According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the United States has experienced a five-fold increase in the use of opioids by women who are pregnant. This results in a drug withdrawal in newborns known as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), which can cause tremors, seizures, excessive crying, and poor feeding. Symptoms may appear right after birth
When Natalie came to True Care Women’s Resource Center, she believed she was about six or seven weeks along. She met with a staff nurse and answered some health care questions, including when her last menstrual cycle took place. The nurse provided Natalie an ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. The human heart begins beating at 21
There are many reasons women consider and/or have an abortion when they experience an unplanned pregnancy. Family, finances, health, education, and career are factors that affect a woman’s decision between carrying to term and aborting. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of Planned Parenthood, more than half of women in the United States who
One of my jobs as a nurse and sonographer at True Care is to scan women who have a positive urine pregnancy test to look for what is called a viable pregnancy (baby with a heart beat in the uterus). As I scan my patients, I often come across a cyst on one of the woman’s
February is known at the month of love. Valentine’s Day brings thoughts of romance, yet many dating relationships are not as healthy and happy as they should be. February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Sadly, statistics indicate that dating violence is not uncommon. Studies show that 1 in 3 young people will be in an
We’ve all heard the saying, “a little bit won’t hurt you” – a little bit of chocolate, a little bit of ice cream, a little bit of potato. But, when it comes to alcohol when pregnant, even a little bit can hurt your unborn child. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “There is no known
Most people are familiar with violence against women, which includes sexual assault, rape, human trafficking, and murder. Femicide is the term given to violent acts against women, primarily murder, due to gender. Other harmful actions taken against women include sexual harassment in the workplace and stalking. What is Stalking? According to the National Institute of Justice, stalking is
Heart Disease in Women Heart disease is the number 1 killer of American women. Those affected are not just “old” ladies. Many are young women in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. This week (Feb 1-7) is Women’s Heart Week, and this Friday is “Wear Red Day” to bring about greater awareness regarding heart disease and to get
Abortion has been legal in the United States for 44 years, with the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade in January 1973. There are generations of Americans who have never known a world without legalized abortion. The Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization, cites there were approximately one million abortions performed annually in the United States,
Most health care providers encourage women who smoke and are pregnant to stop smoking. However, until recently, the impact of second-hand smoke was not fully known or understood. That situation has now changed. Studies Show Harmful Impact of Second Hand Smoke A recent study reveals the potential harm that can be caused to the unborn from
