Stress during the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to increased risk of iron deficiency in newborns, according to a new study. Iron deficiency in infants is linked to behavioral and developmental issues.

Reseachers recommend high-risk infants are tested prior to their 12-month well-check visit, so the issue can be detected before it can become chronic and severe.

The study was presented April 29 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Boston. The study was led by researchers at Ashkelon Academic College in Israel, using recruited pregnant women who were about to give birth at the nearby Barzilai Medical Center.

10 Tips to Help Reduce Stress During Pregnancy

• Relax, if only for 10 minutes
• Sleep seven to nine hours every day
• Share your problems with someone
• Recognize when you are stressed
• Write down your feelings
• Exercise. Try swimming, walking or yoga
• Limit strenuous activity. Only do what you can handle.
• Accept help. Let people know when you can use a hand.
• Keep all your prenatal appointments
• Connect with other moms and moms-to-be. Understand you are not alone.

Information courtesy of Right From the Start.

The Every Woman Southeast initiative was originally founded to establish a multi-state partnership to better address maternal and child health issues in the southeastern U.S. The eight-state region, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississppi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, historically posts high rates of infant mortality and morbidity, chronic disease, STIs, obesity, unplanned pregnancy and poverty. Through broad partnerships and activities, the project hopes to improve the wellness of all women of reproductive age through innovative programming, and ultimately create a healthier family, community and region.

The Every Woman Southeast website features a wealth of inforamtion, with links to professional trainings, information on upcoming confereces and continuing education opportunities, a blog, and several links to outside resources covering topics like preconception, the life-course approach, healthy weight, reproductive heatlh, mental wellness, case management adn care coordination and interconception.

Additionally, Every Woman Southeast recently annoucnced a funding award of $875,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation that will support the development, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of eight community-based projects grounded in the life course model and focused on addressing racial inequities and improving preconception health for low income women and men. Project leardership will meet next week in North Carolina to discuss an implementation plan for grant monies. Congratulations to Every Woman Southeast on this wonderful opportunity!

To connect with Every Woman Southeast, visit their website, follow them on Facebook or sign up for their e-newsletter.

Do you have “tired blood”?

Tired blood, iron deficiency, Iron Deficiency Anemia, anemia — they all refer to the same thing: low levels of iron that lead to tiredness and a host of other side effects. Iron deficiency can affect anyone, but women — especially pregnant women and those of childbearing age — are most at risk.

Signs of iron deficiency include chronic fatigue, decreased work and school performance, cold hands and feet, irritability and decreased immune function.

Causes of Iron Deficiency

Some causes of iron loss are ulcers, regular use of aspirin and other drugs for pain, infections, severe injury or surgery. But the most common cause is eating a diet that is low in iron. In fact, iron deficiency  is the most common nutritional deficiency.

The body gets iron from foods that contain high levels. Consuming foods high in Vitamin C aids the absorption of the iron.

What are some iron-rich foods?

• Meat
• Poultry
• Fish
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Iron-fortified foods

Iron & Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause IDA if a woman doesn’t consume enough iron for her and her baby. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this can be harmful because it can lead to an increased risk for pre-term birth. In infants, iron deficiency can delay normal infant motor and mental functions.

Obesity has become an epidemic in America, and can have particularly bad outcomes in pregnant women, but a recent study shows that more than half of patients reported their doctors don’t discuss it with them.

The Weight-control Information Network has an online publication called “Talking with Patients about Weight Loss” created specifically for primary care physicians. According to their site, research shows that patients who were counseled in a primary care setting about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity had great outcomes: they lost weight, consumed less fat and exercised more than patients who did not receive counseling.

Dr. Robert F. Kushner, MD, Medical Director, Diet.com and Editor, American Medical Association’s Primer on Adult Obesity, offers general physician tips in “How to Talk to Your Patients about Their Weight.”

The New York State Department of Health offers suggestions of physicians for handling obesity and weight control during preconception and prenatal periods. “Managing Maternal Obesity” focuses on how to prevent morbidity and mortality resulting from obesity and includes a lists of weight management resources.