#RNC-OB

[nurseeden]

Open Your Nursing Potential: A Complete Guide to RNC Certification Success

Unlock Your Nursing Potential: A Complete Guide to RNC Certification Success

Are you a dedicated nurse looking to advance your career​ and⁤ enhance your clinical skills? Obtaining your RNC (Registered Nurse Certified)⁤ certification can significantly boost your​ professional growth and open up a myriad of opportunities. In this extensive guide, we will ‍explore everything you need ​to know​ about RNC ‌certification, including its benefits, preparation tips, and success strategies.

What is RNC Certification?

The⁣ RNC certification is a prestigious designation awarded ‍to registered nurses who specialize in a specific ‍area of nursing practice. This certification is recognized nationally and demonstrates a nurse’s expertise and commitment ⁤to ‍excellence⁣ in⁣ their field. It is indeed a way to validate your skills and knowledge, making you more competitive in the⁢ job market.

Benefits of Achieving RNC Certification

Career Advancement: RNC⁤ certification can lead to promotions and increased responsibilities within your institution.

Higher Earning Potential: Certified nurses frequently enough earn higher salaries compared⁢ to their non-certified counterparts.

Enhanced Knowledge and Skills: ‍ The certification process deepens your understanding ‍of nursing⁣ practice and improves clinical skills.

Professional Recognition: Holding an RNC certification ​enhances your ​professional credibility among peers and employers.

Types of RNC Certifications

Ther are various types of RNC certifications depending on your area⁢ of specialization. These include:

certification

Specialty

Eligibility

RNC-OB

Obstetric Nursing

Current RN license + experience in ​obstetric nursing

RNC-NIC

Neonatal Intensive Care

Current​ RN license + NICU experience

RNC-PEDS

Pediatric Nursing

Current RN license + pediatric ⁤nursing experience

RNC-MNN

Magnet Recognition Program

Current RN license + experience in⁤ a Magnet facility

Preparing for​ RNC Certification

Preparation is key to successfully obtaining your RNC certification. Here are some effective tips:

Understand the Requirements: ⁣ Familiarize yourself with⁣ the eligibility criteria for your chosen certification.

Review the Exam Content Outline: Each⁤ certification body provides an outline,⁣ detailing critical⁢ topics to study.

Use Study​ Resources: Invest ⁤in study guides, online courses, and practice exams. Resources⁣ such as the NCC website offer a wealth ⁤of data.

Join Study Groups: Collaborate with fellow nurses preparing for ⁢the same ⁣exam. Group study can provide motivation and diverse perspectives.

Success Strategies for the RNC Exam

Once⁣ you have prepared ⁢adequately, it’s time to focus on the test-taking strategies that can enhance your performance on exam day:

Practice Time Management: During ‌practice exams, time yourself to build a sense of pacing.

Read‌ Questions Carefully: Understand what the question ⁢is asking before selecting an answer.

Eliminate Obvious Wrong Answers: Narrow down your choices to​ increase your chances if you need to guess.

Stay Calm and⁣ Focused: Develop relaxation techniques to manage anxiety on exam⁢ day.

First-Hand Experiences: Insights from Successful RNC Candidates

Hearing from‌ those who have successfully achieved their RNC‍ certification can be incredibly motivating. Below‍ are insights from three nurses who navigated the certification process:

Emily, RNC-OB: “Starting early with my study plan was the key for me.I dedicated at least an hour every day to⁣ review materials, and‍ it ⁤made‍ a huge difference!”

James, RNC-NIC: “Joining a study group helped me stay motivated.Sharing knowledge with others made studying a lot more enjoyable.”

Sarah, RNC-PEDS: “On the⁣ test day, I focused on staying calm.I ​took deep breaths and reminded myself of all ⁤the‌ prep work I’d done.”

Common Challenges ⁢and How to Overcome Them

While pursuing RNC certification is rewarding,⁤ it may also present some challenges. Here are common difficulties along with tips to ‍overcome them:

Time Constraints: Balancing work, study, and personal life can‍ be tough.‌ Create a structured study schedule that ‍incorporates breaks and‍ downtime.

Content Overwhelm: The breadth of content can feel daunting. Use ​study aids and break down topics into manageable⁤ sections.

Test Anxiety: If nerves ‍become overwhelming, practice relaxation techniques, seek support from mentors, ⁣or use visualization strategies.

Conclusion

obtaining your RNC certification can be a​ transformative step in your⁢ nursing career, opening doors to new ⁣opportunities ⁢and enhancing your skills. By understanding the requirements, preparing effectively, and employing success strategies, you can unlock​ your full nursing potential. Remember, each step you take towards ‌certification is a commitment to excellence in patient care. Start your‌ journey today, and pave the way ⁤for a brighter professional ⁢future!

https://nursingcertificationcourses.com/open-your-nursing-potential-a-complete-guide-to-rnc-certification-success/

[postsofbabel]

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[thejenhardy]

"The Talk:" Everything You Need to Know About Menopause (part 1)

Before you entered puberty someone had "The Talk" with you. You knew what to expect and how to deal with the symptoms you'd experience. You also knew what symptoms to expect!

But menopause? Who prepared you for that?

The answer is probably no one...until today!

We've got an amazing specialist here to tell us all things menopause,  Kristin Mallon, CNM, MS, RNC-OB. You're going to LOVE her!! (and you can find out all ab out Kristin & where to find her on the website! Just follow the link.

How are you supposed to deal with things? How are you supposed to handle the symptoms you didn't even know you were going to have? Are you really use losing your mind, or is it just a hormonal imbalance? All of your questions will be answer in this episode and the next! So please share with everyone and you can because we all deserve to have this information.

  Thank you for joining us today!

I'm having a blast creating Fabulous Over 50 & it would be an honor to have you share it with someone who would enjoy it. Thank you!

Want more?

You can go to the website and you'll find many ways to live your best life over 50!

I'd love to hear what you think about this episode & what you'd like to hear about in the future. Send me a message HERE.

Have a blessed week,

Jen

  Let's Connect!!

Here's the group I created just for women over 50, 60, 70, and beyond: Join the Gold Circle for women over 50

You can also find me in the following places:

JenHardy.net

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

    Check out this episode!

[nurseavocado]

After a few weeks in the making... (aka studying my ass off)

I can say I’m certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing!!

I’m an RNC-OB!!!!

[macarthurmc]

Never Feel Ashamed or Afraid to Speak up About Postpartum Depression

We all must pay attention to get women the help they deserve

Postpartum depression is real. We can no longer ignore perinatal depression and anxiety disorders. Our moms deserve better. Moms suffering from postpartum depression must come out of the shadows and get the treatment they deserve. US maternal morbidity and mortality is now a hot topic. Physician and nurse leaders across the country are focused. Few are talking about the disparity in care and attention to maternal mental health. I saw an opportunity to make a difference

A nurse on a mission

When I started this journey to address the mental health of the moms in our community, a well-respected physician with deep roots in community service told me I was asking the right questions but did not have the answers. He said, “you can’t fix a problem until you understand it.” He was right! The disconnect between obstetric care and behavioral health specialists was rampant. The availability of resources to the uninsured and those on Medicaid was limited and poorly organized. One in seven women suffers from postpartum depression. Almost half go undiagnosed and untreated. We could no longer offer excuses for ignoring this issue. With a team of nurses and physician supporters, we set out to build a program to identify women at risk for mood and anxiety disorders in the perinatal period. While still a work in progress, we have an excellent basis for families to get the help they need. We want women to know that they are not alone. Help is available to get them through the dark.

                  Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash  

Postpartum depression can occur anytime

Postpartum depression is a misnomer. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can occur anytime from conception to one year after the delivery of a baby. These disorders are quite distinct from the baby blues. The Baby blues is a common issue occurring in 50–80% of women and peaks between postpartum days 2–14. The baby blues are related to fluctuating hormones and lack of sleep. Although new moms are concerned when they openly sob at a TV commercial, baby blues will resolve without treatment. Perinatal depression is much darker and debilitating. A mom feels unable to function for an extended period. Women need to know that when certain symptoms are present, it is time to talk to someone. These include: crying spells, feeling sad, feelings of hopelessness, and feeling guilty. Some may express a lack of happiness or feel the absence of bonding with the baby. Some may have feelings of hurt yourself or your baby. All of these symptoms indicate it is time to seek medical attention. Help is here. You are not alone.  

