Visit Frequency

• We will begin to see you once a week

 

Testing
 

Vaginal Exam

• Your provider will determine the frequency of cervical checks between 36-40 weeks.

• This is to help determine if you are getting close to labor.

• You will be asked to undress from the waist down

 

What to Expect

Baby Movement

• Movement frequency does not change

• Movement changes from a lot of purposeful movement to more of a rolling sensation.

Important

• You may experience some vaginal spotting 24 to 48 hours after this exam

• If you do have vaginal spotting call the office to determine the plan

• You may also notice an increase in contraction frequency and intensity after this exam. This should subside in a couple of hours.

Mucus Plug

• May be lost at any time

• Does not indicate you are in labor

• May be clear, yellow or have streaks of blood present

 

Common Discomforts
 

Braxton Hicks
 

Cause

• Tightening of the uterus that may or may not be felt

• This is your uterus preparing itself and your cervix for labor

• Tends to be more frequent as you get closer to your due date

• Described as a “tightening” sensation

• Contractions are irregular

• Interval does not change

• Discomfort relieved by rest

• Discomfort usually in the lower abdomen

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What to do

• If you notice them, rest

• Empty your bladder

• The frequency should decrease

• Increase your fluids

• Can take a warm bath or shower

• Not a reason to go to the hospital

 

Contractions

• May begin as irregular contractions that eventually become regular

• These contractions begin to prepare your cervix and uterus for labor

• Intensity and frequency may decrease with rest and warm baths or showers

 

Lower Back Pain Cause

• Shift in gravity

• Tends to get worse as your due date approaches

 

What to do

• Good body mechanics

• Exercise

• Lay on back and lift the leg up as far as you can go (this stretches the muscle in the back of your thigh and your muscles in your lower back)

• Wide base of support

• Pelvic rock exercises

• Supportive low-heeled shoes

• Firm mattress

• Abdominal support garment

• Pregnancy pillows

 

Swelling of Feet and Legs

Cause

• Impaired venous return due to enlarged uterus

• Tends to get worse as your due date approaches

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What to do

• No constrictive clothing

• Elevate legs every 2-3 hours

• Support hose

• Lay on the side instead of sitting

 

Vaginal Discharge

• Your discharge will increase in response to the hormones of pregnancy

• At this time in the pregnancy, the discharge increases

 

Contact your doctor if:

• You experience itching, redness, irritation

 

When to Go to the Hospital

• Contractions that are difficult to walk or talk through

• Bag of water breaks whether you are having contractions or not

• Vaginal bleeding heavy like a period

• Decreased baby movement

• Headache that does not go away after taking 2 Extra Strength Tylenol

• Changes in vision

• Spots before eyes

• An indigestion-like pain that is more under right side of the rib cage