For more information on Immunizations in New York State visit the following:

NYS Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule

NYS Adult Immunization Schedule 

I didn’t realize I needed certain immunizations until I started a new job. Do you know which shots you need? Does your doctor remind you to get the flu vaccination?

Sources: Adults Need Immunizations Too ; CDC Features: Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – What you need to know; Protecting Against Influenza (Flu): Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old

Picture source: Alignmap Blog

As the parent of a toddler, I’m sure you’re well aware by now that babies have a lot of doctor’s appointments for check-ups, to be weighed, to get shots, etc. If you’re wondering which vaccinations your child needs, visit New York State’s Department of Health page. A recent CBS News video highlights a study that shows an increased risk for fever-related seizures in toddlers when the MMRV vaccine is administered in one short, as opposed to giving the MMR in one shot and the Varicella vaccine given in another shot.

Are you confused? This may help:

• MMR vaccine= Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine
• MMRV vaccine= Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine

To help clarify the risk, watch the video clip, “Infant Vaccine Increases Seizure Risk” 
Watch CBS News Videos Online” mce_href=”

In the video, the doctor recommends that babies get the MMR and the Varicella vaccines in two separate shots. The CDC says that “The rate of febrile seizures during the 7–10 days after vaccination was about 2 times higher in children who received MMRV vaccine (9 per 10,000 children vaccinated), compared with children who received measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and varicella vaccines separately at the same visit (4 per 10,000 children vaccinated).”

 What are your thoughts on this news segment?

Sources:

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccines: What Your Need to Know , CDC, 2008

What Clinicians Need to Know About MMRV Vaccine Safety, CDC, 2008 

According to the CDC, there has been no proven link between vaccines and autism. So, please get your baby vaccinated. By not vaccinating your baby, you are putting her or him at risk for very serious diseases. We here at NCPPC would also like to remind you that breastfeeding is a natural way for you to immunize your baby against common infections, like colds.

Watch the CDC’s video, “Get the Picture- Childhood Immunizations” to learn more about vaccines and your baby.

For more information on vaccine schedules in New York State, visit the NYS Department of Health website or view their Recommend Immunization Schedule (Spanish).

Exercising regularly, along with having low body fat and avoiding large amounts of alcoholic or caffeinated drinks can reduce you chances of having Endometriosis. Endo what? Well, if you have never heard of Endometriosis before, it is a common health problem that affects more than 5 million women in the U.S. Endometriosis causes the lining of the Uterus or womb, the Endometrium, to grow outside of the uterus. This growth can be very painful and can make it more difficult for you to get pregnant.

Common places for Endometriosis to occur include:

• Ovaries
• Fallopian Tubes
• Tissues that hold the Uterus in place
• Outer surface of the Uterus
• Lining of the Pelvic Cavity

If you have, or had Endometriosis, you may be experiencing feelings of fear, anger or uncertainty, but remember you’re not alone. 

I have a family member who had surgery last year for Endometriosis. Surgery is the one treatment that can boost your chances for getting pregnant. Now, she and her husband are on the road to recovery and hopefully the road to parenthood (I’m keeping my fingers crossed). Have you or someone close to you had Endometriosis? As par of National Endometriosis Awareness Month, would you like to share your story to serve as inspiration for others? Please post your story or opinion in our comment section. 

If you would like more information about this disease, visit one of the websites below or talk to your doctor.

Sources:

National Women’s Health Center

Endometriosos Research Center

Were you self-conscious about your body before you got pregnant? I’m sure the weight gain, enlarged breasts, food cravings, mood swings, and increased fatigue are not helping. It is natural for your body to change during pregnancy to help support the growth and development of your baby. Even though the changes may be tough, especially if you had a low body image before, it is reassuring to know that the changes are happening so you can have a healthy baby! Here are some tips from The National Women’s Health Information Center to help you love and accept your pregnant body. 

