Make Every Kick Count

Kick Counting Featured in the May Issue of Neonatology Today

2008-06-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

Dr. Diep Nguyen explains how kick counting can save lives in the May issue of the medical journal "Neonatology Today."

See the kickTrak in Fit Pregnancy

2008-06-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

Check out kickTrak in the June/July issue of Fit Pregnancy - one of the most popular pregnancy magazines!

Walyou Discusses Kick Counting

2008-06-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

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!

Dr. Nguyen and kickTrak in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine

2008-05-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Dr. Diep Nguyen and kickTrak are featured in the June issue of Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine! An entire page is devoted to kick counting, its importance and the best way to do it. Of course, using a kickTrak always makes it a little easier!

Stillbirth and kicktrak to be Featured Tonight on Univision

2008-05-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

If you have access to the Univision Television Network, be sure to watch Aqui y Ahora tonight at 10 p.m. EST/PST. The issue of stillbirth will be addressed and kicktrak will also be featured in the two-part series. Aqui y Ahora is a national evening news program for Univision (think Dateline or 20/20 in the U.S.) and we are so pleased that stillbirth and kicktrak will be receiving national attention!

Stillbirth Legislation Introduced in D.C.

2008-05-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

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

Baby Time Show Talks to Dr. Nguyen

2008-05-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

babykick's Dr. Diep Nguyen discussed kick counting with Marie on MommyFest. We're really excited to spread the word about fetal movement's role in pregnancy health. Check out what some of the listeners wrote after listening to Dr. 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!

Moms Everywhere: Count Kicks for Pregnancy Health

2008-05-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Did you know that pregnant women who are obese are at greater risk for stillbirth and other serious health complications? A new study, published by the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, shows that women who have unhealthy body mass indexes (BMIs) are more likely than women with normal BMIs to give birth after their due dates.

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.

Calgary Sun: kickTrak for Mother's Day

2008-05-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Calgary Sun recommended kickTrak as a great gift for Mother's Day.

Stillbirth Q & A in Urban Baby & Toddler Magazine

2008-04-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

babykick's founder, Dr. Diep Nguyen, answers a reader question in Urban Baby & Toddler. Kick counting, starting at weeks 24-28 of pregnancy, is easy for moms-to-be to do at home. Plus, it can help prevent stillbirth. Here's a look:

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.

Dr. Diep Nguyen, obstetrician & gynecologist

"Must-Have" Baby Gadget

2008-04-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

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.

Pinks & Blues Approved

2008-04-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

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.

Maternity & Style's Top Pick

2008-04-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

kickTrak is a Maternity & Style Top Pick this week-- check it out!

babygooroo on Counting Kicks

2008-04-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Mommywood: Angela Kinsey Using kickTrak

2008-04-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Read about Angela Kinsey using kickTrak on Modern Mom's Mommywood.

Shiny Shiny Reviews kickTrak

2008-04-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

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)."

Stillbirth Prevention in the New York Times

2008-04-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Unfortunately, many of these tragedies are unexplained, but there are ways that pregnant women can help reduce their risk. A simple, safe and effective method that’s been shown to help prevent stillbirth is kick counting. 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, but decreased fetal movement is associated with stillbirth and other pregnancy complications. A Massachusetts Quality Improvement Study cited in Harvard’s Forum shows that the rate of stillbirth in pregnancies that were complicated with decreased fetal movement was four-fold above the general population.

The babykick Foundation provides parents with the necessary resources to understand kick counting, including free kick count charts.

kickTrak on The Cradle

2008-04-02T10:08:00.001-07:00

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.

kickTrak Giveaway on Celebrity Baby Blog

2008-03-31T14:43:00.000-07:00

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!

kickTrak "Examined" in Depth

2008-03-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Baltimore Examiner recently reported on kickTrak and fetal kick counts, citing an interview with the babykick Foundation's Dr. Diep Nguyen. The article notes a study from Oslo, Norway in which a kick counting campaign cut the city's stillbirth rate in half. Read the full article here.

kickTrak Hits Hollywood

2008-03-26T13:52:00.001-07:00

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!

U.S. News & World Report Highlights Kick Counting

2008-02-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

Check out what U.S. News & World Report had to say about counting kicks!

