MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'health pregnancy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:03:15 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008348&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fwhy-do-doctors-blame-stress-for.html As an infertility specialist, I see a number of infertile couples who’ve been to other gynecologists before coming to me. Often they will have a simple problem such as irregular cycles which are because of anovulation, and which can be treated by taking medicines to induce ovulation . Ideally, the doctor should explain that the irregular periods are a result of not ovulating; that the cause for this can be diagnosed with ultrasound scans and blood tests; and that this can be treated by taking medicines to induce ovulation.However, a lot of doctors will glibly say “ Oh , don’t worry, your irregular periods are because you take too much stress – it’s “all in your head” ! They tell the patients that if she gets rid of the stress , the periods will become regular. Of course that�... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008348 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:57:00 +0100 5008348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813208&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F10%2F2011-tennessee-womens-health-report-card-highlights%2F Today marked the release of the 2011 Tennessee Women’s Health Report Card, a publication which provides a snapshot of the health status of women in our state, and the disparities they experience. It’s a handy resource for anyone interested in making a case – or understanding the need – for improved health services and community programs, and includes statistics that clearly illustrate some of the challenges we face. Among them: 18.4% of us – or almost 1 in 5 – smoked while we were pregnant. The rate is highest (21.4%) among white women, and lower among African American (10.3%) and Hispanic (2.4%) women. African American women experience tremendous disparities in their infant mortality rate, with 16 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 6 for... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813208 Wed, 11 May 2011 00:48:20 +0100 4813208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794855&cid=t_377744_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FtWoXjvNiV74%2F Imagine life without your mother. For many around the world this is a reality.  Every 90 seconds a mother dies during pregnancy or childbirth, and 99% of these deaths take place in developing countries where a lack of access to basic medicines and services is taking mothers from their children. VSI is trying to end this. VSI is a California-based nonprofit organization committed to improving women’s health in developing countries by creating access to life-saving and affordable health solutions for all. Their largest safe motherhood program brings life-saving generic tablets to rural women for management of excessive bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage. VSI has assisted 17 developing countries in the integration of life-saving maternal health solutions, trained over ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794855 Fri, 06 May 2011 13:11:00 +0100 4794855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676888&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fmind-games-during-ivf.html For many patients, the emotional stress of going through an IVF cycle is far more than the physical stress ! The overriding fear is that of failure – what will I do if the cycle fails ? Will life be worth living ? They understand that IVF is the one treatment option which maximizes their chances of having a baby and have pinned all their hopes and dreams on the cycle succeeding. They dread to entertain the possibility of failure , as a result of which they are emotionally very vulnerable.Even before starting the IVF cycle, they spend a lot of time and energy doing their homework. Some will do their research and become an expert on IVF; others will doctor shop; while some will go to a temple to make sure God is on their side !While there are quite a few ups and downs during the moments of... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676888 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:58:00 +0100 4676888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670183&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fwhat-to-do-when-you-make-mistake.html I see many patients who have failed IVF cycles in other clinics. In order to improve their chances of success, I ask them basic questions about their earlier cycle: How many follicles did you grow ? How many eggs were retrieved ? What was your embryo quality ? Surprisingly, many are quite clueless , and know very little about the medical details of their treatment cycle, because " my doctor did not tell me anything " ! They are often upset and angry- and resentful that their doctor did not share more information with them.After realising how much their doctor has kept them in the dark, they conclude that they made a mistake in the doctor they selected. They feel cheated and start believing that they can no longer trust any doctor.One of the reasons for their bad choice is because they did... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670183 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:28:00 +0100 4670183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664287&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fwhat-to-do-when-you-make-mistake.html I see many patients who have failed IVF cycles in other clinics. In order to improve their chances of success, I ask them basic questions about their earlier cycle: How many follicles did you grow ? How many eggs were retrieved ? What was your embryo quality ? Surprisingly, many are quite clueless , and know very little about the medical details of their treatment cycle, because " my doctor did not tell me anything " ! They are often upset and angry- and resentful that their doctor did not share more information with them.After realising how much their doctor kept them in the dark, some of them feel they made a mistake in the doctor they selected. They feel cheated and start believing that they can no longer trust any doctor.This is not a happy situation, because they then lose the opport... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664287 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:28:00 +0100 4664287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636515&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.drmalpani.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmoments-of-truth-in-ivf-cycle.html An IVF cycle is full of uncertainty and suspense , like any other biological system. However, being prepared for these can help you cope better !Think of an IVF cycle as being a series of hurdles - and you need to cross all these to reach the finish line ! While most patients will cross these hurdles with ease in a good IVF clinic, each of these is a " moment of truth ".You should grow many folliclesThese follicles should matureYour uterine lining should also mature in synch with your folliclesOvulation should not occur before the eggs can be collectedMature eggs must be retrieved by the doctor during the "pick-up"Your sperm must fertilize the eggs ( with IVF or ICSI)The embryos must divide and grow healthily in the IVF labYour embryos should be transferred by the doctor smoothly into your... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636515 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:35:00 +0100 4636515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570602&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhy-we-offer-guaranteed-pregnancy.html Everyone knows IVF has a limited success rate and that there are no guarantees in medicine. If that's the case, then why do we offer an IVF guaranteed pregnancy program ?Is this just a marketing gimmick ?No ! There are lots of benefits to this option, both for our patients and for us.For one thing, this option bolsters the patient's confidence levels ! Patients who have failed IVF cycles elsewhere have lost confidence in doctors - and in themselves. Before starting the IVF cycle, most clinics promise the moon. However, when the cycle fails, the patient becomes a leper and the doctor becomes inaccessible ! Finding a doctor who is is willing to put his money where his mouth is helps them to rebuild confidence in the medical system !This option also helps patients to have realistic expectatio... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570602 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:56:00 +0100 4570602 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4554662&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Ftry-and-try-till-you-succeed-success.html Try and try till you succeed....i think this mantra holds not only in your professional life but personal too....After two years of trying for baby and undergoing two laproscopies ,two iuis and one failed ivf we were devastated....we thought we can never have a child of our own....but then by God's grace we came across the web site of Dr Malpani..Oh it was so informative! i posted my history and there came a very positive reply..there was a ray of hope...we made up our minds to give ourselves one more chance so that we don't repent later.We visited Dr Malpani clinic in May 2009 for the first time and i must say there is something in his clinic..i think its God's blessing to them...the environment is so positive and cordial and Dr Malpani is so very approachable and positive too that we imm... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4554662 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:45:00 +0100 4554662 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549791&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhat-can-i-do-to-improve-chances-of-my.html This is one of the commonest questions patients ask me. A good IVF clinic is quite good at making good embryos in the lab. However, once they are transferred into the uterus, then whether they will implant to not is a biological process which is not in anyone's control ! It can be quite scary to think that the fate of your embryos is in your hands - and that if you make a false move, you may lose the embryos !The actual IVF treatment, leading upto the egg collection is full of action ! You are taking injections every day and the doctor monitors you closely. It's fun watching your follicles grow on the ultrasound screen and actually seeing your embryos can be a very emotional moment in your life ! However, after the embryos are transferred, you are pretty much on your own. You have no idea ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549791 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 05:16:00 +0100 4549791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532274&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fhappy-patient-from-europe-who-did-donor.html I am the classic case of a woman who postponed starting a family to focus on her career while never believing that one day she would be facing infertility issues. I even believed that I could choose the month I wanted to get pregnant! I was almost 34 years old by the time my husband and I were out of school and settled enough in our jobs to start our family. I guess that is not really so old if there are no fertility issues, but if there are then time is definitely not on your side. By the time I turned 35 years old, we were living in Europe and began seeing a infertility specialist. In the middle of all the standard infertility tests, I managed to fall pregnant naturally. Our joy did not last long because at 8 weeks pregnant all that could be seen on the ultrasound were two empty gesta... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532274 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:11:00 +0100 4532274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525061&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fdoes-it-matter-how-many-ivf-cycles-you.html We see many patients who have failed multiple IVF treatment cycles in other clinics. Most of them are quite depressed and frustrated. They are not sure whether it's worth trying another IVF cycle with us, or whether they should explore alternative options .The key question in their mind is - What can you do differently from the other IVF clinics ? What makes you better ?I enjoy treating these patients . For one, they are a challenge, and if our treatment works where other clinics have failed, this is a feather in our cap ( doctors can be very competitive !)Also, because they have done IVF earlier, they understand the basics of the treatment, so I can have an intelligent conversation with them and explain what we are going to differently. Because we are a full-service clinic, we can offer a... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525061 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:47:00 +0100 4525061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477836&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fone-womans-quest-for-egg-donor.html I was watching TV late one night , into the wee hours of the morning…I was so tired & bored that I started channel-surfing and I stopped on this program called “70&Pregnant” on the Discovery/TLC Cable Channel. Boy! Did it wake me up? Mark & I have tried for years to get pregnant and we realized about 15 years ago that because of my premature ovarian failure, only a donor egg would work for us. So needless to say when I saw this program, I perked up immediately…. On this program, they featured an Indian doctor who helped a 70 year old Indian lady get pregnant and have child with a donor egg. The donor came from a nearby Indian village & the cost was cheap by U.S.A. Standards for IVF.During the program, the doctor discussed the cost of IVF in Indian and immediately, s... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477836 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 15:51:00 +0100 4477836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411484&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F28%2Fevidence-based-mental-health-2006-vol-9-no-21%2F This article provides a brief summary of the exisiting literature on the mental health outcomes in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood of those affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, while also highlighting the difficulties with interpreting observational epidemiological data. Filed under: Alcohol, Epidemiology, Long Term Conditions, Maternity and Children, Mental Health, Pregnancy Tagged: Alcohol Consumption, Epidemiological Studies, Interpreting, Mental Health, Prenatal (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411484 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:04:47 +0100 4411484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309687&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwhy-do-i-have-to-wait-2-weeks-to-do.html Most patients find that one of the most difficult things to manage during an IVF cycle is the dreaded 2 week wait ( 2ww) after the embryo transfer. Time seems to come to a halt and you live in a state of suspended animation - a bit like Schroedinger's cat ! Am I pregnant ? Am I not pregnant ? Every ache and twinge sends you scurrying to the bathroom to check if your periods have started - and you over-interpret every signal your body sends you. Am I feeling nauseous ? Is this a good sign ? Do my breasts feel fuller than usual ? Is this just PMS ? You try to prevent your mind from playing games with you, but this is surprisingly hard to do. Every hour seems to stretch on like a day ! You obsessively compare notes with all your online IVF friends - and drive your husband batty with your inte... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309687 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 03:28:00 +0100 4309687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294742&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Ftop-ten-tips-for-facing-infertility.html One of the most amusing books I have read on infertility is: A Few Good Eggs : Two Chicks Dish on Overcoming the Insanity of Infertility by Julie Vargo and Maureen Regan. The book is targetted towards infertile women living in the US, and is written in the currently fashionable "chick-lit" style. It's amusingly written; and is a breath of fresh air , if you are the sort of person who finds a sense of humour helps you cope better with infertility. The book has lots of Top-10 lists, and here's their list of Top Ten Tips for Facing Infertility. # 10 Tips for Facing Infertility1. Keep reminding yourself that you are not alone.2. Realize that dealing with infertility is an all-consuming process.3. Stay calm.4. Remind yourself you are not a failure if a procedure doesn't work.5. Have a sense of ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294742 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:02:00 +0100 4294742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281363&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fquality-of-doctors-answers-depend-upon.html Recently I witnessed an infertile couple who had over three heavy files bulging along with medical tests and reviews. They may have visited more than ten infertility experts who tried every single possible examination under the sun to attempt to discover what their issue was. The lady had been examined for antisperm antibodies, NK cells , hostile cervical mucus, tuberculosis, chlamydia, sperm DNA fragmentation… you name it, and she had had the examination done. Every single gynaecologist had repeated test after test, however every result had been normal. They were at their wit’s end. “Why can’t I get pregnant , doctor , if things are all normal ?” was her plaintive cry.I was surprised about how little she had learned after going to numerous doctors. Rather than understanding from... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281363 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:57:00 +0100 4281363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098097&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fmaking-sense-of-your-infertility.html I just saw an infertile 42 year old woman who said - Doctor, my husband has a low sperm count. Can you please prescribe some medicines so we can improve it and have a baby. "It always amazes me that even in this day and age so many infertile couples do so little to try to make sense of their treatment options.Many find it very hard to decipher the medical terms their doctor uses. They do all the tests the doctor asks for - and are often completely lost when he then explains to them what the next action steps are.Unfortunately, many doctors also "complexify" matters rather than simplifying them. They take a perverse pride in doing so, because it allows them to position themselves as experts in a difficult subject which the poor patient will never be able to understand !I think they just mak... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098097 Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:42:00 +0100 4098097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3976546&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Ftreatment-independent-pregnancies.html Many IVF specialists have seen couples who do not get pregnant in the IVF cycle and then promptly conceive in the next month ! Even couples whom we think have no business getting pregnant do so all the time ( for example, those with very low sperm counts or poor ovarian reserve ) !This is why IVF specialists no longer use the word sterility. We prefer the description, infertility, because this emphasises the fact that fertility is a relative term !So are all these pregnancies miracles ? Not really ! When some patients fail an IVF cycle, they just give up. They believe - " If the IVF cycle failed, this means I am never going to get pregnant on my own , so why bother ? "Others take a completely different approach. " If Dr Malpani can make embryos for me in his lab, I can do so for myself in ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3976546 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:23:00 +0100 3976546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929296&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fwhat-precautions-should-i-take-after.html One of the commonest questions patients ask me is - " Doctor, what are the dos and don'ts after the embryo transfer ? " They are very worried about the risk of failure, and are petrified that they may end up doing something which will cause their embryos to "fall out" of the uterus. Many will often spend the entire 2 week wait obsessing about their diet and physical activity.Some will even put themselves on voluntary house arrest. Even worse, their relatives will often force them to sleep in bed for 14 days after the transfer. And to add insult to injury, many IVF doctors will also "advise" this !Why do we still continue to perpetuate this myth ? I think it's partly doctors who are responsible For one thing, many doctors do not bother to educate their patients that physical activity will n... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929296 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:32:00 +0100 3929296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924963&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fhow-some-ivf-clinics-lie-to-their.html Many IVF clinics are desperate to get patients. This is especially true for new clinics which have just been started in small towns and cities. Though they have not been able to achieve a single pregnancy, they do their best to attract patients, and often lie in order to do so.Unfortunately, many patients are not sophisticated enough to be able to separate fact from fiction, and will often get taken for a ride.1. " Our pregnancy rates are 45%". This is the commonest lie. Most clinics do not bother to keep data or report their personal pregnancy rates. Most will just "borrow" the highest success rates of the best IVF clinics, and claim to have the same results. This is a lie - but there's no way the patient can find out the truth !2. " Our doctors come from Bombay. " Some IVF clinics pride ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924963 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:01:00 +0100 3924963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3822989&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fftr-fallopian-tubal-recanalisation.html In some infertile women, the fallopian tubes are blocked at the uterine ( cornual) end. Recanalization is a minimally invasive procedure used to open the blocked fallopian tubes in these patients. The diagnosis of cornual block or proximal tubal occlusion ( PTO) is made usually by doing a X-ray of the uterus and tubes, called a hysterosalpingogram ( HSG) or a laparoscopy. Fallopian tube recanalization is a relatively new reproductive technique , in which an X-ray of the uterus is performed, using a dye to visualise the uterine cavity and the site of the block, with the help of an advanced X-ray machine called an image intensifier. In patients who demonstrate a tubal block on X-ray, a guide wire or a balloon is passed to the area of tubal blockage & the block is opened up. In women who... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3822989 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:30:00 +0100 3822989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743578&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fwhat-tests-should-i-do-after-failed-ivf.html There's lots of pressure on IVF doctors when an IVF cycle fails. Patients want a baby - and since they have not succeeded, they want answers as to why the cycle failed !Doctors will take one of 3 approaches.Many are nihilistic. They know that the tests we have today do not help much. Our technology is still fairly crude, because the commonest cause of failed implantation is genetically abnormal embryos, and we still cannot detect or prevent these, given the fact that human reproduction is a very inefficient enterprise. The best option for most patients is to just try again, and this is what they will advise.Unfortunately, this straight-forward forthright approach is very difficult for most patients to accept . They want answers to their questions !Unfortunately, the truth is that our techn... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743578 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:08:00 +0100 3743578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721986&cid=t_377744_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F02%2Fartificial-sweeteners-linked-with-pre-term-delivery%2F Of all the foodstuffs that have limited nutritional value and the potential to cause harm, I put soft drinks near the top of the list. The sugar contained in regular beverages has been linked with a range of adverse effects on health including weight gain, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And artificial [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721986 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:25:43 +0100 3721986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714273&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fhow-bad-ivf-clinics-reduce-their.html I just got this email from a patient.I am a patient with azoospermia. My wife's reports are perfect with no fertility problems.We are undergoing TESE- ICSI in a fertility clinic in Bangalore. My wife was superovulated with RECAGAN 100IU which she has been taking for the last 10days . Today's scan result shows 14 mature follicles . The sizes are:Right ovary 2.1*1.7 1.8*1.4 1.7*1.3 1.9*1.2 1.6*1.5 1.6*1.4 1.6*1.4 Left ovary 1.8*2.2 1.9*1.6 1.6*1.5 1.8*1.4 1.4*1.3 1.7*1.2 1.5*0.9According to the original plan , we were supposes to take HCG tonight (11th day of the period) and the egg retrival was planned for Wednesday . However, due to non-availability of " TESA Specialist " they are postponing the egg retrival by 3 days and HCG injection by 2 days. We have been asked to continue injection RE... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714273 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:17:00 +0100 3714273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706641&cid=t_377744_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwould-you-take-a-blood-test-that-predicts-menopause%2F photo: Thinkstock A study presented today showed that a simple blood test could predict when women as young as their 20s could start menopause. Researchers say this test could help women make reproductive decisions about when to start a family. For instance, if a woman knows she’ll start menopause at 46, she might opt to start a family much earlier. And the predictions have generally been accurate within about three to four months. We’re not so sure about this development. While this info would definitely be handy for family planning, we don’t know if we’d want to know the age that menopause would hit us. We feel like it might make us dread the future entirely, and become hypersensitive to every little change in our bodies. What do you think? Would you want to know ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706641 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:51:54 +0100 3706641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706752&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fdoctor-what-went-wrong.html Whenever an IVF cycle fails, the first question the patient demands an answer to is - Doctor, what went wrong ?Some doctors get defensive when they hear this question. They feel the patient is challenging their clinical competence, and many will simply refuse to see the patient when the IVF cycle fails. This is adding insult to injury, because they have abandoned the patient in their time of need, simply because they do not feel comfortable answering uncomfortable questions. ( Many of this breed of doctor would rather spend their time doing consultations with new patients, so they can do more IVF cycles !)Some will blame the patient - either subtly, or otherwise. " The embryos did not implant because you did not rest enough". Some doctors will use this as an opportunity to "run some more t... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706752 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:24:00 +0100 3706752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662761&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fsigns-of-bad-ivf-clinic.html We see a number of patients who have failed IVF cycles elsewhere, so we have a fairly good idea of what makes some clinics bad.Here's a short list of features which can help you identify a poor quality IVF clinic1. Clinics which depend upon outside embryologists to do their procedures for them. IVF is a demanding process and your embryos need the full-time loving care and devotion of an experienced embryologist. A full-time embryologist spends a lot of time honing his skills and optimising the conditions in his IVF lab to ensure high pregnancy rates. This is not something a "visiting embryologist" can do. Thus, these clinics will very rarely freeze spare embryos , and your supernumerary embryos are usually discarded - or donated ( without your content or permission) to another patient.2. C... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662761 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:29:00 +0100 3662761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3659020&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fis-there-any-need-to-remove.html Image via WikipediaMany women with blocked tubes go in for IVF treatment . Some of them have a hydrosalpinx, in which the blocked tube is filled with fluid. It has now become standard advise to remove the hydrosalpinx or to clip the blocked tube prior to IVF. This needs to be done by performing an operative laparoscopy ; and this procedure is supposed to improve IVF pregnancy rates ( because the hydrosalpinx fluid is toxic and can prevent the embryos from implanting.)Most gynecologists are happy to advise this surgery before referring the patient for IVF, because this is an additional surgical procedure for which they can charge the patient. In reality, however, this unnecessary surgery can actually end up causing harm.For one, it leads to overtreatment. In many IVF clinics, all blocked tu... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3659020 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:20:00 +0100 3659020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3656857&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fivf-versus-icsi-which-is-better_13.html Both IVF ( in vitro fertilisation) and ICSI ( intracytoplasmic sperm injection) are types of assisted reproductive techniques, but patients still get confused between the two. Which do we select and when and why ?The technique which was first developed was IVF . ICSI is a modification of the basic IVF technique. From the patient's point of view, everything remains the same, as regards superovulation, scans, monitoring, egg collection and embryo transfer. The only difference is what happens in the lab. In IVF, we allow the sperm to fertilise the eggs on their own. In ICSI, we give the sperm a piggy-back ride into the egg with the help of a micromanipulator.For male factor infertility ( men with very low sperm counts or those with azoospermia) , ICSI is the only option, so there's no questio... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3656857 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:19:00 +0100 3656857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652496&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fcommon-mistakes-infertile-couples-make.html Ms. Elizabeth Paul (not her real name) was my last appointment of the day, and she brought a thick medical file that described all the medical tests and treatments she had been through. She had consulted doctors on three continents, and was now seeking another medical opinion for her problem of unexplained infertility. She had had four laparoscopies, performed by various doctors in different parts of the world - and had been through six insemination treatment cycles.She now wanted me to do another insemination for her. When I advised her that it was time to consider IVF, she got upset. - Why do I need IVF when all my test results are normal, doctor? Can't we just do another IUI cycle please?This is typical of many patients I see. They change multiple doctors, but each new doctor ends up do... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652496 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:44:00 +0100 3652496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652498&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fis-blastocyst-transfer-better-than-day.html One of the commonest question patients ask me is whether they should choose a Day 3 transfer or a Day 5 ( blastocyst ) transfer .Blastocyst transfer was first introduced with a lot of hope and hype. As our IVF technology improved and the IVF culture medium got better, it became possible to grow embryos in the lab upto Day 5 ( instead of the earlier Day 3) , and it was felt that transferring embryos on Day 5 will help to improve pregnancy rates because this would mimic nature more closely. After all, Day 3 embryos belong in the fallopian tube and not the uterus ( unlike blastocysts, which is the stage the embryo reaches when it arrives in the uterus and is ready to implant).The initial reports were very enthusiastic, but as time has gone by, we realise that the pregnancy rate with blast tra... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652498 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:12:00 +0100 3652498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648627&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fgames-doctors-play-with-hcg-levels.html Image via WikipediaFor a patient going through an IVF cycle, the most important number is the HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level - also known as the beta. HCG is a chemical produced by the embryo, and is the embryo's signal to the mother that pregnancy has occurred. In a non-pregnant woman, the HCG level is less than 10 mIU/ml. A level of more than 10 mIU/ml is considered to be positive, and means that the embryo has implanted. Many IVF doctors are very creative in manipulating the HCG results and in interpreting them, because they want to inflate their success rates !How do they fool their patients ?1. They give HCG injections during the luteal phase, after the embryo transfer, claiming this is for "luteal phase support". This HCG is then detected in the blood when doing the HCG blo... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648627 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:13:00 +0100 3648627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3610314&cid=t_377744_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fhealth-care-by-text-in-rwanda-texting-saves-pregnant-women%2F photo: Thinkstock When it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, women in the developed world are notorious for hopping in a car and zipping to the hospital at the first signs of labor, but in in the developing world, it’s not always an option. In Rwanda, where hospital access is scarce, a new Rapid SMS service was introduced in August of 2009 to help give people living in remote regions of the country quick access to healthcare. The system, a joint initiative between three United Nations organizations, is being tested in the Musanze District of Rwanda. Cell phones were given to 432 health workers in the Musanze District who then register pregnant women in their villages through SMS text messages. They can send updates on their conditions to a central server in the capital city of Kigali... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3610314 Fri, 28 May 2010 17:54:51 +0100 3610314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546917&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Funderstanding-your-medicines-what-every.html Open publication - Free publishing - More infertility (Source: The Patient's Doctor) The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546917 Sun, 09 May 2010 04:37:00 +0100 3546917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526826&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fbetween-rock-and-hard-place.html I just finished doing the Day 12 IVF cycle scan of a patient with poor ovarian reserve ( also known as diminished ovarian reserve, or oopause) from the UK. She had already failed 3 IVF cycle in the UK, and had come to us for IVF. We used the aggressive superovulation ( letrozole antagon ) protocol, to help her grow more eggsThe aggressive superovulation worked, and the Day 10 scan showed she had 4 mature follicles . However, this scan also showed she had a small 0.5 cm size polyp in the uterus. This was an unexpected finding, as the Day 3 check scan we had done for her before we started her superovulation showed her uterine lining was normal.Polyps are benign finger-like growths found in the uterine lining. They occur because of a localised growth of endometrial tissue; and since they are ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526826 Mon, 03 May 2010 12:50:00 +0100 3526826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3505088&cid=t_377744_134_f&fid=35162&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FLemonadeLife%2F%7E3%2FxXBLXXF69R8%2F How do you know when you’re a woman with diabetes? When you start thinking about babies even before you’re engaged. Although I’m years away from settling down and popping out babies, I have decided it is in my best interest to be as proactive as possible in preparing for pregnancy and motherhood. Part of that is reading everything I can get my hand’s on. I was excited to find out that Cheryl Alkon, a long-time diabetes blogger at Managing the Sweetness Within, had finally published her long-awaited book, Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. Reading the book and seeing all the wonderful tips and examples from real world moms continues to give me confidence that I will have enough tools to see a pregnancy through to the end. Throu... Lemonade Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3505088 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:00:47 +0100 3505088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460237&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fwhy-arent-abnormal-sperm-cause-of.html Image via WikipediaWe know that the commonest reason for a miscarriage is a genetic abnormality in the embryo, and that this is Nature's defense mechanism, to prevent the birth of an abnormal baby. While these defects are often random, they are commoner in older women. This is because the eggs of older women have more genetically abnormalities, because they have "aged" and have genetic defects, which cannot be screened for.We also know that abnormal embryos are the commonest reason for failed embryo implantation after IVF; and that this is the reason why IVF failure rates increase for older women.Now, since the sperm provide 50% of the genes of the embryo, it is logical to assume that 50% of the time the reason for genetically abnormal embryos ( and thus failed IVF cycles and recurrent mis... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460237 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:46:00 +0100 3460237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390836&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fhow-to-scare-patient-into-agreeing-for.html Fibroids are very common in infertile women. Most are intramural fibroids , which are present in the wall of the uterus) , and these do not need to be removed prior to IVF, as they do not affect embryo implantation. You can read more about this at http://www.drmalpani.com/fibroids-and-infertility.htm. It is only submucous fibroids ( those which are in the uterine cavity) need to be removed. These can be best removed with an operative hysteroscopy.Unfortunately, most doctors have itchy fingers and are happy to operate at the drop of a hat.The following combination of facts adds up to a trigger-happy situation1. Fibroids are very common in infertile women2. Infertile women are desperately seeking a reason for their infertility, so the doctor can "fix" the problem and help them to have a baby... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390836 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:16:00 +0100 3390836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2724824&cid=t_377744_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FChNQ_TkAX8g%2F Pregnant women should consider psychotherapy as an alternative to antidepressants, but those with more severe or recurrent bouts of depression should remain on their meds during pregnancy, according to a new report from two big physicians’ groups. But there’s an alternative treatment for the sickest depressed women, the guidelines say: electroconvulsive therapy, often called shock therapy. ECT, which involves an electric current that induces a seizure in the brain, has been “long regarded as a safe and effective treatment for severe depression in pregnancy,” the guidelines say. It may be particularly help for for women who aren’t helped by medication, or when a disorder is life-threatening. It doesn’t appear to be harmful to either the mother-to-be or ... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2724824 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:35:49 +0100 2724824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2556067&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F29%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-access-to-care-for-people-with-disabilities%2F Today at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have a post about the actions to be taken by two prominent Boston hospitals to increase access to care for people with disabilities, including correction of some serious deficiencies that interfered with care such as medication dosing and mammography. There are also links to some more resources on this topic. Also, check out Christine’s recent Double Dose, including issues of women being shackled during labor and a new fetal homicide law. She also has info on an upcoming blog carnival on women and caregiving. Posted in Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Access, Rights, & Choice, Health, Pregnancy, Web Resources (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2556067 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:53:50 +0100 2556067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441094&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F26%2Fnearly-half-of-women-smoke-while-pregnant-in-one-tennessee-county%2F WPLN, my local NPR affiliate, had news this morning that in Tennessee, about one in five (19.4%) women smoke at some point while pregnant. In Hancock County, it’s 47.7%. According to the piece, the following rural counties (among 95 total counties in the state) have the highest rates: Hancock – 47.7% Unicoi – 43.9% Stewart – 40.5% Houston – 39.6% Benton – 39.5% Williamson, Shelby, Davidson, Fayette, and Rutherford counties had the lowest rates, from 5.6%-13.9%. (see a map of TN counties) The state Department of Health is reminding women about the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, …a free service which offers personalized support to those who want to quit smoking and/or other tobacco products. This convenient and confidential service is available to Tennessee residents in... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441094 Tue, 26 May 2009 15:57:51 +0100 2441094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447803&cid=t_377744_117_f&fid=34696&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.straightfromthedoc.com%2F50226711%2Flansinoh_ventures_into_diaper_rash.php A breastfeeding company - Lansinoh - has now ventured into diaper rash ointment for babies. The product is called Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment - an odorless formula that absorbs right into baby&#39... (Source: Straightfromthedoc) Straightfromthedoc blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447803 Tue, 26 May 2009 09:31:29 +0100 2447803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382861&cid=t_377744_167_f&fid=38576&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drbriffa.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2F22%2Fstaying-upright-during-childbirth-found-to-reduce-labour-time-as-well-as-the-need-for-epidural-analgesia%2F This week, I have had babies on the brain. I think this might have something to do with the fact that I spent a large part of the weekend with a very good friend who is heavily pregnant with her first child. We spent a little time talking about her plans for the birth. The [...] (Source: Dr John Biffa's Blog) Dr John Biffa's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382861 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:17:39 +0100 2382861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353908&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fturning-patients-away.html I just saw a couple who wanted IVF treatment. She was 33 and was worried that her biological clock was ticking away. They both had very stressful jobs which involved extensive travelling, so that their marriage was a weekend marriage - and on the weekends they were often too tired to have sex !She didn't want to wait for nature to take its own course, and wanted me to do an IVF cycle for her, because she did not want to be an " old " mother.I did my best to discourage her. While it may be in my best financial interests to do IVF for her, I am not sure it's a good idea to convert a pleasurable bedroom activity into a clinical activity. However, she is a very successful businesswoman, who knows her own mind, and is quite sure that this is what she wants.What should I do ? Should I agree to h... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353908 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:40:00 +0100 2353908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2314175&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fhow-to-worry-patients-and-create.html The job of a good doctor is to reassure patients that they are fine. Medical testing can be used intelligently to confirm that all is well. Unfortunately, many doctors today use ( misuse ?) tests to create anxiety in patients.Patients are emotionally vulnerable and they hang onto every word their doctor says. Even a casual statement - or expression - is analysed and interpreted( misinterpreted ? ) in a hundred different ways.Since patients now tend to place so much of their faith in tests and technology, many doctors will overtest - and then "find problems" which "need treatment". These are often red herrings of no clinical importance , but once a doctor has implanted a seed of doubt, it's very hard to get rid of this.For example, I often see patients who have had recurrent miscarriages, w... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2314175 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:27:00 +0100 2314175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2188054&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fdo-you-really-need-surrogate.html As an IVF specialist, I receive a lot of queries from infertile couples from all over the world. Many of these are older couples who have been infertile for many years; and since they cannot get medical treatment in their own countries ( either because it's too expensive or because their government does not allow it), they want to come to India for treatment. Many of them think that because they are too old, their best option would be surrogacy; and since they have read many articles about how easy surrogacy is in India, they often email me asking for gestational surrogacy services.The tragedy is that so many infertile couples are still so poorly informed about surrogacy treatment and who it is useful for. Many couples naively believe that a surrogate is the final answer to all infertility... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2188054 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 08:58:00 +0100 2188054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2078228&cid=t_377744_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fbusting-common-myths-about-pregnancy.html Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life and every pregnancy is truly a miracle. Because women having been having babies for centuries, there are still many myths and old wives tales about pregnancy, which modern obstetrics is just starting to dispel. Myth 1. Pregnancy care starts after you get pregnantMost women register with their obstetrician for medical care after they get pregnant. After all, we are all familiar with the adage: ‘Be good to your baby before it is born’. However, in reality, the best time to start taking care of your unborn baby is even before you conceive! Such care is called pre-pregnancy or pre-conception care.Why is this care so important? Remember, that the foetal organs are actively developing during first 12 weeks of pregnancy (this cru... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2078228 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:38:00 +0100 2078228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2013670&cid=t_377744_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FlLXCo8sgJjs%2F Gluten-free diets are now being used to address conditions ranging from autism to ADHD. As noted in this week’s Newsweek, those with allergies and pregnant women are also saying they feel better on what’s come to be known in autism circles as “the special diet” or “the diet.” (Go here, here, and here to read some of our experiences with “the diet”; Charlie now eats wheat, though not dairy.) Is gluten-free the new hope, or is it more dietary hype, with Americans spending $2 billion a year on gluten-free products? Tags: adhd, allergies, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, casein-free, celiac disease, diet, disabilities blog, disability, Education, food, gluten-free, Health, pregnancy, wheat freeShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2013670 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:36:46 +0100 2013670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1674352&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F01%2Ffriday-health-videos%2F Over at OBOS - Friday Videos: Abortion, Breastfeeding, and Healthcare - links to videos on abortion in Brazil, World Breastfeeding Week, the Cover America tour interviewing folks about healthcare expenses and coverage, and the full video for “Birth of a Surgeon.” Update: Also out today, a new installment of Target Women from Sarah Haskins, this time on birth control. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1674352 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:34:13 +0100 1674352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1593966&cid=t_377744_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fhaving_twins_a_mental_health_hazard.htm Mothers and fathers of twins conceived either spontaneously or with assisted reproductive technology (ART) suffer more mental health symptoms after delivery and one year later than do parents of singleton babies, according to research presented to the 24th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona on Monday. However, the mothers of ART twins had fewer symptoms of depression before the birth than did mothers of twins conceived spontaneously. "This may be due to better counseling and preparation of infertile couples for twins," Dr Leila Unkila Kallio told the conference. "The good mental health during pregnancy may also reflect the couples' satisfaction with successful treatment and fulfilment of hopes for parenthood," she added. After birth, fa... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1593966 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:54:00 +0100 1593966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1542112&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F24%2Fthere-was-no-pregnancy-pact-pregnant-gloucester-teen-speaks-out%2F Last week, TIME magazine reported on an alleged “pregnancy pact” made by teens at Gloucester High School, with school principal Joseph Sullivan claiming that “some girls seemed more upset when they weren’t pregnant than when they were” and indicating “early half the expecting students, none older than 16, confessed to making a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together.” Yesterday, it was reported that there may not have been a pregnancy pact at all, and that the principal is “foggy” in his memory of how he heard such a thing in the first place. You know, because when there are 17 pregnant teens (4 times the usual number) in a 1,200-student high school and you hear that they formed a “pact” to become pregnant, that... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1542112 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:28:15 +0100 1542112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1487689&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F03%2Fobos-post-had-a-c-section-you-could-pay-more-for-health-insurance-be-denied-coverage%2F Yesterday at the Our Bodies Ourselves Blog, we talk about that New York Times story of a woman denied individual health insurance coverage because she had a previous cesarean section. A teaser: “I find this extremely troubling, because it appears that some insurers are using this tactic to simply deny coverage to pregnant women.” Go read the rest. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1487689 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:36:07 +0100 1487689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1369097&cid=t_377744_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F04%2F13%2Fthe-sunday-sidebar-10%2F Lots of interesting news this week. Let’s talk transplants… US doctors at John Hopkins Hospital recently performed what is believed to be the world’s first simulanteous six-way kidney transplant. Can you imagine that? Twelve people were operated on at the same time, with kidneys removed from six people and transplanted into six other people. Why all at once? In the words of Jeanne Heise who received a kidney from one donor while her husband was donating a kidney to another patient… “The waiting list for a kidney is very long and too many people die while waiting. With this group procedure, more and more people can beat kidney disease and live long productive lives.” John Hopkins Hospital helped pioneer this system which matches up several groups of peopl... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1369097 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:06:34 +0100 1369097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215316&cid=t_377744_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F230864224%2F   Researcher Ali S. Khashan of the University of Manchester, England and colleagues  report that women who undergo an extremely stressful event during the first three months of pregnancy have an increased risk of having children who develop schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a disabling condition associated with abnormal brain structure and function, and it is believed to begin in early brain development. Risk of the condition is influenced by susceptibility genes that can interact with environmental factors that occur during pregnancy.   