Living Well Magazine May/June 2009

Western Montana

mind body soul

Baby Talk Health and planning information for mom and baby

INSIDE Breastfeeding

Helpful hints to help you succeed

May/June 2009 A Publication of the

Happy & healthy pregnancy Planning for the next nine months

Baby on the way Financial action plan

NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP. The Emergency Department at St. Patrick Hospital is Western Montana’s only accredited:

Life can change in an instant.

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• Stroke Center • Chest Pain Center • Level II Trauma Center • Nationally Certified Air Ambulance Service • Acute Mental Health Provider To find out how to help with the new EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT fundraising campaign go to: www.stpatsfoundation.org or call 329-5640.

Guided by Mission. Inspired by Life.

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MT 05/09 livingwell ~ May/June 2009

Western Montana

mind body soul

publisher Stacey Mueller

contributors Jani Albins Ellen Carey Laura Bender Janice Gomersall Adam Graham Lacey Hawkins Joey Lenaburg Gayle Salisbury

sales & marketing director Jim McGowan

A Publication of the People in Missoula and Western Montana want to feel good, look good and live well. Available at more than 150 newsstand locations throughout the area, Western Montana Livingwell reaches more than 30,000 readers who want health tips on fitness, nutrition, family, financial advice, wellness, therapy and beauty.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Missoulian or Lee Enterprises. The author of each article published in this publication owns his or her own words.

art director & editor Kate Murphy assistant art director Mike Lake graphic design Diann Kelly Megan Richter Chris Sawicki Youa Vang advertising sales Holly Kuehlwein 406-523-5223

No part of the publication may be reprinted without permission. ©2009 Lee Enterprises, all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

‘Cause little kids have big hurts too.

Pediatrics & Family Practice

Mom & Dad...

illness

If a special someone is not

throat and stomach pains

feeling well, see your family practice physician or pediatrician

rashes, fevers, colds, flu

at Western Montana Clinic.

visual/hearing screening

They’re here to help your little

asthma or diabetic counseling

ones grow big and strong.

shots and vaccinations injury or sutures behavioral, emotional or learning problems

406.721.5600 • 800.525.5688

WESTERNMONTANACLINIC.COM

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livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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MAY/JUNE 2009 VOL.6

IN THIS ISSUE BABYTALK~ Health and planning information for mom and baby

ALSO THIS ISSUE

Child Care Resources

baby on the way

Finding a child care provider that will nurture your child.

Putting together a financial action plan

Page 14

Page 18

Happy & Healthy Pregnancy

Born too Early

Planning for the next nine months

What to watch for your late preterm infant

Page 20

Page 30

Baby boomlet ~ Births for unwed mothers break records. Page 6 birthing basics ~ at Community Medical Center. Page 9 Your pregnancy ~ Using the BodyTalk system during pregnancy. Page 10 Breastfeeding ~ Helpful hints to help you succeed. Page 13 body matters ~ Exercise during preganancy. Page 24 Your skin ~ Protecting your skin against cancer. Page 26 Banning BPa ~ Restricting sales of chemical used in bottles. Page 32

Health Tip Page 33

Also

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

BABY

By MIKE STOBBE

Medical Writer

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

Births for unwed mothers break records

ore babies were born in the United States in 2007 than any year in the nation’s history — and a wedding ring made increasingly little difference in the matter.

The 4,317,119 births, reported by federal researchers Wednesday, topped a record first set in 1957 at the height of the baby boom.

Behind the number is both good and bad news. While it shows the U.S. population is more than replacing itself, a healthy trend, the teen birth rate was up for a second year in a row.

The birth rate rose slightly for women of all ages, and births to unwed mothers reached an all-time high of about 40 percent, continuing a trend that started years ago. More than three-quarters of these women were 20 or older.

For a variety of reasons, it’s become more acceptable for women to have babies without a husband, said Duke University’s S. Philip Morgan, a leading fertility researcher.

Even happy couples may be living together without getting married, experts say. And more women — especially those in their 30s and 40s — are choosing to have children despite their single status.

The new numbers suggest the second year of a baby boomlet, with U.S. fertility rates higher in every racial group, the highest among Hispanic women. On average, a U.S. woman has 2.1 babies in her lifetime. That’s the “magic number” required for a population to replace itself.

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

2007 = 4,317,119 Births Countries with much lower rates — such as Japan and Italy — face future labor shortages and eroding tax bases as they fail to reproduce enough to take care of their aging elders.

While the number of births in the U.S. reached nearly 4.3 million in 2006, mainly due to a larger population, especially a growing number of Hispanics, it’s not clear the boomlet will last.

Some experts think birth rates are already declining because of the economic recession that began in late 2007.

“I expect they’ll go back down. The lowest birth rates recorded in the United States occurred during the Great Depression (of the 1930s) — and that was before modern contraception,” said Dr. Carol Hogue, an Emory University professor of maternal and child health.

of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers also showed: —Cesarean section deliveries continue to rise, now accounting for almost a third of all births. Health officials say that rate is much higher than is medically necessary. About 34 percent of births to black women were by C-section, more than any other racial group. But geographically, the percentages were highest in Puerto Rico, at 49 percent, and New Jersey, at 38 percent.

.S. woman U a , e g a r e “On av fetime. li r e h in s ie has 2.1 bab umber” n ic g a m “ That’s the ulation to p o p a r o f required lf.” replace itse

The 2007 statistical snapshot reflected a relatively good economy coupled with cultural trends that promoted childbirth, she and others noted.

Meanwhile, U.S. abortions dropped to their lowest levels in decades, according to other reports. Some have attributed the abortion decline to better use of contraceptives, but other experts have wondered if the rise in births might indicate a failure in proper use of contraceptives. Some earlier studies have shown declining availability of abortions.

The statistics are based on a review of most 2007 birth certificates by the National Center for Health Statistics, part

—The pre-term birth rate, for infants delivered at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, declined slightly. It had been generally increasing since the early 1980s. Experts said they aren’t sure why it went down.

CDC officials noted that despite the record number of births, this increase is different from what occurred in the 1950s, when a much smaller population of women were having nearly four children each, on average. That baby boom quickly transformed society, affecting everything from school construction to consumer culture.

Today, U.S. women are averaging 2.1 children each.

That’s the highest level since the early 1970s, but is a relatively small increase from the rate it had hovered at for more than 10 years and is hardly transforming.

“It’s the tiniest of baby booms,” said Morgan in agreement. “This is not an earthquake; it’s a slight tremor.”

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

Birthing Basics at Community Medical Center A

t Community Medical Center we believe having a baby is a normal, natural and beautiful process.

We believe in a woman’s right to choose, in consultation with her care provider, to discuss what birthing options are best for her and the birth of her baby.

Our highly trained physicians and nurses are there to immediately support you should the need arise. Our Birthing Basic class is designed to guide you and your partner through the process of birth and to provide information that will assist you in making informed decisions for yourself and for the birth of your baby.

In class you will learn about labor and delivery, comfort and relaxation techniques, explore ways to have a non-medicated birth, and explore your medication options. Partners will leave feeling confident in their ability to assist Moms and you will learn what to expect when you arrive at the hospital. After class you will feel confident in your ability to make informed decisions and confident in your body’s ability to give birth.

Join us for Birthing Basics at Community Medical Center; our goal is for you to feel informed through education to make the decisions concerning your birth experience. After all, this is one of the most important days of your lives and we feel honored to be a supportive partner with you.

Contact: (406) 327-4009 to register Four Week 2009 Dates Birthing Basics - Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm May 5-26 September 8-29 November 10 – December 1 Saturday 2009 Dates Birthing Basics, 9am-5pm May 2 May 16 June 6 June 20 July 18 August 1 August 15 September 5 September 12 October 3 October 17 November 7 November 21 December 5

by Jani Albins, December 19 Child Birth Educator

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

bodytalk Ellen Carey, RN, CBP and Gayle Salisbury, RN, CBP

Your

Pre nancy Pregnancy is an amazing experience that involves many physiological changes in the woman’s body that occur to support the growth and development of the baby. It is also the beginning of a shared journey as the expectant mother and father progress through nine months of pregnancy in anticipation of becoming new parents.

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W

hile the physiological changes that occur with pregnancy are natural and the female body is perfectly equipped to accommodate the changes, some women experience uncomfortable symptoms during pregnancy. These can include nausea and vomiting associated “morning sickness”. Because hormones shift significantly during pregnancy, mood swings are not uncommon. Hormones also affect the way the body handles sugar (this is closely monitored in all pregnant women). Hormones associated with pregnancy cause the joints and ligaments in the pelvis to loosen and become more flexible in preparation for the task of delivery. Nutritional demands are increased to adequately nourish both mom and baby.

These are just a few examples of the many natural physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy.

The authors of this article want to emphasize the importance of prenatal care provided by a physician or nurse midwife as essential to the health of mother and baby. That being said, there are many ways that BodyTalk can be an adjunct to support and enhance the health and well-being of mom, baby and the family during pregnancy.

BodyTalk is an energy medicine health system based on the notion that the body / mind (includes body, emotions, mind and spirit) is comprised of many complex systems that are in constant communication.

Stresses of life can compromise the internal lines of communication or overload the energy circuits within the body / mind resulting in a decline in physical, emotional or mental well-being, decreased ability to adapt to natural physiologic changes or illness.

The BodyTalk system provides a simple and effective method to assist the body / mind to re-calibrate or re-connect the natural internal communication so that the body / mind can operate as nature intended. Tapping into the innate wisdom within each individual, the BodyTalk Practitioner will utilize established BodyTalk protocols to identify the weakened lines of communication or energy circuits within the body / mind. This reconnection enables the body’s mechanisms to synchronize and, thus, function at optimal levels.

Let’s get back to Pregnancy and the Baby!

BodyTalk Practitioners around the country have been working in collaboration with midwives and childbirth educators to integrate the BodyTalk Access program into their prenatal curriculums. (Access is a simplified version of BodyTalk which was developed to

provide access to many of the key benefits of BodyTalk to any interested person. BodyTalk Access can be learned in one day.) A 10 minute daily self application of Access techniques is used to promote health and balance.

BodyTalk sessions performed during pregnancy have resulted in relief from nausea associated with morning sickness and the discomfort associated with fluid retention. There may be similarities in the challenges that woman face during pregnancy, however, each session is unique to the individual.

The links may include hydration, body chemistry, support of digestion, or balancing the cortices of the brain to calm the mind. Links are often a mix of emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual. They may be related to expectations, belief systems, cell memory, or the environment.

Another example of utilizing BodyTalk during pregnancy includes a woman who presented for a history of premature deliveries with each of her prior pregnancies in spite of the medical management strategies that had been employed to delay delivery. In this case, she had once again been placed on bed rest at 20 weeks gestation due to cervical incompetence. In hopes of avoiding another premature delivery, this woman contacted a BodyTalk Practitioner as an adjunct to her medical management. BodyTalk sessions were provided at regular intervals during the remainder of her pregnancy. While many factors are to be considered, this pregnancy did make it all the way through nine months. A full term, healthy baby was delivered.

BodyTalk was one component of this successful outcome.

Women face many challenges, not only during pregnancy, but also with regard to delivery and the postpartum period. Performance agendas can be utilized in BodyTalk to facilitate the delivery. For some women, the sacrum and tailbone can become displaced as a result of delivery which can be painful during the post delivery recovery phase. Certain muscular-skeletal balancing links may be useful in this situation.

Breast feeding challenges and post partum depression may benefit from BodyTalk as well.

Examples of links that may occur include body vivaxis techniques, balancing the endocrines, active memory, body chemistry, energy meridians and the Chinese Clock.

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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A

BodyTalk session may include links between mom/baby, baby/dad, baby and the family matrix, and even pets. The links may even tap into cultural beliefs during the session. These energetic links often bring new awareness and insight.

BodyTalk is something that the pregnant woman can do as her pregnancy experience unfolds to benefit the health and wellbeing of herself, the developing baby and her family.

For more information on BodyTalk, please visit www.bodytalkmontana.com or contact one of the Certified BodyTalk Practitioners listed in the Directory section of this publication.

Ellen Carey RN Certified BodyTalk Practitioner

Ellen has been working as an RN for 29 years with an emphasis in pediatrics including school nursing, Head Start, hospital acute care pediatrics and Pediatric Specialty Clinics which served special needs children. She also has several years experience working as a nurse in Staff Development, Employee Health and assisting Injured Employees. Ellen is currently working as a nurse consultant at a law firm and has a BodyTalk Practice in Missoula.

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livingwell ~ May/June 2009

Gayle Salisbury RN Certified BodyTalk Practitioner

Gayle has worked as a hospital nurse, served as an active duty RN in the Air Force, worked in eye and organ donation and taught in an OB/RN university program. Personnally, she has studied and explored reiki, energy healing, shamanism, and angel therapy. As a mom, she says that raising children has taught her more about life, its challenges and the enjoyment of living than most anything she has done. Gayle currently has a BodyTalk practice located in downtown Missoula.

Helpful Hints for Breastfeeding

B

reastfeeding should be easy, right? This is certainly not true for everyone.

At times, it can be so hard that women choose not to breastfeed. However, research has proven that any amount of breast milk a mother can provide their newborn is good for their health. Rare conditions may interfere with breastfeeding, your healthcare provider can assist with identification of these symptoms.

If mothers choose to breastfeed their baby, they should know that difficulties may arise at first but it can be easy with proper training. Knowing that breast milk provides the best nutrition for your child is a good incentive. Although formula companies are doing their best to create a formula that is just like breast milk, there are too many variables and short comings that they have not been able to duplicate.

Below are helpful hints to help you succeed with breastfeeding your baby:

by Joey Lenaburg

1. Get comfortable. Position yourself comfortably prior to breastfeeding.

This will help you and your baby remain relaxed throughout the feeding. There are many different positions that you can try until you find the one that works for both of you.

2. Skin to skin contact works! By placing your baby naked against your bare chest is a wonderful way to keep your baby warm and help stimulate your newborn to eat. If your baby seems sleepy and not wanting to eat, undress them and place them on your bare chest. Usually babies will want to start nursing within 30 minutes after being placed skin to skin.

3. Your breast milk should come in by the fifth day. If you have concerns, contact your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant.

4. Your breasts should feel softer after feedings. If your baby nurses on one breast, and not the other, start the next feeding on the breast that has not been stimulated.

5. Keep in mind that babies should feed between 8-12 times in a 24hour period. Some parents keep a

breastfeeding diary to keep track of how often their baby is feeding.

Frequent feedings, not only stimulates the mother’s milk supply, but helps ensure your baby is getting an adequate amount of food. Another way to know that babies are getting enough to eat is by being aware of how many times they void and stool in a day. By the end of the first week of life, newborns should have 6-8 wet diapers per day and 3-4 stools that begin to look yellow and seedy in appearance.

6. Be a baby watcher, not a clock watcher. Many people think that babies have to nurse for a specific time period. Instead, let your baby determine how much and how long they want to feed. If your baby gets sleepy or pulls themselves off, then give them a little burp and switch sides. If your baby doesn’t want to eat any longer, then that is the side you will start with the next feeding.

7. If your nipples are sore and tender, there are ways to help them become more comfortable. Be sure your baby is in a good position while feeding.

Meaning, their lips are flanged

open and they are taking in a lot of the breast (the area around the nipple, is in your baby’s mouth). Also, expressing colostrum or breast milk on dry or cracked nipples is an effective and cost-free way of providing comfort. Keep in mind, that if your nipples are sore, don’t let your baby use them as a pacifier as that will only make you sorer. Changing positions can also help if your nipples are tender. You may want to try changing feeding positions (cradle hold, football hold, side lying hold) to see what is most comfortable to you.

8. If your baby seems to be nursing all day, or falls asleep within the first minute or two of feeding, be sure to contact your baby’s doctor or a lactation consultant to ensure your baby is getting adequate nutrition and learning how to feed well.

9. Be aware that sometimes an infant can be jaundice (yellow color of skin), this can also cause the infant to be sleepy and not eat well. You should contact your physician if you notice these symptoms.

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding experience between mothers and their newborns. If you are not able to breastfeed, you can still provide breast milk to your newborn by pumping breast milk from your breasts. This is a way, friends and family members can help feed your baby with the best nutrition that is available to them. Breastfeeding should be a positive experience, but may be difficult at first. By keeping in mind some of these key points it should help make it easier. If at any time you have doubts that your baby is getting adequate nutrition or you are having difficulty breastfeeding, contact your baby’s doctor or a lactation consultant to help you.

Joey Lenaburg, RNC is an OB Clinical Nurse Educator at Community Medical Center in Missoula.

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

13

Child Care r

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By Lacey Hawkins

Quality in visual appeal

C

hildren’s artwork zigzags across the ceiling, like laundry hanging to dry above the sea of primary colored child-size tables and chairs.

These two seemingly simple environmental factors are actually key indicators of a high-quality child care program.

High-quality environments facilitate a child’s natural exploration and learning. Research proves that the care young children receive has long-term effects on brain growth and development. Child care professionals therefore have a very important role in providing experiences that help children reach their fullest potential.

The three types of child care programs available are family, group and center. In a family care, one adult cares for up to six children, often at the provider’s home.

Group child care programs are also often located in a home, and two adults care for up to 12 children. A child care center can care for 13 children or more, with the appropriate child-to-adult ratio.

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After deciding on the type of program, a parent must seek quality indicators. One local family provider transformed a basement into an aquatic wonderland through beautiful wall murals. The environment is inviting, interesting and aesthetically pleasing for children – one quality factor.

One area group home filled their front yard with play equipment to encourage the development of motor skills and accommodate multiple children in a variety of activities. They also provide a rack of dress-up clothes for dramatic play. Both are quality indicators.

One center works on sensory exploration, a key indicator to help brain development. Breaking into similar-aged groups, children taste or smell various spices to learn about the five senses. Another quality indicator is the designated quiet area filled with beanbags and books for children to be alone.

Parents should seek quality indicators when looking for a child care program, assuring their child is in an environment to help nurture and encourage brain development.

Behavioral challenges and the environment

“E

very behavior is telling us something, we just need to learn to listen,” explains Lucy Marose, M.Ed. ECE, Early Childhood and Inclusion Specialist for Child Care

The philosophy of care

C

hild care providers have philosophies that are as diverse as the children they care for.

Finding the perfect child care arrangement may take a bit more effort than just finding an available opening. It is essential for parents to consider this factor when deciding who will spend such valuable time with their children.

Labels for plastic, paper, and other recyclables scatter sorting tubs in the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle corner of one child care. This program believes teaching children how to contribute to the world and be self-sustainable is key. They place a high priority on interaction with the environment and have more animal cages and live plants than most. Children go outside four times a day, are fed only organic food, and are taught to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.

