pregnancy | Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Gynecology and Obstetrics

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on November 30, 2020

Common Myths Surrounding In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertilization process that occurs outside of the female’s body. The ovum or ova is removed from the body and artificially fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The zygote is implanted into the uterus, which creates a pregnancy. There are many facts and myths to clarify about the IVF procedure.

IVF Involves Using the Same Method in All Facilities

In fact, over a dozen methods are used to fertilize eggs in vitro. Natural IVF includes several forms, such as the use of drugs or no drugs, a frozen embryo transfer or the use of a GnRH antagonist protocol. Other methods include ovarian hyperstimulation, final maturation induction and co-incubation.

Certain Foods Increase Your Chances of Pregnancy

Some women claim that eating pineapple or Brazil nuts can increase your chances of getting pregnant. Despite the healthy enzymes and chemicals in these foods, this theory is not proven to benefit the process of embryo implantation.

IVF Is Only Recommended for Infertility

A couple that can conceive but suffers from genetic disorders can pursue an IVF treatment. This is done to prevent the child from developing a serious disorder. IVF is available to any couple who cannot conceive naturally and need assistance.

IVF is the Only Solution to Get Pregnant

There are the additional methods of surrogacy, sperm injections and medication use. Surrogacy is the process of transferring the egg into another woman’s body or using the surrogate’s own egg. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves injecting sperm directly into the egg using a medical instrument. Fertility medications are taken to stimulate the development of follicles in the ovaries.

Multiple Births Are a Risk Factor

This side effect occurs only when multiple embryos are transferred out of the body. This practice is not recommended because it could lead to short-term and long-term pregnancy complications. Many countries have strict restrictions to the number of embryo transfers that can be made. However, there are widespread problems with a lack of compliance with the law.

IVF has numerous rules and regulations that vary by country. In addition, society has countless superstitions and myths about pregnancy. It’s important to distinguish fact from fiction for any couple that’s struggling to conceive and is considering in vitro fertilization.

Filed Under: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health, OBGYN, Pregnant, Safety, Women's Health Tagged With: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Gynecology, In Vitro Fertilization, IVF, Obstetrics, pregnancy, women's reproductive health, Womens Health

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on October 24, 2019

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

The female body is beautiful and extremely complex. Pregnancy can be very tricky and come with many complications. There are also rare and complicated pregnancies every woman should be aware of. Although many women have heard of an ectopic pregnancy, not many of them understand what it is exactly. It’s important for every woman to know and understand what it is, how common it is, and what it does to the body:

What Is It?

Common pregnancies carry the fetus in the uterus. When a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg attaches itself to a place other than inside the uterus. Most of the time an ectopic pregnancy will involve a fertilized egg found in the fallopian tubes. Since the fallopian tubes are not designed to carry out a pregnancy, it can not develop properly and must be removed as soon as possible.

What Causes This?

A fertilized egg attaching to anywhere but a uterus sounds bizarre, which is why many women want to understand why this happens and what causes it. There are many causes that can lead to ectopic pregnancy. An infection or inflammation in the fallopian tube can cause it to become partially or entirely blocked, leading to an ectopic pregnancy. Other causes include scar tissue from a previous infection or a surgical procedure on the tubes or pelvic area and abnormal growths or a birth defect can result in an abnormality in the tube’s shape.

What are the Symptoms?

There are some symptoms an ectopic pregnancy shares with a normal uterine pregnancy, such as nausea and breast soreness. Symptoms that differ from a uterine pregnancy are sharp waves of pain in the abdomen, pelvis, shoulder, or neck and light to heavy vaginal spotting or bleeding. Other symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include dizziness or fainting and rectal pressure. If a woman experiences any or all of these symptoms, they must seek medical attention immediately.

What are the Risks?

