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

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

Postpartum Fitness Tips

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A common question among new mothers is how long after giving birth can they get back into their pre-pregnancy fitness routine? While you may think you’ll be able to quickly get back to the way you lived before being pregnant after you give birth, you may want to think again. After giving birth you may suffer from bad posture, general fatigue, and an achy body amongst other things. This means doing many common activities you did before pregnancy, such as exercising, may be difficult to adjust to for a bit. The pregnant body takes around 40 weeks to form, and in some cases, it can take almost as long as that to get completely back to your pre-pregnancy body. At the end of the day, your doctor will let you know when you’re okay to start working out again, but when you do begin it’s important you approach it safely. Here are a few tips to help you out in postpartum fitness.

 

Ease Into It

It’s important that you take your time when getting back into your fitness routine. Pushing yourself too much so soon after birth can actually threaten your overall recovery. Many doctors will recommend that you avoid exerting yourself for about 2 weeks after giving birth. After that, a good way to start is by taking a 5-minute walk and seeing how you feel.  As long as you feel okay and there isn’t any bleeding or aching, you’re likely fine to take a slightly longer walk the next day and continue slowly building how long your walks are over time. After you build this up for about 2 weeks, you can move into gentle upper-body stretching or even take a postpartum exercise class. 

 

Be Careful If Breastfeeding

Not every mother breastfeeds but if you are and you want to get back into fitness, it’s important you’re even more careful than usual. Weight loss shouldn’t be as much of a concern the first few weeks after giving birth until you’ve built up a stable milk supply. Some of the weight will naturally disappear during the first few days due to your body relishing the extra fluids it needed while pregnant. It’s also important you eat correctly if working out and breastfeeding, as breastfeeding mothers need an additional 500 calories a day than non-breastfeeding mothers.

 

Get Plenty of Rest

Getting rest and not overexerting yourself is more important than ever after having a baby. It’s easy to become sleep-deprived after having a baby, especially if your baby is waking up multiple times throughout the night, not letting you get a full night’s sleep. If this is the case, it’s important that you’re careful about overworking yourself. Exercise does have the potential to provide you with more energy but if your body is already lacking then it’s more likely it will just add to your exhaustion.

Food You Should Eat To Increase Fertility

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While making a baby is rather straightforward, that doesn’t mean people don’t struggle with actually getting pregnant. A percentage of women in the United States struggle with getting pregnant all of the time, so and while that percentage seems small, the number is still rather large. Luckily, there exist several ways in which women can work on boosting their fertility when they’re trying to conceive. One of the easiest things to do is adjusting your diet, so here are foods you’ll want to try eating if you’re trying to get pregnant.

Healthy Sources of Fat

While eating too much fatty foods can be detrimental to your healthy, there are plenty of healthy fatty foods that are great for boosting your chances of pregnancy. In particular, you’ll want monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, which is commonly found in nuts, seeds, avocados and smaller, oily fish such as anchovies. 

No Skim Milk

Dairy products typically aren’t the best thing to consume when you’re thinking of getting pregnant, but skim milk and other low-fat dairy products are especially harmful. A little bit of dairy here or there isn’t the worst, especially if it’s something you really enjoy, but be sure to always partake in the full-fat kind.

Get Plenty of Iron

Getting enough iron is always good for you and has been shown to help increase your odds of getting pregnant. You’ll want to make sure you partake in foods such as tomatoes, spinach, beans and much more if you’re looking for something high in iron.

Try Complex Carbs

You’ll want to eat plenty of complex carbohydrates that take time to be digested, such as whole fruits, beans and non-starchy vegetables. These foods are important, as having a high or mismanaged blood sugar has typically been associated with not being able to get pregnant. It’s also important that you don’t cut out carbs all together, because this will make the body think it’s not getting enough food, which will trigger survival mode.

What Every Woman Should Know About Postpartum Depression

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Whether or not a woman plans on having a child or not, it’s important to understand what postpartum depression is and how it works. It can affect many women, including yourself and the women you care about. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding postpartum, which is why it’s imperative to know the facts from myth to better help the women who are affected by it. 

What is Postpartum Depression?

Not to be confused with “mommy blues”, which can last two to three days, postpartum depression affects women who have just gone through childbirth and are experiencing an emotional emptiness longer than two weeks. This kind of depression can make it harder for mothers to care for their children and not feel connected to them. It should not be taken lightly and is a very serious mental illness that involves the brain, affects your behavior, and physical health. Whether mild or severe, postpartum depression affects one in nine new mothers. 

