So, you’re 35 or older, comfortable in your career, and getting the “itch” to have a baby? Well, there are a few things you need to consider.  Just as you have carefully planned your life thus far, particular consideration should be given to planning a baby. For the best pregnancy results, women should adopt a healthy lifestyle of eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and successfully managing any chronic health conditions.  Diabetes and high blood pressure are often exacerbated during pregnancy, so should be controlled as much as possible prior to and during pregnancy, by maintaining healthy habits and obtaining prenatal care. If you are overweight or obese, you should try to lose weight as excess weight is associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications.  Additionally, women trying to get pregnant should incorporate folic acid supplements into their dietary routine. To increase the chances of having a baby, women…

Many women want to breastfeed; however, disappointingly, often women find that what’s supposed to be natural and “second-nature” may not be so easy. Therefore, too often women don’t breastfeed or discontinue breastfeeding out of frustration or lack of “know-how”. To prevent this, pregnant women should educate themselves about breastfeeding by reading books and consulting a La Leche League mother’s support group to learn more about the process and resources for effective breastfeeding. Women who wish to breastfeed should alert their doctor, partner or spouse, friends and family so they can be aware and assist with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is an emotional, intellectual, and physical experience that should be shared by all that will love and care for a new baby.   Within the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body physically prepares for an expectant baby by releasing hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the breasts to enlarge…

You’re young, maybe even a little scared, but overall you are excited about this new addition but something just doesn’t seem right?  Maybe you’re gaining weight too quickly or your feet and legs appear to be swelling much more than you had expected.  Or, maybe your vision is blurry and you’re experiencing more headaches than before.  Any one of these symptoms could be a sign of Preeclampsia.  Preeclampsia occurs in 5% – 8% of all pregnancies.  This rapidly progressive condition typically occurs after your 20th week and has been known to occur up to 6 weeks after birth.  In cases where the disease has advanced rapidly, you may experience very few symptoms or may not notice anything at all.  This is why early and proper prenatal care is crucial in diagnosing and managing this disease.  You and your doctor will work together to ensure a safe and healthy delivery for…

Pregnancy is a time of great change for women, and it can also be a time of concern for those who live with asthma. Affecting approximately 4-8% of moms-to-be, asthma is a chronic lung condition that can impact the health of the mother and developing fetus. For most women with well-controlled and mild asthma, pregnancy poses little risk for complications. However, for those who have moderate to severe asthma or poorly monitored and controlled asthma, pregnancy can pose several risks for both the mother and baby.  Any pregnant woman who has asthma needs to be aware of several symptoms that might signal a larger problem. Asthma Complications – Symptoms and Conditions Complications for pregnant women with asthma often increase in severity of symptoms during the last trimester, especially after the 28th week. It is difficult to reliably determine which patients with asthma will go on to have pregnancy related complications,…

With ongoing headlines about celebrities being “caught” breastfeeding in public, military moms being fired because of breastfeeding in public, or the occasional news story covering a mom who was asked to leave a store for breastfeeding, making the choice to breastfeed can seem very intimidating. Some of you will contend with outrage from your family, friends or a random person in public who shoots you a look of disdain. However, your baby needs to nurse constantly, and for many breastfeeding moms that is a scheduled time every 2-4 hours. Beyond those first 6 weeks, you are bound to breastfeed in “gasp” public. This may include your car, a restaurant in the mall or grocery store aisle if you can’t get away immediately. Here are some tips for new moms to make the experience less awkward for you or those around you. Become familiar with your local mall, church, or other…