I Changed My Opinion On The HPV Vaccine

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!

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

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.