Monday, June 17, 2013
If your pregnancy is healthy, wait for labor to start on its own. It takes at least 39 weeks for babies to fully develop.
Scheduling an early birth can harm your baby. Talk to your doctor to make sure an early birth is safe. Don't schedule an early birth for a non-medical reason. Babies born too early have more health problems later in life.
Lots of important things happen in the final weeks of pregnancy. Organs such as the brain, heart and lungs need time to develop. Children need time to gain weight in the womb. Early births can harm vision and hearing. Babies born too early have trouble sucking and swallowing, which are essential for breastfeeding.
Keep in mind that your due date may not be exactly right. Even with an ultrasound, a due date can be off by up to two weeks.
Inducing labor may cause problems for you and your baby. Inducing can cause longer and stronger contractions. Other possible problems include infection and uterine ruptures.
A c-section is a major surgery. It takes moms longer to recover from a c-section. Moms usually stay two to four days in the hospital. It can take up to six weeks of home recovery after a c-section. Having a c-section can also result in complications with future births.
It is important to ask your doctor or midwife these questions. Why should I have an early birth? Why should I have a c-section? Can't I wait until my baby is closer to 39 weeks?
Friday, June 14, 2013
Kankakee |
Wednesday, June 12 1 – 2:30pm |
Service Recipients: |
Elgin |
Tuesday, June 18 2 — 3:30pm |
Service Recipients:
|
Rockford |
Wednesday, June 19 2 – 3:30pm |
Service Recipients: |
Service Recipients who participate will receive a $25 Visa gift card.
Space is limited and registration is required. To register, use the links in the right column of the box below, or contact
(312) 850-4744.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
All Illinois students in 6th grade through 12th grade will now need to show proof of getting a Tdap immunization. This rule will be enforced starting with the 2013-2014 school year.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will require students to have one dose of Tdap. Students can show proof of Tdap three ways. The exact date of the Tdap shot is needed.
• A signed letter or note from their doctor.
• A printout from electronic health records.
• An IDPH certificate of child health examination.
Students who had a Tdap shot prior to entering 6th or 9th grade last year do not need to get another dose. They just need to show proof of having a Tdap immunization.
The Tdap vaccine protects against three bacteria-based diseases. Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis can cause serious illness. Pertussis and diphtheria spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through wounds.
Another name for pertussis is whooping cough. Children who have had whooping cough should still get Tdap. The shot protects against future illness.
Tdap can be given any time after a recent tetanus shot.
The Tdap deadline is October 15, 2013. Exemptions can be made for medical or religious reasons. Without an exemption, children need proof of Tdap, or proof of an appointment to get the Tdap shot during the school year. Children without proof of Tdap risk exclusion from school.
Children can get Tdap from their Primary Care Provider (PCP) at their medical home. Call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577) to find your PCP. IHC can help you schedule an appointment for Tdap shot. The call is free!
Local health departments and pharmacies also offer Tdap. Children must be older than 14 years old to get Tdap at a pharmacy.