If Your Baby is Not Latching On; It Could be Tongue-Tie

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Xavia Malcolm

One of the most intimate moments shared between mother and baby is during breastfeeding. If the infant does not latch on to the mother’s breast she may feel rejected, bewildered and frustrated. Before becoming distressed a mother should look into reasons why the baby is refusing to breastfeed; one of which could be a condition called ankyloglossia, otherwise known as tongue-tie.

Tongue-Tie is a congenital condition which restricts the tongue’s range of motion. It is caused by an abnormally thick and short lingual frenulum. The frenulum is the membrane which connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. The degree of severity in tongue-tie varies from mild cases, where the lingual frenulum loosens over time or severe cases of complete ankyloglossia where the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth. This can affect feeding.

Breastfeeding requires the baby to place the tongue over the lower gum while sucking. If the infant‘s range of motion is limited and is unable to place the tongue in the right position, this will interfere with the ability to get milk. Poor breastfeeding can lead to poor nutrition.

A consultation with a lactation specialist or physician to explore all causes for breast-feeding refusal is usually the first step in evaluating the baby. If it is determined that the infant does have severe tongue-tie and the ability to feed is compromised, a simple and quick surgery may be suggested.

The surgical procedure most commonly recommended is called a frenotomy; which can be done with or without anesthesia. During the procedure a physician will examine the frenulum, then use sterile scissors to snip it free. A frenotomy can also be done by laser. The physician may also recommend a frenectomy which is a surgical revision of the frenulum.

After surgery the infant’s tongue movement should improve greatly and in most cases breastfeeding can commence immediately.

To obtain more information about breastfeeding or to schedule a consultation with a lactation specialist at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-291-3276.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Centering Care: Share Your Prenatal Experience With Other Expectant Moms

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Michael Hinck

Frustrated by short prenatal visits that leave you with more questions than answers? You might be interested in learning about a new, very popular and effective form of prenatal care.

Centering Pregnancy incorporates a group care model that provides a dynamic and lively atmosphere for learning and sharing that is difficult to create during a typical prenatal care visit. During a centering modeled pre-natal care visit, a group of women with similar gestational ages meet together, to participate in a provider facilitated discussion. Through this unique model of care, women have an opportunity to share similar experiences, receive support, and empower one another to choose healthy behaviors during their pregnancies.

Centering Pregnancy maintains all the same patient-centered elements of traditional prenatal care, but incorporates them into an interactive experience for expectant mothers and their families. At the beginning of each session, patients have a brief individual assessment by the care provider before joining the group to discuss key health topics and the exchange of information and education on shared health experiences. Each group visit lasts under two hours with your healthcare provider guiding the session.

Each group meets for a total of 10 sessions throughout pregnancy. Sessions begin during the first trimester and meet at regular prenatal intervals until delivery. After delivery, the group meets for a reunion session during the postpartum period.

The satisfaction expressed by both the women and their providers support the effectiveness of this model of care. Women who have participated in centering-based prenatal care have expressed a high level of fulfillment and motivation. Professionals report that the group setting provides them with renewed satisfaction in delivering quality care. Some of the many benefits of centering care include reduction in preterm birth, higher birth weight and increased breastfeeding rates.

Jamaica Hospital now offers Centering Prenatal care at its Women’s Health Care Center. For more information about Jamaica Hospital’s Centering Program, please call 718-291-3276.

The Harmful Truth about High Heels

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Natifia Mullings

High heels can make you look long and lean, and can definitely add some glitz to your outfit—but unfortunately, that’s not all they’re doing. According to podiatrists at Jamaica Hospital, high heels, shoes with at least a two inch heel, can also lead to several medical problems.

“Prolonged wearing of high heels can lead to foot pain, ingrown toe nails, bunions, nerve damage, or damage to leg tendons,” explained Dr. Nicholas Camarinos, Chief of e at Jamaica Hospital. “Additionally, lower back pain, osteoarthritis of the knee, and overworking an injured leg muscle can also result from wearing high heels over time.”

These problems are likely to develop because the feet are forced into an unnatural position when they are in high heels, therefore placing increased weight on the toes. The incorrect redistribution of weight causes the body to lean forward and puts a strain on the back, knees, and hips. In addition, the change in posture also puts pressure on the nerves which can trigger numbness and pain throughout the entire body.

The conditions that result from wearing high heels don’t develop immediately. They occur from frequent high heel wear. Dr. Camarinos understands that it’s hard to discourage women from entirely eliminating heels from their wardrobe. Instead, he offers the following recommendations:

wear a sensible heel height or consider a wedged shoe
use insoles to help reduce the impact to your knees
wear the correct size shoe
wear heels on days you expect limited walking or standing
alternate shoes throughout the day or from day to day
stretch your calf muscles and feet a few times a day

“Ultimately, our advice isn’t to forbid women from wearing heels. Wearing heels are fine, as long as they aren’t worn all the time and for everything,” explained Dr. Camarinos. “Moderation is key.”

If you frequently wear high heels, are experiencing foot pain, and would like to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist, please contact Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Podiatry at 718-206-6712.

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Tubal Reversal is Now Offered at Jamaica Hospital

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Michael Hinck

For women, the decision to have tubal ligation, or getting their “tubes tied,” is a difficult one, but that decision no longer needs to be a permanent one. Doctors at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center now offer a tubal reversal procedure for women, giving them the opportunity to become pregnant again.

Tubal reversal is a simple, minimally invasive procedure that reconnects the fallopian tubes and restores their ability to function after a previous sterilization procedure. The surgery is performed by trained doctors, who use specially designed instruments to gain access to the fallopian tubes. The ends of the damaged tubes are reconstructed and repaired. Once the surgery is complete, testing will be performed to make sure that the tubes are open or “patent.”

Dr. Khaled Zeitoun, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Gynecologist, performs this procedure with great success at Jamaica Hospital. “This procedure gives women a second chance at having a baby,” states Dr Zeitoun. “The effectiveness of tubal reversal is approximately above 50% and is a much more affordable fertility option than other procedures such as IVF (in vitro fertilization).”

While the overall success rate for conception is high for those who have tubal reversal surgery, there are some factors that affect this success, such as the degree of damage to the tubes during the original tubal ligation procedure, the weight and health status of the patient and other medical factors in the patient and the partner.

The procedure traditionally takes from 2-4 hours and recovery time is minimal. “In most cases patients can try to become pregnant during their next ovulation cycle and every cycle after that, which is another benefit when compared to other options which only allow patients one chance of conception,” explains Dr. Zeitoun.

To learn more about the tubal reversal procedure or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Zeitoun, please call 718-206-7642.