Low Birth Weight Archives - Jeffrey Sterling, MD

Straight, No Chaser: Advanced Maternal Age

Times have changed. Marriages are increasingly career-focused, and couples more and more choose to have babies later in life. It is helpful that these decisions can now be aided by recent innovations in medicine regarding fertility. Unfortunately, changes in societal norms don’t remove risks inherent in the human condition. Advanced Maternal Age is a medical consideration for any woman considering childbirth after age 35. The bottom line is advanced maternal age comes with risks. If you or a loved one is considering childbirth after age 35, you need to be aware of these risks and how to minimize them. These include the following.
It likely will take longer to get pregnant.
If pregnant, you will have an increased risk of miscarriage.
If successfully pregnant, you’re more likely to have any of several medical conditions, including the following:

Gestational diabetes
Pregnancy-induced hypertension
Placental previa (in which the “afterbirth” material can inadvertently cover all or part of the uterine opening, causing bleeding and a need for C-section)

Halle Berry takes daughter Nahla for her passport photo in Beverly Hills, California. Pictured: Halle Berry Ref: SPL549901 240513 Picture by: Headlinephoto / Splash News Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles:310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 870-934-2666 photodesk@splashnews.com

If you successfully deliver, your child is more likely to be at risk for any of several medical conditions, including the following:

Down Syndrome and other chromosomal birth defects, causing abnormalities in the transmission of heredity information via the genes)
Low birth weight and prematurity

Even though you can never eliminate the above risks, you can reduce them. Consider the following among the list of healthy choices you should make to give yourself the best change to have a healthy baby at an advanced maternal age. All of these recommendations should be adapted in conjunction with your obstetrician.
Get prenatal care before you actually get pregnant and keep it during your pregnancy. You will need to discuss your personalized risks, your health profile, the correct strategy for weight gain, and any prenatal testing that may be necessary.
Eat a nutritious diet, including recommended amounts of calcium, folic acid, iron, Vitamin D, and a daily prenatal vitamin. These dietary habits should begin well before you become pregnant.
Stay physically active. Health basics are even more important during this time.
Getting pregnant at an advanced maternal age is a serious decision. Approach it with the consideration and caution it deserves.
Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic.
Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s new book Behind The Curtain: A Peek at Life from within the ER at jeffreysterlingbooks.com, iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and wherever books are sold.
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Cigar Smoking: Facts and Fiction

It’s the latest, greatest, coolest past-time. Endorsed and practiced by celebrities the world over, cigar smoking has clearly and successfully marketed itself as a convenience of the successful. Even the notion that the ‘best’ cigars are forbidden fruit (i.e. come from Cuba) adds to the allure if and when you’re able to wrap your lips around one. I wasn’t surprised, but it’s worth noting that beyond the success stories received from those of you who have successfully stopped cigarette smoking, the next set of questions involved whether cigar smoking is a safe alternative.
Since you have little old me taking on an $8 billion a year industry and the wrath of the very passionate, I have no recourse but to arm myself with some data – cold, hard facts.

49% of all cigars sold are large cigars. A single large cigar contains as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
Cigar use is on the rise, with over 13 million people identifying as current users.
15% of male students in grades 9-12 are current users.
African-Americans have the highest rate of cigar smoking (among ethnicities/races), with a 7.7% user rate.

You want to know the effects of cigar smoking? Let’s cut to the chase.
Here are the five “SURGEON GENERAL WARNING” text-only labels, one of which must be displayed on all cigar packaging and advertisements. This is done on a rotating basis.

Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers Of The Mouth and Throat, Even if You Do Not Inhale.
Cigar Smoking Can Cause Lung Cancer and Heart Disease.
Tobacco Use Increases the Risk of Infertility, Stillbirth and Low Birth Weight.
Cigars Are Not A Safe Alternative To Cigarettes.
Tobacco Smoke Increases The Risk of Lung Cancer And Heart Disease, Even In Nonsmokers.

Beyond what the Surgeon General requires, here are some additional facts:

All tobacco smoke contains more than 60 chemicals that can cause cancer, and cigar smoke is no exception.
Regular cigar smoking increases your risk for the following cancers: lung, esophagus, larynx (your voice box), and oral cavity (lips, tongue, mouth and throat).
Cigar smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth decay and loss.
In addition to lung cancer, heavy cigar smoking increases the risk for emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The bottom line?

Cigar smoking is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking.

There is no level of cigar smoking that does not pose health risks.

As always, it’s not my chore to convince you to do or not to do; freedom of choice is a beautiful thing. That said, be advised that if you read this blog, you will be an informed consumer. I welcome your comments or questions.
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