Fighting the Infant Mortality Epidemic in Ohio

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause of death among infants aged 1-12 months, and the 3rd overall leading cause of infant mortality in the US.  In a 2012 report of the Ohio Child Fatality Review, 1.045 Ohio babies died before their first birthdays.  Of those, 148 of these were sleep-related deaths.  Ohio ranks 46th in overall infant mortality and 50th in infant mortality among African American babies.  Ohio State Senator Shannon Jones recently introduced Senate Bill 276 as part of a legislative package aimed at addressing Ohio's abysmal infant mortality rate.

Sleep-related fatalities constitute 14% of all infant deaths and are largely preventable.  Senate Bill 276 will provide caregivers with crucial information about how to keep your sleeping baby safe by establishing the Safe Sleep Education program.  Additionally, this legislation will create a screening protocol to determine if babies have a safe place to sleep upon hospital discharge.  If it is determined that infants do not have a crib or other suitable sleeping place at home, the hospital or free-standing birthing center will work with families to try to secure a crib.

"Infant mortality is heartbreaking, especially when it is secondary to something preventable," says Dr. Emily Wiebracht of Mt. Auburn OBGYN.  "I know the nurses in Cincinnati, and especially at The Christ Hospital, do a great job educating new moms about sleep habits, and I applaud the state for taking things a step further by ensuring a safe crib for all families."

Senate Bill 276 is currently pending in the Ohio House Standing Committee on Health & Aging.

The ABCs of Safe Sleep

Alone -- A child is safest when they are sleeping by themselves, not in a bed with adults or other children.

Back -- A baby should always be placed on his or her back.

Crib -- A virtually empty crib is where babies are safest.

For additional information, visit mtauburnobgyn.com. 

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source:  Senate News from Shannon Jones, Ohio Senate, District 7

Study Shows More Children Harmed by Drinking in Pregnancy Than Expected

Although drinking during pregnancy has long been considered taboo, new research suggests that as many as one in 20 U.S. children may have health or behavioral problems related to alcohol exposure before birth.

The study found that between 2.4 percent and 4.8 percent of children have some kind of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD.

"Knowing not to drink during pregnancy and not doing so are two different things," especially before a woman knows she is pregnant, said lead researcher Philip May, a professor of public health at the University of  North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He said the high prevalence of children
affected by drinking during pregnancy may be due to social pressures or
women's difficulty in changing their drinking habits.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders include fetal alcohol syndrome disorder
plus other conditions that include some, but not all, of the characteristics
of fetal alcohol syndrome, according to background information in the study.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe end of the spectrum, and children
with this condition have abnormal facial features, structural brain
abnormalities, growth problems and behavioral issues. Children on the less
severe end of the spectrum may have impairments in the ability to complete
tasks required to do well in school, or have behavioral issues, the study
noted.

May and his colleagues selected a nationally representative town in the
Midwest for the study. The town had an average annual alcohol consumption
rate about 14 percent higher than the rest of the United States. That
translated into roughly a liter of alcohol more per person per year,
according to the study authors.

The town had 32 schools with a total of more than 2,000 first-graders. About
70 percent of the youngsters' parents allowed their children to participate
in the study.

May's team identified first-graders who had a developmental problem or were
below the 25th percentile for height, weight or head circumference. Then the
researchers gave memory and thinking ("cognitive") tests, as well as
behavioral tests, to these children and to a comparison group of typically
developing first-graders.

The specially trained researchers also assessed the children for the
physical attributes of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, which include small
eye openings, a smooth upper lip, a thin red border to the upper lip and
smaller heads, May said.

The researchers found that six to nine of every 1,000 children had fetal
alcohol syndrome. And, between 11 and 17 per 1,000 children had partial
fetal alcohol syndrome, according to the study.

These numbers are higher than in previous research, but that may be due to
the rigorous methods in the study, said Dr. Janet Williams, a professor of
pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

"FASD is an umbrella term covering the full spectrum of permanent lifelong
conditions, ranging from mild to severe, and encompassing a broad variety of
physical defects and cognitive, behavioral, emotional and adaptive
functioning deficits," Williams said. "As we have better methodology, we're
getting closer to the real prevalence, the real problem, and we need to stop
the root cause of the problem."

This study also identified factors that predicted a higher risk that a child would 
have an FASD. The longer it took a mother to learn she was pregnant, how frequently 
she drank three months before pregnancy, and the more alcohol the child's father 
drank, the more likely it was that the child would have an FASD, the study found.

"We simply don't know how much alcohol is 'safe' during pregnancy.  Therefore, we 
continue to recommend our patients avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy or 
if they are actively trying to conceive," says Dr. Emily Wiebracht of Mt. Auburn OBGYN.

For additional information, visit mtauburnobgyn.com. 

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source:  www.health.usnews.com  

6 Healthy Things You Can Have Too Much Of

Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s healthy and what’s not. The science seems to go back and forth on how much of certain things you should have— one day eggs and coffee are good for you, the next day they’re not. But when all the data is in, science usually favors all things in moderation. It doesn’t just go for eggs and coffee; wine and beer also have compounds that are beneficial in moderation.

Here are six other things that are great for you— just not in unlimited amounts:

1. Oranges, Apples and Tomatoes

These three items are some of the healthiest fruits you can eat, but they’re also high-acid foods, and consuming too many acidic foods can damage the esophagus and stomach lining. Over time, this damage can result in precancerous lesions and ulcers.  Highly acidic diets can also cause reflux, which can be painful and costly to treat, and can disrupt sleep and other daily activities. Dietary acid is also known to erode tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. To avoid consuming too much acid, limit your servings of these to two per day.

2. Exercise

While most people don’t get enough exercise, some overdo it at the expense of their health. In fact, the many beneficial effects of exercise make it easy to ignore the harmful effects of too much.  Some people take exercise too far in order to control weight, and it becomes an obsession— this is sometimes known as exercise addiction. It’s often seen in those with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, and it can have severe negative psychological and physical effects.

Over-exercise is also sometimes seen in athletes who are trying to reach a goal or win a championship. To excel, they train so long and so hard that they become fatigued and moody and have difficulty concentrating. In many cases, over-training backfires and performance plummets.

3. Sunshine

Sunshine is our main source of vitamin D. Although sunlight doesn’t directly contain any nutrients, it does convert a chemical found in skin cells to vitamin D, which plays an important role in calcium absorption. The body can absorb more than double the calcium from food when vitamin D levels are normal than when they’re low. Poor calcium absorption can lead to osteoporosis, which often results in stress fractures and injuries due to falling, especially in older adults.

Vitamin D deficiency is also increasingly linked to a roster of ills including heart disease, prostate cancer, schizophrenia and pregnancy complications. Previous research has also linked vitamin D deficiency to many autoimmune disorders, but further studies are needed to confirm whether this is true.

What experts know for sure is that too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma, the most common cancer in America. Skin cancer can be painful and costly to treat, so sun exposure is best enjoyed in moderation and with the use of sunscreen.

4. Juice

Juice cleanses are all the rage, and despite the fact that the benefits claimed by proponents are questionable, many people find it easier to get their recommended fruit and vegetable servings in when they’re in liquid form.  But whole fruits and vegetables are packed with fiber— a nutrient that most people don’t get enough of. Most experts consider juice cleansing or fasting unnecessary. Our organs efficiently remove toxins that juices can’t, and fasting is not a healthy way to lose weight.

5. Soy

Limiting animal protein is generally considered to be a heart-healthy choice, and soy protein is thought of as a healthy alternative. In moderation, soy products such as tofu, edamame and soy milk can help control blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  However, eating too much soy can prevent iron absorption, which can contribute to anemia, especially in vegans and vegetarians. Additionally, soy contains estrogen-like compounds that, when consumed in excess, can lead to uterine cancer. While there is no standard recommendation on soy limits, two servings per day is considered safe.

6. Sleep

Like food, sleep is one of our most basic necessities. Without it, the body shuts down and slowly stops functioning. And, as with food, too much of a good thing will have a negative impact on health.  Too much sleep can result in an increased risk of chronic diseases, including America’s No. 1 killer, heart disease. While most people don’t get enough sleep, there are plenty who get too much. Limit your sleep to nine hours for best health results.

Learn more about healthy lifestyles and women's health at www.mtauburnobgyn.com

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source:  foxnews.com/health

Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

Due to the increased use of mammography, most women in the United States are diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer, before symptoms appear. However, not all breast cancers are found through mammography. The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a change in the look or feel of the breast, a change in the look or feel of the nipple and nipple discharge. Warning signs you should be aware of are listed below:

If you have any of these symptoms, see your health care provider. In most cases, these changes are not cancer. For example, breast pain is more common with benign breast conditions than with breast cancer. However, the only way to know for sure is to see your provider. If breast cancer is present, it is best to find it at an early stage, when the cancer is most treatable.

Breast Lumps or Lumpiness

Many women may find that their breasts feel lumpy. Breast tissue naturally has a bumpy texture. For some women, the lumpiness is more pronounced than for others. In most cases, this lumpiness is no cause to worry.

If the lumpiness can be felt throughout the breast and feels like your other breast, then it is probably normal breast tissue. Lumps that feel harder or different from the rest of the breast (or the other breast) or that feel like a change are a concern. When this type of lump is found, it may be a sign of breast cancer or a benign breast condition (such as a cyst or fibroadenoma). Click to learn more about benign breast conditions.

See your health care provider if:

• You find a new lump or any change that feels different from the rest of your breast.
• You find a new lump or any change that feels different from your other breast.
• Feel something that is different from what you felt before.

If you are unsure whether you should have a lump checked, it is best to see your provider. Although a lump may be nothing to worry about, you will have the peace of mind that it has been checked.

Nipple Discharge

Liquid leaking from your nipple (nipple discharge) can be troubling, but it is rarely a sign of cancer. Discharge can be your body’s natural reaction when the nipple is squeezed. Signs of a more serious condition, such as breast cancer, include:

• Discharge that occurs without squeezing the nipple

• Discharge that occurs in only one breast

• Discharge that has blood in it or is clear (not milky)

Nipple discharge can also be caused by an infection or another condition that needs medical treatment. For these reasons, if you have any nipple discharge, see your health care provider.

Learn more about healthy lifestyles and women's health at www.mtauburnobgyn.com
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Source:  http://www.komencincinnati.org/

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Know the Facts

September is PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) Awareness Month.  Here are some facts about PCOS you need to know:

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is an incurable disorder that affects 1 in 10 women and over 50% do not know they have it.

It is the most common endocrine cause of infertility and serious weight gain in women. PCOS can also cause acne, oily skin, dandruff, increased growth of hair on face but male pattern baldness, skin tags, pelvic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea and more.

The more than 50% that do not know they have PCOS are in danger of diabetes or pre-diabetes, risk of heart attack is 4-7x higher, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, endometrial cancer, increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease.

With the help of blood tests and pelvic ultrasounds, PCOS can be detected early enough to treat the many symptoms and ward off any serious diseases.

If you are experiencing symptoms of PCOS, call your doctor and make an appointment: 513-241-4774. For additional information, visit mtauburnobgyn.com or www.pcosaa.org. 

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How Much Exercise is Enough to Meet Your Goals?

It depends on whether you want to lose weight, increase endurance, or reach other fitness milestones. Learn about exercise guidelines and the importance of determining your exercise goals.

Before you make a decision on how much exercise you need, you should have a good idea of your exercise goal or goals: Are you exercising for physical fitness, weight control, or as a way of keeping your stress levels low?

Exercise: How Much You Need

"How much exercise is enough for what?," asks David Bassett, Jr., PhD, a professor in the department of exercise, sport, and leisure studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

For general health benefits, a routine of daily walking may be sufficient, says Susan Joy, MD, director of the Women's Sports Health Program at the Cleveland Clinic.

