Pregnancy and Delivery FAQs
We hope this information is helpful to all future and currently pregnant women. We’ve covered the most frequently asked questions regarding pregnancy and delivery. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to send us a message through the patient portal or call our office directly. We are accessible to all of our current and future patients. We look forward to helping make your pregnancy as enjoyable as possible.
PREGNANCY FAQ FRISCO
40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period, not 9 months. Of course, your baby rarely comes on your due date and sometimes labor can ensue as much as a week and half after your due date. After 41.5 weeks, your risk of problems with your child goes up so induction of labor must occur. Luckily, by this time most women either already went into labor or are so dilated that induction and delivery goes well. If you have irregular periods, your due date may vary as this effects the day you ovulated.
Usually, we will see you every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, 2 weeks until 36 weeks, then weekly until delivery. Do not void before you come to your visit – you can go right to the restroom, give a clean catch specimen (instructions are in the restroom), and put your name on the cup. You do not need to wait for the nurse to come to get you. We often perform an early ultrasound to confirm your due date at the first visit, but it is not required. Around the sixth or seventh week is a good time for your first visit.
For your convenience, a phlebotomist is present in our office during normal business hours. Initial Visit Blood type, Antibody Screen, HIV, Hepatitis B, Rubella (German Measles), Blood Count, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Urine Culture, Chicken Pox titer, Herpes Simplex Type 2, Vitamin D Level (associated with bone growth for your baby), Pap smear, Gonorrhea/Chlamydia, vaginal culture and a Urine Drug Screen. Hemoglobin Electrophoresis is performed for certain ethnicities. Additional testing maybe needed based on lab findings noted above. 24-28 Weeks Complete Blood Count and Gestational Diabetes screening. 34-36 Weeks Group B streptococcus vaginal culture looks for a bacterium, originating in the intestine of 1 in 3 women. It has no effect on adults. We treat it in labor with antibiotics, Penicillin, or Clindamycin. Group B streptococcus is most dangerous to babies that are born premature, as it can cause pneumonia or sepsis (severe bacterial infection in the blood). It is not an issue if you are having a Cesarean Section. If you have ever had this bacteria, notify us because you are a carrier for the bacteria and you do not need to be retested each pregnancy.
Genetic carrier screening is testing that looks at your genes to determine whether you are a carrier of certain genetic disorders. A positive result tells you with greater than 99% certainty that you are a carrier of a specific genetic disorder, and you could be at risk of having an affected child. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disorder in North America. It causes the body to produce very thick mucus that can damage internal organs. It clogs the lungs—leading to life-threatening infections—and can cause digestive problems, poor growth, and infertility. Symptoms range from mild to severe but do not affect intelligence. On average, CF patients live into their late thirties. About one in every 3,500 babies born in the U.S. has cystic fibrosis. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common inherited cause of infant death. It affects a person’s ability to control their muscles, including those involved in breathing, eating, crawling, and walking. SMA has different levels of severity, none of which affects intelligence. However, the most common form of the disorder causes death by age two. About one in every 6,000 to 1 in every 10,000 babies born in the US has SMA. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Symptoms cover a wide range, from mild to very severe. About one-third of all people with FXS also have autism. Individuals with the disorder may also have behavioral issues, such as hyperactivity, social anxiety and aggression. Carriers may also be at risk for fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency or an adult-onset syndrome called fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Though FXS occurs in both sexes, males are more frequently affected than females, and generally with greater severity. Approximately one in every 3,600 boys and 1 in every 6,000 girls is born with FXS. No test can detect 100% of genetic carriers. Even if your test results are negative, it is still possible that you could be a carrier of the genetic disorder, but the chance is small. The decision to accept or decline genetic carrier screening is completely yours. Verifi Fetal Chromosome testing by Progenity is used to detect whether your pregnancy has a chromosomal abnormality such as too many or too few copies (this is called an “aneuploidy”) of certain chromosomes (e.g., chromosomes 21, 18, 13 as well as the sex chromosomes, X and Y). It can also test for trisomies (too many copies) of chromosomes 9 and 16, as well as microdeletions of the following chromosomes: 22q11, 15q11, 1p36, 4p-, and 5p-. This test is intended to be performed