理想居家環境 寶寶健康成長

注意寶寶居家空氣品質

寶寶年紀還小，幾乎全日都在室內生活居多，因此受到室內空氣品質的影響更大，尤其寶寶的身體正在成長，呼吸量與體重的比例較成年人高50％。根據WHO（世界衛生組織）的研究報告中指出，因為室內空氣污染而死於氣喘的人，全球每年有10萬人，其中有35％為兒童！

每人每天約有20個小時待於室內環境，包括住家、辦公室或其他建築物，室內空氣品質對人體影響甚鉅，很多人認為室外的空氣品質差，在家中緊閉門窗，殊不知室內空氣品質不良容易引發寶寶過敏和氣喘疾病，甚至引起「病態建築物症候群」的問題。

過敏‧氣喘病患增多
醫院小兒科主治醫師林聖傑指出，隨著時代進步，過敏的孩子也有逐年增加的趨勢。全世界的氣喘病患，在短短30年內，快速增加了10倍之多，專家預估，到了25年後，每兩個人就有一個罹患氣喘！

日前，沙塵暴，引發大過敏！急診病患劇增三成，病患多數是氣喘發作，或是過敏性結膜炎、皮膚過敏、甚至有病患出現胸悶症狀，嚴重病患還得住院排痰，其中又以老人家和小孩最多。

過敏性體質是一種慢性發炎反應，在身體各個器官上發生。在皮膚上稱之為「異位性皮膚炎」；發生於腸胃時稱之為「過敏性腸胃炎」；發生於鼻腔時稱之為「過敏性鼻炎」；發生於眼結膜時稱之為「過敏性結膜炎」；而當其發生於支氣管時，即稱之為「氣喘」。

Part 1 室內
空氣中的過敏原
林聖傑醫師指出，引起寶寶過敏的過敏原可能來自「吸入性」及「食入性」，吸入性的過敏原就來自於被污染的空氣，包括空氣中有濃度太高的塵?（包括了屋塵?、粉塵?、熱帶五爪?）、家塵、蟑螂、狗毛、貓毛、黴菌、羽毛、花粉及煙類等。

香菸
親愛的爸爸也可能是導致室內空氣品質不佳的元兇！研究發現，燃燒香菸所產生的微粒，因為含有各種刺激性化學物質，會刺激呼吸道，引起呼吸相關疾病和心血管疾病。每支香菸燃燒時，會產生4000種化合物，不但危害癮君子的健康，就連寶寶都因此深受二手菸之苦。

家具建材
不良的空氣品質也可能是寶寶未來腎炎的元兇！新光醫院腎臟內科主治醫師江守山指出，局部性腎絲球硬化症與空氣中的總揮發性有機化合物有關，包括致癌的甲醛、甲苯、二甲苯、苯乙烯等。
這些艱澀難懂的化學名稱，就藏在我們的居家環境中，隨著我們的一呼一吸，進入身體的深處。江守山說，黏著劑、油漆、地毯、塑膠窗簾、壁紙、合板，裡面就可能藏有揮發性化合物。

推動綠建築
環保署建議，政府近年來推動「綠建築」標章制度，民眾可以依此建材資料庫，選擇低揮發性有機物質的建材及家具參考。並降低使用高揮發性有機物質的使用，例如少用修正液、強力去污劑、強力膠等，才能使家人暴露在有害空氣品質。

過白的牆壁恐傷寶寶視力
江守山醫師指出，眼皮只能隔絕月光般的光線，寶寶睡覺時不關燈，恐導致視力惡化，尤其是女寶寶，太多光線刺激，恐種下未來罹患乳癌的危險。建議不要使用過白油漆、夜裡睡覺要關燈、臥室光線要柔和。


Part 2車內
車內空氣品質
行政院環保署環境檢驗分析，顯示車內密閉的空氣細菌量，是一般室內環境的 3.5 倍之多，?家中有了寶寶寶之後，促使父母們買了人生中的第一部車。新車裡的塑膠包裝，應及早去除，新車應經常打開窗戶通風，以免一家人暴露在充滿化學物質的空氣品質中。

柴油車
江守山醫師指出，柴油車因為便宜、馬力大成為現代人新寵，可是因為柴油車排放懸浮碳微粒的量是一般汽車的百倍，所以必須增設懸浮碳微粒過濾 器，以過濾太多的懸浮微粒，可是偏偏進口之後，過濾器「水土不服」，容易阻塞懸浮碳微粒過濾器，因此車商索性將過濾器拆除，導致懸浮碳微粒過高。江守 山醫師呼籲，應確認自己買的柴油車，是否附有過濾器。
江守山醫師說，若以為柴油車排出的廢氣在車外，不會影響到自己，但事實上正好相反。例如暖車時，太太與孩子站在車旁等候；或是車子駛進車庫之後，仍在排出廢氣，家中的車庫就是懸浮微粒汙染最高的地方，受傷害最深的就是自己的家人。

芳香劑
此外，為了增加氣氛、情調或是為了去除車中異味，多數人會在車中擺放芳香劑，江守山提醒，芳香味本身還沒有太大問題，但是為了讓香味可以散 出的載體，就是揮發性的有機溶劑所製成，吸入會增加肝臟負擔。尤其寶寶的大腦屏障還沒有發育完全，過多的有機溶劑會傷及中樞神經，造成寶寶平衡不佳、憂 慮、過動等。

對寶寶的影響
林聖傑醫師指出，過敏的小朋友在嬰幼兒時期有些會有慢性皮膚炎或慢性覆發性皮膚炎、皮膚搔癢、皮膚紅疹的症狀。在幼童時期會有過敏性鼻炎、 流鼻涕、鼻塞、鼻子癢、打噴嚏等症狀，常有合併揉鼻子的動作，外觀看來會有明顯的黑眼圈。在季節變化時，有氣喘體質的孩子甚至會咳嗽，有時呼吸有哮鳴聲， 嚴重時呼吸會喘、呼吸急促，甚至會導至呼吸困難。

改善空氣品質的方法
空氣品質再差，人不可能閉氣過日子。專家們建議，開窗、空氣清淨機、選擇低污染的建材、低污染油漆、低污染的家具，或是擺放可以清淨空氣的植物，都有助改善室內空氣品質。

植栽
臺大園藝系花卉研究室研究發現，植物的葉片可以吸附塵埃，排名前十名為非洲菫、鐵十字秋海棠、皺?椒草、大岩桐、薜荔、嫣紅蔓、?格秋海棠、長壽花、盆菊、白網紋草，平常保養只要以濕潤抹布擦拭?面，去除灰塵及水垢即可。

江守山醫師說，他發現自己的高貴書桌，竟然散發出濃濃的甲醛，在不捨丟棄書桌的情況下，他在桌上放置大量的腎蕨，因為腎蕨可以吸收空氣中的甲醛。

「病態建築症候群」（Sick Building Syndrome，SBS）
長時間處在密閉性的建築物內，會出現過敏、頭痛、眼、鼻或喉嚨感染、?感冒、皮膚乾燥發癢、嗜睡、噁心、無法專注、對氣味敏感等症狀。

理想的健康房子
江守山醫師指出，具備以下條件，才是理想又健康的居家環境：
1、堅固的房屋建築結構。
2、新鮮、清淨、充足的空氣。
3、潔淨、無毒、無重金屬的家庭用水。
4、低輻射的居家環境。
5、適度的居家照明。
6、低噪音的居家空間。
7、控管良好的室內溫溼度。
8、保持止滑防跌及無障礙的空間。
9、無毒性的裝修材料。
10、適當的火災偵測及消防設備。

文／韋麗文；採訪諮詢／雙和醫院小兒科主治醫師林聖傑‧新光醫院腎臟內科主治醫師江守山

飲食、日常生活、用藥安全、民間禁忌 34種孕期不容忽視的疑惑

我要當媽媽了！這是初為人母的喜悅！第一次和寶寶共同生活的280天裡，準媽咪要如何與肚中小寶貝和平共處呢？滿腦子的疑惑又該如何解答？本篇依照飲食、日常生活、用藥安全、民間禁忌四部分，解決孕期34種準媽咪最關心的孕期疑惑！

