Most Recent Posts

Endometrium - Quality And Thickness And Implantation

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/28/2001

Q: I heard the uterine lining should be at least 8-9 mm thick for implantation. But how about the quality? [bmed_ad_r] A: You are correct, endometrial thickness is an important aspect to assess (via ultrasound) to determine whether it's ready for implantation. Another quality of the lining is a characteristic healthy appearance...

hCG Levels and Pregnancy Test After Miscarriage

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/27/2001

After a miscarriage or a pregnancy loss, it can take about 4-6 weeks for a woman's body to clear the pregnancy hormone hCG. A urine pregnancy test can be positive for many weeks after a pregnancy loss including a D&C for miscarriage. The only way to know for sure what's going on is to do several blood hCG tests in a row....

Two Pregnancy Tests - Different Results

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/27/2001

Q: I took two different pregnancy tests and got two different results. The first was positive, and then in the afternoon it was negative. How can that be? What happened? A: Getting two different results on a urine pregnancy test is not as uncommon as one would think. This somewhat strange situation can happen when you test very...

Exercise and Late Period

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/27/2001

Q: Why is my period late? A: When you don't get your period, you have "amenorrhea". Three possible reasons for amenorrhea are: 1. You are pregnant 2. You ovulated later than usual and your period will still come 3. You did not ovulate at all (anovulation) There are many possible reasons for anovulation, and severe...

Are Dental X-rays Safe In Pregnancy?

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/27/2001

Diagnostic radiation including dental X-rays are safe, specifically if you use a lead cover. Diagnostic radiation has far less X-ray dosage than therapeutic radiation which is used to treat cancer and which exposes you to much higher radiation. Dental X-rays are taken with the machine focused right on the area where the X-rays...

Basal Body Temperature and Air Conditioners

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/27/2001

Q: Since tracking your basal body temperature to identify rises in temperature could signal that you ovulating, what effect do air conditioners have on BBT and getting pregnant? A: It's unlikely that air conditioning affects your temperature to a significant level. Your daily temperature should be plotted over time, and...

Are Medications Harmful During Pregnancy?

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/27/2001

Q: Can medications be harmful during pregnancy? A: Drugs are usually categorized into categories A, B, C, D, or X with regard to their effect on pregnancy. Most drugs on the market are category A or B, which means they are safe to take during pregnancy. Only a few are in Category X, which means they are "teratogens" (inducing...

Epidural and Other Labor Anesthesia

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/26/2001

An epidural anesthesia is also known as a 'regional' anesthesia because the pain relief is localized in the lower part of your body. But there are several other types of anesthesia in labor. Epidural analgesia means placing a small needle into your back and placing a local anesthetic solution into the epidural space. The...

Pregnant Despite Negative HPT

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

Is it possible Q: I think I am pregnant but my urine pregnancy test (HPT) is negative. Can I still be pregnant? A: You can still be pregnant despite a negative HPT. About 98% of HPTs are positive by the time a woman has missed her period for a few days. But not every woman will be positive by that time. If you think...

Positive Home Pregnancy Test and Period

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

Q: My HPT was positive but my period came. What does this mean? A: Either you are still pregnant or you may have had a miscarriage or a chemical pregnancy. The best way to know for sure is to see your doctor and get a quantitative hCG blood test. If you had a miscarriage, you may still have some level of hCG in your blood. In...

Darker Line More hCG

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

Q: My positive HPT is darker today than it was three days ago. Does that mean my hCG level is doubling? A: A darker line on the HPT does not necessarily mean the hCG is doubling. Sometimes you could get a darker line as your pregnancy progresses, but the urine test is not accurate enough to give you enough information about the...

Home Pregnancy Test vs. Pregnancy Test at Doctor

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

What is the difference between a urine home pregnancy test and a pregnancy test at my doctor's office? A missed period is often the first clue that a woman might be pregnant. But doing a pregnancy test will confirm her suspicion. Sometimes, a woman might suspect she is pregnant even sooner. Symptoms such as headache, fatigue,...

Progesterone and Pregnancy Tests

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

Q: I am taking a progesterone supplement. Can that give me a false home pregnancy test (HPT)? [bmed_ad_r] A: Taking progesterone cannot give you a false positive or negative HPT. Home pregnancy tests only check hCG levels, not progesterone. Progesterone and hCG are different hormones.

Positive Pregnancy Tests And Medications

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

Q: Is it true that fertility medications such as Humegon, Pergonal, Repronex or Fertinex, Clomid, Serophene, Gonal-F, and Follistim can cause false-positive or false-negative results on HPTs (home pregnancy tests)? A: None of these medications can give you a false-positive pregnancy result. The only fertility medication...