There are certain factors that can put a woman at risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. If a woman is between the ages of 35-44 while trying to conceive, her risk is much greater. If a woman has had an ectopic pregnancy before, several abortions, or is a smoker, she is also at great risk. Women with Endometriosis or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) have a greater potential of having an ectopic pregnancy as well.

Filed Under: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health Tagged With: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Gynecology, OB/GYN, pregnancy, vaginal health, women, Womens Health

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on August 19, 2019

What is Postpartum Depression

Childbirth can be an emotional experience for new parents. As you settle in with your bundle of joy, you might encounter something unexpected – depression. Postpartum depression is often left undiscussed but affects many parents. What separates this from postpartum “baby blues”? Sometimes a rare but more severe condition called postpartum psychosis can develop.

Defining Postpartum Depression

By definition by the National Institute of Mental Health, postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can affect women and birthing parents after childbirth. New parents often experience “baby blues” after childbirth, where they might experience mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. The symptoms of postpartum depression may be similar but tend to be more severe and last longer, sometimes interfering with your ability to care for your baby and complete other daily tasks.

Symptoms

Parents can experience depressed mood or severe mood swings, excessive crying, and difficulty bonding with their baby. Other common symptoms include changes in appetite, social withdrawal, and sleep disturbances. Symptoms will usually begin within the first few weeks after giving birth but may begin earlier (during pregnancy) or later, up to a year after birth. More severe symptoms may occur, such as thoughts of harming oneself or the baby, and these require serious and immediate attention.

Causes

Physical changes and emotional issues play a role in postpartum depression, but there is no single cause for the condition. Hormonal changes after childbirth, such as dramatic drops in levels of progesterone and estrogen, may contribute to postpartum depression. Your risk of developing postpartum depression may increase if you have a history of depression or other mood disorders.

Treatments

Fortunately, postpartum depression is treatable.Treatment and recovery time will vary depending on your individual needs and the severity of the depression. Your medical provider will work on treating the underlying causes and may refer you to a mental health professional. Generally, treatment for depression includes psychotherapy, medication, or both. It is important to continue treatment even after you begin to feel better, as stopping treatment too early may lead to relapse. Left untreated, postpartum depression can last for many months or longer.

Filed Under: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health, New Moms, OBGYN, Pregnant, Women's Health Tagged With: childbirth, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Gynecology, health, hormones, OB/GYN, pregnancy, pregnant, therapy, women, women's reproductive health, Womens Health

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on June 14, 2019

Constantly Evolving: How the Female Body Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy delivers a host of changes to a woman’s body. Some are visible and commonly expected, such as weight gain and an expanding belly; others are less well-known, such as increasing breast size. Some changes are well-known but invisible, such as backaches, morning sickness, and an enlarged uterus. Awareness of the changes, both visible and invisible, can help you prepare for your body’s adjustments during pregnancy.

Oral Health

A common pregnancy complaint is bleeding gums, which can open a portal to oral infections. With the immune system tamping down, it is vital to practice good oral hygiene. This will prevent the gums becoming inflamed, or gingivitis. While some women are nervous about visiting the dentist while they are pregnant, it is safe to receive dental X-rays with the caveat that the belly must be shielded properly from radiation.

Nails and Hair

Hair and nails tend to grow faster during pregnancy. An increase in estrogen creates an increase in the hair follicles’ growing phase, often creating a result of healthier and thicker hair. Hair may also increase in less desired places, such as the stomach, upper lip, nipples, and back. This excess hair is shed after giving birth. Nails tend to become more coarse in texture, causing them to become more soft and brittle. This can lead to nails splitting more easily. Like hair, the nails have a tendency to grow faster during pregnancy.

Skin

Three main skin changes are possible during pregnancy: stretch marks, a rosy complexion, and pigment changes known as chloasma or melasma. Stretch marks tend to itch and are purplish, pinkish lines that are particularly prone to appear on the breasts, posterior, thighs, and abdomen. The rosy complexion, or pregnancy glow, may appear due to the skin receiving an increase in blood circulation. Pigment changes, or pregnancy’s mask, are another common occurrence due to melanin increasing.

Heartburn

During pregnancy, the muscles that are used to break down food grow more relaxed. Changes in hormones also contribute to slowing down this process. Further, food remains in the stomach for a longer duration to allow the body more time for absorption of nutrients. Each or all of these factors can be the cause of heartburn or make it worse.

Filed Under: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, OBGYN, Pregnant, Women's Health Tagged With: changes during pregnancy, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, OB/GYN, pregnancy, pregnant

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on September 18, 2018

Top 4 Pregnancy Podcasts

Being pregnant is an exciting time for expectant parents, but it can also be a lot of new information and uncertainty, especially when it’s the first child. Parents often turn to books for what to expect, but if you’ve tried all of them and still want to know more, try a podcast! There are entire series dedicated to the topic of pregnancy, parenthood, and everything in between, and you can even listen to them while you’re work or in the car.

If you’re new to podcasts but looking to try one out, consider one of these:

Birthful

Although the host Adriana Lozada isn’t a doctor, her guests come from various medical backgrounds, and they cover a wide range of subjects, drawing on their professional knowledge as well as their own personal experiences. The topics include not just pregnancy, but also the birthing process, breastfeeding, postpartum, and parenting, and each episode is meant to provide tips and tools that new parents can utilize and fit to their own lifestyles. As a birth doula and mother, Adriana’s tone is conversational and knowledgeable, and offers many different perspectives that anyone can enjoy.

Pregnancy Confidential

At only thirty-two podcasts, each one between ten and twenty minutes, Pregnancy Confidential is an easy way to learn about the physical, emotional, and lifestyle markers of that week of pregnancy. From the editors of Parents, Fit Pregnancy, and Baby magazines, this podcast feels more like a conversation among friends that slip right into your day.

Not By Accident

Not By Accident is hosted by Sophie Harper, and in each episode, she talks about what it’s like to be a single mother by choice. This may ring true for parents in similar situations, but it’s also a great podcast for anyone who loves storytelling in general to take a listen to. There are only thirty-four episodes so far, and each one is honest and poignant.

Rockstar Birth Radio

Shalome Stone is seeking to reframe the narrative of being pregnant, and take it from something scary to enriching and inspiring, and she uses her podcast Rockstar Birth Radio to do it. Instead of pain and fear, Shalome Stone wants each mother to embrace the experience and find joy in the process of growing a baby. It’s empowering and uplifting, with wisdom from experienced mothers, as well as the stories of the births of their children. There is information about almost any kind of birth experience you can imagine, and provides a community that expectant mothers can truly find a place with.

Filed Under: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health, New Moms, Pregnant Tagged With: Babies, childbirth, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, gynecologist, health, OB/GYN, Obstetrics, pregnancy, pregnant, women, Womens Health

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on August 31, 2018

3 Ways to Change Your Workout While Pregnant

Being pregnant means a lot of changes, to your body, to your mindset, to your lifestyle. One of these ways includes how you exercise, because now you have the added weight of a growing baby.

If you’re trying something new or at all unsure about how your exercise routine will affect your baby, definitely consult your doctor before doing so. Otherwise, here are a few suggestions about how to maintain a healthy workout routine while pregnant:

Use Lighter Weights

Lifting is one of the best exercises anyone can do for their bodies, including pregnant women! Expectant mothers who did moderate-intensity resistance training about three days a week for thirty minutes each had lower rates of hypertension and diabetes when compared to other pregnant women. Just make sure to use lighter weights so you’re not overexerting yourself. That and holding your breath can put too much pressure on your abdomen muscles and pelvic floor, both of which are already strained because of the baby.

Use the Talk Test

Yes, your Fitbit will give you an approximation of how hard your heart is working, but pregnancy actually creates changes throughout your cardiovascular system you might not be completely aware of. For that reason, use the talk test to find a moderate intensity. The talk test, essentially, is the idea that it should not take you more than a minute to catch your breath and hold a normal conversation. If it does take more than that, you’re probably overworking yourself.

