Ask Dr. Amy

Computers in pregnancy

2006-01-15T22:02:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr. Amy,

I've just found out I'm pregnant (probably 4/5 weeks) and use a computer at work all day and a laptop at home (on my lap as I don't have a table as such - yet) for 2/3 per night. Please can you let me know if this is safe?.

Thanks,
Julie

Dear Julie,

As far as I can determine, there is no evidence that computer use has any effect on pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnancy after Thermachoice

2006-01-15T21:56:00.000-05:00

A year ago I had a Thermachoice procedure. I just took an ept and I'm pregnant. Will I be able to have this baby?

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

Thermachoice is a treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. It is only supposed to be used by women who have no desire to become pregnant in the future because it can affect fertility. You need to talk to the doctor who performed the Thermachoice procedure and have a blood pregnancy test and additional evaluation to make sure that this is not an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. Call the doctor (or your regular doctor) tomorrow and get this checked out.

Sincerely,
Amy

Should polyp be removed?

2006-01-15T21:51:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr Amy,

I am 39 and trying to get pregnant for the first time. I recently had an HSG which found a small polyp in my uterus. The tubes looked good, but the testwas inconclusive as to spillage. Because of my age my doctor recommended removing the polyp by hysteroscopy and also a laparoscopy done at the same time. She would also put more dye in to see the spillage. I'm just wondering if a small polyp, 4mm, would really prevent me from getting pregnant?

Carol

Dear Carol,

The polyp can't be considered in isolation. If you have been trying to get pregnant for more than 4 months, and all infertility testing is complete, and no other cause has been found, it may make sense to have the hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. In general, however, you should not embark upon treatment until the evaluation is finished. If it turns out that the problem is a low sperm count, for example, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy will not be helpful.

Sincerely,
Amy

Could I get pregnant at 48

2006-01-15T21:48:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I am 48 years old. My periods are every 29 day. Iam seeing a man same age who claims he has had a vastecomy 16 yrs ago. I am pass my 29 day cycle going on 33. I realize at my age I could be going into menopause. I just need to know could he still get me pregnant?

L

Dear L,

The chances of being pregnant are low, but they are not zero. You should check a pregnancy test to be sure.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnancies close together

2006-01-13T09:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I'am a young mother of four beautiful children. My oldest is 6 years old and my youngest is 5 months old. On January 3rd. I found out that once again I was expecting. I was woundering if their are any risks of complications for me and my unborn baby due to getting pregnant so close to giving birth?

Michelle

Dear Michelle,

There are no significant risks to either you or the baby, except that you may become nutritionally depleted from so many pregnancies in a relatively short space of time. You can lower this risk by taking your prenatal vitamins, eating a healthy diet, drinking milk and taking additional supplements (like iron) if your doctor recommends them.

Sincerely,
Amy

Trauma and periods

2006-01-13T09:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

In December I suffered a head concussion, and ten days later slipped on my steps resulting in a nasty fall and the worst bruises I have had in my life. This all has happened since my last menstral cycle, and now I am on day 38. Last year's bloodwork showed beginnings of menopause, but the past 6 months have been regular periods until now. I'm not sexually active. Could the trauma of the fall and bruising change my cycle, or would these be unrelated?

Thanks much,
M

Dear M,

Any illness or trauma can affect your menstrual cycle. However, if there is any chance that you are pregnant, you should check a pregnancy test.

Sincerely,
Amy

Sperm count

2006-01-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr. Amy,

My doctor told me that I had a sperm count of 40. I am getting conflicting numbers in my research about what a bad and good sperm count is. Also, my motility is 46. Could you please clarify what these numbers mean about my fertility?

Thank you,
Henry

Dear Henry,

A semen analysis measure 6 or more factors about the amount of sperm and the health of the sperm. A doctor needs to have the entire report to interpret it properly. Talk to your doctor about how your results compare with the normal values in a complete semen analysis.

Sincerely,
Amy

Getting pregnant after Depo Provera

2006-01-11T21:40:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I've been on depo-provera for 5 years now, but I stopped Oct., '05 because my husband & I want to have a baby, I'm 34 so I'm not getting any younger (ha!). My doctor told me it can take awhile to get my menstrual cycle back, but it may end up where he needs to "jump start" it. Now that I've been off the shot for awhile, I've noticed changes with my body as far as cravings, exhaustion and the past two days my nipples have been extremely sore. Is this my body getting back to "normal", it's almost like I'm having symptoms of a menstrual cycle, but w/out the bleeding. I also wondered if it was possible to get pregnant even though I'm not ovulating or having my period? Since I wasn't sure, I went ahead and took a pregnancy test about 3 or 4 weeks ago just to be safe and it was negative. My doctor told me that if I was to get pregnant right now or after my first period, I would have a greater chance of having a miscarriage since I haven't ovulated in so long. I'd like to know your thoughts on all of this. Thanks so much!!

Robin

Dear Robin,

It can take from 6 months to a year for your periods to return to normal after stopping Depo Provera.

You cannot get pregnant if you are not ovulating, but you will ovulate for the first time 2 weeks before you get your first period. Therefore, it is possible to get pregnant before your period returns (but only if you have sex approximately 2 weeks before your period would have returned).

I am not aware of any increased risk of miscarriage if you get pregnant before getting your first period or in the cycle thereafter. The risk should be exactly the same as if you get pregnant at any other time.

Sincerely,
Amy

Lupron for endometriosis

2006-01-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I am 27 yrs. old and my gynecologist has suggested that I take Lupron to treat endometriosis. I also have a uterine fibroid and wanted to know what affect this drug will have on my fibroid. From what my doctor states it will possible shrink it but the fibroid will most likely return in six months. I want to be sure that if the fibroid does return it returns to its regular size. My fibroid is currently the size of a globe grape and it's been that size for the last 3 yrs. with no problems. I am concerned if I take the Lupron it will cause my fibroid to double in size once treatment is over for the endometriosis.

Thanks much,
D

Dear D,

Fibroids are dependent on estrogen for their growth, so when you take Lupron and your estrogen level decreases, your fibroid will shrink. When you stop Lupron, your estrogen level will eventually return to normal, and the fibroid will return to its previous size. After that, it may continue to increase in size, but that's because almost all fibroids grow larger as a woman gets older (until menopause, that is).

Sincerely,
Amy

Guillaine-Barre and pregnancy

2006-01-11T21:27:00.000-05:00

I had guillaine-Barre nearly 5 years ago. Now I am 29 weeks pregnant. How will this effect me as I still get alot of weakness?

Y

Dear Y,

As you know, Guillaine-Barre is a nerve disorder that often occurs after a viral illness. As far as I can determine from the medical literature, it should not have an impact on your pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Smoking and sperm count

2006-01-10T22:45:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

Is it true that smoking and drinking alot can lower a man's sperm count? My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for the past year and we have yet to be successful. My husband smokes and drinks pretty much on a regular basis and he's been doing this for about 10 years. Is it possible that the reason we have not conceived is because all that smoking and drinking has lowered his sperm count or caused it to be not as strong as its supposed to be. I would really appreciate a response as this is very important to me.

Thank You!
Tiffany

Dear Tiffany,

While it is true that smoking can lower a man's sperm count, that is not a common cause of difficulty in getting pregnant. There are many other factors that could be responsible. If you are not pregnant by the end of a year of trying, you should see a gynecologist or infertility doctor for a complete evaluation of you and your husband. In the meantime, avoid blaming anyone or any specific thing for the difficulty. A complete evaluation will reveal the problem (if there is one) and it could be something that you have not even considered.

Sincerely,
Amy

Anxious after two miscarriages

2006-01-10T22:41:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr Amy,

I have had two miscarriages. I am pregnant again and was so distressed that my doctor sent me to an early pregnancy unit. I had a vaginal scan yesterday and they said it looked very good and there was a strong heartbeat and everything was in the right place. I have had slight stomach cramps throughout but today have a tummy bug and light cramps again. Is it normal to experience light cramps throughout the first 12 weeks? Do you thinkI will be ok this time?

Thanks,
C

Dear C,

Mild cramping is not a sign of miscarriage, so you do not need to be anxious about that.

Once the heartbeat is seen on ultrasound, the risk of miscarriage is cut in half. Once you pass 12 weeks, the risk of miscarriage drops even further. There is no way to know what will happen, but the odds are high that this pregnancy will be successful.

Sincerely,
Amy

Conceiving after methotrexate

2006-01-10T22:35:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I had an ectopic pregnancy treated on 20 October 2005 by one dose of methotextrate. How long do I have to wait before I can start trying to get pregnant again. I would rather be safe than sorry and lose another baby.

Many thanks,
Ros

Dear Ros,

Most doctors recommend waiting at least 3 months before trying again (because of theoretical side effects of methotrexate). Be sure to start on prenatal vitamins before you begin trying.

Sincerely,
Amy

Irregular periods, negative pregnancy test

2006-01-08T21:48:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr Amy,

I have very irregular periods. In June, July no period or a positive HPT. In August went and seen my gyno. I was given Provera then Clomid. September, No period or baby. I went back to my gyno again. I was given Provera and Clomid again. After that I had a period a week later. 38 days later I had a period. So my LMP was on 11-27-05, I took Clomid too. Now it has been 43 days later and still no period or a positive HPT. Recent HPT was on Jan 6. negative. Throughout December to now I have been having bad nausea, tiredness, sleepy and a bit of breaking out. Should I take another HPT or I am just not pregnant!

Thank you,
Sammie

Dear Sammie,

I does not sound like you are pregnant, and it sounds like the problem is that you are not ovulating (releasing an egg), so you can't get pregnant.

Clomid is a fertility medication. It is given to women who are not ovulating, to stimulate ovulation. When Clomid works, you either get pregnant or have a regular period. Since neither is happening, you may need a higher dose of medication, or additional fertility tests. Talk to your doctor to understand just what the problem is, and how the doctor plans to treat it.

Sincerely,
Amy

Breast implants and breastfeeding

2006-01-08T21:45:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I have had breast implants for 3 years this August. Will becoming pregnant cause problems with my implants and will I be able to breast feed?

Thanks,
GM

Dear GM,

Most breast implants are placed behind the actual breast tissue and usually do not cause any problems in pregnancy or with breastfeeding, so you should be able to breastfeed. Check with the surgeon who did your operation, just to be sure.

Sincerely,
Amy

Prenatal vitamins

2006-01-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

My doctor did a pregnancy test on me and it was negative, but she prescribed prenatal vitamins. My friend said that she probably prescribed them because I show signs of pregnancy. Is she right?

L

Dear L,

You should start prenatal vitamins before you are pregnant, when you are just trying, because prenatal vitamins are most important in the earliest weeks of pregnancy. The doctor should recommend prenatal vitamins to anyone who is thinking about getting pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Which dates are correct?

2006-01-08T21:26:00.000-05:00

I am pregnant. I think I am about 9 weeks. The doctor did my ultrasound and says I am only 6weeks. I think that is wrong because I tested postive the first week of December, so if they are right it would of been too early to get a positive result. This is important to me because I have to have a cerclage. Now I am afraid they will move it to a later date and if the doctor is wrong that could be a very bad thing.

Billie

Dear Billie,

It depends on what, precisely, the doctor saw. At nine weeks, you should be able to see the baby and the heartbeat very easily. It is possible that the doctor only saw a sac without a baby. If the doctor did not see a baby, there are two possibilities: you could be not as far along as you thought, or you could be in the process of having a miscarriage (eventually leading to the actual miscarriage).

Talk to your doctor to clarify why he thinks you are only 6 weeks along. It he saw only the sac, you need to have another ultrasound to see if a baby is present.

Sincerely,
Amy

Ativan

2006-01-08T21:18:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr Amy,

I recently went to the ER because I had a severe headache that was persistant for 3 days. They treated me by giving me a pain medication called Dilaudid IV. Upon discharge the ER doctor prescribed me Ativan for muscle spasms.

My mother told me that Ativan was more for depression and anxiety. I have no history of either of those. The medication is a pregnancy class D. What does that mean? My husband and I are TTC and I am scared that taking this medicine (for a short period of time) may affect our TTC. I have since discontined use of this medication until I speak to my primary physican but what are you thoughts on Ativan. Thanks in advance.

F

Dear F,

Ativan is related to valium. It can be used as an anti-anxiety medication and as a muscle relaxant. It is not an antidepressant.

Category D drugs are known to be harmful in pregnancy, so you should not take it if you are trying to conceive. Ask your doctor if there is a better alternative for you.

Sincerely,
Amy

Is Zyrtec safe in pregnancy?

2006-01-06T23:16:00.000-05:00

Hi,

My husband and I would like to have another child. However, Iwas diagnosed about 7 months ago with chronic uticaria (hives) and angioedema (severe swelling). I am currently on zyrtec, an allergy medication. Would this medicine and disease harm a fetus? Is there an alternative medication that is safer?

Thank you so much,
Michelle

Dear Michelle,

There is currently no evidence that Zyrtec is harmful in pregnancy, but we have very little experience with it. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends using other antihistamines instead.

Before getting pregnant, you should talk with your allergy doctor and with an obstetrician about which antihistamine is safest for you and your baby. You can then switch to the new antihistamine before getting pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Will provera harm an early pregnancy?

2006-01-06T23:12:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr. Amy,

It has been 8 weeks since I had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy and I still have not had a cycle. My doctor prescribed Provera to take to jump start my cycles. I was wondering if I am pregnant but very early it the drug would harm the fetus?

Tiffany

Dear Tiffany,

There is no evidence that taking Provera in early pregnancy is harmful. You don't have to take Provera, though, unless you want to do so. Your periods will probably return on their own within a few weeks.

Sincerely,
Amy

Itching in pregnancy

2006-01-06T23:05:00.000-05:00

I was told some itching is ok in pregnancy, because that's just you growing, but for the past few weeks my itching started at my feet and now all over my body. I itch all the time. I do not have a rash or bumps but its getting quite annoying. Is there a condition that causes this? I'm 19 weeks pregnant and my next appt. is on the 20th.

Thanks,
S

Dear S,

There are two pregnancy related conditions that can cause itching. One is a bumpy rash called PUPPS. This commonly occurs toward the end of pregnancy. The second condition is cholestasis of pregnancy. This is a liver problem that appears to be caused by pregnancy hormones and goes away after the baby is born. The most prominent symptom is itching, particularly on the hands and feet. It is not harmful, but it can be very uncomfortable. You should call your doctor to talk this over.

Sincerely,
Amy

6 positive tests, but doctor's test is negative.

2006-01-06T23:02:00.000-05:00

My period is nearly 2 weeks late and I have had 6 positive home pregnancy tests but when i did a urine test at the doctors, it was negative. Im very confused, am I pregnant or not?
Please help,

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

It sounds like you are probably pregnant, but there is an easy way to find out for sure. A blood pregnancy test is far more accurate than any urine test. Talk to your doctor about getting a blood pregnancy test to find out what is going on.

Sincerely,
Amy

Was this a miscarriage?

2006-01-06T22:58:00.000-05:00

Hi,

My last period was on 15.11.05 and I am now over three weeks late. We are trying for a baby and found out when I am ovulating etc. Normally my periods are regular. I am having night sickness, sore breasts, mood swings, etc. Also on 14.12.05 I have a light brown stain with no cramping. But despite all this no positive tests, yet I feel pregnant!I went to the doctors and they said it is a missed miscarriage and told me to go home and wait to bleed. Is this normal and correct?

Thanks,
Jade

Dear Jade,

In order to label this a miscarriage, there must be some medical evidence that you were pregnant. There is no way the doctor could know that it is a miscarriage without either a positive blood pregnancy test or an ultrasound. That does not mean that you are necessarily pregnant, since you could simply have missed a period. You should ask your doctor for a blood pregnancy test to find out what is going on.

Sincerely,
Amy

Placenta previa in early pregnancy

2006-01-04T21:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

Im almost 10 weeks pregnant and have had an almost perfect pregnancy. I've had two c-sections in the past 3 years and 1 miscarriage a few months ago.

I started to spot a brown and cramp yesterday and it has continued today. I went to my doctor and she did an ultrasound and said the baby looked great but that my placenta was over my cervix. She didn't sound to concerned about it though, and never really told me why I'm spotting or cramping. I'm very worried.

My mom had 3 placenta previas. Could this spotting and cramping be because of the low lying placenta or is it something else? I have also had my two children early (33 and 35 weeks) because of severe preeclampsia and pre-term labor. I was hoping that maybe you could give me some insight on this.

Thank you,
Tiffany

Dear Tiffany,

If the placenta is lying on top of the cervix, you have a placenta previa, too. This could be the cause of the spotting, but there is no way to know for sure at this point.

Your doctor is probably not concerned now because the placenta tends to move away from the cervix as pregnancy progresses. Therefore, the odds are high that the you will not have a placenta previa in late pregnancy. On the other hand, woman who have had a previous C-section and now have a placenta previa are more likely to end up with a placenta previa at the time of delivery and it can cause bleeding problems. Talk it over with your doctor in more detail.

Sincerely,
Amy

Fertility after gonorrhea

2006-01-04T21:56:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I was told that you can't get pregnant if you have had gonorrhea. Is that true?

L

Dear L,

Most women who have had gonorrhea will have no trouble getting pregnant. However, somen women will have scarring in their fallopian tubes which may make it difficult to get pregnant or lead to an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnant after miscarriage

2006-01-04T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I am 4 weeks pregnant and feel like I am pregnant. However, I am worried as I had a missed miscarriage 5 months agao and I had precancerous cells removed 6 weeks ago.

A

Dear A,

A history of one miscarriage in the past has no effect on the current pregnancy. You are no more likely to have a miscarriage in this pregnancy than a woman who has never had a miscarriage.

The impact of the removal of the abnormal cells depends on the way in which they were removed. Most methods do not cause any permanent scarring or damage. Talk to your doctor about whether he or she thinks there will be any problem.

