There is rarely a time that calls for more responsibility and healthy living than during a pregnancy. Your decisions during this delicate time will affect another human being for the rest of his life. If you are struggling with an addiction, pregnancy will hopefully be the motivating event you need to break free. Most women shouldn’t assume they can handle this kind of dependency on their own. At Plantation General, we offer a safe, private, and professional environment that will get you clean and keep your baby healthy.

Your Own Health
Coupling the effects of illegal drugs and pregnancy on the woman’s body could lead to disastrous results. The Centre helps women avoid many pitfalls for herself, such as:

• Anemia
• Blood infections
• Heart infections
• Skin infections
• Hepatitis
• Various infectious diseases

Your Baby’s Health
When you participate in drug use during a pregnancy, the chemicals will often travel through the placenta, resulting in a baby born with a drug addiction. Chemical dependency in an infant is harder on his organs than it would be for an adult. The baby is at risk for organ failure, a poor immune system, stunted growth, lack of weight gain, and in some rare cases, physical deformities.

The Centre
The Centre provides a private and judgment-free environment where you can seek both emotional and physical help as you take control of your addiction. Our professional staff  will supervise your progress as you break free from chemical dependency, working to keep you and your baby healthy and safe every step of the way. We will not only guide you through your pregnancy with quality medical care and supportive peer group sessions, but we help you transition into life as a new mom, responsible and devoted to your baby.

If you are pregnant and struggling with an addiction, please contact us immediately for help. To learn more about the The Centre at Plantation Hospital, visit our website or call our toll-free line at 1-877-730-STEP with your questions. We are available 24/7.

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Paying careful attention to the recommended screenings for women is an important part of preventative health. Many serious illnesses can be easily treated if caught during the earliest stages. As you age, certain tests should become a regular part of your healthcare routine.

Cervical Cancer Screenings
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health recommends that women begin getting Pap tests once they turn 21 years old, or once they have been sexually active for over three years. Most doctors recommend a pap smear every one to three years, until a woman is 65 years or older.

Breast Cancer Screenings
Mammograms are typically recommended for women over 40 years old, although your doctor may suggest this screening for younger women at a higher risk for breast cancer. Most women should get a mammogram once every one or two years.

Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Women between the ages of 50 and 75 should also begin getting screened for colorectal cancer. Your doctor may suggest a variety of testing methods, and the frequency of testing may vary depending on your risk factors.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Annual screenings for various STIs should begin as soon as a woman becomes sexually active. Extra testing is advised if you find yourself at an increased risk, such as after unprotected sexual intercourse outside of a trusted, monogamous relationship. Some STI screenings, such as Chlamydia or HIV, are recommended for all pregnant women.

Other Screenings and Tests
Women should also add the following tests to their medical schedules:

• Blood pressure every two years
• Diabetes screenings for women with high blood pressure
• Bone mineral density test after age 65
• Cholesterol test for women with risk factors for heart disease

Are you up to date on your recommended health screenings? Talk to a doctor about what preventative health measures you might benefit from. At Plantation General Hospital, we’re here to help. Call our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-256-7724 to receive a physician referral and set up an appointment today. 

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By Alicia Verity, MSPH

iTriageHealth.com

Brittany Murphy, the cheerful, actress filled with a child-like spirit, famous for her roles in 8 Mile, Clueless, and Uptown Girls, died on Sunday December 20, 2009, of sudden cardiac arrest, not a heart attack, at the tender age of 32. Her mother, Sharon found her unresponsive after Brittany went to the bathroom and failed to come back. Her mom frantically called 911 while Brittany’s husband, Monjack, tried to revive her in the shower.

Want to read more? Visit http://blog.itriagehealth.com/killer-among-us-heart-disease-and-women/www.itriagehealth.com.

Did you know that January is Cervical Health Awareness Month? This is a great time for you to learn about cervical health and understand the risks for cervical cancer—both for yourself and the other women in your family.

Cervical cancer is a condition in which cells in the cervix grow and divide uncontrollably. This creates a mass of tissue that can become a tumor. A malignant tumor is considered cancerous and spreads to nearby tissue and other parts of the body. In contrast, a benign tumor does not grow.

While you may not hear much about cervical cancer in the news, it is a serious disease that affects approximately 12,000 women in the United States each year. Here are some symptoms that can be linked to cervical cancer:

· Vaginal bleeding after sexual activity or after a pelvic exam

· Vaginal bleeding after you have entered menopause

· Bleeding between menstrual periods

· Menstrual bleeding that is heavier or longer what you usually experience

· Increased amounts of vaginal discharge

Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can be linked to medical conditions that are less serious and not cancerous. But if you have any concerns, contact your doctor right away for a checkup.

During a checkup, you physician will likely do a Pap test. This involves taking a sample of cells from your cervix, which is then analyzed. Since most cervical cancer is caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, your doctor may also do an HPV test. This will help determine if you have a condition that should be watched or treated.

If you are concerned about preventing cervical cancer, be sure to have a Pap test on a regular schedule. This screening tool is critical for catching cervical cancer early and helps your doctor monitor any abnormalities your cervix may have. Most doctors recommend that you have your first Pap test at age 21 or within three years of initially having intercourse, whichever comes first. After that, having a test every two or three years is suggested, unless risk factors indicate you should have one more often. Some risk factors include these:

· Being sexually active before age 18—research indicates that younger cells are more susceptible to HPV. There may also be increased risk if you were pregnant before age 20.

· Having other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—if you have HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other STDs, you may be more affected by HPV. You can decrease your risk by using condoms.

· Being a smoker—studies show that smoking can encourage the growth and change of precancerous cells. If you smoke, it is important that you find ways to kick the habit.

Another option for younger patients is the HPV vaccine. Many physicians recommend the vaccine for girls who are age 11 or 12 or for other young women who are not yet sexually active. Talk to your gynecologist or pediatrician about what’s right for your family members.

To learn more about cervical cancer and how to prevent it, contact Plantation General Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362. Serving Plantation and Central Broward County, we’re here to help protect your health.

Sources:

Plantation General Hospital

The American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology

National Cancer Institute

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So you want to have a baby! This is an exciting time for you and your partner. But before you start picking out names or scouting preschools, focus on the immediate issues. If you want to get pregnant, there are some important steps you should take to get ready.

• Get Checked Out. Schedule an appointment with your doctor and address any medical issues you have. You’ll need to discuss previous pregnancies, any sexually transmitted diseases you have contracted, prescription medication you take, and types of birth control you have used. Also, be sure your vaccinations are up to date.

• Eat Healthy Now. You want your body to be in the best shape possible before you conceive. So eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Lose Weight. If you are overweight, try to lose some pounds before you get pregnant. You’re bound to gain weight when you’re expecting, so don’t start off too heavy. Otherwise, you may be considered a high-risk pregnancy, and you’ll increase your chances of developing gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.

• Put Out the Cigarette. If you smoke, stop right away. Smoking can harm your unborn baby, so talk to your doctor about the best strategies to quit.

• Stop Drinking. You’ll want to avoid alcohol while you’re pregnant, so the easiest solution is to ditch the drinking ahead of time. Since you often don’t know that you’re pregnant for a few weeks, you don’t want to risk consuming alcohol during the first month of your pregnancy.

• Break an Addiction. If you take or are addicted to any illegal drugs, it is critical that you get clean before you conceive. Drug use can lead to low birth weight, miscarriage, and birth defects. Your baby could also be born addicted to the drugs you abuse.

• Kick the Caffeine. Most doctors suggest you forgo caffeine—or cut back dramatically—while you’re pregnant. Do yourself a favor and break the habit now. If you wait until you get pregnant, you may experience headaches and fatigue, in addition to the general nausea and tiredness associated with the first trimester.

• Take Supplements. Folic acid has been proven to help prevent certain birth defects. Start taking it (400 micrograms per day) while you try to conceive.

• Improve Your Environment. Have your home and workplace inspected for radon, asbestos, or other harmful elements. Exposure to them can hurt you as well as your baby.

• Know Your Timing. You ovulate once a month, usually about two weeks after your last period started. You and your partner should shoot for those days when you’re trying to conceive.

To learn about the maternity services we provide or to get a doctor referral, contact Plantation General Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-866-442-2362. Serving Plantation and surrounding Central Broward County, we’re here to answer all your questions.

Sources:

Plantation General Hospital

FamilyDoctor.Org

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