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 …
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.
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 …
Should I Get The Pertussis Vaccine During Pregnancy?
By Sonia Alvarado, Senior Teratogen Information Specialist, MotherToBaby CA “I’m very confused” said the pregnant caller. “I’ve heard different things about whether I should get the vaccine against whooping cough now or after I deliver. Maybe I should just wait?” As a teratogen information specialist who talks to women and health professionals daily regarding the recommended vaccines for pregnancy, it concerns me that pregnant women are not receiving a clear message about the recommendations …
The Science Of Pumping And Dumping: Are Medications And Breast Milk Compatible?
By Pat Olney, MS, CGC, Pregnancy Risk Specialist, MotherToBaby Georgia One day in early June I received a frantic call from a woman who had first called Georgia’s Poison Control Center worried about the agent used to treat her varicose veins. She thought that she did the right thing by postponing her treatment until after she gave birth, but now was concerned about breastfeeding her newborn. The medical director at poison control, who is one of our advisory board members, gave her the correct …
MS: The Diagnosis That Doesn’t Mean Missing Out On Motherhood
By Neda Ebrahimi , Teratogen Information Specialist, Motherisk As a counselor with Motherisk, the Canadian partner of MotherToBaby and a service of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), I hear many stories from women about pregnancy. Some of those stories strike cords with me. Their urgency and desire to make the healthiest decisions possible for their future children is both understandable and admirable. In honor of National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, I give …
