Physical therapy – can it help your preemie?

Many children born prematurely may need help catching up with developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling or walking. They may need assistance learning everyday activities such as dressing, too. Physical therapy – one type of habilitative service – may help. Habilitative services are those therapies that help a child develop new skills needed for everyday life.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. This is a great time to become aware of the benefits that physical therapy (PT) can offer your child, whether he was born prematurely or full term.

What does PT do?

Physical therapy can help your child increase strength and flexibility. It can also improve posture, balance, coordination and movement. PT usually focuses on large muscle groups, such as the legs, but it can also involve the entire body.

A physical therapist is a professional who has specific training in understanding the way a body works – especially muscle groups. She can assess your child and provide individualized therapy which will help him improve in the areas where he is weak. PTs are very creative in their approach to working with children. In fact, the therapy can be lots of fun, and most children look forward to their PT sessions.

Does insurance cover PT?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), habilitative services must be covered by insurance. They are included in the ACA as Essential Health Benefits, which means they need to be covered under individual and small group health insurance plans. Check your state for specific details. For information on enrolling in your state’s marketplace for health insurance, go to HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596.

Early intervention may include PT at no cost to parents

If your child is under the age of three, he may be eligible for Early Intervention services, which is a federal program provided in every state. Physical therapy is one of many services available for eligible infants and toddlers if they qualify. Therapy is usually provided at no cost to parents.

If your child is age three or older, he may qualify for PT through your local school district as a Related Service. This post will tell you how to access it.

Bottom line

As with all delays or disabilities, it is important to seek help as early as possible. The sooner your child gets the help he needs, the sooner he can begin improving.

Have questions? Text or email AskUs@marchofdimes.org.

See other posts on Delays and Disabilities: how to help your child.

 

Tags: ACA, Affordable Care Act, delays, disabilities, early intervention, habilitative services, physical therapy, preemie, prematurity, PT, Related Service

SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION, BALTIMORE

An evening of culinary excellence
Signature Chefs Auction, Baltimore

DATE: Monday, November 2, 2015  |  Time: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel
ADDRESS: 700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Click here to purchase tickets.  For more information please contact Jennifer Tarr (410) 752-8152

Join us for the Signature Chefs Auction of Central Maryland. The event offers an evening of fine food, wine and fabulous auction items. You will be able to taste exquisite sample dishes of over 25 of the area's celebrated chefs all in one evening. The tasting and silent auction begin at 6:00 pm and the live auction will begin at 8:00 pm.

Navigating the Journey Through Childhood - A Parent/Provider Conference

Navigating the Journey Through Childhood - A Parent/Provider Conference

Sunday, November 8, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: INOVA Fairfax Physicians Conference Center (Conference rooms A-D and the auditorium)
3300 Gallows Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042

Registration includes: breakfast, lunch, access to all sessions, silent auction, and free parking!

Registration: $25

Register here:

http://www.preemiestoday.org/conference.jx

Speaker's List:

http://files.preemiestoday.org/sessioninformation2015.pdf

Signature Chefs Auction, Eastern Shore

An evening of culinary excellence
Signature Chefs Auction, Eastern Shore


DATE: Thursday, October 22, 2015  6:00 PM
LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay
ADDRESS: 100 Heron Blvd., Cambridge, MD 21613


Click here to purchase tickets.  For more information please contact Jessica Hales or by phone at (443) 754-7041.

EVENT DETAILS

We hope that you will be able to join us in our 10th year as we present the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction in Cambridge, Maryland.

Visit approximately 20 of the areas celebrated chefs and enjoy each of their signature dishes along with an open bar and fantastic auction items.

 

Back-to-sleep is best for your baby

Each year 3500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly in the U.S. These deaths are called sudden unexplained infant deaths (SUID). Most of them happen while the infant is sleeping in an unsafe environment.

SUIDs are reported as one of three types of infant deaths:

• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  SIDS is the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained. It can happen without warning to a baby who seems healthy. One reason a baby is more likely to die of SIDS is if he is  born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or with low birthweight (less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces).
• Unknown cause
  This is the death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained because an investigation was not conducted. Therefore, cause of death could not be determined.
• Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed
  Suffocation can occur if an infant is put to sleep on soft bedding or a pillow. It can also happen when a person rolls on top of an infant or when he becomes wedged between two objects such as a mattress and the bed frame. Strangulation can happen when an infant’s head and neck become caught between two objects such as crib railings.

What can you do?

