From the Desk of Dr. Lasich

It’s a boy! Paul and I have our first grandchild who was born on February 7th, 2010. Needless to say, babies are on my mind this month. A baby brings so many big changes. The new parent’s world is turned upside down, to say the least. And the new mother struggles to reclaim her body from the effects of pregnancy. So many books have been written to help navigate through these changes; but, one book in particular stands out in my mind to help a young mother Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby.

Pregnancy happens. Pain happens. When these two conditions happen together, a woman may be faced with the question about whether or not to take pain relieving pills. One of my featured articles for The HealthCentral Network discusses the issues of pregnancy, pain, and pills.

Some of you may not realize that in addition to being a solo practioner, I also work for the HealthCentral Network. I am a medical contributor for four of their sites: chronicpainconnection.com; mydietexercise.com; osteoporosisconnection.com; myosteoarthritiscentral.com. Anyone can subscribe to my articles on these sites in addition to receiving this newsletter. My life as a professional writer is a very rewarding way to help many people around the world. I try to improve LIFE one word at a time.

Thank you for listening and feel free to share ideas for subjects that you would like me to address.

The Perfect Baby Shower Gift:
Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby
by Caroline C. Creager

Have you ever shopped for a baby shower gift, but wanted to get something other than the diapers, the “onesies”, the blankets, and the toys? Well, Caroline Creager’s book, Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby, is the perfect gift for the mother-to-be. In fact, every OB/Gyn should have this book in the waiting room. A woman’s body goes through so much during the pregnancy and the delivery. It’s nice to know that there are ways to bounce back. The muscles that have been stretched can be tightened. The tissues that have been cut can heal. The bodily functions that might be causing accidents can be fixed. And the fitness that has been lost can be regained. Yes, it is possible to Bounce Back into Shape After Baby.

Ms. Creager provides so much valuable information for a new mother. All of which can guide her through various stages of recovery from the first day with the newborn through the rest of her life. Day one can be a bit scary especially after a cesarean delivery. With tips about how to roll over in bed and managing the wound, this book gets mothers on the right pathway after delivery. After a cesarean, many women end up on the wrong pathway leading to painful conditions like low back pain. Starting off with the right exercises can save a woman from experiencing pain for years to come. After the initial weeks are over, a new mother might be experiencing urinary or fecal incontinence. No problem, Ms. Creager explains in detail, complete with pictures, how to tone the pelvic floor and stop the leaking. Other problems that face new mothers are also addressed like how to lift the baby safely without straining her body. With a newborn, parents are lifting and holding all day; unless done properly, this physical activity can lead to painful injuries. And no mother has time for pain. Beyond the basic daily activities, a new mother also wants to improve her aerobic conditioning in order to keep up with the growing child. Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby covers a complete, total body workout even with baby in tow. With a regular exercise program, both the mother and the baby will have a happy, healthy life together.

What happens if a mother does not bounce back into shape? Some women can spend a lifetime with low back pain and incontinence after having a baby. Such a fate is unnecessary and avoidable with proper guidance from this book and/or a physical therapist. Besides, we want the next generation to grow-up with healthy habits. Having a role model is a great way to learn healthy habits. A fit mother who bounced back into shape after baby will start her child off on the right pathway to perfect health and fitness.

LIFE Quotes

“From head to toe, every day of the year, you’re a mother, you’re a woman, you’re you.”
– Rachel Synder

Featured Articles

Apothecary Corner

Many pain relieving medications, including aspirin, are not recommended during pregnancy. Before taking any pills during pregnancy, a woman should talk to her doctor.