Obstetrics

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.