When you’re trying to conceive, you might look for little signs and symptoms to indicate that you’re pregnant before you can take a pregnancy test. While a reliable test is the only surefire way to know you’re pregnant, these early signs of pregnancy occur within a week or so of conception.

Early Signs of Pregnancy

If you are trying to get pregnant, you can look for some of these early signs of pregnancy. However, it’s important to remember that every woman and every pregnancy is unique, so these signs aren’t a surefire way to confirm a pregnancy. If you think you’re pregnant, contact your doctor to get a reliable pregnancy test.

1. Missed Period

Not having your regular menstrual period is one of the most obvious early signs of pregnancy and the thing some women look out for to confirm they’re pregnant. However, if your periods aren’t regular, it can be hard to determine when you’ve missed a period.

2. Light Bleeding or Spotting

Light bleeding or spotting may occur about 10 to 14 days after conception. This is called implantation bleeding and it occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Not all women experience implantation bleeding while some women mistake implantation bleeding for a light menstrual period.

3. Cramping

Another early sign of pregnancy that may be confused with a menstrual period is cramping. At the beginning of a pregnancy, blood flow is increased throughout the body, including in the uterus. This may result in mild cramping.

4.Fatigue

Nurturing a developing fetus can suck the energy right out of you. Feeling fatigued is not uncommon even in the very early days of pregnancy. Your body is putting in hard work increasing your blood supply. Lower blood sugar and blood pressure are also common during the first trimester. When you add those factors to hormonal shifts associated with pregnancy, you might find yourself worn out. Luckily, many women find that they bounce back and have more energy by the second trimester.

5. Changes in Your Breasts

Another one of the telltale early signs of pregnancy is changes in how your breasts feel or look. During early pregnancy, your breasts may become sore, tender, and swollen. You might even notice a change in the way they look. Your areolas (the circles around the nipples) may get bumpy, darker, or bigger.  These changes are caused by the increase in estrogen and progesterone in your system. The discomfort is for a worthwhile cause though because these are signs your body is preparing to nurse your baby. 

6. Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is probably one of the most well-known signs of early pregnancy. It’s poorly named because it can occur at any time of day, not just in the morning. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), nausea and vomiting usually start before the 9th week of pregnancy and may occur before your missed period. For most women, morning sickness usually eases up after the 14th week of pregnancy, but others may experience it throughout the entire pregnancy.

7. New Food Preferences

Cravings during pregnancy may seem like a cliche, but many women do experience changes in food preferences even at the beginning of pregnancy. You may find yourself in the mood for foods or food combinations that you don’t typically want. You may also lose your appetite for foods that you used to enjoy.

8. Sensitivity to Smells

Along with changes in food preference, you might also find that you’re more sensitive to smell. Sometimes pregnancy can send your sense of smell into overdrive, so the smell of certain things might be really strong and unpleasant all of a sudden. 

9. Digestive Issues

If morning sickness weren’t enough to deal with, your digestive system may be upset in other ways. Some women experience heartburn or indigestion during the first trimester of pregnancy. Other digestive symptoms in the first trimester include bloating, gas, and constipation. 

10. Frequent Urination

Some people might associate frequent urination with the later stages of pregnancy as the baby starts putting pressure on the bladder. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, this can also be an early sign of pregnancy caused by increased blood flow to the pelvic area.

Contact Raleigh OB/GYN Centre

The physicians, nurses, and medical staff at Raleigh OB/GYN offer a comprehensive list of gynecological and obstetric services to the women of the Raleigh, NC area. If you have questions about confirming a pregnancy, call our office at (919) 876-8225 to make an appointment.

Everyone experiences anxiety on occasion. Nerves and worry can creep in before a big deadline, presentation at work, or any other situation. Pregnancy is no different and can create a high level of anxiety for new parents. This is to be expected—you’re about to bring a new life into the world!

But since the pandemic, rates of pregnancy and postpartum anxiety have more than doubled. A June 2020 survey showed that while 29% of pregnant women reported having anxiety prior to the pandemic, a staggering 72% reported it during the pandemic.

