Obstetrics
Normal Obstetrics
Here at Alliance Ob/Gyn P.C. we thoroughly enjoy delivering babies. It is not an afterthought that is regulated to nurse midwives. We pride ourselves on the personal care we give all our patients. We are not a huge group that delivers 100 babies/month. Drs. Taylor, Bills and Hsiao know everyone and everyone's medical condition that walks through our doors.
Many aspects of medicine concentrate on what is the absolute minimum that should be done that is still safe. We look beyond that. Ultrasound is a good example. In many practices a single ultrasound is performed to evaluate fetal development. In truth, it is better to visualize certain aspects of fetal development at specific times in pregnancy. To that end, several brief ultrasounds are done during the course of the pregnancy at specific times. You will not be charged anything extra for these additional sonograms. They are part of the “global” pregnancy fee. If complications arise later in pregnancy, and additional ultrasounds are required, you or your insurance carrier will be billed appropriately. Conversely, we cannot perform additional ultrasounds upon request.
Please review the links below for specific topics regarding normal pregnancy. Be sure to watch the video on the video page "Common Changes During Pregnancy."
Diet in Pregnancy
We want you to eat healthy in pregnancy. In general, most of us know how to eat well. Generally it will consist of more whole foods, more fruits and vegetables, less fried foods, less junk foods, and less fast foods. Make sure you wash your hands prior to eating. Wash all fruits and vegetables. Prenatal vitamins will generally "fill" most nutritional "holes" that we have in our diet.
There are certain foods to stay away from during pregnancy related to specific problems. Certain foods contain too much mercury, specifically shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish (also called monkfish). Tuna steaks are generally high in mercury as well, but you can have canned chunk light tuna once or twice a month.
Listeriosis is caused by a bacteria found in several very common foods. Although it is unlikely to be affected when eating these common foods, when one does become infected it can cause miscarriages or stillbirths at term.
You should stay away from any un-pasteurized milk or soft cheeses. Basically, anything thing you can push your finger into is a soft cheese such as: brie, feta, queso, or blue cheese. If it is made from pasteurized milk it is fine; however, most are not. The other source of Listeriosis is any meat that is served cold, including a sandwich you make at home. The meat needs to be warmed up to steaming first.
Caffeine in moderation is safe in pregnancy. Please limit it to no more than three to four cups per day. There is a theoretical risk involving Nutrasweet or aspartame, although nothing has been proven, please limit consumption of this as well.
Weight gain in pregnancy is based on your ideal body weight. In general one can gain five pounds or lose five pounds in the first trimester, then half a pound a week in the second trimester, and a pound a week in the third trimester. When you add this all together it is twenty-five to thirty-five pounds total.
Medications in Pregnancy
We should know of all prescription, non-prescription and natural drugs you are taking. We prefer you only take medications if absolutely necessary. Some are quite dangerous in pregnancy. High levels of certain vitamins can even cause birth defects. Listed below is a list of over the counter medications that may be taken safely in pregnancy by following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Headaches – Tylenol, Extra-Strength Tylenol
- Heartburn – Antacids such as Tums, Maalox, Mylanta
- Nausea – Emetrol, Unisom (1/2 tablet) combined with vitamin B6 (100mg)
- Diarrhea – Kaopectate
- Constipation – Metamucil (as a preventative), Haley’s MO
- Colds - Tylenol Cold & Sinus, Sudafed, Tylenol PM
Physical Activity / Exercise in Pregnancy
In a normal pregnancy physical activity is good! Woman who exercise have a shorter labor and less chance of cesarean section. In the first trimester you can do essentially anything you want short of sitting in a hot tub. You may take a warm shower or warm bath, but if the heat of the water is making you perspire, it is too hot.
In the second and third trimester you should not do anything that "jars" your body. Jogging or low impact aerobics are fine, jumping jacks are not. In general do not over exert yourself. In the late second and throughout the third trimester you should keep you heart rate below 140 beats per minute.
There is no specific weight limit on things you can lift. It doesn't necessarily harm the pregnancy, but it can certainly harm a mother's back. The 25-35 pound ideal weight gain (see Diet in Pregnancy) is essentially like walking around with three to four bowling balls strapped to you abdomen. This is very physically demanding and cause pain and numerous body aches.
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