Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Kick Counting Featured in the May Issue of Neonatology Today
Dr. Diep Nguyen explains how kick counting can save lives in the May issue of the medical journal "Neonatology Today."
Monday, June 2, 2008
See the kickTrak in Fit Pregnancy
Check out kickTrak in the June/July issue of Fit Pregnancy - one of the most popular pregnancy magazines!
Walyou Discusses Kick Counting
Check out Walyou's unique take on kickTrak. While we can't say that kickTrak will help you know if your baby will grow up to be the next David Beckham, we're glad to know that more people are talking about the importance of fetal movement!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Dr. Nguyen and kickTrak in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Stillbirth and kicktrak to be Featured Tonight on Univision
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Stillbirth Legislation Introduced in D.C.
The long awaited bill is FINALLY here.
Representative Peter King from New York has introduced House of Representative Bill 5979, the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act of 2008, to raise awareness about stillbirth that seeks to standardize the definition of stillbirth, and the method in which stillbirth data is collected, so there can be a national repository for stillbirth data with which to conduct comprehensive research efforts. The bill also authorizes a campaign to increase public awareness of good prenatal care practices that may decrease the risk of stillbirth, including monitoring movements during the last trimester.
Please pass this on to anyone you think would be interested in supporting this effort, including family, friends, your favorite support organizations, groups, websites, etc.This email, when acted upon, actually has the potential to impact thousands of families every year. You can do something to help families who suffer the tragedy of stillbirth. It just takes one click (I just did it and it took just moments).
1. https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml. This links let you easily write a note to your representative.
2. The Board and Staff of First Candle Sample Letter
Dear Representative ________________:
I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor legislation that would help the CDC and researchers better determine the risk factors associated with stillbirth and convey those risk factors to expectant parents.
House of Representative Bill 5979, the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act of 2008, was introduced by Representative Peter King of New York in an effort to address the lack of standardized data collection nationally with regard to stillbirth.
Each year more than 25,000 babies in the United States are stillborn. More than 50 percent of these deaths occur in the last trimester of pregnancy and 15 percent occur during labor and delivery. Due to a lack of autopsy/investigation and inconsistencies in diagnosing these, more than 50 percent of all stillbirths remain unexplained.
With standardized investigation and reporting of these deaths, researchers would be better able to determine the risk factors. H.R. 5979 would both standardize the definition of stillbirth and the method in which data is collected, in order to create a national repository of stillbirth data to assist researchers in conducting comprehensive studies in to the causes of, and possible preventive strategies for, stillbirth. The bill also authorizes a public awareness campaign promoting good prenatal practices, including monitoring movements during the last trimester of pregnancy, to reduce the risk of stillbirth.
This legislation is important to me because (insert your personal story here)
Thank you so much for your consideration of my request.
(insert name and contact information here)
3. First Candle would very much appreciate knowing who you have sent a letter to. Simply send an email to jennifer.johnson@firstcandle.org with your name and the name of the representative or staffer you sent the letter to so follow up can be conducted. Hard or email copies of your letters are also welcome!
4. Feel free to contact Marianne Adezio at 703-741-7053 or madezio@golinharris.org for more information
The more co-sponsors the bill has, the more likely it is to pass. Please note, this is for the House of Representatives only. Do not contact your Senators at this time. If you could do this within the next couple days to one week, we will be able to maximize the momentum Representative King has initiated!
Even one stillbirth is one too many!
-Dr. Diep Nguyen, MD, FACOG
President, babykick
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Baby Time Show Talks to Dr. Nguyen
Kerry and Dan, expecting parents and hosts of Baby Time Show, recently spoke with Dr. Diep Nguyen. Listen to it now to learn more about kick counting and how it can help encourage pregnancy health.
Dr. Diep Nguyen on MommyFest
"How shocked I am to see this topic come up right away. I applaud Dr. Diep Nguyen’s efforts and wish I had had KickTrak 2.5 years ago. We lost our 2nd son Jaxon to a stillbirth when I was 37 weeks. Sadly, I knew there was decreased movement, told our doc that something was not right, and was sent home because I was only 36.5 weeks. I had a condition known as polyhydramnios with each pregnancy and b/c of excess fluid, thought that was why I could not feel the movement. However, most likely what happened is the extra fluid put pressure on his cord to cause a prolapse. It was a devestating experience that could have been prevented. If you are expecting, PLEASE invest in a KickTrak so you have something to prompt you to count kicks consistently and then share with your doctor. The statistic we were given is that 1/100 babies is stillborn…that is TOO HIGH given all of the technology we have in our world today." -Mommy Mentor
"Thank you for choosing the subject of stillbirth and the importance of kickcounting as one of your Mommyfest topics. My first born daughter was stillborn in 2003.
I, along with some NY parents, am working to pass the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill. More information on the New York State bill can be found on http://www.CBRSbill.blogspot.com. All other states can visit http://www.missingangelsbill.org.
Thank you for bringing this subject to many readers." - Paige
Thanks for listening and supporting our efforts, Mommy Mentor and Paige!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Moms Everywhere: Count Kicks for Pregnancy Health
Listen to babykick's Founder, Dr. Diep Nguyen, discuss kick counting. Tune into Moms Everywhere! Or read more from Moms Everywhere below.
Fetal Movement Counts. When your baby moves while you are pregnant is a very important indicator of the overall well-being of your baby, did you know that? This week is specially dedicated for all the pregnant moms and pregnant moms-to-be. We have with us this week Dr. Diep Nguyen, OB/GYN in Los Angeles, California (who is also a mom of three and works full-time in her private practice) who has created a fantastic and practical tool to help pregnant moms keep track of their babies movements after 28 weeks of pregnancy. It’s called the kickTrak! Very simple name, very simple to do.
Dr. Nguyen wanted to increase the awareness in one of least talked about complications during pregnancy- stillbirth. The definition of a stillbirth is having a fetal death in utero (while you are pregnant) after 20 weeks gestation (pregnant). Medical journals from Harvard University, the World Health Organization (WHO) and many others have indicated that when there is decrease in fetal movement, there is a fourfold increase risk in having a stillbirth. Many of your OB/Gyn’s encourage you to keep track of your babies movements. There must be at least 10 counts of movement in less than 15 minutes is recommended, however, if you do not count 10 movements in 2 hours, you must call your physician immediately.
Dr. Nguyen has created the kickTrak, a very small device to help moms keep track of the baby’s movements and has an internal memory, in case Mommy brain has set in. She has also created another website, babykickalliance.org where moms receive a fetal kick chart online and can find out as much information as they need to learn how important their baby’s movements are.
A few of the risk factors for moms who may be at risk for stillbirths are:
- Smoking
- Infertility
- Hypertension
- Being of African American descent
- Obese
- Never had a baby before
- Low socioeconomic status
This is not to say that if you have the above risk factors, you will have a stillbirth. You should discuss this with your OB/Gyn and find out what you need to do to make sure your baby is healthy. What tests do you need, how frequent should you be doing the fetal kick charts, etc. Talk with your provider!!! If anything, this should encourage you to seek regular prenatal care.
Check out the following websites for more information:
You will find out more information about your pregnancy and keeping your baby healthy during the next 40 weeks than you had ever imagined. Dr. Diep Nguyen certainly is passionate about the care of women and their unborn babies and has devoted a great deal of her expertise to help us moms! Tell everyone you know about Kick Track and BabyKick.com!
Maternal Obesity and Stillbirth
Dr. Fiona C. Denison, of the University of Edinburgh, UK, and colleagues analyzed data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register on women who gave birth between 1998 and 2002.
"Maternal obesity poses a significant risk to maternal and fetal health during pregnancy, and our study confirms the findings of others that obesity is associated with significant complications including stillbirth, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension and cesarean section," Denison's team concludes.
"If a healthy lifestyle including physical activity and healthy eating, which are more common in underweight women, were advocated more strongly for the obese obstetric population," they suggest, "then obstetric outcomes might be improved."
Learn more about pregnancy wellness, including nutrition and exercise by visiting the American Pregnancy Association.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Stillbirth Q & A in Urban Baby & Toddler Magazine
I’ve heard that monitoring your baby’s movements may help prevent stillbirth. How?
Every year, stillbirth claims the lives of approximately 26,000 babies – 70 per day – 10 times that of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Research shows that fetal movement is a good indicator of your baby’s well-being. Significant changes in the fetal movement pattern may help identify problems with your pregnancy before the baby’s heart rate is affected. Once the heart beat stops, it is too late.
Setting aside time once a day when your baby is most active to count kicks, turns, swishes, rolls, and jabs may help identify potential problems and could help prevent stillbirth. Doing a daily kick count not only helps you feel confident about your baby’s health, but also gives helpful information to your obstetrical provider. If the information suggests that there may be a problem, this does not necessarily mean that your baby is in trouble. It just means that you may need further care and more tests.
For the latest on the kick count method and stillbirth prevention, visit the Health Care Professionals section at www.babykickalliance.com.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
"Must-Have" Baby Gadget
Popgadget is always up on the latest tech trends for women. Today they called kickTrak a "must-have" baby gadget and explored the importance of kick counting for pregnancy health:
"Dr. Nguyen, who invented the kickTrak, tells us why she invented the product:
'Fetal movement is one of the most important indicators of a baby's health. Studies show that decreased fetal movement can indicate risk for stillbirth. Most babies take less than 15 minutes to make ten movements - jabs, rolls, kicks, twists and turns. Moms should inform their providers if their babies are taking longer than usual or are taking more than 2 hours to complete ten movements. Before kickTrak, moms were advised to keep track of their baby's movements by filling out charts. Several of my patients suggested that there should be an easier way to comply with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' recommendation to track babies health. While moms can still take proactive steps to prevent stillbirth by tracking their sessions with a pen and paper, kickTrak serves as a physical reminder to count kicks once a day. It stores the data from the ten most recent kick counting sessions, so moms can share the vital information with their health care providers. Also, kickTrak allows moms to easily track their pregnancy's progress and counts down to their due date.' "Read more about why Popgadget thinks kickTrak is a must-have baby gadget.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Pinks & Blues Approved
Learn more about using kickTrak at Pinks & Blues. Audrey loved using it to monitor her baby's movement! Plus, you can enter to win one by visiting Mama Loves Giveaways.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
babygooroo on Counting Kicks
Our friends over at babygooroo are busy counting kicks these days. Learn more about kick counting and find out why kickTrak is giving the "tech-envy" by reading more.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Shiny Shiny Reviews kickTrak
Check out Emma's take on kickTrak at Shiny Shiny.
"I really enjoy using it [kickTrak] as it forces me to take some time out and pay attention to my baby's movements. It is recommended that you monitor your baby's activity in the last trimester of pregnancy as a decrease in movement can sometimes be a warning sign of something going wrong. This device gives you a chance to alert your midwife or doctor to any changes. It's a much nicer way of keeping a record rather than using a pen and paper (which doesn't play a nice little tune at the end of each session)."
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Stillbirth Prevention in the New York Times
Yesterday's New York Times featured an article about recurrent stillbirth. As our country's least-talked about pregnancy complication, many Americans avoid the topic of stillbirth because it's not easy to discuss. The babykick Foundation is here to change that, and to provide parents-to-be with the necessary knowledge to have healthy pregnancies. We want to bring stillbirth to the forefront of health discussions and are glad to see that it's making national headlines.
Did you know that stillbirth results in the deaths of over 70 babies in the US every day? That's ten times as many as SIDS! Families of stillborn babies fall victim, too— few hospitals offer an autopsy, placental exam or clinical testing after a stillbirth to determine the cause of death. What’s even more shocking is that in 29 states, parents of a stillborn baby receive no recognition—the births are “invisible” without a birth certificate or other legal documentation.
kickTrak on The Cradle
The Cradle has just included kickTrak on their Star Wares page. You can win a Jewels & Pinstripes gift bag, just like the one that Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Gwen Stefani and Nicole Kidman have by visiting Pregnancy Magazine online.
Monday, March 31, 2008
kickTrak Giveaway on Celebrity Baby Blog
Want to count kicks in style, like Angela Kinsey? Head on over to Celebrity Baby Blog to enter to win kickTrak plus other celebrity baby swag, courtesy of Jewels & Pinstripes!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
kickTrak "Examined" in Depth
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
kickTrak Hits Hollywood
Some of the hottest celeb moms-to-be are using to take extra special care of their baby’s health before birth by using kickTrak. Angela Kinsey from NBC’s The Office just sent us a thank you note for sending her one…and she’s already using it! We're so excited that Angela's counting kicks!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A Champion Kicker is Born
Congratulations to Hoss from KFNS in St. Louis! He and his wife used kickTrak to keep track of Brody's movements before birth. Brody weighed in at 8 lbs. 7 oz. at birth-- a big, healthy boy.
We first met Hoss back in November, when he interviewed Dr. Nguyen about kick counting for healthy pregnancies.
We love to hear about champion kickers, so if you counted your baby's kicks in the womb and would like to share your story, please tell us about it!
Once again, many congratulations to Hoss and his beautiful family!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Salt Lake City Newspaper Spreads Word About Kick Count
Today's edition of the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City highlights the BabyKick Foundation in the To Your Health column. Check it out to learn more about kick counting and stillbirth.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Did You Know?
Did you know that over 70 babies are stillborn in the
Fetal movement is one of the best indicators of a baby’s health before birth. Recent studies show that pregnancies with decreased fetal movement are at an increased risk for stillbirth and other pregnancy complications, including growth problems and preterm births. Fetal Infant Mortality Reviews in New Jersey, Florida and Indiana have identified kick counting as a valuable tool for pregnant women. Health care providers in Maryland and a US Naval Hospital in Italy also recommend that pregnant women count kicks.
Kick count is a safe, effective method that can help moms-to-be reduce their risk of experiencing the tragedy of stillbirth or other pregnancy complications. Plus, many moms feel the close observation of their babies' movement helps them better bond before birth and gives them peace of mind, knowing that their babies are healthy.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Indiana Perinatal Network Supports Kick Counting
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dr. Nguyen Shares Kick Count Basics
Kick Counting On Air
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Committed to Pregnancy Health: babykick Joins Fellow Health Care Professionals
Marti Perhach from Group B Strep International joined me at the California Chapter March of Dimes Conference for Health Professionals: Preventing Prematurity, Birth Defects and Infant Mortality: Current Trends and Future Paradigms to share information about stillbirth and infection awareness. I enjoyed meeting the nurses, health care providers, and organizers from multiple national organizations who gathered to share the latest information on how to improve the survivals of our babies. I was particularly impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm for safe and healthy pregnancies by the health care providers from the high risk obstetrical units at labor and delivery units and clinics in Southern California, including Kaiser Permanente, Hoag Hospital, St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, Long Beach Memorial just to name a few. I was so thrilled that everyone was aware of the importance of decreased fetal movement and these facilities include kick counting instructions for their patients. They were excited to check out the kickTrak smart kick counter and we were able to provide kickTrak samples for their hospitals and clinics. We're very excited for expecting moms to have the opportunity to use our handheld tool to aid in kick counting. It was very motivating to be surrounded by other health care providers who are dedicated to the same mission that babykick has-- encouraging pregnancy health for all women. Who motivates you to keep moving forward in your own missions?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
What Steps Can Women take for Healthier Babies?
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, but not all birth defects can be prevented. A woman can, however, increase her chance of having a healthy baby. Many birth defects happen very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Remember that about half of all pregnancies are unplanned.
Here are some steps a woman can take to get ready for a healthy pregnancy:
◘ Get early prenatal care and go to every appointment
◘ Keep up these healthy habits.
◘ Get early prenatal care and go to every appointment.
◘ Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) folic acid every day.
◘ Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs.
◘ Keep hands clean by washing them often with soap and water to prevent infections.
◘ See a health care professional regularly. Talk with the health care professional about any medical problems and medicine use (both prescription and over-the-counter).
◘ Ask about avoiding any substances at work or at home that might be harmful to a developing baby.
◘ Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
◘ Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and foods made from it.
◘ Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat.
While Pregnant:
◘ Keep up these healthy habits.
◘ Get early prenatal care and go to every appointment
Monday, January 21, 2008
Call Attention to Infections and Pregnancy
The Network has over 250 members from all states,
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Infection Prevention: Ten Tips from babykick
Did you know that January is Birth Defects Prevention Month? This year’s focus is “Preventing Infections in Pregnancy." Infections in pregnancy contribute to the number of preventable birth defects that occur each year.
During pregnancy, a woman may be exposed to various infectious diseases, some of which have the ability to infect the placenta and seriously harm a fetus resulting in deafness, vision loss, neurological and behavioral disorders, or other birth defects. Toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), varicella, rubella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) are among the agents that are recognized to have the potential to cause birth defects in a developing fetus.
Although infections are common and familiar to many, there is a lack of knowledge among women about the serious outcomes of infections during pregnancy and how they can be avoided. Pregnant women on steps they can take to protect themselves and their unborn children using diligent hygiene methods in everyday life.
Here are a few practical, everyday tips for expecting parents to help prevent infection and keep unborn babies safe, courtesy of the National Birth Defects Prevention Network.
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially when...
- Using the bathroom
- Touching raw meat, raw eggs, or unwashed vegetables
- Preparing food and eating
- Gardening or touching dirt or soil
- Handling pets
- Being around people who are sick
- Getting saliva (spit) on your hands
- Caring for and playing with children
- Changing Diapers
If soap and running water are not available, you may use alcohol-based hand gel.
2. Try not to share forks, cups, or food with young children. Wash your hands often when around children. Their saliva and urine might contain a virus. It is likely harmless to them, but it can be dangerous for you and your unborn baby.
3. Cook your meat until it's well done. The juices should run clear and there should be no pink inside. Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot. These undercooked meats and processed meats might contain harmful bacteria.
4. Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk and foods made from it. Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, brie, and queso fresco unless they have labels that say they are pasteurized. Unpasteurized products can contain harmful bacteria.
5. Do not touch or change dirty cat litter. Have someone else do it. If you must change the litter yourself, be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards. Dirty cat litter might contain a harmful parasite.
6. Stay away from wild or pet rodents and their droppings. Have a pest control professional get rid of pests in or around your home. If you have a pet rodent, like a hamster or guinea pig, have someone else care for it until after your baby arrives. Some rodents might carry a harmful virus.
7. Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, and protect yourself from them. Some people that have an STD do not feel sick. Knowing whether or not you have an STD is important. If you do have an STD, talk to your doctor about how you can reduce the chance that your baby will become sick.
8. Talk to your doctor about vaccinations (shots). Some are recommended before you become pregnant, during pregnancy, or right after delivery. Having the right vaccinations at the right time can help keep you healthy and help keep your baby from getting very sick or having life-long health problems.
9. Avoid people who have an infection. Stay away from people who you know have infections, such as chickenpox or rubella, if you have not yet had it yourself or did not have the vaccine before pregnancy.
10. Ask your doctor about group B strep. About 1 in 4 women carry this type of bacteria, but do not feel sick. An easy swab test near the end of pregnancy will show if you have this type of bacteria. If you do have group B strep, talk to your doctor about how to protect your baby during labor.
You can learn more about these tips by visiting the Centers for Disease Control. If you think you might have an infection or think you are at risk, see your doctor. This is not a complete guide to a healthy pregnancy. Be sure to talk with your doctor to learn more about safe food preparation, wearing insect repellent when outside, taking medicine, and other important topics.
Do you have any other tried and true ways to stay healthy while pregnant?
It’s a Blog! BabyKick Welcomes the Newest Family Member!
We are happy to bring you the Make Every Kick Count blog, updating you regularly on pregnancy health topics. Today’s post is about what we know best-- kick counting! Would you believe that Americans rarely address a devastating event that affects one US family every 20 minutes-- that's 70 American families a day and over four million families worldwide every year. While stillbirth is, without a doubt, a tragedy for every family that experiences it firsthand, there’s an even larger underlying issue. Stillbirth is the least talked-about pregnancy complication.
Sure, stillbirth isn’t a very pleasant topic for a casual discussion. But if we want to reduce the risk for families everywhere, we have to bring it into the light of day. That’s part of our mission at BabyKick—to end stillbirth’s reign as a hush-hush topic.
One way to reduce the risk of stillbirth and other pregnancy complications is by monitoring fetal movement. Fetal movement is one of the best indicators of a baby’s health before birth. In general, healthy babies will make ten movements within two hours. Most babies do so in less than 15 minutes. Kick counting is a simple, safe and effective method for monitoring fetal movement as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Moms can start counting fetal movements--kicks, jabs, rolls, twists and turns at 28 weeks, once a day, at about the same time when their baby is most active. Once the baseline is established, moms can have peace of mind about their baby's well being, and can inform their health care provider promptly if there is a significant change in his or her movements.
Unfortunately, not all pregnant women are aware of the importance of paying attention to how often their babies are moving and of the importance of decreased movement. The BabyKick Foundation was created to increase awareness of kick counting among moms-to-be and other health care providers. We hope to advance that mission through this blog.
Make Every Kick Count will, of course, provide current information on the movement advancing kick counting and share related resources. We also hope to be a resource for information about pregnancy health and safety in general. If kick counting has made a difference in your life, or if you've avoided a tragedy because of it, we’d love to hear from you! Any suggestions for what you’d like to see on Make Every Kick Count?