Ask Sofia: What are the Signs of Endometriosis?
The signs of endometriosis, where the uterine lining begins to grow outside the uterus, can include painful menstruation, low back pain, discomfort during intercourse, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues – all of which can be mistaken for other issues such as fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
Dr. Amy Hammers’ Birth Story
Dr. Amy Hammers is enjoying every minute of her maternity leave and the chance to get to know Aleksander Brendan, born on Dec. 23 weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces and 19 inches long. Here she shares more about her birth story and first month with her son…
Ask Sofia: What Should I Pack in My Hospital Bag?
I’m getting closer and closer to my due date and have heard people talk about “packing their bag” to go to the hospital. What should be in there?
Great question! The answer, of course, depends a lot on you.
Ask Sofia: Do I Need to be Monitored for the Zika Virus?
As Zika continues to spread across the globe and in the United States, Clinic Sofia closely monitors each patient and follows the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We remain steadfastly dedicated to ensuring all of our patients get the support and information they need to understand the current situation as well as any potential risks to themselves and their unborn babies.
Ask Sofia: Are There Benefits to Having a Baby Later in Life?
While many people would have you think the opposite – that you will be mistaken for grandma, you are taking too big of a risk, you don’t have the same stamina you had when you were in your 20s – there are many benefits to having babies later in life. We have many patients in their late 30s and 40s who are wonderful examples of this trend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, births to women ages 35 and over – even women in their 50s – continue to trend upwards.
Ask Sofia: What is the Latest with Zika?
Zika made headlines last year with news out of Brazil, where some women who’d contracted the virus while pregnant gave birth to babies with smaller brains due to a condition called microcephaly. In addition to brain damage, microcephaly has been linked with feeding issues, developmental delays, seizures, hearing and vision loss, and more.
Recently, federal health officials have fanned the flames around Zika even higher – noting that Zika exposure can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths as well as other complications throughout the entire pregnancy – rather than just the first trimester. And while Zika’s effects in non-pregnant adults were previously considered mild, several cases have shown more severe effects from infected mosquito bites, including brain inflammation and temporary paralysis.