                  Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy on Unsplash  

The thoughts in moms head prevent the help she needs

Shame, guilt, and feelings of inadequacy prevent moms from reaching out for help. Moms fear judgment. They wonder “what is wrong with me” for not feeling blissful over the birth of their child. They fear their family will judge them. Others fear they may lose their baby if they express their true feelings out loud. Some moms have intrusive thoughts. She becomes afraid of them. She needs to know that negative thoughts do not necessarily equal behavior. Help is available to manage these thoughts. We want moms to know we want to take care of her. We want to see her with a happy, healthy family. Our goal is to help her succeed. We do not want women to be afraid to speak out and ask for help. We should be as comfortable talking about depression and anxiety disorders as we are about other pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.

Moms life is at stake

Suicide is the leading cause of death of new mothers in the first year postpartum. Infants of mothers suffering from perinatal depression are at increased risk for impaired development, poor communication skills, and future mental health problems. Perinatal depression is not a woman’s problem. It is a family problem. Everyone suffers. We must help women feel safe to come forward and get the help they deserve. Every life matters.

Depression is just the tip of the iceberg

Perinatal anxiety is another important aspect of mental health for new moms. Anxiety is something we have historically written off as “normal” for a parent. Most moms worry over their children, their husbands, and their homes. However, for those with an anxiety disorder, worry becomes consuming and all-encompassing. Panic attacks may be frequent, leaving mom to feel she has no control. Panic attacks can be terrifying because of the physical symptoms that occur, racing heart, sweating, chills, and chest pain. These symptoms lead to a constant sense of doom or failure.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur after delivery

A woman can experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after having a baby. This concept surprises some. After all, no one’s been to war or been attacked by a stranger. PTSD is real for these mothers and their families. Childbirth does not always go according to plan. The birth may not live up to the expected birth plan she had imagined. The beautiful delivery experience may have turned tragic or life-threatening? Emotional and mental turmoil is real for a mom who almost died from postpartum hemorrhage or the dad who almost lost his wife.

There is hope for those suffering

Moms and their families need to know that they will get better with help. The type of help needed may be different for everyone. Many benefit from a no-judgment zone support group where a group of moms can get together and talk. Others may benefit from medications to help control symptoms. Whatever help looks like, the first step is reaching out and communicating your feelings. Available resources include mom groups on social media and in-person counselors, psychiatrists, and community resources for help with job searches, food, and clothing.

                  Photo by Ben White on Unsplash  

You are a priority for us

We are raising the bar and setting high expectations for moms. We hope other hospitals and medical groups will also follow this path. Implement universal screening programs for perinatal depression and anxiety. Provide education programs to nurses and community physicians. Provide education during routine prenatal care. Build community support groups through social media. Remove the fear. Help these women come out of the shadows. Let women suffering from perinatal mood disorders know it is safe to seek help they deserve.  

This article was cowritten by Dr. Jeff Livingston and a dear friend of MacArthur Medical Center: Angie Van Valkenburg, BSN, RNC-OB - Supervisor, Labor and Delivery at Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Hurst, Euless Bedford. 

Get Help Today: Call THR Behavioral Health at: 682–236–6023 or visit the THR Perinatal help website. Blog Photo By: Markus Spiske temporausch.com

[rnsloading]

OBGYN Nurses

One of the careers path for a nurse that can be challenging is an Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurse. The nurses who work here are held responsible for women during pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, and postpartum care. In respects to the educational aspects they have to have a BSN (bachelor degree’s), pass the NCLEX, and gain two years of full-time specialty experience as a registered nurse before seeking specialty certification. It is not required, but The National Certification Corporation offers the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing certification (RNC-OB). This can lead to further advancement in your career for your position, as well as more monetary rewards. In respect to the patient, you need to have compassion, patience, and open communication. Women experience pregnancy on a variety of different spectrums and even someone who has had multiple pregnancies can experience it differently every time. In the maternity ward there may be patients screaming and some crying and it is your job to make sure that not only the mother, but the fetus/baby is doing well. Never ignore a compliant by a patient even if you find it to be “silly” because there can be underlying problems that need to be addressed.

