The joint statement on laboring in water and delivering in water (the latter also known as immersion births) from the American Academy Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is making the rounds. I’ve linked to the full statement above, but in essence it says that some women find laboring in water …
Continue reading “A water birth isn’t natural it’s an intervention”
After viewing Katie Couric’s show an acquaintance’s mother sent her this e-mail. Because many people believe the health information they see on TV, especially when it comes form a source like Couric who has been known, until this point anyway, as a trusted journalist. Kate’s Couric’s “take” was about as scientific as a show entitled, …
Continue reading “Impact of Katie Couric’s misinformation on HPV vaccine in one image”
First of all, it is important to understand that there are no studies telling us exactly how to use gentian violet in the vagina. The information below is extracted from a variety of sources and should be considered a “best guess” based on bench research, some clinical experience, anecdotal reports from patients, an assorted collection …
Continue reading “How to use gentian violet for a vaginal yeast infection”
I hear it over and over again… From a nurse, “She can’t have providine prep, she has a shellfish allergy.” From the patient, “I can’t have the contrast because I’m allergic to iodine and shellfish.” The list of allergies placed in the chart by a doctor, “Radiocontrast. Iodine. Shellfish.” It’s not the fault of the …
Continue reading “Shellfish, iodine, and radiocontrast allergies: medical mythbusters”
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a statement about fetal pain given the misleading testimony during the debate over HR 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Act. This legislation was recently passed by the House of Representatives and if it becomes law will ban all abortions after 20 weeks. There is a life …
Continue reading “Fetal Pain: the facts, HR 1797, and the repercussions”
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a press release today regarding legislative interference and health care decisions. Specifically, the release states that: Government should not interfere with the patient-physician relationship without a substantial public health justification. The full Statement of Policy was approved by ACOG’s Executive Board. Some recent examples of government …
Continue reading “When judges force doctors to abandon evidence based medicine”
While the HPV vaccine is an important weapon against cervical cancer, one of the vaccines (Gardasil) also provides coverage against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. As this vaccine targets 4 types of HPV (16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer as well as 6 and 11) it is called a quadrivalent …
Continue reading “HPV vaccine almost eliminates genital warts for young women, new study”
As the inquest into Savita Halappanavar’s death continues we have heard about delays and errors, all of which most likely contributed to her terrible outcome. However, along the way those who have tried to pass off her death as medical negligence and nothing to do with Irish law or Catholic ethos have rested on the …
Savita Halappanavar was admitted at on a Sunday to Galway hospital at 17 weeks into her pregnancy with ruptured membranes, a dilated cervix, and an elevated white blood cell count (a marker of infection). It is clear that her diagnosis was chorioamnionitis, an infection of the fetal membranes. When left untreated the bacteria of chorioamnionitis march …
Continue reading “Savita Halappanavar’s inquest: the three questions that must be answered”
The use of Plan B is increasing in the United States. A new report from the National Center of Health Statistics tells us that between 2006-2010 11% of sexual experienced women reported using emergency contraception versus 4.2% in 2002. About half used the morning after pill because they had a contraception failure, like a broken …
Continue reading “The anti-science of the pro-life movement and Plan B”
