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Getting An Abortion In South Africa: What You Should Know
Read More: Getting An Abortion In South Africa: What You Should KnowDespite abortions being legal – and free – in South Africa, doctors and nurses are not obligated to offer this service (kind of). As a result, many doctors and nurses refuse to conduct abortions for moral reasons, sometimes not knowing they are breaking the law. According to one estimate, only 7% of government facilities actually…
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Getting An Abortion In South Africa: What You Should Know
Read More: Getting An Abortion In South Africa: What You Should KnowDespite abortions being legal – and free – in South Africa, doctors and nurses are not obligated to offer this service (kind of). As a result, many doctors and nurses refuse to conduct abortions for moral reasons, sometimes not knowing they are breaking the law. According to one estimate, only 7% of government facilities actually…
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Research Suggests Your Brain Adapts Very Differently From First To Second Pregnancy
Read More: Research Suggests Your Brain Adapts Very Differently From First To Second PregnancyResearch has shown that pregnancy can have a big impact on your brain, priming you to bond with your little one and to tackle the parenthood challenges ahead. But a new study analysing the brains of second-time moms has uncovered even more detail about the specific changes between a woman’s first and second pregnancies. The latest data provides…
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How To Work Out Safely During The First Trimester
Read More: How To Work Out Safely During The First TrimesterYou would never attempt to run a marathon without training. So why would you attempt to tackle labour and delivery – a marathon in itself – without preparing your body? Having a fit pregnancy has little to do with maintaining your figure and more to do with strengthening the key muscles used during birth. “Labour…
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New Tools Aim to Predict Preeclampsia
Read More: New Tools Aim to Predict PreeclampsiaBrittany Barreto, Ph.D., is a podcaster, an entrepreneur, and a molecular and human geneticist. (In other words, she’s really smart.) Read her column here each month to learn about what’s happening in the world of technology and innovation in women’s health. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that affects 1 in 12 pregnancies in the…
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Know the Signs of Preeclampsia
Read More: Know the Signs of PreeclampsiaMorning sickness, exhaustion, weird food cravings, mood swings, and a super sensitive sense of smell (not a super power, trust me). If you’ve ever been pregnant — or in the vicinity of a pregnant person — you probably recognize these as pretty typical pregnancy symptoms. And, while annoying, they’re usually nothing to worry about. But…
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Halfway Through My “Normal” Pregnancy, I Was Told We’d Have to Deliver the Baby or We’d Both Die
Read More: Halfway Through My “Normal” Pregnancy, I Was Told We’d Have to Deliver the Baby or We’d Both DieAs told to Erica Rimlinger In the summer of 2015, I had big news to share with my friends, family and all my hairstyling clients: I was pregnant. My husband and I were so excited to meet our first child. I was 32 years old and healthy, and the pregnancy was going great. In my…
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HealthyWomen Statement on HHS Recommendations Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy
Read More: HealthyWomen Statement on HHS Recommendations Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination During PregnancyHealthyWomen shares the concerns of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other medical associations about the health and safety of pregnant people and newborns in the United States following the recent announcement that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will no longer recommend Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy. This decision may…
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Pregnancy Skin Problems! What To Expect And How To Handle It
Read More: Pregnancy Skin Problems! What To Expect And How To Handle ItAhh, pregnancy: the magical time when a woman grows a whole new human. That legendary pregnancy glow? Well, expect a mix of skin puzzling plot twists along the way. The reality is that fluctuating hormones can play havoc with the skin. But with the right knowledge and skincare routine, mums-to-be can navigate through these changes.…
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15 Minutes With: Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM, Talks Midwifery, Maternal Health and Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
Read More: 15 Minutes With: Jennie Joseph, LM, CPM, Talks Midwifery, Maternal Health and Maternal Mortality in the U.S.Most teenagers wrestle with what they want to do when they grow up — but not Jennie Joseph. “All my teachers and advisors were saying I should be a secretary or a teacher — and I said I’m going to be a midwife,” she recalled. “I barely knew what it was, but I knew it…
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Family Planning with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Read More: Family Planning with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)Family planning is a lot like it sounds. The process involves deciding how many children you want and when you hope to get pregnant. It sounds simple enough, but it’s actually complex. Important factors such as contraception, fertility and postpartum care are all part of the process, and as most of us know — life…
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Should You Join a Pregnancy Registry if You Have MS?
