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Racy T.V. Raises Teen Pregnancy

By On · Add Comment · In pregnant, T.V., teen pregnancies, teens, television

Your teenage daughter into Gossip Girl? Sex in the City? If so, there’s a greater chance she may become pregnant. So says the latest study on the subject published in the medical journal, Pediatrics.

According to the study conducted by the RAND Corporation, teen pregnancies are twice as likely among teens who watch a lot of TV with sexual dialogue and behavior than among those who have tamer viewing tastes. The study looked at 2,003 12 to 17 year old girls and boys across the country. The teens were asked about their T.V. viewing habits in a telephone interview conducted in 2001. They were then periodically re-interviewed–the last time in 2004–and asked about pregnancy. Teens who watched the raciest shows the most (Sex in the City was one of more than twenty shows asked about and recorded in the study) were twice as likely to become pregnant (or get a girl pregnant in the case of boys) than teens who “hardly ever saw them.” Friends and That ’70s Show were a couple other shows considered racy.

Having two daughters myself, I find this study interesting. First off, I’m no moral majorist–I have no beef with these types of shows being on television. However, I’m pretty adamant in my belief that lots of television watching turns people into idiots; so my wife and I pretty much discourage that as our childrens’ primary activity. A little T.V. here and there is fine. But sitting for hours like a zombie in front of the idiot box is simply self-destructive. Numerous studies come out every year showing the detriment of television watching for kids even beyond teen pregnancy, so why get them hooked early on?

According to the study, teen pregnancies were increased even when other factors were considered, including grades, family structure and parents’ education level, so don’t think it can’t happen to your kid. Have you watched television lately? Why would anybody want to watch the mundane lives of reality “stars” anyway? Rachel Zoe, indeed. My advice is get your child into art and reading right away. That’s what we do. And we have pets, so the girls have lots to keep them occupied–chasing, poking, talking, petting, screaming–much more fun than the garbage that’s on the stupid-box.

Pregnant Man

By On · Add Comment · In children, endometriosis, hysterectomy, man, pregnant, testosterone, Thomas Beatie, transgender
Never thought you’d see it, did you? But the planet has it’s first pregnant man. Well…sort of. Thomas Beatie of Oregon is a transgender male. For those of you who don’t know what that is, he was born with the biological equipment of a woman.

He is married to a woman, his wife Nancy. Apparently Nancy could not have children–hysterectomy due to endometriosis. So what was the next best thing? adoption? foster children? Nope, nope–Thomas got off the testosterone and within four months was inseminated (without fertility drugs) with anonymous donor sperm. Today he’s healthy, happy…and pregnant.

Ah, isn’t modern technology wondrous? Looking forward to the updated story in a couple of decades…of his manopause. Snicker

Omega-3 Necessary for Baby Brains

By On · Add Comment · In babies, brains, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), expecting mothers, fatty acids, fish liver oil, Journal of Pediatrics, newborn, omega 3, pregnancy, pregnant, umbilical cord
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, omega 3 fatty acids are absolutely essential to good health. They’re important for adults and they’re important for children, and darn it, they’re even necessary for developing babies brains–before birth. You heard me right, pregnant mamas need to supplement with omega 3 fatty acids right away, but especially during the later stages of pregnancy.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, expecting mothers who eat their fair share of omega 3 fatty acids (300 mg/day is recommended) can actually give their babies a brain-power boost. Concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were measured in the blood of umbilical cords of newborns. The concentration in the cord blood was closely correlated to the concentration in the mother’s blood at the time of delivery. The babies were then given standard visual and memory tests at 6 months old, and the researchers found that the babies with the highest levels of DHA in their cord blood had the highest performance scores.

Omega 3s are found abundantly in fish like salmon and tuna, but also in fish liver oils, which are the most common form found in supplements. I personally take 6 capsules of omega 3s every day, and as I’ve disclosed in an earlier post, my blood panel–especially my cholesterol, HDLs, and HDL/total cholesterol ratio were stellar.

During the third trimester of pregnancy, when fetal brain development accelerates, omega 3s–most importantly DHA–are crucial to the growth and development of the brain and eyes. Unfortunately, western diets are notoriously deficient in omega 3 fatty acids.

But that doesn’t have to be you. Pick up a jar of omega 3 fatty acids today. I promise you, it’ll be one of the most powerful health habits you’ll ever do–guaranteed.

Nicole Richie is Pregnant???

By On · Add Comment · In anorexic, birth defects, Downs Syndrome, drug user, emotional scarring, miscarriages, mothers, Nicole Richie, pregnancy, pregnant, skinny, Tay-Sachs
My wife asked me today, “Can you believe that Nicole Richie is pregnant? How can she hold a baby?” I presumed she meant the skinny, anorexic, drug user thing.

“Why wouldn’t she be able to?”, I asked.

“Because she’s so skinny?”

That question reminded me of something I found very interesting and, quite frankly, peculiar during our own pregnancy with our daughter Delilah. I noticed that an enormous amount of fear and caution is circulated among new, expecting mothers. Downs syndrome, Tay-Sachs, birth defects, emotional scarring, miscarriages, preschool enrollment – you name it, there was a precaution for it. Quite the bit of nail biting involved.

I have to say that I find it a bit counterproductive. I see where it comes from; liability is a grave concern among doctors, especially OB/GYN docs. As I understand it, obstetricians have the highest malpractice premiums of all doctors simply because they are the most often sued. Think about it: a child is born with a birth defect – gotta blame somebody, right? That’s the American way. Couldn’t be destiny or have greater, let’s say, spiritual meaning now could it? Nor could it possibly be a blessing – for the child and the parents. Nah – it’s gotta be the doctor’s fault. Sue him!

Here’s what I always say: It’s true, things do happen. And it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so testing is o.k. But let’s lighten up a bit. Don’t go through your pregnancy freaked out. Consider this: There are starving women in Africa having babies, and many survive. The human body is incredibly resilient, so for the most part, everything should be o.k. If you happen to fall within the small percentage of there being “a problem”, then I think it’s wiser to look at the deeper implication; the deeper meaning, if you will. It’s still a blessing. You just have to see it as such.

As far as Nicole Richie is concerned, I have a confession to make. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to say Nicole Richie in my blog. Paris, you’re next.

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