Let’s dig into what’s causing those nerves, what symptoms to look for, and some tips on managing anxiety while pregnant. 

Causes of Anxiety

Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and even pregnancy to pregnancy. For some, it’s morning sickness and back pain, while for others its swollen feet and acid reflux. The constant physical changes and uncertainty can be overwhelming under normal circumstances, much less during a pandemic which can limit access to one’s support system. 

Pregnancy also results in an abundance of hormonal changes that can alter your mood and ultimately make it more difficult to handle stress. Excessive or unresolved stress can increase your chances of developing chronic anxiety which can have adverse effects on maternal and fetal health. So, it’s important to know the symptoms of anxiety and what you can do if you experience them. 

Symptoms of Anxiety

It’s natural to worry during pregnancy. But if the constant worrying begins to interfere with your everyday life, that is called anxiety.

Symptoms of anxiety might include:

• Feeling nervous, restless or tense
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Feeling weak or tired
• Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
• Having trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Having difficulty controlling worry
• Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety

There are also some factors that can increase your risk of developing anxiety such as genetics, personality type, or having previously experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. 

Managing Anxiety

Mild cases of anxiety typically don’t require treatment, but you should keep your doctor informed. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend medication after weighing the risks and benefits. You should also consider:

1. Talking about it—When your anxiety spikes, tell someone. Your partner, a friend, or therapist all can offer support. By verbalizing your concerns with others, you may be able to keep those thoughts from overtaking your life.
2. Find release—Walking, jogging, doing yoga, working in the garden are all physical activities that help lower stress. Don’t like any of those options? Just do what you love. Being active for as little as five minutes a day can have positive benefits.
3. Use your mind—Meditate, get a massage, or practice deep breathing exercises. These activities help your body release endorphins without breaking a sweat.
4. Rest—Making sleep a priority can significantly help with stress and anxiety.
5. Talk to your doctor—Frequent panic attacks or the inability to manage your anxiety should result in a phone call to a medical professional. There can be treatments available to ease the most severe symptoms.

Managing anxiety while pregnant in the midst of a pandemic isn’t easy, but is doable. What works for others may not work for you. At Raleigh OB/GYN, we are here to help every step of the way. Give us a call at (919) 876-8225 to make an appointment.

Menstruation, or getting your period, is a normal and healthy part of life for most women. However, it’s still stigmatized in many places, including the US.  Some girls and women feel embarrassed or ashamed when they have to address their periods. It can even cause some people to avoid certain activities and miss out on important experiences. That’s why menstruation awareness and events like National Period Day on October 10th are so important.

Why Menstruation Awareness Matters

Menstruation awareness is something of a recent phenomenon on a national stage. While women have been working to make hygiene products accessible and erase stigmas for a long time, only recently has it been making public waves. Menstruation awareness emphasizes making hygiene products available to those who need them, but it has other facets as well.

Breaking Down Stigmas

A girl’s first period can be exciting because it is a symbol of entering womanhood. But it can also be confusing and a bit intimidating. That’s because a lot of girls are not equipped with all the right information to manage their first menstrual cycle. It’s rare that periods and feminine hygiene is openly talked about in a way that would make a girl feel at ease with this new stage in life. 

Society often treats periods and women’s health in general as if it’s something you don’t talk about in public. Menstruation awareness can help erase the stigmas around periods. That doesn’t just apply to girls who will experience menstruation firsthand. Boys need to be in on the conversation too so they know there’s nothing “gross” about a girl being on her period.

Educating Young People

Another really important issue menstruation awareness helps with is educating young people about their periods and feminine hygiene. Because of the stigmas we talked about earlier, some girls may not want to talk to their parents or guardians about their periods. If they hear the facts from reliable sources, they will not have good information to follow, the mystery surrounding periods will go away. 

Normalizing open conversations about menstruation will help girls learn about the different feminine hygiene products available to them and how to properly use them. According to Unicef, poor menstrual hygiene can pose physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections. Creating awareness and openness is one of the most effective ways to help teach girls how to properly manage their menstrual hygiene. 

Addressing Period Poverty

Another reason menstruation awareness has become an important issue is period poverty. Period poverty includes According to reporting by Forbes, 35 states in the US have a tax on menstrual products because they are considered “non-essential goods.” The increased cost of things like pads, tampons, and menstrual cups means many women can’t always afford the products they need every month. This is referred to as period poverty. 

Non-profits created and lead by young women have been a huge part of the menstruation awareness movement. Organizations like PERIOD have partnered with brands and other non-profits to form a Menstrual Movement Coalition that is working to make freely accessible period products available in places like schools and shelters.

Contact Raleigh OB/GYN Centre

The physicians, nurses, and medical staff at Raleigh OB/GYN offer a comprehensive list of gynecological and obstetric services to the women of the Raleigh, NC area. If you have questions or concerns about menstruation, call our office at (919) 876-8225 to make an appointment.

September marks the start of PCOS Awareness Month, so we wanted to take some time to discuss the symptoms and treatments of this common syndrome. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormone disorder that is common among women who are at reproductive age. The disorder can be difficult to diagnose, but there are PCOS symptoms that may help your doctor come up with a treatment plan.

While the exact causes for PCOS are unknown, there is a correlation between women with PCOS also having resistance to insulin. This resistance means that the body is unable to effectively use insulin. If the insulin levels start to build up, this may lead to higher levels of the male hormone androgen. Obesity can also contribute to increased insulin levels, ultimately worsening PCOS symptoms.

The Top 4 PCOS Symptoms

PCOS usually develops during puberty, but can also develop in response to substantial weight gain. 

Women with PCOS most commonly experience:

• Prolonged or infrequent periods
• Excess levels of the male hormone androgen
• Ovaries that develop small collections of fluid, and fail to regularly release eggs

While it can be difficult to diagnose, common PCOS symptoms include:

1. Polycystic ovaries: Women with PCOS commonly experience enlarged ovaries that contain follicles that surround the eggs. Because of this, the ovaries might fail to function properly. 
2. Irregular periods: When the ovaries are not able to regularly release an egg, this can lead to prolonged or irregular periods. Some menstrual cycles may be longer, shorter, or lighter than others, and some cycles may be missed altogether.
3. Infertility: The combination of malfunctioning ovaries and irregular periods make it difficult to ovulate, leading to infertility.
4. Excess body hair, acne, and/or weight gain: Elevated levels of androgen may result in a variety of physical factors, such as excess facial and body hair, weight gain (specifically in the abdomen), and occasionally severe acne and male-pattern baldness.

If you have two or more of these symptoms, your doctor may administer certain tests to form a diagnosis. Ultrasounds can produce images of the ovaries to see if they are enlarged, or if there are any visible cysts. Blood tests check for hormone levels and can determine if there are high levels of androgen.  

Treatment Options for PCOS

PCOS symptoms can be more extreme if the woman is obese, so diet and exercise are two of the best steps to reducing PCOS symptoms. Making healthy changes can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may also aid in ovulation.

Additional treatments may include certain medications to help aid in ovulation. While these medications can help the ovaries to release eggs regularly, it’s important to note that there are certain risks, like ovarian hyperstimulation, where the ovaries release too many hormones. 

If you don’t plan to become pregnant, birth control may also serve as a treatment to PCOS by helping to control periods, lowering levels of androgen, and clearing up acne.

In some cases, medications used primarily for helping with diabetes can also help with PCOS symptoms. For example, if a woman with PCOS also has a resistance to insulin, these medications can help lower this resistance. In turn, this may lead to more regular ovulation and lower levels of androgen.

If you have any concerns with irregular periods or any other potential PCOS symptoms, give Raleigh OB/GYN a call at 919-876-8225 or request an appointment.

Though it’s probably not your favorite thing to do, your annual women’s wellness exam is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. Even though in most cases an annual pap smear is no longer required, that doesn’t mean you should skip out on your annual wellness exam altogether. Here’s why:

1. You Need to Build a Relationship With Your Physician

In order for your gynecologist to be an effective partner in your care, you need to build a relationship. Over time, you and your physician will get to know each other. In doing so, they’ll have a better understanding of your medical history and can help you navigate through various life experiences.

2. Annual Appointments Establish Health Trends

Part of your annual women’s wellness exam will include ensuring systems in your body are functioning correctly. Checking your baseline vitals like heart rate and blood pressure will establish trends that can help your physician spot and address irregularities in a timely manner.

3. Screenings May Lead To Early Detection

Even if you aren’t due for a pap smear, other screenings including a pelvic exam, breast exam, or sexually transmitted disease screening are equally important. These exams can help your physician identify problems before they start. Early detection can mean the difference between catching a serious problem while it can still be managed or having to undergo treatment when it’s already advanced.

4. Annual Women’s Wellness Exams Are Preventative Care

New studies, equipment, medication and healthcare guidelines come out often. Making sure you get your annual women’s wellness exam will ensure you stay up-to-date on all preventative treatments available to you like the best birth control method for your individual needs or the HPV vaccine.

5. You’ll Get Necessary Supplemental Care

You may think that because you already had your annual physical with your primary care physician that you don’t need to see your gynecologist every year. However, the two actually work together to give you a more comprehensive picture of your overall health. While there may be some overlap like a blood pressure check, your gynecologist will screen for things your primary care physician won’t and vice versa.

Raleigh OB/GYN Centre COVID-19 Update 

At Raleigh OB/GYN Centre, the health and safety of our patients, as well as our staff, remain our top priorities during the COVID-19 outbreak. We are no longer restricting types of appointments, so we are currently scheduling annual women’s wellness exams again. However, we are seeing a limited number of patients in the office per day in an effort to maintain social distancing.

We are taking other steps to protect our patients and staff as well. Only patients and staff are permitted in the office to limit interaction and potential virus exposure. Therefore, you should attend your appointment alone. We are minimizing the amount of time that patients spend waiting in public spaces. Of course, we are also following CDC guidelines on cleaning, disinfecting, handwashing, and facial coverings.

If you are due for an annual exam, you can contact your provider at Raleigh OB/GYN Centre about delaying your appointment if you need to. Patients can also schedule telehealth appointments for certain issues if they do not feel comfortable coming into the office. However, annual exams do require a physical exam, so you will need to come in at some point for that part of the wellness exam. 

To schedule an appointment or talk to a member of our staff about your healthcare options, contact Raleigh OB/GYN Centre at 919-876-8225.

After careful consideration and guidance from the rest of the medical community, we have enacted a few new policies, effective Monday, March 16th.

1. No one other than patients and staff will be permitted to enter the office. If you rely on another person for transportation, they may wait in their personal vehicle during the appointment. We ask that you minimize waiting in public spaces.

2. If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, we ask that you call to reschedule your appointment. We can help guide you to a place for viral testing if deemed necessary. At this time, we are not testing in our office.

3. We will be rescheduling routine appointments, like annual exams. Someone will be contacting you to reschedule. If possible, please try to wait for a call. We expect our incoming phone lines to be overwhelmed. Don’t worry about prescription refills, we can take care of that until we get you rescheduled

4. We will likely be moving many visits to phone or video visits for the next few weeks. This is a work in progress. We’ll be contacting you if this is our plan for your visit.

5. We will likely adopt a protocol for less frequent prenatal visits suggested by the World Health Organization. We will call you if we plan on rescheduling your appointment. Please rest assured that we will not reschedule your visit if we feel like this is, in any way, unsafe for your or your baby.

6. We will remain open to see our pregnant patients and our patients with urgent gynecological needs. We consider birth control to be an urgent need.

Please understand that all of these restrictions are to limit exposures for both our patients and our staff. We do not take any of these decisions lightly and do it with the utmost concern for your health.

We will continue to make updates as we have them.

Your urinary tract is made up of your kidneys, bladder, ureters (tubes that connect your kidney to your bladder) and your urethra. The primary function of your urinary tract is to flush waste, including bacteria, out of your body through your urine. Sometimes things can go wrong and potentially harmful bacteria will begin to reproduce in your urinary tract and cause infections. 

Most infections are commonly found in the lower urinary tract in the bladder and urethra. If left untreated, it can spread to your upper urinary tract (i.e. bladder and kidneys) and can lead to serious health problems that can be potentially life-threatening. Unfortunately, if you’re a woman, your chances of developing a urinary tract infection are far greater because of your anatomy. 

The most common UTIs in women affect the bladder (cystitis) and urethra (urethritis) and 90% of the time they are caused by the gastrointestinal bacteria, E. coli. Since a woman’s urethra has a shorter distance to the bladder and is in closer proximity to the rectum, the chances of transmitting bacteria from the GI tract increases. 

However, people of any age or sex can develop a urinary tract infection, but women are at a higher risk. About 40 to 60% of women will experience a urinary tract infection in their lifetime. Certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can increase your chances of developing a UTI if you:

• Are sexually active
• Are post-menopausal
• Are pregnant.
• Use diaphragms or spermicide
• Have a spinal cord injury or nerve damage around the urinary tract
• Have urinary tract blockage, such as kidney stones
• Have diabetes or immune deficiencies 
• Recently used a urinary catheter
• Experienced a UTI in the past

How do you know you have it?

Symptoms common to any type of urinary tract infection include: 

• Strong, frequent urge to urinate
• Painful, burning sensation while urinating
• Bad-smelling urine
• Cloudy urine or urine with blood in it
• Passing small amounts of urine, frequently
• Abdominal discomfort

Other Types of Infections

UTIs can be confused with symptoms caused by other types of infections. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma can also cause urethritis. Yeast infections are a fungus that causes a thick, white vaginal discharge that doesn’t have an odor but shares some symptoms with UTI including burning sensations while urinating. 

Life-threatening Complications

If your UTI is left untreated, it can spread from your bladder into your kidneys. Kidney infections can be serious and lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called sepsis. In addition to UTI symptoms, kidney infections can include fever, chills, pain in your lower back or side and nausea or vomiting. 

Although most kidney infections are from a UTI they can happen following kidney surgery or from an infection that spreads from another part of your body. With March being National Kidney Month, now is a good time to learn how you can improve your kidney functions with a few simple lifestyle steps. 

You can lower your risk of developing a urinary tract infection by:

• Drinking plenty of water to dilute your urine and flush out bacteria. 
• Drink cranberry juice.
• Wipe from front to back.
• Empty your bladder after intercourse.
• Avoid irritating products like douches and powders.
• Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth. 

Treatment

UTIs, including kidney infections, can be treated with a course of antibiotics. You may begin to feel better after a few days on your antibiotics, however, you should continue taking the medication as prescribed. If you don’t take it as prescribed, stronger bacteria may not be killed causing another flare-up. People with severe kidney infections may need to be hospitalized. While being treated:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication.
• Use a heating pad to ease the pain.
• Avoid coffee and alcohol, which can make you feel like you need to urinate more often. 

If you are concerned by the symptoms you are experiencing, call our Raleigh OB/GYN Center at (919) 876-8225 to schedule an appointment. Our team of healthcare providers has provided personalized and comprehensive care for women in all stages of life for more than 40 years. 

Most women are familiar with the pain and cramping associated with menstrual periods. However, the severity of period pain can vary greatly on an individual basis. Some women experience mild discomfort that is easily managed, while others have pain severe enough to interfere with everyday activities during the menstrual cycle each month. Painful periods may be caused by several factors. Depending on how bad the symptoms are and what is causing them, your gynecologist can help you manage the pain.

Causes of Painful Periods

Period pain, medically referred to as dysmenorrhea, is separated into two categories: primary and secondary.

Primary Dysmenorrhea 

Primary dysmenorrhea is pain that is caused exclusively by the menstrual period. Dysmenorrhea is described as throbbing or cramping pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. Cramps are caused by the uterus contracting to help expel its lining, which is the purpose of menstruation. These contractions are triggered by prostaglandins, a hormone-like substance. Higher levels of prostaglandins are linked to inflammation and more severe dysmenorrhea.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by another condition in the reproductive system. Some conditions that cause secondary period pain include:

• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It is a common health issue, and according to the US Office on Women’s Health, endometriosis may affect more than 11% of American women between the ages of 15 and 44. The primary symptom of endometriosis is pain, including severe menstrual cramps that may worsen as the disease progresses. Endometriosis also causes pain in the lower back, pelvis, and intestines. It is also one of the most common causes of infertility in women of reproductive age in the US.

• Adenomyosis: Although it is much rarer than endometriosis, adenomyosis is also a disorder involving the uterine lining. In adenomyosis, the uterine lining grows into the muscle of the uterine wall. Symptoms of the condition include prolonged periods with heavy bleeding and pain.

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder found in many women of reproductive age. According to the CDC, PCOS affects between 6% and 12% of US women of reproductive age.  Some women with PCOS have irregular periods, which may be infrequent and/or prolonged. When women with PCOS have a menstrual period, they often experience heavy bleeding, clots, and severe period pain. As with endometriosis, as PCOS progresses, symptoms like period pain will get worse as well. Other symptoms of PCOS include weight gain, fatigue, painful intercourse, excess facial and body hair growth, acne, male-pattern baldness, ovarian cysts, and infertility.

• Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus. Often, uterine fibroids don’t cause noticeable symptoms. However, the size, location, and the number of fibroids may cause symptoms like heavy, painful periods that last more than a week. Other symptoms include pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, backaches, and leg pain.

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection in the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. PID is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that travel from the vagina into other parts of the reproductive system. The infection causes inflammation. If the infection is present during the menstrual period, cramping and discomfort may be more severe than normal.

• Cervical Stenosis: Cervical stenosis is a rare condition in which the cervix is much smaller or narrower than usual. It can cause menstrual flow to slow, resulting in increased pressure and pain in the uterus.

How Your Gynecologist Can Help

If you are experiencing period pain that interferes with your daily life every month, then you should talk to your gynecologist. They can determine whether your period pain is primary or secondary dysmenorrhea. From there, the gynecologist can prescribe treatment that will help you manage your symptoms.

If your pain is caused by primary dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps on their own, the doctor may prescribe medication to relieve pain. Period pain can also be managed with hormonal birth control, which prevents ovulation and reduces the severity of cramps. Birth control can be given orally, by injection, through an implant in the arm, vaginal ring, dermal patches, or intrauterine device (IUD).

If period pain is caused by an underlying condition, your doctor can recommend treatment options based on the specific condition. Conditions like endometriosis and PCOS are also treated with hormonal birth control and pain relievers but further treatment such as other medications or surgery.

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Raleigh OB/GYN Centre provides state-of-the-art care for gynecologic conditions, including painful periods, endometriosis, bleeding problems, and pelvic pain. If you have concerns about severe period pain or another condition, call (919) 876-8225 to schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations.

There are many menstrual products on the market for people to choose from when dealing with their periods. One product that has been around for quite some time but has become more popular in recent years is the menstrual cup.

The menstrual cup is a device that is inserted into the vagina to collect blood and prevent it from leaking out during a menstrual period. When the cup is full, it can be removed and emptied into a toilet before being cleansed and reinserted. 

Menstrual cups are usually made out of silicone, with some being made of rubber. People with latex allergies should choose silicone versions.

When deciding whether or not this product is right for you, take a look at this list of menstrual cup pros and cons.

Pros of the Menstrual Cup

• Eco and Budget-Friendly: Switching to the cup will reduce the amount of garbage you produce during your menstrual period because you will not be throwing out pads and tampons. Reducing landfill waste is definitely good for the planet, making the menstrual cup an eco-friendly choice. Also, because you do not need to replace the menstrual cup each month, it is cost-effective as well. If you take care of them properly, some cups can be used for years. A menstrual cup may be a slightly larger investment at first, especially higher quality versions. However, any extra expense is more than made up for after a few cycles. There are also less expensive reusable menstrual cups available that are comparable in price to a box of tampons.

