Generally speaking, there are two methods employed when testing a child: a sample of blood is taken from the child via the heel and an external hearing test is administered. To make sure that you understand what testing your infant for birth defects actually means, here are explanations for some of the most common tests performed:
* The hearing test is quite simple in that a very small noise producing unit is placed into the child’s little ear canal. There are acceptable limits within which the child should respond to the auditory stimuli. Any deviation from these markers will result in a recommendation that the child should undergo further testing. It does not automatically mean, however, that your child is suffering from hearing loss.
* Sickle cell anemia is diagnosed via the blood sample taken. This birth defect directly affects the blood itself and therefore it is vital that it is diagnosed as early as possible to ensure that the child’s organs will not be adversely affected. While there is no cure, the management of any pain experienced as well as the prevention of organ damage is a vital reason for this testing.
* Hypothyroidism in infants can cause stunted growth as well as severely impact the development of the growing brain. Failure to catch this condition this early may result in moderate to severe impairment of brain function and also in conditions most commonly associated with the notation of “failure to thrive.” Fortunately, when the condition becomes apparent through the blood test, the infant can be supplemented with the missing hormone via oral dispensation and thus will enjoy a normal development.
* Another birth defect that is directly linked to absent hormones is congenital adrenal hyperplasia. When diagnosed, the child will receive supplements of the hormones and thus the actual disease associated with the birth defect will not manifest. If left untreated, the child may experience death due to renal failure as well as incomplete development of the genitalia.
* Abbreviated as PKU, this test will seek to ascertain the child’s ability to metabolize a chemical known as phenylalanine which is present in virtually each and every food product. Left untreated, the substance will gradually accumulate in the child’s system and eventually lead to severe brain impairments, including retardation. This can be avoided by formulating a specific diet for the child that will not cause the build up and thus the child will develop normally. A strict adherence to the diet is vital.

When babies are born they are wet from amniotic fluid and prone to losing body heat because of this. Some really amazing physical changes happen within the baby’s body during the birth process. While they were living in the uterus the baby’s blood supply was shunted through the umbilical cord. But when the cord is cut and the baby takes his first breath the changes in the pressure in the chest cavity help to reroute the blood through to the lungs. This increases the amount of oxygen that is transported around the body.

Sometimes the baby’s lungs are filled with fluid. When the new baby cries it brings the fluid closer to the bronchial tree in the lungs where it can be suctioned out in the delivery room.

Mothers who are able to nurse their baby in the first several minutes after birth are able to pass on important immunities to the baby that help to protect him against illnesses that the staff may be carrying. The action of nursing also helps to protect the mother.

When the baby latches on and gains comfort, nutrition and protection from the breast and breast milk it also releases hormones in the mothers body that cause the uterus to contract. These contractions help to slow the loss of blood and decrease the blood loss that mother may experience.

Mothers report that in the first hours to first two weeks nursing triggers what feels like mild cramps. These ‘cramps’ are actually the uterus contracting and decreasing the blood loss. However, it not only decreases the blood loss but also helps the uterus to regain it’s prepregnancy size more quickly and naturally.

Most babies are able to innately nurse in the first couple of hours after birth. However, at times they may be a little groggy from medications or anesthesia used during the delivery process. With a little patience both the mother and baby will be well on their way to a successful nursing relationship after breast feeding in the delivery room.

In one research study published in 2006 scientists found that mothers were more successful at breast feeding their new little ones and continued this relationship longer when the staff at the hospital were trained to help and support the new mother.

If it is important to you that you nurse your new baby within the first couple of hours then you should communicate those wishes to the labor and delivery staff so that they can make accommodations to their schedules. The staff should ensure the health of the newborn and respiratory ability as well as being dried off to prevent hypothermia but the rest of the weights and measurements can actually wait until after the baby has been nursed the first time and mom has held him as long as she desires.

Responsibility of the staff is first, and foremost, the safety of mother and baby. The measurements, weights, and gestational age testing can wait for a couple of hours until the first breast feeding in the delivery room has occurred. The benefits to the baby and the mother far outweigh the convenience of the labor and delivery room staff.

To make certain that you are able to nurse in the first hour speak with your OB/GYN prior to delivery. The doctor will most likely inform you that the staff will want to dry off the baby and be sure that there aren’t any complications prior to delivering the baby to you. This is, of course, acceptable. It’s your responsibility to make sure that the doctor understands and supports your wishes for breast feeding in the delivery room, because with their support you are more likely to have your wishes satisfied.

