5 Tips to Prevent Birth Defects

Healthy behaviors before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects  Stephanie J. Williams, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN with Inova Obstetrics and Gynecology in Shirlington. She delivers babies at Inova Alexandria Hospital. Today, March 3, marks World Birth Defects Day. If you plan to expand your family any time soon, now is the right…

Read More

How to Maximize Heart Health During Pregnancy

Sheila Khianey, MD, is a cardiologist with the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute practicing at the Inova Cardiology offices in Ashburn and Fairfax. She is board-certified in cardiology and internal medicine. The human body is a remarkable thing, especially when it comes to pregnancy. And pregnancy brings major changes. An expectant mother’s heart has to…

Read More

Nutrition During Pregnancy

Amanda Schaffer, MS, RD is a Clinical Dietitian at Inova Loudoun Hospital with more than 15 years of experience. She works with patients and families to improve their nutritional status during illnesses. Amanda’s clinical interests range from neonatal, pediatric and maternal nutrition to medical and surgical adult patients. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Did you know that many…

Read More

Pre-Conception Nutrition

Amanda Schaffer, MS, RD is a Clinical Dietitian at Inova Loudoun Hospital with more than 15 years of experience. She works with patients and families to improve their nutritional status during illnesses. Amanda’s clinical interests range from neonatal, pediatric and maternal nutrition to medical and surgical adult patients. Are you thinking about getting pregnant? Did…

Read More

A Prenatal Vitamin a Day (Before Pregnancy), Keeps Birth Defects Away

Dr. Dana Block-Abraham is a Board Certified OB/GYN and Board Eligible Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist with Perinatal Associates of Northern Virginia.  Dr. Block-Abraham serves patients at the Inova Loudoun Hospital Antenatal Testing Center. Are you a woman who still has periods and is trying to conceive? If so, you should consider taking a daily prenatal vitamin…

Read More

Gaining Perspective: An OBGYN Doctor Becomes the Patient

Ramata Niang, MD, is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a member of the Inova Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology team. She has a special interest in managing high-risk pregnancies, uterine fibroids, menopause and minimally invasive surgery.   When I was expecting my second child earlier this year, I knew exactly where I wanted…

Read More

Prenatal Planning: Do You Need Antenatal Testing?

Alfred N. Khoury, MD, is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at The Antenatal Testing Center at Inova Women’s Hospital and Inova Loudoun Hospital Antenatal Testing Center. He is board-certified in maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology. Pregnancy is an exciting and often nerve-wracking time. But if there are concerns or complications, the The Antenatal Testing Center…

Read More