Category: Pregnancy

Planning what time of year you’ll be pregnant isn’t something you can control although you probably have a timeline in mind. When you consider that a full-term pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks, what you can count on is being pregnant for the better part of a year. 

Whether you’d rather be in your first trimester or in your third during the dog days of summer may be something you want to consider when planning your family. The summer poses a special set of pros and cons to pregnant women at all stages, but especially for those nearing their due date. 

Let’s dig into the pros and cons of a summer pregnancy: 

Pros of Being Pregnant in the Summer

Seasonal Produce

Based on the diet guidelines you and your doctor have discussed, easy access to high-quality fresh produce is definitely an upside of a summer pregnancy. With so many fruits and vegetables at their peak this time of year, it’s much easier to maintain a nutrient-dense prenatal diet and have enough variety that you don’t get bored. 

If you’re looking for a way to cool down, pop some watermelon or grapes into the freezer for a refreshing snack or blend some leafy greens and fresh fruit into a smoothie . Just be sure to watch out for the sugar content. Avoid any sugar other than the natural sugar in the fruit; for instance, steer clear of flavored yogurt with added sweeteners or juices.

Vitamin D

A few minutes of sun each day can help you produce more vitamin D and avoid vitamin D deficiency, a common issue during pregnancy. Vitamin D deficiency has possible links to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and other conditions. 

Keep in mind that too much sun can be harmful to anyone’s health, especially those who are pregnant. This doesn’t mean you should avoid the sun altogether. Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or greater any time that you are going to be outside. Talk to your doctor about sunscreen recommendations for products that are safe during pregnancy and about sun exposure before setting any kind of routine.

Swimming

We know the thought of being in a bathing suit while pregnant isn’t the most appealing, but the benefits of swimming far outweigh that. In addition to being a good way to cool down, swimming can also soothe pregnancy-related aches and pains. Swimming and floating reduce weight on your joints and your sciatic nerve as well as potentially reducing swelling. When swimming while pregnant, just follow basic rules of water safety. For example, keep an eye on the tide and waves in the ocean. And again, don’t forget the sunscreen.

Wardrobe

This pro is probably the most trivial on the list, but the wardrobe possibilities that come with a summer pregnancy are worth mentioning. For a few months, you can avoid that struggle of trying to button your jeans and opt for flowy and breezy pieces instead like maxi dresses, skirts, and wide-leg palazzo pants. 

Additionally, sandals and flip flops can be great for feet that might swell when constrained in other types of shoes. Just make sure you have proper foot support and always monitor your swelling and act if it becomes concerning. 

Cons of Summer Pregnancies

Dehydration

While the risk of dehydration increases in the summer for everyone, pregnant women should pay close attention to their water intake as dehydration can have an even more serious effect on them. 

When it’s hot, we sweat more and lose both water and electrolytes from our bodies. It’s important not to wait until you are thirsty. Drink plenty of water throughout the day keeping in mind the recommended daily total of 2.3-2.5 liters as dehydration can increase your risk of preterm labor.

Overheating

In early pregnancy, an abnormally high body temperature, or hyperthermia, can increase the risk of birth defects. Women may develop hyperthermia from a fever, sitting in a hot tub, or excessively hot temperatures outside. If the heat index gets into the 90s, stay inside in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible, particularly during the peak hours of the day.

Heat Intolerance

When you’re pregnant, your body temperature is already a bit higher than normal. So naturally, higher temperatures indoors and out will make you feel even more uncomfortable. Those who are pregnant during the summer can expect to develop a bit of heat intolerance and should pay extra attention to forecasts and heat advisories.  

Swelling 

Feet, ankle, and leg swelling are common pregnancy symptoms. In the summer, these symptoms get worse with the heat. To prevent or reduce swelling, avoid caffeine, make sure you get enough water and potassium, avoid standing for long periods of time, and decrease your sodium intake. 

Excessive and/or sudden swelling in the face or hands, particularly in the third trimester, may be a sign of a condition known as preeclampsia. It’s best to err on the side of caution and speak to your doctor if you experience any swelling.   

Contact Green Valley OB/GYN

If you have questions or concerns about navigating your summer pregnancy, or pregnancy in any season, the physicians and staff at Green Valley OB/GYN are here to help. Call us at (336) 378-1110 to schedule an appointment today.

June is Congenital CMV Awareness Month, so we’re taking this opportunity to talk about CMV because not a lot of people are familiar with it. Congenital CMV is a rare viral infection that a very small number of babies are born with. 

About Congenital CMV

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can infect people of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over half of adults in the US have been infected with CMV by age 40.  Many people have had CMV without even knowing it because either their symptoms are similar to the flu or they do not have any symptoms at all.

CMV is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids like saliva and urine, especially from young children. It may also be spread through sexual contact and from breast milk to nursing infants. People who spend time around children either at work or at home are more likely to get CMV than adults that don’t spend time with kids. 

Congenital cytomegalovirus occurs when a pregnant woman passes CMV on to her fetus when she is infected during pregnancy. Transmission is a much bigger risk if it is a primary infection, meaning it is the first time the woman has gotten CMV or if she has been reinfected with a different strain of CMV. If a woman was infected with CMV prior to pregnancy, the risk of transmission is much lower. There is a small chance that congenital CMV can cause long-term health issues like hearing loss, vision loss, seizures, or problems with coordination.

As you continue to read this information, don’t get stressed out or worry too much. The chances of a baby being born with a CMV infection are low. Even then, only a small number of babies born with a CMV infection have lasting health problems. Congenital CMV Awareness Month’s purpose is to inform and raise awareness so that women can take steps to make their chances of infection even lower. If you have more questions about CMV, then check these resources from the CDC or talk to your doctor.

Symptoms of CMV

When an adult or child contracts CMV after they are born, they may not have symptoms. If they do, they are usually mild and include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• fatigue 
• Swollen glands

Babies born with congenital CMV don’t always have symptoms either. In fact, most babies born with CMV don’t ever have any related health problems. In the small number that do have symptoms, they might include:

• Rash
• jaundice 
• Seizures
• Low birth weight
• Pneumonia 

Treatment for Congenital CMV

If a child is born with congenital CMV, there are treatments available. If CMV is diagnosed and treated early, the child may not have any long-term health problems. The most common treatment for babies diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus is an intravenous antiviral medication like valganciclovir. The medication is given over the course of a few weeks and can improve hearing and developmental outcomes.

CMV Prevention

While there are promising treatments for congenital CMV, prevention is the best way to protect yourself and your child. CMV is a common infection in people of all ages. So you can’t help if you’ve already been infected with CMV. You can ask your doctor if they think you would benefit from being tested for CMV.

 As we’ve mentioned before, congenital CMV is a bigger risk when a woman contracts the infection while pregnant. The best way to protect your baby from CMV is to try and prevent infection during pregnancy. Doctors and research scientists are currently in the trial period for a CMV vaccine, but until that is completed and approved, there are a few things you can to do prevent getting infected with CMV while you’re pregnant:

• Wash your hands thoroughly often with soap and water (note: you should already be vigilant about this right now anyway)
• Don’t share food and drink with other people during pregnancy
• Stay away from sick people, especially if they have flu-like symptoms that may be signs of CMV infection.
• Avoid places where CMV is commonly spread when possible

At Green Valley OB/GYN, we have been providing quality obstetric and gynecological care to the women of the NC Triad for over 70 years. We offer a comprehensive list of services and procedures for women in all stages of life. If you have concerns about treating allergies during pregnancy, call us at (336) 378-1110 to schedule an appointment.

If you have an upcoming appointment, out of concern for our patients, staff, and the local community, we ask that you please call our office to reschedule your appointment if you have or if you have been in contact with someone that has had a fever, cough, shortness of breath, Cold, Flu-like symptoms or has traveled within the past 14 days. We also request only One Adult accompany the patient to their appointments, if necessary (children should not attend). We appreciate your help in our efforts to prevent the spread of illness.

Dr. Michelle Horvath featured on WGHP’s House Call. She discusses the importance of Folic Acid Prior and During Pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the vast majority of women experience some degree of morning sickness, particularly during the first trimester. Often characterized by waking up and abruptly running to the bathroom, morning sickness is widely regarded as an unpleasant, yet normal part of pregnancy.

For many women, nausea and vomiting is more than an unpleasant side effect. It’s relentless. If you’re asking yourself “Is my morning sickness normal?” here is helpful information to help you decide whether to consult your provider.

Morning Sickness vs. Hyperemesis Gravidarum

In the majority of cases, nausea and occasional vomiting commonly referred to as morning sickness does not require medical attention. However, some women may experience a severe condition beyond normal morning sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) which may require medical intervention to prevent serious complications.

While there is a good amount of overlap between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum, there are a few ways to differentiate one from the other.

• Vomiting: With morning sickness, nausea is sometimes accompanied by vomiting. Despite its name, it can occur at any point during the day. In comparison, HG is accompanied by severe, ongoing vomiting which typically occurs multiple times a day.