34種孕期不容忽視的疑惑 我要當媽媽了！這是初為人母的喜悅！第一次和寶寶共同生活的280天裡，準媽咪要如何與肚中小寶貝和平共處呢？滿腦子的疑惑又該如何解答？本篇依照飲食、日常生活、用藥安全、民間禁忌四部分，解決孕期34種準媽咪最關心的孕期疑惑！ 飲食疑惑篇 民以食為天，而孕期飲食更是每位準媽咪特別重視的話題，就怕自己營養攝取不足，影響肚中小寶貝的發育進度。不過，懷孕可 不是沒有節制的吃唷，均衡的飲食原則才能讓媽咪健康，寶寶壯壯！以下收錄孕媽咪關心的飲食問題，並邀請醫院婦產科部產科主任區慶建和醫院婦產科主治醫師徐弘治給予專業建議！ Ｑ1：懷孕期間可以服用蜂膠嗎？ Ａ：懷孕3個月以前，因為胎兒發育尚未完全，並不建議服用補品，因為在這段胎兒器官發育成長期，任何的藥物或補品都要視 孕婦的體質來給予調整，如果對飲食上有所疑慮，則建議和婦產科醫師或專業營養師討論後再決定。 Ｑ2：懷孕5個月，可以喝西洋蔘片+枸杞+紅棗沖泡茶水飲用嗎？ Ａ：懷孕過程中不宜飲用含有人參成分的補品，有些孕婦可能因此而引起子宮收縮，甚至需要安胎。依西醫的觀點來看，只要孕 婦日常飲食攝取適當正常，胎兒超音波檢查發育正常，一般就不再建議攝取其它補品。 Ｑ3：平常早餐習慣喝 500 c.c.的奶茶，請問懷孕是否可以喝奶茶，對胎兒會產生副作用嗎？ Ａ：最好將奶茶改為一般鮮奶或沖泡的牛奶，因為茶含有咖啡因的成分，應盡量避免食用。 日常生活疑惑篇 日常生活中，孕婦的居家問題也不容忽視唷！因為體型的變化，讓孕媽咪在許多時候都感到特別不方便，因為這時候影響的可不 只有媽咪自己呢！以下收錄日常生活中，孕媽咪特別感到困擾的問題，同時，也邀請台北醫學大學附設醫院婦產科部產科主任區 慶建醫師、台安醫院婦產科主治醫師徐弘治、萬芳醫院婦產科主治醫師仇思源為各位媽咪提出專業解答！ Ｑ1：孕婦可以拔牙齒嗎？ Ａ： 懷孕期間因為孕媽咪血液中的黃體激素濃度上升，牙齦特別容易受刺激而發炎腫大。因此，建議孕媽咪在計畫懷孕之前，最 好能先矯正治療牙齒。傳統觀念裡認為懷孕期間拔牙容易造成早產，其實這是因為在懷孕末期時，胎兒已發育完全，孕媽咪此時 容易因為治療緊張，而導致子宮收縮，才會有造成早產的疑慮。 Ｑ2：孕期便祕的話，該怎麼辦？ Ａ：懷孕時若有便祕症狀，建議可多喝水、吃新鮮的蔬菜水果、喝優酪乳。一般來說，孕期便秘是因為胎兒壓迫，造成腸道蠕動 不良而致。不妨試試在坐式馬桶兩側加個小凳子，讓雙腳踩在小凳子上，可適度改善上大號的姿勢，也能調整施力角度，協助孕 媽咪順利排便。 Ｑ3：每天使用電腦，會影響胎兒發育嗎？ Ａ：電腦螢幕的輻射主要是電磁波，對身體有無影響，會不會影響到胎兒到目前為止並未有確切的醫學文獻。不過，醫師建議孕 媽咪最好儘量距離電腦螢幕45公分以上。假使孕媽咪無法避免長時間接觸，這時候也可以利用孕婦專用電磁波防護衣，安全隔離 電磁波。 用藥安全篇 懷孕期間，孕媽咪若感到不適，為了不傷及肚中小寶貝的健康，無論是口服藥或是外擦用藥，務必得經由合格的婦產科醫師的指 示及處方哦！以下是關於孕媽咪用藥安全的相關問題，由區慶建醫師給予專業建議。 Ｑ1：因不知自己已懷孕而服用暈車藥及延經藥，對胎兒是否造成影響？ （服用了Dimenhydrinate和Anhydrous Caffeine） Ａ： 一般用於孕婦的用藥多為B級，少數為C級，Anhydrous Caffeine中文為去水性咖啡因，在美國食品藥物管理(FDA)是建議一 天用量少於300mg為宜。 而延經藥中的成份，以黃體素(Progesterone)為主，如果無包含其它成份，對懷孕初期(最後一次月經算起6週以內)的媽咪來 說，並不會造成特別明顯的影響。 Ｑ2：施打德國痳疹疫苗注射之後，結果在危險期中受孕，是否會造成胎兒異常？ Ａ：只要打完德國麻疹疫苗滿3個月以後的懷孕，一般是不用擔心胎兒是否會有異常的可能性。 Ｑ3：吃感冒藥會不會影響寶寶發育？ Ａ：只要處方的醫師認為該藥物不會影響到胎兒發育，大致上都沒有什麼問題。 傳統禁忌篇 中國人對胎兒的重視程度，從長輩流傳下來的傳統禁忌就足以一窺一二！以現今科學角度來看，更能發現，原來當時老祖宗流傳 下來的說法果真自有道理！以下收錄關於孕期禁忌的相關問題，並邀請醫院中醫科謝瓊慧醫師和醫院婦產部產科主任區慶建醫師為讀者提供專業建議' Ｑ1：孕婦不可以將手舉高過肩，否則容易流產？ Ａ：孕媽咪因體型改變，重心也比較不穩，因此應盡量避免拿高處的東西。最好能將家中常用的物品，放置在與孕媽咪肩膀同高 的高度，避免發生重心不穩跌倒的意外。 Ｑ2：不可以拍孕婦肩膀？ Ａ：傳統觀念裡，因為怕孕婦受到驚嚇，導致流產，而有此一說。懷孕期間，孕婦的情緒容易緊張、煩躁，不過孕婦緊張時所分 泌出的腎上腺素，可能會使胎兒胎動得較平常厲害一些，至於影響受精卵著床的成功率，影響機會並不大。 Ｑ3：孕婦不能縫針線，動剪刀？ Ａ：根據傳統說法，相傳孕婦假使拿剪刀、縫製物品，生出來的寶寶可能會有缺陷！然而寶寶的缺陷可能是因為染色體異常或是 因其他病變使然，孕婦應定期做產檢，保持身心健康，飲食均衡，自然就可以生個健康寶寶囉！ 結語 每位懷孕的媽咪都是最偉大的女性！也請各位媽咪們持續給予肚中的小寶貝滿滿的愛和關懷！老公也別忘了要好好體貼媽咪的辛 勞，給媽咪最貼心的照顧和支持，畢竟挺著大肚子不是件容易的事呢！

諮詢／台北醫學大學附設醫院婦產科部產科主任 區慶建
　　　台北市立聯合醫院中興院區中醫科主治醫師 謝瓊慧
　　　台安醫院婦產科主治醫師 徐弘治
　　　萬芳醫院婦產科主治醫師 仇思源

iPhones and Cell Phones May Have Potentially Deadly Side Effects for Kids

Many parents are on fence about toddler use of iPhones or cell phones. On one hand, bright and flashy gadgets can be an excellent attention grabber for a bored toddler. On the other hand, do we really know what we’re exposing our tots to when we hand over the iPhone? Are we actually allowing our kids to be guinea pigs for a gadget that may have negative health and psychological side effects? Possibly, according to a new book, “Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family,” by Dr. Devra Davis. In this new book, Davis says that cell phones and other like-minded gadgets may expose our kids to some very dangerous health and developmental risks. Read on to get the facts on the cell phone debate.

Do you let your child play with an iPhone or cell phone?

• 286 Votes Yes, apps are a lifesaver!
• 140 Votes Yes, but I may reconsider now.
• 390 Votes No.

Dr. Devra Davis isn’t simply a cell phone adversary for the sake of being confrontational. Davis is a renowned cancer expert who has worked with the National Academy of Sciences and a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner. In her new book, Davis notes that cell phone radiation is a “national emergency,” especially when it comes to children.

According to current research, cell phone radiation could result in damaged DNA, reduced sperm count, memory loss, broken down brain’s defenses and may even increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. The risks to younger cell phone users may be extremely deadly in the long run because kids’ brains are still growing, thus highly vulnerable to cell phone radiation.

Studies find Cell Phone Radiation during Pregnancy linked to various side effects

Cell Phone Radiation During Pregnancy Linked to Behavioral Disorders of Offspring

New research finds that pregnant women who are exposed to cell phone radiation may in turn be exposing their offspring to behavioral disorders. And you thought the cell phone debates were over. Thus far concrete cell phone research has been elusive. We’ve heard that cell phone radiation causes cancer and may pose other deadly side effects for kids, only to have other research proclaim that health effects of too much cell phone radiation is unknown. This new research lands squarely in the cell phones are unsafe camp. Yale School of Medicine researchers have found that pregnant mice exposed to cell phone radiation later have babies with affected behaviors, including increased hyperactive and anxiety along with poorer memory, all of which are similar to symptoms seen in kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Image by Flickr User Jellaluna

The new research published in the March 15 issue of Scientific Reports, a Nature publication, involved exposing pregnant mice to radiation from a muted and silenced cell phone positioned above their cage. A second control group of pregnant mice were kept in much the same conditions, only with a deactivated cell phone. Later on, the research team measured the brain electrical activity of adult mice born from both groups of mice and found that the mice born to mothers exposed to cell phone radiation as fetuses tended to be more hyperactive and had reduced memory capacity. Senior author Dr. Hugh S. Taylor, professor and chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences attributed the behavioral changes on the development of neurons in the prefrontal cortex region of the brain that may be linked to cell phones. Taylor notes, “This is the first experimental evidence that fetal exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cellular telephones does in fact affect adult behavior… The rise in behavioral disorders in human children may be in part due to fetal cellular telephone irradiation exposure.” Researchers also note that rodent pregnancies last just 19 days and mice offspring are born with a less-developed brain than human babies. Further research is needed to determine if human mothers exposed to the same amounts of radiation result in the same detrimental behavioral problems in human babies. I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of the cell phone safety debate. Until researchers come up with concrete solutions, you may want to play it safe by using phone cases that reduce radiation and avoid unnecessary sources of radiation.


+ Scientific Reports 2, Article number: 312 doi:10.1038/srep00312
+ Source: Yale News

NEW STUDY: Cell Phones Stimulate the Brain, but Health Effects for Kids Unknown

Image © prima vera via SXC

The debate on whether or not cell phones cause cancer and whether or not cell phones are safe for kids, or adults for that matter, continues. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that talking on a cell phone increases brain activity near the antenna. While the health effects of these changes are unknown, this study conducted by scientists at the National Institutes of Health is one of the first and largest studies to show that weak electromagnetic radiation, like the radiation from your cell phone, could alter brain activity. Study researchers conducted PET scans on participants as they held phones up to their ear for 50 minutes at a time. Those who had a phone that was turned on, had a 7 percent increase in their brain activity. So what does this mean for the growing number of kids who own cell phones or play games on iPhones?

Image © eyeliam

According to recent stats, 22 percent of young kids ages 6 to 9 now own a cell phone. And when they get older, it gets worse — 60 percent of tweens 10 to 14 years old and 84 percent of 15 to 18 year olds have their own cell phone. These numbers don’t even look at the large number of younger children, toddlers and even infants who are allowed to play with mom and dad’s cell phones. Are they at risk?
While the study led by neurologist Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, examined 47 adults, not children, it’s important to remember that kids’ developing tissues are more sensitive to radiation and their young age means they have many more years for the health risks to build up.
It’s unclear if “exposure to these external sources, two to three hours a day for five to 10 years [is going to result] in any untoward effects,” Volkow said. “And if you get exposed very early on when the brain is very plastic, would there be any detrimental effects? That’s an important question that needs to be addressed.”
Many young kids and toddlers are more involved with playing games or using kid-friendly apps on cell phones rather than holding the phones up to their ears to talk however. And the PET scans in this study did show that brain activity decreased in relation to the distance from the phone’s antenna.