If your goal is more specific — say, to lower your blood pressure, improve your cardiovascular fitness, or lose weight — you'll need either more exercise or a higher intensity of exercise. So figure out your goals first, then determine what type of exercise will help you meet them and how much of that particular exercise you'll need to do.

Current Exercise Guidelines for Americans

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone needs two types of physical activity each week: aerobics and muscle-strengthening activities. Aerobic activity involves repetitive use of the large muscles to temporarily increase heart rate and respiration. When repeated regularly, aerobic activity improves cardio-respiratory fitness. Running, brisk walking, swimming, and cycling are all forms of aerobic activity.

Muscle-strengthening activities are designed to work one or more muscle groups. All of the major muscle groups — legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms — should be worked on two or more days each week. Lifting weights, working with resistance bands, and doing push-ups are all are forms of muscle-strengthening activities.

Adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities. If activity is more vigorous in intensity, 75 minutes a week may be enough. For even greater health benefits, though, more activity is better: 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or a mix of the two.

It's best to be active throughout the week, rather than concentrating all of your physical activity in one day. That means 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, five days a week. You can break it up into even smaller chunks: three brief periods of physical activity a day, for example. In order for it to be effective in improving health and fitness, you need to be sure to sustain the activity for at least 10 minutes at a time.

Exercise: What You Need to Lose or Maintain Weight

A combination of dieting and exercise is more effective for weight loss than dieting alone. To lose weight, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity on most days is recommended. Physical activity is also important to maintain weight loss. Moderate intensity physical activity for 60 to 90 minutes on most days will help maintain weight loss. Of course, a healthful, low-calorie diet is also important for both losing and maintaining weight. The amount of exercise you need for weight loss or weight control depends on what you eat, as well as on the type of exercise you choose.

Know what you want to achieve, and then you can answer the question: How much exercise is enough?

Learn more about healthy lifestyles and women's health at www.mtauburnobgyn.com 

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Source:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/basics/how-much-exercise-do-i-need.aspx?xid=tw_weightloss_o_b177 

Jump in the Pool for Arthritis Relief

Swimming for ankylosing spondylitis can give you a great workout without stressing your aching joints. Here's why you should take the plunge.

Physicians and physical therapists agree that swimming with ankylosing spondylitis is one of the best things a person can do when dealing with this arthritic spinal condition.  General fitness, strength, flexibility, and range of motion are all benefits of a pool workout.

While in the pool with ankylosing spondylitis, you no longer have to work against gravity to move around. The water causes you to float, so in waist-deep water, you are about half your normal weight.  Also, water is 12 times more resistant than air.  It all adds up to this -- when you do water exercises for ankylosing spondylitis, your muscles have to work 12 times harder than they would on land, but, at the same time, your joints are relieved of gravity's constant stress so you don't feel it.

"The buoyancy of the water helps unload the joints in your legs and spine, and the warmth of the water can relieve pain," said Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, OCS, a physical therapist in the Denver area.  "Just simply being in the water and kicking your legs or walking back and forth is really an amazing exercise.  And, you also have the water resistance, so you can have aerobic exercise that can be pretty intense."

Swimming with ankylosing spondylitis can be intimidating, particularly if you're in pain or have a limited range of motion.  However, there are a lot of exercises you can do in the pool for ankylosing spondylitis that don't involve swimming.  These include:

• Water Aerobics
• Water Walking
• Front Crawl
• Back Stroke

Always consult your doctor before swimming with ankylosing spondylitis to get the advice on the type of water exercise that would benefit you most.  Some strokes, like the breast stroke, can be beneficial by strengthening your back and shoulder muscles, but it can also put excessive stress on the neck and lower back.  As far as intensity of exercise, listen to your body and pursue as vigorous a workout as possible that does not cause additional pain.  

For more information, check out the Spondylitis Association of America

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Source:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/water-exercises-for-arthritis/?xid=tw_everydayhealth_sf 

Learning to Swim at Any Age

Does your little minnow seem eager to swim? Here are the signs that he's really ready, plus a guide to which class is right for his age.

