KUTV’s Heidi Hatch hosts former Speaker of the House Greg Hughes and Maura Carabello of the Exoro Group in a new episode of Take 2.
The panel dived into the Utah Legislative Session and the bills that will impact you:
Stalking Bill: A bill proposing changes to Utah’s stalking code was supported by the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee, but victim advocates argue the change would make it harder for victims to get protection.https://kutv.com/news/local/legislator-defends-change-to-utahs-stalking-code-opposed-by-victim-advocates
Concealed Carry Permit restrictions: The bill in the Utah Legislature that would allow adults to carry a concealed firearm in public without a permit has cleared the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate.
Blow-dry bar licenses: Blow dryers and curling irons are igniting a firestorm of debate on Utah’s Capitol Hill.
Bill to stop people from party swapping:Last summer, nearly 80,000 people registered as Republicans in Utah so they could vote in that party’s primary for governor.
AG Sean Reyes Impeachment hearing: Rep. Andrew Stoddard says an investigation is the only way to get details on Reyes’ post-election efforts on behalf of Trump must happen.
If you’re pregnant, the best thing is to get more information so you can evaluate the risks and benefits of getting or not getting the COVID-19 vaccine. People are worried because we don’t have a lot of experience and data about pregnant women and the type of vaccine being used for the COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant women want to be careful and might be nervous about the vaccine.
Jade Elliott spoke with Sean Esplin, MD, Sr. Medical Director, Women’s Health, Intermountain Healthcare about the vaccine and what pregnant women should know.
What information can help pregnant women decide if they should get the COVID-19 vaccine?
However, national organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine recommend that each person consider their own potential risk factors and discuss them with their OB provider. They agree that in most cases there is no reason for pregnant women to not receive the vaccine.
What factors might influence a pregnant woman’s decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
You’ll want to evaluate your own risk of contracting COVID-19. Talking with your OB provider can help you further evaluate your risk. You are at higher risk if you have lots of contact with people outside your home. For example, if you are a teacher or healthcare worker. You are also at more risk of getting COVID-19 if you are pregnant and over age 35 or are overweight, or have other medical conditions, or smoke or belong to a minority groups. Generally, the vaccine makes sense for women in those groups.
You’ll also want to look at the rate of COVID-19 in your local community. Our positivity rates in Utah are high right now. Most pregnant women in Utah communities should opt to have the vaccine when it’s available.
When people who are pregnant get COVID-19 they have a slightly higher risk of ending up in the ICU and having a severe case COVID-19. It makes sense to protect yourself. The COVID-19 vaccine is a critical part of how we end this pandemic. We want as many people to get the vaccine as they can.
If you’ve had a severe reaction to another vaccine you’ll want to talk about the risks and benefits of the vaccine with your OB provider.
My patients who are pregnant have a wide spectrum of feelings about the vaccine. Some are biased by misinformation they’ve heard about vaccines. For years, we’ve encouraged pregnant women to take other vaccines, such as for the flu, Tdap, etc.
Were pregnant women included in the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine trials?
About 50 pregnant women were included in the U.S. trials for COVID-19 either because they didn’t know they were pregnant or they became pregnant after getting the first dose of the vaccine. Typically, pregnant women are not included in trials because it adds another variable and that can make it more difficult to separate out the results. The pregnant women in the trials didn’t have any unexpected side effects or problems. The vaccine seemed to work as effectively as in non-pregnant women.
Does it matter what trimester of your pregnancy you are in when you get the vaccine?
There is no evidence that women in their first or second trimester are at higher risk if they get the vaccine. It is OK to get pregnant after getting vaccine.
What type of vaccine is the COVID-19 vaccine? And how does it work?
This is an MRNA vaccine. Some other types of vaccines are made with a virus that has been killed. The COVID-19 vaccine contains pieces of MRNA, which is basically a recipe for making a protein. It is a very effective way to do a vaccine. It should be safe in pregnancy. It won’t cross the placenta or change MRNA code. It should protect both mom and baby.
Will pregnant women who get the vaccine be studied?
Future studies of the COVID-19 vaccine will include pregnant women. National registries are keeping track of data on pregnant women. We recommend pregnant women now be included in these trials and they continue to collect data.
What about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you get the vaccine, there will be side effects. That’s normal and expected and it’s a sign the vaccine is working. Side effects include a sore arm, body aches, fever, fatigue, headache. The vaccines currently available are 95 percent effective if you get both doses. The efficacy is much more pronounced after the second dose. Be sure to get the second dose.
If you get the vaccine do you still need to wear a mask and practice social distancing and good hand hygiene?
Yes. Getting the vaccine means you have a lower chance of getting the virus, but you can still get the virus. Getting the vaccine also means if you get the virus, your case is likely to be milder than if you didn’t get the vaccine. So wearing masks and practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene will further reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 and other viruses such as the flu or colds as well.
What are the medical experts recommending for pregnant women?
There are different recommendations from different organizations.
National organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine recommend each person consider their own potential risk factors and discuss them with their OB provider. They agree in most cases there is no reason for pregnant women to not receive the vaccine.
However, the World Health Organization recently announced it is not recommending the vaccine for pregnant women unless they are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19, for example if they are a healthcare worker.
However, in response to the WHO recommendation, ACOG and SMFM issued a joint statement yesterday affirming their guidance that both COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the U.S. should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who choose to receive the vaccine.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Take 2 Host Heidi Hatch welcomes former Utah lawmakers Jim Dabakis (D) and Greg Hughes (R) to talk about recent historical state and national events.
The trio discusses Gov. Spencer Cox’s first State of the State address where he said, “If we want smaller government we need bigger people.” Additional topics haggled over include:
Education funding: Will the legislature agree? “They deserve our respect and they deserve a raise,” Cox said in his Thursday address.
Hatch and the former lawmakers also talked about Pres. Joe Biden’s call for unity following his inauguration.
Biden said Wednesday he plans to review the Trump administration’s downsizing of two sprawling national monuments in the American Southwest, including one on lands considered sacred to Native Americans who joined environmental groups in suing when the boundaries were redrawn in 2017. The land monuments Biden will reassess are the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments in southern Utah.
Where do Dabakis and Hughes land on Biden’s executive orders? Find out by listening to the podcast here.
Plus, Jim Dabakis says goodbye to a life of politics and social media. This will be his final Take 2 podcast.
By the time your baby is 12 months old, he or she should be able to do a variety of new things such as saying a few simple words and playing games.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the important milestones your child should reach by 12 months old and tools to help parents on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Social and Emotional
Is shy or nervous with strangers
Cries when mom or dad leaves
Has favorite things and people
Shows fear in some situations
Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story
Repeats sounds or actions to get attention
Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing
Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”
Language/Communication
Responds to simple spoken requests
Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye”
Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech)
Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!”
Tries to say words you say
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing
Finds hidden things easily
Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named Copies gestures
Starts to use things correctly; for example, drinks from a cup, brushes hair
Bangs two things together
Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container
Lets things go without help
Pokes with index (pointer) finger
Follows simple directions like “pick up the toy
Movement/Physical Development
Gets to a sitting position without help
Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (“cruising”)
May take a few steps without holding on
May stand alone
What do you do if your baby is not meeting these milestones?
Can parents get their baby on back on track on their own, or is this something they need a professional for?
Most of the time, children get the developmental skills they need when they are given opportunities to practice. Parents play a huge role in their child’s development, and often can help their child right away. For example, if your child’s screening showed a delay in language, you help your child right away, just by practicing this area of development.
However, sometimes your child may need professional intervention. In these situations, it’s best to work with your healthcare or childcare provider to get resources or referrals to professional agencies who are trained to help your child reach their developmental milestone needs.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Heidi Hatch is back with another rousing political debate featuring Jim Dabakis and Greg Hughes on this week’s Take 2 podcast.
The topic foremost on their mind’s this Friday: Possible weekend protests in utah and across the Country.
Governor Cox declared a state of emergency
Salt Lake City Police and Mayor Erin Mendenhall say no violence will be permitted. Is this a change after 2020 protests?
The Utah National Guard is headed to D.C. for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Next, the Utah Legislative Session goes online amid fears of unrest: How does this change citizen involvement?
In on of his first acts as governor, Spencer Cox proposed a new $21.7 state budget that includes:
$250 million to assist the state’s public health partners, households, businesses and schools affected by the coronavirus
$125 million for an upskilling initiative focused on helping those out of work or needing a better job
$350 million to double-track FrontRunner
$50 million to improve transportation in the Wasatch canyons
$125 million for open space and trails
$125 million for rural infrastructure including expanding broadband access
$112 million for educator bonuses
$80 million tax cut
They also check in on Utah’s vaccine rollout: Are we winning?
Finally, President Donald Trump became the first American president to be impeached twice. Should there be a trial in the Senate? Should there be a second vote not allowing Trump to run again?
By the time your baby is six months old, he or she should be able to do a variety of new things such as rolling over and recognize faces.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the important milestones your child should reach by six months old and tools to help parents on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Social and emotional
Knows familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
Likes to play with others, especially parents
Responds to other people’s emotions and often seems happy
Likes to look at self in a mirror
Language and communication
Responds to sounds by making sounds
Strings vowels together when babbling (“ah,” “eh,” “oh”) and likes taking turns with parent while making sounds
Responds to own name
Makes sounds to show joy and displeasure
Begins to say consonant sounds (jabbering with “m,” “b”)
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Looks around at things nearby
Brings things to mouth
Shows curiosity about things and tries to get things that are out of reach
Begins to pass things from one hand to the other
Movement and physical development
Rolls over in both directions (front to back, back to front)
Begins to sit without support
When standing, supports weight on legs and might bounce
Rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before moving forward
What do you do if your baby is not meeting these milestones?
Can parents get their baby on back on track on their own, or is this something they need a professional for?
Most of the time, children get the developmental skills they need when they are given opportunities to practice. Parents play a huge role in their child’s development, and often can help their child right away. For example, if your child’s screening showed a delay in language, you help your child right away, just by practicing this area of development.
However, sometimes your child may need professional intervention. In these situations, it’s best to work with your healthcare or childcare provider to get resources or referrals to professional agencies who are trained to help your child reach their developmental milestone needs.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
Take 2 is back after months away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A lot has changed and at the same time a lot has remained the same. It’s a new year but the same or similar problems remain.
We are still in the middle of a pandemic and the way forward is different depending on who you talk to.
Social unrest has bubbled up again the people demonstrating, and rioting have changed and the ones sitting home in disgust have swapped places.
We have a new governor, but a familiar face. A smooth transition of power.
On the flip side President Donald Trump today said he will not attend President-elect Biden’s inauguration, the first time a sitting president has forgone the tradition since 1869.
People still only like to hear people who agree with them and believe the same way. With that, a conversation we hope will help you see the other side and find some middle ground.
You may not be thinking about preparing your baby for school when he or she is still in diapers, but the Early Childhood Utah Program at the Utah Department of Health, says that making sure your baby meets developmental milestones helps get your baby ready for success throughout his or her lifetime. The Department of Health recommends a screening tool, called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, to help parents and caregivers make sure your baby is right on track.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the questionnaire and how it helps parents.
What is the Ages and Stages Questionnaire?
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (often called the ASQ) is an evidenced-based screening tool parents or caregivers use to make sure your baby is developing all of the skills needed to be on track when he or she starts school. This can let parents know where their child is at developmentally and gives parents important information to help make the best decisions for their child.
The ASQ is made up of 2 different screening tools. Each tool has about 30 questions and takes 20-30 minutes. The first screening tool helps parents understand whether or not their baby meets developmental milestones and the other looks at your baby’s social and emotional development.
The first screening tool looks at the following developmental milestones:
Gross motor
Fine motor
Communication (both expressive and receptive)
Adaptive behaviors
Personal and social development
The second screening tool looks at a child’s social emotional development. Social and emotional screenings look at things that tell you whether your baby is interacting like he or she should in social situations.
The core features of emotional development include:
The ability to identify and understand your own feelings
Accurately read and comprehend others’ emotions
The ability to manage strong emotions and if you’re able t express them in a constructive way
Regulating (or controlling) your own behavior
Developing empathy for others
Establishing and maintaining relationships
What are Developmental milestones?
Developmental milestones are foundational skills your baby needs in order to do other things later in life. For example, your baby has to be able to master certain movements before he or she can walk. The American Association of Pediatrics has screening recommendations and developmental milestones for children up to 6 years old. These recommendations let parents know when their child should get screened and skills he or she should have at each age.
They recommend screening at:
6, 12, 18 and 25 months (2 years)
And then at and then 3, 4, and 5 years old
How often can parents use the screening tool?
Parents can screen on a regular basis with their child, any time from one month to 6 years. You can do the screening more than once because children develop at such a rapid rate.
Parents also have different needs at different stages of a child’s development. For example, you may be very comfortable and at ease about parenting your new infant but may need additional information when your child becomes a toddler and wants more independence.
Why would a parent want to use the ASQ screening tool?
You know your baby best.
Early Childhood Utah, healthcare providers, teachers, and ASQ recognize that you as a parent are the true expert on your child’s development. ASQ’s parent-completed screening tool uses the in-depth knowledge that families provide.
It’s family friendly.
Parents love being active partners in screening. The tool is easy to use and the fun learning activities are the perfect way for families to help children make developmental progress.
It is important to trust your parental instincts and to advocate for your child. If you have concerns about your child’s development, you can check with your Local Health Department, WIC offices, Early Intervention agency, Home Visiting Program, Local Medical Provider, Early Childhood Educator and Utah Department of Health.
If you feel like you need assistance, ask one of these providers for a referral.
Caregivers, teachers, and pediatricians also love using the screening tool. It validates parental involvement and knowledge of their child. This helps to strengthen the home to school or pediatrician relationship.
Where can I get an ASQ screening done for my child?
You can reach out to your caregiver, pediatrician, teacher, or Early Childhood Utah to help you find a resource or program in your area that uses the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
Utah has many resources for parents who may have concerns about their child’s development:
Your local health department and WIC offices
Early Intervention agency
Home visiting program
Your pediatrician, doctor, or a local medical provider
An early childhood educator
The Utah Department of Health.
Anyone who is in early care and education, medical, or is a healthcare provider can get ASQ training for FREE:
If you are a child care provider, early care and education teacher, or a medical or health professional and are interested in using the screening tool within your program, please reach out to Carrie Martinez at the Utah Department of Health carriemartinez@utah.gov , or visit the Early Childhood Utah websitehttps://earlychildhoodutah.utah.gov/ for more information.
For more information about important developmental milestones, visit CDC’s website.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
On the latest edition of the Talkin Jazz podcast, Alema Harrington joins our Dave Fox! Topics include the return of the “Wasatch Front”, how sharing the rock=victories, and the Niang drought ending! Plus Jazz bites and the top 5 plays in the NBA…could number one be Spida??
Check out Alema Harrington with Dave Fox for another episode of the Talkin Jazz podcast!
https://kutv.com/sports/utah-jazz/talkin-jazz-alema-harrington-sharing-means-winning
It’s an exciting time when you first get the results from a pregnancy test and find out you’re pregnant. Most pregnancies are normal, but during those first few weeks it’s not that uncommon to experience a miscarriage. Such news can be devastating.
Jade Elliott spoke with Dr. Jessica Page, a maternal fetal medicine physician with Intermountain Healthcare who specializes in managing high risk pregnancies and has researched and studied miscarriage, to answer some questions about miscarriage.
What is a miscarriage? What is the typical time frame when it occurs?
A miscarriage is the common term for an early pregnancy loss, or one that typically occurs during the first trimester at 12 weeks or earlier.
How common are miscarriages?
The percentage of pregnancies that end in miscarriage varies a bit, depending on if you’re taking into consideration women who had a positive pregnancy test, and then had pregnancy loss, it is about 10 percent. If you look at pregnancies that haven’t been confirmed by a test, that result in loss, the numbers may be as high as 30 percent.
