Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dr. Lilja Stefansson, OBGYN at Atrius Health, answers sensitive questions with straightforward answers.

Q: Dear Dr. Stefansson – I am freaking out. The condom ripped the other night during sex. Right now is not a good time for a pregnancy. Help! – “NotReady”

A: Dear “NotReady,” oh goodness! You experienced what is called a “contraceptive failure.” This happens when the birth control you are using literally fails you in your efforts not to procreate.

So many people I know are tracking step counts, sleep cycles, nutrients and what they eat, heart rates, and more. However, most of the women I talk with have never learned that their bodies have observable, trackable signs of fertility. There is so much more than just the date of the last menstrual period. Knowing and using these signs can help women and their partners either avoid or achieve pregnancy, no added chemicals needed! Tracking these signs can also help women notice changes in their health earlier and seek care if needed.

Contraceptives have existed for thousands of years. In ancient Greece and Rome, the use of a plant called silphium (found only in a small region of Libya) was so popular as a method of birth control that over-cultivation resulted in its extinction. In ancient Egypt, a concoction of crocodile dung (ew!) and sour milk was developed, which was then placed into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. You really do not want to get pregnant to come up with that!

One of the myths that I hear the most from my patients is that fish is not a good food to eat during pregnancy, which cannot be further from the truth.

Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is essential for brain development during pregnancy and early childhood. Fish also contains protein and many other vitamins and minerals such as vitamins D and B2 (riboflavin), calcium,

You may have seen television advertisements with images of new parents looking very worried about giving their baby their first bath or doing the first diaper change. If you’re new to parenting, being nervous is expected given that your new responsibilities are often unchartered territory.

But what happens if that nervousness turns into something more debilitating? Postpartum anxiety may impact up to 17% of postpartum women. It is increasingly being recognized as a prevalent and distressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) that warrants separate attention from the better known postpartum depression.

For many people, the experience of having a baby is a wonderfully happy time. To prepare, soon-to-be moms read books and mommy blogs about what to expect and how to manage their new arrival. Many women are excited about their role as a new mom and want to try to be the “perfect” parent.

One thing that a lot of women are not prepared for is the mood fluctuations that can be experienced after giving birth.

If you’re a woman, chances are pretty good you’ve at least heard about hot flashes. Maybe you have experienced them yourself or you know someone who has them. Hot flashes are one of the more common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause – and they can be rather inconvenient. One minute you’re freezing cold, the next minute you’re burning up and stripping down to a tank top. They can happen during the day, or they can wake you up in the middle of the night.

Hot flashes, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping – these are all commonly discussed issues that women encounter during perimenopause and menopause. Painful intercourse is something women may be a bit more hesitant to discuss, but it shouldn’t be because it’s a problem that many women experience during this transitional time in their life. The fact is, as we age, our skin collagen decreases and this can lead to less cushioning between the skin and our pelvic bones as well as a decrease in lubrication.