DO, FACOG
Dr. Christian Pope is Board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is a long-standing medical staff member and past chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Luke's Hospital of SouthCoast Hospitals in New Bedford, Massachusetts and is in private group practice at Hawthorn Medical Associates, Inc. He is a member of the medical staff at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island as well as a Clinical Instructor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Warren Alpert Brown University School of Medicine.He received his Obstetrics and Gynecology training at the Tufts University School of Medicine, Baystate Medical Center. He has an experience of 19 years and has authored articles in noted peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapters, and has been recognized for his achievements in medical education by receiving "Excellence in Teaching" and "Outstanding Obstetrical Performance" awards from Tufts University School of Medicine, and most newly, he was honored with the Southcoast Hospitals Physician Recognition Award.
MomJunction believes in providing the most accurate content to its readers. Hence we get our articles reviewed by highly skilled experts in the relevant fields. The articles are reviewed to ensure their authenticity, factual correctness, and relevance. The board members also add inputs drawn from their years of experience. Learn more about our medical review board.
During pregnancy, the placenta is developed in the uterus as an important organ to provide nourishment and protection to your baby. In some pregnancies, it can become tethered to the lower section of the uterus, causing a pregnancy-related complication called placenta previa, or low-lying placenta. However, mostly the placenta is attached to the top or side of the uterus by the umbilical cord (1). Read this post to know more about placenta previa, how it affects your pregnancy and your baby, and a few strategies to correct or manage it for safe and healthy childbirth. [mj-toc] What Is Placenta Previa? Placenta previa is a pregnancy complication that occurs when the placenta lies low in the uterus and covers a part, or the entire cervix, which is the opening to the birth canal (2). Placenta previa occurs in one out of 200 pregnancies (3). The condition is not a concern if it happens in the early stages of pregnancy. But if...
Tramadol belongs to the class of opioid analgesics used for pain relief. Using tramadol when pregnant may be questionable due to concerns about the safety of the growing fetus. Body aches and pain commonly occur during pregnancy due to various reasons such as restricted blood flow, expanding uterus, or lack of adequate hydration. Home remedies are usually effective in managing most of these pains, such as back pain, leg pain, and abdominal cramps. Ideally, you should avoid taking medications unless the alternative treatments fail to produce relief. This post tells you about tramadol, its safety during pregnancy, side effects, and precautions to take. [mj-toc] What Is Tramadol (Ultram)? Tramadol is a prescription medication for treating moderate to severe pains caused by vascular, traumatic or inflammatory diseases. It belongs to a group of drugs known as opioid analgesics, which work by obstructing pain signals and changing the way the brain and nervous system react to pain. It is available in tablet...
[mj-toc] How Many Months Pregnant Are You At 33 Weeks? At the 33rd week of pregnancy, you are about seven months and one week pregnant, which means you are in the eighth month of pregnancy. How Big Is Your Baby At 33 weeks? In this week, your baby is the size of a pineapple (1). The baby will measure 17.2in (43.7cm) in length and weighs 4.23lb (1.92kg) (2). Baby Development At 33 Weeks By this week, the baby gets into a head down position and begins to press down into the cervix. Read on to know how the baby has developed so far. Body parts Development stage Eyes The baby can open and close the eyes. Pupils can constrict and dilate in response to light. Skin (3) Thicker and less wrinkled. Fat continues to deposit beneath the skin layer. Lungs (4) (5) Are almost fully matured. Rhythmic breathing begins. Brain and nervous system (6) Fully developed. Bones Starts to harden,...
Pregnancy melasma, also known as chloasma, is a condition that causes dark spots or gray-brown patches on the skin. It is also sometimes called the "mask of pregnancy" or "pregnancy mask" because melasma patches generally occur on the nose, forehead, chin, cheeks, and upper lip and appear like patches. Sometimes, these patches also appear on the neck, chest, forearms, and other body parts exposed to the sun (1).Maternal health is generally unaffected by the condition and poses no harm to the baby. Although the patches can be treated with topical medicines, they fade with time in most women. Read this post to learn more about melasma, including its causes and treatment options. [mj-toc] Is It Normal To Have Melasma During Pregnancy? According to a research paper published in the Croatian journal Collegium Antropologicum, melasma affects around 50% to 70% of women in their pregnancy. The increased levels of [simple_tooltip text="estrogen" tooltip="A sex hormone responsible for the development of female sexual...
