In addition to the highly specialized care our clinicians provide to patients across the country every day, many also serve as go-to expert sources for top national and regional media outlets. Pediatrix® clinicians regularly contribute to news articles, sharing their expertise to help educate readers on a wide variety of popular topics related to women’s and children’s health, as well as unique stories of innovative patient care.
Here’s a roundup of some of the latest stories:
Suzy Lipinski, M.D., obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) and medical director, spoke with PopSugar about leg swelling after a cesarean section (C-section), which is a common but not often talked about side effect of the surgery. Dr. Lipinski shared that swollen legs after a C-section can be attributed to two common things that happen during labor and immediately after. "It comes from a combination of IV fluids given during the procedure [or] labor and the natural increase in fluids after delivery," she said. "At the time of delivery, mom's heart is pumping a lot of blood to the uterus, and then after delivery, only a small amount of blood goes to the uterus," explained Dr. Lipinski. When this change occurs after the baby is born, "that means a lot of fluid [and] blood gets squeezed back" into mom’s blood supply.
Rebecca Keith, M.D., OBGYN, spoke with The Bump about birthing chairs. Laboring in an upright position can aid in a faster and more comfortable delivery. Women who deliver at home or a birthing center often opt for a birthing chair, though they’re not used as frequently in hospitals. Hospital beds have come a long way, offering adjustable positioning and increased functionality that allows them to basically transform into a birthing chair, said Dr. Keith. “The back of the bed can be elevated so the woman can lean on it, and the bottom of the bed can be dropped to allow for the patient to be placed in essentially a throne position [to] emulate a birthing chair,” she explained. Women who use a chair can sit forward or backward for leverage during contractions, said Dr. Keith. In between contractions, she added, it provides a stable place to rest in the forward-facing position.
Kyle Graham, M.D., OBGYN and practice medical director, spoke with Parade about the use of diabetes and weight loss medications like Ozempic to help manage symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including insulin resistance. He shared that the exact cause of PCOS is unknown. "It likely is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors," said Dr. Graham. "At the level of the ovary, there is abnormal development of the ovarian follicles during a woman's monthly cycle. When the hormones from the ovary are imbalanced monthly, the hormones around the entire body can be imbalanced." While PCOS can affect fertility, Dr. Graham warned that it is not advisable to take these medications if a person is trying to conceive or already pregnant. "It's contraindicated in pregnancy," he said. "If you are trying to get pregnant, you should also not take semaglutide. In fact, you should stop semaglutide two months before trying to get pregnant."
Tina Hendrick, M.D., OBGYN and practice medical director, spoke with Babylist about weight management during pregnancy. She shared that body mass index (BMI) is the standard for guiding pregnancy weight gain, fetal testing and certain medication dosages during pregnancy. This is especially important when it comes to treating pregnancy complications, since many studies use BMI as their guidelines, said Dr. Hendrick. She also noted that it’s important to be mindful of weight loss during pregnancy, which is not advisable but can happen unintentionally. The amount of weight lost becomes concerning and potentially problematic when it reaches five to ten percent of your total body weight, explained Dr. Hendrick.
Several physicians spoke to Parents:
Jenelle Ferry, M.D., neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development, discussed new research on the benefits of pumping and human milk for newborns. One study found that people who used pumps provided human milk to their children significantly longer than those who did not, and the other showed that human milk was better for infants’ intestinal development than formula. “I encourage all [parents] to breastfeed and/or pump to provide breast milk for their babies and to give themselves grace if they can’t provide human milk exclusively for their baby,” said Dr. Ferry. “We are fortunate to have safe alternatives with formula. Breast milk definitely has benefits that can’t be replicated by formula, and formula will still ensure that a baby gets appropriate nutrition to grow and thrive.”
Todd Zimmerman, D.O., pediatric emergency medicine physician and practice medical director, discussed the dangers of water beads. A recent study found that more than 8,000 visits to US emergency departments occurred from 2007 through 2022 due to water beads, most of which involved children swallowing the beads or putting them in their nose or ear. Dr. Zimmerman explained that, if swallowed, these beads can expand inside the gastrointestinal tract and cause bowel obstructions and even death. "Additionally, they can represent a choking risk and may contain toxic chemicals," he said. "Some children put toys in their mouth without having the intention of swallowing them, but it just happens. Some children may also think it's funny to swallow a toy. And, of course, some may mistake it for candy."
Zachary Hoy, M.D., pediatric infectious disease specialist, discussed the rise in Oropouche virus, sometimes called “sloth fever,” cases, which recently prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a health advisory. While the US cases noted were related to international travel, Dr. Hoy advised that if parents think their child may be infected, the first step is to contact their health care provider and schedule an evaluation. "Some of the common things to watch for are dehydration from not wanting to eat or drink regularly," said Dr. Hoy. He stressed that while it is possible to diagnose sloth fever, there is no antiviral treatment, though that does not change how the virus is managed once it's been detected. "Most commonly used medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as Motrin or naproxen sodium," he said. “This can help alleviate muscle and joint pain.”
Robert Quillin, M.D., pediatrician and practice medical director, discussed the use of sleep sacks and swaddles, which promote comfortable, secure sleep for infants. A sleep sack is similar to a swaddle, but much less restrictive, he explained. “Sleep sacks have unrestricted arm movement, which can be sleeved or sleeveless [and] the lower portion is looser and allows your baby to move their legs more freely,” said Dr. Quillin. The same safety considerations that apply to a swaddle also apply to a sleep sack, he said. “The weight or thickness of the blanket may really be the only potential safety concern when used correctly.”
To view additional stories, visit the Pediatrix newsroom.
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