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The O-Shot, or Orgasm Shot, is a holistic solution for painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness and low libido. Although our physicians at Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists are experienced in treating all pelvic issues unique to women, we do not concentrate solely on the physical aspects of your genitalia. We recognize that health issues can be comprised of overall physical, mental and social factors and take all that into account, offering holistic approaches to the many problems that have plagued women since the beginning of time. One of these holistic solutions is the O-Shot, also known as the Orgasm Shot.

Learn more! Download our FREE O-Shot eBook.

Women have always suffered from a plethora of physical ailments unique to their gender-so much so that an entire branch of medicine, Gynecology, has been devoted to their exclusive issues. Painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, and sexual disinterest are only a few of the problems we see on a daily basis. Though medicinal and surgical intervention is always available, many women today prefer a gentler and more natural approach. The O-Shot has been known to alleviate or entirely correct many of these problems in a less invasive, natural and extremely effective way.

Below, Dr. Litrel offers more insight on the holistic approach to treatment urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction with the O-Shot:

What is the O-Shot?

The O-Shot is a non-surgical injectable procedure administered in-office, using your own processed growth factor cells harvested from your blood. It is then re-injected into an area of the upper vagina and near the clitoris, resulting in healing regeneration of the orgasmic zone, triggering the power of your own body’s natural healing properties.

Click here to see more videos of Dr. Litrel discussing how the O-Shot can help treat urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

How is This Done? 

After a vial of blood is taken from you, it is centrifuged, separating concentrated plasma and platelets from the rest of the blood. This process produces platelet-rich plasma (PRP), to which your physician applies an additive to boost the activation of your growth factors. Then, the platelet-rich serum is reintroduced into your body after swabbing the area with a numbing anesthetic.

Platelets normally swim around in your blood vessels, always on guard for any disruption or damage. When they sense one, they rush to the injury site, join together in a chain to ‘hold down the fort’, by forming a clot or plug. Then, they send out a type of S.O.S.to healing stem cells to hurry over and start repairs in the form of collagen production.

Request more O-Shot information.

The O-Shot mimics this sequence by introducing a multitude of platelets into the body. The additive mixed in earlier sends that signal a false alarm of sorts- to lure the stem cells over. Stem cells, recognizing so many of your own platelets in one place are fooled into thinking there’s an injury and immediately respond, doing what they’re designed to do, which is to begin producing collagen and new tissue, replenishing vital elasticity, skin cells, moisture, plumpness, sensitivity, and strength to the area. 

PRP is not a not a novelty or fad. This technique has been used for many years to heal wounds, to treat sports and other injuries— has even proven effective in dentistry.

What Can the O-Shot Do For Me?

The O-Shot can benefit women a great deal. By spurring the area of the body where it has been injected into healing itself, the O-Shot immediately begins to work. It starts correcting different feminine issues that have developed over time due to aging, childbirth trauma, depleted collagen, tissue damage, skin cell death, etc., physical changes which can evolve into such problems as:

• Sexual dysfunction
• Sexual disinterest or low libido
• Vaginal Dryness
• Urinary Incontinence
• Failure to achieve orgasm
• Desensitization
• Painful intercourse
• Stress incontinence
• Urge incontinence

The O-shot, in tandem with your own biological healing factors, can then ease or altogether eliminate these troubles, resulting in:

• Accelerated desire for sex
• More powerful orgasms
• Corrected or minimized urinary incontinence leakage
• More youthful and supple vaginal lip appearance
• Increased tautness to the vaginal opening
• Less or no need for artificial vaginal lubricant
• More frequent and regular orgasms
• Less or no pain during intercourse
• More sensitivity and arousal during clitoral stimulation
• More ease in attaining orgasm
• Possibility of reducing or stopping previous drug intervention
• Possibility of less frequent or complete cessation of pelvic-related infections

How Long Do the Effects of the O-Shot Last?

Individual results vary, but often noticeable change begins immediately and can last up to 18 months. Depending on how severe your issue is, we may recommend a booster procedure in about 4 to 8 weeks, and a maintenance shot in about a year so that there is no diminishment of ongoing benefit. There is also no recovery period necessary. You can resume all normal activities immediately after leaving our office. Furthermore, the whole process will cause you little or no discomfort.

