Author name: Diane

Accredited ultrasound services require a highly educated and skilled expert to operate the ultrasound machine and perform diagnostic examinations. Ultrasound is used both for pregnancy and also for the diagnosis of GYN issues.  A physician interprets the resulting images. Based on one or multiple factors, he or she affirms that the anatomy is normal, or if an abnormality is suspected, recommends further testing or treatment. How Ultrasound Changed Pregnancy When the technology of ultrasound first emerged, pregnant women were excited to see their developing babies. A patient would lie on a cold table, bladder filled with the large quantity of water she was required to drink to yield a clear picture. The technician lubricated her stomach with cold gel, and proceeded to rub a transducer probe across her belly while the anxious future mom and dad looked on. The pictures were often disappointing – blurred and grainy. Without the sonographer patiently tracing the image with a finger on the monitor, prospective pareents didn’t know if they were admiring their baby’s face or the uterus it was inside. As for gender, well, that was still a hit and miss thing – basically no different from the baby shower tradition of swinging a ring on a rope, and guessing the baby’s sex based on whether the ring twirled or swung like a pendulum. Back then, only the sonographer’s experienced eye could differentiate the important information from the blips and blotches on the monitor to insure that all was well. But since then, the quality of ultrasound – and the training of technicians – have evolved a hundredfold. Briefly, How Does Ultrasound Work? The ultrasonographer sends harmless high frequency sounds, undetected by human ears, toward a ‘target,’ in this case, your growing baby. Those sound waves are directed via a probe called a transducer. The sound waves bounce back, creating an ‘echo’ when they encounter the bone or tissue of the baby. That echo creates an image on a monitor—a picture of your baby complete with all its parts, including internal bones, tissue, organs and even blood flow. You may recognize only larger parts of your baby, like face, limbs, heart, etc., but the technician knows what all the little pieces of the fetus are. He or she is trained to decipher and measure every part to verify due date, gender, and to detect if anything is out of the ordinary. Chief Ultrasonographer Discusses Ultrasounds Cherokee Women’s Health’s chief ultrasonographer Brenda Peters talks about her experience performing ultrasounds. Does Our Practice Offer Ultrasound Services? Yes, we offer ultrasound services at our practice and are accredited at both our Canton and Woodstock locations. Headed up by our chief ultrasonographer, Brenda Peters, our practice has earned a place on a limited list of practices fully accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in medicine for obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound. Brenda’s training includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the diagnostic medical sonography program of the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she graduated with high honors in 2000. She is also a registered OB-GYN Ultrasonographer by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and is certified in nuchal translucency, a specific screening to determine the presence of Down syndrome. What Does Ultrasound Accreditation Involve? The ultrasonographers in our accredited offices update their skills and stay current by attending the obligatory programs available. Additionally, our physicians take ongoing ultrasound classes and pass a test every three years to meet AIUM guidelines for reading ultrasound studies. What Skills Does a Registered Ultrasonographer Have? They are required to have basic knowledge of pathophysiology (knowledge of disorders and syndromes), anatomy, and physiology (knowledge of the function of living matter such as cells, tissues and organs) They must be able to differentiate between normal and abnormal sonographic findings, recognizing particular conditions and diseases. They must be able to recognize ultrasound patterns and imaging. Sonographers do not simply diagnose findings, but must also know how to efficiently operate the equipment to acquire all the necessary data for diagnosis. They must possess excellent clinical and communication skills They must be able to assess and care for their patients, be adept at problem solving, and apply unbiased, logical, critical thinking to all findings. They must adhere to all sanitary guidelines to prevent infection, and be mindful of all safety and health issues. They are required to have knowledge of ultrasound physics They keep image copies, accurate records, precise charts and detailed information, sharing their diagnosis with their medical colleagues in order to insure optimum patient care. They often communicate findings to patients in real time, taking however long is necessary to explain all procedures, thus instilling trust, confidence and calmness in the person under their care. They need strong verbal and written skills, in both medical and layman terminology to be able to communicate their findings to their colleagues. In many cases, they may be required to move patients and be able to stand for long hours, requiring them to be in peak physical condition.Ultrasound Registry takes years of study, dedication and experience to achieve. Reaccreditation is done every three years for our office. Our staff of professionals in this field are available to care for you, the patient, with their knowledge and expertise at all times. For more information, visit Northside Hospital Cherokee. For an appointment, call our office at 770.720.7733.

Proper prenatal nutrition is as vitally important to a baby’s health and development as smoking, drinking or misusing drugs can be harmful to a growing fetus. We consider diet such an important factor in pre-pregnancy planning and prenatal care that we offer the options of both regular and holistic plant based prenatal nutrition information to all our patients. Our providers can help advise you on a regimen that works for you, based on your specific needs and preferences, even allowing for any budgetary limitations you may have. This service is available before, during, and after pregnancy. What is Holistic Nutrition? Holistic nutrition is eating foods that are as close to nature as possible. None of us would dream of walking into a lab, grabbing random test tubes, and drinking the contents. Yet, in essence, we do something similar to this every day by ingesting foods saturated in chemicals, additives and preservatives. Grocery store shelves bulge with genetically altered meat, produce, dry goods and beverages that make them look, sound, or taste more appealing. The list of ingredients on most packaging has become so long that one almost needs a microscope to read the fine print. Even someone with 20/20 vision needs a PhD to decipher the multisyllabic contents on a box of crackers. Your baby is completely dependent on you to provide her with the nourishment she needs to grow healthy and strong while she develops inside your body. Her bones, muscles, tissue and organs are sensitive to every bite you eat and every drop you drink, so if you opt for holistic nutrition, your baby also benefits from the purity of unprocessed, unrefined and organic food. What’s the Difference Between a Vegetarian, Vegan and Pegan Diet? A vegan diet is entirely plant based with no animal products. Emphasis is on seeds, nuts, fruits, grains and vegetables. A strict vegetarian diet consists of grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables and fruits, with no fish, meat, poultry, game or shellfish. In some cases, vegetarians will eat occasional dairy products and eggs, but emphasis in this diet is on the exclusion of all slaughtered animals. Less strict plant-based diets may include fish, dairy products, eggs and poultry. Most vegetarians exclude meat, but some include it infrequently. A pegan (paleo-vegan) low-glycemic diet consists of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and eggs. It omits dairy products, processed foods, grains, sugars and legumes. Although these sound like contradictions of each other, they’re not. All three place importance on a natural plant based diet, and all are beneficial to good health, prenatal and otherwise. Though the pegan diet includes meat, it is in extremely limited quantities. How Can Any of These Diets Help Me and My Baby? Protein can be derived from other holistic sources other than meat. A plant-based diet has multiple benefits for women’s health. Even for our pregnant patients, a vegan or plant-based diet free of dairy and meat can be very healthy for both baby and mother. Contrary to what many people think, pregnant women can be completely meat-free and get sufficient protein to support a healthy pregnancy.” If you prefer to go the vegan route, it’s recommended that you take B12 and Vitamin D. These supplements round out a healthy regimen, supplying the body with everything it needs to maintain optimum prenatal performance. Vegan and paleo-vegan nutrition help prenatal and postnatal women by: Decreasing preeclampsia risk Providing antioxidants Producing more beneficial, purer breast milk Preventing breast, colon and ovarian cancer Minimizing incidents of allergies to your baby Lowering exposure to additional or harmful hormones. Holistic nutrition can also alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions and diseases such as: Endometriosis Lupus Acne Irritable bowel syndrome Heart disease Type 2 diabetes Constipation Systemic inflammation Polycystic ovarian syndrome Heavy menstrual periods Menstrual cramps. Additionally, holistic nutrition has been known to enhance mental clarity, improve energy and help with weight loss. Isn’t it Dangerous to Suddenly Change My Diet Since I’m Eating for Two Now? Pregnancy is one of the best times to address the subject of nutrition. In a sense, you are eating for two, but this doesn’t mean double the amount. It means that you have to fuel two growing bodies with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they both need to remain healthy. A developing fetus can not only sap your energy by absorbing all the ‘goodness’ it needs from the food you ingest, it can deprive you of what you need to remain strong and fit enough to handle all the physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that are going to happen during the next few months. Proper nutrition replaces what the fetus depletes, preparing the two of you for the intensity of labor and delivery. Holistic nutrition counseling can help make the choices that are right for you. For more information on high-risk pregnancy, visit Northside Hospital Cherokee. To schedule an appointment with one of our providers, schedule an appointment online or call us at 770.720.7733.

