Dr. Simone’s Mind Space

Reinventing parenting part 4

Today’s conversation on reinventing parenting and all it means for us women, female entrepreneurs to have it all. A great inspiration, Dr. Vanessa Craig. She is a biomedical researcher and entrepreneur, living and working in Switzerland. Her company Formetta produces a premium collagen supplement and she leads a comprehensive nutrition program at Rivr with the aim to maximize health span.

 

@formetta

@unesurcent

@drschwank

Reinventing parenting part 3: Parents know best

Live your life your way. We have only one life, should live it to the fullest. Many of us, including myself have listened to people and their opinions. How they considering parenting should be like. We listen and take it in and then end up doings that are against our ideas and concepts. Having a partner that rather than confirming, is rebelling is fantastic. The rebellious attitude is exactly what’s needed. The approach to parenthood and parenting should be defined by the new parents and nobody else. Strengthening new parents in their role, should always be prio no 1.

Keep your own ideas and thoughts to yourself, no need to interfere with the new parent’s way. The more new parents get to explore things in their way, the better.

 

How can we best support new parents best?

1. Support them in their way. New parents know best themselves.
2. Offer support in taking care of the child, to get them couple’s time.
3. Provide reassurance and encouragement.
4. Don’t give advice, when not asked for it.

@drschwank 

@unesurcent 

Reinventing parenting part 2: Life as new parents

Life as new parents

It’s a major transition for everyone in the family to become fist time parents, grandparents, great grandparents, aunt, and uncle.

The roles in the couple are new defined, as well as the roles in the extended family. The transition to parenthood, motherhood, fatherhood, and grandparenthood is a very significant identity transformation. Many initially struggle, after their first or only child is born and mourn their lost position as individuals, their role within the partnership, and the family of origin. The transition is comparable with other major milestones in life, such as adolescence to adulthood, marriage, divorce, children leaving home, and retirement. We’re extra vulnerable in these phases and stages of life. Redefining our identity is a fragile place and depending on the way we deal with it, either in a constructive or destructive way. As new parents, it’s important to be aware of the transitional stage the entire family is in. The understanding of why each partner might feel sad, depressed or extra anxious relate to the new defined identities, and for the woman also hormonal changes after delivery.

After pregnancy and what it implies for the couple’s sex life, becoming parents, and the view of the partner in the maternal or paternal role, can impact the sexual attraction initially. It is essential to focus on time as a couple, very consciously making this time and choice to focus on time, just the two adults. Organizing support to spend as much time as a couple as possible, to maintain the partnership, as two lovers, not to parents or roommates. Jealousy towards the baby can also be observed, when one of the partners is too preoccupied with the baby and neglects the partner and his or her needs for attention and unconditional love. The more we’re aware of these mechanisms, the less they get into our way and negatively impact our relationships. Particularly, the so very precious one to our partner, or lover, and primary reason why we probably decided to have a child in the first place. The new roles, sleep deprivation, and general overwhelmed atmosphere can trigger fights, unnecessary disputes.   

@drschwank

@unesurcent

Reinventing parenting part 1

It’s been a long journey to the decision of becoming parents. That’s given us the opportunity to reflect over how to parent. We’ve discussed how it’s absolutely incredible how many people giving you advice, telling you all these stories, mostly the negative ones, of what you all can’t do. I took it in, where as my husband said: hey, just twist it and use it as motivation to show them the opposite! 

That’s been the best attitude I could imagine and an underlying attitude I had, but suppressed to be the obedient one, confirming to societal expectations, even if I greatly dislike to swim with the stream. 

Reinventing parenting, a series that starts with this last weeks of pregnancy, a podcast episode. A series on how to differently parent and be as a couple, the non-conformity approach to newly baked parents.

 

The how to go about it guide:

Step 1: Do it your way! Ignore others, you know best!

Step 2: Dare to swim against the stream. Every couple, every baby is unique. 

Step 3: Partnership ALWAYS comes first. Set date nights out weekly. Unhappy couples don’t stay together. 

Step 4: Live out your sex life. Sex rejuvenates, releases endorphins, spotlights the couple as lovers, not parents.

Step 5: Organise support from day 1. We hired a babysitter from day 1, day 5 we’re out for dinner just the two of us.

Step 6: Plan trips with and without the baby. We’ve already booked individual and family trips to New York and across Asia.

@drschwank

@unesurcent

New York: my city

There’s multiple individual reasons to why people love coming to New York to visit, live, work, and study. 

Some people love it, others hate it. I love it more than any place. The energy is epic, the people, locals one of a kind. Super straight forward, full of energy, extremely dynamic, sometimes tough, rough, but mostly considerate by holding the door for their fellow New Yorkers. With their own kind, they have a special bond, a bond one could see during the pandemic and one that I’ve had the pleasure to experience during the time I lived in New York. 

 

Returning back to Europe, thinking about the time back home in New York. Reflecting over what it is that makes the city so magical to me. It’s the people, the energy, the straightforwardness, the genuine attitude of people on the entire spectrum, the multilingualism, multiculturalism, and especially the boldness of everyone expressing with confidence exactly who they are. People also give each other the benefit of the doubt. Live and let live, rather than intruding in the other person’s decision. If two people disagree, they’ll tell each other in their faces, rather than acting passive aggressively.

@drschwank

@unesurcent

Travelling pregnant

Just arrived in my city! New York, after a long long flight with multiple delays and crazy lines everywhere! Wow, what a journey to get here! Luckily I made it!! Arriving at my new hotel at Park Avenue, very first thing to do, run to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in town! Everyone knows me, super sweet and friendly staff! I love the vibe! Such good energy and lots of NYU students around. Memories back to when my fantastic friend introduced me to this place. When we both studied in NYC. To me, the ultimate way to start my time back home in NYC. Pregnant me, going on a run, then this fantastic dinner and lots of Tirggel from Zurich as snack at the hotel before sleeping.

Running is the most effective antidote to Jetlag. It makes you immediately boost away the Jetlag and awake in the time zone you arrived at. I recommend it to everyone, even if it’s just a short run. It will make the difference!

So what’s it to travel carrying a 8 months pregnant baby? It’s what you make out of your pregnancy, of course, considering your pregnancy is smooth and you’re healthy.

We all are different and so are our pregnancies very individual.

Preparing well for your travel is crucial. If you can, fly business class to get the extra comfort and a seat you can convert into a bed. This reduces risk for complications, thrombosis, swollen legs, and a bloated belly. Bring compression socks an absolute must on any long hall flight, face mist, sleeping mask, noise cancelling earphones, medication against bloated belly, headaches, and very very important as pregnant woman a tone of snacks!! I was never as grateful for my snacks, as on my last flight to NYC!! Even in business you don’t get enough food and snacks to meet a pregnant woman’s nutrition needs. Next to these essentials, I want to emphasise how it’s each woman’s individual choice; how and how far she wants to travel.

Yet, I want the remove the myth around being unable to do many physical activities, including travelling long hall flight. Apparently, so many things wouldn’t be possible to do, as a pregnant woman. I was so concerned, I’d feel the same. Little had a known, even envisioned that I’m able to run as usual around Central Park week 31 pregnant :))

I’m running almost as usually, just slower, but daily and practice yoga daily, as well as swimming in the lake. It’s absolutely fabulous and helps me through the physical changes and challenges! Pregnancy isn’t easy and worries omni present. Practicing yoga and running away the anxiety are incredibly helpful. Worrying in pregnancy is normal, due to sky high oestrogen levels and all the responsibilities, as mother to be. I feel it myself, constantly telling myself not to be the typical ivf worrying mother to be, but after all the failed cycles, I can hardly believe in a positive outcome. The regular ultrasound visits are super helpful, seeing the heart beating is very reassuring.

What makes my pregnancy primarily so positive is; my attitude to keep exercising and living my life as before. No major changes in any of my habits, no weight gain I was very concerned about, no unnecessary stress. I do the outmost to keep going and constantly listen to my body. Being attuned with your body and mind is crucial. This relates to listening to what foods your body is asking for, what exercise, downtime it needs, how the baby responds to external stimuli, and take breaks when you feel like them.

Easier said then done, but so essential for a positive trajectory of the pregnancy and postpartum period. Do it your way, that’s the way you’re most comfortable and genuine in relation to your fetus newborn.

@drschwank 

@unesurcent 

@optimalperformancezurich

Teacher and educator program for mental health care of youth

A program designed specifically with adolescents needs and culture in mind and trying to educate about mental health broadly, including how to create a mental health positive educational environment, training on potentially how to triage or support students who are in difficulty and distress, and increasing knowledge of our campus specific resources.

 

@drschwank

@unesurcent

 

 

Training program for faculty and staff:

• A three-hour virtual asynchronous series of modules and then an optional two hour workshop to apply the learning.
• A one hour e-module for upper school teaching assistant and coaches version.
• Two hour practical workshop.

 

Preliminary research on the training program has shown: at least pre post improvements and knowledge, reductions in negative attitudes, reductions in stigma, and most notably, increases in confidence in people’s knowledge, their ability to respond and support a student in need.

 

What can teachers and educators do?

• Non-judgemental listening.
• Be there and dare to ask how students are doing.
• Discuss mental health in school, destigmatising it.
• Create a positive educational environment.
• Triage students that need support.
• Collaborate with psychologists and other experts.
• Adress mental health issues before it’s too late.
• Students with mental health issues just want the be seen.

Sustainable fashion

Im heutigen Podcast diskutieren Elias Foster Hairdresser & Musician und ich das Thema sustainable fashion. Elias teilt sein Motto zu seiner Mode und Lifestyle und stellte sich kritisch zum online Shopping und dem damit verbundenen Überkonsum und Überfluss an Verpackungen und des Ausblenden der Konsequenzen für die Umwelt und Nachhaltigkeit.

