Since whooping cough can be deadly, pregnant women should get vaccinated during their third trimester to help protect their babies. For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/
What We Know Zika virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect called microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Zika primarily spreads through infected mosquitoes. You can also get Zika through sexwithout a condom with someone infected by Zika, even if that person does not show symptoms of Zika. There…
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…
What is Gestational Diabetes? Gestational diabetes happens when your pregnancy hormones stop insulin (the hormone that lowers blood sugar) from doing its job of moving sugar out of the blood and into your cells. Th is can cause your blood sugar levels to get too high. If you have gestational diabetes, you will change your diet to help your blood…
What Is Diabetes? Diabetes is a health problem that results in too much sugar in the bloodstream and not enough in cells where it can be used for energy. The problem occurs when the body is not able to make the hormone insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the insulin that is made doesn’t work very well (type 2 diabetes). Gestational…
There are five main types of cancer that affect a woman’s reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. What Is Ovarian Cancer? Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women ages 35-74. It’s a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found inside, near or on the outer layer of ovaries. Affecting nearly 20,000 women…
What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and begin to grow beyond their normal control. The cells form a tumor, which tends to grow slowly. Though often seen by an x-ray, tumors large enough to feel as a lump may have been growing for as long as 10 years. According to the National Cancer…
Do you know there are seven easy ways to help control your risk for heart disease? Manage your heart risk by understanding “Life’s Simple 7.” 1. Get active Daily physical activity increases your length and quality of life. If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day (like brisk walking), five times per week, you can almost…