Woman mulls home birth during pandemic
Q: I’m giving birth in June and wonder if it would be smarter to have a midwife assist with a home birth than going into the hospital? — Anonymous
A: That’s a complicated question because so much depends on your health, the health of your fetus, the level of coronavirus in your local area, if you will be admitted into an emergency room that also admits COVID-19 patients and the availability of a certified nurse-midwife.
Nationally, the risk of a birth-related death of an infant is double at home compared with a hospital. Also, the chances of a neonatal seizure or serious neurological problem is tripled in a home birth.
So talk to your doctor about how your local hospital is protecting new mothers and babies from the coronavirus and what you can do to create the safest home birth situation, and then together weigh the pros and cons for you and your newborn.
Q: I want to make sure that I am getting the nutrients I need to keep my immune system strong. What should I be eating more of? — Katie B., Rapid City, South Dakota
A: Great question — and you’re right that the smartest way to make sure you are getting the nutrients you need to fight off or handle infection is to eat fresh foods. But we also recommend a daily multivitamin.
Vitamin C: Great sources are citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, strawberries and papaya.
Vitamin E: E helps tamp down inflammation and is in vegetable oils (sunflower and safflower), almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts, as well as broccoli and spinach.
B6 (pyridoxine): B6is essential for immune function and part of almost 200 biochemical reactions in your body. Feast on bananas, lean chicken breast, tuna and chickpeas (hummus).
Folate/folic acid (B9): This vitamin is important for brain function and emotional and mental health as well as immune function. Beans, peas and leafy greens are the best sources.
Vitamin A: Your body takes in carotenoids in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe and squash, and turns them into vitamin A to help fight off infection.
Vitamin D: While you can get D from fortified low-fat milk, orange juice, cereals and fatty fish (salmon, ocean trout and sardines), lots of folks need a boost. Ask your doc for a blood test to find out if you need a daily supplement.
Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.