Diane, Author at Cherokee Women's Health

What is a ‘normal’ period? When it comes to your period, what is standard for one woman may not be for another. Some women have short, light periods and others have longer, heavy periods. However, a normal, healthy period is defined by a few common criteria. Normal bleeding typically occurs about every 25-31 days, lasts 4-5 days, and a woman loses approximately 2-4 tablespoons of menstrual fluid during each period. The fluid lost can be thin or clumpy and varies in color from dark red to brown or pink. Your period may last from 3-8 days. What If My Period Changes? Often when a woman first starts her period it may last only a few days or be very light. Once your body adjusts to your regular cycle, it’s important to track so you will be aware of significant changes. There are apps to make it easy or you can use a good old-fashioned calendar. Changes in your period could be a sign of a problem and may require a visit to your doctor. A few examples of these changes are: Bleeding for longer than you normally do Unusual or greater pain during your period than before Unpredictable timing of periods from month to month Bleeding between periods, particularly if you are not on any birth control Missing a period altogether, and you are not pregnant. You are having much heavier bleeding than normal. Note: Some health conditions or birth control methods may also affect your period. This should also be discussed with your doctor. What is Considered Heavy Bleeding? Heavy menstrual bleeding or HMB, is defined by certain characteristics, such as: Bleeding that soaks through one or more tampons or pads every hour for several hours in a row Needing to wear more than one pad at a time Bleeding that lasts more than 7 days Needing to change pads or tampons during the night Menstrual flow with blood clots that are as big as a quarter or larger. If you feel your periods are irregular, unpredictable or abnormal, it’s time to talk with your doctor. Your menstrual health is an important part of your overall health and our physicians at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists are here to help make sure all is well. Call us today at 770.720.7733 or schedule an appointment online.

Colostrum – A New Mom’s Liquid Gold

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You haven’t given birth yet but can feel your breasts leaking, so what’s going on? Don’t worry, it is completely normal and just means your body is getting ready to feed your baby. As your body’s hormones work to regulate milk production, you may find drops of colostrum in your bra, most commonly in the final weeks of pregnancy. What is Colostrum? Colostrum is the first milk your baby gets when you start breastfeeding, a high-protein, antibody-rich liquid that your body produces. It’s the first stage of breast milk production that begins during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of your baby. It’s commonly called “foremilk” because it comes in before mature breast milk, or “liquid gold” because it’s the perfect first food for your baby. Colostrum: High in protein and lower in fat and sugar, making it easier to digest and full of nutrition. Full of antibodies and immune properties. A natural laxative, helping your baby move their bowels and get rid of the meconium (the tar-like poop that collects in the bowels before your baby is born). What Does it Look Like? Colostrum doesn’t look like what matured breast milk does. You can expect it to be a clear, creamy white, yellow, or even orange liquid. Most times it’s thick, though it can be thin, and sticky. As more mature breast milk comes in, typically around the third or fourth day after giving birth, it appears creamier looking and white or blueish white in color. Don’t worry if the volume of colostrum seems small. Your body produces exactly what your baby needs. A newborn’s stomach is quite small, so several spoons of colostrum per day is plenty. When Does Colostrum Come In? While it’s different for every woman, colostrum can appear as early as the second trimester. If you do experience leakage long before your due date, don’t worry. This leakage is not a sign of premature labor, nor does it mean you won’t have any left when your baby arrives. How Much Colostrum Does My Baby Need? Generally, newborns need to eat about 8 to 10 times per day. Their little stomachs can only hold about a teaspoon of colostrum or milk at each feeding. Don’t worry about over-feeding at this stage, your body won’t produce much colostrum each day. If you and baby are healthy and breastfeeding is going well for both, you’re in great shape. Our OB/GYNs are Here for You and Your Baby At Cherokee Women’s Health, we dedicate ourselves to providing optimal care to moms and their babies. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our exceptional board-certified OB/GYNs or certified nurse midwives or simply schedule an appointment online.