Image © Stephanie Rosger

The Bottom Line

More studies must be done on cell phones and radiation to get clear answers on their safety. While scientists can’t say for sure that cell phones do — or don’t — cause cancer, or whether or not this stimulation of brain activity is unsafe — you never know what researchers will uncover in 10, 20, or 30 years down the road.
While some parents love the educational and entertaining aspects of cell phones for kids, others worry that we’re allowing our kids to be guinea pigs. We previously reported on a book by Dr. Derva Davis, Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family, in which she states that some studies have linked cell phone radiation to potentially deadly side effects including damaged DNA, reduced sperm count and memory loss. And the Environmental Working Group released an extensive evaluation of the hazards of cell phones as well.
So are cell phones safe for kids? Until solid evidence from further studies is found, you be the judge.

Swiss Study Finds Cell Phone Usage Not Linked to Brain Tumors in Kids

by Lori Zimmer, 07/28/11

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The World Health Organization’s recent study linked cell phones to cancer, but researchers in Switzerland and Scandinavia aren’t so sure. Recent studies on children who use cell phones found the opposite – determining that the relationship between cell phone usage and brain tumors is inconclusive. With more and more parents letting their children have their own cell phones should they be concerned about the radiowaves effects on kid’s brains or not?

©TL Paradis

The Swiss study focused on regular users of cell phones, ranging in ages from 7 to 19. Researchers interviewed 352 children and teens who had been diagnosed with brain tumors from 2004-2008, as well as 646 kids in a control group, and all of the parents involved. The interviews concluded that just over half of the entire group were regular cell phone users, meaning that the brain tumors were present with or without cell phone usage. The same goes for the healthy children, there was no difference shown between the kids who regularly used cell phones and those who didn’t.

Dr. Martin Roosli, PhD and his colleagues at the Swiss Tropical and Public Heath Institute in Basel also examined the patients’ brains. They concluded that the cerebellum, temporal and frontal lobes, the areas of the brain that are in direct exposure to a cell phone’s radiofrequency energy, had no increased risk in regular cell phone users. The same goes for the side of the brain that corresponds with the ear most used when making calls.

With cell phones’ commonality being a somewhat new phenomenon over the last ten years or so, Roosli and his researchers plan to further study their long term effects on adult and child brains. Future studies may uncover new risks, but for the time being,  these researchers aren’t linking cell phone usage directly to brain tumors.

That being said, as a parent, you may want to practice a “better safe than sorry” policy on your child’s cell phone usage. With inconclusive results, more studies are clearly needed to determine what’s truly safe for our kids.

孕早期準媽媽N項注意

許多準媽媽在不知自己已懷孕的情況下，從事了一些造成日後後悔的行為。因此懷孕初期的注意事項極為重要，是計劃懷孕的準媽媽所不可或缺的知識。一起來學習一下吧
中外醫學界研究發現：懷孕期的頭兩三個月是最容易出現流產的時段，被稱為生命最“脆弱”的時段。有數字顯示：懷孕1～20週左右有先兆流產現象的婦女，自然流產率為30%，而懷孕20週以上的婦女即使有出血現象，最終導致流產的也只為2%～5%。那麼，準媽媽孕早期該注意什麼呢?
　　1、預防胎兒畸形
胎兒是否會有不同程度畸形，主要取決於遺傳與環境。遺傳因素是人力無法改變的，而環境因素則主要是人為因素，其中包括了感染、環境污染、藥物攝取等諸多因素。
懷孕的頭三個月是胎兒神經管發育的關鍵期，因此，為了避免胎兒的異常，準媽媽應盡量避免各種不良因素，如菸酒環境，有害化學物質，新裝修的房屋，空氣不流通的環境等等，並且提高自己免疫力，免受病毒感染，更不要私自服用藥物。
為了預防胎兒畸形，孕婦從孕早期開始（最好從計劃懷孕開始），就需要補充葉酸。富含葉酸的食物有紅莧菜、菠菜、生菜、蘆筍、豆類、酵母、動物肝及蘋果、柑桔等。
同時，定期做產前檢查，配合好醫生，也是避免異常新生兒出生的積極手段。
　　2、初期產檢
確診懷孕後，準媽媽在孕12週時需到街道醫院進行初次產前檢查，並建立孕婦聯繫保健手冊。以後的產前檢查，可以選擇在二級醫院或決定分娩所在的醫院裡進行。
　3、產前診斷
每個孕婦都希望生一個健康好寶寶，因此，產前診斷就顯得相當重要了。產前診斷能排除一些主要的異常，最早在孕8週時就可以做。目前，最常用的染色體檢查方式是絨毛檢查和外周血篩查。當然，絨毛檢查和外周血篩查都不是確診的檢查，如果在檢查中發現孩子可能有異常，那麼就需要在孕16-20週時做羊膜腔穿刺，做進一步確診。
　　4、哪些人最需要做產前診斷
產前診斷中，絨毛檢查的方式可能會對胎兒造成一定損傷，甚至導致流產。因此，一般大於35歲、生過不健康、健全的孩子、家族裡有遺傳病史、服用過有有害藥物或曾感染病毒的孕婦才需要接受絨毛檢查（上述孕婦在懷孕前應到醫療保健機構進行遺傳諮詢）；一般孕婦只要做外周血篩查。如發現異常，則再做羊膜腔穿刺來進行確診。
　　5、服用過禁用藥，怎麼辦？
孕婦在得知懷孕前，吃了一些孕婦禁用的藥，可以到醫院諮詢一下。一般來說，如果服藥時尚為早期胚胎，還沒有著床，對胎兒的影響不大。而且通常孕婦吃的只是些感冒藥、胃藥，藥量不大，不會有很大影響，不必過於擔心。但如果吃得多，且服藥時間長，或者是抗病毒藥物，對胎兒是有影響的，需要引起重視。
　6、不要擅自進補
懷孕初期，害喜症狀可能會在一定程度上影響準媽媽的胃口。在飲食上，一般不提倡大補營養，主要以自己的喜好為主，想吃什麼就吃什麼。吐的比較厲害的孕婦，要注意吃一些清淡、容易消化的食物。等進入孕中期，孕吐反應消失，這時再補營養也來得及。
　一、 忌濫用人參。
孕後，月經停閉，臟腑經絡之血注於衝任二脈以養胎，孕婦處於陰血偏虛，陽氣相對偏盛狀況。人參屬大補元氣之物，會使孕婦氣盛陰耗，氣有餘則“推動”胎兒，使胎兒受損受危，不利安胎。
　　二、 忌濫用補藥。
再好的補藥，也要經過人體代謝過程，增加肝腎負擔，還有一定副作用，所以對孕婦和胎兒都會帶來程度不一的影響。有的孕婦服了大量的蜂乳，導致嚴重腹瀉，最終流產。常服人參蜂王漿、洋參丸、宮寶等，會損傷孕婦和腹中之胎。孕期小腿抽筋，便常服維生素A、D，結果造成維生素A、D過量，引起中毒。
　　三、 忌熱性食品。
孕期不能吃熱性食品，如狗肉、羊肉、胡椒粉等。孕期進補，應遵循“宜涼忌熱”的原則，即使是水果，也應吃性味平、涼之物，如西紅柿、生梨、桃子等。
7、孕早期飲食≠進補
很多孕婦一確診懷孕，就立即大肆進補，但事實上此時胚胎還小，生長也緩慢，所需熱能及營養素基本上與孕前相同。如果此時進食過多，孕婦會出現體重增長過快、過於肥胖的現象，對胎兒並不利。
有些孕婦因孕吐的反應較重而不能有規律的飲食，所以擔心胎兒會營養不良，其實完全沒有必要，因為你本人體內就有營養儲備，而你過度的精神緊張或擔心，反而會給胎兒產生不良的影響。
這一時期的飲食，可以堅持少量多餐的原則，菜以清淡為主，切忌吃過油過鹹的食物。在有胃口的情況下，要保證牛奶、雞蛋等高營養、易消化吸收食物的攝入。絕不能因為嘔吐、噁心而拒絕進食。如果，妊娠反應較劇，可加用維生素B1和B6以減輕胃腸道的反應。
　　8、懷孕早期的性生活要節制
夫妻過性生活是婚後夫婦正常的生活。但當妻子懷孕後，如何過性生活卻是應該高度重視的事了。為了保證胎兒的健康，妊娠頭3個月應避免性交。
為什麼妊娠頭3個月要禁止性生活呢?
這是因為婦女懷孕後內分泌機能發生改變，對性生活的要求降低。同時還有心理方面的因素，擔心性生活會影響胎兒正常發育和安全，還有身體方面的因素，身體笨重，不靈活，行動緩慢，不方便等。更重要的是妊娠頭3個月裡，由於胚胎正處於發育階段，特別是胎盤和母體子宮壁的連接還不緊密，如果進行性生活，很可能由於動作的不當或精神的過度興奮時的不慎，使子宮受到震動，很容易使胎盤脫落，造成流產。即使性生活時十分小心，由於孕婦盆腔充血，子宮收縮，也會造成流產。
對於性生活造成的細菌感染也要注意。
懷孕期分泌物增多，外陰部不僅容易潰爛，而且對細菌的抵抗力也減弱。被細菌感染，症狀如加重就有流產的危險。所以平時要注意保持局部清潔，同時在性行為前必須特別注意。關於這一點，丈夫方面也應同樣注意。
同時，由於你內分泌的改變，早孕反應的發生，使得你對性生活沒有多大興趣，常常表現出厭倦或對丈夫不滿意。因此，丈夫應了解這一情況，可以用其他方式交流夫妻感情。夫婦過性生活應該相互體貼和諒解。如果男方不能做到這一點，就容易造成孕婦的不愉快和夫妻感情上的隔閡，因此，在能不能性交的問題上，應首先考慮對自己將來的孩子有否影響。所以在此階段，應盡量控製或禁止性生活。
　　9、當心輻射
日常生活中，究竟哪些輻射會對胎兒造成影響，目前我們還難以說清，因此，專家還是建議孕婦們穿防輻衣，看電視時離電視遠些，微波爐使用時要走開，不要將手機掛在胸前。
　　10、讓自己休息好
在懷孕初期，孕媽咪容易感到疲累，因此需要適當休息。況且，過度勞累容易造成孕婦流產，尤其是那些高齡產婦、有過流產史、患有某些慢性疾病的孕婦，需格外注意休息。在這三個月裡，孕媽咪要避免過於勞累，避免劇烈運動，避免情緒激動，讓自己盡量保持良好的精神狀態。
　　11、坦然應對孕早期孕吐現象
約有半數的孕婦在懷孕6週左右會出現不同程度的噁心及晨起嘔吐現象，這主要是與孕婦體內血中的絨毛膜促性腺激素水平增高有關。
　　孕吐了怎麼辦?
如果噁心、嘔吐不嚴重，孕婦能夠忍受，則不需要特殊治療，屬正常的生理現象。只要保持平常心，有充足的睡眠，少食多餐，選擇自己喜歡吃的清淡、易消化的食物即可。
如果孕婦反應較嚴重，呈持續性嘔吐，甚至不能進食、進水，則必須到醫院診治，看是否為妊娠劇吐。妊娠劇吐易引起孕婦體內電解質紊亂，有生命危險，需掛水治療，因此不容忽視。
TIPS：如果在孕期出現陰道出血或腹痛，則應及時就診，檢查排除宮外孕後，醫院可給予保胎治療。
　　12、哪些情況須就醫
對孕婦來說，在懷孕初期，最危險的事情莫過於宮外孕與流產，而發生這兩種情況時孕婦都會發生腹痛、陰道流血，因此，如果孕婦一旦發現腹痛或陰道流血，需及時就醫。孕初期的媽咪，哪怕只是普通的腹痛腹瀉，也有引起流產的可能，也需要就醫治療，不能太過馬虎。

