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Having a cesarean section (C-section) is not something you always have control over. But whether you are scheduling a C-section birth or you end up having an unplanned procedure, thinking about your preferences in advance can prepare you emotionally and ease your recovery. While birth plans are not intended to be followed to the letter (mainly because that is usually impossible), the exercise of creating them can prompt you to ask questions and think about all aspects of the birthing experience, including a potential C-section....

If you have OCD, employment—seeking it out, obtaining it, and keeping it—can be extremely challenging. While symptoms of OCD can get in the way of completing the required duties of a particular job, there is also the significant challenge of stigma, prejudice, and discrimination that is associated with mental illness. Difficulties Between Employers and Employees It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of a medical condition, including OCD. For example, if you are otherwise qualified for the position, you cannot be denied employment simply because you have OCD....

Turning 16 is big deal to most teens. Not only does their freedom expand with the addition of a driver’s license, but they also are becoming more cognizant of what they want to do in their future. Those who plan to attend college may be visiting universities or preparing to take the appropriate standardized tests. As for parenting, 16-year-olds can bring both joy and frustration to their parents and caregivers. Along with all the reasons for immense pride in how your teen is growing up and accomplishing goals, there are bound to be a few struggles along the way too....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life Meet Nick Viall Nick Viall is best known for his role on “The Bachelor.” He starred in “The Bachelorette” for two seasons before starring as the bachelor....

If you are considering pregnancy, can you just stop taking birth control and get pregnant? In many cases, yes. You may be able to conceive by discontinuing your birth control and having regular sex. This goes for almost any type of birth control. Remember that some forms of contraception, like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, will need to be removed by your doctor or midwife during an office visit. Return to Fertility You should consider yourself fertile once you have stopped taking birth control pills, had your IUD or implants removed, or stopped using barrier methods such as diaphragms or condoms....

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common psychological disorder, and it can affect dating and intimate relationships in many different ways. Here we discuss recent research on the topic of dating and relationships when you have social anxiety disorder as well as ways to help your dating and relationship anxiety. Dating Aggression In a study of adolescents, fear of negative evaluation (FNE), one aspect of social anxiety in which you’re afraid of being perceived negatively, was found to significantly predict male dating aggression....

Coming out to a child can be a complex conversation, full of all kinds of emotions. For some LGBTQ+ parents, this conversation might happen early. For example, a child might notice that they have two dads while a friend has a mother and a father, leading to a conversation about different families, diversity, and what it means to be queer. Key Takeaways Parents who identify with a sexuality other than straight can face unique pressures in a heteronormative world....

Talking with your child about puberty can sometimes feel awkward or unsettling. You may not fully know what to say, or you might feel unsure about when to start having these discussions. But pediatric experts stress that it’s important to talk openly and often with your child about this crucial developmental stage. Waiting until kids are close to entering puberty can be tempting, as you may wonder what a toddler or preschooler would even need to know about how their bodies will eventually change....

You track your nutrition and your workouts—why wouldn’t you track your mood? Mood tracker apps are gaining in popularity—there are nearly 500on Apple’s App Store. They can be used by everyone, from those dealing with mental health conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder to those who just want to keep tabs on their stress levels. These programs can do everything from helping you visualize trends to even generating reports you can share with a therapist or doctor....

In recent years, a very small yet vociferous patient population has complained of skin infestation by either parasites or inanimate matter along with related somatic complaints. People with convictions of such infestation report poor or non-healing skin sores (skin lesions); itchiness (pruritis), and sensations of stinging, biting, and insects crawling on or under the skin (formication). These people also claim that thread-like fibers are excreted from these skin lesions. While this condition has neither any established diagnostic criteria and treatment nor any formal institutional recognition, this dermopathy has been termed Morgellons disease among members of the lay population....

Can suicide ever be rational? That’s not an easy question to answer, and there’s a lot of gray area, but ultimately the decision is between an individual, their doctor and the laws of their state. Crisis Support If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911....

After giving birth to a baby, a parent basks in the reward of spending time with their newborn. When that baby is taken away just days later, it disrupts the bonding experience. Incarcerated parents know that disruption all too well. But one state is changing that narrative. Key Takeaways Minnesota moms who deliver babies while in prison will have the chance to bond with their newborn after birth.The Healthy Start Act may allow a mom to finish her sentence at a community facility and keep her little one with her....

Any child who is facing middle school will have questions about the changes ahead. Below are a few questions you’re likely to hear. Encourage your tween to ask questions and wonder about the middle school experience. Is Middle School Difficult? Middle school is going to be a little bit of a change academically. Your child might have more homework, and teachers expect middle schoolers to be more responsible about completing homework, keeping up with assignments, and speaking up if something isn’t completely understood....

There is no doubt that the start of a long weekend, a holiday break, or a summer break at home for your college student ranks high on your list of best things ever. After all, you have survived the first few months of separation from your teen, and even though you may have developed a new normal without them, that doesn’t diminish the fact that they will be home and in close proximity to you for the first time in months....

It really is amazing how much your baby will grow and develop in just the first month of life. In the beginning, it may seem that all they do is pee, poo, eat, cry, and sleep, but gradually, week by week, you will see growth and change in your baby. Review this list of newborn developmental milestones to see how your baby is doing. Newborn Physical Development In the beginning, you will notice that your baby uses jerky, uncoordinated movements that are sporadic and out of their control....

During fertility treatment, the drugs you may take fall into one of four general categories: Medications intended to stimulate ovulation (fertility drugs) Medications intended to suppress or control the menstrual cycle (used during IVF) Medications intended to treat an underlying medical condition impacting your fertility Medications intended to treat other aspects of fertility Medications alone may be used, or they may be used alongside intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF treatment, or surgical interventions....

If you’re afraid to highlight your own positive traits, you could be suffering from a fear of self-promotion. Although the fear of self-promotion does not have an official phobia name, it’s a devastating yet common fear that can wreak havoc on your daily life. People who are afraid to self-promote could be passed over for job promotions, miss opportunities to connect with potential dates and avoid possibly fulfilling hobbies. So it’s worthwhile to ease this fear in yourself....

One of the benefits of breastfeeding that many mothers appreciate has nothing to do with babies. Breastfeeding can help you lose weight and get back your pre-pregnancy body faster, but it’s important to know that this perk isn’t a sure thing. For some moms, losing baby weight isn’t a fast process and it takes more than just nursing. The amount of weight that you’ll lose while you’re breastfeeding depends on many factors including:...

Dexedrine is a psychostimulant medication prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Like other stimulant medications, Dexedrine acts on the central nervous system and increases the number of neurotransmitters in the brain. Boosting two of these neurotransmitters—dopamine and norepinephrine—helps improve a person’s focus and concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Dexedrine is a brand name for a drug that is composed completely of dextroamphetamine. It is available in tablets and as capsules called Dexedrine Spansule....

If your son is already asking about shaving, it’s time to think about how you’ll prepare them for the milestone. Shaving is a big deal to many boys and they often look forward to it, even if they have to wait a while for puberty to catch up with them. Most boys won’t develop facial hair until they’re well into puberty (generally around age 14 or so), while others may need to begin shaving in the later tween years....