Different Baby Positions in the Womb

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Throughout pregnancy, your developing baby moves into several positions. You might be wondering how your little one lies inside your uterus. Are they crisscross, upside down, sideways? As labor approaches, some positions are safer than others. Keep reading to learn all about fetal positions. Positions in the Womb Anterior – The position ideal for birth, and the most common, is anterior. In the anterior position, your baby faces your back with the head pointing down to the ground. Your baby will most likely be moving in all different positions, but most settle into this position during the last month of pregnancy. Left occiput anterior – The baby is on the left side of the womb with their head facing down and facing your back. Right occiput anterior – The same position as listed above, except the baby is on the right side of the womb. Breech – The baby’s feet point down when the baby is in a breech position. Posterior – The baby’s head is down and their back is in line with yours. Transverse lie – The baby is lying horizontally on their back. Anterior Position The best position for delivery. The baby’s head is down in the pelvis, facing your back with their back facing your belly. This position allows for the baby to tuck their head in, with the top pressing down on the cervix. This encourages it to open for labor. Breech Position The breech position is when the baby is resting with their head up instead of down in the pelvis. If your baby is in the breech position at any time throughout pregnancy, there is no need to worry. It is safe for a baby to be in this position during pregnancy. Some risks are involved if the baby stays in breech position at the time of delivery. Only around 3-4% of babies are in breech position at the time of delivery. Posterior Position The posterior position is also known as the ‘back-to-back’ position. The baby’s head points down with their back resting against your back. This position makes it difficult for the head to tuck in and can lead to other challenges, such as: A challenging and slow labor Backache for the mom Harder to pass through the smallest part of the pelvis Most babies are in this position due to mom spending long periods of time sitting or lying down, which is likely to happen if your doctor recommends bed rest. Since the back of a baby’s body is heavier than the front, they can sometimes be encouraged to roll into the ideal position by leaning in the wanted direction. Transverse Lie Position The baby is lying horizontally when in the transverse lie position. Most do not stay in this position in the weeks and days leading up to labor. If your baby is in this position right before birth, a cesarean delivery will most likely be necessary. How to Tell Which Position the Baby is In Your physician or certified nurse midwife can usually figure out your baby’s position by Leopold’s maneuver, which is feeling your belly with their hands. If they’re unsure, the position can be confirmed with an ultrasound. It may also be possible for a person to tell which position their developing baby is in on their own. Pay attention to any movement you feel, like firm pushes from elbows, knees and feet. Following these movements, you might get a sense of which way your baby is oriented. The baby might be in the anterior position if your abdomen feels firm, which means you’re feeling your baby’s back. Another way to tell if your baby is anterior is if you feel strong kicks under your ribs. On the other hand, if your abdomen feels softer and your belly button is pushed in rather than poking out, your baby might be in the posterior position. Oftentimes in the posterior position, you’ll feel kicks in the middle of your belly. Don’t Worry Remember, your baby moves into many positions throughout your pregnancy journey. If your baby is in a transverse lie or breech position just before labor, the correct steps will be taken to ensure you and your baby’s safety during birth.

Infertility Education, OB

How Many Eggs Do I Have?

