After facing a high-risk pregnancy, Louise Fife gave birth to a baby boy who, like her, is now happy and healthy.
Louise and her husband Phillip were new to the area. Louise, 52, was pregnant with the couple’s first child. A friend recommended the OB/GYN practice About Women, and soon, Louise was seeing Dr. Baraty, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
“In medical school, I was always drawn to professions which were surgically based. In obstetrics, it’s usually the only time a patient is excited about coming to the doctors’ office and really looking forward to seeing their doctor,” explains Dr. Baraty. “With gynecology, I am working with patients of all ages through the well-woman visits and making sure they are healthy and happy, or in problem visits getting them back to being healthy and happy with medical or surgical treatments.”
Louise dealt with high blood pressure issues throughout her pregnancy and was carefully monitored. Dr. Baraty worked with the perinatologist, a doctor who specializes in complicated, high-risk pregnancies, to make sure both the mother and baby were healthy.
As Dr. Baraty explains, high-risk pregnancies generally have one or more of the following four components:
- existing conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and the like
- complications from a previous pregnancy
- multiple gestations (i.e. twins, triplets, etc.)
- fetal problems or birth defects
Louise’s high blood pressure led to several overnight stays at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.
“My wife was admitted to the hospital a couple of times for monitoring. Plus, we had several 24-hour screens to determine if there were any issues with pre-eclampsia,” remembers Phillip. “Blood work was continuously being done. The team was wonderful, assuring my wife that her organs, liver, and everything was performing very well for her age and for her being pregnant, but her blood pressure was the biggest issue.”
Louise was admitted at 28 weeks and then again at 32 weeks. Soon after that, she was admitted a third time, after her blood pressure increased. Doctors discovered signs of pre-eclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication. The decision was made for early delivery.
On April 25, at 33 weeks and five days, Noah River was born by caesarian section. He weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces. Both the mother and baby did well.
“She had a bit of anxiety with the spinal block, but the anesthesiologist, Amy, was wonderful. She was with us the whole time and did a great job of calming my wife. It was a very positive experience,” said Phillip.
The delivery team at the Women’s Health Center at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, along with a neonatologist from Children’s National who supports the NICU, was ready for Noah’s arrival.
For two weeks, Noah received expert, specialized care in the NICU – learning to eat on his own and growing more every day. The new family was able to head home before Mother’s Day, where Phillip and Noah made sure to celebrate the new mom in their family.
Nearly a month after his birth, Noah is thriving. Phillip reports that he’s eating constantly, and at his first pediatrician visit, he already weighed 5 pounds and 9 ounces. Louise is also doing great.
The family is thankful to the team at Sentara even presenting the nurses in Labor and Delivery, Postpartum and the NICU with flowers and card of appreciation.
“The care we received was wonderful. It was really nice knowing my wife and Noah were in good hands,” said Phillip.
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Discover the hidden gems and rich history of Downtown Manassas on the thrilling Manassas Scavenger Hunt! This exciting walking tour will take you on a journey through the charming streets of Manassas, unlocking the secrets of its iconic landmarks and beloved attractions. From the historic Veterans Memorial to the majestic Water Tower and the Opera House, each location offers a glimpse into the city’s fascinating past.
Join the adventure and solve clues, unravel mysteries, and dive into the captivating stories that make Manassas unique. It’s a perfect outing for friends, families, or anyone looking for a fun and engaging way to explore this vibrant city.
Ready to embark on this unforgettable journey? Visit Manassas Scavenger Hunt for tickets and details.
With contraception rights under scrutiny nationwide, Virginia Democrats are doubling down on efforts to safeguard access, even as they brace for potential pushback from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the Virginia Mercury reports.
House Bill 1716, introduced by Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, passed the House of Delegates on Thursday, while a companion bill from Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, cleared the Senate Education and Health Committee.
Last year, similar bills passed both chambers with bipartisan support but were ultimately vetoed by Youngkin.
The Manassas City Council began its three-day retreat on Thursday at James Madison’s historic Montpelier, located over 80 miles south of the city. The event quickly raised concerns about public access after members of the public who traveled to attend the meeting discovered the venue was locked and inaccessible.
Virginia law mandates that government meetings remain open to the public unless they are specifically classified as legal closed-door sessions. According to Virginia’s open meetings laws, the Council’s work session and retreat did not qualify as a closed-door meeting, raising questions about compliance.
Former Councilwoman Lynn Forkell Green attended the event and confirmed the gate to the complex was locked. “I couldn’t get in. Had I not had the cell numbers of council members, I would not have gained access because the meeting space was more than a mile past the gate, and the complex was closed,” Forkell Green said. While she was able to contact a council member who provided the entry code, she noted that most members of the public would not have such relationships or access.
OmniRide has reached a significant milestone, serving 1 million passengers in FY2024. This achievement signals a post-pandemic recovery for the regional transit provider and sets the stage for even greater success, with projections to double ridership to 2 million passengers by June 2025, according to agency officials.
During soon-to-be released Potomac Local News Podcast episode, OmniRide Executive Director Bob Schneider shared insights about the agency’s new routes and its vision for the future. He highlighted the introduction of new services to Warrenton and Front Royal as a pivotal step in expanding OmniRide’s reach and addressing regional transportation needs.
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Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
