Blog Archive

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection, and it’s estimated that nearly all sexually active adults will be exposed to it at some point in their lives. An estimated 80 million Americans have HPV, but unfortunately, many don’t even realize they have it. While many strains of HPV are...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is notorious for causing acne, weight gain, and unwanted facial hair. While all of these symptoms are bothersome on their own, perhaps the most frustrating complication of PCOS for women trying to conceive is its impact on their fertility. It’s no secret that PCOS makes it...

Gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy, affects more than 8% of all pregnancies each year, and unfortunately, the number continues to climb year after year. Gestational diabetes occurs when your body can't produce enough insulin during pregnancy. Insulin helps usher blood sugar out of your...

Leiomyomas — more often referred to as uterine fibroids — are benign growths that form in or on your uterus. As many as 80% of women develop them by the time they turn 50.  Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, they can be debilitating. If you’re wondering...

If you just found out that you’re expecting, congratulations! Finding out you’re pregnant can be an exciting time, but it can also leave you with a lot of questions — especially if this is your first pregnancy. At Westover Hills Women's Health, we’re more than happy to answer all of...

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects your reproductive hormones, affects your period, and contributes to infertility. Yet, the symptoms extend far beyond your reproductive health.  PCOS can lead to weight gain, increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes, cause excessive facial hair growth (but thinning on the...

If you’ve previously delivered a baby via a cesarean section, you might wonder if you must deliver via C-section for all subsequent pregnancies.  The answer to that question is: No, you don’t have to keep having C-sections once you have one. It’s possible to have a vaginal birth after cesarean...

If you’re expecting, chances are good that you’ve heard our midwifery team encourage you to “eat the rainbow.” That phase refers to consuming a wide variety of fruits and vegetables of different colors. But why should you, and how can you accomplish this goal? Those are the two questions that...

Gestational diabetes develops only during pregnancy. It’s a type of diabetes that develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin to meet increased demands during pregnancy. It affects up to 10% of pregnancies in the United States and typically develops around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes...

Your pregnancy can be an exciting time as you prepare for motherhood, but if you also feel nervous, you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about labor, especially if you’re having your first baby. Our team here at Westover Hills Women’s Health wants you to know that knowledge...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

Iron plays a pivotal role in your pregnancy. Your body needs iron for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen.  During pregnancy, your body's demand for iron increases to support your growing baby and the expansion of your blood volume. If your...

Midwifery is a woman-centered approach to maternity that’s been practiced for as long as women have had babies. While the earliest midwives were simply mothers who attended the births of women in their town, midwifery soon became a profession.  The first formal midwifery training took place in the 17th century,...

As your baby grows throughout the third trimester, so does your awareness of your baby's movements. Those once-soft flutters in the second trimester have now been replaced by larger movements.  Many expectant women find fetal activity during this period to be a reassuring sign of their growing baby's health 一...

November is a month when you often focus on gratitude (and rightly so), but it’s also a time to spread awareness about diabetes.  In honor of National Diabetes Month, our team of doctors and certified nurse midwives at Westover Hills Women’s Health want to spotlight gestational diabetes, a type of...

Menopause is a natural stage in your life that signifies the end of your fertility. While this transition brings about several hormonal changes and symptoms, one lesser-discussed issue that affects many women during menopause is urinary incontinence.  Our team of doctors and certified nurse midwives at Westover Hills Women’s Health...

September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month, and if you’re dealing with this condition, you're well aware of the challenges it can bring to your daily life.  PCOS is notorious for causing missed periods, weight gain, acne, and unwanted hair growth, but today, our team of doctors and certified nurse midwives are focusing on a...

Receiving a diagnosis of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) can be distressing and overwhelming, but you’re far from alone in this experience. About 80% of women are diagnosed with HPV at some point, and about half of those are considered at high risk. High-risk HPV can increase your chance of developing cervical cancer 一 another...

Pregnancy is an exciting and transformative time for women, and staying active during pregnancy can have numerous benefits for both mother and baby.  Prenatal exercise supports a balanced mood, helps you maintain a healthy weight gain, reduces back pain, eases constipation, and even helps reduce your risk of complications, such...

Various aches and pains can develop during pregnancy. Many of them are no more than an inconvenience and pose no harm to your or your baby. For example, many pregnant women experience back pain. In fact, back pain is one of the most common pregnancy problems, according to the American College of...

During your pregnancy, laboratory testing can provide you and your health care professional with important information. Having notice of possible medical problems allows us to take steps to address these problems early, when treatment is most likely to be beneficial. For example, if lab testing shows that you have an infection,...

Feeling your baby move inside you is among the most exciting pregnancy moments. When you feel your baby move, you have a sense that they are healthy and strong and that you perceive a glimpse of what they will be like after they’re born. Your care providers use fetal movement...

During pregnancy, eating a healthy diet is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your baby. Healthy food provides your baby with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients they need to grow. And it gives you the nutritional boost you need to sustain a healthy pregnancy and maintain...

During your pregnancy, we recommend various tests to check on your health and the health of your baby. Among the tests you typically receive are lab tests, when we send a sample of your urine or blood to a laboratory for analysis. Lab tests, or “labs,” as they are sometimes...

