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EVERY LITTLE
THING
Washing is the frst step in food safety,
right? Not when it comes to
RAW
POULTRY
. Rinsing any uncooked meat
can spread bacteria to other foods and
surfaces. To avoid cross-contamination,
always wash your hands before and after
handling raw poultry. Cutting boards and
utensils used to prepare it should also be
thoroughly cleaned.
—U.S. Department of Agriculture
Whole-body scanners used for security
at some airports may slow you down, but
they’re not harmful to your health. In fact,
the
RADIATION DOSE
from one of these
scanners is minimal. A traveler would need
to have more than 1,000 such scans in a
year to reach the same radiation dose as a
standard chest x-ray.
—American College of Radiology
Think of
BANANAS
as Mother Nature’s fast
food: individually wrapped and ready to
go. It’s no wonder they’re the most popular
fresh fruit in the United States. Bananas are
not only quick and easy, they’re also a good
source of potassium and carbohydrates.
—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
A labor of love:
Classes help prepare
soon-to-be parents
If you are expecting your frst baby, you’ll
probably have lots of questions about
childbirth and parenting. When should I
come to the hospital? How long will labor
last? What pain relief options are there?
What are the best options for feeding,
bathing and soothing a new baby?
Thankfully, those questions (as well as
many you probably haven’t thought of
yet) can be answered through childbirth
education classes at Halifax Regional Hos-
pital (HRH). These sessions help you and
your labor coach—usually your partner, a
family member or a good friend—prepare
together for the arrival of your baby.
Assurance is the key word for soon-to-be
and new parents, says Wanda Bolton, RN,
childbirth educator at HRH. Parents all have
anxiety, and, today more than ever, they
want to have a good pregnancy and know
how to care for their infant.
Bolton teaches three classes at HRH:
“Prepared Childbirth,”“Breastfeeding,” and
“Baby Basics and Beyond.” Classes are of-
fered throughout the year. (See the back
page for details.)
“I love teaching,” says Bolton, a mother
of four. “It makes me happy to help parents,
grandparents and others who are eager to
learn about caring for this new little person
in their life.”
Depending on the class, you can expect
to learn the signs and stages of labor,
Expecting the best.
Ask
your doctor at what point in your
pregnancy you should take a class.
Got questions?
We’ve got answers
Have you recently moved, and now you’re
looking for a primary care doctor? Or are
you searching for a specialist to evaluate a
particular health problem?
If you answered yes to either of these
questions, Halifax Regional Health System
can help you.
To have copies of our physician
directory, services directory or fnancial
options brochures mailed to you, call
434-
517-3635
. You can also visit our website
at www.hrhs.org and fnd us on
Facebook.
options for managing pain, ways to stay
relaxed and in control during labor, breast-
feeding techniques, postpartum care,
diapering, baby bathing, and much more.
Whether you are a frst-time parent or
just need a refresher course, join us for a
class. Childbirth education classes help you
be informed, prepared and confdent to
welcome the newest member of your fam-
ily. Call
434-517-3336
to learn more
and get registered.
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lifeand health