Obstetrics Q & A
What types of OB care does Dr. Peña offer?
Dr. Peña and the team in Coral Gables offer comprehensive OB care during pregnancy and your baby’s birth. Dr. Peña is skilled in all aspects of your pregnancy health and can perform Caesarean surgery, if necessary. Typically, during your pregnancy, you’ll have regularly scheduled appointments to monitor your and your baby’s progress each step of the way.
OB care focuses on keeping you and your baby as healthy as possible during all stages of your pregnancy and delivery. Dr. Peña offers prenatal OB care in his office including the latest ultrasound technology, so you can see your baby in 3D. He also provides specialized care for women during high-risk pregnancies.
When would I need an ultrasound?
Usually, you have your first ultrasound appointment during your first trimester of pregnancy, around six to nine weeks as part of your routine prenatal OB care. Then, you may have another ultrasound about halfway through your pregnancy, somewhere between 18-22 weeks. Dr. Peña may request additional ultrasounds during your pregnancy if you are considered to be high-risk because of your age or health conditions.
An ultrasound, a completely safe procedure for both you and your baby, allows you to see how your baby is developing. For Dr. Peña, an ultrasound provides necessary medical information about your baby’s internal organs, outer extremities, as well as your baby’s gender, age, and growth rate. An ultrasound can also provide information regarding any birth defects or areas of concern.
How often will I need OB care visits during my pregnancy?
Each woman and each pregnancy is different, but typically, you come in for a checkup every four to six weeks during pregnancy, as long as you’re healthy and between 18-35 years old. If you’re older than 35, your pregnancy may be considered high-risk, so you may need to have additional prenatal checkups. In the last few weeks of your pregnancy, Dr. Peña typically has you come in every week until your baby is born.
The team of medical professionals tailors your OB care to your specific needs to ensure that you and your baby have the healthiest pregnancy and delivery possible.
If you’re pregnant and live in the Miami area, call the office to schedule a consultation regarding your OB care, or request an appointment online.
Gynecology Q & A
What gynecology services does Dr. Peña offer?
Dr. Peña and his team of women’s health experts offer preventive care as well as the latest procedures and technology to protect against, diagnose, and treat gynecology conditions -- any issue involving the female reproductive system. These services include:
- Birth control and contraception
- HPV vaccinations
- Hysterectomies
- Cancer screening and prevention
- Colposcopies
- Endometrial biopsies
- Menopause treatments
- Robotic surgeries
Common gynecology concerns include:
- Health issues relating to pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Problems with pelvic organs and muscles
- Ovarian cysts and fibroids
- Irregular periods
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginal conditions
Dr. Peña and the team have the experience and passion to help each woman stay healthy or overcome a reproductive, pregnancy, or menopause challenge.
When would I need a colposcopy?
A Pap test indicates if the cells from your cervix show any abnormalities. If the results of a Pap test are abnormal, Dr. Peña may recommend a colposcopy, so he can more closely examine your cervix and vagina for any signs of disease.
A colposcopy is a painless procedure that Dr. Peña performs in the office. It takes just about 15 minutes and allows him to view your cervix through a microscope. A colposcopy can help him accurately diagnose such abnormalities as:
- Precancerous changes in the vulva or vaginal tissue
- Precancerous changes to the cervix tissue
- Genital warts
- Cervicitis (inflammation of your cervix)
Dr. Peña can also perform a biopsy using the colposcope to further test abnormal cells.
What menopause treatments are available?
If the changes of menopause interfere with the quality of your daily life, the gynecology team at Carlos G. Peña, MD, can help you get through this temporary phase of your life more comfortably. From hormone therapy to herbal supplements, Dr. Peña creates an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Menopause symptoms affect every woman differently, so there’s no single remedy to treat it.
Your menopause treatment plan may include therapies that can:
- Reduce hot flashes and mood swings
- Help you sleep better
- Relieve vaginal dryness
- Reduce the risk of certain cancers and osteoporosis
To learn more about menopause treatments or any of the all-encompassing gynecology services Dr. Peña and the team offer, call the office or book an appointment online.
