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Public health experts unanimously agree that the annual flu shot is a critical component of prenatal care. That’s because the flu is more deadly for pregnant people and unborn babies alike. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “In addition to hospitalization, pregnant women with influenza are at increased risk of intensive care unit admission and adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes.” The Importance of Flu Shots During Pregnancy Pregnant people of all ages, regardless of their current stage of pregnancy, should receive flu shots as soon as they become available each year....

The name Noelle means “Christmas.” It is the feminine form of the masculine name Noël, and it’s a great choice for December babies (though you don’t have to have a winter baby to choose this name). Noelle evolved from the French word noël, which is derived from the Latin phrase “natalis dies Domini”, meaning “the Lord’s birthday”. How Popular Is the Name Noelle? Noelle is considered to be a somewhat trendy name appearing on top baby name lists since the mid-1960s....

Zeidman is mom to 3-year-old Olive while also working to grow her business, The Ollie World, known for its innovative baby swaddles designed to make the lives of new parents a bit easier. The challenges of parenthood are something Zeidman, a former social worker and foster mother, knows well. But being a mom also comes with its rewards, which Zeidman cherishes in the wake of previous struggles trying to conceive....

Eating salt is often thought to be less of a problem for kids, though, as many parents assume that their kids don’t have a lot of salt in their diets. This is only true if you don’t add much salt to the foods that you cook. Keep in mind that many of the processed and prepared foods that are popular with parents and kids—usually because they are quick and easy—are often loaded with salt....

When you ask moms why they jump so quickly to the epidural the vast majority say that they don’t want to be in excruciating pain during the birth of their baby. When I ask them what other options they have considered most say nothing else. Why would you not consider something else? This is something I’ve asked time and time again. So many women look at me and say, “What else is there?...

What Causes Period Cramps? Cramps are caused by prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are naturally occurring chemicals and can be found in tissues throughout the body, including in the uterus. They also trigger the uterine muscles to contract, which helps expel the uterine lining during menstruation. Prostaglandins are also involved in inducing labor contractions and childbirth. If your levels of prostaglandins are too high, it can trigger uterine contractions that are more intense. When the uterine contractions are especially strong, oxygen is temporarily cut off to parts of the muscle, which can lead to painful period cramps....

Quinn is one of the first Irish unisex names on the rise for both genders, though there are now far more girl Quinns than boys. If you have a baby boy or girl on the way, Quinn just might be a win for your family. How Popular is the Name Quinn? The name Quinn experienced its first sharp rise in popularity between 1997 and 1999, and has been climbing ever since....

If you’re interested in learning why pregnancy clothing rentals have grown in popularity, what kinds of rentals there are, a few key sites to rent from, and what’s currently trending, this is the article for you. Why Parents-To-Be Rent Clothes for Pregnancy Because pregnancy has a set time frame, you won’t be wearing these specialized clothes for a long period of time, making renting a good option. There are many other reasons to rent, too, including one-time use items for events such as baby showers and special occasions, seasonality, passing trends, sustainability reasons, and more....

RhoGAM is not the only brand of Rh immunoglobulin on the market, but it was the first developed, and the term became commonly used to refer to all Rh immunoglobulin. What Is Rh Factor? Rh factor is determined by the presence or absence of a certain protein on red blood cells. Those without the protein are Rh negative (so, A negative, B negative, and so on) and those with the protein are Rh positive (A positive, B positive, etc....

Below are a few guidelines your child should know about texting, cell phone etiquette, and communicating with others ​without sacrificing their good character. Simple Rules for Text Messaging and Etiquette

There are a number of different ways that a custody schedule for 50/50 joint physical custody can be written. When selecting a custody schedule for your family, it’s important to customize the schedule to meet the family’s needs, particularly the needs of your children. Creating a Joint Custody Schedule Custody can be physical, legal, or both. When parents share joint legal custody, they both have a say in major decisions regarding the child’s life, such as education, religious upbringing, and ​medical care....

I realized that I was constantly fielding questions from my family members like, “What day is soccer?” “What time is the fundraiser?” and “Which days is school out for the holidays?” It was exhausting having to repeat myself all the time, and I found myself annoyed that the other people in my home didn’t remember everything as I did. When I vented my frustration to a group of mom friends, one suggested that I use a family calendar....

“One of the most important roles played by a primary care provider—perhaps the most important—is as a source of objective information,” says pediatrician Cara Natterson, MD, co-founder of puberty resource OOMLA. “This information may reflect back on something that has happened in the past or that’s going on in the moment, but it often points forward in the form of anticipatory guidance.” The Study in Detail The researchers from University of Minnesota analyzed data from a nationally representative survey of U....

Teenagers who still want to take part in this glorious, sugar-filled Halloween tradition, as well as educators and psychologists, want parents to know that trick-or-treating isn’t just about dressing up and getting piles of candy—it’s also about creativity, autonomy, and respect. Verywell Family had the conversation about letting kids be kids as long as they can, so you as parents can decide what’s best for your own family. Is It OK for Teenagers to Trick-or-Treat?...

Who Should Consider Freezing Their Sperm? Anyone can freeze sperm if they want to. “If having a genetic tie to a child might be something that’s important to you in the future, then it’s [something] to do to give you more options,” says Susan Hudson, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist with the Texas Fertility Center. While cryopreservation is an option for anyone who wishes to explore it, there are certain groups of individuals who especially might want to speak with their healthcare provider about this procedure....

Vegetables, of course, provide fiber, antioxidants, and micronutrients that round out your child’s healthy diet. So it’s only natural (and, in fact, great!) to want to help your child reach their daily target of servings. For this reason, a movement has taken root in recent years to hide vegetables in familiar, kid-friendly packages like muffins, casseroles, or smoothies. Entire cookbooks have been written to help parents find ways to incorporate veggies on the sly....

When a baby’s femur length is checked during pregnancy, expecting parents often wonder when to worry about short femur length. It is often considered a cause for potential concern and further evaluation if the femur length is below the 5th percentile. However, in the absence of other known health issues, research shows that most babies who have short femur length are small for their age but otherwise healthy. Learn more about when to worry about short femur length....