The Causes of Postpartum Depression

The biggest trigger for postpartum may be hormonal changes. Levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are the highest when a woman is pregnant. These hormone levels drop significantly back to normal within the first 24 hours of giving birth, which can lead to depression. Women who have a history of depression are also at risk for postpartum. 

Symptoms to Be Aware Of 

There are many symptoms a woman can display that are signs of postpartum depression. Although symptoms vary from one woman to another, common symptoms are sadness, loss of hope, despair, frequent crying, feeling unable to care for the baby, loss of ability to do basic chores, inability to bond with the baby, loss of memory, and trouble focusing. When a woman is showing the symptoms of postpartum, only a doctor is able to give a diagnosis. 

Treatment Options

When diagnosed with postpartum depression, there are two main treatment options available. The first is taking medication to cope with postpartum. Antidepressants directly affect the brain by altering the chemicals that regulate mood. A doctor may also suggest hormone therapy to help regulate estrogen levels. The second treatment option is going to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or mental health professional for counseling. This option helps women suffering from postpartum depression make sense of toxic thoughts and give them the strategies they need to cope.

What To Know About Being Pregnant During COVID-19

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The world has changed quite a bit since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in full force. Most places require masks to be worn in public and social distancing measures have been taken in public spaces as well as places of business. This can be nerve wracking for people, especially if you’re pregnant during these wild times. While not much evidence has been found saying that pregnant women need to be more worried than others, it’s still fair if you’re someone who is constantly worried. Here are a few things you might want to know about being pregnant during the pandemic.

 

Risk Of Transmitting The Virus To The Baby?

While it’s certainly possible for a new born baby to contract the virus, there has been no evidence that points towards the baby being affected while it’s still in the womb. Research has shown that newborns may be less likely to catch any serious forms of the virus, as well as show symptoms of it. Regardless of this, it’s important to protect not only yourself while you’re pregnant but the baby when it’s first born, so be sure to take precautions when first bringing the baby home.

 

Should I Change Labor and/or Delivery Plans?

Being in a hospital during a pandemic can be extremely stressful, especially as so many of them have suffered from overcrowding. This may make you think you’ll have to change your deliver and labor plans, but the first thing you should do is sit down and speak with your doctor about it. Many hospitals are adjusting things in order to limit the chance of exposure for patients such as expecting mothers, and many believe that delivering in a hospital is still the safest course of action regardless of the state of things.

 

What Should You Do If You Think You Have COVID-19 or Have Been Diagnosed?

If you think you’re sick, you’ll want to seek out the advice of your healthcare provider. If you actually get diagnosed with the virus, you’ll want to not only speak with your OB-GYN but also read what the CDC has to say about having the virus while pregnant. This will likely mean quarantining yourself as much as possible, only going out for medical care, and avoiding congested public places such as transportation.

The Flu and Pregnancy

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When you’re pregnant, you want everything to proceed smoothly, with no hiccups or hurdles. Getting sick, then, is likely not at the top of your agenda. However, life tends to provide a number of expected twists and tumbles that can upend your plans. Catching the flu while you’re pregnant can seem terrible, but there are plenty of things to take into consideration as you heal and prepare for your baby’s arrival.

 

Immune System

While pregnant, the body’s immune system is weakened. There is a higher likelihood that a flue in a pregnant woman will develop into the more serious condition of pneumonia. Pneumonia can cause respiratory tract issues as well as dehydration; the combination of accelerated effects, if untreated, can result in contractions and premature labor. Ensuring you get plenty of rest, drink clear fluids, and maintain your energy can help you stay healthy and fight off an infection.

 

Medical Treatment

Though you may be wary about getting a vaccine while pregnant, it is completely safe to receive a flu shot while you are pregnant. You should do this at the start of flu season if applicable or at the earliest point in your pregnancy. Getting a flu shot will benefit you as well as your unborn baby; because of the way antibodies permeate the human body, your baby will be vaccinated against the flue for around 6 months after birth.

 

In addition to receiving the flu shot while pregnant, breastfeeding mothers will also experience no negative symptoms should they need the vaccine. Flu shots are the most effective and fast-acting method of preventing you from becoming ill.

 

In addition to vaccines, another treatment option is antiviral medicine that may be prescribed by your doctor. Antiviral medications can make symptoms milder, allow you to heal faster, and prevent severe developments like pneumonia.

 

If you are allowed to take OTC medication like Tylenol or Robitussin, you should consult with your doctor regarding the amounts and limitations of these pills. Some medications shouldn’t be taken at certain points during your pregnancy, so consult with your doctor to identify the most effective way to prevent any negative interactions or side effects from occurring.

 

Unviable Options

Though the nasal spray was once a valued option for the treatment of some communicable illnesses, the spray for the flu is not a suitable choice for a pregnant patient. For this reason (among others), the nasal spray has largely been made obsolete in treatment centers. Because the nasal spray entailed injecting what was essentially a live virus into the body; this is not safe for the patient or the unborn baby, so traditional vaccines or oral medication are preferred.

 

Being sick while pregnant can be distressing. However, catching the flu at this time does not mean you or your child need to suffer. There are treatment options available, both preventative and reactive, to support your immune system and ease your symptoms. Be careful of your interactions with others if you are sick, and take good care of yourself as best you can; with proper self-care and the aid of your doctor, a speedy recovery will be imminent.

Can You Safely Have Enjoyable Sex During Your Pregnancy?

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Can You Safely Have Enjoyable Sex During Your Pregnancy_ Dr. Lori Gore-GreenYou probably already know that sex during pregnancy is typically safe. Myths surrounding pregnancy sex have died down over the last several decades, but there are still several things to note before carrying on with your pre-pregnancy intercourse habits.

There are only two major reasons why you shouldn’t have sex during pregnancy

First, we just want to establish that no, your baby cannot be poked by a penis during sex. Your baby won’t be able to feel you having sex and can’t be harmed by normal intercourse. There are only two reasons to avoid sex during pregnancy:

  • You don’t want to or don’t feel like having sex.
  • Your doctor has advised against intercourse during your pregnancy due to a medical reason, such as placenta previa or history of preterm labor.

How to enjoy sex during pregnancy: You might need to switch positions

Your favorite positions maybe become uncomfortable for you and your partner. You can alleviate this problem by changing positions. Many couples opt to use a spooning position because it’s more comfortable for the woman to lay on her side. Some couples find it easier and more enjoyable for the pregnant woman to remain on top during intercourse. If you’re having trouble getting comfortable during sex, do a little research about sex positions that work best for pregnant women – you’ll be surprised at the number of options you still have.

How to have safe sex during pregnancy

 

Do not have unprotected sex with new partners

Infections like Chlamydia and HIV can be transmitted to your baby and cause serious harm. Additionally, the Zika virus can be sexually transmitted. It’s always a good idea to use protection no matter who you engage in intercourse with, but it’s crucial to do so if you choose to have sex with someone new during pregnancy.

Get to all of your prenatal appointments

Your doctor will check you multiple times for STDs during your prenatal visits because many STDs are life-threatening if passed on to your baby during birth. go to all of your appointments and if you have the slightest suspicion you might have contracted an STD, inform your doctor immediately so that you can receive treatment before your baby is born.

When in doubt, talk to your doctor

If you have any concerns or lingering fears about sex during pregnancy, ask your doctor about whatever is bothering you. Don’t be embarrassed to bring up questions about sex – your doctor probably answers dozens of similar questions every day and will be more than happy to put your fears to rest.

9 Tips For Pregnant Women Encountering Mental Health Difficulties

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9-Tips-For-Pregnant-For-Women-Encountering-Mental-Health-Difficulties-Dr.-Lori-Gore-GreenBehavioral symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, uniquely impact pregnant women, who experience the complication and the effects of postpartum depression before they even give birth.  For this reason, conversations about mental health and pregnancy should be held early and often.

Some women go through their entire pregnancy without experiencing morning sickness, swollen feet, and troubled sleeping. However, many don’t escape pregnancy without experiencing pre-baby anxiety. The stress and the “what ifs” can be overwhelming. Lancet Psychiatry published a report in 2015, which stated that two-thirds of mothers with severe depression experienced mood shifts during their pregnancy ahead of postpartum depression. Maternal depression isn’t the same for all women. Approximately 20 percent of mothers experience depression or anxiety after giving birth. Those findings also linked postpartum depression biological triggers and dramatic dips in hormone levels.

There are nine things every pregnant should know about maternal depression and the importance of focusing on mental health during pregnancy:

Document Your Emotional Responses

Pregnant women should take their feelings seriously, and track them. If you notice that you’re feeling sad more often than not, or you feel extremely worried, relay that information to your therapist, doctor, or midwife.

Depression is Blameless

Perinatal mood disorder can be a challenge, and often pregnant women want to blame themselves or their partners for these emotional obstacles, but it’s no one’s fault. There are a number of factors that contribute to pregnancy-related mood shifts.

You’re Not The Only One

Too many women believe they’re the only ones struggling with mental health symptoms, which are some the most common complications of childbirth. The stigma surrounding maternal depression often means that women are too embarrassed to seek out health. Convinced that they should be overjoyed with the prospect of motherhood, sometimes fail to tell others when that they’re struggling.

Seek Treatment Sooner

Therapy can help to ease stress and manage mood disorders. Choosing to deal with one’s mood disorders sooner will ultimately improve your piece of mind, and it will enhance the bonding between you and your child.

Treatment Will Benefit the Baby

Depression and anxiety never simply affect one person, and this is particularly true depressive episodes are affecting a pregnant person. It’s challenging to be a mother, so seeking treatment means that your child won’t have to deal with the emotion and sadness that might could put both you or your child at risk.

Treatments Work

Frank conversations with your primary care physician and your therapist can alleviate anxiety and perinatal depression. It can also help to create a sense of balance and offer an understanding of what balance may look like for a woman in her new life.

You’ll See Progress

If you’re as serious about your mental health as you are about your impending motherhood, you’ll find that you feel better after just a few session. Of course, everyone is different. Even if it takes a bit longer for your mood to improve, know that progress is on the horizon. Take medication appropriately and stay committed to your sessions.

Support Groups, Also

While some women choose isolation, others find strength in knowing that others are going through the same thing. Support groups are incredible because offer a supportive network of like-minded individuals who also need to know that everything in their lives will be okay.

Find Support Online

The internet is great for things outside of news, online shopping, and cyber stalking exes, it’s also a great resource for individuals seeking out others for support.

Online, you’ll find countless resources for mental health and pregnancy wellness. Some things you’ll want to do are to hydrate, do abdominal exercises, eat a well-balanced diet, educate yourself on mental health, take your vitamins and supplements, and rest appropriately.

 

Contraception Fails: Plan B One-Step Users Weighing 165+ May Require Plan ‘C’

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenWhen your initial choice of contraception fails, Plan B is expected to be work…however, a ‘plan c’ may need to be devised for women weighing 165 pounds or more.

New research suggests that the most popular emergency contraceptive, which is a morning-after pill that uses the hormone levonorgestrel that prevents ovulation, is less effective for women weighing more than 165 pounds. However, one should bear in mind that the average weight of the American woman is 162 pounds during her 20s. During her 30s, the American woman weighs about 169 pounds.

Likewise, European-made Norlevo, a morning-after pill, loses effectiveness for those weighing 165 pounds. Furthermore, it’s isn’t at all effective for women weigh more than 175 pounds. Despite the fact Norlevo is chemically identical to the U.S.-made Plan B, the Food and Drug Administration has insisted the data was inconclusive, warranting no warning here in the U.S.

Alison Edelman, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Oregon Health and Science University, lead a new study that analyzed the effectiveness of levonorgestrel-based contraceptive among women with a BMI within the normal range, comparing that to the BMI of women considered obese. It was discovered that it would take twice the dosage of Plan B to increase an obese woman’s hormone level of women weighing less than 160 pounds. However, taking two pills for the purposes of emergency contraception isn’t recommended yet, according to Elizabeth Dawes Gay of Women’s Health Magazine. The ovulation-inhibiting hormone could be doubled, but more test would need to be done before learning what how those hormones may affect a woman’s ovaries.

Plan B is emergency contraception that’s generally effective and safe, and it’s a backup plan that helps to prevent pregnancy with 72 hours following birth control failure, preventing 7 out of 8 potential pregnancies. Side effects of the pill are tiredness; a headache; dizziness; breast tenderness; vomiting; lower abdominal pain/cramps; and lighter, heavier, later or early periods. The FDA-approved emergency contraception is accessible over the counter, and should not be considered if you’re already pregnantΩ and shouldn’t be used as birth control.