Angie Evans Health Notes

Essential Herbs for Pregancy & Breastfeeding

2010-10-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

Women have drunk infusions (tea) of Red Raspberry leaf and Nettle leaf through the ages for a healthy pregnancy, birth & post-partum, healthy reproductive organs at any stage of life, and to keep their skin soft and supple. This blend is very high in minerals that our bodies can assimilate (absorb & use). If no milk or sugar is added this drink counts in your daily water intake.

Combine these teas in any ratio you wish, but the general recipe is:

- 2 parts Red Raspberry Leaf

- 2 parts Nettle Leaf

- 1 part Horsetail Leaf (added for calcium & strong bones)

- Optional: 1 bag or small scoop from list below.

Drink hot or cold, as ice-tea. A batch can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Change up the flavor by adding lemon, berry/fruit teas (ensure no licorice), mint or lemongrass.

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) – Drink 1-3 cups, hot or cold, daily through first 2 trimesters, and 3 cups during last trimester.

· Most commonly used and well-known pregnancy herb

· Tones female reproductive system; also pelvic and uterine muscles

· High amounts vitamin C, easily assimilated calcium and iron

· Also contains vitamins E, A, B-complex, many minerals inc phosphorus and potassium

· High mineral content helps tissues stretch, decreases stretch marks, helps prevent anemia

· Lower rates of miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage

· Prepares body for labor. Therefore decreases pain and length of labor. Doesn’t strengthen contractions but makes them more efficient.

· Help expel placenta

· Good for morning sickness

Nettle (Urtica dioica) – 1-3 cups daily, hot or cold.

· High amounts of virtually all mineral & vitamins needed for health

· Especially high in A,C,E,D,K, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, sulfur

· High amounts of chlorophyll (for energy and nutrients, vitamin K)

· Nourish and strengthen kidneys; gently dislodge and dissolve any mineral buildup

· Relax leg cramps and muscle spasms

· Prevent hemorrhage after birth due to high vitamin K

· Strengthens blood vessels, therefore good for hemorrhoid prevention

· Astringent for hemorrhoids

· Increases quality of breast milk

Other herbs high in easily-assimilated vitamins and minerals (alone or added to the above teas) include Horsetail a.k.a. Shavegrass (very high in calcium), Alfalfa and Kelp.

Several other herbs are safe during pregnancy and are tasty e.g. mint. Some aid pregnancy related issues such as nausea, heartburn, cramping, and constipation to name a few. These include but are not limited to ginger, chamomile, slippery elm bark, and fennel. Consult a qualified herbalist with knowledge of pregnancy herbs before taking any.

By the way, this tea is healthy for the males in your life too, and is safe for all ages from infancy on. It’s a lovely, mildly flavoured drink for the whole family.

Food Labels

2009-08-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

What are feeding our children and ourselves? Learn to read labels.

For a list of “nice words” that really mean MSG see http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/21/MSG-Is-This-Silent-Killer-Lurking-in-Your-Kitchen-Cabinets.aspx

Anything "hydrogenated" or called "lard", "shortening", or "margarine" is a toxic, carcinogenic fat.

Sugars: High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is terribly toxic. Sugar-words include “syrup”, “sweetener”, and anything ending in “-ose” eg glucose, fructose, maltose. Also:

Dehydrated Cane Juice
Dextrin
Fruit juice concentrate
Honey
Invert sugar
Maltodextrin
Molasses
Saccharose
Sorghum or sorghum syrup
Treacle
Turbinado Sugar
Xylose

Worried about GMO foods? There's a great summary of culrpits and what to find on food labels at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/10/20/gm-foods-part-seven.aspx .

If you’re concerned about where the food comes from, buy locally from reputable stores or farmer’s markets etc. For a list UPC codes & country of origin, see http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/barcodes.asp . There’s an interesting cautionary note there as well.

Summary of UPC codes & origin:
If the first 3 digits of the barcode are...
690 – 695 CHINA
471 - Taiwan .
00 - 13 USA & CANADA
30 - 37 FRANCE
40 - 44 GERMANY
49 - JAPAN
50 – UK
57 – Denmark
64 – Finland
76 - Switzerland & Lienchtenstein
480 – Phillipines
628 – Suadi-Arabia
629 – UA Emirates
740-745 – Central America

Apres Council Meeting - What now?

2009-03-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Labour & delivery programs have been getting canceled in other rural areas in Alberta due to government cut-backs. BANFF IS THE FIRST PLACE TO ORGANIZE & STAND-UP FOR THEIR BIRTH PROGRAM!!!

Dr David Swann recommended we keep putting pressure on Janis Tarchuk, the Banff Hospital, and the Alberta Government. Contact info in the early blog-entry. He told us the last week of March is "constituency week" or something, which means all MLAs should be in their communities and offices (4th Flr, 229 Bear St)doing work. That would be a good time to put pressure on the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

If you want to keep birth in Banff it's important to keep this issue alive through letters to the editor etc. Alpine Medical Clinic 2nd fl, 211 Bear St had free T-shirts to keep birth in Banff - stop in to see if they have more.

Banff Council Meeting re Birth

2009-03-07T08:30:00.001-08:00

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 2:00 PM - Council Meeting at Town Hall.
Councillor Stavros Karlos will be asking Mineral Springs Hospital the hard questions!
A strong presence of local people is important to show support for this program, even though none of the audience will be allowed to ask questions.

Dr Swann will be at Banff event Saturday!

2009-03-05T13:44:00.000-08:00

He's the "good guy" from the Alberta Legislature note previously posted. Ang

Press Release from Banff Hospital

2009-03-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

Paste into browser:
http://www.banffmineralspringshospital.ca/pdfs/Banff%20Obstetrics%20Release%20March%203-09[1].pdf

What About a Birth Centre?

2009-03-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here's another perspective...
What about a birth centre in Banff? What are people also asking for when they ask for the Banff Hospital to remain open to labour & delivery? We want to be looked after by compassionate, well trained people in a local, happy facility. We want our babies born in our community. We love the personal touch. Some want home-birth but others feel better at the hospital. We have great midwives, doctors, nurses, doulas, educators and support staff who work in Banff. An integrated birth centre could accomplish these things.
Food for thought anyway. It's been talked about for years around here - maybe it's time to get some wheels rolling.
Ang

Alberta Legislature Discussion - from Naomi in Banff

2009-03-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

Thurs Mar 4th afternoon there was a discussion in the Alberta Legislature. (see below) Unfortunately, Alberta's Health Minister doesn't see the gravity of the situation. For him "it's just 15 minutes down the road". His comments are contemptible in how unconcerned, uncaring and over-simplified he has tried to make this issue.

I wonder what people from Field & Lake Louise think? Has he considered that Canmore services growing towns of Exshaw and Morley, and is now recieving an even greater influx of mothers? How will an already busy hospital cope? How will people feel when they are turned away in Canmore to have to continue driving on to Calgary?

Please call his office or email, our Health Minister should be advocating for health services, not making comments that belittle valid concerns! Please, if you can do this as soon as possible. Let's flood his office and let him know how we feel! Contact details:

health.minister@gov.ab.ca
calgary.west@assembly.ab.ca
Legislature Phone: (780) 427-3665
Constituency Phone: (403) 216-5439

Naomi
________________________________________
From: Liberal Communications [mailto:liberal.communications@assembly.ab.ca]
Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:52 PM
Subject: Hospital Services in Banff
Please find below the unofficial transcript of an exchange from Question Period today when Alberta Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann questioned Health Minister Ron Liepert on hospital services in Banff.

Hospital Services in Banff

Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. At a time when Albertans have given birth to a record number of babies, in 2008, 50,543, expectant mothers inBanff are facing what to them seems a crisis. It has been reported that the Mineral Springs hospital is considering an indefinite suspension of obstetric services. To the minister of health. Over 70 women are expecting babies in the next five months in Banff and the lack of planning by this government is directly affecting a core service. What is the minister’s response to these citizens?

Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, it is correct that the Alberta Health Services Board has issued a statement that said there would be a temporary closure of obstetrical services at the Banff hospital strictly related to the fact that for the staff that are required, the decision was made that the hospital was not adequately staffed. They have attempted to recruit staff. The decision was made that for safety reasons there would be a temporary suspension of obstetrical services. It should be noted that services are supplied at Canmore, which is some 15 minutes away.

The Speaker: The hon. leader.

Dr. Swann: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, there are services available beyond Banff, but has the minister considered the extra burden on an already overburdened system of delivery in Canmore and also in Calgary?

Mr. Liepert: Well, Mr. Speaker, both facilities are quite capable of handling the extra cases. I think that it’s somewhat of a stretch to call a 15-minute drive a crisis situation. I would suggest that there are many places that residents of this province would be actually quite happy to have to only drive 15 minutes to services.

Dr. Swann: Well, Mr. Speaker, without obstetric services many physicians will stop providing other services in the community. They will move to a community where they can provide the services they’re trained to deliver. What is the plan, Mr. Minister?

Mr. Liepert: You know, Mr. Speaker, I don’t understand how this particular leader can make that statement. He’s basically coming up with a premise that something is going to happen that there is no evidence that it’s going to happen. You know, its typical fear mongering.

