A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that not only is the nation’s fertility rate in decline, but it is also at a record low.
The total fertility rate in 2017 was 1,765.5 births per 1,000 women, the lowest rate in 32 tears and well below the estimated 2,100 births per 1,000 women needed for the population to replace itself. The good news is that between 2017 and 2018 the birth rate dropped seven percent among teens ages 15 to 19. However, the drop continues for women up to the age of 35, with a four percent drop among women 20 to 24; three percent among women 25 to 29; and one percent among women 30 to 34.
Not all births are in decline, however. Despite the overall decline in younger women having babies, the fertility rate among American women over 35 had increased. The birth rate rose one percent among women aged 35 to 39 and two percent among women 40 to 44. Not a tremendous increase, but it does support the growing trend towards starting families at a later age.
The report also found an increase in women receiving prenatal care, with 77.5 percent of women received first trimester prenatal care in 2018, up from 77.3% in 2017. That increase indicates potential improvement in overall access to health care for women.
The new drug, which just received the FDA’s stamp of approval, is called brexanolone or Zulresso. Unlike other depression mediations, this one is not a pill, but is instead administered intravenously over the course of a 60-hour infusion in a clinical setting. Trials of the drug showed improvement for women in just 24 hours.
“This can potentially transform women’s lives and that of their families,” said Dr. Steve Kanes, chief medical officer of Sage Therapeutics, the Cambridge, Mass., biopharmaceutical company that developed brexanolone. “It’s not just the mother who suffers when there’s postpartum depression. It’s the newborn. It’s the other people in their family.”
The drug contains a synthetic form of the hormone allopregnanolone, a progesterone derivative. The progesterone hormone increases significantly during pregnancy then drops after birth, which could be a factor in developing postpartum depression.
The most common side effects of the drug in the trial were dizziness and drowsiness. Sage Therapeutics believes it will be considered safe for all moms, including those breastfeeding, but they are still waiting on a final FDA ruling.
The treatment won’t be cheap, however, with the single infusion running between $20,000 to $35,000, which won’t include the cost of a stay at a clinical facility—and of course, this doesn’t factor in the cost of childcare for the kids of moms with PPD while she’s in treatment. No word yet on if this treatment or how much of it would be covered by insurance.
Close to two decades ago Dahlia Rezik faced a struggle that many of us mamas deal with daily—strapping her daughter into a car seat while managing the tot’s bulky winter coat. Even though she felt defeated at the time, inspiration struck. This mom’s genius toddler coat invention is helping parents everywhere to overcome this obstacle with ease.
Car seats and puffy winter coats don’t mix. Along with making it almost impossible to strap in your kiddo, the added bulk can interfere with how the safety seat works. These issues leave parents with one choice—to wrangle their tyke out of their coat before strapping them in.
As any parent knows, getting a toddler to take off their coat (without exposing them to the winter chill or risking a major meltdown) is a momentous feat. To solve this problem, Rezik developed her own children’s coat. Instead of a zipper in the middle of the jacket, she moved it to the side. This allows mom or dad to move the coat’s fabric away from the seat’s straps, providing a tight buckle. They can then pull the fabric across the child and zip up the side closure.
After creating a prototype, the mom had it crash tested. Rezik told ABC Radio, “What I wanted to do was have the coat perform as similarly to no coat as possible, and that’s what it did.” The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) compliant coat is now available to buy online. Rezik’s company, Buckle Me Baby Coats, sells the outerwear for $79 to $150.
Pregnancy comes with many fears and anxieties, including worrying about job protection. If you’re wondering how—and when—to tell your boss you’re pregnant, you’re not alone. A new study shows a record number of women fear the talk.
According to Bright Horizon’s annual Modern Family Index report, 21 percent of women are afraid to tell their boss that they are pregnant. This number has doubled from 12 percent just five years ago indicating that the workplace is getting more challenging for working moms.
photo: iStockphoto
The report also found that 65 percent of women without kids worry what having a child will mean for their career. Americans surveyed perceive working dads to be more dedicated to their careers than working moms and they also believe dads who work are better able to manage their responsibilities without being stretched too thin than moms who work.
Clearly there’s plenty of room for improvement when it comes to how moms are treated in the workplace. Nearly nine out of ten working Americans feel that companies can do more to help foster moms in leadership positions. Creating a more friendly work environment benefits companies as much as employees. According to the report 39 percent of working moms say they will stay with a company if they get assurances that they will have the same growth opportunities as those without kids. Almost one in three (32 percent) will also stay if they are guaranteed that no responsibilities will be taken from them.
