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Would You Offer Up Your Baby to Research?

LilSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Weird science? The world's heaviest baby has been invited by the Japanese Medical Association to have his development studied as he grows. The study would be sponsored by a Japanese television network and new concerns are brewing that the Indonesian newborn will be exploited, even if it's for science. Luckily it's not a decision that most parents have to face, but would you allow your baby to be poked and prodded by doctors?

Do You Text Your Doctor?

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:30:16 -0700

Got a burning question for your doctor during non-office hours? Skip the overnight answering service and just text her! Expectant mamas who find themselves wondering why their breasts are leaking in the weeks before delivery or if it is safe to take medication for a headache don't always have to wait for the phones to open at 9 a.m. to get an answer. Many doctors are opening themselves, and their mobile phone lines, up to patients with non-emergency questions. The practice allays patients' fears and reduces the doctors' call volume first thing in the morning. Best of all, worried mamas can find answers without venturing to the often scary Internet and learning worst-case scenarios.

Do you text your doctor non-emergency questions?

Should Parents-to-Be Get Paid to Attend Prenatal Visits?

LilSugar — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Women without health insurance or those who are not familiar with the healthcare system often skip their prenatal visits, which can lead to complications for both mother and baby. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, offering expectant moms $100 to begin their prenatal doctor visits in the first trimester and continue through delivery is enough incentive to have them comply.

By offering the financial reward, the researchers saw a 62 percent increase in the number of program participants and a 39 percent decrease in the number of low birth weight babies. The plan, which also offered the participants' doctors a $100 bonus for enforcing the appointments, cost the healthcare companies less in the first year of the babies' lives.

What to Expect at Your Postpartum Checkup

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Mamas wait for what seems like an eternity for their babies, so when they finally arrive it's a big relief. There's another wonderful thing that comes with holding the warm bundle of joy, clearing your calendar of prenatal appointments! But, before women can pencil in other activities, they need to go in for their six week postpartum checkup. Here's what to expect during the visit:

A thorough pelvic exam, including a pap smear, an examination of any episiotomy, vaginal tear, or C-section scar healing and a check of the uterus's return to its prepregnancy size.
A breast exam including a breast cancer screening and checks for infections and abscess that may result from breastfeeding.
Blood work to check for anemia or thyroid issues.
A mental health evaluation to screen for postpartum depression and determine the mother's overall well-being.
A discussion about birth control options. Depending on a woman's breastfeeding goals and her plans for subsequent children, her contraceptive options may vary from her prepregnancy ones. Be sure to discuss all options with your doctor.
Clearance for postpartum sexual activity. Many husbands view the six-week postpartum checkup as the green light for resuming sexual activity. If your doctor does say it is OK to proceed, discuss any tips she might have to get you started again.

Who Are the People in Your Pregnancy?

LilSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:29 -0700

It takes more than just a mother to have a baby! From hubbies and birth coaches to OB/GYNs, anesthesiologists, doulas, and lactation consultants, a lot of hands help prep moms for giving birth and handling its aftermath. Take our quiz to see how well you know the the people you will meet during your nine-month journey into motherhood.

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First Year Vision Checks Are a Sight For Sore Eyes

LilSugar — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 05:00:49 -0700

"Peek-a-boo! I see you!!" But just how well does baby see mama? While parents book pediatrician appointments months in advance, most tots don’t visit an optometrist until they are well over a year old unless their doctor suspects a problem.

According to the American Optometric Association, by the age of six months, lil ones have reached enough developmental milestones to warrant a first eye assessment. Given that most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of these initial vision exams, the organization’s foundation has created InfantSee – a free, one-time, comprehensive eye assessment for infants in their first year of life. Through the InfantSee program, doctors check lil eyes for signs of vision problems, such as strabismus (crossed-eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye) and diseases of the eye that can lead to future vision problems.

Did your babe have an eye exam before his or her first birthday?

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How Many ER Trips Have You Taken For a Pet?

PetSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:00:00 -0700

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Health Tip: Pick a Doctor Who's a Peer

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

The April issue of Esquire features a Q and A with Dr. Mehmet Oz called "The Lightning Round" - as in, if you had the good doctor cornered at a party, what burning questions would you ask him? One of the questions was: What's the single most important thing to look for in a doctor? Dr. Oz's answer: Choose a doctor like you, or who treats other people like you.

Obviously there are other considerations, like which doctors are nearby and covered by your insurance. But a physician who treats other patients in your age range will be well-versed in the issues you might face. Even better, Oz adds, "you want your doctor to be around your age or younger (unless you're 17). That way you can have a doctor for life, and that continuity is a big help in diagnosing and predicting problems as you age."

I definitely appreciate that my doctor treats other patients around my same age, so this seems like a smart idea. What do you think? Is your doc in your peer group?

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Zagat Gets Into the Business of Rating Doctors

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Doctor preference is a highly personal thing, but we often rely on others for recommendations because there are just so many docs to choose from. With this in mind, Zagat has taken its restaurant guide business into the brand new realm of health care providers. The respected restaurant reviewer has teamed up with insurance giant WellPoint to compile a guide based on the company's customer reviews.

Physicians are rated on things like trust and communication, then the comments are translated into scores, which are currently accessible to two million WellPoint and Anthem customers. Nina Zagat said the reviews are not meant to be the primary resource in choosing a doctor, but should be used to evaluate a group of specialists recommended by your physician.

Several doctors have reacted with concern, responding with comments that WellPoint is "treating medical care provided by dedicated and caring physicians as if we were preparing a meal," and reviewing doctors is a "recipe for disaster."

Would you like it if this idea expanded or do you think reviewing doctors is a bad idea?

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Are You a Weeper?

babysugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Seeing your infant in pain can be devastating for newborn parents. I've heard of many a mother that can't bear to watch her babe get his first round of shots so she makes the dad do the dirty work.

Having always been the tough skinned mama, I recently cried with my daughter at one of her doctor's visits for the first time in her two years of life. The doctor handed us both tissues and I treated both of us to ice cream after.

Do you get teary eyed when your wee one weeps?

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