Preparing for Childbirth

FAQs About Your Pregnancy

Welcome dear mothers to this new phase of your life!

It is always a joy to know we are accomplishing God's purpose for us as women. And as stewards of this new life within us, there are some things you, my dear mom to be, should know...

What is prenatal care?
This is the standard of care that you, a mom-to-be should be receiving from me or other health care providers (obstetrician, family physician, midwife, traditional birth attendants/hilot/kumadrona).

Is prenatal care important? What is its purpose?
Yes! Prenatal care is very, very important. It ensures that you and your baby will be as healthy as possible by following some simple guidelines and checking in regularly with me, your obstetrician.

What happens during prenatal visits?
I will be asking you about your medical history as well as your partner’s and family’s. I will also ask how you have been feeling and changes that are occurring in you. Your weight and your vital signs (cardiac rate, pulse rate, breathing) will be taken especially your blood pressure every visit.

On your first visit, I will do a general physical examination with breast, abdominal and pelvic exam to check the size and shape of your uterus and a Pap smear to check for infections and abnormal masses of the cervix (the opening of the uterus). Subsequent visits may not be as intensive but will still require attention to your personal physical, emotional and psychological details

Urine and blood tests will be requested on the first visit and again later as needed. Urine tests are done to check for infections, high sugar levels (which can be a sign of diabetes) and high protein levels (which can put you at risk for preeclampsia, a type of high blood pressure in pregnancy). Blood tests are done to check for low iron levels (anemia) and infections as well as other bleeding problems.

An ultrasound may be requested to help me accurately date your pregnancy - when your baby is due or to check on your baby's growth and position in your uterus. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your baby on a video screen. This examination in general does not cause abnormalities in your baby.

Other tests may be needed/requested if you or your baby are at risk for any problems.

What is my usual schedule for prenatal visits?
If you are age 18 to 35 and healthy you will probably have a "low-risk" pregnancy. If so, our scheduled check up will be

* once a month for the first 28 weeks (seven months)
* every two or three weeks from the 28th to the 36th week (eighth month)
* weekly from the 36th week until delivery (ninth month)


If you have a "high-risk" pregnancy, you will need to see me more often.
What conditions are considered high risk?

Pregnant women experiencing these complications are advised not to travel, exercise or have sex, etc. Some of these complications include:

* Cervical problems, such as 'incompetent cervix'
* Vaginal bleeding
* Multiple foetuses
* If you are aged 35 years or over and pregnant for the first time
* Gestational diabetes, past or present
* High blood pressure, past or present
* Pre-eclampsia, past or present
* Abnormalities of the placenta, past or present
* Prior miscarriage
* Prior ectopic pregnancy
* Signs of premature labor


Are there foods I should avoid?
It is quite important to eat a balanced diet for you and baby. There are a few foods that you should be more careful about eating while you are pregnant. Meat, eggs and fish that are not fully cooked could put you at risk for an infection. Wash all fruit and vegetables. Keep cutting boards, dishes and utensils clean. General hygiene such as hand washing is still the rule of the day. Eat 3 to 4 servings of dairy foods each day. This will give you enough calcium for you and your baby. Do not drink unpasteurized milk or eat unpasteurized milk products. Soft cheeses such as Brie, feta, Camembert and Mexican queso fresco may have bacteria that can cause infections.

It would be nice if you refrain from caffeinated and carbonated drinks but If you drink coffee or other drinks with caffeine, do not have more than 1 cup each day.

It is okay to use artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (some brand names: Equal, NutraSweet) and sucralose (brand name: Splenda) while you are pregnant, but you should try to take them in moderation. If you have a genetic disease called phenylketonuria, or PKU, you shouldn't use aspartame at all.

What vitamins should I take?
It is best that you have started taking folic acid before you get pregnant to prevent neural tube defects (problems in your bay’s brain or spinal cord). You should take 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid every day for the first 12-16 weeks of your pregnancy. Any prenatal vitamin supplement will do but an additional iron and calcium supplement is necessary especially if you are not able to eat a balanced diet.

How much weight gain is considered normal during pregnancy?
About 25 to 30 pounds. If you don't weigh enough when you get pregnant, you may need to gain more. If you're very heavy when you get pregnant, you may need to gain only 15 to 18 pounds.

Pregnancy isn't the time to start dieting just so to prevent having a cesarean section due to a big baby! It's best to gain about 2 to 3 pounds during the first 12 weeks and about 1 pound a week after that.

Is it okay to take medications?
Check with me before taking any medicine, including over the counter drugs like aspirin and other pain relievers, cough medications and decongestants. Even medicine you can buy without a prescription can cause birth defects, especially if it's taken during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Medications are not necessarily bad. There will be drugs that you may need to take otherwise the illness that you have, if not treated with drugs, may cause problems in the baby. Rest assured that drugs that you will be prescribed will be those considered safe in pregnancy as shown by medical evidence.

