News

Those who have the luxury of being able to time a second pregnancy may want to know what recent research on the matter suggests. Because the time between the birth of one child and the conception of another, known as the “interpregnancy interval” (IPI), can significantly affect... READ MORE

The Dothan Eagle Best of the Wiregass 2015 will be under way on June 26th! This year’s contest is back for the 18th year and better than ever with a whole new voting platform to simplify the voting process for voters.  Voters will be able to choose from pre-suggested ballot... READ MORE

Down syndrome occurs when a baby has an extra copy of chromosome 21 in its DNA. Currently, the screening test for Down syndrome includes two procedures: a blood test that looks for patterns of various substances in a mother’s blood that are associated with chromosomal problems... READ MORE

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to be the standard treatment for menopausal women since it was thought that replacing lost estrogen would protect women against heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Then, after a large study in 2002 showed that HRT raised the risk of... READ MORE

The birth defect known as “omphalocele” is relatively rare, occurring in about one in 5,000 births. As a result of a defect in the abdominal (belly) wall, the anterior abdomen does not close properly. When this occurs, the infant’s intestines, liver, and/or other organs protrude... READ MORE

Many women find hot flashes to be so bothersome that they consider hormone replacement therapy for relief. This common menopausal symptom affects roughly half to three-quarters of women around the average time of menopause at age 51, which can happen as early as 40 or as late as... READ MORE

Even though women suffering from “pelvic organ prolapse” feel stressed about their condition, many cope in silence because they are uncomfortable speaking about their problem with their gynecologists. This pelvic disorder involving the protrusion of pelvic organs (uterus,... READ MORE

A pregnant woman is likely to first notice her baby’s movements sometime around 18 to 25 weeks into her pregnancy. After that, she will be better able to distinguish a pattern in her baby’s movements that leads to increased understanding of her baby’s sleeping and waking cycles,... READ MORE

As the time draws closer for a pregnant woman to deliver her child, the baby descends into the narrow part of the uterus known as the “cervix.” At this point, the cervix gradually softens, shortens, and becomes thinner. “Cervical thinning,” or “effacement,” is measured in... READ MORE