Your Breech Baby
Our Southlake, Fort Worth ObGyns explain what happens when you carry a breech baby You’re ready to give birth, and you feel like you’re prepared — until your ObGyn tells you that you have a breech baby. For a vaginal birth, the baby is ideally positioned head down, but 3 to 4 percent of pregnancies involve a breech baby. During the last weeks of pregnancy, if the baby is positioned buttocks, feet or both first instead of head down, we call it a breech presentation. Breech Positions Defined Every breech baby doesn’t present in the same position. Your breech baby may be in one of three breech positions. Our Southlake and Fort Worth ObGyns may refer to your breech baby in these ways. When the baby presents bottom down first and has bent knees, this is a complete breech. If the baby stretches his or her legs out toward the head, we call it a frank breech. When the baby is positioned with one leg hanging down, we call it a footling or incomplete breech. Our Southlake and Fort Worth ObGyns may discover your breech presentation during a pelvic examination or when they are feeling your belly. If so, they will order an ultrasound to confirm their suspicions. Can My Breech Baby Be Repositioned? We might be able to turn a breech baby using external cephalic version, or turning the baby. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, more than 50 percent of the time, turning a breech baby baby works; however, some babies may turn back into the breech position after the procedure. If you still have a breech position after week 36, we may try to turn the baby. This procedure should be done where a delivery room is easily accessible in the rare case that any problems occur. During the procedure, your ObGyn will use her hands to apply firm pressure to the abdomen to get the baby to rotate to a head-down position. During this process, we use an ultrasound to guide us, and we monitor the baby’s heart. Not every mother with a breech baby will qualify to have an external cephalic version. We do not attempt this with a mother carrying multiples. What Are My Delivery Options for a Breech Baby? If your baby has not turned head down, you will probably need a C-section. This is usually the safest way to deliver a breech baby for the sake of both mother and baby. Talk to our Southlake and Fort Worth ObGyns if you have concerns about a C-section. We are highly experienced in performing the procedure. For more information about pregnancy and birth, contact us for an appointment.
Maintaining Your Mental Health During Winter Months
Seasonal affective disorder mixed with a pandemic create extra challenges during “winter blues” months. For many of us, with the winter months can come “the winter blues.” Days are shorter, weather is colder. And with the addition of COVID-19, this winter is like no other. Many have been working from home, isolated due to travel restrictions and case counts. And sadly some have lost family members and friends to the pandemic. We’re all adjusting to a changing world as the headlines continue to scroll in. “The winter blues” might be more intense this year. And knowing the difference between sadness and depression can be difficult. Am I Sad Or Depressed? It’s completely normal to feel sad now and then. It’s also normal to feel a bit more sad during the winter months. But depression and sadness aren’t the same thing. And in some cases the depression leads to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seasonal affective disorder is estimated to affect 10 million Americans. Another 10 percent to 20 percent may have mild SAD. SAD is four times more common in women than in men. — Psychology Today Symptoms of SAD Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can include intense issues with sleeping and eating, increased use of drugs and alcohol, and general trouble functioning. These symptoms feel more intense and severe during the long winter months and may be exacerbated by social isolation and life changes. Tips For Getting Through The Winter in Good Mental Health Here are some things to try if you’re feeling depressed by this particularly difficult season. Take a “news break.” With the pandemic sending many of us into our homes, it’s undoubtedly increased our screen time. While it’s important to stay informed, the constant barrage of the 24-hour news cycle takes a toll. While it may sound challenging, try to work toward only one hour of news a day. Keep up a healthy sleep routine. This includes going to bed and waking up on a consistent schedule and avoiding electronics in the bedroom. Experimenting with temperature and other strategies will help you find what works best for you. Get active. Even with lockdowns and restrictions, you can still get outside. Even if it’s just for an hour a day it will provide you with necessary Vitamin D and boost your mood. Use your support system. 2020 and 2021 have taught us that human interaction is vital to mental health. As isolation has kept us from the people we love, it’s become challenging to maintain those connections. Reach out to your support system: Friends, family, co-workers. Anyone you trust. If you still find yourself unable to cope with dark thoughts and feelings, or unable to function in the way you know you’re capable of, it may be time for professional help. This could include medication. Talking to your doctor about where to begin is the best way to start. Contact us today, and we can help point you in the right direction for your best mental health.
Your Path to Women’s Wellness
Three important steps to take on your path to women’s wellness Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns urge you to take three significant steps on your path to women’s wellness. You can make it work, one step at a time. Your path to women’s wellness begins with these three critical actions Managing your health and attending your annual well-woman exam with our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns are vital steps on your path to women’s wellness. Here are some specific steps you can take to reach optimal health. Manage your overall wellness with a healthy diet and physical activity Part of your path to women’s wellness is getting to and maintaining a healthy weight. A normal body mass index (BMI) is between 18.5 and 24.9. The best way to achieve your weight goal is with a portion-controlled diet. This should consist of lean proteins, grains, vegetables, fruits and foods that provide calcium. Physical activity helps you build muscle, strong bones and a healthy heart. On your path to wellness, you should aim for 150 minutes of moderately intense activity such as brisk walking or bike rides. You should also add resistance training such as weight lifting or yoga. Pay attention to mental health issues such as stress and depression Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Ignoring it can have adverse effects on your overall wellness. If you are suffering from stress, address it with your physician as part of your path to wellness. Stress can cause headaches, stomach problems, sleep issues and other physical symptoms. Depression is another undertreated and underreported problem, but it is a treatable medical issue. If you feel hopeless, sad or empty for more than two weeks, you may be suffering from depression. The right care can help you feel better. Schedule your annual well-woman exam with our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns A vital component of your path to women’s wellness is your annual well-woman exam. During this visit, we address your overall mental and physical health, schedule important health screenings and discuss other health issues. Annual appointments are our opportunity to get to know you better and care for your health. Contact us to schedule one.
Understanding Braxton Hicks Contractions
What to know about Braxton Hicks contractions Braxton Hicks contractions are often called false labor, but our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns understand that they can feel very real. Usually, women experience these pains during the third trimester, but sometimes they occur during the second trimester. They are a normal part of pregnancy, but they can be uncomfortable and cause concern because you may think you are in true labor. Three questions you may have about Braxton Hicks contractions The more you know, the less you will worry if and when you experience your first Braxton Hicks contractions. Here are three questions patients ask our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns about these contractions. What causes Braxton Hicks contractions? Physicians and researchers don’t know the exact cause, but one theory is that they occur because the uterus is expanding and the cervix is relaxing as the body prepares for true labor. Some people call it practice labor. Certain things can trigger these contractions such as a full bladder, dehydration, touching the belly and times when the mother and/or the baby are active. Women often notice these pains more often at the end of the day and also after sex. What do these false labor pains feel like? Braxton Hicks contractions are intermittent pains that cause the abdomen to tighten. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to one or two minutes at a time. How do I know if the contractions are Braxton Hicks or the beginning of labor? There are several differences between false labor and true labor. Braxton Hicks contractions usually don’t get stronger or closer together over time, but true labor contractions do. False labor pains can sometimes be alleviated or stopped by changing position, walking or resting. However, true labor pains cannot. Most false contractions only cause abdominal pain, but real labor pains can cause pelvic pressure and pain in the back, lower abdomen, and even the thighs. If you have any doubts about whether your contractions are Braxton Hicks or true labor, do not hesitate to call us. Our compassionate and experienced Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns are here to help you have an informed, healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery. Contact us today for an appointment.
Three Tips for Selecting an Obgyn
Need help selecting an obgyn? Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns have some tips to help you when you are selecting an obgyn. Your obgyn is an important part of your healthcare team. She not only performs your annual well woman exam and provides preventive healthcare, but she also helps you when you have problems and need gynecological services. When you decide to start or grow your family, your obgyn monitors your pregnancy and helps you have a healthy labor and delivery. Our Southlake and Fort Worth obgyns offer tips for selecting an obgyn Many women rely on referrals when selecting an obgyn, and that is a good place to start. However, our physicians have some other tips to help you pick an obgyn. Learn more about the physician’s background and credentials. Learn more about our obgyns’ education and experience. Our all-female Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns provide compassionate healthcare for women of all ages. Many of our physicians have special areas of interest and expertise. If you are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant, selecting an obgyn who is experienced in both routine and high-risk pregnancies is important. You will probably have a routine pregnancy, but in the event that you develop a high risk pregnancy, you want a physician who has experience caring for pregnancies with multiples, mothers with gestational diabetes and other issues that need to be carefully monitored during pregnancy. Our physicians have experience you can rely on to guide you through a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery. Find a physician and staff who make you feel comfortable. Selecting an obgyn is a personal decision and one only you can make. You will need to develop a comfortable relationship with your physician so that you feel free to share personal information that your obgyn needs to care for you properly. You also should feel comfortable with the staff because you will interact with them before, during and after your appointments. From your first visit to Women’s Integrated Healthcare to every visit thereafter, our Southlake and Fort Worth obgyns and our staff strive to provide you with compassionate and experienced care. Selecting an obgyn doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you have any questions, contact us for an appointment.
Stress vs. Urge Incontinence
What women need to know about stress vs. urge incontinence Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns believe it’s important for women to understand the differences between stress vs. urge incontinence. Each type of urinary incontinence has its causes, symptoms, and methods of diagnosis and treatment. Knowing the difference between the two types also helps women comprehend why they are experiencing urine leakage, or the sudden or even constant urge to urinate. Stress vs. urge incontinence – What causes each type? Many people are unaware of what causes stress vs. urge incontinence. Different conditions and circumstances are responsible for each type. Weakened pelvic floor muscles are the ultimate cause of stress incontinence. Muscles become weak due to childbirth, age and menopause. There are circumstances that aggravate stress incontinence, including obesity, smoking, high-impact activities like running and aerobics, and conditions that cause a chronic cough. On the other hand, conditions that affect the bladder’s normal function cause urge incontinence, which is an important distinction between stress vs. urge incontinence. Here are the conditions that cause urge incontinence. Bladder stones Bladder inflammation Bladder cancer A blockage in the bladder Conditions that affect the brain or nervous system such as multiple sclerosis Injuries that affect the spinal cord Symptoms of stress incontinence The symptoms of stress incontinence are the ones that people most often associate with urinary incontinence. The primary symptom is urine leakage, especially when a woman laughs, coughs, sneezes or performs high-impact exercises. Women also leak when standing, getting in and out of a vehicle, lifting heavy items and having sex. Symptoms of urge incontinence The differences between stress vs. urge incontinence are obvious when you contrast the symptoms. While women with stress incontinence leak urine, women with urge incontinence may experience a sudden, strong urge to urinate, loss of control over when urination occurs and frequent urination both day and night. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns diagnose and treat both types of incontinence Women can depend on our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns to determine whether they are suffering from stress vs. urge incontinence. They can also rely on our physicians to provide accurate diagnosis and surgical and nonsurgical treatments for incontinence. Women who are afflicted with the symptoms of incontinence should contact us for an appointment.
Tips for Preparing for Gynecological Surgery
What you may not know about preparing for gynecological surgery Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns believe that the more you know about preparing for gynecological surgery, the less nervous you will feel on the day of your procedure. You can help our surgeons by complying with all the instructions provided. Everything our physicians and staff advise you to do is for a reason, and following our directions makes the surgery and the recovery a smoother process. Five ways to prepare for gynecological surgery Some of our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns’ directions about preparing for gynecological surgery may surprise you and leave you wondering why you are being asked to do these particular things. Here are five critical steps to take before surgery and the reasons why our physicians ask you to follow these directions. Stop smoking cigarettes and marijuana. Smoking affects your heart and lungs, and so does anesthesia. When you stop smoking, your lungs begin to improve as early as 12 hours after you stop. Do not drink alcohol in the 24 hours before your surgery. Refraining from drinking prior to surgery is an important part of preparing for gynecological surgery. Alcohol affects how your body absorbs anesthesia and your blood’s ability to clot. Provide our obgyns with a complete list of every medication or supplement you take. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns need to know about every prescription and over-the-counter medication, as well as any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies you take. Different ingredients can affect the medications our doctors need to administer during and after surgery. Remove nail polish and acrylic nails before surgery. This may seem like a small thing to do when preparing for gynecological surgery, but it’s essential. Surgeons and anesthesiologists need to see your natural nail bed to check for circulation problems. Do not shave for a certain amount of time before surgery. Ask our obgyns which areas of the body you should avoid shaving and for what period of time prior to surgery. Hair removal can leave nicks in the skin that increase your risk for an infected wound. Our compassionate staff and experienced Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns make preparing for gynecological surgery as easy as possible. Our goal before and after surgery is a happy, healthy patient. Contact us for an appointment.
Do You Need Gynecological Surgery?
When do women need gynecological surgery? Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns pursue several treatment options before considering gynecological surgery. However, in certain circumstances, surgery may be the best choice. Our experienced, highly trained surgeons perform the most-advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques, including da Vinci® robotic surgery. Leading-edge techniques help patients recover faster and with fewer complications than traditional, open surgery. When gynecological surgery is the best option After our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns have tried more-conservative treatment options, they discuss gynecological surgery with patients. Here are some common conditions that may require gynecological surgery to achieve a complete recovery. Endometriosis. Our physicians may perform a minimally invasive procedure called a laparoscopy to diagnose and treat endometriosis by removing endometrial implants. This surgery requires general anesthesia. In severe cases where the patient does not get pain relief from laparoscopic surgery, a hysterectomy may be necessary. Uterine fibroids. Fibroids cause a variety of symptoms, including menstrual problems, vaginal bleeding, cramps and infertility. Gynecological surgery helps women who have not responded to medication. Uterine fibroids may be removed during a myomectomy, a procedure where our surgeons remove the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. Other procedures our obgyns may consider include endometrial ablation, hysteroscopy, uterine artery embolization or MRI-guided ultrasound surgery. In severe cases, hysterectomy may also be an option. Abnormal uterine bleeding. If medication doesn’t reduce heavy bleeding and long menstrual periods, gynecological surgery may be the optimal treatment. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns decide which type of gynecological surgery to perform based on whether the patient wants to have children, her age and her symptoms. Surgery ranges from endometrial ablation to uterine artery embolization. A hysterectomy may be necessary if other methods do not help with the bleeding. Leading-edge surgical techniques provide patients with better outcomes Our obgyns pursue advanced training and educational opportunities to give our patients the best care. Patients who are scheduled for surgery can rely on our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns’ skills and knowledge. Contact us for an appointment.
Honest Communication with Your Obgyn
What you should know about honest communication with your obgyn Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns want you to know why honest communication with your obgyn is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Our physicians and staff are professionals who deal with women’s health issues every day. Everything you tell your obgyn is kept confidential, so you can be up front with us during your visits. Honest communication with your obgyn begins with these points Honest communication with your obgyn helps our physicians provide you with the best care. Your sexual history provides important information. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns need to know if you are sexually active. If you are, you may need to be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and be advised about safe sexual practices. It’s also important to tell us if you have pain or other symptoms during sex. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns need to know if you smoke, drink or use illegal drugs. Honest communication with your obgyn about habits like smoking, drinking or drugs may make you feel uncomfortable, but our obgyns are not here to judge you. Knowing about your habits helps us to assess your risk of certain illnesses. Our physicians also need to know about your lifestyle when you are thinking about becoming pregnant or are already pregnant so that we can advise you about protecting your baby. Don’t hesitate to tell us about embarrassing symptoms. You may think it’s awkward to mention things such as leaking urine or a diminished sex drive, but none of this makes our physicians uncomfortable. Honest communication with your obgyn means asking any and all questions. Avoiding scary symptoms will not make a problem go away. Finally, honest communication with your obgyn is crucial if you think you may have a serious problem. For example, if you are hesitant to mention a lump in your breast because you are afraid you have breast cancer, keep in mind that prompt diagnosis and treatment saves lives. When you visit our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns for your annual well-woman exam, gynecological services or obstetrics, talk to us openly and honestly so that we can provide you with the best care possible. Let’s talk. Contact us for an appointment.
Obgyn Care in the DFW Area
High-quality obgyn care in the DFW area that’s convenient and close to home Are you looking for high-quality obgyn care in the DFW area? Our Fort Worth and Southlake obgyns work with women from adolescence to menopause and beyond to provide outstanding obstetrics and gynecology services. As an added bonus, every obgyn in our practice is a woman. Our obgyn care in the DFW area offers user-friendly locations Why fight the Dallas traffic when you can find first-rate obgyn care in the DFW area closer to your neighborhood? Our Fort Worth and Southlake offices are close to several cities and towns in the Metroplex area. The locations are easily accessible with ample parking. State-of-the-art gynecology and gynecological surgery services Good health begins with preventive care. Our physicians form a valuable relationship with patients, especially during the annual well woman exam. When problems occur, and you need obgyn care in the DFW area, there’s no need to venture far from home. With our Fort Worth and Grapevine obgyns, you’re in experienced, trained hands. From endometriosis and PCOS, to urinary incontinence and recurrent UTIs, our physicians and staff provide thoughtful and thorough treatment and diagnosis. If you need surgery, rest assured that our obgyns are trained in the most up-to-date gynecological surgery techniques, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Our surgeons perform hysterectomies, endometriosis surgery, surgery for urinary incontinence and more. Obstetrics and midwifery services for routine and high-risk pregnancies If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, and considering obgyn care in the DFW area, our offices offer everything you need. Our experienced obstetricians care for high-risk and routine pregnancies. Our midwifery services provide another pregnancy care option for patients. From preconception counseling and fertility testing, to pregnancy office visits and labor management, we’ve got you covered. Patients at our Fort Worth office deliver at Fort Worth Medical Center Fort Worth. These locations offer nearby, expert care, making for a smooth trip to the hospital on the big day. Our Fort Worth and Southlake obgyns prove that excellent obgyn care in the DFW area is not limited to the city of Dallas. Our all-female physicians are close to your neighborhood, ready to provide you with the comprehensive healthcare you need. Contact us for an appointment.
