Each year, the March of Dimes releases “Premature Birth Report Cards” for U.S. states and cities. These report cards are based on data from the National Center for Health Statistics, and calculated by comparing each location with the goal of reducing rates of premature birth to 8.1% by the year 2020. Michigan, which earned a…
If amniotic fluid begins leaking during pregnancy, this can be cause for concern. Read on to learn more about the purpose of amniotic fluid, normal levels at various stages of pregnancy, and what leakage can indicate. What is amniotic fluid? During pregnancy, the baby floats in amniotic fluid, which is contained inside of the amniotic…
“When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed, but also apprehensive,” writes Erin E. Andrews, in an article for the American Psychological Association (1). She goes on to explain: “I am a congenital triple amputee who uses a power wheelchair for mobility. I was less concerned about the effects of my disability, and…
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common infections (1). Although anyone can get a UTI, women are more susceptible because they have shorter urethras, which makes it easier for bacteria to ascend into the bladder. At least 60% of women experience a lower urinary tract infection (involving the urethra and bladder) during…
During their education, doctors learn “medical jargon.” This refers to words and phrases that are useful when communicating with other medical professionals but may be very confusing to patients. The best doctors are careful not to overwhelm their patients with medical jargon, and instead try to use simple language when explaining things (unless the patient…
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently published a committee opinion discussing necessary precautions for patients who may have eating disorders. Eating disorders encompass a wide range of conditions in which a person has abnormal feeding habits; often, eating disorders affect physical health in addition to mental and emotional well-being. Some of the…
At the age of 14, James Harrison needed to have one of his lungs removed. He was able to survive the surgery thanks to a large amount of donor blood from strangers. After he recovered, Harrison wanted to pay it forward and give blood to others in need, but Australian law prohibited him from doing…
Before I got pregnant, I thought nine months was a long time. But between preparing the baby’s room, going to birthing classes, and reading every book, magazine article, and blog post I could find about what to expect when I delivered my child, the time flew by! Still, all of my preparation did not prepare…
What does it mean when a pregnancy is deemed “high-risk”? In medical terms, a high-risk pregnancy is one involving any underlying potential complication that could harm the mother and/or baby. Having a high-risk pregnancy does not necessarily mean that the mother or baby will be harmed; rather, it implies that certain precautions must be…
Every day, our nurses and attorneys receive calls from expectant mothers with concerns about symptoms they’re experiencing during their pregnancy. They’re curious if their symptoms are normal, and they wonder what their next steps should be. Patients should always visit a medical professional with concerns like these and receive appropriate care for maternal-fetal conditions and…