OBGYN Nurse - Salary & Schools. (2019, June 18). Retrieved October 7, 2019, from https://www.rncareers.org/career/obgyn-nurse/.

Writers, S. (2018, October 1). What Is the Salary Outlook for OB GYN Nursing? - 2019 NurseJournal.org. Retrieved October 7, 2019, from https://nursejournal.org/ob-gyn-nurse/ob-gyn-nursing-salary-outlook/.

-Allison Pyronneau

[phillipenover]

At the Barlcays center today. This time not for MMA. I presented a research proposal at the New York 2018 Annual Research Conference. My research proposal is if the Ketogenic would be beneficial for Type II diabetics based on lowering Hemoglobin A1C levels and BMI. Thank you Dr. Rosario-Sim, EdD, PPCNP-BC, RNC-OB as well as my classmates for putting this together. It was also great meeting our keynote speaker, nursing theorist, and nursing legend Sr. Callista Roy, PhD, RN, FAAN. . . . #nurisng #research #rn #brooklyn #keto #ketogentic #health #diabetes #diet #fitness #newyork #maimonides (at Barclays Center Brooklyn) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqxdGmzgrVJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vuadp4nw1xq6

[craicchapel]

Did you have to complete the RNC-OB certification?

no! i never even heard of it until you sent me this but thank god we don’t have to do that. i don’t remember any hospitals i was applying for asking for that requirement either. from what i’m reading about it, it doesnt sound something like a lot of places would require...or that they’d have like a supervisor/lead nurse with that certification, but not everyone 

[nurseavocado]

Halp!! Advice!!

I was just approached about training for charge nurse this morning by my manager. I’m very hesitant and she realizes this but asked me to think about it because my weekend needs more charge nurses.

This is a new hospital that I started in July 2020. My L&D job before, I was there for 2.5 years. One of our team leads (at my old hospital) was really trying to convince me to apply for charge there but I said no.

I’m just nervous. I feel like I still ask for a lot of help, which I know isn’t a bad thing. But we have a lot of new nurses. And I love being a resource for them and I feel like a lot of them look to me for advice.....but I’m not sure I’m ready to be the HBIC (head bitch in charge)

Also.... I already do a lot of things just as transport team, precepting and OB triage that takes me away from being a plain old labor nurse. This will add one more....

I also don’t feel like I really know all the providers like I did at my old hospital. I’m afraid they won’t respect me. And I’m afraid senior staff won’t respect me either being so new.

I’m so scared 😖

what were some deciding factors for you charge nurses out there? How’d you know you were ready?? What would you recommend I request in order to help me acclimate to the position? HALP.

[dorothydeaton62]

Debbie M. Barrett-Bryson is recognized by Continental Who’s Who

GOODYEAR, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Continental Who’s Who recognizes Debbie M. Barrett-Bryson, MSN-Ed, MHA, RNC-OB, CCE, CCM, as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in recognition of her work in the Healthcare Education and Nursing fields.    Barrett-Bryson serves as a full-time Ins…

http://ift.tt/2wLTlP2

http://ift.tt/2gw3Obd

[megadoctornews]

For the Third Consecutive Year, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance receives Excellence Award in Three Areas

For the Third Consecutive Year, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance receives Excellence Award in Three Areas

Pictured: The Women’s Hospital at Renaissance receives Healthgrades Excellence Awards in three women’s care areas for the third consecutive year. From left to right: Esmeralda Luna, MSN, RN; Jessica Garate, RNC-OB; Elana Carr, RNC-OB, C-EFM; Erica Garate, RN; Jessica Rios, RN; Michelle Aguilar, RNC-OB; Crystal Tamez, RN; Rita Alanis, RN.

