Archives for Nancy’s Blog
Should Pregnant Women Get the Flu Vaccine?
The answer to this question is a resounding "Yes!" According to the CDC, "flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not…
Practicing for an Emergency
The New York Times (Channon Hodge, October 12, 2014) published a video on a practice simulation of a difficult birth at North Central Bronx Hospital, where the obstetric unit has…
Do You Really Need that Embarrassing and Uncomfortable Pelvic Exam?
In her New York Times column on Personal Health, Jane Brody recently questioned the value of routine pelvic exams during visits to the gynecologist. (Routine pelvic exams during labor are…
Will Physical Activity During Pregnancy Lower Your Risk of a Cesarean Birth?
The answer is a resounding yes! This study, which included 36 randomized controlled trials including a total of 3359 women, concluded that those who exercised during pregnancy were significantly less…
Can a Tiny Pill Help Prevent a Serious Pregnancy Complication?
Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although there are risk factors that can predict the likelihood of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy, many women with…
Newborn Mortality Higher with Midwives at Home than with Midwives in the Hospital
In an article published online in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (March 24, 2014), the authors examined newborn mortality in relation to birth settings and birth attendants in…
Honoring Doulas
The Praeclarus Press has written an accolade to doulas for the wonderful work they do to keep birth normal and to assist and advocate for mothers before, during, and…
Follow-up on FGM article – Ban Ki-moon, UN Sec’y-General, supports campaign
The secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, praised the 'courageous' campaign after meeting 17-year-old activist Fahma Mohamed. According to an article in today's Guardian, the UN secretary general…
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy – A Cause of Behavioral Problems and Hyperkinetic Disorders?
A recent article posted on the online journal JAMA Pediatrics suggests that acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol), an over-the-counter pain reliever widely used during pregnancy, may have a harmful effect on fetal…
Full-Fat Paradox: Whole Milk May Keep Us Lean
From the Wisconsin Dairy Council This is good news for me! I have to admit, I hate skim milk or anything made from it, can barely abide 1%, and have…