health and wellness

ELVIE PUTS MATERNAL SUPPORT UNDER A MICROSCOPE WITH NEW REPORT

Leading FemTech Pioneer’s “The Motherload: The weight of limited postpartum support” Survey Shows That Women Face a Trio of Serious Pregnancy & Postpartum Challenges

Published

3 months ago

May 1, 2024

Daily News Staff

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Today, Elvie, the disruptive global FemTech health and wellness brand, releases “The Motherload: The weight of limited postpartum support,” their first-ever report, in partnership with Mother.ly, putting the state of maternal health under the microscope. The study of over 1,000 women with children has uncovered a trio of serious pregnancy and postpartum challenges that mothers currently face.

As a female-founded and female-grounded company, Elvie has worked tirelessly to empower women through radical female-first technology that harnesses their incredible biology. The brand is taking this one step further with their newest report, partnering with Mother.ly to unveil research detailing the challenges mothers face when it comes to the fourth trimester, breastfeeding, pelvic floor health and mental health and the intersection between those and technology.

Based on the survey Elvie conducted in February 2024, mothers are finding that they can successfully turn to both family and technology to ease their challenges, but are often left wanting by doctors, employers and their political policy landscape. Findings from the study also uncover that while mothers expect postpartum challenges to occur, they’re often complicated by a lack of strong support and poor maternity leave policies.

“With this new research, we’re demonstrating something those mothers already know: postpartum care in the US is simply not good enough.” says Tania Boler, Founder & President of Elvie. “While they rely on and are comfortable with technology, whether it be a pump, ovulation tracker or pregnancy app, there’s an increase in frustration surrounding unexpected challenges and unknowns when it comes to their maternal health.

“Women are looking to feel as sure in their doctors as they are in their trusted technology. But today’s current maternal health issues – from lack of education and paid leave to physical and mental challenges – are having a tremendous impact on how women navigate both the pre- and post-natal landscape. Better medical, social, and governmental aid are crucial to empower the women raising the next generation.”

Enlisting one of the brand’s largest innovative marketing strategies, Elvie is unveiling their first-ever billboard in Times Square timed to the release of the report, doubling down on its commitment to women and postpartum challenges they face. The billboard’s creative will include an animation flipping through a variety of words relating to challenges that the majority of women in the report faced such as “Baby Blues,” “Bleeding,” “Loneliness,” “Breastfeeding,” and more, to bring to life the often undiscussed issues discussed in the report.

The billboard, as well as additional marketing channels, will lead back to a landing page for the maternal health report featuring different modules of the survey’s findings with a call to action for consumers to download the report and “mama’s game plan,” which includes educational content surrounding fourth trimester challenges.

CHALLENGING SURPRISES – WITH LIMITED SUPPORT

Majority of new moms feel more prepared to use postpartum technology than to deal with lack of sleep, finding breastfeeding to be the biggest postpartum challenge, alongside untreated pelvic floor issues and compounded mental health & physical health challenges.

Boobie Trapped

83% report breastfeeding for at least 1 month.
Breastfeeding or pumping (74%) is the most common need in the postpartum health journey after sleep (82%).
The single biggest misconception about postpartum care: thinking breastfeeding would be easier (48%).
84% of moms experienced at least mild breast feeding complications after giving birth; 27% had severe complications.
Almost as many mothers stop breastfeeding due to the challenges of breastfeeding than due to natural reasons. 42% stop because of return to work constraints, lack of support, difficulty balancing breastfeeding with other duties, sleep issues, mental health issues, or pain/discomfort. 56% stop because of insufficient supply, a transition to solids, or the baby deciding it’s time.

Let’s (Not) Talk About Pelvic Floor

A 56% majority did kegels or pelvic floor exercises before having a baby, but 79% still experienced at least mild pelvic floor issues after giving birth.
Only 31% were satisfied with the level of pelvic floor treatment offered after giving birth.
Just 19% spoke about their pelvic floor health often with their healthcare provider during their postpartum phase.

Mental vs. Physical

77% of moms experienced at least mild mental health complications after giving birth.
Of these, 20% had severe mental health complications.
Only 28% say they had good mental health during the postpartum period, but only 31% had professional mental health support.

It’s All About Family

94% felt supported by their partner during their pregnancy experience, and 90% felt supported by their partner during the postpartum experience.
83% considered their partners/family to be supportive to their mental health during their experience.
By contrast, only 14% said they felt partner/family support was needed but missing.

WE GET TECHNOLOGY, BUT WHAT ARE THE RULES?

Most women understand and rely on technology for postpartum recovery support more than the support from their doctors, but are confused by and lack awareness of postpartum policy solutions.

Technology is Queen

97% relied on technology to support their postpartum recovery. Electric breast pumps (72%) are the most common technology mothers turned to after baby monitors (75%)
75% relied on technology to support their prenatal phase. Smartphone apps (57%) are the most commonly-used technology.
81% say tech products and services made their motherhood journey easier.
68% agree that the tech products/services they used for prenatal and postnatal care played an important role in supporting them. 67% say their tech products were always reliable and 74% say they were well-designed.
26% say the access they had to smart technology, products and services was the most valuable support they received, statistically tied with professional healthcare support (28%).
82% of moms who had access to high tech breastfeeding products say they were effective. By contrast, 77% of those who used a lactation consultant rate the service as effective.
58% felt prepared to take advantage of available tech solutions after their pregnancy, significantly more than the level of preparation for breastfeeding, sleep challenges, childcare and relationship challenges.

What Are The Rules?

Only 21% are very familiar with their state’s maternity rights.
Only 30% know what the “Pump Act” covers.
Most mothers recognize breastfeeding rights, including:
- 89% the right to a private space (not a bathroom) at work.
- 84% the right to a break at work long enough to pump.
- 81% the right to breastfeed in public.
- 67% believe they have a right to a free electric breast pump.

UNSUPPORTIVE COMPLICATIONS

While mothers understand that postpartum challenges are guaranteed, they’re often complicated by a lack of strong structural support and poor paid maternity leave policies.

Time Out & Time Off

Only 16% expected an easy/quick recovery in the postpartum period, and only 25% felt prepared for this phase as a result of their prenatal care.
Only 25% of moms who experienced severe complications predicted they would have significant physical or emotional difficulties in the postpartum period.
Only 23% felt very supported by their doctor, midwife, or other healthcare provider.
Postpartum challenges were exacerbated by lack of paid maternity leave, which was only available to 59% of moms (64% of those who work full time and 24% who do not)
- 60% took less than 2 months of paid maternity leave
- 72% of moms with severe complications were still back to work within 6 months

About Elvie
Elvie is a disruptive global women’s health and wellness brand which uses smart technology to create superior products for women. Founded in 2013 by Tania Boler, Elvie brings together a team of world-class engineers, designers and business minds to develop extraordinary products that improve women’s lives — revolutionizing categories which had been overlooked for many years, including breastfeeding and pelvic floor health.

The first to launch, Elvie Trainer, is an award-winning Kegel trainer and connected app that allows women to take charge of their pelvic floor with expert-designed care from home. Elvie’s second product, Elvie Pump, is the smallest, quietest and smartest (and only Piezo-Powered™) wearable breast pump. Slipping discreetly in-bra, moms can pump, hands-free, whenever and wherever they want.

Elvie now has six products on the market, and continues to expand its product line and innovate new solutions for more women to have access to products that work smarter and harder for their bodies.

In 2021, Elvie launched Elvie Stride, a hands-free, hospital-grade electric pump that allows mothers to express on-the-go without compromising on pumping performance. Stride Plus launched six months later, featuring the award-winning Elvie Stride breast pump, along with a 3-in-1 Carry Bag that includes a wet bag for mess-free travel, and a cool bag and ice pack to keep breast milk fresh. Elvie Curve and Elvie Catch both work to enhance the Elvie breastfeeding range – Elvie Curve is a manual, silicone in-bra breast pump that uses natural suction to optimize milk output, and Elvie Catch is a set of two secure milk collection cups that replace the need for single-use breast pads.

For more information visit www.elvie.com.

SOURCE Elvie

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Health

Sleep Apnea is More Than a Snore

Published

3 days ago

July 23, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Snoring throughout the night. Gasping for air suddenly while sleeping. Feeling tired after a night of rest. These aren’t just signs of a poor night’s sleep – they could be symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder characterized by a repetitive collapse of the airway during sleep. Most people with sleep apnea don’t even know they have it – in fact, 80% of people with sleep apnea in the United States are undiagnosed, according to research published in the “American Journal of Epidemiology.”

Experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommend most adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night without waking frequently. If you have untreated sleep apnea, healthy, uninterrupted sleep can be hard to achieve. When the airway collapses or becomes blocked while you sleep, it causes you to wake briefly – maybe with a snore or gasp for air – to unblock the airway.

Untreated sleep apnea can contribute to long-term health problems, including hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and depression. Overall quality of life can also suffer. It can lead to a decline in mood, lower work productivity, difficulty concentrating and making decisions and an increased likelihood of getting into a traffic accident due to sleepiness.

