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Mommyato’s Featured Topic Of the Month

Reducing the Maternal Mortality of Black Mothers
Health / Maternal Mortality
Jessica Boardman
Jan 2023
Black mothers are 3 times more likely to die from maternal related causes than white mothers.² What is Maternal Mortality? In the United States, the month of February honors black history; the contributions and sacrifices African Americans have made for our country. It’s also a...
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Relieving Nipple Pain from Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding / Postpartum
mommyato
Jan 2023
25% of American women stop breastfeeding by 6 months because of nipple pain.² You might be wondering what to expect the first few weeks of breastfeeding your newborn. For mothers who’ve already breastfed a baby, you may not experience much nipple tenderness. But, for first...
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Reducing Risk of the Top 5 Birth Defects
Baby / Birth Defects / Health / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Jan 2023
3% of infants in the U.S. are born with birth defects.¹ If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant or just found out that you’re pregnant, you may also be thinking about birth defects. January is Birth Defects Awareness Month so it’s a good time to discuss...
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The Benefits of Colostrum: Liquid Gold
Breastfeeding
Jessica Boardman
Jan 2023
Feeding your baby colostrum in the first hour of life gives your baby the best start in life.² If you’re a first time Mama or never breastfed your baby before, you may be wondering what colostrum is. And, why is it so amazing that it’s...
Read More
Cervical Cancer, Pregnancy and Fertility Preservation
Fertility / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Jan 2023
95% of Cervical Cancers are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) mainly contracted through sex.³ What is Cervical Cancer? Talking about cervical cancer can be scary. It’s a disease that affects women in childbearing age, which means very young to middle aged women. 95% of cervical...
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What you Need to Know about Pelvic Girdle Pain during Pregnancy
Health / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
Hey Mama! December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. While pregnancy is not often associated with disability, there is one condition that affects some pregnant women and presents similar acute and enduring challenges: Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP). Pelvic Girdle Pain is usually related...
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Top 10 Tips for Safe Toy & Gift Giving
Baby
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
Happy Holidays to both new and seasoned Mamas! ‘Tis the season for gift giving and no doubt you’ll be both gifting and receiving a plethora of presents this year. When it comes to the little ones though, it’s a good idea to refresh on the...
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Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Childbirth
Medical Concerns / Postpartum
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
Chronic pelvic pain and incontinence (leaking urine or feces) are not acceptable, long term conditions after childbirth. What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Childbirth? As women, we’ve all heard it many times, that leaking pee (urinary incontinence) is the way it is – forever –...
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HIV: Mother to Baby Transmission during Pregnancy and After Birth
Baby / Health / HIV / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
Mother-to-baby HIV transmission disproportionally affects black/African American people. In 2019, 61% of new mother-to-baby HIV diagnoses were black/African American.² What is Mother-to-Baby HIV Transmission? Hey Mama! December 1 is World Aids Day and a time to bring awareness to HIV transmission from mother to baby....
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Newborns and Reflux
Baby / Medical Concerns
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
40-65% of healthy infants regurgitate after feeding (reflux) and this usually goes away around 6-12 months.¹ Is Reflux Normal in Babies? Hey Mama! Did you know that when babies regurgitate or “spit up” that it’s normal? This is called reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which...
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Kangaroo Care for the Premature Infant
Baby / Medical Concerns / Premature Baby
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
Skin-to-skin Kangaroo Care helps regulate your baby’s body temperature, breathing, heart rate, and blood sugar.² What is Kangaroo Care and How Will It Benefit My Baby? November 17 is World Prematurity Day with the March of Dimes, an organization that educates families about premature infants...
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Caring for a Premature Baby
Baby / Medical Concerns / Premature Baby
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
What is a Premature Baby? The normal length of a pregnancy is between 37- 42 weeks. Some pregnancies take longer to develop and others are shorter. When a baby is born before 37 weeks, however, she is considered “preterm”, “preemie” or “premature”. A baby born...
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Effects of Gestational Diabetes on a Developing Baby
Baby / Birth Defects / Delivery / Gestational Diabetes / Health / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Nov 2022
High blood sugar around the time of conception and throughout pregnancy increases risks of: birth defects, still birth, preterm birth, c-sections, and the baby developing obesity and diabetes later in life.¹ What is Gestational Diabetes? November is American Diabetes Month and a great time to...
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Postpartum Health Tips for New Moms
Diet / Health / Postpartum
mommyato
Oct 2022
The postpartum period can be challenging for new moms. Between the shifts in hormone levels, vaginal bleeding, and the newness of caring for your newborn, it can be overwhelming. Don’t neglect your own health and wellbeing. It’s so important that you prioritize your health as...
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Postpartum Depression: What you Need to Know
Medical Concerns / Postpartum / Postpartum Depression
Jessica Boardman
Oct 2022
Depression during pregnancy and postpartum is the most common mental health condition Being pregnant and becoming a parent is often a time of joy and excitement. It can also be a time of worry and doubt, especially if this is your first time becoming a...
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Intimate Partner Violence
Mental Health / Pregnancy / Sexual Abuse & Rape
Jessica Boardman
Oct 2022
1 in 4 women have experienced intimate partner physical violence in their lifetime.1 Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the willful use of abuse or aggression that occurs in a current or past romantic relationship. IPV can range from one episode of violence that could have...
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Foods to Avoid While Your Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding / Diet / Health / Postpartum
mommyato
Sep 2022
If you’re planning on breastfeeding, it’s important to understand the direct link between your baby’s health and your diet. Just like during pregnancy, what you consume will be passed on to your baby. Many new moms are aware of this, but aren’t sure what foods...
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Infertility
Health / Infertility / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Sara Voit
Aug 2022
5-10% of U.S. women of childbearing age have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and often find out when they are trying to have a baby.² Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility of women in the United States. It affects...
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Why is Folic Acid Important During Pregnancy?
Baby / Health / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Sara Voit
Aug 2022
Women of reproductive age need 400 mcg of folic acid every day, increased to 600 mcg daily during pregnancy.² September 12-18 is Folic Acid Awareness week with the National Birth Defects Prevention Network. This is a great time to highlight the importance of folic acid...
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Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy?
COVID-19 / Health / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Jul 2022
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of pregnancy complications if infected with the COVID virus.² The last two years have been a scary time for women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or newly postpartum. The novel Coronavirus is new to the medical...
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Preventing Mastitis When Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding / Health / Medical Concerns / Postpartum
Jessica Boardman
Jul 2022
Effective, frequent nursing speeds the recovery of clogged milk ducts and mastitis. The antibacterial qualities of breastmilk prevent the baby from getting an infection related to an inflamed or infected breast. The first week of August is World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) week, which...
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Babies Born with Cleft Lip and Palate
Baby / Birth Defects / Cleft Lip / Medical Concerns
Jessica Boardman
Jun 2022
Around the world, 1 out of 700 babies are born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate.² July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, a time to bring focus on the special challenges and treatment of babies born with orofacial malformations like cleft...
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What is Cord Blood Banking?
Cord Blood / Delivery / Labor / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
Jun 2022
Since 1988, greater than 35,000 people have received umbilical cord blood for the correction of metabolic, malignant and genetic disorders.¹ As you approach your baby’s due date, it is your medical provider’s role to discuss the option of banking your baby’s cord blood after birth....
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Scleroderma and Pregnancy Risks
Health / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy / Scleroderma
Jessica Boardman
May 2022
Scleroderma, a connective tissue disease, most often affects women of childbearing age (30-50).¹ Scleroderma is a fairly rare disease, affecting 75,000 – 100,000 people in the United States. Women are affected more than men, mostly during childbearing years from ages 30-50. For this reason, it’s...
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COVID-19: Pandemic to Endemic – Pregnancy and COVID Prevention
COVID-19 / Health / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
May 2022
As summer approaches, it’s natural to want to break out of the confines of the house and get out and about, enjoying BBQs, beach days, June weddings, and more. Warm weather and sunny days make you want to let your hair down and go mask-less!...
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Smoking While Pregnant: Tobacco Harms Babies and Children from Conception to Adulthood
Addiction / Health / Medical Concerns / Mental Health / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
May 2022
Babies whose mothers smoke are three times more likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).¹ May 31st is World No Tobacco Day. It’s a day when the World Health Organization shines a light on the dangers of tobacco use and exposure for mothers,...
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Women’s Self-Care Is Not Selfish, It’s Self-Actualizing
Health / Health / Medical Concerns / Postpartum / Pregnancy
Jessica Boardman
May 2022
Big changes are made one degree at a time, through small choices every day. Over time, these small changes lead to a 180 degree turn-around. This year, Mother’s Day kicks off a spotlight week on Women’s Health issues. For many women, stress management is a...
