We've got the surprising new facts on the device that could change how women handle contraception in the next decade

By Cara Birnbaum

If you're like most of us, when you hear the letters "IUD" you think of either (1) something Saddam has been hiding; or (2) a birth control device that's equally scary. Well, it's time you rethought both of those. The IUD, short for intrauterine device, is a small, T-shaped piece of soft, flexible plastic that a doctor places in the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy. Maybe the most useful fact worth learning about the IUD is that 18 percent of female gynecologists of childbearing age use it, whereas only 2 percent of American women do. Which made us wonder: What do they know that we don't?

First of all, you can blame the IUD's sketchy reputation on an old version called the Dalkon Shield. It caused major health problems about 30 years ago, when 2.2 million American women were already using it. A.H. Robins Company, the Shield's maker, pulled it from the market in 1974 because it played a role in thousands of infections, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and sepsis. The conditions caused infertility for some women and have been linked to at least 17 deaths. Yeah, it's enough to scare Paris Hilton celibate. But in 1974, the pocket calculator was considered high-tech — so comparing the old IUD with today's versions is like pitting Pong against Halo.

"Those of us who are familiar with the newer IUDs realize this is a safe and effective form of contraception," says Susan Loeb-Zeitlin, M.D., assistant attending obstetrician-gynecologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. She believes the IUD's recent surge in popularity came about because younger doctors, who didn't deal with the Dalkon debacle, are more willing to give the new models a chance.

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Choosing and Using a Babysitter

Planning time away from your new baby means that you will need to find a trusted babysitter to care for your baby like you would. That may seem impossible, but knowing what qualities you need in a babysitter will help you to find the best person to take care of your child. The National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) recommends taking the following steps to familiarize a new babysitter with you, your baby, and your home. Also, we have provided a Babysitter Checklist to remind you of the information the babysitter will need while caring for your child, such as numbers where you can be reached in an emergency.

Tips for Familiarizing a New Babysitter with Child Safety and Your Home

Safety/First Aid:

• Ask if the babysitter knows infant/child CPR and Rescue Breathing.
• Remind the babysitter that infants should not be placed on an adult bed of any kind.
• Remind the babysitter to place the baby on her/his back to sleep.
• Be sure that the babysitter knows the signs of illness in an infant including: changes in skin color, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Show the babysitter where the fire extinguishers are kept, and explain how they are used.
• Be sure to show the babysitter where the first aid supplies are kept.
• Remind the babysitter to keep all balloons or plastic items away from the baby.
• Instruct the babysitter that children should never be unsupervised in the bathtub. He/she should take them with him/her if they must answer the telephone or the door bell.
• Remind the babysitter to keep the bathroom door closed, and the toilet seat and lid down when not in use.

Familiarity with your House:

• Before leaving, be sure to give the babysitter a tour of the house.
• Ensure that all windows have been closed, and that the babysitter knows to keep them closed.
• Show the babysitter how to operate your child safety gates, and indicate where they need to be kept.
• Also show the babysitter where the flashlights are located.
• Make sure that you have put away all sharp items including scissors, knives, and any other objects that can cause injury.

The following Web Sites have more information on first aid for babysitters:

Prepare for Labor and Birth

Once you reach the third trimester, you should talk to your doctor or midwife about labor and delivery. Learn your options for pain relief. Find out how to reach her if you go into labor. And ask her at what point in labor should you call.

Before you reach the last few weeks of pregnancy, you and your partner should visit the hospital or birthing center. Make sure you know how to get there, where to park and where to check-in. Find out if you can pre-register so that your insurance information is already in the computer when you arrive.

Signs of Labor

Many women, especially with their first babies, think they are in labor when they're not. This is called false labor. So don't feel embarrassed if you go to the hospital thinking you're in labor, only to be sent home!

If you think labor has begun, you should call your doctor or midwife. They can decide if it's time to go to the hospital or if you should be seen at the office first. Learn the signs of labor so you will know when the time has come.

