Latest news with #OBGYN
Vogue
a day ago
- Health
- Vogue
Did I Only Survive Childbirth Because I Live in California?
The mood in the operating room had soured. What had, just moments before, been the peaceful hum of Frank Ocean's cover of 'Moon River' flowing from my birth playlist and friendly chatting among medical staff was now a foreboding quiet. My husband had left my side, but from the corner of the room, I heard my newborn baby gurgle and grunt at being confronted with the new reality of life, and felt a wave of relief. That moment was all too short. 'Are you sure you've never had a procedure done on your uterus before?' My OBGYN at Cedars-Sinai, who had been by my side through the ups and downs of pregnancy, sounded uncharacteristically tense. I assured her between deep breaths and medication-induced gags that I had not. Prior to this, I had never experienced a pregnancy, nor a miscarriage. Before this cesarean section operation to deliver my baby, I had never had any kind of surgery at all. Eventually, my son was brought to my side and we met for the first time. But he was soon whisked away again as I was told that the doctors had to work on me a bit longer. What I did not know at the time was that they had discovered on the operating table that I had placenta accreta, a condition where instead of detaching after birth, the placenta embeds and grows into the surrounding organs of the pregnant person's body. The placenta connecting me to the child I'd just given birth to had spread into my uterus, something I would later learn my doctors had to turn my uterus inside out to address. One in 14 pregnant people in the U.S. with accreta die, usually from hemorrhaging too much blood—as I nearly had—and its incidence has increased sharply over the decades, from 1 in 30,000 pregnancies in the 1960s to 1 in 533 pregnancies in the 2000s. (Prior cesarean delivery is a risk factor, so as c-section operations have become more common, so has the condition.) Typically, its threat can be managed by identifying the accreta during pregnancy via ultrasound, but mine was not detected in advance, making the discovery of my condition during surgery even riskier. Add to that the stunning fact that the overall maternal death rate of Black and Indigenous pregnant people who are 30 or older is about 4 to 5 times higher than it is for white people who are pregnant. At 36, and as a person of Indigenous heritage, the likelihood of becoming another harrowing statistic was all too real to me. Now, I wonder if the fact that I live in California might just have saved my life.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
3 in 4 Latine Moms Struggle To Express Their Needs—Here's Why It's So Hard
A new study from Philips Avent and March of Dimes finds cultural nuances that Latine parents face. Here's what can help. Fact checked by Sarah Scott Becoming a new parent in the modern era has become synonymous with feeling burned out and overwhelmed for many moms. While this is nothing new, a study from Philips Avent, in partnership with March of Dimes, uncovers a disconnect between postpartum moms and their support systems. In an effort to reimagine the proverbial village that helps raise a child, the data in this study finds that although 90% of people say they would help a parent of an infant/toddler if asked, 6 in 10 moms say it's difficult to express their needs, especially when it comes to emotional and mental health. While postpartum moments are meant to be filled with joy and celebration, this study highlights the profound emotional and physical challenges moms face, often quietly and alone. It also finds cultural nuances behind the numbers. The study reveals that Latine moms, in particular, face the most challenges when it comes to support with 3 in 4 saying it's difficult to express their needs, and half experiencing feelings of guilt and shame. 'The data reveals that postpartum Latina moms are navigating unique emotional challenges,' says Ali Rodriquez, MD, an OB-GYN and new mom. 'These numbers are higher than the general population and highlight how much of the emotional burden they carry silently. It's a clear signal that while the love may be there, the support often isn't reaching them in the way they need it most.' Why Latine Moms Struggle To Express Their Needs Much of it comes down to cultural norms. 'Within many Latinx communities, values such as humility, sacrifice, and strength are deeply ingrained,' says Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, a licensed therapist, host of the Free to Be Mindful podcast, and mom of two. 'As we grow, we're often taught to prioritize the needs of others above our own, with self-sacrifice seen as a virtue and a source of pride.' Dr. Rodriguez agrees that pride in being able to handle things independently plays a big role in Latine families. 'Motherhood is no exception,' she says. 'I definitely felt this immense pressure to keep it all together. As a first-time mom, I occasionally felt that asking for help made me appear weak to my family and friends.' She notes that there's also an unspoken pressure to not 'burden' others or speak openly about mental health struggles. 'That silence, paired with a lack of structural support, often leaves Latina moms trying to do it all alone,' Dr. Rodriguez adds. As a professional mom coach, Guzman says it's not uncommon for new moms to internalize the emotional weight of motherhood as a personal shortcoming, especially after watching their own mothers and grandmothers model strength without speaking openly about their struggles. 'They may feel they're 'doing it wrong' simply because they're struggling, and continue to take care of their families while quietly neglecting their emotional well-being,' she points out. How Latine Moms Can Get Help While cultural dynamics can have a massive impact on new moms, it's important to emphasize the benefits of support in one's postpartum journey. Along with easing the transition into this new role of motherhood, research shows support helps maintain mental well-being and can help prevent postpartum depression. Organizations like Postpartum Support International offer professional resources and support in both English and Spanish, and Amiga Moms, which Guzman founded in 2018, provides 'culturally attuned support to help women rediscover their identity beyond motherhood, while teaching mindfulness and mental wellness strategies so they don't have to lose themselves in the process of caring for everyone else.' Dr. Rodriguez adds that it's important to remind moms that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a form of strength. 'Whether it's leaning on a trusted friend, joining a local mom group, checking in with your OB, or seeking virtual communities where they feel seen and understood, small steps can create meaningful connections,' she explains. If you're looking to support a postpartum mom in your life, simple acts of kindness like checking in on your friend or even offering to help with meals can make a world of difference. New parents need good intentions and real support; ask what they need and be open and willing to listen. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Influencer Karissa Collins Is Letting Her ‘Body Do Its Thing' During Miscarriage Amid Backlash
Parenting influencer Karissa Collins is detailing how she is coping with pregnancy loss in the midst of online backlash. 'I am currently, possibly, still pregnant with a missed miscarriage baby,' Collins, 41, said in a Thursday, July 17, TikTok video. 'I have not fully miscarried the baby, which I found out about a month ago. I have been carrying this miscarriage … anywhere from four to six weeks.' She added, 'The baby passed six weeks ago, but it takes a long time for your body to figure it out.' Karissa announced in a since-deleted TikTok video earlier in July that she and her husband, Mandrae Collins, were expecting their 12th baby. She later revealed that she had suffered a pregnancy loss, her fourth miscarriage overall. Influencer Karissa Collins Apologizes for Video of Her 11 Kids Hitting Her Stomach Amid Miscarriage 'I found out in the ER about six weeks ago that there was no baby. I spent a lot of time mourning,' Karissa recalled. 'I mourned this pregnancy for a while. I took a good two weeks off, got really close to God … and you want to know if you did anything wrong. I went through all those feelings.' Karissa then went to visit her OB-GYN, who claimed 'there was a baby,' but it did not have a heartbeat. The fetal tissue subsequently started to 'disintegrate.' 'It takes your body a while to figure out that you don't have a viable pregnancy and to expel [the tissue],' the social media personality explained. 'There are three options that doctors give you. They give you the option of letting your body do what your body does, [which it] will expel the pregnancy … [or] the abortion pill, and the third option is a D&C.' Karissa, who had several D&Cs in the past, opted to allow the fetal tissue to pass on its own this time. Celebrity Rainbow Babies: Pink, Nicole Kidman and More Stars Who Welcomed Children After Miscarriages 'I always opt for letting my body do its thing,' Karissa said. 'Miscarriage is not cut and dry. It's not black and white. I think people think that when you miscarry, it's [like], 'Oh, it's all gone and it's done, and you go on with your life.' But, you don't. A lot of women have missed miscarriages. … It can go weeks and months.' She continued, 'At all costs, I say, 'Always let your body do what it was meant to do. Don't do any interventions unless an emergency is necessary.' … I just believe the healthiest option is to do what your body was created to do.' As Karissa dealt with her pregnancy loss, she shared a since-deleted video of several of her younger children playfully hitting her belly, which sparked widespread backlash from social media users. 'I apologize. When I posted that video, what was on other people's minds was not on my mind at all,' she said on Thursday. 'I never thought of it that way. It was a cute moment with me and my children. I didn't think anyone would even watch it.' Karissa noted that her kids had been squeezing her belly 'like Slime and Squishmallows' as if it were a sensory toy. 't was the funniest thing. I never wanted to forget that moment of them finding so much joy in my belly,' Karissa said. 'They were not hurting me. They were not hurting anything inside of me.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Struggling With Hair Loss? This First-Ever Prescription Gummy May Help
You've tried the serums, the vitamins and the topical solutions? How about a prescription gummy for hair loss? Hers, a telehealth company that provides online healthcare services and products for women, announced the launch of its Biotin-plus-Minoxidil Gummy, the first-of-its-kind prescription gummy formulated to support hair regrowth. Available through this gummy combines prescription-strength minoxidil, the only FDA-approved ingredient for female hair loss, with biotin, a popular vitamin for supporting healthy skin, hair and nails. Minoxidil is clinically proven to regrow thicker, fuller hair in three to six months (based on studies of oral minoxidil up to 2.5 mg per day at various doses). Best Vitamins for Hair Loss See at CNET It's the first prescription hair regrowth gummy to hit the market, and it offers women a more convenient way to stay consistent with treatment, something Hers' chief medical officer and OB-GYN, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, says is often overlooked in traditional regimens. "The gummy is a once-daily dose that's designed to help women stick to their prescribed hair regimens as deemed clinically necessary by their provider to address their individual needs," she says. Shepherd told CNET that everything about the product, from the packaging to the vegan formula to the taste (green apple flavor) and texture, was crafted with women's preferences in mind. The goal is a treatment that feels more like a self-care ritual than a chore. Why a gummy? Unlike traditional pills or topicals, the Biotin plus Minoxidil Gummy was formulated with adherence in mind. The proprietary compounded formula allows providers to personalize each prescription to individual needs, including adjusting the dosage to minimize side effects or combining multiple ingredients to tackle various concerns simultaneously. "By leveraging the power of personalization, we're making it possible for women to access treatment designed to address their individual needs for their unique body, lifestyle and goals. This is the benefit of compounding," says Shepherd. How much does it cost, and where can I get it? The Biotin plus Minoxidil Gummy is available through Hers after a virtual consultation with one of its licensed providers. Each prescription is customized based on your unique hair loss patterns and goals. Hers strives to offer patients affordable treatments without insurance (no insurance is accepted), and the gummies start at $35 per month. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit
CNET
16-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Struggling With Hair Loss? This First-Ever Prescription Gummy May Help
You've tried the serums, the vitamins and the topical solutions? How about a prescription gummy for hair loss? Hers, a telehealth company that provides online healthcare services and products for women, announced the launch of its Biotin-plus-Minoxidil Gummy, the first-of-its-kind prescription gummy formulated to support hair regrowth. Available through this gummy combines prescription-strength minoxidil, the only FDA-approved ingredient for female hair loss, with biotin, a popular vitamin for supporting healthy skin, hair and nails. Minoxidil is clinically proven to regrow thicker, fuller hair in three to six months (based on studies of oral minoxidil up to 2.5 mg per day at various doses). It's the first prescription hair regrowth gummy to hit the market, and it offers women a more convenient way to stay consistent with treatment, something Hers' chief medical officer and OB-GYN, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, says is often overlooked in traditional regimens. "The gummy is a once-daily dose that's designed to help women stick to their prescribed hair regimens as deemed clinically necessary by their provider to address their individual needs," she says. Hers Shepherd told CNET that everything about the product, from the packaging to the vegan formula to the taste (green apple flavor) and texture, was crafted with women's preferences in mind. The goal is a treatment that feels more like a self-care ritual than a chore. Why a gummy? Unlike traditional pills or topicals, the Biotin plus Minoxidil Gummy was formulated with adherence in mind. The proprietary compounded formula allows providers to personalize each prescription to individual needs, including adjusting the dosage to minimize side effects or combining multiple ingredients to tackle various concerns simultaneously. "By leveraging the power of personalization, we're making it possible for women to access treatment designed to address their individual needs for their unique body, lifestyle and goals. This is the benefit of compounding," says Shepherd. How much does it cost, and where can I get it? The Biotin plus Minoxidil Gummy is available through Hers after a virtual consultation with one of its licensed providers. Each prescription is customized based on your unique hair loss patterns and goals. Hers strives to offer patients affordable treatments without insurance (no insurance is accepted), and the gummies start at $35 per month. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit
