Pregnancy makes a woman more susceptible to colds, allergies,and flu complications. Our immune systems are compromised, making it easier to catch illnesses. We often struggle with concentration and balance due to hormones and their effect on our brains and bodies. Pregnant women are also apt to suffer mood swings, aches and pains, and nausea. Pregnancy is the only condition that makes it normal to suffer from so many different symptoms and side effects! Besides the various classic symptoms of pregnancy, you might find yourself at an increased risk for: Developing gum disease. Pregnancy is no time to slack when it … Continue reading →

Appendicitis occurs during pregnancy at rates that are comparable to the general non pregnant population. In fact, appendicitis and gall bladder surgeries account for the vast majority of all pregnancy unrelated surgeries in pregnant women. Although appendicitis does happen, it is not very common. The condition occurs in about one in one thousand pregnancies. Although the incidence of appendicitis is about the same whether a woman is pregnant or not, one thing is different during pregnancy, a perforation is more likely. Diagnosis is often delayed because the earliest symptoms of appendicitis are similar to pregnancy symptoms. This includes nausea, vomiting … Continue reading →

Bladder infection is a bacteria infection that causes inflammation in the bladder. This is also called cystitis or a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract runs from the kidneys to the bladder to the urethra. A bladder infection results when bacteria enter the urethra and travels to the bladder. If the infection continues up the tract to the kidneys, the condition is far more serious. The condition is fairly common, affecting about five percent of pregnant women. Hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy cause women to be slightly more at risk of developing the infection when they are pregnant. Symptoms … Continue reading →

Every time you visit the doctor during pregnancy, you’ll be asked to give a routine urine sample. The doctor is testing the urine for bladder or kidney infections, diabetes, dehydration and preeclampsia. Specifically, the urine is tested for high levels of sugars, proteins, ketones and bacteria. If protein is found in the urine, it’s possible there is a problem with your kidneys. Most commonly, an infection is present. Later in pregnancy, however, it can be an indication of preeclampsia. Combined with water retention and high blood pressure, protein in the urine can lead to a diagnosis of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is … Continue reading →

A few weeks before my delivery, I sat in my doctor’s office, swinging my swollen feet off the end of the examination table while the doctor quizzed the new intern. “Now last week we gave this patient a test for Group B Strep. Where do we usually test for this? In the mouth?” the doctor asked. The intern paused for a moment and I tried to hold back laughter. Obviously I knew where the test had been performed, and it was definitely not in my mouth. Group B Strep is not the same as Group A, which is the strain … Continue reading →