Tag: maternal health
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9 Insights I Wish Someone Had Shared with Me Before Giving Birth
Read more As you approach your due date, it’s completely natural to feel a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, anxiety, and even fatigue. You’re not alone in this journey! Although no one can fully prepare you for the experience of labor, I’d like to share some wisdom that might ease your mind in these final days. You…
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Fetal Arrhythmia: Understanding Causes and Concerns
Read more What is Fetal Arrhythmia? Fetal arrhythmia refers to any irregularity in your baby’s heart rhythm. This can manifest as tachycardia, which is an increased heart rate, or bradycardia, indicating a slower heartbeat. A normal fetal heart rate typically ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute. While fetal arrhythmia is uncommon, affecting only…
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Is It Safe to Use Marijuana During Pregnancy?
Read more When you’re expecting, you might feel tempted to try anything to alleviate those uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. Maybe you’re grappling with morning sickness or anxiety, and the idea of using marijuana seems appealing, especially since it’s legal in many areas. However, experts strongly advise against using pot during pregnancy, and here’s why. Using marijuana…
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Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy
Read more Hey there, mamas! If you’re expecting, you might find yourself tossing and turning a lot more lately. It turns out, over 75% of pregnant women report increased sleep disturbances. While sleepless nights can be pretty normal, there’s a less common issue that some expectant moms face: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition can…
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Understanding Placenta Previa
Read more Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta is positioned low in the uterus, either partially or completely covering the cervix. As labor begins and the cervix starts to dilate, there’s a risk that the placenta may detach from the uterine wall. How Common Is Placenta Previa? This condition affects approximately 1 in…
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I Took My Breastfeeding Solution to ‘Shark Tank’— Now It’s Helping Thousands of Moms
Read more When my daughter, Mia, was about five months old, I hit a wall. It was August 2022, and we were attending my cousin’s baptism. Mia needed to breastfeed, but the sweltering heat inside the church made it unbearable, even as I wore a lightweight dress. Draping a nursing cover over us felt suffocating,…
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Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Understanding Risks and Treatments
Read more Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is a serious condition that affects identical twins or higher-order multiples who share a placenta. This occurs when the blood vessels in the shared placenta become connected, leading to unequal blood flow. One twin, referred to as the “recipient,” receives an excessive amount of blood, while the…
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Triple Marker Screening Test
Read more Also referred to as the Triple Test, Multiple Marker Screening, and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Plus, the triple marker screening test is a maternal blood test that identifies three specific substances: AFP, hCG, and Estriol. AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein): This is a protein produced by the fetus. hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin): This hormone is produced by the…
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Help Me, Lisa! Can You Share Some Tips for Recovering from a C-Section?
Read more Hey there! So, you’re scheduled for a C-section and looking for some insights on the healing process? Let’s dive right in! First off, it’s important to recognize that every journey into motherhood is unique. Just like each pregnancy varies, so does the experience of childbirth. While many women might plan for a vaginal…