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If only women could replenish their ovarian reserve by running to the grocery store and picking up a carton of eggs. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. And what’s worse is that once a woman’s eggs are gone, they’re gone. So How Many Eggs Does a Woman Have Throughout Her Lifetime? Let’s start at the beginning. That is, with a fetus. It may be shocking to know that a fetus starts with around 6 million eggs. However, by the time that ‘baby’ reaches 40, only 10% of her eggs will remain. At menopause, a woman will only have around 25,000. So how and why does this happen? And what does this mean for your fertility chances? In this article, we break down a female’s egg count by the ages. Egg Count of a Fetus and at Birth As we mentioned, a fetus has around 6 million eggs. These eggs, called oocytes, are steadily reduced when that baby is born, she only has 1 to 2 million eggs left. No new eggs are produced after the fetus stage. Before Puberty Only about 300,000 eggs remain by the time a female with ovaries reaches puberty, as prior to puberty more than10,000 eggs die each month. Of the 300,000 eggs before puberty, only around 300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman’s reproductive lifetime. After Puberty Finally, some good news! After puberty, the number of eggs that die each month actually decreases. Each month, one egg is selected by your body to become the dominant follicle. This follicle contains the one egg that is ovulated that month and represents your one chance to conceive. (Although in some cases there are exceptions, resulting in fraternal twins.) The eggs not chosen as the dominant follicle die off. Every month, you ovulate one egg and the rest die, and that cycle continues until menopause when there are no eggs left. In Your 30s Fertility begins to decrease anywhere from age 28 to 32. After age 37, it declines more rapidly so that by the time you reach 40, you’re likely to be down to less than 10% of your pre-birth egg count. In Your 40s There is no definitive answer when it comes to determining how many eggs you have left when you hit your 40s. Because certain factors, like smoking, can reduce your number of eggs, there is no one-size-fits-all. Research has shown that the average woman has less than a 5% chance of getting pregnant per menstrual cycle in her 40s. Also taken into account is that, while the average age of menopause is the U.S. is 51, some women will reach menopause earlier. After menopause, a woman has less than 100 eggs left, making the chances of getting pregnant very slim. What Does This Mean for Fertility? While these statistics, give you a general idea of how many eggs a woman has during different stages of her life, they are simply generalizations. There are certain risk factors, such as smoking, chemotherapy and radiation, that can cause a faster rate of egg loss. If you’re in a higher risk category, you may have fertility concerns or may even experience early menopause or ovarian failure. Know Your Egg Count So, how many eggs do you have? That question is one that should be given much consideration if you’re planning on conceiving. Thankfully, our OB/GYNs can help you determine your ovarian reserve. By knowing your egg count, you can better prepared for future decisions. Make an Appointment Today Our compassionate OB/GYNs are here to help you. Make an appointment today for preconception counseling by calling 770.720.7733 or simply schedule an appointment online.

Urinary Incontinence Education, Urinary Incontinence Treatments Education, Urogynecology Patient Stories

‘No More Leaking During Intimate Moments’

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Leaking due to urinary incontinence affected Stephanie in more ways than one. Not only was her physical activity affected, but her intimate moments with her husband as well. “When I ran road races it was just brutal because I was concerned with leakage. It even affected intimacy.” – Stephanie on the hardships of dealing with incontinence Stephanie shares how urinary incontinence affected everything from working out, to laughing, to intimate moments — and how she ‘feels free’ after having surgery. Constant State of Worry Urinary incontinence can have far reaching effects. Stephanie was so occupied with worrying about what was going on ‘below the belt’ that it hampered her ability to just be in the moment. Working out, as well as intimacy, were a challenge and constantly on her mind. At just 53, Stephanie realized she was too young to have incontinence rule her life. She decided to take charge and scheduled an appointment with her doctor. “Within 2 weeks, I took a 60 minute bike riding class at the gym. Shortly after that, I was jumping rope! I feel so free and I worry a lot less. I wish I had done it sooner.” – Stephanie on the freedom surgery gave her Surgery Gave Me ‘Peace of Mind’ Stephanie shares that the best part of having surgery for her incontinence is that she got back her peace of mind. She no longer has to worry about leakage in public or private settings, which is a very good thing indeed!

Urinary Incontinence Education, Urinary Incontinence Treatments Education, Urogynecology Patient Stories

“I Would Stay Behind for Fear of Leaking”

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For Renay, stress urinary incontinence meant she was missing out on life. She would often ‘stay behind’ while her family and friends went hiking, played volleyball or participated in fun activities. And going to the gym? That was out of the question. “Pads could only do so much,” Renay said. “The bouncing, running and jumping would make matters worse so I either ‘stayed behind’ or became the photographer.” – Renay reflects on life before surgery Renay was also restricted by where she could go, regardless of the activity. If there wasn’t a bathroom within a safe distance, she would again ‘stay behind’. Renay’s story is not uncommon. She had given birth to five children and it was after her fourth baby that she started experiencing incontinence. She was tired of living a limited life so she decided to do something about it. Renay talks about her decision to get surgery for her stress urinary incontinence and how her life changed after treatment. Getting Help for Stress Urinary Incontinence Renay finally made the decision to get surgery for her incontinence and she’s so glad she did. The only regret she has is that she didn’t do it sooner. She explains that she had a bit of discomfort right after the surgery but felt fine the very next day. She was most surprised to learn that the effects really were immediate. “The effects were immediate. I wish I had done it 5 years earlier.” – Renay on difference surgery made. Today, Renay no longer sits on the sidelines or ‘stays behind’. Worries about jumping and running are a thing of the past. She participates in activities with family and friends and is even hitting the gym.

