UNprivate Parts

Your search for a pediatrician should begin when you're pregnant, and your decision is one that will guide you tremendously through parenthood. With so much to consider and so many providers available, how can you be sure you pick the best one for you and your family?  In this episode we're talking to Ashley Politz, the Executive Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics Louisiana chapter, about what you should look for, what questions you should ask during your search, and what you should expect from your pediatrician in the first few years.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Only 10% of those diagnosed have a family history. The scars left by breast cancer are more than just physical. In this episode, hear how our guest, Dr. Mindy Bowie, uses her training and passion to limit patients' physical and emotional scars while empowering women to feel confident and educated in overcoming breast cancer and limiting their risks. 

Pregnancy and childbirth is often assumed to be an exciting and joyous event. However, one in four pregnancies ends in loss. Many families who lose a baby feel alone and suffer in silence, which is exactly what the Perinatal Palliative Care Team at Woman’s Hospital is working to change. Jessica Morris and Megan Haley, two of the labor and delivery nurses on that team, understand pregnancy and infant loss from both a personal and professional perspective. In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Woman’s upcoming Walk to Remember, we sat down with them to talk about all the work they are doing to help others remember and honor their own babies.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, more commonly known as PCOS, is a common genetic, hormonal, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects millions of women worldwide. However, it is estimated that up to 50% of women suffering from the syndrome go undiagnosed. But how? In honor of PCOS Awareness Month, Dr. Yolunda Taylor, OB-GYN with Associates in Women's Health, is explaining that and everything else women need to know about PCOS in this episode of UNprivate Part.

Black Breastfeeding Week was created in 2013 to bring awareness to the racial gap that has existed in breastfeeding rates for over 40 years. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 75% of white women have ever breastfed versus 58.9% of black women. When Kelly Williams became a mother 21 years ago, she was one of the black women who did not breastfeed. However, she is now a lactation counselor at Woman’s Hospital working to help moms like her and remedy that racial divide in breastfeeding. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Kelly is sharing her own story and bringing light to some of the unique challenges black women face when it comes to breastfeeding and how she is working to overcome them both at home and at work. 

Breastfeeding comes with numerous benefits for both mother and baby, but it can also come with some challenges. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) sixty percent of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they planned. Breastfeeding is a very individualized experience and is influenced by many factors, however some challenges are more common than others. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, we are sitting down with Cynthia Evans, a Woman’s Hospital Lactation Nurse, to talk about those common challenges and how moms can overcome them to meet and exceed their breastfeeding goals!

Most women rush to the hospital the second they sense they are in labor, but Sarah Hammett’s story is a little different. Ten years ago, she asked her doctor if she could hold off a few hours so she could deliver her son at Woman’s new campus. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Sarah is telling us all about that historic day, what it was like to have three children ages three and under at one time, and how her family is doing 10 years since the doors at 100 Woman's Way opened and she gave birth to her youngest child, Jack.

Overwhelm and depression are plaguing our mental health system and creating a path to thoughts of death and suicide in Americans. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death among women ages 25 to 34. The latest effort to decrease suicides, and the level of depression that leads to them, is a new three-digit phone number. Starting July 16, anyone in the United States can dial 9-8-8 to be connected to a trained mental health professional. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, we are talking to Dr. Amber Parden, a psychiatrist at Woman's Woman's Behavioral Health Service, about the internal struggles many, especially moms, face and how to seek help for ourselves or others. 

When babies have a hard time eating there is often a problem, and it's common for that same problem to lead to speech difficulties later in life. If your baby is uncomfortable eating, if you have pain while breastfeeding, if your toddler is taking a long time to eat solids, or if you have any other difficulties at mealtime, this episode of UNprivate Parts is for you. Listen as Mary Claire Burks, Speech-Language Pathologist at Woman's Hospital, explains how identifying and treating issues with feeding early on, whether it's breastfeeding, bottle feeding or solids, could prevent your little one from struggling with language development later on.