Sincerely,
Amy

Semen analysis

2006-01-04T21:42:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

My fiance recently had a sperm analysis done. His test came back that 65 percent of the sperm were dead. The second test revealed that 70 percent were dead. Can this mean that he can NEVER have children or that it might be next to impossible?

Thank you,
SA

Dear SA,

This is definitely an abnormal value. In a normal sample, less than 25% are dead. It is difficult to know what this means in the absence of other parts of the analysis. For example, if there are signs of infection, treating the infection could improve the quality of the sperm. You need to talk to your doctor about the meaning of the results.

Sincerely,
Amy

Vitamins and periods

2006-01-02T22:47:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr. Amy,

I've been trying to get pregnant now for about eight months and so far no luck, but I know the importance of taking vitamins before you conceive along with a healthy diet. My periods are very irregular, my cycles are anywhere from 40-60 days. When I started taking the vitamins (Oct. 15) I started getting a brownish red discharge and then a couple days later i started to get some light bleeding. It didn't last a long time, only for 4 days and then exactly one month later (Nov.15) I started my period. I never started my period so soon, except when i was on the pill. Is it possible for the vitamins to regulate your periods?

Thank you,
Carmen

Dear Carmen,

No, the prenatal vitamins have no effect on your periods. Your irregular periods suggest that you may have a hormonal problem. If you do not get pregnant in the next 4 months or so, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist for a complete evaluation. It is possible that you may need fertility medication to help you get pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

No periods for over a year, now pregnant

2006-01-02T22:39:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I have not had a period since March 2004. I do check to see if I am pregnant with home pregnancy tests and when I visit the doctor. In early December I was not pregnant. Recently, I noticed I felt different. My breasts felt different and I kind of thought I may be pregnant. So I took a home pregnancy test and I am.

Is it possible for someone to get pregnant when you are not having a cycle? I am very worried about this and a bit confused so any advice will be very much appreciated.

Thank you for your time,
LV

Dear LV,

It is very likely that you have a hormone problem of some kind, probably polycystic ovary syndrome or perhaps related to your weight (if you are extremely overweight). You should have been treated with Provera (progesterone) or birth control pills, since going for months at a time without a period can increase your risk of developing uterine cancer in the future. That will be something to address after your pregnancy.

Even women who have hormonal problems can ovulate on their own now and then. Since you ovulate 2 weeks before you get your period, it is possible to ovulate and get pregnant without getting a period. This does not mean that there is any increased risk to the pregnancy. An ultrasound will be able to estimate when you got pregnant and when your baby is due.

Sincerely,
Amy

Fertility after endometriosis surgery

2006-01-02T22:30:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I am a 36 and having some infertility problems.

Six years ago I had endoscopic surgery done for a mild case of endometriosis and to have a chocolate cyst removed from my right ovary. On November the 28th of 2005, I was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain & on the 29th had surgery to remove a chronic case of endometriosis, acorpus luteum cyst or adnexal mass about the size of an apple removed from the right ovary, my right ovary & fallopian tube removed and my left ovary and fallopian tube had to be cut away from my intestines. I was advised to start trying to get pregnant in three months after the surgery in fear of the endometriosis coming back.

What are my chances of being able to become pregnant after having the right ovary removed. I currently have two children, but have also had two miscarriages. I want to hurry up and get pregnant due to my age and the endo. Should we try anything else to increase our chances of getting pregnant?

Melissa

Dear Melissa,

It sounds from your description like you have significant endometriosis and scarring, and that could definitely affect your fertility. The chance of getting pregnant is highest in the 6 months after surgery so it makes sense to get try to get pregnant on your own. If you are not pregnant within 6 months, you should make an appointment with an infertility evaluation. An infertility specialist will be able to give you more information about the chances of getting pregnant, and recommend treatment if necessary. There is nothing that you can do on your own (beyond having intercourse around the time of ovulation) that will impact your chances of getting pregnant in the next 6 months.

Sincerely,
Amy

Bowel distension in pregnancy

2006-01-02T22:28:00.000-05:00

Everything I read just says that bowel distention is common in pregnancy, but I have yet to discover what exactly it is.

A

Dear A,

Bowel distention is just the medical term for bloating and gas, both of which are very common in pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Breast infection

2006-01-01T22:25:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I have had three children whom I have breastfed. I am now pregnant again. The problem is that I have cystic breast and one of them is chronically infected. I have been on antibiotics, had a mammogram and even a biopsy of the area to rule out cancer. There is still an abnormal discharge which clears up sometimes but then is right back. I would really like to nurse this baby also but am a little worried about the discharge. Would it clear itself up and if not I more than likely shouldn't nurse ( not off of that breast anyhow)?

Thanks alot,
SKA's mom

Dear SKA's mom,

I have been researching your question and I cannot find a definite answer. I suspect that nursing would be fine, since you can nurse when you have mastitis (a breast infection), but you should consult your own doctor for additional information.

Sincerely,
Amy

Semen analysis

2005-12-30T22:51:00.000-05:00

My husband and I having been trying to get pregnant for almost two years now, and he had a sperm count done. I cant understand what the report says and I don't want to wait until we go to the specialist next month. What does this mean?

TEST RESULT
SA, VOLUME 1.0
SA, VISCOSITY NORMAL
SA, COLOR WHITE
SA, APPEARANCE CLOUDY
SA, PH 8.5 (FLAG: H)
SA, INITIALSMEAR 60
SA, 1 HOUR 40
SA, 3 HOUR 30 (FLAG: L)

Thank You,
Rebecca

Dear Rebecca,

I don't have enough information to tell you exactly what it means since I don't know the reference values from that particular lab. However, it appears that although the pH is high and the 3 hour sample has a low number, the semen analysis is otherwise normal.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnancy after LEEP

2005-12-30T22:28:00.000-05:00

In November 2004 I had a loop cone biopsy on my cervix. In September 2005 I had to have the procedure again. Both times the doctor has said to wait a year before becoming pregnant. What happens if I do become pregnant before the year is up? I really don't want to wait anymore.

Thanks,
Jessica

Dear Jessica,

It is important to wait until your cervix is completely healed before getting pregnant, because of the risk of premature delivery due to a damaged cervix. Complete healing usually takes about 3 months or so. You should talk to your doctor about why he or she wants you to wait longer. You can also visit another doctor for a second opinion.

Sincerely,
Amy

Mammogram in early pregnancy

2005-12-30T22:25:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I was exposed to radiation before I knew that I was pregnant. I had a mammogram. My LMP was 11-12-05 and the exposure occured on 11-30-05.

C

Dear C,

The risk of radiation exposure from a mammogram in early pregnancy are theoretical. I am not aware of any cases in which a connection between a mammogram and birth defects was established.

Sincerely,
Amy

First prenatal visit

2005-12-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

How soon after you find out that you are pregnant should you make a doctor's appointment?

L

Dear L,

You should call for an appointment shortly after finding out you are pregnant, but you don't need to see the doctor until about 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Running during pregnancy

2005-12-29T10:25:00.000-05:00

I love to run and I am only four weeks along. Can i still do the same workouts?

Thanks,
M

Dear M,

You can continue working out, but the rules of exercise are different in pregnancy. You should listen carefully to your body and never "work through the pain". If it hurts or makes you uncomfortable in any way, you should stop.

Be sure to discuss this with your obstetrician. He or she can give you specific recommendations based on your history.

Sincerely,
Amy

Getting pregnant with PCOS

2005-12-29T10:19:00.000-05:00

Me and my fiance want to have children. They told me a little over a year ago that I have polycystic ovarian disease and that the only way for me to be able to have children is to be on fertility drugs for three to six months. Is this really the only way for us to be able to conceive because we know those are expensive and we can't really afford those right now and then what if we get them and they don't even work?

Lindsay and Michael

Dear Lindsay and Michael,

It is possible to get pregnant without fertility drugs when you have PCOS. However, the chances of this happening depend on how often you ovulate (release an egg). If you have very few periods a year, the chance of getting pregnant is quite low unless you take medication. However, if you skip a period only occasionally, the chance of getting pregnant is much higher.

If you have been trying for more than a year without success, it is likely that you will need medication to get pregnant. It is true that these drugs are extremely expensive, and there is no guarantee that they will work. However, there is a much greater chance of getting pregnant using medication than without medication.

Sincerely,
Amy

Paternity testing during pregnancy

2005-12-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr. Amy,

I was wondering if it was possible to check the blood type of a baby during a pregnancy and if so how early can this be done.This would be to determine who the father is.

Monica

Dear Monica,

As far as I know, there is no way to do paternity testing until the baby is born.

Sincerely,
Amy

Mitral valve prolapse in pregnancy

2005-12-29T10:12:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy

I was diagnosed a few years ago with mitral valve prolapse. While I am rarely bothered by it, and when I am it is usually a mild flutter, I am concerned that being pregnant will either worsen or cause serious long-term effects on my heart. This causes me great concern. Do you have any information that may lessen my fears? Thanks so much for your time!

Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,

Mitral valve usually does not have an impact in pregnancy. In fact, MVP sometimes improves during pregnancy.

