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In This Issue
Manipulating Your Period
Preeclampsia - What is it?
Nutrition Labels
Meet the Staff
Referral Program
Office Announcements
Quick Links 
 
In the News
 
Join Our List
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Our Offices

 

101 Old Short Hills Rd
Atkins-Kent Building, Suite 410
West Orange NJ 07052
973-736-1100
 
33 Overlook Rd.
MAC Building
Suite 108
Summit, NJ  07901
908-522-4558
 
696 Ave. C 
Bayonne, NJ  07002
201-339-3300
 
 
Physicians
 
Robert J. Rubino,
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
 
Audrey A. Romero, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.  
 
Lisa Abeshaus,
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
 
Jacqueline Saitta, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
 
Allan D. Kessel,
M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
 
Heavy, Painful Periods?  
 
Dr. Rubino is nationally recognized for his expertise on Her OptionŽ
 Cryoablation, a         15-minute, in-office procedure.
Click here to find out more.  
 
Permanent Birth Control 
 EssureŽ is a simple, non-invasive,
10-minute office procedure for permanent birth control (tubal ligation). Click here
 to see if Essure is
 right for you.
 
Sign up for your PHR (Personal Health Records) - right on our website:  
 
Click here

Medical Fact

 "I didn't know that!"
 The largest cell in the human body is the female ovum, or egg cell. It is about 1/180 inch in diameter. The smallest cell in the human body is the male sperm. It takes about 175,000 sperm cells to weigh as much as a single egg cell.
SEPTEMBER2010
  
 
     
As summer comes to an end, we symbolically celebrate the end of the season with Labor Day - one more reason to enjoy picnics, parties, the beach and the beautiful weather.
 
This month, we discuss how to manipulate your period, explain Preeclampsia and provide a guide on understanding food nutrition labels. Our "Meet the Staff" section highlights Grace D'Arcangelo, talented and professional bookkeeper and receptionist. And don't forget to read this month's medical "I didn't know that!"
 
If there is topic you would like covered in our newsletter, please e-mail us at newsletter@rubinoobgyn.com.
 
As always, we will continue to provide topics that are current, informative and important to your good health.  
 
Sincerely,
Robert J. Rubino, MD and Staff
Is it Possible to Manipulate My Period
A common question we receive during gynecology appointments is how to manipulate your period for either a special event, occasion or travel if taking birth control pills
 
Changing your menstual cycle while on the pill is safe and not difficult. The birth control pill was designed to regulate your period. The pill typically consists of 3 weeks of "active" pills and one week of a placebo which is the week you menstruate.
 
To manipulate your cycle, simply skip the week of the placebo pills and instead, start your new pack of active pills in place of your placebos. This will allow you to skip your menstrual cycle for that month. When you are ready to start your cycle normally again, incorporate the week of placebos back into your routine.
 
This tactic only works if you are  already taking birth control pills. If you are not yet using oral contraceptives, start taking them at least a month or two prior to your event or occasion.
 
If you have additional questions, make an appointment with one of our doctors to review this process or to prescribe the right oral contraceptive for you.
Preeclampsia - What is it?
My girlfriend had Preeclampsia with her baby, what is it? 
 
Preecclampsia is a condition in which a pregnant woman has high blood pressure and protein in their urine. It often occurs in a first pregnancy in younger mom's and also in mom's over 35 (although it can occur at any age).  It often occurs in the late second or third trimester. Possible causes of preeclampsia are auto-immune disorders, blood vessel problems, diet and genetics.
 
Typically the condition appears as high blood pressure, with swelling of the hands and face, and an associated headache with blurry vision and sometimes a right upper quadrant pain. Additional symptoms of preeclampsia can include:
  • Weight gain (more than 2 pounds per week) or sudden weight gain in a span of 1-2 days
  • Abdominal pain, mostly felt on the right side, underneath the ribs. Pain may also be felt in the right shoulder, and can be confused with heartburn, gallbladder pain, a stomach virus, or the baby kicking
  • Agitation
  • Decreased urine output, not urinating very often
  • Nausea and vomiting (worrisome sign)
  • Vision changes -- temporary loss of vision, sensations of flashing lights, auras, light sensitivity, spots, and blurry vision
At home treatments for mild preeclampsia include bed rest in very early pregnancy, drinking extra water, eating less salt, following-up with your doctor often and taking medicines to lower your blood pressure (in some cases).
 
If left unchecked, it can progress to Eclampsia, which can result in seizures.
For more serious conditions, an IV of Magnesium and/or steroids may be given to prevent seizures. Delivery is the only cure.
 
If you are concerned you might have preeclampsia, talk to one of our doctors immediately.
How to Read a Nutrition Label
A nutrition label, included on manufactured or prepared foods, showsBilof the nutritional value of a consumable product as a percentage of the daily nutrition values that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends for a healthy diet.
 
Your cheat sheet to a healthy diet
Learning how to read a nutrition label will allow you to make the best choices for a healthy diet.
 