Urinary Incontinence Education, Urogynecology Videos

Sling Procedure for Stress Urinary Incontinence

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This video explains the sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence, which is just one treatment option for incontinence.

Cancer Screening, Well Woman Patient Stories

Diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer in my 30s

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Mandy was healthy and young, just in her mid-thirties the day she found the lump. While she didn’t even think about the possibility of breast cancer, she decided to go ahead and schedule an appointment with her doctor anyway. And then, just before she made the appointment, she found another lump. She immediately went in for scans and a biopsy. Diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer Mandy was even more terrified when her doctor suspected she had stage IV cancer, however, he wouldn’t know for sure until after surgery. This meant Mandy had some serious decisions to make, and quickly. “I thought it was a death sentence. I remember thinking, ‘I have to get my affairs in order’.” – Mandy’s upon learning she had stage IV metastatic breast cancer With the possibility of having stage IV cancer, Mandy decided the best option for her was to have a double mastectomy. She’s certainly glad she did because after surgery, her doctor told her that she did indeed have stage IV metastatic breast cancer. The Importance of Self Screening and Mammograms This is just another woman’s example of the importance of self screening and making an appointment with your doctor as soon as you find a lump or suspect something is not right. Today, Mandy reports that she is feeling great and is healthy. She attributes that to her decisions to take action and receive care as quickly as possible.

OB Patient Stories

Joy Triumphs Over Grief – Shacorra’s OB Story

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Shacorra and her husband, Jerrod, were thrilled when they welcomed their first child — a healthy baby boy named Grayson. When Grayson was breech at 37 weeks and had to be delivered via an emergency C-section, they had no idea that would be just the first of many challenges they would have to endure throughout their parenthood journey. They were not prepared for the loss and grief to come, or for the pure joy they would ultimately experience. Within a year of Grayson’s birth, Shacorra was expecting again, but this time things did not go as well, and she lost the baby due to a miscarriage at seven weeks. While grieving for this child, Jerrod and Shacorra found they were expecting again. While they were excited to be expecting another baby boy, they were naturally very apprehensive that they’d suffer another miscarriage. Shacorra’s pregnancy progressed as planned but devastatingly, their beautiful baby boy, Rhyne, was stillborn at 34 weeks. Grief-stricken, Shacorra wondered why this happened to her. She was angry. She was sad. She even felt guilty, wondering if she had done something wrong. “What got me through was prayer and leaning on my family and friends. I had a great support system. I also feel everything is in God’s timing and that helped me to stay hopeful.” – Shacorra on how she endured the difficult times Pregnant Again With one toddler at home and two babies lost, Shacorra and Jerrod were surprised and thrilled to learn that they were pregnant again, but of course, they were nervous. Shacorra wanted to call the physician for every little ache or pain and felt like she needed her OB appointments closer together. But knowing that anxiety wasn’t good for her or the baby, she eventually learned to relax her mind. While she had a smooth pregnancy, Shacorra was diagnosed with cholestasis, a liver condition that occurs in late pregnancy that triggers intense itching. Thankfully, medicine relieved the symptoms and her pregnancy continued to go well. Shacorra went into labor at 37 weeks. Choosing to deliver via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), baby boy Taylen joined the family! Another Pregnancy 6 Months Later! Six months after the birth of baby Taylen, Shacorra and Jerrod learned that they were pregnant again. Now living in Georgia, they were many hours away from their family and friends in North Carolina. Needing a local OB, Shacorra spent lots of time reading reviews in Woodstock and Canton areas of N. Georgia. After much research, she settled on Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. The many excellent reviews she read led her to feel it was the right choice. Choosing Cherokee Women’s Health Shacorra’s pregnancy was quite typical, at least as typical as it can be during a pandemic. But because of Shacorra’s history, the physicians and certified nurse midwives at Cherokee Women’s watched her very closely. And then, at 39 weeks, Shacorra delivered another healthy baby boy named Kaz, again via a VBAC. “Cherokee Women’s Health delivered baby Kaz and they are the best! I truly trust them and loved having them there to deliver Kaz.” – Shacorra on Cherokee Women’s Health Another Loss, But Then More Joy While Shacorra and Jerrod were incredibly grateful to be parents to three healthy boys, they were devastated when they suffered yet another loss when Shacorra had an early miscarriage a little over six months after baby Kaz was born. Fast forward, and Shacorra and Jerrod learned that they were pregnant again. This time with their first baby girl! They chose Cherokee Women’s Health again to help them through her pregnancy and as before, Shacorra was monitored very closely throughout her pregnancy by the physicians and midwives. Welcome Baby Rhya! Everyone was thrilled when she made it to full term after having a smooth pregnancy. Then, Dr. Lisa McLeod welcomed baby Rhya into the world! “Dr. McLeod was great and helped me to have a calm labor. With all I had been through and being so far away from family and friends, I was so grateful for everyone at Cherokee Women’s Health. They treated me like family. They really showed they cared. They not only helped me with my physical health, but also with my mental and emotional health.” – Shacorra on the care she received from Dr. Lisa McLeod and the staff at Cherokee Women’s Health Shacorra says only God knows for sure what is next for Jerrod and their growing family, but one thing they know for sure is that Baby Rhya will be spoiled by her three big brothers. And she’s the first granddaughter in the family! “It’s still hard sometimes and I will never forget the losses we endured, but I will say that time has helped. Whatever comes our way, we will trust God and lean on our support system. Sometimes we go through situations not just for ourselves, but to be able to share our experiences to help and encourage others. And I as Philippians 4:13 says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.” – Shacorra’s thoughts on strength Advice for Other Moms Suffering Loss In reflecting on all that has happened, Shacorra shared, “Some of us women are blessed to have every pregnancy a success, and some of us have losses. It’s important to express every emotion. Don’t keep it in. Know you are not alone and know that rainbows only come after storms. Things will get better.”