Routine prenatal care is not a luxury or indulgence. It’s something both you and your baby need. Just as a gardener waters, nurtures and cares for the seeds planted in rich, fertile soil, your baby — who is even smaller at conception than those seeds — needs the same dedication and attention to insure its prenatal growth and development in the womb. We help make that happen. The Importance of Prenatal Care Whether this is your first pregnancy, or you’re already familiar with the whole process of giving birth, the importance of prenatal care can’t be emphasized enough. No matter how typical your pregnancy is, or how little risk your baby is exposed to health-wise and genetically, proper vigilance from conception to safe delivery is vital. Our specialists are trained in every facet of women’s health. We excel in the fields of fertility, obstetrics, gynecology and pelvic surgery. Not only do we offer optimum prenatal care, but we treat you, the patient, the same way we would treat our own mothers, sisters, daughters and all other females in our lives. Having successfully delivered thousands of babies, our priority is to safeguard not only your continuing well-being, but that of your baby. We offer every advantage currently known to women’s medicine, all with a compassionate and dedicated approach. What Can You Expect From Cherokee Women’s Health? From your very first prenatal care visit, we treat you with the utmost care and respect, beginning with the initial pleasant greeting you receive the moment you walk through our doors. We’re professionals, but first and foremost, we’re human, just like you. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible so that you can establish a trusting relationship with your physician, and with his or her assisting staff. How Can You Prepare For Your First Visit? Bring your medical history and background. They’re important. That information gives us an idea of how closely we need to scrutinize your progress. It can help us decide what tests we should run during your first few prenatal care appointments. Your information and subsequent test results, if merited, determine whether your pregnancy should be considered high risk, moderate risk or risk free. No matter what the results, we are qualified to treat all levels. What Happens During Routine Prenatal Care Appointments? Our standard examinations during each visit include the following: Blood tests Blood pressure monitoring Listening to your baby’s heartbeat Urinalysis Abdominal measurement to verify normal fetal growth Pelvic examinations when necessary Addressing any patient concerns. When you’re ready for your first ultrasound, our prenatal care physicians are among the few who are fully accredited in the use of the most modern up-to-date 4D ultrasound. This procedure allows you to see your growing baby in full detail. It also lets our trained specialists evaluate your baby’s progress, detecting any potential problems that might occur as it matures from embryo to fetus, and finally to the infant you’ll cradle in your arms. What Other Routine Prenatal Care Services Are Available? We check for gestational diabetes, anemia and any genetic abnormalities. By conscientiously monitoring both your baby’s development along with your own, we want to relieve you of any stress or worry. When you leave after an appointment with us, we want you to do so with complete peace of mind.We also offer the following prenatal care services: Nutrition and diet: Our experts will help you maintain a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy, insuring a less complicated delivery. We provide information on regular, vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, and holistic nutrition. We take every precaution to insure that you and your baby receive the proper nourishment you need to sustain a trouble-free pregnancy. Physical therapy: On-staff professionals will guide you in preparing your body for labor. Their recommended prenatal exercises and fitness regimens will minimize any possible trauma your body might experience during delivery, such as perineum damage, pelvic organ prolapse, or urinary incontinence. Their expertise has been proven invaluable, reducing previously unavoidable pelvic injury while giving birth. Midwifery: You may be more comfortable with a nurse-midwife to assist you during delivery. We will partner you with a highly skilled nurse midwife, who has decades of experience. As long as your pregnancy is uncomplicated and progressing within normal guidelines, this practitioner is available to you. Counsel and advice: No topic or concern you wish to broach regarding your pregnancy is trivial to us. We’re happy to address any subject, including such topics as breastfeeding, natural childbirth, having participants in the delivery room, umbilical cord blood banking, signs of postpartum depression, or circumcision if you are having a boy. You might be strongly opposed to routine afterbirth procedures, like a nurse washing your baby instead of leaving that first bath to you, or allowing it to have a pacifier in your absence. If it’s important to you, it’s important to us. We’ll answer your questions, dispense guidance as you need it and accommodate you to the best of our ability. We’re Here for You Getting you through your pregnancy with as little stress and complication as possible is our primary focus. We accomplish this goal successfully during every routine prenatal exam by treating you as the important and unique individual you are. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 770.720.7733. For more information on prenatal care, visit Northside Hospital Cherokee.