If your little puppy takes to water like a guppy, it may be time to sign up for swim classes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), swimming instruction definitely isn’t a must-do by toddlerhood — and it isn’t for every tot, either, so don’t force the issue. But if your sweetie seems ready for splashing in something bigger than the bath, there’s no reason to postpone learning to swim. In fact, some evidence suggests that children over age one may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming lessons — definitely a compelling case for signing up your munchkin sooner than later.

How will you know if the time is right? If your child is good at following directions, physically coordinated so he can kick and paddle at the same time, and emotionally ready (read: not afraid of the water), all swim signs point to go. In that case, look for a swimming-readiness program that’ll teach him the basic moves — how to float, for instance, and dog paddle. Look for small classes (fewer than six students) with instructors who are certified in CPR, first aid, and water safety.

A few more swim class considerations:

• For little ones six-months to age three, seek parent-and-child aquatics classes (most local community centers offer one) led by trained professionals who teach water entry and exit, bubble blowing, front kicking, and back floating. They should also provide water-safety instruction for you.
• For swimmers ages three and four, you can try programs that hold classes for kids both with and without parents. Try to find one that focuses on safe pool behavior as well as paddling and kicking.
• For four- and five-year-olds who are already accustomed to water, consider classes that run up to 30 minutes over an eight- to ten-week period so kids can build on foundational skills and eventually move on to coordinating movement of the arms and legs.

The most important lesson about swim classes -- they don’t protect a child from drowning, and they’re never a substitute for constant adult supervision in the water. Parents should always remain within arm’s distance when a child is near or in a body of water. Also note a substitute for that all-important supervision: floaties, water wings, or inner tubes. While these swimming aids are fine if you’re in the water right next to your tot, they can’t be counted on to keep her safe.

Source:  http://www.whattoexpect.com/family/learning-to-swim-age-by-age  

Safe, Effective Pregnancy Workouts

Are you expecting a visit from the proverbial stork? Congratulations! If you and your baby bump are free from medical or obstetric complications, a moderate exercise regimen should do wonders for your mental and physical well-being during this very special time. 

 

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise a day on most, if not all, days of the week is recommended for pregnant women. While your second trimester is not the time to start training for your first triathlon, most women are able to continue exercising at a moderate pace throughout their term. 

 

As an important note, it is crucial that you consult your OB before engaging in any exercise routine if you are pregnant. You'll want to ensure that you and the baby are healthy enough to exercise. If so, completing some of the following workout moves can be highly effective if you are expecting and still want to keep yourself active and healthy.

 

First off, why exercise while you're pregnant? Research shows that appropriate exercise during pregnancy can help stave off gestational diabetes, relieve some of the stress that is a natural byproduct of pregnancy, and give you greater stamina and endurance during labor and delivery.

 

Some of the more effective exercises during pregnancy are:

• Swimming: Swimming laps at your local pool will combine a fun activity with a moderate workout. Make sure to temper your pace so that your heart beat doesn't rise above 140 beats per minute to avoid placing too much stress on you and your baby.

• Low-impact aerobics: Low-impact aerobics combines the cardio benefits of swimming with the muscle-building movements of an aerobics class. You'll also enjoy a fun and exciting session that may combine rhythmic music with moderate aerobic moves like marches, squats, and lunges.

• Brisk walking: Walking is great exercise activity during pregnancy. Walking at too slow a pace may not provide the health benefits that a moderate cardio workout provides. A heart rate monitor can be used to keep your pulse within safe limits. Talk to your doctor to determine what this figure is for you, specifically.

You'll want to avoid exercises and sports that require quick, abrupt movements or moving heavy or awkward objects. As your pregnancy progresses, your center of gravity shifts so you’ll want to avoid poses or actions that could make you lose your balance. Consult your doctor to determine what is right for you and your baby.  We wish you and your growing family a fit, healthy pregnancy and delivery!

 

What’s your favorite way to work out when during pregnancy? Share and comment below.

