Pregnancy is an exciting time for both parents, but dads play a special role. The best way to support your wife is to be an active participant and to learn all you can about each stage of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy is approximately 40 weeks, divided into 3 trimesters. During the first trimester a woman [...]
Underpants may not be a topic that comes up often during a routine visit to the gynecologist, but your undergarments can impact your health. Choosing the right pair of underwear is about more than a making a fashion statement – it may actually reduce the number of vaginal and urinary tract infections you experience and [...]
The World Health Organization recently declared the Zika virus a global health emergency due to the rapid spread of the mosquito-borne virus. The virus, first identified in 1947, was confined to only a small number of cases throughout Africa and Asia until 2007 when it spread to Micronesia. Recently, cases have been identified in Puerto [...]
Taking a flu shot while pregnant is a good way to protect against what can be a serious influenza infection. Obstetricians typically recommend most women take their annual flu shot, even those who are pregnant. Each year, flu shots are available for administration by August or September. However, if you are pregnant and have not [...]
Vaginitis is an infection or inflammation of the vagina and one of the most common reasons why a woman visits her gynecologist. Vaginitis occurs when the yeast or bacteria that normally exist in the vagina become overgrown. This imbalance leads to inflammation of the vaginal lining. There are a number of factors that can trigger [...]
An infertility evaluation is a series of examinations and tests performed to find the cause of infertility. The evaluation should be considered for a woman under age 35 who has not become pregnant after one year of regular sexual intercourse off birth control or after six months off birth control for a woman over 35, [...]
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a weakening of the vaginal muscles and tissues leads to a herniation of the vagina, allowing one or more of the pelvic organs to shift from their normal position. Organs that can be affected include the uterus, bladder, rectum, vaginal walls and small intestine. Pelvic weakening is often caused by [...]
Fetal heart rate monitoring during labor and delivery allows your obstetrician to track the fetal heart rate and rhythm throughout the birthing process. Electronic monitoring provides valuable information about how a baby is tolerating the birthing process. During labor and delivery, your OBGYN or medical professional may use a Doppler transducer to listen to your [...]
Newborn screening tests are important tools used to identify potentially serious disorders that could put your baby at risk. The screening tests are performed on all infants before they leave the hospital after birth. The tests are done between 24 hours and 7 days of age and require a blood sample taken from a small [...]
Deep vein thrombosis is a medical condition where blood clots form in veins throughout the body, usually in the deep veins of the legs. Blood clotting, or coagulation, occurs when platelets (a type of blood cell) and specific proteins in plasma (the liquid part of blood) come together to seal off injuries and stop bleeding. [...]