during the 10th week of pregnancy, as estimated by last menstrual period (8 weeks from conception), or any time after that. This test analyzes the DNA (genetic material) in your blood to determine whether a chromosomal abnormality is present. Depending upon what your healthcare provider orders, the test results may include the sex of the fetus. If you do not wish to know the sex, please indicate your desires in the consent below. Depending upon the test ordered, in certain circumstances, you may not be able to prevent learning the sex of the fetus. Test results usually take two weeks; you will be notified via the patient portal. Like all tests, this test has limitations. It can only detect the specific chromosomal abnormalities tested. Normal test results do not eliminate the possibility that your pregnancy may have other chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects, or other conditions, such as open neural tube defects. A normal result does not guarantee a healthy pregnancy or baby. For additional information go to http://progenity.com
Baby’s Heart Beat – Once the baby reaches twelve weeks, you will be able to listen to your baby’s heart with a small machine called a Doppler. As the baby gets larger, we will measure the distance from the top of your pubic bone to the top of the uterus in centimeters. This measurement should be within three of your number of weeks pregnant, and this reassures us your baby is growing appropriately. At each visit, please leave a urine specimen as soon as you arrive. It is used to make sure you are not developing a urinary tract infection, becoming dehydrated, or spilling protein in your urine. Proteinuria can be a sign of developing Preeclampsia or Toxemia of pregnancy when associated with elevated blood pressure.
Birthing Classes – Besides Medical City Frisco being a wonderful place to have your baby, the hospital provides a series of free classes related to pregnancy. Classes range from “what to expect in labor and at delivery,” “breastfeeding,” new dads,” and “infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)”. At your first visit to the office, you will be provided with this information. In the third trimester, we will provide you with samples of formula along with valuable information to help ease the transition to home. If you plan to deliver naturally we can provide you some referrals to more traditional birth classes (i.e. Bradley Method) in the community or make recommendations for a doula, if desired.
Prenatal vitamins should be started two months before conception to decrease the risk of a group of birth defects called neural tube defects. These defects involve failure of the baby’s anterior or posterior walls to close and in its most severe form cause Anencephaly, where the brain does not develop. The two main forms are capsules and gummies. They both have the recommended 800 milligrams of folic acid but gummies do not have iron supplementation to prevent anemia. We do NOT recommend gummy vitamins. Prenatal vitamins in capsule form contain 200 mg of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid found in breast milk and formula. It contributes to brain, nervous system, and eye formation. One a Day Womens Prenatal are a good choice and can be found in most stores.
Vaccinations in Pregnancy, Why Do I Need Them? Tdap – the adult version of the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Whopping Cough) Vaccination, has only been available for the last 3 years. Whopping Cough protection for your baby does not occur until 6 months after delivery. Any person who will be around your baby on a regular basis should receive a booster vaccination in adulthood. Pregnant patients are offered Tdap right before they leave the hospital. Other baby contacts can come by our office at any time to receive the vaccination, just call for a nurse visit. Whooping Coughing is on the rise, so get vaccinated. Influenza (Flu) Preservative Free Vaccination – If you do not routinely receive vaccination fine. Multiple studies have shown that when the flu vaccination is given to a pregnant patient it confers immunity to your baby for up to six months after it is born. Flu vaccine is not administered to a child until they are at least 6 months old so vaccinating yourself will help the baby from potentially getting very ill.
Typically with first pregnancies, you will begin to feel your baby move around 18-20 weeks. For subsequent pregnancies, the baby is often noted to be moving earlier in the pregnancy, 16-18 weeks. Some variation in timing occurs as a result of maternal weight and the location of the placenta.
Studies show that drinking eight cups of coffee a day will increase your risk of miscarriage. This is presumed to be caused by excess caffeine intake so do not forget the soda and tea you drink when calculating caffeine intake. You need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water, Gatorade or a combination of any liquids each day. Remember juice is high in sugar and calories so drink in moderation.
If you have been exercising, you do not have to stop. Although now is not the time to start training for a marathon. After the 1st trimester, you should not perform exercises lying on your back. Walking at work is not exercise. Make time for aerobic exercise because you will feel better.