Serving Size: The first label is the serving size, measured in standardized metrics. It is important to understand how many servings are in one package. This is often a tricky tactic used by manufacturers. For example, one bottle of Snapple contains two servings - which means you need to double the values in the nutrition label to know the totals you are consuming in one bottle.
 
Calories
:  This measurement shows the amount of calories or "energy" you are getting per serving. It will also tell you how many of those calories are from fat. It's important to monitor fat percentage and ensure it is not the bulk of your calories. As a general guide per serving, 40 calories is low, 100 calories is moderate and 400 calories or more is considered high. High calorie diets contribute to gaining weight or struggling with obesity.
 
Total Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium: The FDA recommends you  "limit these nutrients". Eating too much fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, or sodium may increase your risk of certain chronic diseases, like heart disease, some cancers, or high blood pressure.  Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol as low as possible as part of a nutritionally balanced diet.
 
Total Carbohydrate including Fiber and Sugar: Carbohydrate totals include fiber and sugar found in a food. Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. Generally speaking, it is recommended you eat foods with at least 2 grams of fiber. Sugar is a hidden hazard often found in packaged goods. It is recommended that you try to consume food with no more than 4 grams of sugar (1 TBSP) per serving and avoid foods with high fructose corn syrup.
 
Protein & Vitamins:  Protein and vitamins are key to a healthy diet. Protein helps build muscle and, along with fiber, contributes to keeping your body fuller, longer. The higher the protein, the better. The FDA also recommends you get enough of Vitamin A and C, Calcium and Iron to improve your health and help reduce the risk of some diseases and conditions.
 
DV and % of DV: the footnote at the bottom of each nutrition label is a guide to the recommended % daily value of each nutrient based on a 2,000 calorie diet. It will give a DV (daily value), % of daily value and your daily "goal" for consumption of these nutrients. For example, the recommended amount of total carbohydrate per day is 300g (DV) or 100%, with at least 25g (DV) of Dietary Fiber or 100%. The breakdown for each of the above labels tells you what percentage of that daily value you are consuming by eating that packaged food per serving. If you add these DVs and percentages daily, you will know when you have consumed enough of each nutrient.
Note: Trans fat, sugars and protein have no % DV. Protein is not a concern for over-consumption unless in infants or children under 4. Trans fat and sugars are not recommended nutrients.
 
When choosing foods to eat, try to choose the healthiest options that offer you the best nutrients and ingredients and limit the fat and sugar.
Meet the Staff
This month we highlight Grace D'Arcangelo, bookkeeper and receptionist for The Rubino Group and Dr. Rubino's older sister.
 
Grace is an elementary school teacher by trade and taught primary grades for ten years before leaving to stay home full time with her children. When her children entered middle school, Dr. Rubino took over the practice from John Comerci and Grace decided to return to the work force as part-time bookkeeper for the practice.  Soon after, Rob decided to experiment with a satellite office in Summit and Grace worked as a receptionist one night a week during scheduling. 
Grace loved the patient interaction and really enjoyed the feeling of being  a part of a growing medical practice. On a personal note, it was also a revelation to see her brother in his professional element. She certainly knew he was an accomplished physician and top surgeon but to witness his commitment to women's health was a wonder and source of pride to the older sister who knew him growing up. Rob's attention to cutting edge therapies and technologies to give modern women quality of life and health never ceases to amaze her.
The staff is another source of attraction to Grace. She appreciates working with the group's devoted physicians and support staff.   It is a busy, but truly positive work environment.
In her personal life, Grace has been married to her husband Fred for 31 years. They have a son and daughter of whom they are very proud. In addition, Grace and Fred love traveling, gardening and music...and their other shared passion is their friends and family... especially the Rubino family.
Her Option Cryoablation Thank You Program
If you have a friend or family member that is suffering from heavy, painful periods and is a candidate for Her Option Cryoablation, they can simply make an appointment with The Rubino OB/GYN Group for a consultation to see if the procedure is right for them.
 
As a thank you being an ambassador for good health, The Rubino Group is offering a $100 gift card* to anyone referring someone for the procedure.
 
*The procedure must be completed and performed by The Rubino OB/GYN Group prior to receiving the gift card. The referral should use the person's name (that referred them) when booking the procedure to ensure gift card is issued.
Office Announcements
Maternal Products for Sale
We offer several products for our pregnant patients right on our website (available for purchase at each office location). They also make great gift ideas for family or friends. Check it out!
 
The Rubino Group Partners with Relay Health
You can now access your personal health records through Relay Health, a secure, online health information portal, right on nav bar of our website.
  
Save Time With Our Online Appointments, Consultations and Personal Health Records
To schedule online appointments, consultations or view your personal health records at your convenience, just visit the home page of www.rubinoobgyn.com. You can also call 973-736-1100 now to schedule an appointment at any of our three locations. 

"Important Announcements" on Our Website
You can find important new developments and time-sensitive announcements (such as office closings) right on the upper right hand portion of our home page.