Constipation in Pregnancy Constipation is yet another uncomfortable symptom that is very common in pregnancy. We can blame our hormones for this one too. Progesterone circulates at an all time high during pregnancy and plays a major role in bloating and constipation. How do hormones cause constipation? Progesterone slows down the motility of the intestines. This means
With all the appointments and tests that occur during pregnancy, it’s hard to keep track of everything and easy to question, “Is all of this really necessary?” One question that patients have asked me is “Do I Really Need Folic Acid for Pregnancy?” The answer is YES! Folic acid is a B vitamin that is
Before medical school I thought I was going to have all of my children before the age of 30. Then real life happened. Studying, residency, work, and soon I was 29 years old and not pregnant. My Mom’s comments about my “biological clock ticking” were now driving me bonkers! I was very blessed and able
Eczema is a skin condition where inflammation causes the skin to be dry, crust, crack, and ooze. Eczema can often get worse in the winter because the cold winter air can further dry out the skin. It is common, and can affect up to 1 in 5 children. What causes eczema? The cause of eczema is
Anxiety can be a common experience among new parents. Some anxiety is normal and as long as it is not impairing your functioning and is short-lived, it is nothing to be alarmed by. Anxiety disorders on the other hand are ongoing, interfere with your quality of life and your functioning. Maternal mental health has been
Childbirth is an incredible physical accomplishment for the female body! Women work hard to grow, carry and birth their babies and approximately 1 in 4 women experience pelvic floor symptoms because of it. In a vaginal birth, the work of pushing brings the baby down from the uterus, through the vaginal opening in the pelvic
There is a common misconception that women who breastfeed their babies will have adverse changes to the appearance of their breasts once they wean breastfeeding. It can actually be a common reason why women choose not to breastfeed their infants. Surprisingly, it isn’t the act of breastfeeding at all that changes the appearance of your breasts. It is actually the changes in
Mastitis is a painful complication of breastfeeding. It is defined as inflammation of the mammary gland, which causes the breast to become painful, swollen, and red. It is most common in the first three months of breastfeeding, but it can occur at any time. What Causes Mastitis? Mastitis is usually caused by poor milk drainage, like
The stretching out and thinning of the abdominal muscles and connective tissue allows a woman’s belly to grow into the beautiful, round shape of pregnancy. An understandable concern for a woman is how pregnancy will change the function and appearance of her abdomen postpartum. Pregnancy affects the abdominal wall muscles, often causing them to weaken
There comes a time when a mother and child’s breastfeeding relationship will come to an end. This is a very personal decision that a mother must make for her and her child. This decision can come with a lot of mixed emotions – but rest assured, this is completely normal! When to Wean There is no right