prenatal Archives - Page 2 of 2

Pregnancy and Cleaning: What are the Dangers?

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Many expecting moms develop a nesting instinct; and uncontrollable urge to clean their home in preparation of their new baby’s arrival. Flushing Hospital wants moms to know that while tackling most chores is totally safe, there are some tasks that may pose a risk to your health and the health of your baby.

• Moving heavy furniture when you’re pregnant can be dangerous. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your connective tissue and ligaments looser, which increases the risk of muscle strains and injury. In addition, your center of gravity can shift as your pregnancy progresses which can throw off your balance. These changes make lifting more challenging, further raising your chance of injury. Your best bet is to let someone else do the moving.

• Changing your cat’s litter box can lead to a condition known as toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through infected cat poop. If you’ve never had toxoplasmosis before, you could possibly become infected while pregnant and pass the illness on to your baby. Toxoplasmosis can cause flu-like symptoms in adults, but in a baby during the early stages of pregnancy it can cause serious birth defects such as eye and brain damage.

• While there is still a debate about the effects paint can have on pregnant women and their babies, it’s generally considered a good idea to limit your exposure to paint and paint fumes while pregnant. Most paint contains solvents that can cause health problems when inhaled too much. Having a room in your home painted is probably not a high risk for you or your baby, but if painting needs to be done, have someone else do it and make sure there is good ventilation to avoid inhaling paint fumes.

• It’s not ideal to use ant and roach spray during pregnancy. The low exposure of occasional use is unlikely to pose a risk, but some studies have indicated there may be a link between exposure to these products and child development problems. While these studies are inconclusive, it’s probably best to play it safe and minimize use. Instead of using sprays, it is recommended to use baits or other products that are not likely to be inhaled.

With all other cleaning products, it is best to practice safe use. Wear gloves and other protective clothing to protect your skin from exposure and use a mask to prevent inhaling unnecessary chemicals. Attempt to open windows or use a fan to ventilate the area you are cleaning and always read manufacturer’s labels before using a cleaning product. If you are unsure about a household cleaning product, speak with your doctor first before using.

Flushing Hospital’s Women’s Health Center has an expert team of doctors and nurses to guide you through every step of your pregnancy. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-670-8992.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

What to Expect During Your First Trimester Screening

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

In addition to your routine prenatal tests, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment for a first-trimester screening. These tests are highly important as they can help your doctor to gather information about the baby’s risk of developing certain chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome, trisomy 13 or trisomy 18.

First trimester screenings are typically conducted between the eleventh and fourteenth week of pregnancy. The process is non-invasive and safe; there are no known physical risks associated with having these tests.

During your appointment, your doctor will draw blood to measure levels of plasma protein-A and human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. An ultrasound will also be performed to measure the nuchal translucency, which is the fluid beneath the skin of the baby’s neck. Increased thickness can be an early indicator of Down syndrome.

It is important to keep in mind that these tests are not diagnostic. The results, along with factors such as your age, family history and ethnicity are used to help determine the risks of your baby developing chromosomal abnormalities. The results may also indicate a need for further testing that may include CVS (chorionic villus sampling) or amniocentesis.

The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center has the most up-to-date equipment for the evaluation of mother and fetus. The division is staffed by full-time Board Certified Perinatologists and highly trained nurses. Genetic counseling, amniocentesis, diabetic counseling, as well as maternal-fetal evaluation are offered during the course of pregnancy.

For more information about the many services offered by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-8994.

