Dr Walker is going on Maternity Leave - Guest Writer

I am on maternity leave and my next blog will let you know the baby is here but during my absence from the blog, we will have a very special guest writer, Dr. Eugenie Giasson-Gomez. She will be talking about her Home birth experience and how it is to be a new mom - so look for her upcoming blogs.

Dr. Walker and Dr. Ho's Daughter was Born

Dr. Walker and Dr. Ho's daughter was born on January 16, 2016 at 10:43 am in Santa Clara California.  Both mommy and baby are doing well.

Allegra Grace Ho
8 lbs 2.2 oz
20 inches

Induction Techniques for Labor: Natural to Forceful

So what happens when your pregnancy is 40 weeks and 2 days like mine and no signs of baby coming.  So induction techniques are plentiful with some being more scientific than others and they range from very gentle to very forceful.  I want to share with you the range of options then let you know which ones are my go to and let you decide what is best for you and baby.  As always please consult your mid-wife or OB/GYN before selecting any of the more forceful options. 

Meditation/Deep breathing                                                Least forceful

Raspberry Leaf Tea/ Herbs

Eat Dates

Spicy Food/ Curry

Sex

Nipple Stimulation

Evening Primrose oil for cervical softening

Induction Massage

Acupressure

Chiropractic induction

Acupuncture

Membrane Sweeping or Stripping

Break Water

Misoprostol

Pitocin

C-section                                                                    Most Forceful (Ultimate induction)

So During my first pregnancy I used raspberry leaf tea, massage, acupuncture, sex, spicy food, nipple stimulation and chiropractic induction.  During my current pregnancy I am doing acupuncture, sex and spicy food, prayer and chiropractic induction.  Please remember that certain herbs and techniques must be supervised by your mid-wife or OB especially in cases such as a VBAC, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.   

Group Streptococcus B (GBS) Testing and how to improve your chances for being negative

At around week 35-36 in a woman’s pregnancy, there is a test for Streptococcus which is done by swabbing the perianal area of the body.    The bacterium comes from the bodies’ intestinal tract and can be transferred to the vaginal area of the body.  This bacterium is normally harmless in most adults except in diabetics or those with liver disease. In a new born, it can cause serious problems.  If a woman is found to be positive for GBS, they will receive antibiotics at labor usually in an IV to prevent the infant from getting infected.

If a baby is infected, most are fine but there are some that get GBS disease and these are the following symptoms:

Lethargy
Fever
Difficulty feeding
Irritability
Difficulty breathing

One of the signs that you may have GBS is present is that you may have diarrhea or constipation; or basically a non-working digestive tract.  One of the ways I have already tried to prevent being positive for GBS is doing citrus seed and probiotic for 1 month prior to the testing.  This doesn’t mean I won’t be negative during testing but it has worked with both pregnancies so far!