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This change in metabolism produces acid ketones which are excreted through the kidneys and urine. Some research has shown that ketones may affect the neurological development of the growing baby. Several studies have shown that babies exposed to untreated second pregnancy gestational diabetes suffer from lower IQ and an increased risk of obesity as they grow older. The jury is out as to what of the effects of gestational diabetes actually changes the neurological development of these children. The theory is that it could be the ketones that are produced from the metabolism of fat.

Women who have second pregnancy gestational diabetes often have very little symptoms that differ from the pregnancy itself. For this reason all women are screened with a simple blood sugar test between weeks 24 and 28. Those women who also have high risk factors for development of this condition will undergo a 5 hour glucose tolerance test to confirm or deny the presence of gestational diabetes.

One of those risk factors is having had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy. In a second pregnancy researchers have found that women run a risk of developing gestational diabetes by 30 – 50%. And those that do will develop type 2 diabetes later in life between 6 and 60% of the time. This large span is accounted for by the difference in numerical values attributed to gestational diabetes and the diagnosis of the condition.

Other risk factors of developing second pregnancy gestational diabetes is being obese before conception, a family history of type 2 diabetes, a previous stillbirth, a previous baby born larger than 9 pounds, or having too much amniotic fluid.

Researchers have found that exercise is an excellent way of decreasing the risk of second pregnancy gestational diabetes. Women who are obese at conception of their second pregnancy are at a higher risk of experiencing second pregnancy gestational diabetes. However, exercising while fasting can prove to be dangerous and you should always consult with your doctor before including exercise in your pregnancy regimen.

Women with second pregnancy gestational diabetes must follow a strict dietary protocol to support the growth of their new baby and decrease the risks and complications of gestational diabetes on themselves and their new child. Women should also be screened frequently for blood glucose level to monitor the control of their second pregnancy gestational diabetes.

Second pregnancy gestational diabetes is managed much the same as any gestational diabetes. Women should monitor their sugar daily, exercise, be on a strict nutritional intake, monitor your weight gain and potentially take insulin. Using these techniques, as prescribed by your physician and supported through a dietician, you will be able to manage your gestational diabetes so your risks of complications falls significantly.

When the insulin and cells are working well together the insulin helps the sugar into the cells and they use it for energy. But the increased amount of hormones from the pregnancy can make the body’s cells resistant to the help of the insulin leaving much of the sugar floating around in the blood stream.

This excess sugar can lead to complications for the mother and the child. In the mother the excess sugar, when gestational diabetes is left untreated, can lead to complications at birth. The increased amount of sugar is also transferred across the placental barrier and into the developing child.

Researchers have found that the excess sugar can lead to increased proliferation of beta-cells in the pancreas which secrete insulin. The increased sugar can also lead to babies who are macrosomic, or larger than normal for their gestational age. This leads to complications at birth, and for the child after birth.

Immediately after birth children who are exposed to increased sugar are at greater risk for breathing problems and low blood sugar of their own. But there are also long term effects for these children as well.

Researchers have found links to neurological abnormalities, including ADD, and gestational diabetes. Many of these links appear to become less statistically significant as the children age and reach their teen years. In one study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood researchers found that children born to diabetic mothers were heavier, had lower IQ scores below the age of 9 and more scored abnormally in the Conners questionnaire (used to evaluate the presence of ADD).

These researchers determined that the exposure to gestational diabetes increased the risk of the children having long-term minor neurological deficits that were more pronounced during their younger years.

In another study published in 2005 in Pediatric Endocrinology Review researchers found that children born to mothers who had poor glycemic control with gestational diabetes had delayed brain maturity, performed less well in fine and gross motor functions and had a higher rate of inattention or hyperactivity. They concluded that gestational diabetes can adversely affect the growth of the baby both before and after birth, including their attention span. However it didn’t affect their cognitive ability.

In a third study published out of Sweden researchers found that children of women with gestational diabetes had an increased risk of hospitalization for neurological or developmental disorders.

ADD and gestational diabetes are inexplicably linked when women are unable to maintain a good glycemic control during pregnancy. The reasons aren’t well known or understood but there are several theories that involve the fact that children who are exposed to increased amounts of insulin and sugar prenatally are also at an increased risk for obesity and altered hormonal problems.

Some of the more common breast feeding difficulties are sore nipples, thrush, problems with the let-down reflex, engorgement, low milk supply, and plugged milk ducts. Simple solutions to each of these issues will help to improve your chances of continuing to nurse through the first six months of your baby’s life.

When you begin to learn about breast feeding and the resources in your area you must find a lactation consultant and keep her contact information. This becomes important when you are struggling with an issue and don’t have the time or the energy to begin making calls to find a consultant who can give you advice and support. Oftentimes hospitals which have labor and delivery units will keep a lactation consultant on staff or will know where you’ll be able to contact one in the area. Find this resource and keep her contact information!

Let’s start with some of the most common breast feeding difficulties that face women who are nursing. The first is sore nipples. Nipples can become sore for several reasons, not the least of which is that this sensitive area isn’t toughened. You can’t toughen the nipples before the baby is born so you must wait for the baby to do this himself. While you will feel some discomfort you shouldn’t ever feel pain. Painful nipples can be caused by poor latching on, poor position of the baby or the mother, baby’s inverted lips, or positioning the baby the same way with each feeding. Most mothers report that nipple soreness disappears in the first week or two. Painful nipples disappear after the problem that created the issue has been solved.

Thrush is a common breast feeding difficulty that results from a fungal infection. This fungus, Candida albicans, likes to live in warm, dark, moist areas like the milk ducts and baby’s mouth. Thrush can cause nipple pain, diaper rash, white coated tongue of the baby or pain in the breast. There isn’t a diagnostic test for thrush in the mother and baby combination so if there is just one symptom then your doctor will treat both the mother and the baby. This is because if the infected person is the baby then he’ll transfer the fungi with each feeding to the mother, and visa versa. The medication used to treat Thrush doesn’t actually kill the fungus – it only keeps it from multiplying. This is why it may take up to 1 week for the discomfort or pain to be relieved.

Problems with the let-down reflex will cause the baby to receive inadequate milk supply and mom to become engorged. Both of these are other common breast feeding difficulties that mothers face. The let-down reflex is significantly hindered by stress so the quickest cure is to go to a quiet area that may have dimmed lights, position yourself and your baby in the most comfortable position, play soft music and just relax. Just the act of relaxing will help your milk to let-down and become available to the baby.

Sometimes women suffer from engorgement during the first week or two of nursing, when the baby demands a higher milk supply through a growth spurt or when baby abruptly stops nursing at night. Sometimes this engorgement hampers the nursing process because the baby can’t latch on correctly. The immediate answer is to soak your breast in warm water to soften the tissue to help the baby to latch on. Wearing a good supportive bra can decrease the discomfort and nursing at least 8 times each day for 15 minutes will help to relieve the pressure. Very quickly your body will accommodate to the new needs of the baby and the discomfort will disappear.

Another common breast feeding difficulty that women may worry about is a low milk supply. This low milk supply can happen for several reasons. If your breasts are engorged it is difficult for the baby to nurse – you can soften the tissue with warm compresses or pump for several minutes to soften the tissue. You may feel like your milk supply is low but unless your baby isn’t gaining weight or pooping and peeing enough you probably do have enough. It’s common for women to feel as though they aren’t providing enough when they can’t measure how much is actually being taken.

Women with small breasts have just as much milk as women who are more amply endowed. Babies who are more quick and efficient eaters are getting just as much as the baby who takes longer and likes to linger. But another issue can be that mom has baby on a schedule which doesn’t help to increase her milk supply when baby needs it. Breast milk operates on a supply and demand principle. When baby is hungrier because he’s going through a growth spurt then he nurses more frequently which triggers the body to make more milk. If, however, mom ascribes to a scheduled feeding program then baby can’t get enough milk when he’s hungry and he doesn’t trigger mom’s body to make more milk either. Both of these situations leads to a lowered supply of milk and poor weight gain on the part of the baby.

The last common breast feeding difficulty is plugged milk ducts. A milk duct can become plugged if mom is wearing a constricting bra or if baby isn’t latched on appropriately. Mom might feel a soreness or tenderness in one area of the breast that appears to be warmer or reddened. Sometimes there is a white dot at the opening of the duct on the nipple. Through gentle massage of the breast in that area as well as slightly warm compresses with a well latched baby the issue will clear quickly.

