Ann Griswold

Need for transparency increases as Cesarean section rates rise

The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, a group working toward transparency in maternity care, has announced that the 2007 US birth statistics, just released, show that 31.8% of births are via cesarean section. The percentage of cesarean deliveries has...

Attend a local viewing of Orgasmic Birth to benefit the Birthcenter of Baltimore!

Witness the pain, power, beauty, and sensuality that normal birth can offer by attending a viewing of Orgasmic Birth. This groundbreaking film was recently featured on TV's 20/20, and will open your eyes to the thrilling possibilities of...

Heading to the ER? Remember to pack these things!

It's every parent's worst nightmare: You call your pediatrician to ask about a seemingly innocuous health concern, just to be on the safe side. But instead of allaying your fears, he tells you to head to the nearest...

Babyproofing? Avoid these hidden hazards

Once your infant starts crawling, nothing is safe from his curious grasp. As a conscientious parent, you've probably already plugged the electrical outlets, locked away the knives and stowed medications, plastic bags and cleaning supplies in a high cabinet...

Local swimming lessons for infants

Think your infant is too young to swim? Think again! The YMCA of Central Maryland offers Skips lessons for babies as young as 6 months, with an accompanying parent or guardian. Of course, the lessons aren't so much lessons...

Trying too hard to conceive? Consider fertility awareness

When it comes to women’s reproductive health, there’s an old wives’ tale for everything: eat chocolate to conceive a girl, eat a diet rich in red meat to conceive a boy, and the list goes...

Chocolate: Pregnancy superfood

Pregnant women hardly need an excuse to eat chocolate, but here’s a good one just in case. A recent study has shown that eating five or more servings of chocolate a week during the first and third trimesters...

Five myths about cloth diapers

Think cloth diapering is only for the brave and old-fashioned? Not so, says Bayla, owner of Soft and Cozy Baby, Baltimore's cloth diaper boutique. Read on to find out why cloth isn't necessarily as [fill in the...

Bisphenol A isn't just in baby bottles - many pacifiers contain the chemical, too

If you're a new parent, you've probably heard about the controversy surrounding bisphenol A, a toxic chemical found in some baby bottles and other items made with polycarbonate plastics. Scientists are still debating how toxic BPA is, but...

Parents: Beware of TV as an electronic babysitter!

Parents of infants may be surprised to learn that watching television, even educational programs like Sesame Street, can hinder the cognitive development of newborns. The American Academy of Pediatrics says TV should be off-limits the first couple years of...

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