What to Expect, and Why It’s Important
You’re a third of the way through your pregnancy and feeling strong and confident. Your first trimester morning sickness pains are behind you, you’re rocking your baby bump, and you’re excited because you’re only a few weeks away from learning the gender of your baby. Keep in mind that prenatal care is just as important in the second trimester as it is in the first and third. You should expect more visits to your OBGYN, more healthy eating and activity, and exciting memories with your baby.
OBGYN Visits
During your second trimester, your doctor will likely want to see you about every four weeks. During your appointments, your OBGYN will continue to monitor your blood pressure and your weight gain. He or she will also be able to measure your baby’s growth during the second trimester.
Starting when you reach the mid-point in your pregnancy, your doctor will begin measuring the distance between your pubic bone and the top of your uterus. This measurement, known as your fundal height, helps estimate your baby’s size and growth rate. From week 20 to week 36, your fundal height, in centimeters, should roughly correspond to how many weeks pregnant you are.
During your second trimester, your doctor will monitor baby’s heartbeat, likely something you’ll hear for the first time around week 12 — one of the most memorable pregnancy moments for moms and dads.
Baby Movement
You’ll first start to feel your baby kicking and moving around within your belly during your second trimester. Be sure to let your OBGYN know when you first notice that fluttery feeling.
Baby’s First Photoshoot
You should expect a fetal ultrasound that will show you images of your baby in the uterus, and may be able to tell you the baby’s gender. Not only is this an emotionally significant moment in your pregnancy, this test is vital to helping your OBGYN identify the risk of any anomalies.
Second Trimester Testing
Just as you experienced during your first trimester, you should expect blood tests during your second trimester. These tests will monitor your blood count and iron levels, identify possible infection, and determine your risk for gestational diabetes. You will also receive additional urine tests to screen for infections, and high protein levels that may be an indication of a urinary tract infection or, if accompanied by high blood pressure, a sign of preeclampsia.
Depending on what screening tests were conducted in the first trimester, you may also have the opportunity to conduct genetic testing, or you may need to be monitored for a negative Rh factor. Also, depending on what previous screening tests or the ultrasound uncovered, your OBGYN may recommend additional diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis. This test can detect chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects, and other genetic disorders.
A note about the flu vaccine: If your second trimester spans flu season, your OBGYN will likely speak with you about the benefits of receiving the flu shot during your second trimester.
As always, at any point throughout your pregnancy, your doctor is available to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Never hesitate to ask a question, or call for an extra appointment.
At Chouchani, Sayegh and Robinson, we are accepting newly pregnant and pregnant patients. Call for an appointment today.
Did you miss last week’s post about what to expect during the first trimester of pregnancy? Read on to find out more.
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What to Expect, and Why It’s Important
Your doctor or at home pregnancy test has just confirmed it: you’re pregnant! You may not be showing yet, but the first three months of your pregnancy are some of the most critical for ensuring your baby has a healthy start and that you have a successful, and comfortable pregnancy. A healthy first trimester is heavily dependent on your prenatal care. Read on to learn what to expect in those first three months, and how proper prenatal care can help keep you, and baby, healthy.
Visiting Your OBGYN
You and your OBGYN will have a lot to talk about during your first prenatal appointment, so be sure to allot enough time and bring all of your questions. Your partner may want to attend the first visit as well. Your OBGYN will need to obtain your health history. Be prepared to discuss:
- Any past pregnancies.
- Your family, and personal medical history.
- Your menstrual cycle.
- Any medication use.
- Your lifestyle habits, particularly if you use tobacco, alcohol, or caffeine.
Know that your OBGYN will keep your information private, and that full disclosure of even uncomfortable topics, such as your family’s health history, past illicit drug use, or miscarriages, is needed so that your doctor can offer you the best treatment plan.
During your first exam, your OBGYN will also calculate your body mass index (BMI) and help you determine your ideal weight gain throughout your pregnancy. As part of an overall physical exam, he/she will conduct a pelvic exam and measure your blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate; and work to determine any possible risk factors that will need to be monitored throughout your pregnancy.
Lab Tests
Be prepared to complete a blood test during your first prenatal exam. The test will be used to identify a variety of factors, including:
- A complete blood count (CBC). Your blood type will also be determined.
- Your Rhesus (Rh) status. The Rh factor is a protein that can be present on the surface of red blood cells. The Rh factor is passed down through parents’ genes to their children. The Rh factor can cause pregnancy complications if you are Rh negative and your fetus is Rh positive, so your OBGYN will want to identify this possibility as early as possible.
