Free Birth Control?

There is a pretty good chance some forms of birth control will be offered to women at no charge under the new health care law. Obviously, nothing is free so we will pay for it some other way. However, it's interesting to hear all this talk about preventative care. It could be a big change for a lot of people. I am hoping to find out soon what changes are coming to our health plan. I am having a really hard time determining how much to take out for Flex Ben because I am not sure what we are paying for. Are we paying more or less? I just have no idea.
What do you think about free birth control?

FROM THE WASHINGTON POST: Fifty years after the pill, another birth control revolution may be on the horizon: free contraception for women in the U.S., thanks to the new health care law. That could start a shift toward more reliable - and expensive - forms of birth control that are gaining acceptance in other developed countries.

But first, look for a fight over social mores. A panel of experts advising the government meets in November to begin considering what kind of preventive care for women should be covered at no cost to the patient, as required under President Barack Obama's overhaul.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., author of the women's health amendment, says the clear intent was to include family planning. But is birth control preventive medicine?

Conflicting answers frame what could be the next clash over moral values and a health law that passed only after a difficult compromise restricting the use of public money for abortions. For many medical and public health experts, there's no debate.

"There is clear and incontrovertible evidence that family planning saves lives and improves health," said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. David Grimes, an international family planning expert who teaches medicine at the University of North Carolina. "Contraception rivals immunization in dollars saved for every dollar invested. Spacing out children allows for optimal pregnancies and optimal child rearing. Contraception is a prototype of preventive medicine."

But U.S. Catholic bishops say pregnancy is a healthy condition, not an illness. In comments filed with the Department of Health and Human Services, the bishops say they oppose any requirement to cover contraceptives or sterilization as preventive care.

"We don't consider it to be health care, but a lifestyle choice," said John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, a Philadelphia think tank whose work reflects church teachings. "We think there are other ways to avoid having children than by ingesting chemicals paid for by health insurance."

So far, most other religious conservatives have stayed out of the debate, though that could change. Some say they are concerned about any requirement that might include the morning-after pill. The Food and Drug Administration classifies it as birth control; some religious conservatives see it as an abortion drug.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Early Detection for Ectopic Pregnancy

FROM NBC: A new test may help diagnose ectopic pregnancy more easily -- reducing emotional stress and unnecessary deaths. An ectopic pregnancy occurs outside the uterus -- and is the leading cause of pregnancy-related first trimester deaths.

British researchers measured levels of a specific molecule in 40 women who had a tubal ectopic pregnancy. These women had lower levels of the molecule compared to those who had normal, healthy pregnancies.

The simple, inexpensive test could help doctors diagnose an ectopic pregnancy in an urgent situation -- but more large scale studies need to be done to determine its usefulness.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an acne emergency? Soderstrom Skin Institute can help. We treat acne seriously and in most cases will see you within a week. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. Call 309-674-SKIN and make your appointment today.

Breast milk storage bank

My mom is a lactation consultant, so donated breast milk doesn't seem weird to me. I know a couple guys who would really freak out at the thought. I think it's amazing that women who have a lot of breast milk take the time to donate it to help the tiniest babies survive. What a wonderful service!

There is not a milk bank in Central Illinois, but if you are interested in donating your extra breast milk you can contact the Human Milk Banking Association.

FROM NBC: Experts recommend breast milk for newborns because of the numerous health benefits. Many hospitals are now offering donated breast milk to babies whose mothers, for whatever reason, are unable to provide their own. Wendy sears is the proud mother of twin baby girls. All along throughout her pregnancy she planned to breastfeed. Wendy Sears, New Mother:"Every study you could ever read suggests that breastfeeding gives them immunity for so many different things." But their birth brought some surprises. they arrived nearly two months early. Wendy's milk didn't come quite as quickly.

Wendy Sears, New Mother: "In the beginning, I had a hard time really making enough for just one, much less for both." Fortunately, these babies are patients at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. It's now standard of care here to provide donated breast milk to babies born before 32 weeks or weighing less than 4 pounds when their mother can't for whatever reason. Dr. Kathleen Marinelli, Neonatologist: "The donors are screened the same way as someone who would be donating blood or donating an organ. So they're screened for all the viruses and lifestyle issues and drug use and things that would make you worry about using this milk."

Dr. Kathleen Marinellis is a Neonatologist. She's also the medical director of the New England breast milk bank outside of Boston. She says sick and premature babies are the priority to receive donations. Dr. Kathleen Marinelli, Neonatologist: "It helps mature their GI tract. It has immune factors in it. It has all types of things that help them mature and develop in ways they otherwise wouldn't have having come out of mom's womb early."

Cate Vallone of Hartford is another new mom...not receiving, but donating breast milk. She realized her baby was allergic to something in her diet, so she couldn't use the 70 ounces of milk she had frozen. Cate Vallone, Breast Milk Donor: "One of my girlfriends had a baby just a few weeks after I did and she was breastfeeding also and not making quite enough milk." So she offered to share hers. Cate Vallone, Breast Milk Donor: "On one hand I guess it could seem weird if you hadn't done it before, but there's lots of times we share some of ourself with another person. There's donating blood and stuff so I didn't see how this was too different from that." For the health of her babies, Wendy sears is thankful for moms like Cate. "I think it is a fantastic program."

