What is the placenta and why is it important?
The placenta or “afterbirth” is a living organ whose function is critical to the growth, development and survival of the fetus. It both provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients as well as a mechanism for discarding waste products and carbon dioxide. Continue reading…
In short, there are no “false positives or negatives” for this test because it doesn’t give positive or negative results; it predicts a risk ratio such as 1 in 234 or 1 in 899 for the given condition. If you are told that your test was “abnormal” it only means that your risk calculated as greater than that for a 35 yr. old woman and would be a possible indication for an amniocentesis if you chose to have one. Continue reading…
Will I have an ultrasound during the pregnancy and can it tell me the sex?
The American College of Obstetrics lists 27 reasons for ultrasound examination (sonogram) in pregnancy. Many doctors will perform a vaginal ultrasound in the first trimester (12 weeks) to determine if the pregnancy is alive, when you are due, and how many fetuses there are. Little else can be determined at this point. Continue reading…
Physicians and scientists have long known that obesity, or excess body fat, can expose individuals to increased risk of conditions such as osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.
There are several measurements commonly used to determine if an individual should be considered obese, and thus at increased risk. It is not clear, however, which measure best predicts increased risk.
Urinary incontinence, or the inability to control one’s urination, is a devastating problem that affects many post-menopausal women. This is a fairly common disorder but, because it unfortunately causes great shame and humiliation for many sufferers, too often it is a silent complaint that is not “talked about,” either socially or during a visit to one’s healthcare provider. Continue reading…
Once you have been prescribed medication, your next step is to choose a pharmacy. But it is equally important to understand the medications you are taking. Stop to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about interactions, special instructions, administration techniques and the importance of timing your medications and taking them regularly. Continue reading…
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