寧靜即胎教”指的是早期妊娠孕婦的胎教，情緒和心理素質是最大的關鍵因素。正常母親有節律的心音是胎兒最動聽的音樂，母親規律的腸蠕動聲也給胎兒以穩定的感覺，處在良好的子宮內環境之中，使胎兒能得到良好的生長發育。

孕三月媽咪情緒調試“寧靜即胎教”指的是早期妊娠孕婦的胎教，情緒和心理素質是最大的關鍵因素。正常母親有節律的心音是胎兒最動聽的音樂，母親規律的腸蠕動聲也給胎兒以穩定的感覺，處在良好的子宮內環境之中，使胎兒能得到良好的生長發育。

反之，當孕婦生氣、焦慮、緊張不安或憂鬱悲傷時，會使血中的內分泌激素濃度改變，胎兒會立即感受到，表現不安和胎動增加。如果長時間存在不良剌激，胎兒出生後患多動症的機會增加，有的還可發生畸形。由此可見一個溫馨的家庭是非常重要的，它可以使孕婦心情舒暢、心境平和、情緒穩定，使母親始終生活在充滿愛的環境之中，這對胎兒身體和心理的健康成長，以至未來性格的發育都會起到積極的和良好的作用。因此，始終保持孕母平和、寧靜、愉快而充滿愛的心理，是此階段胎教的主要內容。

十大技巧，以幫助懷孕的母親在懷孕期間情緒調整

從生理角度，在懷孕期間孕激素和雌激素的分泌顯著增加，是導致情緒波動的主要原因，但情緒波動仍是根本的心理原因，只要其懷孕的母親和家庭，尤其是她的丈夫注意情緒調試，以解決負面情緒，消除恐懼和擔心，它會保持良好的心情，孕婦生存懷孕。  

第一，幫助孕婦減輕孕吐反應 家庭成員採取有效措施，幫助孕婦減輕早孕的症狀，如早晨醒後，讓母親吃一些餅乾或點心，起床後半小時，所以，孕婦多吃清淡，可口的蔬菜，水果，少吃油膩甜食，少量多餐為宜。 其實，懷孕的母親，做深呼吸可以緩解嘔吐。

第二招，讓孕婦遠離臭味 

如果他的家人有“煙民”，切不能讓生活在'煙'裡面的孕婦。 吸煙尼古丁，通過的皮膚，進入母親的胃腸道碳一氧化碳產生的，在通過胎盤對胎兒造成傷害的嬰兒，特別是在懷孕初期，你的寶寶是當器官分化，是可能影響寶寶的智力開發（ ）。 一項調查數據顯示，寶寶的畸形率，吸煙和家庭為了嬰兒的母親和兒童健康的量成正比，家庭成員應積極配合 - 少吸煙或不吸煙！

第三項措施，以刺激孕媽媽的兒子愛 

家庭成員可以看一些孕媽媽可以刺激母親和兒童書籍，電影和電視的感覺。 你也可以談了談了很多關於寶寶的孕媽媽，如關於孩子的小臉，響水，身體會響水縣猜想。 但 我不能小看這些，你知道，這個母親和孩子身體和精神的關係，以提高和加強母親和孩子的感情是非常重要的，尤其是父親，要引導她照顧孕婦腹中懷孕與嬰兒的出 生，絕不能由於懷孕，懷孕肚大的負擔，因為它會影響外觀，大小等，您的寶寶肚子怨恨許多實驗已經證明，母親和兒童心理學的嬰兒有著密切的聯繫，如果兒童或 嬰兒的母親的厭惡產生墮胎的想法，不利於寶寶的健康。

第四招，做好產前檢查，以幫助孕婦 

產 前保健1長期需要工作，你需要等作為父親的整個家庭，可以挑選舒緩的歌曲聽母親懷孕，胎教音樂做的音樂胎教嬰兒的誕生不僅可以促進身體和智力發育，而且要 開發孩子的音樂興趣，據聽力學家邁克爾·克萊門斯發現，你的寶寶喜歡聽到魏娃兒和莫扎特的音樂，令人愉快的音樂，可以解除您的寶寶煩躁的情緒，讓寶寶的心 率穩定，而聽勃拉姆斯的音樂或擺動舞蹈，寶寶會煩躁不安。

除了聽音樂，也可以作畫，觀看表演藝術來提高藝術修養，而父親要鼓勵孕婦要提高“專業”的學習，特別是在妊娠後期和您的寶寶可以學習一起，如兒童，看的書，讀外語。

第五招，溫暖和安全的生活環境佈局 

在懷孕早期胚胎的神經系統的發育的關鍵時期，容易受到外部環境的影響。 父 親可以是溫暖舒適的房間佈置一些嘗試，以避免在各種環境中的有毒有害物質，例如，懷孕前和懷孕後，盡量不要裝修房子，輻射（電腦，微波爐，冰箱等家電遠離臥室，房間應該多通風，保持空氣新鮮，家電經營工作的父親要多一些，以避免電磁輻射母 親，不要讓懷孕的母親或懷孕的母親在懷孕期間，與一個強大的手機電磁輻射下不使用吹風機在冬季和不使用加熱墊等。

第六招，所以孕婦遠離輻射 

在懷孕初期，輻射更為敏感的，更大的程度胎兒受害者。 輻射可能會導致胎兒畸形，如無腦兒，脊柱裂，唇裂，腭裂等。因此，懷孕六個星期前絕對禁止核醫學檢查，CT掃描，X射線等射線，如上。
如果你已經有一個未知的接觸，因為懷孕，不要責怪自己，應準備隨後的誕生，以確定是否有危害胎兒在懷孕24週前，醫生會根據情況的具體建議。

第七招，以及更多關於幸福的話題 

多少苦孩子，擔心孩子會遇到各種危險的情況下，當然，如果心裡總是想著，感覺並不好。 父親幫助孕婦生出轉移注意力，不要總是談論這些不愉快的話題，如果懷孕的母親，然後從頭部，準爸爸的對話，巧妙地轉移到其他高興的事情，就像談論嬰兒名字寶貝計劃需要更準備的東西，等等，這些主題是在懷孕的母親更感興趣。


第八招，回到自信，以幫助孕婦

雖然經常說，“懷孕的女人是最美麗的”，但對孕婦或有些自知之明，知道它包含了許多舒適，在懷孕後，前者的手段，不能穿漂亮的衣服，而不是使行動，行動笨重... ... 懷孕的母親低聲有點介意，他仍然有它的魅力嗎？ 將返回到以前的樣子神采飛揚？ 父親在這個時候採取積極的行動，以幫助他的妻子恢復自信。
最有效的是真誠的讚美，告訴媽媽你愛她現在這個樣子懷孕。 父親也可以採取主動陪孕媽媽教你去購物，孕婦裝，不會持續很長時間不買將無法購買。 為了幫助他的妻子挑了幾件衣服，專門為孕婦設計的，既如此美麗的孕媽媽，但也讓她覺得你對她的愛，她的心情開朗起來。

第九招，孕媽媽更寬容 

由於懷孕的激素變化可能使原有的招標，懷孕的母親像變了一個人的理解。 不能說一個偉大的好脾氣，還是有點不高興得流淚的話。 父親明白，孕婦情緒波動，這種是“專利”，不會成為孕媽媽實在不合理。
在過去，也許他的妻子遇到這種“找茬”，當準爸爸跳起來早，但現在是安心力行容恕，最好的時間。 想想，懷孕的母親犧牲，所以你的寶寶比偶爾的脾氣更是頭髮可以原諒它！ 孕媽媽生氣，開玩笑的話題轉移，或首次承認錯誤了下來，而不是簡單地讓孕婦安靜了一會兒。
作為長期較高的知名度的父親後，孕媽媽會意識到自己的脾氣，是錯誤的。

第十招，陪懷孕的母親，參與社會活動 

妊娠晚期，孕婦的身體笨重，旅遊已成為一個主要問題除了必須做的，例如工作，其他的活動可以少一點。 但是，這天足不出戶，在面對只有少數家庭，缺乏原有的社會活動，孕婦難免會覺得生活很無聊。 父親承擔，此時如果“司機”或“護花使者”的責任，你可以改變這種狀況。 和然後有是朋友的聚會，孕婦不拒絕要使父親來參加陪同下週末免費，和孕婦可以去看到的朋友，尤其是孩子的朋友的房子旅客，感覺在家庭領域的“小天使”氣氛，期待使孕媽媽更早期自己的寶寶的到來。


From the physical point that during pregnancy a significant increase in secretion of progesterone and estrogen is the main reason leading to mood swings, but the mood swings that is still fundamentally psychological reasons, as long as their pregnant mother and family, especially her husband pay attention to emotional debugging to resolve negative emotions, eliminate fear and worry, and it will maintain a good mood pregnant mothers survive pregnancy.

 The first one, to help pregnant mothers to reduce morning sickness reaction Family members to take effective measures to help pregnant mothers to reduce the symptoms of early pregnancy, such as the morning after you wake up to let the mother eat some cookies or a snack, half an hour after getting up, so that pregnant mothers eat light, tasty vegetables, fruits, eat greasy sweets , smaller meals is appropriate. In fact, the pregnant mother to do deep breathing can relieve vomiting.

