Infants have a three to four times higher risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome, or “crib death,” if their mothers smoke during and after pregnancy. Children exposed to secondhand smoke also have more ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and other health problems. The new study included 1,774 women who were part of the “Smoke-free Newborn” study conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 1996 and 1999. Twice during pregnancy, researchers surveyed women about their smoking status. To double-check whether women who said they quit smoking really did, their saliva was checked for cotinine – created when nicotine is broken down in the body.
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Drinking During Pregnancy: Emily Oster, Author of ‘Expecting Better’, Explains Why It Might Be OK (VIDEO)
Yet her findings indicated conclusions all across the board. In her book, she addresses all kind of pregnancy myths using her statistical background, and delves into the question of whether or not pregnant women can drink while expecting. Her conclusion: Yes, in moderation. Although all the pregnancy organizations in the United States recommend a policy of abstinence, similar organizations in different countries indicate occasional drinking is fine, she writes. She explains that after sifting through reliable studies , a couple drinks per week is fine in the first trimester and no more than one 4-ounce drink a day in the last two trimesters. So why do some studies turn their back on alcohol completely?
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/22/drinking-during-pregnancy-emily-oster_n_3792428.html
Pregnancy week by week
Harms is a practicing physician and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound. From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs. He is the co-author of the “Mayo Clinic Model of Education.” In 2008, Dr.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/influenza/AN00651/rss=1
Tammy Bruce 