National Infertility Awareness Week Kicks Off April 20th

Fast Facts About Infertility

Infertility is a disease that results in the abnormal functioning of the male or female reproductive system. The  World Health Organization, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognize infertility as a disease.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse (six months if the woman is over age 35) or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth.

• 7.4 million women, or 11.9% of women, have ever received any infertility services in their lifetime. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
• 12% of married women have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining pregnancy. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
• Approximately one-third of infertility is attributed to the female partner, one-third attributed to the male partner and one-third is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or, is unexplained. (www.asrm.org)
• A couple ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center). After six months of trying, 60% of couples will conceive without medical assistance. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)
• Approximately 44% of women with infertility have sought medical assistance. Of those who seek medical intervention, approximately 65% give birth. (Infertility As A Covered Benefit, William M. Mercer, 1997)
• Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. Fewer than 3% need advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). (www.asrm.org)
• The most recently available statistics indicate the live birth rate per fresh non-donor embryo transfer is 47.1% if the woman is under 35 years of age and 37.9% if the woman is age 35-37. (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, 2012)
• Fifteen states have passed laws requiring that insurance policies cover some level of infertility treatment: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia.
• A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (August 2002) found that the percentage of high-order pregnancies (those with three or more fetuses) was greater in states that did not require insurance coverage for IVF. The authors of the study noted that mandatory coverage is likely to yield better health outcomes for women and their infants since high-order births are associated with higher-risk pregnancies.
• The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not require coverage for infertility treatments. Those states with an infertility mandate that covers IVF may have chosen an Essential Health Benefits (EHB) benchmark plan that includes the IVF mandate. The EHB impacts the individual and small group markets only in each state.

If you have additional questions about your fertility, please contact your Mt. Auburn OBGYN physician at 513-241.4774.

Updated 04/16/2014

source:  http://www.resolve.org/about/fast-facts-about-fertility.html 

Mt. Auburn OBGYN Physicians Named to Cincinnati Magazine's 'Top Docs' List for 2014

Congratulations to Dr. James Wendel and Dr. Mable Roberts who earned the distinction of 'Top Docs in Obstetrical Care' for Cincinnati Magazine's annual Top Doctors issue. 

How are Doctors Selected?

Surveys are sent to physicians with current licenses in Hamilton, Warren, Butler, Clermont, Boone, Campbell, Kenton, and Dearborn counties, asking more than 5,000—both M.D.s and D.O.s—to tell us whom they would turn to if “you, a family member, or a friend needed medical attention.” The only proviso given to them was to refrain from nominating themselves. The results: 835 physicians in 43 specialties. Doctors on this list received at least five votes from their peers. The final results are checked against state medical board records to ensure that the list did not include any doctors against whom the state has brought a formal action. The list does not, of course, include every caring, knowledgeable, and responsible physician in Greater Cincinnati. Unless otherwise indicated, physicians on the list are M.D.s and are accepting new patients. Some physicians, like Dr. Mable Roberts, are listed in multiple specialties.

Learn more about Dr. James Wendel

Learn more about Dr. Mable Roberts

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Recent Study Shows More Women Seeking Medical Help to Get Pregnant

A growing share of American women are seeking out some kind of medical help to become pregnant.

Roughly 12.5% of U.S. women aged 25 to 44 years old have sought some form of medical help to get pregnant, up from 11.2% in 1995, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention that cover everything from counseling to artificial insemination.

Among women aged 35 to 39 years old who have experienced one or more births, there’s an even bigger rise: 15.8% of these women have gotten medical help, up from 13.1% in 1995. For women in this age group who’ve never had children, the share getting help has risen slightly to 19.6% from 19.1%.

The findings are part of the CDC’s National Survey of Family Growth, which was conducted between June 2006 and June 2010. The CDC report treats this entire block of time as one data point, and compares it to a similar survey done in 1995, says CDC scientist Anjani Chandra. The surveys interviewed all women, not just women with fertility problems or those seeking to get pregnant.