The second measure, so that pregnant mothers away from the smell
If his family have 'smokers', cut can not let pregnant mothers living in the 'smoke' inside. Smoke produced by nicotine, carbon monoxide through the skin, gastrointestinal tract into the mother, the baby through the placenta of fetal harm, especially In the early stages of pregnancy, your baby is when organ differentiation, is likely to affect your baby's intellectual development(). A survey data show that your baby's malformation rate proportional to the amount of smoking and family order baby mother and child health, family members should actively cooperate with - less smoking or not smoking!


The third measure to stimulate the pregnant mother son love
 
Family members can look at some of the pregnant mother can stimulate feelings of mother and child books or movies and television. You can also talk with a lot of talk about the pregnant mother of your baby, such as with conjecture about the child's little face would Xiangshui, body will Xiangshui. But do not underestimate these, you know, this mother and child physical and mental ties to increase and enhance feelings of mother and child are very important, especially fathers, to guide her to the care of pregnant belly pregnant with the baby's birth, must not due to pregnancy, pregnancy belly big burden or because it affects the appearance, size, etc., your baby belly resentment many experiments have proved that the mother and child psychology baby closely linked, if the mother of the child or the baby had aversion produced the idea of abortion, not conducive to the health of your baby.


The fourth move, good prenatal care to help pregnant mothers

Prenatal care is a long-standing need to work, you need the entire family, such as fathers can pick soothing song to listen to pregnant mothers, prenatal music do the music prenatal baby's birth can not only promote physical and mental development, but also to develop children's music interest, according to audiologist Michael Clemens found that your baby likes to hear Wei Waer and Mozart's music, the pleasant music, you can lift your baby irritable mood, so that your baby's heart rate stabilized, whereas listening to Brahms's music or swing dance, your baby will be restless.
In addition to listening to music, but also can paint pictures, watch the performing arts to enhance the artistic accomplishments while fathers to encourage pregnant mothers to enhance the 'professional' learning, especially during late pregnancy and your baby can learn together, such as children's books to see , read foreign languages.

 
Fifth strokes, warm and safe living environment layout
Embryo in early pregnancy is a critical period of development of the nervous system, vulnerable to the external environment. Fathers can be warm and comfortable room decorated some try to avoid environments in a variety of toxic and harmful substances, such as, before and after pregnancy, try not to decorating the house, home appliances with radiation (computers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, etc as far away from the bedroom, the room should be more ventilation to keep air fresh, home appliance operating working fathers to take some more, to avoid electromagnetic radiation mothers, as Do not let the pregnant mother or next to the pregnant mother with a strong cell phone electromagnetic radiation during pregnancy do not use hair dryer in the winter and do not use a heating pad and so on.


Sixth trick, so pregnant mothers away from the radiation

The more early pregnancy, the more sensitive to radiation, the greater the degree of fetal victims. Radiation can cause fetal malformations, such as children without brain, spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate, etc. Therefore, pregnant six weeks ago to the absolute prohibition of rays, such as nuclear medical examination, CT scan, X-rays and so on.
If you already have a pregnancy because of unknown contact, do not blame themselves, should be prepared to subsequent birth, to determine whether there is harm to the fetus in pregnancy before 24 weeks the doctor will give specific recommendations based on the situation.


Seventh move, and more about the topic of happiness

If the mind is always thinking how much pain a child, worried that their children will encounter a variety of dangerous situations, of course, does not feel good. Fathers to help pregnant mothers about to give birth to divert attention, do not always talk about these unpleasant topic, if a pregnant mother, then from the head, the prospective father to subtly shift the conversation to other happy things, like talk about baby names, baby plan what needs to be more prepared something, and so on, these topics are more interested in the pregnant mother.


Eighth trick, back self-confidence to help pregnant mothers

Although often said, 'pregnant woman is most beautiful', but the pregnant mother or some self-knowledge, and know what it contains some of the comfort of many in which the means of pregnancy after the former can not wear pretty clothes, not make-up , action bulky ... ... pregnant mother whispered somewhat mind: he still has the charm of it? will return to the previous high spirits look? fathers at this time to take positive action to help his wife recover self-confidence.
The most effective one is sincere praise, tell Mom you love her now pregnant like this. Fathers can also take the initiative to accompany the pregnant mother teach you to go shopping, maternity wear that will not last long do not buy will not be able to buy. To help his wife pick a few pieces of clothing designed specifically for pregnant women, both so beautiful pregnant mother up, but also let her feel your love for her, her mood brightened.


Ninth trick, more tolerant of pregnant mother

As the hormone changes of pregnancy may make the original tender, understanding of the pregnant mother as a changed man. Could not say a word on the great good temper, or a little unhappy to tears. Fathers to understand that this kinds of mood swings pregnant woman is 'patent' does not become pregnant mother really unreasonable.
To in the past, perhaps his wife encountered this 'finding fault' when the prospective father jumped up early, but now it is peace of mind to practice tolerance, the best time. Think about it, pregnant mother to sacrifice so your baby more than occasional temper is hair can be forgiven for it! Pregnant mother angry, and joke about the topic of transfer, or first recognition errors down, and not simply let their pregnant mothers quiet for a while.
As long as the fathers of the higher profile, after the pregnant mother will realize that her own temper is wrong.
Tenth trick, to accompany the pregnant mother to participate in social activities
Late pregnancy, pregnant mothers body heavy, travel has become a major problem in addition must do, for example to work, other activities can go a little less. But this day confined at home, in the face of only a few a family, the lack of previous social activities, pregnant mothers will inevitably feel that life is boring. fathers to assume at this time if the 'drivers' or 'Huhuashizhe' responsibility, you can change this situation. and then there is a gathering of friends , pregnant mothers do not have refused to allow fathers to attend accompanied the weekend free, and pregnant mothers can go and see friends, especially to a child's friend's house guest, feel at home field 'Little Angel' atmosphere, looking forward to make the pregnant mother more early arrival of their baby.

大肚婆完美懷孕 BALLPOINT CHECKLIST: 3個月

胎 兒 指 標	胎    長	3～10cm 胎    重 4～40克	胎兒發育提示：  孕早期在本月就要結束了，3個月來胎兒發生了巨大的變化。僅僅70多天的時間，胎兒就初具人形了。
	五    官	面頰、下頜、眼瞼及耳廓已發育成形，顏面更像人臉。
	四    肢	整個身體中頭顯得格外大；尾巴完全消失；眼睛及手指、腳趾清晰可辨。四肢在羊水中已能自由活動，左右腿還可交替做屈伸動作，雙手能伸向臉部。
	器    官	肋骨、皮下血管、心臟、肝臟、胃腸更加發達；自身形成了血液迴圈，已有輸尿管，胎寶寶可排出一點點尿；骨骼和關節尚在發育中。外生殖器分化完畢，可辨認出胎寶寶的性別。
	胎    動	這時胎寶寶活動並不強烈，孕媽咪暫時還未能感覺到胎動。

孕 婦 指 標	體    重	孕媽媽開始食欲增加，下降的體重逐漸回升。		孕婦生理提示： 孕3月是一個非常特殊的時期。因為，剛剛形成的胚胎對於外界的很多因素和刺激異常敏感。所以，一定孕媽媽在生活中遵守“紀律”，倍加呵護自己。
	身體變化	陰道分泌物	受到骨盆腔充血與黃體素持續旺盛分泌的影響，盆腔內內臟血液聚集，發生充血和淤血，陰道的分泌物比平時略增多 。
		頻尿、尿急	增大的子宮開始壓迫位於前方及後方的膀胱和直腸，膀胱容量減少，出現尿頻，總有排不淨尿的感覺。千萬不要刻意不喝水或憋尿，免得造成尿路感染。
		脹氣、便秘	子宮壓迫直腸，精神憂慮，出現便秘或腹瀉。
		乳房子宮	乳房脹痛外，開始進一步長大，乳暈和乳頭色素沉著更明顯，顏色變黑。下腹部還未明顯隆起，子宮在3個孕月末時，已長如握拳大小。
	妊娠反应	孕3月的前2周，是妊娠反应最重的阶段，之后随着孕周的增加反而开始减轻，不久将自然消失。

飲 食 要 點	飲食提示	害喜嚴重的孕媽媽，如果食欲不佳，儘量選擇自己較想吃的食物。由於早孕反應，孕媽媽常會出現消化不良，食欲不振等情況。這時除了少吃多餐外，應挑選容易消化的、新鮮的食物，儘量避免吃油炸、辛辣的食物。
	營養補充	孕三月初期胎兒體積尚小，所需的營養重質不重量。11周以後，由於胎兒迅速成長和發育，營養的需求量也日漸增多，尤其蛋白質、糖和維生素較多的食物供給，如肉、魚、豆、蛋、奶等食物。
	孕婦食譜
			孕媽媽食譜：什錦燒豆腐 營養分析：豆腐嫩香。此菜營養豐富，鐵含量高，是防治孕期貧血的保健佳餚。 製作方法：鍋置火上，放油燒熱，放姜末蝦子，炒後立即放入豆腐和切好的肉片、雞片、火腿片、筍片等，並倒入醬油、料酒炒勻，加入肉湯，待燒開後倒入沙鍋內，移在文火上煮十余分鐘。

護 理 要 點	護理要點	這個月對於外界環境裡面，可能會導致胎兒傷害的因素，如：揮發性化學物質、輻射線等，應事先安排保持安全距離。由幹胎兒這個月著床的情況還不是很穩定，所以孕媽咪要安心養胎，給胎兒一個健康、安寧的環境，防止意外流產。
	頭痛	在妊娠早期，與噁心嘔吐一樣，頭痛也是一種早孕反應，也可能是休息不好、睡眠不足所致。懷孕早期頭痛，建議保證足夠的休息和良好的睡眠品質。如持續頭痛，需要檢查頭疼的原因。如：高血壓、視力、睡眠問題等…
	妊娠纹	並不是每一位孕婦都會有妊娠紋，它因個人的體質、遺傳基因、孕期體重增加的程度等而有所不同…建議從孕3月開始，堅持做腹部按摩，從一定程度上預防妊娠紋的生成。
	孕期性生活	通常女性在懷孕期間總是性趣缺缺,因為性交可能會引起流產或早產的發生。准爸爸應該多加體諒，一般建議在正常懷孕過程中，性行為不宜太過激烈或深入，應使用保險套，減少精液中前列腺素的刺激。
	體重控制	根據准媽媽們孕前體重指數（BMI=體重(kg)÷身高的平方(m2)）來計算孕期體重增加量。BMI< 19.8的准媽媽們，孕期總增重量應為12.5～18.0千克。懷孕期間體重過重者最好減少飯、面等澱粉類和甜食的攝取量。

