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Outside of ultrasound, there aren’t too many other ways to ensure the health and well-being of a fetus. Care providers will often rely on fetal heart rate monitoring through various stages of pregnancy and delivery to obtain the information they need to ensure fetal viability. While an ultrasound may offer a closer look at physical growth, fetal heart monitoring can offer immediate peace of mind surrounding heart and lung development.Because there are various devices used for monitoring, it’s wo …

After delivering a baby, the newborn and the birth parent will undergo extensive tests and monitoring to ensure their health and safety. Newborns spend nine months tucked safely in the womb. Once they enter the world, many things may present themselves. Health professionals will perform an Apgar test for a quick evaluation. We’ll explore why this matters in more detail.The Apgar Score ExplainedThe Apgar score is a brief physical examination of a newborn immediately after birth. This is where bas …

Whether you’re assisting with a water birth or are planning to have a water birth yourself, we've compiled this checklist with everything you’ll need to make an at-home birth pool setup simple and easy. Still have questions? Email or call us and our Customer Service team will gladly help!*If using a birth pool for Professional Use, don't forget to add an extra hose so you have one dedicated for filling and one for draining! …

Welcoming a newborn into your home, heart, and family is an unmatched experience, though challenging at times. One area of concern for many new families is determining whether formula or breast milk is the best feeding option. While doing what’s best for your family is essential, it’s worth exploring why nursing is so important for newborns.Breast Milk Is More Than NutritionA significant fact to understand about nursing is that the process provides much more than nutrition. Yes, a newborn will b …

Labs everywhere rely on their ability to collect blood specimens accurately and safely from patients. Whether an individual is inpatient or requires outpatient lab work, every facility carries a complete inventory of vacutainers and butterfly needles. Here, we explore everything you need to know about vacutainers and offer insight into the types available with a few distinct properties. Understanding the Vacutainer SystemVacutainer collection systems are sterile tubes designed to collect a patie …

Measuring and monitoring various baseline health markers are some of the most important things medical professionals do with patients. They are commonly referred to as vital signs and indicate the severity and level of care a patient may need at any given time. The pulse oximeter reading is part of this list of baseline measurements, which assesses blood oxygen saturation. In this article, we explore what you should know about blood oxygen levels and why proper measuring and monitoring are impor …

Cleaning medical tools and devices is a vital part of safe and ethical health care. All facilities must adhere to proper safety protocols, including sterilizing any reusable metal instruments. But are autoclaves and steam sterilization the same thing, and if so, how do they work? We explore these processes below so your facility can invest in or upgrade your device cleansing system. A Closer Look at an AutoclaveMany use the terms autoclave and steam sterilization synonymously, but an autoclave a …

Breastfeeding is a biological process for a mother-baby dyad, though it does not come naturally to each pair. Many benefit from breastfeeding education and support, whether they are on their first or subsequent child. It’s important for all communities to have basic access to breastfeeding education so that every family can offer their infant the desired nutrition. We explore the effectiveness of education below. Why Breastfeeding Matters Breastmilk provides fundamental nutrients to the nursing …

Working in the maternal care field and with newborns is an incredibly rewarding career path. Not only do individuals get to witness the miracle of life, but they can earn a lucrative living with flexibility and benefits. If you’ve been pondering becoming a midwife yourself, we explore the steps you need to take to make this happen. Receive Your Bachelor’s in NursingThe first and most significant step to becoming a certified nurse midwife is earning your bachelor’s in registered nursing. You can’ …

How someone labors and delivers their baby is a personal and honorable choice, regardless of location, environment, and methods. All births are remarkable, and every circumstance is unique. But are water births less painful for mothers, or is this just a trend? We explore water births in more depth and offer insight into why some individuals choose this method over others. What Is a Water Birth?A water birth is a vaginal delivery method that takes place without the use of other pain management a …