Miscarriage prevention drug causes infertility/cancer

A drug some women took in the 60's to prevent miscarriage could be causing infertility an cancer in their kids. That's a scary thought. I think it's probably because of my age, but I feel like I hear more and more about infertility.

FROM NBC: A drug millions of pregnant women took decades ago may increase health risks among their daughters. An estimated four million Americans were exposed to DES -- a synthetic estrogen prescribed to prevent miscarriages and pregnancy complications -- until it was banned in 1971.

Now a new study suggests women whose mothers took DES are twice as likely to have fertility problems and are at almost double the risk of breast cancer. These women also face higher rates of miscarriage, pre-term delivery, stillbirths and early menopause. Problems among men exposed to DES are less common -- but they do have more testicular problems and cysts.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Miscarriages: A Medical Mystery

I am certain I was told by my OBGYN eight years ago that I could only take Tylenol for pain relief-not ibuprofen(Motrin) or Aleve. I think that has been well known for awhile by people in the industry. However, it's something first time moms may not realize until they go to the doctor. By that time, they may be 8 weeks pregnant and the damage could already be done. So, I think it's great that more women may be notified of this study before they get pregnant.

FROM NBC: Important health news for women who are pregnant, OR trying to conceive: It involves the risk of miscarriage, still in many ways a medical mystery, but while the experts keep trying to learn more about what causes them, and how to prevent them, a new study of 47-thousand women has found one more piece of the puzzle that women may want to consider. And it involves some of the biggest names in pain relievers at the local drugstore.

Like most pregnant women, Ester Yu worries about anything that could harm her unborn child. Yu: "I always try to check with my doctor before needing to take any particular medication." Experts say the study out today reinforces what a good idea that is: Some of the most popular over- the-counter pain relievers -- so-called NSAIDS -- could be cause for concern early in pregnancy.

They include ibuprofen, sold under brand names including Motrin and Advil, and naproxen, sold as Aleve. They already carry warnings against use late in pregnancy. But the study out today by Dr. Anick Berard and her team and the University of Montreal shows that taken EARLY in pregnancy -- during the first first twenty weeks -- the drugs may more than double the risk of miscarriage.

Researchers say acetaminophen, often sold as Tylenol, does not seem to be a problem. Dr. Berard "The studies that we do in pregnant women are certainly not to alarm women, it's to give more information to help women and prescribers --physicians-- to gain better knowledge of what's what's happening with medication use in pregnancy." Experts not involved with the research agree.

Dr. Alan Fleischman, March of Dimes "I think this is an important study. It is confirmatory. There has been other evidence that there are concerns with these kinds of // drugs. Because the effect from these drugs can occur so early in pregnancy, experts -- even the drug makers -- advise that women start talking with their doctor about- any- medications they are taking, as soon as they plan to get pregnant.

Miscarriages are very common -- and while their cause is often unknown, information like this latest study can help Ester Yu and other prospective mothers make the best decisions.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Skin Dimensions, SB products are manufactured with Pharmaceutical-Grade ingredients. Products are not just "Feel Good Products," as they contain unique and innovative ingredients in concentrations that can assist you in the achievement of your own personal skincare objectives. Our products contain higher percentages of Glycolic, Vitamin A, C, E, Co-Q10, green tea than what you can usually purchase over the counter.

Miscarriage Myth

There is a pretty good chance you or someone close to you has had at least one miscarriage. It is is a horrible experience. When it happens to someone when they are carrying their first child, it is extremely challenging. It's hard not to wonder whether something you did-caused the miscarriage. So, a lot of women look for a way to prevent the same thing from happening again. Here is one thing you do not want to do:

FROM NBC: Miscarriage is a common pregnancy complication -- with nearly five percent of women having two or more. There is no treatment to prevent miscarriage, and now a new study finds what many hoped would be an easy fix does *not* work.

Over-the-counter aspirin has been prescribed to women suffering multiple miscarriages because of its anti-clotting properties, but few studies have been done on its effectiveness.

Over three hundred women with a history of miscarriage were included in a study where they were given aspirin, a placebo pill, or aspirin and low doses of heparin -- another clot-busting drug. Researchers found taking medication did not lead to a pregnancy benefit -- the women in the study all had a roughly 60 percent chance of giving birth.

The trial was stopped early because of the lack of benefit seen. 364 women were enrolled who were trying to conceive or were less than 6 weeks pregnant. 299 became pregnant. The study was partially funded by GSK.

Preventing Miscarriage

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Caffeine and Pregnancy

I just had a conversation with a perinatologist (high risk pregnancy expert ) last week about this very topic.

Here's the story from ABC News:

Expectant mothers have new cause for concern. Pregnant women may want to give up their daily caffeine fix. A new study finds consuming just one and half cups of coffee a day--or more than 200 milligrams of caffeine-- doubles the risk of miscarriage--and that goes for tea, hot chocolate, and soda.

Obstetrician Dr. Tracy Flanagan said, "What's different about this study is that it shows that a fairly low level of caffeine may be associated with miscarriage, and that's important."

Pregnant women have long been advised to limit their caffeine. Now Dr. Flanagan is counseling her patients to give it up altogether.

It's not clear why caffeine can cause miscarriage. It is known to cross the placenta and can be difficult for the fetus to metabolize.

So what's a pregnant mom looking for an energy boost to do?

Doctors suggest taking a brisk walk, yoga or go ahead and get that grande latte, but make it decaf.

I just talked to Peoria Perinatologist Dr. Michael Leonardi about doing a blog on what women can do to prevent miscarriage. It sounds like caffeine will be high on that list. I will email Dr. Leondardi and post his other tips later this week.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen