- General Page Tier 3BlogMoms often describe the hours, days and weeks following their babies’ arrival as a wonderful yet overwhelming time. It’s also an important time to surround yourself with helpful information and support for breastfeeding success. A rewarding breastfeeding experience starts with education, like AAMC’s Breastfeeding Basics class. Getting familiar with the basics will help you get off to a good start. The Early Weeks You may feel like all you’re doing in the first week of your baby’s life is nursing – and it’s probably true! This is how your baby helps your body create a plentiful milk supply. Newborns generally nurse eight to 12 times a day. Nursing this often doesn’t mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk. Rather a newborn’s stomach, just like the rest of them, is tiny! At day three, it’s about the size of a walnut. At two weeks, it’s about the size of a large egg. Newborn Stomach Size from Medela In the early weeks of frequent nursing remember that all your hard work is encouraging your body to create a good milk supply. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand activity. Your body learns to supply exactly what your baby is demanding. Nursing your baby at the first sign of hunger cues– rooting, smacking lips, stirring, hands in mouth—also helps minimize engorgement that can happen two to five days after birth when your milk “comes in” or increases in supply. Some moms worry about their milk supply. If your baby is gaining weight and having frequent wet and dirty diapers, then your baby is getting enough milk. In those early days and weeks, remember you’re learning something new. Like all new skills, it may take some time to feel like you’ve gotten the hang of it. Trust your body, your baby and yourself. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Importance of Skin-to-Skin Studies prove that skin-to-skin contact, which you may also hear called ‘kangaroo care,’ offers many benefits. Among them, skin-to-skin can help regulate your baby’s temperature, heartbeat, breathing and blood sugars. It can enhance bonding with parents (Yes, dad can do it too!) and reduce baby’s cries. Babies who are kept skin-to-skin immediately after birth may latch better, and are more likely to nurse sooner and longer. Getting a Good Latch A good latch is key to baby effectively and comfortably removing milk, and helps create a successful and enjoyable breastfeeding experience. A good latch can look different to every mom. To latch your baby: Sit comfortably in a slightly reclined position, supported by pillows if you’d like. Have baby lie belly down on you with their nose aligned with the nipple. If baby is not rooting with a wide mouth, tickle baby’s top lip with your nipple to stimulate rooting. As baby opens wide, allow baby to self-latch or guide baby on so that most of your areola is covered by the baby’s mouth, especially at the bottom lip and chin. Watch for signs of sucking from baby’s jaw motion and ear movement, and for periods of swallowing. If you’re experiencing pain, break the latch by inserting your finger into the corner of baby’s mouth and re-latch as needed. Persistent pain should be assessed by a lactation consultant. Images from La Leche League International Breastfeeding should feel comfortable and you should be able to hear sounds of swallowing. Don’t worry if it feels awkward at first. Before long getting baby to latch will feel so second nature you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed– or at least in a dark room, say around 2 am. For more information, I recommend the Latching and Positioning Resources from Kelly Mom. Author Kim Knight is a board-certified lactation consultant with Breastfeeding Works which offers home consultations and workplace lactation support. She has provided support to thousands of breastfeeding moms during the course of her career. Breastfeeding Resources AAMC offers several breastfeeding support classes, all of which have gone virtual due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See a complete schedule here. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Originally published April 14, 2016. Last updated Aug. 10, 2020.0
- Men's Health, Weight Loss, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogGive up soda, start an exercise regime or start meditation. These might be just a handful of goals you have for the new year. But by the end of January, 36 percent of New Year’s resolvers have thrown their hands up in the air and said, “Better luck next year.” It’s normal to want to reboot your life come Jan. 1, but before you go crazy with your New Year’s resolutions list, you want to consider these common mistakes that could set you up for failure, rather than success. Mistake #1: You set your goals too broad. Goals like losing weight, eating healthy and exercising are too ambiguous to execute. Make sure your resolution passes the SMART goals test. It should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Instead of aiming to eat more vegetables, commit to incorporate at least one vegetable in at least two meals per day. Mistake #2: You don’t hold yourself accountable. If there are no consequences surrounding your goal, you are more likely to make excuses, fall behind or give up. You have to put yourself in a situation that makes it difficult to slack off. If you thrive on encouragement, ask a friend, family member or a trusted health expert to make sure you are on track with your goal. For example, if your resolution involves exercise, participate in a team challenge or set non-negotiable exercise dates with a friend so you can’t bail at the last minute. Mistake #3: You’re not tracking your progress. Monitor your progress. Whether it’s stepping on the scale, tracking your workouts or journaling your activities, tracking what you do can increase your chances of following through with the changes you need to make. It also allows you to recognize and celebrate milestones along the way, a process that’s vital to keeping you confident and motivated. Mistake #4: You allow lapses to become relapses. Slip ups will happen, but successful resolvers use these to strengthen their determination. Recognize your mistake and learn from it. Confidence is a strong predictor of success. To boost your ‘can do’ attitude, focus on playing up your strengths and don’t get hung up on your weak spots or missteps. If you are dining at a friend’s house or are at a party, you can bring a side of fruits or vegetables next time to ensure you have healthy options available. Mistake #5: You do not develop realistic plans to achieve your goal. A goal without a plan is just a wish. Before you take action, make a list of things you can do each day to achieve your goal. Then, include weekly and monthly milestones you want to hit. Breaking your goal down into several smaller short-term goals helps you stay focused and feel accomplished, even on hard days. Effective New Year’s resolution ideas to get you started: Do your daily workout in the morning. You’ll be less likely to schedule something over your exercise time or skip it because of a last-minute change in your schedule. Make a workout date with a friend. If weather precludes outdoor activities, invite your friend to your house and get your sweat on in your living room with a streaming fitness program. Slowly change your diet. Eat two extra servings of vegetables every day for a month. Get creative. Try one new dinner idea every week that has a lot of vegetables. Make a slow-cooker meal every Sunday. Eat the leftovers or repurpose the rest for meals later in the week. Turn to homemade food. Bring your lunch to work every day for the next month. Hydrate. Drink a glass of water every morning when you wake up and before every meal. Consume less carbs. When eating out, swap your carb-filled sides (such as fries or rolls) with vegetables or fruit. Pick one or two, but no more than three specific, measurable, attainable yet realistic resolutions that are compatible with your schedule and fitness level. Start small and build on these after they are implemented and habitual. Make this year the one where you accomplish the resolutions you have set for yourself! Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555. Originally published Jan. 7, 2019. Last updated Dec. 30, 2019.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNational Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role that Emergency Department (ED) personnel play in safeguarding our communities’ health and well-being. This year holds particular significance as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of President Ford’s establishment of EMS Week. Now more than ever, amidst unprecedented challenges, we honor the dedication of medical personnel who provide around-the-clock lifesaving services, such as first responders, emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, and countless others. During Emergency Medical Services Week (May 19-25), let’s recognize the invaluable contributions of these individuals who save lives and provide critical care when every second counts. Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, with more than 120 years of proud history, has one of the busiest EDs in the entire country and is one of the few hospitals in the state with a pediatric ED. With nearly 95,000 ED visits each year, it takes a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, receptionists, other hospital staff and volunteers who work tirelessly 24 hours a day to give you the care you need as quickly as possible. Knowing emergency rooms can feel frightening for young patients, we have a dedicated space with kids in mind. At our pediatrics ED, children receive tailored attention from a specialized team ready to treat their unique needs. For all patients, we use a process called triage to carefully prioritize who needs care first. Treatment is administered based on the severity of their condition, with those facing life-threatening illness or injury receiving immediate attention. This means that someone who arrives after you may receive care before you. At Luminis Health, we believe in a culture of mutual caring: We provide the best care possible in a healing environment and we always treat each other with respect and dignity. Caring for and protecting patients, families, employees, and our community, is important to us. Dealing with an emergency is stressful, particularly when waiting for care in an Emergency Department. We try to minimize this stress by initiating care in our waiting room and keeping our patients informed while waiting. Luminis Health has also made significant investments to offer more expansive care programs for mental health, substance use and domestic violence in our ED. Additionally, Maryland lawmakers recently provided funds to enhance security for staff and patients, and creating de-escalation spaces in the Pediatrics Emergency Department. During EMS Week, it’s also important to recognize the challenges some of our ED staff face from time to time. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, 2 out of 3 Emergency Department physicians reported being assaulted in 2022. One quarter of them reported being assaulted multiple times a week. That’s why Luminis Health supports the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act. If enacted by Congress, the law would provide protections similar to those that exist for flight crews, flight attendants and airport workers. As we continue to improve ED wait times, we also ask for your help to ensure you receive timely care, by taking these steps: Make Sure You Bring Everything You Need for Emergency Care Your time in the Emergency Department will be more efficient if you bring essential items for your care team, such as the following: Driver’s license or identification card For individuals covered by a health insurance plan, your insurance card List of medical history, medications and allergies, primary physician, specialists Urgent Care is Another Option There are many situations in which the ED is the best place to go for care, such as life-threatening injuries or conditions. In other cases, urgent care centers are a convenient option for minor issues such as cough and cold symptoms, minor cuts, sprains and strains, etc. Telehealth Visits Are Refreshingly Easy If your situation is not a true emergency, Luminis Health offers CareConnectNow, a virtual urgent care service for ages 13 and up. We provide expert care for many conditions that need immediate, but not emergency, attention. With the availability of after-hours and weekend virtual visits, we aim to accommodate your schedule. You can also access this convenient service by calling (443) 951-4270. At Luminis Health we continue to evaluate and explore ways to ensure a positive patient experience. That is our commitment to our community. We thank you for your patience, support, and your own efforts as we strive to improve emergency care for every patient. Let us carry forward the appreciation and recognition for the unwavering dedication of our Emergency Department personnel during EMS Week and throughout the year. Authors Dr. Michael Kent, is the emergency department medical director at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Dr. Lauren Fitzpatrick, medical director of pediatrics at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center0
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe American Cancer Society estimates more than 100,000 cases of gynecologic cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, and more than 30,000 women will die of these cancers in 2021 alone. Clearly, there’s more work to do. But we have made progress in the fight against gynecologic cancer. And one of our most valuable weapons is information. We’ve learned about lowering the risk for these cancers and how to prevent some of them. We also know more about possible signs of the cancers, something that’s important because bringing symptoms to your doctor’s attention can lead to early detection and treatment. And early treatment leads to better outcomes. That’s why we’re sharing this information with you, and hope that you’ll pass it along to others. September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, making it a perfect time to learn more about gynecologic cancer, including cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva. Cervical Cancer One key thing to know: HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines and regular screening tests may help prevent cervical cancer. HPV vaccines protect against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer. Vaccination is best before someone becomes sexually active, so we recommend it at age 11 or 12. You can get the vaccine through age 26 if you don’t get it earlier. In some cases, you can get it up to age 45 if you and your health care provider decide it’s right for you. What Puts You At Risk A history of multiple sex partners Giving birth to three or more children Infection with HPV, a virus transmitted during sex Smoking How To Lower Your Risk Don’t smoke Get the HPV vaccine Get screened with a Pap test and/or an HPV test Screening typically starts at age 21 with a Pap test. Your health care provider can tell you how often to get screened, which test(s) to have and when you can stop screening. Possible Symptoms Abnormal bleeding between periods or unusual vaginal discharge Bleeding after sex Pelvic pain Ovarian cancer One key thing to know: There’s no good way to screen for ovarian cancer and no known way to prevent it for most people, making recognizing possible symptoms of the disease even more important. What Puts You at Risk BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutations Eastern European or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage Family history of both colon and uterine (endometrial cancer) or male breast cancer Family history of ovarian cancer in a close relative Not bearing children or having trouble getting pregnant Personal history of breast, colorectal or uterine cancer How to Lower Your Risk Breastfeed your babies Consider risk-reduction surgery if you’re at high genetic risk Give birth at least once Use birth control pills for at least five years Possible Symptoms Abdominal or back pain Bloating Constipation Eating difficulties or feeling full quickly Frequent or urgent need to urinate Pelvic pain or pressure Unusual vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause If you experience these symptoms 12 days out of the month or more, please visit your gynecologist. Uterine Cancer One key thing to know: The vast majority of women with the most common type of uterine cancer — endometrial cancer, or cancer affecting the lining of the uterus — survive because of early detection. That’s a good reason to know the symptoms. What Puts You at Risk Obesity Diabetes Estrogen hormone replacement therapy alone, without progesterone Family history of uterine, ovarian or colon cancer High blood pressure Never becoming pregnant Use of the drug tamoxifen for breast cancer, combined with the above risk factors How to Lower Your Risk Achieve or maintain a healthy weight Get regular physical activity Maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar levels Take progesterone if you are taking estrogen for hormone replacement therapy Possible Symptoms Abnormal vaginal bleeding, including bleeding between periods or bleeding after menopause Pain during sex Persistent pelvic pain or pressure Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer One key thing to know: Getting the HPV vaccine helps protect against these rare cancers. What puts you at risk Conditions, such as HIV, that weaken the immune system Persistent infection with certain types of HPV Precancers of the vagina, vulva or cervix Smoking, if you have an HPV infection How to Lower Your Risk Get regular pelvic exams Get the HPV vaccine Stop smoking Possible Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer Abnormal bleeding Constipation, frequent urination or blood in the stool or urine Pelvic pain Vaginal discharge Possible Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer Abnormal bleeding or discharge Chronic bleeding, burning or itching of the vulva Pelvic pain, especially during urination or sex Sores, lumps, dark spots, red rash or raw areas on the vulva Talk to Your Doctor You’ve taken the first step by learning more. Next, talk to your doctor to learn more about your risk for gynecologic cancer and how to protect yourself or if you notice any concerning symptoms. Find a gynecologist at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center or Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Authors Monica Jones, MD, MS, FACS, FACG is the chair of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Women’s and Children’s services. To make an appointment with a Luminis Health gynecologic oncologist, please call 443-481-3493. Luminis Health was recently joined by Michael L. Hicks, MD, a board certified gynecologic oncologist. Dr. Hicks has a wealth of experience in gynecologic oncology.0
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast updated at 12:45 pm Friday, May 15, 2020. In order to provide our patients and community members with helpful information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we’ve created this post to share general information as well as details specific to those seeking care at a Luminis Health facility. For the safety of our patients, visitors and staff, the following visitor restrictions are in effect: To best protect our patients and team members, no visitors, with few exceptions, will be allowed until further notice. This is a proactive measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In the few cases where visitation is allowed, it is limited to one visitor per day. Exceptions include: Critical or end-of-life care situations Laboring mother support person Caregiver of a patient 21 years of age or under Surgical patient support person Outpatient test/procedure companion Person serving as surrogate decision maker Person performing official governmental function Person serving as support person for patients with disabilities To support this safety measure, all visitors will be screened upon arrival, and must pass a health screening to enter the facility. No visitors under the age of 18 unless they are parents of hospitalized children. This policy includes infants and siblings. AAMC NICU visitors are restricted to parents only, one at a time. People experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms should not visit. Patients coming to any Luminis Health facility with respiratory symptoms must request a mask upon arrival. Visitors returning from international travel may not visit until they have been in the United States, symptom free, for 14 days. We are suspending non-essential large (10 or more people) gatherings scheduled to take place on our campuses. If you have questions about an event you are scheduled to attend, please check with your event coordinator. Because the situation is rapidly evolving, we often reference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Maryland State Department of Health websites below for the latest information. We encourage you to visit those sites for breaking information. If I am feeling sick, should I still keep my appointment? As you know, the world is experiencing notable person-to-person transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Experts estimate that the majority of people who get this virus may have mild symptoms. But it can be quite severe for members of our community with underlying health conditions. For this reason, we ask that if you have any respiratory symptoms – such as a cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, or fever – that you please cancel or postpone your specialist appointment unless it is absolutely essential. We know that you may have waited or planned for this visit, so we will make it a priority to reschedule your appointment when you are feeling better. Staying home while sick is one of the most important things you can do to help during this time. All of us have to work together to reduce the chance of transmission of this (or other) respiratory viruses. If you have respiratory symptoms, please call your primary care provider’s office to be evaluated. If you have traveled recently to China, Italy, Japan, Iran or South Korea, or think you may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, please call your county health department. We appreciate your patience and consideration. Thank you for helping us keep your family, friends and neighbors healthy. What is 2019 Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 and what are the symptoms? COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person-to-person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and has now been detected in more than 170 countries. COVID-19 has similar symptoms to the flu, which include coughing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. This is an emerging and evolving situation. For the most updated guidance, symptoms and information, visit the CDC website. How is COVID-19 spread? COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact with each other (within six feet) through respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes. According to the CDC, there have not been documented cases of transmission of COVID-19 from surfaces contaminated with the virus. However, the CDC recommends cleaning visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection to help prevent COVID-19 and other viruses in homes and community settings. Are symptoms of COVID-19 different in children than in adults? The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults, though children who have tested positive have generally exhibited milder symptoms. The CDC says it’s unknown whether children with underlying medical conditions and special health care needs might be at higher risk, however. What are the policies for visiting family and friends in the hospital who are being treated for COVID-19? To further minimize community spread of COVID-19, we are not permitting visitors for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. For those patients, we can set up other means of communication for loved ones – FaceTime, phone calls, etc. I am scheduled for a surgery or procedure at a Luminis Health hospital – should I reschedule my appointment? As of March 18, 2020, we started limiting surgeries and procedures to emergencies or urgent cases only. This measure is now in effect until further notice. We are contacting patients directly. I have an appointment scheduled with my primary care provider or specialist – should I reschedule my appointment? In line with other measures taken to protect our staff and patients, and limit the transmission of COVID-19, starting March 24, 2020 until further notice, we will limit all outpatient in-office appointments to urgent patients requiring a physical exam only. We’ll shift all other routine visits to telemedicine visits or we’ll reschedule. Offices will remain open to staff, but not the public. This way we can continue to receive calls, triage the needs of patients and providers, and answer all requests and messages from patient portals. Our staff is already hard at work putting these measures in place. Is my Energize fitness class still scheduled? For the health and safety of all of our fitness fanatics, we are cancelling our Energize fitness classes for now. We encourage safe, outdoor exercise as the weather gets warmer. For our moms-to-be, check out our guide to safe exercise during pregnancy. I am currently in the cardiac rehabilitation program – should I still go in? For the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community, AAMC’s Outpatient Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program will be cancelled for the time being. For updates, please call 443-481-1929. What if I think I have symptoms of COVID-19 and want testing? If you have symptoms of COVID-19 – with or without recent travel to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy or Iran – please call your health care provider to see if further screening is necessary before you arrive at one of our locations. By calling in advance, your provider can take your health history over the phone and, if needed, work with the appropriate state officials to determine if you require testing. In most cases, outpatient management with self-isolation at home is the best way to manage COVID-19 symptoms. When should I go to the Emergency Department? Only patients with fever, cough or shortness of breath and symptoms such as rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, high or very low temperatures, confusion, trouble breathing or severe dehydration should seek medical care in the ED. Call ahead to tell the ED that you are coming so we can be prepared for your arrival. If I am a high-risk individual, how should I protect myself? In order to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19, we recommend taking several precautions. You can learn more here. How does COVID-19 impact your pregnancy and baby? As with many other things, your immune system changes during pregnancy. This is normal, but it can increase your risk for contracting viruses and developing complications. Unfortunately, little is known about COVID-19’s effect on pregnant women and infants. Based on experiences from other coronaviruses, pregnant women may be at higher risk of severe respiratory illness, morbidity, or death as compared with the general population. It is important to understand that, so far, COVID-19 has not been detected in either amniotic fluid or breast milk. However, it is too early to determine long-term effects on infants born to women who had COVID-19 during their pregnancy. Is it safe for me to deliver my baby at Anne Arundel Medical Center? Yes, our visitor restrictions are in place for the safety of patients, visitors and staff, including parents-to-be. We continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC and the Department of Health. Check out these frequently asked questions about giving birth during this pandemic, and our answers. Can COVID-19 be passed from a pregnant woman to the fetus or newborn? It is unknown if a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can pass the virus to her baby through pregnancy and delivery. According to the CDC, no infants born to mothers with COVID-19 have tested positive for the virus. How is Luminis Health prepared for COVID-19 in our community? We are prepared and ready to care for patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Our clinical teams have been trained on how to identify, isolate and care for patients with this and other contagious illnesses. We have protocols and systems in place to keep patients, visitors and health care workers safe, and we work closely with the CDC and local and state departments of health to implement their guidance into our established protocols. Are there any people with COVID-19 in our community? Yes, there are confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maryland. Please check with the Maryland State Department of Health and your local department of health for the latest information and alerts. How do I keep myself and my family safe? The CDC released a step-by-step guide about how households should handle a potential outbreak of coronavirus in their community. The CDC also recommends the below everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Note: These tips were adapted from CDC prevention tips. Learn more about how and when to use medical masks from the Journal of the American Medical Association:0
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