​August has a way of changing the pace.

Summer is still here, but you can feel the season beginning to turn. Vacations wind down, school supplies appear in the shops, routines start taking shape again, and the calendar slowly fills up.
It can be a good moment to take stock—not just of what needs to get done, but of how you're doing.

Good health isn't about getting everything right. It's about paying attention. Getting enough rest. Drinking plenty of water. Moving your body in ways that feel good. Eating well most of the time. Protecting your skin. And making room for preventive care, even when life is busy.

For women especially, it's easy to become very good at looking after everyone else while quietly moving your own needs to the bottom of the list. August is a gentle reminder that your health isn't an indulgence or something to get around to when everything else is taken care of. It is part of taking care of the people and life you love.

Whether you're due for your annual well-woman exam, navigating menopause, thinking about contraception or pregnancy planning, or simply have a question you've been meaning to ask, we're here to listen. Our goal is always compassionate, personalised care that makes you feel heard, respected, and comfortable discussing your health—at every stage of life.

As summer begins its slow transition toward fall, we hope August brings you a little time to breathe, reconnect, and look after yourself too.

Because sometimes the most important appointment on the calendar is the one you don't put off.
​
Warm wishes for a healthy August from all of us at the practice.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

#AugustHealth #WomensHealth #ladydocfolsom #OBGYN #ruthhaskinsmd

When politics changes the recommendation, does the science change too?


That’s a question pregnant women should not have to ask.


This year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued its own maternal immunization recommendations after stepping away from the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. The reason is simple: ACOG believes vaccination recommendations for pregnant women should continue to be based on the medical evidence, not political pressure.


As an OBGYN, I care about what protects patients and their babies.


Vaccines during pregnancy aren't a political statement. They are a medical decision based on decades of research and experience. Some vaccines protect the mother. Others provide antibodies that cross the placenta and help protect a newborn during those vulnerable first months of life.


The science doesn't suddenly change because Washington decides to changes its recommendations depending upon who is in office.


Pregnancy is already full of decisions. Women shouldn't have to wonder whether the medical advice they're receiving is based on the best available evidence or the latest political agenda.


My advice remains the same: talk with your own OBGYN. Ask what the evidence says, what the benefits and risks are, and what is appropriate for you and your pregnancy.


You deserve medical care based on science, the politics should be inconsequential.


#ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd #scienceoverpolitics #obgyn

​Sleep is one of the most powerful forms of preventive medicine. Yet it's often the first thing we sacrifice.

Whether you're juggling work, raising children, caring for aging parents, or simply trying to keep up with life's demands, it's easy to convince yourself that getting by on five or six hours of sleep is "good enough."

It usually isn't.

Consistently getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep helps regulate hormones, supports a healthy immune system, improves memory and concentration, and lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, and depression. For women, good sleep also plays an important role in reproductive health, pregnancy, and navigating menopause.

If you're struggling to sleep, a few simple habits can make a real difference:
• Keep the same bedtime and wake-up time—even on weekends.
• Limit caffeine after lunchtime, especially if you're sensitive to it.
• Avoid large meals and alcohol close to bedtime. While alcohol may make you feel sleepy, it often disrupts deep, restorative sleep.
• Put away phones, tablets, and laptops at least 30 to 60 minutes before bed. The blue light and constant stimulation can make it harder for your brain to wind down.
• Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark. A room that's slightly cool is ideal for most people.
• Get outside during the day. Natural daylight helps regulate your body's internal clock and makes it easier to fall asleep at night.
• Exercise regularly, but try to finish vigorous workouts at least a few hours before bedtime.
• If your mind races when your head hits the pillow, keep a notepad by your bed. Writing down tomorrow's to-do list or lingering worries can help clear your mind.

If you've made healthy changes and still struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep, loud snoring, or feeling exhausted despite spending enough time in bed, don't ignore it. Conditions such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, anxiety, or hormonal changes may be contributing—and they're often treatable.

Quality sleep isn't a luxury. It's one of the foundations of good health.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com
​
#ruthhaskinsmd #SleepHealth #OBGYN #LadyDocFolsom

Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000.


Now, in 2026, we are watching that achievement slip away.


The U.S. has already recorded 2,295 measles cases this year—the highest annual total in 35 years—and there are still months left in 2026.


That is not a coincidence. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to medicine, and it takes advantage of communities where vaccination rates fall below the level needed to stop transmission.


Large outbreaks in states including South Carolina and Utah are a warning of what happens when misinformation and declining vaccination rates create gaps in protection.


The MMR vaccine has been safely protecting children and communities for decades. Two doses provide excellent protection against measles and helped keep this disease largely out of our lives for a generation.


But measles does not care about political arguments, social media misinformation, or personal beliefs. It spreads through the air—and it can spread rapidly among people who are unvaccinated or too young to be fully protected.


As a physician, I find it deeply frustrating to see children hospitalized with a disease we know how to prevent.


Vaccination is not just about protecting your own child. It helps protect newborns, people with weakened immune systems, and others who may not be able to receive the vaccine.


We should not be bringing measles back.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#vaccinate #OBGYN #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd
​

When should you get a mammogram?


Unfortunately, the answer is no longer as simple as “40” or “50.”


Screening recommendations vary, and your personal risk matters.


The best screening plan is personal, not something you copy from your sister, your neighbor, or the internet.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com




#breastcancer #OBGYN #ladydocfolson #ruthhskinsmd

​Sometimes all it takes is one little smile to brighten your day.


Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend filled with laughter, time with the people you love, a little rest, and plenty of reasons to smile.


Stay safe, soak up the sunshine, and make some beautiful memories.


Happy Weekend from all of us at Practice! 💛


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#happyweekend #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

We recently celebrated the 18th anniversary of The Haskins Practice with an afternoon of cake decorating at Sarvi's house. It was the perfect way to mark the occasion—festive, creative, and filled with laughter alongside the very best team anyone could ask for.


Our practice logo even got a beautiful Mexican heritage-inspired makeover.


One of my favorite memories is that my very first patient through the door in 2008 was Kara Lee. Later that year, I had the privilege of delivering her daughter, Kate, on 8-8-08. Moments and relationships like these are what have made the past 18 years so incredibly special.


To every patient who has trusted us to be part of your journey, and to every member of our amazing team—thank you. Here's to the next chapter!


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

​Today in the World Cup football (soccer) arena, the USA plays Belgium for progress into the quarterfinals. The United States has been one of the standout stories of this World Cup. This team has played with quality, courage, and has earned its following and respected reputation on the pitch. That is why what has happened off the pitch matters so much.

Folarin Balogun, arguably the teams best player, received a red card at the last match which resulted in immediate suspension and his mandated missing of the next game. That suspension has now been removed following a White House confirmed call from Donald Trump directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Those are the facts of the sequence. The debate of whether the red card itself was merited is irrelevant to what has occurred, as the referees decision on the field is final.

The President of the hosting nation, calling the head of the world football’s governing body, regarding his nation’s team progress, was followed by an immediate reversal of that disciplinary outcome. This is enough on its own to create a serious problem of perception.

Because in international sport, perception is legitimacy.

You do not need to prove improper intent for damage to be done. The moment political authority and sporting discipline occupy the same chain of events, the independence of the system is questioned. And once that question is asked, it does not go away.

This is not only about football.

The United States has always relied on the idea that its systems operate independently of personal or political pressure — courts, regulators, public health institutions, law enforcement, and international engagement. The moment those systems are seen, fairly or unfairly, as responsive to proximity to power, trust erodes.

And that perception does not stop at home.

Among allies, there is already an ongoing sentiment of how undue American political influence is exercised globally. When a superpower appears close to decisions in major international institutions — whether in diplomacy, trade, or even sport — it reinforces an uncomfortable conclusion: that access matters more than process, and that outcomes can be shaped at the highest level.

That is corrosive to trust. It is corrosive to sport. And it is corrosive to the credibility of the United States itself.

Back to football, none of this takes away from what the players have achieved. They have done their job with professionalism and pride, and they should be judged only on their performance.

But the noise around the tournament has ensured that their football is no longer the only story, and the world is now viewing us as cheats, having gained an unfair advantage. Support internationally has now shifted away from the US team. And that is the real loss, and is indicative of how we are perceived in a broader global sense.

www.ruthhaskinsmd.com

#anticorruption #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd

​July has a way of reminding us to pause.


The excitement of summer is in full swing. Family vacations, neighborhood barbecues, time at the lake or pool, evenings spent outdoors, and celebrations with friends all become part of the rhythm of the month. It's a wonderful time to reconnect with the people and activities that bring us joy.


It's also an ideal opportunity to reconnect with ourselves.


Good health is rarely built through dramatic changes. More often, it comes from the small decisions we make every day—staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, wearing sunscreen, moving our bodies, eating well, and making time for preventive care before small concerns become bigger ones.


July is also recognized as UV Safety Awareness Month, a timely reminder that protecting your skin isn't just about avoiding sunburn. Consistent sun protection helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature aging, and it's a healthy habit worth practicing at every age.


For many women, summer can become another season of putting everyone else's needs first. Between children home from school, family gatherings, and busy schedules, it's easy to postpone your own appointments. But your health deserves a place on the calendar too.


Whether you're due for your annual well-woman exam, have questions about menopause, contraception, pregnancy planning, or simply haven't checked in for a while, we're here to provide compassionate, personalized care that supports you through every stage of life.


As we celebrate the heart of summer and our nation's Independence Day, may this month bring you good health, meaningful moments with those you love, and a little time to care for yourself along the way.


Happy July from all of us at the practice.


www.ruthhaskinsmd.com


#JulyHealth #WomensHealth #ladydocfolsom #OBGYN #ruthhaskinsmd