tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64795608744116222992024-02-20T08:23:02.027-08:00BLOOMING IN THE NESTAwareness, a proactive attitude and vigilance empowers mom. All babies arriving Alive and Kicking is our goal.BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-20397843315353033962012-10-15T09:06:00.000-07:002012-10-15T09:06:17.278-07:00Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awarenss Day ~ October 15th...
<span style="font-size: small;">Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day is today, October
15th. Thousands and thousands of precious babies are lost before, during and
after birth for a host of reasons.
<span style="font-size: small;">These enormous numbers are a "solid epidemic" according to
Edwin Mitchell, MD, Professor pf Pediatrics, University of Auckland, Chair,
ISPID, New Zealand. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">By allowing these numbers to skyrocket is, "A measure of how
we fail the greatness in our country", states Michael C. Lu, MD, MS, MPH,
Associate Administrator, Maternal and Child Health, Health Resources and
Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
USA.</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Let's all make a difference where we can and educate all moms
to recognize the signs of a baby in distress. Let's be educated, proactive and
vigilant, thereby, giving all of our babies the chance to be great.
</span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Please light a candle this evening at 7 pm remembering all our
little ones. As for the families who live with the loss ~ "After ~ the test of
courage is not to die but to live", Steve, Scully, SIDS & Stillbirth Dad, Senior Executive
Producer and Political Editor, C-SPAN, USA...xo</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-60691210081032169742012-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:002012-04-09T18:06:50.134-07:00Pregnancy ~ Bacterial & Viral Infections ~ Should YOU Be Concerned???<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, should you? As Iris affirms to Arthur in one of my favorite films, The Holiday; “Arthur, this is a big deal.” Group B Strep (GBS) & Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are something every pregnant mom should know and be concerned about. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knew? I certainly didn’t. In today’s fast paced world, when you are expecting a baby, you really need to pick and choose what you read and digest. Empowerment is the key. So, you may ask, “How do I become empowered?” </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Empowerment comes from becoming educated, proactive and vigilant about the safety of the baby you are carrying. It means getting all the facts and having the cards stacked in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your </i>favor. It means never hesitating to call and ask your health care team about any concerns or questions you may have. Remember, your health care team is there to educate and inform you ~ that’s their job. And always ~ you should trust your gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to the hustle and bustle of your health care team’s office, the time is not always available for them to explain to you what exactly you should be doing and looking out for to insure the wellbeing of your baby from trimester to trimester. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. James McGregor, Researcher, MDCM, Professor of OB-GYN, Division of Perinatology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, and Marti Perhach, Group B Strep International’s Co Founder, share amazing information which may even save the life of your baby and/or let your little one lead a totally normal life if you educate yourself. You can help avoid the risk of bacterial and viral infections by taking some very simple steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It all begins during your first trimester with your first visit to your health care team at approximately 8 weeks gestation. Your first health care check up is extremely important. During this visit your urine will be cultured for GBS. So, you may wonder, “What is the big deal about GBS???”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know approximately 10% - 30% of pregnant women are contaminated with GBS and, roughly 2% of these pregnant moms will pass these germs during delivery to their babies. You may say, “Well 2% ~ that’s not a lot.” </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If infected, babies will show signs of GBS infection between 6 hours and 7 days of birth, although late onset after the first week of baby’s life may also result according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GBS may cause infections in your baby’s spinal cord, lungs, blood (sepsis) or brain. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although fatal in 5% of the infants carrying GBS, this bacterium is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prime</i> cause of infectious death among newborns. </span></span>Moms who are under the age of 21, black or Hispanic are at an increased risk. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your urine culture is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">positive</i></b> for Group B Strep (GBS) or for an asymptomatic bacteriuria at this visit, antibiotics will/should be prescribed. Make sure you ask for the results of your urine culture on your next visit, and have a test of cure (TOC) done if positive, to insure the infection has resolved, once your antibiotics are finished. Discuss with your health care team how GBS will impact your birth plan and the IV medication which will be required during labor and delivery.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">If your urine is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">negative</i></b> for GBS, you will have a rectovaginal swab taken at 35 – 37 weeks gestation and cultured </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in accordance with The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) <a href="http://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Obstetric%20Practice/co485.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120213T1236475499">National Guidelines</a>. This test is extremely important as the use of preventative antibiotics for moms who test positive for GBS must be given during labor to prevent the transmission of this underlying yet potentially lethal germ to their babies.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The CDC confirms and reminds us 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. “Women should have accurate information to know how to best protect their babies”, states Perhach. If you would like further information on GBS, please go to, </span><a href="http://www.groupbstrepinternational.org/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>www.groupbstrepinternational.org</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or the Facebook Group page, <span style="color: purple;"><strong><em>Group B Strep International</em></strong></span>. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to Dr. McGregor, any infection can be “potentially” life threatening to the baby<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">. </span>Cytomegalovirus (CMV) poses a major risk to pregnant women who are around babies and young children. So, moms who are child care providers, daycare workers, preschool teachers, therapists, and nurses need to take extra precautions as preschoolers are the majority of carriers. CMV is present in saliva, urine, feces, tears, blood, mucus and other bodily fluids. You cannot catch CMV by simply being in the same room with someone, unless bodily fluids are exchanged. Additionally, there is no information to indicate CMV is transmitted in the air. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OB/GYNs, for the most part, do not warn women of childbearing age about this infection and how to avoid it. ACOG and the CDC recommend OB/GYNs counsel women on basic prevention measures to guard against CMV. But according to a 2007 survey, fewer than half (44%) of OB/GYNs reported counseling their patients about preventing CMV. Were you told about CMV???</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CMV is very prevalent among healthy children 1 to 3 years of age who are at high risk for contracting CMV. As CMV can be transmitted to an unborn child from a pregnant mother experiencing a primary or recurrent CMV infection, how can you minimize your risk? Very easily ~ here are a few simple steps you can proactively incorporate into your daily routine as outlined at </span><a href="http://www.stopcmv.org/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>www.stopcmv.org</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, feeding a young child, wiping a young child's nose or drool, and handling children's toys. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Do not share food, drinks, or eating utensils used by young children. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Do not put a child's pacifier in your mouth. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Do not share a toothbrush with a young child. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Avoid contact with saliva when kissing a child.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> C</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">lean toys, countertops, and other surfaces that come into contact with children's urine or saliva. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember, in following the above steps, you can be proactive and help prevent your baby from being born with CMV which may lead to permanent medical conditions and disabilities such as deafness, blindness, cerebral palsy, mental and physical disabilities, seizures, and death. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While congenital (before birth) CMV in baby is more common than Down’s Syndrome with only 14% of moms having ever heard of CMV, more children have disabilities due to congenital CMV than other well-known infections and syndromes including Down’s Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Pediatric HIV/AIDS.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FitPregnancy.com’s</span></span></u></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"> section, <u><a href="http://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/baby-care/protect-your-baby-tot-borne-virus">Protect Your Baby From a Tot-Borne Virus</a></u>, by Kim Acosta in 2008, advises moms to kiss their tots on their heads ~ and not on their mouths cheeks to avoid CMV. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FitPregnancy’s</span></u></i> December/January 2012 “Q & A” magazine segment asks the haunting question, “Should I worry about CMV? After reading the magazine’s response by Amanda Kallen, M.D., a Yale University School of Medicine clinical instructor who co-authored a 2010 review on the topic, the reply is definitely, “YES!!!” Both website and magazine sites give great information ~ and both are <em>must</em> reads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be your baby’s guardian of the womb today by taking an active role in your personal hygiene and healthcare decisions. Consult with your health care team <span style="color: black;">about the best ways to avoid CMV </span>if you:</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Are <span style="color: black;">concerned about CMV infection during pregnancy.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Y</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">ou <span style="color: black;">develop a mononucleosis or flu-like illness during pregnancy.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Y</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">ou feel you may be a candidate for CMV screening and / or treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I</span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">f you would like further information on CMV, please go to </span><a href="http://www.stopcmv.org/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>www.stopcmv.org</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, where I have gathered a lot of my information. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In p<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em>reventing</em> infections which may prove harmful to you and your baby, Dr. McGregor also advocates: </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; mso-list: l2 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Good dental hygiene and care</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; mso-list: l2 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Reporting any vaginal bleeding, discharge or fluid leakage to your health care team.</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2.5in; mso-list: l2 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Avoiding membrane stripping to induce labor.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moms, please check out the websites above. Empowerment comes when you are educated, proactive and vigilant. Remember, a sweet little life is depending on you…xo<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></em></div><br />
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</div>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-73622067661465451332012-01-20T11:39:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:39:03.595-08:00Have You EVER Heard of CAN Syndrome!!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of information has spurred me to moving on and beginning new endeavors in my quest to reach all parents to be. As a new and exciting project is in the works, I want to continue writing about the wonderful information the researchers presented at the Stillbirth Summit last October. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morarji Peesay, MD, FAAP is a neonatologist at Montgomery General Hospital affiliated with Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. While quietly spoken, compassionate and driven to understand the long term implications of his concept: Cord Around the Neck (CAN) Syndrome, his passion for the babies he treats enables him to echo the words, “Every woman should have a stillbirth screening.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwz9fj68S_c/Txm9MIpQFvI/AAAAAAAADSo/IQCABeaigyk/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwz9fj68S_c/Txm9MIpQFvI/AAAAAAAADSo/IQCABeaigyk/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although there is no definitive test to detect stillbirth, Dr. Peesay is referring to his personal version of criteria, the Stillbirth Scoring System. Quite simply, when different hallmarks of his system are added up to total “9”, the potential for stillbirth exists. Various results from the Quad Marker Screen, performed between 14 and 24 weeks gestation, are also used in determining Peesay’s Scoring System.