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Blog Articles

Is HPV Life-Threatening?

Is HPV Life-Threatening?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection, and it’s often connected to cervical cancer, so it begs the question: Is HPV life-threatening? Continue reading to learn more about HPV, how to test for it, and what to do if you have it.
Dec 2nd, 2024
Can I Get Pregnant If I Have PCOS?

Can I Get Pregnant If I Have PCOS?

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are considering starting your family, you might wonder how PCOS affects fertility and if you can even get pregnant. The good news is yes, you can! Read on to learn more.
Nov 1st, 2024
Can Gestational Diabetes Be Prevented?

Can Gestational Diabetes Be Prevented?

Gestational diabetes can lead to complications for both you and your baby, so if you’re pregnant, you’re likely wondering how you can prevent it. Read on to learn about the risk factors for diabetes and how to reduce your risk of developing it.
Oct 1st, 2024
Do You Have These Telltale Signs of Fibroids?

Do You Have These Telltale Signs of Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are more common than you might suspect. About 8 out of 10 women have them by the time they reach their 50s, so how do you know if you have one? Read on to learn about some of the telltale signs of uterine fibroids.
Sep 12th, 2024
There's Lots on the Internet about PCOS: What REALLY Works?

There's Lots on the Internet about PCOS: What REALLY Works?

If you’re trying to learn more about PCOS, you know that there’s a lot on the internet, and some information isn’t so great. If you want the truth about PCOS treatment, keep reading. Our team of board-certified experts highlights the truth.
Jul 24th, 2024
Am I a Candidate for a VBAC?

Am I a Candidate for a VBAC?

Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) cases are on the rise, and if you’re wondering if you could have one too, you’re not alone. Continue reading to find out what makes you eligible for a VBAC and the benefits of having one.
Jun 19th, 2024
Why You Should Eat the Rainbow During Pregnancy

Why You Should Eat the Rainbow During Pregnancy

Are you eating for two but not sure where to start? It’s time to eat the rainbow. Continue reading to learn why you should eat the rainbow, how to do it, and what benefits it brings you and your growing baby.
May 13th, 2024
Does Gestational Diabetes Affect the Baby Too?

Does Gestational Diabetes Affect the Baby Too?

Gestational diabetes leads to high blood sugar in pregnant women, but does it affect the baby too? Unfortunately, it can. Read on to learn how diabetes could affect your baby and what our team can do to help.
Apr 1st, 2024

Understanding the Link Between Incontinence and Menopause

Menopause is notorious for causing hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats, but those aren’t the only symptoms. Menopause can also contribute to incontinence. Read on to explore the link between the two and how we can help.
Oct 1st, 2023
I've Been Diagnosed with High-Risk HPV: Now What?

I've Been Diagnosed with High-Risk HPV: Now What?

There are over 100 different human papillomavirus (HPV) strains, but unfortunately, some of them are considered at high risk, and if you've been diagnosed with one of them, you may wonder what’s next. Read on to find out.
Aug 1st, 2023
Our Top Tips for Safe Prenatal Exercise During this Summer

Our Top Tips for Safe Prenatal Exercise During this Summer

Exercise is important for everyone, but it’s even more essential during pregnancy. The benefits are seemingly endless, but there’s a catch: You have to modify your plans during summer. Here’s what you need to know about exercising during the summer.
Jul 13th, 2023
How to Deal With Back Pain When You’re Pregnant

How to Deal With Back Pain When You’re Pregnant

If you’re feeling back pain while you’re expecting, you’re not alone — it’s a very common pregnancy problem. Learn about what causes pregnancy back pain and what you can do about it.
Jun 2nd, 2023

When to Call Your Care Provider About Fetal Movement

Tracking your baby’s movement provides important information about your baby’s well-being. Learn what kind of movement to watch for, how to count kicks, and when to call your provider with concerns.
Apr 1st, 2023
5 Things Your Pregnancy Labs Can Reveal

5 Things Your Pregnancy Labs Can Reveal

During your pregnancy, laboratory tests give your provider lots of information about your health and the health of your baby. Learn about a few of the conditions that routine labs look for when you’re expecting.
Feb 13th, 2023
How to Manage Low Iron During Your Pregnancy

How to Manage Low Iron During Your Pregnancy

Low levels of the mineral iron during pregnancy can negatively affect you and your baby. Find out why you and your baby need iron, and what we may recommend if your iron levels drop.
Nov 1st, 2022
Signs of Anemia in Pregnancy

Signs of Anemia in Pregnancy

Are you feeling tired or experiencing other surprising symptoms? You could have anemia, which affects the way your blood carries oxygen to you and your baby. Here are the common signs to watch for.
Sep 14th, 2022
How Often Do I Need a Pap Smear?

