Tanning & Pregnancy

To Tan Or Not To Tan, That Is The Pregnancy Question Of The Month! 

By Lori J. Wolfe, MS. CGC, OTIS President 

Recently while having lunch at my favorite restaurant, I overheard a conversation at the table behind me. A very pregnant lady was discussing with her friend how she was going to get tan. “Now that it is the month of May, I want to get a head start on my tan,” she was saying. They began discussing her options; tanning booths, professional spray tans, tan at home lotions, tanning pills, or laying out in the sun. What would be best and safe during a pregnancy? Well, usually I don’t jump into other people’s conversations, but I just couldn’t help myself. Being that counseling about exposures and associated risks during pregnancy is my job, I felt I just had to give her a little educated advice!

I turned around, introduced myself, learned that her name was Sally, and began discussing the options. The use of tanning booths during pregnancy can be done, but you need to take a few safety precautions. We are always worried about over-heating during pregnancy. This is called hyperthermia. When you are in a tanning booth, it is easy for your body to become over heated if the booth is not well ventilated and/or you stay in the booth for too long of a time period. The ultraviolet rays that are used in the tanning booths do not get to the baby, so that is not the problem. But if you are in the tanning booth for more than 10 to 15 minutes, your body temperature might get too high. So be sure the booth has good ventilation and limit your tanning session to no more than 15 minutes. Also when using tanning salons and their tanning beds, please be sure to check and see how clean everything is. We do not want you laying down in dirty beds and perhaps picking up some nasty germs!

At this point Sally asked me about the use of self-tanning products, either done professionally or at home. Self-tanning products come as sprays, lotions or gels, and can be applied at home or in a salon. The main active ingredient in self-tanners is something called DHA or dihydroxyacetone. The amount of DHA can vary from 3 to 5% in products you use at home, or up to 15% in products used by professionals. We do know that only a very small amount of the DHA that is applied to your skin will be absorbed into your bloodstream. Therefore, there would be very little in your system to get to the baby. Since we do not have much information about DHA and pregnancy, we do want you to be careful to not get the self-tanning products into your eyes, nose or mouth. “Hmm, I have heard about tanning pills,” Sally asked me. “What are those and can I use them while I am pregnant?” Tanning pills can be bought over-the-counter and contain something called canthaxathin as the ingredient that changes the color of your skin. Unfortunately we do not have any studies that have looked at taking large amounts of canthaxathin during pregnancy, and we know that you need to use a lot to change the color of your skin. Therefore, it is best to avoid the use of tanning pills when you are pregnant.

“OK,” Sally said, what if I just want to lay out in the sun and get tan the old fashioned way.” I let her know that our main worry with laying out in the sun would be the same as using tanning booths, hyperthermia or overheating. If you do chose to tan outside, be sure to use a good sunscreen product, drink lots of water, and limit your sessions to 30 minutes or less. Be sure that you are cooling off frequently if you are outside for a long period of time. If you follow these good-sense guidelines, you can gradually build up a nice tan, even when you are pregnant.

At this point, Sally thanked me, paid her bill and left the restaurant. I let her know that if she or her friends had any questions about exposures during pregnancy, they can call OTIS, the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists at 866-626-6847 or visit our website at otispregnancy.org.

About the Author
 **Lori Wolfe, MS, is a board-certified genetic counselor and the president of OTIS. She is also the director of OTIS’ Texas affiliate, the Texas Teratogen Information Service (TTIS), which she founded in 1991. Visit its website at http://www.ttis.unt.edu/. OTIS is a North American non-profit dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based information about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.**

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Could Putting Your Baby At Risk Be A Price Of Beauty?

Could Putting Your Baby At Risk Be A Price Of Beauty?
By Sonia Alvarado, CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line Counselor

What do you know about the safety of the cosmetics you use on your face and body every day? I’m not talking just about foundation and lipstick, I’m talking about face cream, body lotion, stretch mark cream, skin lighteners, shampoo, and conditioner? Do you read the labels of all the products that you buy? What about those creams/lotions that you get as gifts?

On March 6, the FDA had a press release alerting consumers and retailers about mercury poisoning/toxicity in women and in some cases, the entire family, as a result of exposure through skin lightening creams that had been brought into the country and were foreign made. A search of the medical literature found reports of mercury toxicity related to creams/lotions manufactured in Mexico and China/Hong Kong/Asia, although the FDA site reports that these products have also been sold illegally in the United States in shops found in Latino, Asian, African or Middle Eastern neighborhoods. Online shops have no borders, so the potential of getting a tainted product may be higher.

Mercury is divided into three types – elemental, inorganic and organic. Organic is the kind that you find polluting streams and fish (methyl mercury).

Inorganic mercury is the type that is found primarily in batteries. It’s also been reported in some disinfectants, health remedies/homeopathic remedies and skin creams/acne/lighteners (illegally). Inorganic mercury can be labeled as mercuric chloride, mercuric acetate, and mercuric sulfide. In the case of lotions containing inorganic mercury, not only is the user exposed, but the entire household may be at risk as the metal containing lotion is exposed to air, becomes a vapor, and members inhale it (or ingest it).

Exposure to inorganic mercury and organic mercury through a route that could result in toxicity is a concern for the entire family, including pregnant women. It’s important to understand, however, that each type of mercury has potential risks depending on the route of exposure and the dose. Some forms are more readily available (absorbed into the body) if inhaled and some more available in the body if ingested.

Mercury crosses the placenta. High levels in the mom would be expected to produce high levels in the developing embryo or fetus. High levels of exposure in pregnancy have been associated with spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). Studies of high levels of methyl mercury exposure (the kind typically found in fish) have been associated with neurologic disorders in the exposed infants/children (see http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/methylmercury.pdf). Studies of methyl mercury in pregnancy or children are more common than studies of inorganic mercury related to exposure in cosmetics or imported homeopathic remedies or others, leaving a gap in our awareness and ability to treat those individuals that have been exposed. This also means that it is difficult to know the levels that may be more or less harmful to the developing pregnancy.

Symptoms of mercury toxicity in the early stages include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms of high acute exposure or chronic long-term exposure include kidney problems, gastroenteritis, metallic taste in the mouth, hypotension and shock, rashes and excessive sweating as well as others.

The FDA advisory reminds us of the importance of reading labels and understanding the potential risks with using hygiene products or cosmetics products (or supplements, herbal remedies, etc.) that are foreign-made. Per the FDA:

• Check the label of any skin lightening, anti-aging or other skin product you use. If you see the words “mercurous chloride,” “calomel,” “mercuric,” “mercurio,” or “mercury,” stop using the product immediately.
• If there is no label or no ingredients are listed, do not use the product. Federal law requires that ingredients be listed on the label of any cosmetic or drug.
• Don’t use products labeled in languages other than English unless English labeling is also provided.
• If you suspect you have been using a product with mercury, stop using it immediately. Thoroughly wash your hands and any other parts of your body that have come in contact with the product. Contact your health care professional or a medical care clinic for advice.
• If you have questions, call your health care professional or the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222; it is open 24 hours a day.
• Before throwing out a product that may contain mercury, seal it in a plastic bag or leak-proof container. Check with your local environmental, health or solid waste agency for disposal instructions. Some communities have special collections or other options for disposing of household hazardous waste.

We should probably extend the discussion to U.S.-made products as well. Cosmetic products in the U.S. are, unfortunately, not regulated by the FDA. Furthermore, while companies are required to properly label products, the FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic product labeling either. It is illegal to sell misbranded cosmetics in the U.S., but, again, the FDA does not regulate or approve “cosmetic” products.

Cosmetics are commonly used during pregnancy and typically a low concern to the pregnancy due to expected low absorption into the bloodstream and therefore low exposure to the pregnancy but it can’t hurt to be cautious and take a second look at the products we are using especially in light of recent FDA warning.

So I’ll end with some important questions we should all be asking….How much do we know about the short-term and long-term use of chemicals in the cosmetic products that we use everyday? How much are we as consumers willing to pay for this type of evidence, and how long are we willing to wait for it?

For more detailed information on cosmetics, please visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/default.htm

Sonia Alvarado is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Teratogen Information Specialist with the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line, a statewide service that aims to educate women about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Along with answering women’s and health professionals’ questions regarding exposures during pregnancy/lactation via CTIS’ toll-free hotline and email service, she’s provided educational talks regarding pregnancy health in community clinics and high schools over the past decade. In addition, Sonia contributes to the service’s website, develops training materials for new CTIS staff, and is the supervising Teratogen Information Specialist trainer. Sonia attended San Diego State University and has worked in Tuberculosis Control for San Diego County’s Public Health Department. Sonia’s work has also been published through several tuberculosis studies. In her spare time, she loves to volunteer with the March of Dimes as an expert speaker on themes related to pregnancy.

CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line is part of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a non-profit with affiliates across North America. California women with questions or concerns about pregnancy exposures can be directed to (800) 532-3749 or by visiting CTISPregnancy.org. Outside of California, please call OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847).

References:

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm294849.htm
http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/mercury_inorg_summary.pdf
Mercury exposure among household users and nonusers of skin-lightening creams produced in Mexico - California and Virginia, 2010.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012 Jan 20;61(2):33-6.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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You Can’t Ignore the Cantaloupe Listeria Issue…Especially During Pregnancy

You Can’t Ignore the Cantaloupe Listeria Issue…Especially During Pregnancy

By Sonia Alvarado, CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line Counselor

Pregnant women who ask their doctor about food recommendations, or who call a pregnancy information service such as ours in California (www.ctispregnancy.org) are typically told to avoid unpasteurized milk products such as raw milk, unpasteurized cheese and deli meats to avoid exposure to listeria monocytogenes, a mycobacteria. Listeria infection in pregnancy can cause neonatal infection, stillbirth, miscarriage or prematurity. While we recommend that everyone wash fruits and vegetables before eating, we had not been specifically concerned about listeria contaminating fruit and possibly infecting pregnant women; until now.

At the time this is being written, there is a large investigation being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), other Federal authorities, along with the support and cooperation of local health departments on an extensive listeria outbreak resulting from contaminated cantaloupes. The contaminated cantaloupes originated from a Colorado producer, Jensen Farms, who distributed to vendors in 25 states, who then trucked the cantaloupes to stores and supermarkets. According to the CDC, at this time there are at least 72 people who have been sickened, including 13 deaths. It is expected that the number of infected people will rise since illness may not occur until 2-3 weeks after infection, and cases would still have to be reported to the appropriate authorities to be counted. The ages of infected individuals so far ranges from 35 to 96 including two pregnant women, according to media reports.

Listeria infection causes listeriosis and this disease is most dangerous to pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, children and senior citizens. Pregnant women are reported to be 20 times more likely to get listeriosis. The symptoms of listeriosis are different in the various sensitive groups; pregnant women may experience a mild, flu-like illness, seniors may suffer septicemia: infection throughout the body, and meningitis. Pregnant women may not realize what’s happened until after they’ve suffered a pregnancy loss, one of the risks associated with listeria infection in pregnancy.

Most worrisome at this time is that we do not know how the cantaloupes were infected. Was the listeria in the soil or in the water that irrigated the cantaloupes? This critical piece of information is necessary to prevent this outbreak from occurring again.

This outbreak is yet another warning about the importance of having evidence-based and enforced regulations on food handling, production and inspection. However, since no system is perfect, we all need to take steps to reduce the chance that we’ll be infected from listeria or other bacteria and parasites.

The following are recommendations from the CDC in combination with other sources, to reduce your chance of exposure; recognizing that no recommendations are going to be 100% effective.

1. Wash your hands before handling any food (meat, fruits, vegetables, canned, prepared, not prepared, etc). Wash hands for 20 seconds with soapy, warm water.

2. Wash all homegrown produce and store-bought before eating it. You can use water, a 1% vinegar solution, soapy water or a commercial vegetable-cleaning product. Use a vegetable brush if possible.

3. Wash knives, countertops, and cutting boards after handling and preparing uncooked foods.

4. Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork, or poultry to a safe internal temperature. What’s the appropriate temperature? From the USDA (using a food thermometer):

• All whole cuts of meat (ground beef, veal, lamb, and pork) to 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat (rest time of 3 minutes before eating)
• Ground meats, (ground beef, veal, lamb, and pork): 160 °F no rest time recommended
• All poultry products (ground beef, veal, lamb, and pork); 160 °F no rest time recommended

5. Separate uncooked meats and poultry from vegetables

6. Separate uncooked meats from cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.

7. Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk, and do not eat foods that have unpasteurized milk in them.

8. Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

9. Clean dishes with soap water in the hottest temperature that is safe and comfortable for you. The FDA requires restaurants clean dishes with a minimum temperature of 110 degrees F, so if you have a dishwasher, you may be able to get the water to this recommended temperature.

10. When possible, choose irradiated foods. Cleaning foods on the surface may not get to all of the bacteria. For example, cleaning lettuce with water may not get to bugs that get between nooks in the leaves. Irradiation exposes food to a source of electron beams, and destroys bacteria and parasites. Get informed about irradiated foods from the experts! http://hps.org/searchresult.cfm

11. Clean your refrigerator! You won’t get all the listeria out, but most of it and slow its growth.

12. Keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees or below. This temperature slows the growth of listeria in refrigerators.

Sonia Alvarado is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Teratogen Information Specialist with the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line, a statewide service that aims to educate women about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Along with answering women’s and health professionals’ questions regarding exposures during pregnancy/lactation via CTIS’ toll-free hotline and email service, she’s provided educational talks regarding pregnancy health in community clinics and high schools over the past decade. In addition, Sonia contributes to the service’s website, develops training materials for new CTIS staff, and is the supervising Teratogen Information Specialist trainer. Sonia attended San Diego State University and has worked in Tuberculosis Control for San Diego County’s Public Health Department. Sonia’s work has also been published through several tuberculosis studies. In her spare time, she loves to volunteer with the March of Dimes as an expert speaker on themes related to pregnancy.

CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line is part of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a non-profit with affiliates across North America. California women with questions or concerns about pregnancy exposures can be directed to (800) 532-3749 or by visiting CTISPregnancy.org. Outside of California, please call OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847).

References:

http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-enewsletter/packer-daily/130708503.html

http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18966612

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09369.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0810-are_your_dishes_clean.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153655.htm

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_052411_01/index.asp

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Declining Fertility in Men

When Infertility Becomes a “Guy Thing”How Men Can Combat Declining Fertility Trends

When infertility strikes, it can be a massive source of stress for couples, and many are too quick to assume it’s a female issue.



Alarmingly, the average sperm count for adult males has decreased by 50 percent since 1938 and is currently declining at a rate of 2 percent each year, according to a study in the British Medical Journal. Stress, exposure to environmental toxins and diets deficient in key vitamins and minerals are likely to blame.



“It’s a fact that one in six couples will have difficulty conceiving, but many aren’t aware that almost half the time, it’s the male who is the cause of the problem,” said fertility expert, Dr. Amos Grunebaum. “When couples address this issue, it’s been my experience that the woman is the first to see a specialist to determine her fertility status. It’s a little more difficult to get the man on board with doing the same thing. Some men just don’t want to acknowledge that they may have a fertility problem. As such, they are more reluctant to get tested and I have seen a lot of men delay seeing a specialist or even avoid it completely.”



Unfortunately, Dr. Grunebaum can confirm these disturbing statistics as he has seen sperm counts decline in his 25+ years of practice.



“From my experience, low sperm count is one of the primary reasons that couples have a difficult time conceiving,” said Dr. Grunebaum, also a medical health advisor for Fairhaven Health (www.fairhavenhealth.com). “Quite simply, the fewer sperm a man produces, the lower the likelihood that one will successfully fertilize the egg.”



However, according to Dr. Grunebaum, there are a variety of ways men can help improve their reproductive health.



“A diet rich in antioxidants such as Vitamins C, E and Zinc can go a long way in improving sperm health. Exercising regularly plus limiting caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco intake can also help a great deal,” he added.



While low sperm count is known to be a major cause of infertility, for many men, visiting a doctor or clinic to have a sperm analysis done can be a daunting task.



“The testing process itself can be a little embarrassing and even more so when faced with the prospect of exposing their condition to the doctor, nurse or office staff,” he added.



Fortunately, there is now a way to test for low sperm count in the privacy of one’s own home. A new product from Fairhaven Health, the SpermCheck Fertility Test, accurately confirms if a man has a normal count (20 million per milliliter). The test can be completed in a matter of minutes and retails for around $35. Should the SpermCheck at-home test confirm a low count, it’s generally a good indicator that he should see a specialist to help further diagnose the problem.
“There are many benefits from determining early on if sperm count is a problem for you,” Dr. Grunebaum said. “The sooner an issue is pinpointed, the sooner proper treatment can be started. Treatments for male infertility typically include lifestyle changes, vitamin, mineral or herbal supplementation, prescription medication, or even surgical procedures. But before any of that can begin, the couple has to be able to communicate and agree to take action.”

About Dr. Amos Grunebaum

Dr. Grunebaum is a New York based physician who is double-board certified in obstetrics/gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancy). He is recognized as one of New York's foremost Ob/Gyns as evidenced by his regular inclusion in Castle Connolly's "Top Doctors: New York." Dr. Grunebaum has helped formulate a number of products for Fairhaven Health, a leading manufacturer of products to help couples conceive.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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It’s a Cruel, Cruel Summer

It’s a Cruel, Cruel Summer

By Nadia Mohamedi, OTIS Teratogen Information Specialist

Summer is here and it feels like it happened so fast! The temperature is rising and the summer BBQ’s are beginning. While some may think we’ve got some time before the hottest days of the year, research shows that in all 50 states the hottest month is already here. In fact, the record temperature has been broken in all 31 days of July, with August having only 10 days with record-breaking temperature.   These hot days can feel like torture for pregnant women, who already feel like a furnace due to their increased blood volume and weight.  So, I’d thought I’d help those who are sweating for two and give some tips on how to survive pregnancy in the HEAT.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Everyone know they’re supposed to drink 5-8 glasses of water per day, but who really does? Even though it feels like a lot of water, pregnant women really should pay attention to this recommendation, not only to cool themselves down but to prevent dehydration. Being dehydrated in pregnancy can cause a mom to faint or have preterm contractions. Iced tea can feel amazing on those hot summer days, but iced tea can have as much caffeine as soda and make you more dehydrated. So, put some water bottles in the freezer and take a few cold ones with you before you head out for the day!

2. Gym, TAN, laundry: Well, forget the gym/laundry part, but some sun in pregnancy is beneficial!  Vitamin D deficiency is common in pregnant women, even when women live in sun-filled areas.  Being deficient in Vitamin D can contribute to preeclampsia, low birth weight and having a baby with fragile bones. For a light-skinned person, getting full-body exposure in peak summer sun for only 10-15 minutes will release 20,000 IU of vitamin D into circulation. Vitamin D also increases your absorption of calcium, which your baby loves to steal from you. Catch some rays for a healthy pregnancy and get your glow on, but don’t forget the SPF! 

3. Cant.Move.Too.Hot:  While it is nice to get some summer sun, it’s important to use your own common sense to know when it’s time to chill out, literally. Normally, your body can self-regulate its temperature by expelling heat when the core temperature rises higher than 98.6⁰F. However, when the temperature outside is warmer than your core temperature and the humidity is over 75%, it’s a lot harder for the body to release its own heat into the environment. This can result in your core temperature rising, just like it does when you have a fever. In the 1^st trimester, having a core temperature of over 102⁰F can increase your baby’s risk of being born with a neural tube defect, like spina bifida. Rising internal temperatures can also cause heat exhaustion or even heat stroke when core temperature reaches 104⁰F. Symptoms to watch out for are rapid breathing, nausea/vomiting, headache, fatigue, dizziness and an abnormal mental status (i.e- confusion or hallucinations). 

Ways to prevent heat-related illness are restricting exercise, staying in the shade or air-conditioned locales, hydrating, and wearing light loose-fitting clothing. If you find you cannot cool yourself down, and you start to experience symptoms, you should call your doctor or get medical assistance. Occasionally, it is too hot outside and not completely safe for anyone.  Even though this may mean watching family BBQ’s from the inside this summer, your baby will thank you for chilling out!

4. Listeria Hysteria: Personally, my favorite part of summer BBQ’s is all the MEAT – hot dogs, hamburgers etc. However, undercooked meat can contain a parasite called toxoplasma gondii. Additionally, hot dogs could be contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes causes Listeriosis , which is more likely to occur in pregnant women due to their decreased immune systems. Although the risk of actually having the listeriosis infection are very low, pregnant women can avoid exposure by eating food as soon as it is prepared (a great excuse to jump the line!),  re-heating until food like hot dogs and cold cuts are steaming, and washing raw veggies. Food to totally avoid, unfortunately, are soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk (like feta and Brie- I know, so sad), raw/smoked seafood (i.e-sushi or smoked salmon), and pate. Listeriosis in pregnancy can increase one’s risk of having a preterm delivery, miscarriage or stillbirth. The newborn infant can also be born with the infection as well. Check out our Listeriosis fact sheet for more info: http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/listeriosis.pdf.

