OBSTETRICS

Having a baby is a life-changing event in a woman’s life. At TotalCare for Women, our team of providers is available to guide you through your experience from pre-natal care to the delivery of your baby to post-partum and recovery after your baby’s birth.

Obstetrics Services Available

Planning to have a family is an important life event. Consult with your physician or certified nurse midwife on the best steps on conceiving to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. It’s best to schedule your appointment at least three months before trying to conceive.

During your pre-conception visit with your physician or certified nurse midwife, you may discuss:

  • Underlying health issues
  • Problems or issues with previous pregnancies
  • Nutrition
  • Health screenings
  • Necessary vaccinations
  • Medications you are currently taking
  • Pre-natal vitamins such as folic acid

Contact one of our locations here or request an appointment here.

See a list of our physicians and certified nurse midwives here.

We understand that those who struggle with conceiving are going through a very sensitive and difficult time.

The providers at TotalCare for Women can help those who struggle with infertility find options and treatment for infertility.

Contact one of our locations here or request an appointment here.

See a list of our physicians and certified nurse midwives here.

During your pregnancy, your provider may recommend a variety of screenings to help monitor your health as well as your baby’s health. These screenings help optimize your baby’s care and development.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing during pregnancy can help diagnose some genetic disorders before birth. Your provider may recommend genetic testing if one or both of the parents have a family history of genetic disorders.

Examples of genetic disorders that can be diagnosed before birth:

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • Hemophilia A
  • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Tay-Sachs disease
  • Thalassemia

AFP Tetra Blood Test

AFP Tetra is a blood test used to help your provider identify pregnancies that may be at increased risk for open spina bifida, Down syndrome or trisomy 18. It does not diagnose birth defects, but can help identify those people with a higher risk who might benefit from additional testing.

Amniocentesis

An amniocentesis is generally offered to women between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy who have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. It is generally offered to women who will be over age 35 at the time of delivery or those who have had an abnormal AFP screening test.

Glucose Screening Test

A one-hour glucose screening test is a routine test during pregnancy that is usually conducted between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. The test checks a pregnant woman’s blood glucose (sugar) level.

An abnormal result or high glucose levels could indicate gestational diabetes.  Should this occur, a three-hour glucose tolerance test is needed.

Group B Strep Culture

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria found in the lower genital tract of some women.  Most often it is asymptomatic and does not cause problems for pregnant women. On rare occasions uterine infections can occur postpartum.

GBS is also the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns, including pneumonia and meningitis. Newborn babies contract the infection from the mother’s genital tract during labor and delivery.

It is recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to screen all pregnant women for vaginal and rectal GBS colonization between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy for certain risk factors.

The treatment of mothers with certain risk factors or positive cultures is important to reduce the risk of transmission of GBS to the baby. Babies whose mothers receive antibiotic treatment for a positive GBS test are 20 times less likely to develop the disease than those without treatment.

Obstetric Ultrasound

An obstetric ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that uses sound waves to produce pictures of a baby or fetus in a pregnant woman. It is not harmful to the baby and is the preferred method in monitoring a pregnancy.

When are ultrasounds performed during pregnancy?

Ultrasounds may be done at various times throughout pregnancy for several reasons:

First Trimester

  • To establish the due date
  • To determine the number of fetuses and identify placental structures
  • To diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
  • To examine the uterus and other pelvic anatomy
  • To detect fetal abnormalities (in some cases)

Second Trimester

  • To confirm the due date
  • To determine the number of fetuses and examine the placental structures
  • To assist in prenatal tests, such as an amniocentesis
  • To examine the fetal anatomy for abnormalities
  • To check the amount of amniotic fluid
  • To examine blood flow patterns
  • To observe fetal behavior and activity
  • To measure the length of the cervix
  • To monitor fetal growth

Third Trimester

  • To monitor fetal growth
  • To check the amount of amniotic fluid
  • To conduct the biophysical profile test
  • To determine the position of the fetus
  • To assess the placenta

Contact one of our locations here or request an appointment here.

See a list of our physicians and certified nurse midwives here.

Are you pregnant and not sure what home remedies are safe for you and your baby? Here is some information to guide you.