Can I still work while pregnant?
Of course!! In general, if your pregnancy is uncomplicated, you can continue working. However, this depends also if you have any problems with your pregnancy, what kind of work you do and if you're exposed to anything at work that could harm your baby. For instance, lifting heavy objects or standing for long periods can be hard on you. Radiation, lead and other heavy metals, such as copper and mercury, could be damaging to the baby. Working in front of a computer screen is not thought to cause harm to an unborn baby.
What exercises can I do?
Exercising during pregnancy makes labor and delivery easier. Walking and swimming are great aerobic choices. I would recommend sayuntis- a belly dance routine I specifically designed for you, my expectant mom, as a low impact and fun exercise to prepare you for childbirth.
Unless you have problems in your pregnancy, you can probably do whatever exercise you did before you got pregnant. You may feel better if you're active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Talk to me first about any special conditions that you may have.

If you didn't exercise before pregnancy, start slowly. Don't overdo exercise. If you can't talk easily while exercising, you are straining yourself and working too hard. Don't get overheated. Drink plenty of water so that you don't get dehydrated. It's best to avoid anything that could cause you to fall or hurt yourself.

What conditions will prevent me from exercising?
There are some conditions that make exercise contraindicated in pregnancy like having premature labor contractions, preeclampsia, bleeding conditions in pregnancy such as placenta previa. Other medical conditions such as heart disease, thyroid problems and diabetes may pose a problem. It would be best to consult first so we can discuss what exercise or physical activity regimen is best suited for you.

Can I travel?
Generally speaking, yes. The safest time for a pregnant woman to travel is during her second trimester, provided she isn't experiencing any complications. If you are pregnant and considering travel, you must consult with me, especially if your pregnancy is high-risk. Take into consideration the standard of medical care at your chosen destination, just in case you need help. Consider also immunizations when the place you are going to is endemic for certain diseases. Check with airlines regarding maximum age of gestation where travel is allowed- it’s usually up to 28-30 weeks AOG.

Is it okay to have sex?
Yes, unless I believe you're at risk for problems such as presence of infections, bleeding and premature contractions. Don't be surprised if you're less--or more--interested in sex. (most probably less interested) You need to find or try different positions, such as lying on your side or being on top as you get bigger. If you have oral sex, tell your partner not to blow air into your vagina. This could force air inside you, which could cause an air embolism.

What discomforts will I feel and what can I do to feel better?
Here are the most common discomforts and some advice on how you can feel better.

Morning sickness. This may happen anytime during the day (or night). Try eating frequent, small meals, (every 2 hours) and avoid greasy foods. Keep crackers by your bed to eat before getting up. Avoid scents that trigger a nauseous reaction.

Inform me if morning sickness is so severe that it causes you to lose weight, look dehydrated and feel weak.

Tiredness. Sometimes tiredness in pregnancy is caused by anemia, so have your complete blood count done. Get enough rest. Take a daytime nap if possible.

Leg cramps. Gently stretch the calf of your leg by curling your toes upward, toward your knee. Drink milk and take calcium supplements. Exercise!

Constipation. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat foods with lots of fiber, such as raisins and bran cereal. Don't take laxatives without consulting first. Stool softeners may be safer than laxatives.

Hemorrhoids. Don't strain during bowel movements. Try to avoid becoming constipated. Clean yourself well after a bowel movement (wet wipes may be less irritating than toilet paper). Take several warm soaks ( hot sitz baths) a day.

Frequent urination. You may need to urinate more often as your baby grows because he or she will put pressure on your bladder. This can't be helped. Report to me if urinating becomes difficult and painful and comes in trickles.

Varicose veins. Avoid clothing that fits tightly around your legs or waist. Rest and put your feet up as much as you can. Move around if you must stand for long periods. You may need to use support hose.

Moodiness. Your hormones are on a roller coaster ride during pregnancy. Plus, your life is undergoing a big change. Don't be too hard on yourself. If you feel very sad or think about suicide, talk to me ASAP. Exercise and dance!

Heartburn. Eat frequent, small meals often. Avoid spicy or greasy foods. Don't lie down right after eating. If this occurs frequently, consult me.

Infections/vaginal itchiness/discharge. The amount of discharge from the vagina increases during pregnancy. Yeast infections, which can also cause discharge, are more common during pregnancy. It's a good idea to consult before taking any medication.

Bleeding gums. Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist for cleanings. Don't put off dental visits because you're pregnant, but be sure to tell your dentist you're pregnant.