- Your hemoglobin levels. Low hemoglobin is a sign of anemia, and will need to be addressed in the first trimester.
- Your immunity to certain infections. In particular, your OBGYN will need to know your immunity to rubella, and chickenpox.
- Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. Your doctor will want to determine if you have been exposed to hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Screening Tests
During your first trimester, screening tests may be conducted to determine possible fetal abnormalities. Your doctor will also do a Pap smear to look for infections or other risk factors, and will conduct a cystic fibrosis screening test to determine if you may be a carrier for the disease. A urine test will also be conducted to test for sugar or protein in your urine, which could be a sign of gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
An Ultrasound
Your OBGYN will conduct an ultrasound and attempt to see the baby and listen to his/her heartbeat, though it may not be audible until week six or seven.
Genetic Testing
During your first trimester, you will have the option of speaking with a genetic counselor and or being screened for genetic disorders that could lead to birth defects, such as Down syndrome or brain and spinal column defects. Women who may be at higher risk for giving birth to a baby with a genetic disorder include:
- Women, age 35 or older.
- Women who have had a previous fetus with a genetic problem.
- Women with a family history of inherited birth defects.
Nutrition and Vitamins
Your OBGYN will give you a plan for proper diet and nutrition for both the first trimester, and throughout your pregnancy. It will include how much exercise or physical activity you should receive, optimal nutritional goals, medication use, and the prescription of essential prenatal vitamins with iron for use during your pregnancy.
After your first prenatal exam, expect to meet with your OBGYN monthly as he/she will want to closely monitor your progress and have the opportunity to identify any health risks early.
Your first trimester will be an exciting time for you and your family. Rely on your OBGYN during your first trimester, and throughout your pregnancy, to be your best health advocate and resource for you and your baby. Most importantly, never hesitate to contact your OBGYN if you have any questions or concerns. Early detection of possible risk factors will help keep you and your baby healthy and comfortable throughout your pregnancy.
Are you newly pregnant?
The team at Chouchani, Sayegh and Robinson (previously Bagnarello) are accepting new patients. Just give us a call today to make your first appointment.
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Overconsumption of alcohol or drugs can have potentially life-threatening consequences. Taking those risks for yourself is dangerous enough, but taking those risks on behalf of your unborn baby means a threat to both of your lives. Use of alcohol or illegal drugs during pregnancy puts your baby at risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, premature labor, placental abruption, and even death.
You likely know that women are not supposed to drink or consume drugs while pregnant, but it’s time to learn the details. What follows are the risks associated with drinking, smoking tobacco, or using three common illicit drugs, while pregnant.
Alcohol
When women consume alcohol while pregnant, it can negatively affect the growth of the baby’s brain and spinal cord cells. Depending on how much alcohol the baby was exposed to in the womb, he or she may suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Mild to severe FASD health complications may include physical developmental disorders or other birth defects, or learning and behavioral issues. In the most severe cases, heavy alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to preterm labor, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
Tobacco
Tobacco products contain chemicals that are dangerous to you and your baby, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these chemicals increase the risk of both miscarriage and stillbirth. Other health risks may include problems with the placenta or slow fetal development, two factors that can also cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Marijuana
Like cigarette smoke, marijuana contains toxins that can impede your baby’s ability to get the necessary amount of oxygen needed to develop properly. Marijuana puts your baby at risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and other developmental or behavioral problems.
Heroin
Heroin is extremely addictive. Babies exposed to heroin while in the womb may develop a dependency on the drug themselves. Upon birth, such babies are born suffering from such withdrawal symptoms as convulsions, fever, irritability, and sleep abnormalities. Babies born to mothers who use heroin are also at greater risk of a preterm birth, low birth weight, low blood sugar, breathing difficulties, bleeding within the brain, and even fetal death.
Cocaine
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG), pregnant mothers who use cocaine have a 25 percent increased chance of premature labor, and babies born to women who have used cocaine while pregnant have a higher risk of being born with a physical birth defect. According to an inpatient treatment center, like other drugs consumed during pregnancy, cocaine can cross the placenta and enter your baby’s circulatory system. Your baby won’t be able to process and eliminate cocaine as quickly as you can, which can complicate your baby’s health risks.
If you consume cocaine early in your pregnancy, it may increase the risk of a miscarriage. If your baby is exposed to cocaine later in your pregnancy, your baby could be at risk of being born with a birth defect, or could face placental abruption, a condition that occurs when the placenta peels away, either partially or completely, from the inner wall of the uterus. Placental abruption could lead to severe bleeding, premature birth, or even fetal death.
Babies exposed to cocaine later in pregnancy may also be born with a dependency, and may suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as sleeplessness, muscle spasms, feeding difficulties, and tremors.
Getting Help
Whether you are already pregnant or looking to become pregnant, if you regularly drink or utilize recreational drugs today, know that it’s never too late to quit. Every day that you choose to live drug and alcohol-free is a day you choose a healthier life for you and your baby.
You don’t have to go it alone — please talk with your doctor today. He or she can help you get on the path to recovery and a healthy life ahead.
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Pregnant or Trying to Become Pregnant?
When you become pregnant, your top priority becomes doing everything possible to keep you and your baby healthy. The fight for good prenatal health starts with a commitment to prenatal vitamins. If you find yourself pregnant unexpectedly, it’s important to start a prenatal vitamin routine immediately. If you are trying to become pregnant, your OBGYN will recommend that you begin taking prenatal vitamins as you work to conceive. Read on to learn how these tiny tools can make a big difference on the health of your baby.
What are Prenatal Vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins help to fill the nutritional gaps that may be in your diet before and during your pregnancy to help you and your baby maintain optimal health, and to prevent certain health complications. An ideal prenatal vital should contain essential vitamins and minerals that you and your baby need, including the following:
Folic Acid – Folic acid can help to prevent neural tube birth defects, which threaten to develop in the first 28 days after conception, making it essential that women begin their prenatal vitamin routine immediately upon finding out their pregnant, or, more ideally, when they decide they want to become pregnant. It’s recommended that women take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily before conception and throughout the first twelve weeks of their pregnancy.
Calcium – Calcium can help protect women from losing important bone density as baby uses calcium for its own growth.
Iodine – Critical for the healthy functioning of your thyroid, iodine should be supplemented during pregnancy to prevent your baby from suffering from stunted growth, deafness, or severe mental disabilities. A lack of iodine, in the most severe cases, can even result in miscarriage or stillbirth.
Iron – Important for mother and baby, iron is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood.
Other important nutrients and minerals that should be included in your prenatal vitamin include:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
An Important Note if Your Prenatal Vitamin Makes You Feel Sick to Your Stomach
Some women report that prenatal vitamins make them nauseas, or that their vitamins exacerbate existing nausea symptoms during their pregnancy. If your prenatal vitamin is making you nauseas, do not make the mistake of simply stopping your vitamin routine. Talk to your OBGYN. He or she can prescribe an alternative for you, which may include a chewable, liquid, or pill to swallow whole, depending on your tolerance.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you’re wondering which prenatal vitamin is right for you, know that you don’t have to decide on your own. Your OBGYN will help you to choose the prenatal vitamin that is right for you and your baby, which will put you in the best position for a healthy, full-term pregnancy. And if you are newly pregnant or trying to become pregnant, and looking for a new doctor, please give our practice a call. We are accepting new patients.
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At the moment your doctor says those three amazing words, “Congratulations, you’re pregnant,” your life is about to change. Most importantly, every decision you make, you make for two people, and for every choice you make, you need to ask yourself what is best for both you and your baby. As you adjust your lifestyle and prepare for being a mom, know that prenatal care is most important during your first trimester.
Studies have found that babies born to mothers who don’t get proper prenatal care are three times more likely to suffer from low birth weight, and are five times more likely to suffer fetal death. Prenatal care includes regular visits to your OBGYN. Such visits are crucial to identifying and treating potential health risks early.
To prepare yourself for welcoming a healthy and happy baby into your life, review our prenatal best practices.
Schedule Routine OBGYN Visits
Plan to see your OBGYN on a regular basis during your pregnancy, starting in the first trimester. Your doctor will monitor such health factors as your weight, blood pressure, heart rate, breathing capacity, and general health along with the health of your baby.
Obtain Necessary Tests
During your first trimester, your OBGYN will want to schedule you for some important tests. This may include a pap test to check for cervical cancer, a Rhesis (Rh) status test, and a hemoglobin test. Your OBGYN will also want to check your immunity to certain infections, which may include a test for rubella and varicella (chickenpox). He or she may also want to test you for other infections, including sexually transmitted diseases. Your baby will receive tests too. Your doctor will likely want to schedule an ultrasound in the first trimester to detect any potential abnormalities or health issues.
