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• AUG

  22

  5 Recommendations for Record Breaking Heat and Pregnant Women

  
  
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  This week I interviewed one of our new Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians, Dr. Linda Fonseca. Here in central Texas, we all know the heat has been exhausting and it has the opportunity to take an even greater toll on those who are pregnant.
  
  Here are the things we chatted about:
  
  Meg – How does the heat affect women who are pregnant?
  
  Dr. Fonseca – “Pregnant women are more susceptible to dehydration because of the pregnancy and it can lead to serious problems. Heat can exacerbate dehydration from other conditions such as morning sickness or the stomach flu worse. Dehydration during pregnancy can lead to pre-term contractions or pre-term labor which can affect the outcome of the baby.”
  
  Meg – What are the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and also heat stroke?
  
  Dr. Fonseca – Many of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion can be easily disguised as something else. For heat exhaustion, be on the lookout for such things as: headaches, dizziness, cold or clammy skin, thirst, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, dark urine and fatigue. Dr. Fonseca states that the signs and symptoms for heat stroke are much more severe and life threatening including: mental confusion or lethargy (an abnormal state of drowsiness), core body temperature of 104 degrees, seizures and lack of perspiration.
  
  Meg – What can a patient do to decrease the risk of heat exhaustion?
  
  Dr. Fonseca – “During these days of high temperatures, make sure to stay indoors as much as possible”. Dr. Fonseca encourages women to run errands in the early morning hours when it is still cool outside as opposed to the middle of the day when temperatures are the highest. She also recommends staying hydrated – “carry around a water bottle and take several sips throughout your day even if you are not thirsty”. Dr. Fonseca would like to remind women that they should increase their water intake if they are doing anything outdoors and to stay away from caffeinated drinks like soda or tea that can increase dehydration. “Caffeine is a diuretic which can cause your body to dehydrate much more quickly.” She also recommends wearing light clothing when doing anything outdoors and try to stay in the shade as much as possible.
  
  Meg- What is an adequate water intake to prevent dehydration? Many women feel like 8-10 glasses of water per day are hard to achieve because they feel very full.
  
  Dr. Fonseca – “The goal is still 8-10 glasses per day especially in these high temperatures.” Dr. Fonseca encourages women to take small sips of water throughout the day to prevent those uncomfortable “full” feelings that accompany the growing fetus. The plastic water bottles most people are familiar with are approximately 16oz so a person would need 4-5 bottles of water per day to meet the water requirement.
  
  Meg – Any special foods or drinks you recommend to ward off dehydration or electrolyte imbalance?
  
  Dr. Fonseca - “I generally encourage my patients to eat fresh fruit (instead of dried fruit), especially in the summer that is high in water such as peaches, watermelon, or cantaloupe.” Dr. Fonseca tells her patients to stay away from caffeine and sugary drinks that may rob your body of water. She encourages them to drink water and supplement with electrolyte enhanced liquids such as Gatorade, vitamin water or pedialyte.
  
  Always an advocate for sunscreen, she reminds patients to make sure they are wearing an SPF in the summer wherever their skin will see light, but especially on their face. “During pregnancy there is an increase in melanin which can increase the chance of chloasma during pregnancy. Chloasma is hyper pigmentation caused by an increase of hormones while you are pregnant. Make sure to wear an SPF daily when leaving the house.
  
  -Has anyone out there had a baby during these summer months? What advice do you have for our moms to be?!
  
  Stay cool-
  Meg
  
  

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• AUG

  19

  St. David's Emergency Center: Bee Cave

  
  
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  The signs are up, the lights are on, and the doors are open! We here at St. David’s Emergency Center couldn’t be happier with the response to our open house events earlier this month, and are so enjoying being a part of this wonderful community!

  We wanted to give you a look at what it would be like to come into St. David’s Emergency Center at any given time. From the moment you walk in the door to our beautiful new facility, you will be cared for by staff committed to providing exceptional care. We work to immediately bed all patients, which means after you’re greeted and checked in by our friendly reception staff, you won’t be sitting in a waiting room for hours on end. Instead, you’ll be escorted back to an examination room where our board-certified emergency physicians and trauma-certified nurses can treat life’s emergencies, big and small—twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

  We hope it brings peace of mind to you and your loved ones, when an unexpected emergency arises; the trusted name of St. David’s Healthcare is now a little closer to home.
  

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• AUG

  15

  Top 5 :: Things to bring to the hospital when having your baby:

  
  
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  Friends and family often ask me what to bring to the hospital when they come to have their baby-
  This is a classic tale of LESS IS MORE!

  Remember that although our rooms are comfortable and spacious you will have a new addition in the room that comes with lots of new equipment (diaper bag, car seat, CLOTHES!). There may also be many people coming to give you and the baby well wishes.
  
  Here is a top 5 of things you should definitely consider bringing to the hospital.

