Newspaper Page Text
Heart
Month (Continuid] I
When diagnosis indicates
an invasive procedure must he
performed, a pacemaker, a tiny
device implanted in the chest
(using only local anesthetic),
may he recommended to help
the heart keep a steady heal.
The Heart Institute is also
offering a variety of health
screenings and special services
during this special month -
see the EduCare Class
Schedule on the hack page
lor February's Heart Healthy
activities.
This February (and
always) visit the Houston
Heart Institute’s detection and
treatment facilities to help
you stay healthy for a lifetime.
For more information on the
Houston Heart Institute, please
call 542-7811.
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Pregnancy: Facts And Fiction
Every expectant mother is tempted to pul some faith
into the old wives' talcs of pregnancy to lind indications of
the baby's gender, health and si/.e. head on to discover the
facts about some of the "truths" of pregnancy.
I know my baby is line since I bad ultrasounds my
second and third trimesters.
Not necessarily. “\n ultrasound cannot
delect every anomaly that may occur." says
Mark Lall'erly. M. 1).. an obstetrician/
gynecologist on the medical staff at
Houston Medical Outer. "It is best to
use the ultrasound as a tool for
delivery dale confirmation, show ing
basic anatomy and confirm
adequate growth."
flic baby is really low so
I'll probably deliver soon.
Actually. no one really knows
what triggers labor. The most
common reason the baby sits low is
due to lax stomach muscles or
I f
numerous pregnancies.
My mother's
sure I'll have no problems.
Iniir delivery may not be the
same as your mother's. “The mother's genetic make-up may
he closer to her father's instead of her mother's, which
means her body is different.'' says ISonnie IJrinson. M. 1).. a
family praclitioncr/obstelrician on stallat I’erry Hospital.
Also. the baby may be in a different position or there may he
indorseen complications: your experience will be unique.
If my belly is hairy. I'll probably have a boy.
.lust an old vvives tale. The exccssivc hair growth is
due to an increase in male hormones produced during
pregnancy.
If my nipples darken. I'll probably have a boy.
Thanks to hormones, every woman's nipples will
darken during pregnancy. \\ Idle other areas may darken
too. these areas will fortunately fade after delivery.
Every expectant mother will have morning
sickness.
Postpartum Home Visits -
Ensuring A Healthy Start
Most new mothers are overwhelmed by the thought of
“drive-through" delivery, that ill-advised plan by
insurance companies to send mothers and their babies
k home from the hospital 24 hours alter the birth. Even
I before record legislation mandated 48-hour slays (unless
the mother chooses to go home early with her physician's
permission). Houston Healthcare (Complex had initiated
postpartum home visits by a registered nurse.
Houston Healthcare Complex's reasoning was simple:
“There are so many distractions in the hospital that most
instructions new moms arc given are forgotten once baby
and mother arc home,” explains l*at MeCaslin. IEV,
Houston Medical Center's PostParlum Home Visit Nurse.
Also, not all problems will appear within the first 24 hours.
Mark Eafferty, M. 1).. an 08/GAN on the medical staff of
Houston Medical Center, notes that “with 48 hours we have
more time for observation of infections that could cause dif
ficulties later."
Another basis for providing postpartum home v isits is
that most new parents do not live within a close distance of
family members who could help. “Postpartum home visits
prov ide many new mothers, especially young mothers, with
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Actually, there are a lucky lew who don't. Only one
third to one half of expectant women ever experience
nausea and/or vomiting.
I'm carrying high and in front, it's a boy: I'm
carrying low and wide, it's a girl.
“Neither." I)r. Lall'erly clarifies. “Where the baby is
carried is not a sign of the baby's gender. Having a short
or long torso is what determines whether the baby
is in front or vv ideas more room means the
baby is less likely to be projected outward."
Carrying a baby high usually means it's a
first pregnancy or the mother is incredibly
fit. The baby is carried lower as the inns
■■ dcs that hold l lie uterus against the
spine become more elastic.
Stretch marks arc inev ilable.
I'lie tendency toward stretch marks
is inherited, and 90 percent ol all women
•jji will dev clop these streaks sonic vv here on
xj. their body during pregnancy. Amir best
lit chance to minimi/e the results is to keep
Pi weight gain steady, gradual and
s-g moderate.
■H I don't wear my seat belt
because I don't want to hurt the baby.
Always buckle up - the most common
way for a pregnant woman to lose her life is in an auto
accident. And don't worry about the pressure oil the baby in
a quick stop he or she has plenty of cushion.
Most expectant mothers only crave junk food.
Some do. while others have an aversion to candy bars
and ice cream. One ol the theories about cravings and
aversions is that they are signals for what the mother's body
needs or doesn't need. A probable reason these signals arc
unreliable is that so many foods today, such as potato chips,
deviate from nature's food chain.
Houston I Icalthcarc Complex continues to upgrade its
maternity services with a now El MAP center at Perry
Hospital and anew HI MAP center scheduled to open at
Houston Medical Center this summer.
If you have any questions regarding your pregnancy
or would like a referral loan obstetrician, call Houston
IleallhSource at 025-9771.
the support that is needed when faced with caring for a
newborn.” comments l)r. Lall'erly.
Mother and baby are v isited for the lirsl time no
sooner than three days and no later than 14 days aller they
leave the hospital. The second visit is scheduled I 1 days
alter the first visit. During each of these check-ups. the
nurse weighs the baby, checks the mother for any
continuing discomfort or infections, and assesses overall
health.
“AVe are dedicated to prov iding education such as
proper breast feeding techniques, instructions on how to
delect illnesses early, and avenues for obtaining social,
nutritional and medical services,” explains Aicki
Alexander, 11. V. for Perry Hospital's Postpartum Home
A isits.
The last two home visits, known as “Health Check
A isits,” occur when the baby is six months and II months.
These visits educate mothers on proper home safety
procedures, including how to avoid fatal accidents, and
there are screens for illnesses and general health.
For more information on the Postpartum Home A isits
program and Houston Healthcare Complex's complete
maternity serv ices, please call I leallhSource at 925-9771.