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Childhood Illnesses

There are a few childhood illnesses that call for emergency medical attention. Here are some that you should watch out for.

It’s difficult to know whether to take your child to the doctor, or even the emergency room – especially when symptoms come on at night. As a rule, the younger your baby, the more inclined you should be to seek medical attention urgently. Babies’ conditions can deteriorate very quickly, so it’s always best to be on the safe side.

As your child grows up, you will be more experienced in monitoring and treating her ailments, and probably more inclined to keep an eye on her condition and see if thinks improve. Your child’s general behavior and appearance will be a good guide to how sick she really is. Trust your
instincts and err on the side of caution. Don’t delay because you don’t want to worry your doctor with something silly.

• FEVER

Temperature varies throughout the day, and is more influenced by activity levels. However, a high temperature is a sign of infection.

Normal temperature 37 C
Fever temperature over 38 C
Dangerous temperature over 40 C

There are a number of steps you can take to bring down your child’s temperature:

1. Remove excess clothing
2. Give her medication ( such as paracetamol) or prescribed suppositories
3. Sponge her all over with tepid water

Don’t make the water too cold, as this can be a shock to the system. A baby under 3 months who has a fever should be seen by a doctor.

Warning:

Many combination cold and cough medications contain fever-lowering drugs.
Check their labels carefully and don’t give your child a separate
fever-reducer if she is already taking one of these combination products

• FITS AND CONVULSIONS

The most important thing for you to do is to make sure that your child’s airway is open and she can breathe, as lack of oxygen can lead to organ damage and death. Your second priority is to prevent her from hurting herself. Although most fits are not dangerous. It’s recommended that you phone the emergency services when your child starts having fits, as medication may be required. Follow these steps:

1. Secure the airway by putting the child on her side. Check that she is breathing
2. Lay her down and place a cushion or something soft under her and loosen tight clothing
3. If the airway is clear and your child has not started breathing or her skin remains blush or grey, start artificial respiration
4. Don’t try to hold her down, or force anything into her mouth. Don’t give her anything to drink
5. Any child who has a seizure should be seen by a doctor to determine the cause
6. It is common for a child to be drowsy or sleepy after a seizure

Children sometimes lose large amounts of water and salts through fever, diarrhoea or vomiting, and this can cause dangerous, in fact potentially fatal dehydration. The younger and smaller your child, the greater the danger, so be particularly vigilant if your baby has diarrhoea or is
vomiting.

What causes fits:
1. A high temperature is the most common cause
2. Head injury
3. Epilepsy
4. Poisoning

• FEBRILE CONVULSION

The most common cause of fits is a fever, leading to a febrile convulsion.
Some babies and young children have a seizure when they get a fever that rises quickly. Seizures usually last only 3-4 minutes. Febrile seizures are fairly common (2-5% of children get febrile convulsions), don’t cause any permanent damage and usually don’t require treatment. Children
generally grow out of febrile convulsions by the age of 5. Children who have had a febrile seizure are at risk of having another one whenever they get a high fever, so you should treat you child’s fever immediately. Any child who has a seizure should be evaluated by a doctor.

SYMPTOMS

1. Jerking moments
2. Stiff muscles
3. She might bite her tongue
4. She might stop breathing or lose consciousness (it’s normal in a fit to briefly stop breathing. Breathing should return spontaneously when the fit is finished.)
5. Her face may turn bluish or grey
6. Her eyes may roll upwards
7. She may drool or foam at the mouth
8. She may lose control of her bladder or bowel

• BREATHING PROBLEMS

There are various conditions that can cause breathing problems in babies and young children. A baby who has difficulty breathing should always be seen by a doctor. In severe cases, you will have to call an ambulance, or visit the emergency room.

You should seek medical attention immediately if her cough is accompanied by fever, or labored or abnormal breathing. If her cough is accompanied by rapid breathing but no high fever, if she has earache, or if there is a lot of green mucus, make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. Thee problems that most commonly cause concerns are:

• ASTHMA:

This is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes airways to narrow.
Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, increased heart rate and perspiration. It can be life threatening, so if an attack is severe, seek medical attention immediately.

• BRONCHITIS:

This is a viral infection of the small airways in the lungs. It affects babies under 1 year. Creating a steamy atmosphere, using a humidifier or pan of boiling water, will ease her breathing. Be careful not to burn yourself or your child. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the lining of
the bronchial tubes. Most cases are quite mild, but in severe cases, your child may have difficulty breathing, in which case you should take her to the doctor or emergency room.

• CROUP:

This is caused by a viral infection and involves the inflammation and narrowing of the upper airway to the lungs. This results in a characteristic barking cough. It normally affects children between 3 months and 5 years. Steam helps. Use a cool-mist humidifier if you have
one, and get your child to breathe in the moist air through her mouth.

Alternatively mist up the bathroom with hot shower steam and have your child sit in the bathroom for 10 minutes. If your child has difficulty taking a breath, if there’s a strider (a high pitched noise when breathing in), or if she is pale or bluish around the mouth, seek medical help immediately.

• PNEUMONIA:

This is a severe inflammation of the lungs and is particularly severe in young children. It generally responds well to antibiotics, but should be treated as soon as possible. If you suspect Pneumonia, see your GP.

• COLDS AND FLU:

On average, children get between 6 and 8 bouts of colds or flu in a year.
Each one lasts about a week, and unless there are complications, you can simply treat your child at home. For both illnesses you need to:

1. Give plenty of fluids, as both illnesses are dehydrating
2. Make sure your child gets lots of rest
3. Give her pediatric paracetamol if necessary to help with aches and pains
4. Antibiotics will not help simple colds and flu. They are prescribed if your child develops a bacterial infection like an ear infection or Pneumonia.

• STUFFY NOSE:

A blocked nose is an annoying side affect of a cold. Your baby’s small nose gets blocked very easily. She could battle to breathe easily and suck, which can be distressing for you and her.

Try these tips:

• Use a bulb syringe to suck out the fluid

• Use a humidifier in her room, to keep the mucus soft and moist

• Ask your doctor about eucalyptus-based drops to add to the humidifier or put on you child’s pillow
  

• To break up clogged mucus, use a drop of saline solution or expresses breast milk
  

• Tickle her nose with the corner of a tissue to encourage her to sneeze

CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES, WHAT THEY ARE


CHICKENPOX

A blotchy rash, followed by spots that are flat and red, turning into pimples, then itchy blisters, then scabs. Your child generally feels unwell and may have a headache and slight fever Alleviate the itchiness by adding baking soda to a tepid bath and letting your child soak. Apply calamine lotion. Keep your child’s nails short to prevent scratching

GERMAN MEASLES (RUBELLA)

Aches and pains with mild cold symptoms followed by a rash or tiny, flat, pink spots starting on the face and neck and spreading to the body and limbs.
Paracetamol can be used for pain relief. Contact your doctor if your child has joint pain or other symptoms such as severe headache, drowsiness or vomiting.

MUMPS

Swelling of the salivary glands on one or both sides of the jaw. Pain when eating and drinking. Sometimes fever occurs.

MEASLES

Tiny white spots with a flat red base, followed by a blotchy red rash.
Accompanied by a fever, red watery eyes, runny nose and cough.
Contact your doctor. Paracetamol will help for the pain and fever.

ROSEOLA INFANTUM

This is a red rash on the chest and abdomen, and to a lesser extent the arms and legs and face. A high fever may occur 3 to 5 days prior to the onset of the rash Treat the high fever

DEHYDRATION

Symptoms include:
1. Dry mouth
2. Few or no tears when crying
3. Fewer than 6 wet nappies a day in an infant
4. No urination for 6 to 8 hours in children
5. Fontanelle looks flatter than normal, or somewhat sunken

In severe case you may also see:
1. Dry, wrinkled or doughy skin
2. Inactivity or weakness
3. Sunken eyes or fontanelle
4. Excessive sleepiness or disorientation
5. Muscle cramps
6. Deep, rapid breathing or fast or weakened pulse

Don’t wait until you see the warning signs! To prevent dehydration, give small sips of liquid regularly, if your child will take them. Tiny chips of ice to suck are sometimes more acceptable. If you suspect your child is in danger of dehydration, give rehydration solution rather than water, and take your child to the doctor.

Specially prepared electrolyte solutions are balanced with salt and minerals. If your child has very bad diarrhoea or is vomiting, it may be difficult for you to rehydrate her adequately at home, in which case may be hospitalized and given fluids through a drip. If you see signs of
dehydration, contact your GP immediately.

GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS

These infections are usually short-lived, but there is a danger of dehydration.

Call your doctor if your child has:
1. Fever, vomiting and diarrhoea together
2. More coming out of either end than is going in through her mouth
3. Signs of dehydration

If your child has fever and vomiting without diarrhoea, control the fever, keep your child hydrated, and see if she starts to improve

MENINGITIS AND ENCEPHALITIS

Encephalitis is the inflammation of your brain.
Meningitis is a general name for inflammation of the meninges (sheaths that cover the brain and spinal cord) and the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that circulates in the spaces in and around the brain and spinal cord).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

1. First signs are fever, lethargy, vomiting and irritability. Older children may complain of a headache.
2. A stiff neck or body
3. Bulging fontanelles
4. Jaundice
5. Seizures occur in about a third of patients with bacterial meningitis and sometimes are the only symptoms
6. As the disease develops, symptoms may include increased irritability with a high pitched cry (in infants) and difficulty breathing
7. Newborns with meningitis sometimes don’t display the classical signs described above and may simply be extremely irritable or lethargic
8. An infant who is feeling well is usually comforted when her mother picks her up. Babies with meningitis sometimes display “paradoxical irritability” and picking up and rocking a child may make her more distressed. This can be sign of irritated meninges.
9. Meningococcal meningitis (bacterial) may be accompanied by a rapidly spreading purplish rash that does not fade when pressed.

Meningitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other organisms, and the severity of the case and the symptoms will depend on the cause.
However a child can deteriorate very quickly and meningitis can be fatal, getting medical attention is essential.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion can occur when a person is a hot environment has not been drinking enough fluids.

Symptoms include:
1. Headache
2. Dizziness, weakness or fatigue
3. Agitation, disorientation or confusion
4. Seizure or loss of consciousness
5. Hot, dry skin
6. Temperature of 39 C or higher

Call an ambulance if your child has been outside in the sun, exercising for a long time or trapped in a closed car, and shows any of these signs.
While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, get your child indoors or into the shade, undress her and sponge her with cool water.


HEAD INJURY

Children are prone to falls, scrapes and bumps. It’s all part of discovering their world. But a serious head injury must receive immediate medical attention.

EXTERNAL HEAD INJURY

The skull is well-designed to protect the brain and most childhood falls result in injury to the scalp only. The scalp is rich with blood vessels, so even minor cut to the scalp will bleed profusely. The "egg" or swelling that sometimes appears on the scalp results from leaking fluid or blood under the skin and may take days, even weeks to disappear.

WHAT TO DO:

Call an ambulance if your child or infant ha lost consciousness, even momentarily. In the meantime, follow these steps:

1. If the accident occurred with great force (like a fall down the stairs or off a changing table), if your child is unconscious, dazed, or paralysed, spinal injury is a possibility. Don’t move your child. Call the ambulance
2. Do your best to keep him calm and still
3. Apply an ice pack or instant cold pack, wrapped in a cloth, to the injured area for 20 minutes
4. For minor bumps apply an ice pack or even a cold soft drink wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes
5. Cover the wound with a dressing and press gently to control bleeding.

You will recognise a serious cut, because the edges peel apart and won’t stay together. If you are in any doubt about the seriousness of the injury, take your child to the emergency room or call an ambulance.

If the incident has occurred close to bedtime or naptime and your child falls asleep soon afterward, check him every few hours for disturbances in colour or breathing, or twitching limbs. If colour and breathing are normal, let him sleep (unless your doctor has advised otherwise). If
colour and/or breathing are abnormal, or if you are not comfortable with your child’s appearance ( trust your instincts), sit him up. Your child should fuss a bit and attempt to resettle. If he does not protest, try to awaken him fully. If he cannot be awakened, or shows any signs of internal
head injury, call an ambulance.

CONCUSSION

A heavy blow or shaking can rock the brain hard inside the skull and result in concussion. Here is what to do:

1. After a blow to the head, watch your child for unusual behaviour, dizziness, forgetfulness or loss of consciousness
2. Encourage your child to rest
3. If he is not fully back to normal in half an hour, he may have a concussion
4. If your child loses consciousness even if only briefly, he need medical attention
5. If you are in any doubt as to the seriousness of the injury, call an ambulance

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Your child should have immediate medical attention if he displays any of these symptoms:

1. Blurred vision
2. Neck pain
3. Clear or watery liquid coming from his ears or nose
4. Pupils are different sizes
5. He loses consciousness
6. He has a fit
7. He can’t remember what happened or seems confused
8. He’s sleepy and you can’t wake him easily
9. He vomits persistently
10. He’s not speaking or walking normally
11. He has a deep cut, or one that won’t stop bleeding

Bleeding inside the skull may cause a delayed reaction to a head injury.
Continue to watch your child carefully, and if he seems confused or very sleepy, has uneven pupils or complains of severe headaches, call an ambulance.

What To Do In An Emergency Involving Your Baby Or Toddler - Part 1

The unexpected could happen at any time. It's important to know what to do and how to react if something would happen to your baby or toddler.

Keeping calm is the most important thing. You won't be able to think clear and realistic if you are panicking.
Although this is a guideline to what to do in an emergency situation, I would recommend that all moms should take a First-Aid course.

CPR FOR A BABY UNDER 1 YEAR

If your baby is unresponsive and has stop breathing, every second counts.

Try to keep calm and remember A-B-C

A – IS FOR AIRWAY

Your first task is to make sure that air can pass freely into your baby’s lungs.

1. Place your baby onto his back on a firm, flat surface such as the floor or table ( not a bed)
2. Keep your baby’s airway open by tilting his forehead back with one hand, while gently keeping this chin up with your other hand ( head tilt-chin lift)
3. Remove any visible object from his mouth, being careful not to push it further down.

B- IS FOR BREATHING

Your next task is to get air in your baby’s lungs.

1. While maintaining head tilt-chin lift, seal your mouth over your baby’s mouth and nose. Give 2 breaths
2. Fill your cheeks with air and blow gently into his lungs, at the same time to see if his chest is rising
3. As soon as his chest rises, stop blowing and lift your mouth to let air flow out of his lungs
4. Repeat this rescue breath one more time. Avoid hyperventilation. When breathing, use enough force necessary to make his chest rise.

C- IS FOR CIRCULATION

You now need to get oxygen from your baby’s lungs to the baby’s brain.

1. After giving 2 initial rescue breaths, you need to start chest compressions immediately

2. Using 2 fingers, press down in the middle of your baby’s chest, a finger’s width below an imaginary line drawn between the nipples

3. Press down approximately 1/3 of the diameter of the chest (about 2 cm)

4. Perform 30 cycles of chest compressions followed by 2 effective ventilation's, with as short a pause in chest compressions as possible.
Make sure to open the airway before giving ventilation's.

5. Repeat the routine of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths

6. After approximately 1 minute, check for breathing and movement to see if they have returned. Ensure that an ambulance is on the way

7. Continue with 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths until professional help arrives, or until your baby recovers.

It is essential to get professional help as quickly as possible. If someone is with you, send them to call for an ambulance immediately.
If you are on your own, do 1 minute CPR first, and then go to the nearest telephone, taking your baby with you. Call an ambulance even if you’re not sure how serious the situation is. If your baby looses consciousness:
ASSES AIRWAY, BREATHING, and CIRCULATION.


CPR FOR CHILDREN OVER 1 YEAR

A – IS FOR AIRWAY

Your first task is to make sure that air can pass freely into your child’s lungs.

1. Place your child onto his back, on a flat, firm surface

2. Keep your child’s airway open by tilting his forehead back with one hand while gently keeping his chin up with your other hand (head tilt-chin lift)

3. Remove any visible object from his mouth, being very careful not to push it further down.

B- IS FOR BREATHING

Your next task is to get air into your child’s lungs.

1. While maintaining head tilt-chin lift, seal your mouth over your child’s mouth. Pinch the nose closed, using the hand that’s on the child’s forehead

2. Blow gently into his lungs, at the same time looking to see if his chest is rising

3. As soon as the chest rises, stop blowing and lift your mouth to let air flow out of the lungs.

4. Repeat this rescue breath one more time

C- IS FOR CIRCULATION

You need to get oxygen from the lungs to your child’s brain.

1. After giving 2 initial rescue breaths, check again for breathing or movement for up to 10 seconds. If there is no response, you need to start chest compressions.

2. Using 1 hand, press down in the middle of the child’s chest, between the child’s nipples

3. Press down approximately 1/3 of the diameter of the chest ( about 3 cm)

4. Perform 30 cycles of chest compressions followed by 2 effective ventilation's with as short a pause in chest compressions as possible.
Make sure to open the airway before giving ventilation's.

5. Repeat the routine of 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths

6. After approximately 1 minute, check for breathing and movement to see if they have returned. Ensure an ambulance is on the way.

7. Continue 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths until qualified help arrives, or until the child recovers.

Get professional help as soon as possible. If someone is with you, send them to call for an ambulance immediately.
If you are on your own, do 1 minute CPR first, and then go to the nearest telephone, taking your baby with you. Call an ambulance even if you’re not sure how serious the situation is.


IF YOUR CHILD HAS SWALLOWED CHEMICALS OR POISON

Children's curiosity makes the easy targets for household and other common poisons. Make sure all you household chemicals are kept safely out of reach or locked away.

These chemicals include the following:

• Oven cleaner
• Drain cleaner
• Toilet cleaner
• Paint stripper
• White spirits
• Methylated spirits
• Bleach
• Disinfectant
• Anti-freeze
• Rat or insect poison
• Washing powder
• Detergent
• Pills or medicines

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF POISONING

1. Burns or redness around the mouth
2. Empty or half empty containers near your child
3. Plant or berry pieces in his mouth
4. Drowsiness
5. Unconsciousness

A number of common garden and house plants are also poisonous, here are a few examples:

• Oleander

• Foxglove

• Wisteria

• Elephant ear

• Azaleas

• Arum Lilly
• 
  
  
  SWALLOWED POISON
  
  It’s not always easy to tell whether your child has actually swallowed the substance, or how much has been swallowed. If you even suspect that your child has swallowed a hazardous substance, here’s what to do:
  
  1. Call an ambulance immediately
  2. Remove any visible pills, berries etc from the child’s mouth
  3. DO NOT try to make his vomit. If he has swallowed something corrosive, it will burn again on the way back up
  4. Keep the container of the product with you and tell the paramedics what your child has taken
  

FIRST AID AND MEDICINE SAFETY

• ANIMAL BITES

Toddlers sometimes tease pets, or hurt them accidentally, and nips and scratches are the result. Tetanus injections are always recommended for deep bites and scratches, although if your child’s vaccinations are up to date, he should be protected against Tetanus.

IF YOUR CHILD IS BITTEN
He should be seen by a doctor for examination and treated. In the meanwhile:

1. Reassure your child – an animal bite can be very frightening
2. Wash the wound thoroughly with warm water
3. Cover the bite with clean, dry dressing, not cotton wool
4. If the bite is deep and serious, you will need to control the bleeding by pressing directly on the wound with a sterile dressing. Raise the wounded part of the body and wrap it firmly in a bandage, but not too tight to restrict blood flow.

• INSECT BITES AND STINGS

Insect bites are generally painful and itchy. In some cases, they can be serious. The most serious problem that can occur is an allergic reaction.
This should be treated as an emergency.

Symptoms to watch out for are puffy eyes, swelling of the face and neck, blotchy skin, wheezing and gasping.

Bees are the most common culprits in the summer. Teach your child to stay clam around them. If your child is stung by a bee or a wasp, don’t try to remove the stinger with your finger, as this will squeeze the venom sac, forcing more venom into the flesh. To remove a bee sting, gently scrape the stung area with a blunt, flat object like a plastic ruler, butter knife or even a tough leaf. Use a motion that is flush with the skin to remove the sting. Wash the area with soap and water. To reduce inflammation and give relief, use an ice- pack or cloth soaked in cold
water.

Spiders can give quite nasty, painful bites. Scorpions can cause painful stings too. Relatively few spiders and scorpions are dangerous. If your child is stung by a thick-tailed scorpion, immediate medical attention is required.
For minor bites and stings, antihistamine cream or calamine lotion should give relief. Holding the affected area under cold water also helps.

• CUTS AND GRAZES

Like bruises, cuts and grazes are common amongst toddlers. If they are not infected or bleeding profusely, they should heal with little treatment.

1. Run cold water over the affected area
2. Clean all wounds not bleeding profusely with common soap and water
3. Wash well to make sure that any bits of gravel or soil in the graze are removed
Your child may protest a bit, but you do need to get it properly clean -
1. Pat dry
2. Apply an antiseptic
3. Cover with a plaster or sterile dressing
Do not use cotton wool on any wound.

REMEMBER:
If the cut is bleeding profusely or is very deep, or very jagged, it may require stitches.
If the cut has been caused by fingernails, teeth or something very dirty, there is a risk of infection, so seek medical attention.

• JELLYFISH AND BLUE BOTTLES

These stings can be very painful and depending on the jellyfish it can be dangerous. Use seawater to lift the tentacles off the skin immediately. Do not rub sand in the area. Meat tenderizer helps relieve the sting. Make up a paste with water and apply to blue bottle or bee stings. Urine also helps to sooth the pain.

• TICKS

To remove a tick, cover it with Vaseline. Hold tweezers as close to your child’s skin as possible and pull the tick straight out, with steady pressure. Apply disinfectant. Watch for symptoms of tick bite fever, such as headaches, nausea and flu-like symptoms.

• BLISTERS

Blisters are normally the result of ill-fitting shoes and they are seldom serious. In a couple of days, new skin will form and the blister skin will peel away.

Do not pop a blister – the fluid and skin protects
Do not put a sticky plaster onto the blister as this will burst it.

More serious cases of are large blisters that are the result of burns, sunburn or infections. See your doctor.

• MEDICINE SAFETY

Medicating babies is a serious business and should only be given under the supervision of a health adviser, doctor or clinic sister. When medicating your baby or child, take note of the following safety advice.

1. Get rid of old or expired medicines

2. Be aware of what you are giving. Certain ingredients like decongestants, can make a child wakeful

3. Don’t give a child medication that has been prescribed for someone else or for another illness

4. Shake the bottle to disperse the ingredients evenly

5. Double-check the label before you pour, especially if you are giving medicine at night, in bad light

6. Use a medicine spoon or dropper, rather than your kitchen teaspoon, which is unlikely to hold exactly 5ml.

7. Be careful with over-the-counter drugs. Treat them with the same respect you would those prescribed by your doctor.

8. The same applies to "natural" remedies – treat them with caution. They are not all safe to use by children, pregnant- or lactating women

9. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Ask whether medicine should be given as needed (for instance when your child is feverish) or whether you must complete the course(as in the case with antibiotics)

Note storage instructions and when and how often you need to give the medication.

10. As a rule, the less you medicate your baby the better. Try remedies that don’t involve medication first (for instance, a humidifier or saline nose drops rather than a decongestant).

11. Never medicate a baby under 3 months without consulting your doctor.

TIP:
A medicine syringe or dropper is the best way to administer medicine to a baby. Wrap her in a blanket or ask another adult to hold her, so that she cannot swipe the medicine out of your hand. Squirt the liquid into her cheeks.
Do not give your baby medicine in the hope that it will put her to sleep.
This is extremely dangerous.

• TOOTH INJURY

Children often injure their teeth, causing them to become cracked or chipped or more seriously knocked out. A dislodged baby tooth cannot be replaced. A permanent tooth can often be saved if prompt action is taken and the tooth is handled carefully, especially by protecting the delicate
tissue covering the root.

IF A PERMANENT TOOTH IS KNOCKED OUT:
1. Hold the tooth by the top, not the root
2. Rinse the tooth immediately in milk, not tap water
3. If your child is co-operative and old enough not to swallow the tooth, gently replace the tooth in its socket. Have your child bite down on a gauze pad to keep it in place.
4. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, put it in milk
5. Give your child a gauze pad or handkerchief to bite down on, which will help reduce the bleeding
6. Get to the dentist right away

IF A PERMANENT TOOTH IS CHIPPED OR BROKEN:
1. Collect all the bits of the tooth
2. Rinse the mouth wit warm water
3. Give your child a cold compress to place on the injured tooth
4. See your dentist right away

• SOMETHING IN THE EAR

Toddlers often experiment by pushing small objects into their ears.

Here’s what you need to do:
1. Sit your child down and have a good look in the ear
2. Unless the object is easily seen and removed, do not try to remove it. You are likely to push it further into the ear and cause more damage
3. Take your child to the doctor or emergency room

• SOMETHING IN THE NOSE

It may be difficult to identify this problem as symptoms may not appear for days. You may notice swelling, difficulty in breathing through the nose, a bad smell or bloody discharge. Do not try to remove the object, as you could push it further in and cause injury. Seek medical assistance.

• BRUISES

Active toddlers and young children suffer many minor knocks and falls, often resulting in bruises. They seldom require any treatment. A little arnica lotion and all the sympathy you can muster usually do the trick. A cold compress or face cloth dipped in cold water will help if the bruise is more serious. If your child complains of excessive pain or cannot move the affected limb, immediately seek medical attention. Unexplained bruising, without any sign of injury can be serious.

• CRUSHED FINGERS

Slamming doors and drawers on little fingers can be painful. Occasionally a crush injury can be serious so if it’s severe or you suspect there may be a fracture, take your child to the doctor.

1. Release the trapped hand as quickly as possible and calm your child
2. If the skin is not broken, hold the fingers under cold running water, or hold an ice pack or bag of frozen veggies, wrapped in a dishcloth or towel against it
3. Wrap the hand in a bandage
4. If the child has difficulty in moving the fingers, there may be a fracture, consult your doctor.
5. Also see the doctor if there is a deep cut, severe pain, an obvious deformity or blood under the nail.

• CHOKING

Assess your child. More than 90% of deaths from chocking occur in children under 5 years. Young children often put small objects into their mouths.
Be careful with small toys, sweets and deflated or burst balloons. Always watch your child or baby when he is eating.

If your child’s airway is blocked, it is essential that you remove the blockage immediately, so that he can get air into the lungs.

SIGNS OF CHOCKING:
1. Unable to cough
2. Unable to talk
3. Unable to breath
4. Clutching at the throat

WHAT TO DO IF THE AIRWAY IS PARTIALLY BLOCKED

If your child is able to cough, talk or breathe, it means that the air passage is not completely blocked and air is still able to go in and out.
Just encourage your child to cough, but do NOT slap his back (this might push the blockage further down). If your child remains distressed or falls unconscious, get help.

WHAT TO DO IF THE AIRWAY IS BLOCKED

If your child is unable to cough, talk or breathe, then you must act immediately, follow these steps:

CLEAR THE AIRWAY IN A BABY UNDER 1 YEAR

Get someone to call for assistance immediately.

1. BACK SLAPS: Kneel down and place your baby face down along your forearm. Allow your forearm to rest against your thigh, so that your baby’s head is lower than the body, and his face is supported in the palm of your hand. Slap him firmly up to 5 times between the shoulder blades.

2. CHEST THRUSTS: If 5 back slaps are unsuccessful, hold your baby’s head with your other hand and turn him face-up to lie along your opposite arm, resting on your opposite thigh. Remember to keep your baby’s head lower than his body, with the back of his head resting in the palm of your hand.

If there is no obvious foreign object visible in the mouth, place 2 fingers on the centre of your baby’s chest, just below an imaginary line between the nipples, and give up to 5 quick downward chest thrusts. Press down approximately 1/3 of the diameter of your baby’s chest (about 2cm).
Very carefully remove any visible foreign object.

3. If your baby is conscious but still unable to cough, talk or breathe, repeat the sequence of up to 5 back slaps and up to 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or your baby becomes unconscious

4. If the baby becomes unconscious, place him face-up on the floor. Open the airway (head tilt-chin lift) and check for breathing. If the baby is breathing, turn him onto his side (recovery position) and stay with him till help arrives

5. If he is not breathing, open his mouth and very carefully remove any visible foreign object. If you cannot see an object, do NOT blindly put your finger in his mouth (you might push the obstruction further down)

6. Starts rescue breathing if he is not breathing. Put your mouth over his mouth and nose and give 2 slow breaths. If these is no breathing or movement start CPR(5chest compressions followed by 1 rescue breath)

7. Look for a visible foreign object each time you open the airway to give the breaths

8. Continue CPR until professional help arrives or your baby recovers

CLEAR THE AIRWAY IN A CHOCKING CHILD UNDER 1 YEAR

Ask someone to call medical assistance.

1. Abdominal thrusts (also known as Heimlich Maneuver): If the child is more than 1 year old and is too big to safely get his head lower than his chest, stand or kneel behind him and wrap your arms around his waist so that your fist rest against his tummy just above the navel, but well below the ribs. Grasp your fist with your other hand and give up to 5 quick inward and upward thrusts.

2. If the blockage hasn’t cleared and the child is still conscious, repeat the sequence of up to 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or your child becomes unconscious.

3. If the child become unconscious, place him face-up on the floor. Open the airway (head tilt-chin lift) and check for breathing. If the child is breathing, turn him onto his side (recovery position) and stay with him till help arrives.

4. If he is not breathing, open the mouth and very carefully remove any visible object. If you cannot see an object, DO NOT blindly put your finger in his mouth ( you might push the object further down)

5. Start rescue breathing if he is not breathing. While maintaining head tilt-chin lift, seal your mouth over his mouth. Pinch the nose closed, using the hand that is on the child’s forehead and give 2 slow breaths

6. If there is no breathing or movement, start CPR. Look for a visible foreign object, each time you open the airway to give breaths

7. Continue with CPR, till professional help arrives or the child recovers

• BLEEDING

If your child is injured, your priorities are to limit blood loss and to
keep the open wound clean. The first thing to do is to apply firm pressure
on the wound with a clean cloth. Hold for 10 minutes or until the bleeding
stops.

MINOR BLEEDING

WHAT TO DO?

1. Gently wash the wound with warm soapy water
2. Cover the wound with an antiseptic cream or ointment and apply a sterile dressing, if necessary
3. Wash the wound daily and reapply the antiseptic cream and dressing until healing is complete. If the wound shows signs of infection, becoming red, tender or excreting pus, you should consult a doctor.

If the bleeding don’t stop or if the wound seems very deep, especially if the edges of the wound do not come together by themselves, treat the wound as outlines here, and take the child to the doctor.

SERIOUS BLEEDING

Get someone to phone the emergency services or if you are alone, first try to stabilize the bleeding and then take your child with you to the phone:

1. Cut away clothing to expose the wound
2. Apply pressure with a clean cloth or dressing. Don’t use any medication or ointment on the wound till the doctor has seen it
3. If there is glass or any other object sticking out of the wound, do not remove it. Apply pressure on either side
4. Lay your child down and raise the wounded area above the level of the heart, if possible. For an arm wound, raise the arm above the head. For a leg wound, lay your child down and raise the leg
5. If blood seeps through the dressing, put another dressing on top and provide more pressure to stop the bleeding
6. Keep your child warm and calm. If the blood us spurting rhythmically, in time to the heartbeat, and is a bright red colour, an artery may have been cut. Apply direct pressure and
elevate the affected are. Call the emergency services as heavy bleeding can be life-threatening, particularly for a young child.

• NOSEBLEEDS

1. Have the child lean forward while sitting or standing

2. Put firm pressure on his nose by squeezing the lower half of the bridge just above the cartilage. Do not block the nostrils.

3. Keep squeezing for 10 minutes and then release your hold and see if the nose is still bleeding

4. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped, apply pressure for another 10 minutes

5. If the nosebleed still hasn’t stopped, consult your doctor

6. If a nosebleed follows a head injury, seek urgent medical attention

• INTERNAL BLEEDING

WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

1. Bleeding from the nose, ears, mouth or vagina
2. A bruise in the shape of an object that crushed against the body

WHAT TO DO?

If you suspect internal bleeding, call an ambulance and treat the child for shock.
Lay the child down, keep him quiet and cover him with a blanket.

Home Safety

When it comes to your child’s safety, preventing accidents is a priority.
This checklist can help in making you sure your home is safe.


GENERAL INDOOR SAFETY

1. Make sure there are stickers at all phone extensions, with numbers for the emergency services.

2. Make sure that the Smoke detectors are installed.

3. Install the Panic buttons.

4. Test the Burglar alarm and the Fire alarm.

5. Make sure that there are two unobstructed emergency exits from home.

6. Develop and Practice a fire escape plan.

7. Make sure there is a working fire extinguisher on the premises.

8. Make sure all space heaters are approved, in safe condition, out of children’s reach, placed at least 1m from all curtains, papers, furniture and have protective covers.

9. Make sure electric cords are not frayed or overloaded and are positioned out of children’s reach.

10. Fit electric plug points with safety covers.

11. The strength of stairs, railings, porches and balconies has been checked.

12. Make sure all hallways and stairways are well lit, to prevent falls.

13. Install toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

14. Toy chests have lightweight lids, no lids or safe-closing hinges.

15. Safety latches or locks are installed on cabinets that contains potentially dangerous items.

16. Handbags containing vitamins, medicine, cigarettes, matches, jewellery and calculators, that has easy to swallow button batteries are out of children’s reach.

17. Potential harmful houseplants are out of reach.

18. Make sure glass doors are fitted with safety glass.

19. Place stickers on glass sliding doors.

20. Make sure window blind cords are looped out of reach.

21. Hazardous substances are safely stored.

22. Medicines and vitamins are out of children’s reach and in child-resistant containers.

23. Make sure cleaning products are stored out of children’s reach and sight.

24. All household poisons are in their original containers in high, locked cabinets (not under the sink)

25. Chemicals and poisons are not stored in cool drink bottles.

26. Cleaning products must be stored separately from food.


KITCHEN SAFETY

1. Make sure all foods and small items (including balloons) that cab choke a child are out of reach.

2. Place high chairs and stools away from the stove.

3. Place knives and other sharp objects out of children’s reach.

4. Don’t store snacks or other appealing items close to the stove.

5. Unplug appliances if they are not in use and make sure the cords are tucked away.

6. Dustbins must have safety locks, or out of reach.


OUTDOOR SAFETY

1. Playground equipment is assembled and anchored correctly according to manufacture’s instructions over a level, cushioned surface such as sand or wood chips, to break a fall.

2. The pool must be enclosed with fencing at least 1.5m high and all gates are self-closing and self-latching.

3. The pool must be covered with a pool net.

4. Fish ponds, water features and all other bodies of water are also covered with nets.

5. There must be no thorny or poisonous plants.

6. Garage doors must have safety mechanisms that stop the door if it encounters an obstacle.


BATHROOM SAFETY

1. Place Anti-slip mats or stickers in the bath.

2. Turn the maximum heat of the geyser down to medium heat.

3. Electrical appliances (radios, hair dryers, space heaters, etc) are kept out of the bathroom or unplugged, away from water and out of children’s reach.

4. Place safety locks on toilets.

5. Razor blades, scissors and hazardous substances are out of reach and locked away.

6. Shower doors must be made out of safety glass.


FIREARMS

1. Firearms must be locked in a safe and inaccessible place.

2. Guns must be stored unloaded.

3. Ammunition must be stored separately.


BITE PREVENTION

To reduce the risk of animal bites:

1. Teach your child how to handle and care for a pet.

2. Teach your child never to try to separate fighting animals.

3. Never leave a young child alone with an animal, even a familiar pet.

4. Teach your children to avoid unfamiliar animals.


HOME FIRST AID KID

It’s ideal to have everything on hand in case of an emergency. Pack all your supplies in something light and durable, like a plastic tool box or fishing box, for instance.

• Sterile gauze
• Adhesive tape
• Adhesive bandages and plasters in several sizes
• Sterile eye dressing
• Two eye pads with bandages
• Burn shields
• Burn ointment
• Elastic bandages
• Antiseptic wipes
• Soap
• Antiseptic solution or cream
• Arnica cream
• Rescue cream
• Rescue remedy
• Paracetamol (for adults and children)
• Re hydration solution
• Extra prescription medications
• Tweezers, sharp scissors and safety pins
• Instant cold packs
• Calamine lotion
• Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
• Thermometer
• Plastic gloves and a CPR mouthpiece
• Torch and extra batteries
• Your list of emergency phone numbers

TIPS:

1. Clean cotton pillowcases make an excellent loose covering
2. Clean towels or dishcloths are good “emergency” bandages
3. Clean plastic bags can be put over a burned foot or hand and lightly secured with a bandage
4. Anything rigid and straight – like a broomstick or even a magazine – can be used to support and splint a limb.

Adapt this list to create a kit for your car. Include a record of your family members’ vital statistics even if you are far from home.

Pelvic Floor Health

Good Health of your Pelvic Floor is essential if you are planning to give normal birth.

WHAT AND WHERE IS IT?

The pelvic floor consists of 3 layers of muscle as well as ligaments and
connective tissue, which lines the bottom of the pelvis acting as a “hammock” or floor.
It stretches from the pubic bone in the front to the sacrum and coccyx at the back (between your legs).

The main muscle of the pelvic floor, the PC muscle (Pubococcygeus) lies in a figure of eight
around the openings of the urethra, the vagina and rectum and provides sphincter control.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION?

The pelvic floor supports the pelvic organs.
A well toned pelvic floor can enhance your sex life, prevent you from leaking urine, help maintain good posture and also assists in guiding your baby’s head through the birth canal during labor.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A WELL TONED PELVIC FLOOR?

• Prevents dribbling or leaking of urine when laughing, coughing or sneezing.

• Decreased discomfort during internal examinations

• Increased chances of having an easier second stage (birth of baby) of labor
  

• Perineum more likely to heal faster in the case of a cut or tear and less chance of hemorrhoids
  

• Greater pleasure during sexual intercourse

• Improve chances for a healthy pelvic floor later in life and less chance of surgery to correct prolapsed of uterus and other pelvic organs.
  

• Less backache, as a strong pelvic floor aids the back in maintaining good posture
  

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT DURING PREGNANCY AND LABOR?

Many changes take place in your body during pregnancy, more fluid retention, increased blood volume and the growth of the baby and the uterus. The added weight and pressure on the pelvic floor may affect the normal muscle tone of the pelvic floor.

During labor the pelvic floor will stretch as the baby moves down the birth canal to exit through the vagina. The perineum may tear or be cut during this stage. Pelvic floor awareness and exercise may reduce your chances of this happening.

HOW TO FIND YOUR PELVIC FLOOR

To identify the correct muscle, sit on the toilet with your legs wide apart. Begin to urinate, and then stop midway by contracting the muscle that halts the flow. Hold - then release. The muscle that you use to do this is the PC muscle. Do this once or twice only – so that you can locate
this muscle.
This is not to be done often, as there may be a chance that you could cause your bladder to retain urine. Using visualization is another way to help yourself get in touch with your pelvic floor.
Imagine that you are squeezing a tampon really tightly and then release. It’s important to feel the difference between the contracted muscle and the relaxed muscle. This will help you learn to release the pelvic floor during labor.

EXERCISING THE PELVIC FLOOR

Muscle fibers that are exercised become more elastic with careful and repeated contraction and relaxation. It’s important that the pelvic floor has a good muscle tone and elasticity. They will stretch better and more easily if they are strong. Pelvic floor exercises will strengthen your
muscles, and should become a lifelong exercise for all women.

Strengthening the pelvic floor is one aspect when preparing for labor.
But the ability to release them is as important, especially during pushing.
A tense pelvic floor that is rigid can slow down the birth of your baby.
During delivery the pelvic floor should relax and stretch to thin out rather like a polo-neck jersey.
There are may extra folds of skin in the vagina, called ruggae that allows the extra stretching that will take place during delivery.

HOW DO I DO THIS INVISIBLE EXERCISE

You need to isolate the action of the pelvic floor muscle as much as possible. When doing this, you must be careful NOT to tighten the muscles of the buttocks and the muscles of the inner thigh. The position you adopt when doing these exercises will help. If you are really isolating these
muscles properly, NO ONE will be able to see you doing anything.

LET’S DO IT!!!

1. Start by sitting comfortably on a hard chair slightly forward, with your legs apart.

2. Contract the pelvic floor, concentrating on the muscles of the vaginal sphincter. “Try pulling these muscles up as high into the vagina as you can, and feel the pelvic floor lifting up and away from the seat of the chair.”

3. Pause and hold it.

4. Slowly release, and be aware of the feeling of release, and how different the feeling is to the contraction.

5. Consciously release the muscles more, or gently ‘bulge’ them in a downward direction.

6. Be sure not to hold your breath as you do these exercises. Once you are comfortable doing this basic exercise, you can become a little more creative or imaginative.

Imagine that your pelvic floor is a lift, and that you are drawing up the pelvic muscles floor by floor. You can pause at each floor pretending people are getting in and out of the lift, and then moving to the next floor. Moving into the basement would be when you’re ‘bulging’ the muscles
at your lowest point.

You could have fun by pretending to write your name holding an imaginary pencil with the muscles of the vagina. Or you could pretend to ‘pick a grape’ from a bunch, one by one. Pulling it up and chewing then release the pips.
Be sure to perform fast contractions, as well as slower, more controlled contractions. This will ensure that both fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers are worked.
Doing these exercises in a squatting position is even more effective.

HOW MANY CAN I DO?

Don’t do too many and don’t hold the contractions for too long. Practice for as long as you are comfortable, keeping the same strength of muscle contraction. Stop the exercise as soon as you feel the effort becoming greater and contractions becoming weaker.

Rather do a few when you remember them then practice for ages every day.
This will strain the already strained pelvic floor. Do about 5 slow contractions holding for the count of ten. Do two sets of live exercises up to ten times a day.

HOW DO I REMEMBER?

Place a few colored dots in strategic places around your environment.
Good places are the gear lever in your car, the mirror where you brush your teeth or do your make-up and one on your phone. In this way you will remind yourself to do your exercises.

Do these exercises especially if you’re experiencing problems with your pelvic floor. Don’t do too many and don’t hold the contractions too long.
Pelvic floor exercises should be done by all women, for life – not only during pregnancy and post par tum.
Perineal massage may decrease your chances of tearing or being cut.

Pregnancy and Birth

I'm a young mom, I've been pregnant with my first child. My baby girl is now 1 year old.
For new moms to be, being in labor is an unknown experience.
I myself had no idea I've been in labor, until my water broke.

I've put this details together to give you an idea for the things to look out for when you near the time of giving birth.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I’M IN LABOR?

Many women say that telling the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions, stomach cramps and the real thing is not always easy. But there are ways and means...

Clues that you are approaching labor:

• Diarrhoea that comes and goes at regular intervals

• Dull backache that reappears at regular intervals

• Low nagging period-like pain, which moves up and becomes abdominal pain

• Definite and regular tensing and tightening sensations in the abdomen that may not be painful, but which indicates contractions of the uterus
  

• An intuitive feeling that something is going on, even when there seems to be nothing happening
  

• Nesting (Keeping busy) or hibernating (taking things very slow)

• Feeling of pressure deep and low in the pelvis as your baby’s head presses against the cervix
  

• Pain on the front, outside and inside of the thighs

• Feelings of being in an altered state, making it hard to focus and concentrate
  

THREE CLASSIC SIGNS OF LABOR:

These are signs that it’s all happening and birth is the forgone conclusion.

• A show - (the appearance of a plug of mucus, which seals your cervix during pregnancy – often streaked with a little blood), which may or may not be noticed.
  

• Wait for something else to prompt you, as lovemaking or a doctor’s internal examination may dislodge the plug and cause it to come away. This is no cause for alarm
  

• Contractions – that get your attention and become progressively more intense and painful
  

• Breaking of water – (rupture of membranes)

You know you are in labor when your contractions:

1. Become longer, stronger and closer together, i.e. progress
2. Become intense, whether you sit, stand or take a bath
3. Build up to peak and then gradually ease off
4. Seriously get your attention!!!

You are probably not in labor when your contractions:

1. Are irregular
2. Don’t become more intense
3. Don’t become more frequent
4. Die down in your walk, take a bath or rest
5. May be lessened by a change of position
   

TIMING CONTRACTIONS

To measure how far apart your contractions are, you need to time the period from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next one.
This will give you the duration of the contraction as well as the interval in-between. If the contraction lasts 60 seconds and 4 minutes follow before the start of the next contraction, the contractions are said to be 5 minutes apart.

WHEN LABOR STARTS:

Once labor has started in earnest, don’t start anything strenuous. Pace
yourself and rest as much as you can. Eat small “snacks” high energy fruit and carbohydrates.
Drink enough water. When resting focus on relaxing and breathing deeply as you start to tune into your body.

As labor progresses, eat lightly and sip clear fluids. Rest, sit in a rocking chair, or take a slow walk. Distract yourself between contractions by reading, talking, listening to music or making phone calls.
Conserve your energy.
Deal with one contraction at a time! Each contraction is one step closer to seeing your baby. Relax as much as possible between contractions to conserve your energy for pushing. Pant or blow if you feel the urge to push before it’s time.

WHEN TO GO TO HOSPITAL

It may be confusing to know when to go to hospital since there is so much variation among women in the way labor starts. Some women prefer to stay at home as long as possible and others feel more secure being in a hospital environment.
If you are insure how to interpret the signs you are experiencing or just feel confused and anxious, don’t hesitate to call for guidance as to what is happening. You should always report any warnings signs such as a severe or persistent headache, dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, fever, severe abdominal tension, bleeding, sudden change in fetal movement, pain and any other unusual signs.


COPING SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

1. BREATHE WITH FOCUS, PURPOSE AND INTENTION
Breathing with awareness will help you decrease your pain perception.
Breathing well will ensure that you oxygenate your baby as well as the uterus, which is a good idea as the pain receptors in the uterus do not like their oxygen supply diminished.

2. POSITIONING AND MOVEMENT
Change positions constantly during labor. Movement dissipates pain and will change your perception. Stay as upright as possible and use the force of gravity to bring your baby down and to open up your pelvis.
Rock, sway, squad and lean forward. Use of a labor ball also helps. Make noise during labor. Moaning and groaning helps with the release of endorphins that will benefit your baby as well.

3. EMPTY YOUR BLADDER OFTEN
A full bladder can be extremely uncomfortable during labor and can hold up the process and increase your pain.

4. GET INTO WATER
Water has amazing pain-relieving powers. Can be used at home or in hospital. Use water to soothe and settle you before and during labor and for pain relief. A powerful shower head directed onto your back can ease backache in labor.
Make sure the bath is deep enough to make you feel buoyant. The deeper you are in water, the higher the level of pain relief.

5. KEEP WELL HYDRATED
Labor is like running a marathon, you need to replenish your energy levels. Eat light snacks and sip energy drinks and water throughout to help ease the painful contractions.

6. REMEMBER YOUR BABY HAS A PART TO PLAY TOO
An active baby helps herself get into the world. Nudge your baby every now and then and remember that she is using her body to work her way into the world. Whatever you do affects her, so breathe, move, sing and relax. This releases those endorphins that she will also benefit from.

7. MUSIC
Music has the ability to transport you to another place and time. Music distracts and relaxes you.

8. DEVELOP A BIRTH OUTLINE
A good birth experience is about feeling that you are in control of the situation and are involved and consulted in decisions regarding your health during pregnancy, labor and birth. You need to feel as if you are central to what is happening. This ensures that no matter what the outcome, you will feel positive about the experience.

9. USE AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy oils induce a calming effect and can change the smell of a sterile labor room to a more soothing environment that eases your tension. Oils such as Lavender, Chamomile and Frankincense have a wonderful soothing effect on the psyche and the body. Can be rubbed onto
the body or inhaled from a drop poured on a tissue.

10. TOUCH AND MASSAGE
The power of touch should never be underestimated. Although many women love being touched in labor, some don’t. They way you want to be touched during the different phases of labor will change from soft and sensitive to a harder, more pressurized type of touch.
Hard firm pressure on certain parts of your body will change the way you perceive pain. Studies have shown that touch and support lead to reduced perception of pain.

11. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
Having a partner, or other people that care about you, rooting for you, encouraging and praising you, will help you get through the hardest contractions of labor. Positive encouragement and belief in your abilities is more important than you realize.

12. HIRE A DOULA

A Doula is a woman who gives companionship and support to a laboring woman. She supplies continues physical, emotional and educational support before, during and after birth. Her greatest asset is in the way she touches a mother. She may cradle you in her arms, wipe your brow, massage you firmly and guide you and your partner through the hours of active labor, to the moment your baby is laid in your arms.

13. IF YOU FEEL SAFE IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT THEN YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO FIND IT EASIER TO RELAX
Stay at home for as long as possible, where you can wear your own clothes, listen to your own music and do whatever you like to keep comfortable.
Once in hospital or your birthing facility, continue to listen to music, use your oils and keep as private as possible. A harsh and noisy environment with people coming and going is not conductive to an easier labor.

14. USE RELAXATION AND VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES
The ability to realize tension at will, as well as turn inner positive thoughts into pictures (visualization), is not only a labor tool, but also a life skill.

15. GET THOSE ENDORPHINS WORKING
Touch, Privacy, praise, aromatherapy and movement will release your natural pain killers. Use the TENS machine, which sends electrical impulses up the pain pathways, as this will release your body’s endorphins and charge your perception of pain. Acupressure and having your heels
rubbed will soothe the pain.