Having a healthy pregnancy
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
By Paul Hudock, MD
Board-certified OB/GYN
I want to have a baby. Where do I begin?
Preparing for a healthy pregnancy actually starts before you become pregnant. We look at a patient’s lifestyle and diet and make sure they are familiar with the right kinds of food to eat, such as proteins and carbohydrates. We also recommend supplementing extra folic acid, which reduces the risk of open neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
How much weight should I gain?
Most patients gain 3-5 pounds first three months, and generally 1-2 pounds each week as the pregnancy continues. We may recommend more weight gain if you’re underweight to begin with, but we’re looking for healthy weight gain.
Can I exercise?
The better shape you are in coming into the pregnancy, the better off you will be. Your body will experience major changes, and exercise will help you weather those.
Women who are overweight may struggle with low back pain, pelvic pain and pressure.
What about medications?
We will review the medications you are currently on, because some cannot be taken during pregnancy. We also examine preexisting medical conditions to maximize treatment prior to pregnancy.
How are the first and second trimesters different?
A lot of women do experience very unpleasant symptoms during the first trimester, such as nausea, fatigue, vomiting and breast tenderness. Avoiding certain foods, eating smaller portions and more frequent meals may help. Sometimes medication is recommended when the symptoms obstruct daily life. And a power nap can help you get you through the day.
The second trimester is easier on the body. Those nuisance symptoms are pretty much gone. You start to feel life inside you, and once you start to show more, people will notice the pregnancy and congratulate you.
Chalk Drawing at Parma Rib N Rock Festival
Thursday, 23 June 2011
As part of a effort aimed at bringing awareness to the Women's Health Services at Parma Community General Hospital, specifically maternity, Akron artist Ruth Turner created this delightful chalk art over two days during the recent Parma Rib N Rock festival. The hospital staff also offered free blood pressure screenings and shared information about other services at the hospital.
Breast Feeding
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
The hospital’s lactation consultants and nurses can share a wealth of information that will help you learn to breast feed. Following are some helpful tips.
- If it is possible, breast-feed the baby within the first hour following delivery. Put your baby “skin to skin” if the baby is not interested in breastfeeding. Your nurse will assist you if needed.
- Your baby can stay in the room with you while you are in the hospital. A baby who stays with the mother is usually more content and tends to cry less. It is a wonderful time to get to know your new baby. It is important to sleep when your baby sleeps. If you choose to send your baby to the nursery at night, have the nurse bring you the baby when he/she wakes for feedings.
- Feedings are timed from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. A newborn usually breast feeds every 1½ to 3 hours during the day and can have one 4 to 5-hour stretch of sleep in 24 hours (hopefully at night) Some babies cluster feed, meaning they nurse 3 to 4 feedings in a row. Each cluster feed counts toward the 8 to 12 feedings in the 24-hour period.
- Alternate breasts at each feeding. Do not switch breasts unless the baby stops actively sucking.
- A free breast-feeding support group meets at the hospital 3 times each month. Your baby can be weighed and a lactation consultant can answer your questions and assist you with breast-feeding concerns. Call 440-743-2262 for the current schedule.
- Follow healthy food guidelines and take at least 1200 mg of calcium per day.
- Avoid artificial nipples including pacifiers for the baby’s first 4 weeks. Switching from breast-feeding to bottle-feeding during this time can cause nipple confusion for the baby and inhibit your milk supply. Milk-making hormones are stimulated by frequent nursing.
Enhanced Neonatal Coverage Through Partnership with Rainbow
Friday, 28 January 2011
The level of care for newborns at Parma Community General Hospital has just been enhanced through access to University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital certified neonatal nurse practitioners, who will care for newborns with transitional or serious medical issues in the special care nursery.
These specially trained and certified advanced practice nurses work under the oversight of a UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s neonatologist to accelerate the coordination of care for babies with special needs. When necessary, babies will be transported to a higher level of care at UH Rainbow’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – currently ranked #4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Parma Hospital continues to have an obstetrician in the unit at all times to handle emergencies. The difference is that babies born with special needs will no longer need to be evaluated by a pediatrician before an advanced level of care can be initiated.
Tina Bowker, RN, manager of Parma Hospital’s Small Wonders Maternity Center, says this news should be reassuring to expectant mothers who deliver prematurely or who have newborns with unexpected special needs. Maternity staff are trained and educated by these neonatal nurse practitioners in post-delivery care of higher-risk babies.
“Our nurses will remain hands-on in the care of our newborns, but this oversight by neonatal specialists enriches their competencies,” Bowker said.
Not all pediatricians are trained or experienced in neonatology.
“At Parma Hospital, we do not intentionally deliver babies under 35 weeks, but occasionally that happens,” said Diane Butler, MD, chairman of Parma Hospital’s Department of Pediatrics. “This is a first responder service that can be initiated by an obstetrician or a nurse who perceives that an infant in the nursery is critically ill. This coverage will increase the quality of health care we provide.”
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