Sarah Iverson: Certified Lactation Educator
Clinic Sofia Physician Assistant Sarah Iverson recently received her Certified Lactation Educator certification to help pregnant and postpartum patients who have questions about breastfeeding/chestfeeding, those who have struggled with breastfeeding in past pregnancies and those who are currently breastfeeding and are experiencing pain or other breastfeeding concerns.
A placenta previa primer
Placenta previa is when the placenta, which supplies babies with food and oxygen, lies low in the uterus and covers part or all of the opening to the vagina. Early in pregnancy, it usually isn’t an issue since the placenta grows upward, however, if the placenta is blocking the birth canal later on, it can prevent vaginal delivery and cause serious bleeding.
Ask Sofia: What is the real difference between IUI and IVF?
Sometimes getting pregnant is more difficult than you hoped or anticipated. In that case, your pregnancy journey might include intrauterine insemination (IUI) and/or in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Ask Sofia: Should I give in to my pregnancy cravings?
From pickles to pasta and ice cream to hot sauce, pregnancy cravings can run the gamut from sweet to salty, from long-time favorites to new preferences. These cravings are normal and often go away (and sometimes even become aversions) post-partum, but should you give into them in the meantime? That depends.
Managing Anemia During Pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, the volume of blood in your body increases by about 20-30 percent—and so does the amount of iron you need, since iron helps your body produce more red blood cells, which then carry oxygen to your tissues and to your baby.
Many women lack the iron needed for the second and third trimesters, leading to mild anemia. However, some experience more severe anemia, which can increase the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight and baby’s risk of anemia later in infancy.
Ask Sofia: How many ultrasounds should I expect during pregnancy?
Many expecting parents look forward to prenatal ultrasounds—a safe and painless test that shows the baby’s shape and position as well as images of the placenta, amniotic sac and ovaries. Also known as a sonagram, an ultrasound can help confirm your anticipated date of delivery as well as pregnancies outside the uterus, fetal growth rate and multiple pregnancies and record fetal heartbeat and the amount of amniotic fluid.