5. One nice cold beer won’t hurt, right? Wrong.:  With all these summer events outdoors, it seems like everyone has got a nice coldie in their hand.  Thanks to some fancy cans, you can even see how cold the beer is by how blue the mountains are. Great. This can make drinking so much more tempting, but, remember, there is no safe threshold for drinking in pregnancy. You can hold the cold beer up to your forehead, but if you drink it at any time during pregnancy, you may be doing permanent damage to your baby. See our Alcohol fact sheet for more information: http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/alcohol.pdf. Even the non-alcoholic beers have some alcohol in them, so sit back with some cold sparkling juice and know that you are doing two great things at once: cooling down and contributing to a healthy life for your baby.

Now that you know the tips for having a healthy pregnancy this summer, enjoy the beautiful weather, time with family, friends, and good eats! Now that doesn’t sound so cruel after all! 

**Nadia Mohamedi is a teratogen information specialist and also serves as a research assistant/interviewer for OTIS studies in San Diego, CA. She holds a BA in neurobiology and a minor in psychology from Harvard College. In addition to her work with OTIS, Nadia has worked for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program at McLean Hospital as well as served as a teacher’s assistant at a school for children with disabilities in Lima, Peru.

OTIS is a North American non-profit dedicated to providing accurate evidence-based information about exposures during pregnancy and lactation. Questions or concerns about medications and other exposures during pregnancy or breastfeeding can be directed to OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847) or online at OTISPregnancy.org.**

References:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2662811/hottest_months_of_the_year_in_the_us.html

Haddad, J. G., Matsuoka, L. Y., Hollis, B. W., Hu, Y. Z. & Wortsman, J. (1993) Human plasma transport of vitamin D after its endogenous synthesis. J. Clin. Invest. 91:2552-2555

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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FATHER'S DAY FACT: DAD'S EXPOSURES CAN BE SIGNIFICANT PRIOR TO PREGNANCY

According to the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a nationwide non-profit that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, more studies are needed to evaluate the potential effect of illnesses, medications and men's lifestyle habits and their impact on both fertility and pregnancy. It is estimated that for couples suffering fertility problems, the issue rests half of the time with the male. In approximately a quarter of these cases, a specific cause is unknown.

"A paternal exposure is anything the father of the baby is exposed to before or during his partner's pregnancy," explained Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH, professor of pediatrics and director of OTIS' California affiliate, the CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line, which is based at the University of California, San Diego. "Some exposures may affect a man's ability to father a child by changing the size or shape of sperm, the number of sperm produced or how the sperm work," she added.

Studies have found associations with the following risk factors and either altered sperm with or without infertility, lower fertility and infertility:

*      Occupational: Chemicals such as heavy metals, solvents, fumes (welding fumes).
*      Physical agents: Heat, vibration, extremes in temperature and pressure.
*      Radiation: Radiation and electromagnetic radiation (cell phones).
*      Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking.
*      Infection: Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted disease.
*      Pollutants: PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls). PCBs were banned by the EPA in 1979, but exist in the environment including landfills, lakes and streams.

"Dad is sometimes an afterthought when it comes to pregnancy," said Dr. Chambers. "But the bottom line is it's often just as important to consider dad's impact on a developing baby before, during and after pregnancy as it is mom's," she added. "What better time to remind the public of that significance than during Father's Day."

Questions or concerns about paternal exposures in pregnancy or breastfeeding from anyone in the U.S. can be directed to OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847). A variety of fact sheets can also be viewed and downloaded at www.OTISPregnancy.org.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
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Pregnancy Passport: Should I Travel?

Pregnancy Passport: Should I Travel?

By Sonia Alvarado, CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line Counselor

Spring and summer are a busy travel time for Americans who take advantage of school vacations and seasonal slow-downs in their jobs to travel within the U.S. and abroad. Americans will travel by the millions this year in search of adventure, culture and relaxation. This holds true for expectant moms. However, I can’t tell you how often I get the question from worried callers to our non-profit’s information line, “can I travel even though I’m pregnant?” It’s a great question and common concern, so I thought I’d spread the word of what research shows: pregnancy should not be a barrier for travel except in the most limited of circumstances.