Mega Doctor News

Edinburg, TX — Doctors Hospital at…

[podapsiweb]

Maternal and Newborn Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking Maternal and Newborn Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking by Margot R. De Sevo PhD LCCE RNC-OB…

[franklinuniv]

Yet another Franklin alum making an impact and the news this week! Congratulations Debbie Barrett-Bryson , RN, MSN-Ed, MHA, RNC-OB, CCE, CCM on being named a Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member in recognition of her work in the Healthcare Education and Nursing fields: http://bit.ly/2moz10O. Barrett-Bryson serves as a full-time Professor in Nursing faculty. Barrett-Bryson has been a part of the nursing field for over 25 years, and worked in a management for more than 15. She takes great pride in mentoring those who are new to the nursing field. She is a member of ANA, AWHONN, the International Women's Leadership Association, the National Council of State Board of Nursing and the National Association of Professional Women, which honored her as a part of the VIP Woman of the Year Circle. Barrett-Bryson also won Nurse of the Year in Education in Arizona and in recognition of her outstanding work, was named to the Sigma TAU Nursing Honor Society. Congratulations Debbie! What a great representative of the Franklin nursing alumnni! For info on Franklin's CCNE accredited RN to BSN program, visit: http://bit.ly/2kPXQWR

[yes-dal456]

Republicans' New 'Heartbeat' Abortion Bill Is Based On Bad Science

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Congressional Republicans have introduced a federal heartbeat bill, a controversial measure that would ban abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, about six weeks into the pregnancy.

U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who introduced the bill last week, did not respond to a request for comment about why fetal heartbeats are at the center of the proposed law.

Even setting aside the serious reproductive health implications of such a ban, bills that use a “fetal heartbeat” as any kind of benchmark are based on a flawed understanding of science. Such bills are of a piece with the dismayingly widespread scientific illiteracy among legislators. (Take, for instance, the RNC platforms on pornography as a health problem and support of abstinence-only sex education, two stances that are not rooted in scientific evidence; this is to say nothing of many policymakers’ dangerously wrongheaded attitudes toward climate change.)

“There is no scientific basis for prohibiting a woman from obtaining an abortion whether there is or isn’t a heartbeat present,” Dr. David Eisenberg, a board-certified OB-GYN and abortion provider in St. Louis, told The Huffington Post.

‘Heartbeat’ bills fundamentally misunderstand fetal development

When you’re talking about a fetus, the term “heartbeat” isn’t even really accurate. A fetal heartbeat is typically detectable at around five or six weeks into a pregnancy, according to Dr. Rebecca Cohen, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Colorado.

“It’s not a fully formed heart like you would understand from looking at an adult or even a young child,” Cohen said. “It’s a very early structure. We can see it on the ultrasound, but it’s not a heart, a fully developed organ, by any means.” 

Moreover, cardiac activity isn’t a credible measure of fetal viability. This preliminary activity starts at a point in the pregnancy where there’s still a significant risk of miscarriage, and no real guarantee that the pregnancy will continue to be a healthy, uncomplicated one. 

“Even with seeing that cardiac activity, about 5 to 10 percent of pregnancies will go on to miscarry, because there are other abnormalities that we can’t detect on the ultrasound at those early stages,” Cohen said. 

‘Heartbeat’ bills create an extremely narrow abortion window 

Then there’s the fact that the six-week window works against women who aren’t actively planning pregnancy, who might not be carefully tracking their menstrual cycles, or who have irregular cycles. There’s also such a thing as it being too early in a pregnancy to have an abortion.

In the very early stages after conception, it’s difficult to tell whether a pregnancy will grow normally, or whether it’s even located in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, occur in about 20 out of every 1,000 pregnancies, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Doctors use transvaginal ultrasounds to determine whether a pregnancy is ectopic, but that diagnostic method isn’t necessarily reliable until four or five weeks into a pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies may also require surgery, so it’s important that doctors are certain about the diagnosis before they terminate a pregnancy. 

“It’s actually a very, very narrow window,” Cohen said. “It can’t be too early, it can’t be too late, now with these potential bills.”

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposed King’s legislation, telling HuffPost: “H.R. 490 places politicians squarely between America’s women and their physicians. We stand strong against turning back the clock on women’s health.”

Restrictive abortion bills have a history of bad science

In December, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) declined to sign a six-week fetal heartbeat abortion ban in favor of a 20-week abortion ban, which more than a dozen other states already have in place. 