Put simply, most over the counter medication is okay in moderation except anti-inflammatories, like Motrin (Ibuprofen), Aleve (Naproxen), and Aspirin. They can cause fetal kidney damage. Tylenol is okay for pain. Remember the anatomy of the baby does not completely form until 20 weeks; the last parts to be formed involve the central nervous system.
When my mother was pregnant with me, she and other mothers in her era were told it was okay to drink a glass of wine each night to relax. The physicians back then had the right idea. Recent studies emphasize the importance of getting good sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with prolonged labor and an increased risk for Cesarean Section. We do not condone occasional wine at night to relax, but an occasional sleeping pill will not hurt. Do not hesitate to ask.
Sleeping During Pregnancy – Must women sleep on their left side at all times during pregnancy? It may be helpful to lie on your left side during labor if your baby is in distress but a healthy baby will not be affected by waking up on your back or right side. Most pregnancy books will tell you it is imperative that you always sleep on your left side. This is based on the anatomical fact that your Aorta, which is the main oxygen-supplying blood vessel of your body, is located slightly to the right of midline. By lying on your left side you may prevent decreased blood flow to the uterus. It is much more important to get adequate rest than to worry about what side you wake up on in the morning.
It is bad enough that the pregnancy slows down your intestines. Add prenatal vitamins that contain iron supplementation and it only gets worse. Your goal is to have a bowel movement daily. I know for many women this may not be a common occurrence but it will decrease your risk of colonic polyps, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures. Although many vitamins contain stool softeners, they do not often correct the problem of slow intestinal transit. Gentle Laxative Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. When the problem cannot be corrected by increased dietary fiber and fluids, then a gentle laxative like Correctol or Miralax will help. Miralax is a tasteless odorless powder that can go in your drink or on your food, you start out with using it four times a day until you have a normal bowel movement then you can cut it back to once or twice a day. The cause of Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids is dilated rectal veins that occur because of decreased blood flow from the lower part of the body to the upper part. As your uterus enlarges it pushes on the large vein next to the Aorta slowing down the return of blood to your heart and dilating your rectal veins, leg veins (varicosities), and capillaries. Treatment of Hemorrhoids The only treatment for the prevention of hemorrhoids is to avoid constipation. Once you have a hemorrhoid, there are over the counter medications to help: Anusol to decrease swelling and Dibucaine cream to act as a local anesthetic. If these do not help, some prescription medications may help.
Water Breaking: If your water breaks, regardless of whether you are having contractions, you need to come to the hospital. If the baby is less than 37 weeks, you need to come in right away. If you are over 37 weeks, you can take a shower and stay at home for the beginning of labor. If your water breaks and it has green particles in it, that tells you the baby has had a poop in the amniotic sac, which can be a sign of fetal distress. You should come right to the hospital. Contractions: You will know you are in labor when your contractions are 5 minutes apart for at least 1 hour and are so strong you cannot take a breath when they occur. If you can carry on a normal conversation or are laughing, you are probably not in labor. Each additional baby you have usually shortens labor, so if you are having contractions a little less frequently you probably need to come in sooner. It is unnecessary to call me when you go into labor. Just head up to Labor and Delivery and the nurses will check to see if you are dilating or verify if your water broke. What Should I Do if My Mucous Plug Comes Out? Absolutely nothing. Your cervix will release a tremendous amount of white, thick mucus as the pregnancy progresses. It does not mean you are going into labor anytime soon. An unscented panty liner will help keep your underwear dry.
You may not eat or drink for eight hours before a scheduled Cesarean Section or Elective Induction, as anesthesia will cancel your induction or surgery. Once labor starts, despite some patients’ desire to go out for a big meal, this would be a big mistake as you will only end up vomiting up your meal as much as twenty-four hours after eating it. It is not fun to be pushing out a baby and be vomiting at the same time. Most women get nauseous towards the end of labor. We usually limit your intake during labor to ice popsicles and chips.
Most likely your regular provider. If that team member is out of town, another provider from our team will deliver. We would like you to feel at ease during your delivery, which is difficult to do when you do not know the doctor.
One of the most common questions we get from our patients at an initial pregnancy visit is some version of, “What should I eat/avoid eating while I’m pregnant?”New moms get inundated with warnings about foods that are dangerous for pregnancy from their friends with kids, well-meaning relatives, pregnancy blogs, and the media. This leaves some women fearful and wondering what is available for them to eat that is safe.A well-balanced diet is one of the foundations of good health. During pregnancy, it is important to have adequate macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals to ensure that you are healthy and that your baby has the nutrition he or she needs to grow and thrive.One of the first misconceptions I want to dispel about how to eat healthfully during pregnancy is that you are not “eating for two.” While we are all for the occasional indulgence in your pregnancy cravings, you do not need to get into eating contests with the man in your life. Don’t let well-intentioned loved ones pile your plate high with double portions because they think you need to eat more. During the first trimester, your caloric intake does not have to increase significantly. In the second and third trimesters (28 weeks and beyond), 350-450 kcal per day will meet the nutritional requirements for your baby. That’s essentially a small meal or a couple of snacks in addition to your regular meals.The foods you do choose should have quality calories that are rich in nutrients…a Slurpee or some powdered donuts, while delicious, may provide calories but are completely lacking in anything but simple sugar. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods such as lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables, and whole grains are going to be most densely packed with proteins, good fats, fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. These elements are the important building blocks you and your baby need to build and repair tissues and organs like muscle, bone, blood, and brain. Regarding what foods to avoid, we want to stress that we do not want your pregnancy to be a time when you are anxious about eating outside of your home. It is good for you to be with the people you care about celebrating this exciting time in your life. That may involve eating in other people’s homes or at restaurants where you have less control of food preparation. Know that everything will probably be fine. Just think of the number of times you have eaten out in your lifetime compared with the number of times you have gotten sick from any of the foods that you have eaten. The same principle applies now. While there are some precautions with food choices and preparation that are wise to take, please do not let these recommendations make you overly concerned. Basic Guidelines for Food Handling and SafetyFood can be contaminated by a variety of bacteria, parasites, and environmental toxins, and these general guidelines on the safe handling of food to prevent or reduce food-borne illnesses can be recommended to anyone, pregnant or not. We are more focused on the safety of food in pregnancy for a couple of reasons. First, pregnancy is a state of relative immunosuppression.The immune system is designed to identify any cells or parts of cells that do not belong to you and mount a response to get rid of them. In order for your immune system to tolerate you harboring another human for 9 months, it has to be toned down a bit. Consequently, you are more susceptible to illnesses, you may stay sick longer than you normally would, and infections you might typically fend off without difficulty can become more troublesome in pregnancy.Secondly, there are certain bacteria and parasites found in some types of foods that could potentially infect your baby if you ingest them.In general, wash all of your fresh fruits and vegetables even if they have a rind, wash your hands before preparing food, clean your kitchen counters, knives, cutting boards regularly, especially after preparing raw meats, and cook meats and poultry to their safe internal temperatures: Chicken 165° F, Turkey 180° F, Pork 145° F, Beef 160° F. Raw Meat- Most people in the United States cook pork and poultry thoroughly so we don’t think this recommendation should represent a change to anyone’s diet. Beef, is another story, and there are many different personal preferences for how people like their steaks and burgers cooked.Given the preparation process for ground beef, I would certainly recommend eating your hamburgers medium-well to well done. For steak, especially in a nice steak house, medium to medium-well should be safe. Seafood Uncooked or smoked/lightly cooked seafood should be avoided in pregnancy. Certain infections from bacteria and parasites can be contracted by eating raw fish and undercooked fish.The FDA does require specific food handling and inspection for fish that is intended to be eaten raw to kill parasites and reduce bacteria to make it safer.However, it is still prudent to avoid sushi altogether. Cold smoked seafood does not reach high enough internal temperatures to kill bacteria like Listeria so I would also pass on lox and other cold-smoked fish as well. You can eat shellfish while pregnant, but it needs to be cooked. Oysters, clams, and mussels, although mouthwatering when undercooked, should be avoided. Mercury exposure is another concern associated with the consumption of seafood. Mercury is an element that is present as a contaminant in the ocean and, as a result, can be found in trace amounts in many species of fish.There are plenty of fish that have little or no mercury, but a few types carry unacceptably high amounts of mercury – these are mostly larger predatory fish. Mercury exposure for a baby during pregnancy can impact neurocognitive development. Most fish are perfectly healthy to eat. In fact, we encourage you to about 6-12 oz fish per week. There are some fish that are off-limits because of their potentially high mercury content.Fortunately, these fish are not particularly common in a Western diet. They include shark, swordfish, marlin, king mackerel, tile fish, orange roughy, and bigeye tuna.Other types of tuna are acceptable to eat, but tuna can have greater mercury content than some other species of fish and you should limit to about 1 serving per week. Any other fish or shellfish is yours to enjoy if properly cooked. Listeria monocytogenes is a species of bacteria that exists in soil, water, and in some animals, and it can be problematic if contracted during pregnancy. Pasteurizing and cooking meats to their safe internal temperatures will kill Listeria.These bacteria are unique in that they are able to grow at lower temperatures than many other types of bacteria. Potential food sources of Listeria are unpasteurized dairy, unwashed vegetables, undercooked and smoked seafood, unpasteurized soft cheese, and many types of refrigerated ready-to-eat foods. Avoid picking up salads with turkey, ham, or eggs from the ready-made cold case. You can eat ready-to-eat meats like deli meat, hot dogs, sausages but only if they are heated to “steaming hot” just prior to eating them. Some soft cheeses are not pasteurized. If you like soft cheeses like feta, blue cheese, Gorgonzola, Brie, Camembert, queso fresco, etc. make sure that you look at the label and ensure that the cheese has been pasteurized. Raw Eggs and Dishes with Unpasteurized Ingredients -Potential exposure to Salmonella is the biggest concern when it comes to eating raw eggs. While it is easy to not eat raw eggs, it is important to note that some dishes use raw eggs liberally. Homemade ice cream, mayonnaise, salad dressings are usually made with raw eggs. If you are craving for ice cream or a salad with a nice aioli, it is best to buy these items from the grocery store. All commercially manufactured items made from raw eggs use pasteurized eggs to eliminate Salmonella contamination. Caffeine and Alcohol -Caffeine intake should be limited to 200 mg a day because this diuretic can result in calcium and water loss. There are websites available that can provide caffeine content for a variety of caffeinated beverages to help you stay within this range. Many patients ask if a glass of wine every once in a while is okay during pregnancy. Unfortunately, we cannot give our blessing to any alcohol consumption while pregnant. There is simply no threshold that has been identified as “safe” and fetal alcohol exposure in the womb at certain developmental stages and levels can have potentially serious consequences on the development of your baby. I hope these guidelines help you approach your food choices during pregnancy with confidence. There are plenty of safe and healthy choices available to nourish both you and your baby. If you have any questions, visit with us at Frisco Women’s Health. For questions or to book an appointment, please contact 972 668 8300. Our friendly personnel would be happy to assist you.
My Herpes Simplex 2 Titer Came Back Positive. How Can That Be? I Have Never Had Symptoms and I Have Been Checked For Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Let me start by saying this occurs about once a month. Blood tests to check Herpes Simplex 2 exposure have not been around a very long time. Many physicians just do not do this testing even if you ask to be checked for all sexually transmitted diseases. The only reason we check it in pregnant women is that 80% of Herpes Simplex 2 outbreaks occur in the genital area. When you are pregnant, your immune system is suppressed making it more likely you will have an outbreak. If there is any suggestion you are having a genital Herpes outbreak at delivery you will get a Cesarean Section to prevent transmission to the baby. If you have a positive antibody result indicating past Herpes exposure and you have never been tested before, we have no idea how long you have had it and we are unable to tell you how you acquired it. The only reason we test for Herpes exposure is that if you take Valtrex, an anti-viral medication, for the last four weeks of the pregnancy you have almost no chance of having an outbreak at delivery. As a result, you can have a normal vaginal delivery.
No matter how many ultrasounds you have during your pregnancy, it is the first one that will help determine your due date. If the ultrasound due date is within a week or so of your calculated due date by your last menstrual period, then we do not change your expected delivery date. The later you get in your pregnancy the more inaccurate your calculated due date will be. Some babies are born at six pounds while others at ten pounds but early in pregnancy, all babies are about the same size. So once you have your first ultrasound whatever due date we determine is your permanent due date.
