MotherToBaby Creates Zika Fact Sheets, Launches New Media (Scroll down for additional resources, video)

BRENTWOOD, TN – As information surrounding the Zika virus continues to evolve, MotherToBaby, a service of the international non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), unveils new tools to bring the most accurate, evidence-based information to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Easy-to-understand fact sheets regarding Zika, as well as insect repellant use during pregnancy, are now available on www.MotherToBaby.org. Additionally, teratogen information specialists (experts trained in the field of birth defects) have begun taking questions about exposures from the general public and health care providers beyond its traditional telephone line – through private, live chat, text messaging and e-mail.

MotherToBaby, a suggested resource by many agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Women’s Health, recognizes the urgent need for providing pregnant women, those planning a pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding moms with the most up-to-date information about the Zika virus and other potential causes of preventable birth defects. MotherToBaby is an official supporter of World Birth Defects Day, which is recognized by more than 50 international organizations each year on March 3rd.

“With the information and research about Zika changing on an almost daily basis, it can be confusing and, potentially, cause unnecessary anxiety for a pregnant woman,” said Stephen Braddock, MD, incoming president of MotherToBaby who serves as the Director of Medical Genetics at Saint Louis University. “That’s why MotherToBaby’s specifically-trained teratogen experts are here to sift through and interpret the evolving Zika-related research, putting it into perspective so a woman can make informed health decisions in collaboration with her health care provider,” added Dr. Braddock.

The challenges of staying up-to-date on the changing Zika information are lessened since OTIS, the professional society which provides the MotherToBaby service, includes members and researchers currently in the thick of the Zika outbreak. Lavinia Schuler-Faccini, PhD, lead author of one of the first ground-breaking studies to examine the association between the Zika virus in pregnant women and microcephaly (small head and brain) in their babies, is part of the MotherToBaby/OTIS network. Dr. Schuler-Faccini is President of the Brazilian Society of Medical Genetics (Sociedade Brasileira de Genetica Medica).

“Being based in Brazil, one of the countries where Zika has been declared an ‘outbreak,’ has allowed me to communicate the very latest research to my American colleagues,” said Dr. Schuler-Faccini. “For example, I was able to provide region-specific information where infected mosquitos are currently located to a worried American traveler who had contacted MotherToBaby,” she added.

More about Zika
On February 1, 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global public health emergency over Zika virus, due to its suspected ability to cause microcephaly in unborn babies. Zika virus was first identified in Africa in 1947. In 2013, there were outbreaks in islands in the Pacific, and now outbreaks are being reported in many Central and South American countries. Isolated cases have also been reported in the U.S. in people who have recently traveled to South American countries, and in Puerto Rico, over the last few weeks. Additionally, just last week, federal health officials reported strong evidence that more than a dozen people have caught the virus through sexual transmission.

About MotherToBaby
MotherToBaby provides free, evidence-based, personalized risk assessments, education and counseling regarding the effects of exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Examples of exposures include the Zika virus, prescription and over-the-counter medications, alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, vaccines, beauty products, herbal supplements, chemicals and more. The public, as well as health care providers, can be connected with a MotherToBaby expert through its traditional toll-free phone line, 866-626-6847, via text message at 855-999-3525, or through live chat and email on www.MotherToBaby.org.

More than 100,000 women and their health care providers seek information about birth defects prevention from MotherToBaby every year. MotherToBaby has been able to launch new outreach efforts to reach underserved populations and launch new communication technologies through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

About World Birth Defects Day
Along with more than 50 birth defects-related organizations around the world, MotherToBaby is helping to raise awareness of this critical global issue by participating in World Birth Defects Day, which is observed yearly on March 3. The commemorative day not only helps to raise awareness of the problem of birth defects, but also the importance of improving prevention strategies and research that will ultimately lead to fewer birth defects and a healthier society.

More Resources

• Health care providers interested in viewing the recording of a National Society for Genetic Counselors joint webinar on research surrounding Zika, click here.
• MotherToBaby’s Dee Quinn, MS, CGC provides the latest Zika research on “The Vibrant Gene” program:
  
• MotherToBaby’s Public Affairs Committee has also issued an official statement about the Zika virus, which can be read here.
• Our sister society, the Teratology Society, has recently published a blog looking closely at the science needed to learn more about Zika as well. Read its latest Birth Defects Insights blog here.

