Are you Missing A Red Coat? Someone has left a red hooded winter coat on the back of our library door. If you have been frantically looking for it, look now further as it has been found. Sue has put it in our storage room for safe keeping, so next time you are near the office, you can stop by to pick it up.

Library Book Reminder: If you have any overdue books still out from our library, please return them as soon as possible. These books are a valuable asset to our practice. Returns can be made on weekends to the Family Birth Place.

Birth Announcements

Dave and Jamie Shero wish to announce the birth of Maggie, on September 18th at 5:27 PM. She weighed 7lbs 40zs and was 19 1/2 inches long. She joins her big brother David (6) and big sister Riley (3) Apollo

Bruce and Christine Bair, along with sons Michael and James happily welcome home Elizabeth Joanne into our home. She was born November 11, 2004, weighing 9lbs 11ozs New Stanton

Alma, Gerald and 3 year old Luke Valette are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Ella. She was born March 03, 2005 and weighed 8lbs 12 ozs. Thank you Sandy for the wonderful role you played in the birth of our child Ligonier

Robin and Allen Mattes are proud to announce the birth of our daughter, Allyssa Jade Mattes, born on March 07, 2005. She weighed 7lbs and 1 oz and was 19 inches long Jeannette

Proud parents, Bill and Tina Hoyle and big sister Madison would like to welcome Luke Lawrence Hoyle into their family. Born March 14, 2005 Latrobe

Nicole Gianotti and Chad Clemens are pleased to announce the birth of their second child, Andrew John. Andrew arrived on April 14th at 8:03 AM. He weighed 6lbs 9 ozs and was 18 inches long. He joins his big brother Chad. Irwin

Jamie and Ed Grant are pleased to announce the birth of their first daughter, Lindsey Rebecca Grant. Lindsey was born April 02, 2005 at 4:48AM, weighing 6lbs 9ozs and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. Lindsey joins her canine sister, Bailey Penn

Dailah Christine Bonelli was born on April 17th, 2005 to Rachele Bonelli and Phillip Hammond at 8:28 AM, weighing 7lbs. 8ozs. Apollo

Apollo Childbirth Classes Upcoming Schedule Our practice will continue to host its Childbirth Classes which are taught by certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, Jan Mallak. All of the classes require pre-registration and are also open to the public. Registration and information can be obtained by calling Sue at 724-527-9159 or Jan Mallak at 724-327-6063 Early Pregnancy Classes For Expectant Moms 8-28 Weeks June 8th and 15th August 17th and 24th October 19th and 26th December 14th and 21 st from 7-9 PM Class One-Introductions, anatomy review, fetal development, discomforts, warning signs, nutrition, weight gain, activity and exercise, body mechanics and conditioning exercises Class Two-Emotions, sexuality, including family into birth experience, value of education, creating a Birth Vision, other health care partner choices, intro to relaxation

Childbirth Crash Course July 13th and 20th September 14th and 21st November 30th and December 07th.
Includes viewing of "Stages of Labor" video, discussions, practicing various hands-on techniques, including birth ball use and learning how to develop a written birth vision. .

The Birth of Maggie Shero
This is our third pregnancy and birth with the midwives. It was another great pregnancy and birth experience that they provided. My two older children loved coming to the appointments because Sandy and Gretchen let them help check my blood pressure and measure my growing stomach. They also would help find the babyís heartbeat. They were given tape measures to take home and the kids measured me all of the time to see if the baby was growing. My son informed me when he grew up he was going to be a midwife. It was a typical pregnancy and at 36 weeks, I thought I was having contractions every five minutes. I called and Gretchen said to come in right away. I figured I would go fast since my second child I had was in 5 hours and at the last visit at the midwives, I was 3-4 cm and 90 percent effaced. When I got there the contractions stopped. So Gretchen told us to walk around and I did. NO more contractions and I was still 3-4 cm and 90 percent effaced. So we went home. Two weeks later, I woke up with heavy vaginal bleeding. I called Gretchen who said to come right in. Since I was bleeding heavily we decided it was safer to just have the baby. So she broke my water, and I walked using the breast pump for about two hours. Nothing!! We then decided to give pitocin a try. This was the first time I had pitocin to induce labor. It was a hard labor not like natural contractions. Labor went fast with the help of my husband. I got to try the birthing ball, rocking chair and shower. They all helped allot with the contractions. With only 20 minutes of pushing our beautiful baby daughter, Maggie came into the world at 5:27 PM Sometimes we joke we got the wrong baby from the hospital because she sleeps through the night, but I think God knew we needed at least one sleeper. Thanks again to all of the nurses at Mercy Jeannette Hospital, but a special thanks to Sandy, Gretchen and of course Sue. The midwives would not be the same without Sue Jamie Shero, Apollo, PA

Midwives in the News Many Thanks to Noele Creamer and the Tribune Review for the great article which ran in the May 6, 2005 edition of the Tribune Review. The article was entitled "Itís All About Mom" and is currently available on our bulletin board for reading. Thanks also to Wendy Duke and Tara Harry for taking the time to be interviewed and sharing their experiences.