Elias sieht die Nachhaltigkeit im Konsum und auch die Freude an den Produkten, durch ein olfaktorisches Erlebnis.

Er kauft gerne in kleinen Shops ein, redet mit den Kreativen hier den Produkten, fasst die Produkte an, duftet an ihnen und schaut sie im Tageslicht an. Alle Sinne sind dabei aktiviert und ergeben damit ein viel erfüllenderes Erlebnis und Erinnerung an den Kauf.

Elias kauft und verkauft auch gerne Sachen in second hand stores und teilte seine top 3 in Züri:

Elias Tipps: Kaufe Neues, das du nicht schon im Schrank hast oder im Gebrauch überlappt.

@drschwank

@unesurcent

@eliasxfoster

www.eliasfoster.com

PCOS and infertility challenges part 3

PCOS and infertility challenges part 3

Many women struggle with infertility and a leading cause is often PCOS. Undiagnosed and untreated PCOS. Many women experience symptoms of discomfort that they haven’t sought medical nor psychological support for.

 

PCOS can cause symptoms incl. infertility and excess facial and body hair, depression, and anxiety. Women suffering from PCOS often report feeling frustrated and anxious about their ability to become pregnant, their weight, excess body and facial hair, and lack of control over their health and bodies.

 

Stress

PCOS itself is known to cause stress, particularly over the physical symptoms of the condition, such as excessive facial and body hair. This stress can lead to anxiety and depression. It’s more likely to affect younger women with PCOS.

 

Inflammation

PCOS is also associated with inflammation throughout the body. Prolonged inflammation is associated with high cortisol levels, which increases stress and depression.

High cortisol also increases the risk of insulin resistance, which in turn can cause depression.

 

A first step to improve symptomatology involves lifestyle changes

Leading an active lifestyle in general may help improve mental health. I.e. low-calorie diets in combination with exercise.

Women with PCOS, who report exercising regularly reduced their symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and those who said they did at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, were less likely to be depressed.

 

Medications and supplements

Medications that help the body use insulin such as metformin may improve symptoms of depression in people with PCOS. Metformin may also help with anxiety symptoms.

 

Hormonal imbalance, including excess androgen (high testosterone), birth control pills may be prescribed to help correct it.

 

Taking omega-3 fatty acid from fish oil alone, or in combination with Vitamin D, may decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with PCOS.

 

Complementary and alternative therapies

There may be improvement in depression and anxiety among women with PCOS who receive acupuncture and in people who practice mindfulness 30 minutes a day. Yoga that includes poses, guided relaxation, breathing exercises, and meditation further improved women’s mental health.

 

Seek support and get care

Seek medical and psychological support early to reduce symptomatology. Treatment for infertility, if pregnancy wish isn’t fulfilled.

@drschwank

@optimalperformancezurich

@unesurcent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PCOS and infertility challenges part 2

Having PCOS does not mean you can't get pregnant. PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). Without ovulation, it isn’t possible to get pregnant.

How to get treatment for infertility related to PCOS?

Talk to a fertility doctor about ways to help you ovulate and raise your chance of getting pregnant. You can also use an ovulation calculator to see which days in your menstrual cycle you are most likely to be fertile.

 

Treatments of PCOS to improve fertility

• Losing weight. If you have overweight or obesity, losing weight through healthy eating and regular physical activity can help make your menstrual cycle more regular and improve your fertility. Find a personalized healthy eating plan.
• Medicine. After ruling out other causes of infertility in you and your partner, your doctor might prescribe medicine to help you ovulate, such as clomiphene (Clomid).
• In vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF may be an option if medicine does not work. In IVF, your egg is fertilized with your partner's sperm in a laboratory and then placed in your uterus to implant and develop. Compared to medicine alone, IVF has higher pregnancy rates and better control over your risk of having twins and triplets (by allowing your doctor to transfer a single fertilized egg into your uterus).
• Surgery. Surgery is also an option, usually only if the other options do not work. The outer shell (called the cortex) of ovaries is thickened in women with PCOS and thought to play a role in preventing spontaneous ovulation. Ovarian drilling is a surgery in which the doctor makes a few holes in the surface of your ovary using lasers or a fine needle heated with electricity. Surgery usually restores ovulation, but only for 6 to 8 months.

 

PCOS and pregnancy complications

PCOS can cause problems during pregnancy for you and for your baby. Women with PCOS have higher rates of 6:

• Miscarriage
• Gestational diabetes
• Preeclampsia
• Cesarean section (C-section)
• Higher risk of a heavy baby (macrosomia) and of spending more time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Sources: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome#:~:text=Having%20PCOS%20does%20not%20mean,you%20can't%20get%20pregnant.

@drschwank

@optimalperformancezurich

@unesurcent