A cesarean section (C-section) can be an essential, lifesaving surgery during labor and delivery, with more health risks for a mother compared to a vaginal birth. “Even though all C-sections have some health risks, I believe C-sections should be done in cases when it is medically necessary, when a vaginal birth would have more risk…
Losing weight while pregnant, other than in the early weeks, is not healthy for you or your baby. Dieting, trying to stay the same weight or losing weight in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy can deprive your baby of nutrients needed to grow and develop. Obesity or being overweight during pregnancy can…
A person who’s expecting and who has sickle cell disease (SCD) requires early prenatal care and careful monitoring, but a healthy pregnancy is certainly possible. Sickle cell disease increases the risks for mother and the unborn baby, so plan on scheduling regular visits with your obstetrician, hematologist or primary care provider. Risks associated with pregnancy…
If you are pregnant again and delivered your last baby via cesarean delivery (C-section), it still might be possible to have a vaginal birth. While patients who attempt to have a vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC) have about a 60% to 80% success rate, your safety and the safety of your baby are the most…
While it is possible to deliver vaginally after cesarean section — vaginal birth after cesarian, or VBAC — there are VBAC risks and benefits you and your OB/GYN should discuss. “A successful VBAC can help avoid bowel or bladder issues, hysterectomy or even issues with the placenta in other pregnancies,” said Christopher Watkins, M.D., OB/GYN with…
The “fourth trimester” of pregnancy — those months after childbirth — is a time to adjust to being a mom and an opportunity to check on your recovery from what had been an intense and challenging nine months for your body. Monitoring your health during this period is important because pregnancy can increase your risk…
Hypertension during pregnancy and preeclampsia can indicate heart disease or other cardiovascular conditions later in a woman’s life. High blood pressure during pregnancy, also known as gestational hypertension, can be common. Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy, which affects organs in the body such as the liver and kidneys….
Pregnancy is an exciting time as you await your little one. Your body will go through many changes, and you’ll have a lot of questions. As you near your due date, you should know what symptoms could be signs of serious pregnancy complications. According to Kris Ellen Barnsfather, M.D., OB/GYN with Norton Women’s Care, there are…
Beth, 29, was thrilled to learn she was pregnant with her first child. But her excitement turned to fear when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Although Beth didn’t have diabetes before, she had developed it during pregnancy. What causes gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes starts when the body is not able to make and use…
High-risk pregnancies account for about six percent to eight percent of pregnancies. Though the reasons for a pregnancy to be high risk can vary, one constant is that you and your baby will need specialized care. “Women considered high risk may be referred to a maternal and fetal medicine specialist or perinatalogist,” said W. Vance…
Millennials are delaying milestones such as getting married and starting a family, and it’s reflected in U.S. birth rates — more women are giving birth at age 35 and older. The mean age for the birth of a first child is at an all-time high of 26.6 years old, according to data from the Centers for…
Pre-eclampsia, a potentially fatal pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure, is 60 percent more common in black women than white women, according to the Healthcare Cost Utilization Project (HCUP). Left untreated, pre-eclampsia can lead to complications — even death — for mother and baby. “Black women are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia and to…
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