  1. Your own pillow. Nothing says home like the smell of your sheets and a comfortable pillow.
  2. A small radio or iPod speakers/docking station. Music has been shown to decrease anxiety, motivate and relax a person – makes a great addition to any labor or postpartum room.
  3. Comfortable slippers with non slick soles.
  4. Magazines, books or something to focus on during early stages of labor and after the baby arrives.
  5. A comfortable robe – this is a recommendation from a friend who recently had a baby. Since hospital gowns are ‘one size fits all’ she felt somewhat exposed in her gown as she is a very petite person and the gown engulfed her. A soft, lightweight robe that you can easily breastfeed would be very helpful & comforting.

  What did I forget?

  
  

  ~ Meg

  
  

  Learn More:

  • Labor and Delivery at SDMC
  • Childbirth Classes at SDMC

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• AUG

  08

  Young Athlete Heart Screenings

  
  
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  Check out physician Vivek Goswami, MD from Heart Hospital of Austin talking about the Young Athlete heart screening event that took place last week. Great tips and points to think about for all young athletes and anyone that is a parent.

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• AUG

  04

  My Happy Meal

  
  
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  There has been a lot in the news lately about the trim down that is taking place with the Happy Meal at a leading fast food restaurant. Hearing the list of items in the happy meal got me to thinking about my own eating habits. Since having weight loss surgery, this is what I consider to be my happy meal:

  • Lean protein
  • Fresh vegetables and fruit
  • Whole grains
  • Low fat dairy products

  You might ask what it is about this list that could possibly be described as a happy meal, and 4 years ago I would have agreed with you. Then, I changed my world, my health, and my mind set after having bariatric surgery. My food choices changed, and I discovered that I was getting my health back as the weight dropped off. Making food choices that are good for me feels great! That’s the true ingredient of a happy meal. And it even comes with a prize: watching myself evolve into a healthier and happier version of me!

  For more information on weight loss surgery, click here to attend one of our free seminars.

  If you have had, or are thinking about having weight loss surgery, please click here for our support group schedule.

  ~Rebecca

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• AUG

  02

  Back to Sleep :: 7 Recommendations to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

  
  
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  We’ve all heard the scenario – a new mother brings her baby home from the hospital and the family members start pouring in – along with their unsolicited advice.
  
  Whether it’s good advice or bad advice, it’s something that every mother seems to go through. This story though takes the cake.
  
  My friend, who recently had her first baby, was telling me about her family coming to visit during the first few weeks after the birth of her son. A close family member asked the new mother how she wanted him to be laid down in the crib. “On his back, that is what the pediatrician and my obstetrician told me was the best” my friend urgently sputtered out.
  
  After about 10 minutes the family member proceeded to say “by the way, I put him on his stomach; I think he will sleep better that way.”
  
  My friend frantically flew into her newborn sons’ room, picked him up and flipped him over to his back, knowing that babies should be put ‘back to sleep’. She explained to the less then helpful family member that studies show the overall rate of SIDS has decreased by almost 50% since the campaign started.
  
  That number speaks volumes.
  
  You have heard of this, right? Putting your baby ‘back to sleep’ – it’s a way to help parents remember to put their baby on their back when they lay them down to sleep.
  
  In 1994 the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) started this campaign to help educate parents and people caring for infants to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  
  This little gem of information may be something s younger generations of mothers know since it has been nationally promoted for the past 17 years. Make sure you share this information with Aunts, Grandma’s, and Cousins – anyone who might have a child over the age of 17 and may be caring your child at some point.
  
  Before that time, that information somewhat floundered. My own mother told me that when she had all 3 of her children, the advice was never the same. For one baby it was recommended to put the baby on their tummy to sleep, the next it was recommended to put the baby on their back to sleep and so forth.
  
  Here is what the NICHD Back to Sleep Campaign recommends:
  

  • Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, even for naps
  • Place your baby on a firm mattress, such as in an approved safety crib
  • Remove soft, fluffy bedding and stuffed toys from your baby’s sleep area
  • Make sure your baby’s head and face remain uncovered during sleep
  • Do not allow smoking around your baby
  • Do not let your baby get too warm during sleep
  • Talk to childcare providers, grandparents, babysitters and all caregivers about SIDS risk

  
  Make sure to talk with everyone that may be caring for your baby about the Back to Sleep Campaign. You can even order fun magnets with the information on it as a helpful reminder.
  
  ~ Meg
  
  

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• JUL

  29

  Beware of the Snack Attack: 3 Tips that Help

  
  
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  Snacks were not all that common when I was growing up back in the 70’s. We had the occasional ice cream cone on a hot summer day, or popcorn in the evening watching our favorite television show, but it was a rarity…a special treat.

  Nowadays, snacks have become routine and often accompany all events and outings: little league team practices, scout meetings, grade school parties, staff meetings, road trips. The prevalence of snacking across our nation has grown along with our rate of obesity.

  Following weight loss surgery, a well planned nutritious snack can certainly be an essential part of your eating plan. But, mindless grazing on low nutrient snack foods while watching television, working at our computers, or driving may pose a serious danger to weight management. In addition to the consumption of calories from snack foods (calorie containing drinks are included!) there is also the issue of hunger recognition. Ideally, we should eat when we are hungry and refrain when we are not. Routine snacking prompts us to eat when the clock tells us to whether we need food or not, and this interferes with our body’s ability to send out hunger cues.

  If snacks are part of your daily routine, try these tips:

  • Plan your snacks. Being prepared with a nutritious choice can help prevent making spur of the moment poor food choices. 
  • Eat meaningfully. Paying attention to your activity instead of mindlessly grazing on your snack will produce a greater sense of satiety.
  • Try substituting calorie free liquids, like flavored tea or water, with your snack food. Many times our drive to eat is thirst related, and you will often find that one of your favorite low cal drinks can leave you feeling satisfied.

  For more information on weight loss surgery, click here to attend one of our free seminars.

  If you have had, or are thinking about having weight loss surgery, please click here for our support group schedule.

  - Rebecca

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• JUL

  22

  5 Questions about Primary Prevention and Women's Health

  
  
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  This week, I interviewed one of our fantastic OB/GYN’s Dr. Clive Polon regarding primary prevention and women’s health.

  So here you go, an interview with Dr. Polon~

  _____

  
  Meg- So much is changing in women’s health, what is your best advice for young women of childbearing age who desire to be healthy but are not looking to have a baby right now?

  Polon- “I don’t feel like paps (pap smears) annually are necessary, unless you are sexually active. If you are sexually active within one year you need a pap.” Dr. Polon states that the results of the pap are what determine the course of care after that. “If the pap results are abnormal I usually repeat the pap in 6 months to a year.” Dr. Polon also states that he does encourage women to come in for an annual exam to discuss all health issues like nutrition, STD testing, breast health, and sexual health.

  Meg- How common is it for you to see someone with an abnormal pap? What is your recommended course of care?

  Polon- “Very, very common; probably about 30% of my patients have abnormal paps.” Dr. Polon states that the course of care depends largely on the age of the patient as well as the pap results. Dr. Polon reports that he would generally repeat a pap within 6-12 months for younger women depending on the pap since approximately 85% spontaneously resolve in 1-2 years. For an older woman with positive HPV he would want to repeat the pap more frequently, and possibly explore other procedures with the patient if needed, like a colposcopy.

  Meg- If you could tell a woman your top reasons they need to establish care with an OB/GYN, even if they are not looking to become pregnant right now, what would they be?

  Polon- “Your OB/GYN is going to know the most updated literature and recommendations put out by ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).” Dr. Polon also said that the importance of a young woman forming a relationship with a care provider is critical. “I think that women need someone they can confide in and tell that person everything that is going on with them and their health. It’s best to develop that relationship now, as soon as possible.”

  Meg- What kinds of questions should I be asking my OB/GYN?

  Polon- “People always have questions about things they have seen on the internet. I ask my patients to give me the stuff and let me critique it.” Dr. Polon encourages his patients to bring in questions and concerns so that he can help them understand the literature and whether or not it’s evidenced based.

  Meg- What is your favorite part of working at St. David’s Medical Center?

  Polon- “The nurses in women’s services, they really are a cut above the rest. All of that is a trickle down from the nursing director- she attracts a higher quality of personnel and someone who doesn’t cut the mustard isn’t going to last.” 

  _____

  If you have additional questions or want to hear about a certain topic let me know! I will be continuing to interview different women's health specialitist hoping this becomes a resource for you. Let me know what you think.

  - Meg

  • Looking for a SDMC OB/GYN?

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• JUL

  20

  St. David's South Austin Medical Center Construction Update

  
  
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  The time is almost here! Monday July 25, 2011 marks the grand opening for the 5th floor here at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. We will be celebrating with an ICARE social, a post survey party, and the chapel blessing. Before we hit the official Open House, here is a sneak peak of the chapel.

  The Chapel

  The stained glass was in the original SAMC chapel. It was crated and stored during construction and installed in the new chapel with two kneelers.

  The clear glass art piece at the front of the chapel was designed to look like water, and provides a peaceful environment.

  The chapel is a place of prayer and peace. Persons of all faiths and traditions are welcome to come to the chapel for a quiet space of meditation and prayer. The chapel is open to all.

  Through all the pains and strains of construction, it is a joy to see the end result a place of serenity.

  

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• JUL

  12

  Baby-Friendly : St. David's Medical Center

  
  
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  You are officially invited on the baby friendly tour! St. David’s Medical Center downtown is embarking on a journey to become a designated “Baby-Friendly” hospital and we would like you to come along, watch our progress and cheer us on. 

  
  The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global program which is sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to encourage & recognize hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding (babyfriendlyusa.org). 

  
  St. David’s Medical Center nurses have been reading, watching, learning and shadowing breastfeeding experts to be able to assist you in your endeavors to successfully breastfeed. 

  
  Did you know that recent studies show that women who breastfeed enjoy decreased risks of breast and ovarian cancer, anemia, and osteoporosis? (babyfriendlyusa.org)

  
  We can’t wait to share with you all the great things we have learned.

  
  Check out Commitment to Breastfeeding below!

  
  -Meg

  
  

  • View/Download a copy of our Breastfeeding Commitment

  
  

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