Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 45)

THE SIGN: POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. Almost 20 percent of women will experience this condition after giving birth. Symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless and worthless; having trouble bonding with their baby; difﬁculty sleeping; feeling moody; and experiencing bouts of crying. Postpartum depression is marked by these symptoms lasting more than two weeks. WHAT IT PREDICTS: A higher risk for postpartum depression with future pregnancies and a higher risk of mental illness for the child. WHAT TO DO: Get screened. Miller says she uses the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to help recognize postpartum depression. “This is much more common than all the other syndromes here, so it makes sense to screen everyone.” Miller adds that there’s still a stigma attached to depression. “Women need to know this is not a character ﬂaw, not a weakness. It’s very common. It happens to normal, healthy people.” But it’s “very treatable,” she says, and most women will need only brief treatment. THE SIGN: INCONTINENCE. An expanding uterus presses on the bladder, and urine may leak out at inconvenient times, which explains why some moms-to-be are afraid to sneeze or laugh too hard. WHAT IT PREDICTS: Higher risk for incontinence later in life. WHAT TO DO: “Unfortunately, the more vaginal births a woman has, the more likely she is to have incontinence later on,” Miller says. This doesn’t mean you should rally for a cesarean section. “Vaginal births are safer. There’s less risk of infection,” Miller says. “There should be a clear indication that a C-section is needed.” To help stave off future incontinence, practice Kegel exercises during and after pregnancy—tighten your pelvic ﬂoor muscles for a count of 10 and release. Then repeat 10 times, three times a day, to strengthen these muscles. Body After Baby Sure, your heart and other internal organs take priority over how your abs bounce back after pregnancy, but it’s oK to also wonder when—or if—you’ll ever be seen in a bikini again. The best way to get your body to bounce back after birth is to enter the pregnancy in a healthy state, says Margaret Miller, M.D., director of the American College of Physicians workshops “Medical Problems in Pregnancy.” Unfortunately, this can be tricky given that 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned. So, whether you’re trying to conceive or not, it’s never a bad time to practice healthy habits like eating right, exercising and getting regular checkups. once pregnant, women should continue exercising but avoid contact sports and listen to their bodies to avoid overdoing it. There’s no need to give it up. “i’ve seen pregnant women who have run marathons,” Dr. Miller says. Just don’t start training for your first marathon when pregnant. Also, keep an eye on your weight gain. Some women may think pregnancy is a food freefor-all, but it’s unhealthy to pack on an extra 70 pounds in nine months. A weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds is a healthier target. POSITIVE PREDICTORS So are there any “good” pregnancy predictors to look forward to? Miller says yes, there is at least one. “If your ﬁrst pregnancy is healthy and free of complications, that bodes well for future pregnancies.” Also, some good news for you morning sickness sufferers out there: This symptom indicates you will have less morning sickness in subsequent pregnancies. online A healthy pregnancy starts before you ever pee on a stick. Check out the fitness opportunities at Parrish Health & Fitness Center, including swimming, group exercises, fitness machines and free weights at parrishmed.com. Get Healthy Before Getting Pregnant Vim & Vigor · FAL L 2011 45 http://www.parrishmed.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Parrish
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Don't Be a Drowsy Driver
The Art of Nursing
Healthy Hues
The New Survivors
First (Aid) Things First
Find Your Groove
A Healthy Tune
Stay in Circulation
'X' Marks the Spot
Pregnancy Predictors
Play It Safe
What's New?
A Walking, Talking Fitness Billboard
Community Health
Special Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2011 - Parrish Medical Center