Early Motherhood

Consumer Reports is advising pregnant women to avoid eating tuna, as the mercury content in the fish could potentially harm the nervous system of a developing fetus.

The advisory challenges government recommendations that it’s safe for pregnant women to eat small amounts of the fish. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t advise pregnant women to avoid tuna consumption, but says they should have no more than 12 ounces per week. And when choosing which fish to eat, pregnant women should limit albacore tuna (white tuna) or tuna steak to no more than 6 ounces per week, the FDA says. Albacore tuna is thought to contain more mercury than canned light tuna.

If you’re like most women, the pain of labor and delivery is one of the things that worries you about having a baby. This is certainly understandable, because for most women, labor is painful.

Even though it is possible to have labor with relatively little pain, your best bet is to prepare yourself for the idea of pain during labor and delivery and to plan some strategies for coping with it. Alleviating your anxiety about pain is one of the best ways to ensure that you’ll be able to deal with it when the time comes.

Up to 25 percent of pregnant women have light vaginal bleeding, or spotting, during the first trimester. In most cases, spotting is not a sign of a problem. Light bleeding in the first trimester is often caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg in the wall of the uterus. This implantation bleeding usually happens 10 days or so after conception. Implantation bleeding is usually lighter and more irregular than a menstrual period.

But any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy or a suspected pregnancy should be taken seriously. If you are pregnant or think you are pregnant, you should always call your doctor if have any bleeding. She will be able to figure out if it is a sign of a problem.

“Yes, but when does Joey go back to the hospital?”

At times, parents may ask you for advice in helping their children adjust to a new brother or sister. Most children welcome new siblings with excitement and affection, but the changes in their lives may also frustrate them. A mixture of positive and negative feelings and behaviors is common in children when a new brother or sister arrives. For example, children may feel jealous and left out, but they may also feel a great deal of pride and affection for their new sister or brother. Here are five ideas based on current research that can help promote good sibling relations.

Planning for a baby can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but also one of the most demanding times. Pondering names, redesigning spaces in your home, and getting all of the equipment an infant needs are just a few of the things that will consume many hours during pregnancy. Choosing the right health care provider should be included on your list of things to do before your baby is born.

What Are Your Options?
When it comes to medical care for your child, there are generally three types of qualified providers: pediatricians, family physicians, and pediatric nurse practitioners.