Ideally, a woman should take three months to prepare for a pregnancy. At Ahkami Medical Group, we are aware that this is not always a possibility; our job is to make sure that no matter what the circumstances, your pregnancy process is a joyful and healthy one the whole way through.

Preconception: preparing for pregnancy

Every woman who is considering becoming pregnant should take the time to screen themselves for the following factors:

• Do you smoke or drink? These can have serious implications in a child’s development within the body. Cessation is necessary for the health of your child.
• Medications: be sure to check with a health professional to ensure that your medicines are safe during pregnancy for both mother and child.
• Exposure to substances: there are some substances that you may not even be aware of as toxic but can be very harmful to the development of a child.
• Medical conditions: is it under control? Are your vaccinations up to date?

Preconception is part of prenatal care

Prenatal care refers to the health care you receive while you are pregnant. It ensures the health of mother and baby by conducting regular check ups and providing education and care through each stage of the pregnancy process. The idea of prenatal care is the same as preventative medicine- we are able to detect and set a course to treat pregnancy-related problems early if we see the mother regularly. Ensure a healthy start in life for your baby by calling to schedule an appointment at our office in Passaic today!

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami, M.D.

We consider our position as a women’s healthcare provider an honor

To this end, we offer a full range of essential gynecological services for women in the Passaic area. Here are some great ways to lead a preventative lifestyle:

• Observe regular health check-ups
• Schedule routine pap smears and mammograms
• Vaccination against common diseases like HPV or hepatitis
• Have regular STD screenings
• Consider birth control as an option if you are sexually active but not ready for children

You can never be too careful caring for your body. We urge you to take control of your health management and protect your future. Our services help ensure that if there is a problem, we will detect it early and set a course for treatment that will ensure you the best chance for overcoming it.

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkhami, M.D.

Child’s pose is effective for: stretching the muscles in the lower back and promoting relaxation

1.)Begin by kneeling and sit back with your butt on your heels. 2.)Sit up straight, then stretch your upper body forward and down until your stomach comes to rest on your thighs. 3.)Extend your arms in front of your head and let them rest on the floor with your forehead on the ground. 4.)Hold for up to 60 seconds, practicing deep, full breaths the entire time.

Wide-angle seated stretch

1.) Sit on the floor with your legs wide apart and your feet flexed. 2.)Place your hands behind you on the ground and draw your belly button in toward your spine. 3.)Hold 30 seconds. 4.)Now reach your arms in front of you and fold as far forwards as you can. 5.)Hold up to 2 minutes.

At Ahkami Medical Group, we believe that pain relief can be found naturally. The other great benefit of stretching is it allows you to stay centered in the moment and practice breathing deeply to increase circulation which will also help defeat cramps.

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami, M.D.

Controlling relaxation during your period

When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep during your period, it’s all about exercising control over the factors that are within your power. Turn up the relaxation with these ideas:

• Hot shower before bed: this helps relax muscles and the temperature change after you get out of the shower slows your heart rate and encourages calm.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: practice taking deep, full belly breaths. On the inhale, tense a given set of muscles, say the shoulders and release on the exhale. Periods have a way of getting you balled up with tension and this is a good way to let go.

If sleep poses problems during your time of the month, make sure you focus on getting yourself as comfortable as possible when trying to find rest. The fetal position may be able to help you do just that!

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Remember that none of these birth control methods protect you against HIV or STDs. They are purely for the prevention of pregnancy:

• IUD: an intrauterine device that is placed in the uterus through the vagina. 
• Diaphragm: a dome-shaped cup that fits over the cervix and is used during sexual intercourse. 
• Oral contraceptives: an everyday pill that is taken by mouth. 
• Intramuscular injection: given quarterly. 
• Nuvaring: A small, flexible ring that is placed in the vagina for three weeks at a time. 
• Skin implants: implants are placed on the inside of your upper arm so as to be out of view. 

Birth control as part of your overall wellness

These options can be custom-tailored to your particular lifestyle, but they can also be disruptive: if you are experiencing unpleasant side effects related to your particular style of birth control, never hesitate to consult us. Give our office in Passaic a call to schedule an appointment so we can help you find the greatest chance of success with birth control.

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. 

Symptoms of cervical cancer

• Spotting
• Abnormal bleeding
• Watery vaginal discharge
• Bleeding after sex

How we combat cervical cancer at Akhami Medical Group

All of these reasons make prevention all the more important. The great news is that there is a way to prevent cervical cancer and the virus that causes it! Vaccination against the many high-risk strains of HPV significantly lowers the chance of contracting the virus. While vaccination is most effective before a person becomes sexually active, it is still very effective at lowering the risk for HPV and thus, cervical cancer.

Furthermore, screening for cervical cancer should be an essential component of any health plan. Early detection is critical in successfully fighting cervical cancer; when detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate for invasive cervical cancer is 92%. At our clinic in Passaic, we offer pap tests to detect abnormal cell changes and HPV tests as a follow up if you receive an abnormal pap result. An annual gynecological visit is an integral way to keep cervical cancer at bay! Give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.