There is some disagreement about the need for antibiotics during childbirth. You should talk this over with the doctor who cares for your heart.

Sincerely,
Amy

TTC for over a year

2005-12-27T16:44:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr. Amy,

I have endometriosis stage 3. I have been TTC for a year and a half now with no luck. I’ve had a test done on my mucous, which the doctor told me was killing the sperm. What causes this and is there anything I can do to fix it? I recently had an IUI done but it did not take. Please help.

Thank you,
Kristie

Dear Kristie,

It sounds like there is a least two problems that can lead to infertility and there could be more. You should make an appointment with an infertility specialist for a complete evaluation. He or she will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the appropriate treatment so you can get pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Headaches and dizziness in pregnancy

2005-12-27T16:40:00.000-05:00

I am currently 17 weeks pregnant. I haven't had an easy time so far. I've noticed that over the past week that between my bad blurred vision, pounding headaches and lightheadedness. I am worried. I drink lots of water, take my vitamins and rest when i need to. Is there anything i can do or take for this?

Thanks,
Steph

Dear Steph,

You need to talk to your doctor about this and be seen, preferably today. These are not normal pregnancy symptoms and could be a sign of high blood pressure, which would need to be treated.

Sincerely,
Amy

Gastroenteritis

2005-12-27T16:36:00.000-05:00

I am 5 weeks pregnant and my 2 year old son has come down with gastro (vomiting). I am worried that if I catch it, which is very likely, that it will harm the pregnancy.

N

Dear N,

You are not necessarily going to get your son's illness because you may already have immunity to it. Even if you do get gastroenteritis, it should not harm the pregnancy. Just be sure to drink plenty of fluid. If you have trouble keeping fluid down, you should talk it over with your doctor.

Sincerely,
Amy

Abdominal swelling

2005-12-27T16:28:00.000-05:00

I am 45 years old and have four children. I had my tubes tied nearly 3 years ago after the birth of my last child. I had a uterine ablation last summer. I've had one period since the procedure and none since then.

About six weeks abo my stomach started swelling a bit. About a month ago my stomach swelled noticably and I started to have what felt like fetal kicking. I have had one urine and one blood test for pregnancy; both were negative. My stomach continues to swell and now the "kicking" is strong and frequent enough for other people to see it.

Neither my GP or my obstetrician has done a pelvic exam but just tell me pregnancy is impossible. I have an MRI scheduled for later this week. Will this tell me what is going on? I'm very frustrated.

A

Dear A,

First of all, your doctor should have done a pelvic exam. He or she could have gotten a lot of information from that.

Second, a pregnancy is extremely unlikely. I would be more concerned about a medical problem like a growth on the ovary, which often causes significant abdominal swelling as the first sign.

An MRI (or an ultrasound) should be able to tell you what is going on.

Sincerely,
Amy

Incompetent cervix

2005-12-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr Amy,

I had a miscarriage this year in January . It was caused by incompetent cervix. If I was pregnant again, do I have to have the cerclage put in? Do I have to be on complete bedrest?

Shania

Dear Shania,

Incompetent cervix is a diagnosis that is made after two painless miscarriages in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.

If you had a miscarriage in the first trimester, or if you had a miscarriage accompanied by pain, or if you had a miscarriage of a pregnancy with a genetic abnormality, it would not be incompetent cervix.

If you truly have incompetent cervix, you would need to have a cerclage and you might need to be on bedrest. You may want to get a second opinion from a perinatologist (a specialist in high risk pregnancy) to find out the best options for you.

Sincerely,
Amy

Retroverted uterus

2005-12-26T12:56:00.000-05:00

Does a retroverted uterus affect fertility?

N

Dear N,

About 10% of women have a retroverted uterus. This usually has no impact on fertility.

Sincerely,
Amy

Old mattress and parasites

2005-12-26T12:40:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I got a free twin bed from some people who I don't know for my 9 year old's bedroom. I am leery about using this bed that was given to me. Can scabies or crabs travel from the mattress to the box springs? I'm thinking of using our mattress, and their box springs. I don't want to put our family through a night mare, we just can't reallyafford a new bed right now. Thank you for your time.

Jody

Dear Jody,

Scabies, head lice and pubic lice require close contact with humans to survive. If the bedding has been stored away from human beings for over a month, it should be free of scabies and lice. Nonetheless, you should talk to your child's pediatrician before you use the mattress or box spring.

Sincerely,
Amy

Moderate dysplasia

2005-12-26T12:31:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr. Amy,

My daughter recently learned that she has genital warts. Of course, the next news she received is that her pap smear has come back with "moderately abnormal cells," the description given to her by the family doctor. She will be referred to a gynecologist after Christmas.

I have researched HPV, genital warts, pap smears, dysplasia, and cervical cancer, but I am wondering if you could give me some insight as to how serious "moderately abnormal cells" might be.

Thank you,
A very concerned mother

Dear Concerned Mother,

The first thing to keep in mind is that a Pap smear is a screening test. That means that it identifies women who are at risk of abnormal cervical cells (dysplasia), but does not make a diagnosis. Women with abnormal Pap smears need to have colposcopy and biopsies to find out exactly what is going on.

Colposcopy is just like a speculum exam, but the doctor looks at the cervix through a magnifying scope. The doctor can identify area of potentially abnormal cells and remove them (biopsy) for analysis. The pathologist, looking at the tissue under the microscpe, can tell whether the cells are abnormal and whether the abnormality is mild, moderate or severe. The abnormality can be more or less severe than that seen on the Pap smear.

Moderate and severely abnormal cells must be treated (either by freezing or surgery) to make sure that they don't progress to cervical cancer. Then your daughter will need to be monitored carefully in the years to come to be sure that the abnormalities do not come back.

Sincerely,
Amy

Ephedrine in pregnancy

2005-12-26T12:12:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy:

I have been taking diet pills with ephedrine the last 6 months and I just found out that I am pregnant. I am addicted to them. I want to know if the pills will effect my pregnancy? What should I do to keep my weight down during my pregnancy? I tend to go on crash diets. That really affected my metabolism and I am depended on this pills. What should I do?

A

Dear A,

You need to see an doctor (preferably an obstetrician) to find out if the ephedrine has had an effect on your baby. Ephedrine in pregnancy can cause birth defects. You need to be under the care of a doctor to gradually reduce the amount of ephedrine you are taking until you are off of it.

Ephedrine abuse is dangerous for anyone, not just pregnant women. Ephedrine can cause heart attacks, stroke and death.

You should consider seeing a mental health professional for help with this addiction and for help with the eating disorder that may be underlying the addiction.

Please arrange for medical care as soon as possible. If you do not have your own doctor, you can visit a clinic or a local hospital.

Sincerely,
Amy

Should I have sex with my boyfriend?

2005-12-24T11:00:00.000-05:00

I'm 15 and have my first boyfriend. He wants to have sex, but I'm not sure. He said he wants a baby and I do want a baby loads, but I'm not sure.

C

Dear C,

Let's consider the risks and benefits for you if you have sex with your boyfriend.

The risks include;

getting pregnant
getting a sexually transmitted disease that can be treated
getting an incurable sexually transmitted disease like herpes or genital warts
an increased risk of becoming fertile from a sexually transmitted disease
an increased risk of developing cervical cancer later in life
being disappointed in yourself for betraying your values
feeling used when your boyfriend eventually leaves you.

Now the benefits: Hmmm, I can't think of a single benefit for you. It certainly won't help you hold on to your boyfriend; sex never does, since he can always sleep with someone else. Furthermore, if a guy cares for you (instead of just caring about his pleasure), he would never push you into doing something you aren't sure about. The more he pushes, the more you can be sure that he doesn't care about you and will dump you when he gets what he wants.

So, what should you do. You should say "No".

I have taken care of thousands of women over the course of my career. I have never heard anyone say that they wish they had had sex earlier. However, I have met hundreds who have wished they had waited. You will never regret waiting until you are older, and you could literally ruin your life by giving in.

Sincerely,
Amy

Parental rights when teen has abnormal Pap smear

2005-12-24T10:48:00.000-05:00

My daughter had a pap smear two weeks ago. Her doctor called and wants her to call. It's about the examination she did and can not talk to anyone about it except my daughter. She's sixteen.

My question is what result of a exam/pap smear is a doctor legally bound to just discuss with her patient. Also, I know they test for cancer, pregnancy and venereal disease. What else do they test for? I would really appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Carin

Dear Carin,

The doctor is legally bound NOT to discuss any medical information about pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, etc. unless the teen age patient gives her permission. If you want to get information directly from the doctor, your daughter will need to fill out a special form. Otherwise, you can get the information directly from your daughter.

A pregnancy test is not a part of a routine examination and would only be ordered if there was a reason to do so.

Sincerely,
Amy

Diabetes in pregnancy

2005-12-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

I'm 20 weeks and i'm a diabetic. My doctor say's the baby is too big. What could that mean?

A

Dear A,

You did not mention whether you were a diabetic before pregnancy or whether pregnancy brought on diabetes. However, since it is too early in pregnancy for you to have been tested for gestational diabetes, I assume that you mean that you were a diabetic before pregnancy.