If you have developed diabetes during pregnancy, a healthy and nutritious diet and routine workout usually help normalize blood glucose levels. However, sometimes, your doctor may prescribe insulin during pregnancy to maintain your blood glucose levels within the normal range (1). But how does one get gestational diabetes (GD) during pregnancy? When pregnant, the placenta in a woman's womb secretes hormones essential for the baby's development. However, these hormones can impair insulin activity and induce GD in certain pregnant women. Read this post to know the safety profile of oral insulin medications and injections in pregnancy. [mj-toc] When Do You Need To Take Insulin During Pregnancy? Women with diabetes do not produce insulin or their body stops responding to the natural insulin, increasing the blood glucose levels. Therefore, insulin is required and may be prescribed to keep your blood glucose levels in control (2). Blood glucose levels during conception and pregnancy are important to be normal both for development of...
NyQuil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication commonly used to relieve sore throat, cough, sneezing, headache, minor pains, aches, fever, and runny nose. While the medicine is usually safe, you might want to know if using NyQuil while pregnant is safe. It is a common concern that several mothers may have as taking medications during pregnancy affects not only you but your baby. Read this post as we tell you about the safety of NyQuil during pregnancy, its effects on the mother and the baby, and alternatives that you may consider. [mj-toc] Can You Take NyQuil During Pregnancy? [caption id="attachment_889873" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Some forms of NyQuil are safe to use while some are not. The alcohol content in NyQuil Liquid has about 10% alcohol, and it is not advisable to take; NyQuil LiquiCaps and Alcohol-free NyQuil Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief Liquid can be taken (1). But before going for any over-the-counter medications, try some simple and safe measures...
Scoliosis refers to a sideways curvature of the spine, giving it an S or a C shape. It usually occurs during the growth spurt in adolescents. The impact of scoliosis during pregnancy is usually mild. However, it may sometimes cause pain and discomfort as pregnancy progresses. But, does scoliosis affects pregnancy? Does scoliosis increase the risk of pregnancy complications? Read this post to know more about scoliosis, whether or not it can affect your chances of conceiving a baby, and if it has any adverse effect on the growing fetus. [mj-toc]Does Scoliosis Affect Pregnancy? In most women, scoliosis does not adversely impact pregnancy. However, some of the symptoms of severe scoliosis might get more painful during pregnancy (1). The pain could increase as the center of gravity shifts with the growing belly, and you naturally lean back to support the increasing weight. Back pain: In some severe cases of scoliosis, lower back pain might slightly increase during pregnancy (1). You...
The first symptom of your pregnancy is considered to be your missed period. Along with that, there are other symptoms of pregnancy in the first month that you might experience. Your body begins to prepare for the baby, and there are many hormonal changes taking place as well. But an interesting fact that you should note is that you are not pregnant in the first two weeks of your pregnancy. So why are the two weeks counted in the gestation period? Read on to understand more about this and other changes that are happening in your body when you are 1 week pregnant. [mj-toc] The First Week Of Pregnancy [caption id="attachment_890906" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] Experiencing symptoms of pregnancy in the first week is uncommon. Most women might not know they are pregnant in the first week as it is difficult to feel any change in the reproductive system at this phase. However, if you have been planning to get...
C-section is one of the most common surgical procedures; however, it is a major procedure and warrants special care (1). Hence, paying attention to your diet after cesarean delivery is pertinent to hasten recovery and support optimum milk production. You should consult a certified dietician or nutritionist to plan a well-balanced diet containing various foods from the different food groups. Read on as we give you insight into the essential nutrients you should include in your diet after a c-section delivery and some foods you should avoid eating. Also, we give you some tips to follow to maintain a healthy diet after delivery. [mj-toc] Why Is Nutrition Essential Post Delivery? Whether it is a normal delivery or a C-section, optimum nutrition speeds up the recovery and improves your energy levels. According to the Dietary Guidelines published by the US Department of Agriculture and endorsed by the American Dietetic Association, new mothers, who are breastfeeding, might require an additional daily intake...
A C-section scar infection may occur in 3-15% of women who deliver through a C-section. The number of women giving birth through C-sections has increased significantly in the past few decades (1). A prompt diagnosis and management of C-section scar infection can help improve its prognosis and prevent complications. Read this post to learn more about the causes, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of C-section scar infection. [mj-toc] What Is A C-Section Wound Infection? [caption id="attachment_884683" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] A c-section wound infection, also known as post-cesarean section wound infection, is a bacterial infection that develops after cesarean delivery. It is due to bacterial infecting the surgical site (2). The infection could usually happen due to numerous types of bacteria and may be a superficial skin infection or a more dangerous deeper pelvic wound abcess. It is essential to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the problem What Are The Causes Of...
The amniotic fluid acts as a cushion to the baby in your womb. It also helps in the development of the baby’s lungs, digestive tract, and muscles. Too high or too little fluid volume may sometimes cause complications in pregnancy. In this MomJunction post, we will help explain the significance of amniotic fluid. [mj-toc]What Is Polyhydramnios? Excess build-up of amniotic fluid around the growing baby is termed as polyhydramnios or hydramnios (1). According to the Fetal Medicine Foundation, UK, this condition occurs in one out of 100 cases (2). Ideally, the doctor checks the amniotic fluid levels through an ultrasound. The normal volume of amniotic fluid should be between 500 and 1000ml. If it goes beyond this, there could be certain problems in the pregnancy. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/insulin-during-pregnancy-uses-and-side-effects_00327145/" title="Insulin During Pregnancy: When You Need It And Safety Measures"] What Are The Causes Of Polyhydramnios? In most cases, it is not clear why the amniotic fluid levels increase. However, some possible causes...
Diastasis recti or abdominal separation refers to the separation of the two bands of abdominal muscles (recti-abdominis or six-pack muscles) that extend from the chest to the pelvis and meet along the mid-line of the stomach. The linea alba (connective tissue) that connects these muscle groups expands sideways as they separate, making the connective tissue weaker and thinner (1). This condition, also known as rectus abdominis muscle diastasis (DRAM), frequently occurs during and after pregnancy. This post explains the causes, symptoms, treatment, and management of diastasis recti as well as some exercises to control the condition. [mj-toc]What Causes Diastasis Recti During Pregnancy? Diastasis recti can occur due to the intra-abdominal pressure created by the growing fetus (2). Also, the pregnancy hormones cause the connective tissue to relax, further contributing to the separation (3). This condition usually develops in the later stages of pregnancy, and the second stage of labor with pushing may also contribute to the separation. [MJ_RELATED_LINKS href="https://www.momjunction.com/articles/stages-of-pregnancy-conception-to-labor_00101527/" title="5...
What is ibuprofen, and why is it suggested? Is it safe to take ibuprofen during pregnancy? Why is it not safe to take ibuprofen during pregnancy? What if you are already taking ibuprofen during pregnancy? Is there any safer alternative for ibuprofen during pregnancy? Can you use ibuprofen gel during pregnancy? No, Pregnancy calls for extreme caution when taking medications. You cannot take any medicine without your doctor’s recommendation, as a few drugs may have harmful effects on your unborn baby. Here, MomJunction talks about the common painkiller, Ibuprofen, whether or not it should be taken, and the reasons for caution. What Is Ibuprofen And Why Is It Suggested? Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and is available under the brandnames - Nurofen, Ebufac, Rimafen, Arthrofen, Brufen and Fenbid. This medication is used against fever, pain, headache, and arthritis (1). The drug is available over the counter, without a doctor’s prescription. And, this is...