Women who have insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be more likely to have a baby than women who have to pay entirely out-of-pocket for fertility treatments, a U.S. study suggests.
In any given attempt at IVF, insurance status didn’t influence whether women had a baby, the study found. But when the first cycle of IVF failed, which often happens, women were more likely to try again if their insurance covered at least some of the costs.
One cycle of IVF can cost around $12,000, with up to another $5,000 for extra medicines women may need, said lead study author Dr. Emily Jungheim of Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine in Missouri.
"Women without coverage for IVF were significantly less likely to try another IVF cycle, likely because the cost was too high," Jungheim said by email. "This wasn’t a factor for women with coverage, and as a result they were more likely to have a baby."
A growing number of American women are using fertility treatments to get pregnant, even as the overall birth rate declines. It’s become more common as women wait longer to have babies and get married, or avoid marriage altogether, and advances in technology are making more treatment options available.
Each year, approximately 1.6 percent of all U.S. babies are conceived using assistive reproductive technology, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. IVF is the most common approach. It involves extracting a woman’s eggs, fertilizing them in a lab, then transferring embryos into the woman’s uterus.
Researchers examined data on 1,572 women seen at Washington University Physicians’ Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center from 2001 to 2010. The center draws patients from Illinois, a state that requires insurers to cover up to four cycles of IVF, and Missouri, which does not mandate IVF coverage.
Overall, 875 women (56 percent) had IVF coverage; 40 percent had state-mandated benefits and 60 percent had benefits without a state requirement. The remaining women lacked coverage and paid for fertility treatments out-of-pocket.
After the first cycle of IVF, 39 percent of women with insurance coverage and 38 percent of women without fertility benefits had a baby, a difference that wasn’t statistically meaningful, researchers report in JAMA.
With insurance, 70 percent of women who didn’t succeed the first time tried again, compared with 52 percent of women without fertility benefits.
After up to four IVF cycles, the cumulative odds of delivering a baby were better with insurance: 57 percent compared with 51 percent without IVF coverage.
Limitations of the study include the lack of data on women’s actual out-of-pocket costs or fertility treatments women might have pursued at other clinics, the authors note.
Still, it’s clear that patients with limited financial resources may skip IVF altogether or stop treatment after one or two cycles due to costs, said Judy Stern, an obstetrics researcher at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire who wasn’t involved in the study.
"Perhaps because of this, the population doing IVF is already largely a population with higher education and income levels than the general population," Stern said by email. Mandated IVF benefits might expand access, Stern added.
Costs may also push some women to consider implanting more embryos in one IVF cycle, which can increase the odds of pregnancy but also boost the chances of complications like preterm deliveries or fetal growth retardation, said Dr. Kevin Doody, president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology executive council.
"IVF cycles done in mandated states have fewer embryos transferred at a time because the financial pressure associated with treatment failure results in pressure by the patient to transfer more embryos to increase the chance of pregnancy," Doody said by email.
"This results in an increased risk in multiple pregnancy," Doody added. "The current system where the infertile couple typically bears the cost of IVF, but society at large tends to pay for the consequence of multiple pregnancy is a broken system."
LONDON – Britain’s Newcastle University says its scientists have received a license to create babies using DNA from three people, the first time such approval has been granted.
The license was granted by the country’s fertility regulator on Thursday, according to the university.
In December, British officials approved the "cautious use" of the techniques, which are intended to prevent women from passing on fatal genetic diseases to their children. The new procedures fix problems linked to mitochondria, the energy-producing structures outside a cell’s nucleus. Faulty mitochondria can result in conditions including muscular dystrophy and major organ failure.
Last year, U.S.-based doctors announced they had created the world’s first baby using such techniques, after traveling to Mexico to perform the methods, which have not been approved in the United States.
Fidget spinners are all the rage among elementary school students, and some parents hopeful that the toy may help their children concentrate. But one mom in Texas is warning about the potential dangers of the device after her daughter nearly choked to death while playing with one.
“On the way home from a fun swim meet, I heard Britton make an odd retching noise in the back seat as I was driving,” Kelly Rose Joniec, Britton’s mother, wrote in part in a May 15 Facebook post. “Looking back in the mirror, I saw her face turning red and drool pouring from her mouth – she could utter noises but looked panicked so I immediately pulled over.
“She pointed to her throat saying she’d swallowed something, so I attempted Heimlich but there was no resistance,” Joniec continued in the post. “She said she’d put part of her fidget spinner in her mouth to clean it and somehow swallowed it.”
Fidget spinners, which are made of plastic, metal and contain a ball bearing, have been banned from many classrooms, with teachers claiming the toy distracts them rather than helps them study. Some kids have taken to YouTube to share tricks and special spins they’ve learned to do with the toy.
Joniec wrote in her post that Britton, whose age was not revealed, was taken via ambulance to Texas Children’s Hospital where an X-ray showed part of the spinner bushing lodged in her esophagus. Surgeons removed the quarter-sized piece through an endoscopic procedure, which required general anesthesia.
“From this I wish to offer some word of caution to parents,” Joniec posted. “Fidget spinners are the current craze so they are widely distributed. Kids of all ages may be getting them, but not all spinners come with age-appropriate warnings. The bushings pop out easily, so if you have young kids (under 8 yr old) keep in mind that these present a potential choking hazard.”
A Georgia community is mourning the sudden death of a freshman football player who died after appearing pale during practice. Kamari McGowen, 15, is the second player from Creekside High School to die in less than four years, AJC.com reported.
McGowen’s football coach pulled him from the conditioning portion of practice late Monday afternoon, according to the report. Paramedics were called and McGowen was taken to a local hospital where he later died. The cause of death is still under investigation.
“Fulton County Schools is saddened by the heartbreaking news of the death of Kamari McGowen,” school officials said in a statement. “Kamari was a 9th grade student at Creekside High and died unexpectedly after being transported to the hospital from football conditioning Monday evening. The cause of death has not been confirmed. Creekside High had counselors at school on Tuesday and as long as necessary to assist students and teachers who are experiencing grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McGowen family.”
Rashaad Gates, a senior on the team, told Fox 5 Atlanta that it was McGowen’s first practice with the team, and that they start conditioning early in the year to prepare for the upcoming season.
“Just to see a kid go so young, he just wanted to play football, it’s just a tragedy,” Gates told Fox 5 Atlanta.
According to state law, teams must provide athletes with at least three water breaks per hour, and trainers must monitor weather to measure heat stress in direct sunlight. The district said it is also investigating McGowen’s death.
In 2013, De’Antre Turman died after breaking his neck during a scrimmage against a nearby high school. He was one of the state’s top prospects for the 2015 class, AJC.com reported.
Funds are pouring in for a family in Louisiana left reeling over the death of a new mom who went into cardiac arrest just a day after giving birth to a healthy baby boy. Sarah Bertrand, 29, gave birth to Julian Charles Montou on May 9, according to the family’s GoFundMe page.
“Just over 24 hours later, at roughly 4:50pm on May 10th, 2017, Sarah died to a pulmonary embolism that stopped her heart instantly,” Jean-Luc Montou, Bertrand’s partner, posted in part on GoFundMe. “We did not have life insurance for Sarah, so I’m left with my daughter Jane and my brand new son Julian with nothing to help.”
Photos posted to Montou’s Facebook page show the happy family cuddling newborn Julian after his birth. Follow-up posts feature Montou’s daughter Jane, from a previous relationship, holding her new baby brother alongside the caption “My world right now. Holding me together.”
His initial May 11 post informing friends and family of Bertrand’s tragic death had garnered more than 3,000 likes and nearly 600 shares as of Monday morning.
“Sarah wanted everything for Julian and he made her so happy,” he wrote on the GoFundMe page, which has raised almost half it the $8,000 goal. “I had never seen her so strong, so confident, and so joyful as when she held her new baby boy. While I miss her so much myself, as well as her entire family, this is intended to leave something for Julian and to help with Sarah’s sudden funeral costs. She only wanted the best for our son and the least I can do is try to get help, since she won’t be around to do so.”
Mothers of a Kansas City hospital’s tiniest patients were gifted a special keepsake in honor of Mother’s Day this week, when photographers teamed up with March of Dimes and Saint Luke’s Hospital to capture precious moments during a skin-to-skin bonding session.
