Labor and Delivery Center - Westfield, MA
Westfield Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors for Labor and DeliveryType of Physician: Obstetrician-Gynecologist What is a Obstetrician-Gynecologist? A certification by the Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology; practitioners provide medical and surgical care of the female reproductive system and associated disorders, to the extent that it distinguishes them from other physicians. This training enables them to serve as consultants to other physicians and as primary physicians for women. Specialty: Obstetrics & Gynecology Common Name: Ob/Gyn or Ob-Gyn Obstetrician-Gynecologist Doctors in Westfield * Womens Health Associates  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  Brightwood Health Center  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Womens Health Group  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Valley Women's Health Group LLC  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Fitzpatrick Moran Costa & Haag-Rickert MDs  Women's Health & Education Center  Western Mass ObGyn  RiverBend Medical Group Chicopee Office  RiverBend Medical Group Chicopee Office  Wesson Womens Group  Wesson Womens Group  Wesson Womens Group  Baystate Health Center Generalist Division Gynecology  Wesson Womens Group  Counseling & Gynecology Group  Robert S Howe MD  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group  Northhampton Ob/Gyn Associates Inc  Northhampton Ob/Gyn Associates Inc  Northhampton Ob/Gyn Associates Inc  Tucker Kueny MD  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Hampshire Ob/Gyn  Womencare  Womencare  Baystate Medical Practices Mary Lane Ob/Gyn  Richard C McGinn MD  William E Callahan MD  Pioneer Womens Health  Pioneer Womens Health  Pioneer Womens Health  North Quabbin Family Practice  Southbridge Ob/Gyn  Southbridge Ob/Gyn  Southbridge Ob/Gyn  Heywood Health Center for Women  Heywood Health Center for Women  Heywood Health Center for Women  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Berkshire Ob/Gyn Associates PC  Barrington Ob/Gyn  Barrington Ob/Gyn  Ob/Gyn Associates  Fallon Medical Center OB/GYN  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Womens Health Of Central MA  Farricy & Kraft MDs  Neary Hunter Ob/Gyn  Fallon Clinic  Neary Hunter Ob/Gyn  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Mary E Scannell MD PC  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Lincoln Street Ob/Gyn Associates  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Central Massachusetts Ob/Gyn  Alan J Albert MD  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial OB/GYN Reproductive Center  Mark A Aversa MD PC  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial Medical Center OB/GYN  UMass Memorial OB/GYN Reproductive Center Westfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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Labor and DeliveryRead the Labor and Delivery article » Signs of Labor IntroductionThe first question most women have is, Am I pregnant? The question that usually follows is, What's labor and delivery like? This information will help answer the most common questions about labor, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Signs of LaborSome women experience very distinct signs of labor, while others do not. No one knows what causes labor to start or when it will start, but several hormonal and physical changes may indicate the beginning of labor.
Lightening During LaborThe process of your baby settling or lowering into your pelvis just before labor is called lightening. Lightening can occur a few weeks or a few hours before labor. Because the uterus rests on the bladder more after lightening, you may feel the need to urinate more frequently. Passing of the Mucus PlugThe mucus plug accumulates at the cervix during pregnancy. When the cervix begins to open wider, the mucus is discharged into the vagina and may be clear, pink, or slightly bloody. Labor may begin soon after the mucus plug is discharged or one to two weeks later. Labor ContractionsDuring contractions, the abdomen becomes hard. Between contractions, the uterus relaxes and the abdomen becomes soft. The way a contraction feels is different for each woman and may feel different from one pregnancy to the next. But, labor contractions usually cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis. Contractions move in a wave-like motion from the top of the uterus to the bottom. Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps. Unlike false labor contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions -- tr... Recommended Reading Related to Labor and DeliveryPregnancy: What to Buy for Baby » What Baby Gear Do You Need for Your Newborn?Welcoming a baby into this world requires more than making sure he or she is healthy in your tummy. At some point, your little love will make his or her way out of your belly and you need to be prepared. This list should help you get all you need to take care of your baby during the early months. As your baby gets older, you will find other items that will make your life easier (like a jumpy seat or an exer-saucer!). The Nursery
Other Related Labor and Delivery ArticlesEmergency Contact for Westfield
Nearby Westfield Hospitals *Western Massachusetts Hospital Baystate Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Noble Hospital Providence Hospital Kindred Hospital Park View Holyoke Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Cooley Dickinson Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Johnson Memorial Hospital Rockville General Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Manchester Memorial Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Harrington Memorial Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Bristol Hospital Franklin Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Labor and Delivery by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Pregnancy Planning
- Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
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Preeclampsia (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension)
- Preeclampsia is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. Preeclampsia typically begins after the 20th week of pregnancy. When preeclampsia causes seizures, it is termed "eclampsia" and is the second leading cause of maternal death of in the US. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of fetal complications. Risk factors for preeclampsia include high blood pressure, obesity, multiple births, and women with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma. Pregnancy planning and lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
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Women's Health
- Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
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Pregnancy and Drugs (Prescription and OTC)
- Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
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Hair Loss
- There are many causes of scalp hair loss. This featured article covers the common ones such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata, trichotillomania, and tinea capitis), telogen effluvium, and androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness, female-pattern baldness).
