Doctors and Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) at Austin Regional Clinic are well equipped with helpful pointers to guide patients through the prenatal phase as well as the postpartum phase.
“While I’ve always known medicine was my calling, obstetrics came into focus only when I was in medical school. The women in my life—mother, two sisters and female friends—have always been so important and influential to me, and med school was focused on advancing women’s health. Every day, I wake up excited to go to work to improve outcomes for all my patients,” said Michael D. Newman, MD, Ob/Gyn at ARC South Ob/Gyn.
Schedule a prepregnancy exam
Once a patient determines she wants to have a baby, she should visit the Ob/Gyn before the pregnancy begins. A prepregnancy exam is a way for the doctor to get to know the patient and determine if there is anything they need to pay attention to in preparation for the pregnancy. The physician or APC will also do lab work to make sure that all levels are in the normal range. Genetic screening can also be offered for patients interested in this test.
The recommendations that the doctor may make are based on what is discussed during the prepregnancy visit and what is identified on the exam.
Some common questions and answers during the exam:
How long will it take for ovulation to normalize after stopping birth control?
- The average time it takes a woman to conceive depends upon if she was on birth control. If a patient was on the birth control pill, it can take one to three months for her period to normalize. If she is on a long-acting reversible contraceptive method, such as Nexplanon or an IUD, it can actually take up to six months to normalize.
- When a patient is over the age of 35 and it takes more than six months to become pregnant, she should consider seeing her Ob/Gyn for an evaluation to determine why she is having difficulty.
- For those under the age of 35, it is recommended that patients visit their Ob/Gyn after a full year of trying to conceive.
Once a patient is in the postpartum phase after giving birth, she might experience other unfamiliar symptoms.
The “baby blues” can sometimes occur only for a few hours each day and often disappear within 14 days after delivery. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, can occur within four weeks to several months after childbirth and can last up to a year.
Symptoms of baby blues and postpartum depression:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Sadness
- Aggression
- Extreme stress
- Feelings of detachment from the baby
- Changes in hormone levels
- Lifestyle adjustments
- History of depression
- Emotional factors, such as doubt, guilt, fear and anger
- Fatigue
- Lifestyle factors
“I believe in a patient-centric, multidisciplinary approach that leverages the skills and talents of nurses, physicians and other skilled practitioners, as a team, to deliver the right care quickly and efficiently. I am a strong believer in mixing traditional Western medicine with alternative methods to achieve a safe and purposeful plan of care,” Dr. Newman said.
Visit ARCobgyn.com to learn more about all the Ob/Gyn services offered, find a location nearby and for scheduling options to make an appointment today.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
