Dr Smith is now a guest contributor to WebMd’s “Trying to Conceive “online discussion community. Over the coming weeks, Dr. Smith will be offering insights on the topic of fertility and also moderating the discussion that results from her submission.  Her first two topics were: “When is the best time to conceive?” and “Did my contraception affect my fertility?”

Please join her and feel free to participate!

To see more of Dr Smith’s insights, go to follow this link: http://http://exchanges.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction-exchange/groupstory/15141723

Atlanta Women’s Specialists offers a unique class for expectant fathers. If you are expecting a baby (and are one of our patients), please encourage your baby’s dad to join us for this event.

The Fathers’ Only class is designed for you to learn from other dads who understand and have been in your shoes recently. Ask questions and learn the need-to-know basics before your baby arrives and enjoy pizza at the same time.

This class is expecially helpful for first-time dads. Even if you have been down this road before, we encourage you to join us.

Where: Meridian Mark Office
5445 Meridian Mark Rd
Ste 350
Atlanta, Georgia 30342

When: Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Time: 6:00pm until 7:00pm
Cost: FREE!

A Sign up sheet is on the table in the main waiting room at each office. You can also register (and get additional information about the class) by sending an email to Mary Alice Hedden, mhedden@awsphysicians.com.

We hope you’ll join us.

We are now offering both the H1N1 and Season Flu vaccines to our pregnant patients.  If you are pregnant, you can get these shots at your next regularly scheduled OB visit, by scheduling an injection-only appointment or by attending one of our Flu Clinics.  They will be held between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on the following days: Meridian Mark Office: November 12 and 19; Alpharetta Office:November 10 and 17.  On Flu Clinic days no appointment is necessary; just show up and we’ll give you the shot.

Starting November 5, we are offering the H1N1 vaccine to our pregnant patients.  If you are pregnant, you can get this shot at your next regularly scheduled OB visit, by scheduling an injection-only appointment or by attending one of our H1N1 Flu Clinics.  They will be held between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on the following days: Meridian Mark Office: November 12 and 19; Alpharetta Office:November 10 and 17.  On Flu Clinic days no appointment is necessary; just show up and we’ll give you the shot.

Due to the anticipated demand from patients who are not pregnant, we have asked for additional vaccine supplies. When we receive the additional supply we will offer the vaccine to all patients and to the spouses of pregnant patients.  Please watch our blog or Facebook Fanpage for future announcements.

Infants are thought to be at higher risk for severe illness from 2009 H1N1 infection and very little is known about prevention of 2009 H1N1 flu infection in infants. If you are breastfeeding or giving your baby infant formula, a cautious approach would be to protect your baby from exposure to the flu virus in the following ways:

·         Ask for help from someone who is not sick to feed and care for your baby, if possible.

·         If there is no one else who can take care of your baby while you are sick, try to wear a face mask at all times when you are feeding or caring for your baby. You should also be very careful about washing your hands and taking everyday precautions to prevent your baby from getting flu. Using a cloth blanket between you and your baby during feedings might also help.

·         If you are breastfeeding, someone who is not sick can give your baby your expressed milk. Ideally babies less than about 6 months of age should get their feedings from breast milk. It is OK to take medicines to treat the flu while you are breastfeeding.

If you are expecting your first baby soon, you may want to attend a class offered by our friends at Georgetown Pediatrics. The class is titled “Expectantly Expecting…Class for Parents.”  This class is held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at different office locations.  Here are the specific details for the October class:

Tuesday, October 12, 2009

Time: 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Location: Johns Creek Office, 3915 Johns Creek, Suite 120, Suwannee, GA 30024

RSVP: 770-814-8883

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Did you know that 1 woman out of 8 in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer?

Breast self-exam (BSE) is a tool that may help you become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel. BSE may help you find tumors in the time between your annual mammogram and/or clinical breast exam. It may also help you learn what changes in your breasts should be reported to your health care provider. If you notice any changes such as thickening, lumps, spontaneous nipple discharge or skin changes, such as dimpling or puckering see your health care provider right away.

Find a buddy and encourage each other to do monthly Self Breast Exams. You can also encourage each other to get a mammogram.

To support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AWS will be having “Pretty in Pink Fridays!” We’re encouraging our employees to wear pink or a Race for the Cure t-shirt along with scrubs each Friday throughout this month! Also, don’t forget to wear your pink ribbon pin each day to show your support!

For more information on breast cancer, you can go to the following links:
www.komen.org
www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast

Atlanta Women’s Specialists offers a unique class for expectant fathers. If you are expecting a baby (and are one of our patients), please encourage your baby’s dad to join us for this event.

The Fathers’ Only class is designed for you to learn from other dads who understand and have been in your shoes recently. Ask questions and learn the need-to-know basics before your baby arrives and enjoy pizza at the same time.

This class is expecially helpful for first-time dads. Even if you have been down this road before, we encourage you to join us.

Where: Meridian Mark Office
5445 Meridian Mark Rd
Ste 350
Atlanta, Georgia 30342

When: 9/15/09
Time: 6:00pm until 7:00pm
Cost: FREE!

A Sign up sheet is on the table in the main waiting room at each office. You can also register (and get additional information about the class) by sending an email to Mary Alice Hedden, mhedden@awsphysicians.com.

We hope you’ll join us.

Dr. Dawson won “Best OB-GYN” in a recent online poll conducted by local website for moms.  Check out the results here: MomsLikeMe.com.

Thank you to all who cast a vote for him.

We thought you’d like to know…Dr. Michael Dawson has been nominated as Best OB/GYN by a popular website for moms in Atlanta.  The voting opened on June 15  and runs through Friday, June 26. 

Cast your vote here.

Atlanta.momslikeme.com is a online discussion board for moms in Atlanta.  You’ll find discussion groups, recommendations on all sorts of products, services and activities, an online marketplace, coupons and much more.