Well-Woman Care

What are you doing or did you do to ensure optimal prenatal health?

Elaine1983 — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:48:34 GMT

I take prenatal vitamins, work out regularly (not too extensively of course), I quit smoking and I try to eat healthy. What are you doing (for those who are expecting), or what did you do (for those who have already given birth) to ensure optimal prenatal health?

Whining...bad experience with nurse practitioner

RobsGirl — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:38:08 GMT

Hi all,

It has been a very long time since I was here. I'm happy to see a few of you "old timers" still about.

I need to vent, a little angry right now. Probably serves me right for trying to take the easy way out.

I've had a pretty uneventful couple of years regarding my GYN health. I saw a new (male) doc last year for my pap after deciding I was done having babies and didn't want to make the trek to see my homebirth midwives and fight with the insurance carrier to cover the visit, etc. I knew I had the confidence to wrangle the doctor anyway if he was pushing anything, because (having been here so much over the years and having read so much about women's health) I know a lot, and I know what I want and don't want when it comes to my own health. Everything went great that summer (2011). The doc tried to push genetic breast cancer testing on me because of my family history. He strongly suggested that I do it and I strongly declined. That was the end of everything. I didn't mind dealing with him, but I decided in the future I would try to see someone else in the practice.

I went back yesterday for my yearly pap, and to discuss a couple of concerns, and ended up seeing the women's health nurse practitioner. She was very professional, a bit clinical, perhaps, and listened to my concerns. She took my history and asked if I had been offered the breast cancer genetic testing and I told her about the previous year when the doctor had strongly suggested that I do it, but I had thought about it and decided I really didn't want to do that. We went on to talk about mammograms and she asked if I had any objections to that, rather flatly. I knew then that she had pegged me already as "one of those" kind of patients. Whatever. So she did my exam, took some cultures and a wet prep because of some irritations I'd been having, did the pap and the pelvic and then left the room for me to get dressed, telling me to leave the door open when I was finished. It took a while, but I heard her walking back and forth and entering things into the computer. Then she approached one of the doctors in the hallway and I heard her explain to him that she had seen Dr. So and So's patient, and her cervix just looks junky, kind of scraped up and just not normal.... yada yada yada. This was all within my earshot and that of any number of patients and staff. When she finally did come in, she told me about her findings (BV and a little yeast and quite a few white blood cells...really common stuff), but wanted to put me on doxycycline "for the white blood cells". I objected to the systemic antibiotics for a local infection, and so she went on to explain that they use it all the time. Well, "I don't use it all the time. I try to avoid systemic antibiotics," and explained why. She went on to imply that she thought I might have another type of STI because of the number of white blood cells, not usually seen in BV only. Now she's never examined me before (and she admitted that), she knows that every pap I've ever had has been normal, but she doesn't know me from Adam enough to know that my husband and I were virgins at marriage and have been totally monogamous ever since. She did agree to have me try metrogel and diflucan for the infections and wanted me to come in and see the doc for a colposcopy to check out my "junky" cervix (she did not say that to my face, thankfully, or I would have had words with her). She again offered the genetic testing, sent me home with scripts for an ultrasound, a colposcopy, a mammogram, bloodwork, medicine, and put me in for cultures for STI's and herpes.

Holy cow, these people are overkill. I am frankly, quite upset. I appreciate thoroughness, but now I've experienced exactly why it is so crutial to have an established relationship with your caregiver. I have learned something from this.

Thanksf or letting me vent.

LLETZ/LEEP - if and when?

worstfriend — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:01:22 GMT

A close friend was dx with cervical dysplasia recently, and underwent a colposcopy on Monday. They took a small biopsy to see if it's active HPV or genuine dysplasia and she finds out in 4-6weeks if she needs the loop procedure doing.

They have one dd, born 3weeks after my youngest, and are planning, as we are, another in a year or so (we both plan to begin ttc around when the girls turn 2).

She has "minor changes" nor moderate, ours is one of the few healthboards in the UK which moves straight to LLETZ even for minor dysplasia. Anywhere else she would be asked to have a repeat PAP every 6 months to see what was happening. Our health board takes this line because of the high numbers here of people who are in poor health, overweight, smokers, don't exercise, eat poorly, drink a lot and are amongst the least likely in the UK to come back for follow-up PAPs. My friend is not and has not been overweight, does not smoke, drinks almost no alcohol, eats a nutritionally-rich varied diet with plenty of veggies and protein and not much sugar and is physically active. She DOES have problems with pelvic exams and her last pap before this one was 5 years ago (though to be fair she missed one due to pregnancy and attempted one post-partum but was so tense the Dr told her she should come back another day as the speculum couldn't have been inserted without some force) but is committed to finishing the treatment for this, whatever it may be.

I understand that pregnancy/birth after LLETZ carry a slightly increased risk of PPROM and thus premature birth, and a very slightly raised risk of incompetent cervix and infertility. I understand that waiting carries the very small risk of dysplasia worsening and leading to actual cancer.

What i cannot fathom is which would be better - to wait until after another baby (which at the moment she feels would complete her family) to have the proceedure, or to have the procedure and concieve afterwards.

Birth Control Pills Recalled

Brlnbabies — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 03:42:46 GMT

Please see the FDA link for information on the recall:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm272199.htm

TTC/ Expecting in 2010

lifeAgift — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:53:34 GMT

Hope it wasn't out of place for me to start a new thread. My best to all of you in the 2009 thread and I hope you post here soon.

Been longing for another pregnancy and new baby since 2006/2007. Spent the past few years dealing with managing and corrected self induced secondary infertility (more on this later).

Today I sit 1-2 days past my menses due date, recalling an assortment of symptoms I've experienced over the past two weeks and having gratitude for them all.

I'll POAS tommorow with my FMU.

I've prayed and made promises to God regarding this pregnancy and look forward to embracing it everyday without rushing the experience or complaining about the nuances that go with it. I am so hopeful and optomistic and have been turning inward reflecting a lot this past week. I already feel the extra calm, reserve and tenderness that I often feel when pregnant and I so love it. Goddess, wombman, nurture, mother, all the feminine energy being summoned together to strengthen me for this journey.

My children are: DD's 22, 18, 6 (will be 7 this month) and DS's 15, 5 (six next month). The oldest is in college, the next two in highschool and the youngest two are unschooled/ world schooled/ ecclectically educated at home with me. They have all been the joy of my life, my reason for being, the force that has propelled me forward. I love parenting as much as life itself and have never been the sort to sit back and ponder all I'm gonna get to do when they are gone. As a matter of fact I often tease them about living with each one of them two months a year when they are grown. The oldest is excited about that idea the teens are like no way you're not old and the younger ones say they are never leaving home to begin with anyway.

Each and every child I've birthed has imporoved my parenting and who I am as a person. So I look forward to seeing what good this one will bring out of me.

In Oct/Nov I started an application for a local CNM program thinking that I needed to stop focusing so hard on trying to get pregnant and distract myself with GRE studies, personal statements etc.... For each month that my menses returned I tried to console myself with the fact that I already have 5 brilliant beings and that midwifery school would be so so rewarding and keep me too busy for a new babe. The longing never left and I never completed the application. Thinking I'd put off school one more year, finish my MBA, continue attending births and revamp some past experiences as a maternal-child educator and jsut go from there.

Still an aspiring midwife, so I'll spend this next networking, joining birth related organizations, attending conferences and hosting support meetups for pregnant women. hat expensive CNM schoolw ill be there. I'm approachig 40 and hope to be one of those midwive's who can stay put in a community long enough too see two generations birthed in the same family. Maybe of the 20 births I've already attended those little ones will grow up and one day call me to attend the births of their babies. They've all been so special to me that I think I'd even travel to do it.

I know this post is all over the place. Feeling really excited, melancholoy and a little nauseas. Just wanted to get everything out before i go up from the 'puter.

I've considered starting a blog about this experience but then didn' know if that would kinda adulterate the processing I hope to do. Hmmm will have to think about it, really wan things to flow organically, really want to be in full awareness, nt so rushed and anxious. I've birthedn my teens twnties, thirties and now forties. I praise the Divine Ceator for this awesome experience and thank my little being(s) for choosing me to birth and mother them into this reality.

Severe Sugar Cravings

Brlnbabies — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:50:31 GMT

Anything herbal/homeopathic to recommend for someone with severe sugar cravings? So severe that it's like an addiction for her--thinks about going to the store to get candy, has to really control urges like that? She says she feels like an addict. I thought I'd ask here for her as you are wise ones. I didn't know what to tell her.

