What to Do When Your Water Breaks: Your OB Step-by-Step
When your water breaks, the amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures and releases the fluid that has cushioned and protected your baby throughout pregnancy. The experience looks different for every woman. Some feel a sudden, unmistakable gush; others notice a slow continuous trickle that does not stop on its own. Both are normal presentations, and […]
How Many OB Appointments Will You Have Throughout Your Pregnancy?
Most uncomplicated pregnancies require between 10 and 15 prenatal appointments in total, with visits spaced every four weeks in early pregnancy and becoming more frequent as the due date approaches. The schedule follows a predictable three-phase pattern: one visit every four weeks through 28 weeks, one visit every two weeks from 28 to 36 weeks […]
Just Found Out You Are Pregnant: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
The first 48 hours after a positive pregnancy test come down to a handful of concrete steps that set the foundation for a healthy pregnancy. You do not need to make every decision at once, and most of what lies ahead will be guided by your care team over the coming months. That said, a […]
The Tdap Vaccine in Pregnancy: Why Timing Matters for Your Newborn
The Tdap vaccine is recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of every pregnancy because this timing gives your body enough time to produce protective antibodies and transfer them to your baby through the placenta before birth. Tdap protects against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Pertussis poses the greatest risk […]
2D vs. 3D vs. 4D Ultrasound: What’s Actually Different?
A 2D ultrasound produces flat, black-and-white cross-sectional images that your OBGYN uses for medical diagnosis. A 3D ultrasound compiles multiple 2D images from different angles into a still, three-dimensional picture of your baby’s surface features. A 4D ultrasound adds real-time motion to that 3D image, creating a live video where you can watch your baby […]
First Trimester Screening: What Tests Are Done and Why
First trimester screening includes a combination of routine blood tests, an ultrasound and optional genetic screening that your OBGYN uses to evaluate your health and your baby’s development during weeks 1 through 12 of pregnancy. Prenatal testing during this window checks for conditions like anemia, infections, blood type incompatibility and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down […]
Perimenopause vs. Menopause: What’s the Actual Difference?
Perimenopause is the transitional phase when your body begins shifting toward menopause, and menopause marks the point when menstrual periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months. Many women use these terms interchangeably, but they describe two distinct stages of reproductive aging with different symptoms, timelines and menopause treatment approaches. Perimenopause can begin years before your […]
Can Ovarian Cysts Affect Infertility?
If you have been trying to conceive without success, you may wonder if ovarian cysts could be playing a role. The short answer is yes, certain types of ovarian cysts can affect fertility. Not all cysts interfere with conception, but understanding which ones do, and how they impact your reproductive health, can help you take […]
PCOS Symptoms: How Your OBGYN Diagnoses and Treats It
PCOS symptoms include irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, hormonal acne and unexplained weight gain. Your OBGYN diagnoses polycystic ovary syndrome through a combination of blood tests, pelvic ultrasound and a detailed review of your symptom history. PCOS is a hormonal and endocrine disorder that affects an estimated 6-13% of women during their reproductive […]
What Actually Happens During a Pap Smear (Step by Step)
A pap smear is a cervical cancer screening where your OBGYN uses a small brush to collect cells from your cervix. The actual pap smear procedure takes only a few minutes from start to finish. A pap smear test detects precancerous cell changes in the cervix before those changes have the chance to develop into […]