Tuesday, May 29, 2012
May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month
Thank you Governor Bev Perdue and Mayor Anthony Foxx for declaring May Preeclampsia Awareness Month in the State of North Carolina and City of Charlotte!! How Awesome!!
New Clues to Preeclampsia
Article from the Wall Street Journal, "New Clues to Preeclampsia"
By ANN LUKITS
Scientists have identified an enzyme that could lead to new treatments for preeclampsia, a potentially fatal condition of pregnancy, according to a study in the journal Hypertension. Preeclampsia develops in about 7% of U.S. pregnancies. Dangerously high blood pressure, high urinary protein and increased blood-clot formation are common symptoms.
Researchers in Virginia conducted genetic tests on blood-vessel tissue from 16 healthy pregnant women and 22 with preeclampsia, all between 28 and 38 weeks gestation. Compared with the healthy pregnant women, preeclampsia subjects had significantly increased levels of thromboxane synthase, an enzyme associated with increased blood pressure and clot formation. Examination of dyed enzyme antibodies showed the enzyme was present in 95% of blood-vessel samples from the preeclampsia patients and 25% of non-preeclampsia samples.
Carl Wiens
Significantly higher activity of a gene associated with the enzyme, TBXAS1, was also found in the preeclampsia samples. Researchers traced the enzyme activity to changes in the promoter region of the gene that controls gene expression or activity.
Blocking or inhibiting the enzyme could form the basis for new treatments for preeclampsia, researchers said. Folic acid supplements also could protect against adverse DNA changes that could lead to preeclampsia, they suggested.
Caveat: There may be other factors that regulate the TBXAS1 gene promoter, researchers said.
By ANN LUKITS
Scientists have identified an enzyme that could lead to new treatments for preeclampsia, a potentially fatal condition of pregnancy, according to a study in the journal Hypertension. Preeclampsia develops in about 7% of U.S. pregnancies. Dangerously high blood pressure, high urinary protein and increased blood-clot formation are common symptoms.
Researchers in Virginia conducted genetic tests on blood-vessel tissue from 16 healthy pregnant women and 22 with preeclampsia, all between 28 and 38 weeks gestation. Compared with the healthy pregnant women, preeclampsia subjects had significantly increased levels of thromboxane synthase, an enzyme associated with increased blood pressure and clot formation. Examination of dyed enzyme antibodies showed the enzyme was present in 95% of blood-vessel samples from the preeclampsia patients and 25% of non-preeclampsia samples.
Carl Wiens
Significantly higher activity of a gene associated with the enzyme, TBXAS1, was also found in the preeclampsia samples. Researchers traced the enzyme activity to changes in the promoter region of the gene that controls gene expression or activity.
Blocking or inhibiting the enzyme could form the basis for new treatments for preeclampsia, researchers said. Folic acid supplements also could protect against adverse DNA changes that could lead to preeclampsia, they suggested.
Caveat: There may be other factors that regulate the TBXAS1 gene promoter, researchers said.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Promise Walk, Charlotte, NC
On 5/19, we put on our walking shoes and walked to raise awareness for preeclampsia. We had so much fun. Wendy came along with us. The event was held at North Carbarrus Park off of Hwy 73...what a NICE park. We will definitely be going back to hang out. We all got t-shirts...even you! It was a beautiful day out and you rode in your stroller. Other than teething, you had a wonderful time. It was roughly a 2 mile walk on park trails, around a lake and through woods. Avery got to make a hand print on a poster, "The Hands That Preeclampsia Has Touched!" That part made mama tear up! From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you to everyone who donated money to help us raise awareness!
The Charlotte walk raised over $5,700. For our first year, this is amazing! As a whole, around the U.S., over $378,000.00 has been raised....THIS YEAR!!! That is money that goes directly to putting information in the hands of pregnant women...and money that goes directly helping doctor's know exactly what signs to look for...and research to find a cure!!
I will never forget the fear I felt when the doctor rushed in the room and told me if my blood pressure did not go down we were heading to the OR....or hearing the doctor tell me Avery did not have enough amniotic fluid to support her little life...or having my blood pressure jump so high I felt like my heart was about to explode...and having those horrid conversations that if it came down to it, we can have another baby, but we can't make another me, so the main goal was to take care of me...or finally being rushed for emergency c-section because my baby and myself were in too much distress due to my high blood pressure! For 6 weeks, if we made it to the next day, it was a success! Living in a hospital, those doctors and nurses became our family...and saved our lives!
So...for all the mother's who have lost their lives to preeclampsia, to all the mother's who have dealt and survived preeclampsia, and to all the mother's who will one day possibly go through this....here we are...walking for YOU...
We had such a wonderful day and cannot wait for next year! Until then...we PROMISE to keep spreading the word!
The Charlotte walk raised over $5,700. For our first year, this is amazing! As a whole, around the U.S., over $378,000.00 has been raised....THIS YEAR!!! That is money that goes directly to putting information in the hands of pregnant women...and money that goes directly helping doctor's know exactly what signs to look for...and research to find a cure!!
I will never forget the fear I felt when the doctor rushed in the room and told me if my blood pressure did not go down we were heading to the OR....or hearing the doctor tell me Avery did not have enough amniotic fluid to support her little life...or having my blood pressure jump so high I felt like my heart was about to explode...and having those horrid conversations that if it came down to it, we can have another baby, but we can't make another me, so the main goal was to take care of me...or finally being rushed for emergency c-section because my baby and myself were in too much distress due to my high blood pressure! For 6 weeks, if we made it to the next day, it was a success! Living in a hospital, those doctors and nurses became our family...and saved our lives!
So...for all the mother's who have lost their lives to preeclampsia, to all the mother's who have dealt and survived preeclampsia, and to all the mother's who will one day possibly go through this....here we are...walking for YOU...
We had such a wonderful day and cannot wait for next year! Until then...we PROMISE to keep spreading the word!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
4 Month Update!!!
You, sweet cheeks, are so full of personality and life right now. We are loving this age with you. You are by far the happiest, big smile baby!
On the 10th you turned 4 months, but our doctors appointment was today. You are 12 lbs!!!!! Every time we go, you re even....born exactly 5 lbs, then exactly 7 lbs., then 8 lbs. even, and now 12 lbs. You are 12th percentile for your weight and 36 percentile for your height at 23 3/4 inches. You are such a little peanut.
Dr. Webb was eating you up...you held his finger the entire time and was telling him everything. Since you are doing o well, we get to start learning how to eat from a spoon. You now can have 1 tbsp of rice cereal (from a spoon) once a day....so by 6 months you are ready to start actual foods like peas, squash, and all that fun stuff. We just want to make sure you can master eating with a spoon so at 6 months you are ready to roll with the foods.
Speaking of roll, you rolled for the first time at your appointment today....right there on the table/bed. The nurse had just asked if you roll yet, we answered "No!" and then you sure showed us up!! We were so excited...you were a little shocked. And, you laughed for the first time yesterday at daddy when he picked you up from daycare....
See what I mean, about what a fun age!!!
Now that you have outgrown your preemie size, and we have you on special, thicker formula, we have had hardly any reflux issues...and now that you are rolling, it is time to give up the nap nanny in our crib and have you sleep on the actual crib mattress. Took a little more time tonight, but right now, we are doing well. Hopefully you will continue sleeping through the night. Dr. Webb said you should start sleeping 5-6 hour stretches a night. HA! You already sleep 9+ hours each night. Hopefully, that will continue.
You truly are such a blessing!! You bring so much joy into our lives. We love you so incredibly much!
On the 10th you turned 4 months, but our doctors appointment was today. You are 12 lbs!!!!! Every time we go, you re even....born exactly 5 lbs, then exactly 7 lbs., then 8 lbs. even, and now 12 lbs. You are 12th percentile for your weight and 36 percentile for your height at 23 3/4 inches. You are such a little peanut.
Dr. Webb was eating you up...you held his finger the entire time and was telling him everything. Since you are doing o well, we get to start learning how to eat from a spoon. You now can have 1 tbsp of rice cereal (from a spoon) once a day....so by 6 months you are ready to start actual foods like peas, squash, and all that fun stuff. We just want to make sure you can master eating with a spoon so at 6 months you are ready to roll with the foods.
Speaking of roll, you rolled for the first time at your appointment today....right there on the table/bed. The nurse had just asked if you roll yet, we answered "No!" and then you sure showed us up!! We were so excited...you were a little shocked. And, you laughed for the first time yesterday at daddy when he picked you up from daycare....
See what I mean, about what a fun age!!!
Now that you have outgrown your preemie size, and we have you on special, thicker formula, we have had hardly any reflux issues...and now that you are rolling, it is time to give up the nap nanny in our crib and have you sleep on the actual crib mattress. Took a little more time tonight, but right now, we are doing well. Hopefully you will continue sleeping through the night. Dr. Webb said you should start sleeping 5-6 hour stretches a night. HA! You already sleep 9+ hours each night. Hopefully, that will continue.
You truly are such a blessing!! You bring so much joy into our lives. We love you so incredibly much!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
You Giggled!!!
Today, you finally giggled!!! You have been trying to for a week or so, but you just couldn't get any noise to come out. Today, you and I went to grandma and grandpa's house and spent some time with them and Aunt Brenda.
Mawmaw was holding you, and pawpaw was playing with you and playing with your feet and you let out the biggest, cutest little giggled.
I must admit I was bummed it wasn't to me...or your daddy....and your daddy wasn't there to see it, but let's face it. ..IT WAS PAWPAW and if not me or your daddy, there is no one else more perfect!! He is pretty great!!! I would have picked him too!!
We love you so much baby girl. You are such a joy!
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