Tonia Accetta: I was watching the VMA’s when Beyonce madeher announcement or gestured to her baby bump under her jacket, she looked radiant and very happy. I hope I looked the same way when I was expecting, but all I can remember is feeling sick and tired.
Shaken baby syndrome, or inflicted traumatic brain injury, is caused by blows to the head, dropping, throwing or shaking a child. Head trauma is the leading cause of death in child abuse cases.
Pregnancy can occur if you have had sexual intercourse. Around 85 percent of couples who have unprotected sex get pregnant within a year. There is a very small chance of getting pregnant while using contraception. For example, the contraceptive pill is known to be less effective if the woman taking it is also taking antibiotics.
In most cases, a simple urine test can detect pregnancy. These are available from supermarkets, chemists and online pharmacies. Your doctor can also do a test if you request this. Pregnancy tests are usually accurate from the first day of your missed period. Some brands can detect HCG five days earlier and some very sensitive tests have been known to detect pregnancy even earlier than that.
“Not until everyone in the county understands the effects of alcohol on a fetus,” she said. “You can’t base a decision on information you don’t have. The OBGYNs should be talking about it and asking alcohol history when screening parents.”
Up until yesterday, I was certain that I’d opt out of those uncomfortable and unnecessary cervical checks. What’s the point? They don’t really indicate when labor will start and can give misleading information but curiousity got the best of me…..