prenatal_health

Prenatal Health Tips: How to Improve Life Before Birth

Parents want the best for their children, but did you know that scientists, doctors, and researchers are discovering ways that mothers can help their children before they’re even born? The latest prenatal health tips and studies are demonstrating that a mother can give their children a positive start by choosing healthy habits and taking care of herself.

In a study conducted by King’s College London, researchers discovered that women who displayed signs of depression during their pregnancy were likely to give birth to children who scored lower on cognitive tests later in life (specifically, researchers surveyed test scores of children at 8 years  of age). Researchers also found a link to a mother’s nutrition and her children’s cognitive functions.

The study looked at nearly 7,000 mothers and their children; each pair was looked at 5 times, starting at 18 weeks before birth and when the child turned 33 months old. During this time period, mothers were asked to complete a food questionnaire to also see how their diets may have effected their children. What researchers found was that mothers who improved their diets not only had a chance to ease symptoms of depression, but also helped “reduce risk for atypical fetal development,” according to lead author Edward D. Barker.

A different study, led by Felice Jacka from Deak University and University of Melbourne, supports these findings and establishes “a link between poor prenatal diet and behavioral problems in children.”

Researchers caution that until more tests and research are conducted, researchers can only claim correlation between nutritional health, depression, and child development. They also temper the findings by saying that a child’s development is not necessarily severely hindered by a mother’s depression or nutritional diet.

Regardless, mothers expecting a child will gain a better quality of life by being proactive with their mental health and eating a good diet, packed with nutrient-rich foods and avoiding excessive amounts of salt, bad fats, and sugars. Mothers might help their child get a better start and also enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Expecting a child? The OB GYNs at MSCI can help you make the right prenatal health decisions during your pregnancy. Contact our physicians today and schedule an appointment.

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My Heart Beats For You: The Benefits of Relationships for Your Heart Health

Do you have that special someone in your life that makes your heart sing? Hold on tight to that person—and in fact, anyone that you care about in life! It turns out that having positive and strong relationships in your life can actually positively impact your heart health.

According to a Harvard Health study published in December 2010, “people who have satisfying relationships have been shown to be happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.” These positive health benefits don’t stem from a love potion or some fanciful, magical source; instead, people with strong relationships rely on others to help them relieve stress. By reducing stress levels, people treat their heart better (particularly the arteries), as well as regulating insulin better, and improving their immune system.

Furthermore, whenever you do something caring for another person, you are releasing stress-reducing hormones. This is great news for those suffering from high blood pressure and other negative effects of stress: treat others with love and kindness, do something special for someone, and not only will you brighten someone’s day, but you’ll also be improving your health! It’s truly the gift of giving that can make a difference in your life.

Finally, the Harvard Health study concludes that the quantity and quality of relationships both matter. A study referenced by the Harvard Health article suggests that middle-aged women who said they had satisfying marriages were less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and another study points to the fact that individuals who had a number of friends and contacts were less likely to develop dementia. So even if you’re not in a relationship this Valentine’s Day, don’t despair! Be thankful for the people around you and know that being friends and caring about them could actually lead to a better quality of life.

All the doctors and staff at the Medical and Surgical Clinic of Irving wish you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy Valentine’s Day!