a recording of a lullaby, especially if it is familiar, can calm, soother and comfort a baby. Of course combining that with rocking, holding or snuggling the baby will also help.

If you played these lullabies for your baby during pregnancy, baby doesn recognize this music and often calms down very quickly. To see my lullabies and either get the download immediately or order the CD, go to fussy_babies.

What does birth look like?

2009-10-18T22:52:00.003-04:00

This is a wonderful 3-D animation of the birth of a baby. Although each birth is unique, the majority of them proceed just about like this! Let me know if you have questions.

Your unborn child at 14 weeks

2009-10-04T21:17:00.005-04:00

How your baby's growing:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:
Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).

The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.

Decision Guide: Should you find out the sex of your baby?

Boy, girl — or big surprise? Sixty-four percent of mothers-to-be in a BabyCenter poll said they wanted to find out the sex of their baby ahead of time, while the rest preferred to wait. "We decided that the surprise of 'it's a boy!' or 'it's a girl!' is the same surprise at 5 months as it is at the birth," said Jessica. Michael disagreed: "I think the old-fashioned way is the best. Finding out before birth is like opening your Christmas presents before Christmas!" If you're still on the fence, here's a look at the pros and cons of each side. A word of caution: If you want to keep your baby's sex a secret, let your provider and the ultrasound technician know right away so they don't inadvertently blurt it out in the middle of an ultrasound exam or while reviewing your test results.

Benefits of finding out:
• Many women say they feel a deeper bond with the baby once they know the sex and can picture a little boy or girl.
• You can prepare an older sibling for the arrival of a new little brother or sister.
• You can narrow down your list of baby names.
• You can pick out a gender-specific nursery theme or baby clothes, if you want to.

Benefits of waiting:
• You, your partner, and your family will have a delightful surprise on the day you give birth.
• Your desire to know whether your baby is a boy or a girl might motivate you during the toughest parts of labor.
• You'll be following in the tradition of your parents, your parents' parents, and so on.
• There will be no mistakes — what you see is what you get!

Consider keeping the price tags on any baby clothes that are clearly for a boy or a girl until you see your baby for yourself. Ultrasounds aren't always foolproof at determining sex.

• How has pregnancy affected how often you have sex?

This Week's Activity:

Find a prenatal exercise class. If you haven't already, now is a good time to start a regular workout. Joining a class can help motivate you to stick with it. And many women find that prenatal exercise classes are a wonderful way to bond with and get support from other pregnant women. Some good options include water exercise, prenatal yoga or Pilates, a walking group, or a dance class designed for pregnant women.

(all info is from www.babycenter.com, a wonderful site!)

Preemies and Lullabies: Sing to your baby!

2009-09-24T21:29:00.001-04:00

Are you pregnant or do you have a preemie? Both situations can be scary, especially if it's your first time. When a woman first finds out that she is pregnant, the last thing she is thinking about is whether or not the baby might come prematurely...not unless she has a history of pre-term pregnancies.

Understanding and being aware of the healing power of music with preemies can be very reassuring to the mother-to-be or to the new mother. Here are some important facts about music with preemies and newborns that you may not know.

1. The fetal ear is beginning to function at the beginning of the second trimester. In the beginning, baby hears mothers heartbeat, her blood circulating and other bodily functions such as digestive processes. By the beginning of the third trimester, baby can clearly hear conversations and lots of the same sound that mother is hearing.

2. Babies love their mothers' voices and are not at all critical. This is the voice they associate with nurture, safety, warmth and security.

3. When mother sings or hums to baby, the vibrations create a lovely and loving sonic massage for baby which strengthens the emotional bond between baby and mother.

4. Research studies have documented that babies who are sung to in the NICU and also in the newborn nursery gain weight faster, stabilize their vital signs faster, cry less and go home sooner.

5. Anecdotal research tells us that the songs that are sung to baby, often elicit a positive behavioral effect through the pre-school years, especially if they are reinforced regularly.

With information like this, I believe that mothers around the world will start singing to their child, born or unborn on a daily basis. I believe that the only thing that stops most mothers from singing to their babies is the belief that their voice isn't good enough. Mother must remember that her voice is the one that baby has been hearing for nine months or almost nine months and it is this voice that brings comfort to her baby!

What about CD's or tiny MP3 players? Those are second best. If mother is going to be away for an extended period (over 24 hours for a newborn), recording her voice singing the same half dozen songs that she sang before birth, would be a good idea.

There are hundreds of lullaby CD's on the market, including one you can purchase from me. In addition, you can sing any soothing, comforting song that comes to mind, including Christmas Carols, folksongs, pop tunes that are slow and happy sounding or best of all create your own! Songs and lullabies have been sung for thousands of years. What better heirloom could be passed from generation to generation?!

The musical, preemie pacifier

2009-09-15T23:23:00.004-04:00

I thought I had heard it all when I was first told about the musical pacifier, but when I began to understand all the benefits, I changed my mind!

The smallest baby ever to survive was born just a few months ago, weighing in at just under 10 ounces -- the size of a large apple. When premature babies are born, they need special care. Now, experts say two new techniques are helping even the tiniest babies survive and thrive.

Aidan, Ella, and Zoe weighed less than a pound-and-a-half each when they were born, and they've been poked, prodded, and stuck with IVs and needles ever since. Now, these preemies are being massaged back to health.

"It's good for them," mother Susan Gaugh says. "It helps them trust people more."

Studies show massage helps digestion and helps these tiny babies gain weight. "It helps circulation, it helps with the immune system, it helps with sleep," says Maria Thillet, a registered nurse.

"They love it," Susan says. "They calm down. They're very relaxed when they get the massage."

This musical pacifier is doing more than calming these babies. The pacifier teaches premature infants the "suck-swallow-breathe" reflex. When they do it right, music plays. When they do it wrong, the music stops.

BUY DR. CASH'S LULLABY CD HERE

"They're quick to learn that once the music turns off then they need to start sucking again," says Amy Robertson, M.M., M.T./B.C., a music therapist at the Florida Hospital in Orlando.

Studies have shown babies who use musical pacifiers eat twice as much as those who do not use them. Experts say the faster a preemie learns to eat, the quicker their recovery time, and the sooner they get to go home -- and that's music to many babies' ears.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

Current Research on Music Therapy during Pregnancy

2009-09-12T15:40:00.005-04:00

Effects of music therapy on psychological health of women during pregnancy.

Chang MY, Chen CH, Huang KF.
National Tainan Institute of Nursing, Taiwan.

I think that most women know intuitively that listening certain kinds of music during pregnancy really calms them down, soothes and comforts them. And of course, it's doubly powerful because when Mom calms down, baby calms down!

The following study just serves to further document what I've been saying for years now, "Music during pregnancy is a great way to calm yourself and your baby without ingesting potentially dangerous drugs and chemicals! Of course I highly recomment my own CD of "Lullabies for Mother - baby Bonding." If you listen to this on a regular basis while you're pregnant, the same tunes and melodies will calm and comfort baby after she's born whether it's played on CD or sung or hummed by mother. Baby loves HER mother's voice, no matter what, because that's the one she heard before birth! Click Here to BUY my LULLUBY CD.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music therapy on stress, anxiety and depression in Taiwanese pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: The value of music therapy is slowly being realized by nurses in various clinical areas, including obstetrics. Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of psychological stress during pregnancy. Few studies have examined the effects of music therapy on reducing psychological stress during pregnancy.

DESIGN: A randomized experimental study design was developed and implemented.

METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-six pregnant women were randomly assigned to music therapy (n = 116) and control (n = 120) groups. The music therapy group received two weeks of music intervention. The control group received only general prenatal care. Psychological health was assessed using three self-report measures: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), State Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (S-STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

RESULTS: In a paired t-test, the music therapy group showed significant decrease in PSS, S-STAI and EPDS after two weeks. The control group only showed a significant decrease in PSS after two weeks. This decrease was not as substantial as in the experimental group. An ancova test with the pretest scores as the control revealed that the changes in PSS, S-STAI and EPDS after two weeks were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: This controlled trial provides preliminary evidence that two-week music therapy during pregnancy provides quantifiable psychological benefits.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used to encourage pregnant women to use this cost-effective method of music in their daily life to reduce their stress, anxiety and depression. Further research is needed to test the long-term benefits.

What can the unborn baby hear?

2009-09-05T07:30:00.004-04:00

Of all the questions I get, this is probably one of the top five. We know for sure that by the beginning of the second trimester, the growing infant's ear is functional. In the beginning baby mainly hears the sounds of mother's heartbeat and digestive sounds. But with each passing day, baby begins to hear outside sounds of talking, music, loud traffic and most anything else.

For that reason, it is very important to keep Mom's sonic environment peaceful and quiet. Even unborn babies can be traumatized by lots of loud noises, screaming, shouting, loud rock music, etc. Be good to yourself and your baby during this precious time of life for both of you. If you feel like working, that's fine, but just keep any loud noises or extreme agitation to a minimum!

As always, please let me know your questions!

It's Official: Music can help preemies with pain

2009-08-07T09:28:00.003-04:00

"Music may reduce pain and improve behavioral states in premature infants, researchers found."

LITTLE FALLS, N.J., May 29 -- Music may reduce pain and improve behavioral states in premature infants, researchers found.

A systematic review of nine studies investigating the effects of music on outcomes in premature babies found preliminary evidence for therapeutic benefits, Manoj Kumar, M.D., of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and colleagues reported online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

But because of the methodological weaknesses of some of the studies included in the review, a meta-analysis could not be performed and the findings need to be confirmed in more rigorous trials, they said.
Music is increasingly being used in neonatal units to improve behavioral or physiological outcomes and to manage pain during common procedures. Benefits include calmer infants and parents, stable physiological parameters, higher oxygen saturation, faster weight gain, and shorter hospital stays, the researchers said.

To document such benefits, the researchers conducted a review of nine randomized trials reported between 1989 and 2006 that studied use of music on outcomes in neonates. Six studies evaluated music for painful procedures including circumcision and heel prick.

The studies used various types of music, but lullabies were the most common.

The methodological quality of the studies was generally poor, the researchers said.

One high-quality pilot study of 23 infants undergoing circumcision showed benefits of music for the outcomes of heart rate, oxygen saturation, and pain, while two low-quality studies found no difference.

Three studies evaluated the effects of music on pain from heel prick, and found it may be beneficial for measures of behavior and pain, but they were of low quality, the researchers said.

One study of music-reinforced non-nutritive sucking among 32 poorly feeding preterm infants found a significant increase in oral feeding rates compared with controls.

The researchers said it would be of particular interest to confirm the effects of using music to improve oral feeding rates, which could have the potential of "saving finite useful healthcare resources."

Another showed significant benefits in terms of heart rate and behavioral scores with recorded music versus no music in stable preterm infants.

But one methodologically strong study found no difference on the effects of recorded instrumental lullabies in 22 preterm infants with chronic lung disease compared with a no-music control group.

In general, the researchers said, the studies demonstrate that music may be beneficial in terms of behavioral states and pain, although they showed inconsistent effects overall on physiological measures.

Therefore, they said, benefits need to be confirmed in future well-designed, high quality trials.
By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: May 29, 2009
Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston and
Dorothy Caputo, MA, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, Nurse Planner

How early can the baby hear?

2009-07-06T15:46:00.004-04:00

Of all the questions that I get, I think one of the top five is "how early can my baby hear outside the womb?" It's hard to imagine, but for centuries people actually thought the baby was in a deep cocoon and that the ears began to function after birth! Of course we've known for well over a hundred years now that the baby does hear long before birth. Most embryologists will tell you that around the beginning of the 2nd month, many unborn babies ears begin to be functional and will be able to hear mother's heartbeat, circulation, and digestive sounds! Some women have known that all along...those that are tuned in to their bodies and aware that often the baby will "wake up" or move vigorously when Mom talks loudly or is around a sudden noise.
That's one reason that keeping the expectant Mom in a healthy sonic environment is so important. Try to avoid:

arguing and loud, disagreeable conversations
fireworks and explosions
loud music of any kind whether rap, rock and roll or even classical
sudden or persistant drilling, hammering or other such noises

What's the best kind of sonic environment?

calming soothing conversations or music
singing and talking to baby, beginning in the second trimester
happy and positive interactions in Mom's day
keep any conflict to a minimum

Of course there are babies born all the time into conflictual families, even in war zones, and they survive and even thrive! Humans are resilient creatures and can withstand unbelievable odds and hardships. But if you want to provide the optimal environment, follow as many of these suggestions as you can!

Preggatinis: Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Mom-to-be!

2009-06-30T17:16:00.005-04:00

Well here's some good news! On these hot summer evenings there IS something beautiful and refreshing that pregnant Moms can sip with no guilty conscience! These lovely concoctions are call "Pregga-tinis" and they are yummy! You're not going to be left out of cocktail hour. A woman named Natalie Bovis-Nelse, also known as "The Liquid Music" shares some of her favorite recipes for the mom-to-be.

The first drink is called "The Inside Spa" and its purpose is to hydrate your baby-making organs from the inside-out! This refreshing cucumber concoction also contains some cayenne pepper, believed to stimulate internal cleansing! Here's the recipe:

1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1 teaspoon sugar

1 ounce sparkling water

Pour diced cucumber into a food processor. Add lemon joice and sugar and blend on low for 1 minute. Pour mixture into a large, ice-filled coctail glass. Top with sparling water and sprinkle with a pinch of ground cayenne peper.

The second drink is called "The Cosmom." If you 'd like this recipe, just contact me! Safe pregnancy!

Does Music help during a Caesarian delivery?

2009-06-29T08:21:00.000-04:00

Music during caesarean section
In this Cochrane review, the authors attempt to gain insight into the effects of music on mothers and infants during cesarean section.
First, the details.
1 study involving 76 women (64 women evaluated) who planned to have their babies delivered by caesarean section was identified.
The study was of poor quality.
And, the results.
Music was provided from the beginning of anesthesia to the end of surgery.
The women’s heart rates were reduced by about 7 beats/minute.
Birth satisfaction scores increased by 3.4 points on a 35-point scale when women listened to music.
Respiration rates and anxiety were not affected.
The study didn’t report infant outcomes.
The bottom line?The authors concluded, “The findings indicate that music during planned caesarean section under regional anesthesia may improve pulse rate and birth satisfaction score. However, the magnitude of these benefits is small.”
6/25/09 18:10 JR

Circumcision pain may be eased with music

2009-06-01T12:13:00.004-04:00

The decision to circumcise is a painful one in and of itself. Many studies report that the experience is traumatic and stressful for the baby. Parents struggle with the religious, social and cultural implications of their decision, as well as issues like hygiene and potential health concerns.

If parents ultimately give the green light on circumcision, the next decision involves how, when and who. Will anesthesia be used? Should the procedure be performed soon after birth? Would it be better to use a man or woman doctor? How much will it cost?

While circumcision rates in the U.S. have dropped by approximately 10 percent over the last 15 years, the WHO estimates that approximately 75 percent of U.S. boys are circumcised. But when the procedures are done, only 14 percent of physicians use anesthesia, even though the American Academy of Pediatricians indicates that the need for pain control is clear.

Perhaps that’s why neonatal units increasingly use music as a way to soothe babies. New research suggests that playing music helps to calm babies and lower heart rates during stressful practices like circumcision and heel pricks—done to all newborns to test blood for metabolic disorders. Manoj Kumar, M.D., and his team at the University of Alberta reviewed data from nine trials, including six that looked at music played while infants underwent painful procedures. They looked at oxygen saturation, heart rates, and respiratory rates to see if music made any difference. While some benefits were observed, the jury is out on any hard conclusions.

The way I view it, any measure taken to help the comfort of the baby is worthwhile. We’ve seen how music can positively impact the well-being of ill patients and help us regulate our stress levels, why not provide that potential benefit to our little boys?

Posted by Jeri_at_Health on Friday, May 29, 2009 8:36 AM

More on lullabies

2009-04-22T21:52:00.003-04:00

Everyone loves lullabies, even grown-ups! As a matter of fact, I'm listening to a lovely lullaby album right now and am seriously thinking of going straight to bed. Why do people love lullabies? Oftentimes, they are familiar, easy-to-sing melodies that bring back positive associations and feelings. If Mama or Grandma sang lullabies to you as an infant, chances are you had no words to say "I love it when you sing to me," or "I feel so safe and warm when you sing to me, please don't stop" and yet when you hear that familiar tune, your body and mind gets those warm, safe, cuddly feelings.

If you have a child or a grandchild on the way, please think about getting my lullaby CD so that you can sing to your baby and instill these wonderful feelings of bonding and being loved!

What is prolactin and what does it do?

2009-02-21T21:11:00.008-05:00

This afternoon I got a call from woman who was told by her doctor that her prolactin level is a litle bit high. She was told that it could affect her fertility and asked me exactly what prolactin is and what purposes it serves. I've done a little research on this and here is what I found: If you are having trouble getting pregnant, it may have something to do with your hormones. Hormones are special chemicals secreted by the glands in your body; they work on specific body parts in order to ensure proper functioning. Ovulation and menstruation are both triggered by hormone secretion. As a result, infertility is often caused by an imbalance in these hormones. Specifically, the hormone prolactin plays a large role in preventing some women from becoming pregnant.

What is Prolactin?Prolactin is a chemical that is secreted by your pituitary gland. This is the pea-sized gland found in the middle of your brain, which is responsible for triggering many of your body's processes. Prolactin is found in both men and women and is released at various times throughout the day and night. Prolactin is generally released in order to stimulate milk production in pregnant women. It also enlarges a woman's mammary glands in order to allow her to prepare for breastfeeding.
Hormones that Affect ProlactinLike many of your body's other processes, the release of prolactin is actually triggered by other hormones. Hormones affecting prolactin include:
dopamine
serotonin
thyroid-producing hormone
Serotonin and thyroid hormone help to increase prolactin release, whereas dopamine works to block prolactin release.
Prolactin Changes During PregnancyWhen you are pregnant, prolactin changes are completely normal. In fact, your prolactin must increase in order to encourage the production of milk in your mammary glands. During pregnancy your hormones are all over the place. In particular, your estrogen levels begin to rise, and this is what stimulates the increase in your prolactin levels. After birth, as your baby breastfeeds, nipple stimulation will trigger a further increase in prolactin. Prolactin is what allows you to continue breastfeeding for an extended period of time.
Prolactin and Infertility Prolactin doesn't just cause your body to increase milk production - it also affects your ovulation and menstrual cycles. This is why it is nearly impossible to become pregnant when you are breastfeeding. (In fact, prolactin is 90% effective against pregnancy in the first months after birth).
Prolactin inhibits two hormones necessary to your ovulation: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Both of these hormones are responsible for helping your eggs to develop and mature in the ovaries, so that they can be released during ovulation. When you have excess prolactin in your bloodstream, ovulation is not triggered, and you will be unable to become pregnant. Prolactin may also affect your menstrual cycle and the regularity of your periods.
Prolactin IrregularitiesIf you are having difficulties becoming pregnant, it may be due to an irregularity in your prolactin levels. If your have elevated prolactin, this can inhibit ovulation and menstruation. Prolactin levels can be determined through a simple blood test. Normal prolactin levels in women are somewhere between 30 and 600 mIU/I. If your levels measure towards the high end of this spectrum or above, you may be suffering from a prolactin irregularity.
Types of Irregularities There are two main types of prolactin irregularities. It is possible to suffer from both at one time.
Galactorrhea Galactorrhea is a condition in which you begin to produce milk spontaneouly, without being pregnant or having given birth recently. It is a result of high prolactic levels. Other symptoms include:
enlarged breasts
painful or tender breasts
irregular menstruation
loss of sex drive
infertility
Hyperprolactinemia Hyperprolactinemia literally means too much prolactin in the blood. If you have hyperprolactinemia, you may also have galactorrhea, though this is not always the case. Symptoms of high prolactin levels include:
prolactin levels at or above 600 mIU/I
infertility
irregular menstruation
headache
reduced sex drive
vision problems
Causes of High Prolactin Levels There are a few things that may be responsible for your prolactin irregularities. In order to treat your infertility, you will need to determine what is at the bottom of your elevated prolactin levels.
ProlactinomaProlactinoma is one of the more common causes of prolactin-induced infertility. Prolactinoma causes a tumor to grow on your pituitary gland. This tumor secretes excess prolactin into your body. About 10% of the population have these tumors. They usually do not pose any health risks, besides infertility, though sometimes they can interfere with vision.
Prescription Drugs Prescription drugs can cause excess secretion of prolactin. Some anti-depressants, painkillers, and opiates block dopamine, preventing prolactin secretion from being inhibited. This can cause your prolactin levels to rise.
For more info, go to http://www.sharedjourney.com/define/prolactin.html

The tragedy of a stillbirth

2009-02-01T23:21:00.001-05:00

Stillbirth - A Vast and Sudden SadnessBy Claudia Kalb NEWSWEEKFeb 1, 2009 - 11:46:54 AM
Each year thousands of families experience stillbirth. As science seeks causes, parents use photography to honor their babies and cope with their grief.
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Marirosa Anderson was still sweating from a workout when her cell phone rang at 8:20 p.m. on Nov. 11, a particularly cold night in northern Virginia. Anderson had planned to spend the evening with her husband and two small children. Then she saw the caller - ID number. She took a deep breath, readied herself and answered the phone. Karen Harvey, a labor-and-delivery nurse at Inova Fairfax Hospital, gave her the rundown. A baby was about to be delivered by C - section and the parents wanted photographs. Could she come right over?Anderson threw on jeans and a sweatshirt, grabbed her camera bag and ran out the door. At the hospital, Harvey led her to a quiet room where Laurie Jackson and her husband, Michael, were waiting. Laurie's pregnancy had been easy and enjoyable, filled with the happy buzz of baby showers and the lovely air of expectation. But during a routine check that Tuesday afternoon - just three days before her due date - the Jacksons were given the incomprehensible news that their baby no longer had a heartbeat. The night before, Laurie had felt the baby kicking. Now she and Michael were confronting the impossible: saying hello and goodbye to their firstborn child at the very same time.Anderson introduced herself, then took out her camera, turning her attention to a perfect little girl who lay still in a bassinet, peaceful in a white cotton blanket with pink and blue stripes. "She's precious," Anderson said. Then she started to shoot. The baby's face. Click. Her tiny hands. Click. Her little pink feet. Click. Now it was time for the three of them. Laurie cradled her baby girl in the crook of her elbow, Michael leaned in next to her. Together they studied their daughter's face - her mouth resembled Laurie's family, the rest was pure Michael - they whispered to each other, they came together as a family. Their baby girl weighed six pounds, seven ounces and she was 19 inches long. They named her Brenna Rose.Pregnancy is supposed to be the most wonderful time, brimming with anticipation, kicking with newness and life. But as novelist Elizabeth McCracken writes in "An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination," a recent memoir about the death of her first baby, "this is the happiest story in the world with the saddest ending." Stillbirth happens more often than we imagine - 10 times more often than sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, a condition most every parent knows about and dreads. Every year some 26,000 babies die during or after the 20th week in their mothers' womb (a loss before that is considered a miscarriage) or die during birth. In at least half of all cases, doctors have no idea what went wrong. The impact is impossible to measure. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends - all must figure out how to absorb the vast and sudden sadness, to grieve and, in many instances, to reconcile with a God who has shaken their faith to its core.Decades ago, stillborn babies were whisked away from their parents to morgues; doctors and nurses pretended nothing happened, mothers were medicated with Valium, parents suffered their sorrow alone. It was in the late 1970s and early 1980s that the medical and psychological thinking about stillbirth began to evolve when researchers started studying the impact of a baby's death and parents began telling their stories. From silence and detachment came acknowledgment and remembrance. Today nurses encourage parents to hold the babies. Molds of hands and feet are created. Locks of hair are collected. And photographs are taken. Not just the clinical snapshots that nurses have been capturing for years, but striking and sensitive portraits that have burgeoned since the formation of a group called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep in 2005.Volunteer photographers who belong to the group, including Anderson, take pictures of stillborn babies - and babies expected to die soon after birth - for their parents at no cost. The idea was born from the life of Maddux Haggard, who was 6 days old and on life support in Colorado when his parents, Cheryl and Mike, decided they wanted pictures of their baby and contacted Sandy Puc', a local photographer well known for her beautiful baby portraits. After that photo session four years ago, Cheryl Haggard and Puc' founded Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which has since grown to 7,000 photographers, most of them professionals, across the globe.Photographing the dead may seem strange, even morbid, especially in our American culture so uncomfortable with death. Those feelings are only intensified when the dead are the newly born or just hours or days old. "We associate giving birth with life, with the future, with the defiance of death," says Irving Leon, a psychologist at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor who specializes in reproductive loss. "To have that smashed, violated so powerfully, it's something people don't want to look at, both literally and metaphorically."Postmortem photography, though, has a long and treasured past. In the 19th century, when people died at home, families spent much of their savings on expensive silver daguerreotypes depicting their loved ones after they had passed away. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a modern-day incarnation of this "memento mori" photographic genre (Latin for "remember your death"). Memories facilitate grieving, says Leon, which is critical to long-term healing. Holding a baby, talking to her and photographing her - all create memories that help parents cope with a devastating loss.Parents who are hesitant about holding their babies often change their minds toward the end of a shoot, realizing that they'll have no other chance to embrace their child. And the sessions bestow a quiet time for mothers and fathers to treasure and honor their babies without any interruption from nurses or doctors. In years past, parents didn't expect all of their children to live. Today babies are dreamed about and dwelt on, and the deep attachment that develops between parents - especially mothers - and their unborn children starts earlier than ever before. At eight weeks, a baby's heartbeat can be seen on ultrasound; parents now find out gender and assign names months before their babies are born. All this has intensified the grief reactions many women feel after they suffer not just a stillbirth, but a miscarriage too, says Leon.Studies show that mothers benefit from bonding with their stillborn babies. Joanne Cacciatore, a researcher at Arizona State University, studied 3,000 women and found that those who had the chance to see and hold their babies had fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. This benefit may be temporarily reversed during a subsequent pregnancy. And nobody should be pressured to hold their babies. But more than 80 percent of women who did not regretted the lost opportunity. Cacciatore, whose fourth baby, Cheyenne, died in 1994, calls this a period of "ritualization," a time for parents to honor their child and to feel some semblance of control during an emotionally chaotic time. Holding a stillborn baby allows women to connect and then separate themselves from their babies after months united in the same body. And it gives parents the chance to create positive memories, rather than live with the unknown: What did she feel like? Whose nose did she have? Was she peaceful?Doctors, nurses and social workers who encounter stillbirth have come to know this, and their thinking about how to care for patients has evolved enormously. Elisabeth Kubler - Ross's seminal 1969 book, "On Death and Dying," exposed the impact of loss and the long and intricate process of grieving. Parents of stillborn babies started talking about what it felt like to lose their children; physicians and psychologists began challenging the hush-hush approach. Michele Schwarzmann, director of maternal child health at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, can't forget the first stillbirth she witnessed in the 1970s. " 'Michele, you can't cry, you have to be strong'," she remembers her supervisor telling her. A decade later, Schwarzmann says she was finally allowed to express her sadness: "I sobbed for every baby I never got to cry over."Stillbirth is in many ways a medical mystery. Despite its gravity, it has been largely overlooked. Even today, researchers don't know the true incidence of stillbirth nor do they fully understand why it happens. In some cases, doctors can identify a cause - a prenatal infection that travels from mother to baby, a genetic anomaly, a placental abruption, an umbilical - cord accident. But in at least half of all cases - more than 10,000 a year - they can't pinpoint the problem. "Over the last 50 years, we've put a lot of research and clinical energy into preventing sick babies from dying after birth and a lot of energy into premature babies," says Dr. Robert Silver, an Ob - Gyn at the University of Utah School of Medicine. "We haven't put the same energy into stillbirth."All that became clear at a workshop held by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in 2001. "We realized that we needed to do a study that was larger than anything undertaken in this country," says Dr. Catherine Spong, chief of NICHD's Pregnancy & Perinatology Branch. With NICHD funding, Silver and other researchers began collecting data on more than 500 stillbirths at five sites around the country. Now they're analyzing the information. The hope is that the new information will help researchers sort out how to reduce a woman's risk for stillbirth, identify problems in advance so that couples can prepare for a loss and, ultimately, save lives.No matter how good the science gets, however, some number of babies will continue to die and parents will continue to grapple with the shock. Not long after joining Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep in 2007, photographer Jennifer Clark got a call from a hospital near Salt Lake City. The parents, Melina and Tom Anderson (unrelated to Marirosa Anderson), had three other children - a son, Jack, then 6, and two daughters, Amy, 4, and Mae, 2â€”and they were excited about welcoming their fourth, another girl, named Ella. At 39 weeks, however, the baby's heartbeat started dropping precipitously and Melina had to have an emergency C-section under general anesthesia. Melina remembers waking up and hearing her doctor say, "I'm so sorry, she didn't make it." The umbilical cord, wrapped tightly four times around the baby's neck and once around her arm, had cut off her blood supply. Melina "made the kind of sound you never want to hear," says Tom. "Not really a scream, but almost. A moan." And then she started to cry.Clark was nervous. "I remember standing outside the door before I went in and I prayed," she says. "I wanted to make photos they would cherish." She also remembers a sense of peacefulness as she worked. It was a sacred time, and she was buoyed by the gratitude shown by Tom and Melina. But she was also profoundly saddened. At times, she had to put her camera down to wipe the tears from her eyes as she captured the images. Amy touching Ella's fingers. Mae, in her pink - and - yellow kitty - cat pajamas, a pacifier in her mouth, peering at the baby's face. Jack, who had accompanied his mother to every doctor's appointment. Tom and Melina looking at their daughter's face.The next day Tom carried his daughter to a hospital exit next to the ER, far from the place where new mothers are wheeled out with newborns in their arms and smiles on their faces. A mortuary attendant strapped Ella onto a gurney and drove off in a big white van. In the weeks after Ella's burial, Melina suffered both physical and emotional pain. Her breasts had to be bandaged to stop the milk from coming in - a poignant reminder of what should have been. Pregnant women brought tears to her eyes; new babies made her think about the milestones she was missing with Ella. But tangled up in the sadness was the conviction that Ella needed to be remembered. Clark's images allowed Melina to savor a face that was fading from her memory. And the Andersons' tributes to their daughter now assure her a constant place in the family. On the first anniversary of Ella's birth, the Anderson family held hands at her grave and sang "Happy Birthday." Then they went out for dinner and shared a birthday cake.When Clark first heard about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, she felt a powerful urge to participate, but she never imagined that she'd find herself on the other side of the lens. Last year Clark was overjoyed to discover she was pregnant. Her first three babies were healthy. This time, Clark's fetus was diagnosed with trisomy 18, a genetic disorder so catastrophic that less than 10 percent of babies make it to their first birthday. The Clarks, devout Mormons, never considered terminating the pregnancy. Above all else, they prayed that their little boy would be born alive and that he would live for some time - hours, days, weeks, maybe even long enough to go home.Connor Clark was born on Dec. 22 at 5:54 p.m. For just over an hour, his parents, his siblings - Ellison, 10, Sydney, 7, and Hayden, 2 - his grandparents and some of his many aunts and uncles held him, talked to him, rejoiced in him. Two photographers from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep shot the sobbing and the smiles, the kisses, the hugs, the gentle cradling and the embrace between Jennifer and her husband, Spencer, when they realized they were losing their son. At 7:20 p.m., Connor took his last breath. At his funeral service two days after Christmas, the Clarks showed a powerful video compilation of black-and-white photographs set to music for their family and friends. A life deeply mourned, a life lovingly celebrated.To learn more about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, visit their website . For additional information on stillbirth and to find support resources for families, visit the M.I.S.S. Foundation and First Candle. LINKwww.firstcandle.org And for more on research conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Development, you can visit their site .

Octuplets make an early appearance today

2009-01-27T18:28:00.004-05:00

No one really plans to have multiple births. Usually, difficulty getting or staying pregnant causes a couple to consider fertility drugs. I believe this was the case with this family. According to some "authority" whom I heard on the Today Show earlier, multiple embryos were implanted in this woman's uterus, but usually "survival of the fittest" prevails and only one or two survive. Apparently 8 were implanted and 8 survived!

“They are doing amazingly well at this time,” said Dr. Mandhir Gupta, a neonatologist who was part of the team of 46 doctors, nurses and others who took part in the cesarean section delivery. But he added: “I won’t be able to comment on chances of survival because we’ve never had eight babies born at 30 weeks before.”
Obstacles aheadThe odds of survival drop off dramatically in multiple births, particularly if there are more than three babies. The risks include breathing and eating difficulties and growth problems because their lungs and other systems are often underdeveloped. They also may have hearing or vision problems and learning disabilities as they mature.
In fact, the risks in multiple births are so high that when a woman is pregnant with more than three babies, doctors routinely recommend “selective reduction,” or aborting some of them. But Dr. Harold M. Henry, director of maternal-fetal medicine for the hospital, would not discuss what took place in this case.
The babies were still in incubators and their mother had not been able to hold them yet. Three had oxygen tubes up their noses to help them breathe.
"All babies seem to be stable," Maples told NBC's TODAY. "All of them are now breathing on their own and are no longer requiring ventilators."

The first four were expected to begin taking milk sometime Tuesday, with the others shortly after that.
“That’s the biggest test,” Gupta said. “We want to make sure that they start tolerating and digesting the milk.”
The mother plans to nurse the babies herself, which are now being fed pumped breast milk, Gupta told TODAY.
"Right now, we are really encouraging her," Gupta said. "She is going to breast-feed the babies.
A little surpriseThe woman and her doctors were actually expecting seven children, not eight. The delivery team was thinking the hard work was over after that seventh baby was removed from the womb, when another physician spotted another little hand, Maples said.
The mother reacted calmly to the news, said Dr. Jalil Riazi, an anesthesiologist. “Her question was, ‘Really, an eighth baby? How did we miss that baby?”’ he said.
"There are multiple spines and heads and shoulders, with movement of the babies during the ultrasounds," Maples told TODAY. "So, it's not unusual at some times, especially during these high order multiples, that you can miss another baby."
List of octuplets born
The eight children, in the order of their appearance, born at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center.
— Baby A, a boy, weighing 2 pounds, 11 ounces, born at 10:43 a.m.
— Baby B, a girl, weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces, born at 10:44 a.m.
— Baby C, a boy, weighing 3 pounds, 4 ounces, born at 10:45 a.m.
— Baby D, a girl, weighing 2 pounds, 8 ounces, born at 10:45 a.m.
— Baby E, a boy, weighing 1 pound, 8 ounces, born at 10:46 a.m.
— Baby F, a boy, weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces, born at 10:47 a.m.
— Baby G, a boy, weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces, born 10:47 a.m.
— Baby H, a boy, weighing 2 pounds, 11 ounces, born at 10:48 a.m.
Baby H was a surprise to the delivery room team, doctors said they repeatedly conducted practice sessions in anticipation of the deliveries and were well prepared.
The mother had checked into the hospital in her 23rd week and spent nearly two months working with doctors in preparation for the big day. Mainly she got a lot of bed rest, Maples said, while the medical team repeatedly conducted practice sessions.

Adult 'preemies" in the NICU

2009-01-17T23:54:00.002-05:00

Here's a fascinating experiment! Would you try it?
Adult 'preemies' get NICU treatment
By Lois M. Collins
Deseret News
Published: Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 1:06 a.m. MST

The room is dark and mostly silent, except for the sound of a heartbeat that seems to reverberate everywhere. "Baby" lies on the floor, eyes closed and peaceful. Then the doors fling open and noisy people rush in, grasping at Baby, repositioning her, using a tongue depressor the size of a paint stirrer and taping an oversized straw in her mouth. At 28 weeks' gestation, she's about to be admitted to intensive care, with all the testing that entails.
Strangers fuss with her diaper and someone positions an ice-cold stethoscope. Before they're done, she will have had cold liquid on her skin, been talked to VERY loudly and had lights shined in her pried-open eyes. The tape that secures the tube in her mouth will be pulled off — and probably re-applied and pulled off again.
It's enough to make a grown Baby want to cry, as the adult volunteers playing Baby learned in a special training Thursday called "Preemie for a Day" at University Hospital.
Imagine how all the poking and fussing feels to actual preemies in an intensive care unit, said Kay Johnson and Michelle Waddell, child development experts from Children's Medical Ventures, which presents the training worldwide. The session was sponsored by the hospital and March of Dimes, which has a family support program in the U. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, said spokesman Stephen McDonald.
At times the volunteer babies had trouble stifling laughter, but the message was serious: Little things like shielding a real preemie's eyes from the light or warming gel before applying it make a huge difference. And stress is harmful not only to healing, but to development.
Later, Johnson said, some of the volunteers will say they were cold. That's easily fixed. Some will say it was too loud. That's something staff can change, too.
This type of training is not just about comfort. Proper handling aids a premature baby's brain development — and certain things can disrupt it. It's possible, for instance, to bypass complete auditory development as you push visual stimulation. Poor positioning can set up later problems with receptiveness to touch and body alignment and more.
The training also helps staff deal with and guide the stressed-out families of preemies. Take touch: preemies have different tolerance for it. Education and collaboration helps families figure out what pleases and soothes the baby. Petting, for instance, may irritate the baby but is instinctual for some parents.
Johnson emphasized the need for NICUs to transition babies so when they go home they're not facing abrupt and disruptive changes, especially during sleep. Premature babies, she said, make the "top five" on the shaken babies list, adding more urgency to helping them be good sleepers and less fussy at home.
Respect was another theme. "How many of us know who this baby will become," Johnson said, adding that if staffers always respect the baby, the parents and their own co-workers, "you will never make a mistake."
"This reinforces how powerful touch is," said occupational therapist Sarah Meyer after the training. "What we do really does have impact on these babies long-term and on brain development. We can influence development."

Your unborn baby's hearing

2009-01-03T21:25:00.003-05:00

Throughout my three pregnancies I wondered, "can my baby hear the music around me; can she hear my conversations with friends and family?" Well, I didn't know the answer then, but I do now! The developing ear is beginning to be functional by the beginning of the second trimester! Research shows that around the beginning of the 4th month, baby can hear Mom's heartbeat, digestive sounds and circulation sounds. Over the next six months hearing grows and by the last trimester baby can pretty much hear what you hear! What does this mean for the health of the baby? If you sing or hum a carefully selected 6 or 8 tunes for baby, these very same songs, sung after baby's birth, will calm and soothe baby immediately! They will be associated with warmth, nurturing and feeling safe. If perchance your little one comes early these songs will help her to gain weight faster, stabilize body rhythms and temperature and go home as much as five days earlier! According to hospital bills, one day in the neonatal intensive care unit is over $15,000 per day!! So start singing!!If you don't know any lullabies, order my CD "Lullabies for Healthy Bonding." Link to this CD here.

What if I have a miscarriage?

2008-12-14T16:37:00.004-05:00

Miscarriages are one of the great mysteries of life. No one knows for sure what causes them for the majority of the cases. We know a few things that can contribute to them but most of them are mysteries. In any case, here is a very helpful article excerpt that I think you might want to see:
This is not intended to be the absolute word on the subject, but rather a gauge for the unexpected emotions felt by parents who have suffered this type of loss. Most of the parents I have spoken to agreed that the uncertainty of their grief was frightening and may have been alleviated had they known what to expect.
Friends and family may also benefit from reading this over so they might understand the special kinds of pain and emotions involved in this type of loss and allow them to be expressed.
"THE TRUTH IS..."
The truth ISN'T that you will feel "all better" in a couple of days, or weeks, or even months.
The truth IS that the days will be filled with an unending ache and the nights will feel one million sad years long for a while. Healing is attained only after the slow necessary progression through the stages of grief and mourning.
The truth isn't that a new pregnancy will help you forget.
The truth is that, while thoughts of a new pregnancy soon may provide hope, a lost infant deserves to be mourned just as you would have with anyone you loved. Grieving takes a lot of energy and can be both emotionally and physically draining. This could have an impact upon your health during another pregnancy. While the decision to try again is a very individualized one, being pregnant while still actively grieving is very difficult.
The truth isn't that pills or alcohol will dull the pain.
The truth is that they will merely postpone the reality you must eventually face in order to begin healing. However, if Your doctor feels that medication is necessary to help maintain your health, use it intelligently and according to his/her instructions. The truth isn't that once this is over your life will be the same.
The truth is that your upside-down world will slowly settle down, hopefully leaving you a more sensitive, compassionate person, better prepared to handle the hard times that everyone must deal with sooner or later. When you consider that you have just experienced one of the worst things that can happen to a family, as you heal you will become aware of how strong you are.
The truth isn't that grieving is morbid, or a sign of weakness or mental instability.
The truth is that grieving is work that must be done. Now is the appropriate time. Allow yourself the time. Feel it, flow with it. Try not to fight it too often. It will get easier if you expect that it is variable, that some days are better than others. Be patient with yourself. There are no short cuts to healing. The active grieving will be over when all the work is done.
The truth isn't that grief is all-consuming.
The truth is that in the midst of the most agonizing time of your life, there will be laughter. Don't feel guilty. Laugh if you want to. Just as you must allow yourself the time to grieve, you must also allow yourself the time to laugh.Viewing laughter as part of the healing process, just as overwhelming sadness is now, will make the pain more bearable. The truth isn't that one person can bear this alone.
The truth is that while only you can make the choices necessary to return to the mainstream of life a healed person, others in your life are also grieving and are feeling very helpless. As unfair as it may seem, the burden of remaining in contact with family and friends often falls on you. They are afraid to "butt in," or they may be fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing. This makes them feel even more helpless. They need to be told honestly what they can do to help. They don't need to be told, "I'm doing fine" when you're really NOT doing fine. By allowing others to share in your pain and assist you with your needs, you will be comforted and they will feel less helpless.
The truth isn't that God must be punishing you for something.
The truth is that sometimes these things just happen. They have happened to many people before you, and they will happen to many people after you. This was not an act of any God; it was an act of Nature. It isn't fair to blame God, or yourself, or anyone else. Try to understand that it is human nature to look for a place to put the blame, especially when there are so few answers to the question, "Why?" Sometimes there are answers. Most times there are not. Believing that you are being punished will only get in the way of your healing. The truth isn't that you will be unable to make any choices or decisions during this time.
The truth is that while major decisions, such as moving or changing jobs, are better off being postponed for now, life goes on. It will be difficult, but decisions dealing with the death of your baby (seeing and naming the baby, arranging and/or attending a religious ritual, taking care of the nursery items you have acquired) are all choices you can make for yourself. Well-meaning people will try to shelter you from the pain of this. However, many of us who have suffered similar losses agree that these first decisions are very important. They help to make the loss real. Our brains filter out much of the pain early on as a way to protect us. Very soon after that, we find ourselves reliving the events over and over, trying to remember everything. This is another way that we acknowledge the loss. Until the loss is real, grieving cannot begin. Being involved at this early time will be a painful experience, but it will help you deal with your grief better as you progress by providing comforting memories of having performed loving, caring acts for your baby.
The truth isn't that you will be delighted to hear that a friend or other loved one has just given birth to a healthy baby.
The truth is that you may find it very difficult to be around mothers with young babies. You may be hurt, or angry, or jealous. You may wonder why you couldn't have had that joy. You may be resentful, or refuse to see friends with new babies. You may even secretly wish that the same thing would happen to someone else. You want someone to understand how it feels. You may also feel very ashamed that you could wish such things on people you love or care about, or think that you must be a dreadful person. You aren't. You're human, and even the most loving people can react this way when they are actively grieving. If the situations were reversed, your friends would be feeling and thinking the same things you are. Forgive yourself. It's OK. These feelings will eventually go away. The truth isn't that all marriages survive this difficult time.
The truth is that sometimes you might blame one another, resent one another, or dislike being with one another. If you find this happening, get help. There are self-help groups available or grief counselors who can help. Don't ignore it or tuck it away assuming it will get better. It won't. Actively grieving people cannot help one another. It is unrealistic, like having two people who were blinded at the same time teach each other Braille. Talking it out with others may help. It might even save your marriage.
The truth isn't that eventually you will accept the loss of your baby and forget all about this awful time.
The truth is that acceptance is a word reserved for the understanding you come to when you've successfully grieved the loss of a parent, or a grandparent, or a beloved older relative. When you lose a child, your whole future has been affected, not your past. No one can really accept that. But there is resolution in the form of healing and learning how to cope. You will survive. Many of us who have gone through this type of grief are afraid we might forget about our babies once we begin to heal. This won't happen. You will always remember your precious baby because successful grieving carves a place in your heart where he or she will live forever.
A Mother's Prayer/ Affirmation After Miscarriage
In this time of loss I call upon my spirit within to guide me to my strength so that I may find peace and completion.
I will use this strength to demand of myself and others my need to grieve completely, for this will be my first step to healing.
During my time of grief I will seek guidance not only from my inner spirit but from loving persons who may offer wisdom and comfort.
I need to understand that the soul as well as the physical body needs healing and to pay attentio to this. I will learn to accept that the soul may never heal completely.
I will learn to live not in fear and once again see beauty in my world and purpose in my existence.
In spite of my new knowledge that things happen that cannot be controlled, I must call upon the places within me that tell me I do have control over much of my life and use this control to aid my healing.
Let me recognize the gift in my ability to conceive and carry life however briefly.
Let me take joy in my ability to love so deeply and desire to nurture a soul unbeknownst to me.
Let me find healing in the belief that this oul knew my love for it and that that love helped it to pass to another place.
Let me honor this short life not only with my love but in finding meaning in its existence.
Let me recognize this meaning in not only my ability to survive, but in my fullest appreciation of all the moments motherhood will bring me, along with my deeper compassion and sisterhood to other women who've experienced loss.
Let a part of this soul be reflected in the spirit of my future children, born or adopted, so that I may know it through them.
I will listen to and trust the place in my deepest heart that tells me I will once again be reunited with this soul and will fulfill the need to hold it in my arms.
I will help myself to feel comfort in the knowledge that there is a star in heaven that belongs to me.
by Stacey Dinner-Levin http://www.ivf.com/misc.html

If Mom Smokes, Her Preemie Won't Sleep

2008-12-10T13:11:00.002-05:00

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of a college for licensed practical nurse She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com

For mothers who smoke, the risk of a pre-term birth is extraordinarily high. Most of us know this, what's interesting is the results of a new study in the journal Sleep that show these pre-term babies are also at substantial risk for sleep disruptions so profound, they may cause developmental delays later in later childhood.

So, babies born to mothers who are considered heavy smokers are at risk for far more than low birth weight we've known about for some time.

According to the study:

"Results indicate that pre-term neonates born to heavy-smoking mothers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day displayed disrupted sleep structure and sleep continuity. From 7:00 PM to 8:00 AM they slept almost 2 hours less than controls who were born to nonsmoking mothers, and their sleep was more fragmented."

This is a frightening revelation because of the importance of sleep to babies. At a time of incredible growth and development, much of which happens during sleep, infants exposed cigarette smoke before they're born may not be developing properly. And, because preemies tend to sleep in short bursts rather than long periods like full-term babies, it becomes increasingly obvious the devastating impact smoking can have on a baby born too soon.

These include breathing problems such as sleep apnea (when an infant stops breathing for a moment) and respiratory infection. If your infant can't breathe properly, they can't get enough oxygen for optimal brain function.

Smoking during pregnancy is not healthy but increasingly, research shows that the harmful side effects of smoking may affect a baby well into early childhood and "may increase the chances for attention deficit disorder and impulsivity." Complications once attributed to low birth weight (itself often caused by smoking) seem to now be linked as much to prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke.

We should also note that, while the mother's habits most directly affect an unborn fetus, those around her are responsible as well. Prolonged exposure to any secondhand smoke is not ideal for a pregnant woman and no one should be allowed to smoke near a premature infant.

When all is said and done, smoking is a bad habit for everyone. If you are pregnant, ask your physician about smoking cessation programs that will help you break this destructive cycle. There are many wonderful programs to help you quit. Do it for your baby – and do it for yourself as well.

Getting Ready for Pregnancy

2008-12-01T10:52:00.002-05:00

Tips on Getting Pregnant

Ditch the pill
Yes, the first thing is to forget about contraception. You may notice certain irregularities in your cycle and may take a few months for your cycle to return to normal. But many women are fertile the first month after they stop taking the Pill. The same holds true for the contraceptive patch and ring.
Fuel up on folic acid
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin that can help reduce the risk of serious birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord. For this reason, the FDA recommends that all women attempting pregnancy take folic acid supplements for decreasing chances of birth defects.
Quit smoking, drinking and drugs now
Smoking or taking drugs greatly diminishes your chances of getting pregnant and can lead to miscarriages, premature birth, and low-birth weight babies. Plus, research suggests that smoking can affect your fertility and lower your partner’s sperm count. In fact, studies have shown that even secondhand smoke may affect your chances of getting pregnant. It is also recommend that women avoid alcohol when trying for pregnancy.
Cut down on Caffeine
Research shows that too much caffeine can reduce your ability to absorb iron and increase your risk for stillbirth. Avoid coffee, tea, and colas or switch to decaf to increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you are a complete caffeine junkie, then the safe limit would be a cup a day. Try switching to a milkshakes which will boost your calcium as well and assist in conception.
Get your weight in check
Healthy weight women have an easier time getting pregnant than overweight or underweight women. Studies show that women whose body mass index (BMI) is below 20 or above 30 have a harder time getting pregnant, so it’s a good idea to try to get yourself into the 20 to 30 range before you start trying.
Timing is Everything
You will have little chance of getting pregnant if you had sex on the wrong days and missed the most fertile ones. Figure out your ovulation days with our ovulation calendar to increase your chances of conception. Read our articles on Ovulation and Signs of ovulation to assist you in knowing your fertile period. Ovulation predictor kits can also help you figure out when you’re ovulating by detecting hormones in your urine that signal ovulation is about to occur.
Mind Control
Women who suffer from depression are twice as likely to have problems with fertility as women who don’t. Get a mental health check if you notice signs of depression. Also, try stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, which research suggests can also help in getting pregnant.
Buy something sexy
Some experts say that if a woman is highly aroused while she’s having sex, the sperm has a better chance of fertilizing her egg. Others say it makes absolutely no difference. It definitely wont hurt and may even help in boosting your libido and killing that awkward feeling of having sex for pregnancy.
Positioning yourself
Many experts suspect that the missionary position (man on top) provides the best opportunity for getting pregnant, though no definitive studies have been done on this question. This position allows for the deepest penetration which deposits sperm closer to the cervix. For additional effectiveness, the woman can try elevating her hips with a pillow so her cervix is exposed to the maximum amount of semen. Other positions could be Rear entry and lying side-by-side. Avoid woman on top, standing, or leaning positions, which discourage the flow of semen to the uterus.
Increase the Odds
Make your vaginal environment as sperm-friendly as possible. Avoid vaginal sprays and scented tampons, artificial lubricants, and douching. Not only can they cause infections, they may wash away cervical mucus or create a hostile environment for the sperm.
If you find that your cervical mucus is not as conducive of getting pregnant as it should be, you may want to try a specific type of lubricant. Pre-Seed lubricant is the sperm friendly choice of many people trying to get pregnant. After intercourse, elevate your hips on a pillow for about fifteen minutes.
For your man
Ask your partner to chuck all briefs and opt for boxers instead for a healthy sperm count. Also, having sex in the morning would help since the semen has the highest number of sperm then.
Finally
Getting pregnant isn’t always easy. Very few couples conceive on the first try. In fact, even if everything is absolutely in perfect working order, you only have a 20-25% chance of conception each month. If you are under 30, and haven’t conceived in 12 months, you should make an appointment to see your doctor as there could be some issues at play with are preventing you from getting pregnant. If you are over 35, and haven’t succeeded in getting pregnant in six months, make an appointment to see your doctor, as infertility issues become more prevelant the older you get. If you are over 40, then do not delay in getting medical help.

Bleeding during early Pregnancy

2008-11-30T19:25:00.005-05:00

Is spotting during pregnancy normal?
Spotting is light bleeding from the vagina similar to, but lighter than, a period. It varies in colour from red to brown. While it's not exactly normal, light bleeding or spotting during pregnancy - particularly during the first three months - is fairly common. It's estimated that about 15 to 25 per cent of women experience some sort of bleeding in the first trimester. Often it turns out to be caused by something minor or "just one of those things". However, it can be a sign of a more serious condition that could put you and your pregnancy at risk. This is why it's always best to take any bleeding in pregnancy seriously and get the bleeding checked out.
What should I do if I notice bleeding?
Call your doctor, midwife or hospital straightaway for advice, even if it eventually stops. You may need a vaginal examination or an ultrasound to rule out any complications and to make sure you and your baby are fine. You will probably be given a urine pregnancy test and blood test (to check your hormone levels). You may be referred to an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) or clinic (EPAC), where the facilities are specially tailored to care for women with complications in the first trimester of pregnancy. (Find out if there is an EPAU in your area.) An examination using "transvaginal" ultrasound is often the best way to check whether all is well. In a transvaginal ultrasound, an ultrasound probe is gently inserted into your vagina, giving a clearer view of where the pregnancy is situated and whether the embryo is developing normally. Severe, persistent abdominal pain with or without bleeding can be a sign that the pregnancy has implanted outside of the uterus - an ectopic pregnancy - in which case you will need to go to hospital immediately.

What causes bleeding during early pregnancy?
There are many causes for spotting or bleeding early in pregnancy, some of which are more of a concern than others. Two common causes of early bleeding, which usually clear up on their own without any problems are: • "Breakthrough" bleeding - the hormones that control your menstrual cycle can cause breakthrough bleeding when your period would have been due. Some women experience this sort of bleeding more than once during their pregnancy, generally at times that fitted their previous menstrual cycle. • "Implantation" bleeding - when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus causing bleeding. You may experience some spotting or light bleeding, which usually lasts a day or two. Another much rarer cause of bleeding is a molar pregnancy. This happens when the embryo doesn't develop properly but some of the cells that form the placenta continue to grow abnormally. For your safety, both molar and ectopic pregnancies have to be removed as soon as possible. Bleeding can also be a sign of an underlying condition, which may need treating or for you to take precautions during the rest of your pregnancy. Bleeding can be caused by: • An irritated or inflamed cervix - pregnancy hormones can change the surface of the cervix (the lower section and entrance to your uterus) making it more likely to bleed. You may bleed a bit after sex or a cervical smear, for instance. • A cervical or vaginal infection. • A cervical polyp - a small, benign growth that has formed on the cervix. • Fibroids - particularly large fibroids that have formed within the lining of the uterus, or fibroids situated where the placenta has implanted. • An inherited bleeding disorder - such as, Von Willibrande disease. • A "vanishing twin" - when one or more embryos in a multiple pregnancy miscarries leaving an embryo behind. This can happen in naturally conceived pregnancies but it has been seen more frequently in assisted conception pregnancies where more than one embryo has been implanted. Bleeding can also be set off by trauma of some kind, such as a fall, a car accident, or as the result of domestic violence.
What does bleeding in early pregnancy mean?
The worst case scenario is that the bleeding is a sign that your pregnancy is going to come to an end. Spotting or light bleeding can be an early sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, especially if accompanied by abdominal pain or cramping. Try to prepare yourself, but don't lose all hope. Depending on the cause, many pregnancies continue despite early bleeding problems. It is estimated that about half of women who seek help because of bleeding in early pregnancy go on to have their baby successfully.
What causes bleeding in late pregnancy?
In the third trimester bleeding or spotting can signal a condition called placenta previa, placenta abruptio (whereby the placenta separates from the uterus), or premature labour. If you notice spotting after 37 weeks, it's most likely to be just a sign that the cervix is beginning to soften, maybe even dilate. You may notice a blood-tinged mucus discharge - part of the mucus plug that has sealed your cervix shut during pregnancy coming away. This is more commonly known as "a show" and is one of the signs that labour is going to start.
Is my baby at risk?
It is difficult to predict whether spotting or bleeding is going to end in miscarriage. However, there are some factors which are more strongly associated with pregnancy loss than others. These include: • increasingly heavy bleeding • your age - if you are under 25 years or over 35 years of age, your risk of miscarriage is increased • whether you smoke or are exposed to passive smoking - both of which have been associated with miscarriage • a history of miscarriages Spotting or light bleeding in early pregnancy is linked to a slightly increased risk of some pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia and premature birth - when the baby arrives before the end of the 37th week of pregnancy. Placenta abruptio (when the placenta separates from the uterus) in late pregnancy has also been linked to bleeding in early pregnancy. Heavy bleeding in early pregnancy is also strongly associated with problems with the placenta, such as placenta praevia, placenta abruptio, and having a baby that is small for dates. These are all potential complications which your maternity care team will be looking out for in any case. But the increased risks with heavy bleeding may mean that your antenatal care becomes more consultant-led than midwife-led so that any potential problems are monitored more closely. As scary as all this may sound, spotting or bleeding is more often a harmless mystery. article can be found at http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/vaginalspottingorbleeding/

Smoking while Pregnant: Some Facts

2008-11-26T15:53:00.005-05:00

Smoking while pregnant puts both mother's and baby's life at risk. Currently, about 13 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. smoke during pregnancy. If all pregnant women stopped smoking while pregnant, there would be an estimated 10 percent reduction in infant deaths in this country, according to the U.S. Public Health Service. Smoking while pregnant should be a cause for concern. Cigarette smoke contains more than 2,500 chemicals, with nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide thought to be the most dangerous to the fetus.
The sooner a mother quits smoking, the better it will be for both her and her baby. If you currently smoke, it's not to late to do something about it. Quitting during the first trimester can greatly reduce the risk of having a baby with low birth weight — almost to that of a woman who doesn't smoke. The fewer cigarettes a woman smokes, the less likely her baby will be born with smoking-related problems.
Tell your doctor if you need help quitting. If you are a heavy smoker and have not been able to quit or cut down, you may be able to use a nicotine patch to help you quit while you are still pregnant. There are risks to using the patch during pregnancy, but the risk of heavy smoking may be greater.
Even if you don't smoke, be aware that your baby can be harmed by people smoking around you. Pregnant women regularly exposed to other people's smoke during pregnancy may also be at increased risk of many of the same fetal development problems.
Smoking During Pregnancy: ComplicationsSmoking has been associated with a number of pregnancy complications. One is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo becomes implanted in a fallopian tube or other abnormal site instead of the uterus. With the rarest of exceptions, these pregnancies do not result in the birth of a baby, and must be removed surgically or with drug treatment to protect a woman's life.
Cigarette smoking also appears to double a woman's risk of developing placental complications (which occur in about 1 percent of pregnancies). These include placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta is attached too low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix; and placental abruption, in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. Both can result in a delivery that jeopardizes the life of mother and baby.
Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and severe vaginal bleeding.
Smoking During Pregnancy: Risks to Your BabySmoking during pregnancy, which can seriously slow fetal growth, nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a baby with low birth weight. In 1998, 12 percent of babies born to smokers in the U.S. were of low birth weight, compared to 7.2 percent of babies of nonsmokers.

Studies by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also suggest that smoking increases the risk of preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation) by about 30 percent. It also increases the likelihood of certain birth defects, including a cleft lip and/or cleft palate (an opening in the roof of the mouth or the soft tissue in the back of the mouth).
Babies who weigh less than 5 1/2 pounds at birth face an increased risk of serious health problems during the newborn period, chronic disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and learning problems), and even death.
Babies of mothers who smoke are twice as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as babies of nonsmokers. Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke before birth also may be at increased risk of lasting problems, including asthma, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.
Smoking During Pregnancy: After Baby Is BornIt's also important to stay smoke-free after you bring your baby home. Both mother and father should refrain from smoking in the house, and insist that visitors to do the same.
Babies who are exposed to cigarette smoke after birth face an increased risk of SIDS. They also suffer from more respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and tonsillitis than other babies. According to the AAP, an estimated 1.67 million physician visits each year in the United States are to treat coughing due to involuntary smoking. Infants whose mothers smoke are 38 percent more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia during their first year of life than babies of nonsmoking mothers.
Smoking in the home during the first few years of a child's life also increases his risk of developing asthma. Continual smoking can lead to more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children who already have the disease.
Nursing mothers who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day will likely pass along harmful chemicals from cigarettes to their babies in breast milk. Heavy smoking can reduce a mother's milk supply, and on rare occasions has caused symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Sources: March of Dimes; American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; U.S. Public Health Service; La Leche League
The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's condition.
Content courtesy of American Baby.

Just how pregnant ARE you?

2008-11-24T15:45:00.003-05:00

Not sure just how far along you are with your pregnancy?? Join the club! Many women, for a wide variety of reasons, just aren't sure when they got pregnant or what their due date might be.
Calculating Gestational Age:
Last Menstrual Period: If the mother has a regular period and knows the first day of her last menstrual period, gestational age can be calculated from this date. Gestational age is calculated from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period and not from the date of conception.
Ultrasound: The baby can be measured as early as 5 or 6 weeks after the mother's last menstrual period. Measuring the baby using ultrasound is most accurate in early pregnancy. It becomes less accurate later in pregnancy. The best time to estimate gestational age using ultrasound is between the 8th and 18th weeks of pregnancy. The most accurate way to determine gestational age is using the first day of the woman's last menstrual period and confirming this gestational age with the measurement from an ultrasound exam.
Calculating Conception Date:
In a Typical Pregnancy: For a woman with a regular period, conception typically occurs about 11-21 days after the first day of the last period. Most women do not know the exact date of conception, and their conception date is merely an estimate based on the first day of their last period.
Special Cases: Women who undergo special procedures such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization typically know the exact date of conception.
Calculating Due Date:
Estimated Due Date: Based on the last menstrual period, the estimated due date is 40 weeks from the first day of the period. This is just an estimate since only about 5% of babies are born on their estimated due date.
Difficulties in Determining Gestational Age:
Last Menstrual Period: For women who have irregular menstrual periods or women who cannot remember the first day of their last menstrual period, it can be difficult to determine gestational age using this method. In these cases, an ultrasound exam is often required to determine gestational age.
Baby's Growth: In some cases it is difficult to determine the gestational age because the baby is unusually large or small. Also, in some cases the size of the uterus in early pregnancy or the height of the uterus in later pregnancy does not match the first day of the last menstrual period. In these cases as well, it is difficult to obtain an accurate gestational age.

My recommendation (as a mother, not an MD) are to assume you'll probabl have your baby about 8 and 1/2 months after you discovered you were pregnant, give or take a week. Enjoy your pregnancy and take this opportunity to do all the healthy things for yourself that you've been meaning to do for a long time:

Stop smoking immediately!
Walk and do slow stretches daily
Eat your fruits and veggies
Limit your sugar intake
Drink lots of pure water
Develop a spiritual practice of some kind...you don't have to go to church to be spiritual...something like quiet meditation on your blessings and your growing child would be lovely and calming!

Let me know if you have questions or comments!

How does music help a sick preemie or baby?

2008-11-18T18:52:00.003-05:00

When your infant is sick, you'll do anything to turn the tide, right? Music therapy has been around for literally thousands of years, but most people don't realize how powerfully healing music can be. With a preemie or newborn full-term infant, there are many benefits.
When a baby is sick, you must stabilize the heart-beat: music with a slow, soft, steady pulse can do that. Our bodies automatically synchronize with the pulse of music!
When a baby is sick, s/he needs to hear a soft, comforting, preferably familiar voice. A mother or other singing lullabies, can calm a frightened and agitated newborn.
When a baby is underweight and needs to take in nourishment, soft lullabies playing can help a baby calm down enough to take in the nourishment s/he desperately needs.

I have created a lullaby CD/download just for you and your baby. Click on the image of the baby at the top of the blog to purchase. Let me know how I can help you!

Pregnancy and Fibroids: Problem or not?

2008-11-14T21:50:00.004-05:00

Even if you have fibroids, the chance of delivering a healthy baby is high. Learn how fibroids can affect pregnancy from medical experts and two women who had fibroids and birthed healthy babies.
They can be microscopic, the size of a grapefruit, and even grow to volleyball proportion or beyond. These unwelcome guests call a woman's uterus home. We are talking about tumors of the muscle of the uterus, commonly known as fibroids.
The good news is that with the monitoring modern technology enables, the great majority of pregnant women who have fibroids give birth to healthy babies, says Dr. Pedro Arrabal, MD, a Baltimore OB-GYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist.
According to Dr. Bobbie Gostout, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, fibroids infrequently cause difficulty with conception. Yet once a woman is pregnant, fibroids can enlarge rapidly—especially during early pregnancy—cause severe pain, and even necessitate hospitalization, Dr. Gostout explains. Still, she says most fibroids do not cause any difficulties with pregnancy.
Nevadra Johnson, of the Washington DC area, was about to undergo surgery to remove her fibroids when she learned she was pregnant with her second child. "It was kind of bittersweet. You're excited about it. You're also worried," she says of the news. "You're saying, 'Will the baby make it?' There's a lot of worry in the beginning stages of pregnancy. It's even more so when you know you have a condition."
Fibroids and the Growing Fetus
Johnson, who was referred to Dr. Arrabal, learned that for the safety of her unborn child, her surgery needed to be postponed until after delivery.
"During pregnancy, fibroids are not treated," explains Dr. Gostout. "We simply try to manage the symptoms in a woman who wishes to preserve fertility." After pregnancy, she says fibroids can be surgically removed through a myomectomy and adds while there are newer treatments which appear promising, so far they have only been applied in large numbers to women who are done having children, "mainly since the unknown effects on the strength of the uterus and the ability of the uterus to carry a healthy pregnancy."
When Johnson's fibroids were first discovered in 2000, she had a five-year-old son, but in early 2006, pregnant with her second child, her three fibroids ballooned from the size of a quarter to grapefruit size. At three-months pregnant, Johnson says her protruding stomach made her look twice as far along.
Johnson admits wondering if the fibroids were cancer. The answer was no. Dr. Arrabal says that the odds of developing cancer as a result of fibroids during pregnancy are less than one percent.
"Whenever we tell anybody things are out of the ordinary, people tend to assume the worst. The way I look at it, it's my job to assume the worst and to try to prevent the worst," says Dr. Arrabal, who asks patients to leave the worrying to him and to stay as positive as possible.
He explains as a woman's estrogen levels significantly rise during early pregnancy, fibroids can grow tenfold or more. The traditional method of measuring a mother's abdomen to determine a baby's approximate size can give a false sense of security, as the fibroids can throw off the numbers. Thanks to major medical advances in the last 30 years, Dr. Arrabal says the baby and the fibroids can be monitored in ways never before possible. Ultrasounds and other tests are used to track the baby's size and the location of the fibroids.
While Dr. Arrabal emphasizes the favorable odds, he also prepares patients for potential complications, such as an obstructed birth canal necessitating a Cesarean section, preterm contractions, and preterm labor. In a minority of cases, the fibroid settles under the placenta, forcing it to separate from the uterus, which Dr. Arrabal says can cause a woman to hemorrhage or have a stillbirth.
for more info, see entire article at www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/complications

So you've just found out you're pregnant?

2008-11-06T22:08:00.003-05:00

If you've just found out you're pregnant, congratulations! This is one of the absolutely most exciting times in a human's life...no doubt about it. You're probably full of questions, concerns and ideas of what you want to do. I believe that lots of good, accurate, and up-to-date information is extremely important. For that reason, I'm going to do a series on how pregnancy progresses. Of course it will also include information on how music fits into the picture! Hope you'll enjoy this and email me with any questions you might have!

How your baby's growing: This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.See what's going on in your uterus this week.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.How your life's changing: You may find yourself developing a bit of a split personality — feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Unsettling as this is (especially if you pride yourself on being in control), what you're going through is normal. Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones. But hormones aside, your life is about to change in a big way — and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?Spotting (spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is relatively common in early pregnancy, affecting up to a quarter of pregnant women. It may occur in a normal pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your provider. (information found on www.babycenter.com)

Do you know about "Kangaroo Care?"

2008-10-06T14:34:00.003-04:00

TORONTO: Swaddling a tiny premature baby against the skin of a parent - a technique known as "kangaroo care" - can help the infant cope with the pain inflicted by necessary medical procedures, a new study suggests.
The research shows that the technique - which has already been shown to be effective in full-term babies and moderately premature infants - is also helpful with those born very pre-term, between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation.
"We found that babies in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers showed less pain response than when they were in the incubator" when they were undergoing a procedure, said lead author Celeste Johnston, a nursing professor at Montreal's McGill University.
"The effect was significant and we were surprised to find that in babies this young."
The study was published Thursday in the journal BMC Pediatrics.
The options for pain control are limited for infants born so prematurely. Anesthetic creams applied to numb the skin don't appear to work in these babies and morphine would not be given for routine but painful procedures like the lancing of a heel to take blood or the insertion of an intravenous line.
Breastfeeding has been found to help infants cope with pain, but very pre-term babies may not be able to breastfeed. So Johnston and colleagues set out to study whether a technique known as KMC - kangaroo mother care - could help them through painful procedures. (While the study was done using mothers, kangaroo care can be provided by fathers too.)
Kangaroo care started in South America as a way to deal with a shortage of incubators, Johnston explained in an interview. It was thought that skin-to-skin contact between a baby and a parent might be a substitute for the heat that incubators provide to babies too tiny to regulate their own body temperature.
"The baby only has on a diaper. The mother's bare chested. And then they would wrap a blanket or a cloth, a swaddling cloth, around the mother and the baby," Johnston explained. "And the baby then is kept warm on the mother's chest."
The technique is now sometimes used in neonatal units to help infants bond with their parents.
But it was noticed that babies in kangaroo care were in a calmer state, with better blood oxygen levels and lower heart rates. So Johnston and her co-authors wanted to see if the technique could help preemies cope with pain, which sends heart rates racing and blood oxygen levels plummeting.
No one enjoys pain. But in these fragile infants, pain inflicts a cost.
"When painful thing happen to them, that destabilizes them," Johnston said. "Their heart rates go way up, their sats (oxygen saturation levels) go way down."
"When their heart rate goes up like that when something painful happens to them, then that's taking away energy that they could be using to be growing, if you will."
It wasn't clear, though, that infants this young had yet developed the mechanisms that would allow them to benefit from the technique - responses like the ability to produce pain-killing endorphins. For that reason Johnston and her colleagues weren't sure kangaroo care would work with these babies.
However, in a trial where some infants underwent procedures while in kangaroo care and others while simply in an incubator, the swaddled infants recovered more quickly and seemed to be in less pain.
The effect was not as pronounced as with babies born closer to term. But Johnston said it still makes sense to consider the technique in the younger preemies.
"Well, I think so. I mean, what's the alternative? It's better than not being in kangaroo care," she said.
"It's kind of a natural way to go. It doesn't cost anything. (And) the mothers feel much better about doing it."

Provided by: The Canadian PressWritten by: Helen Branswell, Medical Reporter, THE CANADIAN PRESSApr. 23, 2008

Breastfeeding and Lullabies ♪♫♪♫

2008-09-09T08:48:00.003-04:00

Nursing your baby is one of the best things you can do to get her off to a healthy start in life. Research and common wisdom tells us that Mommy's milk is meant to feed a newborn baby and no baby is ever going to be allergic to Mommy's mild. It almost seems like a miracle to me that the whole process works so beautifully---usually!

Sometimes new mothers or mothers who have had difficult pregnancies get tense and anxious and have trouble getting their mile to "let down." This happened to me after my first child was born: my breasts were full of milk and my baby was crying but the milk would not "let down" into my breasts so that my daughter could satisfy her hunger!

So how do lullabies play a part? Women have been softly singing, humming and crooning to the infants since the beginning of time. The benefits of mother singing to her baby, rather than playing a CD or radio, is that THIS is the same voice that baby has been hearing for the past nine months and is the voice that makes baby feel safe and secure. When baby calms down, mommy calms down and before you know it, the milk is flowing. Is this immediate and instantaneous? Of course not. It's a process and can take days depending on how anxious the mother is.

My recommendation is that mother listen to my lullaby CD during pregnancy so that the melodies come easily to her when she sits down to nurse baby! You can order the CD or you can download these classic lullabies that have been passed down from generation to generation! Do let me know how it goes!!

Cloth Diapers - The healthy choice for newborns and their environment

2008-08-12T16:12:00.002-04:00

By: Rob Parker
You have to think that life must be pretty difficult as a newborn. After all, so far you’ve spent your whole time in a warm and wet environment; basically bumping around naked, not really worried about anything. Then all of a sudden you are thrust out into this cold, bright place, your means of nourishment is cut off, and you have to learn to breath in a whole new way in a matter of seconds, and then they wrap you in plastic!While some people may have the time to set a schedule for their newborns so that they can get them cleaned every time the baby produces waste, for many this simply isn’t feasible. A new generation that rejects unnatural products both for the environment and for their children are choosing to use cloth diapers instead of disposables for catching the bodily waste that newborns produce. Let’s take a look at the benefits in health and in terms of our eco footprint, that choosing cloth diapers for your newborn can mean.Less diaper rash. Cloth diapers simply can’t hold the same amount of waste, either solid or liquid, that a disposable diaper can. While at first blush this may seem convenient, the fact is that the healthy choices for our children are never convenient. The amount of waste that can build up in a disposable diaper can cause newborns, infants and toddlers significant pain and discomfort in the form of a rash. Using a cloth diaper mitigates this occurrence.Renewable. The biggest benefit as far as the environment with cloth diapers as that by being washable, they are far less likely to be thrown out than disposables. Most disposable diapers contain quite a lot of plastic and other materials which will not break down for hundreds of years; a quick look at just how many disposables the average newborn goes through in a day is enough to make anyone’s spine creep when the eco impact is considered. The fact that you can use cloth diapers again and again, also means there is less impact on your bank account!Less chance of an allergic reaction. As allergies are becoming more and more severe, many new mothers are finding that the synthetic materials used in disposable diapers cause their newborns to have a reaction. Not a very great way to start out life! Choosing cloth diapers made of non-allergenic material will greatly reduce the chance of a reaction from your baby.As with so many are finding today, the old ways of doing things are proving to be the smartest for a new generation. Cloth diapers are a flash from the past, but perhaps they are a part of taking care of a newborn that should never have been left behind.
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com

The womb's "sound carpet," baby loves it!

2008-07-10T22:02:00.002-04:00

Have you wondered what your unborn child really hears? According to Giselle E. Whitwell, a pre-natal music therapist in Los Angeles, "Uterine sounds form a "sound carpet" over which the mother's voice in particular appears very distinct and which the prenate gives special attention because it is so different from its own amniotic environment. These sounds are of major importance because they establishes the first patterns of communication and bonding. Some researchers have discovered that newborns become calmer and more self-regulated when exposed to intrauterine sound (Murooka et. al 1976; DeCasper 1983; Rossner 1979). The soothing sounds of the ocean and water are probably reminiscent of the fluid environment in which we began life. Tomatis suggests that the maternal heart beat, respiration and intestinal gurgling, all form the source for our collective attraction to the sound of surf and may have to do with our inborn sense of rhythm. Prenatal sounds form an important developmental component in prenatal life because they provide a foundation for later learning and behavior. With fetal sound stimulation the brain functions at a higher level of organization."
Stay tuned for more fascinating information about the growing baby's sonic environment!

Infants can un-Ravel classical music!

2008-06-05T21:10:00.003-04:00

Recent research is suggesting that even infants can detect slight changes in a piece of classical music. Canadian researchers say babies can remember complex classical music, even after a two week delay. Their findings were detailed at a recent meeting of the Acoustical Society of America.

said Beatriz Ilari of McGill University in Montreal.
For her study, Ilari, a violinist, music teacher and doctoral candidate, chose the "Prelude" and "Forlane" from "Le Tombeau de Couperin" by Maurice Ravel.
"First, because it's unusual," said Ilari. "It is a beautiful piece of music, also a piece that, for people who are trained in classical music, we know it's considered very complex," she said.
Researchers gave a Ravel CD to parents, either the "Prelude" or "Forlane." Parents were told to play that piece to their seven- to eight-month-old infants three times a day, for 10 days. The CDs were then collected. After two weeks of not hearing that music, babies were tested at a McGill laboratory.

The test consisted of listening to 20-second excerpts of music, eight from the familiar piece mixed with eight from the unfamiliar one. During testing, the baby was seated comfortably on a parent's lap in a three-wall pegboard booth.
A red light was mounted on each side of the booth, to the left and right of the baby. One light would blink to attract the baby's attention. Once the baby looked at the light, a musical excerpt would come on through a loudspeaker hidden behind the light.

The excerpt would keep playing until the baby turned its head away, in another direction. Listening times were recorded for each excerpt and added up for each piece.
The researchers found that babies listened 20-30 percent longer to the music piece they had heard at home, compared to an unfamiliar piece.

"We had a lot of parents, many unfamiliar with classical music, say that they really liked Ravel," said Ilari. "They asked to keep it after the study, because it was helpful in putting their baby to sleep, or calming the baby at feeding time," she said.
Some parents who introduced music to their kids at very early ages say there are a wide range of benefits. Victor and Adele Ronchetti's ten year old son Victor picked up a violin at age four and hasn't put it down. He's now in a young artists program at the Juilliard School in New York.
"Listening to music is great," said Adele Ronchetti. "I think playing an instrument is terrific. It keeps you away from the television set. You never hear about anybody who plays the violin building a bomb in their basement. I mean, I think it keeps you on the right track socially, it builds your self esteem. I think it's good for so many things," she said.

Is this your first Mother's Day?

2008-05-10T22:49:00.002-04:00

I'll never forget my first Mother's Day as a mother! My baby daughter was barely a month old and I was ecstatic! She was so beautiful and so perfect...exactly what we wanted! The relationship between mother and child is indescribably significant and life-shaping. Having a strong, loving and accepting relationship with your Mother is a crucial factor in having good mental health and a successful, productive life.

One of the easiest ways to establish a good nurturing relationship with your infant or child is to sing to her or play carefully chosen music. Lullabies are the classic babysongs. The music that a baby or child hears from or with Mommy is significant and comforting for the rest of that child's life! Don't know any lullabies. I have created a Lullaby CD which I offer and recommend to you this Mother's day. To purchase, click HERE! Happy Mother's Day!

Did you have a preemie? Contribute your story to my new book!

2008-04-29T14:16:00.002-04:00

I am collecting stories for a new ebook on preemies! I want to hear from any parents or grandparents who suddenly found themselves with a preemie and learned some valuable lessons about caring for their preemie! Of course 'm especially interested in hearing solutions that included music!

By Fall of 2008 I'm hoping to coming out with a new Ebook called something like "The Musical Guide to Caring for your New Preemie." I will price it very reasonably and even give it away when possible! If you send me your story I'll behappy to credit you and even put your baby's picture in it if you like!

Please share this with friends and family who might want to participate. You will also be entered in a drawing for a grand prize package that will include ALL of my latest CD's and Ebooks! Don't miss out on this!

