Sarah Maddux is now a Certified Holistic Health Coach that focuses on women’s reproductive health

Despite my childhood aversion to dolls and anything feminine, I have always known that I wanted to be a mother. I spent my days chasing frogs, catching spiders and would not be seen within a 5-mile radius of Barbie. My Grandfather loved to tell stories of the days when I would run up to greet him and promptly introduce the earthworm collection in the pocket of my dress. Even back when summers seemed infinite and I closed my eyes every night wearing 101 Dalmatian pajamas, I knew that “when I grew up”, I wanted to have children of my own. From a very young age, the ability to become a mother largely defined what I saw as the essence of myself as a woman.

In March 2013, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and was told that it would be nearly impossible for me to become pregnant without medical intervention. I remember hearing my doctor’s words and feeling my blood turn to ice. His sentences were incomprehensible but I sensed that each word erased a small part of the family picture I had painted for myself. I would marry the man of my dreams in June of that year and could not bear the thought of telling him that our plans to start a family might need reconsideration. I returned home with a few pamphlets in my hand and an overwhelming amount of hopelessness and fear in my heart.

I spent a few weeks in a combination of shock and denial before deciding that I would learn as much as possible about PCOS, why I had found myself as one of the estimated 5 million American women struggling with the symptoms of this condition, and what I could do to improve my changes of conceiving naturally. It is my hope that sharing my experience with PCOS will be a source of information, inspiration, and empowerment.

If you are someone struggling with PCOS or suspect you have symptoms of the condition, you are not alone. PCOS is the most common source of infertility in women today. The cause is unknown, but there appears to be a genetic component to the condition. If you have a mother or sister who has/had PCOS, your will likely be at a higher risk.

Becoming educated and empowered is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Unbeknownst to many, PCOS can be managed and even reversed through changes in diet and lifestyle. As cruel as PCOS can be, especially for women trying to conceive, there are countless reasons to have hope. Most women with PCOS are able to become pregnant. Yes, it may take time and patience and seemingly impossible optimism, but you can (and will) become a mother!

There are numerous dietary and lifestyle changes that one can make to improve, or even reverse, PCOS.

Learn to manage stress. For my entire life I had been known as the borderline obsessive-compulsive girl who color codes everything and has a special talent in making mountains out of molehills. My nervous system was in overdrive. After my PCOS diagnosis, I was able to put everything into perspective. Was striving for perfection and the toll it was taking on my body really worth sacrificing my health? I began practicing yoga regularly, learned breathing techniques to manage stress, allowed myself to sleep even when my mind told me I had not accomplished enough to warrant sleep. I realized what happiness was made of; my health and a family of my own.

Eliminate caffeine. As someone who began a serious coffee habit at the age of 16, I was quite sure this was an impossible feat. Coffee got me out of bed in the morning, got me though my afternoon slump, and a drink I happened to consider the most vital and delicious on earth. Despite our reliance on caffeine, it wreaks havoc on the endocrine system. The rush we experience after a cup of coffee may be welcome as we head to work in the early morning, but our stimulated adrenal glands pay the price.

Remove processed foods. While processed foods are generally unhealthy, they are especially detrimental to those with PCOS.  Strive to maintain a whole foods diet to the greatest extent possible. That means vegetables, fruits, legumes, high quality meats if desired, nuts, seeds, and plenty of water. As I often tell my clients, foods with only one ingredient are always the best option. While this is not always realistic, keep in mind that ingredients that are not easily pronounced are probably not fit for consumption.

Adopt a low glycemic diet. Women struggling with PCOS are often insulin resistant. In a nutshell, the body is not able to process sugar as it should.  Make changes to the diet to gradually eliminate sugar. Remember, sugar is not just what we use for baking. Sugar is also hidden behind other terms such as fructose, cane juice, corn syrup, maltodextrin, maltose, sucrose, dextrose, glucose, and rice syrup, just to name a fraction. Remember that white flour is processed as sugar in the body, so the elimination of both sugar and processed flour will be important in the maintenance of a low glycemic diet.

The aforementioned dietary and lifestyle suggestions are just a few of the changes that women with PCOS can use to improve their lives and chances of conceiving. I wholeheartedly believe that the relatively simple changes I made to my daily life allowed me to become pregnant naturally. I hope that my story has offered at least a small amount of hope to women with PCOS.

Through diet and lifestyle, I healed my body and through the opportunity to become a mother, my body has healed my spirit. I believe the same is possible for you.

I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach that focuses on women’s reproductive health. Health Coaches are knowledgeable advisors that provide ongoing guidance as clients set goals and make sustainable changes to improve health and happiness. I design personalized programs to fit the needs of each client, provide a wealth of advice and information ranging from nutrition to self-care, and empower clients to achieve their wellness goals.

After years of PCOS, I balanced my hormones naturally and became pregnant on my own. I use my knowledge and inspiration to help women with PCOS and related conditions reclaim their health, fertility, and vitality.

Visit Sarah’s blog: www.EssentialWellnessbySarah.com

• They may learn more about their medical condition
• They may gain access to treatments that are not available to the public
• They want expert medical care (physical exams, diagnostic tests, lab tests and physician advice) at leading health care facilities, which is often available at no cost
• They may want to help in discovering new medicines or treatments for themselves, family members and their community

• Pick the right lunchbox
• Plan ahead
• Get your kids involved
• Mix it up
• Make it colorful and easy to eat, but avoid convenience foods
• Avoid sugary drinks
• Include a note

Learn more here.

Whether or not you are sending little ones off to new classrooms this year, the anticipation of fall leaves and cooler temperatures signal a fresh start for many of us. While we often look forward to back-to-school routines and schedules, we also must acknowledge the stress and anxiety that can accompany this time of year. As activities gear up and the days begin to get shorter, we may question how we will be able to get everything accomplished in the little amount of time we have. While stress is a good and necessary part of our lives, there are healthy behaviors that can help us all learn to better cope with stress.

• Developing good sleep hygiene
• Practicing good nutrition
• Exercising 30 to 60 minutes per day

For more tips: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/psychology/managing-back-to-school-stress/

There are over 100 different types of HPV. Approximately 40 of the types infect the genital areas of men and women. Approximately 12 types of HPV are known to cause genital warts and approximately 15 types are linked to cancer of the anus, cervix, vulva, vagina and penis.

Since HPV is so common, it is important for both women and men to take preventative measures to minimize their risk of infection. Individuals can help reduce the risk of infection by limiting his or her number of sexual partners, using condoms during sexual intercourse and getting vaccinated.

Gardasil, a vaccine that is approved for females and males ages nine to 26, protects against four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Virginia Women’s Center was the only research site in the Richmond area involved in the clinical trial leading to the approval of the Gardasil vaccine in 2006. In females, Gardasil helps protect against the two types of HPV that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and two additional types that cause 90 percent of genital warts cases. In males, Gardasil helps protect against 90 percent of genital warts cases.

Gardasil is ideally given to patients before they become sexually active. The vaccine is given in three shots over a period of six months. Routine vaccination is recommended for boys and girls at age 11-12. However, it is also recommended for older teens and young adults who were not vaccinated when younger.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in June 2013 that a new study shows that HPV in young women (ages 14 to 19) has declined by more than half since the vaccine was introduced in 2006. This is encouraging news despite the fact that only one-third of eligible patients have received all three doses of the vaccine.  Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the CDC said of the results, “They should be a wake-up call that we need to increase vaccination rates. The bottom line is this: It is possible to protect the next generation from cancer, and we need to do it.”

To learn more about Gardasil, visit our Web site or speak with your health care provider.

• Make sure the majority of grains you are eating are whole grains
• Choose vegetables that are rich in color
• Select whole or cut-up fruits instead of fruit juice
• Drink skim or low-fat milk
• Choose lean or low-fat cuts of meat and prepare them in a healthy way
• Decrease or eliminate your salt intake
• Drink plenty of water
• Divide your plate into sections
• Eat dinner as a family or with friends

VWC is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

When diabetes starts during pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes. Women with diabetes (whether or not it is classified as gestational diabetes) need special care during pregnancy.

Diabetes is a condition that prevents the body from using food properly. The body receives its major source of energy from a sugar known as glucose. Insulin, a hormone manufactured in the pancreas, must be available for glucose to be used in the tissues. During pregnancy, some of the hormones produced by the placenta have a blocking effect on insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces its maximum amount of insulin, yet that is not enough to overcome the effect of the placenta’s hormones.

What are the risk factors for gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is more common in women who

• are overweight or obese
• are older than 25
• have had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy
• are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic, Latina or Pacific Islander
• have a family history of diabetes
• have previously given birth to an infant that weighed more than 10 pounds
• had excess amniotic fluid in a prior pregnancy
• had an unexplained stillbirth or miscarriage in a prior pregnancy

How is gestational diabetes diagnosed?

At Virginia Women’s Center, we screen for gestational diabetes at 28 weeks of pregnancy. You will have to drink a syrupy glucose solution and then have your blood sugar level measured one hour later. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal, you will have to do a follow-up glucose test. The follow-up test involves drinking another glucose solution and having your blood sugar level checked every hour for a three hour period. If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than normal, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

What if I am diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will work closely with our nurse practitioners to create an individualized food plan. You will not have to give up foods you love, but you may have to limit them or eat them with other foods so that your blood sugar isn’t negatively affected. During pregnancy, you will have to manage your blood sugar so that it stays in the optimal range and reduces your risk for complications. Usually, this can be done through diet and exercise. You will also work closely with our physicians and may need additional testing to monitor the baby’s health and reduce the risk of complications throughout your pregnancy.

For most women, once the baby is delivered, gestational diabetes will go away. You will be tested again at your postpartum visit. If it does not go away, it is reclassified almost always as type II diabetes. Women who had gestational diabetes are at high risk of having diabetes later in life. Choosing to pursue a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritiously and exercising regularly may help prevent or postpone diabetes.

Additional Resources:

• Frequently Asked Questions on Gestational Diabetes
• Healthy Weight Management

Virginia Women’s Center is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com 

While certain factors can increase one’s risk for Osteoporosis, there are some measures that all women can take to help prevent the development of Osteoporosis. One of these measures is to make sure you are getting enough Calcium in your diet. This infographic will explore how much Calcium women need throughout the different stages of their lives as well as some good sources of Calcium.

For more information about the symptoms, risk factors and ways to detect Osteoporosis, read this blog post. To learn more about the different ways to prevent Osteoporosis, check out this blog post.