Womans Health:Epidural, spinal anesthesia safe for cesarean deliveries ♦ Updated Pap smear test guidelines lead to decreased STI screening ♦ Alcohol and first sexual experience: Risks for young women

Epidural, spinal anesthesia safe for cesarean deliveries, New research could ease the minds of expectant mothers who may be nervous about epidurals or spinal anesthesia for childbirth. According to ASA practice guidelines, spinal or epidural anesthesia is preferred for most cesarean deliveries. However, general anesthesia may be administered in some cases, such as an emergency cesarean delivery

Women: A longer break from work leads to less interest in a career Family policy influences not only families’ economic behavior, but also sends out clear normative signals on which people base their individual life plans: The longer a mother takes a break from work after the birth of a child, the more she loses interest in her own career.

Updated Pap smear test guidelines lead to decreased STI screening Following the introduction of Cancer Care Ontario's 2012 cervical cancer screening guidelines, female patients were 50 per cent less likely to undergo screening for sexually transmitted infections.

Alcohol and first sexual experience: Risks for young women If a young woman's first sexual experience involves alcohol, she is more likely to be at risk for problems such as sexual assault, and this risk may persist in her future.