Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has expelled Dr. Michael Kamrava, the physician famous for transferring numerous embryos via in vitro fertilization to Nadya Suleman, who later went on to give birth to octuplets. Dr. Kamrava of the West Coast IVF Clinic in Beverly Hills, California transferred six embryos into Ms. Suleman’s uterus – it’s believed that two of those embryos split into twins, leading to the birth of eight infants. In patient younger than 35 years of age, ASRM guidelines say that only one or two embryos can be transferred to reduce the risk of multiple births. Provider tracking data apparently shows that Dr. Kamrava transferred, on average, 4.1 embryos to patients under 35. [via Medical News Today]

Share your comments here.

According to the World Health Organization the number of reported cases of H1N1 influenza has increased by at least 24,000 in just the past two weeks. And with the new H1N1 vaccine just recently being distributed to the public the CDC is reaffirming the current vaccination guidelines. The groups most at risk, and therefore should be vaccinated are:

Please note that the  H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. The seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day.  [via CDC]

Share your comments here.

New research published in the obstetrics and gynecological journal BJOG shows that giving women sugarless chewing gum after cesarean section seemed to help them recover normal bowel function and shorten their time in the hospital. After abdominal surgeries intestinal function often become sluggish and may require a few days to return to normal. However, researchers say that chewing gum may help because the act of chewing sets off a nervous system response and release of digestive hormones which stimulate bowel activity. The cost and time savings should not be underestimated, especially in countries with limited health care resources. [via MSNBC]

Share your comments here.

Did you know that it is legal in most states of the union to shackle incarcerated women during childbirth? The American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology condemns this practice because they say it unnecessarily risks a woman’s health. Soon, New York will become the sixth state to ban this practice, along with California, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Vermont. It’s unclear how many inmates are affected by the practice. The federal Bureau of Justice Statistics said 4% of state inmates and 3% of federal inmates were pregnant in 2008 when they were first incarcerated. There is no data available to indicate how many women delivered babies in prison, or were restrained while doing so. [via The Boston Globe]

Share your comments here.

In 2007, 1.4 million prescriptions for AndroGel—the most commonly dispensed gel form of testosterone—were dispensed by U.S. retail pharmacies. Testim is the other prescription topical testosterone gel, both of which are used in men who either produce low levels of testosterone or no longer produce testosterone. They are also prescribed for some off-label uses in women. Safety concerns have arisen over adverse affects from children who were inadvertently exposed to testosterone through contact with another person being treated with these products. Currently, the FDA has received eight reports of secondary exposure in children with more reports being reviewed. Adverse events reported in these children included inappropriate enlargement of the genitalia (penis or clitoris), premature development of pubic hair, advanced bone age, increased libido, and aggressive behavior. Labels on current testosterone gel products caution the user to thoroughly wash their hands after applying the product and to cover the treated skin area with clothing. Failure to do so could result in exposure of the testosterone to others with whom they physically contact. The FDA is responding to the situation by requiring manufacturers to include these new warnings on their product labels.

Read more and share your comments here.

An FDA press release this week announces the over-the-counter availability of “Plan B”, also known as the “morning after pill”, for women 17 years of age and older. The FDA will accept, and not appeal, a March 23, 2009 a federal court order that lifts the Bush administration’s restrictions limiting over-the-counter sales of Plan B to women 18 and older. Plan B is emergency contraception that will not interfere with an established pregnancy. It works by delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization and implantation of fertilized eggs. In medical terms, pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can reduce a woman’s chances of pregnancy by as much as 89 percent.

Share your opinion.

The British Medical Journal today published a revealing study on the risks of smoking during pregnancy. Women smokers who do not quit prior to 15 weeks of pregnancy are 3 times as likely to give birth prematurely. And if you are a long time smoker and think that quitting now won’t make a difference, think again. Women who stopped smoking during pregnancy, compared to nonsmokers, have the same rate of preterm birth. This goes to show that it’s never too late to quit.

Read more and share your opinion.

Most of us know about the dangers of second-hand smoke. But have you heard about third-hand smoke? If not, you’re not alone. A new Harvard study suggests that less than half of all US households have heard of the term, which refers to the residual toxic chemicals that can cling to people’s hair, clothing, furniture, carpeting, and other household surfaces, even after second-hand smoke has cleared the room. It’s what one smells when someone who was just smoking walks into a room, or when you enter a hotel room where people were smoking. Third-hand smoke is especially harmful to children and infants because they are more likely to inhale the chemicals when held in close proximity to a smoker, or someone who was exposed to second-hand smoke. Children are also more likely to touch and lick household surfaces, thus ingesting the toxins, which pose a cancer risk. Therefore, simply airing out a room, or even quitting smoking, may not completely protect children from the dangers of smoking. Parents should be cognizant of potential sources of third-hand smoke. A good tip is to change your clothing prior to cradling your child if you’ve been exposed to cigarette smoke.

Read more and share your opinion.

Does America have a sociocultural obsession with food? You be the judge. On a recent trip to the mall I happened upon a myriad of food scented products, mostly in the form of moisturizers. Some of the flavors included pumpkin pie, strawberry shortcake, vanilla bean, cinnamon bun, and hot chocolate. And now Burger King is marketing their very own fragrance – with the scent of meat. Called “Flame” the spray is, according to the company, “the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat”. Why would anyone want to smell like charbroiled meat? I will not place judgment until I’ve sniffed it myself. But, I do wonder why anyone would want to eat a cinnamon bun, then turn around and lather themselves with cinnamon bun-flavored cream. Perhaps it just appeals to us on a gustatory level. I can’t complain, I love to eat. But, I also can’t help but wonder if this is a healthy obsession.

Read more and share your opinion.

A British baby due this week will become the first child to be born with certainty that it does not have the BRCA1 gene mutation. Approximately 5% to 10% of breast cancers are believed to be due to genetic mutations inherited from parents – the most common being the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.  Because the British couple conceived through in virto fertilization, they were able to screen for cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and now BRCA1, at the 6 to 8 cell stage prior to implanting the embryo into the mother’s womb. All the women on the father’s side of the family have developed breast cancer, which is why the couple decided on genetic screening. Women who inherit the BRCA1 gene have up to an 80% increase in risk of developing breast cancer.

Read more and share your opinion.