News and Releases
2010: March
2009: March • June • Aug• Oct • Nov | 2008: Dec• Nov• July • March • Feb• Jan
2007: Dec• Oct • Sept • Aug • July • June • May • July
March 2010
Text4Baby
Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition, Healthy Start and Monroe County Health Department, and Text4baby – the first-ever free mobile health service in the United States – are partnering together to provide timely and expert health information through SMS text messages to pregnant women and new moms through their babies' first year.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
NOTE: Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition supports the use of slings, moby's, kangaroo care and skin-to-skin contact with your baby. However, we want you to use them safely, please read safety warnings and be aware of how to use these items properly for the safety of your little one.
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age. In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.
Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.
Many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold. Therefore, CPSC urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.
CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant's face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling's wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby's position after feeding so the baby's head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother's body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.
Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif. is announcing a free replacement program for the Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” infant slings. One million of these infant slings are being recalled in the United States and 15,000 are being recalled in Canada. CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using these slings for infants younger than four months of age due to a risk of suffocation and contact Infantino for a free replacement product.
The Infantino “SlingRider,” is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 lbs. “Infantino” is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,” “SlingRider” and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo” branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R” Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part "Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc." and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.
Infantino LLC sold the slings in the United States and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30. The product was manufactured in China and Thailand.
Consumers should stop using the recalled slings immediately and contact Infantino to receive a free replacement product, with a choice of a Wrap & Tie infant carrier, or a 2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover, or a 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym. A Jittery Pals Rattle will also be provided. Contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com Do not attempt to fix these carriers.
November 2009
Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls in Effect
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110 incidents of injury and entrapment. (only cribs with drop side down feature)
Stork Craft drop side down cribs and Fisher Price cribs manufactured by Stork Craft with drop side down- various style sold at BJ's, JC Penny, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, Walmart, Amazon.com, Babiesrus, Costco, and Target from 1993 through October 2009. Click here for all details!
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Maclaren USA, Inc., of South Norwalk, Connecticut
Recall of about one million Maclaren Strollers because the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. As of today, Maclaren has received 15 reports of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.
This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno, and Easy Traveller. The recalled Maclaren strollers were manufactured in China and sold at Babies“R”Us, Target, and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100.00 and $360.00.
This recall includes every Maclaren stroller sold in the past decade, since 1999. A carriage hinge appears to be responsible for the injuries.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit. Maclaren USA can be reached, toll-free, at 1-877-688-2326 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site.
October 2009
Baby food recalled for possible botulism
Plum Organics pulling apple and carrot pouches; no illnesses reported
Plum Organics has recalled Apple & Carrot Baby Food in Portable Pouches, bearing the UPC code of 890180001221 with a "Best By" code typed in black reading MAY2110.ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON - There's a national baby food recall.
Plum Organics is recalling some of its apple and carrot portable pouch baby food because of concerns over possible botulism contamination. The product was sold individually throughout the country at Toys-R-Us and Babies-R-Us stores. The California-based company says the product did not meet the FDA guidelines for proper acidity level, leaving it vulnerable to botulism contamination. Botulism is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition.
Consumers should not use these products, even if they appear to be normal, because of the possible health risk. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the baby food, and the company says no other Plum Organics products are affected. The recalled product is sold in 4.22-ounce pouches, with a "best by" date of May 21, 2010, and UPC 890180001221.
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.
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.
August 21, 2009
World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, 2009 / Emergency Preparedness for Newborn Infants
August 1-7 of every year is reserved to bring awareness to the importance of breastfeeding. This year during World Breastfeeding Week the international theme is: Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response, Are you ready?During World Breastfeeding Week free “Breastfeeding Basics” classes will be offered by WIC and Healthy Start for pregnant women and new moms. August 7th at the Roth Building in Tavernier at 5:30-6:30 pm. Key West and Marathon community classes will also be available, please call 305-293-8424 or check our website for updates. Free gifts available at your Pediatrician or OB in Monroe county all week long while supplies last. Pregnant women, and families with small children need to take extra care when making a family hurricane preparedness plan. In an emergency such as a hurricane, or the days after a hurricane,
• There may be no clean drinking water.
• There may be no grocery stores open.
• It may be impossible to ensure cleaning and sterilization of bottles, or have clean water for mixing formula.
The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition strongly supports the fact that breastmilk is the one safe and secure source of food for babies, instantly available, providing active protection against illness and keeping an infant warm and close to his/her mother. Outreach to health care providers and the community are key. Education on breastfeeding is for everyone from clinic nurses to the working mother. For mothers who work and or pump breastmilk for a baby, please take time to make a plan for your milk stockpile. Joan Willis of Danville, Virginia lost over 200 ounces of frozen pumped breastmilk when a hurricane ripped through town and tore down power lines. "I was just devastated," recalls Willis, "so many hours pumping—only to have it all go bad." Lechia Davis, a local lactation consultant suggested she file a claim under her homeowners insurance policy. The result: a check for over $400 to compensate her for the loss. "I’d rather have the milk back," says Willis, "but in the meantime, I’m using the check to buy a generator so this never happens again."
Infant Feeding Facts from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Breastfeeding Facts
For more information and local breastfeeding resources: Healthy Start- certified breastfeeding counselors at each location
WIC- certified breastfeeding counselors at each location
March 31, 2009
Free Gift-Filled Tote Bag for new Keys Mothers in 2009
For women giving birth at Lower Keys Medical Center, you will receive a Healthy Start tote bag full of great breastfeeding and postpartum information as well as free gifts! We are here to help your baby get a Healthy Start!
For women giving birth in Miami, please ask the following health care providers about your Free Healthy Start tote bag in English and Spanish:
Or ask your Healthy Start Care Coordinator.
December 30, 2008
Car Seat Program Starts for 2009!
Our recent award of a Florida Department of Transportation grant allowed for the recent purchase of car safety seats which have started to arrive! We are already starting to distribute to families in the Keys.Our other objective, to train new car seat inspectors, is also under way with a FREE training scheduled February 24-27th in Key Largo.
To register for the Car Seat Inspector Certification, email Mirine Dye. The training will end with a community inspection event in which free seats and education will be available. The inspection event will be at the Key Largo Fire Department, mile marker 99.
Families will have the opportunity to receive a car seat at many different times of contact including car seat events, upon discharge at LKMC, from a Healthy Start visit and with a referral from a Community Partner!
Providers: Please let our office know immediately if you wish to receive a small quantity of car seats to distribute to your clients.
November 5, 2008
Healthy Start Coalition Awarded Department of Transportation Grant for 2009The Coalition has been awarded a generous grant from the Florida Department of Transportation which will allow for the mass purchase of car seats and outreach for car seat inspection services. At this time there is no formal on-going program to assess car seat safety in our community, and no source for car seat provisions upon discharge from the hospital or during the prenatal period before the baby is born. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol have done programs in the past, and will continue to be a great resource, however, the 2009 program will be structured a bit differently. “Our program has contact with women before, during and after pregnancy, and we have the perfect opportunity to reach parents in every part of the community on a regular basis to ensure that car seats are distributed and used properly” stated Executive Director Arianna Nesbitt.
According to the recently posted Florida DOT statistics, Monroe County had approximately 127 fatality/injury incidents related to occupant safety during the 2001-2005 data collection period.
We are concerned with any contributing factors including any related infant death. In Monroe County, some of the trends in the target population include 4.7% of our population under the age of 6, and an increase in births. One possible problem with car seat use may be that Monroe County is 12.92% higher in costs for goods, services, housing and living than the average Florida county cost of living.The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is the maternal and child health coalition charged by the State to provide services to the women and families in our community. As such, there is a concern about the impact of not using a proper infant and toddler car seat which can lead to injury and death on our dangerous Overseas Highway. For more information the car seat program for 2009, or on the Healthy Start program, contact 305-293-8424.
July: 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.
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.
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.
Copyright © 2010 • FKHSC • Gardner Design