Another program is based more on formal education and has a weekly set schedule for the children’s lessons.

Learning topics such as science or Spanish, this preschool program offers an outlined curriculum. The environment is more structured and organized with labels and color coded tables and chairs.

A third type of philosophy is a religious-based child care program that includes daily Bible Club and a bible verse for the week. Iconic posters and religious verses scatter the walls. The curriculum and environment incorporate the religious philosophy of the child care.

Another type of environment is a Montessori program, wherein children are allowed to choose what lesson to engage in. They believe children will choose activities that meet their own developmental needs.

The entire environment is scaled to children so they feel empowered, from shorter kitchen counters to mini toilets. Children learn practical life lessons emphasizing independence.

It is up to parents to determine what philosophy best suits the needs of their family, but the choices should be examined carefully.

Resources.

Screaming, biting, throwing tantrums – these behaviors are difficult, but the real issue is understanding the reason for the challenging behavior and how to resolve it so a child can succeed.

Challenging behaviors are any behavior that interferes with children’s learning, development and success at play; is harmful to the child, other children or adults; or, puts the child at high risk for later social problems or school failure. In child care settings, these behaviors can cause chaos for everyone and often lead to the child being expelled from the child care setting or being excluded by their peers.

Addressing a challenging behavior starts with examining the physical and emotional environment of the child care program; over three-quarters of all behavioral challenges can be alleviated by environmental changes, said Marose. The physical environment can be improved by adding a safe spot for children to visit when they feel overwhelmed and need to calm down and by making sure that each child’s interests are considered. It is also important to establish a predictable, but flexible daily routine. Creating a picture schedule of the routine allows children to know what’s coming next, even if they aren’t developmentally ready to read, eliminating the feeling of no control that often triggers a meltdown. Emotional considerations in the environment include the providerchild interactions and communications with other children.

This process should also involve the child’s parents.

“Parents are the experts on their children,” explains Marose, “and if child care providers don’t access that expertise, they’re losing an opportunity for relationship building and gaining valuable information.”

If the environmental changes don’t eliminate or significantly decrease the challenging behavior, the next step is a Functional Behavioral Assessment. Through intensive observation and assessment of the child’s behavior, the provider can identify the reason behind the actions and satisfy the child’s needs so the challenging behavior is no longer necessary.

In dealing with these challenges, “we don’t fix the children because the children aren’t broken,” said Marose. “Instead, we work to adapt the environment and the caregiver’s interactions so that success is more likely for the child.” livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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Early childhood development demands better than minimum

E

arly childhood care and education is not usually thought of as economic development, though it has one of the highest returns on investment.

In an economic study by Art Rolnick and Rob Grunewald of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, investment in early childhood development has a higher return on investment, seven to 18%, than any other social investment reviewed.

One investment method that improves the quality of child care and education in child care programs is national accreditation. National accreditation licensing standards are much higher than Montana’s regulations. Accredited programs have developmentally appropriate environmental considerations, quality factors, better child-to-staff ratios, and stricter staff training qualifications. Our children deserve better than the minimal state licensing standards; investing in early childhood development and higher quality care will help children better reach their potential.

The Missoula region has 56% of all nationally accredited programs in the state. In Missoula there are currently 27 nationally accredited programs, as well as four child care centers and nine providers working towards accreditation. Family and group facilities are accredited by the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC). The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides accreditation for child care centers.

Parents demanding quality child care will encourage more programs to seek the higher standards of accreditation. However, some quality child care programs are not accredited because of the time, money and staff 16

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

qualification issues that arise. A higher investment in early childhood care and education could alleviate these issues and help these programs meet the higher standards.

At the least, parents should visit an accredited facility and learn what to look for in demanding quality.

Lacey Hawkins is the Excutive Assistant at Child Care Resources. For more information please contact Child Care Resources at (406)728-6446, or visit www.childcareresources.org

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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A financial action plan: How to reach your goals

By ILANA POLYAK NEW YORK (AP) — With a baby on the way, Audrey Short and Jason James of Richmond, Va., know that life will get more complicated, and more expensive.

It’s a good thing they’re used to the ways of frugal living.

But it’s a tough economy all around, and a growing family can be particularly daunting without a financial plan. The reality is that frugality may not be a complete solution. One lesson to be learned from the severity of the recession is that if you don’t have a clear financial action plan, now is the time to get one.

Both educators — he an assistant professor of anthropology at University of Mary Washington, she an English as a second language instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University — the couple has an annual household income of $90,000.

Over the years, they’ve learned to concentrate on lowcost pursuits, like volunteer work, bartering time behind the snack counter in exchange for performances at a local theater, and playing tennis at public courts. With just one car, a bicycle was Short’s main mode of transportation to and from work until her advancing pregnancy made balance a safety concern.

Now she rides the bus.

Though they’re used to pinching pennies, Short, 37, and James, 41, still have financial goals that will cost a bundle when their little bundle arrives in April.

Like millions of other parents, they worry about how they will meet their dual objectives of saving for retirement while also 18

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

socking away money for college.

“Given our education backgrounds, we value education so much,” says Short. “We’d like to be able to help our child with college, even if we won’t be able to pay 100% of it.”

One thing going for them is good saving habits. When Short landed her first job as a teacher at age 22, her mother demanded that she write her a check for $2,000 to start an individual retirement account. Short has contributed almost every year since and now has $28,000 in the account — about 40 percent less than she had a year ago thanks to the market slide. Additional retirement accounts from previous jobs total $50,000 more.

For James, saving started later.

Completing a Ph.D. absorbed most of his 20s and early 30s. He only began saving for retirement in 2003. But a generous contribution by his employer and his own savings total about 15 percent of his salary, and that has enabled him to squirrel away $35,000 to date.

In addition to retirement, Short, the saver, has amassed an $18,000 emergency stash. The couple dipped into it when they married in 2006 to pay off James’s $8,000 credit card debt. They’ve since managed to stay free of credit card debt. At the moment, they are looking for ways to free up more dollars for child care, which they anticipate needing once a week.

SETTING GOALS

Short and James are clear about what they want to accomplish: build a retirement

nest egg, amass some college savings and live debt free. That’s an excellent place to start, say financial experts.

“A good financial plan is goal driven,” says Suzanna de Baca, a vice president with Ameriprise Financial in Minneapolis.

Just having a plan in place can make a big difference as to whether or not you’ll meet your goals.

A recent study by the Financial Planning Association and Ameriprise found that people who have a formal plan have more confidence in their ability to reach their financial objectives even in times of uncertainty. In other words, they don’t freak out when their portfolios take a hit and stash their money under the mattress.

That’s what James and Short think too. “It’s painful to lose so much on my retirement account,” Short says.

“But I know I don’t need that money for a long, long time.” Once your goals are articulated, you can then draw up a road map. For example, T. Rowe Price Associates of Baltimore advises annual savings of 15 percent of your pay if by age 40 you have saved 1.5 times your annual salary.

You can save less if your nest egg is bigger and more if it’s smaller. That gives you concrete guidelines of what to do.

BUDGETING

In order to allocate money toward these purposes, you need to know what is coming in and what is going out. That’s where the B-word comes in.

“A budget is simply goal-setting for your money,” says Dave Ramsey, radio talk show host and financial educator. But budgets get a bad rap because they’re often seen as austerity measures. The key, says

Ramsey, is not to make them so restrictive that they leave you feeling deprived, kind of like dieting.

Ramsey advises making a list of everything that must be paid. Be realistic. People tend to underestimate how much they spend on food and eating out. Once it’s all on paper, you can make adjustments.

Don’t forget to include discretionary spending like entertainment and charity.

“Every dollar of your income must have a name on paper before the month begins,” he says.

Those who really hate budgeting but still want to make sure they’re saving might prefer Jonathan D. Pond’s method. Pond, a certified financial planner and author of “Grow Your Money,” advises people to set savings on autopilot. “Having money moved automatically just removes it from temptation’s reach,” says Pond. “I like to see people saving without realizing they’re saving.”

To build their emergency stash and Short’s IRA, they deposit her paychecks of about $2,000 a month into a separate account from which they pay the mortgage. The $300 or so that’s left is savings. “Everything else we buy during the month comes out of the joint account where Jason’s paycheck goes,” Short explains.

While they’re disciplined now, Short and James worry that they may not be able to save as much when the baby arrives.

CHECKING PROGRESS Much like working toward an academic degree, reaching your financial goals requires a progress report along the way to make sure you’re on track. Setbacks will surely

come up.

“Just because you have a plan,” says de Baca, “that doesn’t mean it’s going to be appropriate at all times.”

For example, because Short works on a contract basis, she fears that her hours may be reduced soon due to state budget pressures. The couple would rather not go into their emergency reserves, so they’ve already started to plan for how to reduce expenses and increase income elsewhere.

At $1,700 a month, their 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.25 percent on their 1,400-square foot brick home could be trimmed by several hundred dollars a month by refinancing into a lower rate.

The $300 per month that goes to pay off James’s student loans is $100 more than the amount required to service the loan, so they can cut back there. And they anticipate that they will stay close to home when the baby is born, and their entertainment budget will surely shrink.

On the income side, James will consider teaching a summer school class or even tutoring at a local private school. Short has written test questions for an academic publisher in the past and will try to get additional freelance work.

Though they have challenges, when they look at how far they’ve already come, Short and James say they’re making tremendous progress together. “Based on how little money we make as teachers,” Short says, “I feel pretty proud of what we’ve been able to save.”

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

19

happy healthy

pregnancy

by Dr. Janice Gomersall

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p

regnancy can be one of the greatest and most exciting experiences in a woman’s life and, at the same time, one that can cause quite a bit of anxiety and concern. So many changes occur in the mother’s body during the nine months of pregnancy.

Working with your provider during this time helps you understand what to expect. But along with the outward changes that are seen by others, the changes that occur in the child inside the womb are even more wondrous.

The human body is so incredibly complex and made up of organs and substances that work together to perform all the functions needed to live, work, exercise, eat, digest foods, and experience life with all the senses. What is so incredible is that all of the organs are formed by the tenth week of pregnancy.

Anything that occurs during these early weeks thus could possibly affect the development of any of the organs. For example, during the 8th week the kidneys and ears are formed. Doctors use this knowledge when

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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examining newborns. If there is an irregularity in the ear, for example, we think about looking at the kidneys. Many drugs can affect the formation of the organs and limbs, for example aspirin taken early in pregnancy can affect the heart.

It is important to be aware of all that you do when you are pregnant.

Planning ahead for pregnancy helps as the health of the mother influences the health of the baby. Good nutrition, such as adequate folate (B vitamin) in the diet for the three months prior to conception is known to decrease the risk for neural tube defects (problems with the brain and spinal cord formation). Taking too many vitamins though can increase the risk of birth defects, such as Vitamin A in only twice the recommended amount. A good prenatal vitamin would be perfect prior to pregnancy. Exercise is also important prior to and during pregnancy, although we recommend that you do not exercise to the point of overheating. Talking to your provider is important to determine if there are any health concerns that should be controlled prior to pregnancy. Some medications should not be taken if you are planning pregnancy, and some medications are very important to continue when you are pregnant. There are some conditions that are genetic and run in families. There are screening tests for these in the mother and the father before pregnancy.

Immunizations should be up to date prior to pregnancy, but the flu shot can be given during pregnancy.

Being as healthy as possible prior to and in the first weeks of pregnancy is important because many women do not realize they are pregnant until they have missed a period. Urine pregnancy tests that are purchased in grocery and drug stores can usually detect pregnancy 10-12 days after conception. Pregnancy is dated by weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period, although in actuality conception usually is about two weeks later.

Thus a four week pregnancy is often only two weeks of life. If you are planning pregnancy, quitting or limiting tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and raw foods is important.

We also recommend not changing cat litter boxes as cats could carry toxoplasmosis and pass it through their feces.

Toxoplasmosis causes a minimal infection in the mother but serious complications in the baby. Also, remember not to get overheated (such as sitting in a hot tub, over exercising, or having a high fever). Excessive prolonged heat can affect heart formation.

By the third week of pregnancy the heart starts beating, although it will not be seen reliably on ultrasound until five or six weeks, and heard by a handheld doppler device by 10-12 weeks. By five weeks in pregnancy; arms, legs, and fingers have formed, and in fact fingerprints now exist. By six weeks the eyes are visible, by seven weeks the pain sensors are formed, and by eight weeks the brain has formed, and it will continue to develop throughout pregnancy, with most of the higher development occurring late in pregnancy. Fingernails and bones are measurable by 13 weeks, and movements may be felt by the mother by 16 weeks. The bones are not usually hard enough for others to feel movement through the woman’s body until 20 weeks or more, even though the baby has been doing flips for a long time. Hair is seen and lungs are able to function by 22 weeks, although much more effectively at about 26 weeks and beyond. At 26 weeks or six months along, there are measurable brain waves, baby can show response to pain, and can respond to outside stimuli. Many find that music or quiet talking to the baby at this time can affect baby’s movements. It is interesting that after the baby is born he will react to the same music or voice. By seven months the baby is sucking her thumb and the eyes open. Baby will continue to grow about two pounds a month for the last few months, continue to develop brain function, and develop a distinct personality.

During pregnancy there are several tests that your provider will perform. Early in pregnancy your blood type will be determined as well as your status in terms of past immunizations and infections (rubella, Hepatitis, HIV), and your blood count.

You will often have a pap smear, urine test, and any other specialized tests your provider recommends. Each of these tests has significance in terms of keeping baby healthy. At 16-18 weeks into the pregnancy you will have a blood test called the ‘triple screen’ to check for such things as

Staying active, nutritionally sound, and emotionally happy will give you and your baby the best outcomes.

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neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome. The blood test only tells us who needs further screening, as only one or two out of a hundred with a positive test actually ends up with the problem. At 24-28 weeks you will have a blood count to check for anemia to see if you need extra iron and a test for diabetes during pregnancy. Diabetes can cause large babies, but control with either diet or insulin can keep the complications lower. If your blood type is Rh negative you will also be tested for antibodies and given rhogam. At 36 weeks or so you will be tested for beta strep in the vagina, something that does not infect the mother but can infect the baby during labor. If the test is positive, giving antibiotics to mom during labor decreases the risk of infection in baby.

Some infections to watch out for during pregnancy include toxoplasmosis from cats, listeriosis from raw vegetables and some dairy products such as soft cheeses, and salmonella from uncooked foods, plus viral infections such as mumps, rubella, chicken pox, cytomegalovirus, and fifth disease. It is best not to eat raw foods or unpasteurized drinks. Immunizations that are safe in pregnancy include tetanus/diphtheria, as well as influenza, pneumonia, inactivated polio, and even rabies if needed. Live viruses are NOT given during pregnancy including MMR and chicken pox. Many of the diseases can cause miscarriage early in pregnancy, growth problems later in pregnancy, and even blindness in the infant long after birth.

Foods to limit or avoid include fish known to be high in mercury (tuna is the most well known), raw or undercooked eggs (salmonella), soft cheeses like Brie, blue veined cheeses (listerosis), caffeine, alcohol, and some herbal teas. Foods to include are those rich in calcium, iron and antioxidants. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors are often healthy with the most vitamins. Fiber rich foods with plenty of fluids is often helpful to prevent constipation.

Overall, the body is set up to keep you and your baby healthy throughout the nine months of incredible development. Staying active, nutritionally sound, and emotionally happy will give you and your baby the best outcomes. There are many books available on the market as well as web sites specifically geared toward parents during pregnancy, as well as for siblings. Your provider will have a wealth of information as well.

Dr. Janice Gomersall is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice practicing family medicine including obstetrics for the past 20 years, currently in her practice at Mountain View Family Medicine and Obstetrics, part of the Community Physicians Group in Missoula. She is also Medical Director of 1st Way Pregnancy Support Center in the City Life Building in Missoula where they offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and support for women and girls with an unplanned pregnancy. This year 1st Way is celebrating 30 years of service to the community. Contact 1st Way at (406) 549-0406 or info@1stway.org

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livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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bodymatters

Excersice during pregnancy

By Laura Bender

M

any women ask me what types of activity are beneficial during pregnancy and what precautions should they take.

According to the guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a woman who does not have any risk factors can exercise through out her pregnancy if she takes the following precautions.

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After the first trimester no exercises (including yoga and Pilates) in the supine (on your back) position. This position can lead to a reduction in your heart rate and slow down the flow of oxygenated blood to the baby.

Avoid prolonged periods of motionless standing.

As your pregnancy progresses tune into your body.

There is less room for lung expansion. You may run out of breath easily. Modify your exercise and stop when you are fatigued.

Choose activities that minimize the loss of balance.

Your changing body of course will affect your center of gravity. Avoid single-leg movements and uneven surfaces.

Non-weight bearing classes such as prenatal yoga, indoor cycling and swimming are highly recommended.

This seems obvious but avoid any type of exercises that carry the potential for even mild abdominal trauma. (e.g. downhill skiing, contact sports).

Eat healthy. Eat often. Right now an extra 300 kilocalories per day are required.

Drink lots of water during and after exercise, especially during the first trimester.

Also, please keep in mind these following simple rules to live by during your pregnancy.

Consistent exercise will help you as you

prepare for childbirth and also make it easier for you to return to pre-pregnancy exercise levels.

Use this time to practice relaxation.

There is no better time in life to learn a daily mediation or de-stressing ritual such as: listen to relaxing music, sit quietly, enjoy a cup of tea in a warm bath or take and enjoyable walk.

Enjoy spending this time with your significant other and celebrate the beautiful gift of a new life.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Laura Bender is a Master Fitness Specialist and Elite Personal Trainer. She owns Bodies by Bender. www.bodiesbybender.com

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Have you thought about your

Skin today? written by Adam Graham

W

hen I was in college, my life consisted of climbing and bicycling, backcountry skiing and paragliding, when time allowed away from classes, and I certainly will be the first to admit, my skin was not always the first thing on my mind during outdoor adventures. As extra money is always an important element in the college years, I spent any other spare time I had working at the local climbing store. It was there that I met my friend Logan. Logan was an avid outdoorsman. He cross-country skied and bicycled competitively; rock climbed, and was a generally great guy. We had many fun outdoor adventures together in our years together at the University of Wyoming.

It was not until after college, and after we had been out of touch for awhile, that Logan called me. He was a fair skinned fellow like myself, and certainly had lots of freckles. I never thought much of it until he called to tell me he had been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. By this time in my life, I was already working in Oncology, and knew full well what that would mean for Logan and his wife and two children. He was going to fight with everything he had, but ultimately he would lose his battle, and melanoma would have claimed another young, talented indivual.

