Geoffrey Lafond

Geoffrey Lafond - Advice for   Would-be Dads 

In his work as an ob-gyn, Geoffrey Lafond has interacted with many couples that are expecting a baby. Usually, the focus is on getting the woman to eat healthily and take care of herself, but there’s also a place for would-be dads to contribute and enjoy the experience. It’s sometimes hard to know what to expect of the dad, so the following are a few tips.

Help with the housework
It may not be your turn to cook, but if your partner is particularly tired, you can step in and do more. There’s also nothing to stop you from taking on more responsibilities around the home, including going to the grocery store, ironing the clothes, or dusting the house. Chores are not always fun, but do them for the good of your partner and the unborn baby they are carrying.

Talk more
It’s important that your partner is under as little stress as possible, and this may require your input at a time. Her moods might be erratic at times (thanks to the hormones), but avoid making things more stressful by arguing.

If your partner is stressed, offer to help her unwind through a massage or encourage her to talk it out with you. You should also know that it’s normal to feel anxious about what’s to come, but just by talking, you can help each other alleviate the stress.

As Geoffrey Lafond knows, one of the best ways to navigate pregnancy is to educate yourself about it. Find books and magazines on the topic and aspire to learn more.

Geoffrey Lafond - Can I Have a Baby After 35?

Geoffrey Lafond is a gynecologist and obstetrician working in Bridgetown, Barbados. As an experienced professional, he helps women with reproductive health and pregnancy matters. There is a host of questions asked when it comes to pregnancy, and one of them is whether women can conceive in their thirties. It’s a pertinent question since fertility starts to decline at this time, with 35 being the tipping point.

What happens at age 35?

Female fertility starts to decline when women reach the age of 35, which means lower count in the number of eggs ovulated. And it’s not just women who feel the effect of age, men are also shown to experience decreasing sperm count.

So at age 35, conceiving may not happen as easily as it could have in earlier years. Advances in technology have made it safer for women over 35 to bear children, but pregnancy complication for this group is much higher. Should you decide to delay getting a child, it’s important to understand the risks associated with the decision.

Risks

The risk of having a baby born with birth defects increases as women age. This is usually a result of nondisjunction, which is the unusual division of the egg. A condition like Down’s syndrome is more common in women who give birth after age 35.

Miscarriage and chronic health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes are also increased in older women who seek to get pregnant. As Geoffrey Lafond understands, the occurrence of these issues is as a result of an age-related decline in fertility.

Geoffrey Lafond - What to Expect  During a Visit to an Ob-Gyn

Geoffrey Lafond has worked as an obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) professional for more than 20 years. In this time, he’s visited with numerous patients, many of whom are first-time clients. A visit to the ob-gyn is recommended for women since they are trained to deal with important women’s health issues.

Because of the sometimes personal and sensitive nature of women’s health issues, many women find it troubling to see a trained professional. It can be embarrassing to have a doctor examine the private regions of your body, or discuss intimate issues with them. To take the anxiety out of an ob-gyn appointment, here are some tips.

Find a specialist you can trust
Your choice of ob-gyn is very important since you are going to trust them with sensitive information. For many women, finding a trusted specialist comes in the form of referrals from friends or family members. Also, your primary doctor can recommend a good resource if you need.

The gender of the gynecologist is an important aspect to consider. Some women are more comfortable with female specialists, while others don’t mind if the ob-gyn is a man. When you do meet the doctor, ensure that you ask as many questions regarding their experience, attitude, and certification as possible. The goal is to make sure you completely comfortable before signing up.

Remember that an ob-gyn like Geoffrey Lafond is your best resource for all the questions or concerns you have, so make sure you ask as many questions regarding your reproductive health.

Geoffrey Lafond - Health Tips for Women

OB-GYN Geoffrey Lafond has helped many women deal with their health issues. As an experienced specialist, he also knows that avoiding some of the common health issues comes down to adopting a healthier lifestyle. The following tips are useful in helping accomplish a lifetime of healthy living.

Reduce stress

One of the biggest causes of health problems in both men and women is stress. Taking on too much at a time and trying to do it all usually leads to bad health effects, including higher chances of depression, heart disease, and infertility. Find a way to work on your stress and adopt it for better health.

Cut back on diets

Many fad diets lack the staying power that leading a healthy lifestyle requires. Besides, eating healthy doesn’t always mean completely cutting out a piece of chocolate or glass of wine from your diet. The key to eating well is to moderate.

Embrace exercise

Women who wish to live healthy lives should adopt a mix of resistance and cardio training for the best results. Exercising three to five times a week keeps the body fit and active while boosting the immune system against cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases, among others. Exercise also improves an individual’s self-esteem.

Learn about birth control

While birth control might not be a welcome topic for some, it can keep you from getting pregnant if you aren’t prepared. Take the time to consult with specialists like Geoffrey Lafond to learn more about the different types of birth control and their pros/cons.

Geoffrey Lafond -  Managing Infertility

As a gynecologist and obstetrician, Geoffrey Lafond frequently deals with cases of infertility. Although infertility can be very frustrating and upsetting, there are now many ways to treat or manage it, so that you can still have a child. Every case of infertility is different. There are many different factors that can cause infertility but if you are currently struggling with infertility, there are several options that can be considered.
 

• If you and your partner have been trying to conceive and have been unsuccessful, the first step to take is medicine. There are a few different prescriptions that can stimulate the ovaries to increase your chances of ovulating. Hormone injections can also increase your chances of getting pregnant.
• Artificial insemination is another option if you are struggling with getting pregnant, but have not been diagnosed with complete infertility. In this method, the sperms are collected and inserted into the uterus.
• In vitro fertilization can be used if the previous two methods are unsuccessful. In this process, the egg is fertilized outside of the womb, and then inserted into the women’s cervix, where it can grow naturally.
• If you have been completely unsuccessful at achieving a natural pregnancy, Geoffrey Lafond notes that you can also elect to adopt a child. There are many children around the world that need happy and safe homes, and you can provide that for them.

Geoffrey Lafond - Preventing Gynecological Cancer

Geoffrey Lafond is a Barbados-based obstetrician and gynecologist. One of the conditions that he treats regularly is gynecological cancer. There are many different types of gynecological cancers, including ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and many more. Any type of cancer that develops in the reproductive system is classified as gynecological cancer. Although there is not a cure for cancer yet, it can be treated in many cases, and there are also many things that can be done to decrease the risk of cancer.

• Take precaution; protect yourself f against sexually transmitted diseases, and get the HPV preventative shot if you have access to it. HPV (human papilloma virus) in particular has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer.
• Get regular screening tests for cancer, especially if there is a history of cancer in your family. Doctors have the tools to be able to locate cancerous cells before you do, and the earlier you receive treatment, the more likely you are to survive and live a healthy life in the future.
• Avoid smoking, as it has been linked to a higher risk of gynecologic cancer (as well as all cancers in general). Smoking also has negative consequences for many other aspects of your health.
• Take oral contraceptives, and consider receiving tubal litigation surgery once you are sure you are done having children. Both of these things have been linked to a lower risk of ovarian cancer.

Geoffrey Lafond regularly treats gynecological cancer, as well as a variety of other women’s health issues.

Geoffrey Lafond - How to Become an OB/GYN

Geoffrey Lafond is an experienced obstetrician and gynecologist working at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Barbados. He completed his medical studies at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, and then worked his way up through the ranks at the hospital to become the head of his department. The work of an OB/GYN is very challenging, but also very rewarding. There are many different aspects of working in this field that are interesting, but the most common daily tasks are treating female reproductive issues and caring for pregnant women and new mothers. The process of bringing life into the world is one of the most satisfying aspects of the job for many OB/GYNs.

The long process of becoming an OB/GYN begins with taking science and math classes in high school, as well as maintaining a high grade point average to get into a competitive undergraduate program. Then, in college, one should major in a science-based subject, as well as take pre-med classes. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, the next step is to take a medical school admissions test, and then complete a medical degree. You will then enter the workforce to complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, usually lasting about four years, depending on your country’s requirements. After your residency is complete, the last step is to obtain your medical license. From there, you can begin your own practice. Although the path of study to become an OB/GYN is arduous, many doctors, like Geoffrey Lafond, find it very rewarding.

Geoffrey Lafond - How the Zika Virus Can Affect Pregnancy

Geoffrey Lafond is a gynecologist and obstetrician based in Bridgetown, Barbados, where he is the head of gynecology department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. As a gynecologist, he treats a wide variety of conditions that affect the female reproductive system, as well as caring for women during pregnancy and helping them deliver their babies. One recent problem that has caused complications in pregnancies around the world is the Zika virus. Many people are unaware of the dangers of the Zika virus, especially for pregnant women and children.

Zika virus travels primarily through mosquito bites, and it is more common in countries closer to the equator with a higher population of mosquitos. It can also travel from person to person through unprotected sexual intercourse. The symptoms of Zika fever include fever, red and swollen eyes, joint pain, and skin rash. In very rare cases, it may also cause paralysis. However, the symptoms are rarely lethal, and most patients do not even need to visit a hospital. Many people do not even realize that they have been infected, and once a patient is infected once, they rarely contract the illness again.

However, pregnancies that occur in women with the Zika virus can result in very severe birth defects, the most common being microcephaly. This is when the baby’s head does not grow properly, and can result in decreased brain functioning. For this reason, women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy in the near future should not travel to countries with Zika outbreaks, and should be extremely careful around mosquitos. Geoffrey Lafond has treated many patients with this problem throughout his career.

Geoffrey Lafond: Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Geoffrey Lafond is a dedicated, experienced healthcare professional who specializes in gynecology and obstetrics. Working with a specialist like Geoffrey Lafond can help you detect cervical cancer and treat it in the early stages. You can also make lifestyle changes like those below to do your part in preventing cervical cancer before it begins.

Healthy Diet and Weight – As is true with most types of cancer and gynecological disease, women who maintain a healthy diet are at a lower risk of cervical cancer. A diet high in fruits and vegetables could reduce your risk. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy BMI reduces your risk of cervical cancer and other obesity-related diseases.

Birth Control Pills – Taking oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills, for prolonged periods has been associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer, but a lower risk of other cancers. Once the pills are stopped, the risk of cervical cancer goes down. Women must weigh the benefits and risks before deciding to continue or begin taking birth control pills.

Intrauterine Device – Women using an intrauterine device, also known as an IUD, might have a lower risk of cervical cancer than those who have never used an IUD. The protective effect of an IUD appears to remain after the device has been removed.

Speak with a professional like Geoffrey Lafond about your intended lifestyle changes to be sure he or she agrees with your plan. This will help ensure that you are on the right track to improving your health and reducing your gynecological issue risk.

Geoffrey Lafond - GTD (Gestational Trophoblastic Disease) Risk Factors

Geoffrey Lafond is an obstetrics and gynecology specialist who has worked with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital since 1992. As an experienced healthcare professional, Geoffrey Lafond has helped women with a number of gynecological conditions. Among the gynecological conditions that women are at risk for is GTD, also known as gestational trophoblastic disease. Though medical professionals do not know the exact cause of GTD, risk factors such as those below are linked to its development:

• Age  — GTD develops as a result of pregnancy, so only women who are of childbearing age are at risk for the disease. Women over forty years of age are at a higher risk for GTD than those who become pregnant at a younger age.
• Prior GTD — Women who have experienced GTD during a previous pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing the disease a second time. A second occurrence of GTD is ten times as likely as the first.
• Lifestyle — As is true with most gynecological disease, healthier women are at a lower risk of GTD. Those with imbalanced diets that do not contain enough vitamin A or beta carotene, for example, are more likely to develop GTD. Additionally, women who use oral contraceptives have a higher risk of GTD.
• Fertility and Menstruation Issues — Women who experience irregular periods typically demonstrate a higher occurrence of GTD, as do women who have a history of spontaneous abortions.

If you suspect that you are at risk of GTD, seek an experienced healthcare professional like Geoffrey Lafond near you for further assessment.

Geoffrey Lafond - Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors

Geoffrey Lafond is one of many professionals who specializes in female healthcare. These professionals work to help women face and overcome a number of female health conditions. Presently, Geoffrey Lafond is the Obstetrics and Gynecological Head of Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. In his decades of experience, he has dealt with both common and unusual healthcare concerns.

Among the more common issues that such professionals assist women with are gynecological cancers; endometrial cancer, for example. The following risk factors increase a woman’s likelihood of developing endometrial cancer:

• Hormone Levels — A woman’s hormones largely dictate whether she will develop most endometrial cancers. Improper estrogen and progesterone levels, both of which are provided through the ovaries, can increase a woman’s endometrial cancer risk.
• Lifestyle —  Lifestyle choices, particularly those related to birth control, can impact a woman’s chance of developing endometrial cancer. For example, birth control pills have been shown to lower a woman’s risk, as has the use of an intrauterine device (IUD). Additionally, multiple pregnancies and a lower total number of menstrual cycles have both been shown to lower risk.
• Age and Health — As is true with most cancers, the risk of developing endometrial cancer is higher as women age; it is also higher if women lead unhealthy lifestyles. Obesity, lack of exercise and presence of obesity-related diseases, like diabetes, play a large role in endometrial cancer development.

Trained specialists like Geoffrey Lafond can help women identify risk factors and screen for the disease. Working with such a professional is the best option for maintaining gynecological health at any age.

Geoffrey Lafond - Common Hormonal Causes of Female Infertility

Geoffrey Lafond is the Head of Department for Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados. As a passionate healthcare professional, Geoffrey Lafond takes interest in a number of health issues faced by women around the globe. One of the most prevalent issues faced by women is infertility, or the inability to conceive. Though infertility can be a result of a number of factors, the three most common hormonal causes include…

• Failure to Produce Mature Eggs – When the ovaries do not produce normal follicles so that the eggs can mature, the chance of egg fertilization is extremely rare. The most common cause for this issue is polycystic ovary syndrome, which presents symptoms like anovulation, amenorrhea and hirsutism.
• Hypothalamus Malfunction – The hypothalamus is responsible for sending signals to the pituitary gland, which then sends hormonal signals to the ovaries to induce the maturation of eggs. If the hypothalamus is malfunctioning, women can suffer from immature eggs and ovarian failure.
• Pituitary Gland Malfunction – The pituitary gland, signaled by the hypothalamus, is responsible for producing hormonal stimulation to trigger egg maturation in the ovaries. It does this in the form of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). If the pituitary gland is malfunctioning, it might send too much or too little of either hormone, creating a chemical imbalance that inhibits ovulation or egg maturation.

Speaking with a specialist like Geoffrey Lafond can help women identify if anything can be done to remedy their infertility issues. If the answer is no, there are always alternate choices, such as adoption, to consider.