The mothers, whose children are patients in Saint Luke’s Hospital’s newborn intensive care unit (NICU), were practicing kangaroo care, which has been shown to boost health benefits for both the baby and mother. It involves holding a diapered baby against a bare chest, and is recommended by March of Dimes and health experts to help improve weight gain, heart stabilization, brain development and physical and emotional bonding, according to a news release.
“Mother’s Day — especially a mom’s very first with her new baby — can be hard for many families with children in the NICU,” Stacey D. Stewart, March of Dimes president, said in the release. “Our NICU Family Support program works with Saint Luke’s Hospital and more than 100 other hospitals around the United States to offer the support families need to have the best possible experience when their baby is in the NICU.”
Some of the photographers spent time with their own children in the NICU, which made for an even more emotional session. The hospital is also planning to host a kangaroo-a-thon from May 9 to 14 to encourage mothers to practice kangaroo care with their babies.
“From providing the chance to build a loving bond by using the sense of touch with kangaroo care, to commemorating milestones like Mother’s Day, the March of Dimes is proud to partner with hospitals like St. Luke’s to give every baby and every family a healthy, loving start,” Stewart said.
A former ESPN presenter who was laid off last month on her first day back from maternity leave shared a moving post with her Instagram followers on Sunday in honor of her first Mother’s Day. Sarah Walsh, who is married to Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Matt Buschmann, wrote of the difficult journey they embarked on toward parenthood, which included suffering a miscarriage while on live TV.
A post shared by Sara Walsh (@sarawalsh10) on May 14, 2017 at 5:57pm PDT
“The road down a dark path began while hosting Sportscenter on the road from Alabama,” Walsh posted in part, alongside a photo of herself with her infant twins. “I arrived in Tuscaloosa almost three months pregnant. I wouldn’t return the same way. The juxtaposition of college kids going behind our set, while I was losing a baby on it, was surreal.”
Walsh wrote that nobody was aware that she was pregnant except for her husband, who was watching more than a thousand miles away at home. Walsh said Buschmann was texting her nearby hospital options during commercial breaks.
“It would get worse,” she wrote. “Two more failed pregnancies. More than once I’d have surgery one day and be on SportsCenter the next so as not to draw attention to my situation. We then went down the IVF road of endless shots and procedures. After several rounds, we could only salvage two eggs.”
Walsh shared that she took a break from trying to get pregnant and when they decided to try in vitro again, she learned she was pregnant with fraternal twins.
“So I spent a third straight football season pregnant, strategically picking out clothes and standing at certain angles, using scripts to hide my stomach. There would be no baby announcement, no shower, we didn’t buy a single thing in preparation for the babies, because I wasn’t sure they’d show up. We told very few people we were pregnant, and almost no one knew there were two.”
In the photo, which as of Monday has garnered more than 4,600 likes, her son and daughter are wearing “Good Egg” onesies, which Walsh said are even more meaningful to her after the struggle she and Bushmann went through.
“For as long as I can remember I hosted Sportscenter on Mother’s Day, and the last couple years doing that have been personally brutal. An hours-long reminder of everything that had gone wrong,” she wrote. “I wasn’t on TV today, and I’m not sure when I will be again, but instead I got to hang with these two good eggs. My ONLY good eggs. And I know how lucky I really am.”
It’s soothing! It’s natural! It’s…just like giving birth in your childhood kiddie pool? Fans say that water birthing offers a relaxing environment and natural pain relief without anesthesia.
The practice is controversial, though: In 2014, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a joint statement urging caution during the second stage of labor in particular, due to potential issues, such as umbilical cord rupture as the newborn is being lifted out of the water or infections caused by using water from a contaminated source (you should use a drinking water hose and connect it to your sink to fill up the tub). Many of these births take place at home, as not all hospitals permit water births. (Heal your whole body with Rodale’s 12-day power plan for better health.)
Clearly, aquatic birthing isn’t for every pregnant mom. But these two women wouldn’t have done it any other way.
For Boston’s Kara Rea, 28, the decision seemed logical. Her mother-in-law had her children at home, and her husband had witnessed three of his siblings being born. ("Our daughter was his fourth home birth," she laughs.)
Though Kara considered going to a nearby hospital for delivery, she was dismayed at the drugs they recommended to induce labor after her water broke, saying she had just 48 hours to decide. Alarmed, she quickly called a midwife recommended by a leader in her Bradley Method class, which teaches natural childbirth.
