Being pregnant is both equally exciting and confusing at the same time, especially for first-time moms. Working closely with your OBGYN here at J. Gabriel Guajardo, M.D. in Brownsville, TX, Dr. J. Gabriel Guajardo and knowing what you can expect throughout your pregnancy journey will help you be more prepared for what lies ahead.
Your 1st Trimester of Pregnancy
The first couple of months of your pregnancy involve rapid changes for you and your little one. For you, these may include nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness. You may likewise feel excited and both anxious at times. For your little one, the organs, spinal cord, heart, and brain starts to develop. Your little one’s toes and fingers may even start to take shape.
Your 2nd Trimester of Pregnancy
During the four to six months of your pregnancy, you’ll probably (of hopefully) feel much better than the first several months. It’s during these months that your little one starts to feel more real than ever. You baby might be able to hear and move at this point. By the 20th week, you’re almost halfway into your journey and you may be experiencing changes to your skin, a rapidly growing belly, and even bigger breasts.
Routine checkups with your OBGYN in Brownsville, TX, remain immensely crucial at this point in your pregnancy. If you have any concerns or questions, at all, even if you think it’s not important or just silly, don’t hesitate to relay them to Dr. Guajardo.
Your 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
During these last couple of months, expect to undergo significant emotional and physical changes. Because of all the rapid changes that you have been going through these past months, plus the heartburn and backaches common during the third trimester, you may also feel increasingly anxious and just ready to give birth. As for your baby, she or he might be opening and closing her or his eyes and packing on the weight, causing more intense movements.
Keep in mind that you can do a lot to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy. Depending on the exact nature of your pregnancy, you may be meeting with your OBGYN more frequently for checkups. As the big day approaches, don’t hesitate to ask questions and educating yourself.
If You Have Any Questions or Concerns About Your Pregnancy, Talk to Us
Book an appointment with your OBGYN Dr. J. Gabriel Guajardo here at J. Gabriel Guajardo, M.D. in Brownsville, TX, by dialing (956) 350-4821.
Finding out you are pregnant is one of the most exciting moments in a woman's or couples’ lives; however, finding out you’re a high-risk pregnancy can be worrisome. It’s important to understand what factors can put a pregnant woman at risk for complications. Some of these factors require simple lifestyle changes while other factors cannot be altered, but the most important factor is that you have a trusted and knowledgeable OBGYN that can ensure that you get the regular prenatal care that you need to prevent serious complications.What can lead to a high-risk pregnancy?
There is a wide range of factors that can determine whether a woman will be a high-risk pregnancy. Some of these factors include:
- Previous pregnancy complications (if you’ve been pregnant before and dealt with complications such as premature birth, then you are more likely to deal with complications with future pregnancies)
- Multiple births (if you are having twins, triplets, quadruplets or more, you are also more likely to go into preterm labor)
- Hypertension
- Blood disorders (e.g. sickle cell disease)
- Lupus or other autoimmune disorders
- Depression
- Advanced mature age (women who are age 35 or older)
- Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2)
- Thyroid disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Illicit drug use
What does this mean for my care?
Women need to keep in mind that just because they are a high-risk pregnancy does not mean that they will face complications or issues. Having an OBGYN by your side is paramount to keeping both you and baby healthy and making sure that if problems do arise that they are caught and treated early.
A woman who is a high-risk pregnancy will want to visit their OBGYN more often for prenatal checkups so that their doctor can closely monitor them for any changes. Remember, keeping up with your prenatal care appointments is one surefire way to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy.
If you are a high-risk pregnancy or are concerned about being a high-risk pregnancy, it’s important to discuss this with your OBGYN right away.
During a woman’s natural menstrual cycle, the body releases only one egg per cycle; If a woman is having trouble getting pregnant, she may decide to undergo in-vitro fertilization. During IVF, your doctor will provide you with injectable medication that will stimulate the follicles to release several eggs at once for retrieval, fertilization, and implantation into the uterus; however, in some rare instances, women who are undergoing IVF may develop a painful condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).What is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?
Thanks to advanced and ever-changing medical technology and fertility practices it’s now fairly uncommon to have OHSS occur in women who undergo IVF. OHSS causes the ovaries to swell and leak, sometimes causing significant abdominal pain. This is in response to taking these injectable medications, which stimulate several follicles to develop eggs. This results in higher levels of estradiol, which can cause the ovaries to leak fluid into the stomach. Women with OHSS may experience:
- Bloating
- Abdominal swelling
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Dehydration
How is OHSS treated?
If your OBGYN believes that your symptoms are indicative of OHSS, a simple ultrasound can allow our team to be able to examine the ovaries to look for leaks or fluid in the abdomen. Sometimes blood testing is also performed. If OHSS is mild than rest, limited activity, and staying hydrated are all that’s needed. If there is significant fluid in the abdomen, the doctor may need to drain the fluid (particularly if it’s causing serious pain). Only in serious cases does OHSS require hospitalization.
If you are interested in learning more about IVF, or if you are having trouble conceiving, you may want to first talk with your OBGYN about your options and whether or not you should pursue fertility treatments. Your OBGYN will be able to answer all of your questions regarding family planning and getting pregnant.
Chances are good, especially if you are a woman over 21 years old, that you’ve heard or already undergone at least one Pap smear during your lifetime. Maybe you are wondering whether you should get a Pap smear. Perhaps you don’t even remember when your last test was. Our OBGYNs understand that when it comes to certain diagnostic procedures, particularly Pap smears, that you may have questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Pap tests,What is the purpose of a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is the best tool at our disposal for being able to detect precancerous cells within the cervix. By catching these cells early, we can remove them before they turn into cervical cancer.
When should a woman get her first Pap smear?
Women should start getting regular Pap smears from their OBGYN once they reach 21 years old, or once they become sexually active. Women will continue to get Pap smears until 65 years old.
How often should women get tested?
Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should get tested every three years. Once you reach age 30 you should get tested every five years (often alongside an HPV test). Women who have had abnormal Pap results in the past may need to come more often for testing.
Will it hurt?
While getting a Pap smear may feel a bit weird or maybe even a little uncomfortable (especially the first time when you’re not sure exactly what to expect), it shouldn’t hurt. You may notice a slight pinch but that’s usually about it. While a traditional OBGYN screening will usually take up to 20 minutes to perform, the Pap smear itself usually takes just a couple of minutes.
How quickly will I get results back?
It’s typical to get your results within one week after your test, but your OBGYN will let you know when results will be available to you.
Do abnormal or inconclusive results mean that I have cervical cancer?
Not typically. An inconclusive test just means that the sample that we collected wasn’t useable. This can happen if you’ve been sexually active or used tampons with two days before your test. Your doctor will usually recommend repeating the test.
Abnormal results, while stressful, could be due to inflammation, infections, trichomoniasis, HPV or herpes. If your tests are abnormal your doctor will discuss further testing with you or provide you with proper medication if an infection is found.
If you still have questions about Pap smears, don’t hesitate to call your OBGYN. We are here to make sure that you fully understand any and all care you receive at our office.
When women reach their 40s and 50s their bodies begin transitioning into menopause. At this point, many women will experience hot flashes or other symptoms to alert them to these changes. While most menopause symptoms are manageable, sometimes they can still be severe or impact your emotional and mental wellbeing. This is why it’s so important to have an OBGYN that you can turn to for managing your symptoms and help you navigate this new transitional period in your life.Have I Started Menopause?
Common symptoms of menopause include:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Brain fog
- Trouble concentrating
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Decreased sex drive
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
When it comes to managing menopause symptoms there are a variety of options. A lot will depend on the type of symptoms you are experiencing, how severe the symptoms are, and your current health. Lifestyle changes can go a long way to improving your symptoms. These changes may include:
- Eating a healthy, balanced, and whole diet that is free from processed or junk foods
- Getting regular exercise that includes weight-bearing exercises 2-3 times a week
- Finding ways to manage stress through deep breathing, meditation, etc.
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcohol
- Making sure you are getting enough calcium to support healthy, strong bones
Women who are dealing with particularly intense and all-consuming hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness will often find incredible relief through hormone replacement therapy. Plus, hormone replacement therapy can also protect against osteoporosis, a condition that leads to bone weakness and fracturing.
If you are dealing with night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain, and other symptoms associated with menopause, turn to an OBGYN to help you find ways to manage these symptoms effectively.
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