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month. It is important to understand your baby’s individual risk factors, and learn ways to reduce them:

• ALWAYS, put your baby to sleep on her back, in a crib without bumpers, blankets, stuffed toys or loose bedding.
• Learn the safest ways to put your baby to sleep
• Do not smoke. Babies of parents who smoke are more likely to die of SIDS than other babies.
• Give your baby a pacifier for naps and at bedtime.
• There are many myths about SIDS – learn the facts.
• Place your baby in her own bassinet or crib to sleep near your bed, but do not share the same bed. 

The good news is that SUIDs has significantly declined – from 130.3 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 39.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2013 – as a result of safe sleep messaging. See the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep recommendations and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Safe to Sleep campaign.

Have questions? Text or email us at Askus@marchofdimes.org.

Tags: accidental suffocation, Back to Sleep, low birth weight, prematurity, safe sleep, SIDS, strangulation, sudden infant death syndrome, sudden unexplained infant death, SUIDs

Colds and pregnancy

You know the symptoms—a runny nose, sore throat, stuffy head, coughing, and congestion. Catching a cold while you are pregnant won’t hurt you or your baby, but it can be very annoying and make you uncomfortable.

The common cold is a viral infection that is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and contact with another infected individual.

During pregnancy you may be more likely to catch a cold. When you’re pregnant, your immune system isn’t as quick to respond to illnesses as it was before pregnancy. Your body knows that pregnancy is OK and that it shouldn’t reject your baby. So, your body naturally lowers the immune system’s ability to protect you and respond to illnesses so that it can welcome your growing baby. But a lowered immune system means you’re more likely to catch viruses like colds and the flu (one of the many reasons it is so important to get your flu shot).

Preventing a cold

The best way to prevent a cold is by practicing good hygiene:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Don’t share eating utensils.

Treating a cold during pregnancy

Unfortunately there is no cure for a cold. Antibiotics will not help because they do not work on viruses. If you are thinking about taking an over-the-counter medication to treat any cold symptoms, make sure you talk to your health care provider first. Not all medications are safe to use during pregnancy.

If you are under the weather, getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids will help you to feel better. Some other ideas include:

• Saline nasal drops to loosen mucus;
• Using a humidifier in your room to help reduce congestion (but be sure you follow the instructions to keep it clean);
• Drinking warm decaffeinated tea with lemon or honey to help relieve a sore throat;
• Raising your head when you are resting to help you breathe better.

Most colds last 7-10 days. Make sure you call your doctor if you have one or more of the following signs:

• A fever over 100.4F;
• Symptoms that last more than 10 days or are severe or unusual;
• Signs and symptoms of the flu; or
• Uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe. This may be a sign of pertussis or whooping cough. Make sure you get your Tdap vaccine at 27 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Have questions? Text or email us at Askus@marchofdimes.org.

Tags: cold, cold and flu season, cold medications, flu, over-the-counter medication, pertussis, Tdap, Tdap vaccine, whooping cough

Moving through pregnancy: tips to stay active

Moving, staying active and gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy can help keep you and your baby healthy. For most women, being active during pregnancy is a good thing. But you don’t need to head to the gym to increase activity. With a few daily changes to your routine, you’ll be moving more in no time.

Healthy pregnant women need at least 2½ hours of exercise each week which is about 30 minutes each day. This may sound like a lot, but don’t worry. You don’t have to do it all at once. Instead, get moving by doing a few minutes of activity throughout your day.

Here are some tips to help you reach your fitness goals:

• Park farther away in the parking lot when you visit stores or go grocery shopping.
• Set a timer on your phone to get up, stretch and walk around your house or office once every hour.
• If you are watching TV, take the time to stretch out your arms and legs.
• Walk and talk while you are on the phone, whether it be outside or around your house.
• When walking around the office, grocery store or parking lot, walk the long way instead of taking shortcuts.
• Plan fun outdoor weekend activities. Apple picking season is in full-swing – take a walk around the orchard while you pick some apples.
• Skip the elevator and take the stairs.
• Calling or emailing your co-worker at work? Get up and take a walk over to chat instead.

Tomorrow is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day. The goal is “to encourage women to take control of their health; to learn the facts they need to make smart healthy choices, and to make time for regular physical activity.” By making small changes to your day, you can reach your fitness goals. Be on the lookout for events planned in your local area.

Read our article to understand why physical activity is good for most pregnant women and to learn which activities are safe.

Tags: exercise, fitness, National Women's Health and Fitness Day, physical activity, Pregnancy