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DL1UnHfC1F0/Txm-APl2VLI/AAAAAAAADSw/mFUqjzlqOj0/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nfa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DL1UnHfC1F0/Txm-APl2VLI/AAAAAAAADSw/mFUqjzlqOj0/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-123.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Defined, “CAN Syndrome is a cluster of cardio-respiratory and neurological signs and symptoms associated with unique physical features that occur secondary to tight cord-round-the-neck.” Peesay points out there are cord abnormalities seen in 1/3 of all live births. He cites the definite connection through scientific research linking quadriplegic cerebral palsy with CAN Syndrome as he queries the correlation between CAN Syndrome, autism and ADHD, as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This paragraph is researcher heavy so please read slowly!!! Peesay states it is proven scientifically Intermittent Cord Occlusion causes low venous return in the umbilical vein which causes low H2O, low PH and increased CO2 which causes altered brain protein synthesis and degradation. WHEW!!! So, the amazing discovery is CAN Syndrome has the same brain abnormalities as Intermittent Cord Occlusion!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Harvard study in 2007 identified Umbilical Cord Accidents (UCA) causing placental abnormalities as being responsible for 16% of stillbirth deaths in this study. In this study, concluded 44% of the stillbirths had unknown causes and 40% had other causes. However, a retrospective review of this study informs us, the 44% of stillbirths due to unknown causes were determined to be UCA causing placental abnormalities. Therefore, actually 42% of the original study was found to be the consequence of UCA causing placental abnormalities. WHAT!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrUFVHQYsx8/Txm_pTyOB4I/AAAAAAAADS4/h-a_A_1fRPs/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nfa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrUFVHQYsx8/Txm_pTyOB4I/AAAAAAAADS4/h-a_A_1fRPs/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peesay explains, when there is umbilical vein compression, fetal thrombotic (FTV) vasculopathy gives the baby one of two outcomes: neurological problems or DEATH (stillbirth). Peesay queries if children living today with cerebral palsy of any degree, autism, or any neurological disorders including ADHD are the “victims” of missed umbilical cord compromises / injuries which did not result in stillbirth???</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This diabolical medical uncertainty, claiming 30,000 our “littlest victims” yearly in the USA alone, remains unchanged. Quite frankly, it demands to be researched by the experts; it begs to be answered by the families…</span> <br />
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</div>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-26761650528961166232011-10-26T18:47:00.000-07:002011-10-26T18:47:49.399-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Stillbirth Summit continued to gain momentum early in the morning with Uma Reddy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer, Pregnancy & Perinatology Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD presenting Thrombosis and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Dr. Reddy is a wealth of knowledge and at times I am sure the researchers understood a lot more than I certainly did!!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Venous thromboembolism and adverse pregnancy outcomes are potential complications of pregnancy. Numerous studies have evaluated both the risk factors for and the prevention and management of these outcomes in pregnant patients. Reddy stated the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) just came out with their new recommendations for Preventing Thromboembolism in pregnant women. <a href="http://hcp.obgyn.net/pregnancy-and-birth/content/article/1760982/1942666">Please read </a>and digest these article which breaks down the new guidelines. She also informed us aspirin and lovenox (a blood thinner) are indicated to be given for the duration of a pregnancy for women with prior thromboembolic disease ~ and ~ may be given safely. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMzstO0WkAU/Tqi3loGWQoI/AAAAAAAADSA/92BUjQyuDVY/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMzstO0WkAU/Tqi3loGWQoI/AAAAAAAADSA/92BUjQyuDVY/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-44.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Women who have had any thromboembolic disease should have a full coagulation profile performed. Prescribing anticoagulants to pregnant women can be difficult and stressful. Maternal and fetal concerns must be considered at all times, with a careful assessment of the risks and benefits of anticoagulant therapy in each patient. Further research should help to clarify who should receive thromboprophylaxis, how to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with various thrombophilias, and how best to treat pregnant women who have a prosthetic heart valve. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-83253563472734158582011-10-26T18:20:00.001-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.852-08:00The Stillbirth Summit ~ The Momentun & Amazing Information Continue...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4qwB4qGCfY/TqiylQK6J7I/AAAAAAAADRY/X3BUYWfdQ4U/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4qwB4qGCfY/TqiylQK6J7I/AAAAAAAADRY/X3BUYWfdQ4U/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-45.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Stillbirth Summit continued to gain momentum early in the morning with Uma Reddy, MD, MPH, Medical Officer, Pregnancy & Perinatology Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD presenting Thrombosis and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Dr. Reddy is a wealth of knowledge and at times I am sure the researchers understood a lot more than I certainly did!!! <br />
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Venous thromboembolism and adverse pregnancy outcomes are potential complications of pregnancy. Numerous studies have evaluated both the risk factors for and the prevention and management of these outcomes in pregnant patients. Reddy stated the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) just came out with their new recommendations for Preventing Thromboembolism in pregnant women. <a href="http://hcp.obgyn.net/pregnancy-and-birth/content/article/1760982/1942666">Please read </a>and digest this information which breaks down the new guidelines. She also informed us aspirin and lovenox (a blood thinner) are indicated to be given for the duration of a pregnancy for women with prior thromboembolic disease ~ and ~ may be given safely. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDFhj3-3VLo/TqiznwQcRFI/AAAAAAAADRg/0DFcVG_Wu1A/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iDFhj3-3VLo/TqiznwQcRFI/AAAAAAAADRg/0DFcVG_Wu1A/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-44.