The family met their midwife on a Saturday morning—and promptly bought a blow-up tub from her. They filled the tub with warm water attached from their washing machine hookup to a hose, and soon enough, it was go time. By Saturday night, Kara was in labor with her husband by her side. Her mom and dog were on the scene, too.
Her midwife advised her to get out of the tub from time to time, because "sometimes if you’re in the water too long, your labor can stall," says Kara. "The midwife told me, ‘Even stepping in and out of the tub is helping to bring the baby out.’"
After about 12 hours, her daughter was born in the water in the middle of their living room.
"One push and the head was out, her shoulders flew out, and the midwife quickly turned her and put her on my chest," says Kara. "She was so happy—her eyes were wide open, she had pink rosy cheeks, and she was so strong." Kara didn’t even suffer much vaginal tearing, which she attributes to the water. (According to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, pushing out a baby in the water is associated with a reduction of perineal trauma for first-time moms.)
Of course, she wondered what could have gone wrong.
"At first I couldn’t wrap my head around doing it—what if something happened?" she says. "My midwife told me, ‘There are situations, and there are emergencies. If something goes wrong, we’d get you to the hospital." Since she was young and healthy, she felt confident, and she hopes to do it again with future kids. All told, the procedure cost $4,000 (the midwife wasn’t covered by insurance), plus $70 for the tub.
It was money well spent, she says. But next time, she’ll buy a tub liner.
"A major con was my husband having to clean everything up," she says. "We had to hose everything down outside, which was pretty gross."
San Diego’s Stephanie Greunke, 30, also had a water birth with her first child. And it went swimmingly.
"I was having a home birth and wanted as many pain-relieving strategies as possible," she says. "I wanted to reduce pain with the least amount of intervention. Plus, it’s been shown to reduce tearing because your body is so relaxed."
So relaxed that labor can regress. Stephanie says that many midwives don’t want patients to hit the water until they’re very dilated.
"With my first, I handled labor well, and when my midwife came, she couldn’t believe how far along I was," she says. "I asked her if I could get into the water. She said, ‘Let’s wait. Let’s see some more contractions.’"
Too late: Stephanie insisted she was ready to push. At that point, her midwife checked for dilation (they normally don’t check unless asked, says Stephanie); she was totally dilated, so she eased on in.
Here’s where advance planning could have helped: Her husband had filled the tub with very hot water connected from their shower to a hose, thinking it’d be awhile. Ideally, the temperature should be about 97 degrees. After cooling things down, she was able to labor in earnest.
"From the moment I stepped in the pool, I felt a 180 on my pain," says Stephanie. "I was in for about three hours, hunched over and leaning out when I had my son. My husband was holding my hand. My midwives were on the other side of me—mine didn’t get in, but some do—helping me with pushing."
Her pool cost $300 (she bought it from birthpoolinabox.com), and she plans to repeat the home water birth with her next child, due soon. Right now, the pool sits ready and waiting in her bedroom.
Overall, she says the experience was incredibly mellow.
"The lights were turned off, and it was really comfortable," she says. "The same conditions that get a baby in get a baby out."
Curious? Both women suggest checking out Evidence Based Birth for more information.
Even in this age of digital this and social media that, children still love to play the old-fashioned way: swinging, bouncing, sliding and climbing their way into adventures in backyards, playgrounds and amusement parks. But all that outdoor fun can come with risks, and we’re not talking about sunburns. While you’re slathering on the sunscreen, take a minute to check out potential dangers posed by beloved kids’ attractions and what you can do to keep them safe.
Bounce houses are fun…until they become airborne. In recent years, there have been reports of at least two bounce houses being picked up by winds and sent flying, injuring people inside. But reports of bounce house-related injuries, in general, are much more common than that. A 2012 study found that, in the U.S., at least 31 children suffered injuries while playing in inflatable bounce houses every day and the number of kids injured has shot up in recent years.
Does that mean it’s time to ban bouncing for your own child? Not necessarily. Tracy Mehan of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Ohio’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said the best way to keep your child safe in a bounce house is to limit the occupancy to one and make sure he or she is supervised by an adult trained in bounce house safety. Bouncing by one’s self may be lonely, but it also eliminates the risk of breaking a bone by bumping into another person. If going it alone isn’t an option, make sure that the children in the bounce house are about the same age and size. And, given the risks posed by wind, check to make sure the bounce house is securely staked down and that the weather is appropriate, adds Jennifer Hoekstra, an injury prevention specialist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Michigan. "A nice summer day without a massive storm on the rise or major breezes," she said, is a good day to jump into the fun.
