Thin Pregnant Women

I cannot imagine worrying about what I looked like more than the health of my baby. This story makes me so sad! I always thought it was great how celebs show off their bellies now and don't wear moo moo's during pregnancy. I guess it backfired! I do remember seeing outfits and thinking they would look cute with a pregnant belly. Then I would try them on and realize my thighs were way too big for that outfit! Look at this picture of Nicole Richie during pregnancy. I remember seeing her at 6-7 months and thinking that's what I looked like at 2 months! I also remember meeting this pregnant woman at the mall one day who was 9 months and I was six months. I looked about twice as big as her. I did think,"Oh man1 I wish I hadn't seen her!" But I would have never stopped eating! I guess women with eating disorders might. I feel so bad for people who have that urge. That would make pregnancy even harder!

From Medical News Today: The nation's leading eating disorder treatment center, reports there's a new pressure to look perfect while pregnant."With the media giving so much focus to pregnant celebrities, there's an increased pressure to look perfect and thin during pregnancy," said Brenda Woods, MD, director of medical services at Remuda Ranch. "

Our society's 'thin' ideal has crossed over to pregnant women. Many women are feeling the pressure to not gain too much weight during pregnancy and to lose their pregnancy weight very quickly. Also, it's important to note that adolescents with eating disorder histories are in their reproductive years."

Remuda Ranch reports some of the warning signs that a woman is suffering from an eating disorder while pregnant include:

-- Failure to gain weight while pregnant

-- Poor fetal growth

-- Exercise beyond what is healthy while pregnant

If a woman is suffering from an eating disorder while pregnant, she faces many medical complications including:

--low birth weight in the infant

--possible neurological damage to the baby

--increased caesarean section rate

--and increased miscarriage early in pregnancy.

"A woman with a history of an eating disorder may be more vulnerable during pregnancy," adds Dr. Woods. "The emotional stressors of facing parenthood may push a woman with a history of an eating disorder back into those behaviors."Normal weight gain is 25 to 40 pounds during pregnancy for a woman who is already at a healthy weight. The numbers range from 35 to 50 pounds for an underweight woman. These numbers can cause extreme anxiety for women with eating disorders."Women need to be educated about what's normal when pregnant," said Dr. Woods. " Doctors need to screen pregnant women for eating disorder beliefs and practices. Pregnancy is a great time to make changes that will not only help you, but also guarantee a better future for your child."About Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety DisordersRemuda Ranch offers Christian inpatient and residential programs for individuals of all faiths suffering from eating or anxiety disorders. Each patient is treated by a multi-disciplinary team including a Psychiatric and a Primary Care Provider, Registered Dietitian, Masters Level therapist, Psychologist and Registered NurseRemuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disordershttp://www.remudaranch.com/

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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No Birthday Cupcakes at school!

FROM CNN: Childhood obesity is reaching alarmingly high rates. One elementary school principal is taking matters into her own hands and imposing a sugar-free zone.

When it comes to preventing obesity, Browns Mill Elementary Principal Yvonne Sanders-Butler runs a tight ship. For the past decade she's declared the school a sugar-free zone, banning soda machines and even birthday cupcakes. "Childhood obesity- it's our tsunami, it's our Katrina, it's wall street today. If we're really thinking about the best interests about the young people today then we will take a stand," she said. Promoting a healthy diet isn't her only focus; students and staff get an hour of physical activity every day. Sanders-Butler says the approach is making a difference in the classroom.

Discipline complaints from teachers are down and reading test scores are up. Don't you want to know that the children we're educating today will truly be healthy enough to lead for tomorrow? Former students like Simone Davis are grateful for the sugar-free policy. "I was one of the heavier students in elementary school so I really lost a lot of weight and just became healthier overall," she said. -An important lesson with long-lasting results.

We do tend to have a lot of birthday treats at school. I try to bring fruit and crackers instead of cupcakes/cookies/Little Debbie products when I do snack day. However, I think it's okay to have a treat for birthdays. Maybe there are just so many kids at this school being mentioned that there would be too many cupcake days. I don't know. I do like the idea of schools promoting healthy eating habits!!

Do you think it's okay for kids to bring cupcakes on their birthday?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Adjusting to the New Sibling

FROM CNN: Toddlers and pre-schoolers may have a tough time adjusting to a new baby brother or sister.

Someone new is at our house. Do you know who it is? It's our baby. A new baby can be a big adjustment for an older brother or sister. He's been the only one with us for over two years and we have given him so much attention and to bring home a baby and that kind of one on one environment was a little fearful. Pediatrician Michelle Tang Day says it's not unusual for parents to be concerned about the transition.

The child who once used to be the center of mom and dad's universe now has to share the spotlight a little. So jealously is something that is not uncommon. She has some advice for parents. It's important to make sure routines are set before the arrival of the new baby. "Any big changes -- potty training, transferring out of the crib. Make sure those are done well in advance of the baby's arrival."

Experts tell parents not to be surprised if the older child regresses and to be sure to set aside time for him every day to help him feel special.

Oh wow, do I remember this! I was just talking with my five-year-old about the time his brother was born. He remembers how he took a class and learned about babies and where they sleep and how they cry. (It was a sibling class at the hospital) That was 2 1/2 years ago so I was impressed he remembered not only the class, but the color of the clothes on the baby. Maybe he'll be a detective. Anyway, we still deal with jealousy. It is a constant struggle: "who gets moms attention more, etc." But my oldest son did run up to his brother this morning and hug him and say, "You are the best brother. I love you so much." The toddler just grinned. It was cute and made me worry less about the "sometimes" jealous behavior. So, what I am trying to say is the sibling class was great for us, but the jealousy is still inevitable!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

What to tell the babysitter

We had a babysitter come over for a few hours last night. My kids haven't seen her for awhile, so I knew they would be excited. My five-year-old walked up to her and instead of saying "Hello or Hey or Hi" he says, "You do know you can't put plastic in the microwave or dishwasher and you can't eat peanut butter right now." She just laughed and said she knows. I guess I am rubbing off on him and I don't even know it! Geesh!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Treatment for Ear Infections

FROM ABC: Experts report three out of four kids have had at least one ear infection by the time they turn three.

Khari Payne is only four years old and already he's suffered through nearly a dozen ear infections. "We were in the doctor all the time, it was just, I mean at least once a month for probably the better part of two years. It was endless. His symptoms often started with a runny nose, then came the fever, fussiness and irritability."

Some pediatricians differ in how to proceed with treatment. Dr. Vivian Lennon often keeps a watchful eye on a child before prescribing antibiotics. If the child however is younger, if the child is having severe pain, if the child is having fever then the decision may be made to treat with antibiotics.

She says the medicines should start working within 48 to 72 hours. Khari's infections kept coming back so his parents opted for surgery to insert tubes in his middle ear. The pain relief is instantaneous because the fluid is drained instantaneously. That's made Khari a happy boy. His mother reports he hasn't had an ear infection in about a year.

Does your doctor treat ear infections with antibiotics? I think all of mine have. (You know I am always in search of my perfect pediatrician!) Although, I remember one doctor saying not to worry about getting the child on antibiotics right away because ear infections are not treated with antibiotics in some countries and those kids do just fine.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

New purses are too heavy for us!

From CNN: New trendy, supersize purses could be hurting more than just your wallet, they may be hurting your body. Doctors say the weight of the bag will start to compress your shoulder. When your shoulder is compressed, your body's natural response will be to hike that shoulder up. Hiking the shoulder up changes the position of the spine. So rather than the spine being normal, it's angled. It can result in spasms and spinal malalignment.

So here's your push to take out stuff you don't need in your purse or diaper bag and wear the bag across your body to distribute the weight. Doctors say men are also at risk because they tend to have wallets that packed full and they always put them in the same pocket.

