Parents Precinct

March 31st 2010 04:16

THE QUESTIONS YOUR'E TOO EMBARRASSED TO ASK

Hi, I'm a midwife of many years experience and I'd like to offer some "insider" information and advice. Over the years I have been asked many questions and some become more repetative than others. I have worked in a tertiary level public and private hopital in Melbourne since graduating in 1999 and have also had the "birth experience" twice personally. My work ranges over the whole spectrum of maternity (birth suite, antenatal clinic , post natal and home visits)
Would you like to hear some of the most commonly asked questions and hear them answered truthfully?

Q1. Will it hurt? Yes
Q2. Will my 'bits' ever look the same? Yes and Yes(my husband has no complaints, besides I just turn the lights off!)
Q3. Can I request an epidural straight away? Yes, but be prepared for a lecture.
Q4. Can they really ask me to remove my recently manicured fushia pink nail polish? Yes, but it is for a valid reason.
Q5. Can I breastfeed(BF) straight away after the birth? Yes, it's encouraged but check if the maternity unit you're attending provides assistance to BF in the recovery room after a ceasarian, this is often not the case!
Q6. Can I request some liposuction while I'm in theatre having a ceasarian? NO, not in public hopitals anyway!
Q7. Am I too posh too push? With that set of childbearing hips, never!
Q8. Am I expected to shave my pubic hair? No, it's a personal choice. Remember a midwife has seen more fur than Tiger Woods!
Q9. Can I request a single room? Sure, but don't expect to get it. Generally the softly, softly approach works best. ie. "the lady in the other bed is snoring relly loudly and my wife does'nt want to complain but I see she's about to break"
Q10. Can I request a female doctor/midwife ? Yes and yes there are male midwives.
Q11. Can I say no to students? Yes you can. Some hospitals are a learning centre for student midwives and doctors but your birth experience takes priority.
Q12. How long can I stay in hospital? Public hospitals are led by the Department of Human Services (Goverment) and they want you out in about 2-3 days. If you've had a ceasarian you stay longer (5 days). Private hospitals will often have longer stays, but of course you've payed for the privledge.

Remember, you are always entitled to a second opinion during your pregnancy and birth. It's never too late, even if your legs are up in stirrups! (sorry, didn't mean to scare you) The doctor could be junior or from a different hospital where they practice differently. And the midwife is there to be your advocate so ask our opinion too! You have rights in hospital, lose the "patient"mentality and assert your rights. Definitely do your homework. It may not alter the outcome and it won't even guarentee you a pain free birth but it will facilitate you in having a birth experience that is positive with few regrets.

Over the coming months, if the interest is there, I'm hoping to cover many topics. I'd be interested to hear your questions. Some future topics might be pain relief options, all about the "downstairs bits/business end", ceasarians, breast feeding, Obstetricians and understanding of the medical/midwifery terms used. Talk to you again soon!

From the Modern Midwife

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Posted By: Ryana - Category: Pregnancy

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Just Words...Living with NF1

February 5th 2010 03:07

As a parent, I can only imagine that living with a child who has been diagnosed with an illness, that may affect their quality of life, could best be described as a challenge...a challenge to understand, a challenge to cope and a challenge to stay resilient. But the person who wrote the following piece does this every day of her life...

There are words spoken every day, however there are certain words that when placed together no parent wants to here. It was a Tuesday, the day I heard those words that sent my mind racing.

I had recently had some medical tests completed for my son who was 12 weeks old, and I was attending a regular pediatrician appointment. It was there were I was told that my son was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type 1, also known as NF1. As I listened to those words, that I couldn’t even pronounce, I was moved to tears and started feeling paralyzed with thoughts running through my mind. I started blaming myself, thinking; “What could I have done differently during my pregnancy? Had I eaten or drunk something I shouldn’t have?”

