Cathy Collins-Fulea MSN, CNM, FACNM is the Section Head, Midwifery and Medical Director, In-Patient Obstetrics for the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit MI. Ms Collins-Fulea's initial nursing and midwif ery education were complete in England before returning to complete a refresher program at Booth Maternity Center in Philadelphia. She then completed her Master's in Nursing Administration at Oakland University in Mic higan. read more

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midwife   Thread Posted by Replies Views Date   trying to concieve late period or to early to tell?? Question Hi im 37 I had my lmp on april 6th for 3 days normal for me on the 10th had a pap everything came back good On the 12th had light spotting like only there when i wiped and a bit overnight i had really sore breasts cramps and headaches like everynite Havent had another period yet this week except for monday i havent had any bloatedness and i only have slight little cramps like you would get before your period>> so confused we are trying i have never had mid cycle spotting if thats what we call it I took a pee test about an hour ago came out negative what do you think Frustrating to say the least Answer mamaofmadis 1 9 5/8/08 7:28 pm   breasfeeding Question i have 3 weeks olds daugther i'm breasfeeding my niple were big but now they become smaller is that normal Answer king12 1 9 5/8/08 3:28 am   sound Question i read that the baby can hear now so i decided to let him listen to music i put my ear piece to my i pod in my belly button and let him listen my mother in law saw me do this and freaked ou she said it is bad for the baby and i am gooing to ruin his ears is this true Answer new mom 1 7 5/7/08 10:11 pm   Fluid Leakage Question Will I know if fluid is leaking from my water bag Answer Mz. Cullum 1 6 5/7/08 3:40 pm   Just how far along am I? Question I thought I was 19 wks today yet all the online clubs I've joined all say congratz on 18th wk It seems they have always put me a week behind Am I not as far along as I thougt Which is right I'm due Oct 7 Answer miracle baby mama n TX 1 4 5/7/08 2:21 pm   Braxton Hicks Question I am not really sure if I am feeling any BH I do feel my stomach tightening but I would desribe that feeling more like the baby is moving or flipping around It is not like I need to stop what I am doing because of this feeling It is more subtle Is it possible some people do not get BH Answer kelo 1 9 5/6/08 3:06 pm   I'm 35wks Question I'm 35wks and i feel like she is pushing out already and there are time that i leak to Answer sadgirl 1 4 5/6/08 1:40 am   Almost 33 weeks Question My last child was born at 37 weeks and weighed 8lbs 14 oz   I a just over 5 ft tall and normally weigh only about 130   My husband was a large baby and so was his brother both around 9 lbs   I had a cesarian with him due to his size and my blood pressure shot up around 36 weeks   My ultrasound at 31 weeks with this new baby measured him already with a due date of June 10th and that he weighed 4 8 at that time   My tummy measurement put me already at 36 wks when I was only 31   I am worried that this baby will be just as large as my first child   My OB does not want to schedule my cesarian until 10 days before my due date   I have had very painful contractions sometimes frequent sometimes not for several wks already and I do not "feel" like my body can handle going much past the 37 wks mark as this baby already probably weighs about 5 lbs   When is it "safe" to schedule a cesarian and am I totally rediculous for asking that it be done earlier than 10 days before my due date   Thanks :)   Answer momof2 1 4 5/4/08 8:50 pm   Anticoagulant antibodies Question What is the normal level range for the these antibodies when blood tested Answer Kachic 1 8 5/7/08 3:51 pm   Always worried... Question Hi This is my second pregnany and my first ended in miscarriage   The first time around I made it to ten weeks and there was no heartbeat and the baby only measured at about 8 weeks   This time we did an ultrasound at 8 weeks everything was fine and heard the heartbeat about 10 and a half weeks   Currently I am about 13 1/2 weeks pregnant   I am very excited but I  always tend to find something to worry about   So my question this week is about when should I start showing and my stomach to feel alittle harder   I am a small frame and was never really overweight   I could have probably lost about 5 or so pounds prior to pregnancy but that would fluctuate   It is just in the mornings I feel so much thinner and get myself all concerned   I guess I just don't know what to expect really or when things should be happening   Any thoughts or information would be helpful to me right now   Thanks so much Answer caser 1 49 5/4/08 1:41 pm   First time, 35 Weeks with twins! Fetal movement, cramps, etc. Question Hi I am 35 weeks with two boys They were already 4lbs 5 oz last appointment which was almost 3 weeks ago I have an appointment Monday Im getting really really  strong pains when they move and when I get out of bed or move to my side  and I know its probbably just because they are so big and soo heavy and there is no space in there I am 5'0 feet tall I have a couple of questions for the past couple of weeks but more now I've had menstrual like feelings and cramping on my lower abdomen  Yet i used to get contractions once in a while and I havent really at all now or I cant tell because the babies moving makes my stomach hard just not as much as the contractions before Is that normal And what about the cramping  Does the mucous plug always come out before labor is approaching I've also felt water drip sometimes and it really sint pee its water is that ok Also how do I count fetal movement it's hard to tell which one is moving and one has always moved a lot more   By when should they already be in position before determining the need for a c section One baby was in position but the other was head in the middle body completely on my side I felt him turn into position and you could clearly tell by my stomach   and it was very painful  but they are so short of sapce that I think he went back to where he had been Also if one baby is not in position should I ask for a c secton I dont want one normal and one c section anyway  And with anemia how dangerous is that Sorry soo many questions But I really appreciate your help and this blog is WONDERFUL Answer sassy 1 45 5/4/08 6:15 am   What happens if you are anemic? Question I was reading to your answer about tearing episiotomies and perineal massage Do you recommmend trying perineal massage then just in case it helps Also you said tothe other person that tissue stretches better if you are healthy and that if she needed an episiotomy to make sure it was mediolateral instead what does that mean and what is the difference Also you told her to make sure that she wasnt anemic   but I am So what difference does that make and what do you recommend Thanks Answer sassy 1 45 5/4/08 5:11 am   More induction questions - a little long, sorry Question Hi I apologize in advanace this is likely to be long Just to recap I had high blood pressure issues early in my pregnancy and I am now 34 weeks pregnant with my second (and likely last) baby I have had no pressure issues at all in  months My pressures are always perfect both at home at at the dr office I am having weekly BPP's and NST's and everything is great My weight gain sugar labs etc are all perfect I am working wtih a group of 4 midwives The doctor who over sees the midwives at this clinic keeps putting a note in my chart that it  is strongly reccommended that I get induced at 39 weeks to avoid my blood pressure from rising (I am told the greatest risk of this happening is between 39 41 weeks) to avoid pre eclampsia and to avoid the need for magnesium and therefore me not being able to work with the midwives Each time I see a midwife we talk about this it is often the first thing they discuss with me and I get differing opinions from them 2 of them are definitive that if everything continues to go well   my pressures don't go up and I don't spill protein in my urine then they don't think I need to do this 1 is of the opinion that I should do this regardless just to be safe (Although she did talk about stripping my membranes at 36 weeks and talked about nipple stimulation etc to try to get the baby to come sooner than 39 weeks so as to avoid this issue all together) The last midwife I haven't seen in a while cause she has been out of the country but I will see her next week Last time I saw her she said the same thing if all is well it is not necessary The one who thinks I should do it was very adamant yesterday I asked her this if my pressure does start to rise will it rise so much and so quickly that i will instantly have to go on magnesium or will we see a trend My thoughts are that if we see a trend then induce me then before it gets so high I have to go on magnesium/work with the dr   But why do something so drastic when there are chances it won't be necessary at all I get so frusturated because while I know this is utimately my decision I use the input from the midwives to help me make my decisions (I value their opinions as they are the medical professionals) and I feel confused when they all tell me different opinions I told this midwife yesterday that they need to get together and come to a similar comclusion so that they are not sending me mixed messages She just kept stating that ACOG (is that right ) states that for someone who had hypertension to begin with ( which this issue is even questionable as I saw my PCP and he followed me and my blood pressures a while and stated I do not have hypertension but the makings of having it in