An episiotomy is no longer recommended for all moms-to-be in all cases. Here’s what to know about this once-routine childbirth procedure:
What is an episiotomy?
An episiotomy is an incision made through the area between the vaginal opening and anus (perineum) during childbirth. For years, the procedure was believed to help prevent more extensive vaginal tears, as well as promote better healing overall compared to natural tearing. Current research suggests this may no longer be true.
Whether you have a loved one with a long-term or sudden illness, or an aging parent who needs your caregiving assistance, you’re far from alone. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, more than 34 million Americans provide unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older.
While feeling stressed or sometimes overwhelmed as a caregiver is normal, these tips can help put your mind at ease:
It may seem like just a bad cold, but the flu's effects can be far more serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. are hospitalized every year due to influenza, and in 2018 alone, about 80,000 Americans died from this all-too-common illness.
You may already know that 1 in 8 women will face a diagnosis of breast cancer in her lifetime. But did you know there’s one simple screening that saves lives, and that Holland Hospital offers a special fund to help those in need receive this vital test?
Established five years ago, the Holland Hospital Breast Care Fund offers assistance to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured or have high deductibles by covering the cost of screening mammograms and diagnostics, including ultrasounds and biopsies.
Bullying is far more common than any of us want to admit, with many children facing it on a daily basis. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, 1 in 4 students report being bullied at school.
With the advent of social media, bullying is no longer just something kids experience at school or on the playground—it’s become a 24/7 concern. Bullying can be physical, social or psychological and can involve hitting, shoving, verbal threats, excluding others, spreading rumors or shaming.
Having a baby boy? Congratulations! Along with other decisions to make when having a baby, you’ll have one extra to consider: to circumcise or not. To help you with this important decision, Jason VanderLugt, MD, pediatric hospitalist at Holland Hospital Boven Birth Center, offers some facts and perspective on circumcision.
What is circumcision?
It’s estimated that 100 million Americans struggle with pain symptoms daily, and chronic pain is the nation’s leading cause of long-term disability.
Whether you’re trying to kick the smoking habit or just plain curious, vaping might seem harmless enough. But are electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) better or safer than traditional tobacco products?
Dr. Matt Hilton, Holland Hospital Family Medicine, offers six facts to answer this question and more:
Having a baby is one of the most important moments of your life. Creating a birth plan before he/she arrives can give you added peace of mind and help you focus on what matters most: welcoming your baby into the world.
While it should be flexible—after all, there’s no crystal ball for having a baby—a birth plan is an outline of your specific preferences and goals for your labor and delivery. Here are some suggestions and questions to consider: