Problem: Article: A health professional should be able to give you detail about the particular birth defect your baby has and can refer you to important resources for babies with birth defects. He or she will also have to make preparations to be able to properly care for your child. Your obstetrician or the pediatrician may refer you and the baby to a surgical, gastrointestinal, heart, or nervous system specialist to learn more about the condition or coordinate treatment for the baby. Most physicians will be able to answer your questions about the likely severity of the birth defect, the likely adaptations you will have to perform to make life comfortable and safe for your child, and what to expect in terms of caring for the baby. Most physicians can refer you to programs that may help cover treatment costs, education expenses, and other unanticipated changes in living costs. Every birth defect from Down syndrome to congenital heart defects to Spina bifida has a significant body of research and information compiled online and in medical publications. Read only information on birth defects from credible sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control, the March of Dimes, or the National Library of Medicine. Do not expect that you will remember and understand everything you initially read on your baby's birth defect. It will take time to learn the ins and outs of the condition and the details on management and care for your child.
Summary: Discuss the news with a doctor. Arm yourself with in-depth knowledge on the birth defect.

Problem: Article: Recovery from liposuction can take several weeks depending on the amount of belly fat removed during the surgery. Recovery from a tummy tuck can take one to two weeks of bed rest and then several weeks of no exercise. You may find it difficult to get in and out of a chair or your bed for the first week of recovery. Your abdominal muscles will feel sore and you may have bruising around the incisions. There will also be swelling around the area. You may notice the skin around the area seems loose, but it will tighten up within six months of the surgery. If you have complications like a foul smell coming from the incisions, severe abdominal pain, or stomach cramping, go see your doctor right away. Your surgeon should give you pain medication to help ease the pain during recovery. Always follow the surgeon's instructions for dosage and never take more than the recommended amount of pain medication. In some cases, you may get a pain pump, which is a small device worn in a hip sack that sends local anesthesia into your stomach muscles. You will need to wear compression garments around your stomach for the first several days after the surgery. You can remove the compression garment after a few weeks. You should also take showers instead of baths while you recover from the surgery. Try not to get the compression garment wet in the shower. Use a plastic bag to protect it. Schedule a follow up visit with the surgeon within two to four months of the surgery. They will examine the area to make sure you are healing properly. They will also ask you about your level of pain and discomfort. They may give you more pain medication or suggest that you try to get up and move around to alleviate the pain. After six months, you will have a scar on your belly from the surgery. This is normal. If you are worried about your scarring, speak to your surgeon.
Summary: Allow four to six weeks for recovery. Take pain medication. Wear compression garments for several days. Have a follow up visit with the surgeon.

Problem: Article: In some instances, it can be difficult to tell an elbow dislocation from a break. If you've tried to pop your elbow back into place and it didn't work, visit your doctor or an Urgent Care Center as soon as possible. This is especially urgent if your elbow continues to swell. If your elbow is causing you severe pain, or if you can't bend your arm or no longer have feeling in your hand, visit the Emergency Room. If you crack your elbow many times a daywhether on purpose or accidentallyyou may develop a condition known as bursitis. Bursitis occurs when fluid sacs in your elbow swell up due to overuse and agitation. If your elbow joint(s) hurt when you move them and become swollen, you may have bursitis. If you heard a popping or cracking sound from your elbow and aren't sure what caused it, you may have torn a ligament or a tendon, or fractured or dislocated your bone. The doctor will want to know how long you've been experiencing elbow pain and how intense the pain is. Also make it clear to your doctor if the elbow hurts only when you're using it, or if it's painful even when at rest. If you don't crack your elbow, but do make many repetitive motions with the arm throughout the day, you likely have tennis elbow. If the pain has built up over time, it's likely a cause of repetitive stress by doing something like working at a computer, lifting too much weight at the gym, playing tennis or golf, or working as a plumber. If your elbow is very painful or if you have trouble bending the arm or using your hand, your elbow may be seriously dislocated or your arm may be broken. In this case, ask the doctor to use an imaging scan like an X-ray or MRI to take a look at the elbow and arm bone. These procedures are painless and shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. If your elbow isn't broken, you shouldn't need any surgery or in-patient treatment for a painful elbow. Find out if you have tennis elbow, bursitis, or a sprain or strain. Then ask the doctor how you can decrease your elbow pain and prevent the condition from flaring up again. The doctor may begin by advising you to ice the elbow and let it rest when pain flares up. In most cases, the doctor will advise you to stop making short, repetitive motions with your elbow and to avoid cracking the joint unnecessarily.
Summary: See a doctor if you can't realign your dislocated elbow. Visit your doctor if your elbow is swollen or painful. Describe your symptoms and pain level to your doctor. Request an X-ray if you suspect your elbow is broken. Ask the doctor for treatment options.

Problem: Article: Try playing games with your baby that will strengthen their understanding of separation and reunion. Games like hide and seek or peek-a-boo are excellent for helping babies learn that separation is only temporary. You can help your baby get used to the idea of not always being by your side by encouraging them to explore their world independently. If your baby gets used to being in a room at home without you, it may be easier to adjust to being somewhere else without you too. Make sure there is nothing dangerous that your baby can get into before allowing them to explore. While it's good to allow some independence, it should always be controlled. Your baby will be much more comfortable exploring the world and spending time away from you if they feel safe and secure. Help them feel this way by making sure all of their basic needs are met. Feed the baby whenever they are hungry. Change their diapers whenever they are dirty. Give them love and attention when you are together. Regular routines give your baby a sense of consistency, which helps them feel secure. Try to stick to regular routines as much as possible, as abrupt changes are likely to cause anxiety. Be especially careful about maintaining everyday routines after big changes, like a move or the birth of a sibling.
Summary:
Play reinforcing games. Encourage exploration. Provide safety and security. Keep routines as regular as possible.