The researchers’ data was drawn from 1.38 million Danish births occurring between 1973 and 1995. A national registry linked mothers to close family members, and the registry identified if mothers had experienced stressful events during pregnancy ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215316 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:36:16 +0100 1215316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1192704&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F31%2Fon-sushi-mercury-and-womens-health-cant-see-the-pollution-for-the-fish%2F Amidst the relentless recent coverage of mercury in tuna, sushi and fish in general, I’ve read and heard a lot of hand-wringing over what is and is not a safe level of mercury, and how it’s really the pregnant women, the breastfeeding women, the pre-pregnant women (get it? the women!) who need to worry, but I haven’t heard one account that actually addresses how all this mercury gets in the fish in the first place. In case you thought mercury fairies were poisoning your sushi just to ruin your trips to big coastal cities, here’s what the EPA says: Mercury is found in the environment as a result of natural and human activities. The amount of mercury that cycles in the environment has increased since the industrial age. The main source of mercury is air emissions fro... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1192704 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:12:17 +0100 1192704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1158081&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F17%2Fwic-program-barely-increasing-access-to-fruits-veggies%2F The WIC program to improve low-income women and children’s nutritional status is being revised, and it is finally going to cover produce (other than carrots - did you know that baby carrots were explicitly excluded?). What’s the big improvement? A whopping $8/month in produce coverage. Read more in my post at Our Bodies Our Blog. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1158081 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:15:32 +0100 1158081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1125893&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F02%2Fmandatory-hiv-testing-of-pregnant-women%2F That’s what I’m talking about at OBOS today, in response to New Jersey’s new law requiring all pregnant women to submit to HIV testing (with an opt-out provision). It’s a tricky issue, and raises lots of questions. Come on over and discuss it with us. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1125893 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:48:07 +0100 1125893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1105973&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F19%2Fcdc-releases-data-on-the-pre-pregnant%2F The CDC released new data on the “preconception” status of women. Some of it’s not so useful in practical terms. Find out why at Our Bodies Our Blog. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1105973 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:38:34 +0100 1105973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1099956&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F17%2Facogs-conscience-statement-on-refusing-care-due-to-religious-beliefs%2F The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has released a statement on “conscientious refusal in reproductive medicine,” intended to guide providers and spurred on by incidents of contraception, abortion, and fertility treatment refusals. Naturally, anti-choice groups (many of whom are *not* professional medical organizations) have written ACOG a letter asking that it be withdrawn. Find out more, with links to the statement and response documents, in my post at Our Bodies Our Blog. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1099956 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:37:31 +0100 1099956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024140&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F13%2Fassorted-goodies%2F My most recent post at the OBOS blog covers a new breastfeeding advocacy group, donations to the U.N. Population Fund, external influences on pregnancy, and weird news of the day. You all can let me know if you get tired of the pointers to over there, but I’ll probably keep posting them anyway, since the content is so closely related to this place. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024140 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:26:05 +0100 1024140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1019299&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F11%2Fyour-yucky-body%2F Last month, I posted in response to a New York Times article on “the mommy makeover,” and the idiocy of titling the piece “Is the ‘Mommy Makeover’ Really Necessary?” For background on the topic, including plastic surgeons’ references to mama’s bodies as “deformed,” see that post. Clever cartoonist Mikhaela has summed up the silliness with this installment (republished with permission): Heh. View more of Mikhaela’s political cartoons in her Flickr set. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1019299 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:08:06 +0100 1019299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1002727&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F04%2Fmiscarriage-and-infertility-blogs%2F I was introduced to the blog “Missed Conceptions” several months ago, and then began poking around for other miscarriage and infertility blogs to share with my readers. I’m sure there are many other related blogs that I’ve missed, but here are a few that attracted my attention. Feel free to leave additional site suggestions in the comments. Behind Schedule Babies or Not babyfruit A Brief History of You The Conceivable Future I Don’t Want Sextuplets Endo-a-Go-Go The Follie Files The Hardest Quest Into the Rabbit Hole A Little Pregnant A Little Sweetness Looking for Two Lines, and Other Ramblings - Includes a blogroll separated by those trying to establish/complete a pregnancy, and those who have been successful. My F*cked Up Uterus The Other Shoe Pee-Sticks an... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1002727 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 16:46:47 +0100 1002727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=927638&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F04%2Fis-the-mommy-makeover-really-necessary%2F An article in today’s New York Times poses this very question, asking whether plastic surgery to erase the signs of motherhood, often including a boob job, tummy tuck, and lipo, is “necessary.” Well, of course it’s not “necessary,” which implies that there is some kind of medical need - these ladies aren’t burn victims, they’re mothers. One plastic surgeon quoted for the piece, and currently marketing the “mommy makeover,” says, “The severe physical trauma of pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding can have profound negative effects that cause women to lose their hourglass figures.” You know, women, you may be in charge of raising the next generation, but you better be damn sure you’re a MILF. Please. If you c... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=927638 Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:51:09 +0100 927638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=847108&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F09%2F06%2Fmiscarriage-not-a-crime-after-all%2F Last week, a fetus was found at a West Virginia sewage pump station, and local police completely lost it, getting an autopsy, soliciting tips from the public and calling hospitals in the investigation of a possible “crime,” which just about everybody reading the story agreed was probably some poor woman having had a miscarriage at home. In an update to this story, the medical examiner has concluded that the tiny fetus did indeed die of “natural causes,” the event has been *officially* deemed a miscarriage, and “After discussing the medical examiner’s findings with the prosecutor’s office, officials decided no crime had been committed.” Well good. I’m so relieved that if I ever suffer a personal tragic event in the privacy of my own home... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=847108 Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:38:08 +0100 847108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=829728&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F29%2Fmiscarriage-or-crime%2F On Monday, a fetus was found at a sewage pump station in Morgantown, WV. According to news articles, anything larger than 3/4 of an inch gets trapped by the screen, and “it’s likely the fetus was flushed down a toilet.” Another article indicates that the fetus was not full term, which seems obvious given that they assume it was able to get through toilet plumbing. The fetus has been sent to state medical examiners for further investigation including possible determination of age, sex, and race. The thing that gives me the willies? “Morgantown Police Sergeant Matt Metheney said police aren’t certain whether a crime has been committed [because the fetus was “so small”]. They’re trying to locate the mother of the “unborn child” to le... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=829728 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:22:23 +0100 829728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=818613&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F23%2Fhow-to-avoid-a-c-section%2F CNN has a new entry in their listy health pages, focusing on five ways to avoid having a cesarean section. The suggestions are: 1. Don’t get induced unless medically necessary [medically necessary happens less often that you think] 2. Labor at home until you’re approximately 3 centimeters dilated 3. Choose your hospital, and your practitioner, carefully 4. In the delivery room, ask questions if your practitioner says you need a C-section 5. Get a doula [I would add, or use a midwife] Go read why these suggestions are important. PS- Old folks get it on (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=818613 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:30:56 +0100 818613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=818614&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F23%2Fwomens-health-interview-series-1-rebirth-blogger%2F I am interviewing bloggers and others who work in or write about an area of women’s health, and am kicking off the series with an interview with the blogger from REBIRTH. REBIRTH caught my attention with a childbirth education series that explains some basics of labor in clear, understandable language. If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact me. When did you start blogging, and why, and what do you hope that you and your readers get out of it? Who is your target audience? I started blogging a year ago. I actually got started with a knitting blog, which has since gone by the wayside. I came across some nurse blogs and thought, “Hey, I have lots to say, too!” And so began The Life & Times of a Labor Nurse in September 2006. My hope was that readers o... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=818614 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:00:07 +0100 818614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816461&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F22%2Fwhen-sex-ed-isnt-comprehensive%2F This exchange from At Your Cervix illustrates why many folks need a little more in the way of sex education. It’s funny, in that kind of sad way. [Note: Blogger seems to be having issues, so if the above link doesn’t work, go here and scroll down to the “Phone Triage” post] (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816461 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:32:34 +0100 816461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=810810&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F20%2Fexpanding-midwifery-care-to-the-underserved%2F Nurse-midwives from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing have begun offering delivery services at General Hospital, Nashville’s city hospital which provides care primarily to underserved and underinsured populations, regardless of ability to pay. According to this piece, the nurse-midwives are splitting their practice to provide prenatal and women’s health care at the Vine Hill Community Clinic (which also focuses on affordable care for the underserved) in addition to their Vanderbilt offices. The practice expects to deliver about 300 babies at General over the next 12 months. This new arrangement will also help VUSN train more midwives by creating a new location for clinical rotations. Kudos to the nurse-midwives for taking this step toward bringing low-intervention and pr... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=810810 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:59:57 +0100 810810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=805584&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F17%2Fsome-people-are-just-crazy%2F A dairy farmer in Maryland attempted to poison a woman he had gotten pregnant by spiking her soda with a hormone “given to cows in the breeding process to bring all cows in heat at the same time. It can also be used to stimulate an early term abortion in a heifer that gets pregnant too young or a cow that mates with an undesired bull.” He apparently took the “why buy the cow” analogy a bit too far, and said he “didn’t mean to harm Tucker, just to cause her to miscarry” - he had wanted her to have an abortion. Right, because trying to poison somebody and force them to miscarry against their will isn’t really “harm.” Ugh. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=805584 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:43:13 +0100 805584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=794133&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F12%2Fohio-group-pushing-for-broader-maternity-leave%2F As the New York Times reports, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission has proposed maternity leave protections that exceed the protections offered by Federal FMLA law. The Federal law only offers protections to works who have been employed at the same place for 12 months or 1250 hours, whereas the Ohio proposal would prohibit “distinctions based upon length of service.” Likewise, the Federal law only protects workers at businesses that employ 50 or more people, whereas the NYTimes reports that Ohio would apply protections to workers where 4 or more people are employed, although this distinction is not clear in the proposal text. Some business types are opposing the change. Tony Fiore, director of labor and human resources policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, says there’s ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=794133 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 14:49:11 +0100 794133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=785507&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F07%2Fis-your-baby-too-big-for-your-pelvis%2F Guinever, a doula, says that’s probably bunk. Go read her advice to a woman whose doc wants to induce her at 38-39 weeks for this reason. There is a teensy bit of medical literature on “cephalopelvic disproportion,” (or, head too big for pelvis) “fetopelvic disproportion,” (fetus, and its head, too big for pelvis) and “pelvimetry,” (trying to measure all that supposed disproportion) but I won’t have time to dig into it tonight - look for an update soon. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=785507 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:11:33 +0100 785507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=785508&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F07%2Frebirths-childbirth-ed-series-part-3%2F REBIRTH, the blog of a labor nurse/midwifery student, has the third installment of its Childbirth Ed series. This segment explains Braxton-Hicks contractions, lightening, nesting, GI changes, effacement, dilation, and the mucous plug. I can’t get enough of this - the blogger presents this information in a very useful, understandable manner. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=785508 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:42:10 +0100 785508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=782723&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F06%2Fdoulas-highlighted-by-cnn%2F CNN has a piece today, “Doulas deliver help for birthing moms.” There are reportedly now more than 2,500 certified doulas in the United States providing support to pregnant women before, during, and after labor. A smattering of doula blogs: Radical Doula Sarah the Doula Hula Doula Vancouver Doula Doulicia Cooler Doula (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=782723 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:05:28 +0100 782723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780600&cid=t_377744_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F05%2Fpresented-without-comment-natural-family-planning-vs-contraceptive%2F Three videos, presented in the style of the “Get a Mac” Mac vs. PC ads. My understanding is that these guys are Catholic seminary students, so naturally it is “contraception” in the dorky, useless PC role. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780600 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:23:37 +0100 780600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=557259&cid=t_377744_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F110627238%2F A Florida bill to require DNA testing of pregnant girls under the age of 14 has been voted down. The bill would have asked doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers (including abortion providers) to collect DNA from the girl and her fetus for the purpose of identifying the father for prosecution. Sex with minors under the age of 16 in Florida is a crime. Opponents are concerned that: Young pregnant girls would be discouraged from seeking healthcare for fear their boyfriends would be prosecuted. (Although I wonder how many teenagers keep up with legislation surrounding pregnancy.) Confidentiality between a doctor and a patient would be violated. (Healthcare providers already have to report instances of child abuse although presumably they’d use their best judgment as to whether t... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=557259 Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:13:08 +0100 557259