INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It is not far from the truth to say that healthy guinea pigs eat constantly, so any changes in eating patterns or frequency should always be cause for concern. Sometimes, not eating or eating less than usual may be the only observable sign of a serious condition. Guinea pigs cannot go more than a few hours without eating before causing potential damage. If your pet has not eaten at all (or very little) in the past 16-20 hours, seek immediate veterinary attention. Make sure your guinea pig is also drinking water as normal. However, remember that many guinea pigs don't drink much and others drink a lot, so look for changes in how much they're drinking. If your guinea pig is normally active and friendly but has begun acting agitated, anxious, or afraid, assume that there is a medical problem involved. You know your pet's personality and normal activities better than anyone, so use your judgment in determining things out of the ordinary, then involve the vet as warranted. While the list could be endless, and will be particular to your guinea pig, common signs of trouble can include: avoiding favorite foods; hiding all the time; lethargy; a change in posture or walking style; or any other change from established behavior patterns. With some pets, a wait-and-see approach is sensible when it comes to deciding whether to seek medical assistance. Because guinea pigs can go from seemingly healthy to critically ill in a matter of hours, however, it is essential to quickly identify and act upon any possible signs of sickness or injury. The potential embarrassment of taking a healthy guinea pig to the vet's office is nothing compared to the pain you will feel if you wait too long to seek treatment for an illness that could have easily been addressed. Guinea pigs, for instance, are more susceptible to having adverse reactions to certain antibiotics than many other pets. This means that you need to seek out an exotic pets veterinarian with ample experience with guinea pigs and that you need to keep a close eye on your pet's behavior even after antibiotic treatment has begun. Your vigilance in watching for potential signs of illness needs to be matched by your vigilance in ensuring healthy conditions for your guinea pig. This combination of prevention and close observation offers your best bet for enjoying years of health and happiness with your pet. Provide your guinea pig with an appropriate, consistent diet (mainly hay and leafy vegetables see How to Care for Guinea Pigs for details) and ample fresh water. Keep its bedding and enclosure clean, and offer it a low-stress living environment and regular exercise. Guinea pigs often do better in pairs or groups than alone, but always quarantine a new arrival for two to three weeks before introducing it to the group.

SUMMARY: Check its eating patterns. Identify activity changes. Do not wait to seek help. Practice prevention.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you begin to experience pain associated with back labor, ask your partner, birthing coach, or anyone else who may be in the room with you to give you a back massage. This can help ease some of the pain associated with back labor. Have your partner apply counter pressure to your lower back with a balled up fist. Rolling something along the back, like a tennis ball, can also help. The double hip squeeze is a massage position that many women find helpful during back labor. Lean forward and have two people apply pressure to your hips. Moving during labor can help ease the pain of back labor. This could also improve fetal position, making back labor less acute. Most hospitals will let you walk in the hallways during labor, provided there are no specific complications related to your pregnancy that would make walking difficult. Shifting how you are sitting during labor can help shift fetal position and ease the pain of back labor. If possible, try straddling a chair and leaning forward slightly. You could also kneel against a pile of pillows or, if available, a birthing ball. You can also get on your hands and knees temporarily as this eases pressure on the spine, a major contributor to the pains and discomforts of back labor. Try lying on your side instead of your back when lying down as this can help change your baby's position and ease pains of back labor. Applying heat to the back, hips, and sides can help soothe pains associated with back labor. You can use a heating pad, as long as your hospital allows this and there is somewhere in the labor room to plug it in. You can also bring in a homemade hot compress. You can usually just apply warm water to a towel until it's damp and apply it to the area that's experiencing pain. A nurse may be able to provide a compress for you. Cold also helps ease the pain. If applying heat is not working, try an ice pack or a cold, damp towel.

SUMMARY:
Try a massage. Take a short walk. Change positions. Apply heat.