Sincerely,

Dr. Alice Cash

Benefits of music during pregnancy

2008-04-17T23:37:00.003-04:00

Michel Odent, M.D., believes that women have a profound need to sing to their babies but that the medicalization of birth has upset this process. In the past, women all over the world have sung lullabies to their babies. These were very important because as we now know the fetus is having first language lessons in the womb. The inflections of the mother tongue are conveyed not only through speech but most importantly through song. The singing voice has a richer frequency range than speech. In fact, studies in other disciplines such as linguistics and musicology (e.g., David Whitwell, 1993) point out that there was a time when speech was song and therefore singing is the older of the two. Babies born of deaf mothers miss these important first lessons in language development. French pioneer Dr. Alfred Tomatis mentions being intrigued by the fact that song birds hatched by silent foster mothers can't sing. What the baby learns in utero are the intonational patterns of sound and the frequencies of a language in his/her particular culture. Frequency is the level of pitch measured in Hertz (Hz.) This range varies between 16 to 20,000 Hz. There is very little distortion of the mother's voice as heard by the fetus whereas other external voices sound more muffled, especially in the higher frequencies. According to Rubel (1984), the fetus is responsive first to lower frequencies and then to higher ones.

Music to our ears!!

2008-03-19T22:44:00.001-04:00

You're going to love this!!

More research on music with preemies

2008-03-19T20:48:00.003-04:00

Hospitalization can stress out anyone, but especially severely premature babies, who are born neurologically immature. Florida State University music therapist Jayne Standley and her colleagues are reducing the trauma and speeding the pace of the infants' progression with a simple tool: a customized pacifier and a round of lullabies. [paragraph] Babies born before the 34th week have not yet developed the crucial "suck-swallow-breathe" response required in feeding. To help preemies along, Standley and her colleagues invented a pressure-sensitive pacifier wired to a tape player that rewards hearty suckling with a lullaby. Researchers had previously found that playing lullabies noticeably reduces premature infants' hospital stays. Songs helped here too. Babies trained with the musical pacifier suckled 2.4 times as fast as those denied such reinforcement. Some drained an entire bottle of milk after just 15 minutes of conditioning. "We thought it was our imagination-the response seemed too dramatic," Standley recalls. [paragraph] Ohmeda Medical in Columbia, Maryland, will begin selling a wireless version of the musical pacifier to neonatal intensive care units later this year. by Rebecca Hirschfield
COPYRIGHT 2000 DiscoverCOPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group

Lullabies

2008-03-01T22:20:00.003-05:00

One of the most gratifying things that a pregnant woman or new mother can do is sing lullabies to her unborn or newborn infant. Mothers have been doing this for millions of years and not only is it calming and soothing to the infant, but it's also calming and soothing to the mother, the father, and anyone who is within earshot. As a mother of three daughters, I know that singing or humming softly to them made such a difference in all our lives. Even today, my youngest daughter, now in her 20's will sometimes ask me to sing her a lullaby!
You may also know that lullabies have been shown to help preemies in a hospital NICU to gain weight faster, stabilize biorhythms faster and get released from the hospital faster. At a cost of $15,000 per day in the NICU, this is a fantastic benefit.
Today I got a new batch of lullaby CD's to take with me on my next speaking tour. If you hurry, you can get one for your new baby, friend's baby, or grandbaby! You'll need to order NOW because I only ordered 50!! These won't last the weekend if people find out. Click here to order! Have a great week-end!

10 Amazing Baby Abilities

2008-02-25T10:54:00.003-05:00

For new parents the arrival of the newborn brings a lot of excitement in their lives. They might look fragile and vulnerable, which they are, but there are some surprising things babies can do, much to the delightful fun of many people.Most of the babies can do the following surprising things to us:1. They can hear everything! Babies hear extremely well: they receive up to 20 000 vibrations per minute, while adults receive only 14 000. The fetus starts to react to sounds since the beginning of the 24th week of pregnancy and a week after delivery they easily distinguish their mother’s voice from the voice of other people.2. In the case of distinguishing from the mother tongue and a foreign language, the mimic plays an important part for babies. In USA, a test was made: to some babies a videotape recorded in English but with no sound was played. Later on, another tape without sound was played, but recorded in French. The babies showed clearly more interest to the French videotape than to the one recorded in their mother tongue because they considered familiar the English tape. Unfortunately this ability is lost after the age of 6 months.3. Prattling with the hands. Studies have shown that babies who grow up confronted with a sign language also try to communicate with their hands. They do it (like in the case of learning foreign languages) slow and unsteady at the beginning-they prattle with the hands!4. I’m watching you mummy! Long before humans can speak they understand what others say. It seems that babies understand through observing the mimic of the nearby persons. So, mummy, be careful when you say something!5. The older they are the smarter they get? That’s what we think. Researchers have discovered that as we pass through the life we lose some of our abilities, especially the ability of learning. This ability is most effective at the age of 6 months. So, the idea that they are young and they can not or do not know is just an illusion.6. I’m just like you daddy! During the first days of life the new generation seems to resemble to the father. This is only a joke nature plays: it has decided that so all fathers in the world –long before genetic tests were invented- could recognize their babies and take care of them and their mothers.7. Little Einstein. ‘Mary has 21 candies and gets another 19. Tommy has 51. Who has more candies?’ Of course, who knows how to add knows the answer. Here’s what tests say: even some children who do not know how to add can indicate the right answer. They have a great intuition!8. What are you looking at?! It is not difficult at all for grownups to distinguish human faces from one another even if they might look alike. Still, when we have to distinguish between two resembling figures of monkeys we are totally unable. Not the same thing happens to the babies. Tests have proven that they possess this ability, but they lose it in time.9. Can taste and smell and have shown preferences for their own mother’s milk and dislikes for strong, nasty odors.10. Learning foreign languages-a kid...(read the full article at the link below)
Article Source: http://babyboomerarticles.com/ 10 amazing baby abilitiesBy: bdd7707
www.totallyparents.com/blog/2007/08/16/10-amazing-baby-abilities/

Therapeutic Uses of Music During Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

2008-02-16T23:48:00.004-05:00

The use of music during pregnancy and childbirth is highly recommended. There are so many benefits and advantages including the obvious fact that music can do no harm to the mother. Others are:

Biological — Music changes biology by supporting a laboring mother to regulate breathing, lower blood pressure and respiration, and to block the pain response.
Psychological — Music enhances the ability to use coping skills and childbirth techniques during labor.
Environmental — Music blocks out extraneous sound in the birth environment. Music provides a “sound blanket” which fills the space and wraps the mother in sounds of comfort and safety.
Sociological — Music evokes social support from others and holds the birthing team together.
Emotional — Music is used to match or affirm moods and feelings the laboring mother is experiencing and it is used also to help change her mood.
Developmental — Music supports the process of becoming a mother and helps work through a mother’s fears, to relax and let the process happen.
Spiritual — Music can enhance and support the spiritual process of the laboring mother and may evoke a peak or transpersonal experienience.
These seven foundations were identified and clarified by Mary DiCamillo, Ed.D., MT-BC and are part of the Sound Birthing Program model of care.

Just had a baby? What about sex now?

2008-02-11T23:00:00.001-05:00

This article appeared today on www.BabyCenter.com. Considering the time of year (Valentine's Day is two days away!) I thought this mght be timely.

Will I ever want sex again?
With a new baby to care for round the clock, sex may seem like a fond but distant memory. In the first six weeks after delivery, you're exhausted and sore and overwhelmed. If you had perineal tearing or stitches from an episiotomy, you may feel like you'll never want to have sex again. Try not to worry too much about it and give yourself a break. The fact that you're reading this article is a good indication that somewhere inside you is the desire to make love again. But there's no need to rush into having sex until you feel ready. Rest assured, you and your partner will be ready to rumble again soon.
How can I keep my low libido from destroying my relationship?
"The postpartum period, before you actually start having sex again, is a great time to work on communication skills," says Lisa Douglass, an expert in human sexuality at the University of Chicago. "As you accommodate the new person in your family, you also need to renew your own relationship. That means talking about your needs and listening to your partner's," she says.
When is it normal to resume sex after giving birth?
According to a recent study sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, 90 percent of couples have sex within a year of having a baby. But don't let that statistic alarm you! On average, couples resumed intercourse seven weeks after the baby's arrival. Women who had cesarean sections had intercourse slightly sooner than those who'd given birth vaginally.
Just listen to your body and take it slowly!

Music and Pregnancy: Benefits for mother and baby

2008-01-30T19:17:00.000-05:00

Singing lullabies to your baby is one of the most natural things a mother does. However, sometimes, people tend to underestimate the power of simple things. In this case, the research is there: singing to your baby, both before and after birth, creates a bond that is the foundation of healthy relationships. Many new mothers are unsure about their mothering skills. With this CD, the mother can familiarize herself with many of the well-known, classic lullabies, sung by generations of mothers and grandmothers (and fathers, brothers, aunts and others!) and then sing them herself to her new baby. The CD can also be played for baby at other times just by itself. The research documents that lullabies:
Create a sonic bond of love and caring, even before birth
Ensure that baby comes into world knowing mother's voice and associating that with being loved and cared for
With preemies, this is even more critical. Amazingly, when Mom sings to baby the effect is:
Stabilized blood pressure
Stabilized body temperature
Stabilized pulse and heart rate
Resulting in:
Less time in NICU
Faster weight gain
Healthier baby at discharge from NICU

After childbirth, these same lullabies will provide comfort and oftentimes instantaneous quieting of fussy and fretting babies. What could be easier? Go HERE to buy my CD of famous and famliar lullabies which you can learn just by listening to these simple melodies for a few minutes each evening.

What will pregnancy be like in 2008?

2007-12-29T18:39:00.000-05:00

Pregnancy has been around since the beginning of time. I guess Eve was the mother of us all and we don't know too much about that except that she had sons. Wonder who their lives were?? Anyway, we learn more and more each year about pregnancy and the developing fetus. We still have the classic problems of morning sickness, strange cravings, uncomfortable sleeping, swollen legs, feet, and extremities and worries about how the baby is developing. We also have worlds of new information about when the fetus is developing various body systems and body parts so that women can take the proper pre-natal vitamins and eat the most nutritious foods. But do they? I believe that most pregnant women do the best they can but with the pressures of life in 2008, it's not easy. So, what is easy? I'm sure you know my answer...singing to the unborn child every night is an easy but powerful thing to do. Research from all over the world documents the lullabies sung by the mother increase the unborn baby's sense of calm and well-being as well as the mother's sense of well-being. Are you afraid your voice isn't good enough? Well, the fact is that your baby hears yor voice every time you speak or laugh or cough or sneeze. Your voice is that most beautiful sound that your baby hears simply because it is connected to his feeling warm, safe and secure. Try singing just a little something. it doesn' even have to be a lullaby! If you don't know any tunes, try my lullaby CD. You can get it here by download or you can order the CD. I play 20 different familiar tunes on the piano so that you can learn them and them sing them in your own voice and your own key. Try it! You'll be glad and so will your baby!

Having a Baby This Christmas??

2007-11-27T22:41:00.001-05:00

Ho, ho, ho! Expecting a little extra-special gift this Christmas season? That's great! Congratulations! If you've been reading my ebooks or ezines for awhile, you know that I'm a huge proponent of singing to your unborn child. Normally I talk about singing traditional lullabies, but really, it's not so important what you sing as it is just that you sing something soft and gentle in your own voice to your own baby. I think that things like "Silent Night, ""White Christmas," or anything slow and soft and sweet is absolutely fine!
Don't worry that your unborn or newborn baby might be critical of your voice. All babies love their mother's voices so just sing with love and baby will really respond positively! If you have questions, just email me!

Medicines you should never give your baby

2007-11-11T21:49:00.000-05:00

Babies and children are much more likely than adults to have adverse drug reactions, so giving your baby prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication is serious business. (In fact, until your baby reaches her half birthday, consult a doctor before giving her any medication at all, other than a carefully measured baby dose of acetaminophen once she's at least 3 months old.)Here are eight medicines you shouldn't give your baby:
AspirinNever give your baby aspirin or any medication containing aspirin. Aspirin can make a child susceptible to Reye's syndrome — a rare but potentially fatal illness. Don't assume that the children's medicines found in drugstores will be aspirin-free. Aspirin is sometimes referred to as "salicylate" or "acetylsalicylic acid." Read labels carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product is aspirin-free.
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines In October 2007 a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted to recommend that these medicines not be given to children under 6 years old. Pediatricians have complained for years that these medicines aren't effective and reportedly have caused dangerous side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, and even death. So if your baby's miserable with a cold, try other options, like a humidifier and plenty of liquids.
Anti-nausea medications Don't give your baby an anti-nausea medication (prescription or OTC) unless her doctor specifically recommends it. Most bouts of vomiting are pretty short-lived, and babies and children usually handle them just fine without any medication. In addition, anti-nausea medications have risks and possible complications. (If your baby is vomiting and begins to get dehydrated, contact her doctor for advice on what to do.)
Adult medicationsGiving your baby a smaller dose of medicine meant for an adult is dangerous. If the label doesn't indicate an appropriate dose for a baby her size, don't give that medication to your baby.
Any medication prescribed for someone else or for another reason Prescription drugs intended for other people (like a sibling) or to treat other illnesses may be ineffective or even dangerous when given to your baby. Give her only medicine prescribed for her and her specific condition.
Anything expired Toss out medicines, prescription and OTC alike, as soon as they expire. Also get rid of discolored or crumbly medicines — basically anything that doesn't look the way it did when you first bought it. After the use-by date, medications may no longer be effective and can even be harmful. Don't flush old drugs down the toilet, as they can contaminate groundwater and end up in the drinking water supply. See what our expert says about how to safely dispose of expired medication.
Extra acetaminophen Some medicines contain acetaminophen to help ease fever and pain, so be careful not to give your baby an additional separate dose of acetaminophen. If you're not sure what's in a particular medicine, don't give her acetaminophen or ibuprofen until you've first gotten the okay from your doctor or pharmacist.
Chewables Chewable tablets are a choking hazard for babies. If your baby's eating solids and you want to use a chewable tablet, crush it first, then put it in a spoonful of soft food, like yogurt or applesauce. (Of course, you need to make sure your baby eats the entire spoonful in order to get the complete dose.)
A cautionary note Some herbal remedies Many herbal remedies are gentle and safe, but just because something is natural, or derived from a plant, doesn't mean it's safe for your baby. Herbal products can cause allergic reactions, liver damage, and high blood pressure. In certain doses or when combined with the wrong medications, they can be fatal.Check with your baby's doctor or an alternative medicine practitioner before giving your baby any herbal products. And always let the doctor know about any herbal remedies your baby's taking before she prescribes a medication.

How much do you know about newborns?

