If you are an athlete or have an active lifestyle, you may have wondered: ‘Should my exercise routine change during pregnancy and breastfeeding?’ As a former division 1 athlete, I sure have. You may have seen the news about athletes who compete at the highest level during or shortly after pregnancy. Serena Williams won the Australian Open while 8 weeks pregnant. Alysia Montano ran the 800-meter race at a national meet in her third trimester. Allyson Felix won a gold medal at the World …
The Baby Blog: Mom's Health Conditions
Birth Defects vs. Chromosomal Abnormalities: What’s the Difference?
Sara contacted us at the recommendation of her OB/GYN to talk about the paroxetine she takes for her depression. Sara wanted to see if taking paroxetine can increase the chance of having a baby with a heart defect. She was confused because her genetic screening result was normal. She asked: “Is it possible for my baby to have a heart defect if my non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) was negative?” There are many tests that can check on the development …
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: When HS Joins the Pregnancy Journey
During my own three pregnancies, I learned how even the smallest skin discomforts can feel like a lot. Pregnancy had a way of making me hyperaware of every sensation in my body. Most of the skin problems I had during pregnancy were minor irritations, like dry skin and acne, and they eventually went away. This was not the case with my hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS didn’t take a break just because I was pregnant. So, what happens when the discomfort is something more chronic, something …
When You Cannot Trust Your Gut: What to Do About Diarrhea in Pregnancy and Lactation
The runs, the trots, the green apple quickstep. You have heard all the nicknames for it, but even hearing something as cute as “bubble guts” does not make diarrhea any better, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Just last week, I got a call from someone in a panic: “Leah, it is really bad. I am so uncomfortable. I thought you were supposed to get constipated during pregnancy.” That caller was not wrong – constipation can be common during pregnancy. Hormones like prostaglandins – …
When The Sniffles Strike During Pregnancy: Cold Meds & Your Questions Answered
Is it a cold? The flu? Or is it COVID-19? Either way, it is miserable. It is Friday afternoon. You are pregnant, or actively planning, and you wake up with a scratchy throat, pressure in your nose and forehead, and runny nose. You think you have a cold… or is it the flu or COVID-19? You have left a message with your healthcare provider to ask them about what to do and what medication you can take. You are worried about taking the wrong medication. As the hours pass, you think it is unlikely …
