Salem Women's Clinic

Nurturing

mom and baby

FAQs

We're here to answer your questions and concerns, just send us an email.

• I am trying to get pregnant. Are there things I need to know before I become pregnant?

  The time you spend trying to get pregnant should be fun! Pregnancy is not a pathological condition and trying to get pregnant should not (in the vast majority of cases) become a medical procedure. There are, however, things you can do to help make the course of your pregnancy as easy as possible. For instance, we can help you with current recommendations for vitamins, exercise, diet, and of course, smoking cessation. If you have genetic issues in your family, let us work with you to minimize your risk. Although we do not deliver babies, we can see you from your first trimester to 24 weeks, when it is often hard to find prenatal care. Deciding either to have a family or to increase the size of your current family is a momentous step for you and your partner. At Salem Women's Clinic we’re thrilled to help you get off to a healthy start.

• I have been trying to get pregnant but have not had any success. What is wrong with me?

  Infertility is a very trying and emotional issue. There are many reasons why some couples cannot conceive. Firstly, it is important to understand exactly what infertility is. Young couples are not considered infertile until they have been trying for over a year. Older couples may need help after just a few months. Infertility can result from problems with either partner; it is important to discover just where the problem is before we can begin to help you. If it is determined that the problem is with the man, we will send you to a urologist. If the problem is with the woman, we will try to help you determine what is causing the problem and what can be done about it. In most cases, it can be resolved simply, although sometimes we will need to refer you to infertility specialists in Portland for more intensive procedures. Our team of providers here at Salem Women’s Clinic looks forward to working with you to help you achieve a pregnancy, when infertility becomes an issue.

• I just had a baby, and I don’t want to get up in the morning and take care of her. What’s wrong with me? Everyone seems to think I should be so happy…

  Post-partum depression is extremely common. It is impossible to explain to a pregnant woman just how much work it is caring for a newborn. New moms are generally totally spent after caring for that new baby they dreamed about for nine months. Women are up all hours of the night feeding the baby. Sleep cycles are completely upset. Breasts hurt. Laundry needs to be done. Figures don’t look like they did before the baby. Post-partum blues are commonplace and benign, although women must have support to make it past those early days of “what have I done?” Depression that lasts longer than a few weeks, however, may be more serious. It can occur up to a year after the birth. Women who have had depression prior to pregnancy are more likely to suffer serious depression after the baby, but depression can strike any new mother. Depressed moms may indeed not want to get up in the morning, may not want to care for the baby or themselves and will need treatment for post-partum depression. At Salem Women's Clinic we have an experienced psychiatric nurse practitioner who can help you work through this trying time. Very rarely, women can develop post-partum psychosis. If you are experiencing depression lasting more than two weeks, please call for help. It is easily available.

• I cannot find anyone to help me with normal post-partum health care. I know you don’t deliver babies, but can you see me after the baby is born?

  Definitely YES. We can help with diet and exercise and breast-feeding issues. We can guide you in making birth control choices, and we can help with the myriad of questions new mothers and fathers have.