2007-11-09T16:55:00.000-05:00

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- It's hard to believe now, but once upon a time, Michelle Duggar was a new mom. Now the Arkansas mother is famous for having 17 children, but she can still remember how her first child had a huge belly button when he was born 19 years ago.
"I was like, 'Something is wrong with my baby!' " says Duggar. "It was kind of a shock."
But Duggar's pediatrician explained that Joshua's bulging belly button was nothing to worry about. He told her it would probably go away by his second birthday, and indeed it did. That's why Duggar didn't panic when her fifth child, Jessa, was also born with what's technically called an "umbilical hernia." (Click to see an umbilical hernia)
Huge belly buttons, acne befitting an adolescent, and swollen breasts (on boys, too!) are just a few of the surprises that sometimes await parents. "I can get some really panicked parents," says Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician and co-author of "Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality." "There are many things that look so dramatic, but actually are perfectly normal."
Here, from Jana and other pediatric authorities, are five newborn shockers that really are nothing to worry about
Baby acne
Jana says she gets lots of phone calls about baby faces full of zits, which usually happens when a baby is 3 or 4 weeks old. "Baby acne can be very dramatic and very red, and all over the face," she says.
It's also normal, harmless, and usually goes away. Baby acne occurs when hormonal changes stimulate oil glands in the baby's skin, according to the National Institutes of Health. It usually goes away on its own with a few weeks. "Parents sometimes want to wash it with soaps or astringents," says Jana, who advises them just to leave it alone. (Click here to see baby acne)
Big baby boobs
Again, hormones are the culprit here. A baby who's been bathing in mom's hormones for nine months can sometimes come out of the womb with enlarged breasts -- even boys. (Click here to see what they look like) Sometimes even a little milk comes out (called "witch's milk"). Both conditions go away in a few weeks and are of no concern, according to the NIH.
Crossed eyes
Jana, and her coauthor, Jennifer Shu, say parents also worry about crossed eyes. In the first six weeks of life, many babies cross their eyes. If it goes on past six weeks, call your pediatrician, advised the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Texas.
Cradle cap
Being a parent of a newborn is stressful enough -- imagine looking down and seeing thick, scaly patches on your baby's tiny, delicate head. It's called cradle cap (Click here to see it) and it's harmless, pediatricians say.
According to the Mayo Clinic's Web site, cradle cap usually goes away within a few months, but can look pretty unsightly in the meantime. The Mayo Clinic advises washing your baby's hair once a day with mild baby shampoo, and loosening the scales with a small soft-bristled brush before rinsing the shampoo.
Third nipple
Some parents are shocked to see their baby has a third nipple. But according to the NIH, they're actually fairly common. Small and not well formed, a third (and perhaps more) nipples can be seen below the regular two.
The NIH's Web site says no treatment is needed, and no need to worry -- the extra nipples will not develop into breasts at puberty.
So if your baby has one of these conditions and you're still worried -- even though you realize that it's probably not a big deal, call your pediatrician, advises Jana. "To be respectful, don't call at 2 in the morning. But you should call," she says.
Jana says it's normal to still be concerned after your doctor has said everything's OK.
Sharon Roth was so worried about her son Peter's huge belly button when she took him home from the hospital that she e-mailed a photo of it to her pediatrician, Dr. Lance Goodman, who was on vacation in Europe.
"He e-mailed me back saying it was fine, and I felt better," says Roth, who lives in Boca Raton, Florida.
Peter is now 6 weeks old, and even though Goodman has reassured her many times, she still feels uneasy about his belly button, which she says is the size of a large strawberry.
"Dr. Goodman told me it will go away. I hope it's soon," she says.

Do you have a sick baby?

2007-10-16T22:51:00.003-04:00

Music Therapy Helps Sick Babies October 15, 2007 on 6:05 pm
Researchers found that music therapy helps sick babies in intensive care in maintaining normal behavioral development, making them less irritable, upset and less likely to cry. Research on 40 infants, divided into three groups: those hospitalised and receiving music therapy; those hospitalised and not having music therapy; and healthy babies, cared for at home, without music therapy. The hospitalised infants who received music therapy had up to 12 sessions of the therapist gently singing to them and touching them in a way that directly related to the therapist’s perception of the social needs of the babies.
It was found that music therapy supported the infants’ behavior - these infants maintained the same levels of irritability and crying that they had at admission.Meanwhile, those babies who did not have music therapy deteriorated in their irritability and crying behavior - coping less with their hospitalization as time went on. The babies who received music therapy used up less energy compared with the babies who did not receive the therapy. If a baby is less irritable and cries less, this has implications for rate of healing and weight gain, two significant factors which contribute to the length of a hospital stay.
Need more information on colic and crying? Click Here!

Taking Care of a Preemie

2007-10-15T23:14:00.000-04:00

Having a tiny preemie can be daunting for the bravest of souls. No doubt about it! Rarely do people know that they will give birth to a preemie therefore most people are in quite a state of shock when they go into labor early and deliver a tiny little bundle of love that can be held in one hand easily.
Today there is a lot more medical information on caring for preemies than ever before. My suggestions is to hold this baby and sing to her as often as you can. Depending on what else is going on, you might not be allowed to hold the baby more than a few minutes at a time. In those precious moments, do some soft singing, humming or crooning to your sweet preemie.

When can my baby hear?

2007-09-28T23:29:00.000-04:00

Just a few weeks ago I spoke at a major Southern university on "The Healing Power of Music." This was a fairly general lecture covering the many benefits of music in a healthcare setting. Since pregnant women and babies are a priority of mine I went into som detail about the importance of singing to your unborn child from the second trimester on. There were a fair number of medical professionals in the audience and one physician told me afterwards that he was not aware that the developing fetus could hear outside sounds so clearly from the 4-5 month gestation.

Those of us that are sound healers, women who sing lullabies and anyone who loves babies makes it their business to know these things but sometimes we have to educate our doctors and that's OK. Just be sure to pass along important and accurate information! Happy singing!

2007-08-29T20:46:00.000-04:00

I have a particular commitment to helping pregnant women and new mothers be as educated and positive as possible. Becoming a mother can be pretty scary, especially if it's a surprise or an unexpected pregnancy. Very young women are especially at risk not to bond well with their infants because they just don't have the maturity or information (sometime, not always!). I believe that understanding the benefits and importance of music to the developing infant can be very empowering for the mother and I offer this article I came across earlier today at a site called "Make Way for Baby!"

Music to stimulate your baby

Once babies develop hearing in the fifth month, music is excellent for aural stimulation and to soothe the baby. As many studies have proved, fetus react to the music, if it is presented in an organized way. Immediately after birth, a baby distinguishes the mother's voice and show preferences for sounds heard while it was still in the womb. Music heard while in the womb seams to give babies -after born- a feeling of confidence and relaxation.However, mothers can give their babies the emotional benefits of music even before hearing develops at five months. Mothers who set aside time to relax daily by listening to music also help their babies feel calmer and happier. Pregnant women and babies share hormones, so there is a close connection between the emotional well-being of the mother and that of the child she carries. Additionally music played during childbirth can relieve expectant mothers' anxiety, help release endorphins and reduce the need for anesthesia.

Babies are tuned into rhythm

2007-08-20T18:52:00.000-04:00

A study from Cornell in 2005 provides some fascinating insight into the musical and rhythmic talents of infants. Please send me your comments and questions regarding this article or anything about babies and music.

Baby has the beat but quickly loses the ability to detect alien rhythms, studies find

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Babies have us beat when it comes to picking up languages and distinguishing faces from foreign cultures. But babies also have the beat: Researchers at Cornell University and the University of Toronto find that babies also can recognize unfamiliar musical rhythms far more readily than adults can.
According to two recent studies, six-month-old babies can detect subtle variations in the complex rhythm patterns of Balkan folkdance tunes as easily as can adult Bulgarian and Macedonian U.S. immigrants. But other Western adults find it exceedingly difficult, said Erin Hannon, who receives her Cornell Ph.D. this August before she heads to Harvard University as an assistant professor.

Loretta Falco, University of Toronto, Mississauga
Erin Hannon, right, asks a mother to wear headphones playing music so that she won't influence her baby's behavior. The baby watches a cartoon paired with music on two monitors (one not shown). Hannon measures how long the baby looks at the cartoon paired with each type of music.
"But by the time babies are 12 months old, they much more closely resemble adults who are more sensitive to rhythms in their own culture's music than to rhythms in a foreign musical culture," said Hannon.
Her studies on how infants learn foreign musical rhythms more readily than adults are co-authored with University of Toronto's Sandra Trehub. Their first study, published in Psychological Science (Vol. 16:1, 2005), tested how well first- and second-generation Bulgarian and Macedonian immigrants as well as North American adults and 6-month-olds can perceive complex rhythmic patterns in Western and Balkan music. Their most recent study, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) Online Early Edition (Aug. 15-19), added 12-month-olds to the analysis.
Just as babies learn to tune in to the particular sounds that have meaning in their cultures, Hannon suspects that the developmental trajectory for learning musical rhythm is similar to that of language and speech.
Hannon and Trehub assessed infants' ability to detect complex rhythms by monitoring how long the babies stared at a cartoon; the same cartoon was always paired with two different versions of a song -- one version maintained the basic rhythm of the original song (which the babies heard previously), while the other disrupted it.
"If the infants showed greater interest in one of the two versions, it's because they detected a difference between the two," said Hannon, explaining that infant looking time has proven to be a reliable method to assess infant perception.
She said that infant brains are more flexible in processing different word sounds and speech patterns from a variety of speakers, and her research suggests that they also are more flexible than adults in categorizing different types of musical structures. "But it isn't long before they settle on those that are most common and meaningful to their cultures," she added. The state of the brain in adults, however, is much more stable, making it difficult for them to learn foreign languages, recognize faces from unfamiliar racial groups and also, the researchers find, to perceive rhythmic patterns in music foreign to their cultures.
"We actually shape and tune our perceptual processes in a manner that is specific to the music of our culture," Hannon said. "We showed that young infants, who have much less experience listening to music, lack these perceptual biases and thus respond to rhythmic structures that are both familiar and foreign. Although we know that young infants perceive speech in a manner that is language-general, our findings are unique and important in suggesting that the same is true for perception of musical rhythms."
Just as in the case of language, it is adaptive to learn about the structures in your own culture -- it makes you a better and more efficient animal, Hannon said. "Adults become less sensitive to foreign rhythms because they become more efficient at processing familiar rhythmic structures of their own culture (Western) -- this is natural and adaptive." Aug. 15, 2005

Can Babies Un-Ravel Classical Music?

2007-08-19T22:25:00.000-04:00

Recently a study was done that tested infants ability to understand and remember some very complex classical music. This story was found on CNN: Canadian researchers say babies can remember complex classical music, even after a two week delay. Their findings were detailed at a recent meeting of the Acoustical Society of America.
"We have this idea that babies are maybe poor listeners, but in fact, they're not," said Beatriz Ilari of McGill University in Montreal.
For her study, Ilari, a violinist, music teacher and doctoral candidate, chose the "Prelude" and "Forlane" from "Le Tombeau de Couperin" by Maurice Ravel.
"First, because it's unusual," said Ilari. "It is a beautiful piece of music, also a piece that, for people who are trained in classical music, we know it's considered very complex," she said.
Researchers gave a Ravel CD to parents, either the "Prelude" or "Forlane." Parents were told to play that piece to their seven- to eight-month-old infants three times a day, for 10 days. The CDs were then collected. After two weeks of not hearing that music, babies were tested at a McGill laboratory.

This drawing shows how the babies were tested.

The test consisted of listening to 20-second excerpts of music, eight from the familiar piece mixed with eight from the unfamiliar one. During testing, the baby was seated comfortably on a parent's lap in a three-wall pegboard booth.
A red light was mounted on each side of the booth, to the left and right of the baby. One light would blink to attract the baby's attention. Once the baby looked at the light, a musical excerpt would come on through a loudspeaker hidden behind the light.
The excerpt would keep playing until the baby turned its head away, in another direction. Listening times were recorded for each excerpt and added up for each piece.
The researchers found that babies listened 20-30 percent longer to the music piece they had heard at home, compared to an unfamiliar piece.
Ilari says she knows the babies learned, because the same tests on a control group of infants who hadn't heard either piece of music showed those babies had no preference for either music selection.
One reason for the study, said the McGill scientists, is the constant questioning by parents about what music is appropriate for infants and children.
"There's this frenzy that the parents want their babies to be so smart," said Ilari.
But there's a lot more to music appreciation than just trying to expose a baby to the most complicated pieces with hopes of creating a musical prodigy.

Teacher Dawn Bell plays for a group of eight month olds at the Creme de la Creme day care center in Atlanta.

Parents are usually the first music educators a child has, and the bonding experience of listening together is at least as important as the type of music they choose. Whether it's Tchaikovsky or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," when parents enjoy something and they play it for their children, they make it more pleasant for the children, said Ilari.
She says she and her colleagues learned a lot more from the study than just the amount of time the babies spent listening to the classical selections.
"We had a lot of parents, many unfamiliar with classical music, say that they really liked Ravel," said Ilari. "They asked to keep it after the study, because it was helpful in putting their baby to sleep, or calming the baby at feeding time," she said.
Some parents who introduced music to their kids at very early ages say there are a wide range of benefits. Victor and Adele Ronchetti's ten year old son Victor picked up a violin at age four and hasn't put it down. He's now in a young artists program at the Juilliard School in New York.
"Listening to music is great," said Adele Ronchetti. "I think playing an instrument is terrific. It keeps you away from the television set. You never hear about anybody who plays the violin building a bomb in their basement. I mean, I think it keeps you on the right track socially, it builds your self esteem. I think it's good for so many things," she said.

Excellent Book on Music Therapy with Premature Infants

2007-06-29T17:10:00.000-04:00

This week I ordered a book that looks great and is chock-full
of helpful and important information for the parent or friend of a Preemie or a Newborn.
The book is called "Music Therapy for Premature and Newborn Infants" and the author is Monika Nocker-Ribaupierre. Publisher is Barcelona publishers and I got it from Amazon.com. If you go to my site, www.HealingMusicEnterprises.com/amazon.html you can go directly to Amazon and search for this book which will come up immediately. I paid almost $25.00 for the book, but like I say, it is chock-full or helpful info.

Enjoy!

Alice

The "Baby-Whisperer" in Boston

2007-06-07T21:16:00.000-04:00

In the city of Boston, Mass, lives a woman known as the "baby whisperer." Enny Wiederhold , an 81-year-old with curly brown hair and a confident gait, is a highly-valued volunteer and Brigham and Women's Hospital. The Boston Globe reports "Three times a week, she drives from her home in Winchester to the hospital, where she stays for hours, stroking and holding prematurely born babies so fragile they sometimes stay in the hospital for months after their birth. Her job is to lull babies to sleep when their parents cannot be there, because they work, have other children, or live far from the hospital.
It is a job Wiederhold took on more than 15 years ago, when she came to the hospital bored with retirement and eager to use the skills she honed over 15 years as a nurse, even if it meant working as a volunteer.
Doctors have long known that quieting and stroking a crying baby has powerful benefits for their health. When babies, especially premature ones, cry, they waste energy that otherwise can be used to build their young bodies. Cradling babies comforts them and helps quiet and lull them."

Add a lullaby to this and you have one happy, serene baby!

Lullabies for Animals??

2007-05-20T23:10:00.000-04:00

The saga continues with the two stranded whales being led back to their home in the ocean. These creatures somehow got into a shipping lane in San Francisco Bay and have been hurt because of bumping into ships and boats. Scientists have tried playing recordings of whales feeding, mating, and even lullabies that they sing to their young. So far, no luck, but the work continues!

There is a theory that when babies are played music or sung to with the same melodies or tunes over and over, they become conditioned to feeling love and nurturance when they hear this music. All humans and probably most animals need to sing to their young and create this powerful association between sound and music with love, caring and nurturance!

Music in the NICU

2007-04-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

When I was in NYC last week speaking to a hospital OB/GYN Grand Rounds, there was some discussion of the various ways music can be used in the NICU. Much of the research that has benn done in this area comes from FSU in Tallahassee and it appears that individual speakers or music delivery into each isolette is the norm. The smaller and frailer the infant, the more sensitive their ears are apt to be so the volume level and type of music must be chosen on an individual basis and then the staff must observe the infant's immediate and long-term reaction very carefully for any sign of discomfort or pain. That's the last thing we want to subject our tiniest patients to.

We also talked about the musical pacifier that plays ten seconds of a lullaby when the least amount of pressure is exerted on the nipple. This motivates the infant to suck more and harder, thus enabling them to suck better and gain weight faster. Very ingenious!

Generally speaking, lullabies or the mother softly singing is best. Stay tuned for my new ebook on "Music with Preemies" which should be coming out in the next few weeks! Have a great week-end!

Dr. Cash Speaks to OB-GYN Staff in NYC

2007-04-05T22:26:00.000-04:00

Today I had the great pleasure of speaking at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. The staff there was warm and welcoming to me and received the information on music with pregnancy, preemies and newborns enthusiastically! My topic was "The Importance of Music with Pregnancy, Preemies, and Newborns." The residents, nurses, doctors, and guests asked great questions and shared personal stories that greatly enhanced the hour. I talked a little more than I expected to about the work of Jayne Standley and her musical pacifier which plays music when a preemie sucks on it, thus reinforcing the baby's desire to suck and resulting in faster weight gain and faster discharge from the NICU.

