Empower Beyond Birth

01/10/2023

January is month, know .

01/06/2023

January is awareness month!
As part f your make it a priority to call and schedule your yearly well woman visit.
Your OB/GYN, Nurse Midwife or Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, will perform a & /or PAP smear with testing if due.
- Recommendation to begin PAP smears at age 21years after that,
- PAP alone every 3 years or
- PAP with HPV testing every 5 years

PAP smear = Papanicolaou, screens for abnormal cells of the cervix.
HPV = Human Papilloma. A virus with over 100 strains. Some high risk types which are sexually transmitted ( ), if left untreated can cause changes in the cervical cells leading to .

visit https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer.html for more info.

01/01/2023

08/07/2022

🤰🏽Preeclampsia is defined as persistent high blood pressure that develops during PREGNANCY or POSTPARTUM, and is often associated with elevated levels of protein in the urine OR a decreased in blood platelets, trouble with the kidneys or liver, fluid in the lungs, or signs of brain trouble such as seizures and/or visual disturbances.

🤱🏽The cause of preeclampsia is unknown.

🤰Preeclampsia can appear at any time during pregnancy, delivery and up to six weeks postpartum.
- It affects 5 - 8% of all births in the U.S., and is a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death.

🤱🏽👶🏼Treatment include giving anti - hypertensive medications to manage high blood pressure and/or magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures in mother. In cases of prematurity, magnesium sulfate acts as a brain protection for baby, and steroids mature the lungs of the baby.

🤱Delivery of the baby and placenta is begins the "cure" of the disease

🙍🏿‍♀️Women who have had preeclampsia have 3 - 4X the risk of high blood pressure and 2X the risk for heart disease and stroke. They also have an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS & PROMPT TREATMENT saves lives. Please contact you prenatal provider or labor and delivery if you have any of the symptoms suggestive of preeclampsia.

08/04/2022

- Breastfeeding is natural but not always easy. It's important that breastfeeding mothers are supported and given the necessary resources & tools need to be successful.
_ The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months and continuation to 2 years and beyond if , which is in line with World health Organization (WHO).

Some Tips to help with breastfeeding Journey.
1. Attend a prenatal lactation education course
2. Order your pump, and breastmilk storage supplies from insurance prior to birth
3. See a lactation consultant at hospital after birth or in home within first 24 to 48 after birth.
4. Periodically check in with a lactation Consultant not only when you encounter problems, ie introducing bottles, going back to work, starting solids, weaning etc.
5. Implore the help of family and friends to help with meals, chores, errands, other children in the immediate postpartum etc.
6. Look into hiring a postpartum doula or baby nurse, which may be covered by your health insurance.

Whether you provided breastmilk for a few hours, a day, a few months or years, well done!!!
🤱🏻 Happy World Breastfeeding week

08/02/2022

👶🏼 American Society, unlike most other countries, often focuses its attention on the mother before birth of her child. After birth of a child, this focus dissipates.

👶🏾 In other countries and cultures, times - tested customs & traditions ensure that the mother and child are both well taken care for. The family and larger community provide emotional and practical support in the immediate postpartum, and then for a length of time afterward.

👶 This includes preparing meals for the new mom, bathing the baby, cleaning the house, doing laundry, teaching the mother to care for her baby, breastfeeding support, etc.

👶🏿This mother- centered support allows her to heal physically and emotionally postpartum, so she can better care for the child.

👶🏻 In the U.S., hiring a postpartum doula or baby nurse, while its not a substitute for true community support, can also be a great source of care and relief, In some cases, its is even covered by health insurance, so be sure to check with your insurance provider.

- 🤱🤱🏾🤱🏽Are you familiar with after-birth care customs or tradition? Share in the comment below.

07/22/2022

🤰🏽Doulas do not provide medical care or deliver babies, but a great support to the mother, partner & the family
👶🏼🤱🏽Doulas provide emotional, educational and physical support during pregnancy, labor & birth and the postpartum period.

- Some insurances cover doula fees
💰Adding a doula fund to your baby registry is another way to cover cost.

07/19/2022

🤰🏽Every women is different, some women will leak colostrum during pregnancy and other not. This does not determine whether of not you will have enough milk supply in the future for you baby🤱🏾.

If you leak 🩸blood stained colostrum or fluid during pregnancy, notify your provider immediately

07/18/2022

☕️ Always discuss caffeine consumption with your Obstetric provider. 🍫

07/13/2022

Fetal movement is reassuring to your provider that baby is doing well, it proof of central nervous and musculoskeletal system is working well.
A reduction in your baby's movement can be a sign that your baby is unwell.

Starting at 28 weeks your provider will advise you to monitor the strength and frequency of your baby's movement.
Expecting a minimum of 10 felt movements by the pregnant woman within 2 hrs.
A movement can be a roll, kick, flutter or swish.
Try to perform this around the same time each day, it make it easier to detect pattern changes.

1. After eating or drinking
2. Find a quiet non distractible area
2. Either lay on your side or a comfortable position & place your hand on belly
3. If you are unable to count 10 movements within 2 hrs CALL your provider or a labor & delivery unit RIGHT AWAY for further instructions.

- Avoid use of hand held doppler at home, as a detection of a heartbeat does not indicate baby is well.