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Women who have had any thromboembolic disease should have a full coagulation profile performed. Prescribing anticoagulants to pregnant women can be difficult and stressful. Maternal and fetal concerns must be considered at all times, with a careful assessment of the risks and benefits of anticoagulant therapy in each patient. Further research should help to clarify who should receive thromboprophylaxis, how to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with various thrombophilias, and how best to treat pregnant women who have a prosthetic heart valve.BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-81011047174337401052011-10-16T18:14:00.000-07:002011-10-16T18:14:56.185-07:00The Stillbirth Summit Introduces the New Pregnancy Buzz Phrase ~ EPV!!!Bear with me ~ to write about all the researchers and their findings present at the Stillbirth Summit in one sitting would require lots of time and several glasses of wine!!! So, I have decided to introduce you to one researcher per blog and write about what I took away from their lectures in my notes. If you are confused by my interpretation ~ you can Google it, research it & digest it. Take it or leave it; pass it on or delete it. Just know, these men and women will change the face of stillbirth with their passion and fire. They will pull stillbirth from the shadows and place it brightly in the light of day. They will find answers for us; prevention is their intention. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0s_LIM4h39M/Tpt-x-vIdKI/AAAAAAAADRI/khbs_Rqy_UI/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-72.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0s_LIM4h39M/Tpt-x-vIdKI/AAAAAAAADRI/khbs_Rqy_UI/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-72.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Stillbirth Summit opened the eyes of all who attended. Dr. Alexander Heazell, MBChB, PhD, MRCOG, Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, UK, delivered the simple yet poignant statement during the first presentation of a colleague, “We understand stillbirth very badly.” There was no pretentiousness. There were no scholarly noses looking down at us. The cards were on the table for everyone to see. Over the next 3 days the researchers would share their passion, frustrations and greatly needed research with us all. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2RJkS8Zl8s/Tpt_HyUuFXI/AAAAAAAADRQ/NVjqUSPtfvY/s1600/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2RJkS8Zl8s/Tpt_HyUuFXI/AAAAAAAADRQ/NVjqUSPtfvY/s320/STILLBIRTH+SUMMIT-40.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>When you listen to Dr. Harvey Kliman, MD, PhD, Director of Reproductive and Placental Unit, Yale University School of Medicine, you come away with one word embedded deeply in your brain: PLACENTA!!! The man is amazing and quick to state, “It is the simple things, tissue etc. which ends up in the pathology lab to be looked at. The information in it tells us why this loss happened.” Kliman is emphatic ~ the placenta is the key to what’s going on in a “loss” investigation and the placenta "must go to pathology." <br />
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While all eyes are on the fetus, Kliman explains a small fetus means a small abnormal placenta and “Doctors should know about abnormal placentas. Not knowing anything about the placenta is like driving a car without any gas!!!”<br />
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The “small” placenta is one major placental issue. The small placenta does not happen “all of the sudden.” The normal ratio of the fetus to placenta is 6:1. Once it goes beyond 7:1 or 8:1 it crashes. The placentas falling in the 10th to 90th percentiles are optimal. It is the ones which are in the < 10% or > 90% which will pose the problem. The baby and placenta tend to grow at the same rate and ratio up to 36 weeks. But what happens when the placenta is small and cannot supply the growing fetus? Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) develops. This concern plays a large part in delivering small and low birth weight babies, decreasing amniotic fluid (the amniotic fluid index) within the uterus, and putting your baby at risk for intrauterine death ~ if not detected. The extremes of a lesser ratio or a greater ratio between the baby and placenta indicate the need for diligent monitoring, care and concern. <br />
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One sign of a small and insufficient placenta is the onset of decreased fetal movements: <br />
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Can your heath care provider know about this beforehand? Yes. <br />
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Can something be done about it? Yes. <br />
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This can be detected by using standard ultrasound equipment. The measurement is called Estimated Placental Volume (EPV). Or, now there is even an EPV app, <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/epv-calculator/id406708196?mt=8">http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/epv-calculator/id406708196?mt=8</a>, for your phone. According to Dr. Kliman, EPV should be incorporated in prenatal care and would take all of 15 seconds to do!!! The app costs a mere $29.99!!! So ~ why is Estimated Placental Volume not being calculated by every doctor, midwife and health care member who sees a pregnant woman for her OB appointment? The overriding reason <em><strong>for</strong></em> using this simple and inexpensive device can mean the difference between life and death for your baby. If a small placenta is detected, mom and baby will be monitored closely and a happy healthy outcome is easily achievable as baby can be delivered early if necessary. <br />
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According to Kliman, the placenta is part of the fetus and should be checked at a 10 week ultrasound. It should then be checked by ultrasound around 18 weeks. If the placenta is small at this time, there is nothing to do but keep an eye on it. When the placenta is small or large, the need for closer monitoring is needed. <br />
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Sounds to me ~ Estimated Placental Volume deserves to be the new pregnancy buzz phrase of 2012. If you are pregnant, why not ask to have your baby’s EPV checked the next time you visit your doctor, midwife or health care team? You may ask, “Why?” Quite simply, your baby’s life might just be depending on it…BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-35447491432242647762011-05-01T12:43:00.000-07:002011-05-01T16:35:05.949-07:00C’mon Pregnant MOMMIES ~ Enlighten All Your Health Care Team ~ NOW!!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, you’re pregnant ~ or not ~ and you have heard about stillbirths but you have also heard the possibility of you or anyone you know actually delivering a baby born still is one in a million or extremely unlikely - <strong><em>RIGHT</em></strong>??? Well, the correct answer to the above statement is actually - <strong><em>WRONG</em></strong>. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A stillbirth occurs once in every 200 births in the USA. There are 30,000 every year in our country according to Dr. Jason Collins, MD of <a href="http://www.preginst.com/">The Pregnancy Institute</a> in New Roads, LA. This equates to about 85 each and every day in our highly medically and extremely technically advanced hospitals and country. Maybe you have seen articles, posts or blogs on stillbirth and quickly flipped the page, clicked to the next entry or exited the post. Maybe you read the information in front of you thinking, "This will never happen to me" and you let the information leave your mind as fast as you let it enter. Well, the time has come for us all ~ parents to be, family & friends, as well as, the medical community - to embrace the information in front of us and demand the resources to extinguish the flame of stillbirth be available to us all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to <a href="http://www.lancet.com/series">The Lancet's series, STILLBIRTHS</a>, at least 50% of our world’s almost 3 million stillbirths are completely preventable. The statistics used in The Lancet consider a stillborn baby, "the death of a baby at 28 weeks’ gestation or more." What does that mean to us? It means simple interventions may save the life of a precious baby ~ if you are told what to do and what to look out for. At <a href="http://www.starlegacyfoundation.org/"><strong>The Star Legacy Foundation</strong></a> we call it empowering and educating parents to be and their health care team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Ruth Fretts, OB-GYN and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, believes the risk of stillbirth increases late in pregnancy and many could be prevented. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"We don't do a very good service to women by not informing them of the risks and giving them options to be evaluating the baby's well being". In the 2010 October/ November Issue, of Fit Pregnancy Magazine, the article “the whole 9 months” section, “Baby likes to move it”, Fretts states, “Most women who notice a decrease in movement will still have a healthy outcome…The biggest concern is when it happens repeatedly.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist in the United Kingdom, whose stillbirth rates are one of the most dire for a country which is not considered to be one of the 98% low or middle income countries with abysmally high stillbirth rates, just issued a statement on reduced feta movement, "Clinicians should be aware (and should advise women) that although fetal movements tend to plateau at 32 weeks of gestation, there is no reduction in the frequency of fetal movements in the late third trimester."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.healthynewbornnetwork.org/multimedia/video/prematurity-stillbirth-foundation-innovative-solutions-and-improved-outcomes">Dr. Craig Rubens</a>, MD PhD, Co-Founder & Executive Director GAPP states, "Why focus on the last 1/2% of pregnancy during Labor and Deliver to understand why women have adverse outcomes during pregnancy. We need to focus on and study more the 99.5% of pregnancy that's going on currently." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what can we do? Although the <a href="http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp098.cfm?printerFriendly=yes">American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists</a> support kick counting ~ it is rarely mentioned or explained to pregnant women in the office or during prenatal classes. Don’t take it for granted everyone caring for you and delivering your baby is aware of <a href="http://seemefeelme.org/kicks-count-chart"><strong>kick counting</strong></a> and the important role it can play in assuring a happy, healthy and hearty delivery day. Make it your passion to educate all young men and women, moms and dads to be, their doctors, midwives and health care team to the importance of baby's movements from 20 weeks onwards and the importance of daily <a href="http://seemefeelme.org/kicks-count-chart"><strong>kick counting</strong></a> from 28 weeks onwards. Visit <a href="http://ww.seemefeelme.org/"><strong>See Me, Feel Me</strong></a> now. Educate and empower yourself not only on the importance of baby's movements but also on the importance of a 20 & 28 week ultrasound with special attention being paid to the umbilical cord and placenta. Then, pass this vital information on to all so they can become baby's "in utero" advocate as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't wait until the tragedy of stillbirth strikes ~ and you think to yourself, "Oh yeah, I heard about that somewhere.” Don’t take it for granted your doctor, midwife or health care team is educated to the frequency of stillbirth and the ways to ascertain and address a possibly compromised baby. Write down the link or print out <a href="http://www.lancet.com/series">The Lancet series, Stillbirths</a> and your <a href="http://seemefeelme.org/kicks-count-chart"><strong>My Kicks Count</strong> </a>chart and take them to your appointment!!! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you have been told. Now you have the tools. Now spread the word and empower moms, dads, friends, family and the medical community across the globe. Remember ~ a sweet little baby's life will be depending on you... </span><br />
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</span>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-22836258180209783542011-05-01T10:11:00.001-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.861-08:00C'mom MOMMIES ~ Enlighten Your OBs' & GYNs' ~ NOW!!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, your are pregnant ~ or not ~ and you have heard about stillbirths but you have also heard the possibility of you or anyone you know actually delivering a baby born still is one in a million or extremely unlikely - <em><strong>RIGHT</strong></em>??? Well, the correct answer to the above statement is actually - <em><strong>WRONG.</strong></em> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A stillbirth occurs once in every 200 births in the USA. There are 30,000 every year in our country according to Dr. Jason Collins, MD of <a href="http://www.preginst.com/">The Pregnancy Institute</a> in New Roads, LA. This equates to about 85 each and very day in our highly medically and technically advanced hospitals and country. Maybe you have seen articles, posts or blogs on stillbirth and quickly flipped the page, clicked to the next entry or exited the post. Maybe you read the information in front of you thinking, "This will never happen to me" and you let the information leave your mind as fast as you let it enter. Well, the time has come for us all ~ parents to be, family & friends, as well as, the medical community - to embrace the information in front of us and demand the resources to extinguish the flame of stillbirth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to <a href="http://www.lancet.com/series">The Lancet's series, <em>STILLBIRTHS</em>, </a> at least 50% of our worlds almost 3 million stillbirths are completely preventable. The statistics used in The Lancet consider a stillborn baby, "<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the death of a baby at 28 weeks’ gestation or more." What does that mean to us? It means simple interventions may save the life of a precious baby ~ if you are told what to do and what to look out for. At <a href="http://www.starlegacyfoundation.org/"><strong>The Star Legacy Foundation</strong></a> we call it empowering and educating parents to be and their health care team. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Ruth Fretts, OB-GYN and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, believes the risk of stillbirth increases late in pregnancy and many could be prevented. </span> <br />
"We don't do a very good service to women by not informing them of the risks and giving them options to be evaluating the baby's well being". <br />
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The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist in the United Kingdom, whose stillbirth rates are one of the most dire for a country which is not considered to be one of the 98% low or middle income countries with abysmally high stillbirth rates, just issued a statement on reduced feta movement, "Clinicians should be aware (and should advise women) that although fetal movements tend to plateau at 32 weeks of gestation, there is no reduction in the frequency of fetal movements in the late third trimester."<br />
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DR. Craig Rubens, MD PhD,Co-Founder & Executive Director GAPP states, "Why focus on the last 1/2% of pregnancy during Labor and Deliver to understand why women have adverse outcomes during pregnancy. We need to focus on and study more the 99.5% of pregnancy that's going on currently." Dr. Rubens tells us there are 13 million preterm births and this is the #1 cause of infant mortality.<br />
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So, what can we do? Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support kick counting ~ it is rarely mentioned or explained to pregnant women. All mothers - to -be need to be aware of the importance of baby's movements from 20 weeks onwards and the importance of daily kick counting from 28 weeks onwards. Make it your personal mantra to tell all women about this whether they are pregnant or not! Visit <a href="http://www.seemefeelme.org/">See Me, Feel Me</a> now and learn how to teach yourself or your friend how to become baby's "in utero" advocate.<br />
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Don't wait until the tragedy of stillbirth strikes ~ and you think to yourself, "Oh yeah, I heard something about somewhere but I didn't think it would ever happen to anyone I know." <br />
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Now you have been told. Now you have the tools. Now you need to spread the word and empower moms across the globe ~ remember ~ a sweet little baby's life could be depending on you... <br />
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BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-41374252456301017412011-05-01T10:09:00.001-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.901-08:00C'MON MOMMIES ~ ENLIGHTEN YOUR OBs' ~ NOW!!!BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-70463682341265353452011-04-03T10:11:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:11:34.797-07:00To Tell All Moms Or Not ~ That Is The Question???<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's that time of the year for some women ~ a positive pregnancy test!!! WHOO HOO!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, being the great friend you are, do you share the informational website, See Me, Feel Me or not? You certainly don't want to jinx this new pregnancy. Do you mention to your friend that becoming her baby's "in utero" advocate will alert her and her health care team to the possibility of a compromised baby by noting a decrease or increase in fetal movements? Should you also mention to this mom that she schedule an additional ultrasound around 28 weeks because this is the time baby will show a tendency to develop an umbilical cord problem? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What should you do? It's simple. Make a decision now to educate and empower all moms to be!!! Stillbirth is not an uncommon or rare event, and should be watched for in the last trimester of pregnancy especially. This needless tragedy happens 30,000 times a year in the USA alone ~ that is 82 times a day ~ each and every day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maybe you don't think you can make a difference in stopping stillbirth. Maybe you have never known anyone who has had a stillbirth or maybe it doesn't run in your family ~ yet!!! I know I was oblivious at one time. My husband and I are part of the medical community and we were uneducated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But ~ now we know. We are now committed advocates for the stillborn. We will do whatever it takes to enlighten the medical community and parents to be, as well as, to find a cause as to "WHY" when there are or are not any answers. Let's all link arms and begin to fight the fight for those born still. Together is the only way we can begin to stop these tragedies. </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Starfish Story </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Original Story by: Loren Eisley</div><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFlwyrfjP6g/TZipeNSjmAI/AAAAAAAADHg/eT5v-GrRvL0/s1600/IMG_2382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFlwyrfjP6g/TZipeNSjmAI/AAAAAAAADHg/eT5v-GrRvL0/s320/IMG_2382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can’t make a difference!”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a difference for that one.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62J9i3xpFhE/TZio-LY431I/AAAAAAAADHc/JJTC-vuJwGY/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62J9i3xpFhE/TZio-LY431I/AAAAAAAADHc/JJTC-vuJwGY/s320/IMG_2384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-11548190796188099142011-04-03T09:40:00.001-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.906-08:00<a href="http://localhost:56604/55b7c713d5ef51ad4c537e5bb98b4c2a/image/48864ed7c2b7c6d3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:56604/55b7c713d5ef51ad4c537e5bb98b4c2a/image/48864ed7c2b7c6d3.jpg?size=320" /></a>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-87643648801552810582011-04-03T09:40:00.000-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.912-08:00<a href="http://localhost:56604/2621715bd131bd956cf986476b38cdfc/image/207baf552d81f17c.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="http://localhost:56604/2621715bd131bd956cf986476b38cdfc/image/207baf552d81f17c.jpg?size=320" /></a>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-28830398475295384282011-03-06T11:23:00.000-08:002011-03-06T11:23:54.853-08:00Hey "U" ~ Is Your BFF ~ PG???Hey, is your BFF or someone else's BFF expecting? If so, do your BFF and everyone else's BFF a favor by sharing this VIP website, <a href="http://www.seemefeelme.org/"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>See Me. Feel Me</em></strong></span></a>. Empower and educate all pregnant moms with this vital information. Let's take it upon ourselves to teach all women who are expecting and their doctor, midwife or health care team how to become this baby's "in utero" advocate. <br />
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Read mom's own words describing the safe and three week early arrival of her precious "Rainbow" baby:<br />
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"We would like to thank you for praying for a healthy safe delivery for our precious little miracle baby b/c if it wasn’t for your prayers she would not be here right now. It was truly a blessing in disguise as baby ended up breech & that we ended up taking her early b/c when the doctor reached her via c-section they found her with the cord wrapped tightly around her neck twice, just like her big sister."<br />
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Let's chat about See Me, Feel Me to everyone we know. Let's begin to make a difference so all babies can celebrate their birthday beginning with a happy, healthy, and hearty delivery day!!!BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-29021985242239886222011-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:002011-01-06T16:30:55.641-08:00See Me, Feel Me ~ The New Pregnancy "BUZZ" Phrase For 2011!!!WOW ~ this year is going to be a brilliant one! A new <a href="http://www.seemefeelme.org/"><strong>website</strong></a> full of vital information has been launched for parents to be, as well as, health care providers. Learning the philosophy of <a href="http://seemefeelme.org/philosophy"><strong>See Me, Feel Me</strong></a> is an absolute must for all pregnant women. <br />