疾 病 要 點	疾病提示	孕3月是流產危險相對比較大的時候，同時也是胎兒致畸的敏感期。但是，孕媽咪卻在這時無可避免地患上一些妊娠併發症。
	妊娠劇吐	症狀：嘔吐頻繁，吐出膽汁和血、滴水不進、體溫升高、尿少、黃疸、肝功能受損、視網膜出血、意識模糊、昏睡等。 預防：准爸爸多進行安慰，給予心理治療。適當改變飲食時間，量少多餐，多換花樣。 治療：在醫生的指導下用藥，並注意休息。一般2~3天會好轉。如積極治療仍無好轉，要考慮終止妊娠。
	葡萄胎	症狀：葡萄胎沒有正常的妊娠物，多是胎盤絨毛形成大小不等的水泡樣胎塊，相互間有細蒂相連成串形如葡萄而得名。 治療：一旦診斷明確應立即作刮宮術，至少兩年預防惡變，兩年內應嚴格避孕。 預防：媽媽20歲以下，以及40歲以上懷孕，易得。連續自然流產的媽媽，易得。
	妊娠合併卵巢囊腫扭轉	症狀：一側下腹部劇痛，伴有噁心嘔吐。 治療：急症手術。 預防：孕早期必須做生殖道檢查，及早發現有無卵巢囊腫大 。

產 檢 要 點	產檢提示	孕3月要開始第一次產前檢查了！為了讓婦產科醫生瞭解孕媽媽的健康狀況和胎兒的生長髮育狀況。注意：第一次產檢要空腹！
	產檢專案	量身高	在整個孕期中只測一次。醫生將通過身高和體重的比例來估算你的體重是否過重或過輕，以及盆骨大小。
		測體重	每次孕檢必測專案。通過准媽媽的體重間接檢測胎兒成長。孕期體重增加約為12.5公斤，孕晚期平均每週增加0.5公斤。參考值，每個人會有不同的差異。
		量血壓	每次孕期檢查必測專案。血壓高是先兆子癇的症狀之一，它將影響胎兒的發育成長。
		詢問病史	詢問准媽媽及家屬得過哪些病，半年內是否接觸有害物質等，月經史，婚姻史等。
		聽胎心音	懷孕第12、13周時，已經能聽到胎心音。聽到胎心音即可表明腹中的胎兒為活胎。
		測宮高、腹圍	每次產檢都要測量宮高及腹圍，根據宮高畫妊娠圖曲線瞭解胎兒宮內發育情況，是否誘發與遲緩或巨大兒。
		血常規檢查	檢查血色素，判斷准媽媽是否貧血。檢查血型，防止新生兒溶血症，如果丈夫為A型、B型或AB型血，孕婦為O型血，生出的小寶寶有ABO血型不合的可能。
		尿常規檢查	檢查尿液中是否有蛋白、糖，提示有無妊娠高血壓等疾病的出現。
		肝、腎功能檢查	檢查孕媽媽有無肝炎、腎炎等，懷孕時肝臟、腎臟的負擔加重，如肝、腎功能不正常，懷孕會使原來的疾病“雪上加霜”。
		測愛滋病抗體	檢查孕媽媽是否感染了愛滋病，母嬰傳染是愛滋病的主要傳播途徑之一。
		測甲胎蛋白	篩查神經疾病，如：無腦兒及脊柱裂。正常值：＜20。
		檢查乙肝六項	檢查孕媽媽是否感染乙肝病毒。如果已經感染就要轉到傳染病專科醫院去生產。
		檢查丙肝病毒	檢查准媽媽是否感染丙型肝炎病毒，如果已經感染要轉到傳染病專科醫院去生產。
		檢查病毒感染	准媽媽在妊娠4個月以前如果感染病毒，胎兒都可能先天性畸形，甚至流產。
		心電圖	排除心臟疾病，以確認准媽媽能否承受分娩，如心電圖異常，可進一步進行超聲心動的檢查。

心 理 要 点

有些孕媽媽及親屬盼子心切，又對將來的生活茫然無知，因為住房、收入、照料嬰兒等問題的擔心，導致心理上的高度緊張。這些不良心態致使孕媽媽情緒不穩定、依賴性強，甚至會表現出神經質，對孕母對胎兒都十分不利。

胎 教 要 点

撫摸胎教： 這個月胎寶寶開始活動啦！踢腿、吃手指、轉身等；孕媽媽可以撫摸胎兒與其溝通資訊、交流感情，説明胎兒做“體操”。方法：平躺在床上，全身儘量放鬆，用一個手指輕輕按一下胎兒再抬起，胎兒會有輕微胎動以示反應。時間：早晨和晚上開始做為宜，每次5~10分鐘即可。注意事項：開始輕輕按一下時，如胎兒“不高興”，他會用力掙脫或蹬腿反射，這時就應馬上停下來。過幾天後，胎兒對母親的手法適應了，再從頭試做，此時當母親的手一按，胎兒就主動迎上去做出反應。

懷孕第3個月，子宮大小直徑約12公分約1個橘子大，下腹開始有壓迫 感，害喜症狀最厲害，可以配合飲食減輕害喜症狀，生理的變化因末端血管易擴張，容易流鼻血、長痔瘡，陰道、外陰部易受黴菌感染容易搔癢，可以開始購買孕婦 專用棉褲降低感染機率，也可以開始慢慢挑選適合自己的孕婦裝囉！

孕婦身體的變化－懷孕3個月篇 懷孕3個月（9～12週） 子宮大小 直徑約12公分（約1個橘子大） 羊水量 約30～80 c.c. 徵兆 下腹有壓迫感 從腹部可以摸到子宮 害喜症狀最厲害 外表的變化 可能出現妊娠癢疹，腹部、四肢冒出像被蚊子咬的紅豆冰 生理的變化 末端血管易擴張，容易流鼻血、長痔瘡 陰道、外陰部易受黴菌感染，容易搔癢 因為身體變化致使睡眠較不安穩 情緒管理 由於荷爾蒙變化，會因為一點小事就感到煩躁 懷孕和當媽媽的焦慮感加重 貼心小叮嚀 多喝水 當心情憂鬱時，多跟另一半、家人、朋友聊聊 小解時可以將身體稍微前傾，以利膀胱排清尿液 記得定期進行各項產檢 生活起居的注意事項 坐在椅子上突然站起來時，會感到頭暈或軟弱無力 不要再穿過緊的內衣，必須選擇孕婦專用內衣 【名詞解釋】子宮頸 子宮頸是子宮下端的部分，其內腔呈圓筒形或梭形，稱為子宮頸管。其上端為子宮頸內口，下端為外口。子宮頸突出於陰道內，內含有腺體，可分泌一種粘液，即子宮頸粘液，這種粘液的性狀和量的多少，與子宮內膜一樣，受卵巢功能的影響並呈明顯的周期性變化。 【名詞解釋】缺鐵性貧血 缺鐵性貧血就是因體內缺乏鐵質，而造成血紅素的合成有缺陷，使得血液中紅血球內的血色素減少。在血液常規檢查中可發現紅血球指數──即平均紅血球容積 （MCV）、平均紅血球血紅素（MCH）、血球容積比（HCT）均降低，而血液抹片亦呈現小球性低色性之紅血球。此病容易發生在各年齡層，特別是孕婦和嬰 幼兒最多見。

裝修污染對孕婦的危害

裝修污染對孕婦的影響日前，重慶一孕婦在做第二次產前檢查時，醫生透過B超確認，孕婦腹中胎兒只有一個鼻孔，手、腳有明顯殘缺……

在接受引產手術後，醫生檢查發現，女嬰已經死去，而且還有大腦積水、兔唇症狀，沒有鼻樑骨，僅一個鼻孔，她的左右手是並指，手指只有兩根指節，比正常胎兒少一個指節，右腳只有三腳趾。 根據孕婦本人講述，她和丈夫的身體狀況都很正常，並且雙方家族都無遺傳性疾病和類似疾病史，懷孕期間也沒有異常情況發生，也沒有從事有毒有害工種。但是，孕婦的丈夫回憶說，妻子從懷孕前一年到懷孕中，他們總共搬家3次，都是入住裝修不久的新房。

近日，在人們對“連體畸形嬰兒頻頻出現是否與裝修環境污染有關”的話題進行討論時，美國《流行病學雜誌》又宣佈了一個令人震驚的消息，科研人員通過對新生兒進行的跟蹤研究發現，婦女在懷孕期間吸入被污染的空氣，日後所生出的孩子更有可能患上心臟方面的疾病。這是科研人員首次確認空氣污染與新生兒心臟疾病有某種關聯。

這一科研專案的負責人、美國流行病學專家貝亞特•裡茨說：“婦女在妊娠期間，特別是懷孕的第二個月，在含有污染物的空氣中呆的時間越多，她所生育的孩子患上嚴重的先天心臟疾病的可能性就越大。”研究還發現，在嚴重污染的空氣中生活的孕婦，她們的孩子患上心臟疾病的可能性是呼吸清新空氣的孕婦所生孩子的3倍。在美國，遭受空氣污染的孕婦生的孩子患的是肺動脈和大動脈方面的疾病，這些孩子通常要通過手術才能痊癒。

科學研究證明，造成胎兒畸形的原因主要有兩種:一種是遺傳基因缺陷導致胎兒畸形;另一種是非遺傳性基因缺陷導致胎兒畸形，往往是由於孕婦在懷孕期間接觸了致畸因素所致。醫生指出，建築裝修和傢俱會造成室內環境污染，突出表現在甲醛、苯系物、放射性物質和電磁輻射污染等幾個方面。現在家庭裝修盛行，一些有毒氣體如甲醛、苯系物等氣體室內濃度過高很容易導致胎兒畸形。胎兒在發育過程中，如果受到室內污染物質的影響，會產生細胞分裂、組織器官的改變，而染色體發生突變則是導致嬰兒畸形的主要原因。

因此，在懷孕期間，尤其是在妊娠的前3個月裡，胎兒受外界環境的影響會比較大，孕婦在此時應遠離高溫、雜訊、電磁輻射、多鉛和裝修污染的環境。 目前，幾乎所有的產科醫生都認為，新生兒缺陷的比例有所上升，而這跟環境污染、室內裝修有較大的關係。