Infant Massage...It is a Good Thing You have peed on the stick......Youíre pregnant!!! Now is the time to prepare for the baby. You read, take the prenatal vitamins, exercise, eat right, get checkups, take Lamaze or Bradley Classes, and paint the nursery... Congratulations!!! It is a boy or a girl!!!! Growing and raising a baby is the most important job you will ever have. Get to really know this little human being that grew inside you and who will be making an impact on the world. Letís all work together to fill the world with kinder, healthier, more loving and intelligent children. Learn Infant Massage!!! According to Tiffany Field, PhD, of Touch Research Institude, University of Miami: "Babies who are massaged gain more weight, they sleep better, they are less irritable, they are more responsive, they have better interactions with their parents and they show superior mental and motor development" Who would not want a baby like that? Come to the next Infant Massage Class and learn valuable information. Register early, class size is limited. Class is being held Friday, June 17th from 9:30-11:30. A twenty dollar fee includes class instruction and all handouts and oils. Class is taught be Certified Massage Instructor, Connie Capar

Proper Hydration for Summer Despite the yucky weather we have been enduring recently, summer IS coming. Get that water bottle ready!! Why? Proper hydration is vital during those summer months. Overheating in hot weather can be a serious problem, and you should take precautions to protect yourself from heat injury during summer activities. What is heat injury? Simply, there are two types: heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is defined as the collapse of the individual, characterized by prolonged sweating and inadequate replacement of salt and fluid without failure of the bodyís heat regulating system. Think of the bodyís heat regulation system as the ability to sweat. Heat stroke, the more serious of the two, is defined as an acute emergency characterized by rectal temperature of 105 degrees or higher and NO sweating, caused by the failure of the bodyís heat-regulating system. If someone is having a heat-related emergency, call 911!!! Afterwards, start cooling the body by giving cool liquids if the victim is conscious. Provide shade or loosen the victimís clothing. Try to minimize shock. How can sports or yard work cause heat injury? Outdoor exercise during the summer months like swimming, skating, running, yard work, etc., cause the muscles in the body to generate internal heat. The heart begins beating a little faster. As the core body temperature rises, heat is dissipated in sweat through the skin. Heat is lost due to the evaporation of sweat. This process cools the body at the price of valuable fluids that are circulating in the body. If you and/or family are going to be active outside, be certain to drink before, during AND after to replenish necessary body fluids and to maintain electrolyte balance. Allow 3 oz. of water for every 20 minutes of exercise or activity. Prolonged activity can lead to dehydration which then leads to headache, muscle cramps, light headedness, fatigue, confusion, lethargy and persistent elevated body temperature. In advanced stages, although rare end extreme, but possible, coma, cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death can occur. Reports of this sort are seen every summer, and this advanced stage can be prevented by avoiding dehydration. So donít just fill that water bottle, DRINK IT!! A few tips to avoid dehydration are to consume water, warm-up and cool-down properly, wear clothing that allows evaporation and ventilation, and to remain in the shade on exceptionally hot days. If you plan on stepping into a sauna or hot tub after summer activities, change your mind!! This may compound the problem of fluid depletion. You may even faint. Save the hot tub until after a cool-down period and a water break. Water is one of the most essential nutrients for the human body and most basic need. In addition to regulating the bodyís temperature, water contributes to the form and structure of the body. It also provides the liquid environment needed for main cell processes that keep us alive and well. Fill that glass with water, raise it, and drink to the upcoming months that we pack full of fun and adventure!! Article written by Dawn Waltman a A.F.A.A Certified Personal Trainer and Group Class Instructor. When away from the gym she enjoys her three young children, a variety of fitness genres including kickboxing, salsa style aerobics, pilates and yoga. Dawn loves to teach people how to eat healthy and prepare meals quickly and efficiently. For more information about this article or any other fitness topic, call Dawn at 724-515-4998 or e mail her at dawnwaltman@comcast.net. Definitions of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke were taken from A.F.A.Aís Fitness, Theory and Practice, second edition

Defend Your Body with What You Eat Studies have shown that eating the right foods may fortify your immune system. Yogurt-Contains "good bacteria called Probiotics which protect against colds and diarrhea-related diseases. Make sure your yogurt contains live cultures of lactobacillus, acidophilus or bifidobacteria Tea-Black, colon, pekee and green teas strengthen the immune system Fruits and Vegetables-Foods high in antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals improve immune function. Think colorful and choose dark green, red, orange and yellow vegetables. Good fruits are cantaloupe, mangos, apricots, pumpkin, citrus fruits, apples and much of the berry family Other immune boosting foods-such as mushrooms, whole grain, walnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, ginger, onions, garlic, salmon and turkey Go easy on fats and sweets-Especially watch the saturated fats and concentrated sweets you eat Stay hydrated-Drinking plenty of fluids keeps nasal passages from drying out. Water is best, followed by tea and fruit juices

