Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Women's Health Professional

Dr. Lori Gore-Green's Portfolio of Experience as a Women's Health Professional

Most Important Questions to Ask Each Trimester

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What is your favorite question to ask during the first trimester? What about the second or third? In this blog post, we will discuss four questions that you should be asking yourself each trimester. Whether it’s through a simple check-up at the doctor’s office, or just some self-reflection on how you’re feeling, these are all important questions that will help keep your mind healthy and happy!

1st Trimester:

Am I feeling more tired than usual? Fatigue is a very common symptom of pregnancy. Many women will find that they need to take naps during the day, and will find it difficult to wake up in the morning or stay awake past 9 pm! This is because, throughout pregnancy, your blood volume increases by almost 50%, creating a greater demand for oxygen-rich red blood cells. For this increase to happen as quickly as possible, your body produces certain hormones, such as progesterone and estradiol, causing overall fatigue.

2nd Trimester:

Is my baby moving more than usual? Typically around week 18-20 gestational age (or the second trimester), most women will begin to feel their babies move for the first time. This can sometimes be startling and uncomfortable at first; however, it’s important not to panic until having confirmed with your doctor! Fetal movement is vital for proper development and growth. The more active and healthy your baby is, the better he or she will be able to fight off infections and sickness during pregnancy. It’s also important to know that the amount of movement your baby does in each session can vary – sometimes they can be very active, while other times they might not move much at all!

3rd Trimester:

What are my feelings about breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is one of the most natural things a woman can do after giving birth. The reality is, however, many women feel uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding – whether it’s because they don’t want their child becoming attached to them, or it makes them feel self-conscious about their physical appearance. Either way, it is important for couples choosing to breastfeed to discuss this with their doctor and one another. Breastfeeding can be challenging at first, but it is certainly worth all of the painstaking preparation you put in to ensure success!

As always, it’s critical for pregnant women to monitor their bodies closely and make sure they are taking care of themselves. Pregnancy is not an illness, but it does impact our bodies at a very deep level. Routine checkups and proper nutrition will help to ensure the health and happiness of you and your child during this time, as well as for years to come! Remember: motherhood can be one of the most challenging things you will ever do, but it can also be one of the most rewarding!

What to Know About Forceps Births

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Forceps deliveries are carried out to deliver a baby whose head has become stuck in a bent position or help out when all other methods have failed (e.g., ventouse).

The instruments used for forceps deliveries are called “forceps.” They were originally designed in ancient Greece and consisted of two wooden spoons with handles.

Forceps deliveries are carried out under a general anesthetic, so the mother is asleep and will not feel any pain or pressure on her body.

The forceps are placed over the baby’s head through the vagina. The blades of the forceps are then carefully positioned around either side of the chin, cheeks, top of skull, and forehead. 

Gentle, steady pressure is then applied until they lock into place. The midwife or doctor monitors this by listening to sounds inside the birth canal with a “stethoscope.” It may be necessary to apply more than one pair of forceps to ensure an effective fit, and this can take several attempts if the first attempt is unsuccessful. This type of delivery should only take about 5 minutes.

After the delivery, the midwife or doctor will check that your baby is healthy before you are allowed to wake up and meet your new little one. Forceps deliveries may leave you feeling a bit sore and bruised, and it can take a few days to recover fully from having a general anesthetic.

About 1 in 8 labors need to use forceps, so it is not too unusual. Of those, about 4 in every 100 women will need an assisted forceps birth like this. Delivery by ventouse (suction) is becoming more popular as it usually means no after-effects such as bruising or tearing; however, if this isn’t working, forceps are be needed instead of an emergency Caesarean section (C-section).

Some mothers find the use of forceps frightening from the word go, as it sounds as though they are being forced to have a cesarean section. It may be helpful to think about it as an alternative to a ventouse delivery with no bruising afterward. A good way of looking at it is as a ‘helping hand’ that can make all the difference between tearing and not tearing.

