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  • Should you be thinking about contraception for your teen?

    Why is contraception important?

    The simple answer- to prevent pregnancy. That is exactly why we need to have this discussion with teenagers. The statistics are astonishing about how many teens have been sexually active before they finish high school. Half of high school students report ever having had sexual intercourse and every year about 750,000 adolescents become pregnant. The majority of these pregnancies, a whopping 80%, are unplanned, which tells me that we need to do a better job giving our teenage population contraception.

    What are the recommended contraception options?

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) both recommend Long-Acting Reversible Contraception "LARCs" for adolescents. The LARC options include the implant and intrauterine devices (IUD).  Both of these options are safe and superior to the old-school daily pill. With either the implant or the IUD, our teens don't have to remember to take it every day, making it nearly foolproof. The implant is placed in the upper arm and feels like a two-inch long piece of spaghetti under the skin. The IUDs are inserted into the cervix and can be checked by feeling for the string inside the vagina. Both options last for years without needing to be replaced, which is another reason it is perfect for teens.

    What about "the pill”?

    There are other options, including the pill and the shot. The pill must be taken every day so when thinking of our teenage population and how hard it is for them to remember even to brush their teeth on a daily basis, this option is clearly not the best choice. The shot, Depo-Provera, is a good alternative but not many people are keen on getting a shot every three months.

  • The difference between a children’s emergency room and an adult emergency room that every parent should know

    No one plans to end up in the emergency room. It just happens, usually when we least expect it. When our children become sick or injured, we are faced with difficult choices. Where is the best place to get care for my child? How do I know there isn’t something seriously wrong? Can I trust these caregivers to do the right thing for my kid?

  • Breastfeeding? Be sure you know how to handle and store your milk safely

    If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you may decide to express some milk to be used at a later time. Using a breast pump allows you to collect milk to be used when you’re not with your baby and also gives your partner or another caregiver the opportunity to help you with baby’s often demanding feeding schedule. Many nursing mothers enjoy the flexibility of pumping and storing breast milk, and it becomes a necessity for those who desire to continue breastfeeding as they head back into the workplace.

  • What you need to know about human trafficking in our community

    Written by Pratima Shanbhag, MD

  • How a donor milk bank helps save the lives of premature babies (and how you can, too)

    Sometimes things just don’t go as planned. No one knows that better than parents whose child has been cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

  • How do I raise an introverted child?

    I have always been somewhat of a quiet person- someone who doesn’t want a lot of attention and who needs down time, especially after a social event. I am an introvert through and through and when I met my husband, one of the things that drew me to him was the fact that he is one as well. We have a mutual understanding that there will be times that there is quiet between us, times when one of disappears into a book or activity for hours, and comes back with renewed energy.

  • How to childproof your bathroom

    Previously, we shared some ideas about . Today, we’ll continue by talking about another one of the most troublesome areas in your home: the bathroom. It’s no secret that toddlers love the bathroom, and that one tiny room holds the potential for a whole lot of disaster.

  • How to childproof your living areas and outside your home

    In the past few blog posts, we’ve shared some insight about how you can effectively protect your children from the hazards in your and . Once you’ve gotten those rooms under control (well, as much you can get things under control with a toddler in the house!), it’s time to look at other important areas: your living area and the outside of your home.

  • How to help a child who may be experiencing abuse or neglect

    As a social worker, I have become the “go to” person for many friends and family members. They will often present scenarios to me, ranging from how to help a loved one who may be a victim of domestic violence to what to do about the homeless family you see sleeping in their car to how to help a child who may be a victim of abuse or neglect. Some of these scenarios require a deeper analysis into the many factors at play, and there may not always be a straightforward answer to the problem. However, any time there is concern that a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, there are specific steps that anyone can take to help provide for the wellbeing of that child.

  • Frustrated by your child’s eczema? Here are some things you should know

    If your child suffers from eczema, you know that it can be a challenge to manage the condition. It can often feel like no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get it under control. Despite your best efforts, you’re unable to rescue your child from the itching, the scratching, the rashes and the sleepless nights that ensue. Your child is very literally wearing the evidence of this struggle for the world to see. It’s a terrible feeling, really- that you’re powerless to help your child- but that’s how eczema often makes us feel because it just keeps coming back.