Inducing labor at 40 weeks gestation for pregnant women ages 35 and older significantly reduced the risk of perinatal death and stillbirth compared to expectant management, British researchers found. In the U.K., current national guidelines recommend induction of labor between 41 and 42 weeks. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists takes an even more conservative approach, recommending […]
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists(ACOG): VBAC is safe for many women
Women and their obstetricians should consider vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) if their maternal care center can handle emergency deliveries, according to an updated practice bulletin from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) results in a successful birth in 60%-80% of cases, sparing mothers from major abdominal […]
Weighing Too Much, Too Little When Pregnant Can Be Risky, Study Suggests
For women contemplating having a baby, new research adds to the evidence suggesting that starting a pregnancy at a normal weight is best. The study found that too much or even too little weight increases an expectant mom’s risk for severe illnesses and death. “Not only for baby’s sake, but also for your own sake, have a […]
Women’s menopause complaints may peak in early 50s, improve later
Women go through menopause when they stop menstruating, which typically happens between ages 45 and 55. As the ovaries curb production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the years leading up to menopause and afterwards, women can experience symptoms ranging from vaginal dryness to mood swings, joint pain, memory trouble and insomnia. Menopause symptoms have […]
American Academy of Pediatrics Advises Parents To Donate Umbilical Cord Blood
This week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new policy urging public cord blood donation. Public cord blood donation is free and available at INOVA Fairfax. INOVA Fairfax-Hospital sends public cord blood samples to The NY Blood Center (NYBC). NYBC founded by Dr. Pablo Rubinstein, is the world’s first public cord blood bank, […]
Measles Vaccine-International Travellers need to be up to date
Most cases of measles in the U.S. come from international travel and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recommends that Americans traveling to Europe protect themselves. There are 15 countries in Europe that have reported cases of Measles this year: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United […]
Annual GYN Exam-more than just a Pap
Women commonly think of their trip to the gynecologist as just a Pap smear, but we do so much more. New Pap guidelines in 2012 reduced the recommended frequency of paps from every year to every 3 years and recommend starting Paps at age 21. One unintended consequence of this recommendation is that women are […]
New Tumor Test Could Help Women with Breast Cancer Avoid Unnecessary Treatment
Menopause and Memory
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University are trying to understand how hormones play a role in memory. Women will not be surprised to learn that women outperform men in memory testing, but this effect declines with age. Midlife forgetfulness may be related to biologic changes and not life stressors. If you want to know […]
New Joint Venture between INOVA and UVA
Inova Hospital announces exciting new joint venture into cancer research with the University of Virginia. INOVA and UVA are beginning a research and education partnership in Northern Virginia. There will be a regional UVA campus on the new Inova Center for Personalized Health which will help keep Virginia on the forefront of advancing medicine. A Comprehensive Cancer Center will […]
Local Halloween Activities
Happy Halloween! Look at all these great family friendly Halloween week activities! Wednesday October 26th 70th Annual Vienna Halloween Parade Kids can dress up and march in the parade. 7PM on Maple Avenue https://www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?NID=951 Friday October 28th Pumpkins by the Campfire at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly Virginia Bring a pumpkin to decorate, roast marshmallows and share […]
Gardasil 9
What is Gardasil 9? Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against the human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes genital warts, cervical cancer, and other types of cancer. Gardasil 9 is a new version of the previous Gardasil 4 that now prevents infection by nine strains of HPV. It is important that Gardasil not be viewed […]