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First Breath Updates
First Breath will continue to offer virtual visits – instead of in-person visits - until further notice. Thank you for understanding and we can’t wait to see you soon!
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First Breath Expansion
Our expanded focus will aim to reduce substance-exposed pregnancies. If you or anyone you know is pregnant, postpartum, or caregiving and using tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, illicit substances and/or misuse prescription drugs, please join First Breath.
Our team of highly trained Health Educators will provide comprehensive prevention, education, early intervention, and referral services. Please note, First Breath does not provide substance use treatment services, however individuals in treatment or recovery are welcome to join as an additional support.
Reach out to your Health Educator to learn more!
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Prematurity Awareness Month | |
About 15 million babies around the world are born prematurely every year, and around 1 million don’t survive. During this month, organizations and individuals come together to raise awareness about the seriousness of premature birth, and how dangerous it is worldwide.
Most pregnancies last around 40 weeks, which is considered healthy. If a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation, that baby is premature, which can pose several health risks. And it’s not only the babies that need special care.
Oftentimes, the mother needs it as well. When a mother gives birth to a premature baby, a lot of physical and emotional stress comes with it. If their baby has to live at the hospital for the first month or so because of the premature birth, mothers often lose sleep due to late nights at the hospital, suffer from feelings of guilt, anxiety, and depression, and feel like failures. It’s important to take physical and mental health of the mother into consideration, just as much as it is for the baby.
The good news: The rate of premature births in the U.S. is dropping every year. The more we talk and raise awareness, the more this number will drop!
Click HERE for more information and resources for yourself or loved ones.
Reach out to your Health Educator if you have experienced premature labor or want to learn more!
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First Breath Success Story | |
"I quit Sept 10 and the reason I quit because during my pregnancy my baby wasn't growing she was 2pound till I was about 8 months the most scariest moment of my life her heart beat kept dropping I had to take a stress test 3 times a week which was very stressful. It wasn't much I had to do but think about the growth of my baby and how I'm destroying her brain level and her active moments in my belly .I noticed when I stop she start growing more being more active and I start breathing better the tiredness was over with. I couldn't thank my first breath coach enough because she came out and helped me out during the time of me quitting .So the advice I can give is do the same keep you and your baby SAFE and healthy. Till this day I wish she'll come out to see the baby progress --First Breath Graduate | |
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Congratulations !
Want to share your story? Click here SHARE
For more success stories view our YouTube playlist (First Breath Stories).
You can also follow First Breath on Facebook (First Breath) or Instagram (@firstbreathwi)
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Tips You Can Use
Cold, flu, and RSV season is here!
Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.
Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States.
And from what we're observing, the 2022-2023 cold and flu season is going to be especially dangerous for vulnerable babies and families.
Respiratory infections are spreading in our schools and communities. COVID-19 is still with us. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections are on the rise. And we're just now entering flu season. As these viruses spread, providers are telling us to prepare for this unprecedented "tri-demic."
Symptoms:
People infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.
Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.
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Did You Know?
Smoking during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby, like premature birth and birth defects.
How Can a Premature Birth Harm Your Baby?
If you smoke during pregnancy, you are more likely to give birth too early. Babies born too early miss important growth that happens in the womb during the final weeks and months of pregnancy.
The earlier a baby is born, the greater the chances for serious health problems or death. Premature babies can have:
- Low birth weight
- Feeding difficulties
- Breathing problems right away
- Breathing problems that last into childhood
- Cerebral palsy(brain damage that causes trouble with movement and muscle tone)
- Developmental delays (when a baby or child is behind in language, thinking, or movement skills)
- Problems with hearing or eyesight
Premature babies may need to stay at the hospital for days, weeks, or even months.
But Quitting Can Help You and Your Baby!
Quitting at any time during pregnancy can help your baby get a better start on life.
When you stop smoking:
- Your baby gets more oxygen, even after just 1 day.
- Your baby will grow better.
- Your baby is less likely to be born too early.
- You’ll have more energy and breathe more easily.
- You will be less likely to develop heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, lung disease, and other smoking-related diseases.
Ask your Health Educator more about ways to quit and/or cut down!
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FREE Health Education
Using virtual platforms, WWHF's GrapeVine Program is providing a Women's Health Webinar Series. Interested? See what sessions are coming up!
Thursday, December 8, 2022
1:00pm-2:00pm
Topic: Bone Health
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
12:00pm-1:00pm
Topic: Advance Care Planning
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What is Health Equity in Tobacco Prevention and Control?
Health equity is the opportunity for everyone to reach their “full health potential.” No one is prevented “from achieving this potential because of their social position or other socially determined circumstance.” Health equity in tobacco prevention and control is the opportunity for all people to live a healthy, tobacco-free life, regardless of their race, level of education, gender identity, sexual orientation, the job they have, the neighborhood they live in, or whether or not they have a disability.
How can we work towards this?
One thing that we can do is to advocate for ourselves and surroundings by creating smoke free environments, including your own home, especially if you live in a multi unit home. About 25% of nonsmokers and 40% of children ages 3-11 are still exposed to secondhand smoke. And unfortunately, lower income areas suffer the most. Talk your landlord about making your space smoke free!
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National Domestic Violence Hotline
Need help? They are here to help.
Call: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
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Help For Caregivers: Depression | |
You are not alone and you are not to blame. Postpartum Support International is here to help. You will get better.
Call 1-800-944-4773 or Text 503-894-9453(English) or 971-420-0294 (Spanish).
Available 24 hours a day, you will be asked to leave a confidential message and a trained and caring volunteer will return your call or text. They will listen, answer questions, offer encouragement and connect you with local resources as needed.
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Talk To Someone Now
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. You can call or chat below or simply dial 988!
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National Women's Health and Breastfeeding Helpline
Do you have a women's health question or trouble with breastfeeding?
Call us anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-994-9662 to talk with a health information specialist in English or Spanish.
Our women's health information specialists who answer the phone are also trained as breastfeeding peer counselors.
You can call us for free, as many times as you need to!
Call today at 1-800-994-9662 to get answers to your questions or for breastfeeding support.
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Well Badger Resource Center | | |
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Well Badger's Certified Resource Specialists are here to listen and connect you with health and mental health services, financial assistance, nutrition programs, child care, and more.
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Do you know someone who is pregnant or recently delivered and trying to quit, cut back or stay quit? If so, please refer them to the First Breath Program. Your Health Educator will be happy to help someone you may know. Text FB INFO to 97779 or Visit joinfirstbreath.org
Have ideas for our next newsletter or want to make a art/photo submission?
Email: [email protected]
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