Posts for tag: Pregnancy
It might feel like those nine months are a blur of excitement, rollercoaster emotions, and planning, but each new milestone and development can be exciting for soon-to-be parents. During your pregnancy, your OBGYN will become an integral part of your pregnancy, providing you with routine exams and checkups, and making sure you and your unborn child stay healthy throughout your pregnancy and delivery. Here are just some of the top pregnancy milestones,Yeah, this isn’t going to be the highlight for most women during their pregnancy but it’s certainly a milestone that you won’t forget. These waves of nausea typically occur around the sixth week and, despite the name, can pop up any time of the day or night. The good news is that the queasy stomach and vomiting should go away by about 14 weeks. Talk with your OBGYN if you’re dealing with severe morning sickness or morning sickness that lasts past the first trimester.
Whether you suspect that you might be pregnant, or you have already gotten a positive pregnancy test, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible. The first prenatal visit will usually occur around your sixth week. The first appointment will involve a variety of tests, including blood and urine testing and a Pap smear. You may also get to see your baby for the first time with an ultrasound, depending on how far along you are. This is an unforgettable moment for parents-to-be.
We know just how important it is to get beyond the three-month mark! Since most miscarriages happen during the first trimester, making it to the second trimester can be a triumph. Not to mention the fact that this is also the time many couples start to share the good news. From social media announcements to telling family and friends in person, this can be an exciting time for couples.
Feeling your baby kick for the first time can send your heart into a flutter. It will probably be one of the weirdest and most wonderful sensations ever. You may even see an arm or leg sticking out as the baby continues to move around and grow.
While your OBGYN probably gave you an expected due date during your first visit, don’t hold on to that due date too much. Most women don’t have their babies right on that date. While it’s fun to countdown, remember that you may have to wait a week or two more before your baby makes its appearance.
You are about to meet your child, so it’s natural to feel a flutter of excitement and nerves as you prepare for childbirth and delivery. At this point, you and your doctor will have made a birth plan to discuss how you ideally want your delivery to go and how to manage your pain. Congratulations, momma; you did it!
A Google search will show you thousands upon thousands of women who are wondering whether bleeding is okay during pregnancy. We understand that bleeding can be scary, especially if you aren’t sure what’s causing it. Here’s what you should know about bleeding, including when to turn to an OBGYN.Bleeding During Your First Trimester
Your body is going through a ton of changes, especially during the first trimester. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that as many as 30 percent of women experience some sort of spotting or light bleeding during early pregnancy. Some of the causes of light bleeding or spotting include,
Implantation bleeding: After about 6 to 12 days after conception, some women experience cramping and light spotting. This is known as implantation bleeding. While some women may assume that their period is coming (since implantation bleeding usually appears a few days before a woman’s period), implantation bleeding is very light and may cause pink or brown spotting that may only last a day or two.
Bleeding During Second and Third Trimester
While light bleeding is fairly normal during the first trimester, it’s less common and more likely to be a concern if there is bleeding in the second or third trimester. If you are bleeding during your second or third trimester it’s best to talk with your OBGYN as it could be a sign of,
- Placental abruption
- Problems with the cervix such as an infection
- Placenta previa
- Premature labor
Since bleeding could be a sign of a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or other serious problems, you must talk with your OBGYN about any bleeding you experience. You should call your doctor right away if,
- Your bleeding lasts more than 24 hours
- Bleeding is heavy or you pass blood clots or tissue
- Your bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain, fevers, or chills
Finding out you are pregnant is one of the most exciting moments in a woman's or couples’ lives; however, finding out you’re a high-risk pregnancy can be worrisome. It’s important to understand what factors can put a pregnant woman at risk for complications. Some of these factors require simple lifestyle changes while other factors cannot be altered, but the most important factor is that you have a trusted and knowledgeable OBGYN that can ensure that you get the regular prenatal care that you need to prevent serious complications.What can lead to a high-risk pregnancy?
There is a wide range of factors that can determine whether a woman will be a high-risk pregnancy. Some of these factors include:
- Previous pregnancy complications (if you’ve been pregnant before and dealt with complications such as premature birth, then you are more likely to deal with complications with future pregnancies)
- Multiple births (if you are having twins, triplets, quadruplets or more, you are also more likely to go into preterm labor)
- Hypertension
- Blood disorders (e.g. sickle cell disease)
- Lupus or other autoimmune disorders
- Depression
- Advanced mature age (women who are age 35 or older)
- Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2)
- Thyroid disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Illicit drug use
What does this mean for my care?
Women need to keep in mind that just because they are a high-risk pregnancy does not mean that they will face complications or issues. Having an OBGYN by your side is paramount to keeping both you and baby healthy and making sure that if problems do arise that they are caught and treated early.
A woman who is a high-risk pregnancy will want to visit their OBGYN more often for prenatal checkups so that their doctor can closely monitor them for any changes. Remember, keeping up with your prenatal care appointments is one surefire way to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy.
If you are a high-risk pregnancy or are concerned about being a high-risk pregnancy, it’s important to discuss this with your OBGYN right away.
If this is your first pregnancy you may certainly feel like you’re in uncharted territory. There are so many unknowns as you reach 40 weeks and your OBGYN is going to be a crucial part of guiding you throughout this journey into motherhood. An OBGYN will provide you with care, treatment, checkups, and support along the way. One question you may be asking yourself is: Can I exercise while pregnant?
The simple answer is that yes, exercise is part of maintaining a healthy pregnancy. It can help boost your energy and mood, especially during the earlier months when you may be feeling a bit tired and sluggish. Working out can even alleviate aches and pains throughout your pregnancy. In fact, regular physical activity could even be key to preventing gestational diabetes.
If you were working out prior to becoming pregnant then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to continue working out; however, some things will need to change. While you may wish to workout at the same intensity and level you had been, your body is going through a lot of changes. Low-impact aerobic exercise such as walking or even swimming may be recommended by an OBGYN over high-intensity training.
What if you were a dedicated Crossfitter, HIIT queen, or marathon-running champ before getting pregnant? If you are a serious athlete, it’s even more important that your obstetrician works with you to create a training and workout program that will help you maintain what you’ve worked hard for while also being safe for both you and baby. This is particularly important for women who are personal trainers or professional athletes.
Starting Exercise While Pregnant
If you haven’t been working out prior to becoming pregnant you may want to take up a more regular exercise regimen to maintain good health throughout your pregnant. Before starting a new workout routine it’s important to consult your OBGYN. It’s important that you start out with slow, easy activities like a brisk walk through the neighborhood. You wouldn’t go from not being active to suddenly tackling a Warrior Run, so you certainly don’t want to do it when you’re pregnant, either. Err on the conservative side when choosing workouts to do while pregnant, especially if you are new to regular exercise. Your OBGYN can provide you with a list of pregnancy-approved exercises.
How Much Exercise is Enough?
Most pregnant women will reap the benefits of exercise if they participate in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes a day most days of the week, as recommended by the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Of course, if you have any health problems such as heart disease or asthma, it’s extremely important that you talk with your OBGYN before you start any workout routine.
Workouts to avoid include any contact sports, exercises that could lead to falls or abdominal injuries, as well as exercising in extreme weather conditions. If you have questions about exercise during pregnant, talk with your OBGYN today.
If you have been told by your OBGYN that you are a high-risk pregnancy it’s natural to have questions. You may want to know if there are any lifestyle changes you’ll need to make or how often you’ll need to visit your obstetrician for routine checkups throughout your pregnancy. The goal of your OBGYN is to provide the care you and your baby need for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, so don’t be afraid to ask any
and all questions that you may have.
What makes a pregnancy high risk?
A high-risk pregnancy may be the result of certain factors that already existed before your pregnancy or the result of a medical condition that occurs during the course of your pregnancy. Here are some factors that can cause a high-risk pregnancy:
Advanced maternal age: pregnancy complications are higher for women who are over 35 years old, as well as women under 17 years old
Lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol, and using drugs can also affect pregnancy
Medical history: women who have chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease are also more likely to experience other health problems during the pregnancy (talk with your OBGYN about any pre-existing health problems you have)
Multiple births: there is a higher chance for pregnancy risks when a woman is carrying two or more babies at a time
If I have a high-risk pregnancy what can I do?
The most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy, risk-free pregnancy is to make sure that you have an obstetrician that you trust. It’s very important that you keep up with routine checkups and exams. Women who have high-risk pregnancies may need to visit their OBGYN more regularly. In some instances, you may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist or other physicians.
Along with your routine checkups your OBGYN may also recommend various screening tests along with the standard prenatal screening tests. Some of these tests include specialized ultrasounds, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), cordocentesis, and lab testing.
Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and following the necessary steps to protect against infections can also go a long way to maintaining a healthy, risk-free pregnancy. If you find yourself dealing with high levels of stress this is something to discuss with your doctor to find the most effective strategies for reducing stress.
Whether you just found out you are pregnant or you are looking for an OBGYN to provide you with preconception counseling before getting pregnant, you want a doctor who puts your needs first. While a high-risk pregnancy can feel overwhelming at first your obstetrician will help guide you throughout the course of your pregnancy to make sure you get the care you deserve.