Invitro Fertilization

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Andrew Rubin

On July 25, 1978 the first baby was born that had been conceived invitro. These babies were referred to as “Test Tube Babies” because they were essentially created in a laboratory in a glass tube. Invitro Fertilization is the process where the egg harvested from a female is combined with the sperm obtained from a male in a lab and in a glass tube. This was the culmination of many years of research performed by Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards during the 1960’s and 1970’s in England.
The invention of the microscope in the 17th century really helped scientists understand how fertilization takes place. For hundreds of years following this development, research was done on how to implant fertilize eggs artificially, but while still within the body. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that fertilization outside of the body was begun. In 1959 the first rabbit to be conceived invitro was born, followed in 1963 by a hamster and in 1972 by the birth of a mouse. The technique that really helped advance IVF was the use of laparascopic surgery. This allows the gynecologist to remove the follicles from the ovary very precisely.
It is estimated that now over 200,000 babies have been conceived using IVF. The procedure has been improved upon tremendously in the last few years. Many times this process leads to multiple eggs being fertilized and more than one baby being conceived.
To speak to a physician at Flushing Hospital about IVF and pregnancy in general please schedule an appointment by calling 718-670-5486..

Poison Prevention Week Tips

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

poison prevention-154210048 This week, March 20-26 is Poison Prevention Week. Did you know that every year more than 2 million poison-related injuries and deaths are reported in the United States and more than 90 percent of these cases occur in the home?

The majority of poison-related accidents occurs among children but can be prevented by taking the proper precautions to store, dispose or conceal items that contribute to these incidents.

The following safety tips are recommended by The American Association of Poison Control Centers and can help you reduce the risk of an accident your home:

Place the Poison Help number in a place that is easily accessible or viewable. That number is 1 (800) 222-1222. Calls are free, confidential, and answered by experts at all times.
Safely store these substances in cabinets with childproof locks or in child- resistant containers:

Medications
Vitamins
Tobacco products, especially liquid nicotine
Laundry and cleaning supplies
Alcohol
Pesticides or insect repellants
Hand sanitizers
Small batteries

Read medication labels properly before administering.
Never call medication “candy” to encourage children to take it.
Avoid taking medications in front of young children.
Do not use food storage containers to store harmful products such as detergents or pesticides.

While practicing these guidelines should be routine, we invite you to use Poison Prevention Awareness Week as a reminder to ensure that your home is poison safe.

What You Should Know About Your Premature Baby

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

rbma_0019 Learning that your baby will be arriving early can be overwhelming. You may grow anxious as you wonder; what happens next? Having a premature baby does have its challenges; however you can better prepare yourself for what to expect through education.

A baby’s birth is considered premature when they are born before the 37^th week of pregnancy. There are different levels of prematurity, each of which is influenced by how early your baby was born. The levels of prematurity are:

Late preterm– Babies born between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy
Moderately preterm– Babies born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy
Very preterm- Babies born at less than 32 weeks of pregnancy
Extremely preterm– Babies born at or before 25 weeks of pregnancy

The earlier the birth is the higher the risk of health complications that may affect your baby: Some of the health complications you could encounter are:

Heart problems
Respiratory problems
Eye disease
Intestinal problems

To ensure that your baby receives optimal medical attention after delivery, your team of doctors and nurses will take measures needed to stabilize him or her, which means they may need to:

Clear the airways and assist the baby in breathing
Regulate and monitor the heart rate. If the baby’s heart rate is exceedingly low, CPR may be performed
Transfer the baby to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) if he or she is critically ill

If transferred to the NICU, your baby will receive round-the-clock care. NICU’s are well equipped with the technologies needed to monitor and regulate babies’ health. While in the NICU, be sure to:

Form a relationship with caregivers
Consult with a lactation consultant to ensure your baby is receiving a fresh supply of milk. Breast milk is best. If you are unable to produce milk, speak with your consultant about receiving donor milk.
Become your baby’s health advocate. If you have a concern or have noticed something unusual do not be afraid to speak up
Touch your baby as much as allowed
Talk to your baby as much as possible; your voice will become familiar and offer comfort

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Flushing Hospital Medical Center is equipped with the latest technology to care for infants born prematurely or with complications. Even the tiniest babies can be cared for in this unit, which provides specialized testing and the use of modern equipment to manage medical and surgical illnesses. The unit is staffed by highly specialized, Board Certified physicians, certified neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners and social workers. NICU babies continue to receive specialized care after discharge. To learn more about the NICU or Obstetrical Unit at Flushing Hospital, please call the Department of Pediatrics at 718-670-5486.