I had taken him to hospital a few weeks earlier as I was concerned that he had been ill, and wanted reassurance it was nothing to be concerned with. We had been given several tests, and all in all his illness had been a mystery to everyone. He had further tests to assist with providing an answer when the Pediatrician noticed that he had more than 6 café-au-lait spots (brown birthmarks) over his body. I thought nothing of the spots because everyone has birth marks don’t they? But café-au-lait spots are just one of the symptoms for diagnosing NF1.

After our first visit with the Neurofibromatosis Clinics at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, I began learning about NF1 and found out it is a genetic disorder. NF1 is not a rare disorder, it is the most common neurological disorder caused by a single gene. NF1 is the more common form of NF, occurring in 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 people worldwide. NF1 touches all races and both sexes equally. About half of the all people with NF1 have inherited the gene that causes it from parents, the other half because of a change to the gene. My son is one of the latter.

NF1 can cause skin changes as well as tumors (which are typically not cancerous) along the nerves in the body. There are other problems that can occur with NF1 like learning disabilities, high blood pressure, headaches and others that have not been listed.
He is almost 2 years old and has a tumor that is growing on the back of his neck. My goal and partly the reason why I am writing this, is to raise awareness and allow my son to have the knowledge that brings power. My aim is to raise my son with the confidence and a strong personality so if he does have visible signs of his condition he will not be affected by people’s reactions.

There is currently no cure for it and every case of NF1 is different. It can affect a person very mildly to more extreme manifestations. I guess this is what scares me about NF1, I don’t know what to expect or what is going to happen. When I see photos and learn more about NF1 my heart becomes heavy for families that have been affected by NF1 or will be affected by it.

However with the strength that I project into my child daily, those words that had paralyzed me in the beginning have now provided me with the knowledge and power I now hold.

To learn more about NF1, click here for the Royal Children's Hospital information site or the NF1 Association of Australia.

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Toddler

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School Lunch Ideas

February 1st 2010 09:42

Did you send your little one off today with tears or triumph? Were you pushing them out the door or gripping on to their oversized backpack? Whatever the case, the facts are that if they’re at school then you might be looking for some fun, handy, healthy lunchbox tips.

Most dietary and nutritional resources will tell you that the ideal kids’ lunchbox includes something vegetable, fruit, dairy, protein and starchy carb. And what does that all mean? Here are some suggestions that my little man swears by…

Vegetables: Carrot or celery sticks with hummus dip.

Fruit: Fresh is best so stick with what’s in season. I alternate between an apple, banana, mandarin, grapes, strawberries, watermelon or if you’re stuck a fruit cup with diced pears or peaches.

Dairy: Cheese cubes or yoghurt (good tip: freeze the yoghurt and pop it in their lunchbox that morning, by lunchtime it will be perfect and the best part is that it has kept all the other food nice and cool.)

Starchy: A sandwich is perfect, on wholemeal bread if, like mine, they know no other! Ham, vegemite, avocado, chicken…the choices are endless.

Protein: If this isn’t already in their sandwich, perhaps add some shaved ham, chicken or lamb…leftovers from a roast are great as they can be easily eaten.

Also when you pack a drink go water all the way...they'll need the hydration during the day.

Added Extras: If you’ve got a little extra time on your hands…and hey who really does?! But all kidding aside, every now and again it’s nice to throw in a little homemade treat like a fruit muffin, banana bread or zucchini slice.

STAY ON TOP OF IT TIPS:

Make up the lunchbox the night before and refrigerate OR Make up the weekly sandwich of choice and freeze...this is gold!

THE LATEST IN LUNCHBOXES:

I swear this is not a paid endorsement…but I just love the new Nude Food Movers™ from Smash. You can feel a little better about the world by reducing packaging and waste and you can fit so much in with its nifty sandwich divider and leak proof removable containers AND there’s an additional insulated CoolSkin™ to keep all of your perfectly prepared food yummy for longer! Gee upon reading that, it does sound like I've had a hand in writing their latest ad but seriously I was really impressed with this product!!

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion

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FLF #4 - Grilled salmon with Thai green risotto

December 4th 2009 05:18

I'm dropping Food Lovers Friday to FLF. I can't resist an acronym whenever possible...the result of being married to teacher perhaps!

