As she prepared to give birth for the first time, Andrea Cardinal, 38, expected a challenge because of her age. But the Mt. Zion resident experienced a rare complication – a ruptured fibroid on her uterus – which led to…
Alanna and Blake Wood of Springfield appreciated the new updated birth suites at SMH when Alanna delivered their son, Nolan Wood, in early August. “It was so nice that all the after-birth procedures on me and Baby Nolan could be…
Does Grandma know best? Usually! But when it comes to recommended best practices for infant safety, a lot has changed over the past 100 years. September is Baby Safety Month—an opportunity to see how far we have come in protecting…
Many women do not learn until pregnancy that they need some new vaccinations or booster injections (an extra dose of a vaccine to extend your immunity). Keeping your vaccines up-to-date can help you to protect you and your family. “Vaccines…
A breastfeeding mom has a new set of needs when it comes to breastfeeding a baby—and as her partner and support, you can help fulfill some of those new needs and ease the transition. Be a learner. Learn all you…
Returning home from the hospital with your baby safely restrained in a car seat can be both a relief and a stress storm. Here’s what you need to know about the range of physical and emotional changes related to C-section…
A woman faces a deluge of decisions when she learns she’s expecting a baby, and deciding what and how to feed the baby is one of the biggies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for…
You and your newborn are returning home, but how do you introduce him or her to your pet? A new arrival is an exciting time for all members of the family, but it’s best to make the transition as easy…
Early in Rachel Kesler’s pregnancy, her physicians discovered that Rachel’s kidneys were beginning to fail. Kidney disease had been present but undetected until she began regular appointments and pregnancy testing. Jeffrey Olejnik, MD, at the SIU Center for Women’s Health,…
Even an experienced mother can feel unsure of herself and her body in the wake of delivering twins. Stephanie Yingling found herself in that indefinable mental and physical space between elation and exhaustion following the birth, via scheduled C-section, of…