Author name: Diane

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, like you see on television. 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. 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 Finally, 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.

One of the first questions others ask once you tell them that you are pregnant is “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” No doubt, as you navigate your first trimester, you ask yourself this same question on a daily basis. The ultrasound to determine the baby’s gender, which is usually between 18 and 22 weeks, is still months away, and the anticipation is killing you. Isn’t there some way to find out if it’s a boy or girl before then? While there is nothing definitive, there are a myriad of characteristics of your pregnancy that suggest you may be carrying one gender versus the other. Cherokee Women’s Health has a list of these old wives tales for you compare: It’s a Girl You’re carrying high Baby’s heart beat is higher than 140 beats per minute You’re experiencing morning sickness You’re craving sweet foods Your hair is thinner and dull* Your face is fuller and rounder than usual* You’re experiencing acne during your pregnancy* You are graceful during your pregnancy Dad-to-be is gaining weight with you When stringing your wedding ring over your belly, it moves back and forth *Noticing a trend that suggests your pregnancy may not be too kind to your natural beauty? This is indicative that you are having a baby girl because she is stealing your beauty, or so the old wives tale goes. It’s a Boy You’re carrying low Baby’s heart beat is below 140 beats per minute You’re having little to no morning sickness You’re craving salty foods Your hair is full bodied and shiny Your face is long and narrow You are more clumsy during your pregnancy Your feet get colder now than they did before your pregnancy Your areolae have darkened When stringing your wedding ring over your belly, it moves in a circle Do your pregnancy symptoms favor one gender over the other? Well, these are all in fun and have not been proven to be an accurate indicator of your baby’s gender. Other than the second trimester ultrasound and an amniocentesis, the most accurate gender predictor is simply a mother’s intuition – 71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows the gender of her baby. We hope that these fun gender predictors will help make the wait for your gender revealing ultrasound a little easier to bear. If you need to schedule a second trimester ultrasound, don’t hesitate to contact our office by calling 770-720-7733.  

In slight continuation of our “Is it Safe to…” blog post from last week, one main question on lots of mamas-to-be minds is getting enough omega-3’s to help with baby’s development. Omega-3’s have been reported to help promote healthy fetal brain development, and reported benefits include fewer behavior problems, better verbal skills, and even higher IQ’s. However, understandably, some pregnant mamas are concerned with the levels of mercury in certain fish, and knowing which fish to eat to gain this important nutrient and which to avoid can be tricky. Cherokee Women’s Health shares some important facts on which fish are safe to eat and which fish you should avoid until after your delivery. Happy Fish, Sad Fish, Good Fish, Bad Fish The FDA and EPA say pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces of seafood a week. So which fish is best for pregnant moms? Ideally, you want to shop for or order fish low in mercury but high in omega-3’s. Salmon makes for an excellent choice in both categories (whether wild-caught or farm-raised). Herring, trout and sardines are are low-mercury, high-omega-3 options. Other safe choices include shrimp, pollock, catfish and canned light tuna, but you should limit albacore tuna and tuna steak to no more than 6 ounces a week. The fish found to have higher levels of mercury include shark, swordfish, escolar, marlin, and orange roughy. Pregnant women are advised to limit these to twice per month. Other Safety Guidelines Of course, when eating any type of fish, you want to make sure it’s cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F. As a general rule, the fish is done with it separates into flakes and appears opaque throughout. For shrimp, lobster and scallops, cook until they’re milky white, and don’t eat any clams, mussels and oysters until their shells open. (And discard any unopen shells.) If you aren’t sure about the best way to prepare it, Pinterest has a ton of delicious-looking options that are sure to whet any pregnant mom’s appetite. If fish has you thinking “yuck,” don’t worry – there are other ways to get omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts and soybeans are all good sources of omega-3’s, and other foods have been fortified with this nutrient, including yogurt, milk, and eggs. Additionally, you can talk to your obstetrician or midwife about an omega-3 supplement at your next prenatal checkup.    

