Women's Health Care of Georgia

The results of this randomized clinical trial show that a daily supplement of 1,000 mg DHA is likely better than 200 mg in reducing [early preterm birth] less than 34 weeks, and very likely better among pregnant individuals with low DHA status, Carlson and colleagues wrote.

In a related editorial, D. Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive services at the University of California, San Diego Health, wrote that this recommendation supports the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommendations that clinicians determine body mass index at intake and counsel patients on appropriate [gestational weight gain], nutrition and exercise throughout pregnancy, as well as emphasize the importance of providing individual care for patients with excessive gestational weight gain.

In the largest study of the associations between smoking and cardiovascular disease on cognitive function, researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, found both impair the ability to learn and memorize; and that the effects of smoking are more pronounced among females, while males are more impaired by cardiovascular disease.

The 26-year-old Stanford bioengineering graduate student developed simple blood tests that identify pregnancies at risk of preterm birth, as well as preeclampsia , accurately and early. In April, the invention won her $15,000 as a recipient of the 2021 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize. She hopes the tests will lead to far fewer medical complications, costs, and lives lost especially among Black women who are at higher risk for both preterm birth and preeclampsia.

Experts predicted that the 2019/20 flu season in the Northern Hemisphere would be a bad one. And then it wasn't. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, international travel ground to a halt, physical distancing and mask wearing became more common, and the flu went away. Rachel Baker, PhD, who studies public health and infectious disease at Princeton University's High Meadows Environmental Institute, said that in mid-March 2020, "there was a clear drop-off right when lockdowns were announ...ced." This was particularly evident in tropical places like Hawaii, which usually has persistent cases throughout the year rather than seasonal peaks alternating with periods in which cases drop to zero. Clearly, health measures designed to slow the transmission of COVID-19 can be just as effective at reducing the spread of influenza and other respiratory infections.

Women who develop diabetes in pregnancy don't tend to make healthy diet or exercise changes to help fight it, a new study finds. That could have dire consequences: Gestational (pregnancy-related) diabetes raises the risks of high blood pressure in mothers, larger babies, cesarean delivery, low blood sugar in newborns, and development of chronic diabetes later in life.

The WHO changes their position.

Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 antibodies show evidence of the immune cells against the virus in their own blood, according to a study published Friday by JAMA Pediatrics. Among 83 babies born to mothers who had antibodies against the coronavirus, 87% tested positive for immunoglobulin G, an antibody created by the immune system to fight off infection.

Patients with vitamin D deficiency are significantly more likely to be positive for COVID-19, according to a study published in the April issue of Nutrition.

Early clinical trials of Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna’s coronavirus vaccines failed to include pregnant and lactating women, so safety data is not available for these populations. But the valid concerns about this information void have been eclipsed by targeted misinformation campaigns led by vaccine skeptics who are weaponizing women’s health issues to advance their agenda. These falsehoods are being spread to amplify our legitimate anxieties and undermine trust in vaccination.

Hoffman works with Coliseum Medical Centers and says the UK variant is not only passed easily, but could also be more dangerous. "It might be more deadly as well, so we have to buckle down and be that more careful," Hoffman said. Statewide, the CDC shows 45 cases of the variant throughout the state of Georgia. Closer to home, the North Central Health District has started contact tracing to limit the spread of the variant after a case was identified Monday. The district warns there could be more cases than the first case confirmed.

Study suggests responsible consumption of cheese, wine may help reduce cognitive decline. This is wonderful news!

We rock and sing or hum to our babies by instinct. All around the world in every culture, women rock and sing in the same rhythms and ranges. This study proves that it benefits both the mama and the baby. "Preterm birth may disturb the typical development of the motherinfant relationship, when physical separation and emotional distress in the neonatal intensive care unit may increase maternal anxiety and create challenges for early interaction. This cluster-randomized controlled trial examined the effects of maternal singing during kangaroo care on mothers’ anxiety, wellbeing, and the early motherinfant relationship after preterm birth."