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Protected Workplace Rights for Breastfeeding Women
Breastfeeding / Postpartum / Workplace Rights
Jessica Boardman
Mar 2022
Hey Mamas! Did you know that April 28th is a designated day to heighten awareness about workplace safety and health? For breastfeeding mothers who are returning to their workplace, this is an important issue. Long separations from your baby during work hours can affect breast...
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Reducing Black Maternal Mortality During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Delivery / Health / Labor / Maternal Mortality / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns
Jessica Boardman
Mar 2022
Black women are three times more likely to die of pregnancy related causes than white women.¹ What Factors Affect Black Maternal Mortality Rates? April 11-17 is black maternal health week. It’s an inadequate window of time where there is an acute lens focused on the...
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When Pregnancy Results from Rape
Mental Health / Sexual Abuse & Rape
mommyato
Mar 2022
In the United States, approximately 32,000 pregnancies result from rape each year.² How Does Sexual Violence Against Women Happen? Long ago, it was thought that a woman couldn’t get pregnant unless she had consented to sex. This myth was perpetuated for centuries and used to...
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Endometriosis & Infertility
Endometriosis / Infertility / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
blog_editor
Feb 2022
Endometriosis is a chronic immune and hormone disease affecting 11% of girls and women in the United States and a leading cause of infertility.¹ What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis or Endo is when endometriosis tissue (tissue similar to the lining of the uterus) grows outside the...
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Body Image During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Eating Disorders / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
blog_editor
Feb 2022
For many women, pregnancy and postpartum can trigger concerns with food, body weight and/or body image. For women with a history of eating disorders, the risk is greater and concerns can lead to obsessions.
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Preventing Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection During Pregnancy
Cytomegalovirus / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
blog_editor
Jan 2022
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading viral cause of intellectual disabilities and non-genetic hearing loss in newborns and is highly preventable. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an infectious disease related to the viruses that cause herpes simplex, chicken pox, and mononucleosis (“Mono”). Once you have the virus, it...
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Infant Congenital Heart Defects and Your Baby
Baby / Birth Defects / Congenital Heart Defects / Medical Concerns
mommyato
Jan 2022
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type of birth defect. 1 out of 4 babies born with CHD will need surgery due to critical defects. What are Infant Congenital Heart Defects? Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most common type of birth defect....
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Reducing the Risks of Newborn Birth Defects
Birth Defects / Cleft Lip / Congenital Heart Defects / Delivery / Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns
mommyato
Dec 2021
Birth defects affect babies all over the world. A birth defect is a structural change to a baby’s body part, inside or outside the body. What Causes Birth Defects? Birth defects happen as a result of: genetics, infection, exposure to an environmental toxin like...
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Reducing Risks of Thyroid Issues During and After Pregnancy
Medical Concerns / Medical Concerns / Postpartum / Pregnancy / Thyroid / Thyroid
mommyato
Dec 2021
January is Thyroid Awareness month. When it comes to women’s health, understanding what your thyroid is and how it should be serving – not stagnating – your health and wellness is crucial. This knowledge is especially important during pregnancy and the postpartum period, when hormone...
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the United Nations: Disabilities Resulting from Pregnancy or Childbirth
Breastfeeding
mommyato
Dec 2021
The month of December recognizes people living with disabilities all over the world. We honor and acknowledge the struggle people with disabilities face in their daily living and consider how communities can reduce stigma and develop adaptations to support quality of life. Disability as...
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National Safe Toys and Gifts Month with Child & Family Services
Breastfeeding
mommyato
Dec 2021
When selecting a toy, consider choking, drowning and suffocation hazards. These are significant causes of toy-related injury. Riding toys are the top culprit of injury or death in children under the age of 14.2 Make sure age and skill level of the child matches the...
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World Prematurity Day
Breastfeeding
mommyato
Nov 2021
Did you know that there are specific risk factors for preterm labor and birth? Read on to find out what you can do to lower your risk! Preterm labor is labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. Labor is the process your body...
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You Can Have a Healthy Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes. Here’s How!
Gestational Diabetes / Health / Medical Concerns / Pregnancy
mommyato
Nov 2021
Hey Mama! Did you know that 10% of pregnant women develop diabetes during pregnancy?1 This is called gestational diabetes. It usually develops in the 2nd trimester, which is when your provider will test for it. If you test positive, you can still have a healthy...
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Latest Blog Posts

31

Jan
Reducing the Maternal Mortality of Black Mothers

Black mothers are 3 times more likely to die from maternal related causes than white mothers.² What ...
Health Maternal Mortality 0 Likes
Share
23

Jan
Relieving Nipple Pain from Breastfeeding

25% of American women stop breastfeeding by 6 months because of nipple pain.² You might be wondering...
Breastfeeding Postpartum 0 Likes
Share
18

Jan
Reducing Risk of the Top 5 Birth Defects

3% of infants in the U.S. are born with birth defects.¹ If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant o...
Baby Birth Defects Health Medical Concerns Medical Concerns Medical Concerns Pregnancy 0 Likes
Share
10

Jan
The Benefits of Colostrum: Liquid Gold

Feeding your baby colostrum in the first hour of life gives your baby the best start in life.² If yo...
Breastfeeding 0 Likes
Share
04

Jan
Cervical Cancer, Pregnancy and Fertility Preservation

95% of Cervical Cancers are caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus) mainly contracted through sex.³ Wha...
Fertility Pregnancy 0 Likes
Share
30

Nov
What you Need to Know about Pelvic Girdle Pain during Pregnancy

Hey Mama! December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. While pregnancy is not of...
Health Medical Concerns Pregnancy 0 Likes
Share
30

Nov
Top 10 Tips for Safe Toy & Gift Giving

Happy Holidays to both new and seasoned Mamas! ‘Tis the season for gift giving and no doubt you’ll b...
Baby 0 Likes
Share
30

Nov
Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction After Childbirth

Chronic pelvic pain and incontinence (leaking urine or feces) are not acceptable, long term conditio...
Medical Concerns Postpartum 0 Likes
Share
30

Nov
HIV: Mother to Baby Transmission during Pregnancy and After Birth

Mother-to-baby HIV transmission disproportionally affects black/African American people. In 2019, 61...
Baby Health HIV Medical Concerns Medical Concerns Pregnancy 0 Likes
Share
01

Nov
Newborns and Reflux

40-65% of healthy infants regurgitate after feeding (reflux) and this usually goes away around 6-12 ...
Baby Medical Concerns 0 Likes
Share
01

Nov
Kangaroo Care for the Premature Infant

Skin-to-skin Kangaroo Care helps regulate your baby’s body temperature, breathing, heart rate, and b...
Baby Medical Concerns Premature Baby 0 Likes
Share
01

Nov
Caring for a Premature Baby

What is a Premature Baby? The normal length of a pregnancy is between 37- 42 weeks. Some pregnancies...
Baby Medical Concerns Premature Baby 0 Likes
Share
01

Nov
Effects of Gestational Diabetes on a Developing Baby

High blood sugar around the time of conception and throughout pregnancy increases risks of: birth d...
Baby Birth Defects Delivery Gestational Diabetes Health Medical Concerns Medical Concerns Medical Concerns Pregnancy 0 Likes
Share
06

Oct
Postpartum Health Tips for New Moms

The postpartum period can be challenging for new moms. Between the shifts in hormone levels, vagina...
Diet Health Postpartum 0 Likes
Share
04

Oct
Postpartum Depression: What you Need to Know

Depression during pregnancy and postpartum is the most common mental health condition Being pregnan...
Medical Concerns Postpartum Postpartum Depression 0 Likes
Share

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