The use of vaping continues to increase, including women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Here at MotherToBaby we review the newest studies and gather current information to answer the question, “What do we know about vaping and pregnancy?” For the purpose of this blog, I am going to focus on nicotine vaping. What are ENDS (vapes)? Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) describe a variety of products including: For ease, we will call them all vapes for the rest of the …
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About Our Baby Blog
Every person wants to know what’s best for their baby, especially when it comes to knowing how to minimize exposure risks. Our relatable stories are packed with practical information from our rotating staff of MotherToBaby expert bloggers. Whatever topic you’re looking for, our blogs will provide you a great foundation to learn more.
Animal Bites During Pregnancy: What Should You Do?
Pregnancy comes with plenty of surprises but getting bitten by a nonvenomous animal like a dog, cat, or squirrel is not on the top of the list. The good news is that most animal bites can be managed safely during pregnancy. Knowing what to be concerned about can help protect both you and your developing baby. When Are Animal Bites a Concern in Pregnancy? Most concerns after an animal bite are related to the possibility of an infection. Animals have bacteria in their mouths, and even …
Intense Exercise During Pregnancy: How Much Is Too Much?
If you are an athlete or have an active lifestyle, you may have wondered: ‘Should my exercise routine change during pregnancy and breastfeeding?’ As a former division 1 athlete, I sure have. You may have seen the news about athletes who compete at the highest level during or shortly after pregnancy. Serena Williams won the Australian Open while 8 weeks pregnant. Alysia Montano ran the 800-meter race at a national meet in her third trimester. Allyson Felix won a gold medal at the World …
Birth Defects vs. Chromosomal Abnormalities: What’s the Difference?
Sara contacted us at the recommendation of her OB/GYN to talk about the paroxetine she takes for her depression. Sara wanted to see if taking paroxetine can increase the chance of having a baby with a heart defect. She was confused because her genetic screening result was normal. She asked: “Is it possible for my baby to have a heart defect if my non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) was negative?” There are many tests that can check on the development …
Vector-Borne Illnesses: How to Fight the (Bug) Bite During Pregnancy
The arrival of spring and summer warmth spurs many of us to spend more time outdoors and make travel plans, be it for a honeymoon, babymoon, or other seasonal getaway. Such was the case with Yesenia, who contacted MotherToBaby with questions about her upcoming summer vacation after finding out she is pregnant. Yesenia knew that with warmer temperatures comes an increased chance of mosquito bites and the infections they can carry. Like Yesenia, as you engage in more outdoor activity and plan …