1. Concentrate on your baby. Your body is changing in order to help your baby grow and develop. It is a natural process.
2. Express your feelings. Talk with your partner, family, or friends about how you are feeling. Keeping your feelings bottled up will only make you feel worse.
3. Try to get out for some enjoyable exercise. A light swim or walk can help you clear your mind and get the focus off your body.
4. Take up prenatal yoga. Yoga focuses not on how your body looks, but on the link between your body and your mind. Make sure it is yoga that is safe during pregnancy, because some positions can be dangerous during pregnancy (check with your doctor to be safe). 
5. Learn as much as you can about pregnancy. By educating yourself, you will know what to expect and feel more in control.
6. If you are really having serious issues, seek out mental health counseling.

 Sources for entry: Women’s Health, National Eating Disorders Association,

Source for picture:

http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/sex-doctor/css/pregnant-couple-embrace.jpg

Did you even know that there was a Folic Acid Awareness week? For that matter, do you even know what Folic Acid is or why it is important to take? I didn’t know what Folic Acid was until I started working here at NCPPC. If you have ever been pregnant, your doctor should have recommended that you take prenatal vitamins that have Folic Acid in them. Folic Acid is a B vitamin, which in its natural form in foods is called folate. This B vitamin is very important because it helps replace dead skin cells and hair, helps in the production of red blood cells and it may even help reduce the risk of some cancers, Alzheimer’s disease and hearing loss as you age. Another amazing benefit of Folic Acid is that it can reduce the risk of neural tube defects, which occur when the brain or spinal cord do not develop correctly in a baby. The most common neural tube defect is Spina Bifida. Folic Acid can actually help reduce the risk of these defects by up to 70%.

Stop right now! This next tidbit of information is crucial.

In order for Folic Acid to be effective in reducing the risk of the neuaral tube birth defects, a woman must be taking it before she is pregnant and during early pregnancy. Not planning on getting pregnant any time soon? Well, neither were 50% of the pregnancies last year. That’s right, every year in the United States nearly half of all pregnancies are not planned. This is another one of those “teachable moments.” I want you to be the smartest person in the room. So, tell your sister, your cousin, your best friends, and any woman of child bearing age you know, that they need to start taking folic acid today!

Sources for this blog entry: Womens Health, Kids Health

There are two areas of health that I feel are often neglected, oral health and ocular (eye)  health. So many diseases can get into the body through these venues. If detected early, optometrists and dentists can save your body from experiencing a full-blown attack of certain diseases and they may even save your life. Did you know that optometrists can detect high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and some cancers? Pretty amazing! See they are more than just the people that give you your prescription for glasses. Did you know that poor oral health, especially periodontal disease (chronic inflammation of the gums) may lead to heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and much more. Pregnant women need to be taking good care of their oral health because periodontal disease can lead to preterm labor.

Eating healthy and brushing your teeth are important for good oral health. Regular professional cleanings are very important too. If you haven’t had a recent teeth cleaning, are an adult with natural teeth, and would like a free cleaning, call Bobbi at 315-788-9834. Make sure you mention that you are interested in a FREE CLEANING by a DENTAL HYGIENE STUDENT. You can also make an appointment at childrens-clinic.org. Again, you have to mention the above bolded statement.

Need low-cost or free health insurance to cover your eye exams? Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid cover eye health too. If you live in the tri-county area, contact us at 315-788-8533 to see if you qualify for one of these health insurance programs.

 Have you ever heard of ACOG? ACOG is an acronym for the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. ACOG is the group of professionals who determine safety procedures and practices for the doctors who take care of you during your pregnancy. Do you want to know what they say about alcohol use during pregnancy? They state that “no amount of alcohol consumption can be considered safe during pregnancy.” Yes, you heard it folks. The people who tell doctors what they should be doing say that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Please listen to the majority of professionals who say no alcohol during pregnancy and not the select few who say otherwise.    

Source for this blog entry: http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr02-06-08-1.cfm