ML Interest Tag: urine

These Are the Days Pregnancy Sickness Is Likely to Start, New Study Reveals

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Unfortunately for many women, pregnancy and nausea seem to go together. Now researchers from the University of Warwick have narrowed the time frame that pregnancy sickness will potentially start to just three days. This opens up the possibility for scientists to identify a biological cause for the condition.

Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy was previously referred to as “morning sickness.” Previous research from the same team revealed that term was misleading, as sickness could occur at any time of day. The term “pregnancy sickness” is now considered more appropriate. 

Pregnancy sickness usually ends between 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. For some it can be severe, including what is known as hyperemesis gravidarum—when the symptoms continue throughout the pregnancy. In the past, the cause was seen as psychological (yeah, cue the eyerolls!) but this study shows further evidence that it is biological in nature and linked to a woman’s stage of pregnancy. 

Researchers from the Warwick Medical School and the Department of Statistics at the University of Warwick found that the time period in which a woman will likely experience pregnancy sickness can now be pinpointed to a specific three-day window. In other words, they can predict when you’re most likely to start feeling crummy! 

Pregnancy due dates are calculated based on the last day of the last menstrual period, but this study also has found that the date of ovulation is a more accurate starting point, thanks to fewer variables.

256 pregnant women kept daily symptom diaries to compare when their symptoms began, including recording the date of their last menstrual period as well as date of ovulation (determined by a urine test). Researchers compared the results and found that most women started getting “the sickness” 8 to 10 days after ovulation.

Lead author Professor Roger Gadsby of Warwick Medical School said, “For researchers it narrows our focus in terms of where we look for the cause. If we know that symptoms occur in a very narrow window 8-10 days after ovulation, researchers can concentrate their efforts on that particular stage of development to find the cause of the condition, both anatomically and biochemically. In the past, women suffering with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy have had their symptoms trivialised and overlooked because it was thought there was a psychological basis for the symptoms. This research further reinforces that nothing could be further from the truth, that this is a biological problem related to the development of the early fetus.”

(Sing it, Roger!)

The research also discovered that 94% of women do experience some form of pregnancy sickness, a rate much higher than previously.

Professor Roger Gadsby adds, “What we’ve shown is that more people get symptoms of pregnancy sickness than has ever been shown before, and one of the reasons for that is that this research has picked up mild early symptoms that tend to fade by 7-8 weeks. In other studies those symptoms would have faded by the time the research started.”

Next up? What the heck do you do about it?

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash 

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Cloth or Disposable Diapers: Which One Is Better?

By Monica Greco

I love cloth diapers. I have used them successfully with my two daughters for almost four years now, and never looked back. However, I don’t use cloth diapers exclusively: I often mix them with disposable diapers.

Now, don’t tell that to people on a Facebook group on cloth diapers. They’ll probably kick me off the group!

I find it strange how some parents that use cloth diapers are so incredibly against using disposables. And also a bit annoying. I feel like it puts so much unnecessary pressure on new moms that want to give it a go.

Cloth diapers can be great in so many ways, but they also come with their disadvantages. There are situations where I find using disposable is way more convenient and less stressful.

Here’s what I think all the pros and cons of cloth diapers compared to disposables are, and why I think using a combination of both is sometimes the best thing to do.

ENVIRONMENT & FINANCES

Let’s start with the two most well-known advantages of cloth diapers: they help reduce waste and save parents some money.

I won’t argue with the fact that they are good for the environment. This is the main reason I use them as much as I can. I love seeing how empty my rubbish bin is at the end of the week, without hundreds of disposable diapers in it.

But I will make a point of saying that cloth diapers are not always that cheap compared to disposables. Some cloth diaper types can be pretty expensive!. Plus, I find you have to be very careful about what to buy at the beginning. Some moms just buy them in bulk without any knowledge about what will work for them or for their baby, to then realize that they bought the totally wrong type and need to replace their stash. I made this exact mistake with my first daughter.

TRAVELING

Disposable diapers are so much easier when traveling: they take up less space in the diaper bag and can just be disposed of in a bin. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are bulkier and you need to take a waterproof bag with you all the time to store all the dirty diapers.

I find they are okay when going out for a few hours. I can deal with taking one or two changes of cloth diapers with me. But, if I am going away for the weekend or for longer periods, there’s no way I am going to take cloth diapers with me!

Too much to pack, too much to think about with regards to where to store them, how to wash and dry them, etc.

NEWBORN STAGES

Mama, the first few months with a newborn are tough! Particularly if it’s your first baby. So many things to figure out already. Do you really want the added stress of figuring out how to use cloth diapers?

With my first baby, I waited until she was about two months old and ready to fit in one-size diapers before I started using them.

Don’t get me wrong, some super moms get it right with cloth diapers from day one. You will find them all on the Facebook groups! But if you get a bit overwhelmed even at the idea, I suggest you wait a little bit longer before giving it a go.

DIAPER BLOWOUTS

Now, have you ever experienced a diaper blowout? You know, when the poop ends up all over baby’s clothes and you need to hose them down to get it off them? Yes, they are real and are not that fun to deal with!

They seem to be particularly bad when your baby is small and breastfeeding…like a big explosion. We call it a poonami at home!

Well, you’ll be surprised to hear that cloth diapers are usually better than disposables at dealing with them, and one of the tips to prevent diaper blowouts is actually to use a reusable cover over a disposable diaper.

Cloth diaper covers tend to have elastics all the way around the baby’s legs and back (and sometimes the front too), and these are more effective than disposable diapers at holding the solid waste in.

So, if you are afraid of having to deal with poonamis, then cloth diapers (particularly covers) can come in quite handy. Though be mindful that having to clean poop off cloth diapers can be a bit more complicated than just disposing of a dirty disposable diaper.

LEAKS & SMELL

I think diapers leaking is the number one concern for moms using cloth diapers. And I get why: understanding cloth diapers with their different types and materials takes time, and it requires a lot of trial and error.

There is a lot of information, including online, that can put you in the right direction of course. But I bet every mom who’s been using cloth had to try at least a few different diapers before finding the perfect fit that doesn’t leak.

Cloth diapers at night can be particularly challenging because it’s not easy to find diapers that will last 12 hours or more through the night. And, if you do, those cloth diapers stink!

There have been nights when my second daughter was sleeping in bed with me and the smell of urine coming from the diaper in the morning was almost unbearable.

So, if you want to switch to disposables at night, I totally get that!

In conclusion, both cloth diapers and disposables have their pros and cons, and it doesn’t always have to be all or nothing with cloth diapers! There are so many situations when disposables are way more convenient, and no mom should be feeling guilty about using a mix of both.

So, stop comparing yourself to some random supermom on social media and stop stressing about using some disposable diapers sometimes. Motherhood is already hard as it is, this is definitely something you should not be worrying about!

Monica is the proud mom of two beautiful girls and author of the blog Conquering Motherhood. Here she shares tips, suggestions and recommendations on how to have the best pregnancy and birth experience, as well as how to survive the first year of motherhood.

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Struggling to Get Pregnant? Your Progesterone Levels May Be to Blame

By Amy Beckley

Editor’s note: Any medical advice presented here is expressly the views of the writer and Red Tricycle cannot verify any claims made. Please consult with your healthcare provider about what works best for you.

When I started to suspect I had an ovulatory disorder that meant my progesterone levels weren’t rising properly after ovulation, I went to my doctor and asked for a supplement. Although he was reluctant, he prescribed it for me. A couple of cycles later, I was pregnant and gave birth to my beautiful daughter who is now 6. But after my experience, I discovered there was a significant lack of knowledge in women’s health surrounding low progesterone and supplementation. Many women and their doctors did not understand or believe in the power of progesterone.

Unfortunately, some misconceptions are still common today. Read on to understand more about progesterone, why it’s important, and two common misconceptions that could be preventing women from uncovering what could be an easy fix.   

Why Is Progesterone Important?  

Progesterone is the hormone released after ovulation. It is required to prepare the uterus to receive an embryo, should conception have occurred and is essential to have adequate levels of progesterone for a long enough period of time after ovulation for a successful pregnancy.

What is misunderstood, however, is that a common problem with ovulation typically manifests as progesterone deficiency. Many doctors question if low progesterone is a real diagnosis and whether or not adding progesterone supplements can actually help.

Misconception #1: Studies Show Progesterone Supplements Don’t Help Fix Problems with Ovulation.

When I asked my doctor for a progesterone supplement, he gave it to me—not because he thought it would work, but because taking the supplement wouldn’t harm me. This lack of faith in the effectiveness of progesterone supplements stems from a study conducted in 2016. This study followed 836 women. When a woman got a positive pregnancy test, half were given vaginal progesterone and the other half were given nothing. Live birth rates were only 2% higher in the progesterone supplement group. So, the study concluded that progesterone supplementation didn’t really help.

But this experiment was flawed. Basic biology tells us that progesterone is required to prepare the uterine lining for implantation—which is why it is released by the ovary right after ovulation. So, by the time a woman got a positive pregnancy test, the embryo had likely already implanted. Providing progesterone after confirmed pregnancy was almost “too late” since progesterone is critically needed to prepare the uterus for conception. This study was highly publicized when it was published, so the information spread widely to doctors and women.

In 2017, another study was published. In this experiment, women were given progesterone at the start of their luteal phase (3 days after ovulation) so that they were able to have high levels before implantation and getting a positive pregnancy test. The results of this study showed a 17% increase in live birth rates. 

In fact, there are many studies that show progesterone supplementation starting after ovulation increases live birth rates. So when supplementing, it’s important to mimic the time when the body would have released progesterone as well—which is right after ovulation, not after implantation has already occurred. 

Misconception #2: A Blood Test Is the Best & Only Way to Confirm Ovulation. 

If you suspect you have a lack of ovulation or suboptimal ovulation (i.e. a progesterone deficiency), your doctor may order a day-21 progesterone blood test. A day-21 blood test aims to measure progesterone at the point in your cycle when it should be the highest—seven days after ovulation (given ovulation occurs on day 14). However, there are a few reasons a blood test can fall short. 

First, a day-21 blood test assumes you ovulate on day 14 of your cycle. But, every cycle is different in length, so one woman may ovulate before or after day 14. When this happens, progesterone still should be high seven days after ovulation, but that may not necessarily occur exactly on the 21st day of your cycle. This means that you could get a negative result when in reality, your progesterone is fine. Additionally, a one point in time measurement doesn’t always show the full picture. In my case, progesterone levels would rise, then fall a bit too quickly to be considered “healthy”. I would get a positive day-21 test and doctors would think I was fine, but my progesterone levels weren’t actually adequate over time. 

Second, progesterone is secreted into the blood in pulses. Studies have shown that serum progesterone levels can fluctuate eight times in the course of a single day. So, progesterone can range from 3-30 ng/ml, depending on what time of day you draw blood. This makes it extremely difficult for doctors to know if the amount of serum progesterone in your blood draw is actually enough to support successful conception. At 8 a.m., your progesterone levels could look great, but at 4 p.m., they could be low. 

So, what does this all mean for you? 

The most important thing for you to do is stay informed and ask your doctor the right questions. The good news is that there are other ways to confirm successful ovulation at home so that you can understand this important piece of the fertility puzzle! 

After progesterone circulates through the blood, it is then passed into the liver where it is metabolized and secreted into urine as PdG (Pregnanediol Glucuronide). Studies have shown that PdG levels, first thing in morning urine show an average of the serum progesterone levels from the day before. Because PdG shows an average, this makes it a better way to measure the overall progesterone production after ovulation. Add to this, testing PdG through urine is non-invasive, it’s simple to track levels over several days, allowing for a more complete ovulation picture. 

Understanding the importance of progesterone and the most effective ways to test for it can empower you with valuable information and help your better advocate for yourself on your TTC journey.

I'm Amy Beckley. After my experiences with pregnancy loss and IVF I used my PhD in Pharmacology to create MFB Fertility, Inc. and invented the Proov test in my basement, which now allows women to confirm successful ovulation by tracking PdG in 5 minutes, at home. I want to empower women.

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3 Tips to Increase Your Chances of Successfully Conceiving

By Amy Beckley

Photo: Raw Pixel

Trying to conceive can be a very exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming! If you’ve started doing your research, you’ve likely encountered a ton of information and products out there—from pee strips to wearables to apps to supplements. While it’s great that there are a lot of resources out there, it can also make it difficult and frustrating to figure out where to start. 

That’s why I pulled together a list of things you can do to increase your chances of successfully conceiving as quickly as possible. And even better news—all of these are relatively inexpensive and can be done from home! This information can help you better understand your body, your partner’s body, and uncover up to 80 percent of what makes it hard to conceive.

For conception to occur, you need three things: sperm, an egg, and fertilization (when the sperm meets the egg). While this seems pretty simple, fertility is complex and sometimes things don’t always go as planned. However, by checking these boxes you can give yourself the best chances of successfully conceiving as early as possible and for as little money—and hopefully heartache—as possible. 

Tip 1: Figure out your fertile window. Fertilization is when sperm meets egg, also known as the moment of conception. To give the sperm and egg a chance to meet, it’s important to understand when your body is in its fertile window so that you can time intercourse correctly. 

There are several options to track suspected ovulation, including LH tests (ovulation predictor kits), cervical mucus monitoring, and BBT, among others. With these methods, you will know which days are your most fertile so you can time intercourse correctly and have the best chance at conception. 

Tip 2: Optimize your chances by confirming successful ovulation. No ovulation means no egg is present to fertilize, so without ovulation, you have no chance of conception. Checking to see if you are ovulating early on can save you from spending time and money on other hormone tests you may not need. 

Ovulation confirmation can happen in a couple of different ways. First, some women use BBT (Basal Body Temperature) to track the slight temperature rise associated with the presence of progesterone, which is the hormone released by the empty follicle after ovulation occurs. Progesterone blood tests can also provide a yes/no answer based on the numeric value result.

But ovulation is considered healthy when an egg is released and the empty follicle produces enough progesterone over time to support an embryo, should an egg become fertilized. So it is possible to ovulate and do so in a “weak” or “suboptimal” way. To confirm ovulation and make sure it was healthy as well, PdG testing can do the trick. PdG is the urine metabolite of progesterone. Because PdG tests track urine, they are non-invasive, can be done at home and multiple days in a row. This is important because progesterone and therefore PdG need to go up and stay up to indicate that ovulation was truly “successful” meaning that it gave the best chance at conceiving that cycle.  

What if I’m not ovulating or have weak ovulation? Not to worry. There is a lot you can do to improve it. If you suspect that ovulation isn’t occurring at all, it’s important to talk to your doctor right away as in these cases, ovulation-inducing medicine is often needed. 

If you suspect that you are ovulating but perhaps have suboptimal ovulation, you can chat with your doc as well or check out some natural ways to increase progesterone/PdG to improve ovulation quality:

Diet: While foods don’t directly contain progesterone or PdG, there are some foods that can help improve progesterone production like beans, broccoli, pumpkin, or spinach. 

Seed Cycling: Seed cycling involves eating different types of seeds during different phases of your cycle to help promote hormone balance. You can learn more about seed cycling here!

Herbs: Herbals like vitex, red raspberry leaf, and maca can all help support progesterone production and promote a hormone balance. 

Supplementation: Bio-identical progesterone supplements are widely available and are to be prescribed by a doctor. If you’re interested in a supplement, we recommend consulting your doctor. 

Tip 3: Check out his swimmers. Once you’ve got the fertile window and healthy ovulation covered, it’s important to understand what’s going on with your partner’s sperm. There are two main aspects of sperm that matter most: sperm count—meaning there is enough sperm—and sperm motility—meaning the sperm can get to where they need to be (the egg). There are many at-home sperm tests on the market that test sperm count but only a few that test count and motility, so look for a kit that measures both. 

If your partner’s sperm test results show he’s all good, then great! You can check this box and move on. If the sperm test shows low sperm count or motility, there are a few things you can do to try to improve results: 

Diet or lifestyle changes: Supplements like maca have both been shown to improve sperm count in men and nutrients like vitamin C, D, and zinc are all important when it comes to healthy swimmers. Exercising regularly can also help increase testosterone and sperm quality.

Sperm friendly lubricant: Make sure to check that your lubricant is “sperm-friendly.” Many lubricants contain ingredients or have a pH that can be harmful to sperm. Sperm friendly lubricants also mimic the viscosity and consistency of cervical mucus, making it an ideal environment for the sperm to travel. 

Try boxers: Does your partner wear tight underwear? Studies have shown that tight underwear may impair sperm production. Boxers fit more loosely and are preferred if you’re concerned about sperm. 

If sperm and ovulation are healthy and you are having intercourse during your fertile window, but still not getting pregnant, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can test you for less common causes of infertility like blocked fallopian tubes, genetic factors, or structural abnormalities within the uterus.

 

 

I'm Amy Beckley. After my experiences with pregnancy loss and IVF I used my PhD in Pharmacology to create MFB Fertility, Inc. and invented the Proov test in my basement, which now allows women to confirm successful ovulation by tracking PdG in 5 minutes, at home. I want to empower women.

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Lakeside Refrigerated Services Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible E.coli

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Check your fridge and freezer. Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The raw ground beef items were produced on Jun. 1, 2020. 

Ground beef

The following products are subject to recall: 

 

  • 1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
  • 1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
  • 3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
  • 1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
  • 4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
  • 1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
  • 1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.
  • The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo:

Photo by Angele J from Pexels

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The CDC Warns Consumers about Ongoing Hepatitis A Investigation Linked to Blackberries

by Erica Loop

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “Food Safety Alert” for blackberries linked to a hepatitis A outbreak. The initial recall included fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries purchased between Sep. 9- 30, 2019 from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.

According to the CDC’s latest update, the outbreak is ongoing and has impacted consumers in six states. Anyone who purchased the affected blackberries during the Sep. 9 through 30 time-frame and froze the fruit should through the berries out immediately.

photo: Magova via Pexels

As of Dec. 2, 2019, the states affected by the berries include Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin, with 16 cases of hepatitis A reported. While nine hospitalizations have occurred, there are currently no deaths due to the recalled blackberries.

The CDC is still investigating the outbreak. Even though the 16 current reported illnesses started between Oct. 8 and Nov. 15, 2019, it can take between two and seven weeks after exposure for symptoms to appear. Common symptoms of hepatitis A include yellow skin/eyes, upset stomach, stomach pain, vomiting, fever, dark urine, light-colored stools, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue.

If you have the affected blackberries, from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (sold between Sep. 9-30) or have frozen the berries, throw them away. Consumers who have already eaten the affected berries, or think they may have eaten them, and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A should contact their medical provider.

—Erica Loop

 

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5 Tips to Help Keep Your Family Healthy during Flu Season

By Linda Hanna

Once you start to plan out your “home for the holidays” travel, yo might forget to think about how you and your baby might be exposed to germs and viruses during air travel or visiting your family and their kiddos. 

The risk of a cold or flu to both mom and baby can be serious—with things like reduced milk production and a host of other issues—but there are many precautions that you can take so that you can travel and still feel safe and protected. 

Here are some general tips to keep you and baby healthy during the contagious holiday travel months. 

Make Hand Washing a Priority: Make sure your toddlers or school age children wash their hands with soap and water when they arrive home. Get into the habit of washing your hands thoroughly and using hand sanitizer before touching the baby.

Ask Your Sick Relatives to Wait Until They Are Better: It’s not rude to ask people to make sure they are healthy before they visit. For anyone that’s been recently sick, two weeks of symptom-free health before they get anywhere near you or your little one should be standard. 

Reduce Exposure: Young or school age children pose the highest risk exposure to viruses and bacteria. Change school-age kid’s clothes once they get home, and have them use a small amount of hand sanitizer before touching a newborn.

Avoid Stuffy Places: Mamas and infants should avoid stuffy, poorly ventilated places where other at-risk individuals gather. Pathogens are equally passed through airborne and touch, and no ventilation keeps the little buggers stuck in stuffy spaces

Consider a Flu Shot as Prevention: Often flu shots are covered by insurance. If you’ve had a good experience with flu shots in the past, consider it before the flu season starts.

Look for these early signs of fever or head cold symptoms: 

  • Nasal drainage
  • Cough
  • Difficulty feeding
  • Low urine output

If you or your baby have any of these above symptoms, head straight to your doctor to try and catch a sickness early while it can still be treated. 

Rather than feel a little stressed about the possibility of getting sick or arriving with a sick baby on your hip, you can feel a little better knowing that there are many things you can do during these weeks leading up to the festivities, to make sure your holidays are healthy and happy for everyone. You can also check out our in-house nurse Kelly’s useful tips on traveling with your baby and keeping both of you safe and comfortable. 

 

Linda M. Hanna, RNC, MSN/Ed., IBCLC, and co-founder of Mahmee, has been a registered nurse since 1978. She pioneered the Great Starts program at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills, which was so successful it was adopted by Kaiser locations throughout the US. She also developed Cedars-Sinai's Lactation Education program. 