“It’s politically clever,” Cohen said. “By introducing those two bills at the same time, the 20-week ban doesn’t look so bad.” 

But it is. For starters, only about 1 percent of abortions take place after 20 weeks, and those are nearly always due to a previously undetectable fetal abnormality. In practice, this means the women most affected by 20-week bans tend to be those carrying fetuses with severe birth defects.

Financial and logistical burdens aside, 20-week abortion bans don’t make much sense from a medical perspective.

Twenty-week bans are based on the idea that fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks’ gestation, a supposition that’s scientifically murky at best. Doctors and researchers know very little about pain in adults, and discussions about fetal pain tend to rely on studies of fetal response to stimuli, which isn’t a reliable proxy for pain. Such discussions often devolve into theoretical arguments.

Then there’s the fact that fetuses rarely survive outside the womb at 20 weeks. That means 20-week bans are in tension with the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which protects a woman’s right to have an abortion until the fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving outside the womb.

Limiting abortion access leads to worse medical outcomes

Cohen warned that it’s a mistake to think limiting women’s access to abortion actually reduces the number of abortions performed.

“Those limits don’t prevent women from accessing abortion,” she said. “They only prevent women from accessing safe abortion.”

Unsafe abortions account for 13 percent of maternal deaths worldwide, a total of 21 million deaths in 2008 alone, according to the World Health Organization. Those unsafe abortions can involve self-inflicted bodily trauma, ingesting chemicals or dangerous drugs, or relying on people without formal training to perform abortions, sometimes in unhygienic conditions.

Lacking access to better treatment, some women order the abortion pill from illegal, unreliable or disreputable sources. In the U.S., women sometimes cross the border to purchase the drugs in Mexico. 

“Although the medication regimens themselves are extremely safe, if you’re ordering it online, you can’t guarantee you’re actually getting what you think you’re getting,” Cohen said.

Unfortunately, women are pushed into such unsafe health decisions in part because of bills that have little basis in science. 

“I have been involved in the provision of abortion care for over 15 years and can say that there is no rational, scientific, medical or public health reason that would make sense to prohibit women from obtaining the care they need,” Eisenberg said. “Bans such as these will not reduce the number of abortions, but will result in more women being hurt.”

This reporting is brought to you by HuffPost’s health and science platform, The Scope. Like us on Facebook and Twitter and tell us your story: scopestories@huffingtonpost.com. 

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

from http://ift.tt/2iGJSFO from Blogger http://ift.tt/2k8mu4o

[imreviewblog]

Republicans' New 'Heartbeat' Abortion Bill Is Based On Bad Science

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Congressional Republicans have introduced a federal heartbeat bill, a controversial measure that would ban abortion as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected, about six weeks into the pregnancy.

U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), who introduced the bill last week, did not respond to a request for comment about why fetal heartbeats are at the center of the proposed law.

Even setting aside the serious reproductive health implications of such a ban, bills that use a “fetal heartbeat” as any kind of benchmark are based on a flawed understanding of science. Such bills are of a piece with the dismayingly widespread scientific illiteracy among legislators. (Take, for instance, the RNC platforms on pornography as a health problem and support of abstinence-only sex education, two stances that are not rooted in scientific evidence; this is to say nothing of many policymakers’ dangerously wrongheaded attitudes toward climate change.)

“There is no scientific basis for prohibiting a woman from obtaining an abortion whether there is or isn’t a heartbeat present,” Dr. David Eisenberg, a board-certified OB-GYN and abortion provider in St. Louis, told The Huffington Post.

‘Heartbeat’ bills fundamentally misunderstand fetal development

When you’re talking about a fetus, the term “heartbeat” isn’t even really accurate. A fetal heartbeat is typically detectable at around five or six weeks into a pregnancy, according to Dr. Rebecca Cohen, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Colorado.

“It’s not a fully formed heart like you would understand from looking at an adult or even a young child,” Cohen said. “It’s a very early structure. We can see it on the ultrasound, but it’s not a heart, a fully developed organ, by any means.” 