Diabetes affects more than 1 in 10 Americans, and 2-10% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes, which is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. If you have diabetes during pregnancy — either because you had it before you got pregnant or because you developed it during pregnancy...

One of the most exciting moments of a pregnancy is feeling your baby move for the first time. For some women, that movement helps deepen their bond with their baby and makes motherhood feel that much closer and more real. But when you’re pregnant — especially for the first time...

Eating healthy foods during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby.  Healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, beans, legumes, eggs, dairy foods, nuts, and seeds contain a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that you and your baby need.  Not...

If you’re experiencing back pain during your pregnancy, rest assured: Back pain is a common discomfort for pregnant women. Typically, back pain occurs when your growing baby and your expanding uterus strain the muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones of your spinal system. This strain can lead to anything from mildly annoying...

Anemia is a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells. Your red blood cells do important work during pregnancy, carrying oxygen to your body and your baby. Anyone can develop anemia, but it’s more common in women of childbearing age, because they lose blood every...

A Pap smear is one of several tests that we use to screen for cancer of the cervix, a potentially fatal cancer that we can successfully prevent or treat if caught early. How often you should receive a Pap smear depends on several factors, including your age and your health history. We let...

Most pregnancies are healthy and proceed without complications or medical concerns. But to ensure that you and your baby are doing well — and to catch any potential health issues early — your provider offers several kinds of routine laboratory tests throughout your pregnancy. Our caring doctors and certified nurse midwives at Westover Hills Women’s Health recommend laboratory...

It’s almost time for your baby to arrive. You’re excited, but also a bit nervous. That’s completely normal. It’s also normal to have lots of questions, especially if this is your first baby. One of the most common questions pregnant women have is how they’ll know they’re in labor. Fortunately,...

Your bladder is a muscular organ that stores urine until you’re ready to go to the bathroom. But if you suffer from a condition known as urinary incontinence, your bladder may not hold urine as well as it should. As a result, your bladder may leak urine during the day...

If you’re pregnant, you probably have a long list of questions about labor. How do you know when you’re in labor? What does labor feel like? How does the experience of labor change as it progresses?  Labor is divided into three stages. Each stage includes different experiences. To help you understand...

So much happens in your body while you’re pregnant. Not only are you building a new human being inside you, but your hormone levels are changing dramatically. It’s no surprise that various changes occur throughout your body. Among the differences you may notice are variations in your skin. Because it...

If you're pregnant, you're probably wondering how labor will feel. How much will it hurt? What can you do to relieve labor discomfort? What are your medical and non-medical options for managing contraction pain? Pregnant women tend to have a long list of questions about managing labor pain. Fortunately, our...

Most women who give birth vaginally go into labor naturally. But in about a third of deliveries, a doctor or midwife opts to induce labor, which means they use medication or other methods to get labor started. Labor induction stimulates the uterus to begin contracting. If you're pregnant, you may...

During pregnancy and delivery, you may wish to receive care from an OB/GYN. But if your pregnancy is low-risk, you may also choose to be seen by a midwife. Here at Westover Hills Women’s Health, we’re proud to offer our patients the option of having prenatal and delivery care from...

When we test your blood during your pregnancy, one of the things we're looking at is your iron levels. Iron is a mineral that plays a role in the creation of red blood cells. These are cells that carry oxygen throughout your body. When you're pregnant, you need 50% more...

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when bacterial levels in your vagina become unbalanced. Although it is a very common condition, it is not one you should ignore, because it can cause trouble if left untreated. For example, bacterial vaginosis can make it more likely that you will develop...

During pregnancy, most women are not surprised to see changes in their figure and their waistline. But you may be taken aback to discover that expecting a baby can also cause changes in your skin. Fortunately, pregnancy-related skin changes tend to be nothing more than a normal, temporary inconvenience. At...

There are many types of birth control. If you're undecided about which to use to prevent pregnancy, seek the advice of a medical professional. You may be surprised to learn that there is not one best kind of contraceptive. In fact, different kinds of birth control are right for different...

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer that affects women. (Skin cancers are the most common.) Women in the United States have about a 13% chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their lives. The earlier breast cancer is found, the more treatable it is....

You may have heard the phrase, "once a cesarean, always a cesarean." But that's not necessarily true. Although some women who have delivered by cesarean can't give birth vaginally, many can. If you gave birth via cesarean section in the past and would like to deliver your next baby vaginally,...

Your vagina is home to tiny organisms known as vaginal yeast. Having yeast in your vagina is normal and usually causes no problems. But sometimes, these microorganisms exceed healthy levels and cause a condition known as vaginal yeast overgrowth. When there is too much yeast in your vagina, your vagina...

You know that exercise promotes good health. It strengthens your heart, reduces the risk of many chronic diseases, and helps with weight control. But if you’re pregnant, you may be asking yourself whether you should engage in fitness activities.   The answer to that question is usually “yes.” Most healthy women...

