Category: Obstetrics

cold cut deli meat sandwich to represent listeria concerns in pregnancy

“What’s the deal with deli meat anyways?”: Dr. Buckheit’s take on Listeria prevention in pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, odds are good that someone has told you not to eat deli meat. Why? Listeria. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium commonly found in soil, water, and some animals. When food contaminated by Listeria is consumed, it can cause listeriosis, a rare but potentially serious illness. But why is everyone so obsessed with deli meat? Well, it’s because Listeria can live and thrive in the cold, which sets it apart from most other bugs that cause food borne illness.

Written by on January 8, 2024

A doctor taking a pregnant patient's heart rate to represent the myth correlating heart rate and gender

Pregnancy Old Wives’ Tale #1: Heart Rate and Gender

Is there a correlation between baby’s heart rate and gender? Every day, we all hear it from our moms who are still too early in their pregnancies to know the gender of their baby… “The heartbeat is high, must be a girl.”  My response is often the same and is always true, “Yup, it will […]

Written by on December 13, 2023

A pregnant woman doing research on a laptop to figure out if she should eat her placenta

Placenta: To Eat or Not To Eat, That is the Question

The placenta is your body’s only disposable organ. It contains a network of tissue and blood vessels that allows for the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus. It removes waste products and carbon dioxide from the fetus. It is the blood barrier between the maternal and fetal circulation. Some antibodies […]

Written by on November 29, 2023

A mom with a baby research postpartum birth control options

Navigating Postpartum Birth Control while Breastfeeding

Birth control might not be the first thing on your mind in the whirlwind of new parenthood and breastfeeding, but it’s important! Preventing pregnancy for the first 12-18 months after delivery improves bonding with your baby, promotes your physical recovery, and reduces the risk of complications in your next pregnancy. You may be concerned that birth control could negatively impact breastfeeding, but fortunately there are some great options that won’t interfere with your nursing or pumping journey.

Written by on August 22, 2023

Young woman suffering from postpartum depression and thinking of something while being with her baby at home.

POSTPARTUM PMADs: When it’s More than Just the Baby Blues

Although less common than the baby blues, PMADs also affect a great number of new parents: 1 in 5 women, or 20%, are affected. More traditionally termed “Postpartum Depression,” it is important to recognize that PMADs actually encompass a variety of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar mood disorder, and postpartum psychosis.

Written by on August 7, 2023