Growing a baby is hard work, and it often comes with a side of extra hunger as your body fuels the little one inside. While the idea of “eating for two” is a common myth, changes in hunger levels, digestion, and food tolerance are very real. For example, you might sit down to enjoy a meal you’ve eaten countless times before, only to experience sudden heartburn that just won’t quit. Or you may plan a short outing and unexpectedly find yourself searching for the nearest restroom due to an upset …
The Baby Blog: Medications
Weighing In: How GLP-1s Fit into Your Pregnancy Plans
Thinking about pregnancy while also worrying about weight can feel stressful. You are not alone—about 6 in 10 women in the U.S. are overweight or have obesity. Talking about weight can be hard, but it is an important part of planning for a healthy pregnancy. This blog will explain how weight can affect pregnancy, what GLP-1 medications are, and what we know so far about their use before and during pregnancy. Why Is Managing Weight Before Pregnancy So Important? Being overweight or …
Birth Control and Breastfeeding
Marie called with a question, “My baby is 4 weeks old, and my husband and I love her to death. However, she is a lot of work, and we do not want another little one quite yet. My husband and I are also hoping to resume our sex life, but can I be on birth control while breastfeeding?” MotherToBaby is here to help answer some of those questions! Of course, before you decide, it is best to speak with your medical provider and get their advice. Since everyone is different, some …
FDA Pregnancy Risk Categories: Going Away for Good
By Lynn Martinez and Julia Robertson, CPM During the more than 40 years MotherToBaby affiliates have been serving the public with education regarding exposures during pregnancy, many women have called who are very distressed, sometimes in tears, about finding out they were pregnant while taking a drug categorized as an X or D in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) system. “I’ve been on birth control pills and I still got pregnant! Does this mean my baby will have birth defects? It’s a …
Breastfeeding: Treating Cough and Cold Symptoms
Baby it’s cold outside…and ‘tis the season for MotherToBaby to answer questions about cough and cold medications while breastfeeding. Some “Cold” Hard Facts Factors such as your baby’s age and whether they were born prematurely or have chronic health problems matter. Very young babies (less than 3 months old) may have a more difficult time metabolizing medications in the milk and may be more susceptible to side effects like sleepiness. Milk is also their complete diet, …
