Pre-eclampsia, a potentially fatal pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure, is 60 percent more common in black women than white women, according to the Healthcare Cost Utilization Project (HCUP). Left untreated, pre-eclampsia can lead to complications — even death — for mother and baby. “Black women are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia and to…
When you’re expecting a baby, you have lots of decisions to make. Do you want to see a doctor or a midwife? Do you want to use nitrous oxide? What about a labor tub? And, of course, how will delivery day go? Knowing who can and will be in the delivery room can help you…
New information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) brings some not-so-good news about the number of women smoking while pregnant. According to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, one out of 14 women who gave birth in 2016 smoked cigarettes while pregnant. The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy varies by state….
Planning to start or expand your family? That’s great! Now’s the time to take steps to get your body ready for a baby. Here are four steps to get started. Is pregnancy in your future? We can help you find a physician or midwife who’s right for you. Call (502) 629-1234 or Find a provider…
Pregnancy can bring a lot of changes for a woman — emotionally and physically. While it can be easy to talk about the joys and challenges of navigating motherhood or a growing family, it’s not always easy to talk about changes to your body. It may feel taboo — how often did you think about,…
The latest trend in alternative labor options may give many pregnant women a smile. Nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas, is commonly thought of as a medication used by dentists to help calm patients. Now it’s available to women in labor. “Nitrous oxide actually was a common staple during deliveries in the 1800s…
What if it’s the middle of the night and your baby refuses to latch on? Or, you have a fever and breast pain and need to know what to do? Breastfeeding concerns can happen any time of the day. Norton eCare now offers breastfeeding support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A Norton eCare…
Do you want to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? Then breastfeed at least two months. A study by the University of Virginia School of Medicine found that breastfeeding for the first two months of an infant’s life can cut the risk of SIDS in half. We’ve known that breastfeeding has many…
If you’re expecting your first baby, no doubt you are overwhelmed with all the decisions to be made. What do I want the day of my child’s birth to be like? Should I have a natural birth? Should I see an OB/GYN or a midwife for my prenatal care and delivery? Every pregnancy is different,…
Becoming a new mom is wonderful — and a bit terrifying — according to 34-year-old Sarah Ramage. The questions began for her almost as soon as she and her husband, Derrick, welcomed their son, Connor, to the world last spring. One of her chief concerns was breastfeeding. How would she know Connor was getting enough…
As summer and mosquito season hit full steam, many women who are pregnant, or couples who are considering becoming pregnant, may have concerns about the mosquito-borne Zika virus. As new information continues to emerge, Jennifer Evans, M.D., medical director of Norton Women’s Care, and Paul Schulz, M.D., system epidemiologist for Norton Healthcare, share some updates. When…
Women are tough. Every month we grin and bear it when cramps set in. We know some lower abdominal and even back pain is normal. But when does the pain become abnormal? Speak up about your symptoms Need an OB/GYN? We can help you find the right one for you Find an OB/GYN Women’s health…