Note: There is some sensitive nature in the content listed below, for medical purposes body parts have been referenced by their medical names for the sake of avoiding ambiguity about the Zika Virus and how it can be passed during pregnancy.

As a woman who is expecting my third child this fall, I had little to no concern about Zika even though I will have a summer pregnancy – that was until I joined a Twitter Party hosted by What to Expect and the CDC.  During the party, I realized that even though I am living in the Midwest, Zika is still a risk for me.

Here are some Zika facts from the CDC:

What We (The CDC) Know
1.  Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
2.  Infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects
3.  Zika primarily spreads through infected mosquitoes. You can also get Zika through sex without a condom with someone infected by Zika, even if that person does not show symptoms of Zika.
4.  There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.

What We (The CDC) Do Not Know
1.  If there’s a safe time during your pregnancy to travel to an area with risk of Zika.
2.  How likely it is that Zika infection will affect your pregnancy.
3.  If your baby will have birth defects if you are infected while pregnant.

CDC recommends these special precautions for pregnant women:

Do Not Travel to an Area with Risk of Zika
1.  Pregnant women should not travel to areas with risk of Zika (i.e., with documented or likely Zika virus transmission).
2.  Pregnant women should consider postponing travel to yellow cautionary areas in the United States. For information on domestic travel, see CDC’s guidance.
What to Do If You Live In or Travel to an Area with Risk of Zika
If you live in or must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and practice safe sex.

During travel or while living in an area with risk of Zika

1.  Take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
2.  Take steps to prevent getting Zika through sex by using condoms from start to finish every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) or by not having sex during your entire pregnancy.

After travel

1.  Talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider after travel to an area with risk of Zika.
2.  If you develop a fever with a rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, or muscle pain talk to your doctor immediately and tell him or her about your travel.
3.  Take steps to prevent mosquito bites for 3 weeks after returning.
4.  Take steps to prevent passing Zika through sex by using condoms from start to finish every time you have sex (oral, vaginal, or anal) or by not having sex.

NOTE: If your partner travels to areas with risk of Zika the CDC recommends, if you have vaginal, anal, or oral (mouth-to-penis) sex, use a condom from start to finish, every time you have sex during your pregnancy; OR don’t have sex with your partner
during the remainder of your pregnancy.  Even if your partner does not show any signs or symptoms of Zika or mosquito bites, Zika can still be passed on during sex; and Zika can remain longer in semen than any other body fluid.

Be safe.  Be informed.  Please see more information at https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/protect-yourself.html

Also, a map of the current areas that have risk of Zika can be found at the link below. Note, Zika has been reported in the USA in both Texas and Florida. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/world-map-areas-with-zika

x. earnest mom.

Here is a look into motherhood as seen by our Mom Squad member, Kahentiiosta.  I am hoping to help each mama see, there is no perfect way to be a mom, but a million ways to be the mom your kids need.  Please feel free to comment and keep the conversation going about your journey into motherhood.  x.  em.

Motherhood to me is not exactly how I thought. I think we all have preconceived assumptions of what we expect and know.  However, when you’re an actual parent a majority of the ideas I had, are completely different.  One so far has been the busy life and all the small details I am accountable for.  I had my first daughter and I loved her beyond anything I have ever felt before.  The first few weeks were a complete blur, and I honestly still vaguely remember large parts of the first few weeks. I was now entrusted to take care of this newborn all on my own.  I had lots of experience caring for infants, toddlers and children, so I wasn’t apprehensive about that.  My main issue was the amount of time it took to care for a baby! Day in and day out I was not responsible for every aspect of this new baby.

Prior to having children, I was against  co-sleeping based on what I was told. Then my daughter was born and I soon realized that the only way she would continue to sleep for more than 30 minute stretches is if she was wrapped and lying on my chest on her back.  The eventually I figured a way that was easier for her and I.  I was filled with guilt that I allowed this to happen, but being a full time breastfeeding Mama, the thought of having to place her in the crib each time after a feeding was too tiring to think about.  I eventually transitioned her into the bassinet and we both learned to sleep for longer periods at a time.

I chose to breastfeed with all my children and had it in my mind I would only go until twelve months for each one.  With my eldest she was almost seventeen months! I never expected to even have enough milk or the energy to continue, but as the months passed it was something we both enjoyed and I did not find it difficult to continue.

After having children, I realized that what works for my family may not work for another family.  We must find what works best for our situations, family life, and even circumstances.  The main thing is being adaptable to each child, learning ways to ensure you are taking care of your child the best to your knowledge and constantly being open to new ideas.  Children are completely different from each other and I have come to see that with each child I have had.  What works for one didn’t always work for the other one, and I had to be more accepting of the challenges and how I could change with that child.

As my girls grow older, I am becoming more aware of the ideas I had before and how I am open to accepting the changes, and learning from them.  Guiding them based on what is currently working not what I was expecting to work.

– Kahentiiosta