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

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

The Best Books For Expecting Mothers In 2022

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Although it’s an exciting time, pregnancy can also be filled with questions and concerns. Some of the most common changes that women experience during their pregnancy are unexpected symptoms such as morning sickness. Having a good understanding of what to expect during this time can help keep you and your baby feeling great and well, and a great way to do this is to read a pregnancy book!

 

Whether it’s your first, second, or third pregnancy, a book that’s geared toward your needs should be the best choice. It should also be able to provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions. Take a look at some of these great options to help you better prepare for your pregnancy.

 

Nurture – Erica Chidi

Nurture, by certified birth doula and CEO of the company LOOM Erica Chidi, is a book that walks you through the various stages of your pregnancy and the postpartum period. It features recipes and exercises that will help keep you going. The book also features a birth letter exercise that will help you reach your goals. It’s a great addition to any pregnancy book.

 

The Girlfriend’s Guide To Pregnancy – Vicki Iovine

This book is written in a way that’s brutally honest and doesn’t take a lot of time to explain what’s happening to you. It’s also written with a reassuring tone. The book is typically considered to be very realistic without being too frightening or gory.

 

Criticisms of the book often say that the author is too focused on the way she looks while pregnant. On the contrary, what makes the book such a great choice is how brutally honest Iovine is in her very blunt conversation about the emotional insecurities we go through when pregnant. She’s able to help them feel less pressure to achieve the perfect pregnancy.

 

Ina May’s Guide To Child Birth – Ina May

Gaskin, who is a long-time activist, has written several books that criticize the medical establishment. Ina May’s book criticizes the way certain procedures are performed and how they are often unfair. In a recent interview, she said that she doesn’t try to make mothers feel guilty about having a medical birth.

 

Regardless of whether or not you agree with May’s take on the medical side of childbirth, it’s still important to read the stories of women who have given birth. Ina May’s book can help you feel more positive about labor. She also talks about the various physical sensations that women experience during their pregnancy.

Great Pregnancy Podcasts For Expecting Mothers In 2022

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Getting pregnant can be exciting, but it can also feel like a daunting experience. With so many changes happening in your body and mind during this time, it can be hard to keep up with all the latest developments. Fortunately, pregnancy podcasts are a great way to get all the information you need about becoming a mother.

 

There are a variety of pregnancy-focused podcasts out there, and they’re designed to help parents-to-be navigate the various stages of becoming a mother. They also provide valuable advice from experts and parents-to-be who have been there. Aside from being able to provide helpful information, these podcasts also allow busy parents to listen while they’re doing the dishes or buying baby clothes. Here are a few great podcasts for pregnant mothers.

 

If These Ovaries Could Talk

If These Ovaries Could Talk is a comedy pregnancy podcast that’s dedicated to celebrating the baby-making experiences of LGBTQ+ families. It’s hosted by Robin Hopkins and Jaimie Kelton, and it features guests who talk about their own experiences as queer people as they prepare to become parents, sharing the challenges they face, as well as their own fears and aspirations about becoming parents.

 

Plus Mommy Podcast

The Plus Mommy Podcast is hosted by Jen McLellan, and it features a variety of body-positive guests who are committed to supporting and celebrating all women who are expecting. While anyone can enjoy and take something away from the show, its main goal is to destigmatize topics surrounding plus-sized pregnancies, letting plus-sized mothers know that they’re not alone out there.

 

All About Pregnancy and Birth

One of the best podcasts for first-time parents is The Pregnancy Podcast, which is hosted by Nicole Rankins. She has over 15 years of experience as an ob-gyn, and she shares the latest information about pregnancy and parenting. Each episode features expert guest stars who Nicole interviews, as well as parents who share their own experiences being a first-time parent, covering topics such as postpartum recovery, IVF, and so much more.

 

The Birth Hour: A Birth Story Podcast

Sometimes, listening to the inspiring stories of others is just what’s needed during those long nine months of pregnancy. This show, which is hosted by Bryn Huntpalmer, features stories from every step of the journey, as well as interviews with birth professionals. You’ll hear stories about navigating the postpartum period, trying to actually conceive, and just generally getting ready for your baby to arrive.

What To Know About Having A Baby At 40

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The number of women having babies after 40 has increased significantly since the 1970s, according to the CDC. The agency noted that the number of first-time mothers aged 40 to 44 more than doubled between 1990 and 2012.

 

While women are typically told to have children before the age of 35, many women aren’t ready at that point in their life for a myriad of reasons, such as focusing on their career or using fertility treatments. Having a baby at 40 is possible, but it’s good to understand the benefits and risks that come with it.

 

Benefits

Having a baby later in life can provide many advantages over having children when you’re in your 20s or 30s. For one, it can allow you to establish your career at a younger age so you’re ultimately able to spend more time with your family later down the line.

 

Another benefit is that not everyone meets their partner at a young age, or maybe you’re not ready for commitment. When having a baby, you want to make sure that you’re raising them with the right person and that doesn’t always happen until later in life. There has also been research that shows how having a baby later in your life can lead the child to have better educational outcomes, as well as health benefits for the mother such as reduced cognitive decline and longer life spans.

 

Risks

The common sentiment has often been that having a baby at 40 is considered high risk. While this is still the case, modern technology has made the entire process much safer than it was in the past. Your doctor will likely keep a close eye on you and the baby, looking at complications such as high blood pressure or birth defects such as down syndrome.

 

Another risk to be aware of is miscarriage. Miscarrying is always a risk when pregnant, but those chances tend to rise as you get older. Part of the reason this risk tends to rise when you’re over 40 is that you’re more likely to have chronic conditions than when you were younger. Conditions such as thyroid disease or diabetes can complicate pregnancy and potentially result in miscarriage among other issues.

