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Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 38 and have been in a relationship for three years. I've been on the pill for 20 years and don't want more kids, but I don't like the melasma side effect of birth control pills. I've considered an IUD but know someone whose device migrated. Options?
If your major goal, in addition to reliable contraception, is to reduce the menstrual flow and frequency of periods, then a Mirena IUD, which secretes progesterone-like hormone locally in the uterine cavity wit... continue reading about I'm 38 and have been in a relationship for three years. I've been on the pill for 20 years and don't want more kids, but I don't like the melasma side effect of birth control pills. I've considered an IUD but know someone whose device migrated. Options?
Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I am 22 weeks pregnant. How normal are contractions of the uterus? Is this something I should contact my doctor about?
Uterine contractions can be normal in pregnancy. However there are many circumstances where they may be concerning, for example if you have a history of a preterm delivery, shortened cervix or placenta previa. ... continue reading about I am 22 weeks pregnant. How normal are contractions of the uterus? Is this something I should contact my doctor about?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
While pregnant, should I "eat for two?"
No. It is a myth that a pregnant woman must "eat for two." Although pregnancy increases the body's need for calories and nutrition, the amounts of calories or specific nutrients you need are NOT doubled. About ... continue reading about While pregnant, should I "eat for two?"
Jodi J. Winemiller, CNM, R.N.
SPMF San Francisco HMO Network
What is postpartum care and why is it important?
The postpartum (after birth) period, sometimes called the fourth trimester, is the time your body recovers from pregnancy, labor and delivery. It typically lasts six to eight weeks but can last longer.“Th... continue reading about What is postpartum care and why is it important?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I have a few questions that I'm kind of embarrassed to ask our doctor. Does an orgasm help you get pregnant? Should I try and keep the sperm in for awhile, and is there a best sex position for conception?
It is not clear if having a orgasm increases the chance of conception. Contractions of the muscles and elevation of the cervix may indeed enhance efficiency of sperm transport. We do know with certainty that or... continue reading about My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I have a few questions that I'm kind of embarrassed to ask our doctor. Does an orgasm help you get pregnant? Should I try and keep the sperm in for awhile, and is there a best sex position for conception?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've heard that you can't get pregnant during your period. Is this just an old wives tale? Should I be concerned about protection during this time?
You can get pregnant only around the time of ovulation, which for most women with regular 28-day cycles corresponds to days 12-16. So if your period comes at the expected time and is normal in terms of flow, it... continue reading about I've heard that you can't get pregnant during your period. Is this just an old wives tale? Should I be concerned about protection during this time?
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation
How likely is it for a woman to get pregnant after having her tubes tied?
Good question. The terms tubal ligation, tubes tied, tubal sterilization, and female sterilization can all be used interchangeably to describe the same process. In the U.S., up to one third of women use sterili... continue reading about How likely is it for a woman to get pregnant after having her tubes tied?
Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I am 51 years old. What is my chance of still getting pregnant, and how should I handle birth control as I move through menopause?
Women commonly believe that after a certain age they cannot conceive because they are too old. That is not entirely true. As a woman ages her fertility declines. A 45-year-old woman is less likely to conceive t... continue reading about I am 51 years old. What is my chance of still getting pregnant, and how should I handle birth control as I move through menopause?
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation
I was recently diagnosed with adenomyosis. How does this affect me if my husband and I want to have a baby? How much chance do I have of getting pregnant?
Adenomyosis refers to a condition where endometrial glands and connective tissue are present within the muscle layer of the uterus. This results in hyperplasia, or overgrowth, of the uterine muscle layer and a ... continue reading about I was recently diagnosed with adenomyosis. How does this affect me if my husband and I want to have a baby? How much chance do I have of getting pregnant?
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