Teton Obgyn Idaho Falls
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Physicians
    • What Our Patients Say
  • Contact
  • Our Services & Treatments
    • Obstetrics
    • Office Gynecology
    • Advanced Gyn Surgery
  • FAQs
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Gynecology FAQ
    • Surgery FAQ
  • Blog
  • Patient Resources
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Physicians
    • What Our Patients Say
  • Contact
  • Our Services & Treatments
    • Obstetrics
    • Office Gynecology
    • Advanced Gyn Surgery
  • FAQs
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Gynecology FAQ
    • Surgery FAQ
  • Blog
  • Patient Resources

Lotus Birth: Does Not Cutting the Umbilical Cord for Days Benefit My Baby?

2/28/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
1. First of all, what is a lotus birth?
         Usually, the dad or someone present at the birth would cut the umbilical cord from the baby within a couple minutes. A "lotus birth" involves leaving the placenta attached to your baby and letting it fall off naturally.   Letting it naturally fall off can take anywhere from  three to ten days!  So basically you have to cart the placenta everywhere you take the baby.

2. What are the purported benefits of a lotus birth?
        Proponents of the lotus birth concept claim that by leaving the placenta and umbilical cord attached to the baby as long as possible, there is a decreased chance of infection where the umbilical cord is clamped.  However, the placenta is particularly prone to infection since it contains blood (a great medium for bacteria to grow in).  By leaving the placenta connected to the baby for long periods of time, there is actually a higher risk of transfer of infection from the placenta to the baby.
        Another proposed benefit is that by leaving the cord attached to the baby for a long period of time, this allows for complete transfer of cord blood and all those nutrients to the baby.  So, the umbilical cord usually stops pulsating between 3-5 minutes.  Are there benefits to delayed cord clamping? The answer is yes, but for preterm infants.  Delayed cord clamping usually involves waiting between 25 seconds to 3 minutes in preterm infants.  Studies have shown that delayed cord clamping in preterm infants has resulted in fewer blood transfusions, a 50% reduction in intraventricular hemorrhage (brain bleeds, which are common in preterm infants)  and necrotizing enterocolitis (a disease which can destroy the wall of the intestine).  Delayed cord clamping in term infants, however, was actually associated with increased need for phototherapy for jaundice and an increased risk of polycythemia, especially in locations at a higher altitude.  So if delayed cord clamping is not of any benefit for term infants and can potentially be harmful, can you imagine what benefit leaving your baby attached to dead placental tissue with no circulation for ten days could be? Not to mention the odor as the placenta begins to rot and decay!

3. So what do other mammals do?
         Do they allow their young to be attached to the placenta until it falls off naturally? No, they eat it!  The major reason mammals eat their placenta is because they are trying to avoid having a bloody temptation for predators next to the mother and baby.

If you decide you want to proceed with a lotus birth, you can purchase a lotus bag- a cotton lined bag with drawstrings with an earthy print.  It's available on Etsy for $67.69,  and it comes with an herb mix for the odor.  Also, don't forget to give the placenta a salt bath, which helps reduce the odor and helps with the drying process.

​Dr Pam


0 Comments

So, why did your ob/gyn go to medical school anyway?

2/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Childbirth is an amazing and wonderful experience, not only for those who are delivering and welcoming a new member to the family, but also for those who are there to deliver your baby.  As ob/gyns, we are fortunate to be able to participate in such a joyous experience.  Some patients wonder what our role as physicians in a process that has literally been around since the beginning of time, and I’d like to take a few moments to explain just what it is that we have to offer.

While allowing for the “natural” process of childbirth (moms push and babies pretty much just “fall out," right?), what we see in developing countries is an average maternal mortality rate of 239 per 100,000 vs a decrease to roughly 12 per 100,000 (this number is slightly higher in the U.S., but we will get back to it in a minute).  On any given day, over 800 women die of largely preventable pregnancy-related complications.  That’s over 300,000 women per year in addition to the two and half million newborn deaths and another two and a half million stillbirths, most due simply to a lack of resources.  This means that for the average 15 year old, her risk of dying of a maternal complication in her childbearing years is 1 in 180 in most developing countries, although in some, it is as high as 1 in 54!  In a developed country with established healthcare, that number decreases to 1 in 4900.

So, where and why does this happen?  Over 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries where resources are limited and skilled providers aren’t available to intervene in time to make a difference in pregnancy outcomes.  The leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide is actually postpartum hemorrhage.  Pitocin administration after delivery significantly reduces risk of bleeding; ironically, in the U.S., many moms actually decline this intervention despite their physician’s recommendations.  Good hygiene, i.e. handwashing and keeping the perineum as clean as possible, can help decrease risk of infection, and if infection does occur, the availability of antibiotics can improve the maternal outcome.  Ever wonder why your doctor checks your blood pressure at each prenatal visit?  Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, blood pressure-related complications of pregnancy, can often be managed to help minimize risks to both mom and baby, especially if caught and treated early.

Fortunately, in the U.S., we have access to all of these resources and even more.  Rigorous training for physicians ensures that we have plenty of supervised experience before we provide pregnancy care on our own.  We have the ability to monitor the baby’s well-being prior to delivery and help speed along that process if we see that the baby isn’t doing well.  For women with prolonged labor, we are able to intervene if we can tell that a vaginal delivery isn’t in the cards.  In some cases, the baby’s head is simply wider than the bones in mom’s pelvis can allow to pass through.  In developing countries this sort of complication can end in the loss of the pregnancy and necrosis (breakdown) of the vaginal tissue that results in leakage of urine or stool through the vagina (a fistula).  In fact, a substantial number of medical missions to developing countries focus on offering fistula repair.  Here, a timely cesarean delivery can result in a healthy mom and baby.

We are blessed to have access to such an abundance of care options here, and when utilized well, this healthcare training and medical resources can make childbirth so much safer.  In fact, our abundances are about the only thing that makes pregnancy more dangerous in the U.S.  Complications related to the conditions listed above have been reduced so much that they play a much smaller role than obesity-related pregnancy complications, and the development of widespread obesity has begun to elevate our maternal mortality rate above 20 (much higher than average of 12 in most developed countries).  A significant portion of U.S. maternal deaths over more recent years have been related to heart failure and cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes.  Certainly, we also know that maternal habitus and diabetes both play a role in growing larger babies, which in turn can increase risk of birth trauma and need for cesarean delivery as they simply can’t fit through the maternal pelvis.

Still, we’ve come such a long way in reducing maternal mortality in the U.S. by establishing regular prenatal care.  With a minimum of 8 years of training after college, your obstetrician has learned to recognize potential complications early, and he or she can help you manage any medical condition in a way to reduce the risks during pregnancy.  In conjunction with the medical resources listed above, we are here to work with you toward your goal of being the healthiest possible mom with the healthiest possible baby :)

Dr Nick

0 Comments

Does the birth control pill make me fat, crazy and infertile?

2/14/2017

0 Comments

 
The birth control pill has revolutionized the way women lead their lives.  It allows us to control our lives and decide when it is best to start a family.  The birth control pill can also help control symptoms of heavy bleeding and pain during the menstrual cycle.   Unfortunately, hormonal birth control pills can also cause all sorts of unpleasant side effects.  They include nausea, breakthrough bleeding, decreased libido, breast tenderness...the list goes on and on!  The most common questions I get from patients are: Does my pill make me fat? Crazy?? What about infertile???  Let's explore these below. 

1.       Does the birth control pill make me fat?  No.  Multiple studies have found no evidence that the birth control pill can cause you to put on extra fat or affect your metabolism. Now, can the pill make you bloated? Maybe.  The pill can cause some water retention associated with fluctuating hormone levels.  However, any weight gain from this is minimal and goes away within two to three months.  Talk to your gynecologist about this.  If you remember from my last blog, all pills are different.  Some pills contain a mild diuretic that can help with fluid retention if this has been a problem for you.  Now, while the pill and the IUD have not been associated with weight gain, the Depo Provera shot (birth control shot that you receive every three months) can cause 20% of women who are on it to gain weight.  If you feel that you are gaining weight and constantly bloated on the pill, we strongly encourage you to talk to your provider and make sure that you are on a regimen that will help with those symptoms.

2.       
Does the birth control pill affect my mood?  Depression and mood swings are commonly reported side effects of the pill and the most common reason that patients stop taking the pill.  However, studies have been unable to prove or disprove a link between depression and the pill.  If you experience depression while on birth control pills, you should stop taking the pill and talk to your provider about other options.  Again, the Depo Provera shot (birth control shot that you receive every three months) has been linked in studies to worsening symptoms of depression in women with pre-existing depressive symptoms. 


3.       
Will the birth control pill affect my fertility?  No.  There is no evidence that shows that long term use of the birth control pill interferes with fertility.  In fact, 20% of women who discontinued the pill became pregnant within the first month and 80% within the first year after discontinuation!  These numbers were similar for women who were not using any contraceptive method. These numbers were also similar for users of the IUD, the patch, and the ring.  Again, for users of the Depo Provera shot, studies did show a delay of up to eight months after stopping the shot.  Also remember, the pill is used to treat conditions like endometriosis which if left untreated can lead to scarring and lead to infertility. 


For many women, the birth control pill can be a great reliable and reversible contraceptive option.   Even for those women who are concerned about side effects, there is generally a pill that can minimize those side effects due to the large number of formulations available.  If you have any questions about the birth control pill, be sure to discuss these with your doctor to find out if it might be a good choice for you.

​Dr. Pam

0 Comments

How to stay up all night with your baby and not look like it:  a few remedies for dark, puffy eyes

2/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Even before Pam and I had a child of our own, babies had been waking us up at all hours of the night for years, and we still had to get up early for work the next day.  After a few nights in a row, dark, puffy eyes become the norm.  A week in a row?  Been there, done that.  Here are a few suggestions on how not to look like a zombie even when you feel like one.

The simplest and least gross option is probably under-eye cream.  Pretty much anything with anti-inflammatory properties to improve circulation, caffeine to constrict dilated vessels, and antioxidants like vitamin C should provide you with some help.  Just beware sharing with your significant other; I tried some with Pam in an Origin’s store, and I came out looking quite “faboolus” with glitter all over my face.  Another word of caution:  while you could use hemorrhoid cream in a pinch, be sure not to get it in your eyes.

From a dietary and lifestyle standpoint, limiting sugar, which has inflammatory properties, and salt, which can cause you to retain fluid and make eyes puffier.  That being said, hydration can help skin maintain its elasticity and decrease puffiness as well.  Hydration can also be enhanced by limiting oral intake of caffeine and/or alcohol since these chemicals act as diuretics.

For those who like to play with your food, applying thinly sliced cucumber directly to the eyelids can help if left in place for 30 minutes.  Alternatively, since we are in Idaho, potatoes can be another option since they contain a component that can tighten skin.  If you prefer an easier cleanup, then simply dipping spoons in chilled water and then using them to cover your eyes can achieve similar results in much less time (even as little as a minute of application) without any wasted food. A cold compress is also an option.  If your time is even more constrained, you can always borrow one of your baby’s teething toys from the freezer with similar results.  Just make sure you get to use it first unless you enjoy a bit of chilled drool in your eyes ;)

Surprisingly, even though baby drool sounds (and pretty much is) gross to smear on your eyes, I learned people will put much worse on their face while researching for this blog.  Apparently, everything from snails to bird poop has magical healing properties for your face, but I can’t necessarily vouch for the efficacy or safety of those treatment options.  I’ll let someone else look into those options!  Good luck, and remember that those dark, puffy eyes will eventually improve on their own once your little one is sleeping through the night :)

**Be sure to avoid any treatment option that may contain an ingredient that you have an allergy to, as this may cause significant worsening of your symptoms!

Dr Nick

0 Comments
    Call Us

    Teton Women's 

    We address the topics you need to know about regarding pregnancy and women's health issues.

    Archives

    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All
    Babies
    Breast Feeding
    Contraception
    Cord Blood Banking
    Delayed Cord Clamping
    Diet And Exercise
    Diet And Exercise In Pregnancy
    First Trimester
    Genetic Screening
    Guest Blogs
    Gynecologic Surgery
    Health And Fitness
    Hormones
    Induction Of Labor
    Infertility
    Just For Fun
    Menopause
    Overview Of Pregnancy
    Ovulation Prediction
    Pain Management In Labor
    Pap Smear
    Postpartum Depression
    Pregnancy Planning
    Second Trimester
    Sexual Health
    Vaginal Discharge
    Women's Health
    Zika Virus

    RSS Feed

Location

Teton Women's Health Center
2001 S Woodruff Ave #10
Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Contact Us

Tel: 208-523-2060
​Fax: 208-523-9874

Office Hours

Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fri - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates at Teton Women's Health Center!

**While we are excited to answer your questions, please be aware that the links below are not intended to provide urgent or emergent medical advice.  Thank you!