Pelvic Reconstruction Education, Urogynecology Patient Stories

No More Drippy, Saggy Parts!

Diane /

Women often think it’s normal to experience saggy, drippy parts as they get older. However, Cherokee Women’s Health patient, Janeen, aged 69, didn’t want to live with vaginal looseness and incontinence so she sought help from double board-certified urogynecologist Dr. James Haley. Here, she shares why she decided to do something about it and what she — and her husband — think about her results. “I am so very happy to have had Dr. Haley as my surgeon. I finally decided to have surgery as I was “drippy” at unexpected times. Sex was okay, but not like it was when I was younger, when I told Dr. Haley what penetration felt like for me he explained that he could fix that also! – Janeen on her experience with Dr. Haley “I really wanted to understand exactly what was going to happen physically to my insides and I asked a lot of questions. Dr. Haley took the time to draw me pictures so I could grasp the concept of just how my saggy ligaments would be tightened up. I also had concerns about pain medication as I do not respond well to most common drugs for pain. He worked with me to find something that my body would tolerate. The information from his office was very complete and gave me guidance on what to expect after surgery. My total time at the hospital was half a day from start to finish, if that long. The first three days I had to move slowly as I found it difficult to sit down, but after three days I was completely off of pain meds. Soaking in a bath of Epsom salts helped the healing process. My post-surgery care required no sex for eight weeks. I thought that was too long to wait, but let me tell you that the first time was so tight, that I am glad we waited. Sexual feeling in the vaginal area has changed. I feel more sensation, more length and more satisfaction,” Janeen shares. “My husband said I was tight before and he was happy, but after surgery, holy cow, did he change his mind! He said it is a “hole” new experience.” – My husband’s thoughts on my new surgery I am almost 69 years old and I highly recommend anyone with similar problems to let Dr. Haley fix you up! Insurance covered everything but Medicare does not pay to pull up the pelvic floor and make you tight. I guess the insurance companies think that women over 65 must not have sex anymore so I did have to pay out of pocket for the portion to tighten me up. The cost was so worth it though! You will be happy you took the time to take care of yourself.”

