Phthalates are so dangerous because they either mimic or block our natural hormones and male fetuses are especially vulnerable.

According to “Theodore Schettler, a physician and science director of the Science and Environmental Health Network, an environmental advocacy group.

‘There’s a huge animal database showing how exposures to phthalates during development can have effects at levels hundreds of times lower than these needed to show any impact on an adult,’ he said.

Timing of the exposure matters, and the most harm may occur between the eighth and 15th weeks of pregnancy, when a fetus’ sexual differentiation starts, he said.

Timing of the exposure matters, and the most harm may occur between the eighth and 15th weeks of pregnancy

‘If my testosterone dropped by 20 or 30 percent for a couple of days, it wouldn’t matter,’ he said. ‘But for a developing fetus, it could matter a whole lot if there was a substantial drop in testosterone.’

Phthalates fall into a group of chemicals called endocrine disruptors because they either mimic or block the action of human hormones. Phthalates interfere with the synthesis of testosterone.

Bisphenol A, another controversial chemical that is found in plastics, can mimic female hormones. Consumers’ concerns about bisphenol A, which has been used for years to make plastics stiff, have prompted some producers and retailers to announce in recent months that they would stop using and selling it.” Physorg.com

Phthalates are found in nail polishes, hair sprays, perfumes, shampoos, deodorants, soft plastic toys and much more. There is no easy way to determine if your beauty or household product contains phthalates unless it clearly states “phthalate free”. During pregnancy, the safer the better so if you wont put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin.

More resources: Not Too Pretty (PDF)

Month One
By the time you miss your period and find out that you are actually pregnant, a tiny embryo that will become your baby has formed and begins growing at an incredibly rapid rate. In fact, the embryo is now 10,000 times larger than a single fertilized egg. The placenta, baby’s heart, spinal cord, and digestive system are all beginning to develop.

Month Two
By the end of this month, the embryo has grown to approximately 1 inch long. The heart is now functioning, and facial features are beginning to appear. While the embryo is moving, you will not feel anything for another couple of months.

Month Three
The embryo is officially called a fetus and measures almost 3 inches in length. His or her arms, legs, hands, and feet are fully formed. At this stage you can probably detect a heartbeat using a device called a Doppler.

Month Four
Growth continues rapidly, and your baby’s gender is now determinable. While looking human in appearance at this point, your baby will still need much more time before he or she could survive outside of your body.

Month Five
At about 10 inches long, your baby is beginning to grow hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. He or she is also growing a type of fine hair called lanugo that will cover the body until it is shed shortly before or after birth.

Month Six
Fetal movement is becoming more and more pronounced as muscles strengthen. Eyelids begin to part and the eyes will open occasionally. Also, hearing has developed to the point of being able to hear sounds from outside of the womb.

Month Seven
The average seven-month-old fetus is 15 inches long and over two lbs. in weight. If born at this stage, your baby would be premature but would have a good chance of survival.

Month Eight
Growth is especially rapid this month, with tremendous development of the brain, lungs, and other organs. Your baby will most likely turn head down during this time to prepare for delivery.

Month Nine
Congratulations! Your baby is ready to be born. He or she likely weighs between 6 and 9 lbs and measure 18 to 22 inches in length. The lungs and other organs are completely mature and the skin is pink and smooth. Don’t forget that most babies are not born on their exact due date and there is no benefit to rushing it. Anytime from the 38th to the 42nd week of pregnancy is optimal.

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

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/hennasooq/306640571/

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.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/emurray/210421689/

A pregnancy calendar is a fun and informative way to keep track of your pregnancy and ensure a healthy outcome for you and your baby. For most women, pregnancy and birth is one of the key points in life and a pregnancy calendar will help you live the experience to the fullest. Detailed week-by-week information about the bodily changes happening to yourself and your baby, as well as handy advice regarding everything from nutrition to exercise, are just some of the things pregnancy calendars have to offer.

Standard features of most pregnancy calendars include: how to take care of yourself throughout each stage of pregnancy; tips on how to meet increasing nutritional needs while staying physically fit; and how much weight you should gain during pregnancy. Some may also include a detailed outline of your baby’s weekly development and instructions from the experts on how to ensure that you both progress the way that you should. Many pregnancy calendars can be customized to fit your own unique personality and include spaces for a diary and a record to keep track of doctor’s appointments and other important dates.

Pregnancy calendars are fun to use and, best of all, they are often free or cost a minimal amount. Many internet sources offer free downloads of pregnancy calendars and a simple online search will reveal dozens of choices. Most can be personalized and some websites will even send you e-mail alerts as important milestones draw near. Some pregnancy-related or Women’s and Children’s Health magazines offer a free pregnancy calendar to paid subscribers.

Huggies offers an excellent pregnancy calendar while American Adoptions has an online version accompanied by weekly updates. American Baby and Pregnancy Weekly both have calendars that are available online and can be personalized. Baby Fit features a week-by-week, development-specific pregnancy calendar while Baby Center has create-your-own pregnancy calendar options and tools. The choices are endless and the results amazing. Many people treasure their pregnancy calendars as keepsakes or use them to compare with future pregnancies.

Most pregnancy calendars are very simple and user-friendly. Anyone can understand them and the facts are presented in a clear-cut, down-to-earth manner. The hardest part for most people is calculating the due date, but this is usually provided by your physician. Even if it is not, most pregnancy calendars include instructions on how to calculate the due date that are easy to understand for even the most math illiterate person.

Pregnancy is no longer just a 9-month waiting period for the big day. With the help of a pregnancy calendar, expectant mothers can become actively involved in all the exciting changes of pregnancy, while at the same time benefiting their health. A handy source for expert advice, it can also do much to alleviate anxiety, as the due date looms closer. The truth is, a pregnancy calendar is just one excellent way to make the most of your pregnancy.

About the author:
Celia Nemart writes about family and medical issues on the internet, Celia is a dedicated mother that is aware of the dangers of the lack of information about Pregnancy.

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/kahunna/445837177/

Click here to read the full story at Associated Content

Author: Kat Beechum

“Congratulations! You are pregnant!” That is probably one of best lines you will ever hear from your doctor!

There are so many things to think about when you are pregnant and one of the questions I hear often is “How much weight should I gain? What is a safe weight gain?” It can be so easy to just take the opportunity to eat lots of food and not worry about the consequences! While you are eating for two, it pays to remember that you ARE only eating for two, not three or four (unless you are of course!).

Weight gain is going to be different for each of you, so you just have to feel what is right for you. Fast weight gain is not good for you or the baby. Weight gain should be gradual over time as your baby grows inside you. If you find that your weight is increasing rapidly, see your doctor for some guidelines on what to eat and if at any stage during your pregnancy you feel that things are just not quite right, do go and see your doctor, it is not worth the risk to ignore your instincts.

As a rule of thumb, you should gain 2 to 4 pounds during the first three months of pregnancy and then 3 to 4 pounds per month for the rest of your pregnancy to equal a total of about 25 - 30 pounds over the whole pregnancy.

By slowly gaining weight throughout your pregnancy, you will decrease the risk of delivering a low-birth-weight baby. After all, you want a healthy, happy baby.

The weight you will gain includes 6 to 8 pounds for the weight of the baby. The remaining weight consists of a higher fluid volume, larger breasts, larger uterus, amniotic fluid, and the placenta. Phew, that is a lot to be carrying around!

Make sure you keep up with exercise during your pregnancy as well. If you don’t exercise, now is a good time to start! Light walks every day will keep your weight gain to a healthy amount and you will feel so much better for it.

Above all else, do what makes you feel good and keep in mind the health of you and your baby… with those things in mind, you can’t go wrong!

About the author:
Kat Beechum is a writer who loves to writer about her interests and passions, which are many and varied.

If you found this article useful, for further information visit Pregnancy without Pounds

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Excerpt from The Straight Dope

Do unborn babies pee and/or defecate in the womb? –Realtime, via e-mail

Cecil replies:

That’s two questions, so two answers. Number one: yes, and it’s a good thing they do. Number two: yes, but you better hope they don’t.

Fetal urination is normal. It’s part of that “miracle of life” the nature programs exalt just before they hit you with something you’d rather not know. Naturally, fetal urine isn’t quite the same as yours or mine. It does contain urea, but much of the nitrogenous waste enters maternal circulation for mama to clean up. Fetal urine isn’t yellow, either. Fetuses and newborns lack enzymes to convert bile pigments to urobilin, which colors the output of older children and adults…

Click here to read the full article| digg story

ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Scientists are investigating whether ultrasound scans during pregnancy may harm the brains of unborn babies.

The move follows a U.S. study which showed the developing offspring of pregnant mice suffered brain abnormalities when they were exposed to ultrasound waves.

Click here to read the full article

Sheryl’s comment

Some natural advocates recommend avoiding prenatal ultrasound altogether because of both the known and the unknown risks. Why subject to your child to damage that you might find out about twenty years from now?

I am torn on the issue quite honestly and I am not sure whether I will choose to have a prenatal ultrasound if I am fortunate enough to have another child. For the most part I believe they are totally useless. Gestational age is only an issue for the providers who are trying to make money off of your labor and delivery. If you are choosing a natural childbirth then the baby will arrive when he or she is quite ready.

I am aware however, that certain conditions like placenta previa can be life threatening for both the mother and the baby and that this type of condition would legitimately necessitate a C-section. Ultrasound is the best way to diagnose this condition and because it is potentially fatal, I think I would personally get one (and only one) very short ultrasound. Naturally I reserve the right to change my mind.

I once knew a woman who had access to unlimited ultrasounds because her husband happened to work in radiology and managed to sneak her in. She had an irrational fear of her children being born with a cleft palate. I am quite certain that she would not have aborted in either event, but the fact remains that she repeatedly exposed her helpless babies to damaging ultrasound rays because of her own vain and quite insane preoccupations. She brags about the countless ultrasounds she received during all of her pregnancies. This is what we are adamantly against. We are supposed to protect our children at all costs.

Check out The Center for Unhindered Living’s guide to prenatal care. She has a great list of common prenatal tests and why they are largely unnecessary. It is also arguably the best resource on the web for do-it-yourself prenatal care.

ST LOUIS, MO — (MARKET WIRE) — A study by researchers from three of America’s top universities suggests U.S. women aren’t getting adequate amounts of a nutrient thought to promote normal fetal brain development.

Sponsored by the National Institute of Health, researchers found the average American consumes just 314 milligrams of choline each day — much less than the 425 milligrams (women) and 550 milligrams (men) recommended by government health officials.

Choline is a nutrient essential for human brain development, normal memory function and fertility, and is thought to be particularly important during pregnancy. Foods rich in choline include soy lecithin, beef liver and egg yolks, although soy lecithin delivers one of the most bioactive and natural sources of the nutrient without cholesterol or saturated fat.

A new study by researchers from three of America’s top universities suggests U.S. women aren’t getting adequate amounts of choline thought to promote normal fetal brain development.Taking egg yolks or soy lecithin while pregnant can provide the choline that your fetus needs for proper brain development.

Click here to read full story at www.marketwire.com

Find choline and soy lecithin at http://naturalpregnancy.amuchbetterstore.com

This short clip shows how the embryo grows into a baby.