Nothing is taboo in our mission to empower you to talk about your health needs.

We are often too silent on the subject of pregnancy loss. It can cause isolation, increase depression and hide the experience many of us have had.

This week we’re continuing our series on intimacy and breaking the silence on intimacy after pregnancy loss.

- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik

The Tasting Menu

Navigating Intimacy and Sex After Pregnancy Loss
Impact of Technology on Your Health
Old Wives or Old Wise?

Navigating Intimacy and Sex After Pregnancy Loss

Intimacy and sex after pregnancy loss is a complex and deeply personal journey. It involves emotional healing, physical recovery, and the gradual process of reconnecting with each other. Pregnancy loss often results in profound grief and emotional upheaval. Amidst the intense emotional pain, couples may also grapple with changes in their intimate and sexual lives.

1. Emotional Healing

Pregnancy loss inevitably triggers a rollercoaster of emotions, including grief, guilt, anger, and sadness. These emotions can significantly impact a couple's intimacy and sexual life. Seeking counseling or support groups can provide a safe space for you to express your feelings and work through grief together. Georgetown University’s School of Nursing created a Guide for Women, Partners, Family and Friends that is a great resource.

2. Physical Healing

Physically, pregnancy loss may require time for recovery, particularly if there were complications or medical interventions. The time to heal may also be impacted by how far along the pregnancy was. It's crucial for couples to prioritize their physical health, understanding that healing takes time. The American Pregnancy Association has a resource to help you learn more. Talk to your healthcare provider as well.

3. Reconnecting Intimately

Reconnecting intimately after pregnancy loss often involves a gradual process. Intimate gestures like cuddling, holding hands, and gentle touch can rebuild a sense of connection between partners. Rediscovering intimacy on emotional and physical levels is a vital step towards rebuilding trust and closeness.

There is no “right” timeline or process. This is a deeply personal journey. Supporting yourself and each other physically, emotionally and mentally will lead you back to a healthy sexual relationship.

Technology and Our Health

There’s no denying that technology influences our lives in so many ways. And while it has many great benefits to our daily lives, as we all know there are always caveats to consider. Our health is one thing.

On the one hand, technology has contributed greatly to advancements in health and health care. Virtual visits, electronic health records – there’s even talk of a health care metaverse and increased use of virtual reality – have all made how we manage our health and receive care much easier.

But spending hours on our phones or in front of computer, television, and tablet screens can take its toll, mentally and physically. While it’s making day to day things easier, there are side effects. Let’s break down some of those.

Physical Impacts of Technology

Some of the most commonly cited effects of technology on health include:

Eyestrain – this can manifest as blurred vision, dry eyes, or pain in the head, neck, and shoulders
Poor posture – because of the way most technologies are used it causes us to hunch forward and down in order to look at a screen, putting pressure on the neck and spine
Sleep deprivation – using tech too close to bedtime can cause sleep issues, thanks to the blue light from digital screens
Reduced physical activity – most digital activity doesn’t require us to be up and moving. If we get too caught up in the digital space, we can fall into a sedentary lifestyle which has its own host of issues

Psychological Impacts of Technology

Being constantly connected has its pros and cons. In an emergency, it's nice to know help is just the push of a button away but that round the clock access to the internet and social media can have its own set of consequences.

Tech company Tidio completed a survey last September about the mental health effects technology had on people. Some findings:

47% had a compulsion to fill every moments of boredom with their phone
38% had a state of mechanical, routined, and repetitive internet behaviors
34% said they consumed tragic online news and didn’t have an emotional or psychological response
32% said they give their phone more attention than loved ones when around people

In fact, there are some cognitive disorders that can be cause by too much time with technology, according to the study, including digital dementia, cyberchondria, internet addiction disorder, depression and anxiety, low self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD (Tidio defines all of these here and has a quiz to see what you might recognize in yourself).

So how can you reduce the impacts of technology on your health?

Delete unnecessary apps
Set screen time limits
Reduce phone/screen time ahead of getting into bed
Take regular tech breaks throughout the day
Stretch and stand up (especially if you end up sitting at a desk all day)
Prioritize real-world relationships over digital interactions

Technology isn’t a bad thing, but we have to be able to find a balance between the convenience it provides and how it impacts our bodies and minds as we utilize it more.

Old Wives or Old Wise?

The term "old wives' tales" likely originates from a time when women's traditional knowledge was often dismissed or undermined. These tales were passed down through generations and, although not always scientifically accurate, held wisdom and practical advice.

While many old wives' tales about health may not be supported by scientific evidence, there are a few that have some truth to them. Here's a list of old wives' tales about health that are actually rooted in reality and give natural ways to support your health:

1. "Chicken soup helps cure a cold": Chicken soup can help relieve cold symptoms by providing hydration, warmth, and nutrients that support the immune system.

2 "Gargling with salt water relieves a sore throat": Gargling with saltwater can help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and loosen mucus, providing temporary relief for a sore throat.

3. "Eating yogurt can help prevent yeast infections": The probiotics in yogurt, specifically lactobacillus strains, can help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the body especially for vaginal health, potentially reducing the risk of yeast infections.

4. "Eating ginger helps with digestion": Ginger has been used for centuries to alleviate digestive issues such as nausea, bloating, and indigestion.

5. "Walking barefoot on grass can ground you": Walking barefoot on grass or soil, also known as "earthing" or "grounding," has been shown to have potential benefits, such as reducing inflammation and stress, improving sleep, and promoting overall well-being. Be careful though. Small cuts on your feet could expose you to infections and, of course, without foot protection, you could step on something and cause an injury.

Medical Term of the Week

You have heard of tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome. Have you heard of “mouse elbow”? Well it’s like tennis elbow without the benefit of exercise.

Mouse elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a repetitive strain injury in the bony part of your elbow. Think of yourself sitting at the computer for hours resting your arms on the desk and typing or scrolling away. That pressure on your arms causes the tendons to deteriorate - then become painful.

One way to ease it is to take breaks and squeeze and hold a stress ball in each hand for a few minutes.

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