We talk a lot about moms here at Woman’s Hospital, but in this special Father’s Day episode of UNprivate Parts we’re talking about the dads! As a father of two and OB-GYN at Louisiana Women’s Healthcare, Dr. Jay Parenton has quite the insight on fatherhood. He is not only telling us about his own family and experience as a dad, but what he sees in the clinic and delivery room. What do dads really think? How do they usually react? Should they stand at the top or bottom of the bed? What does he wish dads knew more about before becoming parents? He’s answering all that and more.

Are you ready to splash into summer? With the warm temperatures and sunny skies, comes a new season of questions for those with a newborn. How much sunlight exposure is okay? When can babies start wearing sunscreen? How do you prevent dehydration when they can't have water? When is it safe to introduce a little one to the swimming pool? Dr. Chris Funes with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health is answering all that and more in this episode of UNprivate Parts. 

Rene Ragas began his tenure as the CEO of Woman’s Hospital on May 9. He brought with him decades of experience in healthcare leadership and several very special personal connections to Woman’s and our mission. In the episode, we learn more about Rene’s background, leadership style, and goals for the organization … and get some behind-the-scenes insight into his life outside of the office.

Motherhood: the state of being a mother. It sounds so simple and straightforward. But the truth is, each woman's journey to and through motherhood is very different. In honor of Mother's Day, we are talking to a few moms about their own unique experiences- conception, pregnancy, delivery and the day-to-day joys and struggles. Whether you're an experienced mom, wanting to become a mother one day or somewhere in between, this special episode of UNprivate Parts is a must listen.

Approximately one in eight couples is affected by infertility. But thanks to In Vitro Fertilization, more commonly known as IVF, thousands of those couples have been able to build the families they always dreamed of. However, as IVF becomes more common, so do the questions and misconceptions. What is IVF? What happens if treatment creates too many embryos? Isn't there an increased chance of having multiples with IVF? Will the stimulation drugs make my hormones go haywire? But doesn't IVF take a really long time? Dr. Neil Chappell, a reproductive endocrinologist with Fertility Answers, is explaining the basics and clearing up all the myths in this episode of UNprivate Parts. So whether you are considering IVF as the next step in your infertility journey, know someone going through the process or just want to know more, tune in!

Anyone who is sexually active can get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the truth is many people will. According to 2020 statistics from the CDC, one in five individuals in the United States has an STD. In honor of STD Awareness Week, Drs. Rachel Gilbert and Jacklyn Locklear explain what EVERYONE should know about STDs in this episode of UNprivate Parts!

Hearing the words "you have cancer" is a lot to handle and the words that follow are often confusing and complex. Understanding the different stages of cancer can be difficult, especially when it comes to breast cancer. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Dr. Mindy Bowie, Breast Surgical Oncologist at Woman's Hospital, is breaking down the different types and stages of breast cancer. 

Two years ago Tracey Neldare read a friend's post about being diagnosed with breast cancer and was struck by the fact that one in eight women would experience that same fate. The "Sassy Sisters," her group of close friends, was made of 8 women, and it was shortly after hearing that statistic that Tracey learned she was the one in eight. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Tracey is sharing how those Sassy Sisters helped her while she faced surgery and treatment during COVID restrictions and how Tracey is now helping other women BUST Breast Cancer in her own unique way, on the runway. 

Do you or someone you know suffer from “heavy periods” with extreme pain and bloating? What many women accept as “normal” period symptoms, may actually be something more. Pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, bloating, pain with sex, frequent urination, and backaches are all symptoms of uterine fibroids, and can often be resolved with one of the many treatment options available! In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Dr. Ryan Dickerson answers all the questions you didn’t even know you had about uterine fibroids.

Pregnancy comes with a lot questions, especially when it comes to labor. How do you know the difference between a Braxton Hicks contraction and a labor contraction? How common is it to arrive at the hospital for a "false alarm" and be sent home? What are the major signs you need to get to a hospital? What happens when you get there? It can be overwhelming and even a bit scary to think about what will happen when you go finally into labor. Amanda Spencer, Assessment Center Nurse Manager at Woman's Hospital who also has 15 years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, is answering those questions and offering tips for all moms-to-be in this episode of UnPrivate Parts.