In conclusion, forceps can be a successful instrument, although not always effective. It is much easier for the mother to recover from than an assisted ventouse delivery, but it may pose a risk to both mother and baby if not used properly or if the wrong forceps are used.

Perimenopause and Periods

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Perimenopause is a period of time that occurs just before actual menopause when you cease menstruating. During this time, you’ll notice changes in your monthly cycle as estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fluctuate. Some months, your period may come sooner than normal. Others, you might be late. While every woman’s experience is different, knowing what to expect with perimenopause and periods can help you to navigate through this new stage in life.

Prepare for Heavier Periods

Many women struggle with heavy periods at various points in their life, but perimenopause can bring flooding. Technically, a heavy period is one that involves losing 80 mL of menstrual blood. You may suspect that this is happening to you if you consistently run through multiple tampons or pads within a short period of time. Heavy periods put you at risk for serious problems such as anemia, which means you’ll want to reach out to your doctor for help.

Get Ready for Spotting

You may have spotted in the past from various reasons such as changing birth control pills. However, spotting during perimenopause is caused by your body being confused by changing hormone levels. If spotting is new to you, then you’ll want to schedule an appointment to make sure that it isn’t from other causes. If you’ve noticed other changes in your period, then it is likely perimenopause.

Watch for Changes In the Color

Dark or brown blood may become more prevalent during this stage of your life. This is because your body’s hormone levels can disrupt how the blood leaves your uterus. Blood that sticks around in the uterus for too long oxidizes, which is why you see this color. Most likely, you’ll notice this more at the beginning and end of your periods. It can also occur with spotting.

 

Dealing with spotting, heavy periods and even the surprise missed start date can get frustrating. Make sure to talk to your doctor about any changes that you notice with your cycle. They’ll help to rule out other health problems and suggest ways to make this transition easier. Taking care of yourself can go a long way toward helping to minimize some of these symptoms. Perimenopause doesn’t last forever, but having the right types of support can make it more manageable until your periods eventually end.

How to Reduce Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

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Stretch marks, or striae gravidarum, are so common during pregnancy that many mothers wear them as badges of honor. However, even strong maternal pride doesn’t keep women from feeling self-conscious about how their abdomens look. Whether donning bikinis or wearing their birthday suits, most long for the days when their tummies were taught and absolutely blemish-free. The good news is that pregnancy doesn’t have to result in severely damaged belly skin. There are a number of things that you can do to prevent these scars and many strategies for making them fade.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Much like their name implies, stretch marks are the result of rapid and excessive stretching of the skin. They form when the skin is pushed beyond the limits of its natural elasticity. When stretching is severe, the elastic fibers beneath the skin’s surface break. The new collagen that the body produces to replace these broken fibers tends to be a lot less pliable and firm. This leads to collagen stores with a slightly different texture, and indentations or raised scars. To keep your skin supple and resilient, drink plenty of water and eat lots of fresh, water-dense foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables won’t just keep your skin optimally hydrated, they’ll also supply a generous array of antioxidants and other skin-supporting nutrients.

Stretch marks are most likely to form during periods of rapid growth or expansion. Given that stretch marks are essentially scars, it isn’t always possible to make them totally disappear once they’ve formed. Diligent prevention is far more effective than using corrective efforts to repair skin after significant scarring has occurred.

Does Everyone Get Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

Whether or not stretch marks will develop during pregnancy is dependent upon a variety of factors. Among these are how durable and elastic the skin is at the start of gestation, how well expecting moms care for themselves in general, and how they carry their babies. Some women never form stretch marks during pregnancy. Others develop dark, noticeable marks early on. Women with lighter complexions tend to develop slightly pinkish marks, whereas women with deeper or darker skin tones often get stretch marks that are slightly lighter than skin tone. As these scars heal, they might shrink or gradually fade.

Moisturizing the Belly

During pregnancy, it’s important to keep the belly well-moisturized. Cocoa butter, aloe vera, and coconut oil are excellent moisturizers during this time. These applications are all-natural, unlikely to cause irritation, and rich in nutrients that support both skin renewal and overall skin health.

