Pregnancy
5 Pregnancy Conditions You’ve Likely Never Heard Of
When it comes to pregnancy, you can read all of the books and blogs, belong to the many pregnancy forums, talk to your girlfriends who have kids, and still not feel ready for the changes that can happen to your body. That’s natural!
Many women will tell you you’re never fully ready for pregnancy until it happens, but that you learn as you go. Of course, as women, we like to do our own research and feel as informed as possible. That’s why we’re shedding light on some of the surprising pregnancy conditions you may not have heard of before. After all, when you’re in the know, you have the power to be an advocate for your own health!
- Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy(ICP): Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) is a family of liver disorders that occur only during pregnancy, caused by elevated bile acids in a woman’s blood. There is typically only one common symptom of ICP – moderate to intense itching. Though it can be felt all over, most women experience this itching on their hands/wrist and ankles/feet, with itching becoming worse at night. If left untreated, ICP can pose risks to your unborn baby, including stillbirth. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult your doctor who can perform a test for ICP and provide medication, if needed. Those diagnosed with ICP will need to be monitored by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and will require induction, typically around weeks 37-38 in pregnancy.
- Placenta previa: Your placenta is an essential structure that helps to provide oxygen and remove waste from your baby during pregnancy. In normal cases, it attaches to the side of the uterus, but in cases of placenta previa, it grows abnormally, covering the cervix. Most women with this condition will experience bright red vaginal bleeding, and may also have contractions. In some cases, it will resolve on its own. However, if it progresses later in pregnancy, it’s less likely to resolve on its own. If you experience bleeding during your second or third trimester, you should consult with your provider. They may limit your activity to reduce the bleeding or may need to perform a C-section, if the bleeding is more severe.
- Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a specific type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women, who did not have diabetes before. Somewhere between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy (although this can also happen earlier), changes in hormone levels can trigger insulin resistance — one of the main drivers of gestational diabetes. Having gestational diabetes can increase the risk of complications for you and your baby — from increased birth weight to a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Fortunately, if you act quickly, regular exercise and a well-balanced diet can help to manage blood sugar levels. In some cases, your provider may prescribe insulin and provide you with a glucometer to monitor your blood sugar levels. Overall, the condition can be treated and managed with proper interventions.
- Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that rarely causes problems. However, if you develop an active CMV infection while you are pregnant, you have the risk of passing it onto your baby, which is known as congenital CMV. Congenital CMV is the leading cause of deafness in children, outside of genetic disorders, and can lead to other birth defects like microcephaly. CMV can be transmitted through saliva or tears of a young child. It’s recommended that pregnant mothers who have another young child at home practice good hygiene. This includes cleaning children’s toys and countertops, carefully disposing of contaminated items like diapers or tissues, and washing your hands often with soap and water.
- Pica: Sure, it’s normal to experience strange cravings during pregnancy (pickles and peanut butter, anyone?), but there could be cause for concern if you start craving nonfood items. Pica is a condition where women compulsively eat nonfood items like dirt, clay, ice, soap, or coffee grounds. While this may sound odd, it’s more common than you may think. The exact cause of pica is unknown, but dieticians believe it could be due to a vitamin or nutritional deficiency. When it occurs during pregnancy, it’s important to address as it could prevent your baby from receiving proper nutrition. To treat pica, your doctor can assess your diet and help create a healthy meal plan to make sure you and your baby are getting enough nutrients.
Pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience, but it’s important to know you’re never alone!
Our team of providers will be there with you every step of the way to discuss any questions you may have, help you sift through the latest health information, and stay on top of your care through regular check-ins.
It`s always a special day when one of our Axia babies comes to visit! 💜Sweet baby Harland and mom Paige came to visit with Dr. Esguerra at our Women`s Specialty Care practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We`re so thankful for our patients who share these special moments with us!
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ICYMI: New guidelines from ACOG and the CDC support RSV vaccination during pregnancy. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is most commonly spread in the fall and winter months. It is also the most common cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S. By getting vaccinated, you can pass on those protective antibodies and protect your baby`s future health!
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#RSV #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth #newbornhealth #babyhealth
Dr. Jennifer Gilbert, an Axia Women`s Health OB/GYN, recently spoke with Parents.com to offer insights on how to know you`re in labor and when it`s time to go to the hospital. Spoiler alert: it isn’t always how it appears in the movies! Read the full article via the link in our bio. 🔗
#laborsigns #laboranddelivery #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth
Fun fact: Studies show more babies are born in September than in any other month. Sending love to all our Axia Women`s Health babies! 💙
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#septemberbabies💙 #septemberbirthday #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth #baby
DYK there are different uterus shapes? Certain shapes could impact your ability to conceive or to have a healthy pregnancy. As always, it’s important to keep up with regular gynecologic exams and if you`re having trouble conceiving, it`s important to talk with your Axia Women`s Health provider. Swipe through to learn more.
