Women’s health experts discuss the benefits of folic acid before and during pregnancy
Women’s health experts in the Alpharetta and Atlanta Ga area describe folic acid as a pregnancy superhero. Taking the recommended amount of folic acid before and during your pregnancy can help to prevent birth defects to your newborn’s spinal cord and brain.

If you are planning to become pregnant, it is important to take folic acid approximately two to three months before conceiving. It’s understandable that it can sometimes be hard to predict when you will become pregnant, but proper planning will give you a chance to build folic acid in your body to give you and your baby the chance to stay healthy.

Why is folic acid important during this time?
Folic acid is found in many fortified foods and supplements and is a B vitamin. It is also a synthetic form of folate. Folic acid is used by your body to produce DNA and make new cells. This is required for normal development and growth throughout your lifetime.

Taking folic acid will be vital before and during your pregnancy. It is an important vitamin that aids in your baby’s organ development.

Taking folic acid before conceiving can help prevent birth defects including neural tube defects such as encephalocele, spina bifida, and anencephaly.

When to start taking it
If you wish to become pregnant it is recommended that you should take folic acid supplements before trying to conceive.

This is because any neural tube defects can occur very early in development, often before you even know that you are pregnant.

Since many pregnancies are unplanned, it is recommended that anyone who can become pregnant take folic acid supplements. Doing this will ensure that the likelihood of any neural tube defects is low even if the pregnancy is a surprise.

Anyone that is taking folic acid supplements will need to take it every day since it is water-soluble and is metabolized by your body very quickly.

How much should you take?
It is recommended that you take a 400mcg supplement each day. You can get these supplements from most supermarkets, pharmacies, and health food stores. Your doctor may even prescribe them to you.

Some pregnancy multivitamin tablets can also provide you with the recommended amount of folic acid. If you decide to take this route, be sure that the tablet does not contain any vitamin A. High doses of this vitamin can cause problems with development in the first three months of your pregnancy.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
Women’s health experts recommend folic acid because it is a key vitamin for anyone who is looking to become pregnant. If you are trying to conceive you should speak to your doctor about the proper dosage of folic acid and if you are already pregnant your doctor can perform a folic acid test to determine how much folic acid is already in your blood system.

Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

​Women’s health specialist shares how to manage menopause
Top women’s health experts can help you to deal with the bodily changes that will occur during this stage in your life, every person’s experience with menopause will be different and it may feel both isolating and frustrating. This is the reason why self-care during this time is important.

The terms perimenopause and menopause are used interchangeably, however, they both describe changes that are experienced just before or after the last period. Menopause is described as the last menstrual period, and it is confirmed when you haven’t had a period for 12 months consecutively.

What will happen during menopause?
Early on during their transition, women will often begin to have symptoms that can become disruptive such as mood disturbance and sleeplessness even while periods are still happening during a regular cycle. The higher levels of estrogen that accompany early perimenopause can mean that you will experience heavy bleeding, tender, swollen breasts, and increased premenstrual symptoms.

As you approach your late 30’s, your ovaries will begin to produce less estrogen and progesterone, these are the hormones that regulate your menstruation, and your fertility will start to decline. By the age of 40, you will begin noticing your periods start becoming more erratic and less frequent. On average, by your early 50’s, your ovaries will eventually stop releasing eggs and your periods will stop completely.

Should you see your doctor?
It is important for you to know if you're experiencing light or mild symptoms, that the symptoms of menopause might start to disappear on their own. However, you should see your doctor if your symptoms are beginning to interfere with the quality of your life and interrupt your regular daily activities. The symptoms of menopause are common, however, your quality of life does not have to suffer because of it.

To help manage your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe specific treatments. They may also provide you with some extra counseling or guidance in other aspects of your health that can possibly be affected by your menopause.

Managing your menopause
Your options for managing your menopause will be customized to your own needs and your medical history. One or more of the following may be prescribed by your doctor:

• Vaginal cream
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Low-dose antidepressants
• Natural supplements
• Changes to your diet and exercise

Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA: outlook for menopause
Going through the menopause, as with other major life changes, can leave you feeling slightly unbalanced and unsure of what is going to happen next. The symptoms that are experienced with menopause can last from a few months to years after your last period and can be unpredictable. Your doctor is there to help you no matter wherever you are in the process.

Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health specialist advises on how to prepare for a c-section
Women’s health specialist says that there are many reasons as to why a c-section, or Caesarean Section, might be the best option for you to meet your baby. After laboring and pushing, sometimes it may be needed. It can be needed due to a medical complication that would not make vaginal birth possible. Many are planned as a personal preference. There is plenty that you can do, regardless of your reasons why you are having one, to plan for the best birth experience for any scenario.

Setting the date
You may have just a few days or several week's notice to prepare depending on the reason for your scheduled c-section. Your doctor will often set a general frame of time for the birth and you will then work with the appointment scheduler in the office to set a date and time. Some may require you to call the hospital to set the date but many OBGYN offices will make the appointment for you.

You will most likely be asked to preregister at the hospital where your baby will be born once the surgical appointment has been made. This may include providing the information that is on your insurance card and your prenatal records. You also may be asked to pre-certify your hospital stay with your insurance provider.

This will also be a good time to get an idea about what you can expect after surgery by scheduling a tour of the hospital and learn about their different policies.

You may also be asked to have a special consult with either your baby’s doctor or specialist or with your anesthesiologist when you schedule the surgery. These consultations may take place the morning of your procedure or weeks before the surgery depending on the scheduled date of your c-section.

Making preparations
With a scheduled c-section, many women will opt to craft a birthing plan. A birth plan for your c-section should have things such as who will be there with you during the procedure if videos or photos will be allowed, and preferred type of anesthesia, also plans for when the baby is born, including no pacifiers and who will follow the baby to the nursery.

Many women find that having a birth plan, while not necessary, gives them peace of mind and a feeling of some degree of control during a time of uncertainty.

While in the hospital, you might also want to make plans for taking care of your home. Most women will require a three-day stay at the hospital following a c-section. If your hospital is far from your home, you may want to enlist some outside help.

If you have any pets, you may need to take this time to make arrangements to have someone walk or feed them.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
Women’s health experts in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA also want to remind you will be taken to a recovery room following the birth of your baby. Your pulse, blood pressure, and respiration will be closely monitored. You may also be given oxygen through a tube that will loosely fit into your nostrils. You will be given some time to be acquainted with your newborn.
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Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA: how does your diet affect your menopause?
Women’s health experts say that following a menopause diet plan will help you avoid drinks and food that might worsen symptoms and will have negative effects on hormones. A properly considered menopause diet will also help with weight loss and make you feel healthier and more active.

What changes happen during menopause?
Your estrogen hormone will begin to decline during the transition to menopause, disrupting your normal cycle patterns of progesterone and estrogen.

Declining levels of estrogen will negatively impact your metabolism and potentially lead to weight gain. How your body digests carbs and your cholesterol levels might be affected by these changes.

Difficulty sleeping and hot flashes are symptoms that many women experience during this period.

Also, these changes to your hormones can lead to a bone density decline, which can increase your risk of bone fractures.

Fortunately, to relieve symptoms of menopause, you can make changes to your diet.

Foods to eat
Evidence has shown that certain foods may help some symptoms of menopause, such as poor sleep, hot flashes, and low bone density.

Dairy products
An increased risk of fractures can be the result of declining estrogen levels during menopause.

Dairy Products such as yogurt, cheese, and milk contain calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin K and D, all of which are essential for bone health.

Also, there has been some evidence that has linked the consumption of dairy to a decreased risk of premature menopause.

Healthy fats
Women going through menopause may benefit from healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids.

A review study concluded that omega-3 supplements can decrease the severity of night sweats and the frequency of hot flashes.

So, it may be worth testing to see if you can increase your omega-3 to improve your symptoms related to menopause.

Whole grains
A diet high in whole grains has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, premature death, and cancer.

Whole grains are high in nutrients, including B vitamins and fiber.

A study has shown that postmenopausal women eating 4.7 grams of whole-grain fiber reduced the risk of early death by 17%.

Fruits and vegetables
Packed with vitamins and minerals, fiber and antioxidants American dietary guidelines recommend filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables.

In a one-year study of menopausal women, those who ate more fruits and vegetables experienced a 19% reduction in hot flashes.

Foods to avoid
You can also reduce some of the symptoms linked to menopause, such as weight gain, how flashes, and poor sleep but avoiding certain foods.

Processed carbs and added sugars
A higher rate of hot flashes has been linked with high blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance.

Limiting your intake of processed foods and added sugars, such as baked goods, crackers, and white bread may help reduce hot flashes.

Caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol can trigger hot flashes, according to studies.