Eating nutritious food supports good health during every stage of life. But it’s even more important during pregnancy. The nutrients that you take in while you’re expecting help you build a healthy baby and keep your own body in good working shape. Expectant mothers should take prenatal vitamins, which provide...

If you’ve noticed changes to your vaginal discharge, you may wonder: Is it a harmless inconvenience or a sign of a health problem that requires attention? The answer to that question depends on what is causing the discharge. Here at Westover Hills Women’s Health, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Houmam Al-Hakeem,...

Uterine fibroids are so common that they affect as many as 80% of women under the age of 50. Also known as myomas or leiomyomas, uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop within the walls of your uterus. For many women uterine fibroids cause no problems or symptoms. But some...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common women’s health condition in which hormone imbalances affect your metabolism and your reproductive system. Up to One in 10 women of childbearing age may suffer from PCOS. Here at Westover Hills Women’s Health, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Houmam Al-Hakeem, MD, recognizes that health...

Infertility is a medical condition that affects 1 in 8 couples in the United States. Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after six months to one year of unprotected sex, or experiencing multiple miscarriages. About a third of infertility is referred to as female-factor, meaning it is caused...

If you suffer from heavy periods, a procedure known as endometrial ablation is a safe, effective way to reduce menstrual bleeding. At Westover Hills Women’s Health, our board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, Houmam Al-Hakeem, MD, has extensive experience using endometrial ablation to treat excessive menstrual bleeding. This procedure can provide a...

Pelvic pain can be caused by uterine fibroids, a common women’s health condition. Fibroids are among the top causes of pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding At Westover Hills Women’s Health, our board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, Houmam Al-Hakeem, MD, has extensive expertise diagnosing and treating uterine fibroids. Read on to...

You want to have a baby, but despite your best efforts, you’re not getting pregnant. Or you’re having multiple miscarriages. Could it be infertility? Maybe. Infertility is more common than you may realize, affecting 1 in 8 couples in the United States.  Infertility is defined as: No pregnancy after 12...

Menstrual bleeding is no fun. Every month, you have to deal with tampons or pads and worries about breakthrough bleeding. So annoying. But if you are among the one in five women with heavy periods, menstrual bleeding is even more of a concern. Heavy bleeding may interfere with your ability to...

When it comes to your attitude about life, age is just a number, right? You’re as young as you feel, and you’re not getting older, you’re getting better. Well, even though these sayings apply to your outlook, they don’t necessarily apply to your pregnancy, where being over 35 puts you...

May is National Osteoporosis Month, which means it’s an ideal time to review some of the myths and facts about osteoporosis. This common health condition, which causes bone breaks in half of women over age 50, can lead to pain, disability, and a significant drop in your quality of life....

Uterine fibroids are so common that they affect as many as 80% of women under the age of 50. Fibroids can cause a range of symptoms, including: Heavy periods Bleeding between periods Abdominal pain Frequent urination Pain during sex They can also increase your risk of pregnancy complications and even...

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, which means it’s the right time to make sure you have the facts about this common women’s health condition. For example, do you know that pelvic pain is the primary symptom of endometriosis? And do you know that treatment can help relieve endometriosis pain? Here...

If you don’t know much about uterine fibroids, don’t worry — many women don’t.    Start with this: Uterine fibroids are growths that may occur in the muscular tissue of your uterus. They are fairly common, affecting as many as 80% of women under the age of 50, according to...

Most people have a distinct idea of what it’s like to get sick. They believe their bodies will let them know if something is wrong with a series of side effects, and based on these effects, they will seek help from a doctor. Unfortunately, cervical cancer hardly causes any side...

Whether you’re mulling over a list of names, exploring car seat options, or budgeting for daycare, you’ve got a lot to plan for when you’re pregnant. Even though the reality of childbirth can seem far off when you’re in your first trimester, it’s an ideal time to start thinking about...

It’s a sinking feeling to hear that your Pap smear results came back abnormal. But it’s more common than you might think. With 50 million Pap smear tests performed each year in the United States, about 5% — or 2.5 million — are abnormal. These diagnostic tests can tell you...

One in 10 women are suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Are you one of them? If so, you might be wondering how your PCOS impacts your chances of having a baby. You've come to the right place.  Fertility specialist, Dr. Houmam Al-Hakeem, is here to help. As a board-certified...

Many women who had a C-section in the past want to avoid having another one. A vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC) can shorten their hospital stay and eliminate their chances of experiencing any complications associated with surgery. Women who want a larger family can also benefit from VBAC because...

If you’re expecting, you might assume that working with a midwife is somehow going rogue, rather than trusting all your care to an OB/GYN. But that’s simply not the case. The fact is that your pregnancy and birth experience no longer present an either-or dilemma. Midwives complement treatment by OB/GYNs....

Having a baby is a major life event, and to ensure your health and the health of your baby, you need regular visits with a doctor. Since over 50% of pregnancies are unintended, you could be pregnant before you even know it. Be prepared by seeing a doctor before you...

No one likes to think about sexually transmitted diseases, however, without accurate education about the human papillomavirus (HPV), you could find yourself confronting with even worse issues such as genital warts and even cancer. The good news is, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. At Westover Hills...