Laura Whisler, M.D. OB-Gyn - And so the Adventure Begins

11/17/2022

CUTENESS ALERT! 💙 Introducing the newest resident of the Sedgwick County Zoo. How two local OBGYNs helped make his birth possible >>> https://bit.ly/3TIyzJO

11/17/2022

An amazing opportunity!

09/17/2021

Let’s talk Covid…again.

Hi all! It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I wanted to provide an update on COVID-19 statistics and recommendations. My hope is to encourage vaccination in both the pregnant and nonpregnant women out there and to provide real medical education from The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). This post is not meant to create a debate in the comments. Those will be erased. It is meant to give you some solid information from the collaborative research that has been ongoing since Covid arose.

First, let’s update you on the risks of Covid-19 in pregnant individuals. Research shows that pregnancy increases the risk of more severe illness when compared with nonpregnant women. There is an increased risk of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and ECMO, and death reported in pregnant women. As with all populations, comorbidities like obesity and diabetes may be at an even higher risk.

We have also been seeing increases in poor pregnancy outcomes due to the known vascular effects of COVID. Ultimately, through a complex process, Covid leads to an increase in vasoconstriction, inflammation, and pro-coagulopathic effects that occur in preeclampsia and can have effects on placental function. Placental insufficiency leads to stillbirth and growth restriction.

I recently attended a COVID update meeting headed by an infectious disease physician and head ICU physician at one of our local hospitals. The statistics are frightening, but I want to highlight them.

COVID IN PREGNANCY (data from >140,000 patients)
3x more likely to go into preterm labor
100x more likely to need a ventilator

COVID IN UNVACCINATED PREGNANCY:
**66% more likely to have a stillbirth or maternal death if unvaccinated

ICU STATS
6% of ICU COVID patients are

10/02/2020

Covid and Pregnancy. ACOG's Update.

By now, we all have likely known someone who has COVID-19. We have experienced changes in our plans because of this darn virus. It has become a culture of adaptability in our schools, homes and work. Infectious disease doctors, ICU doctors, all doctors are still very much worried about its presence. We are continuously updated with new data and recommendations. They are working on studies for a vaccine to ensure safety and it is being studied, right here, in Wichita.

At the beginning, we had very little research to know what to tell patients, but that is growing exponentially. Here are some basics to know.

COVID-19 may actually be riskier for pregnant women compared to when they are not pregnant. Specifically, there is a higher chance for ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. Of note, there does NOT seem to be an increased risk of death.

How COVID-19 affects your developing baby is still being studied. It seems very rare that the virus passes to the baby during pregnancy. This is the case for other well studied viruses, such as HIV and Hepatitis. This is VERY good news! This means there is no evidence that it causes birth defects (unlike the infamous Zika virus).

Pregnant women should avoid exposure. This includes masks, washing hands, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and physically distance. At the same time, continue regular prenatal care.

What if you are pregnant and think you have COVID-19? Call your obstetrician or other health care provider. If you have trouble breathing (more than normal pregnancy), chest pain/pressure, sudden confusion, or blue lips/face go to the hospital right away or call 911.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 stay at home (unless you need medical care). Call your doctor's office before going in. Separate yourself from family members in your home and wear a face mask if you need to be around other people.

Stay safe! Take care! We'll get through this!

09/12/2020

Infertility. Outside of a cancer diagnoses or recurrent miscarriages, this is one of the most worry-provoking diagnoses in my office.

Infertility defined. Couples who are unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected in*******se or insemination. If your 35 years old or more, it’s 6 months.

There are 3 main factors: Are there eggs being made, is there s***m, and can they meet (in the Fallopian tube)?

The work up! I ask LOTS of questions! If ovulation (or lack there of) seems to be the problem, IE, you’re skipping periods, or rarely having them, then some simple labs followed by certain lifestyle changes and then treatment is a good start. If that’s not the case the work up is more. This includes lab work to test how your ovaries are acting, a semen analysis (because 40-50% of the time it’s him), and imaging to evaluate anatomical problems with the uterus (ultrasound) and to make sure your tubes are open (hysterosalpingogram).

What can be done? Well, some of that depends on the cause. Much of the time ovulation induction by taking oral medications is all that is needed. However, if there are more extensive anatomical or tubal problems, surgery may be needed. A referral to a reproductive endocrinologist might be indicated especially if your ovaries are acting older than your age, semen counts are low, there’s extensive tubal or uterine disease, or the above medications failed.

And finally. Just take a prenatal vitamin while your trying and see a doctor before spending money on these over the counter medications!

If you know someone this might help, feel free to pass this along and share it!

Infertility workup for the women’s health specialist. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 781. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2019;133:e377–84.

09/07/2020

Pregnancy and the flu vaccine.

The flu vaccines we ordered months ago have arrived at our office!
••••
Pregnant women are high risk for developing complications from the flu, which include need for hospitalization and preterm delivery. Pregnant women have a higher likelihood of dying from the flu compared to their non-pregnant selves. 10 times more likely!
••••
There are 2 types of flu vaccines:
1. The shot
2. The nose spray
Pregnant women should receive the shot only.
••••
The flu vaccine works for you, but also your developing baby, by activating your body to make antibodies that travel through the placenta and help protect your baby. They can’t receive their first flu vaccine until 6 months of life.
••••
The flu vaccine does not cause birth defects or autism and is safe and recommended during pregnancy. A sore arm or low fever are possible side effects, but getting the vaccine does NOT cause the flu. This is not possible, as it is made from an inactivated form of the flu.
••••
It’s nice to talk about a virus other than COVID19! Stay safe everyone! Take care.

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 732. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol 2018;131:e109–14.

09/07/2020

08/20/2020