In a study of 196 menopausal women, alcohol and caffeine intake increased hot flashes severity but not the frequency.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
The women’s health experts suggest speaking with your OBGYN and learn how you can treat the symptoms of menopause. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health experts and high-risk pregnancy management
When women’s health experts tell you that your pregnancy is at high risk can feel concerning whether it is your first pregnancy or your third. It is a term that can describe a wide array of common conditions. Many of them are conditions you might have developed during delivery or while pregnant, they can also be related to any pre-existing conditions you may have had before you became pregnant.

Your pregnancy will not necessarily be more challenging or difficult than a low-risk pregnancy. However, it does sometimes mean that you will undergo more monitoring and consult a maternal-fetal medicine specialist compared to someone with a low-risk pregnancy.

What does it mean to have a high-risk pregnancy?
You will need extra care to have a healthy pregnancy because of your particular health situation when you have a high-risk pregnancy. Health conditions and circumstances such as HIV, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia are all applied to the term high-risk.

What are the symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy?
It is often difficult to distinguish the symptoms of a typical pregnancy from symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy. However, the symptoms will be far more severe and may last longer than a normal pregnancy. During a pregnancy that is high-risk a woman may experience:

• Severe cramping and pain in the lower abdomen
• Blurred vision and other noticeable changes in vision
• Decreased fetal movement
• Persistent headaches
• Burning sensations while urinating
• Vaginal bleeding
• Watery and clear vaginal discharge
• Frequent contractions

What steps can be taken to have a healthy pregnancy?
Always stick to the basics, whether you simply want to do whatever you can to prevent a high-risk pregnancy or you already know ahead of time that you will have a high-risk pregnancy.

• Have a preconception appointment scheduled. Consult your health care provider if you’re thinking about becoming pregnant. Before you become pregnant, he or she might counsel you to start taking daily prenatal vitamins with folic acid and to gain a healthy weight.
• Seek regular care. Prenatal visits will help your doctor monitor the baby’s and your health. You may even be referred to a specialist.
• Avoid risky substances. Quit smoking. Illegal drugs and alcohol are now off-limits. Any over-the-counter and prescription drugs that you are taking should be discussed with your doctor.

Additional tests may be recommended to further assess the development and health of the baby, in addition to regular screening exams. These may include a targeted ultrasound, which can provide doctors with detailed information compared to standard testing.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
You may be referred to a specialist in genetics or maternal-fetal medicine in addition to your visits with your regular obstetrician.
Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women's health: a guide to a natural childbirth
Women's health experts at your local OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta can help if you have made the decision to have a natural childbirth. If this is your goal, education and preparation can help you have a natural childbirth without any unnecessary intervention. However, you should always keep in mind that it may not always be possible. Medical intervention may be necessary to protect your baby and you this is because labor and delivery are unpredictable.

It is still worth knowing all of your options beforehand so that you can be comfortable with your decision if natural childbirth is something that you want to try.

What is natural childbirth?
All types of childbirth can be considered natural and there is no right way to bring a baby into the world. Natural childbirth can involve a variety of choices but has historically been referred to as vaginal labor and delivery with no or limited amounts of medication. The whole experience of giving birth is a very personal one and it's up to you to determine your situation and what natural childbirth means to you.

Natural childbirth might be chosen because it can help you feel more in control of the process, or because you want to feel a deeper connection to the experience. If you have a low-risk pregnancy, natural childbirth may be an option for you. Your doctor will help you to decide if it is a safe option for your baby and you.

What are some of the benefits of natural childbirth?
Women who choose an unmedicated birth are able to do so because they know what their bodies are capable of without medicine. Other benefits include the ability to move as a method to cope with the pain, because you can move easier pushing will be more effective, and you will be able to walk sooner after you give birth to your baby.

Where is a natural birth done?
You may choose to deliver in a setting where natural childbirth is the main focus such as a birth center. You will have the ability to get in a position that is more comfortable for you, move around during labor, and even spend time in a tub or jacuzzi. You can even use a handheld ultrasound device to monitor the baby. Relaxation techniques, visualization, cold and warm compresses, massage, and hydrotherapy are often used as comfort measures. You will also be able to drink and eat whenever you choose.

Having a more natural childbirth is possible in many hospitals these days. A natural approach can be taken in the hospitals' birth centers, but, if needed, any medical intervention is also nearby. A homelike setting where you can deliver and recover without needing to move can happen in these hospitals that have modified their birthing center.

