LITTLE BITS

You never understand life until it grows inside of you.”

—Sandra Chami Kassis SIMPLIFYING THE APGAR SCORE

The Apgar Score is a test run on infants one and five minutes after they are born. It tests for their appearance, grimace, pulse, activity and respiration, and each is scored on a scale of zero-two, with two being the best score. Once tested, the doctors and nurses add these five factors for the Score, which is on a scale of 0-10. Ten is the best score, but few babies reach this number because most babies do not score high for their appearance; most babies’ hands and feet remain blue until they have warmed up. Any score of a seven or above means your baby is in good health, but perfectly healthy babies can have a lower score, too. It may take them more time to adapt to the outside world. Your doctor will let you know if your baby’s score and adaptation (or lack thereof) is a cause for concern.

PUMP UP YOUR PELVIC FLOOR

Many moms believe that if they aren’t wetting their pants then they don’t need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Well, it’s a myth! Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is actually recommended for all postpartum women, even if they are not experiencing any problems after giving birth. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a safe and effective way to help strengthen your pelvic muscles, which support your urinary and reproductive system, and alleviate any pain you may feel. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy tackles common issues such as endometriosis, constipation, painful urination, frequent urination, painful intercourse, and pregnancy-related pain. Not sure if you need a therapist? Talk to your doctor first. When choosing a physical therapist, never be afraid to ask questions, and always look for someone with knowledge and expertise in treating pelvic floor dysfunction.

team girl team boy

THE BABY NAME GAME If you’re expecting, you know the struggle of finding the perfect name. Here are the most popular names this year to give you some inspiration.

Olivia Emma Amelia Ava Sophia Charlotte Isabella Mia Luna Evelyn Noah Liam Oliver Elijah Lucas Mason Levi James Asher Logan

INCREASING BREAST MILK SUPPLY

Many moms choose to breastfeed. However, despite their best efforts, many are not able to due to low milk supply. According to a study by Children’s Hospital Medical Center, nearly 1 in 4 new mothers are pre-diabetic. The study suggests that the same metabolic factors causing pre-diabetes may also be causing low milk supply. Metformin, a drug widely prescribed to stabilize blood sugar levels, has been proven to increase milk supply for breastfeeding mothers who also have problems with their insulin. However, before making any decisions, talk with your doctor to see if Metformin is best for you.

REHEATING MILK MATTERS

Breast milk is gold, so lining the freezer with it for later use is quite common. However, is it safe to reheat the milk more than once? Breast milk can be reheated one more time before you throw it away, but just like regular milk, breast milk will stink when it goes bad! Remember to always smell the milk before feeding it to your baby, and try to only pump as much as he or she can eat because reheating milk can make it lose some beneficial, immunologic properties in the milk.

NEWBORNS BORN WITH COVID ANTIBODIES MAY BE ABLE TO FIGHT VIRUS EASIER Research has shown that mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 often give birth to babies who might have already developed antibodies for the virus. What this means for our little ones is that these babies are born with an immunity to COVID-19 because mom’s antibodies passed through the placenta while they were in the womb. Learning about COVID-19 and the ins and outs of how it affects all of us is still ongoing, and we’re learning every day. However, all information is new information right now, and while the studies are very recent, the studies are showing that it is possible that part of this generation of children will be able to fight this virus a lot easier than someone who has never been exposed to the virus before. However, it’s still important to always protect yourself and your little one during this pandemic.

LIGHTNING CROTCH IS REAL, SERIOUSLY

As you near the last four to six weeks of pregnancy, you may experience a certain pain in your crotch described as “lightning crotch pain.” It’s a sensation of shooting pain, pins and needles, or electric shock around your pelvic area that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a full minute. At this time of your pregnancy, your baby is repositioning itself inside the womb as he prepares himself for delivery, hitting nerve endings in your cervix that cause these pains. The best way to avoid these pains is to exercise regularly and change positions throughout the day, as staying in one position for a long period of time will trigger the sensation. When the pain hits, wait it out patiently by sitting and stretching until it goes away. This moves your baby in a better, more comfortable position.