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Category Archives: Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

December 12 2025

Managing Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Health After Pregnancy

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

Urinary incontinence — the unintentional loss of bladder control — is a common concern for women, particularly after pregnancy and childbirth. Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, hormonal changes, and the physical strain of carrying a baby can contribute to leakage, urgency, or difficulty controlling the bladder. Understanding the causes and strategies to strengthen the pelvic floor can restore confidence and improve daily life.

Pelvic floor muscles provide essential support for the bladder, uterus, and bowel. Pregnancy, vaginal delivery, and certain gynecologic surgeries can stretch or weaken these muscles, leading to urinary incontinence. Even mild leakage can feel frustrating, but targeted exercises and mindful lifestyle adjustments can make a significant difference.

Medical and therapeutic options are available. Pelvic floor physical therapy helps women regain muscle strength and coordination through guided exercises and posture training. Medications may also be recommended in some cases to manage bladder contractions or improve sphincter function. Early intervention often leads to the best outcomes, so seeking guidance as soon as symptoms appear is key.

Lifestyle strategies complement professional care. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding bladder irritants (like caffeine and excess sugar), and staying hydrated in moderation support bladder health. Regular practice of pelvic floor exercises, also called Kegels, can be done at home and gradually improve strength and control.

Patient Perspective:
Recovering pelvic floor strength and bladder control after pregnancy can feel challenging, but small, consistent actions lead to meaningful results. Tracking progress, celebrating improvements, and openly discussing concerns with a healthcare provider empowers women to regain confidence and enjoy everyday life without fear of leakage.

Nursing Perspective:
Nurses play a critical role in educating patients about urinary incontinence and pelvic floor health. Guiding women through proper exercise technique, reviewing lifestyle modifications, and monitoring progress ensures safe, effective recovery. Encouraging consistent practice and offering reassurance builds both confidence and long-term success.

💡 Tip to Try This Week:
Set aside 5 minutes each day for pelvic floor exercises. Focus on slow, controlled contractions and releases of the muscles that support the bladder. Combine with mindful posture and deep breathing. Small, consistent practice strengthens your pelvic floor, improves bladder control, and supports overall core stability.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

November 11 2025

Osteoporosis: Protecting Your Bones for Long-Term Health

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Hormonal Health, Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile, increasing the risk of fractures and affecting mobility and quality of life. It often develops silently over time, so understanding the causes, risk factors, and ways to protect your bones is essential for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Bone health is influenced by several factors. Age, hormonal changes — especially in postmenopausal women — and genetics play a role in bone density. Lifestyle choices, such as diet, physical activity, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, are factors you can control to reduce your risk. Recognizing these factors early allows you to take proactive steps toward maintaining strong, healthy bones.

Detecting osteoporosis early is crucial. Regular bone density screenings, especially for women over 50 or individuals with risk factors, help identify bone loss before fractures occur. Nurses and healthcare providers play a key role in educating patients about screening recommendations and interpreting results to guide interventions.

Developing a plan to protect bone health combines nutrition, supplements, and exercise. Diets rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein provide the building blocks for strong bones. Bone-supporting supplements may also be recommended based on individual needs. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, light resistance training, or balance-focused movements, strengthen bones and improve mobility, while reducing the risk of falls and fractures.

Patient Perspective:
Protecting your bones is about small, consistent actions. Incorporating calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, or fortified alternatives, engaging in daily movement, and following your provider’s guidance for screenings and supplements empowers you to take control of your bone health and maintain independence.

Nursing Perspective:
Nurses are vital in guiding patients through osteoporosis prevention and management. From teaching proper exercise techniques to monitoring dietary habits and ensuring adherence to supplements or medications, nurses help patients implement practical strategies that support long-term bone strength and overall wellness.

💡 Tip to Try This Week:
Add one bone-protecting habit to your routine — such as 10 minutes of weight-bearing exercise, a calcium-rich snack, or a short walk outdoors for vitamin D. Small, consistent actions strengthen bones, improve balance, and reduce the risk of fractures over time. Tracking progress and celebrating these healthy habits reinforces motivation and long-term commitment.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

October 10 2025

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Challenges in Menopausal Women

Author jrmnurse Posted on Categories Health/Wellness, Hormonal Health, Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

Menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life, but it often brings physiological changes that can impact cardiovascular and metabolic health. Understanding these risks is essential for both healthcare providers and women themselves. Nurses play a key role in education, prevention, and advocacy for healthy aging.

Cardiovascular Risks in Menopause:
The decline in estrogen during menopause affects the cardiovascular system. Key concerns include:

  • Increased blood pressure

  • Changes in cholesterol levels (higher LDL, lower HDL)

  • Greater risk of heart disease and stroke

Nursing Perspective:
Monitoring vital signs, patient education on heart-healthy habits, and advocating for regular screenings can reduce cardiovascular risk.

Metabolic Dysfunction:
Menopause can also affect metabolism, leading to:

  • Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen

  • Insulin resistance and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes

  • Changes in lipid and glucose metabolism

 Lifestyle and Functional Medicine Interventions:
Nurses and healthcare providers can guide patients toward sustainable interventions:

  • Nutrition: Emphasize anti-inflammatory foods, balanced macronutrients, and adequate fiber.

  • Physical activity: Regular aerobic and resistance exercise to support heart health and metabolism.

  • Sleep and stress management: Quality sleep and stress reduction techniques improve insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular resilience.

  • Functional labs and personalized assessment: Identify hormonal imbalances, metabolic markers, and cardiovascular risk factors to tailor care.

Patient Perspective:
Women can feel empowered by understanding these changes. Small, consistent lifestyle adjustments, combined with regular check-ups, can significantly reduce long-term risks.

Menopause doesn’t have to mean inevitable cardiovascular or metabolic decline. Through awareness, proactive monitoring, and lifestyle interventions, nurses can help women maintain heart and metabolic health, improve quality of life, and promote longevity.

This week, women experiencing menopause can schedule a basic cardiovascular and metabolic screening — a first step in proactive, empowered care.

Written by Rosie Moore, DNP, RN, LNC, BC-FMP

April 04 2020

Religious Ethics in the NICU: Balancing Beliefs and Life-Saving Care

Author Rosie's Nurse corner Posted on Categories Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

The ethical situation that comes to mind this week is religious ethics. This theory focuses on religion, often shaped by a parent’s upbringing and older family members. For example, Jehovah’s Witness parents do not allow blood transfusions. This becomes critical when a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) needs a transfusion. In such cases, the treating neonatologist may need a court order to administer the transfusion. In extreme emergencies, if two doctors sign off that immediate action is necessary, the baby will receive the transfusion while the court order is pending.

As a parent of a premature baby myself, I could not imagine not doing everything possible to save my child. Yet religious ethics prioritize the parents’ beliefs, even when medical decisions are life-saving (Denisco & Barker, 2012).

The parents’ refusal can hinder care, but nurses must promote family-centered care, involving caregivers in decision-making whenever possible (Meadow, Feudtner, Matheny Antommaria, Sommer, & Lantos, 2010).

I recall my experience in a level 3 critical NICU, where many rooms were open due to the infants’ conditions. I watched a baby deteriorate rapidly, and the healthcare team discussed urgent transfusion needs openly. As a parent, it was heartbreaking. As a nurse, I wondered how I would handle such a situation, balancing professional responsibilities with compassion for the parents.

The nurse manager at the time criticized the parents, calling their decisions ignorant. While part of me understood her frustration, the compassionate nurse in me knew these parents faced an agonizing choice. I reminded the manager that, regardless of personal opinions, our role was to support the family, ensure the infant’s safety, and provide care—whether or not the parents agreed. By law and ethical standards, the baby would receive the transfusion if medically necessary, often by court order, but our empathy and guidance were essential for the parents during this crisis.

With religious ethics, we may not agree with the family, but as nurses, we must respect their customs and beliefs as long as the baby’s life is not in immediate danger. Compassion and empathy guide us in navigating these difficult situations.

References:
Denisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2012). Advanced practice nursing: Evolving rules for the transformation of the profession (2nd ed., pp. 569-581). Retrieved from https://campus.capella.edu/web/library/home

Meadow, W., Feudtner, C., & Matheny-Antommaria, A. H. (2010, April 13). A premature infant with necrotizing enterocolitis. Special Articles – Ethics Rounds. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-0079

 

January 01 2020

Passive Descent vs Pushing in Second Stage of Labor

Author Rosie's Nurse corner Posted on Categories Women’s Health and Neonatal Care

Most recently I was asked to comment on whether during the second stage of labor ( which is the onset of full cervical dilation) should be passive descent vs. pushing.  In my opinion, it all depends on what policy the treating practitioner uses.  I worked at a high level labor and delivery unit up North where women were flown in if it was an emergency or bad delivery anticipated or trauma.  But we also were a Catholic Hospital and took care of the indigent. We had a teen obstetrics clinic in the area (not related to the hospital) but it was across the street.  They handled all the teenage pregnancies that came through their doors.  It was managed by two very caring midwives.  At this clinic, the girls not only received prenatal care but they also received information on how to take care of their babies.  The girls were referred to pediatricians to get healthcare for the babies and to school counselors to help them get their GED’s.  But the best part was that these midwives taught natural childbirth at their clinic.  When a girl came into labor, they went into the birthing room and they did perineal massage to do natural descent.  They worked with the contractions.  These girls rarely had any perineal tears.

One day one of the midwives was on vacation and the other one was in the clinic and could not get there this one time and one of their girls came in almost completely dilated and effaced.  The resident on duty that evening was one of the most arrogant doctors I had ever seen, he had smart remarks before he even got in the room with her. He went inside to do her exam and he rammed into her and the girl nearly jumped three feet, I calmed her down as she was a scared 15-year-old girl.  She screamed and he said listen you had something much bigger in there than my finger, I quickly stated, doctor that is enough.  He said,  yes she is dilated,  get her in the delivery room, I said that the girls go to the birthing rooms and deliver there in a more holistic approach; his reply was, we don’t have time for that garbage, get her pushing and delivered.  This poor child gave birth and had tears from front to back, she was in such pain, as she could not have an epidural or pain meds since she was already effaced and 10 cm.  I did not have kids at that time, but could only imagine by the grips of my hand and the tears and screaming that she was suffering.  I was barely 21 years old.  The midwife came finally after she closed the clinic at 7pm to check on her patient and was so angry after the patient told her what happened. She brought up the incident to the hospital administrator who placed the doctor on probation.  He had a few incidents with me and some other nurses and eventually was fired from the residency at that hospital. Knowing the hospital’s practice for each unit and also what the practitioner believes is very important (Denisco & Barker, 2012).  Some doctors will approach labor and delivery with a more holistic approach.  This would be an approach that Jean Watson’s theory on caring would fit in to.

 

 

References

Denisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2012). 25. In Advanced practice nursing: Evolving rules for the transformation of the profession (2nd ed., pp. 547-567). Retrieved from https://campus.capella.edu/web/library/home

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