Start with Vitamins
Your OBGYN will want you to begin your first trimester with regular prenatal vitamins to make sure you’re getting all the minerals and nutrients that you need for a healthy pregnancy. Even before you’re pregnant, if you’re hoping to conceive, your OBGYN will recommend that you begin regularly taking prenatal vitamins.
Adapt Your Lifestyle
Right from the first trimester you’ll need to commit to a healthier diet, and lifestyle, which means eliminating alcohol, quitting tobacco or any recreational drugs, limiting caffeine, getting plenty of sleep, and exercising regularly as directed by your doctor. Your OBGYN will also want to talk to you about any regular prescription or over-the-counter medications that you are currently taking and what may need to change during your pregnancy.
For more information on what to expect during your first trimester, and how to maintain the best possible prenatal health, talk to your OB-GYN. He or she can tell you what to expect, and can help you build a care plan to keep you and your baby happy and healthy for the next exciting nine months and beyond.
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You have been waiting for nine months to meet your new baby. With each day that passes, your anticipation grows until you are wishing every minute of every day for the time to come. When the moment finally does arrive you’ll know, won’t you? You may be surprised to know that there are several signs and symptoms that you should watch for to determine when you have truly gone into labor. Familiarize yourself with the list of labor signs below so that you will be ready to go for the ultimate go time.
Contractions That Occur at Regular Intervals. One of the most accurate ways to tell if you are in labor is to time the sensations you believe to be contractions. In the beginning, the contractions will feel like menstrual cramps. Begin to time the “contractions” from the start of one to the start of the next. If they occur at regular intervals, with about the same amount of time in between, and if they start to appear closer to one another or if the pain increases, you’re likely in labor.
You Lose Your Mucus Plug. The mucus plug prevents bacteria from entering the uterus by blocking the opening to the cervix. Before labor, however, the mucus plug is expelled, ultimately allowing the baby to pass through the cervix during birth.
Bloody Show. When the mucus plug is expelled, you may experience what is known as “bloody show,” which is a mucusy discharge tinged pink or brown by blood. The appearance of the bloody show is a sign that blood vessels in the cervix are rupturing as it begins to dilate.
Your Water Breaks. This is the sign that everyone anticipates as the ultimate signal of labor, but don’t count on it. Breaking water only occurs in less than 15 percent of births. If your water does break, you will experience a trickling or gushing of amniotic fluid. The liquid should be odorless. If you do notice a color, or an odor, call your OBYGN immediately, as it may be a sign that the baby is in distress and has passed meconium, or the earliest infant stool, in the uterus.
Loose Joints. During your pregnancy, your body produces the hormone relaxin, which makes all of your ligaments soften. Before labor, you may feel as if your joints have gone loose. This is your body’s natural way of preparing your pelvis for the birth.
Nesting. Some women experience a biological phenomenon known as nesting in the days and weeks before birth. Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby. When nesting occurs women experience a burst of energy and find themselves motivated to clean, or bake, or in some way prepare the home for their new arrival. Just be careful not to overdo it!
The birth of your baby will be a monumental moment in your lives. Remember to stay calm, and if you have any concerns about the symptoms you are experiencing, contact your OBGYN. Your doctor is prepared to help you bring your newest member of your family into the world as safely as possible.
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Pregnant Woman Spraying Mosquito Repellant To Protect Against Zika Virus
How to Stay Safe from Bugs and Bites this Summer
All eyes are on Rio this summer – both in anticipation of the summer Olympics, and as we hope for a resolution to the recent Zika virus outbreak. The recent virus epidemic has put Americans on high alert of the dangers of mosquitos and mosquito transmitted viruses. While there have been no known instances of mosquito-borne cases of Zika in the United States yet, all Americans, especially women, should protect themselves from the risk of mosquito bites. Before you reach for the bug repellent, understand the safest ways to stay bug bite free this summer.
Are Mosquito Repellents Safe?
Every year, over a million people across the globe die from mosquito-borne illness. Mosquito bites put us at risk for such diseases as West Nile virus, Malaria, Dengue fever, and Encephalitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of insect repellents to safely prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Repellents can be used to prevent bites, skin eruptions, and rashes.
How do Mosquito Repellents Work?
Mosquitos and other blood feeding insects are attracted to the carbon dioxide we release in our breath and to our skin odors. Repellents work at the skin level by masking our sent in a way that makes us unattractive for biting. Repellents do not kill the insects however, so it is still possible to see bugs flying nearby even after repellent spray has been applied. For best results, apply a liberal amount of repellent to exposed skin when you expect to be outside.
