March of Dimes: 'Healthy babies are worth the wait'

TONS of great statistics in this one that confirm once again that our bodies know what they are doing when it comes to when to birth our babies.

"Although tests may show that the baby's lungs are well developed at, say, 37 weeks, research has demonstrated that the risk of newborn complications is still significantly higher than if delivery occurs two to three weeks later. In a study published last December of babies demonstrated to have mature lungs before birth, those delivered at 36-38 weeks had 2.5 times the number of complications compared with those delivered at 39-40 weeks. Problems more common among babies delivered earlier in gestation included respiratory distress, jaundice and low blood sugar."

'"Babies aren't fully developed until at least 39 weeks," Lackritz told a news briefing in New York convened by the March of Dimes. For example, a baby's brain at 35 weeks gestation weighs only two-thirds of what it will weigh at 39-40 weeks."

Ultrasound Diagnosis of Fetal Macrosomia (large baby) Found Inaccurate

"Ultrasound-estimated fetal weight "is not very accurate, and we have to counsel patients on that, when they come to ultrasounds and they are worried that they are going to have this [enormous] monstrosity of a baby," lead investigator Dr. Alese Wagner said in an interview. "You can tell them [that] most of the time, we are off."'

"The mode of delivery was cesarean section in 66% of the pregnancies, compared with just 29% of all pregnancies in Calgary during the same period. "So it’s [more than] double, the percentage who are getting C-sections, on what is [an inaccurate weight]," said Dr. Wagner."

Stigma Hinders Treatment For Postpartum Depression

If you think you may be suffering from PPD, don't be afraid to ask for help and KEEP asking till you find someone willing to find the root of the problem.

Baby's Palate And Food Memories Shaped Before Birth

"Each individual baby is having their own unique experience, it's changing from hour to hour, from day to day, from month to month," says Mennella. "As a stimulus it's providing so much information to that baby about who they are as a family and what are the foods their family enjoys and appreciates."

Miracle of baby boy born full term despite his mother's waters breaking at just 16 WEEKS

"She said: 'Doctors do a great job but they can only advise you based on what they know and they do not always have the answers.

'If I had not believed in Charlie I would have given up and he would not be here today.'"

Leg Cramps in Pregnancy

This article has a few effective way to deal with leg cramps that seem inevitable during pregnancy. Taking a calcium/magnesium supplement before bed was my magic ticket away from waking up with leg cramps. Here is my go to product: http://public.shaklee.guided.a​tomz.com/?q=osteo+matrix&x=0&y​=0

OBGYN v. Midwife (level of care comparison)