Read More: Should You Join a Pregnancy Registry if You Have MS?For many people, pregnancy is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. For one, you’re growing a tiny human in your body, which is very cool. But growing a tiny human also means a lot of changes and decisions to make regarding your health and the health of your unborn child(ren). Any considerations and concerns become even…
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WomenTalk: The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health: Maternal Health
Read More: WomenTalk: The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health: Maternal HealthDuring this three-part series of WomenTalk, we’re partnering with the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health to explore the role nurse practitioners play in contraceptive, maternal and menopause care. In the second episode in WomenTalk series, “The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health: Maternal Health,” Komkwuan Paruchabutr, DNP, FNP-BC, WHNP-BC, CNM, joins…
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FAQs About HIV and Pregnancy
Read More: FAQs About HIV and PregnancyMedically reviewed by Emily Barr, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, CNM, ACRN, FACNM, FAAN It might feel overwhelming if you’re living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and want to get pregnant. You might wonder if you could pass on the virus to your baby, or if you can keep taking your HIV medications while pregnant. These concerns…
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“We Need To Have More Open Conversations About Miscarriages, Abortions And Pregnancy”
Read More: “We Need To Have More Open Conversations About Miscarriages, Abortions And Pregnancy”Social psychologist Hilary Davies shares her experience and lays out the need for open conversations about miscarriages, abortions and pregnancy. **Trigger Warning: This personal experience piece discusses sensitive topics such as abortion, miscarriage, pregnancy and grief. Please proceed with caution and take care of yourself while reading this content.** Five uncertain days About a year…
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Postpartum Hemorrhage Is a Deadly Problem
Read More: Postpartum Hemorrhage Is a Deadly ProblemKim Ledgerwood felt her eyelids getting heavy. “I’ll just shut my eyes for a moment,” she thought. She’d just given birth. What’s one, tiny second? She wouldn’t miss a thing. Then a sharp sting across her face brought her back to the delivery room. “You have to stay awake, Kim!” Her OB-GYN was loud and…
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FAQs on Gestational Diabetes
Read More: FAQs on Gestational DiabetesAs many as 1 in 10 pregnancies will be affected by gestational diabetes. Factors like the age of the mother and rising obesity rates play a role in this increasingly common pregnancy complication. HealthyWomen spoke to Maureen E. Farrell, M.D., FACOG, an OB-GYN and Navy veteran, about what a gestational diabetes diagnosis means for you…
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Family Planning with a Chronic Health Condition
Read More: Family Planning with a Chronic Health ConditionErica Lemons knew her path to motherhood wasn’t going to be easy. But she wasn’t going to let her chronic health condition stop her from getting pregnant. “My doctor told me to talk to him before I got pregnant because of possible complications, so that’s the first thing I did,” she said. Lemons quickly learned…
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This 15-Minute Pregnancy Workout Does It All – Fast
Read More: This 15-Minute Pregnancy Workout Does It All – FastIf you’re pregnant, making time for exercise can be rewarding but difficult to achieve. Waning energy and not feeling 100% can be powerful demotivators in your fitness journey. But this 15-minute pregnancy workout is made for a slow and steady approach, so you’re working at a level that feels comfortable for you. Meet the expert:…
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10 Best Maternity Leggings For Moms-On-The-Move
Read More: 10 Best Maternity Leggings For Moms-On-The-MoveDitch the maternity myths, mama! Those “one size fits all” leggings you loved pre-bump won’t cut it anymore. As your beautiful belly grows, your workout wardrobe needs a little refresh. No more tugging up tights, flashing with rogue crop tops, or feeling like you’re suffocating mid-burpee. Enter: the glorious world of maternity leggings. We scoured…
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The Female Reproductive System
