You Wrote One of the Pieces This Week

We have some long pieces this week, so we’re keeping the opening short. 

Plus, the weather’s been awesome so we’re working on our vitamin D while protecting our skin with sunscreen. 

See what we did there?

One upcoming highlight we want to mention…June 27, 2023 The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) takes effect. A Better Balance shared an article on what new rights and accommodations folks have. 

- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik

The Tasting Menu

• Break the Silence on Pregnancy Loss

• Birth Control Shot: Pros and Cons

• What We Wish We Knew

Break the silence on Pregnancy Loss

Pregnancy loss, also known as miscarriage, is a heartbreaking experience and one that many people experience in silence. Ending the silence surrounding pregnancy loss is important for providing support, reducing stigma, and fostering compassion. Only by openly discussing it, can there be a safe space for people to share their experiences, seek help, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone.

It happens more than we realize

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), approximately 10-25% of clinically recognized pregnancies result in miscarriage, with the majority occurring within the first trimester (before 13 weeks of gestation). There are many factors that contribute to the loss of a pregnancy. Research suggests that around 50-60% of early pregnancy losses are due to chromosomal abnormalities. Other reasons include hormonal imbalances, infections, structural abnormalities, immune disorders, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use.

There is support

The emotional and psychological impact of pregnancy loss should not be overlooked. As someone recovers from the physical effects of a miscarriage, they also need emotional and mental health support. Miscarriage can lead to feelings of grief, sadness, guilt, and even depression. It can strain relationships and create a sense of isolation for those who have experienced it. Support groups, counseling services, and online communities have emerged to help individuals navigate the complex emotions associated with pregnancy loss.

Whether you have experienced loss yourself or are supporting a loved one, we found some resources that might be helpful.

• Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss has many support resources including online groups and lists of support groups by state

• The Worst Girl Gang Ever is a UK based pair of women who host a podcast and other social media platforms to create community for those who have experienced pregnancy loss

• How to Support a Friend Who’s Had a Miscarriage by the Bump

• 6 Things I Wish People Hadn’t Said After I Miscarried (And What to Say Instead)

Birth Control Shot: Pros and Cons

In our effort to cover all options for birth control, we’re moving on to an option we’ve really only mentioned in passing: the Birth Control Shot. If you’ve ever heard someone reference the “Depo-Shot” that’s the same thing, Depo-Provera is an injectable form of birth control, administered on a regular schedule. It works by thickening the mucous around the cervix to prevent sperm from getting through while also preventing an egg from being released from the fallopian tube.

The Basics of Depo-Provera

If you’re exploring contraceptive options, here’s a high level rundown of what the birth control shot provides.

• Administered once every 12 weeks and provides up to 14 weeks of protection against pregnancy

• It has no impact on preventing STIs or STDs so additional protective methods are recommended

• Its more than 94% effective when used regularly 

• Common side effects include weight gain and changes in your cycle (whether that means lighter periods or heavier flows)

Should I switch to the shot?

There are pros and cons to all types of birth control and you have to determine what’s best for you. Some additional considerations about the shots.

It’s a great choice if you hate having to take a pill every day or if you can’t take birth control that contains estrogen. 

If you’re hoping to have kids in the nearer future, other options may be better as it can take awhile for your fertility to return to normal after you stop taking the shot.

Depo-Provera can also impact your bone density, so much so that the FDA issued a black box warning. If you’re taking the shot, the best practice is to not take it for more than two years to prevent severe (and potentially irreversible damage).

As always, we recommend speaking with your doctor about any potential switches and changes to your method of birth control - they can help you weigh the pros and cons against your specific fertility and overall health goals to ensure what you’re taking will work for you.

This Time We Asked - What Do You Wish You Knew Earlier About Your Body and Health?

We love hearing from you through the feedback link in our emails and across our social media. Since our anniversary had us in a reflective mood about what we learned, we looked back to see what you wish you had known earlier in life. Here’s some of what you shared:

Knowing our own fertility. A few of you shared that your early education around reproductive health was about where babies come from and, often, how to prevent pregnancy. But so few of us had lessons in fertility and were shocked when getting pregnant wasn’t as easy as it was made out to be. 

As one person said, “I wish I hadn’t spent so much worry over not getting pregnant and talked to my doctor about potential infertility before I wanted to get pregnant. I could have been preparing myself emotionally and physically so when I was ready to start a family, I would have known more.” 

The importance of mental health. From disordered eating to anxiety and depression to ongoing emotional and mental self-care, we hear you. Depending on your age, you may have grown up with a lot of stigma in talking about or seeking care for your mental health. 

One of you shared, “If someone, anyone, had encouraged me earlier to spend time and money on my mental health, I would have felt much less alone.”

Pain should not be ignored. Too many of us were told that painful periods were normal or had other kinds of pain dismissed. 

“A period that had me in bed for 2 days a month crying and vomiting from pain” one reader shared, “should have been taken seriously by my parents and my doctor when I was a teen. Hello endometriosis.”

Gyns aren’t primary care docs. Many women use their gynecologists as their only doctor for many years. 

As one of you shared. “I didn’ start going to a primary care doctor until I decided I was done having children. When I got routine bloodwork done and my cholesterol was out of control, I had no baseline or history to know how long that was a problem!”

We never put ourselves first and even then, not our health. Whether it is work, school, family or other personal responsibilities, we hear from many of you who find it hard to prioritize yourself and your health.

On this one, Maggie’s favorite practice is a simple one. As she makes a to-do list each week, she puts her name at the top. 

What’s one way you can do that this week? We’d love to hear what you decided to do for yourself!

Medical Term of the Week

As we researched pregnancy loss this week, we were stunned by some of the insensitive terms. And we also wanted to understand the difference between miscarriage, pregnancy loss and stillbirth.

Both misscarriage and stillbirth are forms of pregnancy loss. The difference, from a medical point of view, is the timing during pregnancy. If the loss is experienced before the 20th week, it is often called a misscarriage. If it happens at or after the 20th week, it is considered a stillbirth. 

The Latest

Whether or not your cycle was regular prior to perimenopause, it most certainly won’t be anymore. Here Come the Flash Periods (from NY Times)

We are a little obsessed and annoyed with how women’s health terms are dealt with on social media. And we’re not alone (From Cosmopolitan)

Should you apply estrogen to your skin. And other big E questions. (From Vogue)