Embarking on the path of pregnancy is a momentous event filled with joy, anticipation, and an array of questions. While discovering you’re pregnant can ignite dreams of nursery decor and adorable baby names, it’s equally important to shift focus toward establishing a foundation for a healthy pregnancy. Too often, women get caught up in the
Women’s Health
Prenatal genetic screening tests, particularly noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS), have become a popular tool for expectant parents seeking early reassurance regarding their baby’s health. These screenings are typically performed during the first trimester, often touted as a way to provide “peace of mind” by identifying potential chromosomal abnormalities. However, this burgeoning market is not without
In 2013, Mimi Evans embarked on an arduous 1,300-mile journey from Texas to Virginia in an RV, driven by a passionate desire for a safe and fulfilling childbirth experience. This extraordinary decision was not merely a geographical shift but a pivotal moment in her quest for autonomy over her maternal health. Her story serves as
For many pregnant women, morning sickness isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it can be a debilitating early pregnancy symptom that affects about 85% of expectant mothers. This condition often begins around the sixth week of pregnancy and can extend through the second trimester, sometimes extending as far as the 22nd week. Morning sickness encompasses a
The maternal health crisis in the United States hits particularly hard for Black women, who face staggering rates of pregnancy-related deaths compared to their white counterparts. The shocking statistic that Black women are three times more likely to die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth underscores the urgent need for systemic change. This crisis isn’t
For many expectant mothers, the thought of childbirth evokes a swirl of emotions, with pain being a predominant concern. In the United States, approximately 75% of pregnant women have chosen an epidural as their preferred method of pain relief during labor, underscoring its significance in modern obstetric care. The epidural, a sophisticated pain management technique,
Bringing a child into the world should be a time of joy and celebration, yet it is often accompanied by experiences that leave many new mothers feeling bewildered and anxious. Among these experiences, a phenomenon that often goes unmentioned is the intense, involuntary shaking that can occur after childbirth. This isn’t merely a case of
When embarking on the journey of motherhood, many of us enter with idealized visions of life after childbirth. One pervasive belief is that intimacy will seamlessly resume after the baby arrives, as if the mere passage of time is a magic elixir for restoring our pre-baby sex lives. During my pregnancy, I was brimming with
The ongoing discourse around the COVID-19 vaccination, particularly for pregnant individuals, has seen a significant evolution. Public health organizations, including the CDC, have been vocal in urging pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The crux of this recommendation is rooted in an expanding corpus of research demonstrating that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe during pregnancy,
During pregnancy, society’s pressure on women to monitor their weight gain has never been more pronounced. For years, the narrative dictated that excessive weight gain during pregnancy could lead to gestational diabetes, sending many expecting mothers down a rabbit hole of calorie-counting and anxiety. However, emerging research challenges this long-held belief, suggesting that the traditional