Women who have diabetes are at increased risk for a variety of complications in pregnancy. The risk is much greater if your blood sugars are not under tight control. Sometimes, the size of the baby can be an indication of whether your sugars are in good control. So, a large baby raises the possibility that you need tighter control.

Your doctor should arrange for you to see a nutritionist regularly, and you must stick to the diet. You need to be testing your blood sugars at least 4 times a day, and increasing your insulin as necessary. An acceptable blood sugar in pregnancy is much lower than an acceptable blood sugar when you are not pregnant.

A large baby also raises the possibility that the baby will be too big for a vaginal delivery and that you may need a C-section. Talk this over with your doctor.

Sincerely,
Amy

Treatment of chlamydia

2005-12-22T23:11:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr. Amy,

I found out yesterday that I have chlamydia. I took the 4 antibotic pills last night, as directed by my doctor. I'm talking with my partner tonight so that he can get tested as well. How long after taking the antibiotics is it safe to have protected sex again? And if he and I are committed to each other, how long until we can have sex without a condom?

Thanks,
Shari

Dear Shari,

You can have sex again when both of you have completed treatment.

Sincerely,

Amy

Pain during orgasm

2005-12-22T23:08:00.000-05:00

Dr Amy,
I have been experiencing pain in my lower left abdominal area during orgasm. There is no pain during sexual activity just during orgasm lasting up to 15-20 minutes afterwards. I have been tested for a hernia and the test was negative. Any thoughts?

Dear CB,

Only someone who examines you can tell you what is going on. You should make an appointment for a GYN exam.

Sincerely,

Amy

Trying to get pregnant while nursing

2005-12-22T23:05:00.000-05:00

I have a 9 month old son, and I am still nursing 4 times a day. I have not yet gotten a period, and I am wondering what my chances are of conceiving. I know that I can conceive if I would catch my first ovulation, but I am not sure how I would know when I do ovulate for the first time since I have not had a period since May of 2004. Are there any signs I should watch for? Or, do I just need to be patient, because I don’t want to have to choose between weaning my son and getting pregnant again. Any advice would be appreciated.

Mandi

Dear Mandi,

There's really no way to know if you will ovulate while you are still nursing or if you will have to wait until you wean your son.

Sincerely,
Amy

Mildly complex ovarian cyst

2005-12-22T22:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I recently went to the emergency room with abdominal pain. The doctor performed an ultrasound and I presented with a mildly complex ovarian cyst that is the same size as my right ovary. I also have a polyp in my uterus which was picked up on a previous ultrasound but for some reason the ultrasound at the emergency room did not pick up.

My obgyn doctor put me on Yasmin to stop excessive periods (my period would last 11 days and 7 days later I would have another one). I had become borderline anemic from the blood loss. I’ve been on Yasmin for 5 weeks and everything was going well until three days ago when I experienced abdominal pain, bleeding (not heavy), lower back pain, and some stomach upset. Cramps were quite severe yesterday. The nurse at my doctors office said to take 400 – 600 milligrams of ibuprofen every eight hours and see how it goes.

I am still bleeding and have cramps and lower back pain today. Abdominal pain and lower back pain is in the center small of my back and center lower abdomen which seems odd as it is my right ovary that is affected. The ultrasound at the hospital did not show endometriosis.

I am 50 years old and am now a little worried about the new symptoms which are lower back pain and upset stomach. I have a vaginal ultrasound scheduled for January 13th. Is it safe to wait that long and should I be concerned?

Thank you so much.

Diane

Dear Diane,

It sounds like you may need a second opinion. My first concern would be the ovarian cyst. At your age, any cyst should be promptly and thoroughly investigated to be sure that it is not ovarian cancer. It's not clear whether the pain and other symptoms are related or represent a different problem. In any case, it makes sense to have the vaginal ultrasound sooner than Jan. 13. Talk it over with your doctor.

Sincerely,
Amy

Multiple miscarriages

2005-12-21T22:36:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

My fiance and I have been trying for the past year to have a child of our own. I have two boys myself ages 5 and 3 but we would really enjoy one that is biologically both of ours. Just last week I had my third miscarriage. This concerns me and I don't understand why we can't conceive together.

I have heard about blood types not mixing properly. How likely is it? I have also been asked if I thought whether or not I could only carry just one sex of child. Is this a possibility?

We want nothing more than to have a child we can call ours and never thought the process would be this difficult. Help please.

Desperately trying,
M

Dear M,

Have you had 3 miscarriage over the last several years, or 3 miscarriages within the last year. The chance of miscarriage in any given pregnancy is approximately 20%, so it is possible for one woman to have 2 or 3 miscarriages without any cause for concern. However, if you have had 3 miscarriages in a row with your fiance, there is likely to be a problem of some kind. In that case, the best thing to do would be to consult an infertility specialist (they are also experts in miscarriages).

Repeated miscarriages are not caused by blood types failing to mix and there is no condition in which a woman can only carry a child of a certain sex, so you don't need to be concerned about that. Repeated miscarriages can be cause by genetic problems and hormonal problems, and, occasionally, immune problems.

Sincerely,
Amy

Medication and male infertility

2005-12-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy:

Can you please tell me if the medication, Soma (Muscle Relaxer) and Tramadol (Anti-inflammatory) used to subside pain for a herniated disk, can cause infertility on the male side? Female side takes no medication only pre-natal vitamins.

Thanks
Nikki

Dear Nikki,

As far as I could determine, neither Soma nor Tramadol is associated with male infertility.

Sincerely,
Amy

White bumps

2005-12-20T20:50:00.000-05:00

Hi,

When I was shaving I found some slightly raised white bumps of different sizes between my vagina and my anus. I thought that they were just irritated spots from the previous time I shaved but when I scraped at them to make them go away the skin came off very easily and they started to bleed and the skin was a little thick and hard. These spots dont hurt in any way and they only bled a little and today I cant even really tell where they had been except the skin there is a little bit sensitive.

I've never had anything like this before so I'm pretty worried about it, but I did have precancerous cells on my cervix and just had a follow up colposcopy done last Thursday. Do you think it could have been from that? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

A

Dear A,

I'm not sure what those bumps could be. Only someone who examines you can tell what's going on. It could be something as simple as a rash from shaving or it could be from an infection of some kind. Hopefully, your doctor will be able to tell you why this happened.

Sincerely,
Amy

Bleeding during sex

2005-12-19T21:22:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I am 18 years old and on birth control. Everytime my boyfriend and I have sex I start bleeding. What does that mean?

Dear T,

I'm not sure why you are having bleeding. You should make an appointment with a gynecologist to find out the cause of the bleeding.

Sincerely,

Amy

Triple screen test

2005-12-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr. Amy!

I am a little over 12 weeks pregnant right now, and at my next appointment (at 16 weeks) my doctor told me I will be given the option of having a triple screen test done. Could you please explain to me what this is and what exactly I will be tested for? Thanks so much for your time and help!

Sincerely,
Haley

Dear Haley,

The triple screen test detects whether your baby is at increased risk of Down's Syndrome or spina bifida (a spinal defect that often causes paralysis). It is a valuable test because if shows increased risk, you can have further testing (an amniocentesis or an ultrasound) to find out if your baby does or does not have one of these problems.

It is only a screening test, though, and that means that most babies who are identified as having increased risk do not actually have either problem. Therefore, if your test result demonstrates increased risk, you shouldn't panic. The odds are high that further testing will show that the baby is just fine.

Sincerely,

Amy

Clomid and male fertility

2005-12-19T21:08:00.000-05:00

Hi Dr. Amy,

What are my chances of conceiving naturally w/out taking any fertility meds? I've been dx with PCOS.

Can Clomid be used to treat low sperm count? My Dr. suggested that my husband might need to take clomid to help him out with his sperm count. I was doing some research on the net to learn a lil bit more about this b4 we decided if we want to give it a try but I could'nt find anything as to how he (my husband) would have to take Clomid.
Please help!!

Thanks in advance,
Wanna B a Mommy

Dear Wanna,

The chance of getting pregnant with PCOS depend on how often you ovulate. If you rarely have a period, the chance of getting pregnant without medication is low.

Clomid does not have a high success rate in treating low sperm count. The best thing to do would be for your husband to see a urologist who specializes in male infertility. He can do the appropriate testing and recommend the best treatment.

Sincerely,

Amy

Nipple discharge

2005-12-19T21:05:00.000-05:00

Dr Amy,

Hi I have never been pregnant or had any miscarriages that I know of. we are TTC and I am at day 18 in my cycle 5dpo. I am writting because I was examining my breasts as usual, when I noticed clear/white discharge from both my nipples upon gentle sqeezing. Is this normal for non-pregnant women or is this a potential sign of pregnancy? I just was at my OBGYN last week and she said everything looked normal, but I have never had anything like this before on my prior BSE. Just looking for some medical advice, thank you for your time.

Concerned,
Beth

Dear Beth,

Nipple discharge is not a typical sign of pregnancy. You should talk this over with your doctor and see if she wants to order an additional tests.

