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Breast Pump Tips

Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center lactation consultant Cheryl Coleman shares these tips to help nursing mothers when it comes time to pump.

Many new mothers choose to pump and store expressed milk to feed their infants while they are at work, school, or for many other reasons. Pumping may seem easy, but there are several differences between the pump and your baby – and from pump to pump – that can influence your success.

First, select a breast pump to meet your needs. Evaluate how often you plan to pump. If you will be pumping daily or several times each day, you may... Read More »

Hillcrest Recognized as Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite

It is never easy to leave your baby when it is time to return to work. However, Hillcrest Medical Center NICU RN Lauren Wyzard had one less obstacle when she returned after having her second child nearly a year ago. “To have a place where you can come and relax and know that you are doing everything you can for your baby, pumping milk, is really nice,” she says of 24/7 access to a fully equipped pumping room at work. “It’s peace of mind.”

Wyzard knows the same is not true of all working moms in Oklahoma. “You hear of some women who have to stop pumping early or have to stop... Read More »

Designing a Nursery

Nurseries have certainly come a long way. For first-time parents scrolling through Pinterest, it can be a bit intimidating. Just a glance at the popular blog “Project Nursery” and their “Most Viewed Nurseries of 2012” will reveal image after image of perfectly appointed spaces that rival what used to be the premiere room of the house, the master bedroom. With more choices than pink or blue paint for the walls, parents are creating nurseries which almost reflect their baby’s personality before they even make their big arrival.

Letter to the Editor: Wonderful People

Thank you to the sweet family who wrote in to the Tulsa World regarding their experience at the Peggy V. Helmerich Women's Health Center. We honor the special responsibilty and opportunity to be a part of the families we meet every day.

We would like to thank all the nurses and doctors who work at the Hillcrest Women's Center. The second-floor people were great when our granddaughters came two months early. The nurses in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) are the best people. When we lost one of our angels after only eight days, they were there to help us through it, even... Read More »

Is it safe to breastfeed with the flu?

Is it okay to breastfeed if the mother has the flu?

Flu season is upon us and as a reminder, breastfeeding mothers should continue to breastfeed their children even if they become sick. Your best protection and your baby’s best protection is to stay away from large crowds of people, be diligent about washing your hands, limit the number of people who may have contact with your baby, and make sure that those who are around your baby are not sick.However, if you do get sick with the flu, don’t stop breastfeeding. Limit face to face contact with your baby, wear a mask when handling... Read More »

The Big Moment: Creative Ways for Revealing Baby's Gender

We love suspense. When it comes to finding out the sex of your baby, there are few things more thrilling. For most expectant couples, the big reveal happens around the 20 week ultrasound. After counting fingers and toes, the next question is usually “Is it a boy or a girl?” In recent years, couples have discovered it is even more exciting to share the big surprise with family and friends. Gender parties are a big hit and there are some pretty creative ways to reveal the gender of the baby.

Balloons – A carefully filled and sealed box with either blue or pink balloons is a great way... Read More »

Delivering on 12.12.12 at 12:12

At 39 weeks pregnant, Kelli Baker was ready to meet her baby boy. Baker had been on bed rest to prevent pre-term labor since the second week of October. “She worked hard to get this baby to this point,” says Utica Park Clinic OBGyn Dr. William Harris.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 just before noon, Dr. Harris finished his grilled chicken before walking over from his Utica Park Clinic office to the Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Health Center at Hillcrest South, where Baker was prepped and ready for her cesarean section.

“It was just a regular scheduled cesarean section,” recalls Dr.... Read More »

Breastfeeding and the Flu