It is A Bump in the Road's mission to provide resources, education, and support to women traveling the path of parenthood. Group meetings will be held twice a month, location and date are yet to be determined. I am hopeful to have A Bump in the Road up and running in Golden by June 2010.

*Meetings in Durango will continue on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and postpartum meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.

A new website will be launched soon...In the meantime, a lot of great information can be found right here on the current site. By June, each community will have it's own calendar and sponsoring businesses in each region will be able to be easily accessed through the site!

If you are interested in being a sponsor, a speaker, or a participant— please sign up for the newsletter or e-mail me at brenda@durangobumpintheroad.com

Be Well,

Brenda

Some of these are relevant to practitioners, others to families, most to both!

Welcoming means …

• …asking a father his opinion and what he wants and needs.
• …understanding that a man having an emotional or feeling response to his partner’s pregnancy is a form of connection to the child, family and becoming a father. This may include fear, anger, judgment or other forms of upset. All clues!
• …enquiring about how he is doing (feeling).
• …supporting him to speak openly and regularly to you, his partner, other fathers or supporters.
• …encouraging fathers to read and go to classes. This is best if it includes some material specifically designed for fathers. Recommend some, see F2B list.
• …if you do not have access to the father, then enquire through the mother about him. Not casually but with intention.
• …asking what they, the couple, have decided about his involvement during the birth. If they have not discussed it encourage them to do so.
• …making sure dad understands what he might expect during labor as regards ‘labor pain’. Describe the unique nature of ‘labor pain’ as distinctly different to other forms of pain he may be more familiar with and also that pain is temporary, intermittent and not necessarily inevitable. Remind them to work with the word YES during birth.
• …understanding ‘why’ is usually important for a man. Describe the relationship between adrenalin and oxytocin (birthing hormones) and the important influence fathers do have on this.
• …understanding feminine timing in birth. Each woman’s labor is unique and happens in her own time. Fathers learning to relax around this issue is paramount.
• …making clear to dads that there may be a hierarchy of influence in a birthing room which may need to be negotiated and offer suggestions to support him.
• …being sure the couple has a birth plan and that dad, as the mother’s advocate, is familiar with it and knows to present it to hospital staff.
• …letting him know that birth is inherently safe and his partner is ‘designed’ to give birth, she will be able to do it and his trusting this is important.
• …making sure he is informed about the benefits of breastfeeding for his new baby as well as the mother. Flag the possibility that it could cause him to feel certain unexpected things. Discussing in advance allows him to feel safer.
• …pointing out the importance and value of skin to skin contact with a baby, especially for him. He will benefit from his own hormonal responses to this contact.
• …supporting the mother in understanding that her trusting dad and his contact with his new child is important. She is the gatekeeper.

Taken from Top Tips of Fathers To Be USA.

Together, the women in centering programs get to:

• Build community with other pregnant women
• Learn self-care skills
• Get assurance about the progression of their pregnancy
• Gain knowledge about pregnancy, birth, post partum, and parenting,
• Have improved perinatal outcomes.

The benefits are endless! Some include:

• Increased gestational age (i.e, full term babies)
• Increased birth weight
• Increased success with breastfeeding
• Psychosocial Benefits Include:
• Increased prenatal knowledge
• Decreased prenatal distress
• Increased preparedness for labor and delivery
• Increased readiness for infant care
• Increased happiness with prenatal care.
• Decreased preterm birth.  Irregardless of age, socioeconomics, education, etc.

Over the last century, Preterm birth rates have significantly increased. Preterm birth is when a baby is born at or before 37 weeks; 34-36 weeks is characterized as late-preterm. The reasons are relatively elusive/unknown but some ideas include- increased utilization of reproductive technology and multifetal gestations. Adverse outcomes of preterm birth can include: neonatal and infant deaths, childhood neurological disability, prolonged hospitalization, increased cost, and adverse developmental consequences that can last a lifetime.

Groups provide a dynamic atmosphere for learning and sharing that is impossible to create in a one-to-one encounter; therefore, the patient gains a lot more during these meetings.  “Hearing other women share concerns which mirror my own helped me normalize my experience,” says Brenda Armstrong, owner and participant of A Bump in the Road, a value-added support group in Durango, CO.  A Bump in the Road doesn’t provide “prenatal care” or teach “self-care” techniques; however, A Bump is bringing local practitioners and pregnant women together. Local practitioners present on a variety of topics bimonthly at group meetings to women considering having children, women who are currently pregnant, and to new mothers.  The mix offers validation for everyone in the group. A Bump in the Road provides education, support, and resources for women traveling the path to parenthood.  “We are gaining a greater knowledge of the process while at the same time, we’re building community and learning from each other,” states Armstrong.

Groups also are empowering as they provide support to the members and also increase individual motivation to learn and change. Professionals report that groups provide them with renewed satisfaction in delivering quality care as well. Seek out a support group or a centering program in your area. If you are in Durango, CO San Juan Basin Health Department offers a complete “Centering Pregnanacy” program. For more information, contact Hannah at SJBHD at (970) 247-5702, Ext. 202.

Author: Brenda Armstrong, Owner/Founder A Bump in the Road

While the APA recommends a minimum of six months, any amount of time that you can do it will help both you and your baby. Breastfeeding isn't the only option for feeding your baby; however, every mother has the potential to succeed and make it a wonderful experience!

Babycenter.com lists the following benefits.

Breastfeeding your baby:

• protects your baby from gastrointestinal trouble, respiratory problems, and ear  infections
• can protect your baby from developing allergies.
• may boost your child's intelligence
• may protect against obesity later in life
• may protect your baby from childhood leukemia
• may protect your baby from developing type 1 diabetes
• may protect preemies from infections and high blood pressure later in life
• may lower your baby's risk of SIDS

For Mom, Breastfeeding:

• helps you lose weight (but don’t cut your daily calorie intake/diet)
• can lower your stress levels and reduce postpartum bleeding
• may reduce your risk of some types of cancer
• may protect against osteoporosis later in life

In the workplace, employers are even recognizing the benefits to the working mother. The Office on Women’s Health in the US Department of Health and Human Services notes that breastfeeding reduces costs to employers due to lower health care costs, de-creased absenteeism, enhanced productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and a better corporate image. Employers are creating the space and time for employees to pump milk or feed their baby. If you are going back to work, be sure to communicate with your employer, they may be very open to the idea.

If you are having difficulties with breastfeeding, there are services that can help:

Joy Kanevski, Certified Lactation Consultant - Joy of Life Family Medicine

La Leche League- meets at the Family Center on the first Monday of every month.

Mercy Regional Medical Center- free consultations at the Birthing Center.

You need two kinds of knowing to birth from within. The first and most basic is the intuitive knowing in your bones. The second kind of knowing is modern knowing being savvy about the birth culture and the wide range of birth choices. BIRTHING FROM WITHIN classes offer you a soulful and holistic approach to birth preparation that integrates both kinds of knowing. Our classes prepare you to birth-in-awareness whether you are birthing at home, in a birth center, tipi, taxi or hospital.

Contact Sharon Mauldin sharon@gobrainstorm.net 970 884-4229 for details. To read more about Birthing From Within please visit http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/welcome_parents

I would definitely recommend Sharon and Kenneth's Birthing From Within Weekend Birthshop to any new parent who is wanting to cultivate and strengthen their relationship with themselves, with their partner and with their new baby. It provides you with an opportunity to evolve together- an opportunity that I'm so glad we embraced! Brenda Armstrong ~  Ken's Wife and Isaac's Mom

by Jenny M.

I had an amazingly easy as well as comfortable pregnancy. Heidi, Amy, and Mary Louise at Southwest Midwives in Durango, CO with the help of their great staff offered warm care and encouragement to my partner and I while we awaited our baby’s arrival.

True’s estimated due date was November 8^th, 2008. Well, the 8^th came and went with out even a hint of offering our son True. I felt fine and apparently True did too. Nice and cozy I can only imagine. But, who could blame the guy. I don’t like getting out of bed in the morning in November; I can’t comprehend leaving a womb!

My partner and I walked to a Mexican dinner under a hypnotizing full moon on November 12^th. Which was it that peaked True’s curiosity about the world beyond the womb? Was it the guacamole that he loves so much today, or the magnetic glow of the moon who’s viewing proved to be nothing more than a tease to his unborn eyes? I’m certain that it wasn’t the walk being as the cruiser ride I’d taken that afternoon didn’t tempt him. Anyhow, I began having contractions around 7 that evening.

Around Midnight the activity was enough that I decided to get out of bed and start timing my contractions. They seemed to be 5-6 minutes apart, so I made the call. I reached a soft and sleepy Amy. She instructed my partner and I to make our way to The Family Birthing Center about an hour from then. I followed the phone call by a shower to distract me from the clock.

I awoke my partner about 1 o’clock with the classic “it’s time” statement. His bag was packed and by the door; I honestly, hadn’t been as organized. We made our way to the hospital with my hand clung to the “oh sh*t” handle in the car, squeezing with a tight hold with each contraction as if it might reach the birthing center with out me.

We arrived. The nurse checked me. I was a 1. 1 whole cm dilated.

Upon Amy’s approval, the nurse allowed us to stay. Amy believed me to be in labor to the nurse’s trying to be subtle surprise. I was relieved about being there and snuggly checked in. I could not imagine going home. My contractions felt substantial enough to me that had we gone home we would surely just turn right back around!

Heidi came in to check me at the start of her shift to find me at 2 cms dilated. Needless to say; things were off  to a slow start. She returned during her lunch to find a 4. So, this was the beginning? Only then was I in active labor? I thought I’d been hard at it for 12 hours!

I labored. Then labored. I labored some more…

…Heidi and nurses alternated appearances throughout the day. A warm bath may have initiated a 7 at 8pm, but I had 3 cms to go. Heidi stayed at the hospital. She gave a phenomenal foot rub, and every time that I discounted my pain by calling myself “a weeny” she’d so confidently grin and say, “it’s hard”. I wondered how she could stay so calm and encouraging when I felt as though I had had my fair share of her time; whining at that!

I had had a couple doses of medication to take the edge off of the contractions throughout the evening, but I found it time for the real deal. I asked Heidi if she could call the anesthesiologist. It was nearing 24 hours since I’d made the call to Amy. I wanted help, and once I gave into the idea of help I felt it couldn’t come soon enough!

The anesthesiologist was incredible! He was fast and his confidence bordered arrogance because he was so good. Once the epidural was in place it provided pretty close to instant release. My body seemed to soften, and I was able to relax. Contrary to what I’d heard, I was still able to feel. The intensity went from fire to warm. Heidi then broke my water which seemed to speed up my dilation process. The next 3 hours were a snap compared to the previous 24. Heidi gave me the go to push, and after an hour of that, True was born. Healthy & beautiful. A blessing that seemed to good to be true. But, it wasn’t. It was all True.

Step-by-Step Instruction for Living a Budget-Conscious, Earth-Friendly Lifestyle in Eight Weeks or Less

Are you looking for simple, budget-friendly ways to help you and your family live a healthier, more planet-friendly lifestyle? Picture Yourself Going Green: Step-by-Step Instruction for Living a Budget-Conscious, Earth-Friendly Lifestyle in Eight Weeks or Less provides you with uncomplicated solutions to help you conserve, reduce, reuse, recycle, and, thus, minimize our impact on the planet. You’ll discover that even small changes can make a difference and that going green is good for our health, the planet, and even our budgets. This book starts off with ten quick and simple changes that will green your lifestyle immediately; you can then follow an eight-week plan that will green everything from your energy use, transportation, and food choices to your wardrobe, beauty supplies, and travel. As you work through the suggestions and changes in this book, you’ll find that simple efforts like turning off lights that aren’t in use, carpooling to work, notching the thermostat down one degree, and taking a shorter shower can be beneficial to your family and the planet. Featuring simple instructions and a colorful layout full pictures and illustrations, Picture Yourself Going Green is packed with helpful eco facts, tips, and ideas to help you along on your green journey.

Published by Course Technology, a division of Cengage Learning

Available at Maria’s Bookshop in Durango and on www.amazon.com.

About the Author: Erinn Morgan is a Durango, CO-based freelance journalist whose writing focuses on sustainability, earth-friendly products, eco-conscious style and trends, outdoor sports and adventure travel. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Skiing, Bike, Natural Solutions, and Delicious Living. She and her husband recently planned and held their own carbon-neutral, eco-conscious wedding on the banks of the Colorado River in Utah's red rock canyon country.

Chapter 11: Greening Your Children

From the moment they are conceived until they reach adulthood, children are extremely susceptible to modern life’s barrage of chemicals and pollutants. The way they live as crawling infants, running toddlers, and fast-growing kids can lead them to greater exposure since they often put their hands in their mouths (and transfer every toxin they touch into their bodies) and play outside in dirt and grass that has likely been treated with harmful fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers.

There are many ways you can help reduce the body burden of chemicals that your kids must bear. The next few sections offer some key tips for greening their lives and teaching them to love the planet.

In Utero: What to Avoid When You’re Expecting

The best time to clean up your home and your act from harmful chemicals is actually before you even become pregnant. There is no better example of this than the EWG study that revealed the prolific presence of toxins present in umbilical cord blood. Of the 287 chemicals detected, a full 180 are known to cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 have caused birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

Tossing the toxic cleaning supplies, losing the lawn fertilizers, pitching the pesticides in non-organic foods, and ditching the carcinogenic chemicals in personal care products will clean up your own health and prepare your body to be a safe haven for your child to be conceived and grow in. Once you are pregnant, you can rest easy knowing you’ve done all you can to give your baby a healthy start and a toxin-free home to be born into.

Many of these switches have been covered in previous chapters of this book, so if you’ve followed the eight-week plan laid out here, you’ve made great strides in preparing for pregnancy and beyond. If you’d like to review this key information on cleaning up relevant areas of your life, head to the following:

Choosing Natural Cleaning Products to Clean Up Air Quality: Chapter 3

Buying Pesticide-Free Organic Foods and Eating Safer Seafood: Chapter 5

Using Natural Lawn Care Strategies to Reduce Pesticides and Fertilizer Exposure: Chapter 6

Choosing Natural Personal Care Products to Reduce Chemical Exposure: Chapter 8

ECO FACT

Is your baby’s bottle BPA-free? Growing concern about the potential health effects of bisphenol A (BPA) led the Canadian government to ban the sale of plastic baby bottles containing the chemical in 2008. The country’s federal ministries of Health and the Environment moved after a report found that BPA, which is used to harden plastic and make it shatterproof, is a danger to people and particularly to newborns and infants. The biggest concerns with BPA are possible effects on reproductive development and hormone disruption. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Union maintain that BPA is safe for use in all applications, including baby bottles, polycarbonate water bottles, and food packaging for canned goods and soups. At the same time, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a health-advocacy group, has warned that pregnant women should limit their exposure even to packaging that contains BPA to avoid passing it onto their unborn children. There are many safer baby bottle options today, including BPA-free versions from Green to Grow, Born Free, Medela, Adiri, and Thinkbaby. Old-fashioned glass bottles are also a safe option that has always been free of BPA.

Creating a Healthy Nursery or Bedroom

When a baby is on the way, one of the first things expectant parents are inspired to do is decorate a nursery for their child-to-be. But if you’re using conventional products like paints, carpeting, and wallpaper, you may just be doing your baby more harm than good. Whether remodeling for a precious new infant’s nursery or redoing your child’s bedroom, following a few green tips can help keep them healthy and happy in the long run. Opting for green home improvement products may cost you a little bit more, but they will more than pay for themselves in peace of mind.

1. Paint Clean: Blue for a boy or pink for a girl? Whatever your choice of hue may be make sure it is also derived from paints that are zero- or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) versions. These can be latex (water-based) paints or even those made of natural materials like clay. If your plans include any remodeling such as tearing down a wall, consider first that if your home was built before the 1980s, it likely contains highly toxic lead paint. In this case, it’s wise to consult a contractor certified in lead abatement.

2. Choose Green Flooring: carpeting can contain a host of toxic chemicals that off-gas directly into your child’s room, polluting the air they breathe. If new flooring is in your design plans, consider opting for healthier, green versions such as bamboo, cork, or natural wool carpeting. If the installation requires glues or other finishes, make sure you use those that are free of VOCs.

3. Steer Clear of PVC: Products made with polyvinyl chloride plastic contain a host of harmful chemicals, including VOCs and phthalates, which can pollute the air quality in your child’s room. If you have a window in their room that requires covering, install wood or metal versions instead of plastic roller shades. In lieu of harmful vinyl shower curtains, opt for healthy organic cotton or bamboo versions. Also, be sure to avoid any wallpaper made with PVC.

4. Consider Toxin-Free Furniture: Much of today’s furniture, even that made for nurseries or children’s bedrooms, contains harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde and fire-retardant chemicals. Tests have actually shown that the latter, which has been linked to neurological and developmental impairments, learning disabilities, and cancer, are also present in baby products such as portable cribs, strollers, and high chairs. The best way to avoid these harmful elements in your home is to purchase products from companies that focus on creating healthy, green options. You can also check with product manufacturers to discern what goes into the items they produce.

5. Use Better Bedding: When shopping for linens for your little ones, choose natural, un-dyed, untreated sheets. Permanent press and other treated products can contain formaldehyde that off-gasses into the air and is inhaled while children sleep.

Buying Safer Toys

In recent years, children’s toys have been a hot topic of concern to parents across the country. In 2007, the discovery of a large number of toys made in China containing lead-based paints led several behemoth toy manufacturers to recall millions of toys. Lead is a serious neurotoxin and the paints that use it as an ingredient can easily be chipped off and ingested by a child.

But the ills of kids’ playthings don’t stop at lead. In fact, the consumer action guide,  HYPERLINK "http://www.HealthyToys.org" www.HealthyToys.org, lists the main chemicals of concern as lead, chlorine, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. Sadly, there is little regulation to monitor, label, or eliminate these toxins from our children’s toys.

Carcinogenic chlorine, which appears in toys made from petroleum-based PVC, has been detected in kids’ products like plastic books, bibs, and backpacks plus plastic packaging and toys. Phthalates, an industrial group of chemicals that add flexibility and resilience to products, are also present in PVC. Even at low levels of exposure, phthalates can cause hormone disruption, asthma, and breast cancer. A 2005 Centers for Disease Control study of the human population found that phthalates were present in almost everyone, with particularly high levels in children aged six to 11. While phthalates have been banned in toys and baby products in the European Union, Japan, and even the state of California, there continues to be no federal regulation by the U.S. government.

The heavy metal cadmium, which has been shown to cause developmental effects and is a known human carcinogen, has been found on painted toys and kids’ PVC products like toys, lunch boxes, and bibs. Mercury, which has been found in vinyl backpacks and bath toys, affects the kidneys and is toxic to the nervous system.

While the presence of chemicals in your child’s toys may seem like an overwhelming concept to deal with, there are a few, simple steps you can take to create a healthier playtime. First off, you’ll want to replace the PVC toys that they play with regularly; these could include bath toys, squeeze toys, and dolls.

When buying new toys, choose safer solid wood products, preferably unpainted, treated with non-toxic finishes. While the use of wood does deplete valuable trees from the planet, the products made from wood will be more durable and last longer than other types of toys, which end up in landfills faster.

Cloth and plush toys can also be safe options, as well as games and puzzles made of paper. If you are set on buying a soft plastic toy, be sure to verify that the product is phthalate-free.

For extra help with these issues, head to  www.HealthyToys.org or  www.greenpeace.org for product ratings, toy company report cards, and safety testing information. Past and present toy recall information is available through the Consumer Product Safety Commission website:     http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html.

GREEN ON THE CHEAP

The materials needed for kids’ craft projects are also perpetrators in the chemical crime. Some glues and paints emit VOCs into the air and even crayons have been found to contain asbestos. For safer crafting, choose water-based paints, simple construction and scrap paper, and other natural options for your child.

Teaching Kids to Love and Respect the Planet

Your own children—or those that are in your life via friends and family—will soak up the green knowledge you impart and take it forward with them in life. The earth is theirs for the future and their generation, with all their earth-friendly knowledge and acceptance of things like renewable energy and chemical-free foods, will likely take far better care of it than the past few generations have. These few tips and ideas will help you to teach your children well and sign them up for your green plan at home and beyond—and help you build memories that will last a lifetime.

Hold a green meeting. Sit down with your children to discuss your desire to go green—if you present it in a fun way, they’ll likely be excited about the unusual changes ahead. This is a great time to discuss plans like starting a recycling program and reducing energy usage at home.

Encourage them to reduce. Their energy consumption is one of the best things they can reduce right away. If you have more than one child, you could even run a competition to see who is the best at turning the lights in the rooms they leave throughout the day.

Motivate them to recycle. If space permits, set up simple, clearly marked bins in the kitchen (i.e. “paper,” “glass,” “plastic”) and challenge them to toss recyclables in the correct spot. You can also let them help set these items out on collection day.

Take them outside. Let your kids experience the beauty of Mother Nature firsthand—take them hiking, canoeing, or sledding. Their outdoor adventures will make it quite clear why the earth is so worthy of preservation.