The disorder may even affect your family and relationships; snoring or poor sleep due to sleep apnea can keep your family members up at night, affect your mood with others and impact your general decision-making. Consider this additional information about sleep apnea from Count on Sleep, a collaborative awareness program led by the AASM.

Signs and symptoms of OSA:

Snoring or noisy breathing
Stopping breathing while asleep
Waking up gasping or choking
Restless sleep or waking up tired and groggy after a full night’s sleep
Insomnia
Waking up frequently to use the bathroom
Having headaches in the morning
Feeling sleepy or falling asleep during the day
Having difficulty with memory or concentrating
Mood changes or irritability
Drowsy driving

Risk factors for OSA:

Overweight or obesity (BMI of more than 30)
High blood pressure
Neck size of more than 17 inches for men; 16 inches for women
Coronary artery disease (a type of heart disease) or heart attack
Atrial fibrillation or other heart rhythm problems
Congestive heart failure
Type 2 diabetes
Stroke
Daytime sleepiness

If you think you may have undiagnosed sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about your signs, symptoms, risk factors and concerns. If friends or family members exhibit these symptoms, urge them to talk to a doctor.

Your doctor may screen or test you for sleep apnea, which could include an at-home sleep test or sleep study at an accredited sleep center. If diagnosed, treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliance, surgery or lifestyle changes.

Learn more about how sleep apnea affects health and take a short quiz to see if you may be at risk at countonsleep.org.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

When followed properly, sleep apnea treatment improves breathing, sleepiness and quality of life. Some people may find the disorder improves through lifestyle changes such as losing weight, sleeping on their side or quitting smoking or drinking alcohol. Most of the time, however, other treatment options are necessary, such as:

CPAP
The most common and recognized treatment for sleep apnea, a CPAP machine provides a steady stream of air to keep your airway open throughout the night.

Oral appliance therapy
Similar to a mouthguard, an oral appliance can be worn at night to prevent the airway from collapsing by moving the jaw forward.

Surgery
If lifestyle changes, CPAP or oral appliance therapy don’t work, there are surgical options to treat sleep apnea. They include upper airway stimulation, which uses an implanted device to stimulate a nerve that controls the tongue, moving it forward while you sleep.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.

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Lifestyle

Important Recall Alert: Expanded Produce Recall Due to Listeria Concerns

Published

4 days ago

July 23, 2024

Charles Elliot, Daily News Staff

In a significant public health alert, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has announced an expanded recall of fresh produce supplied by Wiers Farm Inc., based in Huron County. This comes amidst growing concerns about potential listeria contamination, prompting vigilance among consumers shopping at select retailers, including Walmart, Aldi, and Kroger stores across Ohio and several other states.

people at supermarket. recall — Photo by Sebastián Mera Jaramillo on Pexels.com

What You Need to Know

On July 22, 2024, Wiers Farm Inc. expanded its voluntary recall to include additional produce items that were packed between July 5 and July 12. While there have been no reported illnesses or consumer complaints to date, the ODA is taking proactive measures to ensure public safety.

Affected Products

The recall includes a variety of retail packaged items and bulk produce sold at various grocery chains. Here’s a comprehensive list of the impacted products:

Retail Packaged Items

Sold at select Walmart stores in multiple states:

Wiers Farm Bagged Poblano – UPC 073064202581 – 16 oz bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Cubanelle – UPC 073064201836 – 16 oz bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Green Beans – UPC 073064200846 – variable weight bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Salad Cucumber – UPC 073064459619 – 2 lb. bag
Wiers Farm Bagged Serrano – UPC 073064201829 – 4 oz bag
Wiers Farm Organic Bell Pepper – UPC 073064201416 – 2 count tray
Wiers Farm Organic Cucumber – UPC 073064201423 – 2 count tray
Wiers Farm Organic Yellow Squash – UPC 073064201447 – 2 count tray
Wiers Farm Organic Zucchini Squash – UPC 073064201430 – 2 count tray

Sold at Aldi stores in Ohio and nearby states:

Freshire Farms Bagged Green Beans – 16 oz bag
Freshire Farms Bagged Jalapenos – 8 oz bag

Bulk Retail Items (sold individually or by the pound)

Anaheim peppers
Cilantro (sold in bunches)
Cubanelle peppers
Whole cucumbers
Green beans
Green Bell Pepper
Habanero peppers
Hungarian Wax peppers
Jalapeno peppers
Mustard Greens (sold in bunches)
Poblano peppers
Serrano peppers
Tomatillos

In Ohio, these bulk items were distributed to Walmart, Kroger, Save-a-Lot, and local food banks in Cleveland and Youngstown.

What Should Consumers Do?

The ODA is urging consumers who may have purchased any of the listed products to discard them immediately. It’s crucial to stay informed, as listeria monocytogenes can lead to serious health issues, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress—anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the recalled products should seek medical attention promptly.

Commitment to Safety

Wiers Farm Inc. has expressed its dedication to resolving this situation and ensuring the safety of its products. The ODA is actively investigating the matter, a response initiated after potential contamination was flagged during routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Stay Informed

For further inquiries or concerns, consumers can reach out to Wiers Farm at 419-933-2161. It’s essential to stay updated on recalls and food safety alerts to protect your health and the health of your loved ones.

As we navigate through these recalls, let’s remain vigilant and prioritize food safety to ensure a healthy dining experience for everyone. Remember, when in doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry—check your pantry and fridge today!

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fitness

Canada’s largest fitness conference brings together global health & fitness experts August 9 & 10

Published

4 days ago

July 23, 2024

Daily News Staff

TORONTO /CNW/ – The biggest names in fitness and wellness will gather in downtown Toronto this summer for the canfitpro Global Conference and Trade Show August 9 and 10. Hundreds of fitness experts, professionals and consumers will take part in the largest fitness conference and trade show in Canada to learn the latest nutrition, wellness and exercise trends.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9271551-canadas-largest-fitness-conference-canfitpro-global-august-2024/

Check out canfitpro Global Conference & Trade Show Aug 9-10, 2024

This year’s conference will include topical sessions on training for athletes of all ages, accessible fitness for different abilities, managing mindset and mental outlook, nutrition for better quality of life, fitness trends and therapeutic approaches to physical activity. Participants can watch the Pickleball Ontario Championships on site, join their favourite classes as part of the Les Mills Experience fitness festival, and tour booths from 100+ leading companies showcasing the latest wellness technology, nutrition, apparel and equipment. Anyone can attend.

Click here for a full schedule of in-person and online sessions. Some session highlights include:

Friday, August 9
Opening ceremonies
Hamza Khan, global expert in the future of work and people-first leadership.
Learn how to adapt and thrive in today’s fragmented work environment. Hamza Khan will share his ideas on purposeful productivity, transcend burnout culture, and embrace constant change.

Training styles for neurodivergent athletes
Christine Conti, fitness coach and educator, chronic disease specialist.
As a personal trainer and triathlon/Iron Man guide for athletes with autism, Down syndrome and other neurodivergent disorders, Christine Conti champions advanced visual, tactile and auditory coaching techniques that suit every learning style, helping all athletes reach their peak performance.

Food over 40: Men’s guide to boosting testosterone, muscle and confidence
Funk Roberts, nutrition and fitness expert for men over 40, owner of Funk Roberts Fitness
Nutrition for men over 40 is not about calories, macros or any restrictive fad diet. Funk Roberts teaches men how to implement an effective and sustainable nutrition system that naturally increases testosterone, boosts metabolism, builds muscle and increases energy.

Saturday, August 10
Hormone toxicity: Taking back control during perimenopause and menopause
Kelly Nolan, pharmacist, women’s health expert
Major shifts in body chemistry during perimenopause and menopause can wreak havoc emotionally and physically with a dramatic shift in body image and unexpected symptoms from ongoing anxiety to high fatigue and brain fog affecting our work performance. Kelly Nolan will explore how to detoxify to balance hormones naturally with the goal of optimal health, weight release and disease prevention.

Four generations, one passion for fitness
Sal Pellegrino, international fitness expert and presenter
For the first time, four generations are actively working out in the gym at one time. But not all generations want the same thing. From in-gym social centres to outdoor fitness to tranquil recovery spaces, Sal Pellegrino will share his research into what motivates each generation and what we’ll see in our neighbourhood gyms in the months and years to come.

Photo opportunities:

Watch fast-paced matches and learn Pickleball basics from Ontario’s best players
Join hundreds of fitness enthusiasts for a giant workout led by New Zealand superstar instructors at the Les Mills Experience
Learn boxing moves from George Foreman III or try Face Yoga for a natural facelift with Sophia Ha
Take a cold plunge, enjoy a Cryo Lounge chair and sweat through the latest workouts including Joga, Warrior Combat, Socacize….even a step class with R&B soul singer Jully Black.

About canfitpro
canfitpro is the largest provider of education in the Canadian fitness industry. Founded in 1993, canfitpro delivers accessible, quality education, certifications, conferences, trade shows, and membership services. canfitpro’s 60,000 members include some of the world’s finest fitness professionals, health club operators, industry suppliers and fitness consumers. (canfitpro.com)

SOURCE canfitpro