A study to be published in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has linked omega 3 fatty acid consumption during pregnancy with improved problem solving skills in infants at the age of nine months. Researchers studied the effects of increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as a regular part of a pregnancy diet. DHA is a type of omega 3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in certain areas of the brain including the cerebral cortex, synapses, and retinal rod photoreceptors. Infants whose mothers had an average of 313 milligrams of DHA per day faired much better when presented with activities requiring problem solving. However, determining the recommended amount of DHA to be consumed by pregnant women will require further research. DHA is a direct source of omega 3 fatty acid commonly found in cold water fish. A-linolenic acid (LNA) which is converted into DHA in children and adults, is not easily converted at the fetal stage, and therefore does not provide the same types of benefits.

Source: HealthSentinel.com

A recent study suggests that women who smoke during pregnancy are at a considerably higher risk of experiencing a stillbirth. The study followed women during their first and second pregnancies and found that women who smoked during both pregnancies had a 35% higher chance of a stillbirth than nonsmokers. Women who smoked during the first pregnancy, but had quit prior to their second pregnancy, decreased their chances of having a stillbirth. In addition, those who quit smoking for their second pregnancy showed no difference in the risk of stillbirth as compared to those who had never smoked before. Women who smoked more than ten cigarettes a day during their second pregnancy had a 45% increased risk of having a stillbirth.

Source: Reuters.com

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) not enough women are taking folic acid prior to getting pregnant. Many women are aware of the benefits of folic acid during pregnancy, which include the prevention of birth defects. However, doctors recommend that sufficient folic acid levels be present in the body prior to getting pregnant in order to ensure a healthy start to pregnancy. This leads to another issue related to pre-conception counseling. The CDC found that 85% of women in the study did not seek medical attention from a healthcare provider prior to pregnancy.

Source: ABC7Chicago.com

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, drinking moderate amounts of coffee while pregnant will not pose harm to a developing baby. The study followed over 1,200 pregnant women who drank at least three cups of coffee a day, and compared these women to a group of those drinking decaffeinated coffee or no coffee during pregnancy. There was no significant difference between the size of babies born to either of these groups and no apparent difference between the risk of preterm labor. The study did find, however, that women who smoked ten cigarettes a day at the onset of pregnancy were more likely to deliver smaller babies, and this risk was increased if the women were also coffee drinkers. Among other pregnancy risks associated with smoking cigarettes are miscarriage, preterm labor, bleeding,abnormal placenta position and fetal malformations.

Source: MSNBC.com

A new study of 400 women in five U.S. cities between 1999 and 2005 suggests that women eating beef during pregnancy may put their unborn sons at an increased risk of developing infertility. The study found that men whose mothers ate seven or more meals containing beef per week while pregnant had a 24% decrease in sperm concentration as compared to men whose mothers ate less beef. Researchers believe that these sub-fertile sperm levels may be caused by residual hormones, pesticides, and other contaminants of animal feed that may alter testicular development in utero. Currently, the FDA allows for minimal hormonal residues of stradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and synthetic hormones such as zeranol, trenbolone acetate, and melengestrol to remain in beef. The use of these hormones to promote growth in cattle has been banned in Europe since 1988.

Source: TorontoDailyNews.com

A report looking at preliminary research on the effects of calcium intake in pregnant women has shown a potential link between maternal calcium levels and a reduced incidence of hypertension and high blood pressure in children. Calcium supplementation during pregnancy has previously been shown to reduce the risk of hypertension in the mother. Recent studies have suggested that blood pressure levels in childhood and early adulthood can be influenced by factors during fetal life, including dietary calcium intake from supplements and food sources. Reviewing blood pressure levels in children whose mothers had regular calcium intake during pregnancy found a reduction in systolic blood pressure and a reduced incidence of hypertension. Further research is required to confirm these results, which could have important public health implications and lower the risk of hypertension in generations to follow.

Source: BMC Pediatrics

A recent study published in this month’s issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry found that one in seven women suffered from depression before, during, or after pregnancy. The outcomes of depression can be harmful for the mother, baby, and her family, said lead author, Patricia Dietz, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Dietz and her team examined data on women who gave birth between 1988 and 2001 and found that 8.7 percent of the women felt depressed nine months prior to pregnancy, 6.9 percent during pregnancy, and 10.4 percent nine months following pregnancy. These findings stress how important it is for those providing prenatal care to become aware of the consequences of depression and screen for it during and after pregnancy, said Dietz.

Source: Forbes.com

A recent study in the British Medical journal found mothers who are active during pregnancy tended to have children who are also active. The Bristol University-led study of 5,500 11 to 12 year-olds, also suggested that children born in the autumn, tended to be more sporty than other children.

Source: BBC News

For some women losing weight after giving birth can be troubling, but a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests the easiest way to shed those extra pounds is by getting more sleep. US researchers looking at the prenatal and postnatal health of 940 women found sleeping less correlated with women keeping on the excess weight one year after giving birth. In fact, women who got 5 or less hours of sleep every night when their baby was 6-months-old had a harder time shedding the excess pregnancy weight. The study found that women who slept 7 or more hours were more likely to shed the extra pregnancy weight

Source: VHi Heatlhcare

A new study by the University of Washington in Seattle reveals that baby powder, baby shampoo and baby lotion may be harmful. The study, published in the Journal “Pediatrics,” explains that harmful chemicals known as phthalates are found in these products, as well as many personal care products, medical supplies and toys. Animal studies reveal that these chemicals are known to produce developmental toxicity. There have also been human studies to back up these results. In one study, the urine in infants was measured, with all infants showing a measurable amount of phthalates in their urine. Apparently, babies less than 8 months old are more susceptible to the dangers of these chemicals. Since there is no legislation requiring companies to list the contents of their products on the packages, there is no way of knowing which ones pose a risk. Until this changes, parents are advised to use baby powder, shampoos and lotions sparingly

Reuters