 

Of course, it’s important that you talk to your doctor about any and all risks if you’re 40 and are thinking of having a baby. They can provide you with all of the important information and help you figure out the best approach for your situation.

Understanding the Second Trimester

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The time span of a normal pregnancy is divided into three segments which last between twelve and fourteen weeks each. The second trimester starts with week 13 and finishes at week 28 and is a time when the mother starts feeling better. The nausea, the fatigue, and the severe breast tenderness ease up. The baby is growing larger and the uterus expands and comes up out of the pelvis, eliminating the pressure on the bladder.

However, this trimester does have a few discomforts.

  • Braxton-Hicks contractions – The uterus starts tightening up in usually painless contractions, especially after strenuous physical activity.
  • Breast enlargement – The breasts are preparing to feed the baby. Mammary glands start to swell.
  • Nasal congestion – The nasal mucosa becomes engorged because of increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. Besides the stuffiness, the nasal veins are enlarged and bleed easily.
  • Bleeding gums – The same engorgement occurs in the gums and bleeding may occur with flossing or brushing.
  • Melasma – Brown patches may develop on the face or a brown line may show up on the lower abdomen. These changes are also due to hormones.
  • Quickening – The movement of the fetus can be felt at about 20 weeks.
  • Varicose veins and hemorrhoids – These congested veins may appear and be painful, especially with excessive weight gain and constipation.
  • Dizziness – This can happen on standing up and can even cause fainting. Staying well-hydrated is important.
  • Leg cramps – The body is no longer configured as it used to be. The leg muscles have to adjust to the weight above them. Cramping of tired muscles at night is not unusual. Stretching exercises before bed help. Staying well-hydrated also helps.
  • Vaginal discharge – Usually clear or white, this is normal.

 

At each prenatal visit, the mother will be evaluated for blood pressure, weight gain, and edema. Doppler checking of the heartbeat allows the parents to listen. The increasing size of the uterus will be measured to determine fetal growth.

The end of the second trimester is the beginning of the body’s preparations for birth as the mother enters the last trimester.

Understanding the First Trimester

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The first trimester refers to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It’s an exciting time, but it’s also critical because it is when the baby develops all the major organs. During the first trimester, the baby’s brain and nervous system develop. The heart starts beating, and blood flows through the veins and arteries. The arms, legs, and backbone form, and the baby’s organs also start to develop, including the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Here is what to expect during that time.

Fertilization of the egg – The first trimester is when the fertilization of the ovum occurs. The sperm has to reach and penetrate an egg for this to happen. If it doesn’t, pregnancy will not occur.

Implantation – Once conception happens, the zygote attaches itself to the mother’s uterus lining through implantation, which usually occurs about a week after fertilization.

Hormonal changes – The body’s hormone levels go up in this trimester during the first few weeks. This will cause the pregnant to feel nauseous and tired during this time because her body is working hard to support the baby.

The heartbeat – At six weeks, the baby starts developing their neural system along with its heart beating for the first time.

Baby’s head develops – At seven weeks, the baby has developed his or her head. The brain and the face continue to grow at this stage.

Other features start to form – At 8 weeks, the baby’s limbs and fingers start to form, and swellings outlining the ears and eyes also form. At this stage, the nose also forms, and the toes appear at week 9.

The elbows can now bend – In the 10th week, the baby’s eyelids, mouth, and chin are recognizable. The baby’s head is now more round, and they can bend their elbows. The baby is also starting to move around in small movements, although the mother can’t feel it yet.

Baby’s genitalia form – The baby’s external genitalia start to form towards the end of week 11. Red blood cells also start forming in the liver at this stage. During this week, the baby officially becomes a fetus.

More features develop – During this week, the fetus’s fingernails form. Their head becomes more developed, and the intestines form in the stomach. At the end of this week, the baby is about the size of a peach.

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!

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.

Pregnancy-Related Stress and How to Handle It

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Initially, a woman is excited when she finds out she’s pregnant. However, some women begin to feel anxious as months pass and they get closer to the delivery. This is especially true for women who naturally deal with anxiety.

There are many reasons for pregnancy-related anxiety, including hormonal changes, everyday stress, and general worry about the baby. For some women, severe cases of pregnancy stress leads to both insomnia and issues for mom and baby. Luckily, there are a number of ways to cope with these symptoms and have an enjoyable, healthy pregnancy.

Talk to someone.
A support system is very important during pregnancy. Whether it’s a spouse, best friend, or a family member, speaking to someone about what’s going on brings relief. If necessary, speaking to a professional therapist can help with stress and anxiety. If they’re lucky, they can find a therapist that specializes in pregnancy-related stress.

Start a journal.
Sometimes, talking to someone isn’t an option. To avoid an anxiety attack, it often helps to take a moment and write in a journal. That way, she has a way to let go of those emotions in a healthy way. During doctor visits, they can help the mother identify and remedy anxiety triggers.

Journaling can also be a keepsake worth reading after the pregnancy. Another creative idea is creating a memory email address. Once her child turns 18, she can give them the email address and password. Then, they can read what was going through their mother’s mind before they were born.

Take a birthing class.
For some women, the thought of giving birth gives them anxiety. One of the best ways to get rid of that fear is to take a birthing class. Learning proper birthing techniques helps the expecting mother understand what’s to come and helps get rid of some of the fear associated with going into labor.

Pregnancy is a time of emotions, happiness, and of course, anxiety. Although this is a healthy emotion, too much can negatively impact the baby. Therefore, pregnant women should take steps like journaling, talking to loved ones, and taking a birthing class for some much-needed stress relief.