New Patients Please Call:
Existing Patients Please Call:
We are Located at Katy | Merchants Way
30
Mar
Katy women reduce risk of low birthweight babies with prenatal care during pregnancy
More than eight percent of babies born in 2015 in the US weighed less than 2500 grams (about 5.8 pounds). The doctors at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine gynecology clinic in Katy, TX urge expectant mothers to seek prenatal care during pregnancy to reduce risk of having a low birthweight baby.
Why it matters
Low-birthweight babies have a greater than average chance of medical problems including:
- IVH – Intraventricular hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain is usually mild and resolves naturally. However, severe cases can allow fluid to build up causing pressure and brain damage.
- NEC – With necrotizing enterocolitis, an intestinal disorder, antibiotics are needed to fight infection while baby is fed intravenously, allowing intestines to heal.
- PDA – Patent ductus arteriosus is a heart problem characterized failure of a large artery to close after birth. Untreated PDA can lead to heart failure.
- RDS – Respiratory distress syndrome is a breathing problem common when baby lacks a protein that prevents air sacs in lungs from collapsing.
- ROP – Retinopathy of prematurity impacts blood vessels in baby’s eyes. ROP usually heals without loss of sight, but vision monitoring is necessary.
What you should know
The primary reasons babies are born below normal weight are premature birth, and fetal growth restriction. Birth defects and fetal infections also play a role. The best way to minimize your risk of a low birthweight delivery is with excellent prenatal care. Ideally, begin seeing Drs Jenkins, Roy, Ramirez or Ikwuagwu before you conceive, or as soon as you suspect you might be pregnant. The doctor works with you to eliminate risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and abuse of street or prescription drugs. With control of chronic disease, a healthy eating plan, and routine monitoring, your chance of having a full-term, healthy baby increases dramatically.
Call our office
New patients please call:
855-346-8610
855-346-8610
Existing patients please call:
281-347-2600
281-347-2600
Call 855-346-8610 for the prenatal care you and your baby deserve.
Share this Article
Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine
Connect with Dr. Jenkins on Linkedin
We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all
stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L.
Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of
Medicine from Meharry
Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the
University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.
Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie
Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today,
she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with
high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive
volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program
in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.
Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.
Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her
Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the
Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive
years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior
Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee
Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local
and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.
Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.
