When we launched AWHONN Connections in May of this year, we could not have imagined the response that we would have received from our members, nurses, parents and members of the media.
In less than a year our blog has received over 232,000 visits, from 167 countries and had 4 blogs republished on the Huffington Post! As the year comes to a close we want to say a HUGE Thank You to our readers and our bloggers.
Here’s Our 2015 Top Ten Round Up! Continue reading
The holidays are in full swing and that means a lot of busy moms on the go! Traveling during the holidays can be stressful and traveling with little ones can add more stress. Finding a private and/or quiet place to nurse or feed your baby in a busy airport can be like finding a needle in a haystack, luckily we’ve done some research for you, here’s a look at the Top 5 US Airport Mother’s Lounges/Lactation Rooms. Continue reading
by, Kristen Wesley “The Mom”
There is a moment after labor when you realize that not only is your sweet little baby a patient, but that you are too. At least for me, that was something that hadn’t really registered. On the day that my little baby girl Isla was born I very quickly began to understand we would both need a ton of care in the hospital and at home.
You would think from all the books I read, articles I scoured, and the numerous second hand accounts from friends I received, it would have sunk in. But it just didn’t. It literally never occurred to me that I’d be a patient too during and after labor and birth. Continue reading
by, Tracy Whitman, RN
Premature babies depend on us as nurses and parents to be their advocates, their protectors, and most importantly their voices. Their development in the NICU should mimic as closely as possible the uterine environment. As new parents of NICU babies, it is often hard to understand this concept, and that is when the NICU nurse is your best resource for education about your new baby. Continue reading
by, Rosemary C. White-Traut, PhD, RN, FAAN
Having your new baby spend time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be extremely stressful for both you and your baby. The bright lights, the random nature of nonhuman sounds such as beeps or monitors, and medical procedures can all create an uneasy or stressful environment.
This is concerning because stress can influence your baby’s brain development and how parents interact with their babies. However, there are ways to help reduce the long-term effect of these stressors.
There are several things you can do as parents to help reduce NICU environmental stressors. Ask your nurse for help with these suggestions. Continue reading
by, Shauna Zurawski
I am the mother of four children, each one unique. The same can be said of their births. Because of the variety of births I have experienced, I’ve learned that for me, nitrous oxide is by far the best form of pain relief during childbirth . Continue reading
See the first part of Danni’s Story posted September 1
by, Danni Star
After overcoming my PPD, I gave birth to another daughter and thought I knew what to look out for and was thankful not to experience the same intensity of symptoms again. What I didn’t realize is that PPD comes in so many different forms.
I went to lunch with a good friend after my second child was born. I don’t know why but I unloaded how I had been seeing my anxiety rise again, how bad it had gotten, my intrusive thoughts and how I literally kept thinking of worst case scenarios.
She urged me to go see a maternal mental health doctor. I took my time but the following week my anxiety was at an all-time high and I could feel myself falling apart so I called the doctor and she said she would squeeze me in that week.
A few days later I was in her office sweating profusely, heart racing so bad I felt like it was going to explode out of my chest and I couldn’t sit still. She asked a million questions and I answered them extremely honest. I told her that I felt anxious all the time, like a walking ball of nervous energy. That even at work when I am in my zone I still feel so out of place.
I told her that my biggest fears are losing my children, Slim, my husband, and Claire, my best friend. I have literally dreamed all of their funerals repetitively- I don’t know maybe as a coping mechanism.
As I am saying these things, I still think she is going to tell me I just have anxiety and that we will get through it. I keep referring to “when I had Postpartum Depression.” I keep referencing how it felt then.
And then the bomb drops. She tells me that I am suffering from PPD. I instantly start bawling. No I am NOT, I had that before and this is different, I don’t want that. I can’t have that; it almost killed me and ruined my life and my marriage. I go to work, I laugh, I function…how is that possible?
She explains to me that all I know of PPD is the most severe, that I am experiencing moderate PPD. I feel hurt, angry, and mad at myself for not realizing, after all I have been here before. I think back to all of the things that I just described to her and I realize she’s right, if any of my friends would have told me what I told her I would have known instantly, so why didn’t I realize it about myself?
Instead, just like before, I will beat this. I will attend support groups, I will try my hardest not to only function normally at work. I will follow the doctor’s treatment plans and I will talk it out. I am scared, this is my biggest fear realized but I am going to be ok.
I WILL TO BE OK! My nemesis has returned but my fighting spirit will be its kryptonite.
Postpartum depression is my truth. An ugly truth that I just so happened to conquer and you can too. You are worthy so be open, learn what is going on and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Danni Starr
Danni Starr works daily as co-host of the nationally syndicated “The Kane Show.” Danni fell in love with radio at 19 and 11 years later, she still considers it her first true love. As a Mother and wife Danni is the “Den Mom” to the show & offers open, honest, opinions and advice.
Postpartum Support International: 1-800-994-4773 or postpartum.net
National Postpartum Depression Hotline: 1-800-PPD-MOMS
AWHONN’s Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Pregnant and Postpartum Women Position Statement
by, Summer Hunt
Food, water, shelter—these are all basic needs. For babies, there’s another item that tops that list: diapers. This year, Healthy Mom&Baby is partnering with the NDBN to raise awareness and to share the names, voices and stories of the families in every community who are struggling to provide for their youngest children.
As we spoke with moms affected by diaper need each one shared a similar truth: This small gesture—donating diapers, or dollars for diapers to families in need in your community—may not seem like much,but it can mean the world when you’re struggling to take care of your family. Continue reading
by, Lori Boggan
There are few things more memorable in life than the birth of a baby. No matter where in the world, what socioeconomic background she comes from, or how many times she has given birth, a woman can probably tell you every single detail surrounding her birth and the early days thereafter. She can tell you the exact moment each baby was born, how long it was and how much it weighed. I have been honored and privileged through the years of working with moms, dads, and babies to hear their birth stories and bear witness to the one of the most important moments in their lives. Continue reading
5.3 million US babies are affected by Diaper Need. Donate $10 to diaper a baby for a week!Donate dollars for diapers at Healthy Mom&Baby’s diaper drive campaign to Wipe Out Diaper Need.
National Diaper Bank Network: Turning the Tide Against Diaper Need
Inspiring Hope, Health, and Happy Bottoms
A Diaper Ministry Is Born Continue reading