Vaccines for COVID-19 became available in late 2020, and were immediately followed by a rash of myths and misinformation online. Many of the most pervasive myths – that the vaccine causes infertility, that it’s unsafe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, that it can cause miscarriage – are specifically focused on women’s health and reproductive health.
Dr. Michael Beninati joins this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to put a stop to some of the most dangerous misinformation, and talk about the research that shows why these myths just aren’t true.
Some of the resources Dr. Beninati mentions for up-to-date and accurate COVID-19 and vaccine information: 
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
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COVID Vaccines and Women’s Health Myths

The latest on ob-gyn health issues and innovations, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. obgyn.wisc.edu

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One in eight people in the United States have high blood pressure or hypertension during their pregnancies. What does that mean for their health moving forward? Our guests joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about blood pressure and cardiovascular concerns during and after pregnancy. Dr. Kara Hoppe is an associate professor in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Megan Knutson-Sinaise is a research coordinator and health coach. 
They discussed how common blood pressure issues are during pregnancy, important signs and symptoms to be aware of, and what people should know about their lifelong cardiovascular health after high blood pressure during pregnancy. 
Resources: 
Treating chronic hypertension in early pregnancy benefits parents, babies – National Institutes of Health 
Life’s Essential Eight - American Heart Association 
Staying Healthy After Childbirth – UW Department of Ob-Gyn 
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Fourth Trimester: Heart Health After Pregnancy

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. In this series, the Women’s Healthcast will air episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mental health, birth control after pregnancy, and more. 
Dr. Ryan McDonald joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about postpartum depression and anxiety. Dr. McDonald is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. He talked about postpartum mental health signs and symptoms, a variety of treatment and support options, and important resources for parents and families navigating postpartum depression or anxiety. 
RESOURCES: 
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – dial 988 at any time or visit https://988lifeline.org/  
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – dial 1-833-943-5746 or visit https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline  
ACOG Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit: https://www.acog.org/programs/perinatal-mental-health 
Healthy Brain and Child Development Study  - https://hbcdstudy.org  
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Fourth Trimester: Postpartum Mental Health

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. On the Women’s Healthcast, we’re airing a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery after birth, postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, and more.
Dr. Katie Sampene joined this episode to talk about pregnancy prevention in the fourth trimester. Dr. Sampene as an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. She discussed recommendations for spacing pregnancies, why people may want to consider a birth control method so quickly after giving birth, how different methods affect breast or chest feeding, and more.
RESOURCES:
Postpartum Family Planning Worksheets - UW Department of Ob-Gyn / UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital
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Fourth Trimester: Pregnancy Prevention

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mental health, birth control after pregnancy, and more.
Dr. Molly Lepic joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about a common aspect of the postpartum period: breastfeeding. Dr. Lepic is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. She talked about how breastfeeding works, resources available to support people through the ups and downs of breastfeeding, and more.
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Fourth Trimester: Breastfeeding

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists calls the 12 weeks after giving birth the Fourth Trimester. For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will air a Fourth Trimester series, with episodes about physical recovery, postpartum mood changes, breastfeeding, and so much more. 
Our first episode covered general questions about physical recovery after giving birth. On this episode, we’ll learn more about one particular aspect of recovery: perineal tears, or perineal lacerations.  
These complications are very common during childbirth: somewhere between 60-70 percent of people who give birth experience some degree of tearing in the skin or muscles between the vagina and anus. Despite their frequency, they’re not commonly discussed.  
Dr. Jon Pennycuff, a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgeon in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about perineal tears – how often they happen, how they’re treated, and what he wishes more people understood about them.  
RESOURCES:
Pelvic Floor Health Guide – American Urogynecologic Society
Third and Fourth-Degree Perineal Tears – American Urogynecologic Society
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COVID Vaccines and Women’s Health Myths

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