By Lori Wolfe, Certified Genetic Counselor and Teratogen Information Specialist, MotherToBaby North Texas It’s pretty much a fact - ALL pregnant women worry…about what they eat, what they do, what they breathe. Basically, they worry about everything. That’s simply because every expectant mother wants to do the very best she can for her developing baby. As a genetic counselor who runs the North Texas affiliate of MotherToBaby, I get calls every day from pregnant woman who want to know what to do …
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.
How You Can Protect Your Baby from Pertussis “Whooping Cough” Before and After Birth
By Chelsea Flores Reviewed by Elizabeth Salas, MPH Are you currently pregnant? Are you aware of the risk of pertussis to your baby? Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a serious problem throughout California. Public health officials confirm our state is currently experiencing a pertussis epidemic. In 2010, there were more pertussis cases in California than had been reported in over 60 years with approximately 9,000 cases including 10 infant deaths. In 2014 10,831 cases were reported. …
For Women With MS: Making Decisions About Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & More
By Elizabeth Salas, MPH, Teratology Information Specialist, MotherToBaby California If you have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy, where do you go when you have questions about MS or MS treatments? In this day and age, the first place you might go is the Internet. With no shortage of information at our fingertips, it may seem the answers to all of our questions are just a web search away. But when it comes to chronic conditions and …
The Smoking Saga & Why This Non-Fiction Addiction Should Be Shelved During Pregnancy
By Sharon Voyer Lavigne, MS, MotherToBaby CT Teratogen Information Specialist “I know I should quit, but it’s hard…I’ve cut down, though! I know it’s bad for me, but is it really that bad for my baby anyway?” I had heard these words time and time again as a teratogen information specialist and genetic counselor at MotherToBaby. Let’s call this particular caller “Jenny.” Well, whether Jenny had volunteered this information about her addiction to cigarette smoking or not, I would have asked her …
IBD, Pregnancy, and The Burning Question: ‘Will My Baby Be O.K.?’
By Beth Kiernan, MPH, Interviewer & Teratogen Information Specialist, MotherToBaby “I just found out I’m pregnant, and while I am glad, I’m also pretty overwhelmed,” lamented Marian, a never-pregnant, newly-married woman who had struggled with Crohn’s disease since her teenage years but was finally in semi-remission. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable taking my medications now, even though my doctors say they are fine. I can’t even sleep! I am worried I’m harming my baby. I wonder if there will …
