Host Heidi Hatch welcomes former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes and from the other side of the aisle, Maura Carabello.
Utah’s newly elected Gov. Spencer Cox signed 464 bills but vetoed one titled “Electronics Free Speech Amendments.”
Final Bills
Gov. Cox signed these four bills:
● HB 220 Pretrial Detention Amendments. Schultz, M. (A win for Greg Hughes)
● HB 294 Pandemic Emergency Powers Amendments. Ray, P
● SB 107 In-person Instruction Prioritization. Weller, T.
● SB 195 Emergency Response Amendments. Vickers, E.
Gov. Cox vetoed these three bills:
● HB 98 Local Government Building Regulation Amendments. Ray, P.
● SB 39 Hemp Regulation Amendments. Hinkins, D.
● SB 187 Local Education Agency Policies Amendments. Winterton, R.
Gov. Cox allowed these three bills to become law without his signature:
● HB 197 Voter Affiliation Amendments. Teuscher, J.
● SB 104 Tax Levy for Animal Control. Weller, T
● SB 167 Utah Film Economic Incentives. Winterton, R
Our trio also discusses gun controls after a supermarket shooting in Colorado. President Joe Biden called for a ban on assault weapons and background check legislation.
The crisis on the border: Who is at fault anyway? There could be selective outrage depending on who is president.
According to statistics published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, authorities encountered 9,457 children without a parent in February, a 61% increase from January, not 28%. The numbers of unaccompanied children did rise 31% between January 2019 and February 2019.
High blood pressure is very common. According to the Centers for Disease Control about half of Americans have high blood pressure. And many of them may not know it. That’s why it’s known as the silent killer. If you’re pregnant and have high blood pressure, you need to know you have it, so you can take steps to manage it.
Jade Elliot spoke with Dr. Tania Bodnar an OB/Gyn with Intermountain Healthcare, to help us understand why going to your prenatal visits and checking your blood pressure will help you and your baby stay healthy.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure or hypertension is when your blood pressure, the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels, is consistently too high. People with high blood pressure have systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mm Hg or are taking medication for hypertension.
Can you get high blood pressure for the first time, during pregnancy or is it something you have prior to pregnancy?
It can happen both ways. Some women have chronic high blood pressure which is high blood pressure prior to pregnancy. Some women develop high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Some people have chronic high blood pressure and are already being treated for it by a primary care provider and others don’t know they have it. That’s why it’s important to go to your prenatal visits and have your blood pressure checked. Some women can acquire high blood pressure during pregnancy, especially towards the end of pregnancy. It is important to know if your blood pressure is high and if it’s getting worse, because this could become dangerous for the pregnancy and ultimately the baby.
Technically, a woman is considered to have chronic hypertension if the high blood pressure is diagnosed before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Alternatively, if it is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy we call this gestational hypertension.
Hypertension in pregnancy in the U.S. is common and increasing
According to the CDC, in the United States, high blood pressure happens in 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies among women ages 20 to 44.3
What are the risk factors for high blood pressure?
First pregnancy
Young age at first pregnancy
Advanced maternal age
Obesity
Decreased physical activity
Smoking or drinking alcohol
Diabetes
Autoimmune disease
Engaging in assistive reproductive technology such as IVF
Carrying multiples (like twins or triplets)
But, super-fit, healthy young women can have hypertension.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
Many people have no symptoms at all. Worsening hypertension can cause headaches, blurry vision, floaters in the eyes. In severe cases people may experience shortness of breath or chest pain, or abdominal right upper quadrant or epigastric pain.
Identifying whether your symptoms are due to pregnancy, hypertension or COVID-19 can be confusing. Talk to your provider about any concerns.
Why is it important to manage high blood pressure during pregnancy?
Complications can be very serious and include:
Preeclampsia, when high blood pressure can lead to organ damage in the mother and ultimately cause problems with the baby
Eclampsia, when the mother can have seizures
A stroke due to very high blood pressure.
Decreased blood flow to the placenta can lead to baby receiving less oxygen and fewer nutrients, causing low birth weight
Sometimes a recommendation is made for a preterm delivery
It’s often during the third trimester when symptoms can get worse and high blood pressure can become preeclampsia, but it can happen before this as well.
Get your high blood pressure checked regularly
If you’re doing some of your prenatal appointments virtually, there are ways to have your blood pressure checked remotely. Talk to your OB or midwife. You may need to do in-person visits more frequently than other patients without high blood pressure.
Is it safe to take high blood pressure medications when you’re pregnant?
Some high blood pressure medications are safe during pregnancy and some are not, so check with your primary care provider and your OB or midwife if you already have high blood pressure. It’s good to talk about it with them before you’re thinking getting pregnant.
If you already had hypertension, before you got pregnant, you provider may need to adjust your medication to something different. If you are taking a medication for your high blood pressure that is not considered safe in pregnancy and this wasn’t changed for you prior to getting pregnant, you may need some closer follow ups and ultrasounds to make sure there was no danger caused to the baby.
Can changing your diet and exercise help hypertension?
Diet and exercise are important for overall health and are somewhat helpful in controlling regular hypertension, but not as helpful at controlling it during pregnancy. It’s recommended however to stay active and eat a well-balanced diet during pregnancy. Medication can be an important way to control high blood pressure.
Further testing for gestational hypertension
If you have high blood pressure when you’re pregnant, blood tests may be done to make sure it’s not progressing. Depending on your diagnosis, additional monitoring may be recommended, including checking on the baby as through non-stress tests, fluid checks or growth scans.
Ultimately, the treatment for hypertension is delivery. In some cases, you may need to deliver your baby early to keep you and your baby safe. Sometimes gestational hypertension doesn’t resolve after delivery and can lead to chronic hypertension, but this does not happen often.
What can happen to the baby if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy?
Since early delivery can occur, babies can be found to be a small birth weight due to the decreased blood flowing through the placenta. Sometimes babies have low platelet counts and low while blood cell counts, and it is usually not treated if babies are not symptomatic. There can be a risk that the lungs are not fully developed if you delivered prematurely. If your obstetrician can anticipate this, we give you a medicine called betamethasone which is a steroid to help accelerate the lung maturity in your baby.
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.
Mask mandate end April 10, still has not been signed.
What vetoes if any are going to happen?
HB228- no more mugshots will be made public, until a person is convicted of a crime.
HB308- prohibits state government from requiring Utahn’s to get a covid vaccine.
NEW SECRETARY OF INTERIOR HEADED TO UTAH
Before taking action on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will visit Utah, following the executive order of President Joe Biden. Haaland is a Native American, the first to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior and as a cabinet member. Her coming visit earned praise from Utah’s Republican politicians who are fearful Biden will restore Bears Ears to the size it was before it was reduced by a Republican president Donald Trump.
UTAH STIMULI PIE
Rep. Jeff Stenquist: “I’m stunned looking at the amount of federal stim-dollars coming to Utah: State Govt: $1.52B Local Govts:$1.1B Education: $1.1B Other Govt Agencies: $704M Individuals: $3.76B Total: $8.39B This on top of our current surpluses and strong economy. Holy smokes! #utpol #utleg”
INLAND PORT MEETINGS ARE BACK
The Utah Supreme Court has agreed to hear a lawsuit filed by Salt Lake City’s mayor over the inland port project. SB243 created “infrastructure banks” and sets aside $75 million for the Utah Inland Port Authority project areas.
Take 2 host Heidi Hatch welcomes Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes as the state of Utah — and the nation — reflect on the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic changing everything about our daily lives.
This week’s political news:
President Joe Biden delivered his first primetime address to the nation on Thursday, setting a May 1 goal for all American adults to be made eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Utah has a target date of April 1 for that to happen, as 2News reported earlier this week.
American Rescue Plan is passed and signed, with individual checks to start this weekend. Utah’s entire Congressional delegation voted against it.
Does Utah need the money and, if yes, how should it be used?
Questions about a Latter-day Saint general authority’s political donations emerged this week: “These donations were made by our family using an online account, which is shared by our family and associated with my Name. I regret such an oversight on my part. I fully support the church’s policy related to political donations from church leaders.” – statement from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Daylight Saving Time this weekend: Utah passed a bill a year ago to end the clock change, but it’s still happening.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
502 bills passed that may become laws. Are there any for-sure vetoes?
