Month: April 2013

Infant Care Guidelines for Home Births

Although still uncommon, the rate of home births has increased during the past several years…
In a new policy statement, “Planned Home Birth,” in the May 2013 Pediatrics (published online April 29), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) makes recommendations for the care of infants born in a home setting.
Regardless of the circumstances of the birth, including location, every newborn infant deserves health care that adheres to AAP standards. The AAP concurs with the recent statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that the safest setting for a child’s birth is a hospital or birthing center, but recognizes that women and their families may desire a home birth for a variety of reasons.
  • Pediatricians should advise parents who are planning a home birth that AAP and ACOG recommend only midwives who are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
  • There should be at least one person present at the delivery whose primary responsibility is the care of the newborn infant and who has the appropriate training, skills and equipment to perform a full resuscitation of the infant.
  • All medical equipment, and the telephone, should be tested before thedelivery, and the weather should be monitored.
  • A previous arrangement needs to be made with a medical facility to ensure a safe and timely transport in the event of an emergency.
  • AAP guidelines include warming, a detailed physical exam, monitoring of temperature, heart and respiratory rates, eye prophylaxis, vitamin K administration, hepatitis B immunization, feeding assessment, hyperbilirubinemia screening and other newborn screening tests.
  • If warranted, infants may also require monitoring for group B streptococcal disease and glucose screening. Comprehensive documentation and follow-up with the child’s primary health care provider is essential.
Published
4/28/2013 7:00 PM

Schedule an Appointment at Petite Pediatrics

Dr. Charish Barry offers concierge-style care that is designed to provide highly personalized care to infants, children, and teens throughout the Santa Barbara area. She and her team of highly trained nurse practitioners will take the time to answer any questions you may have. Schedule an appointment at Petite Pediatrics today! Call our Santa Barbara office at (805) 845-1221.

Re-opening Petite Pediatrics after a “Twin Sabbatical”

I am excited to re-open and return to the practice of pediatrics after a wonderful year away…

I like to think of this past year as my “Twin Sabbatical,” as my husband and I are now the proud parents of twin boys who are active, healthy and thriving!

Thank you to all of the Petite Pediatric parents who have remained supportive during this time away. I also want to extend a warm thank you to the pediatricians in the Santa Barbara community who have helped to care for my patients. In particular, Drs. Iris Castaneda-Van Wyk (Dr. Iris) and Dr. Vic Phungrasamee (Dr. Vic). I am excited to continue to provide care for children in Santa Barbara. I look forward to ongoing supportive coverage with Dr. Iris and her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nicole Downer.  We will continue to work together as “Sister Practices” in order to provide the best care for our patients.

My year away from clinical practice was filled with lessons and insights into parenting that, I believe, can only be gleaned from hands-on experience. Although I know my years of training and practice prepared me to be the best doctor I can be, my first year as a mother of twins has enhanced my doctor skills in ways I could have never imagined.  The years to come will be filled with growth, both as a parent and pediatrician. I look forward to sharing these experiences with parents in my practice via my Blog, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Please share your experiences and insights too. This will be a new forum for parents at Petite Pediatrics to discuss topics of interest. I cannot provide direct medical advice via this forum, but I’m happy to share general knowledge and welcome families to contact me directly if they have specific questions or concerns.

Thank you for your support of Petite Pediatrics!

Come Grow With Us,

Dr. Barry

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