HPT - How To

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/25/2001

Q: How do I do a home pregnancy test (HPT)? A: It is suggested that you use midstream urine. That means you should urinate a little first, and then you either hold the test stick in your urine stream or use a collection cup. If you would like to collect urine in a cup even though you bought a stick test, you need to hold the...

My Progesterone Was Low On Blood Test

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/24/2001

Q: I had a progesterone blood level done on CD 21 and it was 0.5 ng/ml. Is that low progesterone level a problem? [bmed_ad_r] A: This low progesterone level usually means that you either haven't ovulated yet or you ovulated and the blood was drawn too early. Progesterone levels usually increase after ovulation, and 7-10 days...

Symptoms of an Ectopic Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/23/2001

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. You are at risk for an ectopic pregnancy if you previously had an ectopic pregnancy, you have endometriosis or fallopian tube...

Endometriosis - Symptoms

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/21/2001

Here are the most common symptoms of endometriosis: Pain and/or cramps before and during menstrual bleeding ('dysmenorrhea') Painful urination during menstrual periods Painful bowel movements during menstrual periods Pelvic pain during sexual intercourse ('dyspareunia') Infertility Fatigue Other Gastrointestinal upsets such...

Rise in Temperature

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/20/2001

Q: I am today on CD 11 and my temperature has gone up by 0.1 degrees. Does that mean ovulation is going to happen over the next 2-3 days? A: You cannot predict ovulation with the basal body temperature ahead of time. Only when the temperature has already risen by 0.2 degrees or more and stayed there for some days can you detect...

Progesterone Levels and Ectopic Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/19/2001

Q: Can they predict an ectopic pregnancy? A: With your progesterone level, your chances of having an ectopic is less than 2%, according to a study done by Dr. Buckley and colleagues and published in 2000 (Ann Emerg Med 2000 Aug;36(2):95-100). They concluded that all patients with an ectopic pregnancy had a progesterone level...

Chemical Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/19/2001

A chemical pregnacy is the term used to describe a miscarriage that happens extremely early on in a pregnancy. In the case of a chemical pregnancy, a positive pregnancy test usually occurs before a woman has her monthly menstrual period. Using beta-hCg blood testing, a woman can test positive for pregnancy as early as 1-2 days...

Breastfeeding and Medications

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/19/2001

Is it a problem if I take certain medications while breastfeeding? The following medications should not be taken while breastfeeding: Anti-cancer medications (antineoplastics) Drugs of abuse (e.g. alcohol, cocaine, heroine) Certain anti-seizure medications (e.g. Phenobarbital, ethosuximide, and primidone ) Ergot alkaloids...

Antibiotics Safety During Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/19/2001

Q: Are antibiotics safe to take during pregnancy? A: Most antibiotics are Class A and B (sometimes C) medications (see how medications are classified here) and are thus mostly safe during pregnancy. To find out more, look up the category of the antibiotic you are supposed to take. Generally, antibiotics are needed to treat an...

Penicillin and Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/19/2001

Q: What does Penicillin do? A: In addition, "extended spectrum" penicillins have been developed in recent years that are active against an increased range of bacterial organisms. Because of the resistance of some bacteria to penicillin, a number of newer agents that prevent or limit bacterial resistance have also been created....

Medications and Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/18/2001

Q: Should I continue or stop taking medications during pregnancy? A: Anytime a woman is on medication, there is concern about its effect on fertility or on the fetus and pregnancy. You should never stop a prescription medication without first consulting your doctor. There is a reason you were given the medication. The effects...

Prozac And Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/18/2001

Q: Is Prozac safe to take during pregnancy? A: The chemical name for Prozac is fluoxetine hydrochloride. It's usually given to treat depression. No increased malformations have been found in several studies of women who took Prozac early in pregnancy and many doctors feel that it can be used in pregnancy if the potential...

Spotting After Chemical Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/18/2001

Q: Is spotting after chemical pregnancy normal? A: After a miscarriage (and a chemical pregnancy could, to a certain extent, qualify as a miscarriage), it may take some time for your body to return to its regular rhythm. There is a chance that it may take some time for ovulation to return to normal. During this time, you may...

No Periods, Not Ovulating?

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/18/2001

Q: If I don't have my periods does that mean I am not ovulating? A: If you do not bleed for several months (amenorrhea) or if you do not have regular menstrual periods, and you are not pregnant, then the likely reason for not having your period is that you have not ovulated. Read More:Ovulation CalendarTen Tips to Get Pregnant...

The Relationship Between PMS and Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/18/2001

What is PMS? Researchers are still not exactly sure why many women get pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS), but they are sure that there is no reliable relationship between PMS and pregnancy. You can be pregnant and have all the typical PMS symptoms. Or, you can be pregnant and not have any PMS symptoms. Up to 90% of women normally...