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#womenshealth #reproductivehealth #pregnancy #uterushealth #obgyn
Say hello to one of the newest members of the Axia community, baby Josephine! One of the many joys of being an OB/GYN provider is helping support our patients throughout their pregnancy journey. It’s especially rewarding when those patients are our own colleagues! Dr. Sarah Borders and Dr. Allison Cook from our Lexington, KY area practice are not only friends and colleagues but had the incredible experience of delivering each others’ babies. Congratulations Dr. Borders and best wishes as you celebrate your little bundle of joy, baby Josephine!
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With heat waves rippling across much of the U.S., it`s important to take precautions to protect your health and your baby`s. Swipe through for what you need to know in order to summer safely while pregnant.
#summerheat☀️🔥 #pregnancytips #heatwave🔥 #summerpregnancy #SummerSafety #summer #summer2023
Millions of Americans are under air quality alerts as as a result of the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Increased exposure to high rates of air pollution can pose risk, especially to pregnant individuals. Swipe through for safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
#canadawildfire #airpollution #pregancytips #maternalhealth #smoke #wildfires
In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we`re shining a light on the importance of maternal mental health. While pregnancy and motherhood is filled with so many happy moments, it can also be an isolating and certain time for some. If you`re struggling with feelings of isolation, sadness, or anxiety you`re not alone.
Happy Mother’s Day! 💜 Today, we honor all those who have taken on mothering in any shape or form. We know each woman’s path to motherhood can be different, and no matter where you are in your journey we’re here to support you. Thank you for allowing us to be a special part of your care journey!
Thank you to Mom.com for featuring us in your latest article about pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that often goes undiscussed. It may sound scary, but with the right support it is manageable! Visit link in bio to read the full article.
#postpartum #postpartumsupport #pelvicorganprolapse #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #pregnancysupport
Did you know that your menstrual cycle is more than just the main event – your period? It’s actually a series of four different phases that each play a role in your reproductive health. Getting in touch with your cycle can help you with planning for pregnancy and even detecting other health issues. Swipe right to learn more.
The fertility awareness method (tracking of your menstrual cycle in order to prevent pregnancy) has been gaining traction on TikTok and other social media channels of late. But, does it work? Axia Women`s Health OB/GYN, Dr. Daniel DiSabatino, explains what you need to know about the risks/benefits in a recent interview with Yahoo! Swipe through to learn more.
#fertilityawareness #birthcontrol #naturalfamilyplanning #cycletracking #contraception
With many different options for prenatal vitamins available on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Swipe right to learn the top expert recommended ingredients to support you and your baby.
Finding a healthcare provider who you trust and feel comfortable with is so important. At Axia Women`s Health, we`re proud to build relationships that span decades - from puberty through pregnancy. Thank you, Brittney, for sharing your experience with us! 💙
credit: @mrs_kochanski89
‘Tis the season of giving thanks, and we couldn’t be more thankful for our incredible patient community! 🙏🏻💛Thank you for trusting us with your care. Through the happy moments and the sad, from puberty to pregnancy and even into the golden years, through challenges and joyous moments, we thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
#thankful #appreciationpost #patientcare #givethanks #pregnancy #obgyn #gynecology
All moms know that holding your baby is an important part of bonding emotionally. But did you know it can also provide physical benefits? Kangaroo Care, a specific form of skin-to-skin contact, can have benefits for both preemies and their parents. Research shows that holding a baby to your bare chest can help regulate the baby`s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature as well as promote bonding. To all of the NICU mamas, we see you and salute your strength!
#worldpreemieday💜
Do you know the physical signs of ovulation? If you`re trying to get pregnant, tracking ovulation can go a long way to helping you conceive. Beyond that, knowing your ovulation patterns can clue you in on other potential health issues like PCOS or thyroid conditions. Swipe right to learn the signs.
#ovulationtracking #ovulationsigns #TTC #ovulation #ovulationstest #tryingtoconceivetips #tryingtoconceive
Pregnancy and infant loss is a uniquely personal and complicated experience that affects each woman differently. No matter your experience, we`re here to remind you that your grief is valid and you`re not alone. Save this post as a reminder anytime you need support. <3
#pregnancyinfantlossday
It`s sexual health month, so 🎶let`s talk about sex 🎶 post-baby. Perhaps, you`ve had your 6-week-checkup but still aren`t feeling ready to be intimate again...that`s completely okay!
There`s so much to navigate as a new mom. 🤯It can be challenging to find the time or energy to be intimate with your partner. 👩❤️💋👨
But, if you`re feeling ready and are bothered by symptoms like pain or discomfort, don`t be afraid to speak up! Your Axia Women`s Health provider is here to help.