Watch a virtual tour of The Birthplace at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center:

Treating Illness in Pregnancy

The providers at TotalCare for Women typically advise to avoid taking any medications, especially during the first trimester. However, if a healthcare provider who is aware you are pregnant prescribes medication, we recommend that it is in your best interest to take the medication without delay. If you have any concerns or questions, call the prescriber immediately.

The following is a list of over-the-counter medications and therapies that pregnant women can use starting in the second trimester (13th week).

Items listed for nausea/vomiting can be safely used from the very beginning of pregnancy.

(*) indicates active ingredient/generic of brand name. Generics can always be used in place of brand names.

Nausea/ Vomiting:

  • Vitamin B6 (capsules or B-natal™ pops from pharmacy counter) three times/day (may take with 1/2 Unisom® tablet)
  • Ginger capsules (1500 mg)
  • Tea (chamomile, peppermint, ginger, raspberry leaf – or any combination)
  • Papaya enzyme
  • Carob
  • Sea Bands®
  • Essential oil aromatherapy (lemon, mint, ginger or any pleasing combination)
  • Sips of canned peach syrup
  • Emetrol® (not for those with diabetes)

Allergy Symptoms:

  • Neti Pot
  • Claritin®
  • Zyrtec®
  • Benadryl®

Cold Symptoms:

  • Increase water intake
  • Congestion/ Stuffy Nose:
    • Saline nasal spray/drops
    • Vicks® Vapo-Rub
    • Robitussin®
    • Triaminic®
    • Tylenol® Cold/Flu
    • Theraflu®, Mucinex® (regular or “D”)
  • Cough:
    • Robitussin® (plain or DM)
    • Triaminic®
  • Sore Throat:
    • Salt water gargle
    • Throat lozenges
    • Tylenol® (regular or extra strength)

Constipation:

  • 8-10 glasses of water/day minimum
  • Regular exercise
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Flax seed/flax seed oil
  • Fiber supplements (Fibercon®, Metamucil®)
  • Prune juice/Prunelax®
  • Non-stimulant laxative (Colace®, Senokot®, Milk of Magnesia®, Dulcolax®)

Diarrhea:

  • Immodium® AD
  • Kaopectat®e

First Aid:

  • Bacitracin®
  • Neosporin®

Gas:

  • Simethicone*

Headache:

  • 8-10 glasses of water/day minimum
  • Essential oil of lavender (apply to site of pain)
  • Tylenol® (regular or extra strength)
  • Caffeine (tea/coffee/cola)

Heartburn/Indigestion/Upset Stomach:

  • Well-chewed hazelnuts
  • Papaya enzyme
  • Ginger capsules or tea
  • Tums®/Rolaids® (limit 6/day)
  • Maalox®/Mylanta®
  • Ranitidine*
  • Cimetidine*
  • Famotidine*

Hemorrhoids:

  • 8-10 glasses of water/day minimum
  • avoid straining to have a bowel movement
  • Warm sitz bath
  • Tucks®/witch hazel pads (chilled for more relief)
  • Anusol®/Preparation H® (cream or suppositories)

Insomnia:

  • Essential oil of lavender (in bath, to temples or wrists)
  • Sleepy Time Tea®
  • Calcium/magnesium supplements (combination – may help with restless legs), Tylenol® PM
  • Benadryl®
  • Unisom®
  • Sominex®

Pain:

  • 8-10 glasses of water/day minimum
  • Heat/ice
  • Yoga
  • Exercise
  • Ben-Gay®,
  • Chiropractic or Massage therapy
  • Tylenol®

Rashes/Itching:

  • Aveeno® (oatmeal) bath
  • Benadryl® cream or tablets
  • Hydrocortisone cream

Urinary Tract Infection:

  • Increase water intake immediately
  • Cranberry capsules or juice (not “cocktail”)
  • Azo®

Yeast Infections:

  • Avoid high-carbohydrate diet
  • Do not douche
  • Eat yogurt with active cultures, use probiotics
  • Treat with Monistat® (or any with active ingredient ending in “-azole”) 3-day or longer formula

Miscellaneous:

  • Flu/ hepatitis vaccines
  • PPD test
  • Nicotine patch
  • Hair dyes/perms

Contact one of our locations here or request an appointment here.

See a list of our physicians and certified nurse midwives here.

Watch a virtual tour of The Birthplace at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.

You take care of others. Let us take care of you.

TotalCare for Women is committed to caring for women through every stage of their life.