What if I Desire An Elective Cesarean Section or Induction of Labor? This is completely up to you. I will explain to you what the risks are of having a Cesarean Section or elective induction. Then it is up to you to decide whether you wish to proceed. It is hospital and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists policy not to electively deliver anyone before 39 weeks pregnant due to the risk of fetal prematurity.
Typically a normal vaginal delivery goes home anywhere from one to two days after delivery, while a Cesarean Section stays anywhere from two to four days from date of delivery. Length of stay is usually up to the family.
If you do not get unbearably nauseous or vomit, great. If you do, then here are some simple remedies: Small meals with some starchy foods, like crackers, will help absorb some of that stomach acid. Do not eat three meals a day like the rest of your family. Instead, you should be snacking throughout the day. Drink liquids one-half hour after eating solid foods, as distending your stomach makes you vomit. Do not eat anything within two to three hours of lying down. Eating or drinking stimulates stomach acid. The progesterone hormone your pregnancy relaxes the smooth muscle valve separating your stomach and esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux ensues and acid travels up to the throat, leading to nausea and vomiting.
All three of these problems relate to increased Progesterone hormone levels from pregnancy. Progesterone is a smooth muscle relaxant. Smooth muscle contraction is responsible for the movement of food through our intestines. Muscle relaxation leads to bloating and constipation. Epigastric pain and heartburn relate to the same issue, relaxation of the smooth muscle that separates the valve between your stomach and esophagus. Relaxation leads to the reflux of stomach acid back into the chest and sometimes to the throat leading to vomiting or a chronic cough. Treatment ranges from dietary changes, such as avoiding fatty or spicy foods, mild antacids such as Tums or Maalox and prescription proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Prevacid, or Protonix, which need to be taken daily.
Cramping as the baby settles into the uterus. Your uterus (womb) is a large muscle that stretches and contracts. Round ligament pain is intermittent stretching, and pain, on either side of the lower front pelvis. This is a direct result of stretching of the supporting structures of the uterus. Second and Third trimester Contractions feel like menstrual cramps and your uterus tightens, sometimes they occur in the back and they always come and go. Four or less in an hour is normal. Often called Braxton-Hicks contractions they can help your cervix ripen to make labor shorter. Sharp shooting pains down the front or back of legs, toward the vagina and buttocks. In addition, numbness in the front and back of your legs can occur. This is all related to nerves coming out of your back and pushed on by the uterus. Try the knee-chest position or bathe it may relieve the pain. Often they just resolve in a few seconds. It is not a problem with the baby, just annoyance for you. Your back may hurt constantly. We know some great female physical therapists that specialize in women’s health issues. In addition, we always recommend a good massage. Swelling of hands and feet may lead to numbness and a tendency of your hands or feet to fall asleep, especially if left in a certain position for an extended period.
After your first trimester, we recommend no lifting or moving over ten pounds. This is mainly because you are going to hurt your back.
There is no restriction on sexual activity unless either the Perinatologist or we have told you otherwise. Sex cannot hurt your baby or cause a miscarriage. It can sometimes cause some spotting and cramping which is normal. Later in the pregnancy, semen and nipple stimulation can help initiate labor. Walking, drinking castor oil, or other wives’ tales have never been shown to induce labor. Walking will make you tired and hurt more, while castor oil will give you diarrhea.
I am having twins. How will this affect my prenatal care, labor, and delivery? Twins on average go to only 36 weeks pregnant, which is probably good since by then you are wondering if your belly can stretch any further. Another big plus, twins develop faster than a singleton pregnancy. A 34-week singleton born early would more than likely have trouble breathing on birth, while twins will likely come out screaming. This is likely due to the added stress on twins of fighting over mom’s nutrients. Twin pregnancies have a higher risk of causing gestational diabetes for mom. They also require more close monitoring with monthly ultrasounds, to ensure equal growth of the both babies. Sometimes one tries to get more than its fair share of mom’s nutrients. We like to see no more than a 20% difference in fetal weight throughout the pregnancy. The Perinatologist will follow you throughout your pregnancy. Concerning your delivery, if the presenting twin is head down or cephalic, vaginal delivery of two beautiful babies is a definite option. Most other physicians will just say you need a Cesarean Section. We have delivered twins vaginally that were cephalic/breech and cephalic/cephalic. If the first twin is breech, then you will likely need a Cesarean Section. Ultimately, the decision on how you wish to deliver is entirely up to you.
