Pregnancy Facts

Congratulations you're pregnant!

Testing during the pregnancy

● First trimester prenatal labs/cultures

● Between 15-21 weeks: Triple Screen/MSAFP

● 18-20 weeks: Ultrasound of Baby/Find out the sex of tof the baby (if you want to know)

● 24-28 weeks: 1 hour Glucola/Diabetic Screen

● 34-37 weeks: Beta Streptococcus Cultures

Foods to Avoid

Avoid any raw meats, poultry, seafood or sushi
Avoid fish that contains high mercury levels such as tuna, swordfish, tile fish, shark or any long large fish that lives a long time
Avoid soft cheeses or unpasteurized cheese such as blue cheese, brie, goat and feta cheeses. You can eat cream cheese.

Round Ligament Pain

You may feel sharp shooting pain in the groin are that is worse with walking and movement. This is normal. This occurs when the uterus is growing and the ligaments are stretching.

Feeling the first movements of the baby

First preganacy: between 19-22 weeks
Second or more: between 16-20 weeks

Travel

We do not recommend it while you are pregnant. If you go on small car trips, please get out of the car every 1-2 hours to stretch your legs and use the bathroom.

Birthing Classes

Fountain Valley: (714) 979-1408
Orange Coast Memorial: (714) 378-7000

Pre-registration packs

Get them from our office at about 6 months of pregnancy

Exercise

It is okay to exercise in moderation (heart rate less than 140)
Do not over do it
Avoid weight lifting
Avoid exercises that require you to lay flat on your back (like sit ups)
Avoid exercises and machines that require balancing
Do not bicycle

Hot Tubs and Saunas

Avoid anything that raises your body temperature above 101 degrees

Cats

Avoid changing the litter

Hair Dying and Teeth Whitening

Do not get any dying chemicals on your scalp. It is ok to get a weave.
Do not get your teeth whitened during the pregnancy

Medications During Pregnancy and Lactation

During pregnancy most medications, to some extent cross the placenta to the baby. Therefore, we recommend that you initially try natural remedies such as fluids, rest, diet changes, etc., rather than medication, if at all possible. However, there are certain medications that are safe to take after 12 weeks of pregnancy. They are as follows (only if your doctor approves):

• Constipation: Stool softeners, Metamucil, fiber, colace and other products containing psyllium. Stool softners with a laxative: Peri-colace or Milk of Magnesia.
  
  
• Heartburn of Indigestion: Maalox, Mylanta, Mylanta II, Rolaids, Tums or sodium-free anatacid and Mylantla gas relief (formerly Mylicon).
  
  
• Diarrhea: It is very important to increase your fluid intake because of the large amount of fluid that is lost with diarrhea. Kaopectate or Immodium AD, as directed is recommended. Contact our office if it continues for 48 hours.
  
  
• Cold and Sinus: Plain Sudafed 60 mg or Sudafed Sinus (containing Tylenol) every 6 hours for day time use. Call first if you are taking preterm labor medications or blood pressure medications. If you want to take an anti-histamine, you may take Actifed, as directed, or Benadryl every 6 hours at bedtime.
  
  
• Cough: For a productive cough, take Robitussin DM 1-2 tsp. every 4-6 hours. If you are producing a yellow-green mucus, call your primary care doctor's office.
  
  
• Minor Aches and Pain and Low Grade Fever: For fevers less than 101 or muscle aches, take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Extra Strength Tylenol up to 2 tablets every four hours is safely recommended.
  
  
• Nausea and/or Vomiting in early Pregnancy: Sea bands (available at most pharmacies). Increase Vitamin B6 100-200 mg/day (in addition to the prenatal vitamin). Unisom 1/4 - 1/2 tablet in the am and/or 1/2 tablet in the pm.
  
  
• IF THE ABOVE PROBLEM PERSISTS OR WORSENS, OR IF YOU HAVE A TEMPERATURE OF 101 OR MORE, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL OUR OFFICE AT THE ABOVE NUMBER!!!