Author name: Diane

A glucose screening test is a routine test during pregnancy that checks a pregnant woman’s blood glucose (sugar) level, also called the gestational diabetes screening test. This screening is completed when you are 28 weeks and are officially in the third trimester. Tests for Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using blood tests. If your pregnancy is high-risk or you have a higher risk (more risk factors) of developing gestational diabetes, your physician may test you earlier than 28 weeks. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs when blood sugar levels remain elevated in pregnant women. The condition usually subsides after pregnancy, but women who have had gestational diabetes are more likely to develop permanent diabetes later in life. How is a Glucose Test Performed? The glucose test is a one-hour screening and only has two steps. 1st Step – You will be asked to drink a liquid sweet drink with 50 grams of glucose. 2nd Step – Your blood will then be drawn exactly one hour after you drink the glucose solution. The blood sample will show how well your pregnant body processes sugar. Note: You do not need to prepare or change your diet in any way before the screening. Screening Results from the One-Hour Glucose Tets Your screening results should be available to you within a few days. Try not to stress during this waiting period, as the good news is that most women who ‘fail’ the screening test, don’t have gestational diabetes. A normal result for the one-hour screening is 140 mg/dL or lower. If the test is abnormal, you will need to return for a three-hour glucose challenge test. Note that it is a screening test and not a diagnosis. Three-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test Unlike the one-hour test, there are steps you need to take to prepare for the three-hour glucose tolerance test. This test is three hours long because your blood will be drawn three times every 60 minutes after you drink it. Preparing for the 3-Hour Test Fasting – You will need to fast 8-14 hours prior to the test. Only sips of water are allowed before the test. You will also not be allowed to eat during the test. Getting Your Blood Drawn – Before you drink the glucose drink, you will have your blood drawn to establish a baseline. Drinking Something Sweet – You will then be asked to drink a sweet drink that includes 100 grams of glucose. Your Results Your physician will go over your results with you but understand that if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it does not mean all will not turn out well for you and your baby. However, if you do have gestational diabetes, it’s vital to maintain regularly scheduled prenatal checkups. Your team of experts are well-trained in the field of obstetrics. Your care includes a collaboration of physicians, certified nurse midwives, physician associates, nurse practitioners and certified ultra-sonographers. We are here to help keep you and your baby healthy. Call us today at 770.720.7733 or schedule an appointment online.

You’ve made it to the third trimester! Your mind and body has been challenged, but you are strong and made to do this! During the third trimester, your baby continues to grow in size and weight. It’s almost time to meet your baby! How Long is the Third Trimester? The third trimester ranges from 28- 40 weeks, or until you give birth. Full term is considered 40 weeks. By the end of the trimester, your baby is about 20 inches long and weighs, on average, 7.5 pounds. Your prenatal appointments increase from monthly to every two weeks beginning at 28 weeks, and then weekly after 36 weeks. Baby Growth and Development A protective layer on your baby’s skin that helps prevent drying of the baby’s thin skin is called vernix caseosa. This begins to form early in the third trimester. Your baby will also be opening his or her eyes around 28 weeks. During the 30–34-week period, your baby has almost doubled its weight from the previous month. At 32 weeks, the baby is about 16 inches and almost 4 pounds, on average. From this point onwards, the baby’s weight will increase faster than its length. You will be able to listen to your baby’s heart rate (normal is 110-160 bpm) during your visits and may also have an ultrasound scheduled to measure fetal weight and make sure the baby is growing on track. As the lungs are still maturing, your baby begins to drop into the pelvic area, positioning itself head downward. By the end of the third trimester, your baby is about 19 to 21 inches long and weighs, on average, 6 to 9 pounds. In fact, your baby undergoes the most rapid gain in weight during the 36th week, gaining nearly half a pound a week until delivery. Other exciting developments throughout the final trimester includes: Changes to Your Body You may start to feel more uncomfortable now as you continue to gain weight and begin to experience Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labor contractions). Some women find difficulty in taking deep breathes or getting comfortable enough to sleep. At 28 weeks, your baby will be almost 15 inches long and weigh a little over 2 pounds. Your bladder is under pressure due to the pregnant uterus and the rapid increase in the baby’s size can attribute to bladder problems for you. You may often find it difficult to hold your urine. In fact, it’s quite common for women to experience urine leakage during pregnancy. Urinary tract infections can also occur, so it’s important to stay well hydrated with water and avoid caffeine, carbonated or artificial drinks. Kegel exercises can be helpful too. Your estrogen levels will peak around 32 weeks. Due to this, you might notice some swelling around your ankles and feet, as estrogen is indirectly involved in making a pregnancy hormone related to salt and water retention. Similar to estrogen, your progesterone levels will peak around 32 weeks. This may cause some women to experience constipation. Keys to a Successful 3rd Trimester Last Month Pregnancy Concerns One of the most common concerns in the last month of pregnancy is identifying labor symptoms and when to call your OB or hospital. One simple rule is 5-1-1. If you have painful contractions every 5 minutes that last 1 minute for 1 hour, it is likely you are in labor. Other reasons to call are de­creased fetal movement and any bleeding or leaking fluid. Don’t worry, false alarms are common and nothing to be embarrassed about since not even the clinical team can predict labor. As always, we are here to help you navigate through your pregnancy journey. Call us at 770.720.7733 with any questions or concerns or schedule an appointment online. Learn what to expect in your 1st trimester and 2nd trimester.

The second trimester marks the beginning of your baby’s journey, as well as using those organs that formed in the first trimester. Very exciting! Women also tend to feel more energized and not as nauseous. You’ll most likely become visibly pregnant instead of just appearing bloated, but not so heavy that moving around is difficult. How Long Is the Second Trimester? Once you’ve reached the second trimester, you’re now in the middle part of your pregnancy and it lasts from weeks 13 to 26. Baby Growth and Development The brain develops quickly and begins to take over functions such as fetal movements, breathing, suckling and sensory sensations such as sound, taste and smell by the end of the second trimester. The uterus grows at a rapid pace, as does the placenta to keep up with your growing baby’s needs. By around week 19 — or sooner for some women — you may feel movement from the baby moving freely within the amniotic sac in your uterus. Women explain the movements as a faint tickling or a flutter. During the second trimester, your baby might start to suck their thumb and by week 20 your baby can hear sounds, including your heartbeat. How cool is that?! Around week 26, your baby is approximately 11 inches long and 1.5 pounds. Your baby’s sensitivity to hearing is increased. You may notice the baby’s movements increase when you or your partner are playing music or talking to him or her. Body Changes During your second trimester, your appetite improves and you begin to regain some energy. The breast tenderness and morning sickness wane. As your uterus grows, you may feel discomfort or pains as uterine ligaments stretch. Your skin also stretches so it’s around this time that stretch marks may appear around your belly and your breasts. While your baby weighs less than a kilo, your blood volume will continue to increase. This increase helps meet the demands of the growing baby inside of you, resulting in some additional weight gain. Keys to a Successful 2nd Trimester Learn what to expect in your 1st trimester and 3rd trimester.

You’re in your first trimester — what an exciting time! Your body will go through many changes but don’t worry, we’ll explain everything to you in this 3-part series, from the first trimester through delivery. A “normal”, full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks and can range from 37 to 42 weeks. These stages are divided into three trimesters, each lasting about three months. The First Trimester – What is it and How Long Does it Last? The first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts the first three months. This stage is crucial to the normal development of the fetus. While you may not be showing much on the outside, your body is doing miraculous things and your body and the fetus is changing rapidly. During the first trimester, your major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming. Weeks 3-10 is known as the organogenesis process. This is also when the fetus is most susceptible to damage from substances like alcohol, drugs and certain medicines, as well as illnesses such as rubella, also known as German measles. Fetus Growth and Development Even though you can’t see major changes on the outside, your baby is experiencing huge milestones in the first trimester. In fact, the fetus develops from a single fertilized cell (zygote) to a lemon-sized fetus of growing limbs and organs. The neural tube that is forming his or her spinal cord and brain is in place and by week 8, the brain will start moving those tiny, developing limbs. Other first trimester development milestones include: The End of Your First Trimester Around 12 weeks, nearly the end of your first trimester, your baby is about three inches long and weighs nearly an ounce. The head is much larger than the body and the brain and spinal cord are developing rapidly. Sex organs are forming, and while it is still too early to see the gender on the ultrasound, a genetic test can be ordered during this time, which can include the sex chromosomes. Your baby is now able to open and close his or her mouth and even make a fist. The baby is moving freely in the amniotic sac, although you can’t feel the kicks just yet. First Trimester Changes to Your Body It’s common for women to experience nausea during the first trimester. And while it’s most commonly known as morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day. Every pregnancy is different. Some women have food cravings, others experience food aversions, while yet others may have no change in appetite at all. Physical Changes include larger, heavier and tender breasts. The uterus is also expanding which puts pressure on your bladder, resulting in having to urinate more often. Emotional Changes Emotions are in full swing during the first months of pregnancy. Hormone changes may make you feel irritable or moody, and tiredness is also very common in the early months. Know that these feelings, while new to you, are completely normal. However, if you are feeling extremely anxious or down, please speak with your physician or midwife. We are here for you! Learn what to expect during your 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester.

