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.

Visit our Birth Control Forum

Many excited expectant parents waste thousands of dollars on baby items they don't need. Here's how to wise up early and find just the essentials for less.

By Liz Pulliam Weston

Before I tell you how to save bundles of money while preparing for a baby, I must make a confession.

We've spent more than we planned in the months leading up to the birth of our first child. Way more.

and baby.

The position of parent and baby during a diaper change is perfect for creating a bonding experience between you. You are leaning over your baby, and your face is at the perfect arms-length distance for engaging eye contact and communication. What's more, this golden opportunity presents itself many times during each day; no matter how busy you both get, you have a few moments of quiet connection. It's too valuable a ritual to treat it as simply maintenance.

Learning about your baby

Diapering offers a perfect opportunity for you to truly absorb your baby's cues and signals. You'll learn how his little body works, what tickles him, what causes those tiny goose bumps. As you lift, move, and touch your baby, your hands will learn the map of his body and what's normal for him. This is important because it will enable you to easily decipher any physical changes that need attention.

by Ann Douglas

You’ve no doubt seen all the scary statistics on the costs of raising children — numbers that may very well have you second-guessing your decision to toss your birth control pills in the trash! Well, despite what some people would have you believe, starting a family doesn’t have to lead to financial ruin. While it may be tempting to wear the numbers off your credit card as you merrily shop for the new arrival, there are plenty of practical steps you can take to minimize the impact on your family’s budget. Here are a few ideas.

1. Learn to differentiate between products that your baby really needs and those that are merely masquerading as necessities. Not all baby products are created equal: some are absolute lifesavers; others are nothing more than expensive frills. Your mission as a first-time parent is to learn to tell the difference. The best way to get this type of insider advice is to talk to other new parents — parents who’ve made their way through the baby store jungle recently and who are willing to let you know which products were worth every penny and which ones your baby could definitely live without. (Think baby wipe warmers!)

So, you're throwing a baby shower. The date is set and the invitations have been sent. The anticipation is brewing. But what are you going to do once you get everyone to the party? Baby showers are thrown all the time, but how can you make yours a memorable one? One that the parents-to-be and the guests will remember always? Plan some fun games. Games are great for entertaining your guests and creating a comfortable and fun environment for everyone to interact and loosen up. Here are just a few popular baby shower games:

This article is brought to you by Blue Bambu, the leading provider of exquisite party favors.

Guess the Mother-to-be's Waistline

 THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 06:10PM EST

people.aol.com 

Napoleon Dynamite star Jon Heder and his wife, Kirsten, are expecting their first child, the actor's rep has confirmed to PEOPLE.

Heder, 28, who stars in the upcoming School for Scoundrels, first alluded to the good news during a Hollywood Foreign Press news conference at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills on Thursday.

Heder, who is from Salem, Ore., burst onto the scene playing the memorable oddball Napoleon Dynamite in the 2004 film. He has also starred in Just Like Heaven and Bench Warmers.

Heder met his wife, Kirsten, at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

September 05, 2006

TUESDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of developing autism is significantly higher among children born to men who are 40 and older than it is among children with fathers under 30, researchers report.

The reason appears to be genetic, researchers suggest.

Autism is a growing problem, affecting 50 children in every 10,000, compared with just five in 10,000 only 20 years ago. This increase appears to be partially due to more awareness of the condition and changes in the definition of classic autism to include autism spectrum disorders. However, it could also be that there is an increase in the incidence of autism, experts say.

The condition is marked by social and language problems and repetitive patterns of behavior. Autism spectrum disorder includes pervasive developmental disorder; Rett's syndrome, Asperger syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder.

September 05, 2006

TUESDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics has a new attitude about consumption of milk and milk products by children with lactose intolerance: Hey, give it a try.

New guidelines say the academy "supports use of dairy foods as an important source of calcium for bone mineral health and of other nutrients that facilitate growth in children and adolescents." Specifically, it does not recommend eliminating dairy products to treat lactose intolerance.

In practical terms, said Dr. Melvin B. Heyman, a member of the committee that wrote the guidelines, the new advice is for parents of children with lactose intolerance, in collaboration with pediatricians, to "test the system and see how much milk, cheese and ice cream they can tolerate."

One reason for the new advice, said Heyman, who is a professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, is that "we have more information about what people will tolerate. We know that children who have lactose intolerance have a tendency to tolerate some dairy products."

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.