Unfortunately for thousands of expectant mothers in Victoria, this is far from reality. Can you imagine coming home with a newborn baby and not having the money to care for them at a basic level, let alone purchase toys, cots, car seats or other fundamental items?

That's where St Kilda Mum's steps in. The charity was established in 2009 to help provide women in the local area with the necessities to look after their children. Their main service is to recycle unwanted (and often brand new!) products such as prams and car seats as well as package up and provide bundles of clothes and other essential items. Local social workers and welfare staff work with St Kilda Mums to then provide the goods to local recipients, often who are in safe or temporary housing.

There is no doubt it's a great cause that really tugs at the heartstrings. That's why myself and a group of team members from Bupa Wellness decided to use one of our Bupa volunteering days to lend a hand to the lovely ladies at St Kilda Mums.

As part of our volunteer day we were required to donate $800 to contribute to the ongoing funding of the charity. While it sounded like a lot, with a small bake sale and Bupa matching our donation it was easily achieved.

When we arrived at St Kilda Mums they gave us a tour of their expanding factory and gave us an overview of how they came about and how they operate. I must admit, I was both shocked and in awe at the number of donations they have, but also saddened to know that it was still not enough to go around. One of the things I was most impressed by was how beautifully they packaged up the donation bags for presentation to the mums. In particular, the clothing and packs of bedding. Each 'kit' is lovingly put together by a volunteer, with a range of matching, fresh, clean items such as shoes, underwear, socks, clothes and of course a small toy.

The rule was 'if you wouldn't put your children in it, then it's not good enough'. I loved this way of thinking - why should someone in need deserve less? I can't even imagine how thankful the recipients must be to give their children clothes and toys they would be proud of.

I must admit it was a long day and my feet were definitely sore from standing all day. I guess a decade in a desk job isn't great for stamina! Despite this it was a really great day, for a great cause and looking at all the adorable clothes was so fun (have you seen how cute baby socks are??)

If you want to know more or donate any of your own baby related items, please make sure you check out stkildamums.org

I would encourage you all to get a group together and volunteer for a day at St Kilda Mums.

You will have a great time with your team and feel good about it at the same time knowing you have helped a family's day get that little bit brighter.

Written by Erin McLean, Bupa Wellness Manager.

UP NEXT:

Just what the ‘dogtor’ ordered

Lending a helping hand

World Antibiotic Awareness Week runs from the 12-18 November, 2018.

Awareness of antibiotic resistance is important to encourage best practices amongst the general public, health workers and policy makers.

If you’ve ever had a bacterial infection, you’re probably familiar with antibiotics, which are medicines that kill bacteria. They’re essential for successfully treating and preventing serious infectious diseases. Over the past century, access to effective antibiotics has saved millions of lives, and enabled major medical and surgical breakthroughs. However, during this time, we have also misused and overused antibiotics and this has resulted in antibiotic resistance.

The number of infections where bacteria are resistant to at least one antibiotic has been increasing and that includes within Australia. We've seen the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to almost all of the easily available antibiotics, for example, MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphlococcus Aureus), multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). These can cause serious, life-threatening illness and are difficult to treat. As our antibiotics become less and less effective, infections become harder to treat.

Without action, we could return to the days of not being able to treat common or life-threatening infections, resulting in prolonged illness, disability and death. It could also impact many of the medical advancements we take for granted, like organ transplants, cancer treatment, diabetes management and major surgeries.

“

To be successful, these conditions and procedures require effective antibiotics because they have a high risk of infection. If current trends continue, it will become more difficult to achieve good outcomes for us all.

Nirasha Parsotam, Pharmacist and Head of Healthcare Systems Strategy and Integration at Bupa

„

What is antibiotic resistance?

Resistance develops when potentially harmful bacteria change in a way that makes them immune to antibiotics. Resistant bacteria survive, multiply and spread, causing more harm.

How does antibiotic resistance happen?

Drug resistance is a natural evolution. When people take antibiotics for a bacterial infection, the antibiotic kills off the “weaker” organisms. However, there may be some organisms that are resistant to the antibiotic, so they aren’t killed off. This allows them to multiply and spread, meaning that the next generation of the bacterial infection will no longer respond to (or be killed off by) that antibiotic.

Why is antibiotic resistance a problem?

Antibiotic resistance is a problem because standard treatments become ineffective. An antibiotic that used to work on certain infections no longer does. People are unable to recover from infections and may then spread those infections to others.

In Australia, the prevalence of resistant- and multi-drug resistant bacteria (also known as ‘superbugs’) is increasing.

My personal worry is we don’t want to get any closer to creating a superbug that would be capable of beating every antibiotic we have.

What can you do to reduce antibiotic resistance?

1. Only take antibiotics in the way they have been prescribed to you

2. Don’t ask for antibiotics to treat viral infections like colds and the flu. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and won’t speed up your recovery from viral infections

3. Clean your hands often! It is possible to pass on antibiotic resistant bacteria to others, so prevent the spread of germs by practicing good hygiene

Blog written by Nirasha Parsotam, Pharmacist and Bupa’s Head of Healthcare System Strategy and Integration.

UP NEXT:

Bupa takes the lead in fighting superbugs in aged care

Do you really need those antibiotics?

Bupa leads push to stop antibiotic overuse

What is gum recession you ask? Great question! Gum recession is when the gum wears away to expose the tooths root which can often be sensitive and increase bacteria build up. Find out what can cause gum recession below.

What’s so good about this new pin hole surgery? Another great question and to start with, I’ll explain what is so unique about this specific treatment.

The pin hole surgery is scalpel and suture free and to date has proven to be very stable and more reliable and predictable than traditional grafting procedures.

This technique was developed by Dr John Chao in the USA in 2006 and was established to address gum recession, a common problem particularly as we get older.

Traditional treatment for receding gums involves grafting. This involves cutting a piece of gum from another area, usually the palate and then burying this graft under the gum in the affected site.

This can be a very painful procedure with poor long-term results, often needing to be redone over the years.

That’s where this new pinhole treatment comes in - the revolutionary new technique works where the gum is actually pushed back up to cover the exposed root surface, by gently loosening the gum allowing it glide over the teeth.

Patients quite often report significantly less pain and discomfort than grafting, needing only mild pain relief the following day.

Benefits of pin hole gum recession surgery:

1. Corrects multiple areas in a single visit with the procedure only taking two hours - in many cases.

2. Minimal discomfort and swelling

3. Pinhole sites heal in 24 hrs in most cases

4. Can prevent tooth loss and so the need for other costly procedures such as dentures, bridges or implants can be avoided

5. Reverse the appearance of looking long in the tooth associated with ageing

6. Most patients report they are back to normal light activities within 24-48 hours after the procedure

What can cause gum recession?

1. Periodontal disease. This is the result of bacteria causing an inflammatory response causing the supporting bone of teeth to be lost resulting in the gum shrinking away from the teeth. There is a genetic component to this disease, which is why some people get this disease even though they have good oral hygiene

2. Aggressive tooth brushing at the gum level

3. Smoking is a contributing factor as it causes a change in the nature of the plaque and changes to the gum blood circulation

4. Grinding and severe clenching may be a factor

5. Crooked and misaligned teeth and lip and tongue piercings

Consequences of gum recession:

1. As the gums recede the tooth root becomes exposed. This porous exposed root surface is more susceptible to the ill effects of decay causing plaque. In some people this can result in rapid deep decay, increasing the likelihood of the need for endodontic (root canal) treatment or loss of the tooth.

2. Increased sensitivity: people will often experience sensitivity to hot, cold changes, some foods and such things as tooth brushing.

3. In severe cases, especially in the back-molar teeth, this may lead to increased and complex gum disease

4. The exposed root is softer and more susceptible to erosion and wear from acidic drinks, foods and tooth brushing. Increasing sensitivity and the formation of grooves or notches in the neck of the teeth. These groves can become very severe wearing into the nerve and making the teeth weak and prone to breaking at the gum level.

5. Food will get stuck in these areas which can lead to the problems already mentioned

6. Looking older than what we may be, the “long in the tooth” look.

Blog written by Bupa Dentist, Dr Don Kelly from Face Dental in Brisbane.

Find out more about Face Value Dental in Brisbane.

UP NEXT:

Why you need to care about antibiotic use and resistance

Why did I become a Dentist?

Free dental check-ups with Members First Platinum