OB-GYN Associates

🎉 Today is Hannah’s first day with our practice! 🎉

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Hannah as she has her first day with our team today.

We are excited to have her join our family and know she will be a wonderful addition to the care we provide our patients. Hannah brings a passion for women’s health and a commitment to supporting women through every stage of life.

If you see Hannah in the office, be sure to say hello and help us make her first day extra special! 💙

💜 High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week: While most pregnancies after age 35 are healthy, understanding age-related risks can help patients make informed decisions about their care.

More women are having babies after age 35, and with appropriate prenatal care, most go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.

🔹 Women ages 35–39+ have an increased risk of pregnancy-related morbidity, and the risk continues to rise with advancing age.
🔹 The risk of stillbirth increases after age 40, which is why additional monitoring may be recommended.
🔹 ACOG recommends delivery between 39 0/7 and 39 6/7 weeks for many women age 40 and older due to increasing stillbirth risk later in pregnancy.
🔹 Prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing options should be discussed and offered to all patients, regardless of age.
🔹 Low-dose aspirin may be recommended for preeclampsia prevention in women age 35 and older who have additional risk factors.
🔹 Age alone is not an indication for cesarean delivery.

✨ Early prenatal care, individualized monitoring, and open communication with your OB-GYN can help support the healthiest possible pregnancy.

If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy after age 35, talk with your provider about your individual risk factors and care plan.

🤱🏾 💙

🌟 We are thrilled to announce that our Breastfeeding Support team has once again received the prestigious IBCLC Care Award for 2026! 🤱

This global honor recognizes hospitals that go above and beyond for new mothers by providing lactation support seven days a week, extensive specialized staff training, and dedicated community outreach projects.

Madison Hospital first earned this elite distinction in 2020, and our incredible team has been successfully awarded every two years since!

🏆 We are the ONLY hospital in North Alabama, and one of THREE in the entire state, to receive this recognition from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association - ILCA.

Thank you to our dedicated lactation consultants and nursing staff for your unwavering commitment to giving Madison moms and babies the healthiest possible start. We are so proud of the expert, compassionate care you provide every single day! 💚

Please join us in celebrating this amazing team in the comments below! 👇

💜 High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week: Some pregnancy complications can develop silently, making routine prenatal monitoring especially important.

Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) occurs when a baby isn't growing as expected during pregnancy and is a significant contributor to stillbirth and neonatal complications.

🔹 FGR is defined as an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age.
🔹 Babies below the 3rd percentile face more than double the baseline risk of stillbirth.
🔹 Umbilical artery Doppler studies are a key surveillance tool and can help reduce perinatal complications when added to standard monitoring.
🔹 Absent or reversed blood flow in the umbilical artery may indicate severe placental insufficiency and can require early delivery.
🔹 FGR alone is not an indication for cesarean delivery, but close monitoring is essential.

💙 Growth restriction can be silent. Routine ultrasounds and fetal surveillance help identify concerns early and guide care.

Keep all scheduled prenatal appointments and discuss any questions with your healthcare provider.

Summer reminder: your vaginal and urinary health deserve the same attention as the rest of your body.

Warmer weather, swimming, workouts, travel, and changes in routine can sometimes make irritation, discharge changes, or urinary symptoms more noticeable. Some changes may be normal, but symptoms like burning, itching, strong odor, pelvic pain, pain with s*x, or unusual discharge are worth discussing with your provider.

Your body is allowed to change. You’re also allowed to ask questions.

If something feels off, don’t wait it out or try to figure it out alone. Your OB-GYN can help you understand what’s going on and recommend the right next step.

Save this post for summer, and schedule a visit if you’re experiencing symptoms.

💜 High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week: Recognizing your risk factors and knowing the warning signs of preeclampsia can help lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes.

Hypertensive disorders are among the leading causes of maternal morbidity worldwide.

🔹 Low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) is recommended for many women at increased risk and is most effective when started before 16 weeks of pregnancy.
🔹 Preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby if left untreated.
🔹 Aspirin prophylaxis has been shown to reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

⚠️ Know the warning signs:
• Severe headache
• Vision changes
• Upper abdominal pain
• Sudden swelling
• Shortness of breath

If you experience concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.

💜 High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week: Certain conditions can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, but early screening, close monitoring, and timely treatment can help improve outcomes for both mother and baby. 💜

Today, we're highlighting gestational diabetes, one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Gestational diabetes affects an estimated 6–25% of pregnancies.

Knowing your risk and getting screened on time can help support a healthier pregnancy for both mom and baby.

🔹 All pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes between 24–28 weeks of pregnancy.
🔹 Women with risk factors, including obesity, a history of gestational diabetes, or a family history of diabetes, should be screened at their first prenatal visit.
🔹 When healthy eating and physical activity aren't enough to control blood sugar levels, insulin remains the preferred treatment according to ACOG.
🔹 Uncontrolled diabetes during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of serious complications, including stillbirth.

✨ Early screening and treatment can improve outcomes for both mother and baby.

If you have risk factors for gestational diabetes, talk with your OB-GYN provider about whether early screening is right for you.

Many women wait until they feel completely overwhelmed before reaching out for support.

But mental health concerns don’t have to become severe before they deserve attention.

Your OB-GYN can help identify whether symptoms may be related to stress, hormones, postpartum changes, or something more—and guide you toward the right support.

📌 Save this post as a reminder that your mental health matters too.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We are grateful for their sacrifice and the freedoms they have protected.

From all of us at OBGYN Associates, we remember and thank you.