One of our very talented patients drew this for his
family's Christmas card this year.
Had to share because it is beautiful!



Family Medicine Christmas Party

On Wednesday the 8th we had our Family Medicine Christmas party!
We went to La Jolla Groves in Provo for dinner and had a small gift exchange afterwards. The appetizers, dinner and dessert were delicious and the atmosphere was so fun! It was nice to spend time together outside of the workplace. It's exciting to make a new tradition for our new little clinic!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

BORING!!!

Since Halloween we have been SO busy that it has been almost a month since we have posted anything... We need to spice this space up a bit. Any questions, recommendations, suggestions on what our next post should be about???

HELP US OUT WITH THIS BLOGGER'S CRAMP! :)

COSTUME CONTEST WINNER!!!

This cute little knight was the winner of the Halloween contest! Thanks to everyone who participated!

He won 2 movie tickets!

Costume Contest

Contestant #1

Contestant #2

Contestant #3

Contestant #4

Contestant #5

Contestant #6

Contestant #7

Contestant #8

Contestant #9

 

Ally & Rachel, The Dynamic Duo

Ally and Rachel have spent the last few years working for Dr. Harrison. They've taken on multiple "job titles" and the range of duties is endless!

Both have worked as:

Medical Assistants (This is their current job title)

Nannies

Personal Assistants

Book Keepers

Cat-Catchers (Dr. H's cat is an escape artist, and that precious pet is NOT to be let outside!)

Dog-sitters
ETC
ETC
______________ (You fill in the blank, they've probably done it)

The list could go on and on! They'd like to think that they have been assigned these duties because they are irreplaceable... maybe she just can't quite shake them?  

Ally and Rachel both grew up in Springville, but their paths didn't cross until Dr. H was in the picture. Ally is married and has one little man. They've moved to Oregon and back, we're hoping this time they'll stay!

Rachel has not taken the plunge to tie the knot yet, she figures the rest of us have enough kids to go around! She has 6 nieces and nephews that she loves to boast about, but she says that they are the perfect dose of birth control.

They'd both like to claim vegetarianism, but you might catch them at Wendy's indulging on a Spicy Chicken!

This looks just like Dr. H's cat! Maybe if he wasn't always trying to escape we could get some photos of him!

P.S. Just for the record, (This is Rachel speaking) I know I can say that both Ally and I appreciate Dr. Harrison in more ways than one! She is always looking out for us, and although we all like to have a great time while we're at work, she's also a great doctor/friend/employer to both of us!

Halloween Contest Extended

We realized that there weren't very many people who had photos of their children before Halloween! We're going to extend the contest until November 8th so keep watching for new contestants!

Halloween Costume Contest!

We are having a Halloween Costume Contest! If you would like to have your child's (or your own) photo posted, email it to:

drharrisonfamilytree@gmail.com

We want to see all of the fun costumes! The sooner we get your photo, the more chances you have for votes. Photos will be numbered since we don't use names on our blog. Safety first! :) Voting will close on Halloween and we will announce the winner the first week of November!!!

Thanks for your support!

Car Seat Safety!

This information is strait from Baby Your Baby's website. Keep those little kiddies safe!

Car Seats

One of the easiest ways to protect our children is to buckle them up every time they are in the car. But too many parents, grandparents, and others allow infants to ride unprotected in cars and trucks. Make sure your baby always rides in an approved car safety seat. Teach grandparents and others

The safest car seat for your child is the one that fits him or her properly and is installed correctly. Here are a few general guidelines:

Birth to 20 pounds/ 1 year.

• Use a rear-facing infant safety seat. Some manufacturers now offer seats that have a higher weight limit, making it easier for you to keep your child in a rear-facing seat for the full first year.

20 to 40 pounds/ 1 to 4 years.

• Use a forward-facing child safety seat. A convertible seat can be changed from the rear-facing to the forward-facing position once your child has reached the rear-facing weight limit and is at least 1 year of age. Once your child has reached the weight limit on their forward-facing or convertible safety seat, or their ears line up with the top of the car seat, it is time to transition into a belt-positioning booster seat.

40 to 80 pounds/ 4 years of age and older.

• Use a belt-positioning booster child safety seat. A belt-positioning booster seat raises your child so that the lap and shoulder belt fit properly, while protecting the child’s head and upper body. Be aware that a different type of booster seat called a “shield booster” is not approved for children more than 40 pounds.

80 pounds and over/ 4’9” and taller.

• When children are able to sit with their feet on the ground, back straight against the back seat cushion, and knees over the edge of the seat cushion without slouching, it is time for them to use a seat belt. The lap belt should lie on their hips, rather than their stomach and the shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder, not the neck or throat. Both the lap AND the shoulder belt should always be used.

A few additional tips to remember...

• Always use a car seat, starting with your baby’s first ride home from the hospital, and always use your own seat belt.
• Read the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and always keep them with the car seat.
• Read your vehicle owner’s manual for important information on how to install the car seat correctly in your vehicle.
• It is always safest to have children ride in the back seat of the car.
• Never place a back-facing car seat in the front seat of a car that has airbags.
• Never have children share seat belts.

Do NOT use a car seat that:

• Is too old. Look on the label for the date it was made. If it is more than 10 years old, it should not be used. Some manufacturers recommend that car safety seats only be used for 5 to 6 years. Check with the manufacturer to find out how long the company recommends using their seat.
• Was in a crash. It may have been weakened and should not be used, even if it looks fine.
• Does not have a label with the date of manufacture and model number. Without these, you cannot check on recalls.
• Does not come with instructions. You need them to know how to use the car seat.
• Has any cracks in the frame of the seat
• Is missing parts. Used car seats often come without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you can get the right parts.
• Has been recalled. You can find out by calling the manufacturer or the Car Seat Recall Hot line at 1-800-424-9393.

Resources:

The following websites are excellent for additional information concerning child restraint seats. They provide great information to parents & caregivers looking for more information. They are as follows: www.safekids.org www.carseat.org www.tweensafety.org The following three agencies listed below are the best for parents to contact in the Salt Lake area to find out if they have their car seats installed correctly and if they want to have it checked. Salt Lake Valley Health Dept. 788 East Woodoak Lane (5380 South) Murray, Utah 313-6607 or 313-6684 Spanish translation available Primary Children's Medical Center 100 North Medical Drive Salt Lake City, Utah 662-Cars (2277) Spanish translation available Utah Highway Safety Office 3888 West 5400 South Taylorsville, Utah 957-8570

Liz Larsen N.P. Bio

Liz Larsen is a Utah native, she spent some of her childhood in Provo, moved to Manti during her high school years and now lives in Santaquin. We're not really sure which she calls home, but we're glad she's picked our office to settle down with for a while! She studied audiology and speech/language pathology at BYU and then went to nursing school at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. She became a nurse practitioner after she completed her education at UMKC and has been practicing family medicine for the last 5 years. Her husband Rhett is a licensed clinical social worker, he also currently serves in the Army Reserve. They have two little ones, both busy boys that Dr. Harrison delivered. They are both energetic and full of smiles! Liz claims to be shy, but she loves reality TV, we're wondering if someday she might ditch us to pursue Brett Michaels on yet another season of Rock of Love!!

Prenatal Education

Are you looking for a prenatal course to prepare for your upcoming delivery?
Both Utah Valley and Timp offer prenatal courses. There are also childbirth and breast feeding courses available through Central Utah Clinic. It is nice for us to know that we can offer "One Stop Shopping" through Central Utah! We love having all of these resources at our fingertips. Dr. Harrison highly recommends that each new mom attends a class to help them prepare for labor and delivery!

WELCOME Liz Larsen!

We are more than excited to announce that Dr. Harrison has brought on a NURSE PRACTITIONER! Her name is Liz Larsen, she has been practicing family medicine for over five years. This post is up a little late, but we have been busy preparing for her arrival. We have been scheduling patients to start seeing her on October 8th. TOMORROW! A bio about her will follow, but we couldn't wait to break the news to you all!! What a great addition she will be to our practice!

Pediatric Medication Dosage Links

Dose according to weight. Consult with a physician or pharmacist before combining any medication. Some drugs may contain additional pain relievers. Aspirin should not be given to any child.
Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen Dosage Chart
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, etc.) Dosage Table

Pregnancy Questions: Take 2

What medications can I take?

Take a pre-natal vitamin daily! (With at least 800 mcg Folic Acid & Iron)

For pain/headaches: Tylenol, Excedrin with NO Aspirin

For cold symptoms: Claritin, plain Sudafed, plain Robitussin, Benadryl (after 12 weeks)

For diarrhea: Mylanta, Immodium and Maalox are safe after the 1^st trimester (12 weeks)

For heartburn/stomach ache: Tums, Pepcid, Zantac    Stool Softener: Colace, Dulcolax

For nausea: Unisom (at night), Vitamin B6 (3 times a day), Ginger

Do not take: Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Aleeve or Pepto Bismal

Should I change my diet?

Follow the food pyramid. Frequent small meals will help with nausea, add fiber for constipation.

How frequently can/should I exercise?

You can exercise as much as you normally would.  (No extreme or vigorous exercise)

30 minutes daily, 3-5 days a week is recommended.

How frequently should I see the doctor?

First visit between 10-12 weeks

Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks

Every 2 weeks until 36 weeks

Every week until delivery

Is it normal to bleed during pregnancy?

            If you experience spotting after intercourse, increased activity, or a cervical check, this is normal. You should notify your doctor if you are having bright red blood, heavy bleeding (like a period) or bleeding associated with severe cramping.

Did my water break?

If you feel a sudden gush of fluid, or have a steady amount of watery discharge, you should go to Labor & Delivery to be evaluated. Some increased vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy.

What does a contraction feel like?

Braxton Hicks contractions are normal to feel throughout your pregnancy, they typically show up after 20 weeks. They can be described as a periodic tightening sensation that begins at the top of your uterus downward. Your tummy will most likely look and feel hard, just like the sensation you are feeling.

Real labor feels somewhat similar to Braxton Hicks, but the contractions are more frequent and intense and are usually felt in your lower pelvis. You could also feel like you are having more intense menstrual cramps that radiate into the low back, pelvic pressure/pain, and all over tightening/pain. If you are experiencing contractions every 3-5 minutes that last 60-90 seconds, increasing intensity, loss of breath due to pain, and these contractions are persisting longer than 1/2 hour, you should call our office or go to Labor & Delivery.

I haven’t felt my baby move, what do I do?

Before 26 weeks, movement is much harder to feel because of the size of the baby. If you are experiencing this after 26 weeks, first drink a glass of orange juice or eat something sugary, put your feet up and try to feel for movement. If after 2 hours of this, you do not feel your baby at least 10 times, you should call our office or go to Labor & Delivery.

If you have other questions or concerns, a medical assistant is available for you to talk to during our regular business hours and an on-call doctor is available at all times if the clinic is not open.

Vaccine Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) is an excellent source for credible health information. Below is a link for the Vaccine Information Statements that explain what the risks and benefits are for each vaccine.

 http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm

Dr. Harrison Bio

Dr. Harrison is an Orem, Utah native. She graduated from Mountain View and completed her undergraduate at the University of Utah. She then attended medical school at Touro University in California and returned to Provo to complete her family medicine residency at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. She is married to Dr. Christian Hansen who is a chiropractor practicing in Orem. They have two little blondies that occupy her time away from the office. She loves spending time with her husband watching her girls dance, swim, perform and grow! She claims to strongly dislike chocolate... but her guilty pleasure is most definitely Betty Crocker brand brownies. We don't know? You do the math!

Pregnancy Questions: Take 1

I'm pregnant, when do I need to stop sleeping on my stomach?
Most women can sleep on their tummy until about 20 weeks, but this depends a lot upon body type and comfort. When it becomes uncomfortable is about the time you should start sleeping on your back or side.

What about sleeping on my back?
Most are able to sleep on their back until 24-28 weeks. You should stop if you feel light-headed, dizzy, short of breath, or pressure in your chest. If you commonly find that you wake up on your back, tuck a pillow under one side of your "tush" to keep you from rolling flat on your back.

Can I travel during my pregnancy?
Yes, airlines and cruiselines may have restrictions during prenancy. You should check with their policies before booking your trip. Usually around 36 weeks I would prefer that you stay within 1-2 hours of the hospital. Travel before this point is fine, but the recommendation may change if there are complications that arise prior to 36 weeks.

Do I have to get an epidural?
No. This is your choice. If you are planning to have a "natural" delivery, I would recommend that you prepare. If you would further information on classes in the community or books that can assist you in natural childbirth, contact the office for more info.

When can I find out what I am having?
Your routine pregnancy ultrasound is around 20 weeks. If you would like to find out the sex of your baby before this time, you may have an optional "gender check" ultrasound as early as 16 weeks, your insurance will NOT cover this. The cost is $25 at the time of service.

Can I get my hair colored while I am pregnant?
Yes, make sure the area is well ventilated. This also applies for cleaning supplies and paint fumes.

Are there any diet restrictions?
No raw meats. This includes raw fish and shrimp. Fresh water salmon should not be consumed more than once a month. You should not eat more than one can of tuna a week. You may consume lunch meat, be sure that it has been refridgerated. If you are unsure, cook it prior to eating it.

Flu season is just around the corner!

We now have flu shots! It is recommended that any patient age 6 months and up have a flu shot. It is STRONGLY recommended for our pregnant patients, anyone with a chronic illness, and infants 6 months-2 years. Come in today, no appointment necessary!


If you do not have insurance, or it does not cover your flu shot, you will be asked to pay $20 at the time of service.

Welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to look at our site! We are hoping to use this blog as a resource for our current patients and for people who are looking to find a new doctor! We know how important it is to find the "right" doctor for you. Dr. Harrison is a family medicine physician who has been practicing in Utah County for 6 years. She is able to care for nearly all of your family's needs. From routine to urgent. Delivery to adolescent to adult care. WE LOVE TO WATCH YOUR FAMILY GROW!

September 2010

August 2010

Better late than never right?? We have a job for YOU! If Dr. H cared for you through your pregnancy send your baby's photo along with the month and year of their birth for our photo archives. We need your help!! We have all of the photos that were taken, printed and hung on our baby board in the office, but we want to have higher quality digital photos posted by month! Like we mentioned in earlier posts, no names or actual DOBs will be included with the photos. Just your newborn's sweet face!

Email photos to drharrisonfamilytree@gmail.com