First of all, whether you are pregnant or not, it’s a good idea to check if there are any issues you need to be aware of that could affect your health or your plans. For example, if you are traveling to an area that is hurricane prone, you might want to check a website like the Weather Channel before you fly or drive to look at seasonal or historical weather patterns in the area. You might also check with your travel agency and hotel for their emergency and guest relocation plans in the event of a hurricane. Finally, you want to check the State Department website for information on the projected hurricane season: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5472.html

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has a free, downloadable patient pamphlet on travel: http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp055.cfm

ACOG states the best time to travel is the middle of the pregnancy based on the observation that in general, most women who have pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) etc., would likely experience it in the first or third trimester. Unfortunately, there is a lack of good research on travel during pregnancy for either occupational purposes or recreational purposes.

The CDC has a website that provides information on travel immunization recommendations as well as health warnings. Whether you are pregnant or not, it’s just good common sense to check this site when planning travel, and again before the actual travel date, to check for updates on either disease outbreaks or immunization recommendations. This website is http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.htm . It’s possible that based on the CDC health warnings, an individual might change their travel plans.

If you are pregnant, healthy, have no known health risks, and you are traveling in your first or second trimesters within the U.S. and major modern cities throughout the world, and you’ve performed the recommendations mentioned above, and you are satisfied with what you have read, there are no recommendations against travel.

If you are in your third trimester, because potentially any woman could go into premature labor, it’s a good idea to take another step and research the health facilities in the area you are visiting. While the chances are not high that a healthy woman would go into premature labor, it could still occur and you’d want to have a voice in where you receive your health care. Of course, you also need to check with your health insurance and travel agency to follow up on coverage issues. 

The CDC has a site dedicated to travel issues for pregnant women and its recommended reading particularly if you are leaving the continental U.S. This website covers everything from airport scanners to potential complication concerns with long distance air travel. The website is http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-8/traveling-while-pregnant.htm

Many of the recommendations both in the ACOG and CDC site are based on observations of the physiology of pregnancy and effects from travel on the general public, as well as small studies. Unfortunately, there is a lack of good research specific to the issue of travel during pregnancy. A review article published in 2010 looked at air travel issues related to the recreational/occasional pregnant traveler and occupational exposure (business and frequent travelers/airline pilots or flight attendants). They attempted to assess risks related to cosmic radiation, cabin pressure, thromboembolism, infectious disease, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, preeclampsia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction and other complications. They found the quality of the data was generally poor, and concluded that based on existing data, it appeared that the risk of preterm birth (<37 weeks) was greater in passengers than controls, however, the risk of preeclampsia, neonatal intensive care unit admission or low birth weight was not increased. 

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go,” someone once told me, and many Americans will “go” far and near. Whether it’s for a babymoon, special event or family gathering, we hope our pregnant readers will get informed, be prepared and take the road less traveled…while they still can!

Sonia Alvarado is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Teratogen Information Specialist with the California Teratogen Information Service (CTIS) Pregnancy Health Information Line, a statewide service that aims to educate women about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Along with answering women’s and health professionals’ questions regarding exposures during pregnancy/lactation via CTIS’ toll-free hotline and email service, she’s provided educational talks regarding pregnancy health in community clinics and high schools over the past decade. In addition, Sonia contributes to the service’s website, develops training materials for new CTIS staff, and is the supervising Teratogen Information Specialist trainer. Sonia attended San Diego State University and has worked in Tuberculosis Control for San Diego County’s Public Health Department. Sonia’s work has also been published through several tuberculosis studies. In her spare time, she loves to volunteer with the March of Dimes as an expert speaker on themes related to pregnancy.

CTIS Pregnancy Health Information Line is part of the The Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), a non-profit with affiliates across North America. California women with questions or concerns about pregnancy exposures can be directed to (800) 532-3749 or by visiting CTISPregnancy.org. Outside of California, please call OTIS counselors at (866) 626-OTIS (6847).

References:

Magann EF, Chauhan SP Dahlke JD, McKelvey SS, Watson EM, Morrison JC. Air travel and pregnancy outcomes: a review of pregnancy regulations and outcomes for passengers, flight attendants, and aviators. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey 2010 Jun;65(6):396-402.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews? Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com