For those of you needing motivation, a kickstart, or a fire under your buttto get out there and “kill it’ in 2019—this post isn’t for you.
For those of you who are tired and just want to love yourself now the way you are, this post is absolutely for you and for me. Resolve to change nothing in 2019. Resolve to let yourself off the hook. Resolve to feel joy NOW—not “When I can…When I have… or when I am…”
I have made New Year’s resolutions the majority of my time on this planet. Some successful, some not. Most of them revolving around weight loss, getting fit and overall outward aesthetics. The past couple of years I have resolved to not change. I have let myself off the hook. At most, I’ve taken a moment to smile and tell myself “feel more joy this year”‚but no goals, no steps and mostly, .no beating myself up when I’m not successful.
This change came about when I entered my ’30s and noticed that what I want the most, is to be kind to myself. Historically, I have struggled with too many negative thoughts, feelings and overall bull-shirt I told myself. So now, every January I un-resolve and just allow myself to be.
Be content. Be joy. Be peace.
If you need it, here is your permission to just be and love yourself in 2019. You are doing just fine. Your kids are fine. We are all doing the best we can.
Every first of January I listen as others begin their journeys and I exhale. I breathe out, smile and tell myself, I am doing great. To be clear, anyone reading this post could easily peer into my life and find numerous things that could use improvement. I could be “fitter” or “tighter.” I could spend less money. I could fold more laundry and drink less gin. However, the point is, I am already content with myself now, just the way I am.
Remember that line from Bridget Jones Diary—when Mark Darcy tells Bridget, “I like you, very much. Just as you are.” It rocks her world to be liked, just as she is. A slightly “pudgy”, drinking, smoking swearing, mess of a women. We can all be our own Mark Darcy’s. Like yourself now, just as you are.
Resolve to let all the B.S. and “shoulds” go. I am on year three of my resolution to have no resolution and I can assure you it does not grow old. Every year I start out loving myself the way I am. It is the best resolution I never made. So, here is to you, just as you are, in 2019.
I am a single mom in my 30s living life with as much joy and gratitude as I can with my two crazy, adorable and precious girls. We love to sing loud, play big and snuggle hard. We love tacos and donuts and making each other laugh.
Going green is easier said than done, especially when you have kids. You do your best to install eco-friendly products and appliances, but you’re still surprised when you get an expensive monthly utility bill.
Naturally, it’s easy to blame it on your kids. You tell them to be better about their energy use, but they don’t listen. It can seem like a never-ending battle between parent and child to save energy and it’s easy to give up or feel discouraged.
Thankfully, there are tools and resources that parents can use to fix this never-ending cycle of energy waste. Here are three things you can do to help your kids become the ultimate energy conservationists.
Show Them Why Conserving Energy Matters
If you’re like me, you look for the path with the least resistance when it comes to parenting your children, often times saying “Because I said so” works. However, this may not be the best thing to say when you’re trying to instill eco-friendly habits into your son or daughter. Instead, show them why saving energy will be beneficial for them and the planet.
There are multiple ways to do this, but NASA has a great resource for both parents and children to learn about the importance of energy conservation. Talk through the following basic concepts with your child: “What is a climate? What is weather?”
After you lay the groundwork , start adding in the next layer for them: “Why is the earth getting warmer? Why should we care about the earth getting warmer? What can we do to slow down or stop climate change?”
Show Them How to Conserve Energy at Home
Now that your children (hopefully) understand the importance of saving energy, it’s time to show them how to use less of it. There are many things you can do to save energy in your home, but I would just start with the simple things.
Turning off the lights when you leave a room is probably the lowest hanging fruit when it comes to saving energy. It’s not a hard concept to teach and it’s an easy habit to develop. Conserving water is also a straightforward principle for kids to understand. Try teaching them to shut off the faucet while they are in the middle of brushing their teeth or washing their hands.
The thermostat is also a good place to show your children how to save energy. It’s tempting to crank up the heat or air conditioning when it’s hot or cold outside, but increasing or decreasing the thermostat temperature by small increments can make a big difference for your home’s internal temperature.
Some other habits you can teach your children:
Shutting all of the blinds and drapes during the summer months. Blocking the sunlight from entering your home will help keep your living space cooler.
Opening all of your blinds and drapes during sunlight hours during the winter. The natural heat from the sun can do wonders to warm your home.
Not opening the oven door while baking. Ovens lose a lot of heat if you open their doors during the baking process. It takes a significant amount of energy to reheat them.
Using desktop lamps instead of overhead lighting. Lamps use a lot less electricity than conventional overhead lightbulbs. Using energy-efficient bulbs are helpful, too.
Show Them Saving Energy Can Be Fun
It’s not fun being the thermostat or light police. But saving energy can be an enjoyable experience for your family. Try the following creative ideas that your children can participate:
Energy treasure hunt. Have your kids search the house for devices or appliances that use a lot of energy.
Family teaching night. Encourage your kids to teach the rest of the family about the importance of conservation.
Family bike rides. On your next family outing, ditch the car and ride your bikes together.
Home improvement projects. Next time you’re doing a home improvement project to save on your utility bills, have your children help! It can help them feel more involved.
Reward systems. Setting up some sort of a reward system can motivate your kids to stay consistent in their energy-saving efforts.
It will require some creativity, but there are a lot of activities you can do with your children to get them excited about using less water and electricity.
Decreasing your family’s energy consumption is no simple task—but it is achievable. Education, consistency and creativity can help your family be energy savers rather than energy wasters.
Act now to instill lifelong eco-friendly habits into your children. The Earth (and your wallet!) will thank you.
Brandon Jarman is a recent Brigham Young University graduate who is currently living In Salt Lake City. When he’s not writing, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking and eating delicious Mexican food. He and his wife are expecting their first baby at the end of August.
New Year’s resolutions usually start with good intentions and fizzle with bad follow-through. According to US News & World Report, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. And maybe that’s because these are driven by guilt from the holidays. However, if you start out with mindful practices, you can set up your new year for success.
Self-care is a necessity in the midst of busyness. You need time to slow down and tend to your own emotional, mental and physical health. Protect yourself from burnout this season by ringing in another year with self-care. You can start by checking out the following tips.
1. Reflect on your year
The first step in preparing yourself for a new season of well being is understanding your past. Reflect on this past year to consider your weaknesses and strengths. When you know your triggers for stress, you can predict setbacks and change how you react to them.
Reflection can help you find direction for your future. Evaluating your current lifestyle and consider what steps you need to take to proceed toward a better life. Monitor your behavior and mindset to develop better self-awareness and achieve goals.
2. Celebrate improvement.
As you take steps to improve your habits and overall lifestyle, you should recognize the improvement and congratulate yourself. Celebrate your victories, even if they’re small, because your efforts are pushing you forward. Acknowledging your achievements can give you confidence and strengthen you.
A positive outlook is essential to progress, and 90 percent of happiness relates to your mindset rather than your circumstances. One way to encourage yourself and keep your motivation up is through affirming self-talk. Exchange criticism for compliments and reassurance, and try to build yourself up rather than breaking yourself down.
3. Gather a support team.
Whether you find an accountability partner or surround yourself with loved ones, a support team can make you feel capable of growth. People who keep you on track with your self-care efforts can propel you forward and make the responsibility less daunting. When you share this goal with them, they can appreciate your vulnerability.
Gathering a group of people who bring positivity and non-judgmental help means you should leave behind toxic relationships. Cut out the negative influences on your life that keep you from maintaining your health and stability.
4. Declutter your space.
It doesn’t have to be spring for you to remove distracting objects and messiness from your life. New Year’s is an optimal time to reset your living space. Clear out the belongings you don’t need so you can create a useful and accessible area for yourself.
Cluttered areas hinder your clarity of mind and tire out your brain. But establishing a fresh environment for a new season can push you to maintain your own habits and goals. Clearing out things you have been holding onto can remove negativity from your life, too. You can increase your focus for more success and intentional care in the following year.
5. Prioritize sleep (and other healthy habits).
Setting up your year with a regulated sleep pattern and quality rest can enhance your life. Sleep substantially contributes to your emotional wellbeing, brain functioning and physical health. It should be close to the top of your self-care list because it vastly shifts your mood and performance. If you want to keep your self-care goals going, you need to incorporate designated rest times.
Other healthy habits that you should prioritize in the new year include a balance between work and your personal life, hygiene, consistent exercise and food choices. To choose self-care, you must establish boundaries. Remember that you don’t need to justify your choices and priorities to others, but you have to do what is best for you and your loved ones.
6. Section off future self-care times.
Mark your calendar for future self-care times. You can block off an hour or an evening to spend some time reflecting, evaluating and relaxing periodically — but that means you have to keep allowing yourself alone time. If you have an activity or hobby that you want to do in your alone time, you can section off time in your week to go for a run, take a bubble bath or paint.
