What is Happening?

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• The embryo grows inside a sac which will fill with amniotic fluid for the baby to float in and protect it from bumps

• By 8 weeks the hands and feet begin to form

• At about 10 weeks the eyes, ears, nose and mouth begin to form

• At about 12 weeks the internal organs are completely formed

• Bones and muscles are beginning to grow

• The reproductive organs are the last to form

• By 12 to 14 weeks the arms and legs can bend at the elbows and knees

• Fingers and toes are more distinct

• Eyelids are growing over the eyes and will fuse

• The fetus is about 2 inches long

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Office Visits: What to Expect

 

Visit Frequency

• We will see you about every 4 weeks

 

Weight Check

• Check weight gain between visits

Urinalysis

• To check for protein, bacteria, and or sugar in your urine

• To check for bladder or kidney infection
   

Blood Pressure Check

• Check your blood pressure

Fundal Measurement

• Measures your uterus and growth of baby

Fetal Heart Tones

• Listen for baby’s heart beat

• Can be heard for first time between 10 and 12 weeks

Financial/Insurance Overview/OB Contract Overview

• Usually conducted at your second OB visit.

Prenatal Class Information

• Please see our full list of classes under the Patient Resources Tab.

 

Hospital Registration
In order to better care for you, anticipate your needs and facilitate the admission process to Labor and Delivery, we ask that you register at Clovis Community Medical Center at 32 weeks of pregnancy so that they may obtain your medical history, pediatrician information, and sign the necessary paperwork required for delivery.

Quad Screen
Blood screening test if desired done between 11 to 13 weeks and again at 16 to 19 weeks that helps determine if there are any risks of neural tube defects, Down’s Syndrome, or other high risk issues.
If abnormal, this does not mean something is wrong with your baby. An abnormal test means you will need further testing including a special sonogram by a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist.

Sonogram

• Helps to verify due date

• Helps to determine any serious abnormalities with your baby

• May identify baby’s gender

• Our office offers 4D scans with a CD.  Ask the Ultrasound Technician for details.

• Common Discomforts

• Allergy / Congestion

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Common Discomforts

Nausea and vomiting:

Treatment

• Should begin to get better between 14 and 16 weeks

• You can try acupressure/sea sickness bands or vitamin B6 25 mg four times a day. (over the counter options).

• Prescription medications include: phenergan, Zofran, and Bonjesta taken with  Vitamin B-6.

• Unisom ½ tablet in the am and ½ tablet in the pm

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Nasal Congestion:

Cause

• Estrogen causes mucus membranes to swell and an increase in nasal discharge.

Treatment​

• Saline nasal spray (any brand)

• Claritin, Mucinex plain or D

• Zyrtec,

• Rhinocort Aqua Nasal Spray

• Flonase

• Nasonex

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Bleeding of Gums and Nose:

Cause

• Nosebleeds are common and are related to higher hormone levels.

• Estrogen causes the gums to swell and bleeding of the gums is common due to the higher hormone levels.

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Treatment

• Good dental hygiene is very important to help prevent infections in the gums and prevent pre-term labor.

• Continue regular dental visits. We can fax a note approving dental care at your request.

• Click here for approved dental parameters

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Constipation:

Cause

• Hormones slow emptying of intestines so your body can absorb more nutrients

• Bowel is moved out of placed and squeezed together

• Side effect of prenatal vitamins and iron

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Treatment

• Increase fluids

• Increase natural fiber

• Establish regular bowel habits

• Warm liquids in morning

• Exercise

• May take Colace, Metamucil, Citrucel, Konsyl, Miralax, prunes, prune juice

 

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Cough:

• Robitussin DM

 

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Diarrhea:

• Do not take Pepto Bismol, it contains Apirin.

• Alert provider if diarrhea persists, avoid medications stop diarrhea.

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Foods In Pregnancy:

• Any pregnant woman, women who may become pregnant and nursing mothers should not eat more than six (6) ounces of cooked fish per week. You should not eat king mackerel, shark, swordfish or tilefish because of the high mercury content.

• Try to eat as clean and organic as possible.

• Cooked Sushi is OK, but nothing raw.

• Foods to avoid; Processed meats that contain nitrates, soft cheeses

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Gas:

Cause

• Hormones of pregnancy

• Slowed emptying of intestines
   

Treatment​

• Avoid foods that cause gas: broccoli, cabbage, dried beans, carbonated drinks

• May try any over the counter gas med that contains simethecone.

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Headaches:

Cause

• Higher hormone levels
   

What to do

• Alert provider

• Increase fluid intake

• DO NOT take Aleve, aspirin or ibuprofen (over the counter meds)

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Heartburn:

Treatment

• OK over the counter, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums.

• After the first trimester, OK to use over the counter Tagamet, Pepcid or Prevacid, according to label directions.

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Hemorrhoids:

Cause

• Constipation

• Relaxing effect of hormones

• Pressure of uterus on intestines

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Treatment

• Avoid straining

• Anusol

• TUCKS

• Preparation HC

• Sitz baths

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Influenza:

If you develop flu-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, cough, body aches go to your primary care physician for influenza A testing (H1N1 is a type A flu). Tamiflu can be taken by OB patients. Our office does not see any patients with flu-like symptoms, to minimize exposure to other OB patients. The CDC and our office recommends getting the flu shots (regular and H1N1).

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Leg Cramps:

Cause

• Growing uterus

• Pressure on blood vessels in pelvis

• Calcium/magnesium/phosphorous imbalance

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Treatment

• Straighten legs and point toes to nose

• Elevate legs and feet

• Exercise

• Calcium supplementation (Tums, Magnesium 250 mg and Potassium rich foods such as bananas and organic coconut water)

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Sore Throat:

Treatment

• Cough drops

• Salt water gargle

• Chloroseptic spray

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Urinary Frequency:

Cause

• Growing uterus puts pressure on bladder

• Worse in 1st and 3rd trimester

• Do not decrease fluids during day

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Report to doctor:

• Pain or burning while urinating

• Urgency (the need to void without being able to urinate)​

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