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HealthNews
SUMMER 1994 ISSUE ■ SINAI HOSPITAL
Special Programs and Services for Mothers
Treating Body
and Mind
Since new babies don't come with an "instruction manual," Sinai does all it
can to provide educational support for new mothers. Through classes, support
groups and other special programs, Sinai provides valuable learning opportu-
nities for new moms.
S
inai recognizes that no
two pregnancies are ex-
actly the same. That's
why Sinai has established
unique and specialized pro-
grams and services to meet
the special needs of mothers.
Genetic Counseling
For couples seeking more
information about the health
of their unborn child or future
children, Sinai offers genetic
counseling. Genetics Coun-
selor Robin Gold, M.S.,
evaluates the geneti
history of expectant par
ents and addresses their
concerns.
Genetic counseling is pro-
vided for patients who: have
a family history of genetic dis-
eases; will be over 35 years old
when they deliver; were ex-
posed to chemicals, drugs, in-
fectious disease or certain
types of x-rays during their
pregnancy; or who have had
two or more miscarriages.
Ms. Gold always provides
information with compassion.
"We help parents make in-
formed choices about prena-
tal testing procedures such as
ultrasound, maternal blood
tests, chorionic villus sam-
pling and amniocentesis,"
explains Ms. Gold. A ques-
tionable ultrasound or blood
test sets a whole team in
motion. "Earlier diagnosis of
birth defects makes it possi-
ble to bring together the
combined efforts of many
specialists — pediatric sur-
geons, neurosurgeons,
cardiologists, social
workers —
whoever is
needed."
Sinai's dedi-
cation to genetic
testing and research is un-
derscored by the more than
1,000 reduced-fee Tay-Sachs
screenings that have been pro-
Sinai's concern for a
prospective mother's physical
health as well as her psycho-
logical well-being has brought
additional experts with
unique skills to the Depart-
ment of Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
Ramona Rukstele, M.S.W.,
is one of those experts. Ms.
Rukstele uses her 11 years of
experience as a clinical social
worker in psychiatry to help
women cope with crises such
as miscarriage, ectopic preg-
nancy and stillbirth. She re-
calls times gone by when
women were simply told to
"just go home and try again"
without any regard for the
emotional turmoil that often
accompanies perinatal loss.
But times have, indeed,
changed. Thanks to a collab-
orative effort between mem-
bers of Sinai's Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology
and Department of Psychia-
try, women who have experi-
enced the loss of a pregnancy
or newborn can find support
at Sinai.
Sinai has even instituted
an annual memorial ser-
vice at the hospital so that
grieving parents can come
together at an interdenomi-
national service. At the
service, parents and family
members can share their feel-
ings and take the time to
reflect on the memory of their
lost little one.
Ms. Rukstele notes that her
referrals often come from ob-
stetricians who want to pro-
vide extra support for patients
who have experienced a loss.
"Sinai doctors know that we
are here to help their patients.
Whether a woman is dealing
with depression related to her
pregnancy, infertility, a pre-
vious birth loss, medical prob-
lems or post partum 'blues,'
we have individualized and
group counseling to help them
through these difficult times,"
says Ms. Rukstele.
The Department of Obstet-
rics and Gynecology receives
tremendous support in its ef-
forts to help women with their
emotional healing from Sinai's
Department of Psychiatry.
Under the leadership of
Linda Hotchkiss, M.D., Psy-
chiatry Department Chair-
person, women choosing Sinai
for their care can be confident
that both body and mind are
treated with dignity, concern
and respect.
Breastfeeding:
Learning What
Comes Naturally
Breastfeeding should be
easy. It's the natural thing to
do. Right? Well, not always.
At Sinai, "doing what comes
naturally" is helped along by
baby right, get the baby's
mouth open wide enough,
bring the baby to the nipple
and set in to a comfortable
rhythm," explains Ms. De-
Coopman. And care continues
even after mothers have gone
home. Lactation Services at
Sinai include referrals for at-
home support to answer ques-
tions and help solve problems.
The program uses classes,
video tapes and literature to
supplement the one-on- one
nursing support each mother
receives. It also addresses the
special concerns of working
mothers with a class and
support sessions called
"Babies, Breastfeeding and
Briefcases."
New moms at Sinai soon
learn that "what comes natu-
rally" may require a little
help!
Educational
Support
Sinai offers classes, both at
the hospital and at several
suburban sites, for expectant
parents. Classes are even of-
fered for siblings and grand-
parents to help them prepare
for the changes a new baby
brings! Sinai's education pro-
gram recognizes the impor-
tance of each family member
during a pregnancy. Says
Renee McCune, R.N., M.Ed.,
Regional Perinatal Coordina-
tor, "At Sinai, having a baby
really is a 'family "
International Board Certified
Lactation Consultants Jan
DeCoopman, R.N., B.S.N.,
and Cherrie Arendell, R.N.
The program recognizes
two facets of breastfeeding: its
contribution to the health of
baby and mother; and the fact
that success depends upon
support and instruction.
Breastfeeding may reduce
the risk of ovarian and breast
cancer, and breastfed babies
suffer less severe and fewer
illnesses than formula-fed
babies.
'We teach mothers how to
present the breast, hold the
Baby Beeper
Program
To give a prospective moth-
er a sense of security, Sinai
has instituted a unique "Baby
Beeper Program." A prospec-
tive mother is never more
than a phone call away from
her support person. By carry-
ing a beeper (pocket pager), a
support person can be reached
within a 50-mile radius. It's
just another way that Sinai
sees to the many needs of
soon-to-be moms!
For more information on support groups, clinics and
programs, call SinaiSource at 1-800-248-3627
•••
SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT
vided over the last five years
through the Ob/Gyn Depart-
ment and sponsored by the
Sinai Hospital Guild.