- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has once again received the Mission: Lifeline® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. It’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. AAMC earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for quick and appropriate treatment through emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries in heart attack patients. “A heart attack is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It’s critically important not to delay care if you think you are experiencing symptoms. At Anne Arundel Medical Center, we are safe, ready and open to care for you,” said Jerome Segal, MD, medical director of Cardiovascular Services at AAMC. “This award is testament to our consistent, coordinated team approach that is quick and efficient in delivering life-saving care during this time and into the future.” “We commend AAMC for this award in recognition for following evidence-based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment,” said Tim Henry, MD, chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “We applaud the significant institutional commitment to their critical role in the system of care for quickly and appropriately treating heart attack patients.” Services for heart attack patients Hospitals that meet AHA quality standards not only know the importance of treating quickly and safely, but they also follow evidence-based research that helps to determine why a patient had a heart attack or stroke in the first place. To learn more about AAMC’s heart services, visit www.askAAMC.org/heart.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogMoms often describe the hours, days and weeks following their babies’ arrival as a wonderful yet overwhelming time. It’s also an important time to surround yourself with helpful information and support for breastfeeding success. A rewarding breastfeeding experience starts with education, like AAMC’s Breastfeeding Basics class. Getting familiar with the basics will help you get off to a good start. The Early Weeks You may feel like all you’re doing in the first week of your baby’s life is nursing – and it’s probably true! This is how your baby helps your body create a plentiful milk supply. Newborns generally nurse eight to 12 times a day. Nursing this often doesn’t mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk. Rather a newborn’s stomach, just like the rest of them, is tiny! At day three, it’s about the size of a walnut. At two weeks, it’s about the size of a large egg. Newborn Stomach Size from Medela In the early weeks of frequent nursing remember that all your hard work is encouraging your body to create a good milk supply. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand activity. Your body learns to supply exactly what your baby is demanding. Nursing your baby at the first sign of hunger cues– rooting, smacking lips, stirring, hands in mouth—also helps minimize engorgement that can happen two to five days after birth when your milk “comes in” or increases in supply. Some moms worry about their milk supply. If your baby is gaining weight and having frequent wet and dirty diapers, then your baby is getting enough milk. In those early days and weeks, remember you’re learning something new. Like all new skills, it may take some time to feel like you’ve gotten the hang of it. Trust your body, your baby and yourself. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Importance of Skin-to-Skin Studies prove that skin-to-skin contact, which you may also hear called ‘kangaroo care,’ offers many benefits. Among them, skin-to-skin can help regulate your baby’s temperature, heartbeat, breathing and blood sugars. It can enhance bonding with parents (Yes, dad can do it too!) and reduce baby’s cries. Babies who are kept skin-to-skin immediately after birth may latch better, and are more likely to nurse sooner and longer. Getting a Good Latch A good latch is key to baby effectively and comfortably removing milk, and helps create a successful and enjoyable breastfeeding experience. A good latch can look different to every mom. To latch your baby: Sit comfortably in a slightly reclined position, supported by pillows if you’d like. Have baby lie belly down on you with their nose aligned with the nipple. If baby is not rooting with a wide mouth, tickle baby’s top lip with your nipple to stimulate rooting. As baby opens wide, allow baby to self-latch or guide baby on so that most of your areola is covered by the baby’s mouth, especially at the bottom lip and chin. Watch for signs of sucking from baby’s jaw motion and ear movement, and for periods of swallowing. If you’re experiencing pain, break the latch by inserting your finger into the corner of baby’s mouth and re-latch as needed. Persistent pain should be assessed by a lactation consultant. Images from La Leche League International Breastfeeding should feel comfortable and you should be able to hear sounds of swallowing. Don’t worry if it feels awkward at first. Before long getting baby to latch will feel so second nature you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed– or at least in a dark room, say around 2 am. For more information, I recommend the Latching and Positioning Resources from Kelly Mom. Author Kim Knight is a board-certified lactation consultant with Breastfeeding Works which offers home consultations and workplace lactation support. She has provided support to thousands of breastfeeding moms during the course of her career. Breastfeeding Resources AAMC offers several breastfeeding support classes, all of which have gone virtual due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See a complete schedule here. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Originally published April 14, 2016. Last updated Aug. 10, 2020.0