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Media Contact: Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, nchavez@MotherToBaby.org. Interviews in Spanish can also be arranged.

MotherToBaby Connects Public with Health Experts through Unique New Website, Live Chat

BRENTWOOD, TN – As January’s National Birth Defects Prevention Month continues to be recognized around the country, MotherToBaby, a service of the international non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), launches new digital ways for expectant moms and health care providers to get free expert information about the risks of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding – through instantaneous, private live chat on www.MotherToBaby.org.

The digital initiative comes just a few short months after the service launched a first-of-its-kind texting component where the public can receive free expert answers by texting questions to 855-999-3525. “It’s our experience that all moms-to-be want the best information possible in order to have a healthy baby,” said Kenneth Lyons Jones, MD, MotherToBaby Past-President and world-renowned pediatrician at UC San Diego. “No matter what their income level or socio-economic situation, we feel every woman should have access to the best, expert health information possible. We’re making it easy for them to accomplish this through our new digital services.”

Expectant moms, as well as those who are breastfeeding, will simply need to visit www.MotherToBaby.org on their computer or phone to be connected to a bilingual (English/Spanish) specialist in the field of teratology – the study of exposures that cause birth defects. The newly-revamped website includes options to chat live through private, instant messaging or to email-an-expert. The MotherToBaby website also houses a library of free downloadable fact sheets in both English and Spanish on a variety of exposures. The digital counseling components complement the services’ traditional, phone counseling service (available toll-free at 866-626-6847) which has been available for more than 30 years.

Dr. Jones, a health care provider himself, expects this new way of delivering evidence-based information about the risks of exposures like medications, vaccines, chemicals, environmental agents and diseases, will also be convenient for his busy colleagues who see patients. “Oftentimes, a health care provider may only have a few minutes in-between patient appointments to get the latest teratogen information they need quickly. This will be a great option for them as well,” he said.

Sonia Alvarado, a bilingual teratogen information specialist who’s been based at MotherToBaby’s California affiliate for more than a decade, is leading the online live chat initiative. “The risk to the developing baby from exposures like medications during a mom’s pregnancy can vary greatly depending on timing of the exposure, mom’s metabolism and much more,” she said. “To be able to provide her with information tailored to her personal circumstance allows her to make informed decisions along with the guidance of her doctor. To be able to empower her with that kind of knowledge is extremely rewarding.”

About MotherToBaby
MotherToBaby, which consists of 14 services housed at universities, hospitals and government institutions across the country, provides free, evidence-based, personalized risk assessments, education and counseling regarding the effects of exposures like prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, smoking, illicit substances, vaccines, beauty products, herbal supplements, chemicals and more during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

More than 100,000 women and their health care providers seek information about birth defects prevention from MotherToBaby every year. MotherToBaby has been able to launch new outreach efforts to reach underserved populations, including new communication technologies, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

About National Birth Defects Prevention Month
Roughly 120,000 babies are affected by birth defects each year in the United States, according to the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN). The NBDPN established the nationally-recognized Birth Defects Prevention Month in order to raise public awareness of the problem that can sometimes lead to lifelong challenges and disability. To learn more about the NBDPN, visit www.nbdpn.org.

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Media Contact: Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, nchavez@MotherToBaby.org. Interviews in Spanish can also be arranged.

Brentwood, TN – A recent study that is getting a lot of attention about antidepressants (AD) and a possible link to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), may be bringing about worry and confusion among moms-to-be, according to MotherToBaby experts who study a variety of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

“Questions are coming in to us, so we really wanted to reassure moms that this study doesn’t prove anything. It’s not the whole story,” said Robert Felix, MotherToBaby President. The study, Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children, has suggested a link between taking antidepressants during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and an increased risk of having a child with autism spectrum disorder.

“It’s important to remember that this is one study, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions,” said Felix. “While it adds to the information on the use of these medications in pregnancy, it’s not proof that use of antidepressants will lead to ASD.” Felix points out other recent studies which have not found a link to ASD. While a mother’s mental illness may play a role, it is very important to treat her illness. Untreated mental illness may cause problems for the mom, the pregnancy and the developing baby.