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All moms will love learning how to become their baby's "in utero" advocate. A change in baby's movements such as speeding up or slowing down could be the sign of a compromised baby. Becoming empowered through the educational and proactive measures of <a href="http://seemefeelme.org/kicks-count-chart"><strong>My Kicks Count</strong></a>, the possibility of the need for more advanced fetal heart rate monitoring and the knowledgeable guidance of your doctor and health care team allows you to become your baby’s “in utero” advocate.<br />
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A “Mom” with knowledge, who works proactively on her own, with her doctor and with her health care team, quietly evolves into her baby’s <a href="http://seemefeelme.org/protocol-chart"><strong>"in utero" advocate</strong></a>. Just as mammograms and colonoscopies are prevention for the masses, getting to know your baby's movements can help ensure a happy, healthy and hearty delivery day.<br />
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Feel the "<strong><em>BUZZ</em></strong>" ~ and ~ check out <a href="http://www.seemefeelme.org/"><strong>See Me, Feel Me</strong></a> ASAP!!!BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-41169400774072630972010-11-19T20:46:00.000-08:002010-11-19T20:46:58.191-08:00King Tutankhamen ~ Call Him ~ “DAD”...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is amazing to me to learn nestled with King Tut in his tomb were </span><a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/09/tut-dna/hawass-text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">two fetuses</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. One was at least seven months gestation; I guess a 'stillbirth" by today's standards. The second fetus, a tinier more fragile female, was also tucked alongside her dad; I wonder, stillbirth vs. miscarriage? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Were these two little girls the pharaoh's daughters? DNA testing, to confirm true lineage, is the key needed to unlock this vexing scientific question. Although the data is somewhat incomplete, the study suggests one of the infants is truly Tutankhamen's daughter and, most likely, the second infant is as well. Whilst it was believed this King had no heirs to succeed him ~ I guess maybe he “almost” did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stillbirth has been around since the beginning of time. The pain and heartache associated with babies who never draw their first breath is as devastating today as it was back in the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Educating and empowering parents to be, as well as, health care professionals with the tools to end this needless tragedy, is our goal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just how precious and irreplaceable is a stillborn baby to grieving parents and family? I guess we only need to look at King Tut ~ as this child king chose to embark on his journey into eternity with his two baby daughters snuggled closely by his side. </span>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-70445132368000669952010-10-27T08:49:00.000-07:002010-10-27T08:49:47.966-07:00U.S. News and World Report ~ Read It, Digest It, Fight It...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, this week we are seeing in </span><a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/womens-health/articles/2010/10/26/stillbirth-can-be-devastating-unpredictable.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this U. S. News and World Report link </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, in national print, the tragic global journey of stillbirth which 3 million families embark on each and every year ~ 30,000 in the USA alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read it. Digest it. Fight it. Join us as we strive to educate parents and the medical community to the proactive measures available to stop these needless tragedies... </span>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-79417099315892066062010-10-14T18:50:00.000-07:002010-10-14T18:50:08.177-07:00OCTOBER 15TH ~ Let's All Sparkle Together Tonight...At 7 PM tomorrow ~ where ever you are in the world ~ please light a candle for one hour. The WAVE OF LIGHT - for 24 hours - will be lit across the world to remember babies we have lost, those we carried and held but could not take home and those who stayed for just a short time.<br />
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Become a part of Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Remembrance Day on October 15. Please visit <a href="http://www.october15th.com/">http://www.october15th.com/</a>. Let's all sparkle together!!!BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-82249091515703528192010-10-08T17:25:00.000-07:002010-10-08T17:25:37.019-07:00QUIET No More ~ JUST Break The Silence..In October, Pregnant and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we need to remember all babies born sleeping or whom we have carried but never met, or those we have held but could not take home or the ones that came home but didn't stay. If you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a baby, break the silence. Please join us and be the voice for those who will never speak for themselves.<br />
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The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 314, has designated the month of October, as "Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this month. <br />
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NOW, THEREFORE, I RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. <br />
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of October in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirteenth. <br />
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Ronald Reagan <br />
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Former President <br />
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United States of America <br />
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October 15th is the National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The resolution to declare October 15 a remembrance day passed the United States House of Representatives on September 28, 2006. In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, many grieving parents light a candle at 7 p.m. in their respective time zones to create a wave of light around the world in memory of babies lost to pregnancy and infant loss. <br />
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"Seeking to forget makes exile all the longer; the secret of redemption lies in remembrance."<br />
Richard von WeizaeckerBabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-26325232518743380742010-10-08T16:36:00.001-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.918-08:00BREAKING The S<span class="UIStory_Message">In October, Pregnant and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we need to remember all babies born sleeping or whom we have carried but never met, or those we have held but could not take home or the ones that came home but didn't stay. Make this your profile status if you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a baby. Break the silence.....</span>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-11567301214795440302010-09-21T18:42:00.000-07:002010-09-21T18:42:58.778-07:00U PICK ~ Run It, Jog It or Tot Trot it...Hello Wisconsin!!! Is anyone up for a great day at the park and getting in shape at the same time? Please come and join in the fun by joining in <span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Abby's Run</strong></span>. There are two different days, dates and parks available for you in <strong><span style="color: black;">October</span></strong>: <br />
