Tori's Blog
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Omega-3 and Mercury Matter Before Pregnancy
Saturday, March 6th, 2010
Fish oil is good for us. In recent years a lot of information has come out about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA omega-3s are good for fetal brain development as well as other health benefits in adults. They can be found in fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds and vegetable oils like canola, soybean and olive oil. Certain fortified foods such as milk, juice, bread and yogurt also have them.Seafood can be an important part of a balanced...
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Fit Pregnancy’s Biggest Babymoon Ever
Monday, March 1st, 2010
I attended Fit Pregnancy magazine’s Biggest Babymoon Ever event in Los Gatos, California this weekend. I was asked to give a seminar on “Common Sense Pregnancy” as well as be a part of a panel discussion on a wide variety of pregnancy topics. Fit Pregnancy selected The Joy of Pregnancy as their featured book for the event and each of the participants received a copy.What a wonderful experience . It was really my first outing since this shoulder surgery and although it...
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February Research: Eating in Labor, Predicting Preterm Labor
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Two new and interesting studies came out this month. I want to be able to pass on this kind of information, as I am able to. Current information keeps all of us moving towards better care for moms and babies.Of course women should be able to eat and drink freely during labor. As I always tell my moms, the worst that is likely to happen is that if she eats or drinks too much in the early part of labor...
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My 9-Year Old Slept In The Dog Crate
Friday, February 19th, 2010
My nine year old slept in the dog crate last night. Alexander announced at dinner that he wished to sleep in the crate. Perhaps this entitles me to the Best Mommy Award for, not only agreeing to it, but photographing it as well. Some might balk at this interesting sleeping arrangement.Actually, it isn’t as bad as it may seem. It is a large, soft -sided crate that usually sleeps our 2-½ yr. old lab, Buster and our 7-month-old lab, Roxie....
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The Joy of Pregnancy Is A Free Download
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
I want to share some exciting news with you. My focus has always been not only to provide, but also to raise the bar on the quality of information that is available to pregnant women. I applaud all the health care professionals who work so diligently to provide solid, sensible and accurate information about having a baby here in the U.S. in the 21st century.As part of this mission, my publisher, Harvard Common Press has released The Joy of Pregnancy as a free...
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The Shoulder Gets Fixed
Saturday, February 13th, 2010I’ll apologize up front. I am going to whine a little, I’m afraid. I had a big shoulder surgery this past Wednesday. Yes, stemming from the fateful fall I had just before Thanksgiving. It was a big repair with a long recovery. I am in a rather intimidating arm/shoulder brace for the next 6 weeks and my days will be rather quiet. At the moment that seems fine as I can barely move, but I know as soon as I feel...
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Does Depression During Pregnancy Cause Later Aggression In Children?
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
A new, British study was recently released that showed a possible link between a woman’s depression during pregnancy and later teenage aggression in her children. Although it is vitally important to continually research the subject of pre and postnatal depression, I am critical of this particular study.The subject group came from a primarily lower socioeconomic class and many of the participants already had some depression and also a history of behavioral difficulties as children themselves. Many of them were also described...
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Abby Epstein’s Labor
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
Abby Epstein, Ricki Lake’s co-producer in the film, The Business of Being Born, who was also pregnant, had planned for a homebirth with New York midwife, Cara Muhlhahn. Ms. Epstein was being followed closely by a physician during her pregnancy due to her baby being seriously growth restricted (IUGR). IUGR means that the baby has stopped growing appropriately and can be caused by a number of factors, most commonly a problem with the placenta or a medical condition that has... -
Yes, I Am Picking On Ricki Lake. A Little Background.
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
I might be just about done with this but seeing Ricki Lake on a recent talk show and still hearing women elevate her to near sainthood for “returning us to homebirth” has just steamed me once again. I really don’t have anything personal against Ms. Lake. I am just so very bothered by celebrities; – actresses, models, etc. taking personal stances on whatever their favorite subject is and using their ability to reach a mass audience to promote their cause.... -
4:00 a.m. Rambling
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010It has been raining. Alot. Seems we are fully in the throes of winter here in Northern California. I have about 4 blogs posts ready to go, with some general polishing, but at 4am what I am really working on is trying to decide if I keep Alexander (and myself) home today.
He has a cold. I think it might be a bad one but since I am not sure I actually own a thermometer, I do not believe he has...