Who is a Good Candidate for the O-Shot?

Almost every woman between the ages of 25 to 65 is a good candidate. There are virtually no exceptions, but we can only recommend this procedure 100% after you disclose your full medical history so we can be sure there are no foreseeable problems exempting you. Usually, however, most women prove to be excellent candidates.

Why Should I Choose Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists for My O-Shot Treatment?

At our establishment, we pride ourselves on our holistic approach to female wellness. We treat you as a whole, taking into account any metabolic or hormonal problems you may have. Even diet and lifestyle can compromise or your body’s ability to heal or regenerate tissue. We address any psychological or emotional issues as well so that we can help restore your overall health, head to toe and inside and out. We do not just focus on your pelvic area. We examine all your alternatives and only recommend the best one for your unique situation.

Drs. Litrel and Haley have spent their entire medical careers striving to learn all there is to know about a woman’s anatomy and the myriad of factors that can affect its performance and functions. They are board certified, double accredited urologists with certification in OB-GYN and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), the latter requiring years of study, training, hands-on experience, and meeting rigid proficiency demands specified by the American Board of Medicine (ABMS). Dr. Haley has been trained and licensed in Aesthetic Injectables for over a decade. Together and separately, these professionals are knowledgeable in every aspect of the problems exclusive to women throughout their lifetimes.

Administration of the O-Shot requires focused expertise, strict adherence to FDA guidelines, and astute knowledge of anatomy for optimum results. Our accomplished practitioners offer this skill on a daily basis. For more information on the O-Shot procedure, we invite you to email Oshot@cherokeewomenshealth.com or call our office at 770-721.6060.

As a 60-year-old woman, I never thought I’d be considering the O-Shot, but the results I’d heard about were fantastic so here I was! As hopeful I was, I couldn’t shake off my apprehension about the actual process. The idea of discomfort and pain made me hesitant, and I felt too embarrassed to discuss it with my doctor. However, my desire for a more fulfilling and enjoyable intimate life with my husband of 35 years pushed me to overcome my fear.

Meeting Dr. Gandhi: A Caring and Understanding Doctor

I made up my mind to go through with it and scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist, Dr. Peahen Gandhi of Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists. Dr. Gandhi is a double board-certified urogynecologist and an experienced Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon (FPMRS). I knew she had experience in performing O-Shots.

Amid my nervousness about getting the O-Shot, I was fortunate to have a compassionate doctor like Dr. Gandhi. She made all the difference in solidifying my decision. She took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel at ease right from the start. Her expertise in the field and her dedication to patient care reassured me that I was in capable hands. During our consultation, she patiently answered all my questions and explained the O-Shot procedure in detail. Her willingness to address every apprehension I had helped build my trust in her even more and gave me the confidence to go through with the treatment. With her warm and empathetic approach, Dr. Gandhi transformed what could have been an intimidating experience into one where I felt understood, respected, and supported.

The Day of the Procedure

The day of the procedure arrived, and I nervously sat in the waiting room, flipping through a magazine to distract myself. My mind was racing with questions and doubts, but I reminded myself of the positive outcome others had experienced. After what felt like an eternity, but was only 10 minutes, the nurse called my name, and I reluctantly got up and followed her to the examination room.

As always, Dr. Gandhi was friendly and understanding, which helped ease my nerves a bit. She again explained the procedure step by step, which further calmed me down. The O-Shot, or orgasm shot, involved using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate tissue growth and enhance sensitivity in the intimate areas.

First, she drew a small amount of my blood. She then processed the blood in a centrifuge to extract the platelet-rich plasma. The PRP contained growth factors that would help rejuvenate the targeted area. While this was being done, I felt a slight pinch, but it wasn’t anything too painful.

The Actual Injection

Next came the actual injection part, which I was most anxious about. Dr. Gandhi applied a numbing cream to the areas she would be treating. This helped reduce any discomfort during the injections. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as she administered the PRP into the clitoral region and the upper wall of the vagina. To my surprise, the sensation was more like a light pressure than pain.

The whole procedure only took about 30 minutes, and I was relieved when it was over. The doctor assured me that any minor discomfort I might experience after the numbing wore off would fade quickly.

As I left her office, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. I had taken a significant step towards improving my intimate life, and I hoped it would be worth it.

Post-Procedure Experience and Results

Over the next few days, I followed Dr. Gandhi’s post-procedure care instructions diligently. I was advised to avoid intercourse for a few days to allow the PRP to take full effect. During this time, I experienced some mild soreness, like the feeling after a regular injection, but nothing too uncomfortable.

Gradually, I noticed subtle changes. My intimate sensitivity seemed to increase, and I felt more in tune with my body. As the weeks passed, the full effects of the O-Shot became evident. Not only did I experience enhanced pleasure during intimate moments with my husband, but I also noticed an improvement in urinary incontinence, which had been an issue for me in recent years.

Looking back, I’m glad I gathered the courage to undergo the O-Shot procedure. While it’s natural to feel nervous about any medical procedure, my research and the support of a caring doctor made all the difference. The results were undoubtedly worth it, and I felt more confident and satisfied than I had in a long time. It taught me that it’s essential to address our concerns openly and seek solutions to improve our well-being, no matter our age.

Is the O-Shot Right For You?

If you’re interested in a more enjoyable intimate life, call us today at 770.720.7733 to schedule an appointment or simply request an appointment online at either our Canton or Woodstock location.

Part 4 of Queen’s journey towards motherhood and how Cherokee Women’s Health helped her realize her dreams of being a mom.

Part 1 of a video series as patient Queen candidly shares her first steps towards motherhood and how Cherokee Women’s Health help make that dream possible.

Part 2 of a video series. Queen continues to share her journey towards motherhood.

Part 5 of Queen’s journey to motherhood. Watch Queen as she shares her experiences of becoming a mother after a high-risk pregnancy.

Part 7 of Queen’s video series. Watch Episode 7 — the final video of our series — as Queen shares her journey towards motherhood and how Cherokee Women’s Health helped make that dream possible.

Vaginal Shortening

Vaginal shortening, or iatrogenic vaginal constriction, is a condition that occurs in women usually as a result of undergoing gynecological surgery. After removal or correction of organs within the pelvic area, post-surgical tweaks are always necessary to close any internal incisions, suture tissue together, and to restore the vagina back to its previous corridor-like shape.

Depending on the extent of the surgery, sometimes it’s necessary to stitch together a great deal of a woman’s remaining tissue, leaving the vagina shorter — the same way gathering fabric to repair a hole in the toe of a sock would alter its size. Subsequent scarring in the area over time may also contribute to narrowing and reduction.

Vaginal Shortening Can Lead to Painful Sex

Vaginal tissue is extremely elastic and stretchable. However, a substantial shortening may result in uncomfortable and even painful intercourse, especially during the natural penile thrusting stage of a sexual encounter.

What Causes Vaginal Shortening?

Most surgeries that involve the removal or correction of vaginal organs may contribute to this problem. Some of these procedures include:

Vaginal mesh surgery – A transvaginal surgical mesh that may have been used to repair a woman’s urinary stress incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can cause future problems. Mesh is sometimes used to support ligaments and organs that have slipped out of place. Its purpose is to reinforce the pelvic floor or weakened vaginal wall. Sometimes the mesh can cause infection, fuse with organs and tissue, or perforate its surrounding structures, making removal necessary. Much like cement sticking to the webbing used to adhere stucco to walls in home construction projects, tissue and organs may have stuck to the transvaginal mesh, making is difficult to remove without causing damage. When this damage is extensive, additional tissue is needed to repair the vagina, thus shortening it even more.

Bladder tack surgery/bladder suspension surgery – This procedure is used to minimize or correct stress incontinence in women by creating a hammock shaped sling made of a mesh tape. The material is different from transvaginal mesh, but with similar complications. If rejection, fusion, or infection arise, the methods used to correct these post-surgical problems may result in vaginal shortening.

Anterior repair/posterior repair (colporrhaphy) – Anterior repair surgery tightens the front wall of the vagina when the bladder has drooped or fallen out of place (cystocele or dropped bladder). Posterior repair surgery tautens a rectum that has sagged or dropped (rectocele or rectal prolapse). Though both procedures are minimally invasive, complications may occur that require surgical attention and subsequent suturing, in turn shortening the vagina.

