Ghost Festival - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

I got my friend's message this morning,she told me that I shouldn't go out tonight.And then I remembered that today is Ghost Festival which is on the 15th night of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar, and it also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival in modern day.

In Chinese culture,the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost day and the seventh month is general is regarded as the Ghost Month,in which ghosts and spirits,including those of the deceased ancestors,come out from the lower realm.Distinct from both the Qingming Festival and Double Ninth Festival in which living descendants pay homage to their deceased ancestors,during Ghost Festival,the deceased are believed to visit the living.

Origins :

Buddhists from China claim that the Ghost Festival originated with the canonical scriptures of Buddhism,but many of the visible aspects of the ceremonies originate from Chinese folk religion,and other folk traditions.

Taboos :

I found some interesting things about this festival.As the ghosts and the suffering spirits will come out from the hell to visit their homes during the 7th lunar month ( the ghost month ),many things should be avoided during this month inculding the ghost day :

1.Do not stroll at night

2.Do not swim.It is said that drowned evil ghosts might try to drown people in order to find victims for them to rebirth.

3.As the month is considered to be inauspicious,do not move to a new house,start new businesses or marry

4.Do not hang clothes outside at night

5.Do not pick up coins or money found on the street and if one does,never bring any home.

6.Do not step on or kick the offering by the roadside.If someone were to step on any offering by accident,he or she should apologize alound to ameliorate the situation.

7.Do not wear red because ghosts are attracted to red

8.Do not sing and whistle as these may attract ghosts

9.Keep away from the walls as it is believed that ghosts like sticking to walls

10.If someone is born during the ghost month,avoid celebrating his or her birthday at night.It is better to celebrate during the daytime

11.Do not go out at 12 midnight as the ghost may approach you for food and other offerings for them

12.Do not open umbrellas in the house.It may attract spirits

13.Do not take selfies or take videos.Ghost may appear in it.You may never know

14.Do not sleep facing the mirror or something reflective.It guides the ghosts

Actually these taboos are old and unscientific,modern people basically are not believe them.But I will stay at home tonight ( LOL )

Part of the article and pictures orginated from network.

Pregnancy Diet - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

The most common question from newly pregnant women I heard recently is What should we eat during the pregnant period ? They seems so nervours and excited about their pregnant life that forget how to live their life normally. I totally understand their worries, and actually the diet during pregnancy is indeed significant.Babies get nutrition and energy from their moms which means that moms should eat nutrition food as much as possible for their babies. A healthful diet for pregnancy is one that contains most or all of the essential nutrients your body needs and one that provides the right balance of carbohydrate,fat,and protein without too many calories.

So what on earth pregnant women should eat ? 

∆ Fruits : 3 - 4 servings a day.

Choose fresh,frozen,canned( in natural juice,not heavy syrup ) and dried fruit or 100-percent fruit juice. Include at least one citrus fruit ( orange,grapefruit,tangerine ) each day because citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.

∆ Vegetables : 3 - 5 servings a day.

To get the greatest range of nutrients,think of a rainbow as you fill you plate with vegetables.Choose vegetables that are dark green( broccoli,kale,spinach ), orange( carrots,sweet potatoes,pumpkin,winter squash ), yellow( corn,yellow peppers ) and red( tomatoes,red peppers ). One serving equals 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables such as spinach or lettuce, or 1/2 cup chopped vegetables,cooked or raw.

∆ Dairy foods : 3 servings a day.

Dairy foods provide the calcium that your baby needs to grow and that you need to keep your bones strong.To get sufficient calcium,drink milk and eat yogurt and cheese.If you are lactose intolerant and can't digest milk,choose lactose-free milk products,calcium-fortified foods,and beverages such as calcium-fortified soymilk.One serving equals 1 cup of milk or yogurt,11/2 ounces of natural cheese such as cheddar or mozzarella,or 2 ounces of processed cheese such as American.

∆ Protein : 2 - 3 servings a day. 

Select lean meats,poultry,fish,and eggs prepared with minimal amounts of fat. One serving equals 2-3 ounces of cooked meat,poultry,or fish,which is about the size of a deck of cards.1 cup of cooked beans,2 eggs,2 tablespoons of peanut butter,or 1 ounce( about 1/4 cup ) of nuts.

∆ Whole grains : 3 servings a day.

It is recommended that you eat a minimum of six servings of grains per day.Whole grain breads,cereals,crackers,and pasta provide fiber,which is very important during pregnancy. One serving equals 1 slice of bread,1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal ( about 1 cup of most cereals ), or 1/2 cup cooked cereal,rice,or pasta.

