Doctors Create 22 Question Fertility Test For Every Woman Considering Pregnancy

growingyourbaby — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:28:47 +0000

Researchers at Cardiff University have unveiled a DIY test to help women maximize their chances of motherhood.

The ‘fertility thermometer’ uses a woman’s answers to 22 questions about age, lifestyle and health to assess the state of her fertility.

Each answer is rated blue, yellow, orange or red, depending on how much it affects the odds of pregnancy, with red ratings being the most damaging.

The woman then tots up her score for each colour before reading advice on what she needs to do to optimise her chances of having a family.

The FertiSTAT test, which was unveiled at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology’s annual conference, was developed after more and more women delay motherhood until they are in their 30s or 40s.

In Britain, the average age for a woman to have her first child has risen from 24 to 30 since the early 1970s.

But fertility plummets with age, while the risk of pregnancy complications rises sharply.

Dr Jacky Boivin, who designed the test with colleague Laura Bunting, hopes the fertility thermometer will help women think about their fertility and take steps to optimise it.

SOURCE

The McDermott’s Cover Baby Couture Magazine

growingyourbaby — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:14:40 +0000

90201 star Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott show off their kids Stella and Liam on the cover this month’s Anniversary Issue of Baby Couture Magazine.

The always fashionable family shows off their style and humor in an extensive photo spread that spans almost 10 pages.

The well dressed kids wear clothes and accessories from Right Bank Babies, Knuckleheads, Diesel, Zutano and Tori’s new clothing line Little Maven.

Baby Couture is known for their celebrity photo shoots. In March Kelly Rutherford showed off her growing belly with son Hermes and in December Jodi Sweetin’s daughter Zoie was featured in the holiday edition.

iCandy Peach Caters To Parents With Kids Of All Ages

growingyourbaby — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:57:10 +0000

UK stroller company iCandy is known for their sleek, modern looking strollers.

My love for the double stroller rolls on with the iCandy peach.

This multifunctional twin stroller offers parents outstanding flexibility when it comes to a double mode of transport. Still maintaining the modern sleek curves, stunning fabrics and simplistic styling, this revolutionary new pushchair caters for all. The blossom is for parents who have a toddler and a new born and the twin, well, it just speaks for itself… You can even take the option of upgrading your iCandy peach from a single mode to a double mode saving you the expense of an all new twin product.

All the features remain the same as the iCandy peach from the easy one hand fold to the smooth manoeuvrability. Uniquely, the peach blossom and the peach twin can be used in single pushchair mode. The flexibility far outweighs most existing double modes, particularly the option of having your new born baby facing you in the infant carrier car seat whilst your inquisitive toddler absorbs the wonderful world facing forward.

Peach Twin

Parents who would like a product that will grow with their family are only able to drool over the iCandy Peach as it is currently not available in North America.

Even though it has been safety tested for both Canada and U.S., distribution has yet to happen despite the demand.

More information available at icandyuk.com

Debbie Rowe to Seek Custody of Her Two Children

growingyourbaby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:39:39 +0000

UPDATE: A possible flip-flop? In a telephone news conference Debbie Rowe’s attorney Eric M. George said,

“So why today’s announcement? Because though Debbie herself had not spoken publically about the custody proceedings since Michael’s death, I came to learn this morning that she shared some of her thoughts late last night with a local reporter.”

“I have no reason to doubt what was reported from that conversation was accurately and ethically reported.

“But that said, it would be a distortion of the truth to allow that single snapshot of a single conversation to stand as the truth of Debbie’s position on these sensitive matters.

“So once again, the truth is that Debbie has not reached a final decision,” George said.

Originally reported: Michael Jackson’s ex-wife has broken her silence.

During a 90-minute phone conversation Thursday morning with NBCLA, Debbie Rowe, ex-wife of Michael Jackson, has stated she wants her children.

“I am stepping up,” she said. “I have to.”

“We had an agreement… he didn’t keep his end,” Rowe said, referring to Jackson’s death.

She also said she would seek a restraining order to keep Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, away from the children.

Michael Jackson, 50, who died unexpectedly last week, left behind three children: son Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, 12; daughter Paris Michael Katherine, 11; and son Prince Michael II, 7.

While Debbie is believed to be the mother of the two oldest children, reports surfaced this week that neither Michael or Debbie are the biological parents. These same reports suggest that Debbie was merely a surrogate.

It is known that the youngest, Prince Michael II, was born to a surrogate mother, who has never been identified.

Rowe said she was concerned about splitting up the children. She said she did not expect the court to grant custody of the third child, but added that she would be willing to accept custody.

Rowe, who was married to Jackson in 1996 and filed for divorce three years later, surrendered her parental rights. An appeals court later found that was done in error, and Rowe and Jackson entered an out-of-court settlement in 2006.

In her testimony eight years ago, Rowe said,

“I had the children for him. They wouldn’t be on this planet if it wasn’t for my love for him. I did it for him to become a father, not for me to become a mother. You earn the title ‘parent.” I have done absolutely nothing to earn that title.”

Earlier this week, Jackson’s mother was appointed temporary guardian of the children, pending a hearing on Monday. A will signed by Jackson in 2002 and filed with the court Wednesday requests that Katherine Jackson be named guardian of the children, but in the event of her death, he asked that singer Diana Ross be appointed.

The will also specifically leaves Rowe out of any inheritance.

“I have intentionally omitted to provide for my former wife, Deborah Jean Rowe Jackson,” the will states.

Debbie’s attorney, Eric George, told the Los Angeles Times that he will be at the custody hearing Monday to represent her. Today, it was reported that the hearing has been postponed until July 13, according to the Superior Court’s public information office. A hearing will still be held Monday to discuss issues regarding the administration of Jackson’s estate.

{SPLASH}

RECALL: 400,000 Simplicity Drop Side Cribs Recalled by Retailers Due to Risk of Death from Suffocation

growingyourbaby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:28:28 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc, today announced a voluntary recall of 400,000 Drop side cribs because the crib’s plastic hardware can break or deform, causing the drop side to detach. When the drop side detaches, it creates space between the drop side and the crib mattress. Infants and toddlers can roll into this space and become entrapped which can lead to suffocation.

CPSC is aware of one death involving an 8-month-old child from Houston, Texas who became entrapped and suffocated between the drop side and the crib mattress when a plastic connector on the drop side broke. The child’s death was previously reported by CPSC. CPSC also is aware of an additional 25 incidents involving the drop side detaching from the crib. In six of these incidents, the drop side detached because the plastic flexible tab deformed or broke. In four of the drop side detachment incidents, other plastic parts, including connectors or tracks, deformed or broke. In two of the incidents, two children became entrapped between the drop side and the crib mattress. There were no reported injuries.

This recall involves all drop side cribs with a different or “newer” style of plastic hardware from those cribs recalled in September 2007. This newer style of Simplicity hardware can be identified by a flexible plastic tab at the top of the lower tracks. The recalled model numbers include but may not be limited to: 8050, 8325, 8620, 8745, 8748, 8755, 8756, 8765, 8778, 8810, and 8994, 8995, 8996.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby and immediately return the crib to the place of purchase for a refund, replacement or store credit.

Other Recent Recalls:

Nahla Is a Pajama Girl At LAX

growingyourbaby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:50:52 +0000

Actress Halle Berry shares an intimate moment with her boyfriend Gabriel Aubry as the couple push their 1-year-old daughter Nahla through the Los Angeles international airport to catch a flight.

Nahla looks like she’s ready for bed with her pajamas on and teddy bear in hand!

The trendy tot rides in a Baby Jogger City Mini Single Stroller .