Are sugar cravings when she's not pregnant "curable" by eating more protein, the same as she would do if she was pregnant?

Skincare Regime/s

mybodymyself — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:19:49 GMT

Do you believe that twice daily skincare routine is improves your skin vs once daily one? Always wanted to know about this, but never asked. Recently switched from once daily skincare routine to twice daily skincare routine. Also, switched my skincare line because I felt my previous line wasn't working anymore. Even though both lines are from the same company.

menstrual blood clots

Katherine — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:26:16 GMT

Hi!

I have 28 day cycles. I have some cramping as my flow starts. I have a moderate to heavy flow and I am looking for opinions about whether I should be worried about menstrual blood clots.

I am 28 years old and have had no pregnancies. My flow has always included some clotting, but over the past few years it seems like the clots have increased. My flow is also heavier now than it was in my early 20's. The clots vary in size and are a rich bright red-- the same color as the rest of my bleeding.

Over the past couple of years I have been actively healing from early childhood sexual trauma and experiencing a renaissance of healthy sexuality. Last weekend I reached a new stage of healing and forgiveness (I mention this bc of sexuality/ hormones / menstruation connections).

The clots don’t typically bother me in anyway-- I am sort of fascinated by them-- they are gelatinous and wet and rich and red and mysterious, but last night I had one that was a little unusual. When on my flow I typically sleep in certain clothes that I are okay to be stained because I don’t sleep with tampons and I don’t like a bunch of stuff bunched around my period vagina at night. I woke last night and realized that my flow was going strong and I needed to get up and do something. I stood up and changed my pants for an absorbent towel around my waist. When I got up this morning I saw that in changing clothes I had dripped a little blood on a sweatshirt- and a clot too. a big clot. Its about 2 inches long and as big around as my pinkie.

My gut says that this is just where I am in my cycle and my life-- strong, animalistic, and flowing but my gut also says that sometimes it exists in a vacuum and I should investigate what blood clots can mean or be a symptom of.

I don’t have access to useful well woman care (I live in a desert of empowered/ holistic health care) and I refuse "health care" that is neither healthy or caring, so this forum is the most I am going to get it "checked out"

Maybe this blood clot is just helping me wake up to myriad of things I wish were different (like easy access to knowledgeable, experienced, useful healthcare) and is helping to fuel the "get on becoming a midwife" fire under my booty? Are there other things I should watch out for that would mean 'something is wrong'?

Thanks much,

Katherine

Beyaz and Natazia

mybodymyself — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:29:16 GMT

Are Beyaz and Natazia any different from other birth control pill options or what?

Diva Cup

momofmany — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 14:35:55 GMT

Does anyone have any experience with these?

TTC/ Expecting 2011

lifeAgift — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:03:37 GMT

Ok here we go again. Over 100 post and ten pages last year.

Hubby and I have been TTC since July 2009 some months more aggressive than others some months not so much.

I still have random months where I "feel" pregnant and test anf then other months wherre I go with the flow. Lately I've been flowing with the new moon which is ineresting and definately more pleasant than flowing with the full moon, for me that is.

Got a bit discouraged last year and didn't consistnetly keep up with the posting. So CONGRATS to all who birthed and or conceived in 2010.

Updates us lets us know how you are doing.

~Namaste

When Flu Shots Go Wrong

mybodymyself — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:18:26 GMT

When Flu Shots Go Wrong

I want to be very clear about this: I get flu shots. I think flu shots (and other vaccines) are a good thing. I will get them every year, especially as long as I work at a medical center. I really appreciate getting them for free, and the effort that goes into making that happen. I do not want my experience to in any way discourage anyone else from getting a flu shot, because what I experienced was completely unusual and probably the result of a new person having a bad day. I was not substantially harmed in any way, and got a good story to tell in the process. In the same manner, I have documented my blood drive mishaps here before, and I continue to donate blood and to encourage others to do so. Clear enough?

Whats your opinon/s on this and etc?

I’m torn on all of this still.

This is my story with the flu, flu shot, etc. Oh how it was written a quite a while ago and etc along those lines.

