We recommend a visit with your doctor when you and your partner have decided to start a family. This visit should include a full physical examination including a Pap smear and cervical cultures, as well as blood tests if these have not recently been done. These blood tests will test you for your immunity to rubella and chicken pox and your blood type. If you are not immune to one or both of these viral infections, you may need to be vaccinated. In this case, it is best to wait a month before trying to conceive.
Optimizing the health of the mother before conception is important for improving pregnancy outcome. This is particularly true for certain women, such as those with medical disorders or who regularly take medications. Preconception care is more important than prenatal care for prevention of birth defects.
This visit may also include a discussion of your medical history, your partner's medical history, your family's genetic history, and optimization of your health. We also will usually discuss healthy lifestyle issues and nutrition. I recommend starting prenatal vitamins with a prenatal DHA supplement (Expecta Lipil for instance) at least 3 months before you start trying for pregnancy.
Many women think that they need to stop their birth control method several months in advance before starting to try to conceive. This is true only for DepoProvera (the shot) and maybe for the Mirena IUD. It is not necessary to stop pills, the ring, the patch, etc. until you are ready for a pregnancy.
As always, if you have questions, talk to your doctor or make an appointment to see me.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Vaccine for Cervical Cancer, Abnormal Pap Smears, and Genital Warts
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is an exciting development in the fight against cervical cancer and precancerous dysplasia, and is currently FDA-approved for young women between 9 and 26 years old. We have found it is covered by most insurance plans, but for more information, call your insurance company.
The Gardasil vaccine is effective against four of the most common types of HPV (there are about 120 different strains!) that cause abnormal pap smears, cervical cancer, and genital warts. It is a series of three shots over a six month period given in your doctor's office.
The vaccine works best in young women who have not yet become sexually active, but is also recommended in women who are sexually active and even with known HPV disease.
For more information, check out the Gardasil website or call the office for an appointment with Dr. Swartz (303-938-4710).
The Gardasil vaccine is effective against four of the most common types of HPV (there are about 120 different strains!) that cause abnormal pap smears, cervical cancer, and genital warts. It is a series of three shots over a six month period given in your doctor's office.
The vaccine works best in young women who have not yet become sexually active, but is also recommended in women who are sexually active and even with known HPV disease.
For more information, check out the Gardasil website or call the office for an appointment with Dr. Swartz (303-938-4710).
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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This practice has made and will continue to make efforts to include accurate and current information on this Web site and/or blog. However, the materials in our Web site and/or blog are provided "as is" and to the fullest extent permissible pursuant to applicable law, this practice disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. This practice does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Web site and/or blog. This practice does not warrant that the functions contained in the materials will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected or that our Web site and/or blog or server that makes such sites available are free of viruses or other harmful components. This practice does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of any of the materials on our Web site and/or blog in terms of their correctness, accuracy, reliability, completeness, timeliness or otherwise. None of the information contained in this Web site and/or blog shall be construed as an indication of this practice's views, opinions or recommendation or endorsement thereof. Except as specifically stated otherwise, this practice does not endorse, operate, control or assume responsibility for any product, brand, method, treatment, information or services on the Web site and/or blog, in any way.
All Contents Copyright ©2009 All Rights Reserved. The images and materials found in the Web site and/or blog are copyrighted or otherwise proprietary and may be downloaded and/or reprinted for personal use only. Permission to reprint or electronically reproduce any document, stills, audio, video footage or any other materials in whole or in part for any reason is expressly prohibited, unless prior written consent is obtained from the respective copyright holder(s).
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