Get to Know Dr. McLeod
Dr. Lisa McLeod explains her practice philosophy and why she’s passionate about being an OB/GYN. Read Dr. McLeod’s corresponding article. Watch more GYN and Annual Exams videos below.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Prolapse
Dr. James Haley discusses non-surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse and the various treatment options available.
The Stages of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Dr. James Haley discusses the different stages of prolapse and when to seek treatment.
Robin’s Vaginal Rejuvenation Journey – 18 Months Later
18 Months after Robin’s Vaginal Rejuvenation procedure: Robin’s excited to share her Vaginal Rejuvenation benefits 1-1/2 years later. Sign up for a FREE Vaginal Rejuvenation consultation or request more information now! See All Videos of Robin’s VR Videos Below
“My Lady Parts are Falling Out!” – Elena’s Pelvic Prolapse Story
Pelvic organ prolapse is a pelvic floor disorder that can be life-altering for many women unless treated. Many women silently suffer with the symptoms and never seek help. Women often describe the symptoms as heavy pressure and feeling like their insides are falling out. Elena suffered from prolapse and complained of constant pressure and how it was disrupting her life as a busy wife, grandmother, and teacher. After events that led her to seek treatment, we were fortunate to hear Elena’s story – her struggles living with pelvic organ prolapse, and what led her to seek treatment from a doctor that could finally bring her relief. The following is an interview with Elena as she shares her symptoms, what led her to the “edge”, as she describes it, her experience with prolapse and recovery, and what she would like to share with other women. Elena’s Pelvic Prolapse Story So, Elena, share with us a little about yourself and what led you to find prolapse treatment? Elena: “My husband and I have been married for over 35 years, he’s an engineer and I am a teacher. Together, we have raised three great children, all without any major hitches. I still work, help take care of my grandchildren, and I love walking in the neighborhood and staying active. Dave and I have always had a terrific marriage; we have been blessed with a deep love for one another. We have been through a lot together, and even though we are getting up there in age, we still desire to be intimate, even at age 60. It is not the same as it used to be, to be honest it feels a little loose and saggy, but Dave does not complain. I have been experiencing some pressure down there, and even feels like my insides are about to come out if I stand up or walk too much. Something is off, but my general doctor has not ever expressed any concern. I haven’t actually been to my OB/GYN for several years and started thinking I needed to make an appointment.” What made you ultimately decide to seek treatment from a specialist? Elena: “Well, I need to tell you about what sent me over the edge and made me look for a urogynecologist. My husband Dave and I are creatures of habit, and Saturday night is our usual time to be intimate. So, one Saturday night as I was getting ready to get in bed, I went to the bathroom first. As I was sitting on the toilet, I happened to look down and saw something protruding out of myself. Not to get too graphic, but it looked like a man’s part sticking out of my lady parts — just a little — but enough to freak me out. Since my husband and I are close, and you know, after 35 years you have been through plenty of stuff together, I hollered out to him for help. He came running, and oh goodness, just picture this scene in your head: My husband in his tighty whities coming to the rescue, putting on his reading glasses, then crouching down on the bathroom floor to look at my private parts as I sat on the toilet. He took a close-up and personal peek at me and was horrified. Talk about a mood killer!” “My husband in his tighty whities coming to the rescue, putting on his reading glasses, then crouching down on the bathroom floor to look at my private parts as I sat on the toilet. He took a close-up and personal peek at me and was horrified. Talk about a mood killer!” – Elena on discovering her prolapse My husband said with all seriousness, ‘Elena, I’ll take you to the doctor Monday and get this part stapled back in there for good.’ I chuckled and said I did not think it was quite as simple as using a staple gun to cinch me up, but I agreed that it was time to get this fixed. So, the next day I searched for the right doctor and that is where I came across Dr. James Haley, a urogynecologist, and read an article about a patient he had helped with almost identical symptoms.” What did you learn at your initial appointment? Elena: “Dr. Haley was very professional and explained to me and my husband all that was going on. I had been relying on my general doctor and trusting that he would let me know if something was wrong with me, but he did not. I realized at that point how knowledgeable a urogynecologist was and how I was in exactly the right place. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Haley and grateful that I found him. He explained I had stage 2-3 prolapse and suggested treatment options. He said that along with uterine prolapse, there was a loss of support for other areas within my vagina as well. It was more involved than I imagined – I needed a total hysterectomy, vaginoplasty, and an anterior, posterior, and enterocele repair. Deep down I knew something was wrong with me, I just had been ignoring it, not wanting to face it. I had been suffering with pressure down there that sometimes was causing lots of pain – plus the looseness during sex, all of it was bothersome. That seems silly now, I let it go too long without seeking help.” Getting Ready for the Procedure “I went home, talked more with my husband and we worked out a time when it would be most convenient for the surgery. I called his assistant who was sweet and helped me get it scheduled with insurance. It was within a month, and although I was somewhat nervous, I knew I just wanted it over with so I could get back to feeling myself again. I was looking forward to how it would get my husband and I back on track and thinking ahead of my newly restored lady parts
What to Expect at Your 10-12 Week Prenatal Appointment
Congratulations, you’re pregnant! If you’re already a parent, you know what to expect, but if this is your first child, navigating through pregnancy can be a mysterious process. Once you reach 10-12 weeks, genetic testing, screening ultrasounds, and gender identification are offered at your appointment. Even if you have been through this appointment in the past with previous pregnancies, genetic testing and screenings can be overwhelming and scary. Don’t let the tests scare you! They are available to ensure both your health and that of your baby. Screening Ultrasound A screening ultrasound, called a Nuchal translucency scan, is performed to evaluate for certain fetal problems. Screening tests do not diagnose a birth defect, they determine the risk. This scan measures the baby’s nuchal translucency, the fluid-filled space at the back of your baby’s neck. The results of the scan show your baby’s risk of a chromosomal abnormality like Down Syndrome, heart defects, or other complications. The Nuchal translucency scan is not the only factor in calculating the risk of a chromosomal abnormality. Other factors are the mother’s age, the gestational age of the baby, blood tests, and the Nuchal translucency measurement of the baby. Genetic Testing Believe it or not, pieces of your baby’s DNA circulate in your bloodstream! This is why NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test) is performed. NIPT is a prenatal screening, which looks at DNA from your baby’s placenta in a sample of your blood to identify whether you’re at increased risk of giving birth to a child with a genetic disorder. The results of a NIPT test can help the doctor and you decide if further testing is needed or not. The test is safe for you and the baby since it only needs a quick blood draw to be completed. Finding out the Sex If you have NIPT done, the sex of the baby can also be determined since the test examines chromosomes. Make sure to discuss with your doctor if you want to find out during this test, you can also find out the sex during your later ultrasound that is usually done between 12-18 weeks. We’re Here for You Pregnancy is a beautiful and busy time of your life! Several tests are available in your first and second trimesters to provide information on the genetic health of your developing baby. But all this testing can be confusing and can cause anxiety. The key thing to remember is that testing itself does not make the pregnancy healthy or unhealthy. We gather information from every pregnant patient to look for issues that may cause problems. Our OBs at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists are help you navigate through your pregnancy journey. Call us at 770.720.7733 or schedule an appointment online.
Watch a Labiaplasty Procedure
Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS shows the labia before surgery, during, and after as he removes the excess skin throughout the procedure. Watch more Vaginal Rejuvenation videos below.
Vaginoplasty, Labiaplasty and Bladder Repair Surgery
Michael Litrel, MD, FACOG, FPMRS performs vaginoplasty, labiaplasty and bladder repair procedures. Watch more Vaginal Rejuvenation videos below.