How Often Do I Need a Pap Smear?

A Pap smear is a safe, effective way to dramatically reduce the risk of developing deadly cervical cancer. Learn how often you should have a Pap smear and other cervical cancer screenings.
Aug 9th, 2022
What Are the Routine Labs Needed in Pregnancy?

What Are the Routine Labs Needed in Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, laboratory tests check for a wide variety of potential health problems, ranging from anemia to infections. Learn about some of the lab tests you can expect to receive while you’re expecting.
Jul 7th, 2022
Know the Signs of Labor

Know the Signs of Labor

Your baby will arrive soon. How exciting! But how will you know when labor has started? Learn about some of the common signs that labor has begun and that your baby will soon be on the way.
Jun 1st, 2022
Understanding the 3 Stages of Labor

Understanding the 3 Stages of Labor

Although every labor is an individual experience, each goes through three stages. Learn about some of the important highlights of each stage of labor and when you can expect to meet your new baby.
Apr 1st, 2022
8 Common Skin Changes That Can Occur During Pregnancy

8 Common Skin Changes That Can Occur During Pregnancy

Don’t feel alarmed if you develop skin changes while you’re pregnant. Hormonal shifts can have a big impact on your skin. Here's what you can expect from your skin while you’re waiting for your baby to arrive.
Mar 1st, 2022
How Can I Manage Contraction Pain?

How Can I Manage Contraction Pain?

Pain is a normal part of labor, but relief is available. A range of medical and other pain relief strategies can help ease your discomfort. Learn about some of your options for coping with contractions.
Feb 1st, 2022
Why You Might Need Your Labor Induced

Why You Might Need Your Labor Induced

When labor doesn’t start on its own, we may recommend inducing labor. Learn about some of the most common medical reasons that pregnant women have their labor induced.
Jan 1st, 2022
5 Benefits of Midwife Care

5 Benefits of Midwife Care

If you would like to take a natural approach to pregnancy and delivery but also want to have access to the best possible medical care, seeing a certified nurse midwife offers you the best of both worlds.
Dec 1st, 2021
4 Signs of Bacterial Vaginosis

4 Signs of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common vaginal conditions in women. But just because it’s common, doesn’t mean you can ignore it. Learn what to look out for and when to get tested.
Oct 3rd, 2021
How Does Pregnancy Affect the Skin?

How Does Pregnancy Affect the Skin?

Normal hormonal shifts, weight gain, and increased blood volume of pregnancy can cause various changes in your skin. Read about the types of skin changes that might affect you while you’re expecting.
Sep 1st, 2021
How to Choose the Right Contraceptive for You

How to Choose the Right Contraceptive for You

Wondering which type of birth control best suits your family-planning needs, lifestyle, health, and schedule? Here are some factors we take into account when recommending a method for you.
Aug 10th, 2021

The Importance of Breast Self-Exams

Breast self-exams can help you detect lumps and other changes that could be signs of breast cancer or other breast conditions. Learn how to do a breast self-exam and what to look for during your exam.
Jul 14th, 2021

What Is Vaginal Yeast Overgrowth?

An overgrowth of vaginal yeast can lead to itching, pain, and vaginal discharge. Fortunately, simple treatments can usually relieve these vexing symptoms, which affect many women at some point in their lives.
May 1st, 2021

Do’s and Don'ts of Exercise During Pregnancy

Exercise can provide many benefits during pregnancy. Learn whether it’s safe for you to be active while you’re expecting and what precautions you should take to protect yourself and your baby.
Apr 1st, 2021

What to Eat During Pregnancy

Eating healthy foods during pregnancy — including lean protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats — is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your baby. Here’s what to put on your plate.
Mar 1st, 2021

Is Vaginal Discharge Normal?