Enterocele repair – This reparation is necessary when intestines (small bowel) bulge through the weakened tissue at the top of the vagina. As with anterior or posterior repair, risks are uncommon but may occur, needing attention that might impact vaginal proportion.

Sacrospinous ligament/vault suspension – This procedure lifts the top of the vagina and holds it in place after complete vaginal prolapse. As with several of the previous surgeries mentioned here, postoperative stitches are necessary using a woman’s available tissue. This can minimize the original size of the vagina.

Hysterectomy – In a hysterectomy, all or part of the uterus is removed. In some cases, it may also be necessary to extract the ovaries, cervix and/or fallopian tubes. The more radical the procedure, the more internal trimming and stitching may be necessary. Hysterectomy is possibly one of the biggest causes of vaginal shortening.

Cervical or uterine cancer – Due to removal of cancerous organs, and scarring that can occur as a result of follow up radiation, both vaginal capacity is usually reduced.

Learn more. Download your FREE Vaginal Rejuvenation eBook

Can Vaginal Shortening Be Repaired?

Often, following surgery, the vagina may simply feel shorter due to swelling, inflammation, tenderness, bruising, and the presence of stitches. Vaginal tissue is very elastic, and though it may feel tight immediately after your operation, size often returns to normal after a short recovery time.

If actual shortening has occurred, repair can sometimes be complicated, depending on the extent of the surgery or cause of the diminishment.

Though it is possible to approach correction by using more drastic measures such as muscle flaps, biological animal grafts, skin grafts, or even a woman’s own bowel tissue, these methods can cause further complications and we prefer to avoid them.

We opt for the least physically intrusive methods first to repair vaginal shortening. Several of these options are:

Pelvic floor massage – Internal and external massage can relax tenderness, muscle tightness and trigger points that cause pain, gently stretching or tightening the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy – These exercises stretch and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

Vaginal dilators – Plastic tubes that gradually increase in size are inserted to gently stretch the vagina over time.

If these procedures prove to be ineffective, laparoscopic surgery, which is minimally invasive and generates less blood loss, scarring, and a quicker postoperative recovery time may be beneficial.

How Can Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists Help?

Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists is a broad-based OB/GYN practice consisting of three double board-certified urogynecologists with certification in OB/GYN and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), a highly coveted credential approved only under the most stringent criteria set forth by the American Board of Medicine (ABM). Our surgeons at Cherokee Women’s Health offer a combined experience of over 35 years of performing vaginal rejuvenation procedures. 

Whatever the reason for vaginal shortening, we can recommend the safest and most effective approach to try and correct the problem. To make an appointment, call us at 770.721.6060.

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Your Pregnancy  —  We’re here to help you.

Here at Cherokee Women’s Health, our staff of physicians and midwives, along with our partnership with Northside Hospital Cherokee, provides you with the highest personalized care during childbirth. Whether you’re pregnant or planning to be, our obstetrics team will help you through every step of your pregnancy journey. Learn about our full range of OB services:

• MIDWIVES – Our certified Nurse Midwives help you receive the best experience possible during pregnancy and delivery.
• INFERTILITY – If you have difficulty becoming pregnant, our specialists focus on diagnosing and treating the issues.
• HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY – Our physicians and advanced practice providers offer compassionate care and monitoring to ensure everything goes smoothly for both mother and baby throughout the pregnancy.
• MISCARRIAGE – Our compassionate physicians and staff are here for you to answer any of your questions and guide you during this difficult time.
• PREMATURE BIRTH – Our accessibility to Northside’s state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has dramatically improved the lives of countless prematurely born infants.
• PRECONCEPTION COUNSELING – Our physicians and advanced practice providers are always prepared to help, guide and answer any questions you may have as you consider having children.
• OB PATIENT STORIES – Connect with other women just like you. Read inspiring and joyful OB stories from our real patients.
• OB EDUCATION – Our OB articles are full of important information to help you along your pregnancy journey.
• OB VIDEOS – Our physicians share essential OB information in this special section.

Voted “Mom-Approved OBs” by Atlanta Parent magazine readers!

FIND OUT MORE:
Appointments
Locations
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Our Physicians and Midwives
Pregnancy Guide
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A Range of Birthing Plans for Normal and High Risk Pregnancies

Together our physicians and midwives at Cherokee Women’s bring decades of experience and expertise to directing our obstetrical services in Woodstock and Canton, Georgia. We have delivered thousands of babies, and can accommodate a range of birthing plans for expectant mothers, whether your pregnancy is normal or high risk.