Design a garden. If you have the space, build a garden for them to plant flowers or fruits and vegetables in your back yard. Nothing will solidify the beauty of nature’s process more than watching something grow that they have planted. If you live in an apartment or in the city, take them to a community garden where they can participate in the process.

Ride bikes together. Teaching your child how to ride a bike is one of the best things you can do for the planet. This skill will stay with them always and may even inspire them to bike to school or work in the future.

ECO FACT

A study by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) found that a large number of children’s soft vinyl lunchboxes contain high levels of lead, most of which is present in linings where this toxin can come into contact with food. To avoid this problem altogether, CEH recommends that parents buy products from those companies that have committed to sell only lead-safe lunchboxes. A few examples include Ingear, Fashion Accessory Bazaar, Lisa Frank, and Big Dogs.

Apricot Gingerini

2 ½ oz. white grape juice

3 oz. apricot nectar

½ tspn. ground clove

1 oz. ginger-infused simple syrup

(Ginger Infused Simple Syrup- mix 2 cups sugar to 1 cup water, boil in a small saucepan, add 1in piece of peeled ginger to the pan and reduce to low to simmer for 5 minutes- stirring occasionally. Cool and refrigerate in glass jar)

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with the remaining ground clove atop the drink- or a few grapes.

Find Recipes for Mamarita, Pomegranite Cooler, Folic Fuzz and Baby on Board at preggatinis.blogspot.com

Here are 5 things that pregnant women love, but might not… okay, definitely won’t ask for.

-Cook her dinner (or breakfast or lunch).  Try to include plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and don’t leave out the protein. Don’t forget to light a few candles.  Click here for a great, easy, recipe.

-Go with her to doctor’s appointments.  You’ll hear firsthand what is really going on inside that tummy of hers.

Surprise her with something special. Pick up flowers, a pint of ice cream, or maybe that sweater she’s been eyeing.  Treating her to something special will make you both feel great.

-Go on a date. Time to yourselves is coming to an end (at least for a while). Go out to dinner at your favorite restaurant, pack a picnic and head to the park, take her out to see a movie, or re-invent a special memory that you share. Even treat her to a well deserved massage (but don’t ask for the favor to be returned!)

-Listen to her! During pregnancy, your partner might experience mood swings, mental fogginess, forgetfulness, headaches, fears, pains, disconnection, concerns about being a good parent, and many other stressors. Sometimes, all she wants to do is vent.  Let her!  Sit back and listen.  You might learn a thing or two.  More importantly, you’ll be able to console her and that is probably what she really wants and needs right now.

Taking the initiative to provide love and support to your partner shows her that you care about her well being and that of your child.  Not only that, but, it reassures your partner that she isn’t going through this alone. That you are, in fact, right beside her.

During this time, many developmental milestones are reached in terms of cognitive, visual, and motor development.  It is essential that high quality nutrition be supplied to the fetus, infant, and growing young child.  This includes the omega-3, essential fatty acids, DHA and EPA commonly found in fish. Omega-3’s are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the human body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, other marine life such as algae and krill, certain plants (including purslane), and nut oils. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

What’s So Fishy about eating fish? You might think that eating more fish would be a simple, natural way to get more omega-3. However, due to increased mercury pollution caused by coal burning power plants, the levels of mercury in fish are getting dangerously high. The FDA has issued advisories that limit the amount of fish that is safe for a pregnant woman to consume. Specifically, large "predator" type fish such as swordfish, (fresh) tuna, shark, and mackerel are not considered safe for pregnant women and should not be consumed. Canned "light" tuna is OK in moderation (6-12oz/week).

Fortunately, there are now easy ways to supplement a pregnant woman's diet with this essential nutrient. A safer alternative to eating fish may be vitamin supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to the fish oil capsules sold in health food stores, at least two brands of pre-natal vitamins contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in some types of infant formula. For breast-feeding mothers, supplementation would be recommended so the nutrients can pass to the baby in the breast milk

Mercury is a potent neural toxin, and may be responsible for cognitive delays and other types of brain damage. Developing babies are the most vulnerable to this type of toxin. However, research on the safety of fish consumption continues, but evidence clearly shows that EPA and DHA are vital to the development of your baby’s brain.  Consult your doctor or midwife about how much of the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA you should be getting through diet (salmon, tuna, and halibut) or supplementation (Fish Oil, Seaweed, and Krill).