With the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, it was a scary time for all pregnant women who naturally have weakened immune responses. They were urged to get vaccines for H1N1.

Mammograms got quite a bit of attention late this year when the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended against the screening for women under 50. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said women should keep doing what they’ve been doing for years and talk to their doctors about whether or not to have a mammogram.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued new cervical cancer screening guidelines, saying that some women may not need a Pap test each year.

A study funded by the National Cancer Institute revealed more about the lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer. Alcohol consumption and obesity were found to greatly elevate risk.

Both women and men were urged to cut added sugar intake. The American Heart Association issued new sugar intake recommendations to help reduce obesity and diabetes.

A large study showed that H2 blockers for acid reflux taken during pregnancy pose no significant threat to the fetus.

Medical professionals issued warning on use of fetal heart rate monitors, which could give some women a false sense of security and cause a delay in needed treatment.

Researchers found that in women with a family history of breast cancer, breastfeeding reduces breast cancer risk by more than 50%.

America once again got a “D” on preterm birth rates.

Good news for almost everyone: Dark chocolate was proven to reduce stress.

Depression became a suggested risk factor for bone loss.

A large-scale sleep study revealed that lack of sleep is more dangerous (heart-wise) for women than men.

(Image via stock.xchng)

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Best of 2009 Health Stories for Women

“Fourteen hundred women around the world die every day in pregnancy and childbirth due to lack of basic health care.”

That’s right. Millions of women around the globe are still do not have access to the midwives, maternity wards and medicines they need for a safe pregnancy and delivery. This greatly increases the risk of maternal and child death and disability. Oxfam is fighting to get free public health care and education to all people. Oxfam is a global movement of dedicated people fighting poverty, from saving lives and developing projects that put poor people in charge of their lives and livelihoods, to campaigning for change that lasts.

How can you help bridge the gap between pregnant woman and they so badly need? Join Oxfam by pledging to your support of its “6 Million More” movement to demand health and education for all. And help give all women a fighting chance for a healthy baby.

To join, go to www.oxfam.org.uk/grooveyourbump. And help all women groove their bumps.

Video, YouTube, OxfamGreatBritain

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Pregnant Women Break Dancing for Good Cause

The concerns lie in the lack of proper labeling, certain ingredients, and lack of others. Both Maxum Matragen and Maxum Multi-Vite contain ginkgo biloba, green tea extracts and vanadium. At this point, the safety of these ingredients for pregnant women or nursing women isn’t known and there is no such labeling to that effect.

As well, the supplements don’t have enough iron or folic acid for pregnant or nursing women. These are essential for both baby and maternal health. Folic acid has been found to be very important in the baby’s development.

If you are pregnant or nursing and aren’t sure what type of vitamin supplement to take, speak with your doctor, midwife, and/or pharmacist for guidance.

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Image: Newscom.com

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Health Canada Warns Against Supplement

• Bone abnormalities in the skull
• Inhibition of growth
• Fatal kidney damage

Of 209 infants who were exposed to ACE inhibitors in the first trimester, 18 had birth defects with 9 of these children having heart defects. This translates to 2.7 times greater risk of birth defects in children born of mothers who had taken ACE inhibitors in the first trimester.

What’s the alternative for women who need to take medication for blood pressure control? There’s no clear answer. Most drugs are not tested in pregnant women using the gold standard randomized clinical trial format for ethical reasons. What little observational data available from studying women who unintentionally expose themselves to various drugs during pregnancy leave some room for doubt.

More interestingly, because women are having children later, they are more prone to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and are more likely to be on daily medication. Dr. Jan M. Friedman of the University of British Columbia recommends that “women who have taken ACE inhibitors during the first trimester should have fetal ultrasound scans and echocardiograms at about 18 weeks.”

The New York Times, June 8, 2006

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ACE Inihibitors for Blood Pressure and Birth Defects