Obstetrics FAQ

It's common for expectant mothers to have many questions not only about their gestating child, but about their changing bodies, eating and drinking habits, and labor & delivery. The following provides some answers to the endless questions surrounding pregnancy . . .

Is caffeine bad for baby?
The old adage of whatever mom drinks, baby drinks and though research continues to be on-going, it's believed that heavy coffee drinkers should cut back to below 300 mg per day during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Measurements for caffeinated beverages include:

• one mug of brewed coffee contains 115 mg of caffeine;
• one mug of instant coffee contains 60 mg;
• one can of Cola contains 15 mg;
• one glass of iced tea contains 39 mg.

Should I worry about artificial sweeteners?
Nutrasweet has been thoroughly studied by researchers and has been found to pose no risk even at great maternal consumption levels. Saccharine is less studied, and crosses the placenta. Because of this, Nutrasweet is recommended over saccharine during pregnancy.

Is it safe to color or perm my hair during pregnancy?
Although there is no research which shows an association between the use of chemical hair treatments and prematurity or low birth weight, it should be avoided during the first trimester on principle. Not only this, but hormones can do crazy things to an expectant mother's hair and that strawberry blond could come out pumpkin orange.However, if you can't wait, such products should be used in a well-ventilated area.

Should I worry about vaccinations during pregnancy?
There are many vaccinations known to be safe during pregnancy including Hepatitis A and B, influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, adult DPT. Live virus vaccines aren't recommended in pregnancy. Before letting anyone stick you with a needle, take an x-ray or recommend or prescribe you medication, remind them you are pregnant.

What are Kegel exercises and why should I do them?
Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken pelvic muscles resulting in urinary incontinence. Kegels are the key to strengthening those muscles. Clink the above underlined link to the Gynecology page and scroll down to 'What are Kegel exercises?'

How do I count fetal movements (kicks)?
Women's Health Services strongly encourages expectant mothers to do Fetal Movement Counts, or FMC's, daily after she reaches 27 weeks or is about seven months pregnant. Fetal movement may be a kick, stretch, turn or flip. Such movements are an expression of your baby's well being and it is important for you to know the amount of movement that is normal for your baby. A change in the level of your baby's activity may indicate a problem is developing and should be reported immediately.

FMC's are simple, harmless and painless. It is generally followed that a fetal movement count of ten or more in one hour indicates wellness in your baby.

To do an FMC:

• Choose the time of day your baby is the most active and begin timing fetal movements at about the same time every day;
• Lie down on your side or sit in a comfortable easy chair. Do not watch TV or carry on a conversation. Pay attention to the movements of your baby;
• The first time you feel your baby move, check the time and write it down. Count every movement or kick until your baby has moved ten times. When you feel your tenth movement, write down the time. Bring this FMC log to your next clinic visit.

Notify your health care provider in the event any of the following occur:

• Your baby has not moved ten times in two hours;
• You have not felt the baby move all day (12 hours);
• You notice a significant change in your baby's activity.

If any of these changes occur, call Women's Health Services if before 5 p.m or the answering service evenings and weekends

What's a birth plan?
Now, more than ever, women wish to plan their labor and delivery. A birth plan enables each patient to consider the type of labor and delivery they would like to have, before the event occurs.

Women's Health Services offers a birth plan guideline that each patient reviews, pinpointing a variety of labor and delivery issues like:

• Labor partners;
• Room lighting Tools to ease labor such as walking or using a labor ball;
• Delivery anesthesia;
• Rooming-in;
• Feeding.

Every birth plan must be modified depending on the health and condition of both mother and baby.

Where will I deliver?
Our patients will deliver their babies at Mercy Medical Center in Clinton, Trinity at Terrace Park in Bettendorf or Davenport's Genesis Medical Center.

What's an episiotomy?
Episiotomy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the perineum during the second stage of labor when the baby's head is crowning. The cut is surgically stitched after the birth. It was thought that an episiotomy lessened the incidence of perineal tears.

According to the World Health Organization, about 60% of women receive episiotomies. The practice of performing episiotomies as a standard procedure is highly controversial. Many women experience complications after an episiotomy.

These include:

• slow healing sutures,
• pain when urinating and bowel movements,
• and when sitting or walking.

For many women, resumption of sexual intercourse after the birth is painful and for some, long-term sexual dysfunction can result.

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