Jennita Reefhuis, PhD from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Carissa Rocheleau, PhD from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) join The MotherToBaby Podcast host Chris Stallman, CGC, for the third in a series about workplace exposures. On this episode, Jennita and Carissa talk about pregnancy and exposures while working at nail and hair salons, as well as jobs that require heavy lifting. 

We know pregnant women are concerned about the newly described coronavirus. MotherToBaby and the CDC are monitoring the situation and will educate people if there is new evidence about a danger from a coronavirus infection that would be specific to the unborn baby. You can find more information on your common questions about the coronavirus through our fact sheet at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19/. In the meantime, common strategies to avoid getting sick include thoroughly washing your hands and avoiding obviously ill people. Contact your healthcare provider if you feel ill and are concerned. If you develop a serious respiratory infection, it is much more likely to be Influenza (the flu) than coronavirus. We know that pregnant women have a harder time fighting off infections, like the flu, which can lead to complications for pregnant women and for babies. If you haven’t gotten your flu shot, do it now, for your own health and for the wellbeing of your baby. MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on the flu vaccine at: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/seasonal-influenza-the-flu-pregnancy/. To keep up with travel notifications and other news on the new coronavirus, go the CDC Coronavirus page at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html [cdc.gov].

What can a pregnant or breastfeeding woman take to control her mental illness? What happens if she leaves her mental illness untreated? What are the risks to her developing baby? Host Chris Stallman, a certified genetic counselor and mother, helps provide answers in a Maternal Mental Health Month special edition episode featuring Dee Quinn, also a certified genetic counselor, as well as a teratogen information specialist with a psychiatric nursing background. Also, this episode features special guests from Keepemcookin.com and SpeakingforMomsandBabies.com.

Each year, about 1 in 33 babies in the United States is born with a structural birth defect. In recognition of World Birth Defects Day, this special webinar explores key discoveries and ongoing challenges in understanding birth defects. Sura Alwan, MSc, PhD, from the University of Washington and Co-Director of the Teratogen Information System (TERIS), presents insights gained over decades of research in the field of teratology.

This webinar is ideal for healthcare professionals, researchers, public health advocates, students, and anyone interested in maternal and child health. Attendees will learn about the most common types of structural birth defects, how certain exposures during pregnancy may increase risks, and the evolving science behind birth defect prevention and education.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the topic, this session provides valuable information to better understand the science—and the stories—behind birth defects.