Pregnancy Guidelines

Weight

It’s important to gain adequate weight during pregnancy. Twenty-five pounds is a good average – normally 1/2 to 1 pound per week after the first 12 weeks, to adequately nourish the baby.

Exercise

Exercise is encouraged, although your heart rate should not exceed 150 beats per minute. Walking, swimming, yoga and low-impact aerobics are all good forms of exercise during pregnancy. Avoid contact sports or activities where injury to the abdomen may occur, such as horseback riding, skiing, volleyball, etc. Rest if you’re short of breath or significant sweating occurs. Do not increase exercise beyond your pre-pregnancy level. Be sure to stay well hydrated.

Travel

Normal activities are encouraged, but if you’re traveling for a long period, make sure you move around at least once every hour. Consult your doctor if you’re planning a trip during the last two months of pregnancy.

Bathing

Showers or tub baths are encouraged. NO HOT TUBS, SAUNAS OR JACUZZI SPAS.

Dental Care

Be sure to have your teeth checked early in pregnancy if you have not done so recently. It is very important that you tell your dentist you are pregnant. You should avoid dental X-rays during pregnancy. Novacaine is considered a safe anesthetic, but gas anesthesia isn’t and should be avoided.

Sexual Intercourse

Sex is permitted unless you notice any vaginal bleeding, cramping or fluid discharge from the vagina. A small amount of spotting after intercourse is common. Notify your doctor if you have any of these signs or symptoms.

Toxoplasmosis

This rare virus can be found in raw meat and cat feces. Do not change cat litter while you are pregnant. You should avoid raw meats and wash all fruits and vegetables well.

Fish

You should avoid any fish that contains high levels of mercury during your pregnancy. This includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. Canned tuna and cooked shellfish are safe, but should be limited to less than 12 ounces each week.

When to contact us

Call us with any questions or concerns during regular office hours:
Monday – Thursday 9:00-4:00pm
Friday 9:00-3:00pm

Call us immediately if you’re experiencing:

• Severe lower abdominal pain
• Bleeding (bright red)
• Loss of fluids
• Sudden, severe headaches
• Visual disturbances with severe headache
• Painful urination with backache or fever
• Fainting
• Severe nausea and vomiting (more than 3
• At 28 weeks, less than 4 fetal movements per hour when relaxing and concentrating on movements
• More than 4 contractions in one hour prior to 36 weeks
• Contractions 8 minutes apart when you are due to deliver

Call us the same day if you’re experiencing:

• Bleeding (pink or brown)
• Swelling of face and hands
• Painful urination
• Fever greater than 100.4
• Sudden weight gain of 4 pounds in one week
• All over itching

Coping with Morning Sickness

• Nausea and vomiting many times occur during the early months of pregnancy. Although it’s frequently referred to as “morning sickness”, it can occur anytime of the day or night. Usually it disappears after about the third month.
• Morning sickness is a result of the influence of increased amounts of estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries early in pregnancy. Because of the increasing levels of these hormones, the cells that secrete them in the stomach increase production of gastric juices. At the same time, the bowel slows down its ability to empty the contents of the stomach. This is what causes a feeling of nausea, and in some cases, vomiting.

What can I do to prevent morning sickness?

• Try any of these remedies. Most likely, one of them will work for you.
• Eat a piece of bread or a few crackers before you get out of bed in the morning, or when you feel nauseated. You may put them close to your bed the night before.
• Get out of bed slowly; avoid sudden movements.
• Have some yogurt, cottage cheese, juice or milk before you go to bed or before you get up. Or try one of these if you have to get up during the night.
• Eat high-protein foods like eggs, cheese, nuts, meats, etc. Also eat fruit or drink fruit juices. These foods and drinks help prevent low sugar levels in the blood, which can also cause nausea.
• Drink soups or other liquids between meals instead of with meals.
• Avoid greasy or fried foods because they are hard to digest.
• Avoid spicy, heavily seasoned foods.