Yo, Momma . . . December 2005

"Example is leadership." -Albert Schweitzer

And we, the Moms of the World, must be the leaders, especially when it comes to the health and wellness of our families! After all, in most families, it is the Mom who sets the tone for healthy living, physical activity, and good nutrition. We are our children's role models - they love to watch us, and they love to imitate us. So, we have a huge responsibility to model positive behaviors in terms of how we choose to fuel our bodies and how we choose to move our bodies. As I'm sure you're tired of reading, we have an epidemic of obese children in the US, and that epidemic is not limited to school aged children - it is now showing up in our infants and toddlers. So, as 2005 comes to a close, make a commitment to yourself and to your family to be a LEADER by EXAMPLE!

Happy holidays to all of you - I hope it's a time filled with love and laughter!

• What's New on FitFor2.com? Finally! According to our web designer, our new shopping cart will be up and running this week - YAY! Take a peek at our new software, and, while you're at it, get in a little healthy holiday shopping! As always, your feedback is most appreciated. We have also added an area for Health Professionals (Ob/Gyns, Nurse-Midwives, Pediatricians, Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, etc.) on our website. Please point your healthcare providers to this section which is filled with information to help educate them on the importance of staying fit throughout pregnancy and postpartum!
• Fit For 2 in Georgia: We are nearing the end of our Winter 2005 session - our new session will begin Monday, January 2nd - so be sure to come in and use your remaining classes! Please check the Fitness Classes tab on the website to see session dates and prices for our Atlanta locations. We will also begin taking registrations for the 2006 March of Dimes WalkAmerica Maternity Team later this month, so please check the website often for updates!
• Fit For 2 Instructor Training: Ever considered becoming a group fitness instructor? Like working with pregnant women and babies? If you answered "YES" to these questions, then WE NEED YOU! If you are interested in becoming certified to teach Fit For 2 classes, please contact me so we can get an Instructor Training date on the calendar. Click here for more information.
• New Research Findings: The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported this past week that women who breastfeed are at reduced risk for developing Type II Diabetes. For each additional year of lactation, women with a birth in the prior 15 years had a decrease in the risk of Type II Diabetes of at least 14%. So, not only is breastfeeding great for your baby's health; it may also keep you healthy, too!
• Web Site of the Month: Visit SitterCity.com for help in finding a quality childcare worker or nanny. This fabulous site even has free sitter screening tips for you to use as you choose a caregiver for your child(ren)! As our holiday gift to you, use promo code FITFOR2 to get a $10 discount on the Sittercity.com registration fee!
• Book of the Month: "Your Plus-Size Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide for the Full-Figured Expectant Mom" by Brette McWhorter Sember is chock full of great information on nutrition, fitness, clothing, etc. for moms-to-be who aren't a Size 0! Look for my contributions in the fitness during pregnancy section! Read more here.
• Tip of the Month: The following information regarding Premature Birth is from the March of Dimes:

Today 1,300 babies in the U.S. will be born prematurely. While doctors have made tremendous advances in caring for babies born too soon and too small, scientists have not yet developed effective ways to help prevent premature delivery. In nearly half of premature births, the cause is unknown. However, researchers have made some progress in learning the causes of prematurity. Studies suggest that there may be four main routes leading to premature labor.

• Maternal or fetal stress. Chronic psychosocial stress in the mother or physical stress (such as insufficient blood flow from the placenta) in the fetus appears to result in production of a stress-related hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH may stimulate production of a cascade of other hormones that trigger uterine contractions and premature delivery.
• Infections. Studies suggest that premature labor is often triggered by the body’s natural immune response to certain bacterial infections, such as those involving the genital and urinary tracts and fetal membranes. Even infections far away from the reproductive organs, such as periodontal disease, may contribute to premature delivery.
• Bleeding. The uterus may bleed, due to problems such as placental abruption (when the placenta peels away, partially or almost completely, from the uterine wall prior to delivery). Bleeding triggers the release of various proteins involved in blood clotting, which also appear to stimulate uterine contractions.
• Stretching. The uterus may become overstretched by the presence of two or more babies, excessive amounts of amniotic fluid, or uterine or placental abnormalities, leading to release of chemicals that stimulate uterine contractions.

The finding that there are several routes that can result in premature delivery may help explain why prematurity is so difficult to to prevent. Now that scientists have a better handle on possible pathways to prematurity, they may be able to develop more effective interventions that can halt the various chemical cascades that lead to it. But first they must identify the women who need these treatments.

It is very difficult to predict which women will deliver prematurely. Doctors know that certain women are at high risk of premature delivery, including women who have had a previous premature birth, those with multiple gestations (twins, triplets or more), and women with certain uterine malformations. But tests are not accurate in determining which of these women will actually deliver early. Available tests are even less helpful in identifying low-risk women who will have a premature delivery, and are generally not recommended for these women.


If you have a pregnancy, parenting, or fitness tip or a recipe you'd like to share, please email it to us. We'll publish it in an upcoming issue of "Yo, Momma . . ."

Thanks for visiting us at Fit For 2. If you have comments or suggestions, we want to know! Contact us at webmaster@fitfor2.com or call 770-509-8078. Because we lost so many subscribers during our server move, please forward this message to anyone you know who is pregnant or has recently had a baby. Have a very happy holiday!