Nothing is more special than adding a new member to the family. It’s the most basic and natural human process we can imagine. Still, when it comes to the health of both parents and babies, there’s a lot to consider—and a good deal that can be done to prevent problems. Here, we look at some pressing concerns for the health of all three family members: mom, dad and their new little bundle of joy.

midwifery

Many years ago, a pregnant woman would send for the local midwife after her labor began, but the process has changed quite a bit in modern times. Today in the U.S., a midwife is a highly educated nurse specialist who guides women through each stage of pregnancy, including labor and hospital delivery.

Dr. Becky Shelton, medical director for Mercy Birthing Center Midwifery Care, says using a midwife is typically appropriate for younger, healthier women with low-risk pregnancies. “A midwife can provide good surveillance of the pregnancy and make sure it’s going smoothly,” she says. “If concerns or problems arise, we get an obstetrician involved right away.”

What sets a midwife-assisted birth apart is that it’s a ‘low-intervention’ experience, which appeals to many women, Shelton says. “Traditional labor and delivery may involve things like a caesarean section or inducing labor, but in midwifery, we try to let nature take its course as much as possible,” she notes.

Trish Geldbach, R.N., vice president of women’s services at Mercy, says the hospital’s midwives can see patients for prenatal visits, answer their pregnancy questions and oversee their deliveries at the birthing center. They also work in Mercy’s triage area to assess pregnant women coming into the hospital. “We only employ certified nurse midwives with graduate educations,” she says. “Some of our midwives have Ph.D.s or nurse practitioner degrees. They are very highly trained.”

Maureen Foster, CNM, MSN, a certified nurse midwife with SLUCare, says its practice also helps moms-to-be with various stages of pregnancy. “We have family planning services for women who are thinking about getting pregnant, and we can consult with them on diet, exercise and lifestyle changes for a healthy pregnancy,” she says. “And if a patient is undecided about using a midwife, she is welcome to simply make an appointment and talk with us. We can do her first obstetric visit, and if she chooses not to use a midwife, we have a number of other practitioners she can see.”

Foster says SLUCare‘s midwife program offers Pregnancy Centering, a group support system that brings together expectant mothers for prenatal care, counseling and peer encouragement. SLUCare also plans to open a midwife-staffed clinic for teenage mothers. “We see a wide range of patients from young, first-time moms to those who already have families,” she says.

breastfeeding

Mother Nature usually knows what’s best, and that seems to hold true in the debate about breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding a new baby. “Breastfeeding simply offers the best nutrition for infants,” says Sue Muehling, R.N., BSN, a Missouri Baptist Medical Center lactation consultant. “It also provides antibodies the baby’s immune system needs, and it’s an important step in the emotional and physical bonding of mom and infant.”

With that said, the decision to breastfeed is a highly personal one, and it may not be a fit for all new mothers. Health care providers should work with them to decide if it’s the right choice, Muehling notes.

“The benefits of breastfeeding are many, and they’re based on science, but it’s just as important to support the mother’s preference,” she explains. “Feeding a baby is a dynamic process that changes day to day, and each mom has different expectations. It’s rare that a woman isn’t able to breastfeed, but there may be situations in which she chooses not to.” For example, she may have a health problem, or may plan to return to work soon after the birth. In any case, it’s important for care providers to respect the mother’s preference and not pressure a woman if she chooses not to breastfeed. “It’s not a ‘pass or fail’ situation,” Muehling says. “There are other options.”

Terry Vogt, R.N., a lactation consultant at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, says the benefits of breastfeeding extend to both baby and mother. “Moms who breastfeed for six months to a year may have less risk of postpartum depression, type 2 diabetes, uterine hemorrhaging, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and breast and ovarian cancers,” she says. “The hormones released during breastfeeding help keep the mother on a more even keel. If she has a history of depression or other mental health issues, we may encourage her to breastfeed.”

Vogt says the benefits for baby include lower risk of ear and respiratory infections, asthma, obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, diarrhea and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Breastfeeding also provides a boost to the maternal bonding process. “In the beginning, you’re likely to nurse more often if you’re breastfeeding,” she notes. “That means greater closeness between you and the baby. You’re picking her up more, and she is more stimulated because she feels and hears you more often.” Breast milk also provides colostrum, which is important in protecting the baby from infection, according to Vogt.

“I advise expectant mothers to take a prenatal breastfeeding class,” she adds. “It’s a good way to make informed choices about what’s best for you and your newborn. Nourishing your baby is about much more than a feeding method—it’s a relationship.”

benefits of breastfeeding

moms who breastfeed have a lower risk of:

  • Postpartum depression
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Uterine hemorrhaging
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Ostesporosis
  • Breast and ovarian cancers

babies who breastfeed have a lower risk of:

  • Ear and respiratory infections
  • Asthma
  • Obesity
  • Type 1 and 2 diabetes
  • Childhood leukemia
  • Diarrhea
  • SIDS

‘older’ dads

Most of us are aware that a mother’s age can influence the health of her baby. As she gets older, the risk of certain conditions like Down syndrome increase. But did you know that dad’s age may have an effect as well? Dr. Dane Johnson, a Washington University Physicians urologic surgeon, says average paternal age in the U.S. has risen by more than three years since 1972. “It was 27 then, and now it’s almost 31,” he says. “People are definitely waiting until later in life to have children.”

Much of the attention is placed on maternal age because a woman’s eggs are formed at the beginning of her life and stay with her throughout, says Dr. Julie Rhee, a fertility specialist at Vios Fertility Institute. “If a woman is 40 years old, so are her eggs,” Rhee notes. “Men’s sperm regenerate about every 75 days, so you might think there would be less of an issue with the father’s age. But there is evidence that decreased fertility rates and increased risk of certain conditions in the baby can be tied to it.”

Rhee says women over 35 tend to be considered ‘aging mothers,’ but the definition of an ‘aging father’ is a bit looser. “Some say it’s age 40 and above for men, and others say 45,” she explains. “In any case, with an older father, there is evidence the baby may be at higher risk of physical and psychological conditions like autosomal dominant inherited diseases and schizophrenia. Cognitive neural development in the baby also may be affected. Findings aren’t conclusive yet, but it’s important to be informed.” Rhee says researchers also are studying a possible link between increased paternal age and autism spectrum disorders.

Johnson says higher paternal age may be associated with an increase in ‘de novo’ (new) mutations in the father’s DNA, which can cause mutations to be passed to his offspring. “Throughout a man’s life, his sperm cells continue to divide and replicate, refilling the stem cell line and producing new sperm,” he says. “The DNA can become altered during that time, leading to new mutations.” Johnson says studies also have shown that older men may experience decreased fertility. “As they cross the 40-year age threshold, they’re less likely to get a woman pregnant within 12 months than men under 35,” he notes.

Rhee says the risk of paternal age-related health conditions is still quite small, so couples shouldn’t decide against starting a family simply because dad is a bit older. “I have patients with husbands over 45, and their children are perfectly healthy,” she says. In any case, it’s a good idea to meet with a fertility specialist to get a clear picture of your unique situation.