Patty’s Blog: “” posts

Premature Birth Report Card

The March of Dimes is leading the Prematurity Campaign to reduce the nation’s preterm birth rate to 9.6 percent or less by 2020. This annual Premature Birth Report Card measures progress by comparing each state’s rate to the goal of 9.6 percent. Michigan’s rate is, sadly, 11.6%.

Posted by Patty Brennan on December 26, 2014 • Filed under
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Insurance and breastfeeding support

The National Breastfeeding Center has released its second annual scorecard on health care insurance companies’ coverage of breastfeeding support. Research was initially conducted in 2013 to see how the insurance industry was responding to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This information has been refreshed to assess how policies have changed in the year since. Read more.

Posted by Patty Brennan on December 23, 2014 • Filed under
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Six baby sleep experts worth following

For many new parents, sleep disturbance is their biggest challenge. This can lead parents to search for the magic button that will help their baby sleep. But not all advice is equal. Read this great blog post, by Kelly Winder, assessing what the “experts” have to say. In regards to “sleep training,” Kelly tells us that “No one likes to cry themselves to sleep, especially when there is a real fear of being abandoned. Babies don’t understand that you’re teaching them to sleep; they genuinely fear that no one is coming to get them because they can’t understand the concept of being separated from their mother. In fact, it’s many months after birth before babies even realize that they are a separate individual altogether.”

Posted by Patty Brennan on December 18, 2014 • Filed under
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Top 10 signs your doctor is planning to perform an unnecessary cesarean

Great blog post by a frustrated OB/GYN in Texas who asks, “When did cesarean sections and elective inductions at 39 weeks become the standard of care? That is not what I was taught, that is not in any textbook or ACOG practice bulletins. Read his Top 10 Signs.

Posted by Patty Brennan on December 16, 2014 • Filed under
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Breastfeeding problems linked to injection after birth

New mothers given an injection after their baby is born are more prone to problems with breastfeeding, according to a recent study. The drug ergotmetrine is routinely given to speed up delivery of the placenta. But a Swansea University study of 288 women found those given the jab were more likely to report pain or difficulties when breastfeeding. The mothers were also less likely to continue breastfeeding past two weeks. The report concluded the injection of the drug may interfere with natural hormones-oxytocin and prolactin-which support the breastfeeding process and regulate production of breastmilk.

Posted by Patty Brennan on December 12, 2014 • Filed under
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