April 10: The statewide mask mandate is expected to be lifted (schools and 50+ gatherings not included)
The mental health day bill for school kids passed
Bail reform was repealed and now the work starts again
Constitutional carry or permit-less carry: Adults 21+ can conceal a firearm without a permit
No more picketing private homes
More doctors can recommend cannabis for up to 15 patients
By the time your child is 5-years-old , he or she will want to please friends, will likely to sing and dance and will show more independence.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the important milestones your child should reach by 5-years-old and tools to help parents on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Social and Emotional
Wants to please friends
Wants to be like friends
More likely to agree with rules
Likes to sing, dance, and act
Is aware of gender
Can tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
Shows more independence (for example, may visit a next-door neighbor by himself [adult supervision is still needed])
Is sometimes demanding and sometimes very cooperative
Speaks very clearly
Tells a simple story using full sentences
Uses future tense; for example, “Grandma will be here.”
Says name and address
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Counts 10 or more things
Can draw a person with at least 6 body parts
Can print some letters or numbers
Copies a triangle and other geometric shapes
Knows about things used everyday, like money and food
Movement/Physical Development
Stands on one foot for 10 seconds or longer
Hops; may be able to skip
Can do a somersault
Uses a fork and spoon and sometimes a table knife
Can use the toilet on her own
Swings and climbs
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 host Heidi Hatch welcomes Maura Carabello and Greg Hughes on the same day Utah’s legislative session ends. With a slew of things to talk about, including all that happens on the session’s last day, the trio tackle some of the highlights of what Utah’s lawmakers have been up to.
An English-only bill died on Utah’s political hill while another piece of legislation wants to get rid of mask mandates in the state. This happens just as Utah and other counties move to the “moderate” phase of COVID-19 precaution.
In a sobering reality of the virus, Rep. Jon Hawkins of Pleasant Grove joined the Utah House of Representatives from his hospital bed. Hawkins has been hospitalized with coronavirus since January and said he will have to learn to walk and swallow again.
“The things we all take for granted,” he said.
A new position will be created after the Legislature approved to help tackle those who are homeless. Is Utah having a “homeless czar” the right move? In addition, lawmakers put $50 million into housing
One bill with no controversy, a Senate law enforcement modification bill, passed the House unanimously Thursday that will put some oversight over BYU police.
There is also a big transportation bill that passes that includes $1 billion in one-time spending and borrows an additional $264 million.
Other topics include:
SB228 Social Media Controls: A bill passed Thursday would regulate how social media companies’ moderate content on their platforms. SL TRIB SB228 requires social media platforms to clearly state their content moderation policy, and inform Utah users within 24 hours when they run afoul of it. There’s also a requirement that those companies provide an appeal process for Utah account holders.
Bail Reform Passes: Greg’s work is complete? Or just beginning
Party Switching Bill: A bill limiting certain Utahns from switching parties before a primary election has passed the Senate and is on its way to Gov. Spencer Cox’s desk. House Bill 197, sponsored by Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R-South Jordan), passed the Senate 22 to 3. One Democrat joined Republicans in voting for it.
The bill specifies that for those who are already registered with a political party after March 31, any party affiliation change would not take effect until after that year’s primary election. Unaffiliated voters could register with a party at any time and still vote in the primary.
Two new Utah state parks: Raptor State Park and Lost Creek State Park by Echo Reservoir are here.
There is also a new law to studying flying car traffic.
By the time your child is 4-years- old, he or she will be playing with other children, playing make-believe and tells stories.
Jade Elliott spoke with Carrie Martinez, Utah Department of Health, to discuss the important milestones your child should reach by 4-years- old and tools to help parents on this episode of the Baby Your Baby Podcast.
Social and Emotional
Enjoys doing new things
Plays “Mom” and “Dad”
Is more and more creative with make-believe play
Would rather play with other children than by himself
Cooperates with other children
Often can’t tell what’s real and what’s make-believe
Talks about what she likes and what she is interested in
Language/Communication
Knows some basic rules of grammar, such as correctly using “he” and “she”
Sings a song or says a poem from memory such as the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or the “Wheels on the Bus”
Tells stories
Can say first and last name
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Names some colors and some numbers
Understands the idea of counting
Starts to understand time
Remembers parts of a story
Understands the idea of “same” and “different”
Draws a person with 2 to 4 body parts
Uses scissors
Starts to copy some capital letters
Plays board or card games
Tells you what he thinks is going to happen next in a book
Movement/Physical Development
Hops and stands on one foot up to 2 seconds
Catches a bounced ball most of the time
Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
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.
