JOURNAL
The Maternal Care Crisis in America - Stories of Mistreatment during Pregnancy and Childbirth
As a Doctor of Public Health, I am troubled by the findings of a recent CDC survey on mistreatment during maternity care in the United States. The survey of 2,400 women exposes shortcomings in our country's maternal healthcare system.
The results show that 1 in 5 mothers reported being mistreated by healthcare providers during pregnancy and childbirth. This mistreatment included having health concerns dismissed or ignored, being shouted at or scolded, and having physical privacy violated. Disturbingly, women of color reported even higher rates of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, income level, and insurance status (Ars Technica, 2023).
Sex during pregnancy: Is it safe for the baby?
Many pregnant couples have a lot of questions when it comes to their sexual relationship during the pregnancy. There are many different ways that a pregnant woman will experience her sexuality during pregnancy and it can sometimes differ greatly from how she felt about her sexuality before and after pregnancy. Couples want to know if having sex is safe for the baby, how their sexual desire might change throughout the pregnancy, different positions, and various other questions.
Is having sex safe during pregnancy?
This is one of the top questions that couples have. The simple answer is yes, it is safe. Your baby is protected within the amniotic sac, the uterus and the surrounding muscles. Apart from that, the mucus plug in your cervix will protect the baby from any infections (although if you have concerns about sexually transmitted infections, you should always use protection). Unless a doctor has specifically told you that you can’t have sex because of some kind of complication with your pregnancy it will be safe to have sex right up until you go into labor. Such complications can include placenta previa, premature labor, unexplained vaginal bleeding or abnormal discharge, cervical insufficiency, a dilated cervix, when your water has broken, if you or your partner have or feel an outbreak of genital herpes coming on, or have other sexually transmitted infections. If you ever have any doubts about whether or not it’s safe to have sex during your pregnancy, your safest bet is to check with your doctor. If your doctor says that sex is off limits for you, make sure to have him or her define what sex is. You might still be able to have oral sex, engage in mutual masturbation or other forms of intimacy even if vaginal intercourse is off the table for the time being.
Step Aside Condom - Presenting a New Birth Control Method
Following up from our last post about improving the male condom (http://urbansculpt.com/blogs/2014/3/15/improving-the-male-condom), a new condom alternative may be available to you soon. The condom has always been the only form of birth control that protects against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That is, until now. Scientists are working on a new type of birth control that will also protect against some STIs.
8 Healthy and Safe Sex Tips
Sex education isn’t just for high school health class anymore. There are a surprising number of adults who know very little about their sexual health. Just because we are old enough to know better, doesn’t always mean that we do. Check out the following tips to keep your sexual life healthy and safe.
1. The Truth about HPV
Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that is getting the most attention these days, probably due to the fact that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that it is the most common STI and almost all sexually active men and women will get it at some point in their lives. Here are some facts to help you learn all you need to know about this STI:
● HPV is spread through skin to skin contact, often during vaginal and anal sex, but it can also be spread during genital to genital contact or oral sex. This means you can be a virgin and still contract HPV.
● There are 40 different types of HPV. Ninety percent (90%) of HPV infections go away on their own within 2 years, but others can go on to cause more serious conditions such as genital warts or cervical cancer.
● There is an HPV screening for women, but unfortunately not for men. Men and women aged 26 and under can get a vaccine that will help to protect against contracting this STI.