• Less Shopping for Menstrual Products: If you’re using disposable menstrual products like tampons or pads, you have to keep buying them for each period. Not only is this more expensive than using a menstrual cup, but multiple trips to the drug store can also be an inconvenience. As long as you maintain your menstrual cup properly, you will always have it on hand without needing to go to the store for supplies. Just keep track of when your period is due and have it ready to go before that date to be prepared. If you are concerned about starting your period when you’re away from home, a case can be used to keep it in a purse or book bag around the time you expect it to start.

• Helps with Maintaining Healthy Vaginal pH: Tampons are used to absorb blood, but they also absorb any other vaginal fluid present. This may lead to a disturbance in your vaginal pH or the healthy bacteria that should be there. The menstrual cup does not absorb anything, so this problem is avoided.

• Less Odor: If you’ve used tampons or pads before, you may have noticed they can develop an odor as they absorb more blood. The odor becomes more noticeable when it is exposed to air, which is especially a problem with menstrual pads. With the cup, the blood is contained by a non-porous barrier, so it is not exposed to air. Therefore, odor is less common when using a menstrual cup.

• Longer Wearability: In addition to the general longevity of a menstrual cup, you can also usually go longer between trips to the bathroom to deal with your period. The menstrual cup is often able to hold more blood than a pad or tampon can absorb, which means it needs to be emptied less often than other products need to be changed.

Also, menstrual cups are made of body-safe materials that do not contain the chemicals some single-use products do. The risk of a rare condition known as toxic shock syndrome (TSS) that is associated with tampon usage is eliminated when using a menstrual cup.

Cons of the Menstrual Cup

• Learning to Properly Insert It Takes Practice: The most common complaint about the menstrual cup is that it is difficult to insert at first. Because there is a learning curve, some women get frustrated and give up after several attempts. This is especially true for young women who have just started their menstrual cycles and women who have not had intercourse. However, with practice, most women can get the hang of proper insertion. It should be noted that individuals with IUDs may want to consult their doctor about using the menstrual cup because it may pull on the IUD’s strings and dislodge it.

• Fit Issues: The menstrual cup comes in a variety of sizes, with guidelines and recommendations for what size may be appropriate for certain women. However, if you have a condition like a dropped uterus or severe fibroids, fit may be an issue.

• More Mess: A couple of menstrual cup pros and cons are related to the way it collects blood rather than absorbing it. This is a pro for reusability and length of time between changes. However, for some women, dealing with the menstrual blood is a turn-off. If you’re used to simply throwing away menstrual pads and tampons, it may take some getting used to the menstrual cup. With practice, many women will master removal with minimal mess.

Another con related to mess is the need to rinse or clean the cup before reinsertion. Some feel uncomfortable doing this in the sink, especially in public restrooms. To deal with this, some women carry a small squirt or spray bottle of water while using the cup, or bring wipes.

• Issues with Cup Removal: Removing the menstrual cup can have as much of a learning curve as inserting. And removing it improperly can cause a lot more mess than inserting it incorrectly. While each cup as a “stem” at the bottom, it is not the best idea to use it on its own for removal. The cup should be squeezed just above the stem and pulled out.

• Proper Maintenance: Because the menstrual cup is reusable, it must be taken care of properly. If you neglect proper maintenance of your cup, it can introduce bacteria or other germs into the vagina the next time you use it. Or if it is not taken care of properly, it will not last as long as it should. After each cycle, you should sanitize it by using boiling water or a cleanser made for the material, like solutions used for baby bottle nipples.

Have More Questions?

Raleigh OB/GYN Centre has been caring for women in all stages of life for over 40 years. From the first gynecological exam through managing menopause, our expert physicians will be there. To speak to one of our doctors about any gynecological issue, including the best options for menstrual products, you can call us at 919-876-8225. You can also request an appointment online.

As a woman approaches her due date, there are many concerns she may have about giving birth and safely delivering a healthy baby. If you are in your third trimester and getting close to full term, then you might be aware of the possibility of breech presentation. This condition affects a relatively small percentage of pregnant women, but that knowledge may not be enough to stop you from wondering: what happens if my baby is breech?

What Does Breech Mean?

When answering the question “what happens if my baby is breech?” the first thing that needs to be done is to find out what breech means in terms of the fetal position. As the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) explains, breech presentation is when the baby is not head-down during birth. Instead of being in a position for the head to come through the birth canal first, a baby in breech presentation is positioned so that his or her feet, bottom, or both would come out first.

There are a few types of breech presentations that differ due to the exact position the baby is in and where his or her head is.

• Frank breech: The baby’s bottom is down and the legs are pointing up and near the head. This is the most common type of breech presentation.
• Footling breech: The baby is head up and has one or both of his or her legs hanging down.
• Transverse breech: The baby is lying horizontally in the uterus.
• Complete breech: The head is up, the bottom is down, and the legs are crossed.
• Oblique breech: The baby’s head is down but is pointed towards one of the mother’s hips

Risks Related to Breech Presentation

There are several risks associated with breech presentation in both vaginal and cesarean births.  

Risks during vaginal delivery include cord prolapse, which happens when the umbilical cord is squeezed as the baby moves down the birth canal. The squeezing of the cord slows down the supply of oxygen and blood to the baby. Another complication associated with vaginal delivery of a baby with a breech presentation is that the baby may not move as easily through the birth canal, which can require the use of forceps or other tools.

Cesarean deliveries have risks as well, mostly related to it being a surgery that requires sedation or anesthesia. You can read more about this in our previous blog what to expect when you have a C-section.

What Can Cause Breech Presentation?

Breech presentation occurs in about 3 to 4% of full-term pregnancies. Some women are more likely to have a fetus in breech position. The following factors can contribute to an increased risk of breech presentation:

• Too much amniotic fluid
• Not enough amniotic fluid
• Two or more fetuses in the uterus
• Mother has been pregnant before
• Pregnancy is less than 37 weeks along
• Presence of uterine abnormalities such as fibroids
• The placenta is covering either a part of or all of the of the uterine opening (placenta previa)

What Are the Options if My Baby is Breech?

There are several ways to approach labor and delivery with breech presentation. The two most common are: 

1. External Cephalic Version is Attempted

External cephalic version (ECV) is an attempt to turn the baby so that he or she is head down. Women who desire a vaginal birth often have ECV in attempt to stick to their birth plan. ECV is suggested for a fetus with breech presentation in pregnancies greater than 36 weeks.

Over half of ECV attempts are successful in getting the baby in a head-down position. But some babies may move back into breech presentation after this treatment is performed. Another attempt may be made, but it gets more difficult to perform ECV as the birth date approaches because there is less room for the baby to move.

ECV is performed by a healthcare professional who will use their hands to apply firm pressure to the abdomen so the baby will roll into a head-down position. More than one healthcare professional may be needed to help turn the baby and sometimes ultrasound guidance is used to determine the positioning.

Before ECV is attempted, the baby’s heart rate will be checked with fetal monitoring and it will be checked again after the attempt. In case a problem arises with the heart rate, a C-section may need to happen quickly. For this reason, ECV is often done in or near a delivery room.

Sometimes external cephalic version is not suggested. If there is more than one baby (twins or more), the placenta is not in the right place or has come away from the wall of the uterus, or if there are other concerns about the baby’s health, then ECV is not an option.

2. Cesarean Delivery is Planned

Another course of action used if a baby is breech is a planned cesarean delivery. There are times when a planned vaginal birth with a baby in a breech position is safe, but often a C-section is chosen due to the lower incidence of complications.

For More Information

At Raleigh OB/GYN Centre, we know that you will have concerns about your pregnancy, including what happens if your baby is breech. We have been dedicated to providing quality obstetric care to the women of the Raleigh area since 1974 and will be there with you every step of the way from preconception to delivery. If you want to speak to one of our doctors about any obstetric or gynecological concern, then you can call us at 919-876-8225. You can also request an appointment online.