A Champion Kicker is Born

2008-02-28T08:44:00.000-08:00

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!

Salt Lake City Newspaper Spreads Word About Kick Count

2008-02-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Did You Know?

2008-02-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

Did you know that over 70 babies are stillborn in the U.S. every day? While SIDS is unquestionably a serious issue that deserves attention, stillbirth actually affects nearly 10 times as many as babies as SIDS— yet stillbirth is the least talked about pregnancy complication.

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.

Indiana Perinatal Network Supports Kick Counting

2008-02-15T05:47:00.001-08:00

The Indiana Perinatal Network recently published the findings of its Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR). "Lessons Learned from The Indiana FIMR Projects" shows that decreased fetal movement was associated with 20% of infant deaths, leading the organization to recommend that all health care providers educate pregnant women about fetal movement.

Dr. Nguyen Shares Kick Count Basics

2008-02-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

Dr. Diep Nguyen, OB/GYN and founder of the BabyKick Foundation, appeared on today's episode of a well-respected parenting podcast. Dr. Nguyen explains the necessity of counting kicks for healthy pregnancies on 101 Uses for Baby Wipes with host Dennis Gray. Many thanks to Dennis for helping us to spread the word about kick counts and give parents-to-be information that could help them to avoid the tragedy of stillbirth or other pregnancy complications. Check it out today to listen to Dr. Nguyen explain the basics!

Kick Counting On Air

2008-02-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Kick counting is gaining support across the country! We're very excited to have the support of sports figures, medical personnel and political leaders. Thanks to a grant from the Heinz Family Philanthropies, our friends at First Candle have joined forces with the Iowa Stillbirth Task Force and Finger Lake Productions to secure celebrity spokespersons and produce high quality radio public service announcements to share vital information about the importance of counting kicks to expectant parents. The campaign is currently being piloted in Iowa and Pittsburgh, but if you don't live in either location, just visit First Candle's site to listen to the public service announcements.

Committed to Pregnancy Health: babykick Joins Fellow Health Care Professionals

2008-01-30T09:57:00.000-08:00

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?

What Steps Can Women take for Healthier Babies?

2008-01-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

National Birth Defects Prevention Network and BabyKick

Call Attention to Infections and Pregnancy

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (January 21, 2008) – babybick and the babykick Foundation are joining the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (Network) to share the message that a mother’s health before, during and after pregnancy is an important foundation to having a healthy baby who grows up healthy. “Preventing Infections in Pregnancy” is the theme of National Birth Defects Prevention Month this January.

Good health habits for everyone include knowing your family history and genetic risks, seeing a doctor, taking care to not expose yourself to diseases and managing health problems. For women, these habits should also include taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid daily starting before she gets pregnant.

“We are excited to be part of this national awareness campaign. We hope to reach women, their families and health care providers in our state with this important message,” said Dr. Diep Nguyen, president of babybick.

“Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant need to be especially careful,” said Nguyen. “Good habits to avoid infection include frequent handwashing, careful handling of raw meats, staying away from dirty cat litter, and not handling pet rodents or their bedding. Women should also talk with their doctor about testing for infections like group B strep and Hepatitis B. The Network is working with doctors and other health care providers around the country to encourage more education for women about infections that can harm a baby before it is born. There are more than 60 million women of childbearing age in the United States. They need to hear this message.”

The Network has over 250 members from all states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. It collects and exchanges information about birth defects and their prevention, encourages research and provides technical support to state and local birth defects monitoring programs. To learn more about the Network and Birth Defects Prevention Month, please visit www.nbdpn.org. BabyKick is a member of the Network and works to promote healthy pregnancies for all moms and prevent pregnancy complications through awareness, education and advocacy of kick counting.

To learn more, please contact babybick at 1-877-422-2954 or info@babykick.com or visit our web site www.babybick.com or www.babykickalliance.org. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/abc.htm for additional tips on how to stay healthy during pregnancy and reduce the risk of birth defects.

kickTrak is So Swanky

2008-01-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

Check out kickTrak smart kick counter on Swanky Moms!

Infection Prevention: Ten Tips from babykick

2008-01-15T13:42:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-01-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

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?