Well Women Gynecological Care Remember that along with personalized prenatal care and delivery, the nurse midwives at our practice also provide well women gynecological exams and pre-conception counseling. Regular pap screenings are a very important aspect or your health care. If you are currently over due for this very important visit, please contact our office at 724-527-9159 to schedule

Reports Credit CNMS with Improving MaternalChild Health Since the practice of nurse midwifery began in America in the 1920ís, CNMís have been recognized for the contributions in reducing infant and maternal mortality, premature births and low birthright babies. Numerous studies have been completed and reports released that document the success of certified nurse-midwives in their quest to improve maternal-child health CNMS Provide Personal Care. Evidence indicates the CNMs provide care whose quality is equivalent to that of physicians. Moreover, midwives are more adept in providing services that depend on communication with patients and preventative actions. Patients are particularly satisfied with the interpersonal aspects of care. There are only two measurements of outcomes available on birth certificates and they are birth weight and Apgar Scores. It is documented that births attended by midwives have distinctly better that average outcomes in both categories. More and more hospitals and obstetricians are realizing that midwives may also help cut health care costs and decrease infant death rates by improving access to prenatal care and supporters say that giving nurse midwives control over the low risk pregnancies and births allow obstetricians to focus their energies of what they have been best trained to do-handle problematic pregnancies and births. Studies also support the fact that CNMs lower C-Section rates which is accredited to their more hands on approach. Most practices can boast of C-Section rates between 9-15 percent. CNMs offer the chance for mother and families to have ultimate control over their pregnancies and delivery. CNMs assist mothers in the normal, natural process of labor and birth and help women realize the joy of bringing a life into the world Infant/Child CPR for Family and Friends 2nd Tuesday of every other month 6-8 PM SmartHealth Norwin Hills Outpatient Center Norwin Hills Shopping Plaza North Huntingdon, Penna. 15642 This course is for family members, new parents, grandparents, and baby sitters. This class will provide training in the basic CPR skills and foreign-body airway maneuvers for infants and children. The course has been developed in accordance with the standards of the American Heart Association and is taught by certified CPR instructors. By the end of the class, you will be able to perform infant and child CPR, resuscitation of the unconscious, choking infant and child and resuscitation of the conscious, choking infant and child. Part of the class is also focused on prevention and safety. No testing is required or certification provided for this course. A participation card is awarded upon successful completion of the class. Classes are limited and preregistration is necessary. To register, please call the Norwin Hills Outpatient Center at 724-527-8023. Class fee is 15.00 per person. Make check out to Mercy Jeannette Hospital which can be paid at class time. Future Class Dates Are: July 14th 6-8 PM September 08th 6-8 M November 10th 6-8 PM

Summer Office Hours Our office currently schedules patients on Monday 10-5, Wednesday 11-7 and Thursday 9-5. If births necessitates our office to reschedule patients, Tuesday and Friday hours may be added. Please be aware that during the upcoming Summer Months, our office hours may change somewhat to accommodate staff vacations. We will make any changes in our schedule on our Patient Calendar available at our front window. If you are dropping of forms or need something signed, please call ahead to make sure a staff member is available to assist you

Co-payment and Insurance Changes Please remember that it is very costly to our practice to send out statements for co-payments. Please make every attempt to have co-payments paid at the time of your visit. For your convenience, our office also accepts credit card payments. Please notify Sue at the front desk if your insurance coverage changes. It is your responsibility to provide us with any updated information. www.JDMH-midwives.com Have you taken the time to check out our wonderful website? If not, please log on. Our site includes general information about midwives, copies of office handouts, birth stories and announcements, a virtual tour and has forms available for our patients to update their demographics, insurance information and to e mail us your surveys. Old newsletters are also available. Those logging on can also view our newsletter about 2 weeks prior to actually receiving their written copy by mail. Want to pass along information about our practice to those who may be interested? Simply provide them with our website address and they can log on and get a wealth of knowledge about the philosophy of midwifery and our practice in particular We hope you have enjoyed our Spring Edition of our newsletter. If you have an article of interest, birth announcement or story or community announcement that you would like included, please forward them to susanklosky@hotmail.com or mail them to our office. The next edition will be available in the Fall. Have a great summer!!! The Staff of Family Nurse Midwife Associates Gretchen Cohen CNM, Sandy Mauro CNM and Sue Klosky, Office Manager and Editor