Women's Health Issues - Medical Group of Women Physicians – Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Office
510 N. Prospect Ave. #320
310.376.2716

Manhattan Beach Office
2809 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
(Formerly Centinela Womens group)
310.545.1247

E-Mail: info@mgwp.org

Women's Health Issues

The placenta is a special organ that connects a pregnant woman's uterus with the developing fetus to provide it with nourishment and healthy growth. If a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol quickly crosses the placenta and enters the fetus. The alcohol travels through the fetus's bloodstream in a concentration similar to the mother's. The underdeveloped liver of the fetus burns up alcohol much more slowly than the fully developed functioning liver of the mother, and the alcohol remains in the fetal system longer. Heavy drinking can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), an impairment that becomes obvious after the infants birth, with brain deficiency, retardation, and characteristic physical abnormalities. Even social drinking places the devoloping fetus at some health risk.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

When a pap smear turns up abnormal, women may automatically become fearful that they have cervical cancer. The fact is that fewer than 10% of Pap smears show an abnormality, and most of these do not indicate cancer. This is particularly true if you have had consistently normal results in the past. Cellular changes that progress to cervical cancer do so very slowly. Regularly scheduled Pap smears allow physicians to recognize a potential problem before these cellular changes progress to cancer.

News Articles
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) | "Abnormal" Defined

If you are having difficulty in freeing yourself from an alcohol or chemical dependency, don't forego prenatal care in the attempt tp conceal a health risk to the developing fetus. Instead, find a health care provider that will work in partnership with you to develop a workable treatment strategy so that you can maintain a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Call Today for an Appointment with a Member of the Medical Group of Women Physicians

Moreover, abnormal cellular changes can be caused by an inflamation or infection. A repeat Pap may show that cervical cells have returned to normal. An abnormal result might also indicate early-stage, precancerous changes. Rarely does the test reveal cancer. By having an annual physical, which includes a Pap smear, you ensure that you will reap the benefits of early successful treatment strategy, should your exam reveal a developing health issue. Call Today for an Appointment with a Member of the Medical Group of Women Physicians

"Abnormal" Defined