Medical Minute

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Listen to Robert Wood Johnson's "Moment of Trust."

WHY CHOOSE A MODERN MIDWIFE?

What can a midwife offer me? Modern midwives go above and beyond to tend to a mom one-on-one throughout labor as a coach, medical expert, female support and more. Research shows that having midwifery care can lead to fewer surgical births, fewer interventions for mother and baby and higher satisfaction rates.

  1. Midwifery is personalized care. Midwives work together with childbearing women, their families and their communities, aiding them to explore their options and make educated decisions based on their unique circumstances.
  2. Much more than just healthcare professionals who deliver babies, certified nurse-midwives (CNM) offer year-round gynecological care, preventative care and much more. Midwives offer full prenatal care including a physical exam, complete medical history, laboratory tests and perinatal screenings. Mother and child safety is critical.
  3. Choosing a modern midwife is cost-effective as most insurances cover midwifery care. Parents should look for a reliable and compassionate hospital that will be happy to submit insurance claims and disability forms for you.
  4. Midwifery care is not just support during childbirth. The CNM meets the expectant mother and family throughout the pregnancy, prior to delivery, develops a birth preparation checklist for expectant parents and acquaints them with the items she regularly uses. Midwives take the time to improve the outcome of birth and labor.

To make an appointment or to learn more about RWJ Hamilton’s OB/GYN group, visit http://www.rwjobgyn.org


TOP 5 TIPS FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH

Take charge of your health by scheduling an appointment with your primary physician. Regular health exams—including mammograms and OB-GYN visits —can help identify health problems before they start.

Eating a balanced diet will nourish the body, ensure its receiving proper nutrients, and boost metabolism to help maintain a healthy weight. Incorporate various fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your daily menu, limiting intakes high in calories, sugar, salt and fat.

Whether it’s walking, hiking or cycling, exercise is a mandatory for women’s health. Proven to help prevent heart disease and high blood pressure, women should get 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week, especially activities that raise your heart rate.

Women should take a multivitamin every day to ensure they receive the proper nutrients for a strong body and healthy immune system. Women are most at-risk for osteoporosis, and so dietary supplements, especially calcium, provide the daily value of vitamins not obtained from usual diets to combat this condition.

A balance of work and recreation can help manage stress and promote mental health. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night, staying positive and engaging in stress relief activities like yoga or meditation will help you stay relaxed.
For more information, please visit www.rwjhamilton.org


ARE YOU LIVING WITH DIABETES?

Nearly three times as many Americans are living with diabetes today than there were 30 years ago, according to British study reported on in the June 27 edition of The Wall Street Journal. Of greater concern, according to the American Diabetes Association, is the fact that one in every 42 Americans is currently living with diabetes and doesn’t even know it - your co-worker, a classmate of your child, one of your neighbors.

The British study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization, reported nearly 350 million people worldwide are diabetics, and of those approximately 25 million live in the U.S. with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. With complications that range from heart disease and stroke to blindness and amputation, diabetes has become one of the top 10 causes of death in the United States

The good news is we know far more about diabetes today than we did three decades ago.

To find out more about this growing epidemic, preventative steps to take to keep you and your family healthy and what you can do to improve a life lived with diabetes, please join Dr. Syed Rizvi, endocrinologist and researcher for a discussion on diabetes and what you need to know. This free event will be held on Tuesday, July 26 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health and Wellness.

For more information, please call (609) 584-5900 or visit www.rwjhamilton.org/education


MEET THE CERTIFIED BABY SITTER

With summertime comes the age-old dilemma for parents: what to do about the kids? Parents who work or just need a sitter for a few hours to run to the store often find themselves wondering how to identify a “good” neighborhood baby sitter.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton offers would-be baby sitters its Safe Sitter: Baby Sitting Class on Wednesday, July 13 and Wednesday, Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on both dates.

This competency-based, structured program teaches safe nurturing techniques, behavior management skills and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. The program is ideal for young baby-sitting entrepreneurs in-waiting looking to reassure potential employer parents about their skills, experience and competency. The class is ideally suited for children ages 11 to 13. The fee is $65 and the class is held at the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness.

For more information, please visit www.rwj.hamilton.org/education.