Skip the Abs and High-Impact

Contrary to any other time in your life, you don’t really need to focus on your abs when you’re pregnant. Because of your expanding belly, ab exercises can even be harmful when you’re far enough along. Your body is already working to make room for the growing baby, so crunches and other similar exercises are only going to add to the stress that area of the body is already experiencing.

In terms of high-impact, it’s not a matter of safety for the baby. The padding should be more than enough to protect it, but too much impact can weaken the pelvic floor, which leads to a whole host of other problems that are best to avoid.

Keep an eye out for symptoms, too, which are definite signs you need to take a pause and talk to your doctor before continuing. Pain, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, and amniotic fluid leakage, among other symptoms, are all signs to watch for while exercising.

Filed Under: OBGYN, Pregnant Tagged With: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Exercise, health, pregnancy, workout

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on August 6, 2018

Top 5 Fertility Tips

Lots of women become pregnant without needing to do much more than have sex that one time. For others, it can be a more difficult and even emotional process, especially if the woman has been trying for some time without success.

Although each woman’s life and situation is different, and each pregnancy, in turn, is different, here are a few tips that doctors recommend for women looking to become pregnant. Please consult your primary care physician before trying anything different your routine, however, to remain safe.

Consider counseling.

If you’re picturing a couch and a psychologist asking “And how does that make you feel?” you’re thinking of the wrong kind. Instead, women looking to become pregnant should receive pre-conception counseling about two to three months before trying, and this can be done with your OB-GYN. Pre-conception counseling is a conversation where your doctor will ask about your goals in getting pregnant, as well as take that time to screen you for potentially harmful conditions. By receiving counseling early, you’re able to find warning signs before they develop further.

Get checked out.

Both you and your partner should see a doctor, to make sure your vaccinations are all up to date, in particular. Getting sick while pregnant could lead to a higher risk of complications. By making sure both you and your partner are in the best possible health, you are creating the optimal condition to make a baby.

Quit the caffeine.

You could also stand to benefit from abstaining from alcohol and any kind of drugs. In general, though, if you shouldn’t have something while you’re pregnant, it might be a good idea to kick the habit beforehand. And, remember—energy drinks have caffeine, too! Not just coffee!

It’s also advisable to not be in the same vicinity as anyone who partakes in smoking. No matter how you ingest the smoke, second-hand or not, it could hurt your chances of becoming pregnant without complications.

Stay active.

This is just good life advice in general, but it’s especially true when gearing up to grow another human. The goal is to have thirty minutes of cardio five or six days each week. This is to keep your heart healthy and your weight at a manageable level. If you’re worried about the intensity affecting your fertility, talk with your doctor about the best exercises to do instead of your usual routine. Overall, though, if your period cycle is regular, you won’t need to change too much.

It’s okay to feel stressed.

The idea that you need to be completely serene and at peace to conceive a child has no basis in science. So if you’re feeling guilty because you’re always busy, but you still want to have a baby, don’t feel like you’re cheating yourself out of your chance. Anxiety is normal, and it won’t ruin your chances of having a healthy child.

Filed Under: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health, Pregnant Tagged With: Babies, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, gynecologist, Gynecology, health, OB/GYN, physician, pregnancy, pregnant

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on July 9, 2018

3 Tips for Running a Business While Pregnant

Being pregnant comes with lots of challenges: swollen feet, morning sickness, the inability to engage in certain physical activities, and the fact that you’re literally growing another human being. That’s no easy task, and running a business on top of that physical stress makes it even harder.

Thankfully, in today’s day and age, women can often do both throughout the term of their pregnancies. Here are a few ways that might help:

Bring pregnancy into the conversation.

