“We understand that these are tough times, and we are committed to making sure our patients are still receiving the excellent care they deserve without breaking the bank,” says Dr. Rebecca Cipriano, Vice President of Healthy Woman OB/GYN.

Healthy Woman announced this week that they would be implementing a new affordable payment schedule for patients without insurance coverage, giving patients the ability to afford routine visits without worrying about insurance reimbursement and affordability.

“We are giving patients options. Many lose their insurance and don’t go to their physician because of cost fears. We want our patients to know that even without insurance, they can afford to come to us and make sure that they are healthy,” says Dr. Rebecca Cipriano.

For some, insurance premiums have increased by almost fifty percent, a reality that insurance companies will no longer be able to turn away or charge people more with pre-existing conditions, thus raising the rates for everyone.

“It’s important for our patients to know that we understand how financially they might be affected, and want to make sure that they are getting the care they need at a rate that works for them.”

Drs. Joseph and Rebecca Cipriano started the practice eleven years ago, servicing women in the Central New Jersey area. With two locations, in Freehold and Colts Neck, the all board-certified practice takes pride in offering superior service to women in the area.

“Our patients mean the world to us, and anything we can do to help make health a top priority in these tough times, we are going to do it.”

For more information on our new flexible payment plans for uninsured patients, please visit our Insurance page now!

So how exactly can breastfeeding be beneficial?

1. Illness prevention. The nutrients in a mother’s breast milk are designed exclusively for her baby—and that’s something formula just can’t reproduce. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to suffer from ear infections, stomach viruses, meningitis, respiratory problems and other illnesses, and when they do get sick, they tend to recover faster. This is largely thanks to a substance in breast milk known as immunoglobulin A, which creates a layer over the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and intestinal tract, helping protect them from harm. Children continue to benefit from a bolstered immune system later in life, even after breastfeeding has ceased. They’re at a lower risk for some childhood cancers, diabetes and high cholesterol, among other diseases.

2. Cost savings. Formula isn’t cheap. And while you may purchase a breast pump and other accessories—like nursing tops and pillows—to aid you, it’s likely to come out to be less in the long run than the price of formula and bottles. Don’t forget the potential savings when it comes to health care costs, too.

3. Allergy protection. Formula-fed babies have more allergic reactions. Scientists think that the same protective layer provided by breast milk that helps guard against diseases also steels the body against allergic reactions. With the protective coating of immunoglobulin A around the inside of the intestines, allergens are less likely to penetrate through. By getting only breast milk, babies also aren’t exposed to the allergens that can come with cow’s milk or soy milk.

4. Bonding. Many moms find nursing to be one of the best ways to bond with their babies. Mothers who nurse hold, speak to, and rock their babies more often (even when not feeding). The skin-to-skin contact helps form a strong connection, and research has shown that hormones released while breastfeeding increase a woman’s feelings of love and affection.

5. Increased intelligence. Although the question of whether breastfeeding boosts brainpower is debated, it certainly can’t hurt. Studies have found that vocabulary and cognitive development are two of the areas that breastfed kids do better in—the reason may be the fatty acids found in breast milk.

6. Reduced postpartum depression. Moms who don’t breastfeed or stop early on have a greater risk of postpartum depression, according to a review by the National Institutes of Health. Those who nurse are more likely to have high levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which promotes relaxation and keeps stress levels down.

One of the most dreaded pregnancy symptoms is nausea, also known as morning sickness. On the plus side, nausea is usually a sign that the mother’s body is producing an adequate amount of hormones. On the negative side, there’s the seemingly never-ending, inconvenient and sometimes dangerous nausea and vomiting that can make it difficult to keep anything down.

Nausea during pregnancy is most prevalent during the first trimester when hormone levels are rising.  The drop in nausea is directly related to a slowing production of certain pregnancy hormones.  When hormone levels stop climbing, the nausea stops for most women. Other women, however, experience nausea and vomiting throughout their entire pregnancy.

It is most important during this time to consume frequent small meals and try to avoid any foods that may trigger an attack.  It has been reported that for some women eating potato chips and drinking lemonade has helped to ease nausea symptoms. 

Besides being inconvenient, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can sometimes be dangerous. Serious nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can result in a condition known as hyperemesis, the condition Kate Middleton was diagnosed with, which is typically diagnosed when a woman has lost at least 10% of her body weight because of nausea and vomiting. If you experience significant nausea and vomiting, you can become dehydrated and your electrolytes balance may become imbalanced – which can be dangerous for everyone. The usual treatment for this is a combination of anti-nausea medications and intravenous fluids to replace the fluids you have lost. You may need to be placed in the hospital temporarily for treatment or some women who have long-term hyperemesis may receive home health and complete IV therapies at home.

In addition, there are a number of ways to handle nausea during pregnancy. No one method works for every mother to be – some methods work better than others and some methods work for a while then stop. Keep trying to find something that works for you, and talk to your doctor if nausea and vomiting are becoming particularly problematic.

The old standard advice of saltine crackers and ginger ale is still valid, as the saltiness of the crackers helps to settle the stomach for some women, while some women find that potato chips work better. In addition, although ginger ale contains only minimal amounts of ginger, ginger has long been utilized to help ease a troublesome tummy. Some studies suggest that ingesting large amounts of ginger during pregnancy can cause problems, so you may want to be cautious. For some women, just the scent of ginger can be calming, as can the scent of fresh lemons.

If you are experiencing morning sickness, call your Healthy Woman physician and consult about at-home remedies and other options during your pregnancy.