As for me have only gotten it twice in my lifetime so far and haven’t had ill affects has of yet. 1st time I felt I needed it because the yr before I was at school. Pretty much everyone got it and wanted to be included at the time. Of course they needed permission from my parent/s or doctor, can’t remember which one. This past yr I had to get it because I had bronchitis, last feb. Was on antibiotics and some kind of syrup for it. After that had some GERD (Gastric Reflux) from everything. Was put on medication for that which is working. Believe thats it for now.

By the way my fraternal twin sister had the shot last yr and manage to get it after the season was over. This yr she didn’t get it because her experience last yr.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis questions

RobsGirl — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:57:17 GMT

Hi all,

I know two people who have been diagnosed with hashimoto's thyroiditis recently and I'm writing on their behalf. The one, in particular, had her antibody level double in the last month. At the moment she is a bit hypothyroid. She doesn't want to go on synthroid just yet. She's trying some alternative stuff, including spirulina, kelp and a thyroid supporting tincture of Black Walnut Hulls, Bladderwrack, Kelp and Irish Moss. She said she didn't feel any better on these so she stopped taking them for now. She's wondering if these are symptoms related to the thyroid condition:

1. easy bruising

2. susceptibility to infections of various kinds

3. eczema

4. ovarian cysts

Also, is there anything natural you all know of to calm down her body's immune response. The diagnosis is pretty confusing to her, I think. The other friend came back positive for the antibodies but her thyroid numbers are actually fine at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

How Important is Sleep

mybodymyself — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:33:46 GMT

This is blog entry done by one of my dearest online friends.

Interesting and I definetly can relate to this. Even though I'm not even at this stage of life, but hopefully in the future will be.

How Important is Sleep? | Live Simply article | Free online articles and how-to's for busy families.

www.cozi.com

Ever since Roger Ebert tweeted something to the effect of “drowsy = seconds from death,” I’ve been obsessed with sleep.

Conception problems of a friend...

Sleepysheephollowvt — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:00:01 GMT

My friend has had a hard life. Because of past experiences, she was told only one ovary worked because of trauma. She hasn't had her period in over a year. This is normal for her *unless* she's on birth control, then she gets her period every month like usual. She has a body that tends to gain weight fast on hardly any food, all around the middle. This tells me that there is a thyroid issue...I've only partially touched on things, but I'd llike your take on this. Obviously, she should have her thyroid checked...is there anything specific that she should do other than that? She really wants too be able to ahve babies, but is afraid of doctors and tests...Thanks in advance !

What would you do for this woman's situation

mybodymyself — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:56:20 GMT

The woman is one of my twin sister and my girlfriend's mother. Anyway, her mother has breast cancer for almost a yr (8/ or 9/09) now and gotten everything from her breast (11/2009) as well. Anyway, shes been having a lot of trouble with pain because of everything. Unsure what the exactly problem is with her and etc. I believe shes seen a different doctor for the pain and etc. Finally, her husband/friend's father had enough of her being that way or something that. Shes back in the hospital (different one from where she got the surgery from and etc) for the pain.

Think thats it for now.

Thank you, in the advance.

ovarian cysts

singingtree — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:05:09 GMT

Hi all,

Any advice for a 30 year old woman who is trying to conceive and recently had a 16 cm cyst, as well as one ovary and tube, removed. I haven't spoken to her directly and don't know what type of cyst it was, nor do I know if she has any cysts on the other ovary.

What would you suggest for her as she tries to conceive? I will recommend acupuncture and Chinese herbs but I know her financial resources are limited.

Thanks!

Bartholin Cyst

momofmany — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:05:18 GMT

I am thinking I have a bartholin cyst. It doesn't hurt or cause any problems, however it seems to be getting bigger. Is there any way to make it shrink or go away? I'd rather not go to a MD.....

Emergency, normal care, my situation

mybodymyself — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:51:35 GMT

Want to know this because forgot the answer to this and way too lazy to do a search for this. At the same time results for the search are complicated to follow.

Want to know how long does a midwife (all types of midwifes) spend with her patients compared to doctors?

Had my yearly GYN exam, today with my OB/GYN. Time spent with her was less then 5 minutes and she hardly looked into my chart. Especially after getting BRAC Test done (8/09) and getting positive result back. That means I have a chance of getting breast cancer because of that positive result. By the way my fraternal twin sister got that test done (around the same time as me) because our mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer (almost 2 yr ago, 6/08). Thats a long story and prefer not to get into on her. My mom gone though several rounds of chemo, surgery to remove it, and maintence rounds of chemo as well. In my opinion she gone though more chemo then she should had to and etc. Then, my sister and my friend's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer (9/09 or 10/09), but forgot what stage it was in. After founding a lump in one of her breasts and she already had the surgery to remove it. Shes also undergoing rounds of chemo and radiation theraphy as well. At the same time left parts of our friends mom story out as well. My OB/GYN a new mother (shes was pregnant with it when I 1st saw her, last yr). She worked though the pregnancy, had the baby, and was back at work after being on maternity leave for the minium amount of time. As know of she didn't didn't or intend bf it because of her work and etc. By the way her father is also is OB/GYN as well, but mainly GYN now. Unsure when he stopped with OB part of the practice.

Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation

mybodymyself — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:47:12 GMT

Elissa Stein and Susan Kim.

This is what I'm started to read at the moment. Found out it about while browsing one of the local Barnes and Noble in my area. Wasn't that crazy about it in the beginning, but in the end I was crazy about. Well, review this book more after I finish reading it and which shouldn't be too long from now.

Vitamin/s

mybodymyself — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:25:10 GMT

This isn't the 1st time that I have switched vitamins.

Have been thinking about switching from prenatal vitamin to another multi vitamin. Prefer takin multi that has everything that I need. To takin multi with combo of others as well. At the same time unsure if I will mention this to my OB/GYN whom I see next mo for yearly exam and etc. At the same time unsure if I'm mention this to my primary care doctor as well. Also, it will be my 1st time or 2nd time (02/2005) that I have seen it. My yearly exam for that doctor will be in June. By the way my mom is an register nurse as well.

Switched from prenatal to women since from what I read that prenatal vitamins aren't good for me at the moment. Stuck to the same brand as prenatal vitamins are from and also where my mom buys hers/ours as well.

Got the right (women's) vitamins, today. Have to say womens looks pretty much the same as prenatals, but much smaller and etc.

Artificial Hymens: $38 for "Virginity Protection"

Brlnbabies — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:04:10 GMT

Virginity protected for $38 at China border

"Just bring some cash along and you do not have to worry about losing your virginity. This is the message of those selling artificial hymens in Lang Son Province that neighbors China. The sellers say the product, imported from China, has been available in Vietnam for at least four years." ... http://www.thanhniennews.com/print.php?catid=3&newsid=54640

TTC in 2009...

worstfriend — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:51:32 GMT

Hi,

I just thought i'd start a thread on ttc (because i didn't want to crash the one with more specific ttc-related issues) and wondered if you gals planning 2010 babies fancied chatting about it...

At the moment i have a Mirena in place. I'll be having it removed the first week of June (which will be the 3rd week of my cycle). We decided to have it removed mid-cycle as i need to have a PAP done and that's a good time for that, and because i really need to know when i fell PG i want to have at least one AF post-removal without the risk of falling PG.

I am very excited as i've wanted another baby for a long time, but now we're getting ready to ttc i am also terrified because my relationship fell apart after DD was born and though i don'tthink there is a remote possibility of that happening with DP, the fear is irrational and still here...

Any of you lovely ladies want to join me on this journey?

Bec

New US Mammogram Guidelines Confusion and Common Sense

mybodymyself — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:11:55 GMT

New Mammogram Guidelines Are Causing Confusion, But Here’s Why They Make Sense

New government guidelines recommending that women start screening for breast cancer at age 50 instead of 40 set off a round of criticism this week and caused much confusion for women who for years have been told that early detection saves lives.

Have to say I'm torn on this.

Uterine Polyps in Post-Menopausal Woman

Brlnbabies — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:02:35 GMT

That be me! History: last period 3 years ago. Started very small spotting last August and a big polyp (the size of my tongue! TMI, right?) was removed. No problems until 10/14/09 when I started what looks like a regular period complete with cramping. I'm going in for a vaginal ultrasound tomorrow followed by regular appointment, but in the meantime: what would cause uterine polyps like this? hormonal imbalance--what hormone?