“What we do know for sure is that a pregnant woman should not change her medication without talking to her health care provider first,” he added.

If you have heard about or read the new study on antidepressants and autism and are concerned, please contact MotherToBaby at 1-866-626-6847. You can also text questions to us at 855-999-3525 or read our evidence-based information fact sheets on SSRI medications.

MotherToBaby Launches Unique ‘Text Counseling’ for Reliable Info About Exposure Risks to Baby

BRENTWOOD, TN – As the world prepares to recognize Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day on September 9th, MotherToBaby, a service of the international non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), launches a way for expectant moms to have free expert information about the risks of alcohol and other exposures to baby at their fingertips – via text.

“The risks to baby of being exposed to things like alcohol, drugs or medications during a woman’s pregnancy or breastfeeding can really vary depending on mom’s metabolism, timing of the exposure, and whole host of other factors,” said Lori Wolfe, MS, a certified genetic counselor and director of MotherToBaby’s North Texas affiliate. “Mom really needs the latest information tailored to her particular circumstance in order to make informed decisions, along with her health care provider, about her and baby’s health. We’re now offering that research-based info in the most convenient way possible,” she added.

Expecting moms will simply need to text their questions in English or Spanish to 855-999-3525 to be connected to a bilingual specialist in the field of teratology – the study of exposures that cause birth defects. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on an individual’s phone plan. Those who do use the new texting service are encouraged to check with their carrier first.

“When someone goes searching the internet, it can be a scary place that often highlights worst-case scenarios only,” explained Al Romeo, RN, PhD and teratogen information specialist at MotherToBaby’s Utah affiliate. “We’re not the internet. We’re registered nurses, genetic counselors and teratogen information specialists on the other end of your cell phone answering texts with the most up-to-date evidence you often can’t find online.”

MotherToBaby, which consists of 14 services housed at universities, hospitals and government institutions across the country, provides free, evidence-based, personalized risk assessments, education and counseling regarding the effects of exposures like prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, smoking, illicit substances, vaccines, beauty products, herbal supplements, chemicals and more during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. In addition to the new text counseling component, the public can be connected with a bilingual MotherToBaby expert by calling toll-free 1-866-626-6847. The MotherToBaby website also houses a library of fact sheets located at www.MotherToBaby.org.

More than 100,000 women and their health care providers seek information about birth defects prevention from MotherToBaby every year. MotherToBaby has been able to launch new outreach efforts to reach underserved populations, including new communication technologies, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

About FASD Awareness Day

FASD Awareness Day has been recognized on the ninth day of the ninth month since 1999 as a reminder for women to abstain from drinking alcohol during the nine months of pregnancy. As many as 1 out of every 100 babies are estimated to be affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, which can result in a range of neurobehavioral disabilities. FASD awareness events also traditionally take place across the nation all month long each September.

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Media Contact: Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, nchavez@MotherToBaby.org. Interviews in Spanish can also be arranged.

Free, personalized, and confidential exposure information services

Please use this form to email a MotherToBaby expert. Our information specialists can help answer your questions or concerns about exposures (like a medication, vaccine, chemical, or health condition) during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Our information specialists are available for consultation from Monday through Friday from 8 am – 7 pm ET. If it is after-hours, please expect a reply by the next business day. We look forward to hearing from you!

NOTE. MotherToBaby counseling services are available only for residents of the United States and its territories. For pregnancy and breastfeeding exposure information services that are available in other regions of the world, please visit: https://mothertobaby.org/international/. If you experience any issues using our Email An Expert form (e.g., a zip code error), please notify us by sending an email to ContactUs@mothertobaby.org. In that event, you can reach one of our experts via the following alternative methods. Please use our alternative forms, if you are a resident of the United States, the U.S. territories, or Canada and would like to join a pregnancy study or refer a patient to a study.

Ask An Expert.

Call | 866.626.6847 | Toll-free
Text | 855.999.3525 | Standard messaging rates may apply.
Chat | Click the Live Chat window in the bottom corner of your screen