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With a little commitment and flexibility, military mothers can usually successfully breastfeed throughout their baby’s first year and beyond.

Pregnancy and childbirth are life changing experiences for women.  The transition to becoming a mother is a process that involves feelings, behaviors and attitudes that may be shaped by individual life experiences. The Military Health System understands that every woman experiences this process differently and is committed to ensuring each mother receives the education, support and care she needs.

The Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ publication, Pregnancy and Childbirth, based on their Management of Pregnancy Clinical Practice Guidelines, includes evidence-based research recommendations for prenatal care for all pregnant women receiving care in the DoD/VA health care systems.  It is designed as a resource for pregnant women, and provides quality information that can serve as a reference, guide, journal and springboard for further discussion and education. 

This joint publication is focused towards goal-oriented prenatal care, a process of setting a series of goals in preparing for delivery and beyond.  Each visit with the doctor is outlined throughout the pregnancy to help expecting mothers identify steps to ease the process.  Also included is information about each stage of pregnancy, including the status of the embryo, changes to a woman’s body and changes within the family.  The guide helps women identify signs which need to be reported to a doctor and how the pregnancy is affecting them emotionally, mentally and physically.  It also lets women know what to expect from each doctor’s visit. 

Once a woman is ready for delivery, these guidelines help prepare her for the experience of labor.  Afterwards, information about feeding the baby, caring for her own reproductive needs, safety tips and supplies addresses many of the questions mothers may have. 

After the baby comes home, the DoD continues to support new families through its new parent support program.  This program employs nurses, social workers and others who can provide access to a variety of education programs.  These individuals may make home visits to assist in the helping women in their role as a new mother. 

For women veterans receiving services through the VA, each facility has a Women Veterans Program Manager who assists with finding the resources needed during pregnancy and after delivery. 

Read more about women’s health. 

This October, the Military Health System (MHS) celebrates Women’s Health Month.

October is Women's Health Awareness month and many women may opt to take dietary supplements to boost their health. But are they safe?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently coordinating a multi-state investigation of fungal meningitis among patients who received a steroid injection into their spine or other joints with a potentially contaminated product

The Department of Defense is partnering with the mental health support program, Military Pathways, to encourage service members, veterans, and their families to participate in National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 11, 2012.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center launched a health promotion and wellness campaign.

The "She Was There" campaign aims to shift the culture of care for women veterans.

Traditionally, hope boxes contain sentimental items like vintage family photos, love letters and crayoned construction paper drawings of mommy and daddy.

A new mobile application on the horizon uses smartphone technology to duplicate the therapeutic benefits of the traditional coffer to help service members cope during times of high stress and crises.

The app is being developed by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology also known as T2. One of the goals of the Virtual Hope Box, says Dr. Robert Ciulla, chief of population and prevention programs for T2 is, “to help individuals who are in acute distress to access some pleasant soothing kinds of content they’ve preloaded to help them get through that distressing or traumatic experience.”

The interactive tool focuses the user on memories, such as family photos, supportive messages from loved ones and music that have been digitally preserved.  Other features of the app include relaxation and distraction modules that include a deep breathing tool, progressive muscle relaxation activities, puzzles and word search games taken directly from user content.

The National Center for Telehealth and Technology is a component center of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury and part of the Military Health System.

T2 offers many mobile apps related to psychological health.

If you are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, or know someone who is, call the National Veterans/Military Crisis Line at (800) 273-8255 (press 1), text a crisis counselor at 838255 or start an anonymous online chat to get help.

Read more about suicide prevention awareness on health.mil.

A contingent of Air Force and Navy instructors from the Department of Defense Medical Education and Training Campus in Fort Sam Houston, Texas captured the top prize at the 2012 Emergency Medical Technician Rodeo held Sept. 22 at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.