Written By: Amanda Tattersall, MSN, WHNP-BC Preparing for a Scheduled C-Section So you’ve just been told at your prenatal appointment that you will likely need to be scheduled for a cesarean delivery (C-section). This may not have been part of your plan or what you expected for your pregnancy. Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and fear […]
Written by Dr. Joel M. Bernstien, M.D. Are Headaches Common in Pregnancy? Lots of women suffer with headaches in pregnancy, even if they were not “headache people” before they got pregnant. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective headache treatments in pregnancy available, including natural remedies and medications when necessary. Most headaches during pregnancy are […]
A recent study from Denmark has sparked discussions about whether progesterone-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs) are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. IUDs are well-known as a safe and highly effective form of birth control. They offer additional benefits, like reducing heavy menstrual bleeding, cramps, and lowering the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers. […]
Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy have received a lot of attention both in the media and the medical community over the past couple of years. This class of medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, was initially developed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes; however, their benefits for weight loss has resulted in a sharp increase in popularity in recent months. Because of this, we are seeing higher numbers of women taking these drugs during their reproductive years. You might be wondering about GLP-1 agonist use yourself and how that pertains to TTC (trying to conceive) either now or in the near future. Let’s take a look at what we know.
At Kamm McKenzie, we offer fetal screening tests in the first and second trimesters to all of our
patients. One test that I have found raises a great deal of confusion is the blood test for alpha
fetoprotein (AFP). In the past, AFP was used as one of multiple markers in the Quad and Tetra
screens which evaluated for the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s
syndrome. Now, we almost universally screen for chromosomal abnormalities with cell-free DNA
(cfDNA) testing. With the widespread use of cfDNA, we now use AFP on its own for a different screening indication – to assess the risk of fetal structural or anatomic defects.
If you’re pregnant, odds are good that someone has told you not to eat deli meat. Why? Listeria. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium commonly found in soil, water, and some animals. When food contaminated by Listeria is consumed, it can cause listeriosis, a rare but potentially serious illness. But why is everyone so obsessed with deli meat? Well, it’s because Listeria can live and thrive in the cold, which sets it apart from most other bugs that cause food borne illness.