Cosmetic Procedures for Minimizing the Appearance of Stretch Marks

Once stretch marks have formed, most corrective cosmetic procedures focus on creating controlled skin damage. During these treatments, micro-wounds or tiny, painless abrasions are made at the surface layers of the skin. This incites the body’s natural healing processes to promote rapid skin cell renewal, and increased collagen production. As the body heals, the treated scars marks will increasingly become less conspicuous. Some of the top procedures for minimizing or eliminating stretch marks include:

  • Chemical peels
  • Laser therapy
  • Microdermabrasion
  • Micro-focused ultrasound

and more.

To limit their likelihood of developing stretch marks, women should start applying high-quality moisturizers as soon as they become pregnant. By making good hydration a priority, expecting mothers can keep their skin sufficiently supple for avoiding major skin damages. When moderate to severe stretch marks do form, various cosmetic procedures can assist the skin in healing itself.

Why Expecting Mothers Need Paid Maternity Leave

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Many countries in the developed world offer paid maternity leave to mothers. In the United States, though, that’s not always an option for women who work. Sometimes, they are put on state temporary disability programs. Even when employers do offer paid leave, they may require someone to have a certain length of service with the company before making it available. That can pose a challenge to women who are just starting out in their careers.

Another issue is the length of the leave on offer. Many women are able to step away from work for just a handful of weeks. In fact, research shows that mothers often benefit from spending more time than that at home with their baby. Women with lengthy paid maternity leaves are less likely to suffer from physical illness or post-partum depression. Their children seem to benefit, too. In fact, their babies have a lower chance of dying of SIDS.

In the US, everyone is able to take three months’ unpaid leave. This is a stark contrast to countries like the United Kingdom, which offer 12 weeks of paid leave. This alone may make a huge difference to a new parent’s mental health. A new baby also brings many new expenses, from follow-up doctors’ appointments to diapers, food, and clothing they will rapidly outgrow. Other countries do even better. Japan offers 36 weeks, and Estonia pays new mothers on leave for over a year.

Many activists and politicians, especially on the Left, would like to see the US join the ranks of these other nations. They believe that a national paid maternity leave would make a big difference in the family lives of millions of Americans. This is particularly true for the middle and working classes. Many executive-level women are able to take the time they need, and they can afford highly qualified nannies. The average American family, however, may struggle to juggle work schedules and vaccine schedules.

While maternity leave remains controversial in some circles, all the evidence points to benefits. A national maternity leave program is expected to remain an issue in Congress and at the state level. Of course, not every mother wants these benefits. But they would not be mandatory, rather just available.

Everyday Essentials to Help Your Pregnancy

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Waiting for a baby to arrive is such an exciting time, but it’s also a time when an expectant mother could use some extra help to make pregnancy easier, safer, and more comfortable. Here are a few suggestions:

Use prenatal vitamins

These contain all the nutrients the body needs for both mom and baby. Especially important is folic acid, an essential nutrient in the B vitamin family that helps to prevent a type of birth defect. Be sure to get at least 600 micrograms of folic acid during pregnancy. Ideally, a woman would be getting at least 400 micrograms before becoming pregnant.

Use pregnancy-safe skin products

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and many substances can be absorbed through it. With this in mind, it’s best to use natural, organic products for skin care, hair care, and makeup. Specifically, avoid the following:

  • Retinoids
  • Hydroxy acids
  • Acne products
  • Chemical hair removers
  • OTC steroid creams like 1 percent hydrocortisone

All of these have the potential to penetrate the skin and cause a possible problem for a growing baby. The risk may be small, but it’s there, so just avoid the problem by avoiding the product. If acne breakout due to hormonal changes is an issue, ask the obstetrician for a safe solution. Sunscreens are typically safe for use during pregnancy. For a sunscreen that doesn’t penetrate the skin to work, check labels for the ingredient zinc oxide.

Bellaband

The Bellaband is a versatile device allowing the expectant mom to comfortably and easily transition the clothing gray area when regular pants still fit but not properly. The clever Bellaband allows the pregnant mom to wear regular pants unbuttoned or unzipped, while still keeping the area covered. The result just looks like the clothes have been layered. The Bellaband helps to save money on maternity clothes, too.

Belly butter

Few things are more annoying than a persistent itch. As the skin stretches more and more across the belly area, it will tend to itch. Look for itch lotions and creams intended for use during pregnancy. Especially helpful are jojoba oil and natural plant butter like shea butter and mango butter.

When it’s Safest to Announce Your Pregnancy

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Parents face many challenges and sacrifices to make sure their babies are safe, comfortable, and well cared for. Whether it’s a first, second, third, or fourth baby, the most crucial detail of the motherhood journey is determining when to announce the pregnancy. Unfortunately, factors such as discrimination at work in some professions may delay some parents making their pregnancy announcement until the pregnancy shows. Therefore, every parent will have a different opinion of when to announce the pregnancy. However, there are many factors to consider when deciding when to make the announcement, as discussed below carefully.

After A Positive Test Result

Some parents, especially first-time parents, get over-excited to share the news of them being pregnant. Announcing at this early stage helps parents get as much support and encouragement as they require from family and those around them.

At Six Weeks after Conception

Week six of the pregnancy is when the ultrasound gets done, and the parents can feel the heartbeat of their fetus. It’s the best time to announce, especially for parents working in a hazardous working environment. At this stage, Parents are likely to experience nausea and a few complications that may cause them to miss work and other social functions. Announcing at this stage helps them get support from workplaces, family, and friends.

At Week 12 of the Pregnancy

The end of week 12 is the end of the first trimester, and the risk of miscarriage is low. The ultrasound images will show a fetus that looks more like a baby. However, parents who want to undergo genetic screening might prefer to wait and announce it after it’s done.

After Week 12

Some mothers might have a high-risk pregnancy that causes complications throughout the pregnancy. Some complications that cause high-risk pregnancies include previous miscarriages, women older than 35 years, carrying multiples, certain health conditions, and fertility assistance. All the conditions mentioned above might cause risks in all three trimesters of the pregnancy. If they are experiencing the above conditions, it might affect the parent’s decision to make the pregnancy announcement.

Choosing the Right Birth Control for You

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Many people yearn to have children. However, for some people, having kids may not be in their plans right now. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to prevent pregnancy and stay child-free. While choosing a method may seem challenging, there are birth control methods that work well for many individuals.

The birth control pill

Birth control pills are one of the most popular forms of contraception. They keep the hormones in the body consistent and prevent ovulation. The user takes three weeks of pills that consist of hormones, and one week of pills that are placebos. The individual takes one pill at the same time each day. The birth control pill can reduce acne, make periods lighter and reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers. However, the pill can slightly increase the risk of blood clots.

The birth control patch and the ring

The patch and the ring deliver the same hormones as the birth control pill. The individual places the patch on their skin and changes it each week. The ring is a flexible piece of plastic that a user inserts into their vagina and replaces each month. When an individual takes off the patch or takes out the vaginal ring for an entire week, one can expect their period to come. The patch or ring user may experience bloating, breast tenderness, or mood changes. The patch and the ring are not good methods for smokers or those who have cancer.

The shot

A birth control shot is like the birth control pill. Most go to their doctor’s office for an injection four times throughout the year for individuals who choose this option. For some users, the birth control shot may cause an individual’s period to become lighter. For others, their period may stop altogether. A birth control shot may cause bone thinning for users. However, once the individual discontinues the shot, the bone-thinning process reverses.

The intrauterine device (IUD)

An intrauterine device is a reversible, long-term method of birth control. One type of IUD is a hormone-filled plastic device. Another form of IUD is a copper version that doesn’t contain hormones. Both devices work by making it incredibly difficult for the sperm to reach the egg in one’s uterus. A physician must place this device in the uterus during an in-office appointment. This insertion can be a painful procedure for some women. An individual may also experience unpredictable bleeding for months after insertion.

The implant

A birth control implant is a tiny plastic rod that a physician places under the skin. It’s placed in the user’s upper arm and sends a consistent supply of hormones into the bloodstream to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant. The implant is similar to the hormones that are in the IUD. Some users may have lighter periods, but some individuals will notice their period becomes heavier.

If an individual is not dreaming of the sound of little feet running around the house, they can schedule a consultation with their doctor and discuss the best birth control method that might work best for their life.

Pregnancy and COVID-19

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When the COVID-19 pandemic began, physicians could only speculate how the virus would affect at-risk patients. For many months, no one had definitive data on how pregnant women might be affected by COVID-19 or the coronavirus vaccines. According to the research journal Nature, a few facts have emerged about the relationship between pregnancy and COVID-19.

One American obstetrician, Yalda Afshar, has led the charge to gather data. She was pregnant herself when the COVID-19 pandemic first began, and that inspired her to create a registry for pregnant women to help scientists monitor the impact of the virus.

After a year of gathering data, Afshar and other scientists have determined that pregnant women are at greater risk of severe complications from COVID-19. Compared to other women their age, pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 and more likely to face long-term issues from the virus. As the Centers for Disease Control have previously reported, women of color are more likely to die from pregnancy than white women, and this trend has continued, as pregnant women of color seem to be more affected by COVID-19.

The babies themselves rarely become sick from COVID-19. Lab work has shown that the virus is not often passed from mother to baby. Doctors still recommend breastfeeding, even for women who have tested positive for the virus. However, pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to deliver early, which could cause health issues for their babies.

Due to ethical concerns, no pregnant women were allowed to enroll in the clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines. While there are no data on how the vaccines might impact pregnant women, most obstetricians, and fetal-maternal specialists recommend that women discuss the vaccine with their providers. Globally, no governments have prioritized vaccine delivery to pregnant or lactating women.

Given the lack of data available, some scientists are calling for reforms to traditional research study guidelines. To these researchers, the protections that keep pregnant women from research studies are paternalistic and harmful. A handful of recent vaccine trials have included pregnant women, but the data from these trials are not yet available, and there’s no indication that overall research guidelines will be changed in the near future.

 Living Well With Menopause 

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 During the years leading up to and shortly after menopause, women experience hormonal fluctuations that impact their physical and emotional health. While some women hardly notice the changes, others are plagued with mood swings, hot flashes, and disrupted sleep that makes life more challenging. Living well with menopause is as simple as finding the coping strategies that work for each woman’s individual needs.

 Find Ways to Manage Hot Flashes

 Feeling the heat creeping up their neck can make women wonder if everyone else notices their rising temperature. Hot flashes can occur multiple times a day, but they tend only to last a few minutes. Women can dress in layers to have more control over their body temperature. It is also essential to drink water to keep their bodies hydrated.

 Take Steps to Address Vaginal Dryness and Incontinence

 Changes in a woman’s sexual health can be especially challenging to deal with during menopause. Vaginal dryness doesn’t have to disrupt a woman’s relationships. Instead, women can use lubricants to overcome this common issue. Women may also take oral supplements of vitamin E or flaxseed oil to encourage their body to produce more moisture. There are many treatment options available today for women with incontinence, and doing Kegel exercises is an excellent place to start with strengthening weakened muscles.

 Make Stress-Reduction a Priority

 This tends to be an emotional time for women. Not only is dealing with the physical symptoms demanding on a woman’s time and patience, but some women might also be grappling with accepting their new stage in life. Some women might grieve no longer being able to conceive having children or losing their former physical appearance. Finding ways to manage stress helps them to maintain a more positive mindset. Women can prioritize relaxation by starting a meditation practice or journaling about their experiences. Practicing good sleep hygiene can help them to reduce the effects of insomnia on their mental alertness.

 While menopause may bring many changes to a woman’s health, there is a solution for every problem. Identifying ways to cope puts women in control over their health, making it easier for them to manage this significant transition. Being able to emerge on the other side of the menopausal process more substantial and more confident is a goal that every woman can achieve with proper self-care.