I'll write more about this in the days to come. Please feel free to write in your questions!

The Best-laid Plans

2007-04-02T11:27:00.000-04:00

If you read last night's post, you know that I am going to NYC today to give a presentation on music with pregnancy, preemies and newborns on Thursday. I was supposed to almost be there by now but I got a phone call early this morning saying that my flight was delayed! I will have been in the Louisville airport for over three hours by the time I get on the plane. I sure would rather have spent those three hours in bed!!

But, of course I have my work with me and so have done a little but mostly just enjoyed people-watching and sipping on Starbucks skinny latte.

While at the hospital where I'm speaking o Thursday, I'm hoping to see their NICU and talk to them about how they use music with their tiny babes. I know they are using lullabies with circumcisions. Any questions you'd like me to ask?

Alice

Off to NYC to reveal music with infants techniques

2007-04-01T21:09:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to let you know one last time before I leave for a speaking engagement in NYC that while I am there I will have a few slots still available for consultations or meetings. I'll be speaking at Grand Rounds at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn on Thursday morning, April 5th at 9:00 a.m.
I know that I have quite a few readers in New York City so please don't hesitate to call me at 502-419-1698 if you'd like to meet!
On Tuesday night, April 3rd, I'll be attending an orchestra concert in Carnegie Hall. My sister, Catherine Hudnall will be conducting the Norcross High School Orchestra and many of us will be attending this wonderful concert!
My presentation at Lutheran Hospital is entitled "The Importance of Music with Pregnancy, Preemies, and Newborns." It is a review of studies in all of these areas over the last decade as well as my recommendations for the pregnant woman, obstetricians and pediatricians. If you have any interest in this topic, contact me immediately so that I can put you on my 2007-2008 calendar.
The "Lullabies for Mother-Baby Bonding" CD is still a top seller and I'm planning to start offering bulk discounts for hospitals, nurseries, and large families!
Thanks for being a faithful reader!

Did you use music with your pregnancy?

2007-03-27T20:56:00.000-04:00

Calling all women who used music during pregnancy and/or with childbirth! Next week I'll be giving a presentation in New York City on the importance of music during pregnancy and with preemies and newborns. I've done so much research on the topic that I decided to put together an ebook that I could offer to all women considering pregnancy or currently pregnancy. It turns out that music really does make a dramatic difference in the health of baby and mother and is so easy to implement.

Of course you know that my number one suggestion is always having the mother sing lullabies in her own natural voice. Despite the protests of some mothers that their voices are not "good enough," all of the research and anecdotal reports say that mother's voice is the one that all babies love best. If you think about it, that's the voice they've heard throughout their growth and devleopment and it's the one they most want to hear once they're born. BUT, any live voice is best. CDs and videos are good for mother to learn lullabies and songs to sing but the ideal is for mother to sing.

If you live in the NYC area and would like to have a consultation or a short talk to your group, please contact me through my website, http://www.healingmusicenterprises.com/. I'll be there April 2-5. Also, please send me any of your own personal stories about your use of music with pregnancy or childbirth! Hope to see YOU soon!

Can Babies Remember Music Heard in the Womb?

2007-03-12T16:55:00.000-04:00

With all the talk today about playing music for your baby during pregnancy, a logical follow-up question that I hear all the time is: can the baby remember the music heard in the womb? The good news is "yes!". Researchers in London have put tiny cameras in the womb and measured the amount of time that the baby turns her head toward the music. With each subsequent playing of the same song, the baby "pays attention" a little longer and after birth, the baby responds by quieting down when fussy and also showing signs of recognition. For more information, go to http://www.le.ac.uk/psychology/aml11/aml11.html. For a beautiful album of familiar lullabies, go to http://www.healingmusicenterprises.com/products/lullabies/lullabies.html

Tiniest Preemie Goes Home

2007-02-20T21:22:00.000-05:00

Today the news media were showing pictures of the happy family of the smallest preemie ever to survive. This little girl weighed less than a pound and was about 14 inches long I believe. The picture here shows her tiny feet between the doctors fingers! Let's hope she had lots of lullabies sung to her. I'd sure be interested to know.

Do you have a Valentine Baby?

2007-02-16T23:00:00.000-05:00

Did you have a baby on Valentine's? Thousands of people did all over the world and hopefully they're singing and cooing and crooning to these special babies. Why should you sing to your newborn? Singing bonds mother and baby with sonic love vibrations that last a lifetime. Music therapy research is full of studies that you can Google and read for hours. Whether your baby was born on Valentines or years ago or isn't quite born yet, learn some lullabies or songs of any kind that you can sing to our child!

Music with circumcision

2007-02-02T16:45:00.000-05:00

As the mother of three girls, I never had to make a decision about circumcision, but I remember discussing it at length with my husband. Our pediatrician had told us that the most important thing is for sons to "match" their fathers. I was also being told that most baby boys did not need the procedure unless they had an abnormally long foreskin. We really agonized about it until we found that the baby was a girl!

Several years ago, when I was still working in a large hospital here, I proposed a study on the use of music and lullabies for the procedure. To my amazement, many nurses were against it. Apparently I wasn't the first person to think of this idea:

SINGING TAKES STING OUT OF PAIN FOR BABIES
INDIANAPOLIS - Lullabies can do more than put babies to sleep, say researchers at the IU School of Nursing at IUPUI; they actually can help relieve pain.
Nursing professors Juanita Keck, Betsy Joyce and Janis Gerkensmeyer have completed a small study of 40 babies showing that newborns that listened to music during circumcision and blood sampling had significantly less pain by the end of the procedure. The neonates also maintained a steady heart rate throughout the circumcision procedure, and the degree to which their blood was able to carry oxygen also was significantly better for those babies who listened to music.
The researchers chose lullabies timed to a heartbeat - music that is tolerable to medical practitioners and pleasant to babies - to play throughout the procedure.
Keck says that playing music during surgical procedures is a non-invasive and cost-effective tool that is easy to implement. The challenge, she feels, is convincing health-care providers that the music really is effective.
"If we can describe physically how it works, then this intervention could become much more widely used," said Keck.
To achieve that goal, the three nursing researchers are seeking funding to expand their study to a larger scale.

You are singing to your tummy,aren't you??

2007-01-31T17:34:00.000-05:00

The world will always have pregnant women, thank goodness!!! And I believe that instinctively, women feel the urge to softly sing or hum when they're pregnant as they move through their days, weeks and months of having a little angel growing inside. The instinct has now been scientifically documented to be a good thing. Let me explain: The growing infant's ear becomes functional as early as the beginning of the second trimester! When baby hears Mama singing or humming, she automatically associates this with comfort, nurturing, safety, and love. If you're singing or humming on a daily basis for most of the pregnancy then these same tunes and songs are going to be an immediate "calmer" for your baby. Once born, if you sing to baby softly while nursing her it will be yet another calming and loving association. Have you tried this? If so, please share your experiences with us!

A New Year for Preemies

2007-01-14T23:41:00.000-05:00

Do you have a newborn preemie? Are you scared? They're so tiny, so fragile, so helpless, but there are lots of easy and very helpful things that you can do! It's a new year and a new era for preemies. Research in music therapy, music medicine and music healing continues to demonstrate that what baby hears in utero has a crucial effect on later bonding with mother and other family members. It is so important to keep a health sonic environment for baby and not let her be bombarded with loud rock music, fighting, screaming, yelling or other unpleasant, chaotic sounds. Instead, singing to your unborn child can create a permanent bond of love, safety and security. Research has shown that preemies who had been sung to in utero and who continued to be sung to, gained weight faster and left the hospital faster.

Even if your preemie was not sung to in utero, it's not too late to start now. Yor voice is most familiar and will be comforting and encouraging. Give it a try. Let me know if I can help!

Did you have a baby on Christmas??

2006-12-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

Did you have a baby this Christmas season? So many babies have been on television this holiday season in the cutest little outfits. All of the babies born in one hospital here were wrapped in Christmas stockings and put in the viewing window like little stocking gifts. They did look cute but I wonder how the babies felt about it? I've seen lots of names for these babies like Carol, Noel, and Holly. I'm sure parents, family and friends get a lot out of this but down the road, the kids may not be so thrilled with their Christmas names.

As always, my message is just this: Sing to your baby, play music for her and have certain songs for certain activities like bathing, nursing, sleeping, and out for a walk. She will learn to recognize the time of day and activity by what music is playing and will contribute to her sense of security in the world. Give it a try!

Are you pregnant this Christmas?

2006-12-16T20:29:00.000-05:00

I was pregnant with my first daughter over the Christmas of 1975. It was a beautiful memory that I'll never forget. She was born in April of 1976 and the Christmas before she was just beginning to move around so that I could feel it. We played lots of Christmas music for her and sang lots of carols and other music. I don't know whether there's any correlation but today she is a professional violinist!

If you are pregnant right now, please enjoy all the holiday music and enjoy this wonderful season! It's a joyous time of anticipation for everyone!

How early can baby hear?

2006-12-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

Throughout my three pregnancies I wondered, "can my baby hear the music around me; can she hear my conversations with friends and family?" Well, I didn't know the answer then, but I do now! The developing ear is beginning to be functional by the beginning of the second trimester! Research shows that around the beginning of the 4th month, baby can hear Mom's heartbeat, digestive sounds and circulation sounds. Over the next six months hearing grows and by the last trimester baby can pretty much hear what you hear! What does this mean for the health of the baby? If you sing or hum a carefully selected 6 or 8 tunes for baby, these very same songs, sung after baby's birth, will calm and soothe baby immediately! They will be associated with warmth, nurturing and feeling safe. If perchance your little one comes early these songs will help her to gain weight faster, stabilize body rhythms and temperature and go home as much as five days earlier! According to hospital bills, one day in the neonatal intensive care unit is over $15,000 per day!! So start singing!!

If you don't know any lullabies, order my CD "Lullabies for Healthy Bonding." Link to this CD above.

Music and Preemies

2006-11-20T23:34:00.000-05:00

Did you know that there has been quite a bit of clinical research on music with preemies? It's true. Several decades ago a man had the idea to make a tape for preemies that would be lullabies and nursery rhymes with a mother's heartbeat in the background. The tape was called "Baby Go to Sleep" and with the help of a grant from J.C. Penney, he gave thousands of them away to hospital NICU's as well as the regular newborn nurseries. The nurses and the mothers said the tape was miraculous in terms of instantaneously stopping crying and quieting fussy babies. Babies in the NICU gained weight faster and left the hospital days earlier as a result. It's so easy that most people overlook it as a therapeutic intervention. Give it a try!

A Musical Pacifier?

2006-10-29T12:28:00.000-05:00

Now I've heard everything! Personally, I believe that a mother singing to her baby is the ideal way to soothe and comfort, especially a healthy newborn. But what about the preemies who must spend hours away from Mom, tucked away in a cold, sterile, hospital neo-natal intensive care unit? What about these poor little babes?

Well, it appears that someone has put a lot of thought into that and has come up with the musical pacifier! One of the serious problems of preemies is their inability to suck strongly enough to get the nurtrition they need. Preemies are, by definition, underweight and underdeveloped. They need to gain weight quickly so that their lungs can develop and they can breathe on their on.

Jane Standley, a music therapy professor at FSU has created a pacifier that actually plays music when the baby sucks on it and therefore reinforces the baby's desire to suck. Apparently, baby's have a natural appetite for music!

A brother's song

2006-10-14T20:02:00.000-04:00

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. ! In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville,Tennessee . The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. I looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray." Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away." As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr. "Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..." The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle.

A picture is worth a thousand words

2006-10-09T19:51:00.000-04:00

This picture was taken during a C-section of a tiny preemie. The emeging infant reached out and took the surgeon's finger. Amazing!

Sing to your Newborn!

2006-09-20T14:44:00.000-04:00

I recently visited a new mother and baby in the hospital. What a precious little girl this was too. The first thing I wanted to do was start humming a soft lullaby. It seems to be instinctive to want to lull a baby, but this little angel was already sleeping so soundly that I didn't. Is it OK to sing or hum to even talk softly to a newborn? Of course! There are very few "rights and wrongs" when it comes to that sort of thing. The main thing it to communicate with YOUR baby or grandchild or niece or nephew. Singing and humming convey a sense of "everything is going to be OK" and "all is well" better than most anything else after being fed and clothed.

Many new mothers are self-conscious about their singing. Not surprising. We live in a critical and judgmental society, but do it anyway! Babies are not a bit critical. Your baby has neard your voice for the past nine months and it is this voice that means love, acceptance, nurturing, home. Make up your own tunes, your own words. Take a tune you already know and put new words to it. It really doesn't matter. Please feel free to ask me questions. Just post them to this blog.

Happy humming!

Alice

Take My Hand

2006-09-16T18:07:00.000-04:00

This is a dramatic picture of a premature infant being delivered by Cesarian section. You can see a tiny hand emerging from the sac the baby has been growing in and immediately grasping the doctor's hand. It would seem that we human's have a powerful need to connect from the moment of birth. Hopefully this baby's mother sang to her before delievery and soon thereafter.

What Does the Growing Infant Hear?

2006-07-26T18:57:00.000-04:00

Many pregnant women don't realize that the growing baby's ear is beginning to be functional in the fourth month! Yes, according to Dr. Alfred Tomatis, by the beginning of the second trimester, the baby can hear mother's heartbeat, her digestive sounds, and the blood pulsing through her veins. By the beginning of the third semester, the infant can hear much of what Mom hears. You need to be very careful of your sonic environment and be especially careful to avoid loud, raucous sounds, screaming or violent sounds. Instead, take a few minutes each evening (or morning or afternoon) and sing some familiar lullabies or other soothing songs to you developing child. Research has shown that these same songs will comfort your child for years to come!

Do you know lots of lullabies? Please share them with me and I will publish them and give you credit in my upcoming ebook, "The Power of Lullabies."

Thanks for joining the blog!

Alice Cash

Music and the Infant Brain

2006-07-11T09:56:00.000-04:00

It's amazing how many people still think that the unborn child is totally protected from her mother's environment, but the fact is that the infant brain is developing from the moment of conception and is affected by the sounds, feelings, and actions of the mother. There are certain organs that are on a genetically predetermined path and will not be affected by external events: the heart, the ovaries, the lungs are not affected by what is going on in mother's environment. The brain is different!

Research has shown that if the mother is listening to highly structured classical music, such as Mozart, Pachelbel, Bach, or other composers of the Baroque period, more neural connections develop in the infant brain and create and greater neural infrastructure for future learning. Fascinating, eh?

Music and the Human Bond

2006-07-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

Think for just a minute about the way that music is used to connect human beings. From the first moment that a mother sings a lullaby to her new infant, the pattern of loving sound is imprinted on that baby’s psyche. After just a few hearings the infant will associate that pleasant sound with safety, love and warmth. Mothers (and fathers!) have been singing and lulling their infants with sound from time immemorial. We now know that when a mother sings to her infant, her brain releases oxytocin just as when she breastfeeds. This chemical immediately strengthens the bond between mother and child and makes the mother feel more maternal and loving toward her child. Throughout that child’s life, hearing that song or lullaby will bring back those warm, fuzzy feelings.

Will you sing to your child tonight?

Just found out you're pregnant...congratulations!

2006-06-30T08:41:00.000-04:00

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, thrilling, highly anticipated and scary experiences in life. Believe me, I know. I am the mother of three beautiful young women, now 30, 25, and 23. I also had two miscarriages along the way. this blog is intended to be a forum for women who have just found out they're pregnant to come and get good, solid information, but also to post questions and concerns. If I don't know the answer, I will go to one of my professional resources and try to get it for you.

I also want to have a forum for mothers of preemies because that is always a frightening and unexpected event.

The underlying theme (no pun intended!) of everything here will be about how to incorporate music and sound for the health and well-being of mother and baby. Welcome to my newest blog!