Posted at 08:39h
in
Health,
Preeclampsia
Hey Mama! May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It’s time to focus on the signs of high blood pressure, the risks, and what you can do to avoid it. This is especially important information for pregnant and postpartum women!
High blood pressure during pregnancy is called preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a part of a spectrum of high blood pressure disorders that occurs during pregnancy: gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy), preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome.
Posted at 10:50h
in
Health,
Postpartum
C-sections (cesarean sections) are fairly common these days. So common that some people may think having one is a breeze and the recovery is uncomplicated. But, a c-section is actually abdominal surgery.
Posted at 11:50h
in
Health,
Postpartum
New mothers sometimes forget… since it took 9 months for your body to grow and develop a baby, it can also take months to feel “normal” again after giving birth. If you’re breastfeeding, you may not feel “back to normal” until after you’ve weaned. Many women never look and feel the same after giving birth. And, truly, why should we? A woman has grown, nurtured, and given birth to another person from her own body. As a result of this physiological process, some bodily changes will be temporary, others permanent. We encourage new mothers to embrace this reality and accept it as a loving initiation into motherhood.
Posted at 09:46h
in
Health,
Pregnancy
Attention new and seasoned mothers! Did you know there is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant? Yep, that means put down the cocktail for the mocktail and trade-in regular beer for non-alcoholic beer. If you enjoy wine, try the growing array of red and white wines where the alcohol has been removed.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).¹
Cigarette smoking is one of the hardest habits to quit. Many smokers who successfully kick the habit lament that quitting smoking is like saying goodbye to an old friend. It takes a lot of personal strength and willpower to quit, as well as the right support system. If you’re smoking and pregnant, we hope there’s information here that will give you the conviction to quit.
What Foods and Beverages Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
It might be a little unnerving to know that your unborn baby can be affected by a food borne illness when you don’t become sick or show symptoms of infection. Tragically, some food borne illnesses can cause devastating and permanent effects to a baby, like neurological damage and developmental delays. Sometimes the damage from an infection is obvious at birth; sometimes it takes years to become apparent.
What happens at Postpartum Checkups?
After you give birth to your baby, you might be wondering how many postpartum checkups you’ll have. All mothers will have an initial checkup one to three days after giving birth. You will have a bedside visit from your provider if...
What is Maternal Mortality?
In the United States, the month of February honors black history; the contributions and sacrifices African Americans have made for our country. It’s also a brief moment when we can shine a spotlight on the healthcare disparities amongst the melting pot of...
Posted at 12:02h
in
Health,
Pregnancy
September 12-18 is Folic Acid Awareness Week with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network.
Hey Mama! Did you know that all women of reproductive age should be taking 400 mcg of folic acid every day?¹ This is because many women are nutrient deficient in folic...
If you have a new cancer diagnosis, talk to your doctor about ways you can preserve your fertility before treatment.
Hey Mama! In honor of National Cancer Survivor Day on June 4, 2023, let’s take a closer look at how cancer affects a woman’s fertility and some of the current options to preserve it.