An Overview of Spina Bifida Spina bifida is a birth defect that is classified as a neural tube defect. It occurs when the bones of the spine and the nerve membranes surrounding the spine do not form properly.  Spina bifida can range from mild to severe. The location, size and nerve involvement of the spinal defect has a direct correlation to the severity of spina bifida. Most cases of spina bifida are generally mild and do not require intervention.  More severe cases may require surgical intervention after the baby is born. […]

Dr. Pinckert and GWMFM had the privilege to be part of Katelin and Erica’s surrogacy journey as documented in ‘Life’s First-Evers with Jeannie’ featured on The Ellen Show! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHVJRnCS9EA […]

One of the keys to a successful and healthy pregnancy is eating a well-balanced diet. Mothers who eat a well-balanced diet provide not only themselves with important nutrients but also their baby. It is reassuring to know the vast majority of foods are safe for mothers to consume during their pregnancy. There is a list of foods to avoid while pregnant which are provided below. Foods Not to Eat Raw Meat Avoid consuming raw meat such as poultry, beef, ham, and pork during pregnancy because of the risk of salmonella and toxoplasmosis. This also includes avoiding consumption of raw seafood. It is important that all meat is prepared well-done. […]

Your body begins to change very early during pregnancy. In fact, 60 percent of women begin to experience pregnancy symptoms by the time that they are six weeks pregnant. There are a number of symptoms that you may experience while you are pregnant. Please keep in mind, that not every woman experiences the same symptoms. Every pregnancy is different and some women don’t experience any of these symptoms at all! Here are a few of the more common symptoms:   Food Aversions Foods that you once enjoyed may make you sick to your stomach while you are pregnant. You do not even have to eat the food in order to be averse to it. Many women feel sick when they smell certain foods. No one knows exactly why certain foods make pregnant women feel sick to their stomach. However, they do believe that the increase in estrogen plays a role. […]

You’re on the most exciting journey of a lifetime and you don’t even have to go anywhere. It’s happening inside of you. You’ve discovered that you are pregnant. For the next nine months, you may feel like your body is not your own as you help a little person to grow. It will be your job to take care of yourself and your baby to ensure that your little one has a healthy delivery and start to this world. You’ll need to get exercise, rest, the proper nutrition, and keep yourself hydrated. You’ll also need to see your OBGYN at least once a month in the beginning. Toward the end of your pregnancy, your appointments will become weekly as your baby’s progress is closely monitored. You may have visits more often earlier on depending on your pregnancy, especially if you are high risk or you have a special situation, such as having twins. If you’ve been given the news that twins are on the way, it means double the excitement. Now you need to find out if you are having identical or fraternal twins. The roller coaster ride of pregnancy just became even more intense. Hold on tight! […]

The anatomy scan is an ultrasound that is done approximately 20 weeks into your pregnancy. This scan is designed to tell doctors many different things about the developing baby. It is a level two ultrasound that many mommies-to-be get excited about because it will reveal the gender of the baby. However, this ultrasound provides other vital information about the development of the baby. The technician will be able to examine the heart, face, spine, brain, and other organs to help evaluate for any birth defects. […]

Because your immune system becomes suppressed when you are pregnant, there is a good chance that you will feel a bit under the weather at some point during those nine months. But how can you be sure if it is safe to take medication? While some over-the-counter medications are safe for pregnant women to take, others are either unsafe, or their effects on a developing fetus are unknown. […]

There are a growing number of tests available that can be performed early in pregnancy to give you more information about the chance for a chromosome disorder. A genetic counselor or your doctor can discuss these testing options with you to help you understand the similarities and differences between the testing options. […]

A person can be a carrier for a genetic disorder without showing any outward symptoms of that disorder. Although the chance is unlikely, if their partner happens to also be a carrier for the same disorder, the risk of having a child with the disorder is greatly increased. There are certain genetic disorders that are more common in specific ethnic groups. However, keep in mind, anyone can be a carrier for any genetic disorder regardless of ethnicity. […]

In this day and age, it is not uncommon for women to wait until later in life to start a family. Advanced aged pregnancies, referring to women who will be thirty-five years old or older at the time of delivery, are projected to rise in the coming years. While these women are likely to have a successful and healthy pregnancy, there is an increased risk for chromosome disorders, such as Down syndrome. Many families are interested in taking steps to learn more about the health of their pregnancy. For a mother of advanced maternal age, one of these steps might include meeting with a genetic counselor. […]