I have been carrying around a medium sized purse and lunch box(instead of a diaper bag) for this very reason. My lower bag kept hurting and I just couldn't stand it anymore. I also put away my boots with heels for the next few weeks!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

No Peanut Butter at all now!

FROM ABC: A national recall of peanut butter is growing-- along with fears of the salmonella contamination that began it. The Federal Government is now urging us to avoid all products containing peanut butter -- as it tries to track down the tainted amounts.

She has battled cancer and seemed to be winning. But on December 21st, 72-year old Shirley Almer died suddenly at her Minnesota nursing home where her family believes she ate the contaminated peanut butter they blame for her death. Ginger Lorentz victim's daughter said, "Confused. Angry. It shouldn't have happened. It just shouldn't have happened." Almer's death is one of at least 6 that may be connected to the salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter products and hundreds more have been sickened.

Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt Medical Center: "Doing the laboratory work and then doing the study that implicating the peanut butter, that takes a lot of time and effort. it's much more difficult than it appears at first glance."

Food and Drug Administration investigators believe the contamination can be traced back to this Blakely Georgia plant.. owned by the Peanut Corporation of America, but no definitive link to the salmonella outbreak has been established and the scope of the investigation is widening-- prompting FDA officials to ask consumers to avoid eating anything that contains peanut butter.

Caroline Smith Dewaal Center for Science in the Public Interest said, "Given the size of the outbreak and severity of the illnesses, it's critically important that the government move as fast as it can to really nail down the food source." Several companies, including Little Debbie and Famous Amos, have already voluntarily recalled all of their products made with peanut butter that might be linked to the company.

Kellogg has pulled 16 different products from store shelves. Relatives of Shirley Almer recently filed a lawsuit against the Peanut Corporation of America who made the peanut butter she ate.

The Kellogg's company announced today that FDA tests have discovered salmonella in the Austin quality foods toasty crackers with peanut butter, a vending machine staple. Kellogg's had already recalled the product. Kellogg's says its disappointed and regrets the situation.

Major Bummer! We eat peanut butter toast every morning! And peanut butter and jelly sandwiches--oh-- we eat that at least three times a week!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Boxing on the Wii

My quiet, shy son loves to box on the Wii. I never thought we'd have a video game, but since we do now, I am trying to be positive. Maybe it will give him some self confidence?

The point of this post is that my husband and son have been complaining that their wrists hurt. We realized it's from playing on the Wii once or twice a week. I guess they are using muscles they wouldn't otherwise be using. My husband says he saw a health report about the increase in the number of wrist/hand problems because of this very thing. Too funny! So if you have a Wii and your wrist hurts, now you know why!

Oh and my son went bowling for real and did excellent after practicing on the Wii. I hope the same holds true for tennis and baseball!

Has anyone else had this wrist problem?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Pregnant Women, brush your teeth!

MSNBC:

Previously undiscovered bacteria usually found in the mouth could be responsible for up to 80 percent of early preterm labors, estimate doctors from Case Western Reserve and Yale Universities in a new study published recently in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

The research could help doctors prevent preterm births by encouraging oral hygiene or stop early labor from developing by prescribing targeted antibiotics.

"The earlier the woman goes into preterm labor, the higher the chance that she will be infected," said Yiping Han, a doctor at Case Western University and the first author on the study.

Most human pregnancies last about 40 weeks. A birth prior to 37 weeks is classified as preterm. About 12 percent of all births in the United States are preterm, a number that has grown by more than 30 percent since 1981 for reasons unknown. Babies born preterm can face many hurdles: vision and hearing loss, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, even death.

Labor itself is still somewhat of a mystery to science, which makes puzzling out preterm labor even more difficult. Anything from socioeconomic status and race to bacterial infection and genetics have been linked to preterm births, but a definitive cause is still elusive...

I had early labor(not delivery) and I brushed my teeth four times a day. I wish this was an indication of "why" it happened to me, but I don't really think so.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen