Do you have Momnesia too?
Last night, I was commenting on a great post from my friend Stu at The Marry Blogger. Right as I started typing, the word I was looking for escaped my brain. Poof! It was gone…another mommy-brain moment. How many times a day does that happen to you?
I like to joke about having “momnesia” – but did you know that momnesia, or mommy-brain, is a real, medical thing? (“thing” is the medical term, by the way)
When a woman gets pregnant, the hormones your body produces affects the memory portion of your brain: “the brain is being marinated in a huge amount of [the pregnancy hormone] oxytocin during pregnancy,” says Brizendine. And oxytocin has been shown to have amnesia-like effects during pregnancy.
This continues for a year or more after the baby is born. But as far as I can tell, once I got pregnant with my first child, I was never the same! I have momnesia moments all the time. What about you?
Some may disagree; in fact, some think that being a mommy makes you smarter. There’s even a book by Katherine Ellison called The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter
For the record, I have mommy-brain moments all the time. BUT – I still think being a mommy rocks my socks off and we all deserve the title, “Super Mom”. Because in our own individual ways, we all have super powers. I know our children think so…
What do you think? Please share a momnesia moment in the comments below. Let’s have a little fun together!
My Hands Are Clean, Are Yours?
Between the flu season and the H1N1 epidemic, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your family. Yesterday we had to take our 3 year old to the ER; she was diagnosed with pneumonia. A bacterial infection she got from someone who probably didn’t wash their hands before coming in contact with our little darling.
We can’t be there 100% of the time to protect them, but we do our best. Infants are especially susceptible to infection and this flu season is going to be brutal.
So let me ask you something. Have you ever been at the mall with your baby and a stranger (or worse, their kid with the sniffles) walked right up and stuck their [germy] hand right into your stroller to touch your baby? I have, and it still gives me the willies. How dare they take such liberties?
My nephew was born 3 months premature. An infection like the flu is down right dangerous for a preemie. The hospital sent her home with a little sign to attach to her baby carrier asking people to wash their hands before coming in contact with the baby. A year later, I borrowed her baby carrier for my youngest (it still had the sign on it). Everywhere I went, other moms asked where I got the sign because they wanted one. Turns out, my sister had the same experience. So I did some research.
I finally located the sign online; it’s a pretty simple design. Being the crafty person I am, I decided to try to improve upon it. It’s copywrited, so I altered my signs significantly. And I made one major change – I use eco-friendly and non-toxic ink instead of a screen-printing process which I’ve been told by several printers is toxic.
This flu season, protect your precious little baby. And while you’re at it, support a great cause. 10% of all November sales will be donated to Operation Shower, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating unit-wide baby showers and “showers in a box” for pregnant or expecting military families in a deployment or high stress situation.
I’m accepting pre-orders now through November 15, at a discounted cost of $7.99. Shipping is FREE, so don’t wait! The price increases to $9.95 on 11/16/09. Visit our Store to choose your design (there are 7 options!) and place your order.
What to do with the Placenta
I’m familiar with storing cord blood, but have NEVER heard of saving and EATING the placenta. I bet this is a pretty controversial topic. So yes, potentially there are some serious health benefits to it. But, GROSS! That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
From Pregnancy.org:
Studies have shown that eating the placenta can curb postpartum depression, replenish nutrients, increase milk production, and slow postpartum hemmorrhage. Read “Placentophagy” to learn more.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu
My youngest was diagnosed with H1N1 about 2 months ago. While we were lucky and had no complications and it ran its course quickly, this flu season is going to be tough on everyone. GET YOUR FLU SHOTS! The news says that the H1N1 shot is as safe as the regular flu shot; I’m not a doctor so I won’t comment. But at the very least, get the regular seasonal flu shot. Here’s some information from my pediatrician’s website regarding the H1N1 virus:
If Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu) is widespread in your community and your child has Swine Flu symptoms with a fever, then he or she probably has Swine Flu. You don’t need to get any special tests. You should call your doctor if your child is HIGH-RISK for complications of the flu (see the following list). For LOW-RISK children, you don’t need to call or see your child’s doctor, unless your child develops a possible complication of the flu.
Children are considered HIGH-RISK for complications if they have any of the following conditions:
- Lung disease (such as asthma)
- Heart disease (such as a congenital heart disease)
- Cancer or weak immune system conditions
- Diabetes, sickle cell disease, OR kidney disease
- Diseases requiring long-term aspirin therapy
- Pregnancy
- Healthy children under 5 years old are also considered HIGH-RISK
- Note: All other children are referred to as LOW-RISK
Children who develop the following complications need to be seen by their doctor:
- Ear infections and sinus infections occur in 10% of children
- Pneumonia: both viral and secondary bacterial (mainly in HIGH-RISK children)
- Influenza-induced flare-ups in those with asthma
- Dehydration, often due to a severe sore throat that limits fluid intake
- Muscle pains (viral myositis) in the legs can be severe and cause limping or refusal to walk
-
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