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2008: March • February • January | 2007: December • October • September • August • July • June • May • JulyJuly: New Healthy Start Prenatal Screens Here in August
To make the form more user-friendly and up to date, the State has designed a new form that Coalitions will be getting out to area health care providers.
We rely on midwives and physicians to screen pregnant women at the first prenatal appointment and send that screening form to our offices so we can identify whom we need to assist. This is how our program works! It's also required by the state that ALL pregnant women are screened, whether they receive Healthy Start services or not.
The implementation plan for the revised prenatal screen involves a gradual transition from the current form to the revised form. There are approximately $10,000+ copies of current form stock in the DOH distribution center that must be used prior to distribution of the revised form (waste not!).
As these forms make their way to Monroe county, your Coalition staff will be providing a short in-service on these forms, so please watch for our staff to visit soon. The uniform use of the new forms helps us help the women of the Keys.Stay tuned for information about your "cool prize."
March: Poison Proofing Your Family's Home
Click here for some excellent information from the Florida Poison Information Center Network
February: Car Seat Facts: Buckle those kids up too!
Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children aged 2 to 14. Many parents are under the false impression that children who have outgrown child safety seats can move right into safety belts: nothing could be further from the truth. Safety belts, which are designed to fit adults, won’t fully restrain a child in a crash. Using a booster seat will better protect your child from being thrown from the vehicle, or thrown around inside it, during a crash. Here are four simple rules for keep ALL kids safe in the car:
A local training is being planned to certify more community members to provide car seat inspections. To find out about local car seat inspection services, contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Department or the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424.
For more information about the proper use of booster seats, visit www.boosterseat.gov.
January is Cervical Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month
FLORIDA KEYS, FLORIDA— January is cervical health awareness month. Cervical cancer, when detected early is nearly 100% curable. All women are encouraged to see their health care provider for regular pap tests because early detection saves lives.Women who are pregnant also need to be aware of cervical health, and pap tests are often part of prenatal care. Between pregnancies, a pap test is essential to screen for problems and assure a healthy woman and healthy future pregnancies.
If you are over 21, get your regular pap test at your annual physical exam.
Talk to your care provider about the new vaccine for helping to prevent HPV or human papilloma virus, a virus which can cause cervical cancer.
For more information on prenatal care and health during the reproductive years, contact Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424 or visit our home page.
Florida Keys Healthy Start brings attention to January: Birth Defect Prevention Month
KEY WEST, FLORIDA—The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is joining the National Birth Defects Prevention Network to alert women and their families about the urgent need for good health before even thinking about pregnancy.“Healthy Start services include care of women before a pregnancy begins” says Executive Director Arianna Nesbitt. “We hope to reach Florida Keys women with the important message of prevention during this event.”
Good health habits for women include knowing your family history and genetic risks, seeing your doctor or midwife to manage any health problems, and eating folic acid- enriched foods. Women can also get folic acid by taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day.
The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is working with local caregivers throughout the Keys to help encourage good pre-pregnancy health.
To learn more about what you can do to stay healthy before a pregnancy, and reduce your risk of birth defects, contact The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424 or visit our home page.
Don’t Wait to Get to Your Healthy Weight!
KEY WEST, FLORIDA— January 21st marks the start of Healthy Weight week. Although the topic of weight is virtually everywhere, along with the pressure to look model-thin, there are definite health reasons for getting a healthy weight, especially for women.All women should strive to maintain or get to a healthy weight. Your health care provider can help you determine if your BMI or body mass index is right for you, or could use some improvement.
For women who are pregnant, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for the health of both mother and baby. Healthy weight during pregnancy is actually weight GAIN, not loss. An average of 25-35 pounds of weigh gain is expected and recommended in order to grow a healthy baby. Don’t worry, breastfeeding helps take those pounds off after the birth!
For women who are not pregnant, but might become pregnant, getting to an ideal weight will make conception easier, pregnancy more comfortable, and lower the risk of medical problems during pregnancy.
The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition can help you with information on healthy weight for pregnant and postpartum women. Contact us about our Parents Walking Club and other prenatal and postpartum fitness opportunities in all of the Keys. 293-8424 or visit our home page.
Pregnancy and HIV: Get tested, get the facts before baby!
For December 1, World Aids Day, Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition wants women to consider HIV/Aids and their future baby plans. An HIV-infected woman who becomes pregnant needs to think about her own health and the health of her new child. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that “If you have HIV, you could pass it to your baby during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and breastfeeding. There are things you can do to help prevent this from happening. That is why it is important to know your HIV status as early in pregnancy as possible. “The risk of transmitting HIV to a newborn can be reduced with medications during pregnancy and labor and birth. Any woman with HIV who is thinking about getting pregnant should carefully discuss treatment options with her doctor. If you are infected with HIV and are not treated, the risk of your baby becoming infected is about 25%. With certain treatments and delivery options, the risk is reduced to about 2%.