It may seem strange to jot down alone time on your calendar, but in the busyness, it’s hard to slow down and recharge. You have to practice intentionality in self-care to make it a habit. Don’t feel guilty spending this time apart from your family or from work. Extend grace to yourself and give yourself permission to maintain your emotional and physical health.
7. Resolve to make yourself a priority—it’s not being selfish!
During the coming year, set yourself up with healthy habits, a fresh setting, an encouraging support group and self-awareness. This New Year’s reflect and celebrate intentionally. Start out the season by bettering your health and mindset through giving yourself guilt-free alone time and grace.
Jennifer Landis is a mom, wife, freelance writer, and blogger. She enjoys long naps on the couch, sneaking spoonfuls of peanut butter when her kid's not looking, and binge watching Doctor Who while her kid's asleep. She really does like her kid, though, she promises. Find her on Twitter @JenniferELandis.
One of the major home improvement big-box retailers is about to give its employees a treat. Yep, Lowe’s parental leave policies are changing. The company recently announced a plan to enhance benefits for their employees, including new bonuses, an expansion to maternal and parental leave policies and added adoption assistance.
photo credit: Lowe’s
Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO, Robert A. Niblock, said, “We are investing in our employees who make a difference every day in the communities where we live and work.” He went on to add, “Our employees are the foundation of our business, and we are excited to enhance our benefits to better meet their needs and the needs of their families.”
So what are these new enhanced benefits exactly? In the announcement, Lowe released their plan to give a one-time cash bonus to all eligible full- and part-time hourly employees. This includes employees who work in Lowe’s retail stores as well as their customer support centers, distribution centers and contact centers.
Along with a cash bonus, eligible employees (both hourly and salaried) can now get 10 weeks of paid maternity leaves and two weeks of paid parental leave. Employees who are adopting can get an adoption assistance benefit that will cover up to $5,000 of their eligible expenses. The “eligible expenses” include agency fees, legal fees or additional fees that also relate to the adoption.
Oh, but these aren’t the only changes that Lowe’s is making. The company will also provide eligible employees with the chance to enroll in health benefits earlier on (the first of the month, following a 30-day service period).
What do you think about the changes that Lowe’s is making? Share your thoughts in the comments below. —Erica Loop
Memory loss is something nearly every adult faces as they grow older, but a new breakthrough study is offering hope in the form of cord blood. Researchers believe a protein in umbilical cord blood can help restore memory loss and retention of new information.
A new study from researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine has found that cord blood contains a protein that typically disappears from a person’s system as they age. The protein allows neurons in the brain to communicate more efficiently. The researchers believe the cord blood helps repair the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps create long-term memories and retain spatial information.
In the experiments, the scientists injected either human cord blood plasma, blood from young adults, and blood from adults aged 61 and 82 into aging mice every fourth day for two weeks. The mice who received the injections of cord blood showed significant improvement in memory, learning, and hippocampal function. The blood of the young adults only provided a minimal change, and the blood from older adults made no impact at all. The researchers say that this trial suggests that it’s likely the cord blood protein will have a similar effect in people.
While these findings are incredible, it’s important to note that the main focus was on changes in the brain due to aging and more research is needed determine how helpful these findings will be in treating people with more severe memory loss, like those with dementia and Alzheimers.
Do you have a parent or family member affected by memory loss? Share your experiences in the comments.
As parents, we know the joy of IKEA: $5 stuffed animals, wooden toys that won’t break the bank, and cute kids’ decor galore. And that’s just the kid section. A study done by Priceonomics, though, says we’re gonna age out of the glory that is IKEA. According to the study, adults will outgrow IKEA, and its build-it-yourself furniture, by the time they’re 34 years old.
The credit and financing company Earnest recently analyzed a dataset of more than 10,000 American shoppers’ spending habits to see when they abandon IKEA for fancier home improvement and furniture stores.
According to its data, the prime IKEA years — a.k.a. the “IKEA decade” — run from the mid-20s to the early 30s. By their early to mid-thirties, people move on to Bed, Bath & Beyond, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and Williams-Sonoma.
When folks are celebrating their fab forties, their favorite hangout spots include Home Depot, Pier 1 Imports, Restoration Hardware and Raymore & Flanigan. Lowes and Ashley Home Furniture is a great place for those in their fifties, as the peak customer age is 54.
Where do you like to get your home accessories and furniture? Let us know in the comments below!