the future) this is the standard of care I have worked so hard to be responsible this pregnancy I have not gained too much weight I watch what I eat and drink I walk I do my hypnobirthing breathing i try to ge my rest I want to try to have as natrual and non invasive a birth as possible When I think of induction I know that means intense contractions which may mean an epidural it means an IV and constant fetal monitoring which means staying in bed in a laying down position That takes all the freedom away from me I am also frusturated because both this doctor and one of the midwives had told me from the beginning "IF" my blood pressure is out of control then I will be induced They are saying something different now   So I was wondering your thoughts on the issue I really envision a labor and delivery that is peaceful and in which I am relaxed and free to move about as I need I was induced with my first and it was nothing like that Please know that I want to do what is best for me and my baby and I certainly don't want to jeapordize anyone's health and safety If my pressures do go up I will be the first to ask where and when to be so that I can be induced Also will you please speak to the question I posed to my midwife about my pressure rising is there time or will it happen so quickly that I need to be put on magnesium instantly She did state that 140/90 is the number of big concern (My pressure yesterday in the dr office was 122/82 this is the highest I have seen it in a while and at home was 111/73 ) One last question all the literature I read states that a pregnant woman's pressure tends to go up in the last trimester My midwife yesterday said that it tends to go down due to the increased blood volume and that it does not tend to go up until 39 weeks and that is why the big concern This differs to me from the literature What is your knowledge of tihs issue Thanks for taking the time to read this and to answer I know it is long but I am sure you hear my concerns and frusturations   rizzo Answer Rizzo19 2 40 4/30/08 12:00 pm   The Signs Of Labor ..... 38 weeks pregnant Question IM 38 WEEKS  PREGNANT AN MY  DOCTOR  SAYS  THAT MY  CERVIX  IS  STILL CLOSED  AN MODERATLEY HIGH AN HASNT THINNED OUT  YET I WAS  WONDERING  IF  THAT WILL CAUSE  ME  TO GO OVER  MY  DUE  DATE I ONLY  HAVE  14  DAYS  LEFT  TILL THAT DAY DO U THINK THAT MY  CERVIX  WILL OPEN ITS SELF  UP OR  WILL I HAVE  TO BE  INDUCED IM SCARED  THIS  IS  MY  FIRST CHILD SO I DONT  REALLY  KNOW  TOO MUCH ABOUT  THIS  STUFF Answer First Time Mommie 08 1 76 5/2/08 10:11 pm   My baby and I Question I am 20 yrs old   This is my second pregnancy but I lost the first one at the age of 15 and only 10 weeks along   I am currently 30 weeks and 1day today   I have been experiencing very strong period like cramps in my back and a very sharp pain a couple inches above the Pelvic bone   My doctor says that there is nothing wrong but I think that there might be something that she is looking over or hasn’t experienced before   I am just scared to go into labor being so far away   What can I do or what can I bring up to my doctor to bring a light bulb in her head   Please help me help my doctor to help me Answer vickeydee 1 31 5/2/08 4:15 am   DESPRATLEY TRYING TO CONCEIVE Question IM 36 YRS OLD NEVER BEEN PREGNANT AND  MY HUSBAND OF 16 YRS AND I ARE DESPRATE TO HAVE A BABY I WAS RECENTLY "TOLD" I MAY BE GOING THRU MENAPAUSE I CANT HELP BUT TRY TO FIGHT THIS WITH EVERYTHING IN ME BECAUSE WE WANT A CHILD SO MUCH CAN YOU HELP Answer TANDJGLENN@NETZERO.COM 1 27 5/1/08 10:23 pm   It's me again Question Why aren't my questions posting Answer BananaMommy 1 15 5/1/08 7:09 pm   miscarriage Question I posted a week or so ago with a blighted ovum possibility I got the results from the dr I went to on my bloodwork hcg levels were at 21k on Wednesday and 17k on Friday The dr didn't see a baby just a sac We both agreed that it looked like a miscarriage Well I went to the ER on Tuesday and spent all day there They said they saw a baby but no heartbeat They said since I wasn't bleeding and that it could be too early they didn't want to do a d&c so I don't know what to think They also said that the "os" was still closed whatever that is (the mouth of the cervix ) and wanted me to follow up with another dr in a few days I don't have the time or money to get re evaluated Should I just wait for it to pass on it's own Do you have any suggestions Answer BananaMommy 1 17 5/1/08 6:55 pm   Swelling at 18 weeks Question Is it normal to have swelling in your hands and feet when waking each morning This is my third child and I never had this with either one of my girls Answer candi 1 20 4/30/08 8:22 pm   amnio Question my due date is june 23 08 My doctor has scheduled me for a c section on june 12 08 Do i need  to have a amnio now Is it needed now so late in pregnancy Answer maria 1 14 4/30/08 7:53 pm   being plus size and pregnant Question Hi Im 3 months pregnant with my 2nd child My first was great I only gain 22 lbs my baby was 8 lbs 10 oz  I had not sugar high  blood pressure or any health problems and no morning sickness I didnt even start to show until about 6 1/2 months along But My question is Im already starting to show and Im only 3 months pregnant I look like it did when i was 6 months along with my first Is this normal and will I be really big when I ready to have this baby im worried Answer joyp 1 45 4/30/08 1:15 pm   It's me again Question Ok I went to the dr on 4/23 and saw a specialist She is the one who saw a sac but no baby She sent me for blood work that day and then again on Friday My hgc level was 21k on Wednesday and 17k on Friday That to me and that Dr meant I was having a miscarriage Yesterday I spent the day in the ER because I was cramping so bad They did another u/s and this time saw a baby but no heartbeat They wouldn't do a d&c and wanted me to do a follow up in a few days and get another ultrasound even though I told them about getting tests done already The Dr even told me the "os" whatever that is is still closed and I am not bleeding but I didn't bleed with my other m/cs Do you have any advice on what I should do now I have been told to either to go an abortion clinic to get it removed which is NOT an option for me or just to let it pass naturally I am still cramping heavily but no bleeding Answer BananaMommy 1 22 4/30/08 6:09 pm   worried about the pain Question THis is my second pregnancey in my first I didn't have any pain durring the pregnancey it's self I barley knew that I was pregnant in this one I am constantly hurting my my abdoman The baby is higher than it should be and my breast are growing at an accelerated rate and I started showing at 3 1/2 months I do not know what the baby is or even if there are 2 or more I am worried that there is something wrong or that there are more than one in there I don't have inssurance so I can't go and see a doctor right now What is wrong Does it sound like something is wrong or am I over reacting does it sound like I may have twins in there Answer Williams Amy 1 34 4/30/08 2:55 am   Can excercise cause miscarriage? Question With spotting that has almost stopped (at 8 weeks) w/twins was told it was OK to excercise by OB GYN non or low impact (was expecially concerned about doing anything to potentially reduce risks of pre eclampsia) 4o minutes on nordictrack (non impact illiptical) could still talk though not easily felt like some exertion not much sweating   now spotting is back really worried    can excercise cause miscarriage Answer gebbeth 1 23 4/29/08 3:44 pm   Ultrasound Question My question is Is it okay to have an ultrasound within a month apart Answer nicole 1 30 4/29/08 3:13 pm   hello i am new at this Question hi i was just wondering what would cause me to get dizzy spells and light headed and feel like i am fixin to pass out Answer cowgirl512 1 23 4/28/08 11:37 pm   36wks, 3cm, want baby out... Question I am 36 weeks pregnant today on thursday last week I was 3cm dialated and 50 effaced I have had contractions everyday but no more than 5 an hour and they stop altogether for hours I have been having more and more mucus come out after using the bathroom and some diarhea I feel like I have dialated further but my doc appt isnt until this friday when is it not safe to be walking around when you are so many cm dialated I feel anxious to go to the doc to see if I am progressing along Should I be walking more to try to induce this labor or no Answer lilyfairy 1 59 4/28/08 10:35 pm   weight loss Question Hi Cathy I asked a question on 4/21 about exercise and weight loss   Had a'nother question   I went for my five week check up and I weighed in 138lbs   I could tell i was retaining some water because my riny rings were tight today   Anyways considering that I normally weigh 120 and am 5'5 I was wondering if this is a lot of weight to be hanging on to   I am going to start exercising now that I got the OK   Because I am nursing my nurse practitioner thought that my body would not be able to get down to 120 without sacrificing my milk supply   Is this true   she said my BMI would get too low   Answer kim 1 21 4/28/08 7:47 pm   Perineal Massage Question Hi my name is michelle and Im due in June 2008 I was woundering if you cantellme more about the perineal massage Im scared that im going to tare four degree again like with my 8lb first baby even though i didint tare with my scond baby that was 6lbs What position do i do that in And does it really help Answer MommyToBeThree 1 40 5/1/08 11:18 pm   Sick stomach at 39 weks Question      hello im 9 weeks pregnant andfeeling sick to my stomach could this be a sign of early labor Answer islandmommy 1 30 4/28/08 4:36 am

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