Stuffy nose. This is also related to changes in the levels of the female hormone estrogen. You may also have nosebleeds.

Edema (retaining fluid). Rest with your legs up. Lie on your left side while sleeping so blood flows from your legs back to your heart better. Don't use diuretics (water pills). If you're thinking about cutting down on salt to reduce swelling, talk with me first. Your body needs enough salt to maintain the balance of fluid and cutting back on salt may not be the best way to manage your swelling.

Skin changes
Stretch marks appear as red marks on your skin. Lotion can help keep your skin moist and may help reduce the itchiness of dry skin. Stretch marks really can't be prevented and may be genetic but they often fade after pregnancy.

Other skin changes may include darkening of the skin on your face and around your nipples, and a dark line below your belly button. Staying out of the sun or using a sunscreen may help lessen these marks. They'll probably fade after pregnancy.


Call me …

Most pregnancies proceed without any problem. But problems can happen unexpectedly. If you have any of these warning signs, please call me :

* sudden weight gain of more than two pounds within one day
* swelling of the face, ankles, legs, or feet
* severe or repeated headaches that last more than two or three hours and are not relieved with the medication I have recommended
* fainting
* blurred vision, flashes of light, or spots before your eyes
* pain or burning with urination
* marked increase in thirst
* greatly increased or decreased urination
* unusual smelling vaginal discharge
* light vaginal bleeding or spotting


Go to the hospital immediately if you have any of these very dangerous warning signs:

Signs Of Premature Labor
Pregnancy takes about 40 weeks. If contractions cause the cervix to open earlier than normal — between the 20th and 37th week — labor may be premature. This may result in the birth of a premature baby. Babies born before the 37th week may have trouble breathing, eating, and keeping warm. The signs of premature labor include one or more of these

* uterine contractions every 10 minutes or shorter
* repeating or constant menstrual-like cramps in the lower abdomen
* abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
* pelvic pressure that feels like the fetus is pushing down on your vagina and your hips or pelvis is splitting
* increase or change in vaginal discharge
* sudden gush of watery fluids from the vagina (water breaking)
* feeling like the fetus is "balling up"


Signs Of Other Serious Problems

* heavy bleeding from the vagina
* constant severe lower abdominal pain or cramps on one or both sides
* dimness or blurring of vision that lasts two or three hours
* dizziness and/or double vision
* severe or continued vomiting
* chills and/or fever of 101°F or more
* fever of 101°F or more with pain or burning during urination
* sudden severe swelling or puffiness of the face, hands, legs, ankles, or feet, especially if you have a headache or vision change
* after six months of pregnancy, you notice a significant decrease in the movement of the fetus
* after six months of pregnancy, you think the fetus hasn't moved in eight hours or more


You may not like it but if you want to stay healthy for yourself and your baby throughout pregnancy there are...

Definite Don'ts in Pregnancy

* Don't smoke. Smoking raises your risk for miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and many other problems.
* Don't use recreational drugs. Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, metamphetamine or shabu, ecstasy, etc increase your risk of miscarriage, preeclampsia, premature birth and congenital/ developmental defects. And your baby could be born addicted to the drug you've been taking.
* Don't drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the major cause of preventable birth defects, including mental slowness.
* Don't clean your cat's litter box, or eat raw or undercooked red meat. You could get toxoplasmosis, a disease that can cause birth defects.
* Don't sit in the sauna or hot tub. This raises your risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
* Don't douche. Douching could force air into the vagina, which can cause an air embolism.
* Don’t feel sad or ugly or unloved. This may be one of the most tiring and confusing moments of your life due to changes in hormones, physique, etc yet this is also a time to appreciate God’s most precious gift. Remember that there are a lot of people around you who cares for you and your baby… including ME!!!



Please remember that it takes teamwork to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Women who get early and regular prenatal care have healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. It is important that you as well as your partner and I communicate well and work together. It is your responsibility to try to stay as healthy as you can and learn what is normal and what is not. Watch out for changes in your body that may be warning signs.

It is my duty on the other hand to help you understand your pregnancy, identify problems before they become serious, and to provide care when you need it.

Remember, the things you tell me are confidential.
That means that I can’t tell anyone else what you say without your permission. So don’t be afraid to talk to me about issues that might be uncomfortable or embarrassing. It’s OK to tell me if you smoke, drink alcohol or take any drugs, or about your sexual activities (past and present) or if your partner hurts or scares you. I need to know all about you and your lifestyle so that I can give you and your baby the best care. Consider me as part of your family - an ate or tita.

By the way, my dear mom to be, be sure to have a dental checkup early in pregnancy to help your mouth remain healthy. You may even want to see your dentist more often than usual.

With love,
Doc Faye