If a woman is not aware of her HIV status, she should make certain that this is part of her prenatal care. Blood is taken usually during the first prenatal appointment to check for many problems. Before planning a pregnancy, there are many places to get a free HIV test throughout the community. The Monroe County Health Department, AIDS Help Inc, Womankind, and your family physician are just a few of the choices for an HIV test.
For more information on maintaining a healthy pregnancy and prenatal care, contact the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at (305) 293-8424.
October is SIDS Awareness Month
Key West, Fla. The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition wants to help the public be more aware of SIDS and how to reduce the risks.
SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is also commonly known as “crib death”. SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby from birth up to 12 months. Most often, the baby is less than 6 months old. One out of every five SIDS deaths occurs in a daycare center or when the baby is under someone other than the parents' care. This is mainly due to caregivers not knowing the ways to protect baby from SIDS. Although SIDS and the cause of SIDS is still a mystery, there are ways to reduce the risk.
SIDS information is available for new parents from local childbirth classes, clinics, and the Healthy Start home visitors. Babysitters, grandparents, daycare centers, and church nurseries also need to know the right information about protecting a baby from SIDS.
For more information, or for resources in more languages, please contact the Florida
Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424.
September 9th is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Awareness DayAlcohol has a potentially devastating impact on the health of unborn infants that is irreversible and causes many life long behavioral and learning problems. Education is critical to preventing future alcohol-related birth effect tragedies and to reversing the message that “some” alcohol during pregnancy is ok.
Warning signs where alcoholic beverages are sold represent a cost-effective means of providing consumers with the necessary public health information that no alcohol during pregnancy is safe.
Women often believe this based not only on peer-pressure, but at the recommendation of their physicians who tout alcohol as a means of “relaxing” during pregnancy and even go so far as to encourage alcohol as a prescription for later milk- production.
Our hope for the Florida Keys is that we will join the ranks of the municipalities of 19 other states, which require the posting of alcohol health warning signs where alcoholic beverages are sold.
The Florida Keys has many unique characteristics in which we celebrate such as our warmth, sunshine, and endless ocean views. Some characteristics that we have are cause for alarm, especially in the population of childbearing-age women.
These are:
- Higher than State average of youth consumption of alcohol
The Monroe County Commission has passed the creation of a new ordinance which requires bars and other establishment which serve alcohol to have a visible warning sign which warns all consumers about the dangers of alcohol and pregnancy.
Recently, the Village of Islamorada council leaders also demonstrated that they care about children and care about the health and well-being of all citizens by a unanimous resolution to support the county ordinance.
The City of Key West has also joined in the effort to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies by adopting the county ordinance as a city ordinance.
The City of Layton agreed to follow County ordinance but did not adopt and the City of Key Colony Beach also agreed to follow County ordinance but did not adopt.
The City of Marathon has taken no action on this issue at this time.
Please express to your local leaders how much we appreciate their attention and support of this public health awareness project.
Fisher-Price to Recall Nearly One Million Toys
Wednesday August 1, 7:51 pm ET
By Anne D'Innocenzio and Natasha T. Metzler, Associated Press Writers
Fisher-Price to Recall Almost a Million Toys Worldwide Because of Lead in Paint
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Toy-maker Fisher-Price is recalling 83 types of toys -- including the popular Big Bird, Elmo, Dora and Diego characters -- because their paint contains excessive amounts of lead.The worldwide recall being announced Thursday involves 967,000 plastic preschool toys made by a Chinese vendor and sold in the United States between May and August. It is the latest in a wave of recalls that has heightened global concern about the safety of Chinese-made products.
Hearing Services
Hear 4 Kidz, Inc. is happy to be providing audiology/hearing services to clients in Key West at the Easter Seals of Florida/Early Steps office. Located at:
5220 College Road • Key West, FL 33040We all know how important it is to have good hearing, especially for the children. These services will be available for any individual in need of an audiological assessment (including adults). All that is required is a prescription for the assessment from the individual’s physician.
To schedule an appointment, please call or have the client or clients parent/guardian call my Homestead office and schedule an appointment during the next scheduled day in Key West. Please call : 305-247-8227 or via e-mail.
August:World Breastfeeding Week 2007: An Early Start is a Healthy Start
KEY WEST, FL—Happy World Breastfeeding Week from your Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition. The campaign is sponsored by various health organizations including the UNICEF and this year's topic is to stress the importance of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. An early start to breastfeeding makes breastfeeding more successful for mother and baby.
