ahs-admin's blog

Lovelace Women’s Hospital has been an active partner in the community of Albuquerque supporting health and wellness through a number of community outreach activities and two annual events growing in popularity – Girls’ Night Out and Day of Dance. The message behind the outreach is to encourage the community to take an active role in educating themselves on how to improve their health and how to access resources available to support a healthy lifestyle.

According to I’m Safe, motor vehicle crashes take the lives of more than 12 children every week in the US. In 1985, New Mexico held the highest fatality rate in the United States. After many safety initiatives and policies, New Mexico now ranks 13^th in traffic fatalities.

When the unexpected happens and a new parent is living with depression, the situation can be frustrating. Pregnancy, mood and anxiety disorders can affect the whole family. There is no magic wand to cure depression and recovery may feel slow, but with a plan and dedication to health care, support and communication, it does get better over time. No matter how hard you try, or how much you love your partner, recovery takes longer than you want. You have to wait this out with each other.

As you support your partner, it is important that you also take care of yourself:

Many people think that cannabinoids, like marijuana, are harmless during pregnancy, but research suggests otherwise.

·       “Cannabinoid” is a term to describe a group of 66 ingredients found in the flowering cannabis plant.

·       Each of these 66 chemicals affects brain receptors differently.

·       A main ingredient in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

At Lovelace Westside Hospital we value the relationships we establish with our patients and their families. Our recent Patient Family Centered Care (PFCC) designation supports a style of care where the needs and choices of patients and their families define the care they receive.

“Having the PFCC designation shows our dedication to continual improvement in providing compassionate, caring, quality and safe delivery of care while partnering with the people who matter most; patients and families,” says Patricia Pacheco, Medical-Surgical Department director.

Dads can have trouble adjusting to parenthood just like mom. Feeling anxious and stressed can come with being a new dad. Sadness, or blues, may occur as a result of a specific situation or event. “Daddy Blues” can improve with restful sleep, lunch with a friend, going to the gym or playing a sport. Feeling sad, or blue can be a normal part of becoming a parent for some men.

Addiction, depression and anxiety are examples of mental health conditions. One in five Americans are affected during their lifetime, which means every American is impacted either directly, or through their friends and family. Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition.

I started what I like to call my “long term relationship” with Lovelace on November 10, 2013. I delivered a beautiful baby girl named Kassidy at Lovelace Women’s Hospital. The amount of support that my husband and I received from the nurses and the entire delivery and post-partum staff was so encouraging and gave me the confidence that I needed. I am forever grateful for the kind words and positive experience from Lovelace Woman’s Hospital.

Women who have never used yoga for fitness can still use yoga to prepare for childbirth. Physical movements and postures can create flexibility and strength for mom as her baby and body begins to grow and change. Breathing techniques from yoga were the inspiration for Dr. Lamaze and the creation of his natural childbirth process. Another part of yoga, beyond the physical, has to do with being focused, present and mindful. These three aspects combine to increase mom's comfort during pregnancy, labor and even breastfeeding.

Did you know that April is Occupational Therapy Month? Occupational therapy is also celebrating its centennial year as well! For these two great reasons, our Lovelace Rehabilitation Hospital outpatient staff would like to share why they became occupational therapists and what they love most about their job! Let’s meet each of them: