Elephant in the Womb

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

Disclaimer: this podcast is for informational purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. If you need medical advice, please see a trusted and/or accessible healthcare provider. Views are my own.

The podcast adaptation of Common Misconception About Fevers in Babies and Young Children, part of our Daycare Outbreaks/Sick Day Management Series.

I think fevers are so often misunderstood. There is a surprising amount of misinformation surrounding them; a general misunderstanding of what actually constitutes a fever; and, lots of confusion surrounding their physiology and treatment. Fevers are a symptom that are extremely common, among children especially.

Let's talk about fevers, what they are and how they differ from hyperthermia, how they are treated as per best practice recommendations and possible complications. Along the way we will bust some common myths around fevers.

Stay tuned for 2 more episodes relating to fevers on thermometers and febrile seizures, coming soon!

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

Disclaimer: this podcast is for informational purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. If you need medical advice, please see a trusted and/or accessible healthcare provider. Views are my own.

The podcast adaptation of Managing Pink Eye in Children, from our blog daycare outbreak series and podcast Sick Day Management Series!

Red eyes = pink eye? Maybe. Lets take a look at pinkeye, also known as conjunctivitis, which is definitely common in daycare, school and beyond. And yes – adults can get it too. Listen for symptom and spread overview, home management and where to start in the healthcare system, as well as discussions around over the counter remedies and current evidence about antibiotic treatment for conjunctivitis from Choosing Wisely Canada.

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

Feb 21st is Mental Health Nurses Day in Canada - and so I thought it would be appropriate and fun to have a mental health nurse on the podcast to talk about when and how you might come into contact with one, what they do and can do to support you/your family, and the importance of mental healthcare. If you are a Mental Health Nurse - thank you for all that you do!

*This episode will be a part of a new series I am starting on the blog and podcast called "Who is on my Healthcare Team?"

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

You can find The Mindful Parent and Child

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

This podcast has an associated blog post which can be found here.

Fifth disease is sometimes referred to as erythema infectiosum – infectious erythema or red skin. You’ll see why red skin is relevant in the episode as we look at the illness, symptoms, home management and where/when to seek further advice. Great resources in Ontario are your primary care provider (if you have one); a pharmacist; and Health 811 or similar triage services.

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

This is part 2 of Episode 44 on Influenza and the Flu Shot! This portion of the episode we are looking at common myths and claims around influenza and the flu shot itself and discussing how to navigate these claims and where to look for more information.

Associated blog post: Click Here

Part 1 of blog post: Click Here

Additional Resources:

Vaccine Types - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

FAQ About Flu Vaccines - Baltimore City Health Department (includes links to recent study results)

Vaccines When Your Child Is Sick - Center for Disease Control

Immunize Canada

Ontario Public Health Unit Locations

Find a Flu Shot Clinic - Government of Ontario

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

This is part 1 of 2 on influenza and the flu shot - this first part is associated with this blog post, and covers the basics around influenza and the flu vaccines. Part 2 will bust some common myths around the flu shot and influenza - coming soon.

Additional Resources:

City of Toronto - Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet 2023-2024

Government of Canada - Flu: Prevention and Risks

CDC - Key Facts About Influenza

Caring for Kids (CPS) - Influenza Vaccine

Summary of benefits of the flu vaccine: CDC Flu Shot Page

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb (www.elephantinthewomb.ca).

Disclaimer: this podcast is for informational purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. If you need medical advice, please see a healthcare provider.

The first episode back after a hiatus and we're jumping right into sick-o season. Today I'm talking about Hand, Foot and Mouth disease, which I've previously covered in blog posts (overview and our experience managing it). This is the first episode in a new series on Sick Day Management and how to make it through some of the most common daycare/school illnesses. As always, your most reliable resource for health information is your healthcare provider - and I discuss a few ways you can still access them (or similar services) without going into the office in this episode.

A podcast brought to you by Elephant in the Womb blog (www.elephantinthewomb.ca). 

Disclaimer: this podcast is for informational purposes only. This is NOT medical advice. If you need medical advice, please see your healthcare provider.

One topic that I think fills the minds of moms-to-be, especially first timers, is all the testing. Understandably so – I think it can be equally as thought consuming in each pregnancy really. Enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS) and Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) are two prenatal screening tests that may be offered to you in early pregnancy. In this episode, I share some information about both tests including accuracy, possible screen results, risk/benefit comparison of the tests, coverage criteria for Ontario (OHIP) and how to navigate these screenings and make the most of your time with your healthcare provider. I also talk about my own experience with these tests in pregnancy.

For more information on prenatal screening options in Ontario, please see the Prenatal Screening Ontario or BORN websites. If you are in the US, you can refer to the ACOG's website for a general overview but also look into public health and local resources for exact information. As always - your best resource is your own, personal healthcare provider who knows your community & your personal health information.

Prefer to read and click links for more info? Check out my blog post on this topic.