LilSugar

Mommy's Lil Helper: femé Pads

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:00:48 -0700

If necessity is the mother of all invention, then why did it take so long for someone to create a product to help ease immediate postpartum discomfort? Earlier this year, lilsugar told you about the diaper ice pack nurses gave her when her son was born.

As I gear up for the birth of my second lil one, I am curious to see what is new to the market. An Australian company named SmartChoices had created a "reusable" version of Lil's pack, called femé Pads ($20 for two). The elongated oval cooling pads come with disposable gauze covers and can be used to help soothe both post-episiotomy and hemorrhoid pain. Some women I know could have used these pain relievers. It's certainly a more proper alternative to the condom popsicle!

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Vaginal Popsicles

babysugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:13:41 -0700

If you think condoms only have one purpose, you are sorely (and I mean sorely) mistaken. One of the "treats" that the nurses quickly introduced me to in the maternity ward after delivering my baby was the genius ice diaper. An instant pain reliever, not every new mother is lucky enough to receive such pampered treatment. For those who have swollen and bruised nether regions post delivery, I've got another secret.

A friend of mine was tipped off from a mother, who also happens to be a doctor, to fill a condom with water and freeze it. When the discomfort kicks in, take the vaginal popsicle out of the ice box and lay it length wise in your undies to give your girly parts some relief. To keep you dry, use a feminine napkin to catch the ice's perspiration.

Source

Mommy's Lil Helper: Diaper Ice Packs

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:00:19 -0800

Most moms worry about the pain of childbirth, but the real surprise comes with its aftermath. Before having my daughter, I heard a rumor that you had to sit on an ice ring after having your baby.

So I wasn't too startled and actually welcomed the ice pack the nurse gave me in the postpartum room. If you want to see what happened, read more.

While it did wonders for the swelling, the packs and pads soaking up blood had to be switched out often. This can be a bit tricky when you're completely exhausted and have had an epidural.

By the time I delivered my son a couple of years later, the savvy nurses had come up with a new solution. They took newborn diapers, slit the inside lining and filled it with crushed ice. Absorbent and cold, it was a new mom's heaven.

If you're headed to the hospital, it doesn't hurt to ask if they have any.

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Shared Postpartum Rooms

LilSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:00:52 -0700

Most women are no holds barred when giving birth - some scream, others go silent and 75 percent poop during delivery. Regardless of the antics, no one focuses on anything other than the baby making its debut. Hospitals normally offer spacious birthing rooms for expectant ladies to labor in that fit the father and anyone else the couple wants to invite to witness the arrival. But once the newborn has been welcomed into the world, the family is usually moved to smaller postpartum accommodations. In my experience, the basic quarters included a bed, a futon type piece of furniture for the dad, space to roll up the babe's bassinet, a couple of chairs and an in-suite bathroom. Though it was a tight squeeze with nurses shuffling in and out, the peace of a private room gave my husband and me time to bond with our infant and visit with relatives and friends.

Our hospital only offers single rooms so I was surprised to learn that many mommies spend their children's first days of life with roommates! I'm a big believer in the more, the merrier - except in this situation. I recall asking my husband to toss my catheter bag behind the table before guests arrived, sprinkling blood across the floor as I made my way towards the shower and having my diaper ice packs changed after enduring a pretty intense tear. While these things are part of motherhood, they made me a bit woozy and I can't imagine having to worry about my bunk mate and her baby's feelings. Would sharing a postpartum room bother you?

Got a few other secrets that you learned the hard way? Come dish with us on all the things your mama forgot to tell you in our Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me group over in our LilSugar community!

Source: Flickr User Emery Co Photo

Circumcision

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:34:50 -0700

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Circumcision

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. It is often performed in healthy boys for cultural or religious reasons. In the U.S., circumcision of a newborn boy is usually done before he leaves the hospital. Observant Jews perform circumcision in a ceremony on the eighth day of life.

The merits of circumcision are currently under debate. There is no compelling medical rationale for the procedure in healthy boys. Some boys have medical conditions where circumcision may be needed.

Many physicians, rather than routinely recommending circumcision for healthy boys, allow the parents to make the decision after presenting them with the "pros" and "cons."

How Is It Done?

A numbing medication (local anesthesia) is recommended during the procedure. It might be injected at the base or in the shaft of the penis, or applied as a cream to reduce pain.

There are a variety of ways to perform a circumcision. Most commonly, the foreskin is pushed from the head of the penis and clamped with a metal or plastic ring-like device.

If the ring is metal, the foreskin is excised and the metal device removed. The circumcision heals in 5-7 days.

If the ring is plastic, a piece of suture is tied tightly around the foreskin. This pushes the tissue into a groove in the plastic over the head of the penis. Within 5-7 days, the plastic covering the penis falls free, leaving a completely healed circumcision.

Sometimes a sucrose (sugar) pacifier is given to infants during the procedure, and Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be given after the procedure for any pain or anxiety.

Circumcision of older and adolescent boys is usually done while the child is completely asleep and pain-free (using general anesthesia). The foreskin is removed and stitched onto the remaining skin of the penis. Stitches that will dissolve (absorbable sutures) are used and will be absorbed within 7 to 10 days.

Considerations

Some faiths, such as Judaism and Islam, commonly have ritual circumcisions performed. For some areas in the world it is uncommon, such as Europe, Asia, and South and Central America.

There are varied opinions among physicians regarding the need for circumcision in healthy boys. Some place great value on the benefits of an intact foreskin, including a more natural sexual response during adulthood. However, some studies suggest that uncircumcised male infants have an increased risk for getting urinary tract infections. Other studies show correlations between uncircumcised males and penile cancer, some sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, infections of the penis, and phimosis (tightness of the foreskin, not allowing it to retract over the glans penis).

However, the overall increased risk for these conditions is thought to be relatively small. Proper hygiene of the penis and safe sexual practices can help prevent phimosis, penile cancer, cervical cancer, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. Proper hygiene is always important, but is thought to be especially important for an uncircumcised male.

The American Academy of Pediatrics revised their policy statement on circumcision in March 1999, and this policy is supported by the American Medical Association. Their summary of the policy is the following:

"Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided."

What Are The Risks?

The risks include:

Bleeding
Infection
Localized redness
Injury to the penis

For both newborns and older children, circumcision is considered a very safe procedure. There are significant complications in about 1 in 500 procedures.

Recovery

Healing time for newborns usually takes about 1 week. Apply petroleum jelly after diaper changes to protect the healing incision. Some initial swelling and yellow crust formation around the incision is normal.

Healing time for older children and adolescents may take up to 3 weeks. In most instances, the child will be discharged from the hospital on the day of the surgery. Suggestions for home care for older children include:

Avoid vigorous exercise during the healing time.
If the wound bleeds during the first 24 hours after surgery, apply pressure with a clean cloth for 10 minutes.
For older children, use ice packs (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling and pain. Bathing and showering are usually permitted. The incision may be gently washed with mild, unscented soap.
Change the dressing at least once a day and apply an antibiotic ointment. If the dressing gets wet, change it promptly.
Use prescribed pain medicine as directed. Pain medication should not be needed longer than 4 to 7 days (use only acetaminophen for infants, as needed).

Call your pediatrician or surgeon if:

Fresh bleeding occurs
The entire penis looks red and swollen
Pus drains from around the incision
Pain becomes severe or lasts for more than expected

Review Date:
1/16/2007
Reviewed By:
Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Pregnancy Center Links

Circumcision

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:03:24 -0700

Illustrations

Foreskin

Circumcision - series

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Alternative Names

Foreskin removal; Removal of foreskin

Description

The health care provider will usually numb the penis with local anesthesia before the procedure starts. The numbing medicine may be injected at the base of the penis, in the shaft, or applied as a cream.

There are a variety of ways to perform a circumcision. Most commonly, the foreskin is pushed from the head of the penis and clamped with a metal or plastic ring-like device.

If the ring is metal, the foreskin is cut off and the metal device is removed. The wound heals in 5-7 days.

The baby may be given a sweetened pacifier or lollipop during the procedure. Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be given afterward.

In older and adolescent boys, circumcision is usually done under general anesthesia while the child is completely asleep. The foreskin is removed and stitched onto the remaining skin of the penis. Stitches that dissolve are used to close the wound. They will be absorbed by the body within 7 to 10 days. The wound may take up to 3 weeks to heal.

Indications

Ciurcumcision is often performed in healthy boys for cultural or religious reasons. In the United States, a newborn boy is usually circumcised before he leaves the hospital. Jewish boys, however, are circumcised when they are 8 days old.

In other parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and South and Central America, circumcision is rare in the general population.

The merits of circumcision have been debated. Opinions about the need for circumcision in healthy boys vary among health care providers. Some believe there is great value to having an intact foreskin, such as allowing for a more natural sexual response during adulthood.

Rather than routinely recommending circumcision for healthy boys, many health care providers allow the parents to make the decision after presenting them with the pros and cons.

There is no compelling medical rationale for the procedure in healthy boys, although some boys have a medical condition requiring circumcision.

