Healthy Living /

Pregnancy

What it’s like to have a stroke at 30 and pregnant

Healthy Living

Jun 10, 2019

Pregnancy is a magical time in any woman’s life, but mine turned out to be quite different from what I had imagined. I was seven months pregnant with my first child when the unexpected happened. What started as a quick...

Geriatric pregnancy: Waiting later in life to have a baby

Healthy Living

Apr 30, 2019

As a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist for more than two decades, I think the term “geriatric pregnancy” is a bit of an exaggeration. When I think of the word “geriatric,” I think of older ladies enjoying their retirement years after having spent...

Should you consider a birth plan?

Healthy Living

Apr 15, 2019

Birth plans. Let’s go there. I am often asked when a woman should start preparing her birth plan. My answer might surprise you — never. It’s important to note that every woman is different. Some women advocate strongly for having a...

How to recognize the signs of postpartum depression

Healthy Living

Mar 27, 2019

It’s time we talk openly about a condition that affects more women than you might realize — postpartum depression. It often starts something like this…  Here you are. Mother of two. Living the dream. Two weeks ago, you delivered your...

How to cope with the emotional stress of infertility

Healthy Living

Mar 19, 2019

The joy of pursuing pregnancy can quickly morph into frustration, as the days turn into weeks and months of waiting and hoping. You may be ready to make that leap into parenthood — but your body might not be. Have...

What to expect if your baby is born premature

Healthy Living

Jan 28, 2019

The birth of your child is a day you look forward to with excitement, but you may also be experiencing some anxiety. What if something goes wrong? What if my baby isn’t healthy?First of all, it’s normal to worry. One...

Four generations of one family born at Baylor University Medical Center

Healthy Living

Jan 11, 2019

Welcoming a new baby into the family is always a joyous occasion but for the Hartley family, little Emersyn Jane’s arrival was even more momentous. As she entered the world on Dec. 17, 2018, Emersyn’s birth marked the fourth generation...

Is it real labor contractions or Braxton Hicks?

Healthy Living

Nov 1, 2018

If you’re a first-time mom-to-be, you have probably thought some of these questions: When should I go to the hospital? What do real labor contractions feel like? How will I know when it’s the “real thing?”It is completely normal to...

When breastfeeding might not be right for you

Healthy Living

Sep 17, 2018

Becoming a mother is an exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming experience. Everyone has an opinion on how to manage your pregnancy, birthing experience and raising your new bundle of joy. As an obstetrics and gynecology physician assistant, one of the most frequently...

Moms-to-be, pack these things in your hospital bag before childbirth

Healthy Living

Aug 18, 2018

These days, there is so much information on the internet and amongst friends about every aspect of pregnancy, labor and postpartum. Many expectant mothers spend a lot of time thinking about what they will pack in their hospital bag for...

Expecting a baby? Look for these 5 services in the hospital where you will deliver

Healthy Living

Aug 1, 2018

From the moment you take a pregnancy test and the plus sign appears, your whole world changes in an instant. A rush of emotions take over, promptly followed by a lengthy to-do list.✓ Schedule appointment with OB/GYN✓ Buy prenatal vitamins✓...

Fertility 101: What you need to know about getting pregnant

Healthy Living

Jul 26, 2018

Attempting to get pregnant is an exciting time for most women. However, in the midst of that excitement, you probably have quite a few questions too.Here are some simple tips from an OB/GYN to help you further understand your body...

Wireless heart monitors improve labor experience for expectant mothers

Healthy Living

Jul 20, 2018

When the joyous day arrives, and it is time to deliver a baby, the number one priority of a mother is to successfully bring her child into the world. During labor, fetal heart rate monitoring is one of the critical...

Am I pregnant or is it PMS?

Healthy Living

Jun 26, 2018

Fatigue, cramping and mood swings. Could it be Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or a sign of pregnancy? For a woman attempting to conceive, there are certain symptoms that mimic early pregnancy, especially if you struggle with PMS.As an OB/GYN, I’m here...

Laughing gas a new alternative to ease labor pains

Healthy Living

Jun 21, 2018

Over the last 16 years, I have had the absolute privilege of helping countless moms navigate the journey of childbirth. Childbirth has always been one of the most unique and individualized experiences a family will go through. Every birth story...

Kangaroo care: The importance of skin-to-skin contact after birth

Healthy Living

Jun 5, 2018

Nine months of anticipation and growing love for this little person developing inside of you all come down to this one priceless moment — the delivery of your baby! You hear that first precious cry and you want nothing more...

What ultrasounds can tell you about the health of your baby

Healthy Living

May 21, 2018

Ultrasound technology is an amazing tool that gives us the opportunity to see the living fetus. For parents expecting a child, it provides a thrilling glimpse at the child they’re preparing to bring into the world.This wasn’t always an option....

Sciatica during pregnancy: How to relieve the pain

Healthy Living

Nov 19, 2017

For those moms out there who are carrying babies, there can be a number of aches and pains. You may find yourself hurting in places you never thought possible and kicking your feet up after a long day.Carrying a baby...

5 things you need to know about pregnancy after breast cancer

Healthy Living

Oct 31, 2017

Today, more and more women are surviving breast cancer, which means more and more are concerned about what life after treatment looks like. It’s a problem created by our own success — because more women are surviving, we’re now looking...

6 common health issues that affect new mothers

Healthy Living

Oct 10, 2017

When you have a baby, it’s natural to focus on the child’s health. Although your little one’s development is marvelous, you might also experience changes — and they need attention, too. Many people focus on how to prepare for pregnancy...