Dr. Paul MacKoul, MD

If you just had a baby or are still expecting, it's important to consider birth control options . There are various choices, and finding the right one for you depends on many factors. Hormonal methods release hormones into your body that prevent ovulation. This allows you to avoid pregnancy. One of the most popular birth control methods is an implant called Implanon. This is a small flexible plastic rod placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy for three years. It is very effective, more than 99%. IMPLANON is safe to use and does not interfere with your menstrual cycle. However, you should check with your healthcare professional if you've had unusual vaginal bleeding or lower stomach (abdominal) pain before using this product. If you become pregnant while using IMPLANON, you have a slightly higher chance of having an ectopic pregnancy (inside the womb that is not growing properly)...

The placenta, a sac-like organ, functions as your baby's food source, oxygen source, and organ of elimination throughout pregnancy. It may become too big and obstruct your cervix, the entry to your vagina, in the last few months of pregnancy. It's known as placenta previa. Placenta previa, which prevents vaginal birth by covering the cervix (opening of the uterus), occurs throughout pregnancy. It may result in bleeding and need a cesarean birth. It is uncommon in the first and second trimesters, but in the third trimester, it affects roughly 1 in 200 women. Usually, it goes away on its own. During the third trimester, there may be painless vaginal bleeding and contractions. If you have any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor. If the bleeding is serious, you should also visit the hospital immediately. Your doctor will perform an ultrasound to look for placenta previa. Then, to check whether the situation improves, you may need more ultrasounds. Althoug...