A copper intrauterine device (IUD) prevents pregnancy by changing the lining of your uterus to stop sperm from reaching the egg. This pamphlet explains how well it works, pros and cons, what will happen when the IUD is put in, what happens after, movement or loss of the IUD, and removal. The French version of this pamphlet 2021, "Dispositif intra-utérin en cuivre (DIU)", is also available.
A hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) is a small device made of flexible plastic with a hormone called levonorgestrel. The hormone changes the lining of your uterus to stop sperm from reaching the egg. This pamphlet explains how it works, how well it works, pros and cons, what will happen when the IUD is inserted, what happens after, movement or loss of the IUD, and removal. The French version of this pamphlet 2019, "Dispositif hormonal intra-utérin (avec lévonorgestrel) (DIU)", is also availabl…
A stillbirth is when a baby dies after the 20th week of pregnancy, during pregnancy, labour, or birth. There is no way to predict that this will happen. In Nova Scotia, there are about 6 stillbirths each month. You are not alone. This pamphlet answers some common questions you may have after a stillbirth. It also includes a list of books for suggested reading and a list of support groups.
After pregnancy loss, you may experience grief and many other emotions. You may have questions about the reason for your loss. This is common. Often, health care providers do not know exactly why pregnancy loss happens. This pamphlet gives basic information about pregnancy loss. You may need a different treatment (like medication and/or surgery) depending on your type of loss.
After early pregnancy loss, you may wait for the tissue to pass on its own (expectant management), take medication called misoprostol (medical management), or be scheduled for a surgery called a dilation and curettage (D and C). This pamphlet explains what will happen with each of the 3 options. Possible complications, discharge instructions, and what to do in an emergency are listed. A list of local resources is given.
Your health care provider has talked with you about why your eye or the contents of your eye must be removed. This pamphlet will help you learn how to safely care for yourself after your procedure. The medical term for eye removal is enucleation. The medical term for removing the contents of the eye and leaving the outer coat (sclera) behind is evisceration. Both procedures mean permanent loss of the eye. This pamphlet explains what will happen before and after your surgery, including wearing a…
A stroke happens when there is a loss of blood flow to the brain. This causes brain cells to die. Your symptoms after a stroke will depend on where your brain was damaged and the size of the damaged area. The blood supply to the brain can be cut off in 2 ways. When a blood clot forms on or in the wall of a blood vessel and stops blood from getting to part of the brain, it is called an ischemic stroke (or brain infarct). When a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in and/or around the brain, it…
The space at the front of the eye between the cornea and the iris is called the anterior chamber. Hyphema is when there is blood in the anterior chamber. Bleeding may cause the pressure in your eye to get worse. This can cause permanent vision loss and other serious problems. Hyphema is usually caused by a blunt injury (injury caused by a very strong force). It is very important to follow directions from your health care team to help stop your eye from bleeding again. This pamphlet explains how…
There is no right way to feel after a miscarriage. Some people may recover quickly, while others take a long time. Some may cope well at the time, but find the pain of their loss hits them later. You are not alone. About 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and we do not always know why. Nothing you did or did not do is likely to have caused the miscarriage. This pamphlet answers some common questions you may have and describes what to expect if you experience pregnancy loss. A list of sympt…
When you are caring for a grieving child, you may sometimes feel like you do not know how to help them. It can be painful to see their sadness, but you can help. If you try to connect with your child, then you can help them through grief and loss. This pamphlet explains how you can help when your child is coping with disease, dying, the death of a loved one, and grief. Tips for developmental stages (pre-school aged children, school aged children, and pre-teens to teenagers) are included. A list…
Light is reflected from objects and enters the pupil. It passes through the lens and vitreous (clear jelly-like fluid) onto your retina. Your retina changes light into a message. The optic nerve carries the message to your brain. When the brain receives the message, you have vision. Your retina is as thin as tissue paper. Change or damage to the retina can cause vision loss. This pamphlet explains how you can tell if your retina is damaged, what kinds of damage can happen to the retina, and typ…
This guide explains levels of limb amputation, who is on your health care team, what will happen before surgery, and what to expect after surgery.
The Urgent Eye Clinic provides medical, surgical, and emergency eye care. It is also called the Red Eye Clinic. The Clinic is run by a team of staff and resident ophthalmologists (eye doctors), nurses, and orthoptists (eye health professionals who specialize in how your eyes move and your vision develops). You must be referred to the Clinic by a doctor, an eye care provider, or another health care provider. Your appointment time will be based on how serious the issue is. This pamphlet explains …
This guide will help you understand what will happen before and after your surgery, how you may feel, how to care for your amputation, and how to adapt your lifestyle to this change.
Your vision must meet certain standards for you to have a driver’s licence in Nova Scotia. This explains the tests that may be used to see if it is still safe for you to drive is given.
Depression is a treatable brain illness that can cause feeling sad or low most of the day, having little energy, loss of interest in your usual activities, trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time, eating a lot more or a lot less, and poor concentration. This pamphlet explains what causes depression, how it is treated, and where you can get help.
This pamphlet describes how you may feel after the death of a loved one. Topics include physical changes, emotions, what you can do, and grief. Positive ways of coping are given that may help you on your journey. The French version of this pamphlet 1961, "Sur le chemin de la vie", is also available.
La présente ressource traite de la façon dont vous pourriez vous sentir après la mort d’un proche. On y traite des pensées qui peuvent vous habiter, des sentiments couramment ressentis et des changements physiques que vous pourriez constater. On y présente aussi des stratégies d’adaptation positives pour vous aider dans votre cheminement. ; This is a French translation of the English pamphlet 0511, “Life is a Journey”. This pamphlet describes how you may feel after the death of a loved one. Top…
Losing your sight can be upsetting. You may feel scared, sad, or frustrated – this is normal. This pamphlet gives information and advice from health care professionals on adjusting to vision loss. Topics include types of vision loss, tips for getting used to vision loss (like staying safe at home, and using supportive and adaptable technology), and how vision loss affects your loved ones. Examples of computer software, apps, and things you can use at home are provided. Information on CNIB suppo…
Il peut être bouleversant de perdre la vue. Vous pourriez ressentir de la peur, de la tristesse ou de la frustration – cela est normal. Cette brochure fournit de l’information et les conseils de professionnels de la santé sur l’adaptation à une perte de vision. On y traite des types de perte de vision, des conseils pour s’y adapter (comme rester en sécurité à la maison et utiliser la technologie d’assistance adaptable) et de la façon dont la perte de vision affecte vos proches. On y fournit des…