Sincerely,

Amy

IUD

2005-12-19T21:02:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I have had so many pregnancy scares here lately. I decided to quit taking my birth control pill. My husband and I can never remember to use a condom though. We have a 14 month old daughter and we are not ready for another baby right now, maybe in a few years.

I am considering getting an IUD like Mirena. I am kind of scared that it will decrease my chances of getting pregnant in the future. Is this true? I am also wondering that since I had a Caeseran Section with the birth of my daughter if I can even get an IUD? Are these really that safe and wonderful than the companies make them out to be? Can you please help me? Thank You so much for your time! I really do appreciate it!

Kristin

Dear Kristin,

The IUD is a safe and effective method of birth control. However, many doctors feel that it should only be used by women who have completed their families. That's because the IUD can increase the risk of a pelvic infection that might scar your fallopian tubes. You should talk this over with your doctor.

A previous C-section has no effect on an IUD.

Sincerely,
Amy

Hydrocodone in pregnancy

2005-12-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

I am probably about a month or two pregnant. I just found out yesterday. I have been taking hydrocodone. If I stop now will everything be all right with my baby? I take probably about 3 or 4 a day.
I

Dear I,

Narcotics in small amounts are usually safe in pregnancy. You need to talk to your doctor about cutting back gradually. It is extremely difficult to stop abruptly.

Depending on the reasons why you need narcotics, you may be able to continue them throughout pregnancy, but only someone who is familiar with your medical situation could advise you.

Sincerely,
Amy

Getting pregnant after abnormal Pap smear

2005-12-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

My daughter is going through the second round of precancer tests for irregularities in a pap test. She is wants to get pregnant. Will this precancer condition be negatively impacted by getting pregnant?

J

Dear J,

Getting pregnant will not affect the abnormal cells on her cervix, but it might affect the treatment. She should wait until she finishes the testing and has any treatment that is necessary, since it is much more difficult to treat abnormal cervical cells during pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Trisomy 22

2005-12-17T11:33:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

I am a recurrent miscarrier. I have had 3 thus far. My first was a complete miscarriage at 6.5 weeks after a fetal heartbeat was detected. The second was a blighted ovum at 8 weeks. The third and most recent happened at 8 weeks after also seeing a fetal heartbeat. The pathology report lists the cause as Trisomy 22.

What are the chances of this happening again and have you heard of this being a cause of recurrent miscarriage? I have been referred to a reproductive endocrinologist for further tests but really fear that I will never have a child. Thank you for answering and for all that you do.

Suzanne

Dear Suzanne,

Genetic defects can be a cause of recurrent miscarriage. Genetic testing will be able to tell you if this is the case in your situation and whether it is treatable.

A reproductive endocrinologist is definitely the best person to see for this problem. He or she will be able to explain all possible causes, treatments and chances of success.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
Amy

High blood pressure in pregnancy

2005-12-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

I am 7 weeks pregnant and have high blood pressure. Does this make me high risk?

Thank you,
Lawanda

Dear Lawanda,

High blood pressure before pregnancy can increase the risks to both you and your baby during pregnancy. Starting prenatal care right away, going to all your appointments for careful monitoring, and taking any blood pressure medications needed should reduce the risk of developing any problems.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnancy and thyroid disease

2005-12-17T11:22:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for six months and I have thyroid disease (low). How long will it take to get pregnant.

T

Dear T,

You should not even try to get pregnant until you are sure that your thyroid disease is well controlled. Thyroid disease can interfere with your ability to get pregnant, and it can also cause very serious medical problems in an unborn baby if it is not properly treated.

If you have not had thryroid testing recently, you should have it repeated and make sure any medication is at the appropriate dose BEFORE trying to get pregnant.

If your thryroid disease is well controlled, it should not affect your ability to get pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Getting pregnant after Norplant removal

2005-12-17T11:19:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I would like to have a baby now. I have 2 kids age 10 & 7 (girl & boy) andI am 27 but seem to can't fall pregnant. I had the "rod" in my arm but had that removed in March of 2005. I did get my period as normal until May but it has stopped. I have seen the doctor and they took tests and I had an ultrasound done, but everything came back fine. Can you give me an idea of what might be wrong.

P

Dear P,

There may not be anything wrong. It can take up to a year after Norplant removal for you to ovulate regularly again. You can't get pregnant until you ovulate.

Sincerely,
Amy

Tatoos in pregnancy

2005-12-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

Why shouldn't you get tatooed while you are pregnant?

Billie

Dear Billie,

Getting a tatoo puts you and your unborn baby at risk for getting serious diseases like hepatitis B and HIV.

Sincerely,
Amy

Renal dysplasia

2005-12-15T21:45:00.000-05:00

I had a baby about a month ago and she passed away shortly after birth. She had mutilcystic renal dysplasia, and Potter syndrome IIA. The doctors can't be sure it won't happen again in another pregnancy.

My partner wants to try again and I'm very scared. I see a doctor next week for a check-up and they want to go over the autopsy with us. If they offer genetic testing should we get it done and do you know how long that will take?

Very Concerned,
Danielle

Dear Danielle,

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter.

Multicystic renal dysplasia can be associated with other birth defects. The autopsy will reveal whether your daughter had other birth defects and that will help predict the chances of that it could happen again in a future pregnancy.

Genetic testing can also be very helpful in determining whether a genetic problem was responsible for your daughter's kidney disease. Often genetic testing will give information about the chances of a having the same problem in a future pregnancy.

After your meeting next week, you will have a much better idea what to expect.

Sincerely,
Amy

Positive pregnancy test after miscarriage

2005-12-15T21:13:00.000-05:00

On 23rd November I was told that I had had a miscarriage. I bled heavilyfor 10 days then peetered off to nothing. This is 18 days after I was told I had miscarried but I took a pregnancy test this morning and it is still showing up positive. When I had my second blood test on 25/11, my HCG levels were around 200, which apparently is low. I am very confused as to whether I could still be pregnant or not.

Thanks,
Jo

Dear Jo,

A home pregnancy test can be positive for weeks after a miscarriage so it is not a reliable way to tell what is going on. You need to have another blood HCG level to distinguish between the old pregnancy and a possible new pregnancy. If the blood HCG level has not changed much since 25/11, it raises the possibility of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. This is a serious condition, so talk to your doctor about the results of your test and what it means.

Sincerely,
Amy

Luteal phase

2005-12-15T21:09:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr Amy,

Can you please advise what the "Luteal Phase Length" is?

It has been mentioned in the "Due Date Calculator" and I don't actually know what the item is.

In particular they ask for the "Average Luteal Phase Length"

Regards,
Brooke

Dear Brooke,

The menstrual cycle is divided into two parts, the proliferative phase from the first day of your period until ovulation, and the luteal phase, from ovulation to the beginning of the next period.

Almost all women have a luteal phase length of 14 days. Women who have a condition known as luteal phase defect have a luteal phase significantly shorter than 14 days. These women may have difficulty getting pregnant and are at increased risk of having miscarriages.

Sincerely,
Amy

Withdrawal bleeding

2005-12-14T21:36:00.000-05:00

Is withdrawal bleeding still considered a period?

T

Dear T,

Yes, withdrawal bleeding (bleeding after taking progesterone) is considered a period. It is a period without ovulating beforehand.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnancy after removal of fallopian tube

2005-12-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

About a year ago I had a tubal pregnancy and they removed one of my fallopian tubes. Can I still get pregnant?

K

Dear K,

Yes, if you have at least one ovary and one tube, you can get pregnant. If you have had a tubal pregnancy in the past, there is at least a 10% chance of having another one. When you do get pregnant, you should talk to a doctor as soon as possible so you can be monitored to be sure that you don't have another tubal pregnancy.

Sincerely,
Amy

Late period

2005-12-14T21:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I recently started having sex without condoms (we're trying to get pregnant) and for the first time in almost 10 years I missed my period. I am relatively regular (28-33 days). I have taken 4 at home pregnancy tests and they were all negative. I went to the Dr. and they gave me another urine test and blood test and the results were negative. The Dr. prescribed Provera for 5 days. Is it common to prescribe provera? How soon after finishing the medication can I expect my period?

Thank you in advance,
B.

Dear B.,

Provera is often used to stimulate a period in women who have not had a period in months. It is not usually used just because a single period is late.

A late period when you are trying to conceive is often a sign of a chemical pregnancy. A chemical pregnancy is another name for an extremely early miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies are very common and they have no impact on future pregnancies.

You did not mention how late your period is, but if it is only a matter of days, it is reasonable to wait until it returns spontaneously, rather than taking medication.

When you take Provera, you usually get a very heavy period within 7-10 days of finishing the medication.

Sincerely,
Amy

Ovarian cysts

2005-12-14T21:10:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I am currently taking birth control pills (Estrostep Fe). My periods come regular every month and are very light. On Dec. 5th I received my period and it was extremely painful and extremely heavy (clots). The heavy bleeding last for about two days.

