Baby On The Way
Quick question BRAWM: I have a baby on the way, he is due early OCT. News of Fukushima broke just weeks after my GF conceived. Ultrasounds have been a little vague for a few reasons and there have been a few worrying test results I.E. low amniotic fluid and head size. Nothing serious but it was obviously enough for our MD to mention. Although she has assured us not to be concerned it's easier said than done. My question to you is: are there any tests that can be performed further down the road to determine his exposure and how much excess radiation he may have received? I remember hearing about baby teeth being tested for Strontium...I suppose it would be a little difficult to determine this without a baseline. I'm obviously not a physicist or an MD...just a slight hypochondriac with an irrational apocalypse-fiction inspired fear of radiation and a new parent. Any input would be appreciated.
While I can't answer your
While I can't answer your question.....
Low Fluid at term is not unusual and not is it normally a health concern. It's only been shown to be a problem if the baby is intrauterine growth restricted. If she has any more ultrasounds scheduled tell her to drink 2 litres of water 2-5 hours before the test. It will boost the fluid levels, if she's been having early morning ultrasounds or just doesn't drink a lot of water in general that can lower the level. Also detection of fluids is very inexact, the position of the baby and the skill of the person doing the ultrasound play a big role. Most doctors make a big issue out of this because A: poorly done studies fail to remove growth restricted babies which skews the results, and B: their insurance policies require them to induce (needlessly) women under a certain fluid level based on the poorly done studies.
http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=1847
Head size, large or small could be genetics, does anyone in the family have large or small heads?
If you want to ensure the baby's best health: BREASTFEED (well not you, your gf, obviously) first of all, you will avoid the cesium in the milk (formula) which might be reassuring to you. Second, breast milk is FABULOUS! It boosts the immune system, promotes brain development, reduces SIDS rates and so much more. It's a wonder food and it's free!
http://www.motheringfromtheheart.com/Benefits.htm
Breastfeeding advice:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html
Breastmilk will be most
Breastmilk will be most healthful if the mother herself does not consume milk.
Congratulations btw :)
Congratulations btw :)
Many blessings to you and
Many blessings to you and your new addition. I hope this info from the CDC helps you to relax a little:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/prenatal.asp
Not so helpful
This CDC topic relates primarily to ionizing (Gamma) radiation exposure to the fetus.
The more concerning exposure is en utero radionuclide exposure. So for example, radioactive iodine will cross the placental barrier and damage the fetal thyroid gland. Some exposed children are born without a thyroid gland, which will lead to mental retardation, if untreated.
Luckily, North America is far removed from Fukushima. Thus, it is unlikely that any child conceived and gestated on this continent will be born without a thyroid gland, due to Fukushima radioactive iodine. This is however, a clear and present danger to Honshu Island Japan newborns.
The health hazards to Japanese fetuses, newborns, infants, children, adolescent females, pregnant women and lactating mothers, to radionuclide intake, are matters of grave consequence. This will unfortunately remain the case for many decades.
Not the only abnormality that results from fallout
Though simple discontinuation of the pregnancy is most common. And personal experiences shows a lot of moms miscarrying this summer. Ancedotal? You betcha. That's all I've got.