Active Ingredients
In most brands of mosquito repellents, the active ingredients include DEET or picaridin. Both of these ingredients are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as insect repellents on skin. This means that the EPA has evaluated them for potential side effects and has determined that they are not expected to cause serious adverse effects when used as directed.
Can Pregnant Women Safely use Insect Repellents?
Studies show that mosquitos are more attracted to pregnant women, due to the extra amounts of carbon dioxide they emit while pregnant. Your extra tempting scent means you should be extra careful this summer. The safest way for pregnant women to protect themselves from mosquito bites is still through the application of mosquito repellent. According to the CDC, there are no additional precautions that pregnant women should take when using insect repellents. Both DEET and picaridin have been determined to be safe for pregnant women by the EPA. Stay away from mosquito repellents that include lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 however, as they are not recommended for use during pregnancy.
If you have any questions or concerns talk to your OBGYN. And if you are looking for a top OBGYN practice in Western New York, we are accepting new patients. Give us a call today.
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If you’re pregnant or about to become pregnant, your number one priority is carrying your baby safely and healthily to full-term. No matter what your current state of health, or how prepared you feel you are to have a healthy pregnancy, every new mom should understand the warning signs of high-risk pregnancies.
What is a high-risk pregnancy?
Generally, a pregnancy is defined as high-risk if you or your baby has an increased chance of facing a health problem. Such problems could be caused by one of several underlying conditions, including:
These conditions put you and your baby at risk for complications like slowed fetal growth, a preterm labor, preeclampsia, or issues with the placenta.
Other factors that could result in a high-risk pregnancy include:
- If you are under 17 or over 35
- You use alcohol or illegal drugs
- You smoke
- You have an infection, such as HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), chickenpox, rubella, or toxoplasmosis
- You are having a multiple pregnancy
- You have had three or more miscarriages
- Your baby has been diagnosed with a genetic condition such as Down syndrome, or a heart, lung, or kidney condition
- You have been diagnosed with a serious condition such as heart valve problems, sickle cell disease, asthma, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis
- You have had a serious problem with a previous pregnancy, such as a preterm labor, preeclampsia, or seizures (eclampsia)
- You are taking certain medications such as lithium, valproic acid, or carbamazepine
High-risk pregnancy treatment
Your OB-GYN will be able to diagnose whether or not your pregnancy is high-risk. If you are diagnosed as being high-risk, you should expect more frequent visits to your doctor than women whose pregnancies are not high-risk. Your OB-GYN will likely want you to receive more frequent ultrasound tests to confirm your baby is developing and growing at the proper rate. Your doctor will also closely monitor your blood pressure and more frequently test your urine for a protein that indicates preeclampsia or a urinary tract infection. If you have diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medications to help monitor such conditions.
Keep in mind that just because your pregnancy has been defined as high-risk does not mean that your baby will definitely be born with health issues. Under the care of your OB-GYN, and by following your prescribed treatment plan, you can welcome your new, healthy baby into the world without worry.
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Gestational diabetes is a form of the metabolic disease that impacts pregnant women who do not have a previous history of diabetes, but who have high blood glucose levels during their pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that in 2014 as many as 9.2 percent of pregnant women suffered from this condition. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, understand the risks and treatment options available to help ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Causes
The causes of gestational diabetes are not completely known, however it is believed that hormones from the placenta that help the infant during development begin to block the action of the mother’s insulin into her own body. When proper insulin levels decline, glucose cannot leave the blood to be converted into energy, instead building up in the blood in unsafe levels, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
Risk Factors
All pregnant women are at risk of developing gestational diabetes, however some women are at a higher risk. Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:
- Age. Women age 25 or older during their pregnancy are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
- Weight. Women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
- Family history. Women who have a close relation, such as a parent or sibling, that has previously been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk for gestational diabetes.
- Personal health history. Those who have suffered from prediabetes are at a greater risk of gestational diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition defined by slightly elevated blood sugar that may be a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Women are also at a greater risk if they were diagnosed with the condition during a previous pregnancy, if they delivered a stillbirth, or if they delivered a baby who weighed more than nine pounds.
