Find expert answers to your health questions

Swedish

Our Mission

Swedish is the largest, most comprehensive non-profit health provider in the Greater Seattle area.  It includes five hospital campuses and Swedish Medical Group – a network of primary-care and specialty clinics.  In addition to general medical and surgical care, Swedish is known as a regional referral center, providing specialized treatment in areas such as neurological care, digestive health, cardiovascular care, orthopedics, cancer care, high-risk obstetrics, pediatric specialties, organ transplantation and clinical research.



Activity

  • Swedish
    Swedish has posted a blog entry: Newborn spit-up: When to worry

    I have never met a baby that didn't on occasion spit-up. Many perfectly healthy babies can even spit-up quite a bit. Reflux is often the label given to babies who vomit, and this rarely amounts to a significant problem.

    However, there are a few things that a parent should watch out for:

    The most

    ...Full Post
  • Karen Jones
    Karen Jones of Swedish answered:
    What's the difference between CVS and amniocentesis?
    Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is used to test for evidence of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus, such as Down syndrome. CVS is an alternative to amniocentesis. The advantage of CVS over amniocentesis is that a CVS test can be performed earlier, allowing more time for you to receive counseling...  Full Post
  • Karen Jones
    Karen Jones of Swedish answered:
    What is a fetal echocardiography?
    A fetal echocardiogram is used to check for problems in a baby's heart structure or heart rhythm. This test provides early detection of congenital heart defects. A fetal echocardiogram is a level II ultrasound test and is painless and noninvasive. Fetal echocardiograms are usually performed in the...  Full Post
  • Dorcas McLennan
    Dorcas McLennan of Swedish answered:
    Why is smoking dangerous during pregnancy?

    Smoking during pregnancy has been associated with miscarriage, stillbirths, premature births and low-birth-weight babies. Recent research has also shown that babies and children who have mothers who smoke around them have more respiratory-tract infections and may have some growth retardation

    ...  Full Post
  • Dorcas McLennan
    Dorcas McLennan of Swedish answered:
    How can I cope with morning sickness?

    The most infamous symptom of early pregnancy is morning sickness, which -- as you may have discovered -- can occur at any time of day. Many women experience no nausea at all, while others suffer from frequent vomiting. To better cope with nausea, you may want to:

    • Eat dry crackers in the
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  • Dorcas McLennan
    Dorcas McLennan of Swedish answered:
    How much can I exercise during pregnancy?

    For healthy women, moderate exercise several times a week throughout pregnancy helps promote good health. Exercise helps women keep their muscles toned, work off emotional stress, ease back pain, avoid constipation and hemorrhoids and ease leg cramps. It also helps with tolerating the labor

    ...  Full Post
  • Dorcas McLennan
    Dorcas McLennan of Swedish answered:
    What is cervical incompetence?

    Cervical incompetence happens when the cervix dilates during the second trimester. Because there are no contractions or pain, you could be totally unaware it is happening. In many cases, the causes are unknown. If you have this condition, the amniotic sac may push partially into the vagina

    ...  Full Post
  • Dorcas McLennan
    Dorcas McLennan of Swedish answered:
    What are the symptoms of pregnancy-induced hypertension?

    Signs and symptoms of mild pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH):

    • High blood pressure
    • Water retention (swelling)
    • Protein in the urine

    Signs and symptoms of severe PIH, in addition to the above:

    • Headaches and blurred vision
    • Inability to tolerate bright light
    • Fatigue
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • P
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  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    How can I stay healthy during pregnancy?
    Although you may start to feel like you have to avoid nearly everything while you are pregnant, good prenatal care is based in large part on common sense. As your doctor will probably tell you, the same things that promote good health when you are not pregnant just need to be given extra...  Full Post
  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    How should I exercise if I am pregnant?

    Here are some exercise tips if you are pregnant:

    • Take part in regular exercise (at least three times per week). It is preferable to do intermittent activity.
    • Start and finish your exercise session gradually (warm up and cool down).
    • Exercise at a moderate pace.  A general rule of thumb is that
    ...  Full Post
  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    What should I avoid during pregnancy?

    Some things to avoid during pregnancy include work requiring heavy lifting or overexertion; radiation, including X-rays; poisons or toxic fumes from aerosols, insecticides and paint; hot tubs or saunas hotter than 101 degrees; and eating raw meat, eggs or poultry. Because parasites in cat

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  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    What causes pregnancy-induced hypertension?

    The cause of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is not known. It appears in 5 percent of pregnant women. It is more likely to occur during first pregnancies, in women less than 25 years old, and in women more than 35 years old. Pregnant women who have chronic hypertension, kidney disease or

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  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    How is placental abruption treated?

    If placental abruption is suspected, your physician will recommend blood tests and an ultrasound exam. Treatment will depend on the percentage of placenta that has separated from the uterus, stage of pregnancy, amount of bleeding, the baby's condition and the presence of other problems such

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  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    How is preterm labor treated?

    Your care, whether at home or in the hospital, will involve treatment to prevent preterm delivery. Your physician may recommend full or partial bed rest and possibly the use of medications to stop the contractions from causing further cervical change. Tests used to monitor and manage preterm

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  • Teresa Goepfert
    Teresa Goepfert of Swedish answered:
    How is placenta previa treated?

    The most common symptom of placenta previa is bright red bleeding, usually with no pain or cramping. Your physician will order an ultrasound exam to determine the exact location of the placenta and blood tests to determine how much blood has been lost. Regular ultrasounds and nonstress tests

    ...  Full Post