WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY OBSTETRIC CARE?
 | | Your obstetric care will consist of an initial visit with the nurse followed by return visits at appropriate intervals, depending upon the stage of your pregnancy and the presence or absence of risk factors or complications. There will be a history and physical examination performed during your initial visit with the physician. For uncomplicated pregnancies, subsequent visits will consist of evaluating uterine size and fetal growth, listening to the baby's heart beat, blood pressure and urine checks, and an opportunity for you to ask questions and express any concerns you might have. Prenatal blood work will be drawn during one of your early visits and redrawn occasionally during your pregnancy. When you are within a few weeks of your due date, a pelvic exam will be performed weekly to assess the status of the cervix and the position of the baby.
We will see you every four weeks in the early months of your pregnancy, then every 2-3 weeks beginning around 7 months. The last month you will be seen approximately once a week.
We respect your time. We appreciate that you have a busy and full schedule and will do everything to avoid prolonged waits when you come to your appointments. Of course, obstetrics is a highly unpredictable specialty and emergencies and deliveries have a way of happening at the most inopportune times. If your provider is detained with a delivery or surgery, we will be as flexible as possible in providing you with options to complete your scheduled appointment. |
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WHERE WOULD I DELIVER MY BABY?
| | Our providers deliver at the Family Birthing Center at St. Charles Medical Center - Bend. For more information visit http://cascadehealthcare.org/ |
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WHEN CAN I SCHEDULE MY FIRST PRENATAL VISIT?
| | We would like to see you for your first prenatal visit around the 7th or 8th week of pregnancy, calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period (or 5-6 weeks since conception). Your first appointment will be scheduled with a nurse to discuss health history and the do's and dont's in pregnancy. The nurse will also provide an order for your first trimester lab work to be done. Please call sooner if you have a known history of ectopic pregnancy. |
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WHAT ROUTINE TESTS SHOULD I EXPECT TO HAVE, AND WHEN ARE THEY DONE?
| | First Office Visit: Blood type, Complete Blood Count, Hepatitis B and Syphilis, Rubella, Urine Culture
Combined First Trimester Screening: Bloodwork from 8 1/2 weeks to 12 weeks
*Integrated Screening: Combined Screening plus Alpha Fetal Protein at 15-20 weeks
*Alpha Fetal Protein: 15-20 weeks (not necessary with Combined First Trimester Screening)
Ultrasound: 18-20 weeks
Glucose Load: 26-28 weeks (Screening for Diabetes)
Group B Culture: 36 weeks |
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WHAT IS LISTERIA? WHAT CHEESES CAN I EAT?
| | Listeria is a food-borne illness that can be harmful to you and your pregnancy. It is rare infection, but you can eliminate certain foods from your diet to reduce your risk of exposure to this bacteria. Do not eat unpasteurized dairy products. Do not eat soft cheese such as Feta, queso blanco, Brie, Camembert, or Blue Cheese unless the label states it has been pasteurized or has been made with pasteurized milk. This same bacteria can be found in deli prepared salads (for example pre-made egg salad), deli meats, bologna, and hot dogs. Heating foods to a steaming temperature kills this bacteria and makes the food safe to eat. |
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WHAT KINDS OF FISH DO I NEED TO AVOID?
| | All fish should be thoroughly cooked to avoid bacteria that can harm your pregnancy. Some fish are high in mercury and should be eliminated from your diet: shark, swordfish, mackerel, and tilefish. Lower mercury fish is safe to eat in moderation; eat up to 12 ounces of fish or shellfish per week which is equivalent to two servings. Lower mercury fish include shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. Canned white tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna, therefore if you choose white tuna please limit yourself to one 6 ounce serving per week. |
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CAFFEINE
| | Generally 1 to 2 8 oz servings of caffeine per day are safe during pregnancy. You may choose to switch to decaffeinated products at this time if you wish. |
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ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
| | There are no known problems with NutraSweet or Splenda use in pregnancy. However, low-sugar naturally flavored foods are ideal. |
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TRAVEL
| | Travel does not adversely affect pregnancy. You should avoid sitting for many hours without getting up and moving around, empty your bladder frequently so as to avoid the increased risk of bladder infections caused by retained urine, and carry records of your medical history with you. If you must travel after 35 weeks, please schedule an appointment to see the doctor before you leave. This, however, does not mean complications could not arise while you are out of town. Most airlines require a letter from your doctor stating that it is safe for you to travel. Please check with the airline for their specific requirements. |
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EXERCISE DURING PREGNANCY
| | We encourage moderate exercise during and after pregnancy. If you are an avid exerciser, you can often maintain much of your current routine always making sure to keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute. Listen to your body, and decrease your level and amount of exercise as needed. If you do not normally exercise, this is not the time to start training for your first triathlon! However, if you are in good health, we encourage you to start walking or swimming at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. If you are feeling dizzy, exhausted or faint, please stop exercising and rest. Pregnancy yoga is safe and recommended; be sure you have a pillow tucked under your right hip to prevent laying flat on your back. High contact sports, and sports with a high risk of falling, are not recommended. If you have medical problems (heart disease, lung disease, obesity, extreme sedentary lifestyle) or pregnancy complications (history of or high risk for preterm labor, placenta previa, incompetent cervix) please speak to your physician prior to exercising. |
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DENTAL EXAMS
| | It is safe to have dental cleaning done during pregnancy. Be particularly careful about brushing and flossing during your pregnancy as you may notice more bleeding gums at this time. Local anesthetic without epinephrine may be used for fillings. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) may not be used during pregnancy. Dental x-rays may be done if necessary, but your abdomen should be shielded with a lead apron. If not necessary, wait until after your pregnancy to have x-rays taken. |
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BATHS AND SHOWERS
| | It is perfectly fine for you to take a warm bath or shower. It is also safe for you to use an electric blanket or heated waterbed on a low setting. It is not safe for you to use a hot tub, sauna, or whirlpool. All these things raise your core temperature, which is not good for the baby. |
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COSMETICS & HAIR PRODUCTS
| | Yes, after 12 weeks in a well ventilated area. There is not specific evidence that cosmetics and other personal care products (hairspray, soaps, lotions, deodorants) affect pregnancy outcomes.
It is safe for you to give or receive nail treatments. Self-tanning lotions are also safe to use during pregnancy. |
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PAINTING
| | Painting is safe after 12 weeks as long as the room is well ventilated. When painting, it is best to use a water-based (rather than an oil-base). If nausea, light headedness, headache, or dizziness occurs, stop and get some fresh air. Do not sleep in a freshly painted room for at least 24 hours. |
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INSECTICIDES, PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES
| | Do not expose yourself to chemicals for the yard, pets, or home. |
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