GYN Problems Patient Stories, Mommy Rejuvenation, Perineoplasty Education

Dr. James Haley Repaired My Rectocele

Diane /

We recently talked to Abby about her experience with rectocele repair surgery with Dr. James Haley of Cherokee Women’s Health. She opened up to us about her experience and shared what led her to seek treatment and how she’s feeling today, one month after surgery. “I was referred to Dr. Haley after having a procedure done to repair my rectocele by another surgeon. During my initial consultation with Dr. Haley, I explained to him that the previous rectocele procedure failed, and I was miserable. I also told him that I was in severe pain because I suffered from endometriosis,” says Abby. “Dr. Haley was so patient and really listened to my concerns. I instantly loved his caring personality and helpful demeanor. He even made me feel completely comfortable asking questions that can sometimes be a little embarrassing. You know, those undesirable questions lurking in your brain!” – Abby on meeting Dr. Haley After a physical exam and a frank discussion about my issues, Dr. Haley also talked with me about options for a perineal repair (perineoplasty), which could be performed at the same time as the rectocele repair. I completely trusted his expert opinion so it was agreed that both procedures would be performed, and surgery was scheduled. During the procedures, he did a great job of keeping my husband informed. He came to see me after surgery and texted me that night to ask how I was doing and to make sure I was okay. Dr. Haley continued his same exceptional bedside care throughout my recovery. At my first follow-up, Dr. Haley asked about my pain levels, my hormones, and to make sure I was doing well with everything. I could tell that his patients mean a lot to him and that he really cares. I appreciated that so much, especially after my poor experience with my first surgeon. That doctor basically wrote me off when I was in recovery but I’m now five weeks post-op and Dr. Haley still wants to make sure that I am completely healed and free of complications. In fact, he won’t release you until he feels completely confident that all is well.” “On top of the exceptional care I received, I have to say that the surgery itself was nowhere near as painful as the first one I had. Within a couple of weeks, I could sit upright and go to the bathroom normally and without pain. That was a huge relief. The healing looks great and the benefits to the perineal repair are amazing. It is very snug! I am already extremely impressed with the rectocele repair as well. I can’t thank Dr. Haley enough for what he has done for me!” – Abby on recovery and ‘snugness’ If you’re experiencing issues, our double board-certified urogynecologists are here to help. As practicing OB/GYNs and urogynecologists, you can be assured that you will receive the most excellent care available. Call us today at 770.720.7733 to schedule an appointment or schedule an appointment online.

Sexual Health

Vaginal Atrophy

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Vaginal atrophy is a condition that causes adverse vaginal and urinary symptoms. The first sign is usually a decrease in vaginal lubrication. Due to a lack of estrogen, the lining of the vagina gets drier and thinner, resulting in symptoms including burning, itching, spotting and pain with sex. Urinary symptoms include frequent urination and urinary tract infections. When a woman enters menopause, her ovaries produce fewer hormones and monthly periods cease to exist. This typically happens around age 50. Because vaginal atrophy (also known as atrophic vaginitis) is caused by a decrease in the hormone estrogen, it most often occurs during menopause. However, it can also occur in younger women if their estrogen levels are affected. Vaginal Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy can Include: Urinary Symptoms can Include: Who is at Risk? Vaginal Atrophy or Yeast Infection? Atrophic vaginitis and yeast infections can have similar symptoms such as vaginal itching, redness, pain and dryness. However, a yeast infection is caused by a fungal infection while vaginal atrophy is caused by a lack of estrogen. If you have these symptoms, consult with your doctor so he or she can provide you with a proper diagnosis. We Can Help If you have concerns about vaginal atrophy, our board-certified OB/GYNs can help. Call us today at 770.720.7733 or schedule an appointment online.

Author name: Diane

Is My Period Normal?

Colostrum – A New Mom’s Liquid Gold

Different Baby Positions in the Womb

How Many Eggs Do I Have?

‘No More Leaking During Intimate Moments’

“I Would Stay Behind for Fear of Leaking”

Sling Procedure for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer in my 30s

Joy Triumphs Over Grief – Shacorra’s OB Story

No More Drippy, Saggy Parts!

Dr. James Haley Repaired My Rectocele

Vaginal Atrophy

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WARNING: Mature Content