Moreover, cardiac activity isn’t a credible measure of fetal viability. This preliminary activity starts at a point in the pregnancy where there’s still a significant risk of miscarriage, and no real guarantee that the pregnancy will continue to be a healthy, uncomplicated one. 

“Even with seeing that cardiac activity, about 5 to 10 percent of pregnancies will go on to miscarry, because there are other abnormalities that we can’t detect on the ultrasound at those early stages,” Cohen said. 

‘Heartbeat’ bills create an extremely narrow abortion window 

Then there’s the fact that the six-week window works against women who aren’t actively planning pregnancy, who might not be carefully tracking their menstrual cycles, or who have irregular cycles. There’s also such a thing as it being too early in a pregnancy to have an abortion.

In the very early stages after conception, it’s difficult to tell whether a pregnancy will grow normally, or whether it’s even located in the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, occur in about 20 out of every 1,000 pregnancies, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Doctors use transvaginal ultrasounds to determine whether a pregnancy is ectopic, but that diagnostic method isn’t necessarily reliable until four or five weeks into a pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancies may also require surgery, so it’s important that doctors are certain about the diagnosis before they terminate a pregnancy. 

“It’s actually a very, very narrow window,” Cohen said. “It can’t be too early, it can’t be too late, now with these potential bills.”

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists opposed King’s legislation, telling HuffPost: “H.R. 490 places politicians squarely between America’s women and their physicians. We stand strong against turning back the clock on women’s health.”

Restrictive abortion bills have a history of bad science

In December, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) declined to sign a six-week fetal heartbeat abortion ban in favor of a 20-week abortion ban, which more than a dozen other states already have in place. 

“It’s politically clever,” Cohen said. “By introducing those two bills at the same time, the 20-week ban doesn’t look so bad.��� 

But it is. For starters, only about 1 percent of abortions take place after 20 weeks, and those are nearly always due to a previously undetectable fetal abnormality. In practice, this means the women most affected by 20-week bans tend to be those carrying fetuses with severe birth defects.

Financial and logistical burdens aside, 20-week abortion bans don’t make much sense from a medical perspective.

Twenty-week bans are based on the idea that fetuses can feel pain at 20 weeks’ gestation, a supposition that’s scientifically murky at best. Doctors and researchers know very little about pain in adults, and discussions about fetal pain tend to rely on studies of fetal response to stimuli, which isn’t a reliable proxy for pain. Such discussions often devolve into theoretical arguments.

Then there’s the fact that fetuses rarely survive outside the womb at 20 weeks. That means 20-week bans are in tension with the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which protects a woman’s right to have an abortion until the fetus has a reasonable chance of surviving outside the womb.

Limiting abortion access leads to worse medical outcomes

Cohen warned that it’s a mistake to think limiting women’s access to abortion actually reduces the number of abortions performed.

“Those limits don’t prevent women from accessing abortion,” she said. “They only prevent women from accessing safe abortion.”

Unsafe abortions account for 13 percent of maternal deaths worldwide, a total of 21 million deaths in 2008 alone, according to the World Health Organization. Those unsafe abortions can involve self-inflicted bodily trauma, ingesting chemicals or dangerous drugs, or relying on people without formal training to perform abortions, sometimes in unhygienic conditions.

Lacking access to better treatment, some women order the abortion pill from illegal, unreliable or disreputable sources. In the U.S., women sometimes cross the border to purchase the drugs in Mexico. 

“Although the medication regimens themselves are extremely safe, if you’re ordering it online, you can’t guarantee you’re actually getting what you think you’re getting,” Cohen said.

Unfortunately, women are pushed into such unsafe health decisions in part because of bills that have little basis in science. 

“I have been involved in the provision of abortion care for over 15 years and can say that there is no rational, scientific, medical or public health reason that would make sense to prohibit women from obtaining the care they need,” Eisenberg said. “Bans such as these will not reduce the number of abortions, but will result in more women being hurt.”

This reporting is brought to you by HuffPost’s health and science platform, The Scope. Like us on Facebook and Twitter and tell us your story: scopestories@huffingtonpost.com. 

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from Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://huff.to/2k5EeJC

[che-ck-your-self]

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