The Fort Worth Moms Blog is delighted to introduce you, dear reader, to MotherToBaby North Texas. MotherToBaby serves the metroplex and beyond by providing information about teratogens and how those affect unborn and breastfeeding children.
At this point, you may be thinking (or even saying out loud), terato-what? Teratogen (pronounced [tuh-RAT-uh-jen]) is any substance that can harm an unborn or breastfed baby. A few examples of teratogens are alcohol, smoking, street drugs, presecriptions and over-the-counter medications, and some environmental agents. Teratogens can cause birth defects, premature delivery, low birth weight, mental retardation, and/or learning and behavioral problems.
MotherToBaby, a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), is dedicated to providing evidence-based information at no cost to mothers, health care professionals, and the general public about medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Think of it this way: Ever wonder about alcohol consumption during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding? Ever curious what kinds of medications are detrimental to baby, and if so, to what extent? Ever accidentally ingest something, and then realize it might not be good for baby? Ever encounter exposure to a questionable chemical?
Just as we rely on the Texas Poison Control Network, now moms can rely on MotherToBaby for free, expert answers to these questions by calling 1-800-733-4727. MotherToBaby told FWMB, “Instead of searching for answers elsewhere, you can talk directly to the experts about the most up-to-date research through the service we provide. Our experts are trained to provide in-depth, personalized information on topics of concern, including, but not limited to, alcohol, smoking, illicit substances, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, beauty products, herbal supplements, chemicals, and more duirng pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Our experts are teratogen information specialists, genetic counselors, nurses, and doctors.”
These services are, as stated above, free of charge and available to . . . well, anyone. Of course, moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas are the most likely to benefit from the information; however, health care professionals, case workers, and those in the adoption field will also find MotherToBaby an excellent resource. Waiting adoptive families can use the services to discuss any exposures a baby may have had and the impact on that child.
MotherToBaby said, “Our non-profit provides the general public, as well as health care providers, with FREE evidence-based, personalized risk assessments regarding exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Texas, and Wisconsin. These assessments are confidental, nonjudmental. Many find that having access to the most up-to-date information about exposures during pregnancy and breastfedding can also reduce, anxiety, stress, and worry.”
Not only can you benefit from MotherToBaby, but you can also support its work. Changes in funding in recent years caused MotherToBaby to make budget adjustments, yet still carrying on its work. You can champion this cause by sharing this post and spreading the word about MotherToBaby, by following its Facebook and Twitter accounts, and by making tax-deductable donations. (Send donations to: Lori Wolfe, TTIS, UNT Dept of Biology, 1155 Union Circle, #305220, Denton, TX 76203).
MotherToBaby (Texas Teratogen Information Service) is a non-profit public health service housed at the University of North Texas that educates the public about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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