By Iris Farrou
09 Feb, 2021
Menstruation
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It’s not a secret that menstrual cycles causes all sorts of changes to our bodies, our moods, our hair, etc, but our cycle also brings about changes to our skin. You may be surprised to find out it’s not only during menstruation and the frequent breakout that accompanies it that our hormones are at work. In fact, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone work hard throughout our menstrual cycle to ensure that they are causing changes to our skin. You can check the best laser hair removal in Las Vegas, NV and know where to go to get a glow up.
Shark Week
During our periods, and especially on the first day, all our hormones are at their lowest levels. You may have noticed not only the breakouts but also the lack of moisture—this is due to the low sebum production. It is ideal to consume more water to help your skin retain hydration, and to use a moisturizer or serum high in hyaluronic acid. Increased pain sensitivity is also noticed during that time, so try to avoid procedures that would be painful (like waxing). For the Top 7 Benefits of CoolSculpting, and the way it benefits the skin, it is best to check out this link!
Venus Week
After menstruation ends, our skin begins the process of producing estrogen anew. You have probably noticed that in the days after your period your skin glows more and may feel more youthful or plump. The increased levels of estrogen mean that collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid are created, leading to stronger elastic cells. If you want to help your skin with this turnover process, you can consider exfoliating. It is generally suggested that you use gentle and natural exfoliants and lessen the amount of makeup so that you give your skin a chance to breathe. Lowering your sugar and carb intake during this week will also help your skin glow even more!
Minerva Phase
After ovulation, female bodies pump up the levels of progesterone—the hormone responsible for “watching after” potential pregnancies. This surge leads to more sebum production, swelling of your skin and compression of pores. This is the phase when more oil is likely to be trapped in our skin pores, thus causing the dreaded breakout to commence. You may also feel more bloated during this time, as our metabolism tends to slow down. As far as your skincare routine goes in this phase, you want to ensure that you are using products that help with the excess oil: cleanse with a gentle toner, add a clay mask to your routine, or use spot-on acne treatment for potential blemishes.
Takeaway
Being cognizant of the hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle can certainly help you take better care of your skin, and possibly lessen the personal guilt that comes with blemishes or dry skin! However, there may always be other conditions that cause skin problems so always check with your doctor before drastically changing your skincare routine, or if you are on any medications that might affect it.
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Any expectant mother’s goal is to deliver a safe and healthy baby, and the work to achieve that begins as soon as a woman realizes she is pregnant. From prenatal vitamins to diet changes, and more that are discussed here, women employ a variety of methods to boost their immune system during pregnancy. Did you know that your body actually lowers its immune defenses upon pregnancy to allow the fetus to grown? As a result, of course, your immune system becomes weaker and needs some extra support. This is especially important now, when COVID-19 poses an extra threat to individuals with a weakened immune system.
Immune Support Techniques
- Prenatal Vitamins: During pregnancy, not only do you have a weakened immune system, but you also need to be careful with your diet. This can often make it difficult to have a healthy intake of necessary nutrients, so taking prenatal vitamins recommended by your doctor is a good way to ensure you are boosting your immune system and your overall health. In fact, it’s ideal to get on prenatal vitamins when you start trying to conceive.
- Hydration: Staying hydrated is a good way to avoid illness and to help alleviate symptoms of it if you get sick. Our bodies need water, so extra intake of water ensures that your immune system runs effectively. Though there can be other sources, avoid drinks high in sugar or caffeinated beverages.
- Diet: A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and proteins has the ability to naturally boost your immune system and help you get better if you get sick. Avoid foods with high sugar percentages and other carbohydrates. This way, you are ensuring you are consuming the necessary vitamins and minerals.
- Rest: Though self-explanatory, a good night’s sleep goes a long way in boosting your immune system and in making sure your body is getting enough energy to stay healthy and to sustain a growing baby.
- Humidifier: Not only can humidifiers help alleviate cold symptoms, they also keep the air pleasantly moist and generally cleaner.
Pregnancy and COVID-19
Because pregnancy can cause a lower immune system, it follows that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is higher. At this moment, the World Health Organization does not specify different protection measures against COVID-19 for pregnant women, but it does caution to the higher risk the virus poses to pregnant women.
As is recommended:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Keep recommended space between yourself and others and wear a fabric mask.
- Avoid crowded spaces.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Practice respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your elbow should you need to sneeze.
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By Iris Farrou
30 Dec, 2020
Pregnancy
Best gyns in Buffalo, Best OB practices in Buffalo, Best OBGYN Groups in Buffalo, Buffalo OBGYN, Chouchani MD, Healthy pregnancy, WNY OB-GYN, WNY Ob-gyn doctors, WNY OBGYN, women's health
There comes a time at every pregnancy when the delivery of the baby becomes the issue at hand; many mothers have a choice on whether to go through a natural birth—also referred to as vaginal birth—or request a Caesarian section, most commonly known as C-section. Sometimes a C-section is necessary, especially in cases of medical concerns for the health of the baby or the mother, but when faced with the option it is a wise idea to be informed of the differences between the two methods of delivery, as well as their respective risks and complications.
Overview
C-sections are a surgical procedure to deliver the newborn, and it takes place either when requested by the mother in lieu of natural birth, or when medical conditions make it necessary. Sometimes a C-section is pre-planned, while other times it may become necessary during labor. They are not as common as natural births, but the following conditions may make a C-section necessary for the safety of both the mother and the baby:
- General health medical concerns for the newborn
- Delivery of more than one baby
- Maternal infections or conditions, such as diabetes
- Problems with the placenta
- Delivery of a larger baby
- A labor that is not progressing in a timely manner, making it unsafe to continue naturally
A natural birth is a vaginal delivery, and it may take place with or without medical assistance for the pain. Natural births usually require a shorter hospital stay and have a faster recovery period. If the mother chooses to have a medical intervention to assist with a natural birth, this may be one of the following:
- Using Pitocin to induce labor
- An incision to help with the delivery of the baby without tearing the skin
- Artificially breaking the water, which would mean a rupture of the amniotic membrane
- A vacuum extraction
Procedure and Healing
Caesarean Delivery
In the case of a Caesarean section, the surgical procedure in general takes about 45 minutes. An incision is made through your abdomen and uterus to remove the baby, usually in the lower part of your uterus. As it is an operation, mothers may be given general anesthesia or an epidural block, where you will be awake during the procedure but not feel the lower part of your body.
The doctor cuts the umbilical cord, removes the placenta and closes the incision while the nurses may need to check the baby and clear their airway before they return it to the mother. Unlike natural birth, it may be a few minutes before the mother is united with her baby after a C-section.
As it is a surgery, recovering from a C-section will be similar to that of any kind of operation. There is a two to four day required stay at the hospital, and pain is to be expected when moving around or getting in and out of bed. The scar from the procedure may be itchy or painful in the first few weeks, like with any surgical scar, and cramps or discharge for about four to six weeks are natural.
Vaginal Delivery
A vaginal delivery happens in the hospital or a birthing center, and sometimes at home. In some cases, mothers opt for an epidural to numb the pain. There are three stages to this procedure: early, active, and transitional. Periodically, your cervix will be measured to determine whether you are fully dilated.
A full dilation is when the cervix is at 10 cm, when it is time to push. As the baby moves down the birth canal, the medical team assists with the delivery and uniting the newborn with the mother immediately. While the baby may be out, more contractions to extract the placenta are expected. Unlike a C-section, natural delivery has no specific timeframe and may take hours.
Takeaway
When the time comes to consider the safest option for you and your baby, always consult with your medical professional or your doctor. The safest choice depends on your medical history.
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There is no doubt, this year’s holiday season will be somewhat different. Many families will choose smaller events with only the people in their bubbles. Even with less pressure and tension from serving and hosting large groups, the stress and isolation due to the pandemic is weighing on most people. The good news is that smaller gatherings can be more intimate and encourage healthier holiday food options.
Healthy eating tips for this holiday season:
Break from tradition: Instead of feeling like you need to hit on every tradition and make every single dish that you usually have at your parties, this is a great excuse to try something new. Consider a themed holiday dinner (think French countryside, Tapas, or even Harry Potter) and opt for healthier dishes that include grilled meats and vegetables. Building a meal around a soup, stew, or chili main course could also be fun. Not only do soups warm up a cold body, but they can also be quicker and healthier than traditional plated meals.
Include the kids: While kids love decorating sweets and cookies, also include the kids in making healthy dishes like a Christmas tree crudités or crudités wreath. Be sure to include more kid friendly veggies like broccoli, tomatoes or carrots. If veggies aren’t your family’s thing, try a fruit Christmas tree or Grinch kabobs.
Don’t go overboard: Unless you’re planning to make cookies or cakes as gifts for family and friends, limit the amount of sweets coming into the house. Pick a few favorites, but don’t get carried away. Odds are you will have less people coming over, so there’s no reason to make a never-ending array of cookies and cakes. If desserts are a key aspect of your holiday celebrations, look for ways to lighten things up with healthier recipes or by choosing to make mini versions of your favorites like these mini cheesecakes.
Go vegetarian: In addition to helping the environment, eating vegetarian is often healthier than meat-based diets. Consider integrating one vegetarian meal on a major holiday this winter. This list includes classics from broccoli-cheddar casserole to butternut squash and spinach lasagna—so the options are endless.
Integrate exercise: Hopefully you’ve already found a groove for integrating some exercise into your weekly routines. Exercise is so important because it releases endorphins, which will boost your mood and well-being. Never under estimate the power of exercise. It’s never too late to get started. Make it a point to integrate 20+ minutes of exercise on days where you will be eating more than usual. This can include many at-home activities such as walking and workout videos (yoga, aerobics, etc.). The key is to work in exercises with some consistency, even if it’s just a couple of times a week.
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Though the word “mammogram” may ring as scary for many women, it is essentially an X-ray imaging of your breasts to detect a tumor or other abnormalities. There is no suggested or ideal age at which medical professionals agree one should start getting a screening mammogram, but typically women get their first mammogram between ages 35 and 40. Depending on risk level and preferences, women should discuss the options and risks with their doctor.
Remember that getting a screening mammogram does not necessarily mean there is cancer present: even if you get a call back, which is most common in first mammograms, it is most likely to look at a certain area more carefully. An extra ultrasound may be more commonly required in women who are pre-menopausal and get a mammogram done.
Facility Tips
- Choose a facility that specializes in mammograms and conducts a number of them in a day, speaking to its credibility and expertise. To reassure yourself about the standards being met, you may request to see an FDA certificate. If possible, visit the same facility every year so that your record is kept and comparisons may be done easily.
- Get your records from any other facility you may have visited in the past, so the pictures can be compared, and you can save some time.
- Also bring with you a list of places and dates when other mammograms may have been done, as well as biopsies or other breast treatments.
Day of the Mammogram
- Avoid deodorant, cream, or powder under your arms on the day you are scheduled to have a mammogram as those substances may show up as white spots.
- Wear clothes that will make it easy to remove just the top and your bra on the day of the exam.
- Try to schedule the mammogram on a day when your breasts are not swollen, so as to get a better picture and be more comfortable.
The Exam
- Most technologists are women, and you and the technologist should be the ones in the room during the exam. They will position your breasts accordingly for the mammogram.
- Expect your breasts to be compressed between two plates, and the procedure should take about 10-20 minutes, while the breast compression will not be more than a few seconds.
- For a screening mammogram, two views of each breast are required. For women with larger breasts or breast implants, more photos may be necessary.
- There may be some discomfort or pain during the procedure, but you should alert the technologist so they can try and make it more comfortable for you.
Though getting a mammogram does not necessarily mean you have a malignant lump or cancer, you should check with the facility if you don’t hear back from them—until you are certain, you should not assume the mammogram is normal. The best quality of a mammogram is that it can detect breast cancer even if it is too small to be felt; this means that it is diagnosed at a very early stage giving it the best chances at a successful treatment.
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“I can’t be infertile. I already have a child. So, what’s wrong with me?” These words are spoken too frequently by loving women struggling to expand their families. Infertility is a heartbreaking condition that impacts 7.5 million American women. While many associate infertility issues with couples striving to conceive their first child, more than three million women who have already had a child find themselves unable to conceive a second time, leaving them frustrated and uncertain.
If you’re looking to grow your family, but are experiencing difficulties conceiving after your first child, talk to your OBGYN about the possibility that you are experiencing secondary infertility. To prepare for your conversation, read on to learn more about this condition, and its causes.
Secondary Infertility Defined
Secondary infertility occurs when a woman is unable to get pregnant, or carry a pregnancy to full term, after she has had her first child. Your OBGYN may diagnose you as experiencing secondary infertility if:
- You have already given birth without the use of medical support or fertility medications but are then unable to get pregnant again, or you experience recurrent miscarriages, and;
- You are under age 35 and have been trying for one year to get pregnant, or;
- You are age 35 or older and have been trying for six months to get pregnant.
Secondary Infertility Causes
Just like with primary (or first time) infertility, a wide variety of factors in both the male and female partner could be the cause of secondary infertility. In some cases, the underlying cause of a woman’s infertility may have worsened after her first birth. To determine the exact cause of any conception issues you face, speak with your OBGYN. What follows, however, is a list of possible causes.
- Advanced reproductive age, which could lead to poor egg quantity or quality.
- Endometriosis, which occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.
- Pelvic adhesions, a condition that makes it difficult for an egg to be picked up by the fallopian tube, and could be caused by endometriosis or prior abdominal scarring.
- Asherman’s syndrome (intrauterine adhesions), which may have developed after a complicated earlier pregnancy, such as one in which a uterine infection occurred that caused the development of adhesions around the fallopian tube.
- Poor sperm quality or quantity, which could be caused by changes in a man’s health, new medications, or excessive weight gain.
- Defective ovulation, which may or may not be caused by excessive weight gain.
- Smoking, by either the male or female partner.
- Pelvic or uterine scarring.
- A blocked fallopian tube(s).
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Being underweight.
- Excessive drinking.
Treatment Options
If you fear you may be experiencing secondary infertility, start by speaking with your OBGYN. He/she can prescribe a fertility treatment that will best address your specific complications. In most cases, treatments for secondary infertility are the same as those used to treat primary infertility. Recommended treatments may include assisted reproductive technologies (ART), medications, fertilization procedures, and egg donation.
What’s most important to remember is that you are not to blame for your inability to conceive a second (or third, or fourth) time. Talk to your OBGYN. Together, you can work to identify the cause of your struggles and determine a plan that will help you bring another beautiful life into the world.
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In recent years there has been an increasing amount of dialogue and debate about the benefits of immunizations for newborns. While every parent needs to decide how best to safeguard the health of her child, it is essential to understand the benefits of immunizations, and the risks involved in choosing not to immunize. Before you choose to say “no” to vaccinating your baby, consider the following proven health benefits.
Immunizations are Life Savers
Immunizations can save your child’s life. Today’s vaccines have proven to protect children from complex and deadly diseases that, in the past, took the lives of thousands of children each year. Vaccinations have helped to all but eliminate such diseases as smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, yellow fever, whooping cough, polio, and measles. To continue to keep children safe from these diseases, each generation must maintain immunity through the use of proven childhood vaccinations.
Immunizations Help Prevent Lifelong Disabilities
Some vaccine-preventable diseases, even if not deadly, can result in prolonged health complications and disabilities. For example, pertussis, or whooping cough, can cause such complications as pneumonia, seizures, or brain damage, while polio can result in life-long paralysis. Since there is no cure for diseases such as polio, vaccination is the only way to protect children from possible lifelong disabilities associated with these diseases.
Immunizations are Safe
For parents fearing the potential risk factors of vaccinations, take comfort in knowing that vaccinations are both safe and effective. All vaccines are heavily tested and their results are monitored before being mass produced and distributed. While such mild side effects as discomfort, redness and tenderness at the injection site are known to occur, such factors should be of minimal concern compared to the risks of the diseases that vaccines prevent.
Immunizations are Required by Many Institutions
Many schools and health care facilities require children to be vaccinated before admittance. By choosing not to vaccinate your child, you may be limiting your child’s future opportunities for care and education.
Immunizations Protect the Future
Thanks to vaccinations, small pox is one disease that has been completely eradicated. Today, immunizations save an estimated 9 million lives around the world each year. Despite these advances, scientists believe that an additional 16 million deaths could be avoided annually if effective vaccines were deployed against all vaccine-preventable diseases. With more parents willing to vaccinate their children today, we have a better chance of protecting children tomorrow from the continued threat of preventable diseases and their long-term effects.
If you are considering whether or not to vaccinate your child, talk to your child’s doctor about the benefits and potential side effects of immunizing your newborn. Every parent wants to protect his child from health threats and give him the best chances to live a long and healthy life. Regular immunizations should be a part of every parent’s disease prevention plan for their child. With generations of proven effectiveness, parents can rest assured that the benefits of vaccinating their child will far outweigh any temporary discomfort.
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Being a new parent not only means experiencing new joys in your life, but it also adds a heaping pile of new responsibilities. While attempting to schedule appointments and playdates, maintaining responsibilities at work and keeping house and home in order, it can be extremely difficult to fit any time for yourself into an already-packed schedule. However, there are some simple ways to scoop up a few seconds for yourself and restore some serenity to your routine.
Seek out “child-friendly” facilities:
Some stores, gyms and other commercial enterprises offer kid-friendly rooms or babysitting services while their parents shop, workout or accomplish other necessities in a timely and efficient manner. Those few extra minutes of silence and privacy could really help you accomplish all you’re trying to do while still soaking up some personal time.
Most childcare places have a time limit, but just having the chance to absorb the additional ten to 30 minutes of peace can truly restart and refresh your day. Not to mention give you the chance to remember everything you had on your shopping list.
Treat yourself as well as you would treat others
Make sure to treat time you’ve blocked out for yourself like you would treat any other important commitment. Even if you’ve only allocated yourself ten minutes from your busy day, consider those minutes just as precious as if they’re the ten minutes you’ve scheduled for your baby’s doctor appointment, or the five minutes you’re taking to fill up your gas tank.
Just like others are deserving of your time and attention, you’re just as deserving of some valued alone time where you can choose to do whatever you wish and take pride in that decision without feeling guilty.
Read, Write and Listen
After hours of kid’s television, baby talk and nursery rhymes, keeping your brain from feeling like mush might feel like an impossible task. However, keeping a book on hand or an audiobook uploaded to your music player or burned to CDs keeps your mommy mind engaged and on edge while wandering through a stimulating crime fiction novel or best-selling biography.
Keeping a journal, blogging, tweeting or utilizing Pinterest boards and Facebook pages can be a creative and fulfilling way to chronicle your parenting experience while also interacting with other parents and sharing ideas and advice. Some parents also use social media as a way to chronicle their children’s lives, adventures and daily quirks and silliness in hopes that they’ll have a chance to share it with them later.
While posting information about your child on social media can be a difficult judgment call to make, there are ways to protect your online privacy and keep your memories within the family and safe from online strangers, usually made available under the website’s privacy settings.
Stick together
You’re not the first parent to struggle, and you certainly won’t be the last. Find another parent and work out a babysitting schedule so that you’re trading shifts throughout the month. Make a plan so that some nights you have time solely to yourself while your friend watches both children, and other nights you take them both while your friend has time alone to themselves.
Having another parent to talk with and rely on for help and advice can really make the whole parenting adventure less intimidating and, at points, more fun for both of you.
Though being a new parent can be incredibly stressful, there are simple ways to find small moments during the day for relaxation. Taking the time to take care of yourself is not only better for you, but it’s better for your relationship with your child as well. Your baby deserves a happy, healthy mom as much as you deserve time that’s all your own.
Our team of physicians at Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello MD are here to help you stay healthy before, during and after your pregnancy. Check back often for more parenting tips and women’s health tips in the patient education section of the WNY-OBGYN website.
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Summer in Western New York is a special time—especially after a long, hard winter! Most of us enjoy the longer days, the sun and the heat. This summer, why not get more out of this time of year by integrating some healthy habits into your daily routine? Here are a few ideas that can help you get started:
- Buy Local Produce: Between farmers’ markets, roadside stands and supermarkets that buy from nearby suppliers, it’s easy to find locally grown fresh produce. Buying locally means your produce is fresher and retains more nutrients—and it’s better for the environment, too! Visit a market near you to shop for a week’s worth of salad ingredients, fruits for a healthy dessert, or a side vegetable for your next weekend barbeque. When fruits are in season, stock up and freeze some for use in the winter.
- Get Moving: Make the most of the warmer temperatures and longer days by swimming laps at a community pool, planning a hike to explore a local park, or riding your bike instead of driving to run small errands. Or get a running/walking buddy to keep you company while you work toward a goal.
- Protect your skin. Yes, sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D, and we enjoy full doses of it when we can. But you need to take precautions and protect your skin. Always wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and reapply it regularly. If you’re going to be outside for hours at a time, wear a hat and other protective clothing. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Drink lots of water. Many people find it easier to drink enough water in the summer, when you’re more aware of having to keep hydrated. Water is more refreshing than sugary juices or carbonated beverages, while unsweetened iced tea is a good substitute for those who don’t enjoy plain water all the time. Keep an insulated bottle of water or tea with you at all times!
At Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello, we believe a healthy community is a strong community, so we encourage our patients and their families to live healthier lifestyles. Want to know more about our OB-GYN practice located in Western New York? Call us anytime.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
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It’s not a secret that menstrual cycles causes all sorts of changes to our bodies, our moods, our hair, etc, but our cycle also brings about changes to our skin. You may be surprised to find out it’s not only during menstruation and the frequent breakout that accompanies it that our hormones are at work. In fact, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone work hard throughout our menstrual cycle to ensure that they are causing changes to our skin. You can check the best laser hair removal in Las Vegas, NV and know where to go to get a glow up.
