When to consider birth control after giving birth? Many new parents begin to think about their future family shortly after giving birth to their latest child. They begin to make plans. Do they want more children and how soon? Some new parents don’t give it a thought and simply say, the more the merrier. During this postpartum time, new parents might be wise to think ahead.
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Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that a woman develops when she is pregnant. She doesn’t have it prior to pregnancy, and she usually doesn’t continue to have it after she gives birth. Unfortunately, it is a complication of pregnancy and can cause problems for both the mother and the baby. Keep reading to become more knowledgeable about understanding gestational diabetes: causes and risk factors.
Like other forms of diabetes, gestational diabetes impacts how your cells utilize sugar. This condition leads to elevated blood sugar levels, which can pose risks to both your pregnancy and the health of your baby. 3 to 8% of all pregnant women in the U.S. are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes occurs when hormones produced by the placenta interfere with the body’s ability to use insulin properly. As a result, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream rather than being absorbed into the cells. It is not due to a deficiency of insulin like Type 1 diabetes, but by pregnancy hormones that diminish insulin’s effectiveness, namely insulin resistance. These symptoms will disappear after delivery.
Your OBGYN will usually check for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks or sooner especially if you have any of the following risk factors:
Any complications are generally manageable and preventable with careful control of blood sugar levels as soon as the diagnosis is made.
If not managed properly it can lead to some complications for your baby.
If not treated and managed in a timely manner gestational diabetes can cause you to need a C-section or surgical delivery.
Talk with our team at All About Women about how to prevent gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, especially if you have other risk factors. Call (703) 437-0001 to schedule an appointment in Reston or Leesburg, VA.
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Before the days of ultrasound, parents of twins had no idea they were about to have “double the fun.” Today parents can find out they are going to be parents of multiples well ahead of birth. This affords them time to prepare both physically and mentally. It’s a big challenge and requires some organization and the right mindset. Twin pregnancy and beyond: a guide for new parents. Continue reading “Twin Pregnancy and Beyond: A Guide for New Parents”
If you are a woman who has very heavy periods, bleeds between periods, or has anemia from excessive bleeding, you know how painful this cycle can be and how it negatively affects your life. You could have a hysterectomy or have a 5 minute one-time procedure. Which sounds good to you? Maybe it’s time to look at NovaSure vs. hysterectomy and weigh your options.
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When you are having a baby, there are many scenarios that go through your mind. Who will the child look like? Will they have my eyes or my partner’s smile? Is it a boy or a girl? These are among the many happy possibilities parents consider, but many future parents are concerned about the more serious prospects like whether their child will be born with certain conditions or birth defects. What is non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and how does it work?
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Should I have prenatal genetic screening tests? This decision is a bit more consequential than deciding to find out the sex of your baby during the ultrasound. Prenatal genetic screening tests are optional and can tell parents whether their child may have certain genetic disorders or birth abnormalities. The answer is up to you. Continue reading “Should I Have Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests?”
It’s no secret that many women are waiting longer to begin a family. They want to accomplish some personal goals like completing their graduate degrees or reaching professional milestones. They make the decision to put pregnancy on the back burner, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t serious about wanting a baby. They know it would have been easier to get pregnant in their twenties, however, they recognize that it is still doable. If that describes you, here is your guide to pregnancy after 35.
If you have heard that having endometriosis makes it difficult to conceive and give birth, it is definitely true. Yes, it is difficult, but not impossible. Let’s learn more. Can you have a baby with endometriosis?
It’s what you have been waiting for. Maybe it’s been years waiting for this wonderful moment to give birth to your child. You are exhilarated, emotional, happy, but also tired. You’ve been through a monumental physical exercise, so your body might be telling you to slow down. How can you do that? Let’s dive into our postpartum care tips for physical and emotional recovery.
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The nine months of waiting are finally over. The baby showers are behind you, mother and mother-law have gone home, visitors have left, and you are finally alone with your little bundle of joy. Of course you have heard of the baby blues and how those raging hormones can affect a new mom, but you have never heard about the anger and erupting rage you are feeling. It scares you. Postpartum rage is more common than you think.
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