One should approach the findings with care — they’re hard to interpret. While the CDC’s data are nationally representative, individual demographic breakdowns — for example, women in their late 30's who’ve had no children — are less reliable because they rely on smaller sample sizes.  Also, the CDC’s definition of “medical help to get pregnant” is broad — ranging from getting advice and infertility testing to artificial insemination, which is fairly rare. U.S. women who are white, better-educated and wealthier are much more likely to make use of infertility services. And infertility obviously also affects men, which prompted the CDC to start interviewing men in recent years, too.

Still, the agency’s latest figures highlight the effects of one of America’s biggest demographic trends: Young and middle-aged Americans are delaying childbearing, often until their 30's or mid-30's, or even beyond.

The average age of a U.S. mother at first birth has risen consistently, and is now 25.8 years old, as of 2012, up from 25.6 years in 2011 and around 21 in 1970, CDC data show. Thanks to better education, improved access to contraception, growing numbers of women in the workforce and the soaring cost of raising families, women are increasingly putting off having children—even though fertility generally declines in the 30s, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.  “Each month that she tries, a healthy, fertile 30-year-old woman has a 20% chance of getting pregnant,” the ASRM notes in a report. “By age 40, a woman’s chance is less than 5% per cycle.”  One possibility is that delayed childbearing is reducing use of infertility services among younger women, and increasing it among older women.

While the percentage of women aged 30 to 34 receiving help to get pregnant rose just slightly to 11.1% from 10% in 1995, that may suggest women are trying to have children even later in their lives. The share of women 35 to 39 getting medical help for pregnancy rose to 16.4% from 14.3% over this period.

The CDC found that among women aged 25 to 44 who had fertility problems and had never had children, 38% had used infertility services, compared with 56% in 1982 — a sizeable drop. But this “may partly reflect the greater delays in childbearing over this time period, such that women in 2006-2010 were more likely to be older than women in 1982 when trying to have their first child, and also more likely to use services beyond age 44,” the CDC said.  Indeed, 23.4% of women aged 40 to 44 who have never had a child have sought medical help to get pregnant.

The difficulties of having children later in life—a consequence of putting off child-rearing — is one of the many reasons America’s fertility rate has dropped.

In 2012 — the latest data available — fertility fell to the lowest level on record—63 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, the CDC reported in late December. Another key measure, the number of children U.S. women are expected to have over their lifetimes, also slipped to 1.88 from 1.89 in 2011. While demographers expect these rates to rise as the economy improves, there are fears that longer-term factors like delayed child-bearing could outweigh these gains.

source:  Wall Street Journal blog, 1/23/14

Pregnant? Keys to a Healthy Mouth & Healthy Baby

ARE YOU PREGNANT OR THINKING ABOUT BECOMING PREGNANT? Do you know someone who is pregnant? While you’re picking out tiny clothes and reading childcare books, remember the importance of your oral health!

Pregnancy brings so many physical changes. You crave different things. Your hair feels different. In fact, just about everything feels different. And, your mouth is different, too. Not sure why it’s important to know that? Don’t worry…we’re here to help.

Increased Gum Disease Risk

Pregnancy brings heightened hormone activity which can lead to increased gum disease and gum sensitivity. Just remember that pregnancy doesn't cause gum disease—plaque does. Keep up your great oral care habits by brushing twice a day, especially before bed, and floss several times a week.

Are You Experiencing…?

Beginning around your second month, and often continuing through your eighth month, you may be experiencing:

• Bleeding gums
• A potential increase in cavities
• Granulomas (small, tumor-like growths inside your mouth)

Here Are A Few Simple Recommendations:

1. Brush and floss regularly.
2. Keep your regular check-up appointments during your pregnancy and let your dentist know that you’re pregnant.  An ideal time for your appointment is during your second trimester when your pregnancy is stable, but not far enough along to risk stress-induced issues.
3. Lay low on the sweets.

Morning Sickness

DON’T brush your teeth right after being sick. Stomach acid makes your teeth softer and brushing can wear them down. Rinse out your mouth, and then wait a while before brushing.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!  If you have questions, please ask! You can also comment below, or send us a direct message on our Facebook page!

We appreciate having you as our valued patient!