新房入住前必做工作

1、新裝修的房子不要急於入住，先請室內環境檢測部門進行檢測，聽取專家意見，選擇合適的入住時間。

2、選擇經國家批准的檢測單位。

3、根據檢測結果選擇空氣淨化和治理措施。

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中醫養胎三階段

很多父母以為讓自己的子女讀最好的幼稚園，上最好的學校，就是贏在人生的起跑點上，其實真正能贏在起跑點的做法，是在孕前的體質調養和孕期的胎教，以及均衡的飲食和營養。

中醫的三段養胎法，即是把懷孕的十個月，大約分成三個階段：初期，第一～三個月；中期第四～六個月；後期是第七～十個月。懷有身孕的女士們，只要注意每個階段中有利於胎兒發育的事項，以及自身的保健等，即可安然產下健康寶寶。


初期重點──均衡營養，慎防流產


懷 孕的第一個月，孕婦往往沒有明顯的胎孕反應。比較敏感的孕婦，在懷孕的頭一個月，即有胎孕的生理跡象，如輕度的噁心、食慾不振或疲勞感等，到了第三個月， 這些症狀更加明顯，有少數孕婦甚至發生嚴重嘔吐，吐胃酸、胸胃部痞悶、無法飲食、全身不適，如同生病，所以叫害喜或叫喜病。


此時受精卵雖已著床，但根基尚不穩固，此一階段最易流產。身體虛弱、生殖器官不健全的孕婦，或發育不好的胚胎，更易流產。此時應注意的事項，包含以下各點：


一．均衡的營養：此 項雖是日常保健必須，但在懷孕之後更要加強留意。此時胚胎雖然很小、所需要的營養不多，但母體仍然需要各種營養素，以供胎兒攝取。如果是輕度的害喜而不妨 礙飲食，不需介意；如有嚴重的害喜症狀出現時，需請醫師診治。更重要的是，盡量避免吃加工品，或是含有化學添加物的食品和飲料，或是所謂的基因改良食物， 盡可能攝取自然食物，尤其是當令當季的新鮮食物。

二．柔和的運動：若平時即有很多家事要做的孕婦，可以不必另外增加運動量；若平時不事勞動者，或沒有運動習慣者，仍要做一些柔和的運動，如散步、游泳等，但無論如何要避免大動作或激烈的運動。


三．適當的睡眠：睡眠是恢復體力的最佳方法，就正常生理需求而言，勞動、運動是釋放能量，休息和睡眠是儲存能量，很多孕婦平常的家事或工作已夠勞累，若無適當睡眠，體力將更不堪負荷。


四．暢通的排瀉：大、小便是人體新陳代謝的兩大指標。婦女懷孕後，常因身體的氣血隔阻，影響身體代謝功能，因此要隨時注意保持二便暢通。


五．避免吃刺激性的食物和飲料：除 了禁菸、禁酒外，其他如咖啡、濃茶、辣椒、咖哩、芥末等辛辣、刺激性食物，都會影響胎兒的神經系統。以上食品，有些是屬於中醫的溫熱性質，不利於胎兒體質 的形成。儘管有些學者認為，在懷孕初期胎兒的神經系統尚未形成，刺激性的飲食，不致對胎兒夠成傷害，但站在胎教不嫌早的觀點，我建議仍應以少吃或不吃為 宜。


六．保持穩定的情緒：胚胎在母體內，隨母親的氣血運行而生息，此時母親的情緒和精神狀態，都可能會 影響母體荷爾蒙分泌。此項分泌有兩種情形：一是荷爾蒙的品質，一是荷爾蒙的多寡。儘管此時胚胎的神經系統尚未開始發育，但荷爾蒙的起伏變化，必定對胚胎發 生相應的影響，因此孕婦的喜、怒、哀、樂都須保持適度的節制。我認為，穩定情緒最佳的方法，莫如閱讀有益身心的書籍，聽聽輕鬆的音樂，看看屬於教育或藝術 的電視或電影，但時間不宜過久。

七．工作的調整：工商社會很多婦女都要出外工作，如果現有的工作太勞累，從懷孕起，應設法減少工作量，如果工作環境接近輻射源或化學物品，有影響胎兒之虞時，從現在起應做適當調整。


八．日常生活的細節：以往舊社會多是大家庭制，婦女於懷孕時，家裡的婆婆或長輩都會告誡他們：勿提重物、勿舉臂踮腳晒衣、勿負重遠行、勿登高臨深、勿入古宅舊廟、勿過冷過熱、勿穿太緊的衣服、勿憂傷思慮……。

早期西方的婦產科學者，多認為這些是愚腐之言，但自從發現了情緒會影響荷爾蒙的道理後，也多承認老祖母的話也有一番道理。


以上種種措施，一方面在防止初期的易於流產，一方面在為日後胎兒的發育打根基。

本文摘自國寶中醫董延齡《生出優秀寶寶，從改變爸媽的體質開始》

電腦屏幕和懷孕

孕婦可以使用電腦嗎？不少女性在工作和生活中使用計算機，當她們準備懷孕時，往往會對計算機是否可能對胎兒造成損傷而憂心忡忡。婦產科專家進行孕期跟踪時發現，兩位婦女長期接觸電腦屏幕，結果雙雙產下畸胎，而她們既沒有不良家族史，也沒有在孕期內濫用藥物。因此專家懷疑，會不會是電腦屏幕電磁輻射造成的呢？只有一點是可以肯定的，Visual Display Terminal (VDT )時間與其所帶來的危害是成正比的。視屏 (VDT) 輻射對生殖健康的影響，在各種報刊、雜誌、以及大眾傳播媒介中關於這方面的報導比較多，但從醫學流調學專業角度報導的資料較少。我在回答諮詢此類問題時，常常說目前電腦輻射對胎兒的危害尚沒有權威性定論，並說，在孕早期盡量減少淨工作時間。更具體的無法在諮詢回答中詳細闡述，可能讓許多諮詢者失望。

　

專業方面的調查結果是：對1583名孕產進行了病歷對照研究，結果自然流產OR值1.2，但在接觸 VDT 時間每週超過20小時的孕婦中，自然流產OR值1.8，說明大量接觸時，自然流產的危險有增高傾向。有研究結果認為，VDT 與子代先天性缺陷有關聯，OR值1.6，且當 VDT作業時間每周大於10小時時，OR值增為2.0，每週VDT作業時間大於20小時時，OR值為2.3，有劑量反應關係，因此，認為不能排除VDT作業有子代先天缺陷的危險。 90年代後，我國對此課題的研究結果發現，有1529名VDT作業女性月經週期延長，經血增多，其頻率顯著高於對照組。 
 (P<0.01)。 VDT 作業女性的自然流產率高於對照組， (p<0.05)。 
另有報導，對從事VDT作業的361名女性和對照組484名的生殖機能和子代健康情況調查結果表明，自然流產、妊娠合併貧血的發生率也高於對照組。但是，也有相反的調查結論。目前沒有統一的認識，缺乏權威性的定論。每一項研究，都無法排除其他因素(如生活環境、飲食，身體狀況等)，調查的人數過少，只能代表被調查的局部情況。只有一點是可以肯定的，VDT時間與其所帶來的危害是成正比的。 OR值是醫學統計學中的術語，就是對研究的數值做統計學的處理，得出可靠的數值，如從事 VDT 婦女流產發生率是10%，從事非 VDT婦女的流產發生率是8%，是否能夠說從事 VDT 婦女的流產率就高於從事非 VDT 婦女的流產率呢？

註: OR值 Odd Ratio

VDT - 眼疲勞的含義

VDT（Visual Display Terminal綜合徵）/視屏終端綜合徵
眼疲勞是由於用眼過度（包括：閱讀文案、操作電腦、上網、看電視、開車等因素）以及環境因素（氣候乾燥，空調環境等）引起的一系列眼睛不適症狀。


VDT - 眼疲勞的主要表現

眼睛乾澀、異物感、視物模糊、眼睛酸脹等症狀。

VDT 的由來

因為眼疲勞更多是由於長時間注視視屏終端（電腦、電視屏幕等）引起，又被稱為VDT（Visual Display Terminal）綜合徵或視屏終端綜合徵。

不能下這樣的結論，必須經過統計學處理，這兩個率的比較是否有統計學意義。國外做法： 日本在勞動保護中規定，在異常妊娠結局是否與 VDT 有關這一問題未弄清前，孕婦不應參加VDT作業。根據現有的研究資料，至少要限制孕婦參加 VDT作業的時間是公認的，每週限制在15-20小時比較合適。權威結論： 電腦周圍存在的輻射包括有X射線、紫外線、可見光、紅外線、特高頻、高頻、極低頻、靜電場。但是他們發射的強度都是非常微弱的。遠低於我國和國際衛生組織所要求的標準。世界衛生組織的專家認為，影響電腦操作的妊娠婦女妊娠結局的原因很多，主要是工作疲勞和過度緊張，其次才是來自電腦的極低頻電磁場。

防止電腦輻射的產品，如防輻射圍巾、圍裙、背心等，屏幕遮蔽物，射線吸收儀器等，對電腦輻射的保護作用到底有多大，專家們認為這些防護品對顯示器輻射沒有任何作用，並進一步指出，即使有些防護品的確能夠減少輻射，也沒有實際價值，因為顯示器產生的電磁場和射線遠沒有超過國家和國際標准允許的暴露範圍。 
醫學專家建議：1、從事視屏作業的育齡婦女不必擔心視屏輻射對下一代健康的影響。顯示器輻射對生殖健康沒有危害。

2、每週在電腦前工作時間不要超過20小時，防止流產的發生。

3、工作環境要通風，保持空氣新鮮。

4、沒有必要穿防護裝置。

5、要避免疲勞和過度緊張，保持愉快的心情，不要擔憂。

6、加強戶外活動，注意鍛煉身體。

7、定期產檢，做好孕期保健，避免導致胎兒出生缺陷的高危因素。

根據以上情況，我們建議，在孕早期(前3個月)避免長時間(每週40小時以上)接觸使用電腦，必須使用時，可每工作1小時，起身到室外或窗口活動呼吸新鮮空氣10分鐘，穿戴防輻射的衣物也是可以選擇的辦法。

Does Your Computer Monitor Pose A Risk?

Several epidemiologic studies have looked for the affect of electric and magnetic fields on pregnancy outcomes and general health. Various EMF sources have been studied for possible association with miscarriage risk, including video display terminals (VDTs). 

VDT use
In the late 1970s, as the use of video display terminals (VDTs) in the workplace became increasingly common, questions arose concerning the potential effects on pregnancy outcomes of working with these terminals. Clusters of miscarriages and birth defects were reported at several workplaces in the United States and Canada.

Various VDT exposures and emissions have been measured: X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, radio frequency fields, power-frequency EMFs, chemicals (PCBs), air ions, and static fields. Workers' exposures to these emissions are very low. However, unlike other office equipment, VDTs emit pulsed electromagnetic fields in the very low frequency (VLF) range, specifically 15,000 to 30,000 Hz (see the Electromagnetic Spectrum). In 1982, a laboratory in Spain reported that malformations occurred in chicken embryos exposed to pulsed magnetic fields at low frequencies. Although these results could not be repeated by the Spanish researchers or others, epidemiologic studies of workers were started to find out if miscarriages or birth defects occur more among VDT users.

In the following decade, more than 10 epidemiologic studies were completed in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. Most of the studies reported that work with VDTs did not affect the risk of miscarriage or birth defects (Ericson and Kallen, 1986; Bryant and Love, 1989; Nielsen and Brandt, 1990). However, in only three studies were VDT exposures measured.

Standards
The U.S. government has no exposure or emission standards for magnetic fields from video display terminals (VDTs). The Swedish government issued guidelines recommending that VDTs purchased by the government produce extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields of no more than 2 mG at a distance of 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) from the VDT surface. The standard is based on what is technologically achievable, not on medical or epidemiological research, according to the Swedish Board for Technical Accreditation (SWEDAC) which issued the standard.

In 1991, researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) studied two groups of telephone operators. One group used VDT displays; the other did not. The levels of power-frequency magnetic fields (60 Hz) measured at the operators' locations were similar for the two groups. This study reported that miscarriages happened no more often among full-time VDT users than among those workers not using VDTs. The study also reported that there appeared to be no relationship between the amount of time a woman used a VDT and her chance of having a miscarriage.

A study from Finland (Lindbohm et al., 1992) reported that women who miscarried at one of three companies were more likely to have used models of VDTs that could produce 50-Hz magnetic fields above 3 mG. Finnish investigators did not find an overall link between miscarriage or birth defects and VDT use, nor was there a relationship between increased incidence of miscarriages with increasing VLF field strength.

Recently, a large study at Yale focused on the effects of EMF exposure on the growth rate of the unborn child (Bracken et al., 1995). These researchers obtained information about power frequency magnetic field exposure from power line and home sources. VDT use over 20 hours a week was not found to affect the weight or growth rate of the baby, nor did the mother's exposure to higher magnetic fields or to "high" field sources such as electrically heated beds.

In 1994, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) of Great Britain invited an advisory group of scientists to review studies of possible health effects related to the use of VDTs. They concluded that there was "no good reason to suppose" that exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields from the use of VDTs harms the unborn child

 

 

Pregnant Women Increasingly Fearful of VDT's

By TAMAR LEWIN

New York Times

Women around the country who work on video display terminals are increasingly expressing concern that their jobs may pose a threat to their ability to bear healthy babies.
A recent study conducted by researchers in California found that women who work extensively on VDT's in early pregnancy are likelier than others to miscarry, but the study did not establish whether the terminals themselves cause the problem. Experts on occupational health agree that it is likely to be several years before there is adequate research to answer that question.

A few of the unions that represent office workers have already negotiated contracts giving pregnant women the option of transferring to jobs that do not involve work on VDT's. But lawyers specializing in women's rights say such options for pregnant workers to change jobs could ultimately work against women by discouraging employers from hiring women of child-bearing age. Instead, they put the emphasis on improving conditions for everyone who does VDT work. Health Experts Are Divided

Meanwhile, occupational health experts are divided over how seriously to take the dangers of VDT work: While some say there is no need for pregnant women to take special precautions, others strongly advise women to avoid working on VDT's while they are pregnant or trying to conceive.

That lack of consensus and the paucity of research that underlies it is a source of enormous frustration to many women who work on VDT's.

''A healthy baby is the most important thing, and I'm very concerned,'' said Chana Messer, a New York City computer graphics artist who is expecting a child in September. ''But no one seems to have much scientific information, so it's hard to know what to do.''

Lisa Gallatin, director of Boston's Office Technology Education Project, an organization that is sponsored by union women's groups, said the group's VDT Hotline has been getting about 20 calls a day, mostly from pregnant women, ever since a local television station ran a report about the study recently.

''It's a very emotional issue,'' Ms. Gallatin said. ''People imagine a little nuclear power plant zapping their baby. We can offer some reassurance. We tell them that it is simply not known whether long-term exposure leads to reproductive problems. But we also tell them that it's not a risk of major proportion. It may increase miscarriage rates somewhat, but it's not causing an epidemic. Still, we think women should have the opportunity to transfer away from work on the terminal while they are pregnant or attempting to conceive.'' Twice as Many Miscarriages

The study of 1,583 pregnant women who attended three obstetrics and gynecology clinics in northern California operated by the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, found that women who used video display terminals more than 20 hours a week in early pregnancy suffered almost twice as many miscarriages as other office workers.

But the authors of the study said their findings did not necessarily mean that the terminals themselves caused reproductive problems, since the study did not measure other factors that might have accounted for the higher miscarriage rate, like job-related stress, poor working conditions or even the possibility that women who had miscarriages were more apt to report having spent long hours at a VDT.

Some occcupational health and technology experts who have reviewed the California study say the results point to working conditions as the culprit, not radiation from the machines.
''If you look at the study, and not the headlines about the study, it seems clear that the problem is the factory-like environment so many VDT operators work in, not the machine itself,'' said Jeanne Stellman, executive director of the Women's Occupational Health Resource Center, a Brooklyn organization. ''The most significant part of the study, one that didn't get reported, was the table showing that administrative and clerical workers who spent more than 20 hours a week on the VDT had a much higher miscarriage rate than managerial and professional women who spent the same amount of time at a computer.''
Nonetheless, Ms. Stellman said she could not give the VDT a clean bill of health, because further research was needed. Even so, she said, ''If I got pregnant again, I would have zero hesitancy about using my VDT.''

Michael Polen, one of the researchers involved in the California study, said it was simply too soon to know whether the VDT's themselves caused reproductive problems.
''It's possible that the difference between professionals and clericals workers had to do with socioeconomic differences or age or stress, or any number of other factors,'' he said.
Because of the design of the study, Mr. Polen said, it would not have picked up differences between people who worked on VDT's 20 hours a week and those who spent 40 hours at a terminal, nor would it have made any distinction between those working in an office with one VDT and those in computer rooms with hundreds of terminals. Still Cause for Concern
Mr. Polen and others say that despite the inconclusive evidence from the new study, there is cause for concern, particularly because several earlier studies on animal embryos have shown that the very low frequency, pulsed, non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted from VDT's can disrupt cellular growth.

And Mr. Polen said he could not make any recommendation in individual cases.
Louis Slesin, the editor of VDT News, did offer a suggestion, however. ''I think any woman who is pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, should play it safe and stop working on a VDT,'' he said. ''The shocking thing is that millions of women are using VDT's every day, and no one really knows what that does to a fetus.''

For most women who work on VDT's, Mr. Slesin said, the easiest way to avoid radiation may be to switch to laptop computers without a video display. ''As a practical matter,'' he said,''what makes this so difficult is that women are most at risk in the early weeks of pregnancy, when they might not know they are pregnant.'' Advise Against Lead Aprons
Occupational health experts strongly advise women against wearing lead aprons to try to protect themselves from VDT the possible effects of VDT's. Not only is the weight of the apron more dangerous than the VDT, they say, but lead acts as a shield against the ionizing radiation found in X-rays, not the less dangerous, and less studied, non-ionizing radiation that is a concern with VDT's.

''We don't know enough about the kind of radiation that comes from VDT's to develop any safety standards, so the safest thing is to try to reduce your exposure,'' said Sharon Danann, the research director of 9 to 5, a Cleveland area organization of office workers. ''We do know that radiation exposure falls off very rapidly with distance,'' she said. ''Most radiation comes from the side and back of the machine, so that women who work in rooms with rows and rows of machines get the most exposure.''

Despite the concerns that have been raised, industry groups maintain that it is safe for pregnant women to use VDT's, since the studies have not found any causal connection between VDT work and human reproductive problems. They say the animal studies are not relevant since they did not use the precise pulse-length radiation that VDT's emit.
''People are getting needlessly upset by the very alarming headlines,'' said Charlotte LeGates, a spokeswoman for the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association in Washington. ''Since the study was publicized, I've gotten calls from about 30 businesses that wanted an update on the safety situation.''

Still, a few employers said the California study was worrisome enough to prompt them to re-examine their practices.

''There's no policy right now on pregnancy and VDT's, but we're aware of the new study, and we will start looking into it,'' said Noel Seberle, manager of medical administration for the American Express Company. ''Most of the studies before this concluded there was no danger, and this one isn't conclusive, but it is the most disturbing so far.'' VDT Legislation Proliferating Legislation has been introduced in at least 24 states that would regulate working conditions for those who use VDT's, often providing for routine eye examinations, regular breaks from computer work, detachable keyboards and adjustable chairs. Some of the proposed laws also require that pregnant women be allowed to transfer from VDT work. In June, Suffolk County, L.I., passed a law regulating VDT work conditions and requiring employers to pay part of the cost of eye examinations, but the law does not address the pregnancy issue.

In the last few years, several labor unions, including the Communication Workers of America and the Service Employees International Union, have negotiated contracts giving pregnant VDT workers the option to transfer to noncomputer jobs with no loss of pay or benefits.
''We got pregnancy clauses in 13 of the 22 contracts we negotiated last year,''said Denise Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the service union. ''It's getting to be quite common. Even where employers don't want to make other VDT agreements, like providing rest breaks or eye exams, they may be worried enough about potential liability so that they will agree to give pregnant workers the option of transferring.''
Even without a contract guarantee, some women who work on VDT's have been able to arrange a pregnancy transfer.

Yvette Wright, who now works at Emory University in Atlanta, said: ''When I got pregnant four years ago, I was working in a library at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and I asked the university for a written statement that it was totally safe to sit in front of a terminal. They said they couldn't do that, becuase it was too new for reliable data. So I told my supervisor that I wouldn't sit in front of the terminal, and they arranged for me to do other work during my pregnancy.''