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an acne emergency? Soderstrom Skin Institute can help. We treat acne seriously and in most cases will see you within a week. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. Call 309-674-SKIN and make your appointment today.

How to raise a compassionate child

There is a great webinar coming up next week about raising a child that is compassionate and respectful. I plan on attending. Here's how to register:

Bright Horizons and The Volunteer Family are proud to bring you practical advice for the busy parent. On this webinar we will discuss-

Raising a Socially-Responsible Child Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST Register at: http://bit.ly/bA0xLG Created by: Bright Horizons

Webinar
Description: What kind of adult do you want your child to become? Compassionate, respectful, tolerant? These character traits are cultivated in your child from the day they are born. Your actions and words are shaping your child above all else.

Teach your child that your family, no matter how small or large, can make a difference in the world we live in today and in the future. Bright Horizons and The Volunteer Family are proud to bring you practical advice for the busy parent.

On this webinar we will discuss -
• How social awareness develops as your child grows
• The role of the family, school and community in raising children
• Steps that families can take together to make a difference in their communities and in the world today and tomorrow

Join us! November 9, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. EST. To register, please visit: http://bit.ly/bA0xLG

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an acne emergency? Soderstrom Skin Institute can help. We treat acne seriously and in most cases will see you within a week. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. Call 309-674-SKIN and make your appointment today.

Danger of SIDS during Winter

If you or someone you know has a baby, remind them SIDS deaths are more common in the winter months, but there are things they can do to reduce the risk. It's hard to believe my baby is already 14 months old. He does sleep with a night night, but I still don't give him a pillow or comforter in his crib. We have never had bumper pads due the risk of suffocation.

According to the American SIDS Institute:

Parents

1. Place infants to sleep on their backs, even though they may sleep more soundly on their stomachs. Infants who sleep on their stomachs and sides have a much higher rate of SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.

2. Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress. There should be nothing in the bed but the baby - no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and no toys. Soft mattresses and heavy covering are associated with the risk for SIDS.

3. Keep your baby’s crib in the parents’ room until the infant is at least 6 months of age. Studies clearly show that infants are safest when their beds are close to their mothers.

4. Do not place your baby to sleep in an adult bed. Typical adult beds are not safe for babies. Do not fall asleep with your baby on a couch or in a chair.

5. Do not over-clothe the infant while she sleeps. Just use enough clothes to keep the baby warm without having to use cover. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS.

6. Avoid exposing the infant to tobacco smoke. Don't have your infant in the same house or car with someone who is smoking. The greater the exposure to tobacco smoke, the greater the risk of SIDS.

7. Breast-feed babies whenever possible. Breast milk decreases the occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Studies show that breast-fed babies have a lower SIDS rate than formula-fed babies do.

8. Avoid exposing the infant to people with respiratory infections. Avoid crowds. Carefully clean anything that comes in contact with the baby. Have people wash their hands before holding or playing with your baby. SIDS often occurs in association with relatively minor respiratory (mild cold) and gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea).

9. Offer your baby a pacifier. Some studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS among babies who use pacifiers.

10. If your baby has periods of not breathing, going limp or turning blue, tell your pediatrician at once.

11. If your baby stops breathing or gags excessively after spitting up, discuss this with your pediatrician immediately.

12. Thoroughly discuss each of the above points with all caregivers. If you take your baby to daycare or leave him with a sitter, provide a copy of this list to them. Make sure they follow all recommendations.

FROM NBC: The National Institutes of Health is reminding parents of infants about the dangers of SIDS during the wintertime months. Parents and caregivers can help prevent sudden infant death syndrome by avoiding overheating babies during nap time and overnight. Studies have shown that heavy clothing, blankets and a warm room temperature increase the risk of SIDS. The NIH suggests babies sleep in light clothing in a room that's at a comfortable temperature for adults. And the single best way to cut the risk of SIDS -- is to always place infants on their backs for naps and at night.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an acne emergency? Soderstrom Skin Institute can help. We treat acne seriously and in most cases will see you within a week. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. Call 309-674-SKIN and make your appointment today.

Elementary School Soda

Can you name a low calorie beverage that is not loaded with artificial sweetener? The only thing I can think of is iced tea and maybe flavored water. That's the problem I always run in to. There aren't very many low calorie drinks that don't contain artificial sweetener that actually taste good. Please share if you know of some beverages that fit into this category. I end up giving the kids watered down juice if they are sick of milk and water.

FROM NBC: Despite guidelines from the Institute of Medicine recommending against high-calorie beverages in elementary schools, it's still easy for kids to buy them. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago conducted a survey of elementary schools across the country, looking at the types of beverages for sale.

They found 44 percent of young children had access to high-calorie, sugar-sweetened drinks at school like soda and fruit drinks. They could buy them in the cafeteria or in vending machines. In addition, 90 percent could buy flavored milk. However, they found the number of students who only had access to low-fat milk, and low-calorie drinks, had increased over the years.

Experts say they're encouraged by the progress that has been made, but say more still needs to be done.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Are you having an acne emergency? Soderstrom Skin Institute can help. We treat acne seriously and in most cases will see you within a week. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. Call 309-674-SKIN and make your appointment today.