When you’re pregnant — especially for the first time — you have so many questions along the way. Friends, relatives and co-workers seem to love offering their guidance on the many dos and don’ts of this exciting and wonderful experience. Sometimes it can be tough to separate the facts from the myths. When in doubt, … Continue reading Fact or fiction: 6 common myths about pregnancy
Patients often ask me whether taking birth control pills can increase the risk of getting cancer. A new study sheds more light on the answer, revealing that women who take oral contraception might be protected against some cancers for decades. Since the medication contains female hormones, researchers have been interested in determining whether there is … Continue reading Can birth control lower your risk of certain cancers?
Texas recently became the second state to confirm a local transmission of the Zika virus, and the news comes at the heels of a disturbing new study showing babies infected by the virus that appear healthy at birth may develop defects as they grow older. The case in Texas, found in a non-pregnant female in … Continue reading Some Zika-related defects show up months after babies’ birth
It’s that time of year again, when we’re all being urged to get our flu shots. Many moms-to-be often ask me whether it’s safe for them to get vaccinated. The answer is yes, it is safe, and it’s strongly recommended no matter where you are in your pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely to get … Continue reading Should pregnant women get the flu shot?
A new study may leave mothers-to-be uncertain about a widely recommended drug, acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is the main ingredient in Tylenol and many other pain medicines. If you’re pregnant and have a backache or headache, doctors usually recommend acetaminophen. But recent research says taking the drug during pregnancy may be associated with hyperactivity in children. This … Continue reading Could acetaminophen use during pregnancy cause ADHD in children?