Today’s children have many health problems , and much of it is from a low-breastfeeding rate in the US. Obesity, low immunity, allergies, ear infections and stomach problems are some of the most common problems associated with non-breastfed children.
For a new mom, finding good information, support and assistance with breastfeeding can be hard, and the information usually varies and is conflicting. During World Breastfeeding Week, public health groups aim to make the messages clear to all women.
Many national health groups such as the American Public Health Association recommend breastfeeding as part of our National Nutrition Campaign. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends only breastmilk for the first six months and to continue breastfeeding for at least twelve months. An efficient and low cost way to get more people to understand the importance of early and exclusive breastfeeding is to provide community education and support.
The Upper Keys has the Mothers in Paradise new-moms group, Key West has a La Leche League group, and area birthing hospitals have prenatal classes and nurses to help parents learn the basics of breastfeeding. Healthy Start and WIC offices also have staff trained to assist breastfeeding mothers with their questions or concerns. It is important that everyone in the community know where to direct a breastfeeding mother if she needs help. Breastfeeding problems and concerns should be taken as serious as any other medical problem and dealt with by someone skilled in breastfeeding management.World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated August 1-7th. Many area physician offices and clinics will receive free breastfeeding materials to assist clients with current, evidence-based practice.
July: Group B Strep Awareness Month
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, please click here to see a fact sheet on GBS including some birth practices such as "stripping the membranes" and internal monitors that can infect the baby in a GBS positive mom.
June: Surviving Summer Sun with Baby
Key West, FL. The heat of summer is creeping in and even those of us accustomed to the extreme heat tend to stay indoors as much as possible. This may be especially true for families with a small baby whereas the very young are more vulnerable during periods of high heat and humidity. Following these recommendations will help you enjoy the summer sun and water safely with a baby.
Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing
A newborn baby in the Florida summer does not need to be swaddled with a hat on for outings. Dress your baby as you would dress yourself, layers for layer. Keep indoor temperatures moderate day and night.Healthy Outdoor Time
Direct sunlight on a small baby can be harmful, however, indirect sunlight, for as little as fifteen minutes provides enough sun exposure to fulfill the Vitamin D requirement for baby. Clothing and shade provide the best protection for the skin. Attach a sunshade to your stroller or carrier when you are not holding your baby, and enjoy being outdoors.Keep children out of direct sunlight between 10am and 2pm
Luckily, these peak hours of sunlight are also prime napping and lunching time. Take a siesta during the heat and leave these hours to the tourists.Use a gentle sunblock with a SPF of at least 30
Check with local shops for gentle sunblock for kids with natural sun blocking agents. Babies love to chew on their fingers and toes, so use caution when applying sunscreen to this age group. Generally, sunscreens are not recommended for babies under 6 months of age.Offer fluids frequently as children can quickly become dehydrated
The heat tends to make baby sleepy. Make certain that baby is drinking plenty of age appropriate fluids. Breastmilk or formula for under 6 months. Extra water for over 6 months.Dress children in light, loose-fitting clothing and hats
Dressing babies in natural cotton fibers allows for airflow and light colors work well to reflect heat. Consider a lightweight cotton shirt and hat. Remember that disposable diapers increase and hold in heat.Remember, dark skinned children can get sunburned and should be equally protected
Sunburn is not the only indicator of sun damage. All skin is at risk, and this goes for adults too. You may find it easier to get a young child to wear protective clothing and sunblock if parents set an example.Drowning deaths are the number one cause of deaths in Florida for young children between the ages of 1-4.
Baby pools, swimming pools, public beaches and sprinklers! All fun ways to cool off with a baby in the summer heat. Book swim lessons for your baby and older child this summer as part of the summer fun. Overconfidence can be dangerous to a child who has been out of the water since last summer, so a refresher class can be beneficial.Consider a reusable swim diaper instead of the disposable ones.
Reusable swim diapers, besides being the more ecological choice, do not weigh baby down by soaking up water. The reusable swim diapers trap baby’s accidents without adding more weight to baby. When picking up a safe swim diaper, don’t forget a little lifejacket for baby too.Check local advisories before letting baby play at local beaches.
Several times a year, local beaches are sampled and appropriate warnings are issued for excessive bacteria levels throughout the Keys. As babies love to dig in wet sand and usually eat some too, this can be a serious health problem. For local beach warnings, check with the Monroe County Health Department 305-293-7500.Have a safe and happy summer with your little ones.
Contact 305-293-8424 Click to e-mail
June: Florida Keys Healthy Start wishes future fathers a Happy Fathers Day!
A new father can struggle to find his place in the new experience of watching his partner go through pregnancy. Most resources target women for both pregnancy and parenting topics. Little time, if any at all, during prenatal appointments is spent on transitioning the couple into parenthood.
Many fathers have numerous questions as to what a pregnancy and birth involve, and just how much of that will be their responsibility. Considering that most pregnancies are not planned, the couple may not have had time to discuss major parenting issues such as prenatal care, breastfeeding and parenting styles.
Your caregiver should be open to questions from both of you and assist you with feeling comfortable with the plan of care. Keeping a small notebook of concerns, questions and information you need during the pregnancy may help you organize your thoughts.
As the birth approaches, many fathers fear failing their partner or wonder if the pain will be too intense for the mother. The stress of wondering if medical help will be needed make many men doubt their ability to stay calm,( or vertical!) in the birth room.
Fathers should become educated on options, procedures, and the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth. Birth books and videos are helpful, but a childbirth class will allow the father to meet other fathers and ask plenty of questions.
Learning that the pain and work of childbirth is a healthy pain with purpose and not the pain of injury or disease, is one of the first hurdles for dads. The biggest and last hurdle is going from boyfriend or husband to responsible father.
Feeling confidant in the role of expectant father and birth partner will help develop skills to get the couple through the pregnancy and then also for the trying weeks of early parenting. There are many books written for fathers provide to help you best help the mother-to-be. Click to see The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin, and The Expectant Father by Armin Brott. Dr. William Sears, pediatrician and author of Father’s First Steps: 25 things a new father should know also has a wealth of new father information on his website.
Being a good birth partner is to know how to help. Some fathers feel that despite all the preparation, they want someone to show them the ropes and help them too. Adding an extra support person during birth will take some of the pressure off the dad.
Second-string support may be a Doula (birth assistant), or experienced friend or relative. If you and your partner choose to have extra help in the birth room, meet as a group prior to the birth to discuss what you want as a couple. The support person should be there to support your choices and help you, not just watch.
During the early weeks with a new baby, fathers often want the feeling of stability in the home in order to help the mother. If the father has questions or concerns, he should feel free to phone the doctor or any other resource and get answers.
Fathers do well to go with the flow, get to know the new baby, and help with meals, phone calls, reading those baby books, and running interference from the many well- wishers. A predictable existence will come back (eventually) and the calm support from the father makes all the difference in the world for both mother and baby.
Local resources to help men transition into fatherhood include the childbirth education classes offered throughout the Keys. Doulas and breastfeeding counselors are also a valuable resource for new fathers, not just mothers. Call the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition at 305-293-8424 for a referral.
Contact 305-293-8424 Click to e-mail
May 15 is National Women’s Checkup-up Day!
There are 365 days this year, and taking just one of those days to focus on your health could add years to your life.May 15th is National Women’s Check-up day. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider, and remind all the women in your life to do the same.
Take this one day to reconnect to your health.
Contact the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition for more information on staying healthy and getting the checkups you need before, during and after a pregnancy. We are happy to give referrals for local women's health care providers. (305) 293-8424 or e-mail
April is Cesarean Awareness Month
KEY WEST, FLORIDA—Since 2005, April has been designated as FLORIDA Cesarean Awareness Month. A cesarean section is the abdominal surgery to deliver a baby. Cesarean birth, often called a c-section, can be lifesaving for both mother and baby under many circumstances such as baby in a head-up or breech position or for a mother who is suffering from a serious illness.So why do we need awareness about a lifesaving surgery?
Both national and international health leaders urge communities to reduce the cesarean rate to fifteen percent among low-risk, first-time mothers. The rate for c-section in Florida is over 33% in some areas.
Women who undergo cesarean births face increased complications in their future reproductive life; have a longer recovery time and are subject to increased complications; and of course, much higher medical bills for both mother and baby. (Approximately $5,000 vs $15,000 for a c-section).
This year, more than one in three babies will be born surgically via cesarean section in the State of Florida overall. We are fortunate here in Monroe County to have a c-section rate lower than both the State and National average at our Lower Keys Medical Center, however, many women are choosing to give birth in Miami or points north where the rates can be nearly double.
These rates will only improve with good prenatal care and early childbirth education, and by women exercising their choices in choosing a safe place to give birth and getting plenty of help and education along the way.
Florida women have the right to full and complete information on the risks and benefits of natural and cesarean birth and the corresponding right to make informed choices about their healthcare
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition provides referrals and support for local childbirth education programs for ALL Florida Keys women, and contracts for home-visiting education for women enrolled in the Healthy Start program. For a childbirth class near you, contact 305-293-8424.
Copyright 2008 • FKHSC • Ludlow Production