Let's talk about sex, baby! Yes, you read that right. We're talking all about sex in this episode of UNprivate Parts because the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reports about 4 in 10 women have problems with sex at some point in their lives, yet it's something women rarely talk about. In honor of Valentine's Day, we sat down with Dr. Renee Cowan, a GYN Oncologist at Woman's Hospital, for a raw, open discussion on the universal love language to help more women feel comfortable talking about sex and get the help they need to address any problems getting in the way of a healthy sex life. 

The "silent killer" is a scary thought, but it is such an important topic. One person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease, making it the leading cause of death among men, women, and most racial and ethnic backgrounds in the United States. However, most heart disease is preventable! February is American Heart Month, so we are talking to a registered dietician and fitness specialist from Woman's Hospital on some simple lifestyle changes that can help you avoid becoming a statistic in this UNprivate Parts episode.

About one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect. Many of them are not preventable, but some are. How can you limit your baby’s risks? How soon would you know if your unborn baby has a birth defect? What if your baby does have a birth defect? In honor of National Birth Defects Prevention Month, we sat down with Dr. Pamela Simmons, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Physician at Woman's Hospital, to discuss what expecting parents need to know about birth defects and high risk pregnancies in this episode of UNprivate Parts. 

There are a lot of different things a new parent should do to prepare for the arrival of a new baby, and Woman's Hospital's Community Childbirth Educator is discussing them all in this episode of UNprivate Parts! We're talking delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum plans and all the prenatal education you need before baby comes. 

2022 is right around the corner, and so are those New Year resolutions! For many people, that includes new health and wellness goals. But with so many fad diets and conflicting information out there, how do we really know what is and isn’t "healthy"? We are asking a registered dietitian from Woman's Center for Wellness that and more in our latest UNprivate Parts episode. 

Few things in life are guaranteed, but for women menopause certainly is! While some women are fortunate enough to just stop having menstrual cycles with no problems, most experience unrelenting symptoms like heat flashes, insomnia, anxiety, dry skin, irritability, reduced sex drive, and vaginal dryness. It’s a tricky time for women and their relationships, so we sat down with Dr. Terrie Thomas and asked all the questions you may be afraid to in our latest UNprivate Parts episode.

Motherhood is hard no matter the circumstances, but imagine having two sets of identical twins! It's hard to fathom because it only happens about once every 15 years here at Woman's Hospital. However, Erin Credo defied those odds and welcomed her second set of identical twins in the midst of a global pandemic. In this UNprivate Parts episode, she is sharing her incredible story, all the highs and lows she has experienced in the past year, and most importantly, how she is keeping it all together.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is right around the corner! All the social gatherings on the calendar from Thanksgiving to New Year's can be overwhelming, especially for those with newborns. Is it safe for infants to mingle with those outside their household? Should you ask people to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands before holding the baby? Do you need to stick to a strict schedule? Can going outside without a coat really cause a cold? To help ensure everyone in the family has a happy and healthy holiday season this year, Dr. Camille Willis, a pediatrician and new mom herself, is answering all that and more in this episode of UNprivate Parts!

There is a lot to think about when you are pregnant, and diabetes may not even be on your radar. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates almost 10% of women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes in one or more pregnancies. Diabetes, Type 1 and 2, is also a major health concern for women outside of pregnancy. Is there anything you can do to prevent it? How is it detected? What does diabetes management look like? In honor of American Diabetes Month, we sat down with two diabetes educators from Woman’s Hospital to answer all that and more in this episode of UNprivate Parts.

According to the CDC, about 1 in 10 babies are born preterm. How can you tell if you or your baby are at risk? Is there anything you can do to prevent preterm birth or to prepare for the unexpected? How can you cope, or help loved ones to cope, with having a baby in the NICU? In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, Leigh Townsend, a woman who experienced the NICU as a parent and now works in the NICU supporting families who share that unspoken bond, is answering all those questions and more in this episode of UNprivate Parts. 

Infertility issues affect approximately 1 in 8 couples in the United States, which leaves many questions lingering in the minds of those trying to conceive. How often should you have sex? Does the time of day matter? How much do diet and exercise play a role in fertility? What if you are considering receiving help from fertility specialists but have ethical concerns? When should you seek professional help? Dr. Neil Chappell, Reproductive Endocrinologist with Fertility Answers, discusses conflicting information found on the internet and dives deeper into the discussion about infertility in this episode of UnPrivate Parts.

Ten days before her wedding, Megan Badon thought she would be stressing about the details of her big day. Instead, she found herself at the Woman's Cancer Pavilion, a partnership with Woman's Hospital, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center & Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, thinking about breast surgeries, chemo, radiation, hair loss, and family planning. In this episode of "UnPrivate Parts," Megan is sharing her incredible story, from lump to bump.

For some of us, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about wearing pink and maybe even posting some statistics on social media, but it's a lot more than that for Whitney Breaux. March 20, 2020, started as one of the best days of Whitney's life, but soon took a turn when she found out she had stage 3 breast cancer at just 32.  In this episode UNprivate Parts, Whitney is sharing her story, newfound purpose, and challenging us at all... what we think, what we say, and what we do during breast cancer awareness month and every month.

Wondering what pregnancy in the pandemic is really like? No one knows better than Shannon Henry! This mom experienced a miscarriage, a job loss, another pregnancy, and childbirth all in just more than a year during this unprecedented time. In this episode of UNprivate Parts, Shannon shares her personal story and tips to help other moms-to-be navigate those scary moments and tough decisions.

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month! It’s so common to think it won’t happen to you, but cancer could be developing in your reproductive organs without you even knowing. In fact, the Foundation for Women’s Cancer estimates that one woman will be diagnosed every 5 minutes and more than 33,000 will die from GYN cancers this year. Yet these types of cancer are often not spoken about or thought of until it’s too late. In this episode, host Melanie Hebert sits down with Dr. Renee Cowan, GYN oncologist, and Ashley Marks, oncology nurse navigator, to talk all about the different types of GYN cancers and the preventative steps you can take that will help lower your risk.

1 in 4 pregnancies ends in a loss, however it's not a subject commonly talked about. Why? UNprivate Parts’ guest host, WAFB’s Elizabeth Vowell, sits down with one of Woman's labor and delivery nurses, Jessica Morris, who understands pregnancy loss from both a personal and professional perspective.

We are all pretty familiar with the bodily changes that occur during pregnancy- it's kind of hard to miss! However, no one tells you ALL the not-so-great ways your body changes once the baby arrives. In this episode, UNprivate Parts’ guest host, WAFB’s Elizabeth Vowell, catches up with a Woman's registered dietitian and physical therapist to discuss how you can physically get back to your best self, and the grace/patience you need to get there.

Breastfeeding is wonderful, but it doesn't always come easily. UNprivate Parts’ guest host, WAFB’s Elizabeth Vowell, came from a family full of women who breastfed, and there were still so many things she didn't know about- thrush, milk blisters, clogged ducts, and work/pump balance. In this episode, she's asking Cynthia, a Woman's lactation consultant, all the things she wishes she would have known before starting her journey after birth.

The journey after birth was a lot more emotional than UNprivate Parts’ guest host, WAFB’s Elizabeth Vowell, had expected. Truth is for most women the transition into motherhood isn't the joyful, "best days of my life" experience movies show. In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Psychiatrist Dr. Amber Parden to talk about how to handle that and all things maternal mental health.

We know some subjects are hard to talk about, so we’re talking about them for you in our NEW PODCAST- UNprivate Parts! Subscribe now and get ready to hear medical professionals and everyday women talk unscripted about the topics that make you squirm, wince and blush, but also lead to your healthiest self.