Often, talking about pregnancy and maternity is considered a no-no in a corporate setting. Women who are pregnant are not acknowledged as such; it’s just not as important in comparison to team-building exercises or the latest numbers in a report. However, given how taxing a pregnancy often is, even at its best, make pregnancy and maternity talk part of the conversation. Introduce the topic and don’t look back.

This will also help make it easier for colleagues who become pregnant in the future. Pregnancy doesn’t have to be and, more to the point, shouldn’t be a taboo.

Review parental leave policies thoroughly.

Start-ups, in particular, are not known for their generous time off for new mothers, but they are often known for wanting to implement considerate policies for both new mothers and fathers alike. If your company doesn’t have a formal policy in place yet because it’s so young, get those details squared away now rather than waiting until your third trimester.

Keep in mind the transition back to work, too, as new parents move back into the workforce. It’s an adjustment going from full-time parent to a full-time employee, and allowing for that period of time will only be to your benefit and your employees’.

Remind yourself that you can’t do everything.

No one likes doing this. We all want to be the one who can do it all, but the truth is, we can’t, and it’s better to recognize that now. Being pregnant will require flexibility in your expectations of yourself and of your work routine. Working twelve hours a day is a lot to ask, so be upfront and honest with your team about your limitations. Doing so will keep you healthier in the process because you will be taking care of yourself and your baby, rather than stressing yourself out trying to finish one last report. Prioritizing your daily tasks will make your life so much easier.

The bottom line: your body is going to need certain things to successfully grow a baby, and your job is to listen to it, especially if you’re running a business at the same time.

Disclaimer: As always, make sure to speak with your medical practitioner about the best practices for you.

Filed Under: New Moms, Pregnant, Safety Tagged With: Babies, health, pregnancy, pregnant, women, Womens Health

by Dr. Lori Gore-Green on May 14, 2018

Do You Fear Period Sex?

For some people, the beginning of a menstrual cycle means the end of sexual intercourse until the cycle has passed. This mindset should be reconsidered, however, when all the benefits of sex during your period are taken into consideration.

1. Reduced Risk Of Pregnancy

When you strip away the passion, pleasure, and excitement, sex is ultimately designed for procreation. Any form of vaginal penetration by a penis that results in ejaculation has the chance to cause pregnancy. Due to the nature of a woman’s menstrual cycle, there is a reduced risk of pregnancy from sex, although not an entirely eliminated risk. Sperm can live inside of a woman’s body for up to five days, so if you have sex near the end of your cycle, you can still conceive a child once your menstrual cycle ends. The safest time to enjoy a reduced risk of pregnancy is to have sex near the beginning of your period.

2. Natural Pain Relief

Sex brings an incredible amount of pleasure that, when done properly, results in an orgasm. Orgasms are fun and enjoyable, but they also play a pivotal biological function with regards to the brain. This is especially true in women. The female orgasm causes the brain to release a healthy dose of endorphins which are chemicals that spread through the body to promote a boost in overall mood and help to relieve pain. A 1985 study shows that a woman’s pain tolerance increases drastically after an orgasm. So, having sex can help relieve the pain of menstrual cramps and other pains commonly associated with that time of the month.

3. Sleep Aid

Endorphins aren’t the only biological substances released by the female brain during an orgasm. The hormone known as prolactin is also released during an orgasm. Prolactin is a hormone that helps to calm the body and prepare it for a long, restful sleep. This is why people tend to become lethargic and sleepy after sex that causes an orgasm.

4. Ease Of Penetration

Some women have issues with vaginal dryness that causes difficulties during sex. The benefit of engaging in sex during a period is that this issue is almost entirely alleviated. There is more than enough lubrication present during this time of the month to allow for easy penetration and increased pleasure because of the lubricated sensation.

Filed Under: Contraception, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health Tagged With: Dr. Lori Gore-Green, estrogen, Gynecology, health, mensuration, OB/GYN, period sex, pregnancy, sex