The vaccine is rolling out now to healthcare workers. I had my first shot before Christmas. It isn't available yet for the general population but soon will be. I've had patients asking about it. I cannot tell you that your should or must be vaccinated, especially pregnant women. I can tell you that if I were pregnant right now I would absolutely be getting my vaccine. The link is to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's position paper. "Pregnancy testing should... not be a requirement prior to receiving any EUA-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant patients who decline vaccination should be supported in their decision. Regardless of their decision to receive or not receive the vaccine, these conversations provide an opportunity to remind patients about the importance of other prevention measures such as hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing a mask. Expected side effects should be explained as part of counseling patients, including that they are a normal part of the body’s reaction to the vaccine and developing antibodies to protect against COVID-19 illness. The mRNA vaccines are not live virus vaccines, nor do they use an adjuvant to enhance vaccine efficacy. These vaccines do not enter the nucleus and do not alter human DNA in vaccine recipients. As a result, mRNA vaccines cannot cause any genetic changes." See more

Children who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months were less likely to have dental disease, according to data presented at the virtual American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo. These findings should change clinical practice by enforcing and stating the benefits of breastfeeding, Nastocia Bafford, MPH, a fellow at Nemours Children's Health System, told Healio Primary Care.

This was a large study. I have no idea why it would be true but it's important not to gain excessive weight anyway.

Take the time to watch this amazing demonstration of how birth works.

Can we all just agree to have a better year?

"In the midst of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic in which elevated BP level is a major comorbidity, it is especially important that clinicians and health care systems not be complacent about the control of hypertension," they continued. Ultimately, a discussion of COVID-19, problems in hypertension control, and the slowdown in reducing cardiovascular mortality must address socioeconomic or racial disparities, suggested a separate editorial from Griffin Rodgers, MD, and Gary Gibbons, MD, both of the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.

More than 60% of babies who die in infancy are born to mothers who were overweight or obese prior to becoming pregnant, according to figures released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infant mortality rate for babies born to overweight women in the United States in 2017-18 was 5.2 for every 1,000 births, while it was 7.1 for every 1,000 births for women who were obese, the data showed.

Children exposed to marijuana in utero had an elevated risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, according to a recent retrospective study in Canada.

Check this out! There have been changes.

UNM researchers are working on a way to detect breast cancer before a tumor develops. "In other words, target the cancer in the patient before it grows, before it spreads too much where basically the treatment is ineffective and the cancer becomes incurable," Dr. Dario Marchetti said. According to the Centers for Disease Control, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in New Mexico. Dr. Marchetti added that it's the second deadliest cancer in the state.... Officials at UNM said the new blood test, also known as a liquid biopsy, may help catch the disease early, and give women the best chance of beating the disease.

An active lifestyle which includes eating more vegetables, exercising regularly and quitting smoking may lower the risk of developing kidney disease, a new study from Australian and Swedish researchers revealed. Researchers from Griffith University and Karolinska Institutet in Sweden undertook a systematic review of more than 100 published research papers, to determine which living habits can help to prevent chronic kidney disease. Drawing on data of more than 2.5 million healthy people from 16 countries, they found a vegetable-rich diet with higher potassium and fewer salt intakes, more exercise, quitting smoking and moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease by 14 to 22 percent.

At last! The grand announcement! We are thrilled to introduce you to Ashlynne Brown, our new midwife!!!

Jennifer Smith had a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Anthropology from UGA and was working on her Master’s in anthropology when she realized that birth was her passion. She was a labor and delivery nurse for three years and a childbirth educator, but wanted to be of greater use to pregnant women. She then went on to Emory to obtain her Master’s degree and become certified as a Nurse Midwife. For the past eighteen years, she has delivered babies in Atlanta, Albany, and Macon. She stopped counting her deliveries when she reached 1500 babies. She is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives. She is married and has two children. You can subscribe to her Youtube channel, Women's Health in Black and White and listen to her podcast Afterglow-A Women's Health in Black and White podcast.

Today is World Prematurity Day! I have endless admiration for these little fighters, their strong and amazing parents, and their wise and gentle nurses.

Dr David Quang is originally from Cleveland, OH, and he proudly calls Georgia home now. Dr Quang completed medical school in 2002 at Michigan State University, and previously worked as a National Health Service scholar in South Carolina. He is board certified in OB/GYN, and licensed to practice medicine in Georgia. He enjoys all aspects of obstetrics and gynecology. In particular, he likes developing long lasting relationships with his patients, and seeing the babies that he delivered, grow. He and his wife have two handsome boys of their own.

Julie was raised in Millen, GA and is a graduate of Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, GA with her undergraduate Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She obtained her graduate degree NP at GCSU in Milledgeville,GA . Julie has over 20 years’ experience in the care of women, with special interests in preventive health in women of all ages, contraceptive counseling and patient teaching. She is a member of The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, The National Association of Nurse Practitioners of Women’s Health and Sigma Theta Tau. She has received advanced training in colposcopy use in the treatment of abnormal pap smears. Julie resides in Hawkinsville, GA with her husband and enjoys spending time outdoors and with her grown children. Also, she is my nurse practitioner and does the most gentle pap smear I've ever had!