Media Attention Needed - from Kelly in Banff

2009-03-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

The main problem with our situation is that our letters and our protests are not public enough. Our letters and pleas for help are hiding away in e-mail inboxes and phone messages. We need to get some of these very eloquently written letters to the local papers in order to get the word out. My mom contacted Larissa Barlow at the Crag and she will be posting her letter in this weeks "letters to the editor section" of the local paper. Media attention is really what is required right now!!! Call Mountain FM and volunteer to do a 5 minute phone interview. I did one with Rob Murray last week and it took me all of 2 minutes. I also did a phone interview with the Calgary Herald today which took 5 minutes of my time. Seeing some of your letters in The Calgary Herald letters to the editor section would be great as well!!! Local Media: Larissa Barlow, Reporter Banff Crag & Canyon, 403-762-2453,Larissa@thecrag.ca

Sit In & What Else You Can Do (from Organizers)

2009-03-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

SIT IN AT MINERAL SPRINGS HOSPITAL! Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 5:30 PM

Come show your support for labor & delivery in Banff. The program has been cut. Let's make sure it’s known that this program must be reinstated ASAP!

Also, if you can't make it please make your voice heard! Send a letter (email, fax) or phone to any of the numbers below. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

The decision has been made for the 3 month closure...Internal letters have been sent out to the doctors. During the past week, the hospital was trying to make a plan of action for the mothers due within the time period. The threat of it closing for good it very strong... this is why this sit-in along with its media attention, will be so vital!

You can help very easily in a couple of ways:

1) If you know of any nurses that may want to work in Banff (particularly if they are interested in labor & delivery) please get them to contact the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital (403) 762-2222

2) Contact Cindy Mulherin, CEO of Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. Tell her the labor & delivery unit is important and integral to our Bow Valley community! (403) 760-7201 or cindy.mulherin@calgaryhealthregion.ca

3) Patrick Dumelie, CEO
Covenant Health (Governing body for the hospital)
Contact Office of the President and CEO
3033 66 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6K 4B2
Tel 780.482.8051
Fax 780.482.8061
780-735-9000
Link is http://www.covenanthealth.ca/about-us/senior-leadership.html#1

4) Minister of Health Honourable Ronald Liepert (780)427-3665

5) Minister of Children's Services & MLA for Banff-Cochrane Honourable Janis Tarchuk (403)760-8281 or banff.cochrane@assembly.ab.ca

Please take just a moment to make a phone call or email. This is an issue that is so important and all help in this matter is much appreciated!

Note from Banff Councillor Stavros Carlos

2009-03-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

I want to thank everyone who has taken time to voice their opinions and offer solutions on the issue of obstetric care in Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. The Mineral Springs Hospital is a beloved Banff institution which is at a cross roads today. We all value the hard work of the hospital staff and the incredible service this hospital gives to our wonderful town. The hospital has extended services until at least Wednesday March 5th at which time they will be making a decision.

Last Wednesday I sat with hospital administration to try to understand the issues that are driving the suspension of this program. I clearly heard that they are having significant challenges staffing the hospital and fear for the safety of these services. No one questions the hospital's commitment to safety and in fact Banff has an exemplary safety record to date. Fear-mongering is not a reason to drop services. If fear is what this is based in then I fear for an overcrowded hospital in Canmore and women giving birth on the highway. The argument should be based in fact (ie. we need more nurses).

The hospital administration stated that money is not a problem, finding people is. I do not believe that they have pursued all avenues to recruit RNs both on a part-time temporary basis and a full-time basis. Nor do I personally believe that other options have been fully considered prior to shutting down obstetrics, (ie. closing other departments). The hospital also stated that as of last Wednesday there was no clear plan in place to resume services at the end of the third month of this "temporary" suspension of service.

I strongly encourage everyone who has given input so far to continue doing so and encourage others as well. I have provided below the email addresses and phone numbers of decision makers that may have input into this decision. Also, please continue to email your local elected officials and know that I am personally doing everything I can to lobby for this and all services to remain in Banff. I have also offered whatever help I can give to the hospital to come up with innovative ways of attracting people to Banff.

Feel free to forward this on to whoever you want to.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

1) If you know of any nurses that may want to work in Banff (particularly if they are interested in labor & delivery) please get them to contact the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital (403) 762-2222

2) Contact Cindy Mulherin, CEO of Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. Tell her the labor & delivery unit is important and integral to our Bow Valley community! (403) 760-7201 or cindy.mulherin@calgaryhealthregion.ca

3) Minister of Health Honourable Ronald Liepert (780)427-3665 or calgary.west@assembly.ab.ca

4) Minister of Children's Services & MLA for Banff-Cochrane Honourable Janis Tarchuk (403)760-8281 or banff.cochrane@assembly.ab.ca

5) Patrick Dumelie, CEO
Covenant Health (Governing body for the hospital) Contact Office of the President and CEO
3033 66 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6K 4B2
Tel 780.482.8051
Fax 780.482.8061
780-735-9000
Link is http://www.covenanthealth.ca/about-us/senior-leadership.html#1

Sincerely,

Stavros Karlos
Councilor
Town of Banff
Banff Town Hall, 110 Bear Street
Box 1260, Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L 1A1 stavros.karlos@banff.ca

Suggestions from Banff Counciller Chip Oliver

2009-03-05T07:45:00.000-08:00

The Mineral Springs hospital is completely separate from Banff Town Council. We have invited Mineral Springs hospital to attend our council meeting on March 9 (2 pm at the Town Hall) so they may provide council with an update on the possible changes to labour and delivery in Banff. I hope they are able to attend. As council we can speak to our belief about the importance of this service, try to influence the decision that will be made and request they work hard to find a way to continue the service.
May I suggest that you send your email to info@banffmineralspringshospital.ca and ask that it be directed to the CEO. I found the email address on their website www.banffmineralspringshospital.ca . If interested in further research, I also found some information about our hospital with an internet search on “Alberta Catholic hospital” and selecting “Alberta Catholic Health Care Corporation” http://www.caritas.ab.ca/NR/rdonlyres/elhagcjbq2vq2vj4nbvcwssrly7arqbzx45lel2xu3hdsu2t575h5pttx2ihfpatngangi5wqoceheozpvkaesmvdqh/CatholicHealthofAlbertaBackgrounder.pdf

Angie's Note from Feb 26

2009-03-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hi All – We all want safe, happy birth environments.

Banff Mineral Hospital is meeting tomorrow Feb 27th afternoon (details below), probably resulting in halting labour & delivery (L&D) care effective immediately. If you have questions or would like to send input there’s contact info below for Town of Banff, Mineral Springs Hospital, our MLA, and the Alberta Health Minister.

This will impact the communities of Field, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane – all communities that use the Banff hospital. Will Canmore be able to keep up with the extra deliveries or will laboring women end up in Calgary? If the Banff hospital is not equipped to handle L&D, then obviously some kind of change has to happen – more staff resources, training, central care in Canmore, who knows. But the community would like a say – so far all we have is rumors. There are articles in the newspapers, including The Calgary Herald and tonight on Calgary CTV news.
___________________________________________________
Just to keep you updated about Labour and Delivery in Banff, tomorrow at 1pm the Hospital will decide whether to keep the program or not.
- Some people will show their support by dropping at the hospital tomorrow at the time of the meeting.
- Also, there’s a “parade” to raise awareness tomorrow, Feb 27th; meet at 11.15 at the Banff library meeting to walk to hospital as a group.
If you are interested and have time, that would be great!
___________________________________________________
Here’s the article that ran yesterday in the Calgary Herald
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=c9c08a63-bf23-410e-91f9-71ba8b41b177
___________________________________________________
THERE’S A PETITION IN BANFF on the door at 344B (back of duplex) Muskrat St. that you’re invited to sign. It says:

"The Labour & Delivery program at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital is in jeopardy of being cancelled. The hospital management is using 'staffing situation' as justification for canceling a program they no longer wish to continue. By signing this petition, you show your support for this integral program and the need to keep Labour and Delivery in Banff. This petition will be send to the administrators of Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, The Town of Banff, Convenenant Health Authority and Alberta Health and Wellness.".

CONTACT INFO:
The Honourable Janis Tarchuk, Minister of Children’s Services & MLA for Banff-Cochrane
P.O. Box 790, 4th Floor, 229 Bear Street Banff, AB Canada T1L 1A8
Phone: (403) 760-8281 Toll-Free: 1-866-760-8281
Fax: (403) 760-5009
banff.cochrane@assembly.ab.ca

Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, ATTN: Cindy Mulherin the CEO of Banff hospital
Phone - 403-762-2222
Fax – 403-762-4193

Town of Banff offices:
Banff Town Hall
110 Bear Street, Box 1260, Banff, Alberta T1L 1A1
T: 403.762.1200
F: 403.762.1260
municipal.clerk@banff.ca (you can request an e-mail be distributed to all council members)
individual contacts by clicking on names:
Councillor Stavros Karlos | Councillor Leslie Taylor | Mayor John Stutz
Councillor Chris MacDonald | Councillor Karen Sorensen | Councillor Chip Olver
Councillor John Gibson

Minister of Health Honourable Ronald Liepert
Phone – 780-427-3665
Fax – 780-415-0961
(Landline: dial 310-0000 first to make it toll free. For province wide free cellular phone calls to Alberta government offices, enter *310 (for Rogers Wireless) or #310 (for Telus and Bell), followed by the area code and phone number. Public and government callers can phone without paying long distance or airtime charges.)
calgary.west@assembly.ab.ca

You could cut’n’paste and send:

The Labour & Delivery program at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital is in jeopardy of being cancelled. This will impact on the communities of Field, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane – all communities that use the Banff hospital. I support this integral program and the need to remedy the situation to keep Labour and Delivery in Banff.