The next session of We’ve Got Your Back! Epidural/Intrathecal class is coming right up - 7 to 8:15 pm, Tuesday, July 10. Anesthesiologist Virginia Price, MD, will be presenting this important information so expectant moms understand their options.

Relief  

You may not think you will want an epidural or intrathecal for labor pain. If that is your goal, we wish you the best, but we do want you to make an informed decision. It's much easier to find out the facts when you're calm and NOT in pain than when you're having contractions. I am ...

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“I’d like to order the pain-free labor…”

This is a request I often here in Oh, Baby! classes or at the Women and Children’s Center. Expectant mothers may watch movies or TV shows that depict women sitting in the bed, watching their favorite Real Housewives episode with a full face of perfect makeup, waiting for the nurse to tell them it’s time to push. Perhaps you have had a family member or friend who has told you that having a baby was a piece of cake or that you have to have the epidural or you won ...

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Are you a nursing mom? Perhaps you are expecting and have decided to breastfeed your baby. Or maybe you haven’t delivered yet and you are still trying to make up your mind.

At Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Women and Children’s Center, about 60 to 65 percent of all new moms begin feeding their babies with the best nutrition on the planet – breast milk! Within one week, more than half of those mothers have stopped. What happens during that first week that changes their minds?

Let’s hear from some mothers who are experienced in breastfeeding. I encourage you ...

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It’s estimated that as many as 90 percent of infant car seats may be installed or used improperly, which can dramatically increase a child’s risk of injury in a crash. John Hedges, Mattoon Police Officer and State of Illinois certified car seat technician, says that every time he performs one of these car seat clinics at Sarah Bush Lincoln he finds that every car seat must be adjusted to ensure it is as safe as it can possibly be. That’s why we recommend leaving the installation of your car seat up to the experts!

The Safe and ...

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We see it every day.

Nancy, the admitting nurse, smiled warmly at Katrina, who had just arrived at the Women and Children’s Center. “Here’s a gown you can change into. You’ll need to remove your bra and undies, empty your bladder, put the gown on, and then hop into the birthing bed.” A few minutes later, Katrina appeared in the bathroom door, walked the few steps to the bed, and climbed in.

“So….”, Nancy said in a calm, inviting tone. “Why did your doctor send you to the hospital today?”

With a slightly apprehensive look on her ...

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“The pregnant young woman looked into the doctor’s kind eyes. He reminded her vaguely of her father - someone who knew how to take charge. “I’d rather not be there when it happens,” she stated flatly. He smiled knowingly behind his wire-rimmed glasses. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Giving birth years ago

This was the scene occurring 30 to 40 years ago, and as recently as 25 years ago, all across the country. The rule, not the exception, was to totally medicate the laboring mother, many times with amnesia-producing drugs such as scopolamine, a drug commonly associated ...

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