How do I tell my mother I am pregnant?

Pregnancy is a difficult thing to deal with at a young age. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you exactly what to say to your mom. Have you two ever talked about pregnancy before? How do you think that she may react? One thing that we can say is that you are not alone! In Manitoba, there are on average 46 teen pregnancies a week. If possible, it may be helpful to talk to someone you know who has gone through the same experience. There is also free, confidential pregnancy counseling available through some Community Health Clinics. You can call Nor’ West at 940-2020 and speak with a nurse. A few other clinics that offer confidential pregnancy counseling include: Klinic (784-4090), Women’s Health Clinic (947-1517) and Mount Carmel Clinic (582-2311). Any woman who gets pregnant has three options; keep the baby, adoption or abortion. Talking about your options first with these people could be helpful for you.

What’s “Outercourse”?

Most people would define outercourse to be sexual activity without penis-vagina contact including no penetration at all (so no anal, vaginal or oral sex). When you have outercourse, you are 100% protected against STIs and pregnancy (with the exception of herpes and genital warts which are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact). The best thing about it is that it’s safe and leaves you with a lot of options! Kissing, masturbating (alone or with a partner), erotic massage, rubbing bodies together and sharing fantasies are all safe and satisfying activities. It is important keep in mind that it could be difficult to avoid intercourse once you’ve started outercourse and remember to always be careful to avoid any exchange of sexual fluids.

Is shaving your pubic area normal? What if you cut yourself? Should you see a doctor?

Shaving all or some of the hair around your genitals (around the penis or vaginal area) is normal. Lots of people do it and lots of people don’t, it really just depends on your preference. Cutting yourself (and the possibility that it could get infected) is the major drawback of shaving. If you do cut yourself, just treat it like any other cut; wash it, keep it clean and pay attention to how it is healing. If it gets red, itchy or sore and gets infected, it’s a good idea to get a health care professional to check it out.

Youth Crisis and Information Lines

What does a Dietitian do and how can they help me?

A dietitian is a health professional who has received a University degree and specialized training in food and nutrition. Community dietitians work with individuals and communities to improve their nutritional well being, prevent and manage disease, and increase access to healthy food. A dietitian can help with meal planning, management of various health conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol), weight management, setting goals for healthy eating and much more.

At Nor’ West you can self-refer to make an appointment with our dietitian.  Call 940-2107.

 

Can fad diets help me lose weight? How can I eat to be healthy?

Fad diets are diets that have food rules and promote quick weight loss.  They are often unrealistic and are hard to maintain.  Most fad diets restrict servings from the Canada’s Food Guide food groups. 

A weight loss plan is probably a fad diet if:

1.The meal plan features limited food choices

2.It encourages you to cut out an entire food group, like grain products

3.The diet eliminates all fats

4.It promises fast weight loss (more than 2 pounds per week)

5.The diet is used to sell a product such as a weight loss pill or a specific food

6.The weight-loss claims are based on unproven science

7.The diet promoters make claims that sound too good to be true, e.g. you can lose weight in your sleep

8.The diet lists “good” and “bad” foods

 

Fad diets don’t change long-term eating patterns. Restricting calories results in a slower metabolism (the rate your body burns calories) therefore you end up burning less calories.  Developing a healthy relationship with food is important and following Canada’s Food Guide will help you meet your nutrient requirements.  Regular exercise and eating a healthy, well balanced diet with appropriate portion sizes is still the best method to lose weight and keep it off. 

To access Canada’s Food Guide online go to:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.php

 

Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

In simple terms, breakfast means “breaking the fast.”  Think of breakfast as brain power and a great way to kick start the day!  Research tells us that eating breakfast every day can give your metabolism a jump start therefore your body can burn calories throughout the day more effectively.  Research also shows that eating breakfast may improve school performance.  Here are some quick breakfast ideas: