Articles

Whose Idea Was It To Call It Morning Sickness If It Lasts All Day?

Dr. Edward Heidtman, Carolina Women's Health

It's one of the most common misconceptions about pregnancy - that morning sickness happens only in the morning. And for that matter, that it only happens in the first trimester! This may be true for some, but many women who experience nausea during pregnancy find that it can happen anytime – and it doesn’t always stop with the second trimester. Read more >>

Gestational Diabetes

Dr. Harvey Sikes, Carolina Women's Health

If you’re pregnant, it’s a safe bet that you’ve had sugar on the brain – in the form of chocolate, milkshakes or brownies. But for many pregnant women, their thoughts aren’t about sweet treats, but blood sugar. While gestational diabetes is relatively common, it is also can be serious. Read more >>

Overcoming Postpartum Depression

Dr. Vanessa Mazzoli, Carolina Women's Health

It is not uncommon for women to experience some degree of emotional let down after giving birth. Crying for no reason, irritability, restlessness and anxiety are all common, especially the first two weeks. It’s only when these feeling do not go away within a few weeks, or that they are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning that you should seek treatment. Read more >>

Baby Safety Month Checklist

Excerpts from source: Lisa Carter and Lori Marques, authors of "Child Safety Made Easy" | www.paranoidsisters.com

September is National Baby Safety Month. In honor of this special month, we are providing you with a plan to tighten up your safety belts in and around the house. Set aside a small amount of time every day, mark it on your calendar and then follow this plan to a safer environment for your baby.  

• Commit to taking care of all those little safety items around the house that have been nagging at you.

• Schedule a car seat safety check. Is it properly installed (refer to installation instructions and vehicle owner's manual)? Center of back seat whenever possible - never in front passenger side when there is an airbag. Rear-facing for infants less than one year and 20 pounds. Your child must still be in a car seat until they are four years old and weigh at least 40 pounds.
  

• Check baby's crib. Are the slats less than 2-3/8 inches? All slats are secure? The corner posts should not be any higher than the end panels and never should they extend over the end panels. No holes in the mattress? Stuffed animals removed? Crib is not near any windows, electrical outlets, lamps? Remove any pictures or shelving over the crib, and mobiles must been removed if baby can pull up.

• Check condition and sturdiness of toys. Discard any with sharp edges or are broken or falling apart.

• Is baby's pacifier still in good condition? Be sure it isn't coming apart. Never use strings to attach the pacifier to baby's clothes or crib.

• Is sleepwear fire retardant? Check the labels to be sure.

• Where do you set baby's carrier when she's in it? Never set on the counter or any high surface where babies can wiggle and tip themselves over. Same goes for the Bumbo!

• Are you using an old walker? It's time to throw it out. Walkers can be dangerous (especially old ones that don't meet today's safety standards), as they allow baby to move very quickly and reach things they normally can't.

• Check your stroller. If your stroller is collapsible, be sure latches are secure before putting baby in. Always check that your child's arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions so they won't get pinched. Be sure to use that safety strap. Don't hang overloaded or heavy bags on the handle of the stroller, this may cause it to tip over.

• Enroll in an Infant/Child CPR class. This will be a valuable investment of your time.