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• MAR

  17

  Maternity & Newborn: Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact (also known as Kangaroo Care)

  Skin-to-skin contact is often recommended to help a baby breastfeed. This involves having your baby on your chest, in between your breasts, with her head under your chin, with baby wearing nothing except a diaper. Make sure you cover baby’s back with blankets, to keep her surrounded with your warmth. For a sleepy baby, or a baby having difficulty with latch, you bay have to have skin-to-skin contact for an hour, or sometimes longer, before she begins to show feeding cues. Even while baby is just snuggling with you, skin-to-skin contact offers many benefits!
  
  A study compared infants with low temperatures after delivery. They were treated with skin-to-skin contact or placement in a radiant warmer. The kangaroo care group had slightly higher temperatures, and more of these infants had reached normal temperature within 4 hours of treatment, compared with the radiant warmer group.

  
  [Huan, Y.Y.; Huang, C.Y.; Lin, S.M.; Wu, S.C. Effect of Very Early Kangaroo Care on Extra uterine Temperature Adaptation in Newborn Infants with Hypothermia Problems. Hu Li Az Zhi, 2006.]
  
  Brazilian mothers of hospitalized babies who had skin-to-skin contact responded to the Visual Analogue Mood Scale before and after visiting their babies. They reported feeling calmer, stronger, well coordinated, energetic, contented, tranquil, quick-witted, relaxed, proficient, happy, friendly, and clear-headed. Mothers who did not have skin-to-skin contact only reported feeling clumsy.
  
  

  [Continho de Macedo, E.; Cruvinel, F.; Lukasova, K.; Fama D’Antino, M.E. The mood variations in mothers of preterm infants in kangaroo mother care and conventional incubator care. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 2007.]
  
  In a review of 16 randomized controlled trials and one quasi-randomized trial, 806 mother-infant pairs, of diverse socio-economic backgrounds, from six different countries were studied. Early skin-to-skin contact resulted in higher scores on all measures of breastfeeding status and duration. Babies were more likely to maintain temperatures and respirations in the normal range, less likely to cry, and less likely to have low blood glucose levels. There were no significant negative effects of skin-to-skin contact.

  
  [Anderson, G.C.; More, E.; Hepworth, J.; Bergman, N. Early Skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2003.]

  
  

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• MAR

  12

  10 MORE Reasons to Breastfeed!

  Many are interested in learning about the benefits of breastfeeding. Check out the attached document from the International Lactation Consultant Association for five reason breastfeeding is good for the child and five reason why it is good for mom.

  
  

  10 MORE Reasons to Breastfeed
  

  
  

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  St. David's Medical Center

  Women's Services

  
  

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• MAR

  04

  Why Should I take a Prepared Childbirth Class?

  There's so much information available to expectant couples-- via the internet, books, and television, Some families may wonder if it's still necessary to take a childbirth class. Many moms are planning to have an epidural, and wonder if a class is necessary at all. 

  
  Childbirth classes teach a lot more than just how to deal with labor pain. Modern childbirth classes teach couples about the normal process of birth, recognizing labor and when to call their doctor, what to expect at the hospital, possible medical interventions and pain medications, and what to expect after you have your baby. Childbirth classes actually reduce anxiety about the birth process, which helps labor progress normally. Teaching couples basic tools to deal with labor helps both the mom and her support person feel confident, regardless of her plans for pain medications. Parents who feel informed and educated about their choices feel more comfortable talking with their doctor and nurses about their care. Finally, couples who take a prepared childbirth class often feel more satisfied with their birth because they understood what was happening, and they were able to relax and enjoy the experience. 

  
  For more information about the benefits of taking a childbirth class, follow this link:
  http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/epidurals/a/cbeepi.htm

  
  St Davids Medical Center offers an array of classes for you and your family. We encourage you to browse through our web page to find a class that meets your needs and fits your schedule. Feel free to call or email our Parent Education department with any questions. We're happy to help.

  
  

  For more information visit:

  
  

  St. David's Medical Center

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• FEB

  25

  The 12 Most Important Things to Pack for Your Hospital Stay

  When the time comes to have you baby the last thing on your mind is, "what do I need for my hospital stay." Here is a list of, what we have found, to be the most important items you don't want to leave home without:
  
  

  1. Camera
  2. Slippers / Robe
  3. Travel Shampoo / Conditioner
  4. Travel Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  5. Travel Deodorant
  6. Travel Hairbrush
  7. “Go Home” outfit for baby, including receiving blankets
  8. “Go Home” outfit for mom
  9. Clothes for 3 – 4 days for dad/support person
  10. Nursing Bra
  11. Extra pillows (with colored cases) to bring some of the comforts of home 
  12. Infant Car Seat (make sure you read the instruction manual and have the seat properly installed in your car)

  
  A good rule of thumb is, when you are ready to pack your hospital bag, try to think of what you would pack if you were going to stay in a hotel. It is best to pack light. The less you bring, the less you have to remember when you go home. 

  
  

  Here is a basic list of what we will provide while you stay with us:
  
  

  • Hospital Gown (you can bring pajamas if you prefer)
  • Pillows / Linens
  • Feminine pads
  • Mesh underwear (you can bring your own underwear if you prefer)
  • Nursing pads
  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • T-Shirt for baby 
  • Receiving blankets to use in the hospital

  
  For other resources please visit:

  
  

  St David's Medical Center

  Women's Services

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• JAN

  18

  What goes up must come down

  Elevated blood pressures can occur during pregnancy for many reasons. Women may have previous disease, or present with high pressures for the first time in pregnancy. Part of the purpose of prenatal visits is to detect blood pressure changes and further evaluate the cause, as treatment may differ depending on the condition.

  If you are found to have elevated blood pressures, your OB may order laboratory studies to evaluate your organ function (kidneys, liver, blood cells) and may have you complete a 24 hour urine looking for elevated protein. The goal is to differentiate high blood pressure alone from a more serious disorder called pre-eclampsia. The latter is a disease process related to the placenta that can lead to serious complications of pregnancy.

  If diagnosed with pre-eclampsia or if blood pressures are persistently elevated, you may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for guidance on management of the pregnancy and evaluation of your baby. The specialist will perform an ultrasound to evaluate the health and growth of the baby, and assess if blood flow in the placenta may be affected by the blood pressure. Continued management will often consist of frequent visits to your OB as well as the specialist to monitor you and your baby. In some cases, admission to the hospital or early delivery is necessary, but this occurs in a minority of cases. The goal of management is to ensure the health of both mother and baby with delivery at term. Whatever the cause, rest assured that your OB and MFM specialist will work together to determine the reason for your elevated blood pressures and formulate a personalized course of treatment to ensure the safety and health of the pregnancy.

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