What Are PMS Symptoms?

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/18/2001

Premenstrual syndrome, commonly known as PMS, comes with some uncomfortable complaints which are believed to be largely caused by the fluctuation of hormones and low serotonin levels that occur. There are more than 100 symptoms that have been noted as being related to PMS. Progesterone peaks during this time in your cycle and...

Fibroid Tumors And Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/17/2001

Q: Are fibroid tumors a problem in pregnancy? A: Whether a fibroid tumor, also known as a myoma, is a possible problem before or during pregnancy depends mostly on the following: How many fibroids are there? Where are they located (inside or outside the uterine wall, front or back, low or high)? How big are they? Depending on...

Missed Abortion: What You Need To Know

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/16/2001

What Is A Missed Abortion? In a missed abortion, the woman usually is not aware of the loss, especially when there is no vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. A missed abortion can happen in either the first or second trimester, though it usually occurs in the first trimester. A missed abortion is typically diagnosed when the...

Blighted Ovum

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/16/2001

Q: What is a blighted ovum? A: A blighted ovum is another word for a miscarriage or a missed abortion. It is a pregnancy where the egg is fertilized and implants and attaches itself to the uterine wall, but the embryo doesn't develop. Cells develop to form the pregnancy sac, but not the embryo itself. A blighted ovum is usually...

What Is a Chemical Pregnancy?

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/16/2001

A chemical pregnancy is a pregnancy that has been confirmed by a pregnancy test (either blood or urine), but there are no other significant clinical signs of the pregnancy and there is nothing seen on ultrasound. The urine pregnancy test is often faintly positive or blood hCG levels are very low and don't increase appropriately...

How Marijuana, Cannabis and CBD Affect Fertility and...

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

Using cannabis and marijuana during preconception may impair fertility Marijuana use may make conception and getting pregnant more difficult for women who smoke than those who don’t, according to a prospective cohort study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The findings, published in Human Reproduction, linked...

Cocaine and Pregnancy

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

Q: What does it do? A: Cocaine can: Increase infertility Cause miscarriage Cause placental abruption Cause stillbirth Stimulate uterine contractions and increase the risk of prematurity Increase the risk of having a small baby (IUGR=intrauterine growth restriction) and a low birth weight baby Increase the risk of fetal...

Amniocentesis: Signs of Problems

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

Q: What are some of the signs of complications after an amniocentesis? A: An amniocentesis can be associated with some possible complications and if you feel anything unusual after an amniocentesis you should let your doctor know right away. Some of the warning signs are: Abdominal or vaginal pain Vaginal bleeding Increased...

Amniocentesis - Complications

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

Q: What are the possible complications of amniocentesis? A: An amniocentesis is an invasive procedure. It is best performed by an experienced practitioner so that the rate of complications can be reduced. In general, the complication rate after amniocentesis is quoted as about 1 in 200, but in actuality, it is probably much...

Amniocentesis - Indications

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

Q: What are the reasons for doing a genetic amniocentesis? A: Below are the most common reasons for doing a genetic amniocentesis: Advanced age of the mother (usually 35 and over) Abnormal Alphafetoprotein blood test Suspected fetal anomaly on ultrasound Increased fetal neck translucency Maternal concern about the fetus (...

Amniocentesis - Tests

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

What are the tests done on the amniotic fluid What are the tests done on the amniotic fluid The following tests can be done on the amniotic fluid: Chromosome Analysis Examination of Aphafetoprotein Other tests if indicated The laboratory tests Karyotype Using special procedures in the laboratory, cells are grown in a...

Amniocentesis and Activity

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/15/2001

Q: What activity can I do after the amniocentesis? A: Most doctors suggest that you don't do anything unusual the first two to three days after the amniocentesis. You can walk, and you can do your usual daily activity, but no exercise or other strenuous work. And you should listen to your body. Any unusual pain or discomfort...

Is It Safe To Kickbox During Pregnancy?

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/14/2001

Kickboxing As a Sport Most of us may be familiar with the Westernized aerobic version of kickboxing, a choreographed combination of kicks, punches and jumps set to music. However, kickboxing is a contact sport combining martial arts kicks with boxing moves. Kickboxing as a sport and a means of exercise is growing rapidly in...

Menstrual Cycle - Regular or Not

Posted by: Dr.Amos on 07/14/2001

Q: Last month my menstrual cycle was 28 days. This month it was 23 days. Is that considered a regular cycle or an irregular cycle and how do I calculate my ovulation day. A: Your menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of your period until the day before your next period. If your menstrual cycle changes by more than two to...