- Race. While experts are uncertain of the reason, women who are African American, Hispanic, American Indian, or Asian are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
Potential Impact to Mother and Baby
Gestational diabetes impacts the mother in late pregnancy after the baby’s body has been formed. Untreated or poorly controlled gestational diabetes can have serious consequences on infants. Women with gestational diabetes experience an overuse of the pancreas as it works to produce insulin that is ultimately ineffective in lowering blood glucose levels. The high levels of blood glucose are eventually transferred to the baby through the placenta, causing the baby’s pancreas to overproduce insulin as well. Eventually, the extra, unneeded energy is stored by the baby as excess fat, a condition known as macrosomia.
Babies with macrosomia face several potential health risks, including damage to their shoulders during birth, low blood glucose levels at birth due to extra insulin levels, and breathing problems. Later in life, the babies are at a higher risk of suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Testing
Your OBGYN will likely evaluate your risk factors for gestational diabetes early in your pregnancy. Based on those factors, he or she will help determine a screening frequency to identify any risk factors early. For example, women at high risk may be tested at their very first prenatal visit, while women at average risk will likely be screened during the second trimester.
Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes will require frequent checkups, especially during the final trimester. During these exams, and possibly even in between visits through self-testing, their blood sugar will be monitored. Your OBGYN may also prescribe insulin to help control your blood sugar.
Directly after the birth, your OBGYN will likely check your blood sugar and will want to test it again in six to 12 weeks to determine if levels have returned to normal. Even with an eventual normal reading, women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes should receive a diabetes screening at least every three years.
Treatment
In addition to constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, there are treatment options available for women to manage gestational diabetes, including:
- Following a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Receiving regular exercise, which helps lower blood sugar by stimulating the body to move glucose into cells and use it as energy.
- The use of insulin, which is prescribed for 10 – 20 percent of women suffering from gestational diabetes.
Every woman strives for a healthy pregnancy. Talk to the doctors at Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello about the factors that may impact your risk for developing gestational diabetes. Our doctors will work with you to help identify any threats early to keep you and your new loved one safe and healthy.
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What to Bring to the Hospital When You’re Ready to Deliver, and What to Leave at Home
You’ve been planning for months to welcome your new baby into your family, and the big day is steadily approaching. To make sure you are prepared with everything you need to bring with you to the hospital, spend some time at the start of your third trimester packing the bag you’ll be taking with you to the hospital. Remember that you’ll be coming back home with a big bundle of joy, so pack lightly, and only bring those things with you that you will truly need, and leave the rest at home. We’ve got your hospital checklist of what to bring, and what to leave behind.
Pack it for Mom
- Photo identification, such as your driver’s license.
- Health insurance information.
- Hospital forms.
- Birth plan (if you have one).
- Cell phone and charger (everyone will be looking for the first Facebook post of your new little one!).
- A few pairs of disposable, but comfortable, socks or slippers that you can wear walking the halls before and after labor.
- A warm, comfortable robe or cardigan that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring one that opens in the front if you’re planning on breast feeding.
- Your own pillow, if you find it comforting, but bring a pillowcase you don’t mind disposing of after you leave.
- Maternity bras and nursing pads.
- Sanitary pads to wear post-delivery.
- Ear plugs, to help you sleep.
- Sugar-free lozenges to keep your mouth moist during labor.
- Glasses, contacts, and solution, if needed.
- Personal toiletries and bath products (pack travel sized items to make your bag lighter).
- Hairbrush and ponytail holders.
- Lip balm.
- Pen and paper.
- Change for the vending machine, and cafe, and cash for the parking lot.
- Non-perishable (healthy) snacks.
- A book, e-reader, laptop, magazines, or anything else you may want to use to stay busy while waiting for baby, or while recovering.
Pack it – For Baby
- A pacifier.
- A receiving blanket.
- A few clothing options for baby to wear on the way home to accommodate your baby’s size, and what the weather will be like on the day he/she goes home.
- A car seat, but make sure you have it installed, and checked, before you arrive at the hospital. You don’t want the stress of trying to install it when you are ready to go home, and you certainly don’t want to risk an unsafe travel experience for your newborn.
Forget It
- Any clothes you don’t want to get ruined.
- Valuable jewelry.
- Prescription medications, including vitamins, but let your doctor know in advance what you may need so that the hospital can provide it for you.
- Diapers. Keep the stacks you have at home (you’re going to need them!), because the hospital will provide diapers while you’re there.
- A breast pump. The hospital will provide that too if needed.
With an expertly packed hospital bag you will be prepared with all of the items you and your baby will need to make your time at the hospital comfortable, and comforting.
If you need more advice, feel free to ask your OB-GYN. He or she has the experience to help you feel at ease before, during and after your delivery.
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