ISIS OB/GYN » OB/GYN

I Changed My Opinion On The HPV Vaccine

Dr. Frederick — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:40:32 +0000

As parents of pre-teen children are preparing to get their kids off to school, they are not thinking about another vaccine. As it turns out, however, this is the exact time that we should look at one more – the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Now prepare yourself, this is a touchy subject…

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. The HPV vaccine is a shot recommended for 11-12 year old children to help prevent the spread of the virus.

I know, our kids aren’t sexually active at this age and the word “vaccine” is sort of a dirty word. At first I was skeptical about yet another one to give our kids but consider the facts from the CDC:
· Approx. 6 million Americans are infected with HPV each year
· If left untreated, certain types of HPV will later become cervical cancer
· Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women

As I have been seeing patients for well over a decade, I have unfortunately had that difficult conversation about cervical cancer. Whether it is advanced or caught early, it is a devastating blow to a family.

The vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer in females plus prevent genital warts in both males and females. The trick is, however, that the vaccine has to be given BEFORE they are exposed to HPV. That means they need the shot before their first sexual encounter which is why the CDC’s Advisory Committee recommends a 3-dose vaccination of girls aged 9 -26 years old, preferably those aged 11-12.

Now, we have an opportunity to all but eliminate that cancer conversation. The hardest part is giving our young children another shot in advance their future sexual encounters. That is uncomfortable for any of us to consider.

As an ob/gyn I read the studies but as a father and a husband, I changed my opinion. The vaccine is considered safe by the FDA and CDC and has been used in the U.S. and around the world for several years.

As with anything, we should assess how our children react to different vaccines. But as they head off to school this year we should also keep their future health in mind and protect them the best we can.

Yes, We do VBAC’s!

Dr. Frederick — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:48:35 +0000

The new guidelines released by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have resulted in our office getting quite a few calls from women asking if we do VBAC’s. I am happy to say, “Yes, we offer VBAC’s.”

It’s been a part of my personal philosophy for many years; a woman who can avoid having a repeat c-section, should. Obviously, there are cases where it can’t be avoided. Depending on the type and circumstance of the first c-section, it may be too risky to VBAC. For most women, however, a VBAC is an option.
It is important to talk to your practitioner early to make sure you are a good candidate. Keep in mind that the overall goal is to have a healthy baby and a healthy mom.

For your convenience, I will repost the revised ACOG guidelines. Talk to you soon!

PREPARING FOR YOUR BABY’S BEST BIRTH

Dr. Frederick — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:42:32 +0000

For some, pregnancy can be one of the most exciting nine months of their lives. For others, it can be confusing and anxiety ridden as they try to work out every little detail of their baby’s future. After calming the fears of so many soon-to-be mothers, I realized those who think through these basic points tend to be more relaxed and thus have better births. Interested?

Pick the doctor that best fits your personality. Most offices offer “Meet and Greets” with the practitioners. Interview them and find out if their medical philosophy fits your ultimate goal. In the end, however, make sure you like them as a person. After all, you’re going to see their smiling face quite a bit over the next year.

Work with them to create a pre-determined birth plan. Do your research. Take the hospital tours and decide which one best suits your expectations. It is also important to discuss your child birthing options. You will deliver vaginally or via c-section but depending on your history, some doctors allow for a vaginal birth after c-section. There are also alternative ways of facilitating your vaginal delivery; water birth, hydrotherapy, Lamaze, hypnobirthing, with or without epidural, etc…

Be flexible and remain calm. Your baby will ultimately decide when/how they will enter the world. You and the medical staff are simply the baby’s guides. While the majority of deliveries go as intended, in some cases the baby may have other plans. It is up to you and the hospital staff to proceed prudently depending on the medical situation. The health of your baby depends on your remaining calm and being flexible.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT – solutions are easier than you might think

Dr. Frederick — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:31:38 +0000

Eat More, Drink More, Lose More Weight. There is no disputing the fact that exercise is important in any weight loss goal. However, what is often overlooked but crucial is diet – and not in the traditional sense of the word. Proper nutrition is THE most important step in any successful weight loss program. There are many variations of exercise which work for different body types to achieve weight loss goals. But if these efforts are not combined with proper nutrition your results will be short lived. Slow metabolism is your worst enemy…even more so than the double-bacon cheeseburger or triple-dip hot fudge sundae at your favorite restaurant. Slow metabolism is the result of poor nutrition, yo-yo dieting and inactivity.

The key to any successful weight loss program is increasing your metabolism. Increased metabolism gives you more energy and burns more fat. What’s the smartest solution? Don’t skip breakfast. Eating breakfast daily can help you lose weight and keep it off. Individuals who skip breakfast tend to mindlessly nibble throughout the day and binge eat at lunch and dinner. Eating early, and often, jump-starts your metabolism and keeps it up throughout the day. Smart meal solutions for those trying to lose weight include small and frequent portions of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and proteins. These high-fiber, low-fat foods fill you up with fewer calories. Plus, remember to drink at least two liters of water a day. The equation to achieve and maintain your weight loss goal is MORE not LESS: more of the right foods + more water and exercise = more weight loss.

For more information on this and other ways to accomplish your goals, call ISIS at 770.521.2229.

Fixing a Good Problem to Have

Dr. Frederick — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:40:14 +0000

My office manager excitedly brought something to my attention a few months ago. She said my schedule was booked about a month out. That’s the goal in a medical practice, right? To be busy with a schedule full of patients each time you’re in the office.

I suppose but there is something that doesn’t feel right about that.

In other words, if a woman called today, it would be about a month before she could get assistance? In my opinion, that’s a problem. Being busy is a good problem to have, but not the best option for patients.

An obvious solution would be to add more hours to the week. Unfortunately, between delivering babies and a packed operating schedule I can’t do that and still tuck my little ones in at night. The next best option is to add another practitioner. Bingo!

We searched for months to find the type of person that would best serve ISIS patients. They would need to have a track record of providing excellent care, have a great bedside manner and demonstrate strong ethical judgment.

After several interviews we found just that person. Allow me to introduce Deborah Jones. She is a seasoned nurse practitioner caring for patients over the past 14 years. When she came to the office for her final meeting, the entire staff enjoyed her demeanor from the moment she stepped into the waiting room. Done. I am proud to say that she will begin seeing patients on February 1, 2010.

Problem solved.

Now, women no longer have to wait weeks to get an appointment with an ISIS practitioner. They say some problems are good to have but I am glad to get this one fixed.

Hughan