This recipe is the first ever risotto I attempted. Struck with fear that risottos were complicated and tricky, I almost didn't try it BUT it was a grand success. So give it go! Enjoy

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion

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Food Lovers Friday #3 - Warm Chicken Salad

November 27th 2009 07:45

Warm Chicken Salad

Serving size: Serves 4

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion

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V is for Validation

November 26th 2009 01:25

The other day I received one of those ‘what makes women special’ emails…you know the sort that your mum or girlfriend sends you because they have to forward it on to eight other strong women in their life. Usually aimed squarely at mothers, these poetic, sentimental and emotive emails are indeed very nice to receive but the whole concept of patting each other on the back made me think about validation. How do we get it? How much do we need it? Do some need it more than others?

In an attempt to crack the mystery, I’ve decided to examine my own life stage and my need for validation. The reason I say life stage is because I have an inkling that the level of validation women require is directly in proportion to a particular phase in her life…motherhood. I realise that I could be accused of generalising mothers here, but my theory comes from some very “extensive research” i.e. coffee with the girls, conducted over “several years” i.e. since we had our children

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion

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Food Lovers Friday #2 - Summer Lasagne

November 20th 2009 02:35

This Ricotta, Ham and Tomato Lasagne is so quick and easy and perfect for a light summer meal.

Ingredients (serves 6)
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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion

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Food Lovers Friday #1 - Banana Bread

November 12th 2009 22:34

Food Lovers Friday is a first for Parent's Precinct. Every Friday I will post a tried and tested recipe guaranteed to please the family.

If you’re anything like me, the changing of the season has ensured that winter’s mundane rotation of warmers are done and dusted. I’m looking to feel inspired and reinvigorated about spring/summer meals and nothing beats discovering and sharing a new recipe to liven things up

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion, Food

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There were three in the bed ….

November 9th 2009 23:59

So the mummy one said…enough is enough!
What started out as an occasional nocturnal visit from our 3 year old has now turned into a nightly occurrence of sleep interrupting jostling, twisting and turning in an effort to accommodate our growing boy. Clearly relishing in the comfort and security that exists right in between mum and dad, our previously ‘great sleeper’, who didn’t mind a dark room or a shut door is now consistently disrupted. The fact that this co-sleeping habit coincides with the emergence of a very over active imagination is not lost on me. Every morning I ask him why he came down to mummy and daddy’s bed, the answer always involves a detailed description of a monster under his bed or scary things in the dark. So, much like every other child rearing ‘stage’ we have encountered, I immediately set about researching how we can transition to the next phase quickly and effectively in order to regain some semblance of restful sleep once more.

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Reasons for waking

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Is The Trick (Or Treat) On Us?

October 27th 2009 10:51

Are Australian retailers behind this palpable rise in Halloween promotion? Like me, you must have noticed their shelves recently stocked to bursting point with all kinds of spooky paraphernalia…costumes, plastic pumpkin baskets, witches hats, cobwebs et al. I have even found myself dutifully stocking up on lollies, or dare I say ‘candy’, just in case some innocent cog in this giant marketing helm/adorable young child from down the street, comes a knocking at my door this Saturday night!

Let’s face it, Halloween wouldn’t be the first thing Australian’s have borrowed from American culture but don’t you think it would be nice if we set the boundaries. You see, there are some who will naively embrace this seemingly happy (and giving) holiday, ah yes that would be the children. Then there’s the parent’s who, by and large, were not so lucky as to experience the phenomena of dressing up in scary costumes and forcing their neighbours, albeit perfect strangers, to hand over yummy, sugary snacks under the duress of being ‘tricked’. Then of course there are the true winners in all of this…the retailers. So good for them right? They’re businesses and their business is selling. Why not adopt a cash cow like Halloween and reap the rewards

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Posted By: Prue DeAraugo - Category: Opinion

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March 2010

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February 2010

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December 2009