Vaginal discharge is a healthy result of female hormonal fluctuations and vaginal health. However, changes to your vaginal discharge can be the result of a pH imbalance, cervical overproduction, or a sexually transmitted infection. Read on to learn more.
Feb 4th, 2021

7 Signs of Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids may cause no symptoms at all, or they may lead to significant problems that interfere with your everyday life. Learn about the most common signs of this common medical condition.
Jan 1st, 2021

How PCOS Can Affect Your Weight and Body Image

PCOS can take an emotional as well as a physical toll. It can cause a variety of menstruation-related symptoms, including irregular cycles and even infertility. But for many women, the most frustrating result of PCOS is its effect on their bodies.
Dec 8th, 2020

What Medical Conditions Can Cause Female Infertility?

Infertility can have a variety of causes, including some common women’s health conditions. Find out which medical issues could be interfering with your ability to conceive a baby and have a successful pregnancy.
Nov 1st, 2020

What Is Endometrial Ablation?

If heavy periods are interfering with your life, you may benefit from a safe, effective, minimally invasive procedure known as endometrial ablation. Discover why and how it work, and what to expect after this quick one day procedure.
Oct 1st, 2020

Pelvic Pain and Fibroids

Pelvic pain may be caused by a number of medical conditions. Among the most common are uterine fibroids, which often occur in women in their 30s to 40s. Learn about the type of pain that fibroids cause and how we treat it.
Sep 15th, 2020

Infertility Signs and Risk Factors

Although any couple can experience infertility, it’s more likely to occur in women with certain risk factors. Learn about the conditions and lifestyle choices that might make it harder for you to get pregnant.
Aug 10th, 2020

When to See a Doctor About Heavy Periods

If heavy periods are interfering with your life, see a doctor to find out what may be causing excess bleeding. In many cases, treatment can reduce bleeding and relieve some of the stress of heavy periods.
Jul 7th, 2020

At What Age am I Considered a High-Risk Pregnancy?

If you’re over 35 you probably don’t feel old. But because your chances of complications go up at that age, your pregnancy is considered high-risk. Learn about how your age could affect your care.
Jun 24th, 2020

Myths and Facts About Osteoporosis

We associate May with flowers, but it’s also National Osteoporosis Month. In honor of this designation, we want you to know the facts about this common bone disease. Find out about the warning signs, prevention strategies, and testing.
May 12th, 2020

Could Your Pelvic Pain Be Caused by Endometriosis?

If you’re troubled by pelvic pain, you may have endometriosis, a common women’s health condition. Treatment can relieve pain, along with other common symptoms such as infertility and heavy periods.
Mar 1st, 2020

How a Pap Smear Can Save Your Life

It’s much easier to treat cervical cancer when it’s been detected early. A Pap smear, which can allow your doctor to discover cervical cancer before any symptoms even occur, could potentially save your life.
Jan 10th, 2020
To learn more about the benefits of using a midwife, call one of our offices in San Antonio, Texas, or click the online booki

5 Reasons to Choose a Midwife for Your Delivery

The midwifery model of care views pregnancy and childbirth as natural life processes, not medical events. Find out how choosing a midwife for your delivery can help you have a low-tech, high-touch birth experience.
Dec 6th, 2019

How Does PCOS Affect My Fertility?

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women, but it’s also one of the most treatable. Read on to learn how PCOS affects your ability to conceive and what treatments are available to help.
Oct 1st, 2019

Deciding Whether to Have a VBAC

Have you had a C-section in the past but now want to have a vaginal delivery? Find out if you’re a good candidate for a vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC) and learn about the risks.
Sep 1st, 2019

What You May Not Know About Modern Midwives

Have you thanked a midwife lately? More and more, expectant mothers who want to complement their clinical care are seeking out these competent clinical caregivers. Here’s what you may not know about today’s midwives.
Aug 1st, 2019

Not Pregnant Yet? When You Should See a Doctor

Are you thinking about having a baby, but haven’t actually gotten pregnant yet? The best time to start seeing an obstetrician-gynecologist is before you even get pregnant! Read on to learn the many reasons why.
Jul 17th, 2019
At Westover Hills Women’s Health in San Antonio, TX, Dr. Houmam Al-Hakeem provides treatment for HPV and a wide array of gyne

What Every Woman Should Know About HPV

The vast majority of sexually active women are exposed to HPV at some point in their lives. Fortunately, there is a vaccine available that protects you from the infection. Read on to learn about HPV, how to prevent and treat infection.
Jun 26th, 2019

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Struggles to get to the clinic? Trying to reduce your exposure to COVID-19, as well as other contagious illnesses, and still need to see your doctor? Telehealth is safe and easy — receive quality care from anywhere.
Feb 20th, 2024