Can you guess the leading cause of infant hospitalizations in the United States? You might think accidents, allergic reactions, or the flu, but the answer is actually respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Every year, RSV sends 58,000 to 80,000 children under the age of 5 to the hospital. Having a baby in the fall or winter has always meant that parents need to be extra careful about RSV. Fortunately, in 2023 two new ways to protect infants against this virus became available: a vaccine given to …
The Baby Blog
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.
RhoGAM and Rh Negative Moms: A Life-Saving Match
Having worked as a Teratogen Information Specialist at MotherToBaby for close to 10 years, I have become well versed in the different exposures people commonly ask about. Allergy medications in the spring, sunscreen and bug spray in the summer, and cough and cold medications all winter long. So, when I logged onto our live chat service at mothertobaby.org on a Tuesday morning, I was surprised to see a question that doesn’t come up very often. Natalie, pregnant with her first child, asked: “I’m …
MotherToBaby Interactive Critical Periods of Pregnancy Tool
Understanding Critical Periods in Pregnancy Kendra, newly pregnant at approximately 7 weeks along, contacted MotherToBaby late one afternoon with a question that had been causing her a lot of anxiety. Norovirus was running rampant in her home, and she was feeling extremely nauseous. Having found relief with it before, she explained that she had taken a single dose of Zofran (ondansetron) early that morning. She was certain this drug was ok to take during pregnancy, but after searching online, …
Meeting Dietary Requirements as a Pregnant Vegetarian
In recent years, plant-based diets have become more and more popular. People choose to go vegetarian for a variety of reasons including health benefits, sustainability concerns, and ethical motivations. Whatever the reason, this type of diet can be healthy and nutritionally adequate, even during the reproductive years. However, during pregnancy, a bit of planning may be required to make sure the developing baby is getting all the nutrition necessary from a plant-based mom. First, let’s talk …
Keeping Your Cool during Pregnancy When Fire Season Heats Up
By Kirstie Perrotta, MPH and Sonia Alvarado, MotherToBaby California With wildfires seemingly becoming a year-round problem, pregnant women have more questions than ever before about exposure to smoke and lingering poor air quality. Understanding the possible risks from a fire during pregnancy or while breastfeeding can help people make informed decisions when the unthinkable happens. Here are some commonly asked questions we receive at MotherToBaby about wildfires. Q. What is in the air from …