All women planning pregnancy should be taking prenatal vitamins with at least 800 micrograms of folic acid, for the two months prior to conception. Many chronic diseases that are present while pregnant follow the rules of thirds. One-third of the time the diseases get better, one third get worse, and one-third of the time there is no change in the symptoms. These diseases include Asthma and most Rheumatologic disease like Psoriasis or Rheumatoid Arthritis. All women with a chronic disease should see us before they get pregnant. Give us the opportunity to help ensure your pregnancy will be uneventful by making a plan. Let’s get your blood pressure under control with safe blood pressure medication for pregnancy. Let us get your diabetes under complete control before that positive pregnancy test. Lastly, if you have had multiple pregnancy losses, we need to see you before you try again. There are many correctable and treatable causes for recurrent miscarriages.
Typically, if elevated blood pressure (BP) is noted before the 20th week it is considered chronic or preexisting to the pregnancy. After 20 weeks pregnant, new onset blood pressure is often caused by chemicals released by the baby resulting in Preeclampsia or Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH). Both diseases require additional baseline laboratories and fetal surveillance, i.e. ultrasounds and fetal heart monitoring in the office. Chronic Hypertension usually requires medication throughout the pregnancy to keep it under control. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension may require blood pressure medication at the time of delivery, along with Magnesium Sulfate to prevent maternal seizures. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension is more common with your first baby, in people with preexisting chronic hypertension and in those who had Pregnancy Induced Hypertension with their previous pregnancy.
How Is Preexisting And Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosed And Treated? Preexisting Diabetes Mellitus needs to be under excellent control prior to conception, as an elevated Hemoglobin A1C above 8.5 is associated with a 25% chance of a severe heart defect. Ophthalmology consultation, baseline labs, and an EKG are required as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.
Can I Dye My Hair or Get My Nails Done? The chemicals in hair dyes and just in the air from nail salons can cause birth defects. The risk may be less than swallowing these chemicals but there is a risk, so we do not advocate either of these. Spider & Varicose Veins (Legs and Vulva): Why Me and What Can I Do? Unfortunately, this is usually a genetic problem so blame it on your parents. The valves in your veins just do not pump the fluid in your legs up to your heart very well. Toning your leg muscles will improve circulation. The best prevention is the daily use of medical-grade support hose. Jobst is a good company and we have some in the office. Obviously, in the Frisco summer, support hose are not feasible but they are great for people who stand a lot in an air-conditioned environment.
Leg cramps can wake you in the middle of the night and can be quite painful; get your significant other to massage cramps out for you. A potential cause for recurrent leg cramps is low levels of potassium or calcium. You can try eating foods with higher potassium content (many fruits and vegetables check the internet for a list) and you should already be taking in at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day. Each serving of milk, cheese, or yogurt has 300 milligrams of calcium. If you are not a fan of dairy products, than either Tums or any calcium supplement will do; in addition, Tums can help with pregnancy heartburn. Another common cause of leg cramps is poor circulation. Treatments include increasing calf and general leg muscle tone to prevent lactic acid build-up, stretching the muscles that give you trouble, and medical grade support hose.
Itching is very common in pregnancy and often occurs around the breasts and belly; it is related to skin stretching and hormone changes. Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy (PUPPS) is a skin disorder unique to pregnancy. It starts as small itchy, red bumps around stretch marks that become larger patches that spread over the entire body. Antihistamines and high dose steroid creams can provide relief. We have seen this resolve during pregnancy but often it goes away only after the birth of your child. Stretch Marks: There are no miracle cures for stretch marks as they are typically hereditary, but keeping your stomach well moisturized may alleviate some of the symptoms.
Carpal Tunnel symptoms are a result of swelling within the sheath around your wrist that leads to compression of the median nerve. The median nerve goes to the last three fingers on your hand and causes numbness. This will resolve after you deliver. We do not find hand splints to be very helpful but you are welcome to see an orthopedist, preferably a hand specialist. Swelling in the legs puts pressure on the nerve endings in the feet and as a result causes swelling, numbness and a tingling sensation. It will resolve after delivery.
This is very common in pregnancy. It is only an issue if your blood pressure is elevated, you are having a headache that won’t go away with rest or Tylenol, you develop severe middle or right upper abdominal pain unrelieved with liquid Maalox or start seeing flashing lights in front of your eyes. These can be indicators of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension and needs to be evaluated in the office or at Labor and Delivery. Elevating your legs above the level of your heart will make it better, but the swelling will likely return when you get up. Please note that after you deliver, many patients have increased leg swelling for the first few weeks. It takes a while for your body to remove the excess fluid you were carrying to support the baby.
Despite the advancements in formula, nothing compares to breast milk or breastfeeding. Breastfeeding creates a bond with your child that no bottle can ever replace. Even if you only breast feed until you return to work, you are providing additional immunity for your baby to fight off infection.
An abnormal Pap smear in pregnancy with or without human papilloma virus (HPV) warrants a colposcopy in the second trimester. Colposcopy uses a camera to look at your cervix. Unless we see findings that suggest cervical cancer, no biopsy is done. We just repeat the Pap at your postpartum delivery. If you have had normal Pap smears in the past, it is unlikely that you have suddenly developed cancer. Cervical cancer usually takes ten years to develop, and you would pretty much have to miss most of your PAP tests during that time. Human papilloma virus if detected cannot hurt your baby at delivery.
Travel by any means, automobile, bus, train or plane is fine in pregnancy. The most important thing to remember on longer trips is you need to get up and walk each hour. If you do not, you increase your risk of developing a blood clot in your legs due to poor circulation. Support hose are also recommended. You may travel at any time during your pregnancy, there is no cutoff date. Obviously the closer you get to your due date the more likely you are to deliver your baby somewhere other than Frisco, Texas. Common sense tells you, if you are already having pregnancy complications and you decide to travel, then you risk being taken care of by an emergency room physician, in another state or country, who is unfamiliar with your medical history.
Very often patients ask for a recommendation and some like to interview them before delivery. All pediatricians are nice; they work with children every day so you should expect no less. Pediatricians like any professional are not all equally knowledgeable or work well under pressure, like when your baby is having an unexpected problem after delivery. How do we know who the best physicians are to take care of your child? Simple: we asked the nursery nurses who work side by side with the pediatricians. Please feel free to ask for a recommendation.
There are two parts to your blood type, the “positive” or “negative” part refers to your Rh status. If you are positive, this means that you have a protein on the outside of your red blood cells and if you are negative, you do not have this protein on your cells. During pregnancy, problems can arise if you are Rh negative and your fetus is Rh positive, this is called Rh incompatibility. Why do we care? If the fetus’ blood mixes with your blood, your body will recognize the blood of the Rh-positive fetus as foreign and try to make antibodies to try to attack it. These antibodies can cross the placenta and destroy the fetal blood cells, thus leading to serious health issues like anemia or even death of the fetus.
During pregnancy, you and your fetus do not usually share the same blood. However, in certain situations, the blood can mix. These situations include labor, birth, amniocentesis/chorionic villus sampling, bleeding during pregnancy, external cephalic version, trauma to the abdomen during pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and induced abortion.
The goal is to stop these antibodies from getting created to begin with. So usually, we will find out your blood type and if you have antibodies in the first trimester of your pregnancy. If you are Rh negative, we will administer the RhoGAM shot around 28 weeks. This will prevent your body from making antibodies against Rh positive cells. It will also be readministered within 72 hours of delivery or in any of the special situations previously stated. If you are Rh positive, you are not a candidate for RhoGAM.
What happens if you have created antibodies? Usually, problems do not occur in the first pregnancy as the body has not had time to develop a lot of antibodies. We become concerned if RhoGAM was not received in prior pregnancies when recommended and then the patient becomes pregnant again with another Rh-positive fetus. If this is the case, administering RhoGAM would be useless as antibodies have already been made. So, the fetus would just have closer monitoring with ultrasounds to detect any development of abnormalities. If an abnormality is detected, treatment would be based on the condition and the severity of the condition.