You haven’t given birth yet but can feel your breasts leaking, so what’s going on? Don’t worry, it is completely normal and just means your body is getting ready to feed your baby. As your body’s hormones work to regulate milk production, you may find drops of colostrum in your bra, most commonly in the final weeks of pregnancy. What is Colostrum? Colostrum is the first milk your baby gets when you start breastfeeding, a high-protein, antibody-rich liquid that your body produces. It’s the first stage of breast milk production that begins during pregnancy and lasts for several days after the birth of your baby. It’s commonly called “foremilk” because it comes in before mature breast milk, or “liquid gold” because it’s the perfect first food for your baby.  Colostrum: High in protein and lower in fat and sugar, making it easier to digest and full of nutrition. Full of antibodies and immune properties. A natural laxative, helping your baby move their bowels and get rid of the meconium (the tar-like poop that collects in the bowels before your baby is born). What Does it Look Like? Colostrum doesn’t look like what matured breast milk does. You can expect it to be a clear, creamy white, yellow, or even orange liquid. Most times it’s thick, though it can be thin, and sticky. As more mature breast milk comes in, typically around the third or fourth day after giving birth, it appears creamier looking and white or blueish white in color. Don’t worry if the volume of colostrum seems small. Your body produces exactly what your baby needs. A newborn’s stomach is quite small, so several spoons of colostrum per day is plenty. When Does Colostrum Come In? While it’s different for every woman, colostrum can appear as early as the second trimester. If you do experience leakage long before your due date, don’t worry. This leakage is not a sign of premature labor, nor does it mean you won’t have any left when your baby arrives. How Much Colostrum Does My Baby Need? Generally, newborns need to eat about 8 to 10 times per day. Their little stomachs can only hold about a teaspoon of colostrum or milk at each feeding. Don’t worry about over-feeding at this stage, your body won’t produce much colostrum each day. If you and baby are healthy and breastfeeding is going well for both, you’re in great shape. Our OB/GYNs are Here for You and Your Baby At Cherokee Women’s Health, we dedicate ourselves to providing optimal care to moms and their babies. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our exceptional board-certified OB/GYNs or certified nurse midwives or simply schedule an appointment online.

Throughout pregnancy, your developing baby moves into several positions. You might be wondering how your little one lies inside your uterus. Are they crisscross, upside down, sideways? As labor approaches, some positions are safer than others. Keep reading to learn all about fetal positions. Positions in the Womb Anterior – The position ideal for birth, and the most common, is anterior. In the anterior position, your baby faces your back with the head pointing down to the ground. Your baby will most likely be moving in all different positions, but most settle into this position during the last month of pregnancy. Left occiput anterior – The baby is on the left side of the womb with their head facing down and facing your back. Right occiput anterior – The same position as listed above, except the baby is on the right side of the womb. Breech – The baby’s feet point down when the baby is in a breech position. Posterior – The baby’s head is down and their back is in line with yours. Transverse lie – The baby is lying horizontally on their back. Anterior Position The best position for delivery. The baby’s head is down in the pelvis, facing your back with their back facing your belly. This position allows for the baby to tuck their head in, with the top pressing down on the cervix. This encourages it to open for labor. Breech Position The breech position is when the baby is resting with their head up instead of down in the pelvis. If your baby is in the breech position at any time throughout pregnancy, there is no need to worry. It is safe for a baby to be in this position during pregnancy. Some risks are involved if the baby stays in breech position at the time of delivery. Only around 3-4% of babies are in breech position at the time of delivery. Posterior Position The posterior position is also known as the ‘back-to-back’ position. The baby’s head points down with their back resting against your back. This position makes it difficult for the head to tuck in and can lead to other challenges, such as: A challenging and slow labor Backache for the mom Harder to pass through the smallest part of the pelvis Most babies are in this position due to mom spending long periods of time sitting or lying down, which is likely to happen if your doctor recommends bed rest. Since the back of a baby’s body is heavier than the front, they can sometimes be encouraged to roll into the ideal position by leaning in the wanted direction. Transverse Lie Position The baby is lying horizontally when in the transverse lie position. Most do not stay in this position in the weeks and days leading up to labor. If your baby is in this position right before birth, a cesarean delivery will most likely be necessary. How to Tell Which Position the Baby is In Your physician or certified nurse midwife can usually figure out your baby’s position by Leopold’s maneuver, which is feeling your belly with their hands. If they’re unsure, the position can be confirmed with an ultrasound. It may also be possible for a person to tell which position their developing baby is in on their own. Pay attention to any movement you feel, like firm pushes from elbows, knees and feet. Following these movements, you might get a sense of which way your baby is oriented. The baby might be in the anterior position if your abdomen feels firm, which means you’re feeling your baby’s back. Another way to tell if your baby is anterior is if you feel strong kicks under your ribs. On the other hand, if your abdomen feels softer and your belly button is pushed in rather than poking out, your baby might be in the posterior position. Oftentimes in the posterior position, you’ll feel kicks in the middle of your belly. Don’t Worry Remember, your baby moves into many positions throughout your pregnancy journey. If your baby is in a transverse lie or breech position just before labor, the correct steps will be taken to ensure you and your baby’s safety during birth.