A Very Personal Delivery Experience

We are happy to partner with Northside Hospital Cherokee, rated in the top 100 hospitals in the state. The personalized nursing care and private delivery suites have caused our patients to compare their delivery experience to giving birth at a spa – right down to the Jacuzzis for laboring moms.

What to Expect at Your First OB Appointment

Finding out you're pregnant can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be overwhelming. To help ease your concerns about your first OB appointment, we've created this video so you'll know exactly what you can expect.

Pregnancy First Visit

Once you get the positive result from a home pregnancy test, the next step is making your first appointment with your obstetrician or midwife. While you will be visiting your doctor's office many times throughout your pregnancy, the first appointment can be the most overwhelming, especially if this is your first pregnancy. So, Cherokee Women's Health would like to walk you through your first OB appointment to give you a better idea of what to expect. The appointment should take about an hour to complete as there are many things to be done.

Paperwork

Once you check in, you will be given a packet of paperwork to fill out as well as be asked for your insurance card. Please take the time to read through everything thoroughly, and write down any questions that you might have for your doctor or midwife so that you won't forget them.

First Prenatal Ultrasound

After the paperwork has been completed, the ultrasound technician will take you back to do your first ultrasound. In this early stage of pregnancy, we utilize a trans vaginal probe to get a good look at the baby. So, don't be alarmed when the ultrasound equipment is not rubbed on your belly (as shown in the video for demonstration purposes). In these early weeks of pregnancy, we can't always get a clear picture. So, if you aren't able to see anything, don't worry; it just means it's too soon and you'll get a picture in a couple of weeks.

Julianna shows an excited family an ultrasound of their baby girl "with pouty lips".

We use this initial ultrasound to help determine how far along you are and to determine your due date. Ideally, you will get a heartwarming picture of your little bundle of joy and get to bring it home. Lots of parents use this as a visual aid when they announce their pregnancy to family and friends.

Weight, Height, Blood Pressure and Urine Sample

From the ultrasound, a nurse will take you to check your weight, blood pressure and get a urine sample. You can expect that these three things will be done at every appointment throughout your pregnancy.

Meet the Doctor, Ask Questions, Pelvic Exam

Then, you will meet with your doctor or midwife. This is your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have about pregnancy. Do not be afraid to ask questions! We know that you have them, and we are here to help ease your mind of any concerns that you may have. There will be a pelvic exam done following the consultation. Here, the doctor is checking to make sure your cervix is closed and ready for pregnancy and may do a pap smear if needed.

Goody Bag

You're almost finished, and the good news is that you now get a goody bag filled with things like prenatal vitamins as well as important pregnancy literature, which you should take your time reviewing.

Blood Work

The last step before check out is to get some blood work done. We are just running some tests to ensure everything is going smoothly with your pregnancy.

Check Out, Make Next Appointment

Before you leave, stop by to check out and schedule your next prenatal appointment, which will be in two to four weeks.

Congratulations On Your First OB Appointment!

You are likely overwhelmed with information as well as emotions, but don't feel like you have to have everything figured out already. Just take time to enjoy this exciting news while you navigate through your first trimester.

Stay Informed

During your office visits you will observe your baby in real time detail with our 4-D ultrasound service. Cherokee Women’s is one of a select list of OB practices fully accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine for Obstetric and Gynecologic ultrasound. Throughout your pregnancy you will have the ability to check your lab results online 24 hours a day.

Midwives On Staff Expand Your Delivery Options

We are fortunate to offer our patients the option of seeing our highly experienced certified nurse midwives (CNMs) throughout your pregnancy as part of our OB team in Woodstock and Canton, Georgia. Certified nurse midwives are educated in both nursing and midwifery, and strive for a healthy pregnancy through a natural birth experience. They are also trained to recognize and deal with deviations from the normal, and thus work in partnership with our experienced board-certified OB surgeons in case of complications.

Obstetrics and midwifery are complementary to each other – the real “yin and yang” – of childbirth. We are happy to offer the best of both worlds to our patients.

