Managing Your Health (click to expand/collapse)

The more you know about pregnancy, the better you can take care of yourself. By taking care of yourself, you are doing the best thing you can do to have a healthy baby. Getting prenatal and postpartum care are important for both you and your new baby! The following are some tips for taking care of yourself both before and after birth:

• Get a checkup as soon as you think you may be pregnant
• Get regular checkups while you are pregnant. The checkups help make sure you and your baby are staying healthy.
• Make sure to talk to you health care provider if you have any questions. Call him/her if you think you are having a problem.
• Ask your health care provider about taking a prenatal vitamin to make sure you get enough calcium, folic acid, and iron
• Check with your health care provider before taking any prescription or
  over-the-counter medication while you are pregnant or nursing
• Check with your health care provider to see about how much weight you should gain. It's normal to gain 25 – 35 pounds while you're pregnant.
• It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums while you are pregnant. Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day and floss your teeth at least once a day. Tell your dentist if you are pregnant.
• Keep wearing your seat belt while you are pregnant. If you get in an accident, it will help protect you and your baby.
• Schedule an appointment to see your health care provider 6 weeks after your baby is born. Your health care provider will check your recovery at this visit and it will give you a chance to ask questions about your health and your baby's health and to discuss birth control options.

To learn more about healthy pregnancy, go to Interactive Tools by Lilly. This is a health information resource available at no cost to you.

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Everyone needs to take care of his/her teeth. It is especially important to help children develop good dental health habits early in life. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first dental exam should be done when the first tooth comes in and no later than when the child is 12 months old. To learn more about how to care for your child's teeth, read our Early Dental Care booklet. It includes fun activities to teach children about dental health. You can also read articles about dental health in each issue of our member magazine, PrimeLines.

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Ear infections are one of the most common illnesses of early childhood. Read the articles below from the Mayo Clinic and WebMD to learn more about ear infections.

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If you or someone in your family has asthma, it is important to understand the disease. There are many things you can do to prevent symptoms and lower your risk of asthma attacks. We have included links to helpful educational resources below. Click on a title to read more. You can also learn more about asthma by going to Interactive Tools by Lilly. This is a health information resource available at no cost to you.

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Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones weak and increases the chance of fractures. The National Osteoporosis Foundation notes that women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, but men can also suffer from osteoporosis. If you are at risk for osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to protect your bones. A special test that measures bone density can be used to screen people for osteoporosis. To learn more about osteoporosis, go to Interactive Tools by Lilly. This is a health information resource available at no cost to you.

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Are you one of the millions of Americans who use tobacco? Whether it's cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, snuff, or chew, tobacco in any form is not safe. Smoking a cigar or a pipe is just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. All three put you at risk for cancer of the mouth, throat, and lungs. Smokeless tobacco goes by many names: spit tobacco, chewing tobacco, chew, chaw, dip, plug, and probably a few others. Smokeless tobacco causes cancer of the lips, throat, cheek, gums, tongue, and even stomach and pancreas. No matter what type of tobacco you use, if you're ready to quit, following the tips below may increase your chances of success.

Successful quitting is a matter of planning and commitment, not luck!

• Pick a quit date and clearly mark it on a calendar. Remember to give yourself some time to prepare.
• Talk to your health care provider. He/she can help you figure out what things might make it hard for you to quit, as well as tell you if there are medications that might make it easier.
• Make a list of your triggers. Avoid anything that makes you want to use tobacco. Situations, places, foods, beverages, and even certain people may make you more likely to use.
• Spread the word. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers that you are quitting. Ask anyone in your household who uses tobacco to quit with you or at least not use it around you.
• Stock up on oral substitutes like sunflower seeds, gum, or hard candy
• Toss your tobacco gear. Get rid of lighters, ashtrays, and any extra tobacco products around your home.
• Reward yourself for staying tobacco-free! Treat yourself to a new book, movie, or sports event.
• Learn from your slip-ups. If you have tried to quit before, remember what went wrong and what you can do differently this time.

Keep at it! Each time you attempt to quit, you increase your chances for success in the future. PrimeWest Health offers a Tobacco Cessation program to our members at no cost. Call Member Services at 1-866-431-0801 (toll free) for more information. Read more about becoming tobacco free in the Fall 2009 issue of PrimeLines.

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Many people struggle to manage their weight. Weight management is an important part of staying healthy and avoiding disease. When you maintain a healthy weight, you will feel better inside and out. There are many tools available that can help you with exercise, motivation, and choosing the right foods to eat. To learn more about managing your weight, go to Interactive Tools by Lilly. This is a health information resource available at no cost to you. You can also print a copy of WebMD's helpful Portion Size Guide. For a handy wallet-sized version, see the Winter 2010 issue of PrimeLines.

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