Choosing an Obstetrician You Can Trust Finding Dr. Right is not always easy. Ideally, you want a doctor who views you as a participant during the birthing process—not as a patient. Before choosing an obstetrician, consider the following: Tips for Finding Dr. Right Talk to friends or other health-care professionals and ask for recommendations. Narrow […]
Questions to Ask Your Doctor When Pregnant At your first pregnancy checkup, try these 10 questions to ask your doctor when pregnant: What hospitals are you affiliated with? Some hospitals are high-tech, others are high-touch, still others are both What is your call schedule? Who covers for you, how often, and what are these doctors’ […]
Choosing a Midwife for Your Birth If your pregnancy begins low-risk and stays that way, you may prefer a choosing a midwife for a high touch, low-tech birth. If you are in good health, had no complications with previous births, and the medical system in your community is set up for midwife-attended births, then this […]
Pros and Cons of an Alpha-Fetoprotein Screen The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screen is the most commonly available prenatal screening test for birth defects. AFP, a natural substance produced by baby’s liver, normally enters the mother’s bloodstream during pregnancy. Maternal levels of AFP are elevated if the mother is carrying a baby with a neural tube defect, […]
Getting the Maternal Triple Screen A new test, called the “maternal triple screen” (also known as the “prenatal risk profile” or “expanded AFP”), is used to screen for birth defects. The triple screen measures the following: Maternal levels of AFPHCG; human chorionic gonadotropin, which is elevated if mother is carrying a baby with some chromosomal […]
Pros and Cons of the Amniocentesis Procedure The amniocentesis procedure provides a lot of valuable genetic information, but it is not without risk to mother and baby. Therefore, parents and practitioners must exercise a high level of responsibility in deciding whether or not to have this prenatal test. Learning About Your Baby’s Genetic Makeup The […]
Pros and Cons of Chorionic Villus Sampling Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) provides more genetic and biochemical information than amniocentesis and can be performed earlier in pregnancy and with quicker results. Yet CVS carries a slightly higher risk of damage to the baby than amniocentesis does. So, this higher-yield-higher-risk procedure demands even greater responsibility in making […]
Getting a Glucose Tolerance Test During Pregnancy Gestational glucose intolerance is detected during pregnancy with the glucose tolerance test (GTT). A glucose tolerance test during pregnancy is usually recommended around 24-28 weeks, and may be repeated around 32-34 weeks in mothers with high-risk pregnancies. Who GTT’s Can Be Helpful For By identifying gestational glucose intolerance […]
Best Practices for Taking Medication While Pregnant When taking medication while pregnant it is always best to error on the side of caution. If you are unsure about whether you should take a certain medication consult your doctor before you take it. These tips will help you make safe decisions for you and baby. Do […]
How a Sinus Infection in Pregnancy Develops The mucus membranes in the nasal passages of the sinuses often swell and become congested during pregnancy, probably due to the same hormones that cause vaginal membranes to become congested. Some women feel they have a persistent “cold” or sniffles throughout pregnancy. These conditions often lead to a […]
Treating Your Asthma During Pregnancy Like most chronic allergic problems, asthma may get better for some women during pregnancy and worse for others. Because the airway is already working overtime during pregnancy (the amount of air you move with each breath increases), asthma can be particularly worrisome at this time. If your airway is compromised […]
Taking Asthma Medications in Pregnancy If you have chronic asthma and are on a treatment regimen that has been working for you, do not stop or change your asthma medications in pregnancy before checking with your doctor. Don’t let the fear of taking medicine set you up for an asthmatic attack, which may be more […]