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Recall Alert: Frozen Berries Sold at Aldi & Raley’s Stores Recalled

by Erica Loop

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a voluntary recall for Wawona Frozen Foods frozen raspberries and frozen berry mixes containing raspberries due to possible Hepatitis A contamination. The berries were sold at Aldi Grocery Stores and Raley’s Family of Fine Stores under each retailer’s private label brand. Representatives from Wawona Frozen Foods did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.

If you have these berries in your fridge or freezer, read on for important recall information.

Recalled Product Description: Frozen Raspberries

The recalled products include frozen raspberries and frozen berry mix containing raspberries sold under Aldi Grocery Stores and Raley’s Family of Fine Stores private labels. These include Season’s Choice Raspberries and Season’s Choice Berry Medley in Aldi stores and Raley’s Fresh Frozen Red Raspberries in Raley’s stores.

Why the Berries Were Recalled

The recall was initiated after the potential for Hepatitis A contamination was detected. Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause serious liver disease. The illness can last from a few weeks to several months and has symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice.

As of now there are no reported cases of illnesses due to the recalled berries.

How to Tell If Your Berries Were Recalled

The frozen raspberries included in the current recall are:

  • Aldi: Season’s Choice Raspberries (frozen): 12 ounce bags, “best by” date of June, 10, 2021, August 1,2021 and August 23, 2021. “Product of Chile.” UPC Code: 0 41498 12419 9. Season’s Choice Berry Medley (frozen) containing raspberries: 16 ounce bags, “best by” date of July 17, 2021, July 20, 2021 and July 22, 2021. “Product of USA, Chile.” UPC Code: 0 41498 31344 9
  • Raley’s: Raley’s Fresh Frozen Red Raspberries: 12 ounce bags, “best by” date of June 5, 2021 (lot code:20156A04), August 1, 2021 (lot code: 20213A06) “Product of Chile.” UPC Code: 46567 00754

The affected berries were imported from Chile.

What Consumers Can Do

If you have the recalled products, don’t eat them. Throw the berries away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions can contact Wawona Frozen Foods at 866-913-0667.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Wawona Frozen Foods

 

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Pee When You Sneeze? There’s a Fix for That

By Rachel Gelman

Photo: Pexels

In case you didn’t know, having a baby is a big deal. Shocking, I know. Pregnancy and childbirth are game-changers and impact a mother emotionally, psychologically and of course physically.

One part of the body that is often affected yet overlooked? The pelvic floor. This is a muscular bowl inside the pelvis that supports the pelvic organs. Like a mom, it has many jobs: As one of the main core muscles of the body, they provide stability, helps start and stop the flow of urine and feces, and play a role in sexual function. And let’s not forget: These muscles also help push a baby out during a vaginal delivery.

Unfortunately, these muscles can be easily injured during childbirth. They can be stretched, cut, or torn. Even if a person has their baby via c-section these muscles just helped support a baby for about 40 weeks. Think of how tired you get after rocking your baby for an hour; these muscles were doing that non-stop! As a result, these muscles can become dysfunctional, just like any other muscle of the body. Pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to a variety of symptoms such as urinary incontinence, back pain, or pain while having sex.

Therefore, it is important to have these muscles in good shape. Keeping these muscles healthy prior to pregnancy can improve their function and help with recovery following delivery. Most people assume that means strengthening. Gotta get these muscles a gym membership and mini barbells, right? Not exactly.

While strengthening can be what is needed, sometimes these muscles are actually in a guarded or tightened position and need to learn to relax. Sometimes the muscles need to learn to have better overall coordination which can help during delivery. Or maybe the muscles are strong but need to improve their endurance. In general, the pelvic floor muscles need to have a good range of motion, coordination, and strength to do their job well.

Every person, and pelvic floor is different. Therefore, it is important to consult a pelvic floor specialist to determine what an appropriate treatment plan would be for you. In many countries, pelvic floor physical therapy is automatically provided postpartum. A pelvic floor PT can address any pelvic floor dysfunction pre- or post-partum and of course help with the recovery process after delivery.

Motherhood can be challenging and it can be difficult to make time for yourself, but in my opinion, getting your pelvic floor working well should be a part of the mom routine.

Rachel Gelman, PT, DPT is a clinician, writer and educator specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction. She teaches the pelvic health curriculum in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University and is an expert for INTIMINA, which aims to help improve all aspects of a woman’s intimate health.

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