Backyard trampolines may be all the rage, but they’re as or more dangerous than bounce houses, at least according to recent statistics. A March, 2014 study found that just under 300,000 people, most of them children, headed to hospitals to be treated for broken bones related to trampoline use over the course of a decade. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges families to avoid all recreational trampoline use, whether the trampolines are in backyards or trampoline parks.
Still planning on letting your little jumping bean have her fun? Mehan offers these precautions: ban all flips and other stunts, allow use only with adult supervision, make sure supporting bars, strings and surrounding landing surfaces all have protective padding and, as with bounce houses, limit the trampoline bouncing to one person at a time. Hoekstra adds that there’s a bright side to solo trampoline time: "It’s a great way to teach skills about sharing and taking turns."
Don’t let your quaint backyard swing set lull you into a false sense of safety, warns Hoekstra. "We’re less likely as parents to feel the need to be right there because it’s our own backyard," she said. "We’re often more lax in our supervision, which leads to a higher risk of injury." While swings, when used appropriately, are fairly safe, the twisting and jumping kids like to do can lead to serious injuries. Other backyard play structure injuries come from falling off monkey bars — hello broken bones! — and landing roughly after a ride down a slide.
Adult supervision can indeed prevent many of these injuries, as can a firm set of rules, like "No going down the slide head-first!" But don’t forget to make sure that your backyard play structure has the proper padding around it — mulch, sand, rubber or wood chips provide far more effective cushioning for small bodies than plain old grass. (Mehan recommends that padding materials be 12 inches deep.) Looking to avoid collisions between kids on swings and kids nearby? Hoekstra suggests using chalk or colored wood chips to mark a border so children know how closely they can safely play near their swinging friends.
Public playgrounds, no doubt, have gotten safer over the years, with injury-magnet jungle gyms giving way to shorter structures with railings, padding and age-specific designs. Nonetheless, injuries are still common, with an average of 24 kids being treated in U.S. emergency rooms for playground accidents every hour, Mehan said. Keep your children safe at public playgrounds by taking them to structures designed for their ages and abilities while staying away from equipment that has rust, cracks, rotten areas, and loose or missing parts. As with backyard play structures, make sure your child is playing on a surface with proper padding like mulch or shredded rubber. On warm days, check equipment surfaces to ensure they’re hot enough to cause burns. Don’t let children add strings, ropes or pet leashes to equipment because those can lead to strangulation. And make sure your child’s own attire is appropriate for playground fun: bike helmets, drawstrings and jewelry should be removed while closed-toe shoes are the best shoes for play.
Those coin-operated mechanical cars and horses at your shopping mall seem harmless enough, but they can lead to serious injuries. "Because these are often placed over hard surfaces and many do not have working child restraints, children fall out, often head first, onto a hard surface. This can lead to serious head and neck injuries including concussions," Mehan said. If your child’s first-choice ride is over a hard, unpadded surface or lacks a working safety restraint, save your quarter and choose something else. The same goes for when junior refuses to keep his seat belt on. "If your child will not keep the restraint in place or buckled, find a different activity," Mehan said.
What summer vacation is complete without a trip to an amusement park? It comes as no surprise, of course, that injuries do happen there, with frightening roller coaster accidents sometimes making news. But it’s not just those occasional headline-grabbing accidents that can leave riders in a world of pain. Between May and September each year, an average of 20 children are treated for amusement ride-related injuries every day, Mehan said. To minimize your children’s risk of injury, be sure to always follow posted height, age, weight and health restrictions; follow seating order and loading instructions; use safety equipment such as seat belts and safety bars; and, of course, keep hands and feet inside the ride at all times. Don’t think your kid will follow the rules? Then don’t let him on the ride. Worried that the ride itself is unsafe? Then skip it. "Trust your instincts," Mehan said.
