Westar OB/GYN

12/30/2025

Pregnancy exercises might help maintain or improve your fitness and prevent excess weight gain. Before you get started, be sure to avoid moves that make you feel unstable, which could increase your risk of falling.

Start with wall pushups, which work the pectoral muscles in the front of your chest wall and the triceps muscles in the back of your upper arm. Stand up facing a wall. Lean against the wall with your hands. Keep your knees comfortably apart. Place your hands on the wall at the level of your shoulders, slightly greater than shoulder-width apart. Slowly bend your elbows and lower your chest until your chin reaches the wall. Keep your back straight. Then return to the starting position. Gradually work up to 15 repetitions. (SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC) See more exercises here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/multimedia/pregnancy-exercises/sls-20076779?s=1

12/26/2025

After an unexpected cesarean birth, first-time mom Mikayla found herself learning to cope with breastfeeding problems, postpartum depression, and anxiety.

Mikayla, who is now 31 and lives in North Dakota, eventually found help for her depression and anxiety. She also educated herself about breastfeeding—and in doing so, learned to help others too. She’s now a lactation counselor and postpartum doula.

In this edited interview, Mikayla describes her journey finding postpartum support.

After an unexpected cesarean birth, first-time mom Mikayla found herself learning to cope with breastfeeding problems, postpartum depression, and anxiety. Mikayla, who is now 31 and lives in North Dakota, eventually found help for her depression and anxiety. She also educated herself about breastfee...

12/23/2025

Wishing a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. Our office will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve and be closed on Christmas day and Friday, Dec. 26th, in observance of the holiday.

12/23/2025

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine have 4 terms to describe babies born between 37 weeks and 42 weeks of pregnancy. In the past, a baby born anytime between 37 weeks and 42 weeks was considered "term." A pregnancy is now considered "full term" at 39 weeks.

12/22/2025

At Westar OB/GYN, we follow national guidelines for Pap smears and utilize the up-to-date liquid based pap smear collection medium with associated DNA testing for high risk HPV. HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, warts) and other changes to cells. Infection for a long time with certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer. HPV can also play a role in other types of cancer, such as cancers of the a**s, va**na, v***a, p***s, and oropharynx.

12/20/2025

Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. In fact, many women feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious at different times during their pregnancy and even after the baby is born. For many women, these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions are more serious and may stay for some time.

Depression and anxiety that happen during pregnancy or anytime during the first year after the birth of your baby are medical conditions. These fe​elings are not something you caused by doing or not doing something. And, they can be treated if you seek help.

12/19/2025

The “pelvic floor” is the group of muscles that form a sling or hammock across the floor of the pelvis. Together with surrounding tissues, these muscles hold the pelvic organs in place so they can function correctly. The pelvic organs include the bladder, urethra, intestines, and re**um. A woman’s pelvic organs also include the uterus, cervix, and va**na. A PFD occurs when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue weaken or are injured. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pelvicfloor/conditioninfo

12/18/2025

Certain lab tests are part of routine care during pregnancy. Some of these tests are done with a blood sample. Others use a urine sample or a sample of fluid taken from your va**na, cervix, or re**um. These tests can help find conditions that may increase the risk of complications for you and your fetus. Many problems found by these tests can be treated during pregnancy. Pregnant women typically are tested for specific diseases and infections early in pregnancy, including:
- rubella
- hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- tuberculosis (TB)

12/16/2025

Simple changes in your diet may help relieve the symptoms of PMS:

- Eat a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. A complex carbohydrate-rich diet may reduce mood symptoms and food cravings. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods made with whole grains, like whole wheat bread, pasta, and cereals. Other examples are barley, brown rice, beans, and lentils.

- Add calcium-rich foods, like yogurt and leafy green vegetables, to your diet.

- Reduce your intake of fat, salt, and sugar.

- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

- Change your eating schedule. Eat six small meals a day rather than three large ones, or eat slightly less at your three meals and add three light snacks. Keeping your blood sugar level stable will help with symptoms.

12/15/2025

Happy Hanukkah! May your candles burn bright this season.

12/12/2025

Bladder leaks aren’t shameful, and they don’t need to be a lifelong issue. In an article, an ob-gyn expert breaks down common types of incontinence, what causes them, and the wide range of treatment options available. Learn how to take charge of your bladder health:

Whether it’s a few drops of leaking urine or a complete emptying of the bladder, incontinence is a bladder control issue that women are twice as likely to have as men. You don’t have to suffer in silence. There are many treatment options available.

12/11/2025

If you’re planning to breastfeed, there are some things you can do in your last month of pregnancy that may make the process easier. Though breastfeeding is totally natural, it can be difficult at first. Some preparation can make the learning curve easier.

If you're planning to breastfeed, some preparation can make the learning curve easier. Learn about getting a breast pump, choosing a lactation counselor, preparing for challenges, and more tips from an ob-gyn.