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Abby's Run - McCarty Park, Milwaukee, WI</strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Saturday, October 2, 2010 - 10:00 AM</strong></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Abby's Run - Pioneer Park, Oulu, WI</strong></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Friday, October 15, 2010 - 6:00 PM</strong></span><br />
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At each event there will be a 5K run, a 1 mile walk and a Tot Trot for children. All proceeds will be used to support the stillbirth research and education efforts of the<br />
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Star Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. <br />
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Registration includes t-shirt (for registrations by 9/2/10) and refreshments.<br />
GE Employees: $25 (minimum company match)<br />
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Non GE: Adults - $20 on or before 9/15/10; $25 after 9/15/10; Tot Trot - $8<br />
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For further information, details and to register go to Star Legacy Foundation, <a href="http://www.starlegacyfoundation.org/">www.starlegacyfoundation.org</a> . <br />
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Oh shoot ~ you can't attend! Be there in spirit and please consider making a tax deductible donation...BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-52027521160828088642010-09-06T17:00:00.000-07:002010-09-06T17:00:23.634-07:00READY ~ SET ~ WRITE & ROLL!!!<strong>PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL</strong>: From Pat Flynn @ 1st Breath, <a href="http://www.1stbreath.org/">http://www.1stbreath.org/</a>;<br />
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MI Stillbirth / Kick Count Bill passed House & going to Senate. Letters needed to get hearing & vote. Bill could be model for other states!!! <br />
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So ~ what to do??? If you or anyone you know has endured the devastating pain and heartache of a stillbirth, please write your personal story and tell why you support HB6091. Strongly advocate for a quick hearing & vote. <br />
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Send to: Tom George, Chairman, Health Policy Committee, Room 320, Farnum Bldg. Lansing, MI 48933 ~ OR ~ Email: sentgeorge@senate.michigan.gov<br />
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Copy please to: Pat@1stBreath.org <br />
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Let's all keep fighting the fight for those unable to speak for themselves...BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-44539100127570329282010-08-23T14:52:00.001-07:002012-01-02T14:37:29.924-08:00Saying ‘I Love You’ Can Make a Difference articles.mercola.com/sites/articles… via @mercolaBabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-58970347125953978812010-08-19T06:29:00.000-07:002010-08-19T06:32:01.910-07:00AMAZING NEWS ~ Michigan House Passes STILLBIRTH / KICK COUNTING Legislation « First CandleAmazing news promoting Kick Counting! Representative Kevin Green (R-MI) lost his sweet daughter, Skylar Anne, to stillbirth in 2007. Skylar's cause of death is unknown. Green states, "Stillbirth is an equal opportunity destroyer...Getting this information to expectant mothers early on in their pregnancy could help them prevent stillbirth. Kick counting is such a simple thing to do that could save your child's life."<br />
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This legislative measure is a huge step in stillbirth and kick counting awareness. We do know approximately 30% of stillbirths are caused by umbilical cord accidents (uca). In passing this very important piece of legislation according to Rep. Green, "It allows women to have ownership in their own healthcare by being informed about this potential risk." As we always stress to parents to be and healthcare professionals, it is all about becoming informed and being your baby's, "en utero" advocate.<br />
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<a href="http://www.firstcandle.org/2010/08/18/michigan-house-passes-stillbirthkick-counting-legislation/">Michigan House Passes Stillbirth/Kick Counting Legislation « First Candle</a>BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-48887715928062370612010-07-12T13:05:00.000-07:002010-07-12T13:05:57.632-07:00"IT'S BIZARRE ~ That The Produce Manager Is More Important To My Children's Health Than The Pediatrician." ~ Meryl StreepCOME TO BEAUTIFUL COLORADO FOR A WEEKEND OF HOPE, LOVE, FOOD &"GOLF"!!! Please join The Star Legacy Foundation for ~ The Celebration of Hope Dinner and Educational Event on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 6:30pm. The highlight of the evening will be a presentation by Dr. Jason Collins, MD, of <a href="http://www.preginst.com/">The Pregnancy Institute </a>who specializes in Umbilical Cord and Placenta Issues focusing on Stillbirth Prevention. <br />
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Saturday's Golf Benefit, Golfing for Garrett, will begin with a shot gun start at the crack of dawn! Please visit <a href="http://www.starlegacyfoundation.org/">The Star Legacy Foundation</a> for more information, to register, or learn how you can help.BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6479560874411622299.post-37633248478145441952010-07-08T09:43:00.000-07:002010-07-08T09:43:21.060-07:00YIKES!!! What Exactly Is Home Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring?So ~ you and your doctor decide baby should be monitored on a daily basis for the duration of your pregnancy following your 28 week ultrasound. What now? The first thing is, "Don't panic!" The main reason for monitoring baby is to make sure baby is comfortable "en <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">utero</span>" with the heart rate staying normal and consistent. That means, no decelerations (<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">decels</span>) and no signs of premature labor ~ and ~ less stress for you knowing baby is being watched on a daily basis. <br />
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How do you monitor? You first learn to how apply the monitoring belt and how to run the monitor for 30 minutes every day. Next, you monitor baby and send the monitored reading to your doctor for a professional interpretation. Baby is followed closely and if a potential problem is noted ~ further steps may be taken if deemed necessary by your medical professional. For further information on how Home Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring works, go to <a href="http://www.preginst.com/">The Pregnancy Institute</a> and click on <em>Home Fetal Monitoring</em>. It's all part of being your baby's "en <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">utero</span>" advocate... BabieBeathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206476317245872604noreply@blogger.com1