Getting Ready for a “Birth Day”
When it comes to having a great birthing experience, all expectant parents have ideas of what that would entail. That’s why well before the Big Day arrives, it’s important to prepare by talking to your OB/GYN and the nursing staff about your preferences during labor and delivery. Remember, though, that no birthing request is binding […]
Retiring? Make Health a Part of Your Plan
Valerie Beard, MD Riverview Health Physicians Westfield Medical Retiring doesn’t have to mean a total slowdown of your life—and frankly, it shouldn’t if you want to enjoy good health. Here’s what to add to your daily routine to feel your best in the years to come: Move! From an after-dinner walk to a trip to […]
Breastfeeding Problems & Solutions
Experts agree: Breastfeeding is best for your baby. So, if you’re running into issues, read about these common problems and solutions. Problem: “My breasts are swollen and rock hard.” Solution: That sounds like the breasts are engorged, meaning you’re experiencing pressure from a buildup of milk. Get instant relief by releasing your milk by hand […]
Chronic Pelvic Pain? Don’t Suffer in Silence
Burning. Stinging. Stabbing sensations. These are just some of the ways women have described chronic pain in the vulva, a condition known as vulvodynia. For some women, every aspect of their lives is affected by this constant pain. For others, the pain is caused by pressure or contact, making sitting for long periods of time […]
Pregnancy, the Flu Vaccine and You
By Dr. Stephanie Brazus Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN When you’re pregnant, getting the flu can cause serious problems, no matter how healthy you are. That’s why it’s so important to get a flu shot before October, when the flu season generally begins. Why is the flu so dangerous? When you’re pregnant, changes in your immune, […]
Pelvic Floor Disorders: What Every Woman Needs to Know
Dennis Pippenger, MD Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Quick! What do coughing, laughing and sneezing have in common? If you answered that they can trigger the need for a bathroom right now, you already know some symptoms of pelvic floor disorder. But did you also know that pelvic floor disorders affect up to 50% of women? […]
Your Pap Test Was Abnormal. Now What?
By Dr. Polly Trainor Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN A Pap test, sometimes called a Pap smear, is often part of a pelvic exam. The test is designed to check the cells on your cervix for any changes that might lead to cancer. If you’re told your Pap test is abnormal, here are some things to […]
The HPV Vaccine: What to Know
By Dr. Katheryn Moreira Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Did you know that the human papillomavirus (HPV) infects about 14 million people—including teenagers—each year? Or that HPV infections cause nearly 31,000 cancers a year? The good news, though, is that the HPV vaccine can prevent most of those cancers from occurring in the first place. Some […]
When Silence Isn’t Golden: What to Ask Your OB/GYN
By Dr. Stephanie Brazus Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Knowledge is power when it comes to taking charge of your reproductive and breast health. To get the most out of your appointments, you should have an open and honest exchange with your healthcare provider—and that requires a little prep work on your part. First, keep in […]
PCOS: What You Should Know
By Joseph Geyer, MD Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Irregular periods. Infertility. Thinning hair. These are some of the symptoms experienced by the 5 to 10 percent of women of childbearing age who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), whose cause is still unknown. Many researchers think that PCOS is hereditary, while others think that the hormones […]