Meet our experts:
- Donna Harvel Balo ARNP, CNM, MS ~ certified nurse-midwife
- William Reid Camann, MD ~ obstetric anesthesiologist
- Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D. ~ certified nurse-midwife
- Robert James Gallo, MD, FACOG ~ obstetrician/gynecologist
- Ann F. Grauer, LCCE, CD (DONA), ICCE, PCD (DONA) ~ doula
- Alicia Huntley, CNM, MSN ~ certified nurse-midwife
- Henry Lerner, MD ~ obstetrician/gynecologist
- Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM ~ family nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife
- Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM ~ certified nurse-midwife
Index of Q&As/Articles
Trying to Conceive
- Best Time of Day for Intercourse by Joanna Ellington, Ph.D.
- Best Positions for Trying to Conceive by Joanna Ellington, Ph.D.
- How Many Days a Month Is a Woman Fertile? by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Conception from Intercourse Prior to Ovulation by Joanna Ellington, Ph.D.
- Warm Baths When TTC by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Conceiving After Birth Control Pills by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- How Long Before Consulting Infertility Expert? by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- When to test with OPKs by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Taking your basal body temperature by Donna Harvel Balo ARNP, CNM, MS
- Negative HPTs and Still No Period by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Trying to Conceive After Birth Control Pills by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Trying to Conceive While Breastfeeding by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Do Boxers Make a Difference? by Joanna Ellington, Ph.D.
- Can a Woman Get Pregnant the Day After Her Period? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
Pregnancy
- Normal Blood Pressure by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Cramps at 4 Weeks by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Counting the Weeks and Months of Pregnancy by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Pain in Pelvic Area by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Importance of Prenatal Appointments in the First Trimester by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Ankles and Feet Swelling in Second Trimester by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- What can I expect when it's past my due date? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo During Pregnancy? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Hair Color During Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Toxemia Symptoms by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Sleeping on My Back by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Leg Cramps by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Tea for Morning Sickness by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Constipation and safe remedies by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Tylenol vs Advil in Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Tylenol 3 Use During Pregnancy by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, PhD
- Fetal Movement by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Losing Part of Mucous Plug in Second Trimester by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Mucous Plug by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Headaches During Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Braxton Hicks and Dehydration by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- "What is a midwife?" by Alicia Huntley, CNM, MSN
- Gender and Fetal Heart Rate by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Fetal Heartbeat by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Weak Bladder by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Low Blood Count by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Early Pregnancy Blood Tests by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Fetal Movement by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Lifting During Pregnancy by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Quad Test by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Sunbathing During Pregnancy by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Tanning Beds During Pregnancy by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Enough Time Left to Turn Head Down? by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Yellow Discharge in First Trimester by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Difference Between Midwife and Doula by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Narrow Pelvis by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Self Internal Exams by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Uterine Size by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Sciatic Nerve Pain by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Cold medicines okay during pregnancy? by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Flu Shots During Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Hearing the Heartbeat by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Cramps on One Side by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Airplane Travel by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Normal Blood Pressure by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Twins Delivery by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Leg Cramps by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Safety of Birthing Ball During Pregnancy by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Unhappy With Care Provider by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- How to Tell if a Baby is Too Big for a Vaginal Delivery by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- What Is a Biophysical Profile by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- What Does "Station" Mean? by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- What kinds of questions should I ask a potential doula during an interview? by Ann F. Grauer, LCCE, CD (DONA), ICCE, PCD (DONA)
- Finding a Doula - Where is the best place to look for qualified doulas? by Ann F. Grauer, LCCE, CD (DONA), ICCE, PCD (DONA)
- Doulas seem to be getting more and more popular. Why do I need one if I have my husband/partner with me? by Ann F. Grauer, LCCE, CD (DONA), ICCE, PCD (DONA)
- Decreased Fetal Movement by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Is Massage Safe During Pregnancy? by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Vaginal Varicose Veins by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Leakage and Kegels by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Exercising for Two by Alan Greene, MD
Pregnancy Complications
- What are some of the causes of first trimester bleeding? by Robert James Gallo, MD, FACOG
- First Trimester Spotting by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Gestational Diabetes by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Asthma During Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Albuterol and Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Group B Strep in Pregnancy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Pregnant After Complete Trisomy 22 by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Gestational Diabetes Concerns by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Pre-eclampsia Recurrence by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Pregnancy After Cone Biopsy by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Toxoplasmosis Risk by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Prometrium ~ Oral or Suppository? by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Two Vessel Umbilical Cord (SUA) by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Brown Amniotic Fluid by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment During Pregnancy by Carolyn M. Salafia, M.D.
- Diagnosing and Treating Incompetent Cervix by Geoffrey Sher, M.D.
Childbirth & Postpartum
- Length of Subsequent Pregnancies by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Request a Cesarean? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Encouraging Labor to Start by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Fast Labor by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Post Delivery Contractions by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Black Cohosh for Inducing Labor by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Stripping Membranes by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Baths in Early Labor by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Castor Oil to Encourage Labor? by Alicia Huntley, CNM, MSN
- What does it mean to 'induce labor' and how can I avoid it? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Episiotomy--Tearing vs. Cutting by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Ways to make labor easier or at least not so scary? by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Posterior Presentation by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Breech at 35 Weeks by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
Tips for Turning a Breech Baby by Donna Balo, ARNP, CNM, MS
- Footling Breech Delivery by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Can a Breech Baby Be Safely Turned For Delivery? by Robert James Gallo, MD, FACOG
- Footling Breech Baby by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- External Version and VBAC by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Repeat Cesarean or VBAC? by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- VBAC and getting labor going by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- VBAC After Never Laboring Before by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Anesthesia for Planned Cesarean by William Reid Camann, MD
- VBAC and Epidurals by William Reid Camann, MD
- C-Sections by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- C-Section Healing by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Third Degree Tearing by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Advantages and Disadvantages of an Epidural by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Preventing an Episiotomy by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Baby is Sunny Side Up by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Scleral Hemorrhage by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Episiotomy Scar Problems by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- VBAC After Two C-sections? by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Multiple C-Sections by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Labor Promotion by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Sex as a Labor Trigger? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Baby Too Big? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Are Doulas Necssary? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Affording the Cost of Hiring a Doula by Ann F. Grauer, LCCE, CD (DONA), ICCE, PCD (DONA)
- Doulas seem to be getting more and more popular. Why do I need one if I have my husband/partner with me? by Ann F. Grauer, LCCE, CD (DONA), ICCE, PCD (DONA)
- Afterbirth Pains by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Sex After Childbirth With Episiotomy by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Sex After Childbirth by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- How long do I have to wait after my miscarriage before I can have sex again? by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Homebirth VBACs by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Difference in a VBAC Between Labor Pain and Rupture Pain by Donna Balo, ARNP, CNM, MS
- 41 Week NST, Ultrasound & Biophysical Profile by Donna Balo, ARNP, CNM, MS
- Current VBAC Climate by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Pain After C-Section by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Postpartum Bleeding by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- C-Section Scar Numbness by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Preparing for a C-Section, Just in Case? by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Epidural Anesthesia and Breastfeeding by William Reid Camann, MD
- Headaches After Spinal or Epidural Anesthesia by William Reid Camann, MD
- Tattoos and Epidurals/Spinals by William Reid Camann, MD
- Epidural Combined With Other Forms of Pain Management by William Reid Camann, MD
- Petrified of Being Awake During C-Section by William Reid Camann, MD
- Leakage and Kegels by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Underwire Bras and Pregnancy by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
Miscarriage, Blighted Ovum, Pregnancy Loss
- Blighted Ovum Recurrence by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Spotting After D&C by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Sex After Miscarriage by Nancy Sullivan, CNM, MS, FACNM
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
Birth Control
- Is the Copper IUD Safe? by Cynthia Flynn, CNM, Ph.D.
- Mirena IUD by Donna Balo, CNM, MS
- Ortho-Cyclen or Ortho-Tricyclen? by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Best Time to Get IUD by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
General Women's Health
- Herpes by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- Lost Libido by Barbara Parker, RN, ARNP, CNM
- PCOS - Metformin While Breastfeeding by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
- PCOS - Metformin and Birth Defects by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
- Why Make the Diagnosis of PCOS? by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
- PCOS and Getting Older by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
- Low Carbing by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
- Insulin Altering Drugs by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist
- PCOS - Libido by Samuel Thatcher, MD, PhD, Reproductive Endocrinologist