booze n boobs
More confusing recommendations on the drinking and boobing front. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests abstinence for nursing mothers—but then goes on to define that as no drinks for a month (because alcohol suppresses the milk ejection reflex which may interfere with successful breastfeeding) followed by a limit of two drinks a day. Isn't that called moderation?
Posted by rebecca at 9:53 AM | Comments (0)
the passion of the cruise
Heather B. Armstrong (who had a massively harsh dose of postpartum depression and was saved by anti-depressants, all of which is documented on her awesome blog Dooce) offers some amazingly enlightened, touching insights into the humanity of Tom Cruise at Alphamom.
....But I haven't ever been interested in the man behind the actor either, because to me he hasn't ever been human. I haven't ever wanted him to be human because as the central figure of my pre-adolescent sexual awakening I've always wanted him to be an untouchable wax figure, something that can't be hurt or show weakness or wake up in the morning with bad breath...
Posted by ceridwen at 10:04 AM | Comments (2)
the perks of work
Taking on work and a family may improve a woman's health according to a recent British study.
"Juggling a career along with being a wife or partner and parent may help to keep women healthy, scientists said on Monday.
After analyzing data from a study that tracked the health of Britons born in 1946, they found that women who had multiple roles were less likely than homemakers, single mothers or childless females to report poor health or to be obese in middle age."
This is certainly good news for working mothers. And it's not that surprising that varied roles and pursuits lead to a boost in health and happiness.
Of course stay-at-home, single and non-mothers do plenty of working and juggling. I wonder what factors are involved in the weight gain and poor health. Did the "homemakers" choose to stay home? (They were born in 1946 and lived through some pretty big changes in terms of what women are expected to do.) Did the working mothers have more education, money and resources--the kinds of things that go hand-in-hand with good food, good healthcare and good health? Was depression a factor?
I hope this doesn't add some fresh wood to the dying flames of the annoying mommy wars. It's really great to hear that the stress of work and family is not sending women to their graves! As for stay-at-home health, I want more info...
Posted by ceridwen at 1:44 PM | Comments (0)
UK vs. US, the battle of the booze
The UK officially says it's OK for pregnant women to consume "one or two units of alcohol" once or twice a week and that these small amounts have not been proven to do any harm. This two-drink maximum recommendation comes even when 1 in 100 UK babies are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (the milder form of fetal alcohol syndrome, also known as FASD). Meanwhile, stateside, things are moving in a somewhat different direction:
New federal guidelines ask all females capable of conceiving a baby to treat themselves -- and to be treated by the health care system -- as pre-pregnant, regardless of whether they plan to get pregnant anytime soon.
Among other things, this means all women between first menstrual period and menopause should take folic acid supplements, refrain from smoking, maintain a healthy weight and keep chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes under control.
This, from the Washington Post re: new CDC guidelines. So while pregnant women overseas are trusted to make the right choices once they've conceived, women in the U.S. are so unable to make choices that they need to think of themselves as pregnant as soon as they possibly might be? Pretty terrifying.
Posted by ceridwen at 9:49 PM | Comments (0)
stress less?
so after years of telling pregnant women that stress could be harming their babies, it seems like there may actually be some benefits to getting bent out of shape after all. A recent study at Johns Hopkins showed that offspring of mothers who reported higher than normal stress levels during pregnancy actually tested higher than average on tests at age 2. At least it's one less thing to stress out about...
Posted by rebecca at 11:12 PM | Comments (0)
pregnant paper dolls
These are pretty cute. But the first trimester wardrobe should have been entirely comprised of sweatpants. A belly shirt? I think not.
Posted by rebecca at 9:12 PM | Comments (0)