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Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy)
- There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue and bloating. Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. Read more to learn about recommended procedures and tests for each stage of a healthy pregnancy.
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Postpartum Depression
- Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes after childbirth may lead to depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include crying a lot, headaches, chest pains, eating too little or too much, sleeping too little or too much, withdrawal from friends and family, and feeling irritable, sad, hopeless, worthless, guilty, and overwhelmed. Treatment typically involves talk therapy and medication.
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Cystocele
- A cystocele is also known as a fallen or prolapsed bladder. Heavy lifting and straining may cause a cystocele, which causes urine leakage and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Mild cystoceles may require no treatment, while large cystoceles may require surgery.
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Eclampsia
- Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnant women marked by high blood pressure and a high level of protein in the urine. Eclampsia occurs when preeclampsia goes untreated. Eclampsia can cause coma and death of the mother and baby. Preeclampsia symptoms include rapid weight gain, abdominal pain, headaches, blood in the urine, dizziness, and excessive vomiting and nausea. The only real cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the birth of the baby.
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Pregnancy: What to Buy for Baby
- Welcoming baby into the world requires more than making sure he or she is healthy in your tummy. At some point, your little love will make his or her way out of your belly and you need to be prepared. This list should help you get all you need to take care of your baby during the early months. As your baby gets older, you will find other items that will make your life easier.
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Pregnancy: Your Guide to Eating Right
- The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your body mass index (BMI) before you became pregnant. Although you want to be careful not to eat more than you need for a healthy pregnancy, make sure not to restrict your diet during pregnancy either. If you don't get the calories you need, your baby might not get the right amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
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Pregnancy: Pain Relief Options for Childbirth
- Women experience and tolerate pain differently. For some pregnant women, focused breathing is all they need to get through labor and childbirth; but for others, numbing of the pain is desired. There are a number of different medications a woman can take during labor and childbirth. It is important for you to learn what pain relief options are available. Please discuss the options with your health care provider well before your "birth day" so that when you are in labor you understand the choices.
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Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Millions of women suffer from urinary incontinence (UI). UI occurs twice as often in women as in men. There are many types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overactive bladder, functional incontinence, overflow incontinence, transient incontinence, and mixed incontinence.
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Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor pains. Though these irregular uterine contractions may occur in the second trimester, they're more likely to occur during the third trimester of pregnancy. Unlike true labor pains, false labor pains are often irregular, may stop when you walk, rest, or change positions, and the contractions do not get closer together or stronger.
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Placenta Previa
- Placenta previa is a condition during pregnancy when the placenta lies low in the uterus either partly or completely blocking the uterus. Women with placenta previa generally deliver their baby via cesarean delivery. There are several types of placenta previa: 1) a low-lying placenta, 2) a partial placenta previa, and 3) a total placenta previa, which covers and blocks the cervical opening. Women who are at risk of placenta previa are women who have delivered a previous baby by cesarean section, and are also at risk of placenta accreta, placenta, increta, or placenta precreta.
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. Symptoms and signs of AIDS include pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jiroveci, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, seizures, weakness, meningitis, yeast infection of the esophagus, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is used in the treatment of AIDS.
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Nerve Disease and Bladder Control
- A nerve problem might affect your bladder control if the nerves that are supposed to carry messages between the brain and the bladder do not work properly. Such problems include urine retention, poor control of sphincter muscles, and overactive bladder. Treatment depends upon the cause of the nerve damage and resulting type of bladder control problem.
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Urinary Retention
- Urinary retention (inability to urinate) may be caused by nerve disease, spinal cord injury, prostate enlargement, infection, surgery, medication, bladder stone, constipation, cystocele, rectocele, or urethral stricture. Symptoms include discomfort and pain. Treatment depends upon the cause of urinary retention.
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Pregnancy Planning
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Medications
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Procedures & Tests
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Pictures, Images & Quizzes
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Doctor's & Expert's Views
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Health News
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Health Features
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