Although these common breast feeding difficulties are easily managed with education and support they are often times the reason that women chose to stop nursing their children and turn to formula for the rest of the infants nutrition. But, with a bit of planning and with the proper support and information moms are able to breeze past these bumps in the road and continue to supply the most comprehensive nutrition that baby will ever need.

In the condition of gestational diabetes the body becomes resistant to the insulin and then can’t use the sugar in the body for energy. Gestational diabetes is very much like type 2 diabetes or what used to be called adult-onset diabetes.

A vegetarian diet and gestational diabetes aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact eating a vegetarian diet and gestational diabetes may be just what the doctor ordered to help maintain appropriate blood sugar levels and control the gestational diabetes so that the mother and baby don’t suffer the complications often associated with diabetes that is out of control.

This vegetarian lifestyle is very compatible with diabetes when you work out a food plan with your registered dietician or nutritionist who has experience with both. When you incorporate a vegetarian diet and gestational diabetes there are several factors that should be considered. Eating a well balanced vegetarian diet often helps to balance blood sugar levels because the carbohydrates that are eaten aren’t processed and aren’t as calorie dense.

When you are developing a vegetarian diet with your registered dietician (RD) you must talk about protein sources. Protein should be approximately 20% of your daily intake of calories. Nuts, beans and soy are good sources of protein for people following a vegetarian diet.

Although it’s easier to minimize your carbohydrate intake sometimes the foods you may be higher in carbs than you might have thought. Corn, peas and potatoes are high in carbohydrates. One serving of mashed potatoes, corn and peas is ½ a cup of cook vegetable. Watch your servings and measure what you eat to be sure you are following the correct portions.

And, just because you are staying away from meat and processed foods doesn’t mean that sweets, junk food and carbonated drinks are suddenly healthy. These are still foods that should be severely limited in your diet and your blood sugar levels monitored frequently when you fall short and eat them.

In a study published in Diabetes Care researchers found that over 50% of participants who ate a vegan diet, all whole raw foods, very little (less than 10%) processed foods and no animal products such as dairy or meat, were able to decrease the amount of medication they used to manage their disease. The participants who ate the vegan diet, as opposed to the diet recommended by the American Diabetic Association, had lower cholesterol, greater weight loss, and A1C blood glucose measurements were better.

A vegetarian diet and gestational diabetes isn’t a choice for every woman. And, those who do chose this lifestyle have a variety of choices in their diet depending upon the criteria they use to define a vegetarian diet. Research has found that people who eat a vegetarian diet are healthier, have lower risk of heart disease, stroke, immune mediated illnesses and cardiac failure. A vegetarian diet, though restricting meat, has a great deal of variety and taste to offer those who chose this lifestyle.

However, different medications have different levels at which they pass through breast milk. Those medications that pass through the breast milk in minute amounts, and which also have been found to have little to no effect on the development of the baby, are often deemed safe by the medical community for use in breastfeeding mothers.

Zantac 75 breastfeeding is one of those medications that isn’t recommended during pregnancy or during breastfeeding because it passes through to the infant in large enough amounts to make an impact on the development and growth of the newborn.

Zantac is a medication that is used for excessive heartburn or gastric acid caused by specific foods that trigger your responses. Zantac is an H2-Antagonist. This is a fancy medical term that means that the medication is designed to block the action of histamine in the stomach. This blocking action reduces the amount of stomach acid the stomach makes and therefore decreases the amount of heart burn and acid stomach problems.

Zantac is prescribed for short term treatment of active ulcers, maintenance treatment of Gastric Esophageal reflux (GERD) or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and treatment and healing of erosive esophagitis. Zantac is available over the counter and in a different strength by prescription. And because the medication is so common and available over the counter, women who are pregnant or nursing should talk with their doctors about whether the risk vs. benefit is worth it.

Zantac 75 breastfeeding passes from the mother’s bloodstream into the breast milk and into the baby. Zantac has side effects from the administration of the medication and because the baby is ingesting it as well they can also be affected by the side effects of the medication. Those side effects include headache, rash, depression, confusion, blood disorder, liver dysfunction, dizziness, hair loss, joint pain, and slow heart rate. Many of these side effects also can precipitate other medical problems in the baby.

Before using or taking Zantac 75 breastfeeding whether over the counter or prescription strength discuss the potential risks to your new baby and the long term consequences.