The air we breathe matters and often we do not have control over what is in it. For many, the Spring season brings beautiful flowers and a most welcome warming of temperatures, as well as spending more time outside. It also marks the explosion of pollen, which can irritate both those with allergies and people with asthma. Being outside to engage in outdoor activities also means we are exposed to any air pollution that may be present. Pregnancy is a sensitive time for both the parent and the …
The Baby Blog: allergies
Keeping Your Cool during Pregnancy When Fire Season Heats Up
By Sonia Alvarado and Kirstie Perrotta, MPH, MotherToBaby California By now you’ve likely heard about the fires taking place in Northern and Southern California. They have consumed thousands of acres of land, destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, and killed humans and animals in their homes and cars. Smoke and ash have covered much of the state. The air quality has plummeted in the areas closest to the fires, but even miles away the air remains contaminated. Unfortunately, wildfires are …
AH-CHOOsing the Best Way to Stifle Seasonal Allergies During Pregnancy
By Lorrie Harris-Sagaribay, MPH and Carolyn Wilson-Brackett, MS, MotherToBaby North Carolina En Español también. Welcome, spring! In most of the United States, this fair season means wildflowers popping up! Trees blooming! Fresh grasses turning hillsides green! (Sniffle)…Umm, did someone say wildflowers?...(AHHH…?)…trees?…(AHHH…?)…grasses?…(CHOO!) Ugh! While many people enjoy renewed energy brought on by the bursting forth of spring color, others feel only the misery associated with …
When The Sniffles Strike During Pregnancy: Cold Meds & Your Questions Answered
By Sonia Alvarado, Senior Teratogen Information Specialist, MotherToBaby CA The kinds of questions that counselors receive at MotherToBaby over the phone or through live online chat are heavily affected by the season; sunless tanner, sunscreen, allergy medications, and air travel questions in the Spring and Summer, and cold, flu remedy and flu vaccine quesions in the Fall and Winter. That’s not to say that cold and flu disappears come Spring, its just easier to spread viruses when friends and …
Allergies, Asthma and Pregnancy…Oh My! Wait. Don’t Panic.
By Mara Gaudette, MS, CGC, Teratogen Information Specialist, MotherToBaby My friend Jackie, newly (and unexpectedly!) pregnant called in a bit of a panic. Her cardiologist was switching her high blood pressure medicine since he told her that many times the first choice meds used to treat adults with high blood pressure are not the ones to use for pregnancy. She was still waiting for her asthma doctor to call her back but she figured her asthma treatment plan was another of the many changes she …
