We can’t let this week go by without recognizing all the amazing nurse practitioners that take such great care of us! Make sure you give yours a big hug and a thank you.?
Happy Nurse Practitioner Week!
Category: General
Signs of a Magnesium Deficiency
Did you know?
➡️ Women with PCOS are often deficient in magnesium.
➡️ If you have ever taken the contraceptive pill, it is also very likely that you are deficient in magnesium as the pill is known to deplete many nutrients.
➡️ Magnesium may also help pregnant women with muscle cramping, sleeping, and stress levels.
Here are some signs that you might be deficient in magnesium:
-Muscle cramping, pain
-Frequent headaches or migraine
-Anxiety, depression or irritability
-Elevated blood pressure
-Insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome
-Low energy level and/or chronically fatigued
-Memory issues, difficulty focusing, brain fog
-Painful menstrual periods or severe PMS symptoms
-Difficulty sleeping
-Brittle bones and development of stones
-Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
-Intense cravings for sweets, especially chocolate
Have you ever suffered from any of the symptoms listed above? It may be worth talking to your doctor about adding magnesium to your routine either through food or supplementation.
#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies #PCOS #MagnesiumDeficiency
What to Expect at FINA
“Okay so we’ve decided to pursue our options with fertility services. How do we get started? What should we expect?”
Great question! So you’ve done your research and realized that this might be a journey you’d like to take.
Your first step will be to schedule a consultation. Of course, we hope that means you choose to start your journey with us here at FINA! If so, you can request an appointment by calling us at 256-217-9613 or by submitting a request directly from our website.
Upon scheduling your first consultation, we will have you go to our patient portal and fill out some basic information about yourself and your history prior to coming to FINA. Completing this information helps us to be thorough and prepared to meet you in advance of your consultation.
We hope that you are starting to realize that this journey is one that you don’t have to take alone. We are here to walk through every step with you! ❤️
What is the best diet for PCOS?
What is the best diet for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)?
? Anti-inflammatory foods, such as berries, fatty fish, leafy greens, and extra virgin olive oil, may help manage #PCOS symptoms and may reduce inflammation-related symptoms, such as fatigue.
? Stay away from sweetened juice, starchy vegetables (such as potatoes, corn, and peas), sugary foods and drinks, and refined grains.
? Every time you eat is an opportunity to nourish your body.
Real People. Real Results.
We absolutely love hearing from you! Your referrals help others who are struggling, give hope to those on their journey, and help us to know how we are doing because we are always looking to serve you better.
Check out what one of our patients says:
“Absolutely the best group of people! I can’t thank them enough for helping us during our journey! I’ve never met a group of people who cared so much for their patients and always went above and beyond on everything they did!
You always feel welcome from the front desk to Dr. D. I was never made to feel like my questions or concerns didn’t matter. Dr. D & Kendra both explained everything in detail and made sure we understood what was going on during our year there. I miss them so much but I’m also so grateful to be where we are now! We are absolutely blessed!
If you or someone you know is struggling with infertility, please reach out to FINA & join such a wonderful family! You will not regret it! ❤️❤️ ”
To our sweet patient who posted this on her wall last week, thank you! We appreciate you so much and although we miss you, we are so thrilled for your next adventure!?
Meet Dr. D!
It’s been quite awhile since we introduced you to our expert, so we thought we’d tell you a little about Dr. Davenport, or as we call him, Dr. D!?
Dr. D moved to Huntsville in 2014 with his wife Kelly and four children. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he received his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He then successfully completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Tennessee, followed by a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont.
Dr. Davenport is a skilled surgeon, excelling in robotic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and hysteroscopic surgery. He is the only reproductive endocrinologist in North Alabama who performs robotic tubal reanastomosis, and also the only REI in the region to perform testicular sperm aspiration/extraction for vasectomized/obstructed males prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
He has been actively involved in clinical research and has also authored several publications. Dr. Davenport has a love for teaching and lecturing.?
But the most special thing about him?
He is passionate about providing excellent patient care and is committed to providing the most state-of-the-art solutions in all aspects of infertility and reproductive endocrinology.
Dr. D understands that infertility and hormonal imbalances are some of the most emotionally, spiritually, and mentally consuming issues that an individual or couple may face, and most patients appreciate his compassionate yet candid approach to problem solving.❤️
You’re one of a kind, Dr. D!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!?
This annual health campaign helps to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.
The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer and helps educate women on why early screening and testing is so very important.
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to schedule your mammogram with your primary care provider or your OB/GYN!
September is PCOS Awareness Month
The month of September? is dedicated to raising awareness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Also known as the “perfect hormonal storm,” PCOS is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women and involves irregular function of the ovaries.
PCOS is caused by an imbalance in the hormones (chemical messengers) in your brain and your ovaries, and it usually happens when a hormone called LH (from the pituitary gland) or levels of insulin (from the pancreas) are too high, which then causes the ovaries to make extra amounts of testosterone.
Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.
The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome isn’t well understood, but may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
If you feel like you may be experiencing these symptoms, consult your gynecologist or primary care provider. Lab tests and imaging can be used to help determine if you have PCOS and which treatment may be right for you.?
What to say and What not to say
Do you have a loved one who is currently on their fertility journey but you aren’t sure how to best support them?
Maybe you don’t know what to say or you’re wondering why they missed your recent celebration.
Last month, we asked some of our fertility warriors what is most helpful to them.
✨What do they wish their loved ones understood?
✨What is the most encouraging thing for someone to say/do?
Here’s what some of them had to say:
? “It was extremely hurtful and frustrating when people would tell me to stop stressing out and I would get pregnant. Also, it was annoying and hurtful when people would constantly ask when we were going to have kids.”
? “I wish people would have stopped telling me to just relax and let it happen. I wish they knew how much time, energy, money, and emotions goes in to trying to get pregnant.
My most helpful supportive friends just sat and listened to me.”
? “I wish people understood how hard baby showers, gender reveals, and birth announcements were for us. I’d rather people try to understand that we’d like to attend your party, but we’re not for our own mental and emotional health. I’m happy for you, but understand it’s too hard to celebrate in person and please try to be understanding instead of offended.”
? “During this time, ‘at least’ statements were hard because they minimize your pain and almost make you feel guilty for feeling how you do. I heard, ‘at least it was early,’ or ‘at least you were able to get pregnant,’ and I know others who have experienced secondary infertility who have heard, ‘at least you have other children,’ etc.”
? “The best, most helpful thing for me was when people would just be there with open arms and ears. To listen without offering opinions or comments is a gift! I also liked hearing the stories of other infertility/recurrent miscarriage warriors. Most of all, for me personally, knowing that others were praying for me was a huge blessing.”
? “From people who had experienced loss, the most comforting thing someone told me was that anything I was feeling was valid. Everyone processes a miscarriage differently. And whatever way you do, is the right way for you and your family.”
? “The most validating thing someone said to me was, ‘I am so sorry. I don’t know what to say.’ Just acknowledging that they had not been in my position and they didn’t know what to say was the perfect thing to say.”
#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies #SupportingOurFertilityWarriors
Do ovarian cysts affect ovulation?
“What does it mean if I have an ovarian cyst? Does this affect ovulation?”
Let’s see what Dr. D says about this…
#AskDrD #FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies