Oklahoma is home to some of the most beautiful and largest lakes in the country. Many of us enjoy boating and swimming in these lakes. Before heading out we prepare food, pack our clothes and sunscreen and hit the road for a fun-filled vacation. However, an important step that is often missed is checking lake…

No two pregnancies are the same just as no two deliveries are the same. At least that was my experience. As my husband and I prepared to welcome our third child in 2015, we followed a carefully thought-out plan to give us the best chance for a full-term pregnancy and healthy delivery. With a history…

If you are expecting or a new mother, Hillcrest Hospital Cushing offers free childbirth classes to mothers who deliver at our hospital. These classes focus on a variety of topics to help prepare mothers, such as: labor and delivery, breastfeeding, newborn care, infant CPR and a sibling class for your other children adjusting to a…

If you plan to deliver at the Peggy V. Helmerich Women’s Center at Hillcrest Medical Center, it is valuable to know that every labor and delivery nurse has received doula training from a certified doula. A doula is a professional who has been trained in birthing techniques and provides emotional, physical and educational support to…

During the breastfeeding stage of motherhood, many concerns mothers have can be due to common misconceptions. Many mothers worry they aren’t producing enough milk or they possibly have “low milk supply”. This can be a discouraging process for mothers who feel like they are not feeding their baby enough or are having several issues when…

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States, and there are many disorders patients may suffer from after having a stroke. One disorder is called dysphagia, which is a swallowing disorder that may occur in up to 65 percent of stroke patients. Dysphagia causes difficulty swallowing and, in some cases, patients find it…

As summer draws near, health care providers remind us to be aware of our exposure to mosquitoes. This is a common concern for the season, but this year a new focus has emerged: the Zika virus. Utica Park Clinic recently explored Zika and how it can be transmitted on their blog. In addition to being…

For expectant mothers who have high risk babies, several have to stay in the hospital for weeks or even months prior to their baby’s due date. When AuraBelle “Belle” Laskey was told by her doctor she had a 50 percent chance of losing her twin babies after 24 weeks, she knew there was no choice…