Capital Women's Care Capital Women's Care
How old is your baby? Most new mothers hear that question a lot. For the mom of a premature infant also known as a preemie, the answer can be complicated. So how exactly do you answer this person’s question? It’s really up to you, but it is important that you are aware of preemie development: understanding actual vs corrected age. Continue reading “Preemie Development: Understanding Actual vs Corrected Age”
Many people will ignore symptoms when they are afraid to find out what is going on with their body. It’s a common reaction to unknown issues, but it doesn’t make the problem go away. In fact, it can make it worse by waiting and then finding out the diagnosis later when treatment options are more limited. This is certainly true when it comes to the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
Continue reading “Symptoms of Pelvic Organ Prolapse You Shouldn’t Ignore”
Health professionals all agree that breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for babies and moms. It seems to come so naturally to many new mothers, so why do others find it so difficult? Don’t beat yourself up if you are experiencing trouble. There is help.
Continue reading “6 Common Breastfeeding Problems And Solutions”
When you are having a baby, there are many scenarios that go through your mind. Who will the child look like? Will they have my eyes or my partner’s smile? Is it a boy or a girl? These are among the many happy possibilities parents consider, but many future parents are concerned about the more serious prospects like whether their child will be born with certain conditions or birth defects. What is non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and how does it work?
Continue reading “What Is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing and How Does It Work?”
Name something better than curing cancer? The answer is never getting cancer in the first place. It has been discovered that removing the fallopian tubes may prevent the development of ovarian cancer. Let’s take a deeper dive into tubal ligation vs. salpingectomy and which is best.
Salpingectomy is the surgical removal of both fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are the tunnel through which eggs move from the ovaries to the uterus for implantation. This surgery can be performed simultaneously with other abdominal surgeries like removing the gallbladder. This is known as opportunistic salpingectomy.
There are several reasons a salpingectomy be recommended by your doctor, including:
This would be recommended if you have an ectopic pregnancy. This is when a fertilized egg is growing outside the uterus. It cannot successfully grow and eventually the fallopian tubes will rupture causing life-threatening bleeding.
Another common reason is for permanent birth control.
Tubal ligation is known colloquially as having your tubes tied, in which your doctor clamps or ties the fallopian tubes closed preventing pregnancy.
While both tubal ligation and salpigectomy are effective in preventing pregnancy, recently it has been found that salpigectomy has the benefit of ovarian cancer prevention.
There is no definitive way to prevent ovarian cancer, but there are now ways to lower the risk. It was thought ovarian cancer began in the ovaries, but research has recently shown that some forms of cancer actually can start in the fallopian tubes via the projections at the end of the tubes. The cancer cells then spread to the ovaries and also to the peritoneum, the tissue surrounding the organs in the abdomen.
If a woman has completed her family or wants no children, she can have her fallopian tubes removed. A woman who has a higher risk of ovarian cancer can also have her ovaries removed at the same time. This will necessarily bring on menopause. The decision should be made in consultation with one of our doctors at Capital Women’s Care, especially if she is relatively young. This is becoming the standard of care for women aged 35 to 50 who do not want any, or more, children.
The bottom line is that salpingectomy is recommended for all women regardless of their risk factors for developing ovarian cancer. All women can benefit.
Women who have average risks and no genetic abnormalities are recommended to have an opportunistic salpingectomy to prevent ovarian cancer.
There is ongoing research as to whether just removing the fallopian tubes will prevent ovarian cancer for those with a higher risk.
Contact Capital Women’s Care at (301) 681-9101 to schedule a consultation to discuss salpingectomy in Rockville and Silver Spring.
Should I have prenatal genetic screening tests? This decision is a bit more consequential than deciding to find out the sex of your baby during the ultrasound. Prenatal genetic screening tests are optional and can tell parents whether their child may have certain genetic disorders or birth abnormalities. The answer is up to you. Continue reading “Should I Have Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests?”
What an exciting day when an expectant mother has her first ultrasound! It’s true, she is really having a baby, and so far it is healthy. Those first ultrasounds are usually 2D types where you can see a black, white, and gray picture of your little one. But what about a 3D or 4D ultrasound: which is best for you?
Continue reading “3D or 4D Ultrasounds: Which Is Best for You?”
Most women are familiar with the pattern of their menstrual cycle. Typically they bleed anywhere from four to seven days, and that is considered normal. Other women are not so lucky, and there is no rhyme or reason to their bleeding schedule. Any variation from the first example would be abnormal, and the second example is definitely abnormal. There are many reasons for abnormal bleeding, but you should know when you should you see our board-certified OBGYNs in Rockville and Silver Spring, MD.
Continue reading “Abnormal Bleeding: When Should You See an OBGYN?”
Preeclampsia is a serious condition that may happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. It causes high blood pressure and other issues which can stress your heart and cause problems during and after pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more about preeclampsia warning signs before and after delivery.
Continue reading “Preeclampsia Warning Signs: Before & After Delivery”
It’s what you have been waiting for. Maybe it’s been years waiting for this wonderful moment to give birth to your child. You are exhilarated, emotional, happy, but also tired. You’ve been through a monumental physical exercise, so your body might be telling you to slow down. How can you do that? Let’s dive into our postpartum care tips for physical and emotional recovery.
Continue reading “Postpartum Care: Tips for Physical and Emotional Recovery”