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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 …

Welcoming a baby into this world is a scary and prestigious responsibility. The first phase of the changing family dynamics is the postpartum period, which many don’t prepare for. Read on to explore the importance of postnatal care and why families must prepare and request support. Understanding the Fourth Trimester Often, expecting families associate maternal care with prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and newborn care decisions after delivery. While all these phases matter significantly, th …

There is a wide range of medical instruments and tools that many are familiar with, whether patient or provider. For gynecological care, patients understand they will need to lie back on the table and undergo a reproductive health examination annually, regardless of sexual or childbearing history. The best way for patients and providers to go through these critical exams comfortably is through the use of a vaginal speculum. Here we explore everything you need to know about speculums, including t …

Who a family hires for their pregnancy and birth process can ultimately make or break the experience. It’s vital you invest your time and energy into helping them find a supportive, experienced, and knowledgeable individual, regardless of preferences and demands. We discuss the role of a doula during and after childbirth, so you understand how they can best help you and the family. Why Are Doulas Important?Doulas hold a unique superpower in offering uncontested and reliable support services to e …