2012-2013 Flu Season Hits Hard

In health news, the 2012-2013 flu season is shaping up to be a rough one. The Detroit Free Press reports that yet another child has died in southwest Michigan from flu-related illness, bringing the number to three this year. Two adults have died from similar flu illnesses, and the number of cases in Michigan continues to rise. Despite this, I still urge caution when considering whether to get the flu shot or not. For all the hype about it, remember that it only protects against three strains and which ones will be virulent each year is hard to predict. Also, once vaccinated, you pretty much have to be vaccinated every year thereafter (that's from health care providers). Lastly, the best offense is a good defense. Eating healthy, taking care of yourself and your kids, keeping sick ones away from others, washing hands and covering your mouth--those are worth more than any vaccine. Michigan 2012-2013 Flu Shot Options

Study Showing Breastfeeding Benefits Should Encourage Moms

A study in the journal Pediatrics comparing development in breastfed infants to those fed with milk-based or soy formula shows exciting results on the advantages of breastfeeding for the first year of life. It underscores that breastfed babies truly are the best fed. Study Showing Breastfeeding Benefits Should Encourage Moms 

Infant Low Birth Weight Findings Show Need for Parenting Classes

There is good news coming from a study published in the journal Pediatrics about very low birth weight infants. From 2000-2009, 1.9 percent fewer v ery low birth weight infants (weighing less than 1,500 grams at birth) died. However, there was another very depressing statistic. Though VLBW infants account for only 1.5 percent of the newborn population, they represent 50 percent of infant deaths in the U.S. Read more at
 Infant Low Birth Weight Findings Show Need for Parenting Classes 

Pregnant Women Should Heed Listeria Recalls, Warnings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that Alfa Sprouts Inc. (Springwater Sprouts) is recalling alfalfa sprouts and clover sprouts because they may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. Sprouts were packaged in 4-ounce plastic "clamshell" containers with an April 28 sell-by date and sold in New York State. Some were sold in bulk, too. The FDA warns that listeria is particularly dangerous for a developing fetus. I urge pregnant women to heed any listeria warnings and product recalls.  Pregnant Women Should Heed Listeria Recalls, Warnings 

Parents Warned Against Chicken Pox-Laced Lollipops, Parties

Parents Warned Against Chicken Pox-Laced Lollipops, Parties To avoid having children vaccinated against chickenpox and to get children through the illness at a young age, some parents are taking extreme measures. For decades, parents have purposely exposed kids to the virus via "chickenpox parties." Now some are sharing chickenpox-tainted lollipops. Here are facts about chickenpox and parent advisories about pox sharing. Read more...

Q-and-A About Cantaloupe, Lettuce Listeria Pregnancy Scare

Q-and-A About Cantaloupe, Lettuce Listeria Pregnancy Scare Listeria from Jensen Farms cantaloupe sickened 100, killed 18 , and caused one miscarriage. True Leaf Farms recalled lettuce for listeria. Fruit Fresh Up has recalled cut cantaloupe and mixed fruit due to Listeria. Pregnant women, infants in utero and newborns are at high risk for listeria illness. Read more...

FDA Requires Graphic Picture Images, New Cigarette Warning Labels to Curb Underage Smoking

In an effort to curb smoking and especially smoking by minors, the FDA is placing new cigarette product warning labels. New labeling and stricter rules concerning tobacco sales to minors is part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Read more...

GlaxoSmithKlein Antidepressant Paxil Linked to Miscarriage, Birth Defects

GlaxoSmithKline Antidepressant Paxil Linked to Miscarriage, Birth Defects and Spontaneous Abortion
Paxil (paroxetine, fluxetine), marketed by GlaxoSmithKline is a regularly prescribed SSRI medication to manage anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Paxil has been linked to miscarriage, spontaneous abortion and birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
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What to Do if You Are Pregnant and Your Water Breaks Early

What to Do If You Are Pregnant and Your Water Breaks Early
I don't talk about this much because it still hurts. But if you experience this don't know what to do, this may help. What should you do if you are pregnant and you leak fluid or your 'water breaks' too early?
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Menstrual Cycle Can Be Delayed by Stress

Menstrual Cycle Delays Linked to Stress and Illness
Death and taxes are two sure things in life. For women, a third sure thing is that your period will start at the worst possible time. Worried about a late period or delayed menstrual cycle? Your worry, plus added stress or illness can delay your period.
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Healthcare Reform Bill Will Not Cover Abortions

No Public Funded Abortions in Health Care Reform Bill
The largest and loudest pro-life group has been the Catholic Church. The Conference of Catholic Bishops has ensured that in the recently passed universal health care reform bill, abortion is not covered.
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Hospital Mixes Up Babies: A Case for Mother-Infant Bonding

Williston, ND Hospital Sends Wrong Baby Home with Couple
Your bundle of joy has arrived and you take her home. But what happens if the hospital sends you home with someone else's bundle of joy? Williston, ND hospital officials are facing that very problem. The solution: immediate mother-infant bonding after birth.
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Free Chinese Pregnancy Calendars and Gender Predictors

Free Chinese Pregnancy Calendars and Gender Predictors According to ChinesePregnancyCalendar, one free source that offers the chart, the original birth chart was found inscribed on a tablet in a royal tomb near Peking (now Beijing, China). Here are free online pregnancy calendars and gender predictors. Read on

Pregnancy Heartburn Natural, Healthy Helps

Pregnancy: Tips for Late Trimester Heartburn and Indigestion
Pregnancy heartburn feels like a dragon that is clawing his scaly self from the pit of your stomach up your throat, breathing fire on your insides as he goes. Here are some tips for safely managing your pregnancy heartburn.
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Pre-Natal Care and Yoga Exercise and Breathing

Prenatal Care: Yoga Exercises, Safe Stretching and Deep Breathing
The best form of exercise in pregnancy is gentle stretching and yoga. Yoga is holistic and balanced. Yoga exercises embrace the whole person. What better prenatal exercise than yoga which encompasses mother and baby as one?
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Placenta Abruptio: Pregnancy Issues

Placenta Abruptio: Pregnancy Bleeding and Miscarriage With our fourth child, I suffered a placenta abruptio at 26 weeks gestation. This is when the placenta tears. What happened was that I woke up in an enormous pool of blood. I hope that my story helps you in some way.Read on...

Amniocentesis: Genetic Testing, Ethics and Health Hazard

Amniocentesis: Genetic Testing
In amniocentesis a large needle is inserted into the amniotic sac. Amniotic fluid is drawn out and analyzed for genetic abnormalities. Amniocentesis can be very dangerous to the fetus. This is my experience with amniocentesis.
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Safe, Natural Morning Sickness Remedies

Morning sickness can be one of the most difficult part of a pregnancy. And few remedies are safe for the fetus. Here are holistic, herbal Morning Sickness Treatments
overview of morning sickness in pregnancy and safe herbal infusions to combat it
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Miscarriage and Still-Born Infant: Health Issues for Mom

Stillborn Infant: The Long-Term Physical Effects
I have lost two infants that were almost to the age of viability. This article covers many of the long-term effects of stillborn infant upon the mother, physically.
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