Congratulations to Dr. Dudley Stone of Coastal Pediatrics on being voted Savannah’s Best Pediatrician in Savannah Magazine’s “Best of Savannah” September/October 2018 issue.

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Coastal Pediatrics has offices in Savannah & Pooler.

Call to set up an appointment with Dr. Stone: (912) 353-7744

Stay connected with Coastal Pediatrics & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Coastal Pediatrics on Facebook here. 

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Learn more about Coastal Pediatrics here.

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler Street
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler, GA 31322

Coastal Pediatrics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Congratulations to Savannah pediatrician Dr. Ben Spitalnick of Pediatric Associates of Savannah on another Best of Savannah award in Savannah Magazine.

New to the area & in need of a pediatrician? Pediatric Associates of Savannah has offices in Savannah, the Islands and Pooler. Learn more here.

Stay connected with Pediatric Associates of Savannah & informed about children’s health news, by ‘liking’ Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Facebook here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.comOn Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

As parents, you know emergency room visits usually result in a wait time of more than seven hours.

That’s too long if your child is sick or hurt.

Which is why we’re relieved to see that SouthCoast Health is expanding its non-emergent, urgent care-style services with additional locations now available in Savannah, Hinesville, Richmond Hill, and Rincon.

These new locations are for for non-routine medical needs that do not require a visit to the emergency room. Think sprains; earaches; sore throats, colds, fevers; cuts and minor lacerations; vomitting/diarrhea.

Expert physicians, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and medical professionals of SouthCoast Health’s Urgent Care clinic are available to treat you with the convenience of walk-in appointments, minimal waiting and at a lower cost than emergency rooms.

Patients ages 14 and older can visit the Savannah, Hinesville, and Richmond Hill locations. Urgent care for pediatrics is available at the Rincon, Richmond Hill, and Savannah locations.

Visit the SouthCoast Health website here for specific hours and addresses for Urgent Care locations. You can use online reservations to schedule urgent care visits. That means doing the majority of your waiting from home and avoiding the long wait time of an emergency room for non-routine medical needs.

When existing patients use SouthCoast Health Urgent Care, the staff can access the patients’ medical records and update with details of their urgent care visits. SouthCoast Health Urgent Care allows new patients the opportunity to get established with a primary care doctor who can help manage and maintain the patients’ future health and wellness goals.

THESE URGENT CARE SERVICES ARE OPEN TO ALL PATIENTS. (You do not need to be an existing SouthCoast patient)

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SouthCoast Urgent Care Locations

SouthCoast Health Savannah Campus, Building 1, 1326 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 1 912.691.4100 (Ages 14 & older)
Savannah, GA SouthCoast Health Pediatrics, Savannah, Eisenhower Drive Medical Center, 310 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 16 912.303.3500 (Kids)
Rincon, GA SouthCoast Health Pediatrics, Rincon, 814 Towne Park Dr East 912.826.4866 (Kids)
Hinesville, GA SouthCoast Health, Hinesville Suite 203, Liberty Medical Office Building, 455 South Main St, Ste 203 912.876.3552 (Ages 14 & older)
Richmond Hill, GA SouthCoast Health Richmond Hill Campus, 89 Interchange Dr 912.527.5301 (Adults & Kids)

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Coastal Pediatrics in Savannah & Pooler is one of the first pediatricians offices in our area to have the flu shot available this flu season.

Coastal Pediatrics first flu clinic of the 2018-2019 flu season is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 2018 and only flu shots will be provided. No FluMist will be available at all this season.

If you cannot make it to the flu clinic on Sept. 22, there will have another flu clinic on Sat. Oct. 27 and additional weekday options available in the future, but those have yet to be determined. Flu shots also available @ regularly scheduled well and sick appointments.

Please use the online scheduler and avoid calling the office to schedule flu appointments, if possible.

Children must be 6 months old or older to receive the flu shot. Click here to schedule your child or children’s appointment(s) for this flu vaccine. Flu shots are also available to parents who would like to receive them for $40. The flu clinics are only open to Coastal Pediatrics patients and their caregivers.  Please arrive a few minutes prior to your appointment to complete your required forms.

If you are attending the Saturday flu clinic, there will be raffles for gift cards and giveaways, as well as snacks and trips to the treasure chest, so don’t miss out.

▪ Important: Your child CANNOT receive the flu shot if they have a severe allergy to eggs or a serious adverse/allergic reaction to a previous flu shot. Please click here for more information regarding the flu shot.

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Learn more about Coastal Pediatrics here.

