GynoFiles

In pregnancy we have come to realize the shorter a cervix is, for the given stage of pregnancy, the more at risk the mom is for preterm birth. Oddly we know very little about why some pregnancies are destined to go overdue. first babies, previous late pregnancies, obesity, and genetics are the most commonly associated factors with prolonged pregnancies over 42 weeks. But, it's really not known why a particular pregnancy doesn't deliver by the due date. In a study from Northwestern University School of Medicine, published in Obstetrics and Gynecology September 2015 they studied over 9000 women, having their first baby, and found that the longer the cervix at 18-24 weeks, the more likely the pregnancy was going to be over due. Rates over 4.91 cm at that stage of pregnancy were associated with the latest pregnancies.Routine measurement of the cervix in the second trimester is almost always done now. The screening has been intended to predict who may be at risk for premature deli...

Balance in pregnancy changes, and it changes every few weeks. Between the posture changes, and the center of gravity changes, and the weight gain, even eyesight changes (but in some studies is actually better), changes in hearing in all individuals can affect balance , moms have lots of challenges to being upright all of the time! And occasionally you will slip and fall, in spite of being very careful not to when you are pregnant. So gynos will often have to check a mom for falls and accidents. If you have had a major accident , for instance a car accident, while pregnant, this is a serious concern, and you need emergency room evaluation in a setting that can handle high risk pregnancies. A minor fall is a very different kind of event, but still one that should make you contact your prenatal care provider. If  you have severe pain or bleeding, that is an emergency. If you are sore and just have some bruises, it's time to get in for a check up, no matter how far into your p...

If a patient calls and says she has cramping or pain and a positive pregnancy test, we want to see that patient promptly to get a diagnosis of how far pregnant, and then why she is in pain. Early pregnancy tests are so widely available and so accurate, most women today know they are pregnant when hardly a period day has been missed. Due to the fact that women find out they are pregnant so early, it is not uncommon to feel slight cramping in early pregnancy. Cramping or pain with bleeding is a more significant sign of possible miscarriage, but you cannot tell on the amount of bleeding alone. Later in pregnancy the cramping a woman experiences is probably just the on and off contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions and yet they may actually be labor pains. In general women are asked to have a plan as to when to call their physician if they have cramping. Full term is between 259 and 293 days of pregnancy, and the average is 280, in truth the uterus contracts during most of those...