Sorry For Your Loss

As a society, we are largely uninformed about pregnancy loss. We think of it as a rare occurrence-something that is unlikely to happen to us or someone we love. The truth is that the rate of miscarriage in the U.S. is not as uncommon as you might think, and the reasons for miscarriage are usually […]

5 Things That Can Happen To Your Body When You’re Expecting

When most women find out they are pregnant, there are a number of things they expect from their pregnancy journey, which for the average woman lasts about 40 weeks. Many women go out to buy some comfy pants with an expanding waistband, larger bras, and some even need larger shoes because their feet can become […]

Give Your Baby Strong Bones

Make no bones about it-calcium is the key to fortifying your developing baby’s bones, teeth and moving blood through the body. Our bodies don’t make calcium so it has to be obtained from other sources, either from food or a supplement. For adult women in pregnancy, the recommended amount is 1000 mg per day, and […]

Don’t Be Silent About Infertility This April

An infertility diagnosis is one that can throw a couple’s or an individual’s life for a loop. It can take the dream of growing a family on a completely different path than they might have been planning for. That’s why, this April 22nd – 28th, we urge all of our patients to help us bring […]

Why You Should Quit Smoking If You’re Thinking Of Having A Baby

If you’re in the process of trying to get pregnant, or if you’re already expecting a baby, one of the top things on your to-do list is to kick your smoking habit if you are a smoker. Even though the risks of smoking while pregnant have been well known for a number of years, a […]

How Winter Babies Help Mom Avoid Postpartum Depression

The birth of a baby is certainly a reason to celebrate. Bringing new life into the world is nothing short of a miracle. The family dynamic will forever be different because of this snuggly bundle of joy. And while many new moms are overcome with love and adoration for their child, they can also be […]

When Morning Sickness Sounds Inviting

A little bundle of joy is on its way! The news brings a smile to your face and butterflies in your stomach. Or wait … “nope, not butterflies,” you think as you rush to the nearest bathroom. While you are filled with excitement and anticipation, you may also feel a little bit of dread. You’ve […]

My Experience with Prematurity

Last week, we talked about the stress of having a premature baby. Our very own Dr. Meredith Travelstead and her husband know from personal experience how scary it can be to deliver early and they decided to share this personal experience to give parents in similar circumstances some encouragement. This is just one of the […]

When It’s Too Soon

For parents expecting a new baby, the anticipation can be very exciting, but when the baby arrives too early, it can cause worry and fear. Here is some information to help prepare you and ease your anxiety should you find yourself in this position. What to Expect Preterm babies, or preemies, are babies born before […]

Don’t Be A Statistic—Find Out About CMV

CMV is a virus that affects 50-80% of people before age 40, and June is CMV Awareness Month. It is the most common viral infection in infants, can cause serious birth defects, and only 9% of women know about it-and that is why we need awareness. What is CMV? Overview of CMV Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) […]

Wrapping Up Infertility Awareness Week

Earlier this week we talked about the 10% of women who struggle to get pregnant. You can read the blog post here. Infertility Awareness Week is important to help those struggling women know that they are not alone and to encourage their friends to be sensitive to those struggles – to reach out in love. This […]

Infertility Awareness – What Every Woman Needs To Know

Infertility Awareness – just reading the title can cause a wide swing in emotions for many women. Most women assume that when the decision is made to start a family – it just happens. For the majority of women that is true, but for just under 10% of the population it’s not that easy. If […]

To Eat Or Not To Eat

There are a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to pregnancy, but you can do anything for 9 months, right? Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy is very important. Women who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk for pregnancy related serious conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and even the […]

Exercise Routine While Pregnant?

Many pregnant women think they should be eating for two, but what women really should be focusing on is exercising for two. According to the American Congress of Obstetric and Gynecology (ACOG), women with low-risk pregnancies should be exercising through all three trimesters. Although many women might have to adjust their routines as their pregnancy […]

Zika Virus and CMV…What Are The Differences?

Zika virus has made headlines and put fear in the hearts of pregnant women everywhere. The most recent numbers suggest over 800 pregnant women have been infected with the virus in the United States. This is a large number of babies who may need special care and therapy after birth. The birth defects can be […]

Obesity And Getting Pregnant

Doctors have always known that women who are obese have a more difficult time getting pregnant and often don’t ovulate regularly. A small study recently released reinforces the idea that weight loss can help the ovaries to begin to cycle regularly. The study looked at obese infertile women and divided them into two different groups. […]

What Women Should Know About the Zika Virus

The Zika virus is a virus spread to humans from mosquitoes that are infected and may be sexually transmitted from a man to a woman. The virus has been documented in twelve countries, mostly in South and Central America, but there have been many cases here in the United States. Symptoms of Zika virus include […]

Breastfeeding After Gestational Diabetes

Well, there is yet another great reason to consider breastfeeding your infant. It can lower your risk of developing diabetes after experiencing gestational diabetes while pregnant. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed in women who have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy, but had never had the disease before becoming pregnant. Some statistics show that as many […]

Postpartum Depression – Is More Follow-up Needed?

Typically women are screened for depression symptoms shortly after giving birth. A new study reports that this practice may fail to identify those at a high risk to develop symptoms months after delivery. The study used data from 1,432 women in 16 US states; the data was compiled by the Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, […]

Eating Fish And Pregnancy

Because of high levels of mercury in fish, guidelines have been set up to help pregnant women be aware of the risk: Consumming raw fish and seafood is not recommended during pregnancy and should be avoided. Fish with the highest levels of mercury should be avoided completely. These include: Grouper, Marlin, Orange Roughy, Tilefish, Swordfish, […]

Could This Be The End of Preeclampsia?

Researchers at the University of Iowa believe that the answer to that question may, in fact, be yes! Preeclampsia is a condition that develops at the 20 week mark, and beyond, in approximately 5 – 7 % of all US pregnancies. Characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, preeclampsia can cause organ […]

Stress and Lack of Support Linked To Birth Complications

The impact of stress on pregnancy is felt long after birth. The American Heart Association found that prenatal stress can program the infant’s brain for health issues that arise later on in life.  Beyond ordinary stress, the Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) Study, which analyzed data from over 3,300 pregnancies, made a compelling case […]

Pain Relief During Labor

Labor is different for every woman from the type of labor they choose to have to the pain they experience during labor. Pain depends on various factors such as the size and position of the baby and the strength of the contractions. There are classes that can be taken beforehand to learn breathing and relaxation […]