In 1999 the American Academy of Pediatrics revised their policy statement on circumcision, and this policy is supported by the American Medical Association. A summary of the policy is below:

Risks

Risks related to circumcision:

Bleeding
Infection
Redness around the surgery site
Injury to the penis

Some research has suggested that uncircumcised male infants have an increased risk of certain conditions, including:

Cancer of the penis
Certain sexually transmitted diseases including HIV
Infections of the penis
Phimosis (tightness of the foreskin that prevents it from retracting)
Urinary tract infections

The overall increased risk for these conditions is thought to be relatively small.

Proper hygiene of the penis and safe sexual practices can help prevent many of these conditions. Proper hygiene is always important, but is thought to be especially important for uncircumcised males.

Expectations after surgery

Circumcision is considered a very safe procedure for both newborns and older children.

Convalescence

Healing time for newborns after circumcision usually is about 1 week. Place petroleum jelly (Vaseline) onto the area after changing the diaper. This helps protect the healing area. Some swelling and yellow crust formation around the site is normal.

For older children and adolescents, healing may take up to 3 weeks. In most cases, the child will be released from the hospital on the day of the surgery.

At home, older children should avoiding vigorous exercise while the wound heals. If bleeding occurs during the first 24 hours after surgery, use a a clean cloth to apply pressure to the wound for 10 minutes. Place an ice pack on the area (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first 24 hours after surgery. This helps reduce swelling and pain.

Bathing or showering is usually allowed. The surgical cut may be gently washed with mild, unscented soap.

Change the dressing at least once a day and apply an antibiotic ointment. If the dressing gets wet, change it promptly.

Use prescribed pain medicine as directed. Pain medicines should not be needed longer than 4 to 7 days. In infants, use only acetaminophen (Tylenol), if needed.

Call your pediatrician or surgeon if:

New bleeding occurs
Pus drains from the area of the surgical cut
Pain becomes severe or lasts for longer than expected
The entire penis looks red and swollen

Review Date: 11/2/2007

Reviewed By: Deirdre O’Reilly, M.D., M.P.H., Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002998

How can I tell my friend to keep her legs closed?

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:39:29 -0800

I have a friend who recently married (this past June). This friend is very close and has told me a lot about her past and her current financial situation.

She and her husband both have full time jobs. He doesn't make too much and the majority of his pay goes to child support for his 11 year old daughter from a previous marriage. Let's just say it bluntly: my friend hates her step-daughter...I really mean HATES.

Anyway, my friend has called me to cry on my shoulder countless times about her poor financial situation. Her grandmother left them a little ranch home on 5 acres of land (it's a fixer-upper) when she died. She has no mortgage, no car payment but huge credit card, student loan and business debt from the very unsuccessful business venture her husband started and has abandoned. As a result of these debts she cries that her credit is ruined and that she has no money. She called crying when property taxes came due that she didn't have the money to pay them...she still hasn't. After a dinner for our friends bachelorette party two months ago she made the comment that she only had $3.00 left from her paycheck...she had just been paid the previous day. On her way to my home for a get-together of friends, she called to see if I needed anything on her way. I asked her to pick up a bag of ice at the convenience mart and she had to dig through her car's cupholder for change to pay for ice.

The last time she called crying about money was when she had only placebo pills left in her birth control pack. She said her insurance won't pay for contraceptives anymore and she didn't know what to do. I told her of some clinics where she could go and pay based on income and family size and the most she would pay was $14 a pack...cheaper than her $25 copay from her insurance. She thanked me and I felt good for helping her.

Three days later, she stopped by unexpectedly...to announce that her and her husband are going to start trying for a baby. I told her I was happy for them but I really wanted to smack some sense into her! During that conversation she started again about having no money. I mentioned that if she didn't have money now, how will she pays for doctor's visits, diapers, etc. if she does get pregnant and have a baby. She said she'll find money...

She refuses to get a part-time job because she's married and shouldn't have to work two jobs so her debt will just be that until she can get to it. I really think this baby idea stems from her and her husband having difficulties with his daughter and that her mother abandoned her with relatives when she was three years old. I just can't listen to her complain and cry about money anymore and then have her make more poor decisions.

I know I have no right to interfere with her and her husbands' decisions but I'd love to try and talk some sense into her. I feel like we are close enough that I can but I don't think I ever could. She emailed me today to tell me that she doesn't think she's pregnant yet...she hasn't even ovulated yet based on her last period and when she's expecting her next one. The girl doesn't even know her body and refuses to educate herself on it and the process of conception.

Sorry for the length but I needed to vent. Any thoughts or advice for me and this situation?