What are the causes of miscarriage?
Generally it’s due to the genetics of the fetus. Other causes can be due to autoimmune conditions, uterine malformations or other underlying health conditions of the mother, that she may or may not be aware of.
Do women sometimes feel a miscarriage is their fault?
In the vast majority of cases, a miscarriage is not something a woman could have prevented or that could be intervened upon. You may have factors or conditions that you didn’t know about prior to attempting pregnancy. As maternal fetal medicine specialists, we work to optimize the underlying health conditions of pregnant women. If you have a chronic condition, it’s best to have a consultation with your doctor or a specialist before getting pregnant or early in your pregnancy.
Are there ways to reduce your risk of miscarriage?
There are no guarantees, but these general practices can help you have a healthier pregnancy.
Avoid all alcohol, tobacco products, illicit street drugs, and over-the-counter, prescriptions, and herbal remedies that haven’t been recommended by your OB provider
Keep your prenatal appointments with your doctor or midwife.
Take your prenatal vitamins.
Stay up to date on your immunizations
Why do some women experience more than one miscarriage and some experience none?
Most of the time we don’t know why women experience repeated miscarriages. Recurrent losses could be due to genetics or malformations or underlying health conditions. Risk factors for miscarriage include maternal age and history of prior miscarriage. In general for women aged 20-30 years the risk is about 10-15% but rises to about 20% at age 35 and 40% at age 40.
If you’ve had one miscarriage are you more likely to have another?
While one miscarriage does increase the risk of another one occurring, most women will go on to have a positive outcome. Even those women who experience multiple miscarriages that are idiopathic (or without a known cause), about 70 percent of them go on to conceive. And about 75 percent of those pregnancies result in a live birth.
What are the signs and symptoms of miscarriage?
Some miscarriages occur without any symptoms. The most common symptoms are bleeding and cramping. If you experience either of those, call your doctor.
Should you see a doctor after a miscarriage? Is treatment needed?
If you experience a miscarriage, reach out to your doctor. In some cases, the miscarriage may not have completely passed. Some women may need medications or surgery to complete the miscarriage.
How soon can you try to get pregnant again?
After you’ve talked with your doctor to address any medical needs and as soon as you and your partner feel emotionally ready, you can try to get pregnant again.
How can women recover emotionally after a miscarriage?
Even though miscarriage is common, when it happens to you, it is significant. You need to grieve that loss and reach out for social and family support. Give yourself time to go through the grieving process. Talking with other moms who have experienced miscarriage can help.
How does miscarriage affect your partner or family?
A miscarriage can place stress on your partner and the rest of your family as well. Each person may feel a sense of emotional loss. Families should offer support and help each other through the loss and not place blame. Sometimes your partner may feel powerless. But tell them that just their companionship and emotional support is key. Be mindful of the emotions or anxiety that can occur as you approach the anniversary of a previous loss or a new pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your history and your loss, so he or she can closely monitor your subsequent pregnancy.
How might the COVID-19 pandemic magnify some of the feelings experienced after miscarriage?
We find support in being around others. The pandemic has been very isolating, because we’ve reduced the interaction we have with friends and family to help protect each other from the virus. Utilize resources around you and those in your household. Reach out virtually to friends and family. Take it easy on yourself. Take one step at a time.
You may experience a variety of emotions from denial to anger to sadness, to depression to acceptance. If your feelings of depression and sadness are affecting your ability to function or are long-lasting, talk with your doctor. A referral for counseling or other treatment may help.
What type of behavioral health resources are available?
Intermountain Emotional Health Relief Hotline number is 1-833-442-2211.
This free general emotional support hotline was started during the COVID-19 pandemic and can be reached seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. It connects callers with a trained care coordinator who can provide appropriate self-care tools, peer support, treatment options, crisis resources, and more.
Intermountain Walk-In Behavioral Health Access Centers
Intermountain LDS Hospital in Salt Lake, McKay Dee Hospital in Ogden and Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George offer walk-in general behavioral health access centers that are open 24 hours. Check with other Intermountain behavioral health locations to see if they have urgent appointments available.
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.