It is in honor of Logan, and with much hope, that I have written this today, hoping that our fellow

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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Missoulians will take heed, and protect themselves this cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is cumulative summer, and think carefully about protecting their skin over our lives, and for this reason, it is important to year round. As the snow begins to melt, and the tulips start thinking about prevention early on. Parents can start breaking the surface of our dormant winter flower do a great service to their infants and young children patches, we know that Spring will be here soon, and accompanying them on summer adventures, by making Summer won’t be far behind. Many of us will be spending sun screen a habit for every adventure. more and more time outdoors. An ounce of prevention In our society today, having tanned skin is often seen as they say, is worth a pound of cure, and good habits as being cosmetically attractive. On the contrary, tanned for skin protection will go a long way for ourselves and skin is actually a sign of skin damage. Many people still families, hopefully preventing potential serious problems want that attractive tan, despite the fact that sun exposure in the future. is a known risk factor for skin cancer and premature May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and aging of the skin. I have to admit, I too have been in the with the innumerable outdoor activities around Missoula tanning beds, and out in the sun working on my tan in all year long, it is even more the past, but my attitude has important at our latitude certainly changed as we see to consider skin protection. more and more skin cancer in Whether it be fishing or our population. kayaking or rafting, skiing, Tanning beds have often paragliding or hang gliding, been thought of as a safe mountain biking, trail alternative to acquiring a tan running or anything else, the outdoors. In fact, the use of sun will be shining on YOU. tanning beds may be even more With all the excitement of harmful than natural sunlight, getting back outdoors for as the ultraviolet bulbs used summer activities, it is easy in these beds emit primarily to forget to protect one of UV-A rays, which penetrates our most important assets, more deeply into the skin, and our skin. increasing ones lifetime risk The National Cancer of malignant melanoma and Institute estimated that in other skin cancers. Many young 2008 alone, there were over people continue to seek out 1,000,000 new diagnoses of artificial tanning as a method to skin cancer in the United stay tanned year round, and this new diagnoses of skin States. Skin cancer is one is certainly cause for concern. of the most preventable Other risk factors for skin cancers in our society cancer include being fair today, and education truly skinned, having numerous is the key to aggressive freckles, having blonde or prevention. red hair, or large numbers of Skin cancer can be moles. Individuals with lighter broken down into three eye color are also an increased general types; squamous risk. Certain medications that and basal cell carcinomas sensitize the skin to ultraviolet which arise from the light can predispose an epidermis, and malignant individual to skin cancer. melanoma which arises from the melanocytes that are As I discussed in the January/February issue of found between the epidermis and dermis. Squamous and Livingwell, when it comes to cancer, knowledge is power. basal cell carcinomas are generally quite superficial, and Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, and usually diagnosed later in life. This type of skin cancer is we can do so much to protect ourselves and reduce risk. often curable. Malignant melanoma on the other hand, Current recommendations from the Centers for Disease is a quite serious form of skin cancer, and can arise at Control and Prevention include community-based skin a much earlier age. Any skin cancer should be taken cancer prevention and education programs, with a strong seriously however, as early recognition and treatment can focus on child care centers and schools, in order to help improve outcomes dramatically. instill sun-protective habits and behaviors at an early The lifetime risk of developing skin cancer is generally age.(CDC) low, but there are certain risk factors that one should take So what can we do? It all starts at home before into account when assessing your risk for developing skin any outdoor pursuits, with the use of sunscreen of AT

The National Cancer Institute estimated

that in 2008 alone,

there were over

1,000,000 cancer in the

United States.

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LEAST SPF 15. If you are in the water, don’t forget to RE-APPLY every 2-3 hours. Even if you are not in the water, reapplication of sunscreen is still important throughout a long day outdoors. For those that work in the outdoors all year, it is important to consider clothing choices that cover arms and legs, and possibly a wide brimmed hat to protect the face and nose, as these areas tend to take the brunt of our daily sun exposure. If you have the choice, it is not a bad idea to stay out of the midday sun. Remember, just because it is cloudy, the damaging UV-A and UV-B rays are still affecting your skin. Eye protection is important as well, and be sure that your sunglasses absorb UV light, not all do. It is best to avoid sunlamps and tanning booths as this is additional exposure to damaging UV rays. Annual examination by a dermatologist for general skin exam and possible mole mapping is a good idea, and will create the opportunity for you to learn more about your skin as well, and be able to look for worrisome changes early on, and do something about it.

Also, knowing the ABCs of skin cancer is an easy tool for individual to have in the toolbox, to help identify any skin lesions that you may need to address: The first thing to look for is ASYMETRY. Normal moles are generally symmetrical. Generally speaking, with skin cancer, the two halves of the lesion are rarely the same. The next thing to consider is the BORDER. Lesions with jagged or blurred borders are more

concerning. COLOR is also important. Moles with different colors or hues, or areas of lightening and darkening, should be looked at by a dermatologist. The DIAMETER of the mole is also something to consider.

Moles that are larger than a pencil eraser (1/4 inch or 6mm) should be evaluated by your doctor, regardless of other elements of the ABCs. The last element of the ABCs of skin cancer is ELEVATION. If a mole is raised, or has an uneven surface above the surrounding skin, it merits close monitoring, and possible evaluation.

Hopefully this summer will be full of sunny days, and some memorable time outdoor adventures for all of us.

With a little sunscreen, and some easy new habits, we can all reduce our risk of developing skin cancer, and have a wonderful time out in the sun. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

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Early

Born a bit too

by Joey Lenaburg

Consider this: A term newborn is born between 37 and 40 weeks gestation. When we think of a baby born at 35 weeks it should seem close enough, right? The answer is not necessarily. Babies born between 34 and 36 completed weeks gestation are actually considered “Late Preterm.” Healthcare providers didn’t used to think too much of these little ones born “a bit early” because of their size and weights. However, Late Preterm babies are getting more attention recently, and for a good reason.

The Late Preterm baby is considered at risk for developing complications after delivery. Some may have feeding problems, difficulty maintaining their temperatures, abnormal blood glucose levels, and may develop jaundice. Special care and attention needs to be given to this unique population of newborns. As parents knowing what to watch for is important for your Late Preterm infant.

FEEDING Due to an immature suck-swallow reflex, these babies can have a difficult time breastfeeding. It will be especially important to start breastfeeding within the 30

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

first hour after birth if your baby is stable. Placing your baby skin to skin within the first hour after birth will help stimulate your baby to nurse. It is important to feed your baby every 2-3 hours. If your baby isn’t feeding well, nurses and Lactation consultants may have you begin pumping to stimulate your milk production.

