Q. During the flue season, do I need a flu shot while I'm pregnant?
A. Yes.
Q. Why didn't the 20 week ultrasound change my due date?
A. An ultrasound in the earlier part of pregnancy is more accurate fo dating its age. If you had an earlier ultrasound or a reliable last menstrual period to date the pregnancy, the "age" information from the 20 week ultrasound will be less accurate and not used.
Q. When will we do an ultrasound to see the sex of the baby?
A. Tehcnically, we don't perform an ultrasound just to see the sex of the baby. At 20 weeks into the pregnancy, we perform an ultrasound evaluation of the baby to screen for any major abnormalities. This screening of the baby is for medical purposes only. If any abnormalities are detected or even suspected, we will probably order further tests. Happily, 98% of babies are jsut fine. Please be aware that not all health insurance plans cover this medical procedure.
In the course of the ultrasound medical evaluation of the baby, his or her sex can usually be determined. This is commonly a wonderful experience for bonding between the baby and his/her parents, and amont all family members.
Baby Views is an ultrasound service that offers patients and their family members to see the baby in 3-D and 4-D imaging. This is another way some families choose to further bond with their baby. This is not intended as a medical evaluation of the baby and will not substitute for our 20 week medical screening of the baby. Baby Views is located in our Cantrell office and can be reached at (501) 907-6464.
Q. Where is a resource for further, reliable information?
A. An excellent source of OB/GYN information can be found at www.acog.org. It is the website of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. On the home page is a menu tab called "Publications". Open it and scroll down to open the "Patient Education Pamphlets" section. Or you can type go directly there with www.acog.org/publications/patient_education.
Either way you get there, you now have public access to dozens of topics in obstetrics and gynecology. Please realize that they are general information only and cannot dictate your specific treatment. Your doctor(s) will have to consider your specific medical condition and other factors to determine your medical care.
Q. Can I get my hair colored, have a perm, get a tatoo, etc during my pregnancy?
A. There are no medical studies that address these issues so we cannot tell you that it's safe to do any of them. We would recommend that you avoid anything like this that you can in the first trimester (the first 13 weeks).
Q. Can I go snow /water skiing or ride a bicycle/ATV vehicle/motorcycle?
A. In general, we recommend that you don't do any activity that would increase your risk of injury during your pregnancy. Even the most proficient snow skier/water skier/bicycler/etc could have an accident and harm themselves or their baby. Please refrain from these activities.
Q. Can I travel during pregnancy?
A. In general, the answer is yes. The main issue is try to avoid sitting for really long periods of time. If you're travelling by car, stop frequently and stretch your legs. You can fly but airlines might restrict you to being under 34-36 weeks. Overseas travel is also usally alright. If you're going someplace where you would need special shots or prophyllactic medicines please call us.
Q. I'm going to the beach, what are my restrictions?
A. Again, avoid any activity that inceases your risk of injury. In addition you should NEVER scuba dive while pregnant. You can go snorkeling, though. Avoid getting overheatted and drink lots of liquids (not alcoholic ones!). Liberally use sun blocks. Don't eat any raw things: sushi, cerviche, etc. Avoid fish that would eat other fish: i.e. shark, Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, etc. Generally, you can have one meal of tuna per week.
Q. Can I have sex while pregnant?
A. Yes. Pregnancy can be a time of great physical intimacy for couples. Sometimes your doctor might ask you to refrain from all sexual activity but this is rare.
Q. Can I get a flu shot during pregnancy?
A. Yes. We highly recommend you get the flu shot as soon as it's available, which is usually in the early fall. Pregnant women are at increased risk for significant health problems including death from the flu! AWC does not offer flu shots to patients at this time.
Q. What over the counter and prescription medications can I take while pregnant?
A. The safest answer is to avoid taking any over the counter (OTC) medication, prescription medication, and even "herbal"/"natural" supplements that you don't have to take. This is especially true going into a pregnancy and in the first trimester. Keep in mind that many OTC products offer minimal to no significant reduction in symptoms. These products also don't "cure" colds, indigestion, etc. Some OTC products we feel are acceptable are: Tylenol, cough medicines (like Robitussin), antacids (like Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Maalox, etc), antireflux medicines (like Zantac, Tagamet, Prevacid, etc), antihistamines (like Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, etc), and anti-yeast creams (like Monistat). Medications to avoid during pregnancy include: Aspirin (and aspirin containing products), NSAID's (like Motrin, etc), and Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). An excellent resource for more information on medication use during pregnancy is www.otispregnancy.org then go to resources and OTIS fact sheets.