Read More: The Female Reproductive SystemMedically reviewed by Maureen Farrell, M.D. … + Slides transcript The Female Reproductive System Uterus Ovaries Fallopian tubes Cervix Vulva Mons Labia majora Labia minora Clitoris Urethra Vaginal opening Menstruation (The Period) Typically begins in females between ages 11 and 16 The average cycle is around 28 days but can range from 21 to 35…
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The 15-Minute Pregnancy Workout You Can Do At Home
Read More: The 15-Minute Pregnancy Workout You Can Do At HomeJoanie Johnson, certified personal trainer and founder of Fit Pregnancy Club in New York City, says these exercises are safe for most pregnant women—provided you get your doctor’s okay. Time: 10 Minutes | Equipment: 2-4.5 kg Dumbbell | Good For: Total Body Instructions: Start with a five-minute warmup to get your heart rate up (march in place, step…
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How Your Skin Changes During Pregnancy, Per Experts
Read More: How Your Skin Changes During Pregnancy, Per ExpertsSkin changes during pregnancy might have you thinking about stretch marks, but things go way beyond that. “The hormonal changes a woman goes through during the various stages of pregnancy may disrupt the skin’s delicate balance, resulting in anything from dehydration to breakouts and hyperpigmentation,” explains Dr Judey Pretorius, a biomedical scientist. When pregnant, your…
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“I’m Fit But Had A Rocky Pregnancy — Here’s How I Stayed In Shape”
Read More: “I’m Fit But Had A Rocky Pregnancy — Here’s How I Stayed In Shape”Being pregnant is a journey with its ups and downs. That’s how it was for fitness influencer Ophela Mhlauli, who kept up her workouts throughout the journey. Here’s how she adjusted her fitness while pregnant. Ophela Mhlauli’s first trimester When Ophela, 25, found out she was pregnant, her first trimester didn’t go as easily as…
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5 Simple Ways To Tell Exactly When You’re Ovulating
Read More: 5 Simple Ways To Tell Exactly When You’re OvulatingThere are two reasons you’ll want to know when you are ovulating: if you’re trying to fall pregnant or if you’re trying not to fall pregnant. In previous years, you’d have to rely on an old-school calendar to track your menstrual cycle. But with technology comes major perks that allow you to tell when you’re…
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The Risks of Obesity During and After Pregnancy
Read More: The Risks of Obesity During and After PregnancyShannon,* a mom of two now in her 40s, found some emotional challenges in dealing with the disease of obesity during her pregnancies, such as grieving for her lack of a “cute” baby bump. “Nobody can tell you’re pregnant … this was sad to me,” Shannon said. “I see thin women and all their cute…
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Overall Preterm Birth Rates in the United States Increased Last Year — And They Rose for Women of Color
Read More: Overall Preterm Birth Rates in the United States Increased Last Year — And They Rose for Women of Color+ Infographic text Preterm or premature birth means childbirth before the 37th week of pregnancy. 10.5% of babies in the U.S. are born preterm. Around 384,000 babies were born preterm in 2021 The earlier in pregnancy a baby is born, the more likely they are to have health problems. Babies born before 34 weeks of…
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Access, Health care, Health disparities, Labor, Labor & delivery, Newborn, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Pregnancy & parenting
Can Living in the U.S. Increase Your Risk of Preterm Birth?
Read More: Can Living in the U.S. Increase Your Risk of Preterm Birth?If you’re a woman giving birth in the United States, you’re more likely to have a preterm delivery than women in most developed nations. If you’re Black or Native American, the chances of experiencing preterm birth are even higher, along with the risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes. In 2021, a little over one in…
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Flying Pregnant? Get These Health Checks First
Read More: Flying Pregnant? Get These Health Checks FirstWhile once we thought of taking to the air as a supernatural event, catching flights is now as routine as Zooming your therapist. During your pregnancy, the health risks of flying are considerably low, depending on what kind of pregnancy you’re having (low or high risk). Before 36 weeks, you’re considered good to go –…
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Why Aren’t Pregnant Women Getting Vaccinated?
