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Month: March 2018

Post Delivery Care: A Necessity After A Birth, A Miscarriage, or An Abortion

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The following article on Post Delivery Care was written by Dr. Bruce Snider, OB/GYN in the Kansas City area. Whether post-delivery encompasses a traditional birth, a miscarriage or an abortion, it is vital that you receive care under a qualified medical professional.

If you have had a normal delivery, it is important to be seen for follow-up for a postpartum exam. Traditionally the post delivery exam is done six weeks following the birth of your child.  Similarly, if you have suffered a miscarriage or have had an abortion, a follow-up appointment is important to evaluate your recovery and to discuss your future fertility.

As you’re probably aware, pregnancy affects almost all bodily functions, which is why It’s important to have an overall health check up following the delivery. Along with screening your blood pressure and weight it is important to confirm that your reproductive organs have returned to their normal pre-pregnancy state. Similarly, if you’ve suffered a miscarriage or have had an abortion, it is important to confirm that all of the pregnancy tissue has been removed from the uterus. Incomplete removal of the pregnancy from the uterus following a miscarriage or abortion can lead to serious bleeding complications and infection which could affect your future fertility.

Additionally, a good mental health evaluation should be performed at your post delivery follow-up visit. Postpartum depression is a frequent complication of an otherwise normal pregnancy and delivery.  This can sometimes be severe and require intensive treatment. Likewise, depression and anxiety disorders are common following a miscarriage or abortion. Avoiding treatment of these mental health disorders can have lifelong consequences.

If you – or someone you know – needs post delivery care (from either birth, miscarriage or abortion), but you don’t know where to go for that help, reach out to us. We can help you find a qualified medical professional that will meet your particular needs.

Your health, both now and in the future, could depend on you getting the right medical care. Let us help.

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Spring Break Is Here – Where Will It Leave You?

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Wiping away winter blues
It’s that time of year again. The sun is beginning to warm up the city, the birds and colors of green are coming in around us, and the students cooped up with the stress of midterms begin to have dreams of beaches, poolside views and parties with friends. 

Spring break is here – can we all breathe a sigh of relief for that? Who besides me is totally done with winter and with being cooped up inside a classroom on some of these gorgeous days? Who else is ready for Padre Island and Daytona Beach with your girls? Group selfie for the ‘gram! 

But let’s be honest with ourselves here. Of the literal thousands of students who frequent popular spring break locations, a lot of them come home with a lot more than they bargained for. The massive numbers of people, party atmosphere, and constant flow of alcohol make this the perfect time to pick up an STD, become a victim of sexual assault, or be faced with an unplanned pregnancy. 

The facts
In a recent poll from Family First LLC, three out of five women on spring break knew a friend who was having unprotected sex.  57% said that sexual activity was seen as a way to fit in and 74% said they saw drinking as an excuse for outrageous behavior. 59% knew of someone who had been sexually active with more than one partner, and sadly 12% reported they themselves regretted sexual activity on spring break or felt forced or coerced into having sex.  

Spring break tips
There are several strategies you can implement this spring break to help ensure a fun and relaxing time for both you and your girls. A good rule of thumb is to make important decisions while sober and before you are in pressured situations. How much are you going to drink tonight? Who are you going to take with you and how will you look out for each other? Deciding these things ahead of time can make it easier to make decisions that you are going to be comfortable with later on. 

Travel with a group and watch out for each other! Make sure if you go to a party, you are with girls who you know have your back no matter what. Help each other watch out for the signs of date rape drugs, predatory behavior, or anything that you feel is “off”. Make sure everyone is accounted for when you leave the party, and don’t be afraid to leave early if something is making you uncomfortable!

And you’ve heard it a million times, but drink responsibly. Keep an eye on your drink, pace yourself, eat beforehand, and remember that you have nothing to prove to anyone. 

Always remember that you can call us here at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) if your spring break didn’t go quite as planned. If you’re in need of STD testing, pregnancy testing/counseling, or even just someone to talk to, call our 24 hour hotline at 913-962-0200.

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A Story of Learning, Loving, and Life

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We asked a couple to share with us their journey and what they have learned through raising a child with disabilities. What follows are their thoughts and their story of learning and loving.

A resource for you
We would like to share a resource with you from Melissa Ohden that has impacted us.  When Melissa’s mother decided to get an abortion, she was at the same point in her pregnancy as we were when our twins were born.  Fortunately, Melissa survived the procedure and today is an outspoken advocate for the sanctity of all human life, especially those threatened by abortion.  For us, her story of surviving an abortion at the same gestational age as when our twins were born reaffirmed our understanding that all life is sacred and God given.  If you are not familiar with her you can check out her story here: melissaohden.com

Our story
As the parents of twins who were born over two months premature, each at just over 3 pounds, we have come to understand how many times in life things are placed in our path not by our choice, but by providence.  Shortly after our twins were born, one of them suffered an intracranial hemorrhage that would result in long-term medical complications for him. This would start our family down a path that we never planned on.  Since then, we have learned so much about raising a child with severe disabilities.

Why it was worth it
Throughout the past 15 years we have come to understand one thing without question:  The meaning of unconditional love.  This occurs for every parent, but raising a disabled child can sometimes involve daunting challenges that seem overwhelming.  Fortunately there are many community services and other parents available to help.

Raising children is undoubtedly very difficult but we should remember that all lives are worth living.  In our case we have learned so much from the glimpse of God’s wisdom in raising a disabled child through the joys and trials that come with that responsibility.  In closing, one Bible passage that really speaks to this is where Jesus came across a man blind from birth and was asked by his disciples “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered that neither he nor his parents sinned, he was born that way so that God’s works might be made visible through him.

All children deserve to be born, so that we may see the works of God made visible through their lives.

Often the hardest things in life are  ones that shape us the most. These aren’t easy or pleasant,  but the result is well worth the trial!

We need others to walk with us through the hard times, though. We were not meant to walk the hard paths alone. Let us walk with you as you grow through the good times and the hard times.

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