More than one way pumping is important

What do breast pumps and pumping weights have in common?

This week’s edition of Eve Was Framed. 

We’re talking protections for breastfeeding parents, learn about menstruation rituals in other cultures, and updating our exercise routines for bone health.

Like what you’re reading each week? Share the health through your unique link at the end of the newsletter. (And we may send you some fun Eve Was Framed swag).

- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik

The Tasting Menu

• Two Laws Supporting Breastfeeding Parents

• Menstruation Rituals from Across Cultures

• Want Strong Bones? Pick Up Some Weights

Two Laws Protecting Breastfeeding Parents

At the same time the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended breastfeeding even longer (up to age 2), it acknowledged that there are major obstacles for breastfeeding parents. There are two laws which have made some strides in reducing these obstacles.

Let’s start with what your rights are under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which created rights for breastfeeding parents in the United States. 

• Health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of lactation support and counseling

• Breastfeeding equipment, such as breast pumps and nursing bras, must also be covered without cost-sharing (no copays and no deductibles) 

• Employers to provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space to express breast milk at work for up to one year after the birth of their child

• Employers cannot discriminate against employees who choose to breastfeed or express milk in the workplace

Still gaps existed. In December 2022, the Providing Urgent Medical Protections (PUMP) Act was signed into law. The Pump Act builds on the rights under the ACA.

• The original law had a loophole that cut out nonexempt employees (the ones who are eligible for overtime pay) for break time and a private area to pump. The PUMP Act closed that gap

• If an employer didn’t comply with the requirements, there was no clear way for someone to seek legal action. Well, as of April 28, 2023, employees can sue if their rights are violated

Many breastfeeding parents cite the need to return to work shortly after their child is born and lack of adequate child care among the remaining challenges. The work continues. 

Menstruation Rituals from Across Cultures

If you’ve ever asked Stephanie about her favorite podcasts, she’s mostly likely listed “Dark History” and one of the episodes she highly recommends is “Pre-Tampon vs Post Tampon World: The Dark History of Menstruation”. Now, while this podcast does dive into many of the different taboos around menstruation and how menstruating women have been treated throughout history – it also covers different cultures and religions with rituals that celebrate and honor the menstrual cycle. We wanted to cover a few of those today.

In the United States, many indigenous tribes celebrate menstruation through different rituals. While all are a bit different, their connecting theme is that having a period is powerful – it marks a change in a young girls life and is the beginning of a bright future.

• The Apache hold a four-day celebration called the Sunrise Ceremony where a newly menstruating person is believed to channel the power of the “Changing Woman” – a religious figure in Apache culture – and blesses the sick, while also completing a running ritual that symbolizes the different stages of life they will experience. Over the four days there is dancing, eating and the observance of other cultural rituals

• The Ojibwe reside in a Moon Lodge when menstruating, but unlike other cultures where separating women from community showed impurity, Ojibwe women use the time for resetting their energies and reclaiming their time. By separating themselves from their families and chores they can meditate and rejuvenate themselves. The other women in the community come together to visit, prepare meals, and support others during their time in the moon lodge and see monthly menstruation as the “monthly sloughing of the accumulated stress and burdens of being a “woman””

• The Ulithi women have a similar ritual, spending four days in a “womens hut” where she is visited by pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, as well as children, partaking in feasts and dance to celebrate womanhood

• The Hupa tribe perform the Flower Dance for a newly menstruating person. Their belief is that the first period is also a very powerful time in a young person’s life and the celebration furthers the idea of female strength in the community

In a world where menstruation and periods have a history of being seen as taboo and dirty, even to this day, its empowering and encouraging to see that periods can and should be celebrated and respected.

Want Strong Bones? Pick Up Some Weights

Maggie had her first bone density test a few weeks ago and we’re happy to report, her results were great. 

So how can she keep them that way? Apparently having weight-bearing exercises as part of her exercise routine. That sounded like odd advice. Sure strong muscles would come from that. But strong bones? Hmmmm.

Of course, we did some research. 

Bone density tests measure your risk for fractures and is the main test for osteoporosis. The condition becomes more likely for post-menopausal women. We knew that.

What we didn’t know was that weight-bearing exercises help to improve bone density by placing stress on the bones, which stimulates the production of new bone tissue. When you do weight-bearing exercises, your bones are forced to adapt to the stress by becoming stronger and more dense. This not only helps to prevent bone loss but can also help to reverse it!

Studies have shown that weight-bearing exercises can help to improve bone density in the hip, spine, and other areas of the body. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that women who did weight-bearing exercises for two years had significant improvements in bone density compared to women who did not exercise.

What constitutes weight-bearing exercise? Check out this week’s Medical Term

Medical Term of the Week

Weight-bearing exercises are physical activities that require your body to work against gravity, such as walking, running, jumping, dancing, and weightlifting. 

Want some more ideas? Try these:

• Squats, lunges and push-ups

• Yoga and Pilates

• Hiking

• Tennis or Pickleball

Does your mind go blank at the doctor? Here’s how to prep (From NPR)

We love a good visual. And one that shows disparity in women’s health funding? Yes, please (From Nature)

Looking for beauty brands supporting folks in menopause? Look no further! (From Forbes)