In 1968 French medical researchers identified a collection of abnormalities in children born to alcoholic mothers. These abnormalities came to be known collectively as the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The defects associated with FAS are caused when alcohol drunk by the mother crosses the placenta, enters the unborn child’s bloodstream, and interferes with normal biological development.

Most FAS babies have distinct facial features. They usually have small heads, with small eyes, very thin upper lips, low, sunken nasal bridges, and flattened cheekbones. In addition to their distinctive facial features, FAS babies suffer a variety of other physical defects. They generally show growth retardation. They are shorter and lighter in weight, on average, than non-FAS babies. This growth lag tends to persist into childhood. FAS babies often have deformities in their bones and joints and may have certain heart defects. Motor coordination tends to be poor, also. The most devastating problems, however, center on their intellectual development.

The developing brain is especially sensitive to alcohol. Prenatal exposure to alcohol appears to cause faulty arrangement of brain cells. Hence, FAS babies have reduced potential for developing their thinking and reasoning. By the time they reach school age, FAS babies typically show signs of mental retardation. Throughout childhood they will have poor attention spans and impaired learning skills.

In addition to their many intellectual problems, FAS children have a range of behavioral problems. They tend to be restless, irritable, and aggressive. They are likely to have poor impulse control. Because they have difficulty interpreting and responding to social cues, FAS children often have few friends.

Today we know that a mother does not have to be an alcoholic to give birth to a child who shows signs of FAS. A mother’s consistent use of alcohol, even small amounts, throughout pregnancy can produce adverse effects on the unborn child. Occasional binge drinking during pregnancy can also have profound effects.

It is estimated that 1 infant in 750 suffers from FAS. Perhaps another 10 infants suffer from Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). FAE refers to a condition that is somewhat less severe than FAS. The child with FAE does not show all the signs of full-blown FAS, but shares many of the same developmental defects. For example, children with FAE typically have intellectual impairments and behavioral problems that continue throughout childhood and beyond.

How much alcohol can a woman safely consume when she is pregnant? Occasionally a physician will tell a woman that a drink of wine now and then will not hurt her unborn child. However, the fact of the matter is, no one knows for sure how much alcohol is needed to harm the unborn child. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has stated that “no amount of alcohol has been proven safe to consume during pregnancy“. The best advice for women, who are pregnant, or planning on becoming pregnant,is to abstain from all drinking. By following this advice, the wide range of birth defects associated with FAS and FAE can be prevented.

Author: Douglas Hardwick
About the author: Douglas Hardwick, Ph.D., has extensive interests in issues of holistic health and human development. He is a primary contributor to the information website: Holistic Health and Healing Resources.

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A developing fetus is highly susceptible to outside influences. Most people know for example, that smoking and drinking can have serious adverse effects on a fetus, some permanent. Unfortunately many women are not as aware of the effects of common household chemicals and how they can affect not only their baby but even their great, great grandchildren.

What can affect a fetus? There is very little that a pregnant women consumes, breathes, or slathers on her skin that will not affect her fetus in one way or another. Some chemicals are clearly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. An excellent starting point for a pregnant woman is to consider how natural a substance is. If something grew out of the ground it is quite likely safer than something developed in a lab. There are obviously exceptions to this rule such as poisonous mushrooms and certain herbs but for the most part it holds true.

The hard part is not determining what is safe as much as what is unsafe during pregnancy. Many substances have never been tested on pregnant women and their unborn children so the truth is, you may never know what is safe and what is not. So as a conscientious mother you may choose to err on the side of caution and avoid substances that may potentially be harmful to your baby. This is not feasible all the time but it is certainly worth the attempt.

What is potentially harmful to a fetus?

DRUGS & CHEMICALS
First you should evaluate all drug use including prescription, OTC, and illegal. The FDA has Use-In-Pregnancy ratings for drugs based on their known or unknown dangers. Perinatology.com has a fairly comprehensive list of prescription drugs, vaccines and illegal drugs and includes the class and the potential effects on a fetus or newborn.

What chemicals should you avoid if you are pregnant? Honestly, all of them. Some are clearly more toxic to your fetus than others and some may be totally safe but nobody knows for sure. Some of the dangerous chemicals which are proven to cause miscarriage, birth defects, developmental problems, and stillbirth are:

Pesticides, phthalates (found in some plastics, cosmetics, and bath products), paint, carpet, nail polish, gasoline fumes, routine dental procedures, some household cleaning products, polyurethane foam, hair dyes, and tap water (which can contain fluoride & chlorine). Read Pollution in Newborns by the Environmental Working Group to learn more.

You shuold also research your skin and hair care products at skindeep.org. The almost 15,000 beauty products in the Skin Deep database will tell you not only the safety rating of your products but what questionable chemicals your favorite beauty products contain. Skin Deep provides brand by brand comparisons and safety ratings. Search by product name, product type, brand, or even look up the highest concern brands. They will even give you a personalized shopping list of the safest beauty products.

PRENATAL TESTING (prenatal “scare”)
Additionally, prenatal testing carries inherent risks and potential benefits which must be weighed by each couple. In many cases the testing is totally unnecessary and can even result in miscarriage. What is the answer? Educate yourself. Thoroughly research prenatal tests prior to agreeing to them. The Center for Unhindered Living has a number of articles explaining the pros and cons of Ultrasound, Dopplers, Alpha Fetoprotein Test, Glucose Tolerance Test, Amniocentesis, Chorionic Villus Sampling, and Prenatal Rhogam.

If the test is not absolutely necessary then you have the right to refuse to have it done because it could potentially jeopardize your unborn child. Only you can decide if a test is necessary or not based on your physician’s advice, your research, and your instincts. Please do not take a “medical professionals” word for it. As a responsible adult do some research first.

Nutrition, exercise, and mental health.
Proper nutrition means avoiding processed foods, sugar, commercial meat and dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, among others. Soy, wheat, sugar, and caffeine should be avoided.

There are so many books available about pregnancy nutrition and if you need a bit of guidance then by all means get a book. Dr. William Sears has a great page on prenatal nutrition as well. In addition to avoiding negative food items, you need to accentuate the positive. Certain vitamins and minerals are vital to a healthy pregnancy. The RDA of most vitamins and minerals increases substantially during pregnancy. Folic Acid, calcium, and iron are essential. Organic produce should be your best friend. If this is all new to you then you are probably overwhelmed and confused. If you are committed though, making sensible food choices will be second nature in no time.

Lack of exercise generally will not result in direct harm to your baby but it will make your pregnancy and labor substantially more difficult. The increased blood flow from regular exercise will enhance your child’s development and some studies link prenatal fitness with increased apgar scores and mental development. A walking routine or prenatal yoga course is ideal. You certainly do not want to overdo and many fitness routines need to be modified for pregnancy. The key is to avoid inactivity and increase blood flow. So whatever you do, get off the couch and get moving.

Finally, if you are seeking a natural pregnancy, it is very important to avoid stress. Stress has been linked to miscarriage, autism, and other many other fetal developmental problems. Unfortunately it is unlikely you can quit your job and move to an island for nine months so you need to play the cards you have been dealt. In other word if you are prone to stress you can learn to identify your stress triggers and avoid stressful situations. You can also learn how to handle stressful situations once you are in them.

Both meditation and yoga are proven, fabulous ways of lowering stress levels. Counseling may also help with current stressors in your life. Even a ten minute walk has been proven to reduce stress levels considerably. In any event, please do not resort to drugs or alcohol which don’t reduce stress, they only numb you temporarily and they will certainly cause harm to your child.

You may also want to try other stress reducing techniques include biofeedback, EFT, or a mantra such as “This too will pass”. And never underestimate the value of a good friend or family member that you can call if things get rough.

If you are committed to an organic pregnancy you can certainly do it. Having a partner and family who support your decision will certainly help but even without their help you are certainly capable of trusting your instincts and standing your ground. Your body and your baby will thank you.

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The first few weeks of a pregnancy are essential to a growing baby. During this time, the brain and other organs begin rapidly forming. Poor lifestyle decisions such as obesity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug use are not only bad for your own health; they can be extremely harmful to a growing baby. Certain chronic diseases and infections can also negatively affect a pregnancy.

The good news is that by having a healthy body and lifestyle before even trying to get pregnant, you can greatly improve your chances of having a trouble free pregnancy and a healthy baby. Before you begin trying to become pregnant, take this important health quiz, and follow the helpful tips that will guide you to a healthy pregnancy!

1.Is your weight in check?
Keeping your weight in the normal range is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Excess weight can cause a variety of problems during pregnancy including high blood pressure and diabetes. Being underweight can also lead to difficulties. Women who are too thin may have difficulty getting pregnant and are at greater risk of delivering low birth-weight babies.

2.Are you exercising?
Exercise is important for all women at every time in their lives. This is true even during pregnancy. The type and quantity of exercise that you can do safely during pregnancy depends on how healthy you are before you become pregnant. By starting an exercise program before pregnancy that improves heart and lung function and strengthens muscles, you will improve your body’s ability to handle the physical stresses of pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

3.Do you have a healthy diet?
You and your baby will have a healthy supply of the nutrients that you both will need if you begin eating right before you become pregnant. While important throughout all of a woman’s life, a balanced diet is crucial during pregnancy. The food that you eat will be the main source of nutrients and energy for your growing baby. Whatever you do not provide through your diet, your baby will steal from your own bones and nutrient stores.

One nutrient that is vital to the normal development of a baby is folic acid. Consumption of this B vitamin helps prevent neural tube defects (abnormalities of the brain, spine, and their coverings). Folic acid is also believed to help prevent cleft lip, congenital heart disease, and other birth defects. Also make sure to get adequate omega-3 through mercury free fish, flaxseed oil and walnuts. The safest bet is to start taking a food based prenatal supplement if you are trying to conceive or not actively preventing pregnancy.

4.Are you limiting caffeine?
While caffeine in small quantities (less than 3 cups of coffee per day) is considered to be safe during pregnancy, large quantities of the stimulant have been linked to increased risk of miscarriage. As well, some medical studies have shown that a womans fertility decreases with increased consumption of caffeine.

5.Have you stopped smoking and drinking?
Most women know that heavy use of alcohol or tobacco products can have very harmful effects on a baby’s health. But many women don’t know that these substances can also significantly lower fertility.

If you smoke or drink alcohol, the time to quit is before you try to become pregnant. Quitting these bad habits requires patience and plenty of support. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. The effort will certainly be worth it!

6.Have you discontinued any use of illegal drugs or non-prescribed medications?
Like smoking and drinking alcohol, drugs can be very dangerous during pregnancy. Make sure to consult with your doctor about all drugs and medications that you are taking.

7.When was your last visit to the doctor?
A pre pregnancy checkup is a very smart idea. Your doctor will ask about your medical and family history, medications, past pregnancies, diet and lifestyle. Be honest when answering these questions, as your answers will help determine if you need special care during pregnancy. You will also be able to seek advice or discuss any concerns that you may have.

8.Are you under stress?
While almost every woman is under a certain level of stress with day-to-day life, its important to minimize unnecessary tension and conflict before becoming pregnant. High levels of stress are linked to infertility, pre-term labor, and low birth weight babies.

9.How is your environment?
Certain substances found in the home or on in the workplace can make it more difficult to conceive or could harm a fetus. If you are planning a pregnancy, take a look at what is around you. Certain chemicals used in the home or garden or for hobbies might expose you to harmful substances. Ask your employer whether you might be exposed at work to toxic substances such as solvents, lead, or radiation. Discuss your level of exposure to these substances with your doctor.

10.Is your partner healthy?
There has been growing evidence that if your partner smokes, drinks, or uses drugs, it can lower his fertility, damage his sperm, and have a harmful effect on a fetus. As well, secondhand smoke is harmful to a developing baby before and after he or she is born. Before a pregnancy is the time for both you and your partner to quit these bad habits.

Author: Julian Hall
About the author: Julian Hall of The Baby Gifts Company - The Most Unique, Innovative Gift Ideas for Babies, Christening Gifts, Newborn Gifts, Personalised Gifts, Organic Clothing, Nappies, Blankets, New Baby Gifts

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There are a couple of points in the video that I do not agree with. I would never ingest Nutrasweet, Splenda or any other artificial sweetener while pregnant or otherwise. It is a man made, chemical that your body responds to as such. Don’t touch it while pregnant.

In addition, it is not necessary to consume cow milk to build a healthy baby. In fact, many believe that pasteurized milk is a very unnatural, harmful product to put in your body, which explains why so many people are intolerant to it. If you still feel compelled to drink milk, at a minimum only consume organic animal products while pregnant. An even better option would be to find a local, raw, organic cow or goat milk source. If you cannot find a local source for raw milk, you can purchase online from Organic Pastures. Learn more about raw milk. Sick milk comes from sick, commercially raised cows and needs to be pasteurized. Healthy milk comes from healthy, grass fed cows. Seek it out.

Lastly, be very careful eating any amount of canned tuna during pregnancy. Mercury is a neurotoxin and can cause irreversible damage to your fetus. Is that tuna sandwich really worth the risk of autism? Either get fish that is guaranteed mercury free such as Wild Alaskan Salmon or get your Omega 3 from Flaxseeds and walnuts.

By having a healthy prenatal diet, you can give your baby the best start that you can, and you will also reap the health benefits. Women who have well-balanced diets during pregnancy are far more likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight in a shorter period of time than those who eat foods that are high in fat and sugar. As well, the healthy eaters are less likely to develop hypertension or diabetes during pregnancy.

A wide variety of foods can be utilized to create a healthy diet for you and your baby. This should be the time to celebrate your body by eating a wide range of foods, and not the time to be dieting or obsessing about weight gain. Remember, however, that eating for two doesn’t mean eating twice as much. The average pregnant woman only requires about an extra 300 calories per day.

Here are the top pregnancy nutrition tips that will help you help you through these miraculous nine months.

1. Eat Your Grains
Complex carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice and cereal are a great source of energy, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Remember that it is always better to select whole-grain products, such as whole-wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal.

2. Focus On Folic Acid and Iron
Both folic acid and iron are essential for your body to produce the extra blood that your body requires during pregnancy. Folic acid is also especially important in the early weeks of pregnancy to prevent the risk of neural tube and congenital heart defects. Iron and folic acid can be found in a wide range of different foods including: dried fruits, beans, whole grains, dark leafy greens, certain meats, and citrus fruits.

3. Fill Up on Fruits and Vegetables
When planning your meals, choose a wide array of fruits and vegetables. They will provide you with vitamins A and C and minerals such as iron and magnesium. Don’t forget to rinse fruits and vegetables carefully before consuming, to remove any traces of pesticides, or consider selecting organic produce.

4. Enjoy Dairy Products In Moderation
Milk, yogurt, cheese, and even ice cream are great sources of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. Calcium is vital during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Choose low or non-fat items as often as you can.

5. Drink Lots of Water
Don’t underestimate the importance of drinking water throughout your pregnancy. Water is important for building new tissue, carrying nutrients and waste products within your body, helping digestion, and forming amniotic fluid around your baby. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Keeping hydrated will also help prevent those painful leg and foot cramps that are extremely common during pregnancy.

5. Try a Mocktail Instead of a Cocktail
For those women who enjoy an occasional glass of wine or cocktail, abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy can be challenging. Instead of envying others alcoholic drinks, try concocting blended fruit juices with fresh fruit for a refreshing and healthy alternative.

6. Avoid These Foods
Some foods are better off avoided throughout pregnancy because of the possibility of health risks to your baby. These foods are sushi, cold lunchmeats, raw eggs, raw meats or shellfish, and unpasteurized milk or cheese.

7. Snack To Prevent Morning Sickness
For some women, nausea and vomiting is an unfortunate aspect of pregnancy. While it cannot
be completely avoided, there are ways to minimize these uncomfortable symptoms. Eating frequent meals that include both protein and carbohydrates is a way to keep that queasy feeling at bay. Morning sickness is most likely to strike when you have an empty stomach. Chewing gum or popping a mint in your mouth may also help. As ginger has been long known to prevent nausea, try sipping ginger tea.

8. Minimize Heartburn
Heartburn is another not so pleasant part of pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones are the main cause of this unpleasant condition. As your uterus grows, it will press against your stomach and add to this problem. To prevent and relieve heartburn, eat six small meals instead of three big ones, eat slowly, chew your food well, and don’t eat or drink within a few hours of bedtime. As well, prop a few pillows under your shoulders in bed, and if the symptoms are too uncomfortable, ask your midwife or doctor about using antacids.

9. Consider Food Based Prenatal Vitamins
While a well-rounded diet should supply almost all of the nutrients that you will need during a pregnancy, you may be prescribed prenatal vitamins or mineral supplements. Remember not to take anything without the advice of your midwife or doctor.

10. Splurge Occasionally
Finally, don’t forget to splurge occasionally on something that you love to eat. Pregnancy is a time for celebration. Its ok to have an occasional bowl of ice cream, slice of cake, or hamburger. Enjoy!

Author: Julian Hall
About the author: Julian Hall of Baby Gifts Company - The Most Unique, Innovative Gift Ideas for Babies, Christening Gifts, Newborn Gifts, Personalized Gifts, Organic Clothing, Nappies, Blankets, New Baby Gifts

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A miscarriage is the natural end of pregnancy when the developing embryo or fetus is less than 20 weeks old and incapable of surviving outside the womb. Miscarriages that occur less than six weeks after your last menstrual period are referred to as an ‘early pregnancy loss’, whereas miscarriages that occur after this point are termed ‘clinical spontaneous abortion’. If you are less than six weeks pregnant, you may not even realize you have been so, and may mistake the miscarriage for a heavy menstrual bleed.

More than three-quarters of all miscarriages occur in the first twelve weeks (also known as the first trimester) of your pregnancy. The causes of miscarriage in this first trimester are mostly because of chromosomal abnormalities. As expectant parents, you need to understand that such abnormalities occur at random and are unlikely to occur in future pregnancies. Sometimes a miscarriage in the first trimester can be due to a deficiency of the hormone progesterone. In future pregnancies, your doctor will prescribe a progesterone supplement to ensure your pregnancy proceeds as normal.

Miscarriages in the second trimester are generally related to problems with your uterus, placenta or cervix. Malformations in the umbilical cord can also cause a clinical spontaneous abortion.

While the large proportion of miscarriages are beyond your control, there are several risk factors for miscarriage. Among them are:

1. If you are pregnant with twins, there is a greater chance of early pregnancy loss.
2. If you are a diabetic who does not control your diabetes, there is a considerably heightened risk of miscarriage.
3. Cigarette smoking, whether by you or your partner, increases the chance that your baby may not make it to term.
4. Physical trauma, such as falls or blows, especially to your abdomen may also result in a miscarriage.
5. Excessive caffeine or alcohol intake, obesity and exposure to certain chemicals will also enhance the likelihood of miscarriage.

The most obvious sign of miscarriage is bleeding. If you notice unusual bleeding during your pregnancy, you will need to talk to your doctor, who may perform an ultrasound scan to visualize your developing baby. In many cases, when a miscarriage occurs, your doctor may wish to undertake a procedure known as a curette. A curette ensures that all the baby’s tissue is removed from your uterus, thereby preventing infection and scarring. After a miscarriage, your doctor will want to investigate why the miscarriage occurred and may recommend that you wait several menstrual cycles before attempting to become pregnant again.

Although the physical effects are usually mild, the emotional pain that you and your partner may experience can be quite severe. There is a natural tendency to blame yourself for somehow causing the miscarriage, although in many cases you will have had no control over or effect upon the health of your developing baby.

Your feelings of grief and loss may be very strong, so do not be afraid to seek counseling to help you and your partner through this difficult time. In many instances, there will be no reason for you not to become pregnant in the future, and every likelihood that the pregnancy will proceed smoothly.

About the author:
Juzaily Ramli and his wife are the owners of Pregnancy Website. Find out why miscarriage is a living nightmare amongst the expecting parents at miscarriage website.

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