Pregnancy Q & A
What are the early signs of pregnancy?
There are quite a few signals that many women experience during the first few weeks after becoming pregnant. You may not even realize you’re pregnant yet, but your body goes through a slew of changes from the inside out. Most of these pregnancy symptoms are the result of hormones preparing your body for a growing baby and include:
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- A missed period
- Nausea and morning sickness
- Heightened sense of smell
- Mood swings
- Food aversions
- Tender, painful breasts
- Increased urination
- Spotting
Some women experience many of these early pregnancy symptoms while others may not. The early signs of pregnancy are often so similar to those that occur right before your period that you may not realize the difference. If you think you may be pregnant, taking a home pregnancy test can confirm your suspicion.
How soon should I make a doctor’s appointment after I become pregnant?
If a home pregnancy test is positive, Dr. Peña recommends making an appointment as soon as possible. The experienced OB/GYN team conducts a simple blood test to confirm your pregnancy. Dr. Peña also performs an exam to determine how many weeks pregnant you are and talks to you about prenatal care.
Prenatal medical care is essential for a healthy pregnancy for both you and your baby, and Dr. Peña and his talented, caring team are with you every step of the way from your first weeks of pregnancy to the exciting moment when you deliver your baby.
How will I know when I am in labor?
As your due date approaches, your body makes even more changes to prepare for your baby's delivery. You may notice that you carry your baby lower in your pelvis, taking pressure off your rib cage. Many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions or cramping, signaling that your cervix is widening for delivery.
Signs that you’re in labor include more intense contractions, more frequently, and your water may break, releasing the fluid that surrounds your baby. When you’re truly in labor, your contractions begin to last longer and occur at regular intervals. Dr. Peña and his team are highly experienced at delivering babies, so if you think you’re in labor, call the office.
Choosing a caring, compassionate, knowledgeable medical team to share your journey with you at each stage of pregnancy can make all the difference in your health and wellbeing. Call the office for an appointment, or schedule a consultation using the online system.
MonaLisa Touch Q & A
What problems can the MonaLisa Touch address?
As women age, collagen production decreases throughout the body. That can have an unwelcome effect on the vaginal area, contributing to itching, dryness, and discomfort.
Dr. Peña uses the MonaLisa Touch system to address the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. These symptoms may include:
- Vaginal dryness
- Itching
- Burning
- Painful intercourse
- Urinary incontinence
If you’re suffering from these common problems, they can significantly impact your confidence and your sexual pleasure and function. Dr. Peña can help you determine if treatment using the MonaLisa Touch could help.
What does the MonaLisa Touch do?
The MonaLisa Touch sends targeted, concentrated beams of light into the vaginal tissue. Most patients achieve vaginal rejuvenation with 1-3 sessions spaced about 40-60 days apart.
It painlessly stimulates collagen production and improves overall hydration levels, which helps eliminate some of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. That allows for vaginal revitalization without the need for painful and invasive surgery or the risks associated with hormone therapies for these conditions.
Can the MonaLisa Touch address vaginal looseness?
What side effects occur with MonaLisa Touch treatment?
Women who seek treatment with the MonaLisa Touch may experience redness, swelling, or discomfort of the treated area. It's considered one of the least invasive treatment options for vaginal atrophy.
Unlike hormone therapy, MonaLisa Touch treatment doesn't create a risk of cancer. And, unlike surgery, it doesn't involve a long recovery time or the risk of infection.
What are the potential benefits of treatment with the MonaLisa Touch?
Women who receive treatment with MonaLisa Touch experience increased confidence, increased sexual fulfillment, and decreased discomfort.
To learn more about the procedure and to determine if you're a good candidate for it. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Peña. As both an OB/GYN and a cosmetic physician, Dr. Peña is uniquely skilled in delivering MonaLisa Touch treatment to his patients.