Women's health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA – OBGYN Natural childbirth plan
The women's health experts in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA recommend that you think through what you want and why, discuss it with your birthing team, and outline your plan. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health experts: what is endometriosis?
Women’s health experts describe endometriosis as an often painful diagnosis, it is a growth inside of the uterus that consists of tissue that is similar to the tissue that already lines the inside of the uterus. It is very rare for endometrial tissue to spread outside of the pelvic organs and most commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. Endometriosis is a common condition that affects approximately two to ten percent of women of childbearing age.

The pelvic region of a woman’s body can become inflamed and painful during the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle and affect the misplaced tissue. The tissue will then grow, get thicker, and break down and over time the broken-down tissue has nowhere to go and stays trapped in the pelvis. The trapped tissue can cause irritation, formation of scars, severe period pain, and fertility problems.

Endometriosis symptoms
The most common indication of endometriosis is a pain in the pelvis. Other symptoms will vary, some may experience mild symptoms whereas other women will have moderate or severe symptoms. While pain is a symptom of endometriosis, the level of pain that is experienced isn’t an indication of the degree of severity. You can have a large amount of pain with only a mild form of the condition, or you can have a more severe form of it and only experience some mild discomfort.

Other symptoms of endometriosis can include painful, periods, lower abdomen pain before and during menstruation, infertility, and more. It is very important that you have regular exams with your gynecologist, you may show no symptoms at all and still have the disease, a regular visit will give the doctor a chance to monitor any changes. This is very important if you have multiple symptoms.

Treatment for endometriosis
Endometriosis can be treated with either medications or surgery, in some cases, both may be needed. If left untreated, this condition can be a disruption to your life. There is no cure for endometriosis but the symptoms can be managed.

Your women’s health doctor will first try more conservative forms of treatment, if conditions don’t improve surgery may then be recommended. Results of these treatments will vary from person to person but your doctor will help you along the way to determine which form of treatment will be best for you.

Other treatments, such as hormonal medications, will not be suitable for women who are looking to conceive, so it is important to discuss the goals of treatment if you are looking to improve your fertility, your doctor will let you know the best course of action.

Women’s health experts in Atlanta and Alpharetta will help you treat endometriosis
Many women believe that pain during a period is normal and doesn’t require any attention. It is important for any potential issues to be addressed early, so speaking with your Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecological experts when your experiencing pain that is higher than normal. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health specialists state that it matters! Let’s dig in. So, cholesterol and triglycerides, we hear about them all the time. Even foods that might seem good for you on the surface, like fruit-filled yogurt or bran muffins, can contribute to abnormal levels if they contain too much saturated fat or refined sugar. What’s more, many women are at risk for high cholesterol and don’t realize it.

Scarier still: Triglycerides, a type of blood fat typically measured alongside cholesterol, are even riskier in women compared with men. This is a problem because women’s cholesterol levels can fluctuate quite a bit after menopause and tend to increase with age, putting us at greater risk of heart disease and stroke. Knowing your cholesterol numbers and how to control them is a big step toward staying healthy.

Women's health: Understanding the highs and lows of cholesterol
You know that too much is dangerous. But what is cholesterol, anyway? Where does it come from? And is it all bad? Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in every cell in the body. It’s either made by the body or absorbed from food. Your body needs cholesterol to make important steroid hormones such as Estrogen, progesterone, and vitamin D. It’s also used to make bile acids in the liver; these absorb fat during digestion.

So, some cholesterol is necessary — but bad cholesterol is something you can do without. Excess bad cholesterol in the bloodstream can deposit into the body’s arteries. These deposits are called plaques and result in atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. This is the major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other vascular problems. Your total cholesterol level is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream.

What to know about triglycerides?
Women’s health specialists say that in addition to cholesterol, triglycerides are another kind of fat found in the bloodstream. Women should pay particular attention to this. “A high level of triglycerides seems to predict an even greater risk for heart disease in women compared with men”.

Triglycerides also circulate in the bloodstream on particles that may contribute to plaque formation. Many people with high triglycerides have other risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high LDL levels or low HDL levels, or abnormal blood sugar (glucose) levels. Genetic studies have also shown some association between triglycerides and cardiovascular disease.

Atlanta and Alpharetta’s best women's health clinic
It is important for both men and women in Atlanta to know how important it is to always check the cholesterol and triglycerides level. Book a consultation with your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.