As an Ob-Gyn, among the most devastating news I can share with my patient is that they are experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth. What is a miscarriage? A miscarriage is any pregnancy loss that occurs during the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy, which is around the 5th month. Even though there is some awareness […]
In the United States, 80% or more of pregnancies among adolescents age 15 to 19 years are unintended. National surveys report that ⅓ of high school students are sexually active and only ⅓ of those reported use effective contraception. Barriers to Seeking Contraception Potential barriers might include concerns about confidentiality or cost as well as […]
The goal of contraception is to prevent unintended pregnancy. The unintended pregnancy rate in the United States is nearly 50%. Fortunately, this number has decreased over recent years, in part due to increased access to contraception. Our goal is to decrease it even more. In fact, it is one of the goals of Healthy People […]
Many women have heard the word “pre-eclampsia,” but what exactly does it mean? What is Pre-eclampsia? Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that can occur during or immediately after pregnancy. Many women with pre-eclampsia do not have any symptoms. Consequences of Pre-Eclampsia If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can lead to liver or kidney dysfunction and even […]
Pregnant with tummy troubles? Let us explain changes to your gastrointestinal system in pregnancy, and what you can do to feel better! Battling Constipation Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, slows down the GI tract, which can have many unpleasant side effects. Bloating and constipation are two frequent side effects of this. Pressure from the pregnant uterus […]
According to the Obesity Action Coalition, more than 29 percent of female North Carolinians are considered obese. Losing weight is different for women than men for several reasons. Men have more muscle mass, which burns more calories, men have faster metabolism, and there are hormonal differences. The following is some advice for women who are […]
Osteoporosis is a condition that makes your bones weak and brittle, which causes them to break easily. In most cases, broken bones occur after a fall or other trauma, but in severe cases, broken bones may occur with just minor bumps, coughing or sneezing. What causes osteoporosis? Osteoporosis occurs anytime there is a change in […]
View a printable version of this blog post here. You take a pregnancy test at home….and it’s positive. Now what? The questions start running through your head: What should you be eating or not eating? Can you continue your regular workouts? Are your prescription medications okay for the baby? Now you don’t have to wait […]
Recently, WakeMed Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors, James Edwards and Laura Edwards, achieved national recognition when their research article was published in the American Journal of Perinatology. The article is titled, “Effect of Cord Blood Magnesium Level at Birth on Non-neurologic Neonatal Outcomes,” and below, Dr. James Edwards explains its premise. Understanding the Effects of Magnesium Sulfate on […]
With the institution of screening pap smears, the incidence of and mortality from cervical cancer has decreased worldwide. Routine screening guidelines for both abnormalities of the cervical cells and HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) have undergone some change in the last several years. Most women do not need a pap smear every year. Depending on your […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.