A healthy pregnancy requires that mothers-to-be eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals to help support their growing baby. One of the first prenatal appointments with an obstetrician will include a discussion about what foods to eat or avoid in order to provide optimal nutrition for fetal growth. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that pregnant women eat a well-rounded diet which should consist of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and meat. However, for those whose diets stray from the five food groups, such as vegans, or vegetarians, they simply need to find other foods or supplements that will provide adequate nutrition for themselves and their babies. Veganism is a dietary lifestyle which completely abstains from the consumption of animal products. A vegan’s diet eliminates: eggs, meat, dairy, honey, etc. It is not imperative for a vegan mother-to-be to include these food items in her diet because a 100% plant-based diet can include all the required nutrition a mom and baby need. A fundamental step is making sure to find alternative sources for the all-important vitamins and minerals needed to foster healthy development and less pregnancy complications. Important Vitamins Iodine No matter her dietary lifestyle, iodine is one of the essential minerals that a pregnant woman must consume. Iodine is important for proper thyroid function, and critical during pregnancy for fetal neurological development. The recommendation for pregnant women is 220 micrograms of iodine a day. Even a small deficiency can have a major impact on fetal development, which is why sources of iodine need to be included in consumption. Due to its use in the milking process, dairy can often be a main source of iodine intake for women. Instead of dairy, a vegan mother can add iodine to her diet by taking iodine supplements, eating fortified foods, or using iodized table salt. Iron Iron is a mineral often found in red meat. Iron deficiency anemia is a concern for pregnant vegans, unless they can find alternative sources for the mineral. The body requires at least 30 milligrams of iron daily during pregnancy to increase blood supply and foster a healthy fetus. In addition to possibly adding in iron supplements, pregnant vegans should be eating green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and dried beans daily to ensure necessary iron levels. Calcium For vegans, sufficient calcium intake will be more tedious to acquire than simply drinking milk. 1,000 mg. are needed during pregnancy to help build healthy fetal bones and teeth. Vegans can turn to kale as a large source of calcium to add to their diet. Other top vegan calcium sources include: almonds, bok choy, turnip greens, or fortified foods such as soy milk, cereal or orange juice. Vitamin B12 When it comes to vitamins, one vitamin vital to pregnancy is Vitamin B12. Vegans do not naturally consume as much B12, because they abstain from eating animal products which are rich sources of the vitamin. Plant products do not contain a considerable amount of B12, but foods such as cereal are often fortified with the vitamin. Pregnant women are recommended to take 2.6 mcg. of B12 a day, and even slightly more when breastfeeding. B12 deficiency is life-threatening, so pregnant and breastfeeding vegans need to ensure that their levels are appropriate for pregnancy. Vegan mothers should bring up any questions or concerns to their doctor when it comes to meeting the crucial vitamin and mineral intake during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is always recommended to not begin taking any additional vitamins or supplements without consulting a physician first. If a mom-to-be is struggling to reach these nutritional values, she may be put in touch with a nutritionist, who can assist in planning a suitable diet for the duration of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Having a baby changes everything; but moms don’t have to completely adjust their dietary lifestyles to keep themselves and their baby healthy.