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Southern Ocean County Hospital would like to thank everyone who e-mailed questions for this edition of Ask-The-Expert and would like to especially thank Dr. Liu for taking part in the program.

April : Pregnancy and Childbirth

Question 1
Is the hospital looking to bring in more OBGYNs? I have family in the area and I was curious about what was happening.

A new OB/GYN, Natalia Y. Rezvina, MD will be joining the SOCH medical staff in July. Dr. Rezvina is our first femal OB/GYN. In addition, the Hospital is committed to growing our OB/GYN staff is actively involved in reviewing potential OB/GYN candidates.

Question 2
What are risks of pregnancy at 43 years of age?

After 43 years old, there is an increased risk of delivering a child with Down’s Syndrome. There is also an increased risk for high blood pressure during pregnancy, preeclapsia and pre-term labor. It is important for you to discuss all of these concerns and risks with your physician so that you can work together to develop a plan for pre-natal care that will address these risks – with the end result being a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Question 3
I am three months pregnant, and I have heard mixed things about having an epidural. Some of my friends have used no anesthesia, and others had an epidural. Is an epidural safe? Can you get one if you want it? What if you are 8 centimeters – will an epidural still work?

An epidural is a safe method for pain control that is used by many women during labor and delivery. At SOCH, I work in tandem with the laboring mother and the anesthesiologist to determine which pain relief method is the best option for her. You can still get an epidural at eight centimeters, however, if the labor is going fast at that point, I would recommend against it. Again, this is a decision that you, as the laboring mother, need to make with your OB/GYN.

Question 4
I have hyperemesis and I am now in my 12th week. Will this go away as my pregnancy progresses. Will it hurt my baby? I’m afraid to take any medications. Thanks for your help.

Hyperemesis usually subsides after 12-14 weeks. The condition will not hurt your baby. There are medications available to provide relief if the condition becomes severe and uncontrollable. Usually, for women with hyperemesis, the best time to try to eat is after vomiting.

Dr. Liu's answers are informational only and should not be used as a diagnosis or for treatment. Please talk to your physician about official diagnosis of your condition and treatment.