Common Problems During Pregnancy
Common problems during pregnancy include pregnancy bleeding, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure. We can help prepare you to know some of the signs. Early Pregnancy Bleeding If you bleed during early pregnancy, there are two things we worry about: However, just because you have bleeding early in pregnancy does not mean you automatically have one of these conditions. To know for sure, you will need to see your OB – usually several times – to receive the correct diagnosis and the care you need. Bleeding during early pregnancy can be just a scary situation and your pregnancy turns out fine. However, sadly, this is not always the case. Miscarriage A miscarriage is when a woman loses an early pregnancy. Sometimes a woman does not even know she was pregnant – her period might be a few days late and then she has a heavy flow. Other times she had a positive pregnancy test before miscarrying. Even though miscarrying can be daunting to think about, it’s important to be informed for both yourself and your loved ones. Miscarriage occurs in about twenty percent or more of pregnancies for a variety of reasons. The reason most women miscarry is because the pregnancy did not develop correctly. This means, usually, there are too few or too many chromosomes. This is fundamental damage that does not allow the pregnancy to continue. If you’re concerned about miscarrying, definitely talk to your doctor and take the appropriate steps to avoid miscarrying such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, seeking regular prenatal care, and avoiding known miscarriage risk factors (smoking, drinking alcohol, and illicit drug use). Miscarriage is a relatively common experience but that doesn’t make it any easier. It can have a profound emotional impact, not only on the woman herself, but also on her partner, friends, and family. We are sad to give the diagnosis of miscarriage and grieve right along with you and your loved ones. Getting support from loved ones or professional counseling is often necessary in helping with the healing process. There are also many support groups online or at your local hospital. The following are resources you may find helpful for your recovery process: Ectopic Pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy is when a pregnancy has not developed inside the uterus or womb but instead is located outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy occurs in less than one percent of all pregnancies and is a serious diagnosis. The uterus or womb is the only place a pregnancy can grow into a healthy baby, and it can be life threatening. The most common location for an ectopic pregnancy to implant is inside the fallopian tube. If the pregnancy implants anywhere other than the uterus, you will likely experience pain and internal bleeding. Heavy bleeding inside the abdomen is why an ectopic pregnancy is so dangerous. Similar to miscarriage, there are no ways to completely prevent ectopic pregnancies, but it is possible to decrease the risk. This is possible through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, seeking regular prenatal care, and avoiding known risk factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and illicit drug use. Potential Treatments for Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancy Treatments for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy can include medication, surgery, or simply close observation. Our recommendation will depend upon your symptoms, examinations, and medical history. Bleeding Later in Pregnancy The causes of bleeding later in pregnancy, usually after the 20th week, are more varied than the causes of early pregnancy bleeding. It can be normal and a sign of labor if you are close to your due date. However, if you are not close, this can be dangerous to the health of your unborn baby. *Overall, if you bleed during your pregnancy, seek immediate medical care. High Blood Pressure High blood pressure is another common problem during pregnancy. This condition goes by several names such as toxemia of pregnancy, gestational hypertension, or pre-eclampsia, and it can affect the health of your pregnancy. There are times your blood pressure is supposed to go up, such as during exercising, but it shouldn’t be high during rest or most of the time. If your blood pressure is high all the time, the increased pressure can damage your organs such as your kidneys, eyes, and heart. High blood pressure during your pregnancy could damage your placenta as well, posing a problem for the pregnancy. Most importantly, try not to stress. Fewer than ten percent of pregnant women develop high blood pressure, and we will monitor you closely at every visit. Risk Factors of High Blood Pressure Those most at risk for high blood pressure include: Symptoms of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy If you experience the following symptoms, your blood pressure could be elevated: These warning signs can commonly occur during normal pregnancy too, so you’ll be evaluated on a regular basis at your appointments. Management of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy There are several tests used to determine how to manage high blood pressure during pregnancy. The only real cure for hypertension during pregnancy is the delivery of your baby. Our timing of when to recommend this will depend upon the severity of your symptoms and the gestational age of your baby. We are always weighing one against the other, trying to determine the best time to act. In more serious cases, we may admit you to the hospital for closer observation. Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs when blood sugar levels remain elevated in pregnant women. The condition usually subsides after pregnancy, but women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop permanent diabetes later in life. It is a serious condition because it can lead to the birth of a large baby, which may mean a difficult vaginal birth or cesarean birth. Babies born to gestational diabetics are also prone to having low blood sugar levels and jaundice after birth, which can lead to permanent neurological problems. Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes Some women are more likely to
Eating for a Healthy Pregnancy
Eating for a healthy pregnancy can be overwhelming and confusing. Our guide will help you with your diet and nutrition during this most important time. Food Basics for a Healthy Pregnancy Are sandwiches with lunch meat safe or not? Do I need to take vitamins? What about raw vegetables? In general, pregnant women shouldn’t eat too much junk food and should focus on eating chopped vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. This small change can improve energy levels, sleep, and their ability to tolerate the discomforts – even their skin is noticeably better. We know this is easier said than done, those cravings and hunger pangs are hard to ignore, so it’s key to have healthy snacks available so you make good choices. Your baby will love you for it! Vitamins and Supplements During Pregnancy There are a few vitamins and supplements that can help with a woman’s nutrition during pregnancy. Your provider will provide you with the recommended supplements and daily dosages based on your condition. Some vitamins your provider may suggest are: Nutrition for Pregnancy Grains – Make half of your grains whole grains: Eat at least 3 oz of whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta every day. 1 oz of grains is equivalent 1 slice of bread and about 1 cup of breakfast cereal, cooked rice, or pasta. Aim to eat 6 oz of grain every day. Vegetables – Eat more dark green veggies (broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens), more orange vegetables (carrots and sweet potatoes), and more dry beans and peas (pinto beans, kidney beans, and lentils). Overall, try to vary your veggies and eat 2 cups every day. Fruits – Also eat a variety of fruit. Fruit can be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruit. Eat 2 cups of fruit every day and avoid fruit juices. They are usually very high in sugar. Dairy – Eat calcium-rich foods. Go low-fat or fat-free when you choose milk, yogurt, and other milk products to avoid a lot of fat intake. If you do not or cannot consume milk, choose lactose-free products or other calcium sources such as fortified foods and beverages. Eat or drink 3 cups every day. Protein – Make sure to eat lean protein. Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry that can be baked, broiled, or grilled. Also vary your protein routine by choosing more fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds. Fish is especially important in your diet, because it is high in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids which help build your baby’s brain and decrease the risks of preterm birth and postpartum blues. Salmon is usually the best fish option. Some say tuna is okay but large fish swimming in the ocean have higher mercury concentrations, which are dangerous for your baby’s brain. (Federal guidelines are behind on this issue.) Aim to eat 5 oz of protein every day. Hydration – Hydration is very important, even outside of pregnancy. The goal is to drink at least 80 oz of water per day, without additives. Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists Can Help During Your Pregnancy Eating for a healthy pregnancy can be confusing. Our OBs at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists can help. schedule an appointment online or call us at 770.720.7733.
Push Presents for the New Mom
A push present is a gift given to a new mother following childbirth. Bringing a new life into the world is an amazing and miraculous gift itself, but a push present is an extra gesture of appreciation for the woman who endured the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, whether it be a vaginal delivery or a C-section. How and When to Give Typically, a push present is given by the mom’s significant other or her family but can be given by anyone close to the new mom. One of the most popular gifts is jewelry, but it can be anything they would love. Whether the gift is customized or something the new mama has had in her shopping cart, it is a totally personal preference. After all, you know her best! The timing for delivering the gift is a factor to consider. Many people prefer to give it at the hospital, but again it’s up to you and your situation. If given to the mama while she’s recovering in the hospital, make sure to choose a private and quiet moment when she’s not being examined or having her vitals taken. Giving birth is an exhausting and possibly overwhelming experience, so wait until she has a quiet moment to fully appreciate the push present. Of course, the gift doesn’t have to be given in the hospital after the baby has arrived. Some wait until they’re back home and settled, while some choose to give it before the baby has been born. Ultimately, it is a personal decision! Push Present Ideas A gift to show your appreciation has no minimum or maximum price. Don’t feel pressured to buy something expensive or feel overwhelmed that it needs to be the most unique present ever. All that matters is that you thought about the new mom, and you’re showing her how appreciative you are for bringing new life into the world. Below are some popular push present options: Jewelry Photo journal Newborn or family photo shoot Purse Silk pillowcase or robe Amazon Kindle Spa gift card Coffee or espresso machine Her favorite wine No matter what you decide to gift as your push present, the new mama will appreciate the kind and thoughtful gesture. Having a push present is something she will cherish and remember forever!
