22
Jul
9 out of 10 pregnant women with acute Hepatitis B infections pass the infection on to their babies.¹
In many regions of the world, viral Hepatitis infections are common. Some people become sick from the infection while others do not. Without screening, many people do not know if they carry the infection or are passing it to their families and communities. This is why July 28th is celebrated as World Hepatitis Day; a chance to bring awareness to the disease, its prevention and treatment.
15
Jul
Mothers who test positive for GBS and receive antibiotics during labor have a 1 in 4000 chance of a baby with GBS disease. Mothers who test positive for GBS and don’t receive antibiotics during labor have a 1 in 200 chance of a baby with GBS disease.²
July is Group B Strep (GBS) Awareness month; a good time to shed a little light on what it is and how to reduce the risk of GBS affecting your newborn.
08
Jul
It’s your first summer with the new baby and you may be wondering about the latest guidance on sun protection for newborns.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommend keeping babies 6 months old or younger out of direct sunlight. When adequate shade or clothing isn’t possible, applying a small amount of mineral based sunscreen (containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) on exposed skin is okay.
03
Jul
Years ago, the medical community didn’t know the value of a newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood. It was thrown away with the placenta after birth. Now, we know the potential life saving benefits of umbilical cord blood; for use by the person it comes from, family members, and the general public.
24
Jun
Know Your Status! HIV positive women who know their status and take HIV medications during pregnancy and delivery significantly reduce transmission of HIV...
17
Jun
One in three children are infected with CMV by age 5 - and - half of adults have CMV by age 40.¹
This June we’re bringing awareness to the Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a very common virus in the Herpes family, that can cause congenital problems in an unborn baby and serious health problems in newborns. Getting educated on the signs of CMV in babies can help reduce long term issues by getting treatment early.
10
Jun
When a mother feels supported by her partner during pregnancy, she experiences less stress. This is great for mother, baby and partner!
During the month of June, we celebrate Father’s Day. Let’s shine a light on all the wonderful ways partners support and show love to their pregnant significant others!
03
Jun
If you have a new cancer diagnosis, talk to your doctor about ways you can preserve your fertility before treatment.
In honor of National Cancer Survivor Day on June 2, 2024, let’s take a closer look at how cancer affects a woman’s fertility and some of the current options to preserve it.
27
May
No family, friend or partner wants to think about the possibility of their loved one suffering from postpartum psychosis. And, the truth is, it’s rare, affecting 1-2 women out of 1000. Perhaps the most famous case of postpartum psychosis is that of Andrea Yates, a mother of 5, who drowned each of her children in the family bathtub. They ranged in ages from 7 years old to 6 months.
Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate hospitalization and pharmaceutical treatment such as mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medications. PPP most often occurs in the first 2 weeks postpartum and the risk is increased with multiple pregnancies.¹
20
May
In honor of Maternal Mental Health in May, let’s look more closely at postpartum anxiety, panic, and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). Postpartum anxiety, panic and OCD are part of a broader classification of postpartum mood disorders, which also includes postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum anxiety disorders are very common in women, often occurring immediately or within 4-6 weeks after giving birth. Postpartum anxiety is characterized by fearful and distressing thoughts or feelings after the birth of the baby.
13
May
Feeling down after giving birth? The hormonal fluctuations after giving birth can be a crazy ride because of the rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone that supported your pregnancy. Now that your baby is born, the high levels of these hormones are no longer needed. This phenomenon can lead to the Baby Blues, which affects 85% of postpartum women.²
07
May
New motherhood, or repeat motherhood can sure pile on the stress. Sometimes it’s so gradual that we don’t notice it until we’re barely hanging onto the pace of work and family schedules; not to mention those pesky expectations we put on ourselves! May is Maternal Mental Health month. In honor of Spring and new beginnings, let’s look at realistic ways to reduce stress, depression and anxiety in motherhood.