• Duration: For most women, nausea usually starts before 9 weeks of pregnancy and subsides by the start of the second trimester. HG often does not subside until around 20 weeks and in some cases, lasts the duration of pregnancy until delivery.

• Dehydration: Because that vomiting that occurs with morning sickness is considered infrequent, dehydration isn’t an issue. However, vomiting that occurs with HG is characterized as more intense and frequent, which often causes severe dehydration. Signs that you may be dehydrated include dizziness, muscle cramping, and changes to the frequency, output and/or color of urination.

• Inability to Hold down Food: With morning sickness, you are still able to keep down some of the food that you eat. But HG prevents you from keeping any food down due to the frequency of vomiting.

• Disruption to Daily Activities: If you are experiencing nausea and vomit that makes it difficult to carry out your normal daily activities, it may be a sign of HG.

Signs and Symptoms of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

In addition to the characteristics above, the common signs and symptoms of HG include:

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Food aversions
• Weight loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy weight
• Decrease in urination
• Dehydration
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Jaundice
• Extreme fatigue
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart rate
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Secondary anxiety/depression

When to Seek Help

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or are concerned whether your morning sickness is considered normal, talk to your physician as soon as possible. Hyperemesis gravidarum is commonly associated with nutritional deficiencies and metabolic imbalances that can affect both the health of the mother and unborn baby. Untreated, it can result in both short-term and long-term complications such as gastric ulcers, malnutrition, esophageal bleeding, preterm delivery, low birth weight and more.

Green Valley OB/GYN represents one of the oldest and most respected medical practices in the Triad. Our physicians have more than 200 years of combined experience in caring for the healthcare needs of women in our community. To schedule an appointment, call (336) 378-1110.

If you’ve never experienced labor and delivery, it can feel a lot like sailing into uncharted water. And if you have, it’s important to recognize that each pregnancy and baby are different. As your due date approaches (or passes), you start to question every cramp and discomfort wondering “is this it?” To help put you at ease, here are six tell-tale signs of labor to watch out for:

• Lightening: Once your baby moves lower into your pelvis, you’re likely to feel relief from some of the pressure on your diaphragm that may have caused shortness of breath as your pregnancy progressed. This is a sign that your body and baby are preparing for labor. It also means you’ll probably feel even more pressure on your bladder, so be prepared for more frequent bathroom breaks.

• Loss of Mucus Plug: Sometimes referred to as the “bloody show,” some women will notice stringy mucus or discharge that may be clear, pink or blood tinged. The mucus plug protects is what protects the cervical opening from allowing bacteria to enter the uterus. As your cervix begins to thin and relax leading up to labor, the plug is expelled naturally minutes, hours, or sometimes days before the onset of labor.

• Water Breaks: Although often depicted on television and movies, only about 10% of women actually experience a dramatic gush of amniotic fluid indicated that their membranes have ruptured. Commonly referred to as your water breaking, some women experience a sudden gush, whereas others may have a constant trickle that at first may be mistaken for leaking urine. It’s important to note that amniotic fluid will be clear and odorless. If the fluid is anything other than clear and odorless, let your doctor know. If it is green in color or foul smelling, it may indicate the presence of infection or meconium (more brownish/greenish).

• Effacement: During the last month of pregnancy, your doctor will examine your cervix for signs of effacement–or stretching and thinning of your cervix. Effacement is a sign that your uterus is preparing for delivery, as the thinner your cervix gets the more easily it will dilate. Effacement is measured in percentages so you may hear your provider say you are 25%, 50% or 75% effaced.

• Dilation: Through a pelvic exam, your provider will also check whether your cervix is dilated (or opening).  Measured in centimeters, fully dilated means that you are at 10 centimeters and your body is ready to give birth. In the weeks leading up to delivery, it is not uncommon for a woman to be a few centimeters dilated.

• Consistent Contractions: You’ve likely experience Braxton Hicks contractions at some point during your pregnancy, but consistent uterine contractors are a sure sign that you are in labor. These often start out feeling like menstrual cramps or like a lower backache. It’s important to make a note of the time when each contraction begins and how long they last. Unlike Braxton Hicks, labor contractions are consistent, follow a predictable pattern and become progressively closer together, longer lasting and stronger. When your contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart, it is time to call your doctor.

About Green Valley OB/GYN

The physicians at Green Valley OB/GYN have extensive experience in the management of both high and low-risk pregnancies having performed almost 25,000 deliveries. If at any time during your pregnancy you have questions, call us at (336) 378-1110. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an on-call physician available for emergencies 24/7.