LOW GLUCOSE Glucose (sugar) is a very important for our body to function normally. If low, our body does not function like is should. There are many reasons why the Late Preterm baby’s glucose levels may run low. If your baby is not nursing well, they aren’t getting the proper amount of calories and nutrients they need. This is why pumping is important because you can give your baby breast milk by a syringe or cup. If you are bottle feeding it is important to offer formula every 2-3 hours. These newborns may use up a lot of their glucose by breathing harder than normal. This is because their lungs may not be fully mature. Also, if the Late Preterm baby is unable to keep their temperature within a normal range, they will use up glucose to help keep them warm. If your baby has a low sugar level, ways to help raise it range from increasing feedings to IV therapy. Treatment depends on how low the sugar level is.

TEMPERATURE It is not uncommon to have problems keeping their temperatures within a normal range. There are numerous ways to help prevent this. A very beneficial way to keep your baby warm is by providing skin to skin contact with your newborn. You can also use pre-warmed blankets.

JAUNDICE These babies are at a 2.4 times higher risk for developing jaundice. Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin. This is a result from the newborn’s immature liver not being able to break down extra red blood cells.

At first, jaundice can make your baby sleepy and not eat well. If left untreated, the newborn may develop neurologic problems. The Late Preterm newborn is more likely to develop jaundice around 5-7 days of life. It is important for parents to be able to recognize the symptoms of jaundice. They may include skin discoloration, feeding poorly, sleeping too much, and not having enough wet diapers or bowel movements. These symptoms should be reported to your baby’s doctor.

The number of baby’s born Late Preterm is rising.

Although these babies may look like term babies, we must be aware of the complications they are at increased risk for and know how to treat them.

Joey Lenaburg, RNC is an OB Clinical Nurse Educator at Community Medical Center in Missoula. livingwell ~ May/June 2009

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by Matthew Perrone

S

Restricting sales of chemical used in bottles

unoco has begun restricting sales of a controversial chemical used in baby bottles and food containers that some researchers believe can harm infants.

The move by the gas and chemical giant makes Sunoco the first manufacturer to acknowledge safety concerns about bisphenol-A, or BPA, which recently led retailers like Wal-Mart to pull thousands of baby and water bottles off store shelves.

Environmental groups want to ban BPA in products for infants because of concerns that it can interfere with biological functions needed for growth. But government scientists have issued conflicting opinions about the chemical’s risks.

In light of that uncertainty, Sunoco said in a letter Thursday it has begun requiring customers to guarantee that its BPA will not be used in food and water containers for children under 3.

“We will no longer sell BPA to customers who cannot make this promise,” Thomas Golembeski, head of public relations, wrote in a letter to two investors.

The company’s policy, which took effect last November, was prompted by concerns from local investors, including an order of Franciscan nuns.

“We thought this was a really bold step, especially for a company that’s a member of the American Chemistry Council,” said Tom McCaney, associate director for corporate responsibility at the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, a group of about 600 nuns.

The American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, has reiterated that BPA is among the most-tested chemicals ever produced and is safe for adults and infants.

Philadelphia-based Sunoco is a relatively small player in the market for BPA, which is used to make everything from CDs to pipes to glasses frames. Larger producers include the Dow Chemical Co., Bayer and Hexion Specialty Chemicals.

Those companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Last year U.S. production of BPA reached an estimated 950,000 metric tons, 32

livingwell ~ May/June 2009

according to the Chemical Marketers Associates. That number was down 5 percent from the prior year, as chemical makers were hammered by soaring energy prices and lower consumer spending.

Last week six of the nation’s baby bottle makers, including Gerber and Playtex Products, said they will stop using BPA, at the request of attorneys generals in several states.

Major U.S. retailers, including Toys ‘R’ Us Inc. and Wal-Mart, have removed products containing the chemical from their stores. And last fall Canada banned BPA from all baby bottles.

About 90 percent of Americans have traces of bisphenol in their urine. Among hundreds of other applications, the plastichardening chemical is used to seal cans and often leaches into canned food.

But while the kidneys of older children and adults quickly eliminate the chemical from their bodies, newborns and infants may retain it for much longer.

Consumer advocates want restrictions on BPA because it mimics the effects of the hormone estrogen, potentially interfering with young, growing bodies.

They point to dozens of studies in animals showing low doses of the chemical led to increases in breast, prostate and uterine tumors. However, most of those studies relied on a small number of animals, and the results have not been confirmed in humans.

The FDA concluded last year that there is no harm from the low doses of BPA that babies, children and most adults get by eating foods from containers made with BPA. But the agency’s own outside advisers faulted that report for relying on a small number of industry-sponsored studies and creating “a false sense of security.” The advisers said more studies of the chemical are needed, though it will likely take years to gather more conclusive evidence.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

health tip Women who eat low mercury fish have babies with higher cognitive and motor levels

By Carley Ribet - CTW Features

C

ognitive development and motor skills in infants can be greatly impacted by fish intake during pregnancy and longer breastfeeding after birth, a recent study shows.

According to the study of infants and mothers conducted in Denmark, it is beneficial for pregnant women to increase their consumption of low-mercury fish during pregnancy. In addition, the study reaffirmed the benefits of breastfeeding. Children whose mothers ate the most fish were more likely to have better motor and cognitive skills. Children of mothers who ate the most fish, equivalent to about two ounces per day, were 25 percent more likely to have higher developmental scores at six months. At 18 months, the percentage was up to 30.

“These results, together with findings from other studies of women in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, provide additional evidence that moderate maternal fish intake during pregnancy does not harm child

development and may on balance be beneficial,” says assistant professor Emily Oken, lead author of the study. The findings, researchers believe, are linked to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in both breast milk and fish. In the past, pregnant women have been told to avoid more than two servings per week of fish because high levels of mercury can reverse the positive benefits of omega-3.

“In previous work in a population of U.S. women, we similarly found that higher prenatal fish consumption was associated with an overall benefit for child cognitive development, but that higher mercury levels attenuated this benefit,” Dr. Oken says. “Therefore, women should continue to eat fish - especially during pregnancy - but should choose fish types likely to be lower in mercury.”

Women in this study reported eating fish that are low in mercury such as cod, plaice, salmon, herring, and mackerel.

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