- General Page Tier 3BlogAs a lactation consultant, I talk to moms everyday about the ‘villages’ they have formed and found around their breastfeeding journey. This is a constant theme I hear when asking a new mom about what was most helpful in finding support and encouragement. August is National Breastfeeding Month, which serves as an important reminder of the health benefits of breastfeeding. Breast milk is a natural source of nutrition and provides the healthiest start for an infant, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months (although any amount of time you breastfeed is beneficial) and say it’s an investment in the short- and long-term health of your baby, as opposed to just a lifestyle choice. READ MORE: Six ways to support a new mom A support system is key to meeting your personal breastfeeding goals. Here are some of the ways and places you can connect with other moms: Find support during the three most important phases. During your pregnancy, take a breastfeeding class in person or online. After giving birth, talk with a board certified lactation consultant. In the early weeks after birth, visit a support group. Connecting with care during all three of these time periods will have a huge impact on your wellbeing and success. Get out and about while nursing! Public breastfeeding is now legal in all 50 states. You can meet friends in the same places you would normally. Talk to a friend who has children. Ask them what they wish they knew before they started breastfeeding and what helped them stay motivated. If you will be pumping at work, talk to your co-workers and your boss about your plans and goals for keeping up with breastfeeding. Their understanding will make a big difference during the transition. Involve your partner, a family member or someone else you feel close to. Ask them to join you for a class or support group. The more support you have the more successful your journey will be. Check out Facebook! There are a number of online communities locally, nationally and even globally where you can ask questions and connect with other moms (even during those middle-of-the-night feedings). Find a group that’s a good fit for you. Breastfeeding Resources AAMC offers several breastfeeding support classes, all of which have gone virtual due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See a complete schedule here. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Author Kelly Kendall is a nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Aug. 6, 2018. Last updated Aug. 10, 2020.0
- Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNearly everyone has heartburn once in a while. But if your heartburn happens two or more times a week, it may be a symptom of something more serious. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD is a digestive disorder that affects up to one in five U.S. adults. It occurs when the valve in the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens or relaxes too often or for too long or becomes loose. This causes stomach contents to back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn and acid indigestion. In addition to getting heartburn two or more times a week, you should seek a doctor’s help if you have trouble or pain when swallowing, coughing or choking during the night and/or heartburn pain that interferes with your daily activities. These are symptoms of GERD. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough, increased belching and bad breath. While there isn’t yet a cure for GERD, you can manage your symptoms. Doctors often recommend diet and lifestyle changes. Simple approaches include: Maintaining a healthy weight Avoiding tight-fitting clothing Avoiding trigger foods and drinks, such as fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, garlic, onion and caffeine Eating smaller meals slowly Waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed Elevating the head of your bed Quitting smoking Chronic or refractory GERD In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor might also recommend prescription medication to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. While most patients respond well to these treatments, some might find that their symptoms persist. In this case, you may have chronic or refractory GERD. Refractory GERD can be debilitating and harm your quality of life. It’s important not to lose hope. There are minimally invasive surgical options available to treat refractory GERD. When left untreated, GERD can lead to more serious health problems over time, including esophageal cancer. If you’re currently taking antacids or over-the-counter medications, it’s important to visit your primary care doctor. These medicines may only mask symptoms. We know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still on everyone’s mind. But your health may still require medical attention. Our medical offices have procedures in place to keep patients and staff safe. We sanitize exam rooms before and after each patient, patients and staff are screened for COVID-19 before they enter the building, and masks are required at all times. We are safe, ready and open to care for you during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Don’t let your GERD symptoms take away from your quality of life. Your doctor can direct you to an option that will ultimately provide you with relief. Author Adrian Park, MD, is chair of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Department of Surgery and an internationally recognized specialist in minimally invasive surgery. To reach him, call 443-481-6699.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAny way you choose to feed your baby is a loving act. If you decide breastfeeding is the right choice for you and your baby, connecting with other moms, friends and experts who have first-hand experience with breastfeeding can be key to your own success– and often sanity! Breastfeeding is a new skill– some moms will get the hang of it on the first day, and for others it may take more time. Think about the last time you tried something new. It probably took some time to feel confident. Remember, your baby is learning too. AAMC asked local moms to offer words of wisdom from their own breastfeeding experience. Many moms shared similar thoughts such as: It can be awkward or difficult at first, but it gets easier. Use knowledgeable resources. Talk to other moms for advice and support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Believe in yourself! Here’s more encouragement for moms, from moms: Breastfeeding is hard work and commitment, but completely worth it! Stick to it and you’ll be surprised at just how far you and your little one will come. Things start clicking around six weeks and you’ll be glad you pushed through. – Amy, Pasadena Just try it. It is not for everyone, but from someone who was about as anti-breastfeeding as they come prior to having my baby, my advice is to just try it– you might just surprise yourself. I did. – Casey, Severna Park Enjoy it, because it goes by really fast. You think you’ll have a baby tied to the boob forever, but suddenly your toddler doesn’t have time for you anymore. Breastfeeding became a really big part of my life. It’s a cool club to be in and I’ve met some amazing, supportive women along the way. – Marisa, Annapolis It may not be beautiful bonding instantly. It takes time for you and baby to get the hang of it. I remember about two months in finally having the moment where I was like, ‘ohhh I love this!’ Also, even when you’re doing everything right, your body is adjusting and it can be uncomfortable. But it gets better! – Jemma, Gambrills There is a lot of advice out there– how often the baby should eat, how many ounces, how many minutes, what mom should and shouldn’t eat– it’s enough to drive a new mother crazy. Every baby is different. Relax, follow your instincts and best judgment, and don’t expect perfection from yourself or anyone else. – Whitney, Severna Park It’s overwhelming until you get the hang of it, but it’s all worth it. Breastfeeding is so special and rewarding. I’m glad I stuck it out. The support of friends and my pediatrician was so important, especially in the first few weeks! – Alexandra, Annapolis Nursing doesn’t work out for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still provide your baby with the benefits of breast milk. Exclusively pumping is an option you should read about and consider. – Katie, Davidsonville After an emergency c-section, my body was under so much stress it took longer for my milk to come in. I put pressure on myself, thinking the harder I tried, the faster my milk would come in. The pressure I put on myself ended up working against me. I wish I’d known it can take time for your milk supply to regulate to your baby’s needs. Redefining my vision of success to focus on the things that mattered– my baby was healthy and gaining weight and we were bonding– is what ultimately drove me to stick with breastfeeding, and I’m so happy I did. – Bridget, Annapolis Breastfeeding is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. When it feels like you can’t do it anymore set a small goal, like a day, and then another day. Use small goals as long as you can to help you reach your bigger goals. – Katy, Pasadena I worried about others judging me if I chose to breastfeed in public, so I refrained for a while. I wish I knew the vast majority of people I have encountered are supportive, or at the very least don’t give any indication that they’re bothered by it. You will hear advice from everyone. Go with what works best for you and your family. – Jen, Centreville If you have to supplement with formula, it isn’t the end of the world. Any amount of breast milk you can give your baby for as long as you can is better than none at all! – Brooke, Crofton For something so “natural,” it may not feel that way at first. You and your baby have the instincts to build a nursing bond but it takes work and patience. Stick to it, it gets so much easier and then becomes amazing! – Diana, Crofton (pictured with baby Josephine above) Take a class with your support person. My husband was my biggest help! When we first got home from the hospital I was so tired I couldn’t remember anything from the class. He remembered so many tips and tricks. He set up a nursing station for me with drinks, snacks, blankets and a remote so I could be as comfortable as possible. I was ready to quit at the two week mark, and he asked me to check out the AAMC support group first. Attending the support group that day changed everything for us. I ended up nursing my first son for 11 months! We never set a goal of how long to breastfeed but just told ourselves we would do it until we were ready to stop. – Heather, Annapolis If you’d like more encouragement, advice or have questions for other moms, join AAMC Smart Parents on Facebook. Breastfeeding Resources Originally published April 13, 2016. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
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