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Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've heard that you can't get pregnant during your period. Is this just an old wives tale? Should I be concerned about protection during this time?
You can get pregnant only around the time of ovulation, which for most women with regular 28-day cycles corresponds to days 12-16. So if your period comes at the expected time and is normal in terms of flow, it... continue reading about I've heard that you can't get pregnant during your period. Is this just an old wives tale? Should I be concerned about protection during this time?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What are the risks of getting your tubes tied? Are your early 20s too soon to get this procedure done?
In general, tubal ligation is a very safe procedure associated with the small risks of laparoscopy and anesthesia in a healthy woman, regardless of her age. However, other permanent methods of tubal steril... continue reading about What are the risks of getting your tubes tied? Are your early 20s too soon to get this procedure done?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
How long should a couple attempt to get pregnant before seeking fertility treatments? My husband and I have been trying for over a year.
Infertility has been traditionally defined as an inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. This set-point of what is normal versus what is abnormal was determined decades ago fr... continue reading about How long should a couple attempt to get pregnant before seeking fertility treatments? My husband and I have been trying for over a year.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My partner and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while. Are there any non-medical approaches, such as relaxation or meditation techniques, that could improve my chances of becoming pregnant?
That question is best answered at an individual level. Infertility can be the result of a number of impairments of varying nature and severity. For this reason, we recommend a basic evaluation and individualize... continue reading about My partner and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while. Are there any non-medical approaches, such as relaxation or meditation techniques, that could improve my chances of becoming pregnant?
Jodi J. Winemiller, CNM, R.N.
SPMF San Francisco HMO Network
What is postpartum care and why is it important?
The postpartum (after birth) period, sometimes called the fourth trimester, is the time your body recovers from pregnancy, labor and delivery. It typically lasts six to eight weeks but can last longer.“Th... continue reading about What is postpartum care and why is it important?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I want to have a natural birth. What are some reasons my doctor might recommend I have a C-section delivery?
A natural labor and delivery, with a normal vaginal birth, is the ideal for most women. However it may not be possible for some. A C-section, or surgical birth, delivers the baby through an incision in the abdo... continue reading about I want to have a natural birth. What are some reasons my doctor might recommend I have a C-section delivery?
Robert Altman, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Do C-section births have increased risks for me and my baby?
Although a Caesarean (C-section) birth is sometimes the best option for the health of mother and baby, there can be additional risks associated with this major surgical procedure. Any major surgery carries the ... continue reading about Do C-section births have increased risks for me and my baby?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I have a few questions that I'm kind of embarrassed to ask our doctor. Does an orgasm help you get pregnant? Should I try and keep the sperm in for awhile, and is there a best sex position for conception?
It is not clear if having a orgasm increases the chance of conception. Contractions of the muscles and elevation of the cervix may indeed enhance efficiency of sperm transport. We do know with certainty that or... continue reading about My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I have a few questions that I'm kind of embarrassed to ask our doctor. Does an orgasm help you get pregnant? Should I try and keep the sperm in for awhile, and is there a best sex position for conception?
Katarina Lanner-Cusin, M.D.
Are there ways that I can help avoid a C-section delivery?
There are times when a C-section birth is unavoidable, due to medical conditions such as placenta previa or a baby in the breech position. Having said that, here are a few tips that may help a mother with a nor... continue reading about Are there ways that I can help avoid a C-section delivery?
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