Dr. Kathryn Mercer
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Palo Alto, CA
36 years experience
Locations
Office
Palo Alto, CA
Phone
Practice website
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
54 Answers
0 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
1/2 gallon +/-: Rule of thumb: take your weight in pounds and divide by two. That's how many ounces you should take in if you are moderately active. Obviously more... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: Discharge color depends on the predominant bacteria in your vagina, but it also can be affected by what you eat.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Genetics: Unfortunately our tendency to stretch marks is just bad luck. Stretch marks occur from rapid expansion of the skin and literally tearing of the colla... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: You will have to wear loose clothes. Maternity, or just big, is up to you. I liked hospital scrubs, myself.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Roll and push: Your stomach muscles are on stretch when you get big, so they really don't work very well. The best way to keep from straining them or hurting your b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Just make sure they are comfortable and not putting too much pressure on your skin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Warm compresses: Everyone cramps off and on in pregnancy and tends to get low back pain from the change in posture and weight distribution. Tylenol (acetaminophen) an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Leaky vessels: Your blood volume is markedly increased in pregnancy and that extra volume stretches all of your blood vessels so they leak. The leaked fluid is seru... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: There is more discharge as the pregnancy progresses and many women find they are more comfortable wearing a panty shield for the last few months. If ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: It's a natural inhabitant of the vagina and gut and high levels can suppress candida or yeast.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Call your doctor.: It isn't uncommon to spot in pregnancy. Depending on the gestational age, it could be a sign of pre-term labor, however. You should ask your doctor ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: The only was to get pregnant is for sperm to reach an egg and manage to penetrate it. If semen (sperm) enters the vagina there is that potential. Th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
That's probably gut: The vagina is directly over the rectum, so gut-related pain can seem to be vaginal. ?Constipation?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Common, not typical: Endometriosis is associated with infertility, not miscarriage so much. Bleeding in pregnancy is common and can occur from the very friable cervix or ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Water, exercise: Swelling in pregnancy is pretty hard to avoid. The increased blood volume and lower blood pressure dilate the distal vessels and they become "leaky".... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: The bleeding you get on the pill isn't really a period; it's a withdrawal bleed. Once your body has acclimated to the pill, you can control when, and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: And early menopause! there are toxins in cigarette smoke that effect every part of your body.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: Oxytocin should be delivered only in a hospital setting where your baby can be monitored for distress and an emergency c-section can be accomplished i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Once the increased blood volume of pregnancy resolves and the pressure and weight of the uterus reduces, the veins will be able to drain better. The ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Lactobacilli live in the gut. They will not cross the placenta nor be excreted in breast milk.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Tylenol (acetaminophen) and some prescription analgesics are safe. You should not take Aspirin , Ibuprofen or naproxen-like products. If you have an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: You will worry until you know that the pregnancy is okay. You should probably see your doctor for an ultrasound or some blood tests.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Quitting smoking doesn't cause withdrawal symptoms like quitting drugs. People tend to be irritable and testy and they will crave the nicotine, but t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Low thyroid is very detrimental to the fetus. If you are on thyroid medicine, your levels should be checked during pregnancy. Anti thyroglobulin ant... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
?: Flutamide is used to treat prostate cancer in men. It is an anti-androgen and should not be used in women. It can be associated with breast cancer a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Cyclic: The vaginal discharge changes throughout the cycle. Right after the period it tends to be whitish. At mid-cycle it is wet and clear. After ovulatio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Not really: It is very unpredictable. Amniotic fluid can escape into the maternal blood supply with separation of the placenta during labor. This is not uniform... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Right up to the end.: But that isn't common. We usually will wait to try to turn the baby until around 37 weeks, as they are more likely to stay turned. As the fetus gets... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Cardiologist: You should probably get a cardiology consult just to make sure that there is no remaining functional deficit. Then your fetus should get a pediatric ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Pill or borage oil: Your age may be associated if you have entered into the peri-menopause stage. I put many of these women on low dose birth control, if there are no co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Within a week: It usually takes about five days for the elevated hormones to exit the body. Some people can take as long as two weeks, but that is unusual. Just gi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Just treat it: Chlamydia will probably not infect the fetus with intact membranes, but if the baby gets infected during birth, it can cause blindness and severe pneu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Exercize: When your muscles are strong, it takes less effort to accomplish tasks. Additionally, you will relieve stress and sleep better when you can sleep. B... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: There really isn't any huge harm in taking too much vitamin C as it is water soluble, and what you don't absorb will be excreted in your urine. On th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Diabetes?: Most of the time we don't know what causes polyhydramnios. It is associated with maternal diabetes and can result from trouble with the fetal kidneys... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Your intestines take a while to get back to normal, so it may take several days for you to need to have a bowel movement. In that time, the stool can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Ovulation: At ovulation the cervical mucous is very liquid like raw egg white. Sometimes when the ovary releases its egg, the surface capillaries can rupture an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Bacteria: A change in the bacterial milieu will have a different odor than usual. This could be from an infection, from stress-induced changes, from dietary ch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
About six inches: Actually, vaginal length varies a bit, but average is about six inches.
The symptom of a cervical infection would be an abnormal discharge. Infect... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: Tight or loos underwear has no effect on female fertility. Males, on the other hand, can decrease sperm motility and production by over heating the t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Small frequent meals: Some people get relief from ginger and vitamin b6. Exercise helps. Getting away from stress makes a big difference. If you are vomiting excessively... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Don't buy ones with too much scent or other additives as they may be irritating to that sensitive skin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
No: The concern is toxoplasmosis, which can be very harmful to a fetus. Cats are part of the life cycle of these organisms and their "eggs" can be in the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Probably not: Everyone's perception of pain is different, but we have many options to make your experience pretty tolerable. Talk to your doctor about the options ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
16-17 per 100,000: Published in the Lancet journal in 2010, the rate of maternal death in the US was 16.7 per 100,000 live births. Ranked 39th in the world, the higher m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
What?: I don't know if you mean preserved? The hospitals will put it in a container for you. If you want it preserved, ask them to put it in formalin. Jus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: Proteins in your serum absorb water into the blood stream vs. Letting it leak into the abdomenal cavity. Look up kwashiorkor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Leg lifts: There is no way to spot reduce. If you have fat on your abdomen, it is because you take in more calories than you burn. You can flatten the appearan... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Yes: You should see your doctor and get some hormonal assistance to "jump start" your cycle, though. It is not good to have less than four periods a year.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Kathryn Merceranswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 36 years experience
Uterine scarring: Women with a history of fibroid surgery or previous ceasarean whose placenta implants on scar tissue have a small, but present potential for the place... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
267
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Mercer is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Mercer is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks! My dermatologist perscribed some kenalog spray (was using Clobex before pregnancy) to use and I was just very nervous about using it during pregnancy.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you so much
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, TX
Graduated 1987MD
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