Health Care for Baby

One of the most important things you need to do before giving birth is decide on a doctor for your baby. Don't wait until after you baby is born to choose a pediatrician! Babies need frequent check-ups, shots and sometimes get sick. So you'll want to find a doctor you like and trust.

Some tips on choosing a pediatrician include:

• Call your health insurance company for a list of doctors covered under your plan.
• Find out where they trained and how long they've been in practice. Some insurance companies and hospitals have this information. Details on some doctors can be found on the DoctorFinder on the website of the American Medical Association.
• Request an interview with the pediatricians you like best.
• Find out about their office hours and how they handle concerns and emergencies after office hours.
• Talk with other parents for referrals.

To get regular check-ups and important vaccines, your baby will need health insurance. If you're worried about paying for health care, there are programs for women and children in need.

Fertility Awareness

The Menstrual Cycle

Being aware of your menstrual cycle and the changes in your body that happen during this time can be key to helping you plan a pregnancy, or avoid pregnancy. During the menstrual cycle (a total average of 28 days), there are two parts: before ovulation and after ovulation.

• Day 1 starts with the first day of your period.

• Usually by Day 7, a woman's eggs start to prepare to be fertilized by sperm.

• Between Day 7 and 11, the lining of the uterus (womb) starts to thicken, waiting for a fertilized egg to implant there.

Researchers Pinpoint Critical Down Syndrome Gene

from Healthology.com

Down syndrome, also referred to as trisomy 21, is caused by a genetic abnormality that results in a person being born with three copies of chromosome 21 or an extra piece of this chromosome, instead of the usual two. However, it was never known how this extra chromosome works in the body to cause the symptoms of the syndrome. Now, researchers have determined what seems to be one impact that this extra chromosome has on the body.

Much research on Down syndrome has focused on chromosome 21 as a whole, but Dr. Ahmad Salehi and colleagues from the department of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford Medical School, looked at the particular impact of having extra copies of one gene that is found on this chromosome.

"In this sense, instead of targeting Down syndrome as a whole, we can start with the most disabling features of Down," said Salehi, who cited the slow mental decline that is characteristic of the disease.

Symptoms of pregnancy

from WebMD

You may be pregnant if you:

• Have had sexual intercourse and you have not used any method of birth control.
• Have missed one or more periods.
• Have your period, but there is a lot less bleeding than usual.
• Take birth control pills, but you missed a pill. It is especially risky to miss a pill early in the cycle or pack or to start your new pack a day or two late.
• Have other symptoms of early pregnancy. Symptoms include:
  • Fatigue.
  • Breast tenderness or enlargement.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Increased urination.
• Have done a home pregnancy test, and the result was positive.

If you have regular menstrual periods and are sexually active, you can become pregnant, even if you use birth control.

Infertility

Infertility is a condition that makes it difficult or impossible for a man or woman to have a child. Both men and women can be infertile. About 1 in 10 couples in the United States have fertility problems. About half eventually have a child.

You should talk to your health care provider about the possibility of fertility problems:

* If you and your partner don’t get pregnant after trying for 12 months.
* If you are a woman over the age of 35 who doesn’t get pregnant after trying for six months. Older women are more likely to have fertility problems than younger women.

Causes
Infertility can be caused by many things, including:

* Problems with ovulation (a woman’s ability to produce an egg)
* Problems with sperm in men (amount, quality or both)
* Aging (fertility declines as men and women age)
* Sexually transmitted infections

A Mommy After 35

Most healthy women from age 35 into their 40s have healthy pregnancies. Most women over 35 are in good health. Good prenatal care and healthy habits can help you reduce certain risks. If problems do arise for women over 35, they can usually be successfully treated.

No matter what your age, see your health care provider before trying to get pregnant if you:

* Have a chronic medical condition, such as diabetes, a seizure disorder or high blood pressure
* Are on long-term medication

If not under control, some medical conditions can cause risks for you and your baby.

If you are older than 35 and don’t get pregnant after trying for six months, see your health care provider. Older women may find it harder to get pregnant than younger women because fertility declines with age. In many cases, infertility can be treated.

Prenatal Care Is Important