Lifespan Resources
Local Resources Available in the Greater Cincinnati Area
Samantha Ernst
Fertility Options Information
With constant advances in technology and science, there are more and more options becoming available for those who desire to start a family, but are cannot or are struggling to conceive on their own. A few of your options are presented below:
· Fertility Drugs- This is a good option for women who don't ovulate regularly or who have partners with very poor sperm quality. This option should be avoided if you have damaged or blocked fallopian tubes or scarring from endometriosis (they require IVF). Fertility drugs can be injected or taken in pill form. The drugs release hormones that induce ovulation to boost egg production and make the uterus more receptive to embryo implantation. Unfortunately, fertility options can often cause side effects, and carry a higher risk of multiple births and/or premature delivery. The cost of this option varies widely (for example, from $60 to $6,000 per cycle).
· In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)- This is a good option for older women or women with blocked or severely damaged fallopian tubes or scarring from endometriosis; men with very poor sperm quality; or couples with unexplained infertility. IVF is a multistep process (called a cycle) in which your eggs are extracted and fertilized with sperm in a lab. Once embryos develop, one or two are implanted in your uterus and the rest are stored. A regimen of fertility drugs must be taken before each cycle. The cost for IVF is $8,000, on average, per cycle, not including medications.
· Donor Eggs- This is a good option for Women whose ovaries are damaged or prematurely failing, or who have undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation; older women with poor egg quality; and women who carry genetic disorders that they don't want to pass along. Eggs are obtained from the ovaries of another woman (usually younger) and fertilized by sperm from the recipient's partner. Resulting embryos are then transferred into the recipient's uterus. 55% of women using fresh donor eggs will give birth; the number drops to 34% for frozen eggs. This option ranges from $15,000 to $30,000, which includes IVF and compensation.
If you and your partner are interested in any of these options you should speak with your physician, who can refer you to a specialist or to a specialized clinic that works with couples trying to conceive.
Institutions for Premature Infant Care in Ohio
1.) University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital located at 11100 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44106. The contact number to make an appointment with a rainbow specialist is 216-UH4-KIDS, (216-844-5437). UH Rainbow is a full-service children’s hospital with 244 beds and 1,300 pediatric specialists. Their service network includes a variety of pediatric practices, urgent care, emergency services, and after-hours care. They have a vast array of specialty clinics, medical/surgical specialists, and pediatric and newborn care services. Opened in 2009, the survival rate in the Quentin & Elisabeth Alexander Neonatal ICU is among the best in the nation, and has the world’s first surgery table designed for the tiniest patients—newborns and preemies. The NICU has a level III designation from the Ohio Department of Health. Of extreme significance is the infant bonding research performed at UH in the 1960’s which guided the design of the unit which has 82 beds for newborns, of which all but two of these NICU rooms are private. Additionally the unit not only allows, but encourages, parents to spend 24/7 time with their newborn infants when possible to assist in the healing process. A specific service provided at the unit is the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Center. The ECMO is a specialized heart-lung machine that oxygenates the blood of babies with breathing difficulties, and since its development it has increased preemie survival rates from 20 to 90%. The UH Rainbow also has a level III Transitional Care Center that acts as a step-down unit for babies that are well enough to leave the NICU but are not ready to go home. Transitional Care Center team members not only address the medical needs of the babies but also provide training, education, and support to families preparing to take their babies home. The center also provides access to formal training for parents on many things, including CPR, feeding, medication, oxygen therapy, and ventilator care. The UH Rainbow accepts all major insurance and has a charity/financial assistance program for uninsured and eligible families. To be eligible, the families must be at or below 400% of current Federal Poverty Guidelines, demonstrate residency, and the care must be medically necessary. With the connection between high infant mortality rates and premature births coinciding with poverty, this institution is a good option for families of low socioeconomic status in need. Also, for the middle income, yet financially strapped families, the hospital allows interest-free payment programs.
2.) NICU at Dayton Children’s Hospital located at 1 Children’s Plaza, Dayton, OH, 45404. The contact number for the facility is 937-641-3000, and the emergency contact number is 937-641-3600. The unit is a Level IIIB serving families in a 22-county area, and though they care for the region’s sickest babies, the survival rate for babies receiving care here is 99%. This unit cares for more than 600 babies a year and has cared for babies as small as 13.2 ounces. With a comprehensive team including board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, staff nurses, neonatal nutritionists and a lactation consultant, this NICU has a patient satisfaction score of 98.5%. Nurses working on the unit have an average of 16 years experience in neonatal care. The unit is also a part of the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative, which works to reduce preterm births and improve perinatal and preterm newborn outcomes in Ohio. For babies that are diagnosed with medical issues prior to birth, the unit has a nurse navigator from the Fetal to Newborn Care Center who guides families through the process of meeting with specialists before and after birth. One area of specialized care for newborns that is not serviceable at the Dayton Children’s NICU is conditions requiring certain types of heart surgery. The unit’s neonatologists are available 24/7 for consultation in person or by phone. A service offered by the unit that is unique to the region is their neonatal ground transportation unit and specially trained transport team. This service can be arranged by your child’s physician. The unit uses Giraffe Omnibeds that mimic the womb and allow babies to remain in one place before, during, and after most procedures. They also offer a tranquil area for mothers to take a break and relax, known as the Mother’s Lounge. Another important service offered is the opportunity for parents to share a room with their baby prior to discharge, which allows them to provide care on their own while still having the experienced NICU team nearby. Dayton Children’s Hospital NICU accepts Medicaid, private insurance, and BCM.
3.) NICU at Cleveland Children’s Clinic is a level III 17-bed unit located at 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195; the contact number for this location is (216)-444-5437. The unit admits infants from any community hospital as well as from Cleveland Clinic. They offer specialty care for premature babies born with birth defects, and were nationally ranked in U.S. News & World Reports 2015-2016 edition of “Best Children’s Hospitals” in 10 out of 10 specialties. They have a follow-up care program that addresses the long-term needs of premature babies and their families. The unit has transition rooms where parents can “room in” with their babies prior to discharge. They offer 24-hour visitation for parents as siblings 3 and older following a health screening. Additionally there is a Ronald McDonald family room on the unit that provides an area for family members to relax and communicate via computer with their families. Closely related to this unit is the Special Delivery Unit for mothers with complex medical problems of their own or carrying fetuses with medical issues. Adjacent to this unit The Cleveland Clinic has a hybrid cardiac catheterization laboratory and a pediatric operating room. Women seeking emergency services for complicated pregnancies can be transferred to the Special Delivery Unit from any location across the country using Cleveland Clinic’s Critical Care Transport Service, which can be requested by calling 866-547-1467, but will require a physician’s referral.
Breast Feeding is the Best Feeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first6 months of your baby’s life because of the vast array of benefits that will be reaped by both you and baby.
Reasons to Breastfeed:
· Breastfeeding protects your baby from many illnesses.
- A study done by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services showed that children who are breastfed have a 20% lower risk of dying between ages of 28 days and 1 year, than those children who were not breastfed.
- Colostrum in breast milk contains IgA which guards against invading germs by forming a protective layer on baby’s mucous membranes in the intestines, nose and throat. This IgA responds to the specific pathogens that are in your body, creating protection for your baby based on whatever you are exposed to.
- Breastfeeding reduces the risk of your child developing childhood cancers.
- Babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of getting stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis.
· Breastfeeding Protects Baby from Developing Allergies
- Babies fed formula of cow or soy milk tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies.
- Without the protection of IgA, which can be received only through breast milk, inflammation can develop and baby’s intestinal walls can become “leaky” allowing u digested proteins to cross the gut where they can cause an allergic reaction.
· Breastfeeding Boosts Intelligence
- One study of 17,000 infants followed from birth to 6.5 years showed that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding significantly improves cognitive development.
- A study of 4,000 children showed that babies who were breastfed had significantly higher scores on a vocabulary test at age 5, than children who were not.
- Experts believe that both the emotional bonding that takes place during breastfeeding, as well as the fatty acids in breast milk contribute to these brainpower benefits.
· Breastfeeding Reduces Your Stress Level and Risk of Postpartum Depression
- The National Institute of Health reviewed more than 9,000 study abstracts and concluded that women who didn’t breastfeed had a higher risk of postpartum depression.
- Nursing triggers the release of the hormone Oxytocin which promotes nurturing and relaxation.
· Other Benefits of Breastfeeding:
- May lower the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer
- May lower baby’s risk of obesity
- May lower baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Helps the mother lose pregnancy weight faster
- More cost effective than buying baby formula
Some women struggle with and may be unable to breastfeed. Some of the problems these women encounter are:
- They produce a low supply of breast milk
- They have been infected with HIV (the virus can be passed to baby through breast milk)
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Intense discomfort
- Birth defects that prevent the child from latching to the nipple, such as a cleft palate or cleft lip
- General trouble getting baby to latch
- Some premature infants may lack a sufficient sucking reflex to breastfeed
Quick Steps for Breastfeeding:
1. Get educated; start learning about breastfeeding before your baby is born
2. Set up for success with a breastfeeding pillow or some other soft support to help you position baby correctly
3. Take advantage of lactation consultants and other experts available through your hospital or birth center
4. Establish a good latch, with baby’s mouth wide open and completely covering the areola
5. Small amounts of nutrient-rich colostrum are all your nursing baby gets at first, so don't worry when you don't start off with a waterfall
6. Keep track of when you nurse, for how long, and which breast you end on
7. Gently burp your baby on the back after nursing to help avoid painful gas
8. Make sure you are eating well and drinking plenty of water to replace the nutrients and fluids that you are passing on to your baby
9. Don’t give up! Nursing can be tricky, especially with your first baby, and it may hurt for a while. Hot or cold compresses and lanolin cream can help relieve sore nipples
Domestic Violence Resources
● Women Helping Women - www.womenhelpingwomen.org 215 E 9th St Cincinnati, OH 45202. (513)-381-5610. This agency serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The agency is funded in part by The United Way, the city of Cincinnati, private donations, and other sources of public support. The telephone number listed serves as a 24 hour crisis line, and another crisis line is available at 1-800-799-SAFE, which is the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Hamilton County residents may access all services, and Butler County residents are provided sexual assault survivor services. In addition to the crisis line, the agency provides one-on-one counseling services (those in need of long-term treatment are referred to community mental health agencies). Support groups are held weekly, so that survivors can share their experiences with others. WHW staff and volunteers are available 24/7 to accompany survivors in hospital rooms. WHW is also very active in assisting victims through the courts and legal system. Specific activities include: how to file a restraining order, how to file for victim compensation, and general support and advocacy throughout the court process. The VINE program (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), provides updates regarding status of offenders, incarceration/release notices, and is available to everyone at www.VINELink.com. Lastly is the Hope Line through WHW, which provides refurbished cell phones so that survivors can stay in touch with family, counsellors, employers, etc. services are provided on a sliding fee scale, and many candidates qualify for services at no charge. Clients need to contact WHW and set up a face to face interview in order to arrange individual and/or group counseling services if desired. Clients who would be best served by this agency would be residents of Hamilton and/or Butler County who have been victims of any form of domestic abuse.
● The YWCA (Young Womens’ Christian Association) of Greater Cincinnati - This institution provides services and shelter to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and their children. They provide the ONLY domestic violence shelter for battered women AND their children in Hamilton County. The shelter serves up to 72 women and children at a time. The YWCA provide case management, advocacy, and referral services. There is a program offered for children, and a program also specifically for immigrant women. A very valuable piece to their overall program is the Employment Resource Program, which can aid survivors in moving toward self sufficiency, independence, and freedom from abuse. They also provide adult literacy and GED programs, and all services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on income. Those best served by this agency would be those in need of immediate shelter due to imminent risk. Their Hamilton County hotline is 513-872-9259, toll free is 1-888-872-9259. Clermont and Brown County hotline is 513-753-7281, toll free 1-800-540-4764. Due to the nature of their shelters being safe havens, their addresses are not disclosed.
● Womens’ Crisis Center - 3580 Hargrave Ct, Hebron, KY. 859-647-2388. Hours are 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. Services are provided to women, children, teens, older adults, immigrants, disabled individuals, and male victims of partner abuse, rape and sexual assault, and victims of human trafficking. Services are also provided to non-offending parents. This institution also provides shelter for family pets while owners are seeking the assistance needed for the family to remain safe. All client service are free and confidential. Staff is available 24/7 to answer phones and provide crisis intervention and safety planning. They provide individual and group counseling. Other services that can be utilized through this agency are: hospital advocates, court advocates, a multi-cultural program, human trafficking program, elder abuse program, and an Individual Development Accounts program which assists clients with financial education and assistance. They also offer multiple residential shelters that provide safe and comfortable home-like environments where abused women and children can work towards a safe living option. Clients best served by the WCC are any individuals in northern Kentucky or the greater Cincinnati area seeking support for domestic violence and sexual abuse.
● University of Cincinnati Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) - This center at UC provides a sexual assault program to UC students who are survivors of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, or intimate partner violence. The staff can assist students to connect with appropriate resources on campus and in the community for education, safety planning, academic and housing accommodations, etc. these services are provided at no cost to UC students. Those best served by this program would be UC students seeking help for issues with domestic violence or sexual assault. To access any of these services or to request a consultation call CAPS at 513-556-0648, (8am-5pm, Monday - Friday).
● Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE) - PO Box 1286 Worthington, OH, 43085. 614-670-8796. This agency serves individuals in Ohio who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing, in response to oppression and relationship and sexual violence. Their mission is to address domestic violence and sexual assault in the deaf community. Services they provide are: community, legal, and social service advocacy for survivors of sexual or relationship violence, 24 hour advocacy for survivors of sexual assault at local hospital ERs, education and outreach with deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities, and volunteer training. This is a program run by deaf people, for deaf people. They have a 24 hour crisis line, support groups for survivors, court advocacy, and they recruit volunteers to provide safe homes for survivors. Those best served by this agency are deaf or hard of hearing individuals in the state of Ohio who are victims of violence or sexual abuse.
My Relative Has Cancer - Now What?
A diagnosis of cancer changes a family forever. Family roles, responsibilities, and priorities often change and tension is higher than before. Caregivers may have new responsibilities such as: providing support and encouragement, giving medications, helping manage symptoms and side effects, assisting with meals, handling insurance and billing issues—and so much more. As the relative of someone diagnosed with cancer, you too need support, so that you can be there for your loved one but can also take care of your own well-being. To be a good caregiver, you must be good to yourself. This information sheet will provide several resources you can utilize.
- Cancer Family Care - For over 40 years this non-profit organization has provided supportive counseling services to all those affected by a cancer diagnosis. Contact information: 2421 Auburn Ave Cincinnati OH 45219, 513-731-3346. Services are provided on a sliding scale basis and therefore available to all those in need. There is also an online contact form that can be completed at http://cancerfamilycare.org/contact-us. In addition to the sliding scale many services are available free. The services offered by this program include licensed counseling to patients, families and caregivers. Tree-house counseling services are specifically for those ages 4 to 18, and they also offer a day camp program for this age group called Camp Courage. Waddell family healing hands programs, healing touch, therapeutic massage and free wigs are more services they provide.
- Cancer Support Community Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky – Blue Ash location: 513-791-4060. Ft. Wright location: 859-331-5568. This is a non-profit organization that provides social and emotional support for individuals with cancer and their families. Family Services include: Walking The Dinosaur, a quarterly program for children aged 5-18, the children are grouped by age and parents/companions meet separately for a 90 minute session to learn to communicate and cope more effectively. Kid support, monthly sessions led by licensed professionals where children ages 4-12 enjoy a pizza party and make friends while learning coping skills through age-appropriate activities. They also have a family and friends support group for those who are actively supporting a loved one with cancer. This group meets weekly for two hours, so that members can learn how to care for themselves while caring for others. All services offered by Cancer Support Community are completely free, and no referral is necessary.
- American Cancer Society Musekamp Family Hope Lodge – 2806 Reading Rd Cincinnati, OH 45206. 513-618-5586. The Hope Lodge, located in the Avondale area, is a temporary home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. This is available for those who travel to Cincinnati for cancer treatment. The Hope lodge is cost-free, and to stay there you must download a request form from their website and send it in. The eligibility requirements are: adult patients who are independent and mobile with minimal assistance, must be accompanied by a caregiver, must live 40 miles away or more and be pursuing cancer treatment in this area, and must be at least 14 years of age. Caregivers must be 18 and up, free of communicable diseases, must be able to live independently and care for the cancer patient they are accompanying. All reservations are on a “first come, first serve” basis, and patients are usually referred by a physician or hospital social worker.
Local Elderly Institutions and Programs
Council On Aging- Caregiver Services Program- 175 Tri County Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45246. (513)-721-1025. This program is aimed at those who provide care for elderly persons, and the goal of the program is to help caregivers identify themselves as such, and provide them with necessary support and education. Eligible candidates are family members, friends, neighbors—anyone who provides care for someone who is not autonomous. The people best served by this program would be new caregivers, caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed, or caregivers whose care reciepient’s needs are changing. The Caregiver Services program provides counseling by a Registered Nurse who will provide necessary referrals, educational materials, and emotional support. One of the materials provided is The Caregiver Manual, which provides information on topics ranging from nutrition and homemaking to medications and personal care. This program and its services are provided at no cost. To qualify either the care recipient or the caregiver must be at least 60 years of age, unless the care recipient is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another brain disorder. Additionally, either the client or caregiver must live in one of the five counties they serve: Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, or Warren. To enroll, just call (513)-721-1025.
Sycamore Senior Center- 4455 Carver Woods Dr, Cincinnati, OH, 45242. (513)-984-1234. This center is operated by the nonprofit organization Maple Knoll Communities. Although membership is not required to receive any of the services this center offers, Hamilton County residents 55 and older may pay $30 annually for a membership which grants them access to the Hemsworth Wellness Center at a discounted rate. Many services are provided by the Sycamore Senior Center. They have a travel program that gives opportunities for day trips as well as overnight trips, to all parts of the globe. Some of the trips they do range from local trips to the Aranoff Center to see musical productions, to wine tours in California. The center also offers classes and seminars through their Lifelong Learning program, where you could learn how to type, take a flower-arranging workshop, or attend a seminar on chronic disease self-management, and much more. Finally, the Sycamore Senior Center offers a variety of social and recreational opportunities such as investment clubs, cookie decorating parties, and book clubs. The outreach services offered by the center are home meal delivery and transportation for seniors to and from medical appointments, and for errands such as grocery shopping. Costs for all of the center’s services vary, and discounts are given to those with membership, but anyone 55 and up living in Hamilton County limits is eligible to participate.
Hyde Park Center for Older Adults- 2800 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45208. (513)-321-6816. The four main areas of service provided are social work home visits, transportation, meals, and wellness activities. The center is known for being cozy rather than institutional, with 11 experienced staff workers who know most of the people they serve by name, and consider them family. The center serves adults aged 55 and older, and though membership is not required, it helps fund the center and comes with benefits inclusing: home-delivered newsletters, discounts on activities, and invitations to members-only events. To enroll in a membership, you must pay annually (they have several levels of membership with varying cost), and complete a membership form then mail it to the center. Services provided in or to the home can only be used by residents of East End, Hyde Park, Madisonville, Mount Lookout, Oakley, O’Bryonville, and South Norwood. Some of the wellness activities they provide are: health screenings, fitness courses, intellectual discussion groups, volunteer opportunities, one-on-one counseling, memorial services, games, and social events. The social services they provide include help with housing, applying for public assistance, and things like bill paying. They offer door-to-door transportation to and from the center, and for things like scheduled outings, grocery shopping, and appointments. There is no charge for the transportation services, however they do ask riders for $3-10 donations to help cover costs. Additionally, they provide home-style lunches 3 days a week at the center, also at no charge.