 Women’s specialist: postpartum bleeding and how to manage it
A women’s specialist will explain to you that after giving birth, whether you have a Cesarean section or a vaginal delivery, you will have discharge and vaginal bleeding. This is also known as lochia. This is how your body gets rid of the extra tissue and blood in your uterus that helped to grow your baby. The first few days after the baby is born, bleeding will be its heaviest. But you may need to speak with your doctor if the heavy bleeding continues. However, you can rest assured that postpartum bleeding is temporary and normal. Why you are bleeding The blood that you see after giving birth to your baby is called lochia. It will typically last for four to six weeks after delivery and is a type of discharge that is similar to your period. It contains:
The bleeding is caused by your uterine lining when it sheds and restores itself, like during your period. The lochia will mostly be blood at first. You will most likely see more mucus than blood as the days and weeks go by. What to do if you’re bleeding The bleeding may be so heavy at first that you will need to wear a hospital pad. When you are discharged a nurse may give you some of these absorbent pads. You can start to transition to your regular menstruation pad as the bleeding slows. To prevent infection, be sure to change your pads often. Until your doctor says that it is fine to do so, don't use any tampons. You can then switch to a panty liner when the bleeding is light enough, or you are only seeing a discharge. Other postpartum bleeding tips: When possible, take it easy The process of the lochia lightening up can be slowed by overexertion. Pee as often as possible Even when your bladder doesn’t feel completely full, go to the bathroom as often as possible. Emptying your bladder will help your uterus to contract and release everything that it needs to. Use your Peri bottle You can keep your sensitive areas clean by rinsing with this, especially if you gave birth vaginally. When to look for emergency help Up to 12 weeks after giving birth, approximately 5% of women can experience something called postpartum hemorrhage. Here are the signs to keep an eye out for, seek medical attention right away if you're experiencing any of the following:
Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Your women’s specialist will be able to help you when you need medical help after noticing any abnormal signs that we have mentioned. You can save yourself from stress while also taking care of your health with timely caution and attention. It is also essential to take care of your own health while also focusing your care and attention on the new baby. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.
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 Women’s specialist talks about ovarian cysts
Our women’s specialist understands that the word “cyst” can make people a little nervous, but there has been a growth in awareness surrounding ovarian cysts over the years. It is important to learn as much as you can about this benign and relatively common condition if you are concerned that you or a loved one may have an ovarian cyst. What is an ovarian cyst? An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled or solid pocket on or in your ovary. They are common, more so in women who have not gone through menopause or are pregnant. They can be harmless and painless most of the time. You may even have one every month as a part of your monthly menstrual cycle and never know you had one. Usually, they will go away without the need for treatment on their own. When a cyst gets bigger or doesn’t go away is when it becomes a problem. It can start to be painful. Although rare, they can also be cancerous. As you get older, the chances go up. There are several different types of cysts, most don’t require treatment and are noncancerous:
Symptoms of ovarian cysts Most of the time, a cyst will be small and won’t cause any problems. If there are any symptoms, you might feel bloating, pressure, pain, or swelling in one side of your belly. This pain can come and go as well as either be dull or sharp. A cyst will sometimes need emergency attention. You should see your doctor right away if you have:
These are signs that your cyst may have caused your ovary to twist. How an ovarian cyst is treated Without you even knowing it was there, most of the time the cyst will disappear without the need for any treatment. However, you will have two options, should you have a cyst that needs treatment, either watchful waiting or surgery. When a cyst is very large, is causing other symptoms, or it might be cancerous, a doctor will then recommend surgery. Your doctor, if this is the case, might perform surgery to remove the cyst from the ovary, or remove the ovary itself from your body. Most likely, your doctor will carefully monitor a cyst with repetitive ultrasound exams. The ultrasounds will determine whether the size of the cyst or appearance has changed during the exams. Most cysts will resolve themselves without any surgical intervention needed, although it may take time. Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA A women’s specialist will quickly evaluate and diagnose an ovarian cyst. Depending on the type of cyst, the treatment will be different. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Top women’s specialist: are fibroids dangerous?
A women’s specialist will explain to their patients that a fibroid is an abnormal growth that can develop on or in the uterus. Patients can experience heavy periods and severe abdominal pain due to these tumors. Also, no symptoms or signs can be seen at all. Typically, these growths can be noncancerous or benign. However, the cause of a fibroid is unknown. Fibroids can form in many different sizes, from seedlings that are undetectable to the human eye, to big masses that can distort and increase the size of your uterus. There can either be a single fibroid or multiple fibroids. In some cases, multiple fibroids can enlarge the uterus to the point that they will reach the rib cage and add weight. During their lives, many women will experience fibroids. But because they often don’t cause any symptoms, you may not know you have one. Your doctor may accidentally find a fibroid during a prenatal ultrasound or a pelvic exam. How are they diagnosed? Usually, an ultrasound is used to diagnose any fibroids. Fibroids are usually easily seen with ultrasound and are the easiest way to see your uterus. Your doctor may perform an exam where he or she can feel if your uterus is larger than normal and will most likely suspect fibroids. The only way to diagnose a smaller fibroid is often with an ultrasound. To see exactly where the fibroids are located, your doctor may choose to have an MRI of your pelvis. Can a fibroid affect fertility? Many pregnant patients can have fibroids and unless they are interfering with your uterus lining, they should not have any negative effects on your fertility. However, if you are not able to get pregnant and you also have fibroids, having your doctor remove the fibroid can increase your chances of pregnancy. If you have fibroids during your pregnancy, they might prevent your baby from moving into the proper position with the head facing down. In these instances, your baby is most likely to be breached because of the restriction of the baby's movements to get into position because of the fibroid. How are fibroids treated? Usually, you will not need any treatment if you are not experiencing any symptoms while having fibroids. If you are experiencing symptoms, the severity of the symptoms and your condition will determine the recommended treatment. Noninvasive treatments may be of benefit to you when fibroids are interfering with the quality of your life. You can have relief from minor discomfort from acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Top women’s specialists in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA can remove as much of the fibroid that they can see, but this also means that a smaller one can be left behind. This will mean that it will have a larger supply of blood and may increase in size because of it. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Women’s specialist explains when you need to visit your OB-GYN
A women’s specialist recommends that females should start visiting their OB-GYN between the ages of 13 and 15. It is important to start these visits before becoming sexually active. Being familiar with an OB-GYN and their services can be a big benefit especially since puberty can be a difficult time. It is also recommended, around the age of 21, that women start having a pelvic exam every year. With these recommendations, there are still times where you might feel something doesn’t feel right about your body. You should never hesitate to call and make an appointment to see your OB-GYN whenever you have any concerns that you feel need to be sorted out. Your OB-GYN will know that you are the one that is the most familiar with your own body and will encourage you to be proactive about your health. It’s time to see your OB-GYN if you feel like something is wrong and you are showing any of these signs. The warning signs to look out forBurning or pain during urination You may be showing signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) if you are feeling any burning or pain when urinating. Women have a higher risk of developing a UTI than men. You might even have a fever or blood in your urine. Have your OB-GYN check your symptoms and determine how to treat them after finding out what may be causing them. Usually, antibiotics are used as the treatment for UTIs. It’s important to not ignore any symptoms and your OB-GYN will let you know what to expect if you have an infection. If left untreated, a UTI can spread and cause kidney infections or sepsis, this can be a life-threatening condition. Bleeding when it’s not time for your period It is normal for many women to see spotting in between their periods. If you’re taking the Pill, this is a common side effect. But, it’s a good idea to see your OB-GYN if you’re still bleeding heavily or it keeps going for a few days. This can be a symptom of cysts, polyps, pelvic infection, fibroids, or in more rare cases, gynecological cancer. This is usually not a big deal during pregnancy because it is pretty common, but your OB-GYN will want to make sure that it’s not a worst-case scenario, a sign of ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage. Discharge that smells bad Bad smelling discharge can usually be a sign of an infection. If left untreated, it can most likely become worse. Like we discussed with a UTI, this can also be something that is handled easily with antibiotics, but when not treated, it can increase the risk of HIV. Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Our women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA wants you to know that you should never hesitate to call your OB-GYN if you are experiencing anything that may be concerning you. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Women’s specialist: when and how often should you have a mammogram
Women’s specialist offers mammograms, which is an x-ray that is used to identify any signs of breast cancer. Different views of the breast are taken so that your doctor will have a more complete picture of the breast tissue during a mammogram. Screening and diagnoses are the two ways that mammograms are used. To detect signs of breast cancer in a woman who is not showing any symptoms, a screening mammogram is performed as a preventative measure. Extra imaging of breast tissue to help the doctor see a more complete view of the breast takes place during a diagnostic mammogram. It can be nerve-wracking leading up to a mammogram examination no matter whether you have received a mammogram before or if it’s your first time. Mammograms can help spot breast cancer in its early stages and are typically painless. Guidelines for mammograms Ranging from your age to your family history of breast cancer or other types of cancer, there are many different variables that should be considered when it comes to having a mammogram. Women with average risk aged 40 – 49 Women within this age group should begin having annual breast screenings as of 2015 and recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Women specifically between the ages of 45 – 49 should have a mammogram every year. The most common recommendation is to have your first mammogram in your 40’s. However, you should consider your health and your family’s health history and speak to your doctor to decide when and how often you should go for a screening. Women with average risk aged 50 – 74 Annual mammography screenings are recommended, women between the ages of 50 – 54 should have one annually. But those who are aged 55 and older are recommended to switch it to 2 screenings a year. Women with average risk aged 75 and older There are a few things for women in this age group to consider, such as:
Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA The women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA says your need for a mammogram will vary when compared to other women, this is depending on your health risk factors, age, and family history. When you are looking into having a mammogram screening, it is essential to consider these factors. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care. |
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