Your body uses the nutrients provided by the food you eat to build a healthy baby and to keep your body strong,so eating well during the pregnancy period is crucial. Mothers-to-be should listen doctors advices to choose appropriate diet plan.

Part of the article and pictures orginated from network.

Threatened Abortion - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

Our hospital received a Japan woman who is 36 year-old recently.She is an elegant woman and got pregnant about 7 weeks. Her husband and she were so excited because they have been eager to have a baby. But given her age, the baby is growing slowly. She told us that she found some pink blood in her underwear yesterday. We all worried about her and advised her to come to our hospital ASAP. Her chief physician told her that her condition wasn't well and she was at risk of threatened abortion.There is a special Dept. which focuses on how to prevent threatened abortion in our hospital. We not only have many excellent experts in this Dept.,but also can provide multi-language and high-end service.So she has been already hospitalized now. In order to understand threatened abortion, I found some information.

What is threatened abortion?

Threatened abortion is vaginal bleeding that occurs in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bleeding is sometimes accompanied by abdominal cramps. These symptoms indicate that a miscarriage is possible, which is why the condition is known as a threaten abortion or threatened miscarriage.

Who is at risk for a threatened abortion?

The actual cause of a threatened abortion isn't always known.However, there are certain factors that may increase your risk of having one.These include :

∆ A bacterial or viral infection during pregnancy 

∆ Trauma to the abdomen

∆ Advanced maternal age ( over age 35 )

∆ Exposure to certain medications or chemicals

Other risk factors for a threatened abortion include obesity and uncontrolled diabetes.If you're overweight or have diabetes, speak with your doctor about ways to stay healthy during pregnancy.

Miscarriage is common.It occurs in up to 40 out of every 100 pregnancies.The chance of miscarriage is higher in older women.About half of women who have bleeding in the first trimester will have a miscarriage.

What is symptoms of threatened abortion?

∆ Abdominal cramps,with or without vaginal bleeding

∆ Vaginal bleeding during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy ( last menstrual period was less than 20 weeks age )

During a miscarriage, low back pain or abdominal pain ( dull to sharp, constant to intermittent ) can occur.Tissue or clot-like material may pass from the vagina.

How is a threatened abortion treated?

A miscarriage often can't be prevented.In some cases, however, your doctor may suggest ways to lower your risk of having a miscarriage.

As you recover, your doctor may tell you to avoid certain activities.Bed rest and avoiding sexual intercourse may be suggested until your symptoms go away.Your doctor will also treat any conditions known to increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism.

Your doctor may also want to give you an injection of progesterone to increase levels of the hormone.Your doctor will also administer Rh immunoglobulin if you have Rh-negative blood and your developing baby has Rh-positive blood.This stops your body from creating antibodies against your child's blood.

How to maintain a healthy pregnancy?

It's difficult to prevent a miscarriage, but certain behaviors can help support a healthy pregnancy.

These include:

∆ Not drinking alcohol

∆ Not smoking cigarettes

∆ Not using illegal drugs

∆ Minimizing consumption of caffeine

∆ Avoiding certain foods that can make you ill and harm your babay

∆ Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals or harsh cleaning solutions

∆ Promptly treating any viral or bacterial infections that occur

∆ Taking prenatal vitamins,such as folic acid 

∆ Exercising at least two hours per week.

You can also maintain a healthy pregnancy by getting early, comprehensive prenatal care.Receiving prompt prenatal care makes it possible for your doctor to detect and treat any potential health problems early in the pregnancy.This will prevent complications and help ensure the delivery of a healthy baby.

Part of the article and pictures orginated from network.

Down syndrome - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all, or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic  facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability.The average IQ of young adult with Down syndrome is 20, equivalent to the mental age of an 8-or 9-year-old child, but this can very widely.But the parents of the affected individual are typically genetically normal. The extra chromosome occurs by random chance. This additional genetic meaterial alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to they eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm -  although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all. 

How Common is Down Syndrome?
One in every 691 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common genetic condition. Approximately 400,000 Americans have Down syndrome and about 6,000 babies with Down Syndrome are born in the United States each year.
Three Different Types of Down Syndrome:

∆ Trisomy 21 ( Nondisjunction )
∆ Translocation
∆ Mosaicism

What Cause Down Syndrome?
Regardless of the type of Down sydrome a person may have, all people with Down syndrome have an extra, critical portion of chromosome 21 present in all or some of their cells. This additional genetic material alters the course of development  and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.However, the cause of the extra full or partial chromosome is still unknown. Maternal age is the only factor that has been linked to an increased chance of having a baby with Down syndrome resulting from nondisjunction or mosaicism.
There is no definitive scientific research that indicates that Down syndrome is caused by environment factors or the parent's activities before or during pregnancy.
The additional partial or full copy of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome can originate from either the father or the mother.Approximately 5% of the cases have been traced to the father.

What are symptoms of Down's syndrome?
Those with Down syndrome nearly always have physical and intellectual disabilities. As adults, their mental abilities are typically similar to those of an 8- or 9-year-old. They also typically have poor immune function and generally reach development milestones at a later age. They have an increased risk of a number of other health problems, including congenital heart defect, epilepsy, leukemia, thyroid diseases, and mental disorders, among others.

∆ Physical
People  with Down syndrome may have some or all of these physical characteristics: a small chin, slanted eyes, poor muscle tone, a flat nasal bridge, a single crease of the palm, and a protruding tongue due to a small mouth and relatively large tongue.Growth in height is slower and individuals with Down syndrome are at increased risk for obesity as they age.
∆ Neurological
Most individuals with Down syndrome have mild ( IQ :50 - 70 ) or moderate ( IQ :35 - 50 ) intellectual disability with some cases having severe ( IQ :20 - 35 ) difficulties. As they age, people with Down syndrome typically perform less well than their same-age peers. Some after 30 years of age may lose their ability to speak. 
Children and adults with Down syndrome are at increased risk of epileptic seizures which occur in 5-10% of children and up to 50% of adults.
∆ Senses
Hearing and vision disorders occur in more than half of people with Down syndrome. Vision problems occur in 38 to 80%. Between 20 and 50% have strabismus, in which the two eyes do not move together. 
∆ Heart
The rate of congenital heart disease in newborns with Down syndrome is around 40%. Of those with heart disease, about 80% have an atrioventricular septal defect or ventricular septal defect with the former being more common. Mitral valve problems become common as people age, even in those without heart problems at birth. Other problems that may occur include tetralogy of Fallot and patent ductus arteriosus. People with Down syndrome have a lower risk of hardening of the arteries.
∆ Fertility
Males with Down syndrome ususally do not father children, while females have lower rates of fertility relative to those who are unaffected.Fertility is estimated to be present in 30-50% of females.Menopause typically occurs at an earlier age.The poor fertility in males is thought to be due to problems with sperm development. However, it may also be related to not being sexually active.

How Is Down Syndrome Diagnosed?
There are two categories of tests for Down's syndrome that can be performed before a baby is born:screening tests and diagnostic tests.Prenatal screens estimate the chance of the fetus having Down syndrome. These tests, on the other hand, can provide adefinitive diagnosis with almost 100% accuracy. 

Guangzhou Elizabeth International Medical Center usually advise pregnancy women accept Down syndrome screening in the period of 9~13Weeks in pregnacny. Especially for those women who aged over 35 years old, the risk that their babies get Down syndrome is higher than young women. In order to confirm their babies' health, pregnancy women should go to the hospital and do regular examination.

Part of the article and pictures orginated from network.

Menstrual Disorder - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

There are many women worry about their menstrual problems,such as heavy bleeding and painful cramps during the menstruation.These symptoms may promote anxiety and even disrupt a woman's life.And especially for those women who ready to have a baby, the menstrual disorder may cause their concerns of infertility. I find some information from internet to help women who suffer from the menstrual disorder.

Actually menstrual disorder included:

DYSMENORRHEA (PAINFUL CRAMPS)

Dysmenorrhea is severe, frequent cramping during menstruation. The pain usually aggravates when the bleeding starts and continues for 32 - 48 hours. And it typically occurs in the underbelly and sometimes spread to the lower back and thighs.

MENORRHAGIA (HEAVY BLEEDING)

Menorrhagia is the medical term for abnormal heavier bleeding. According to the survey, one in five women bleed so heavily during their periods that they have to put their normal lives on hold just to deal with the heavy blood flow.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by:

∆ Hormonal imbalances

∆ Structural abnormalities in the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids

∆ Medical conditions

So if you are past menopause and experience any vaginal bleeding, discuss your symptoms with your health care professional right away. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause isn't normal and should be evaluated immediately by a health care professional.

AMENORRHEA (ABSENCE OF MENSTRUATION)

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. There are two categories: primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. These terms refer to the time when menstruation stops:

Primary amenorrhea occurs when a girl does not begin to menstruate by age 16.

Secondary amenorrhea occurs when periods that were previously regular stop for at least three months.

OLIGOMENORRHEA (LIGHT OR INFREQUENT MENSTRUATION)

Oligomenorrhea is a condition in which menstrual cycles are infrequent, greater than 35 days apart. It is very common in early adolescence and does not usually indicate a medical problem.

When girls first menstruate they often do not have regular cycles for a couple of years. Even healthy cycles in adult women can vary by a few days from month to month. Periods may occur every 3 weeks in some women, and every 5 weeks in others. Flow also varies and can be heavy or light. Skipping a period and then having a heavy flow may occur; this is most likely due to missed ovulation rather than a miscarriage.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that occur during the last week of the luteal phase (a week before menstruation) in most cycles.

The symptoms typically do not start until at least day 13 in the cycle, and resolve within 4 days after bleeding begins. Women may begin to have premenstrual syndrome symptoms at any time during their reproductive years. Once established, the symptoms tend to remain fairly constant until menopause, although they can vary from cycle to cycle.

Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital has rich experience of treating menstrual disorder, and we are able to provide TCM and western treatment ways to improve your symptoms.Generally speaking, most menstrual cycle problems have straightforward explanations. If you are suffering from the pain of menstruation disorder, please seek your doctors' help ASAP.

The part of article and pics are orginated from network.

Qixi Festival - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

Today is Qixi Festival in China, also known as Qiqiao Festival, and sometimes it will be called "Chinese Valentine's Day".Qixi Festival is originated from a romantic legend - The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd.
The story is about a love story between Zhinü  the weaver girl and Niulang the cowherd. Niulang was an orphan who lived with his eld brother. Because his sister-in-law was very mean and always abused him, so Niulang moved out of his elder brother's house and lived  with a old cow. 
One day Zhinü and her sisters who lived in heavenly palace came down to the world  for fun and took shower in a river happily.The old cow which seemd could sense some magic power told Niulang that if faires can't back to the heavenly palace before dawn, then they have to stayed in moral world.Therefore Niulang hided around the river and he gradually fell in love with the youngest fairy girl Zhinü. He reminded what the old cow told him before, so he took Zhinü's clothes away. Zhinü found her clothes was lost when her sisters ready to back the heavenly palace, so she had to stayed and met Niulang at that time.They liked each other after a talk, hence she married to Niulang.Niulang plowed the fields and Zhinü wove cloth,they had a very happy marriage since that.But unfortunatly,emperor of heaven known they got marriage and already had a son and a daughter.According to the laws of God in heaven, immorals mustn't be marriaged with ordinary person, so the emperor sent many divine troops came down to the moral world and took Zhinü back to heavenly palace. SO they were banished to opposite sides of the Silver River and Once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to reunite the lovers for one day. 

Wish you have a nice and happy day with your love in this romantic festival.

Super Moms of Olympic Champion - Guangzhou Elizabeth Women's Hospital

Rio de Janeiro --- In less than one week, the eyes of the world will be on Rio de Janeiro as the Olympic Games arrives in South America for the first time. Usually, we were emotionally moved by the “drive and hustle” of Olympic athletes, impressed by the spirit of indomitable fortitude and persistence, but what impressed us the most is someone who still became a champion after giving a birth.

Trying to be a mother and a champion Olympian simultaneously is a tough task, but the Olympic Games has its fair share of mums juggling their duties.

Some of the better-known include British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, American tennis star Lindsay Davenport, and Japan's seven-time world judo champion Ryoko Tani.

But there are plenty more changing nappies one minute and training the next. 

Italian fencer Valentina Vezzali hasn't let having a child get in her way of being the best in the world, making Olympics history here by becoming the first person to win three successive individual titles with victory in the foil. She did it for her son. "My son asked me for a medal, but he didn't ask for a particular one," she said. "Here it is."

Judoka Xian Dongmei put family matters on hold to achieve her Olympic dream, and she was China's first gold-medal mum. "I miss my child so much," said Xian who defended her women's -52kg title. "After the Olympics I will go back home quickly and make up for the love I have missed." Xian gave birth to daughter Liu Jiahui in January 2007, had been criticized in local media as "cold-hearted" for giving up feeding her baby after seven months to focus on her Olympic build up.
 

They are not the first super mums to win a medal after going through labour.

Ethiopia's Derartu Tulu, the 10,000-metre Olympic gold medalist in 1992, won the title again in 2000 two years after giving birth to a daughter.

And Australia's Jana Rawlinson, missing from Beijing Olympic Games due to injury, famously regained her 400-meter hurdles world title in 2007 just eights months after
having a baby.

Davenport, 40, is another. She was returning in 2007 after giving birth to Jagger with the specific goal of playing the Olympics.