Another fitful night. A mom is awake, listening to her baby cough and trying to comfort him. She will be too worried to sleep tonight. For the past four days, her baby has had trouble eating, drinking, and sleeping because of this awful cough. Tomorrow, she will miss another day of work to care for him. She wonders wearily when…
There are a lot of marches these days…do we really need a march for moms? The past few months have brought the world a lot of shocking news. One positive consequence of these are uncertain times is that it has stoked a fire of activism in the United States in a way that we have not been seen in decades.…
Whooping cough is a serious disease that can cause babies to stop breathing. You can help protect babies from whooping cough by getting your vaccine and making sure your baby gets vaccinated. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a very contagious disease that is most serious for babies. People with whooping cough usually spread the disease by coughing or sneezing while…
Your need for immunization doesn’t end when you become an adult. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious diseases. Vaccines are NOT just for kids! Regardless of age, we ALL need immunizations to protect against serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. Protection from vaccines you received as a child can wear off over time, and you may…
The profession of midwifery has evolved with today’s modern health care system. But there are many myths about midwives in the United States based on centuries-old images or simple misunderstandings. You might be surprised to learn the truth about some of these common midwifery myths. True or False? Midwives have no formal education. FALSE. Most midwives in the United States…
Your health needs don’t stay the same throughout life, so why should you just “go where you have always gone” for care? Explore the various types of women’s health care providers available to you—whether you need a gynecologic exam, are thinking about family planning/birth control, are considering becoming pregnant, or need help through menopause. Making this decision is personal and…
Everyone has different health care preferences. Only you can decide who is best for you. We encourage you to learn more about your options and use your new knowledge to make educated, informed decisions to meet your personal needs and goals. Think in advance about the type of experience you imagine for yourself. This will help you decide on the…
Keeping your mind healthy takes work throughout all stages and phases of life. Just like keeping your body in shape, good mental and emotional health is part of primary health care and wellness. Your thoughts and feelings can influence your body in many ways. Mental health and physical health are intrinsically linked, and each can have a major effect on…
Sexuality is an intrinsic part of being human that can bring pleasure, intimacy, and stress relief. Culture, religious beliefs, and family traditions all affect who we are sexually. No matter how you define your personal sexuality, it affects your overall health and wellbeing throughout your life, including during and after pregnancy. It’s always important to pay attention to your sexual…
Many women have at least one pregnancy in their lives, and about half of all pregnancies are not planned. Planning ahead can help you avoid getting pregnant when you don’t want to be, and to be in good health if and when you do decide to become pregnant. Family planning leads to healthier pregnancies, moms, and babies. There are a…