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler Street
Savannah, GA 31405

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler, GA 31322

Coastal Pediatrics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

We appreciate the Keep Your Child Safe this School season post on the SouthCoast Health Web site here as we know school safety is prevalent on the minds of parents at the start of the school season. Topics covered include how to deal with bullying.

SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. William Webb

“Education is incredibly important for children,” explains SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. William Webb. “But equally as important is establishing a feeling of safety, especially in their school environment. Not feeling safe can seriously impact a child’s ability to learn, develop, and grow.”

Help your student feel comfortable and secure at school by following these tips here. 

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SouthCoast Health Pediatrics locations

Savannah: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Savannah
Eisenhower Drive Medical Center
310 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 16
912.303.3500

Richmond Hill: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Richmond Hill
St. Joseph’s / Candler Medical Office Park
10055 Ford Ave,Ste 4A
912.527.5352

Rincon: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Rincon
814 Towne Park Dr East
912.826.4866

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

As part of SouthernMamas.com “Ask Me Anything” series with pediatricians @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah, PC, SouthernMamas.com readers submitted questions for an exclusive Q&A with Savannah pediatrician Dr. Chintak B. Patel.

Great questions. Great responses by Dr. Patel. Thanks everyone for participating.

See the video of Dr. Patel answering questions submitted by SouthernMamas.com readers here.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Do you notice…
frequent urination day or night?
difficulty emptying your bladder?
a “falling out” feeling in your pelvis?
trouble with constipation?
difficulty controlling bowel movements?

Do you have…
painful urination?
painful bowel movements?
painful intercourse?
pain in your genitals?
pain when you squat and/or stand?

Do you ever leak urine…
when you cough or sneeze?
on the way to the bathroom?
when you stand up?
during exercise?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, these symptoms could be related to your pelvic floor muscles, which are basically a bowl-shaped set of muscles that support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right. There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor and I’m proud to be one.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options. There’s significant and exciting research out there about treatments for urinary incontinence and pelvic pain.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Beloved Savannah pediatrician Dr. Ben Spitalnik @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah shares everything you need to know about the upcoming flu vaccine season here. 

Find out here who should get the flu vaccine; when the best time is for your child to get the flu vaccine; the flu shot vs. nasal flu spray vaccine; how effective the vaccine is; when the flu season typically spikes in the Savannah area.

Pediatrics Associates of Savannah locations

Pediatric Associates in Savannah
4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100,
Savannah 31404
912.355.2462

Pediatric Associates of Savannah in Pooler
110 Medical Park Drive
Pooler 31322
912.330.5010

Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Whitemarsh Is.
1001 Memorial Dr
Savannah 31410
912.898.9800

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Here’s your chance to have an exclusive Q&A with Savannah pediatrician Dr. Chintak B. Patel @ Pediatric Associates of Savannah.

Follow this link to submit your question for the chance to have it answered by Dr. Patel.

On Aug. 29, check back on the SouthernMamas Facebook page for the video of Dr. Patel answering your questions. The video with answers to your questions will also be spotlighted in the SouthernMamas.com Weekly e-letter to our subscribers on Wed. Aug. 29.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Are you having low back or pelvic pain and are pregnant? With an increase in the hormone relaxin making our joints and ligaments have more laxity and the increase in weight and size of our abdomens, pregnancy puts great demand on our bodies.

The good news is that physical therapy could be the answer. Yes, that’s right. There are physical therapists who specialize in treating the pelvic floor and I’m proud to be one.

At your first visit, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options.

Physical therapists can teach you exercises to help strengthen your core and hips as your baby and belly are growing! We can also teach you safer ways to move to protect the spine. If needed, we can even try some taping techniques or instruct in braces that may help to take some load off of your spine or to help stabilize your pelvis. Pregnancy should be an exciting time in your life. Don’t let pain take that away from you.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We appreciate the Safe Sleep post by Savannah pediatrician Dr Brandy Gheesling on the Pediatric Associates of Savannah web site here.

Dr. Gheesling writes: “As I prepare for the arrival of my third child, I have been busy getting everything together for the nursery. There are so many different gadgets and sleeping devices available, so I thought it would be a good time to review what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends for safe sleep. “

“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby less than 1 year of age that usually occurs while they are sleeping.  Sadly, per the AAP Policy Statement on SIDS published in 2016, “Approximately 3,500 infants die annually in the US from sleep related deaths, including SIDS and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.”   

Dr. Gheesling reminds us that parents’ behaviors and health can also affect our baby’s SIDS risk.

“Parents should avoid smoke exposure, alcohol, and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.Pregnant women should obtain regular and early prenatal care. Breastfeeding is recommended and has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS by 50% if the baby is exclusively breastfed for the first month of life,” writes Dr. Gheesling.

Read Dr. Gheesling’s Safe Sleep post in its entirety here.

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Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Looking for a pediatrician in the Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill area?

Below is some help. (Need a pediatric dentist? Find that list here.)

SouthCoast Health Pediatrics locations

Savannah: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Savannah
Eisenhower Drive Medical Center
310 Eisenhower Dr, Bldg 16
912.303.3500

Richmond Hill: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Richmond Hill
St. Joseph’s / Candler Medical Office Park
10055 Ford Ave,Ste 4A
912.527.5352

Rincon: SouthCoast Health Pediatrics Rincon
814 Towne Park Dr East
912.826.4866

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Coastal Pediatrics locations

Coastal Pediatrics- Savannah
2 Wheeler St.
Savannah 31405
912.353.7744

Coastal Pediatrics- Pooler
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Building 1000B
Pooler 31322
912.353.7744

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Pediatrics Associates of Savannah locations

Pediatric Associates in Savannah
4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100,
Savannah 31404
912.355.2462

Pediatric Associates of Savannah in Pooler
110 Medical Park Drive
Pooler 31322
912.330.5010

Pediatric Associates of Savannah on Whitemarsh Is.
1001 Memorial Dr
Savannah 31410
912.898.9800

SouthCoast Health, Coastal Pediatrics & Pediatrics Associates of Savannah are SouthernMamas.com advertisers 

The following is one of a series of weekly guest posts for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

See more of these guest posts here.

Have you ever done Kegel exercises? Kegels are exercises that target the pelvic floor, which are basically a bowl-shaped set of muscles that support your bladder, bowel, rectum and uterus.

But even if you regularly do Kegels, you could still suffer from urinary incontinence or pelvic pain or overactive bladder. The reason could be that you’re not firing your pelvic floor muscles properly. As many as 1 out of 2 women do not properly activate their pelvic floor muscles.

As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I can work with you one-on-one to make sure you are successfully activating your pelvic floor. It can be accomplished in as little as one visit!

At Optim Therapy’s Pelvic Health & Wellness Program, our goal is to provide a comfortable environment with individualized treatment programs to make sure you receive the most from each of your visits.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

You asked and baby expert Dr. Brandy Gheesling has answered!

Thank you for submitting your questions to our Pediatric Associates of Savannah Q&A.

Here’s the video of Dr. Gheesling answering questions submitted by SouthernMamas.com readers.

Pediatric Associates of Savannah, 4600 Waters Ave, Suite 100 Savannah, 31404-6702, (912) 355-2462, www.pedsav.com On Facebook here.  Pediatric Associates of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The following is a guest post for SouthernMamas.com by Stacey McKenzie, Physical Therapist
Optim Therapy in Savannah
Pelvic Health & Wellness Program

Your pelvic floor muscles are very important.  They support your internal organs, give you urinary and fecal continence, and help to stabilize your core.  So why don’t we hear about exercise programs for the pelvic floor? Just like your other muscles, you need to work on getting them stronger.

Let’s use our bicep muscle as an example.  When you bend your arm, your bicep muscle has to contract (or shorten) and this will lift your arm.  If you couldn’t lift your arm or you had pain, you’d be very concerned, right?

Can your pelvic floor muscles contract through their full range of motion?  Are you leaking urine or having pain in your pelvic region? It could mean your pelvic floor muscles might not be strong enough or you might not be firing them properly.  As a pelvic floor therapist, I can examine you and teach you the proper way to fire your pelvic floor muscles.

Besides being able to contract a muscle, you also have to be able to relax it.  Going back to the bicep muscle example, for you to be able to straighten your elbow all of the way, the bicep muscle has to relax.  If there are any tight parts in the bicep muscle, it may hurt to straighten your arm or it may feel tight. These restrictions can lead to pain, altered movement, and further dysfunction.   

Your pelvic floor muscles are just like any other muscle in your body.  They have to be able to fully contract and fully relax. The overall tone and mobility of the muscles cannot be hindered or this could lead to dysfunction (i.e. urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, etc.).

At your first visit to Optim Therapy’s Pelvic Health & Wellness Program, I’ll meet with you for an evaluation in a private, closed-door environment. We’ll talk one-on-one and go over all your treatment options.

Optim Therapy in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser