The Quarterly Checkup

Calvin & Hobbes
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Do you recognize this child? We do! As pediatricians we see this almost every day. And as parents this has been our child too. Don’t be embarrassed if this looks like your child, though, most kids do this at one time or another. So grin and bear it. Like everything else, it will get better with time.

Almaden Pediatrics Teen Beat

We love our pre-teen and teen patients! While they are sure to give their parents a few extra headaches and take a little more room in our office, they are an important part of our Almaden Pediatrics family and they have very special needs.

Shots for Pre-Teens and Teens

Shots are not just for babies anymore. When the subject of immunizations comes up, we tend to think of the shots given to infants and young children. Over the last few years, several new recommendations have been made regarding new vaccines and boosters for pre-teens and teens. If you have a child 11 years or older you will want to make sure they have received the following vaccines:
Immunization Description
MeningitisOne injection for all teens ages 11 through 18, college freshmen who will be or are living in dormitories, and those with certain special medical conditions. Many colleges now require this vaccine.
Tetanus & Pertussis (Whooping cough) One injection at 11 years and booster every 10 years after.
Chicken Pox Now given as a two-dose series. Any teenager who was vaccinated as a child and received only a single dose should get a second dose now. Teens who have not received the vaccine and not had chicken pox should receive two shots at least one month apart.
Gardasil (HPV)For females 11 years and older, this is a series of 3 shots that will help prevent cervical cancer. Adolescent boys can get the Gardasil brand of the HPV vaccine to prevent genital warts.
Hepatitis A Two shots, 6 months apart.

Teen Check-ups

Starting at age 13, we recommend yearly check-ups for our teenage patients. This is a time of rapid changes both physically and emotionally and it is important to check in more frequently with our teen patients and their families. We encourage you to check with our office to make sure your pre-teen/teen is up to date on shots and that they have had a recent physical.

For your daughters: When to see a gynecologist or have a Pap Test

Recent guidelines recommend the first Pap Test at 21 years of age in otherwise healthy females. If your daughter is experiencing any difficulties, please feel free to make an appointment with us to go over the problem and determine if your daughter needs to see a gynecologist. We understand the sensitive nature of this issue and encourage any patients who would feel more comfortable seeing a woman to make an appointment with Dr. Michelle or one of our Nurse Practitioners.

Office News & Reminders

Please bring your insurance card to every visit so that we may verify your coverage. If we do not have the proper insurance information at the time of the visit you may be charged for the visit. Please understand that we deal with hundreds of different insurance plans that are changing daily so we are unable to know the specifics of any one plan.

Flu shots are here! Click here for information on our flu shot clinics.

Congratulations to Dr. Pete once again voted a Family Favorite 2010 by Bay Area Parent readers. Thanks to all who voted for him. Next year we are going for gold!

New at Almaden Pediatrics

We are excited to announce two new Mothers’ Support Groups at Almaden Pediatrics Wednesday evenings from 7–8:30pm.

All Mom’s Support Group

Each evening will be an open opportunity for asking questions and sharing experiences and wisdom. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet other women/mothers in your community/neighborhood. This is a safe space in which you can share thoughts, feelings or simply space with other women. Topics introduced for discussion include: Relationships, Body Image, Nutrition, Wearing your baby (Slings, etc.), Nurturing Self, How to Bring Balance into Your Life.

Led by Jennifer Penick, R.Y.T. of Inner Reflection. Jennifer, a mother of 5 children, has lived with her family in Almaden for 13 years. She is co-founder of Harmony Birth and Family in Campbell, CA. and has been teaching prenatal and postnatal yoga, dance, and movement classes for 10 years.

All Mom’s Support Group meets every other Wednesday. $10.00 fee pre-registration is requested. To sign up, email or call Jennifer at 408-365-4905. For more information on Jennifer Penick or to sign up for Reflection Newsletters visit inner-reflection.com.

Working Mom’s Group

A support group for working mothers who are looking for information, connection, support, and friendship. This time is a much-needed sanity check about issues of sleep, eating, breastfeeding, family, healthcare, getting into shape, birth healing, friends, and much, much more. The challenges catch many off-guard, and the hormonal or physical reaction some experience can be overwhelming at times. In this welcoming environment, we will discuss the highs and lows of your experience of becoming a mother while delicately balancing the role of a working Mom.

Working Mom's Group meets every other Wednesday. There is no age restriction for babies. Pre-registration is required. The cost is on a sliding scale of $10–$20 per visit. To sign up for the Working Mom’s group, email or call Bridget Owen, MH, CLC at 408-529-7949.

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