Read More: Why Aren’t Pregnant Women Getting Vaccinated?Can pregnant women get vaccinated? There is well-documented evidence of the efficacy, safety and benefits of maternal immunization. But, despite that evidence and the recommendations of healthcare providers, many pregnant women do not receive essential vaccines during pregnancy that protect their babies against influenza (flu), tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (Tdap). In 2019 and 2020,…
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Top Facts You Need to Know About Medical Abortion
Read More: Top Facts You Need to Know About Medical AbortionA medical abortion is one way to end an early pregnancy using prescription medication. Complications are very rare, and this method is considered safe and effective for most people up to 70 days of pregnancy, or about 9 to 10 weeks since their last period. In 2020, more than half of the abortions in the…
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Apparently 35 Percent Of People Think It’s Totally Fine To Drink During Pregnancy
Read More: Apparently 35 Percent Of People Think It’s Totally Fine To Drink During PregnancyListen: It’s totally normal to want a glass of wine or a drink after a long day at work—yes, even (or, honestly, especially) when you’re pregnant. The post Apparently 35 Percent Of People Think It’s Totally Fine To Drink During Pregnancy appeared first on Women’s Health.
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Exercising While Pregnant: How One Flitfluencer Scaled Down Her Approach
Read More: Exercising While Pregnant: How One Flitfluencer Scaled Down Her ApproachFor many women who value their fitness, exercising while pregnant can be a significant stumbling block. Hormonal shifts can make… The post Exercising While Pregnant: How One Flitfluencer Scaled Down Her Approach appeared first on Women’s Health.
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A Misdiagnosed Ectopic Pregnancy Nearly Sent Me Into Septic Shock
Read More: A Misdiagnosed Ectopic Pregnancy Nearly Sent Me Into Septic ShockAs told to Liz Sauchelli The blinding pain in my lower abdomen hit me when I was in the shower, causing me to double over. I knew I needed to go to the emergency room. I got out of the shower immediately, throwing on whatever clothes I could find, and rushed to my car. One…
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Should You Worry About Data From Your Period-Tracking App Being Used Against You?
Read More: Should You Worry About Data From Your Period-Tracking App Being Used Against You?By Hannah Norman, Kaiser Health News and Victoria Knight It’s estimated that millions of people in the U.S. use period-tracking apps to plan ahead, track when they are ovulating, and monitor other health effects. The apps can help signal when a period is late. After Politico published on May 2 a draft opinion from the…
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From Healthy Births to Sustainable Management, 5 Essential Reads on the Fascinating and Complex Vagina
Read More: From Healthy Births to Sustainable Management, 5 Essential Reads on the Fascinating and Complex VaginaBy Leah Samuel, The Conversation As the most common route for arriving into the world, the human vagina has, of course, existed for as long as there have been people. Despite the name, however, it’s not so much a “sheath” – the Latin meaning of “vagina” – as it is a muscular tube of varying…
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How Medical Technology Is Changing Health Care
Read More: How Medical Technology Is Changing Health CareGrace Fernandez’s biggest fear is dying in her sleep. It’s a fear that could easily become a reality for the 33-year-old and the approximately 1.6 million other Americans living with Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose)…
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No, Women’s Fertility Isn’t Suddenly Doomed At Age 35
Read More: No, Women’s Fertility Isn’t Suddenly Doomed At Age 35Tick, tick, tick. If you, like me, are a woman in her childbearing years, you may recognise that sound as… The post No, Women’s Fertility Isn’t Suddenly Doomed At Age 35 appeared first on Women’s Health.
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Preterm Delivery Puts Moms at Risk, Too
Read More: Preterm Delivery Puts Moms at Risk, TooDebora Grandison was 26 weeks pregnant with her second child and enjoying lunch with coworkers on a typical workday. “Suddenly, I felt the baby drop,” she said. Since her first child had been born two months early, Grandison knew she had to reach the hospital. There, doctors told her she was in active labor and…
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Folic Acid and Birth Defects: What’s the Connection?
Read More: Folic Acid and Birth Defects: What’s the Connection?Design by: Megan Schofield Medically reviewed by: Patricia Geraghty
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New Moms Are Busy Checking on Their Babies. But Is Anyone Checking on Them?
Read More: New Moms Are Busy Checking on Their Babies. But Is Anyone Checking on Them?A lot of time and effort goes into preparing for the birth of a baby — but the plan for what happens when the baby comes home doesn’t get nearly as much attention. Life changes instantly with the arrival of a new baby and a new mom’s mental health is not always prioritized during that…
