Food Allergy Testing: What To Expect

Two years ago, a typical breakfast outing with my family changed our lives. My six-month-old showed interest in my scrambled eggs, so I gave him a few spoonfuls. By the time we got home ten minutes later, his face was red and hives were popping up across his face. After a visit to pediatric urgent … Continue reading Food Allergy Testing: What To Expect

surgical masks on a table

Ask SciMoms: Why did CDC mask recommendations change again?

On July 27, 2021,  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their masking and other recommendations to help mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This post will discuss why the recommendations have changed, review the current CDC masking guidelines, and compare the guidelines to masking recommendations from other organizations and countries.  Why do CDC … Continue reading Ask SciMoms: Why did CDC mask recommendations change again?

Yes, You Should Start Taking Folic Acid Before You Get Pregnant

A SciMoms Guide to Folate and Folic Acid in Pregnancy If you’re planning to get pregnant, it’s important to start taking folic acid at least one month before you conceive in order to ensure your baby’s healthy neurodevelopment. While we don’t know the exact role of folic acid in pregnancy, we know that folic acid … Continue reading Yes, You Should Start Taking Folic Acid Before You Get Pregnant

Medical Sexism: The Consequences of Sexist Care

If you have ever been told you cannot get a prescription refill on your birth control pills until you come into the doctor’s office for a Pap test; if your experience in the labor and delivery room involved medical professionals overriding or ignoring your expressed wishes; if you have ever received a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis due to a physician not listening to or believing your symptoms, you may have experienced “medical sexism.”

What is Essiac tea and can it cure cancer?

Essiac tea has been touted as a cure but what does the evidence show? What if I told you that I have a secret mix of roots and herbs passed down from an ancient tribe that, when combined into a tea called Essiac, could cure you of cancer? How much would you be willing to … Continue reading What is Essiac tea and can it cure cancer?

Infant lying down, looking at the camera

Safe Infant Feeding: Parents Aren’t Getting The Information They Need

Image: bingngu93 from Pixabay by Ranjini (Rini) Ghosh When it comes to safe infant feeding, the “Breast-is-Best” mantra is the standard in hospitals, from prenatal education sessions and through the postpartum hospital stay and beyond. It’s based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization that infants be exclusively breastfed … Continue reading Safe Infant Feeding: Parents Aren’t Getting The Information They Need