Small, portable pools are an easy way for young children to cool off in the convenience of your backyard. From a safety standpoint, they might certainly appear more manageable than large in-ground or above-ground pools, but their small size doesn’t make portable pools foolproof. Young children can drown in as little as an inch of water, and even the small pools at the ends of some water slide toys can pose a risk. As with other outdoor activities, the key here is supervision. Hoekstra advises parents "to remain within an arm’s reach of any child who cannot swim well," while the federal government urges adults to learn CPR.
For some kids, nothing is more alluring than a tree with inviting branches perfect for supporting their agile bodies. It’s tough, Hoekstra said, for parents to say "no" to such a beloved, idyllic activity — she knows that from personal experience with her two tree-loving kids. "I don’t want to be the unfun mom who says they can’t climb a tree," she admitted. To make climbing as safe as possible, Hoekstra urges parents to check trees to ensure they are sturdy and free of dead branches. Make rules, such as limiting how high they can climb and prohibiting carrying toys up with them. Is a treehouse where they’re spending their free time? Beware that injuries related to jumping or falling from treehouses aren’t uncommon: they happen to more than seven children per day, according to Mehan. Build a treehouse low to the ground — Mehan recommends going no higher than 10 feet — and devise a safe way to get up and down from the treehouse. Try to avoid ropes and chains, since they pose a strangulation risk.
Icy surfaces, steep inclines and young children…what could possibly go wrong? Not surprisingly, the answer is "a lot." More than 20,000 children and teens are injured in sledding and snow tubing accidents every year, Mehan said. To prevent head injuries — which young children are especially vulnerable to — both Mehan and Hoekstra recommend wearing helmets. Hoekstra notes that sporting goods stores sell multi-sport and winter helmets, with the latter offering lining to protect against the cold. Experts also urge the use of sleds that can be steered while sitting feet-first instead of discs and snow tubes. Of course, always be sure that your chosen sledding location is free of obstacles like trees, fences, light poles and rocks. Also avoid sliding on a street or highway and never ride a sled being pulled by a motorized vehicle like an ATV or a car.
Kids today spend a lot of time looking at screens, be it television, computers or gaming systems. All that screen time can take a toll on their physical well-being, so it’s important to get them off the couch and into the great outdoors. However, they may need more enticement than a general command to "go outside and play." Encourage your children to get outside for some serious fun with a few creative activities. Join in the fun to create lasting family memories.
Hunt Up Some Fun
Kids love treasure hunts, so create your own scavenger hunt. You don’t have to spend time hiding items around the yard; just use what mother nature provides. Pine cones, bird feathers, oak leaves, flower blooms (those that have fallen on the ground) and small sticks are a few things for your list. For added excitement, hit a local hiking trail or park and look for geocaches: hidden caches that are tracked using GPS.
Everyone loves a good game, so gather up the neighborhood kids for a pick-up game of baseball, soccer, football, kickball, dodgeball – whatever they love to play. Organized games will keep the children going for at least an hour, maybe longer. Extend the fun by hosting your own neighborhood Olympics featuring a variety of events: sack races, three-legged races, egg relays, bean bag toss and so on. Make homemade medals for the winners.
Play in the Dirt
Just about all children love to play in the dirt, so why not plant a flower and/or vegetable garden? Because these gardens need regular attention, they are a great way to get kids outside frequently. Depending on their age, the kids can have various responsibilities, from helping plant seeds and watering plants to pulling weeds and placing fertilizer. When it’s time to harvest, they’ll love seeing the "fruits" of their labor.
Splash Around
Nothing beats the heat on a hot summer day like playing in the water. Kids will have fun cooling off as they wash the family car. While it may not be a perfect job, it will knock some of the dirt off the vehicle. Another fun way to play in the water is setting up the grass sprinkler. Both the yard and the kids will get a good watering!
Go to the Dogs
Both the kids and the family dog will get a healthy dose of exercise by taking a walk together. If they are too little to head out on their own, have younger kids walk the dog around the house. If they are older, they can stroll along the sidewalk in front of the house, while teens can walk around the block.
Hit the Road
Riding bikes usually ranks as one of kids’ favorite pastimes, so gear them up with their helmets and send them on their way. While little ones will get a good workout riding around the driveway, older kids can set off down the sidewalk for a longer trip. Mom and dad can make it a true family journey by gearing up and heading out with the children for a leisurely bike ride.
Take to the Skies
Beautiful, warm, sunshiny days are perfect for flying a kite. Children will love seeing these colorful objects floating and twirling on the breeze. Plus, they have great stamina to run around and keep those kites in the air. Other ways to play in the sky include flying remote-control airplanes and launching model rockets. Just make sure there is an adult in the group to supervise these activities.
Display Their Inner Artist
Grab some sidewalk chalk and take the kids outside to create their own outdoor gallery on the driveway or sidewalk. They’ll love having free reign to express their creativity all over the concrete surfaces. Aside from getting the kids outside, a great bonus for parents is the easy cleanup. Kids can clean off chalky hands with a little soap and water; parents can wash away the driveway artwork with a spray of the water hose.
Light Up the Night
Outdoor fun isn’t limited to daylight hours. Head outside after dark for a game of flashlight tag; it’s traditional hide-and-seek but the "it" person tags others by shining a light on them. Or see who can catch the most fireflies. For an educational twist, search out the various constellations and discuss the stories behind them. Stargazing is especially neat when planets are visible or a meteor shower is expected.
Have a Block Party
One of the best ways to get the kids outside is with a party. Bring the entire neighborhood together for an afternoon of fun at a block party. Coordinate with your neighbors to put together a schedule of games, organize food and come up with decorations. Everyone will have a great time playing and visiting with one another in the great outdoors.
The BestMed KD-192 is a digital thermometer used to record your body temperature. It is a flexible thermometer designed to fit comfortably in your hands. The thermometer has two modes: a quick read 5-second mode and a standard 40-second mode. The BestMed KD-192 can be used orally, rectally or underneath the armpit, which is known as an “axillary” reading. Before taking your temperature, press the “Mode” button to toggle between the two modes. Once your temperature is recorded by the thermometer, it is displayed on the digital display screen.
Orally
Position the tip of the thermometer underneath your tongue.
Close your lips around the thermometer. Do not bite the thermometer or talk.
Press the “Start” button.
Remove the thermometer once it beeps. The beep indicates the thermometer has finished recording your temperature.
Rectally
Lubricate the tip of the thermometer with a water-based lubricant.
Lay down on your stomach.
Insert the tip of the thermometer 1/2 to 1 inch deep into your anal opening. If you feel resistance, do not push farther.
Press the “Start” button. Lay still as the thermometer records your temperature. Remove the thermometer once it beeps.
Axillary
Position the tip of the thermometer underneath your armpit.
Fold your arm across your chest. The thermometer should be held in place by your arm.
Press the “Start” button. Do not unfold your arm or move around while the thermometer records your temperature.
Remove the thermometer once it beeps.
Tips & Warnings
Wash the thermometer with warm, soapy water after each use to prevent cross-contamination.
Pinworms are tiny parasites that infect the intestines. A common problem that primarily affects children, pinworms are a nuisance but do not cause any significant harm. Also called threadworms, pinworms are highly contagious and are contracted through accidental ingestion of the eggs. The symptoms of pinworms include itching in the anal or sometimes vaginal area, and restless sleep. The treatment of a pinworm infection is relatively simple.
Things You’ll Need
Clear cellophane tape
Doctor-prescribed anti-worm medication
Step 1
Assess the presence of pinworms in the child or individual displaying symptoms such as itching in the anal area. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can be done by using a piece of clear cellophane tape to take samples from the anus of the infected individual. Do this in the morning prior to bathing or any trips to the bathroom. The pinworm eggs and sometimes a pinworm will adhere to the tape.
Step 2
Confirm that the child or individual has a pinworm infection by taking the piece of cellophane tape to your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will prescribe an anti-worm medication such as mebendazole or pyrantel.
Step 3
Treat the pinworms with the prescribed medication according to your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor may recommend treating all family members as a preventative measure, as pinworms are highly contagious.
Step 4
Complete the entire course of medication. Many anti-worm medications take the form of a single dose repeated after a period of two weeks.
Step 5
Wait approximately one week for the symptoms to subside. The itching in the anal area may last up to a week after the medication is finished.
Step 6
Assess the condition of the infected individual or child following the course of medication and the waiting period. If the symptoms are gone, you’ve successfully treated the pinworm infection, and the pinworms and their eggs are dead.
Step 7
Visit your doctor if the symptoms of the pinworm infection do not clear up following treatment.