Because of the heavy bleeding and pain I went to get a transvaginal ultrasound. The report that came back stated I had a retroverted uterus. My right ovary measures 2.7 x 1.7 x 1.5 cm and contains a cyst measuring 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.8 cm with a single thin internal septation. A mildly complex hemorrhagic cyst is favored. The left ovary measures 4.9 x 4.3 x 2.9 cm and contains a cyst measuring 4.2 x 2.3 x 3.6cm with a tiny peripheral septation. No significant free fluid is identified in the posterior cul-de-sac.

I have never had a cyst before and b/c I am birth control I figured one shouldn't have developed. I have brought this to my GYN attention and she doesn't seem concerned however I am. I though the purpose of the pill was to help prevent cysts and the cyst on the left ovary is a good 1.5 cm bigger than the actually ovary b/c the cyst and the left ovary measures 4.9x4.3x2.9 combined.

My doctor wants to take the wait and see approach. I am 28 years and definitely want to have kids and do not want to lose any of my reproductive organs. I am wondering if I should get another opinion or take another transvaginal ultrasound in a few weeks. I am concerned because for the last two weeks I have been having a lot of back pain, dull ache in thighs, breast pain and pain in my left shoulder and arm. I also have a fibroid(myoma) measuring 3.2x3.0x2.8 which I feel from time to time. My doctor states if the cyst was 5cm then it would be cause for concern is that true?

Nicky

Dear Nicky,

You are correct that birth control pills prevent certain kinds of ovarian cysts, but they do not prevent all ovarian cysts. The Pill can prevent simple cysts associated with ovulation. It has no impact on any other cysts.

So there are a number of reasons to be concerned:

The cysts are not simple cysts; both contain septations.
You have cysts on both sides.
You have additional symptoms (which may or may not be related).

At a minimum, these cysts should be followed closely with repeat ultrasounds. It would also be reasonable to get a second opinion if you are not comfortable with your doctor's plan.

None of this means that these cysts necessarily represent anything serious. However, it warrants further investigation.

Sincerely,
Amy

Hearing your own heartbeat

2005-12-13T15:56:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr Amy,

Can you hear your own heart beat when using a doppler?

S

Dear Stephanie,

Yes, you can hear your own heartbeat with the doppler. You can tell the difference between your heartbeat and the baby's heartbeat is by the rate. Your heartbeat should be in the range of 80 beats per minute. The baby's heart rate should between between 120-160 beats per minute.

Sincerely,
Amy

Getting pregnant after miscarriage and ectopic

2005-12-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

My partner and I have been trying for a baby for a a couple of years. I have gotten pregnant twice. The first time was a miscarriage and second was an ectopic that went away by itself, so they didn't need to take any thing out. We still want a baby but it just hasnt happened yet. Is there anything we should be doing?

D

Dear D,

It really depends on the timing of everything that has happened. It can take up to a year for a normal couple to get pregnant. If you have been trying for two years, and got pregnant in each of those years, there is probably nothing wrong and you can continue trying.

However, if you have gone for more than 12 months without getting pregnant, it is time to visit a gynecologist or an infertility specialist. He or she will order tests to find out what is wrong and recommend treatment.

Sincerely,
Amy

Clomid and ovulation

2005-12-12T22:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

My husband and I have been trying to conceive for over a year now. I went to a local gyno to see what he would have to say and he said I was not ovulating, so he prescribed Clomid, and to take it on days 5-9. I was advised to try the ovulation predictor kits on Day 10 til I got the double line indicating that I would ovulate with in 24-36hrs,

I never got those lines. I took 7 different tests. Is it possible that I did ovulate and the tests just couldn’t predict it cause of the Clomid? If it did work what are the possibilties of twins?

Confused & Tired

Dear Confused & Tired,

Clomid does not intefere with the ovulation tests, so it sounds like you did not ovulate. That is not surprising because the dose of Clomid often has to be adjusted upwards until it works properly. The doctor will usually prescribe a low dose of Clomid at the beginning and then continue to raise it gradually until you do ovulate.

The chance of multiple birth on Clomid is about 10%

Sincerely,

Amy

Not pregnant after 8 months

2005-12-12T21:49:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr Amy,

I have been married for 8 months, and my husband and I decided that we would start trying for a baby straight away.

I have always suffered from very painful and debilitating periods, and was diagnosed with endometriosis. I had an operation, which helped ease my symptoms, but over time they have returned. The doctors always mentioned that endrometriosis can cause infertility.

I have had 2 abortions in the past and have also had chlamydia. Would chlamydia cause me to be infertile, or damage my reproductive system? Alternatively, would chlamydia in my husbands system for a period of 2-3 years cause him to be infertile?

My husband got someone pregnant when he was 25.

Please help as I am very concerned.

Kind Regards,
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

It is not yet clear that you have an infertility problem since you have not been trying for long enough. It can take up to a year for normal couples to get pregnant.

If you do not get pregnant after a year of trying, you should consider making an appointment with a gynecologist for an evaluation. The abortions are not a risk factor for infertility, but both endometriosis and chlamydia can cause or contribute to infertility by leading to scarring or, in the case of chlamydia, by blocking the fallopian tubes.

A gynecologist will recommend tests to determine the cause of the problem, and treatment to help you get pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

No period for 5 months

2005-12-12T21:44:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,
I have not had a period 5 months. My gyno has done countless pregnancy test and ultrasounds and we have found nothing. The doctor stated to me that I am not pregnant and proceeded to place me on medroxyprogesterone in order for my period to come down. It did not work.

The doctor has then placed me on the Nuva Ring in order to regulate my hormones. I have no pregnancy symptoms except for the fact that my abdomen seems more firm but my gyno says its gas. I also had a pap smear that came back abnormal for HPV and I will be getting further testing this week. Can you please give me some insight on what can possibly be going on?

D

Dear D,

Without examining you and knowing more about you, I cannot tell what is going on. However, I do think it needs to be investigated further with tests for hormone levels. I am also concerned that you did not get a period in response to Provera (medroxyprogesterone). You may need a higher dose to stimulate your period. If your gynecologist is stumped, you may need to get a second opinion. Someone should be able to diagnose the problem.

Sincerely,
Amy

Missed a period at age 48

2005-12-10T16:52:00.000-05:00

I am 48 years of age, this month for the first time ever (apart from pregnancy) I have no period, I had a tubal ligation 7 years ago so its unlikely I am pregnant. Can you help please?

P

Dear P,

The chances of pregnancy after a tubal ligation are very small, but they are not zero, so you should check a pregnancy test to be sure.

If a pregnancy test is negative, the most likely reason for missing your period is that you are approaching menopause. Menopause usually begins with increasingly irregular periods. Eventually (it could take years), you will have no periods at all. You can talk this over with your doctor.

Sincerely,
Amy

Male fertility and age

2005-12-10T16:42:00.000-05:00

Hello Dr. Amy,

My husband and I just started to try to conceive. Until what age can a man be fertile? He is 60 and i am 26. Does that matter ?

Thank you,
Joelle

Dear Joelle,

Male fertility declines with age, but not a great deal. It appears that it can take longer for a woman to get pregnant if her partner is over age 50 and there is a slight increase in risk of having a baby with a genetic problem.

Sincerely,

Amy

Oral ovulation test

2005-12-09T15:47:00.000-05:00

Dr Amy,

I recently had a miscarriage in Sept, and I am now trying to conceive. Since I have an irregular period I decided to purchase ovulating tests.

I came across this ovulation test called Maybe Mom. You test every morning and instead of urine you use your saliva and look through a microscope. It is supposed to measure the salt in your saliva and that is what predicts if you are ovulating or not.

I've been testing for about 1 1/2 months already and I seem to be ovulating every 6 to 7 days. Is that possible? Is it true that the salts in a woman saliva increase when ovulating and creates a fern like pattern when you are ovulating and you could see it through a microscope?.

Thank you and I appreciate your help.

Sincerely,
Eve

Dear Eve,

I could find no scientific evidence that saliva tests are useful in predicting ovulation. Your experience seems to confirm this, since no one can ovulate every 6-7 days.

If you think you need to track ovulation because your periods are very irregular, you can use ovulation predictor kits, which are quite accurate.

If you have very irregular periods and are having difficulty getting pregnant, you should make an appointment with a gynecologist for an evaluation.

Sincerely,
Amy

Irregular periods and fertility

2005-12-09T15:45:00.000-05:00

Dear Amy,

I have been trying to get pregnant for months now and still nothing. I dont get my period every month the way I am supposed to. Even though i dont get my period do i still ovulate every month and can i still get pregnant?

S

Dear S,

If you don't get your period, that means that you are not ovulating and it is impossible to get pregnant without ovulating. You should make an appointment with a gynecologist to find out what is going on and whether treatment can improve your chances of getting pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Do you need parental approval for birth control?

2005-12-09T15:34:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I am 17 years old i wanted to know if i could get birth control by myself without my paraents knowing and about how much does it usually cost?

K

Dear K,

The rules vary from state to state, but in most states you can get birth control without parental consent. You can check with Planned Parenthood (on the web at www.plannedparenthood.org or in the phone book) about the rules in your state and the costs in your state.

You can also buy condoms in the drugstore or supermarket. No prescription is needed and they also protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.

Sincerely,
Amy

Ritalin and male fertility

2005-12-09T15:28:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

My husband takes ritalin every day. Does this drug being a controlled substance have any effect on his fertility or sperm, or can it in any way effect his ability to get me pregnant?Thanks.

Stacey

Dear Stacey,

As far as I could determine, there is no evidence that Ritalin affects male fertility. However, your husband should talk to his doctor about this to be absolutely sure.

Sincerely,

Amy

Chlamydia

2005-12-08T22:02:00.000-05:00

Just a few days ago I found out I had chlamydia and never cheated on my boyfriend. He on the other hand has and got another girl pregnant.

He said he went to the doctors office and said that he didn't have it. Is it any way possible that you can find out results the same day and could he not have and I just have it. Chlamydia does come from just sex doesnt it.

Very Concerned

Dear Very Concerned,

It doesn't matter what he says. He needs to be treated, too. If he told a doctor that his partner had chlamydia, the doctor would have given him antibiotics. You can tell him that untreated chlamydia can cause fertility problems in men.

Sincerely,
Amy

Does Prozac or Buspar cause a false positive pregnancy test?

2005-12-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

I have a question for my sister. She currently take Prozac and Buspar. Today she took a pregnancy test and it was posititve. Is there a chance that the medication she takes could give her a false postitive.?

She is 38 year old with a 19 son, and is freaking out a little about this.

Thank you,
B

Dear B,

As far as I could determine, neither of these medications is associated with false positive pregnancy tests. She should ask her doctor for a blood pregnancy test just to be sure.

Sincerely,
Amy

Spotting at 52

2005-12-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

A year ago, I started taking Prempro because my periods had become very erratic and I was having a great many hot flashes. I was first on the higher dosage of Prempro and seemed to get period after period. My doctor ordered a sonogram to make sure everything was ok because he said I should not be having periods on Prempro. I asked to have the precription changed to low dosage. After that, I had no more periods and haven't had any since May, 2005.

Approximately 3 weeks ago, I noticed that my breasts were tender. I worried about that thinking malignancy but I had just had a mamogram. Around Thanksgiving I noticed my waist feeling thick (I'm very slender) and felt bloated.

Last night, Dec. 5, I went to the bathroom and to my amazement I wiped blood. I don't have a full fledged period but I am spotting. I am 52 years old and will be 53 in January. Is there a chance that I could be pregnant?

K

Dear K,

Pregnancy would be extremely unlikely since it sounds like you have already gone through menopause.

It does sound like there is something wrong though, and it should be investigated soon. You need to make an appointment with a gynecologist to be sure that you do not have abnormal cells in your uterus that could be causing the bleeding, or abnormal cells elsewhere that are causing your other symptoms.

Sincerely,
Amy

Glucophage and infertility

2005-12-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I found out about six months ago that my testosterone level was too high, which explains why I rarely get a period. My doctor put me on glucophage, which I really haven't faithfully taken everyday like I should be. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for almost two years now. Does having high testosterone mean I can't get pregnant? What are some things I should be doing? Why can't I get pregnant? Help!!!

Sincerely,
Amber

Dear Amber,

The glucophage is the treatment for your infertility and you have not been taking the treatment.

A high testosterone level is often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The symptoms of PCOS include very irregular periods, excess body hair, and a number of different hormone imbalances. Women with PCOS don't have regular periods because they ovulate (release an egg) only rarely. Since you can only get pregnant if you ovulate, women with PCOS often have a great deal of trouble getting pregnant.

Research has shown that glucophage (also known as metformin), can improve some of the hormone imbalances and promote regular (monthly) ovulation. If you ovulate regularly, your chances of getting pregnant rise dramatically.

It sounds like the first step should be taking the medication as directed and seeing if it will work for you.

Sincerely,
Amy

Late period after IUD removal

2005-12-07T09:36:00.000-05:00

I had the coil removed 3 weeks ago. Could this make my period late?

Thank you,
Debbie

Dear Debbie,

Removing an IUD usually has no effect on the timing of your periods. Now that you are not using birth control, it is possible that you are pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Pregnancy after miscarriage

2005-12-07T09:27:00.000-05:00

Is it possible to ovulate/get pregnant within a week or two after miscarriage even though you are still bleeding? Does the 'week or two' time frame after a miscarriage refer to when the bleeding started, or when it is determined the fetus stopped growing (as in the case of a missed abortion) or when the bleeding stops?

I have heard different opinions about not only when it its recommended to start trying again (any where from after 1 complete cycle to 6 months) and I have also heard stories that the woman's body is actually extremely fertile right after a miscarriage, something about it being more receptive to conception. Is there any medical documentation or statistics that deals with specifically that very short window of time after miscarriage?

Thank you for any information you may be able to provide.

S

Dear S,

A woman is not more fertile after a miscarriage.

Most women will ovulate 2-4 weeks after all the pregnancy tissue has been removed from the uterus, whether this happens spontaneously during a miscarriage or whether a D&C is needed. Most doctors recommend waiting for at least one normal period before trying again. That is because you cannot tell when you are ovulating after a miscarriage and it makes it very difficult to accurately predict a due date. It is much easier (and more accurate) to have a menstrual period to refer to.

Sincerely,
Amy

Metformin and birth control pills in PCOS

2005-12-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

Dr. Amy,

Yesterday I went to see my internist for my yearly physical. I have not seen him since I was diagnosed by my OBGYN at the same clinic with PCOS. He told me he works with a lot of woman with this condition and has a high success rate with treating symptoms and achieving pregnancy if that's what they want.

I am getting married in 11 days and already have a child, so pregnancy is not my goal until next year. He wants me to take metformin 500mg twice a day and birth control pills. He wants the metformin to treat my symptoms of PCOS and the BC to help me not get pregnant. He wants the Metformin started now and birth control once I get my period. That scares me because on my wedding night I don't want to worry about pregnancy and I know Metformin is used to help you ovulate and I would be at risk since I can't start the pill yet. Is this combination safe and have you heard of these two pills together before? Would it hurt to wait taking any of the pills until after my wedding? I don't want my period on my wedding or to get pregnant.

Thank you in advance,
Future Bride

Dear Future Bride,

You should talk it over with your doctor, but I suspect that postponing the start of the medication until after your honeymoon should not make any difference.

PCOS can cause problems in addition to irregular periods. PCOS can lead to excess weight gain, excess body hair and various hormonal imbalances. Birth control pills can treat the irregular periods of PCOS, but they have little effect on other symptoms of PCOS. Metformin appears to treat some of the additional hormonal abnormalities. That's why it is reasonable to combine Metformin with birth control pills.

Talk with your doctor about what benefits he or she anticipates for you if you take Metformin in addition to birth control pills.

Sincerely,
Amy

Quitting smoking before pregnancy

2005-12-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

I am a heavy smoker. My husband and I are planning on having a baby soon. How long should a woman be clean from cigarettes before trying to conceive? I have friends who are smokers who have smoked during pregnancy and they say it is okay. I don't want to take any chances. My husband and I suggested 6 months of being cigaretteless before conceiving. I want to have a babysoon.

Aasha

Dear Aasha,

The sooner you quit, the better. That's because smoking can also reduce your fertility. So if you quit now, it may be easier to get pregnant.

I was unable to find any information about whether it makes a difference to quit for a specific amount of time before trying to conceive.

Sincerely,
Amy

Progesterone only birth control pills

2005-12-06T16:03:00.000-05:00

Hi,

I changed from the combined pill to the POP (Cazarette) on my doctors orders in the beginning of October. I haven't had a period since I have been on the POP. Is this normal??

Thanks,
Vikki

Dear Vikki,

About 1% of women taking progesterone only pills (POP) will miss periods. However it is important to keep in mind that missing even one pill can lead to pregnancy, so you should take a pregnancy test to be sure that you are not pregnant. You should talk this situation over with your doctor.

Sincerely,
Amy

Period after having a baby

2005-12-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I am a mom of a new 11 week old baby girl. How long does it take for my period. I haven't had any bleeding since she was 4 weeks old. I am not currently using birth control. We are trying natural family planning and withdrawal.

D

Dear D,

Women who are breastfeeding might not have a period until after they stop breastfeeding. Women who are not breastfeeding will usually have a period within 6-8 weeks after delivery.

Both natural family planning and withdrawal are unreliable methods of birth control. You should check a pregnancy test because there is always a possibility that you are pregnant.

Sincerely,
Amy

Ulcerative colitis and fertility

2005-12-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

Dear Dr. Amy,

I had ulcerative colitis when I was 12 years old. I am now 20 years old. I had 3 surgeries and they rerouted my intestinal area. I was just wondering if by having ulcerative colitis when I was younger would possibly make it impossible or hard for me to become pregnant in the future?

Thanks,

Dear R,

Ulcerative colitis does not usually affect fertility. However, the surgeries could have left some scarring in your abdomen and this could affect your ability to become pregnant. The chance that you will have a problem depends on the specific types of surgery, the findings during the surgery and whether or not you had post-operative infections. Your surgeon should be able to tell you about these factors.

Sincerely,

Amy