Kicking up a fuss
* PREGNANT women who become emotionally upset can cause their unborn
child distress.
A study of 60 pregnant women at Sydney's Royal Hospital for Women
shows a foetus will kick up a fuss when its mother becomes agitated.
It found that if an expectant mother was upset watching a
heart-rending film her unborn baby started moving in the womb with a
raised heartbeat.
The upset-baby phenomenon lasted only as long as the film scene, says
Dr Leo Leader of the New South Wales School of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology.
Home births debate
* ADDED fuel will be given to the debate on home-versus-hospital
births following the results of an Aberdeen trial. They found that women
at low risk did better at home than in hospital. The report in the
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit says home births are safe for most
mothers and babies. They point out that some babies may actually do
worse when looked after in hospital.
Wine and dine
* THE debate about the protective effect on the heart of moderate
drinking continues. A report in the British Medical Journal says doctors
should advise the public to have one or two drinks a day, preferably
with meals, perhaps red wine. Provocatively the article blames the
temperance mentality for blurring the protective message and warns
teetotallers of the hazard of continued abstinence.
Mixing it
* WATCH out for a new poster hitting the Glasgow streets on drink and
sex. It's eye-catching if nothing else: After 4 vodkas, 3 gins and 2
brandies, can you manage a stiff one?
It is issued by Drinkline the national phone helpline. If you are
still in doubt over whether sex and alcohol mix they suggest you give
them a call: 0345 32 02 02.
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