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Join the Baby Revolution for a night dedicated to new moms and moms-to-be

March 31st, 2010

Pregnant? Thinking about becoming pregnant? Just had a baby?

If you said yes to any of the above questions, then this event is for you. A night dedicated to new moms and moms-to-be, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the Family Birthing Center at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and hear OB/GYNs on staff at EMH speak about prenatal care, what to expect during labor and delivery, postpartum care and more.

This free event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 29 at the Elmhurst Memorial Center for Health.

A specialist from Von Maur will be available to provide complimentary bra fittings as we know you need the support during this time in your life. Hors d’oeurves will be served and information about our prenatal and postnatal classes will be available as well. The first 100 registrants will receive a special gift.

Registration is required for all classes and events.  Click here to register online, or call CareMatch at (630) 782-7878.

Posted in Education, Infants, Prenatal | No Comments »

How much weight should I be gaining?

March 22nd, 2010

In 2009, the Institute of Medicine issued pregnancy guidelines that included some new recommendations for weight gain. Under the updated guidelines, underweight women are advised to gain between 28-40 pounds. For normal-weight women, the recommendation is 25-35 pounds, for overweight women it’s 15-25 pounds, and for obese women it’s 11-20 pounds.

“People frequently have a misconception that they are eating for two during pregnancy, but most people need only 100-300 additional calories a day,” said Dr. Brian Sklar, an OB/GYN on the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Medical Staff. “That’s really not a drastic increase.”

Dr. Sklar notes the reason that maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy is so important is that too much weight gain can not only lead to pregnancy issues such as gestational diabetes, it can also be a precursor for long-term health problems such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. On the other hand, too little weight gain increases the risk of stunted fetal growth or preterm deliveries.

Click here to view the report from the Institute of Medicine.

Posted in Prenatal, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Take time to celebrate

March 15th, 2010

We understand that that the first few days of welcoming a new member to your family can be chaotic. While you’re with us, we want to make sure you have at least a little bit of time to celebrate and enjoy the moment.

To help our new moms do that, we’ve started preparing an elegant three-course meal for you and a guest and will serve it to you in your room. We consider it a privilege to be a part of this very special time in your life, and this celebration lunch is our gift to you. Enjoy!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Sex? During pregnancy? Why not?

February 11th, 2010

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, Dr. Marco Martinez, an OB/GYN with the Elmhurst Clinic, says there is no harm in having sex – which often comes as a relief to both mom and dad-to-be.

He says the question comes up frequently but men and women typically have different perspectives. Men are often worried about causing harm to the baby while women are usually concerned about pre-term labor.

To the men, Dr. Martinez says relax. Having sex will not affect your baby, who is protected by amniotic fluid and the mucous plug. To the women, he reassures them that in general there is nothing to say that sex will cause pre-term labor and sex has not been proven to cause early miscarriages.

Medically speaking, Dr. Martinez says if there is no bleeding or contractions, you should be OK. If you and your partner have the desire, go ahead. However, he does recommend talking about it with a physician to make sure there are no other concerns that are specific to your situation.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

View Our Video Library

December 4th, 2009
Looking for answers to common questions related to your pregnancy? Visit our video library to watch our experts discuss a variety of topics, including nutrition, exercise and travel.

Posted in Education, Prenatal | No Comments »

H1N1 Vaccine

November 24th, 2009
We are now heading into what is historically the start of the flu season. With the H1N1 flu already prevalent throughout the country, there is concern that this flu season could be more severe than past years. And the biggest question for many pregnant women is: Should I get the H1N1 flu shot?”

The answer is yes. And Dr. Armando San Juan, an OB/GYN with Bravo & San Juan, S.C,  says don’t forget about the seasonal flu shot either.

Pregnant women are included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s high-priority group for a reason. “While you are pregnant, your immune system is working overtime, which leaves you susceptible to viruses like the H1N1, which can contribute to premature labor, miscarriages or hospitalization,” he said.

There is concern about the effects of the vaccine because it is new, but rest assured that it is being produced exactly like the seasonal flu vaccine has been for more than 60 years. It has proven to be effective and there is no reason to think the H1N1 vaccine has any higher risks than the seasonal flu vaccine.

Depending on where you live, availability may be an issue right now, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is confident there will eventually be enough vaccine available for anyone who wants to get it.

Check with your physician or local health department for availability in your area.

Posted in Education, Prenatal | 1 Comment »

Prenatal Vitamins

September 17th, 2009
A well-balanced diet – both before and during pregnancy – is important to achieving the best outcome for you and your baby. When you are pregnant, the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and minerals are increased. Iron, folic acid, calcium and iodine are some of the most common vitamins and minerals that may be deficient in a typical American diet during pregnancy.

“Folic acid prior to pregnancy and during the first trimester can decrease the risk of open neural tube defects, such as spina bifida and anencephaly,” said Brian Sklar, M.D., an OB/GYN with RPW Obstetrics & Gynecology. “Some studies show that folic acid supplementation may even reduce the risk of heart defects and cleft lip or palate.  Calcium helps prevent your loss of bone density. Iron helps the blood carry oxygen to you and your baby. Iodine is important for maintaining your normal thyroid function, which can affect neurologic development and other complications of pregnancy.”

As important as it is to get enough of these vitamins and minerals, it is equally as important to not “double up” on a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin to meet certain recommended levels. Doing this can cause an excess exposure to other vitamins or minerals that can be harmful to your baby.

Posted in Prenatal | No Comments »

Our Philosophy of Care

September 11th, 2009
So what exactly is our philosophy of care?  Basically it’s this:  Baby comes first, no matter what.  That means we put the safety of baby and mom above all else. So instead of focusing our attention on fancy spa perks, like foot massages and mood lighting, we put it into cutting-edge safety training and a full birthing team led by your OB doctor. Giving birth is serious stuff.  And we take it very seriously.

That doesn’t mean we’re hardcore, however. We want you moms-to-be to be comfortable, even a little pampered.  So while you’re here, you’ll have your own private birthing suite and whirlpool.  Ultimately, we want to ensure that your birthing experience and the time that follows is the best it can possibly be for you, your baby and your significant other.

Posted in Philosophy | 2 Comments »

E-Learning Birthing Classes

September 11th, 2009
When you first find out you’re expecting, you don’t know what to expect. So chances are, you get a little anxious. And you want to learn more. A lot more. But, truth be told, you have no idea where you’re going to find the time to take a conventional childbirth class. Relax. Our e-learning birthing classes are just what the doctor ordered.

This web-based program uses animated illustrations, videos, voice-overs and interactive activities to guide you through the basics of childbirth, breastfeeding and caring for your baby. You can learn all the basics from the comfort of your own home. And if you have questions, our prenatal educator will be available to help. Sound like something you’d be interested in?  Click here for more information.

Posted in Education, Prenatal | No Comments »

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Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Network

This site is part of the Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare network of Web sites, which covers a variety of topics using the same philosophy: When it comes to medical care, we know that you have a lot of options. And we want you to know that you're more than a patient to us. You're an individual. We would appreciate the opportunity to provide you with state-of-the-art medical care and down-to-earth, personalized attention.