{SPLASH}

RECALL: 4 Million Aqua-Leisure Industries Inflatable Baby Floats Due to Drowning Hazard

growingyourbaby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:47:27 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Aqua-Leisure Industries, today announced a voluntary recall of about 4 MILLION Inflatable Baby Floats because the leg straps in the seat of the float can tear, causing children to unexpectedly fall into or under the water, posing a risk of drowning.

There have been 31 reports of float seats tearing, causing children to fall into or under the water. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled inflatable baby floats were sold in a variety of styles and colors. The names and model numbers are located on the packaging. A date between 08/02 and 07/08 is molded on the valves of recalled products. Products not included in the recall can be identified with the lettering “NP” molded on the valve. The following names and model numbers are included in this recall. Please click on each other pictures for name, model number and description.

Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled inflatable baby floats and contact Aqua-Leisure for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Aqua-Leisure toll-free at (866) 807-3998 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.aqualeisure.com

Australian Mom Welcomes 13.5lb Baby!

growingyourbaby — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:35:02 +0000

Chelsea Rose Mackay surprised everyone when she arrived weighing almost 14lbs. The newborn is believed to be the biggest baby ever born at Townsville Hospital and one of the largest in the country.

Weighing in at a hefty 13 pounds eight ounces and 55cm in length, there is certainly plenty of Chelsea for her first time mum, Danielle Mackay, to cuddle, the Townsville Bulletin reports.

Born on Thursday, Chelsea measures up at twice the size of an average baby and almost five-and-a-half times the size of her little friend, Melinda Burns.

Melinda was born prematurely at 818g, or just under two pounds, but is now a month old and weighs just 1.2kg.

Ms Mackay said she and partner Paul Mifsud ate a diet of stockman’s tucker and also snacked on icy poles while pregnant with Chelsea but never imagined her bundle of joy would be this big.

Neonatal specialist Dr Yoga Kandasamy said while most babies of Chelsea’s size were sick or had mothers with gestational diabetes, both mum and babe were a picture of good health.

“She would have to be one of the biggest newborns I have ever seen,” Dr Kandasamy said.

SOURCE

Jellycat Truffles Collection: Irresistibly Cute and Cuddly

growingyourbaby — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:38:45 +0000

Jellycat’s Truffles stuffed animal collection does double duty as a cuddly friend and comfy place for your baby to play.

These extra large animals are so nifty: they can sit up and pose on a bed, lay flat for a portable and oh so soft blanket.

* These cuddly animals come in all sizes. The extra large ones pictured here fold out for your baby to relax on.*

Priced between $49(sheep, lion donkey)-$68(Wooly Mammoth) at artebebe.com

Baby Comfort: Best Ever Baby Mats

Study: Couples Trying For Baby ‘Should Have Sex Daily’

growingyourbaby — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:40:31 +0000

Here’s a study your hubby will be quoting for the next month.

While many clinics advise couples to have sex every other day in order to get pregnant, scientists have found that regular sex can significantly improve the quality of a man’s sperm.

Although the quantity of sperm declined by more than half, researchers insisted that levels stayed well within those considered necessary for fertility.

Dr David Greening, from Sydney IVF, in Wollongong, Australia, said: “Sperm don’t seem to like staying in warm testicles for too long. The advice might be to keep the rivers flowing.”

He added that his findings could also explain in part the problems that some couples have conceiving as they get older.

Dr Greening said that men were more likely to have sex daily when they were in their twenties than by the time they had reached their forties.

“Perhaps reproductively we are built to do it in our youth. We have been blaming women as we get older (for fertility problems) when perhaps there is also contribution from the male because we are not behaving as we should be (by having regular sex).”

Dr Allan Pacey, Senior Lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, said: “There may be dangers if we apply this finding to all men uncritically and to all situations.

“For example, in cases where men have low sperm counts to start with, daily ejaculations may well reduce the sperm count still further and whilst sperm may be more healthy the reduced numbers could impede the chance of natural conception.

However, if such men are preparing for an assisted conception procedure, this may well not matter and their chances of success may be improved.”