Before You Become Pregnant

To give your baby a healthy start, think of your pregnancy as twelve – not nine months – long. This will give you three months to prepare your body before you get pregnant.

See your doctor for a prepregnancy checkup. Ask about things like family medical conditions, genetic conditions, risk of birth defects and chronic illnesses. Discuss all the medications you take and make sure they’re safe to continue during pregnancy.

• Eat a healthy diet, including lots of leafy greens, lean proteins and fiber. Take a prenatal vitamin. In particular, folic acid will help prevent birth defects like spina bifida. Because many of these conditions arise very early in pregnancy, you need healthy levels of folic acid right from the start. Diabetics need more folic acid. Doctor will order if needed. 400 mcg of calcium is also important. Take a multivitamin that contains 400 mg of calcium.
• Smoking poses several risks to a developing baby, including birth defects and low birth weight. It also doubles your risk of having an ectopic pregnancy. Smoking also makes it more difficult to become pregnant as smoking is strongly linked to infertility in both men and women. Stop smoking is recommended.
• Get checked for hepatitis B and C, sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
• Get any health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes under control. Lose weight if you are overweight and talk to your doctor about how to maintain a healthy weight.

Nutrition

You’re not eating for two, as the saying goes.

• You only need an extra 300 calories a day (equivalent to a couple pieces of fruit).
• Get all essential vitamins and minerals daily and eat a healthy diet.
• Fill your plate with leafy greens, fruits, veggies and whole grains. Get plenty of calcium-rich foods like broccoli and low-fat milk and yogurt. Stick to lean meats like chicken and turkey.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy:

• Mercury, found in some types of fish, has been linked to birth defects. To limit your exposure, follow a few simple guidelines. Choose fish and shellfish such as shrimp, catfish, Pollock and salmon. Do not eat swordfish, king mackerel, shark or tilefish. Limit whole (albacore) tuna to six ounces a week. You should also check advisories about fish caught in local waters.
• Raw fish. This includes sushi and sashimi.
• Unpasteurized soft cheeses like feta, gargonzola, brie, Camembert, and Roquefort. These may contain bacteria called listeria that can cross the placenta, potentially causing miscarriage or leading to a life-threatening infection.
• Unpasteurized milk which can also contain listeria.
• Cold ready-to-eat meats like luncheon meats and hot dogs. These can also contain listeria. Reheat these foods at 160 degrees or until they are steaming.
• Uncooked or cured meats and eggs like prosciutto, runny eggs and sauces made with raw eggs like some hollandaise sauces.
• Alcohol. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can interfere with healthy development and lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, one of the most common causes of mental retardation and the only one that is completely preventable. There is no known safe level of exposure to alcohol for a fetus.
• Caffeine. Some studies have found a link between caffeine and miscarriage so it’s especially important to steer clear of caffeine during the first trimester. Large amounts of caffeine have been linked to premature birth and low birth weight so do your best to switch to decaf. If this is too extreme for you, limit intake to 300 milligrams per day or less (1-2 cups of coffee).

How Much Weight Should I Gain During Pregnancy?

The average woman should gain about 2 to 4 pounds during her first three months of pregnancy and 1 pound a week for the remainder of her pregnancy.

• If you’re at a normal weight before pregnancy, gain between 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy.
• If you’re overweight before pregnancy, gain 15 to 25 pounds.
• If you’re underweight before pregnancy, gain 28 to 40 pounds.
• For multiple births, consult your doctor (usually you should gain about 35 to 45 pounds for twins).

Reasons to Call Your Doctor Between Prenatal Visits

You’ll be seeing your obstetrician, midwife or other prenatal care specialists on a regular basis over the next nine months but there are times you may need to call your doctor between prenatal checkups. Call your physician or advanced practice provider immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Unusual or severe cramping or abdominal pain
• Significant reduction in the baby’s movements after 28 weeks (less than 10 movements in a 2-hour period).
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Any bleeding in the second or third trimester
• Signs of premature labor, such as regular pains or tightening in the lower back or abdomen or significant fluid discharge.
• Pain or cramping in the arms, legs or chest
• Fever over 100.4 Fahrenheit
• Severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting
• Fainting spells or dizziness
• Blurred vision or sports in front of your eyes
• Swelling in your hands, fingers or face.