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

Everything you always wanted to know about pregnancy but were too embarrassed to ask part 1:  a hard look at pooping in pregnancy

7/26/2016

0 Comments

 
Can I die from not pooping?  The increase in progesterone during pregnancy relaxes smooth muscle, and this is what helps prevent the uterus (a smooth muscle) from going into preterm labor as your baby grows, and it is also important to allow accommodation of the increase blood volume that supplies a mother and her baby.  Unfortunately, the intestines are also smooth muscle, and they don’t move food through the digestive tract as efficiently during pregnancy.  There is also the compression on the bowels from the growing baby and uterus, and lastly, the additional iron in your prenatal vitamins can also contribute to your constipation (but please don’t stop the iron as it helps increase your blood count and improve delivery of oxygen/nutrients to your baby).  If you find your iron supplement causes trouble, try switching to a slow-release iron formulation.  

OK, so I have to suffer through this for 9 months?  Not at all!  There are a number of options to help “keep you regular.”  First, make sure to stay hydrated.  It’s easy to become dehydrated while pregnant, so make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of fluids per day.  Water is always a great choice, as are prune juice (yes, those old fogies know what’s up) and warm water with lemon (it can help stimulate intestinal contractions to move food).  A high fiber diet also helps, although make sure to increase intake of fiber GRADUALLY, or you’ll end up even more bloated and gassy (yes, it is possible!).  Shoot for between 25-35 grams of fiber daily.  Lastly, pace yourself with regard to food intake.  Smaller, more frequent meals are easier on your bowels than just a few large ones.  Stuffing yourself at mealtime will only make you miserable.

Regular exercise isn’t just talking about how often to do it.  Even a 10 minute walk  each day can be helpful in stimulating bowel movements.  And, if dietary changes and exercise aren’t enough, then probiotics and over-the-counter stool softeners such as Colace can be used during pregnancy.  Occasional use of milk of magnesia may be beneficial, although laxatives should generally be avoided during pregnancy.

So, while constipation won’t kill you, it can definitely make you miserable.  Fortunately, there are a number of safe options to help with constipation in pregnancy, and now you can be as excited about poop as your kids (or, at least almost as excited as they are ;)

Nick


0 Comments

Back Pain in Pregnancy, it’s a Mother...

7/19/2016

0 Comments

 
One of the most common complaints in pregnancy has to do with back pain.  Below are some answers to the most common questions we hear in our office.  

Why does my back hurt so bad?  Some of the most common causes are strain on the back muscles, abdominal muscle weakness, the muscle relaxation associated with pregnancy hormones, stress and weight gain.  Essentially, as the uterus and your baby grow, this extra weight pulls the middle of your body forward, so in order to not fall over, you end up leaning your upper torso backward.  This causes strain on the muscles in your back, hence the back pain experienced during pregnancy, particularly in the last trimester.  Remember, your little bundle of joy doesn’t hate you..he/she is just growing up so fast :)

What can I do about it?  Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options that are safe for you and your baby. 

One of the first options is the use of exercise to strengthen those core muscles that support the back.  You can follow this link to some of the exercises recommended by the Mayo Clinic as safe during pregnancy, but remember to check with your ob/gyn to ensure that these activities are safe for your particular pregnancy.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/multimedia/pregnancy-exercises/sls-20076779

Application of heating pads and ice can also be an effective treatment option. Just remember to make sure you’re out of the first trimester before applying heat, and also remember to apply to the back rather than directly to the abdomen.  This can be done for up to 20 minutes per application as frequently as 2-3x per day.  If you need help, be sure to enlist your partner for proper application as well as for massages, which are generally very safe during pregnancy.  Besides, if you’re carrying the baby, they need to be put to work, too, right?


If your partner’s best massage effort feels too much like they are playing the drums on your back, then you can always enlist a professional masseuse or chiropractor.  Occasionally, physical therapy may even be appropriate.  Just make sure no one presses directly on your back while your stomach is flat on the table or the floor.  Not only would that be uncomfortable to you, but your little one definitely won’t appreciate being at the bottom of a dog pile.

There are also some super-cute clothing options ;)  A maternity support belt; flat-soled shoes, rather than high heels, with good arch support (I can’t imagine that I would have the talent to wear heels to begin with, but I’m assuming it takes true skill to pull off in the third trimester anyway); or even maternity support hose are all options for helping with back pain.

Other changes involve placing a pillow behind your lower back while seated and using chairs with lumbar support.  If you have the option to pick a firmer mattress, whether in the guest room and kids’ room, give it a chance, too.  You can even use pillows between your legs or behind your back while sleeping to relieve some of the pressure and keep you off of your back while asleep.
Tylenol is usually safe to use while pregnant.  If there is any question, be sure to ask your doctor, but otherwise, 500 to 1,000mg every 8 hours is generally OK, as long as you don’t exceed 3,000mg per day.  NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. are not recommended during pregnancy, and narcotic pain medications are not usually great treatment options either, as there is an increased risk of preterm delivery, small birth weight, withdrawal symptoms, respiratory distress, seizures, and feeding difficulties in babies whose mothers used prescription narcotics.

Finally, some good news.  Unless you had chronic back pain prior to pregnancy, we would expect your symptoms to resolve after delivery.  Even though that doesn’t help right now, it is important to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Besides, as cute as your baby will be, the discomforts of pregnancy will be totally worth it :)

Nick


0 Comments

Fertility Myth Busters: Part 1

7/12/2016

0 Comments

 
We hear lots of misconceptions about getting pregnant or preventing pregnancy.  Below are some of the most common fertility myths that I hear every day and the actual facts that discredit these common misbeliefs.  

1. You need to orgasm in order to conceive:  An orgasm is always an added bonus but definitely not a prerequisite to conceiving.  Orgasms can cause uterine contractions which can aid the sperm in traveling in the right direction towards the fallopian tubes but the absence of a female orgasm will not preclude you from conceiving.

2. It takes a year to get pregnant after stopping the pill or having your IUD removed:  You can definitely get pregnant right away after taking out your IUD or stopping the birth control pill.  Actually there is little delay after stopping most birth control methods except for the depo provera shot.  The depo provera injection is administered every three months to prevent pregnancy and there can be an eight month delay from last injection to conception.  So once you decide to stop your birth control method please start taking prenatal vitamins right away.

3. You better try getting pregnant in your 20's or you will be out of luck: Studies have found decreased ovarian reserve in women in their late 30's and men tend to have decreased fertility in their forties but that does not mean that you cannot conceive when you are older.  While you have a higher chance of visiting an infertility specialist in order to conceive, as long as  you have a cycle every month you are likely ovulating and can become pregnant!

4. You can't get pregnant while breastfeeding: While breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months can be protective against pregnancy, there are no guarantees.  Once your cycles resume or if you are 6 months post delivery if you are not ready to have an "oopsie"  you need to talk to your provider about secure contraception options.

5. Drinking alcohol will affect your fertility:  Excess or binge drinking can definitely affect your fertility.  However, a couple glasses of wine or beer should not affect your long term ability to conceive.  Again moderation is key.  Once you do find out you are pregnant you should avoid alcoholic beverages. 

6. Once you get pregnant the risk of miscarriage is very low:  Most women don't realize that up to 20% of pregnancies result in losses in the early first trimester.  Once a heart beat is visualized on ultrasound that number goes down to 7% and continues to go down as the pregnancy progresses.  The reason for this misperception is because most couples that have experienced a loss are not likely to talk about it with friends and family.  Meanwhile couples with a successful pregnancy tend to advertise on Facebook with endless baby bump photos and gender reveal ideas inspired by Pinterest.

7. Frequent intercourse decreases male fertility:  We hear it all the time from patients- I was told you should only have intercourse every other day during your fertile window (days leading up to ovulation).  In order to maximize your ability to conceive it is best to have intercourse 1 to 2 times per day during your fertile window.  Actually, abstinence of greater than 10 days leads to a decrease in healthy sperm cells. I promise this statistic is real and not promulgated by some sex crazed spring breakers.

​Pam


0 Comments

Whooping Cough: Whoop There It Is!

7/5/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
After seeing a patient whose baby required hospitalization for pertussis, she told me how she wished that she had accepted the tdap booster during pregnancy, but at the time, she didn’t understand how important maternal vaccination was in helping to provide immunity to her baby.  I thought I’d provide a quick review of why we care, especially during pregnancy.

What is pertussis (whooping cough) and who is most likely to get it?  Pertussis is a very contagious bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract and causes coughing spells.  It is commonly known as “whooping cough” because people with pertussis often make a “whooping” sound when they try to breathe (sounds more like seal barking than Tag Team).   During 2014 there were more than 30,000 cases in the US.  The highest rates of disease were noted to be in babies, and the majority of deaths occurred among babies younger than 3 months old. Half of babies with pertussis will be hospitalized as their immune systems are so fragile and one in one hundred of those who receive treatment in a hospital will die.  

Why is pertussis on the rise?  In 1976 there were only 1,010 cases in the US, but in 2012, there were 48,277 cases nationwide!  What is contributing to this?  Decreased vaccination by parents plays a role, but the primary reason is because the newer vaccine doesn't last as long. In 1997 the US switched from a whole cell to an acellular vaccine to decrease side effects of the older version, but researchers have noticed that the immunity decreases over time with the newer vaccine.  However, this vaccine is still very effective: In 1940, before the vaccine became available 200,000 children/infants became sick and 9,000 died; today the number is 30,000 become infected and 20 deaths a year (way to go science!).  

Why are babies so susceptible to whooping cough?  First, their immune systems are not as developed as that of an adult, and second, they cannot receive their first vaccine against pertussis until 2 months of age (even then, good luck bribing them with a lollipop and sticker!).  This leaves a window of vulnerability for newborns to contract pertussis from family members or a caregiver.  

What can you do to protect your baby from getting whooping cough?  The CDC and ACOG recommend that all pregnant women receive a Tdap booster in the third trimester from 27 to 36 weeks.  First this protects mom from getting whooping cough (30% of babies who contract whooping cough get it from their mother).  Second, the antibodies mom's immune system creates after receiving the vaccine gets transferred through the placenta to baby (mom’s literally taking one for the team).  This will provide your baby with some short term immunity until he/she can begin the vaccination series at 2 months of age.  These antibodies can also protect your baby from some of the more serious complications of whooping cough.  Third, if you are breastfeeding you may pass some additional antibodies you may have made in response to the vaccine to your baby.  Lastly, try to encourage those around baby to be up-to-date on their pertussis vaccines (if you want to hold MY baby, then here’s some hand sanitizer and a tdap).  

Where can I get the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy?  Your OB/GYN office may offer the vaccine, and it is also available at some pharmacies.  If you have any further questions, please ask your provider about pertussis and the Tdap vaccine at your next prenatal visit.
Pam


​



0 Comments
    Call Us

    Teton Women's 

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

    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
    Sleep
    Vaginal Discharge
    Women's Health
    Zika Virus

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    February 2023
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    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

    RSS Feed

Location

GET DIRECTIONS!
Teton Women's Health Center

2001 S Woodruff Ave #10
Idaho Falls, ID 83404









​Sitemap

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!