Whether you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a long time or you discovered a happy accident, the moment a woman realizes she’s pregnant, she often begins to think of all the things she once did or likes to do, wondering if they’re still OK to continue during a pregnancy. The good news is, your list of pregnancy “don’ts” is much smaller than you might think, and there’s still a lot you can do during the next nine to ten months. Cherokee Women’s Health Specialists has compiled a few of our most asked “Is it safe?” questions here on our blog this week. Read up and know that you’ve got an exciting nine months ahead! Is it safe to color your hair while pregnant? Many women begin coloring their hair long before pregnancy, and often wonder if it’s still safe to do so once they see those two little lines. For these women, the good news is that very little chemicals in the hair dye are actually absorbed into your system, and as long as you’re coloring your hair in a well-ventilated area and using protective gloves (if you’re doing it yourself), you should be perfectly fine. If the idea of coloring your hair during pregnancy still concerns you, you can wait until your second trimester when baby is less vulnerable. Is it safe to be around paint while pregnant? One of the most exciting things for a pregnant mother can be decorating a new nursery. Naturally, selecting a wall color for baby’s room is one of the first steps in creating the mother’s ideal space, but what about painting it? The type of paint used is the key here. Latex, or acrylic paint, is the most common and is generally considered safe to be around while you’re pregnant as long as you’re in a well-ventilated area. If you start to feel sick or nauseous at all, get some fresh air and have someone else finish the job. It’s best if you avoid using oil-based paints on your own, but you can let someone else do this for you as long as you’re not around while they’re doing the work. Lead-based paints are a strict no-no, and if you have to have some removed, make sure you’re not home during the process. Afterward, you should be fine to return to the home. How much caffeine consumption is OK? If you’re used to waking up with a cup of coffee or have to have a soda in the afternoon to help with that afternoon crash, there’s no reason for you to give caffeine up entirely during pregnancy unless you’d like to. Experts have stated that moderate levels of caffeine have not been found to have a negative effect on pregnancy, with the definition of moderate varying between 150mg-300mg a day. For reference, there’s about 259mg of caffeine in a 16oz Starbucks House Blend Coffee. If you’re concerned about caffeine intake during pregnancy, you can always talk to your provider at your next prenatal checkup. What medications are off limits during pregnancy? Another concern of newly pregnant mothers is making sure that if needed, they’re taking only the medications that have been cleared by their doctor during pregnancy. At your first pregnancy checkup, your provider will send you home with a complete list of medications that are generally thought as safe to use, including treatments for pain like Tylenol, treatment for nausea, cough and cold, and other symptoms. If at any point in your pregnancy you’re unsure about a medication, it’s always best to ask your doctor before taking it. While these questions are just a sampling of the many questions we hear from patients during prenatal visits, we urge our patients never to be shy about asking questions. Having an open communication with your doctor or midwife during your pregnancy is the key to having a safe and healthy pregnancy. To schedule a prenatal visit at either our Woodstock or Canton office, contact our office by calling 770-720-7733.        

Bringing a new baby home is one of the most exciting exciting experiences new parents can have. Understandably, new parents may feel overwhelmed with all of the advice and information available, and trying to get a feel for what works best for you and your new family member can be daunting. In the spirit of Valentine’s week, the Cherokee Women’s Health team wishes to share some of the most helpful advice for new parents that we know to be true: Quite simply, love each other, as this models a healthy relationship for your new child as they learn and grow. Need a Relationship Pick-Me-Up? If the upcoming romantic holiday has you thinking that your relationship (whether it involves a new baby or your children have flown the nest) could use a little pick-me-up, why not try one of these ideas that don’t have to end with Valentine’s Day: Try something new together. Test out a new restaurant, sign up for a cooking or dancing class, or see if you can steal away a night from the kids in the Georgia mountains. Laugh. Laughter is of the essentials to building a strong, healthy relationship. It brings people closer together, creates intimacy, and helps resolve conflict. Eat healthy. A colorful diet full of fruits, veggies and plenty of protein will not only help you feel better, it might help put you in “the mood.” Common aphrodisiacs include oysters, figs, almonds, and avocados. Take a walk. Exercising together, even if taking a quick 30-minute stroll, can help increase blood flow, which helps boost mood, reduces stress, and can lead to a bigger desire in the bedroom. Remember that you’re a team. If anyone can attest to the trials and tribulations of family and marriage, it’s Dr. Litrel and his wife, Ann. Try to remember that you’re not alone in your struggles, and that if you can work as a team, your entire family will benefit. If your family is growing this month, we hope that you have the love and support needed to help inspire your children to grow up and experience healthy relationships. If you’re done adding to your family, what other advice would you give to new parents about starting a family? Share with us by leaving a comment below.

Moderate weight gain during pregnancy is absolutely normal – after all, you are growing a tiny person in your uterus! However, making sure that you’re gaining the right amount of weight for your body type is important. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy poses health problems including an increased risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and other serious complications. How Much is Too Much? At your first prenatal visit, ask your OB/GYN how much weight gain is appropriate for your current weight. For example, a woman who was average weight before getting pregnant should gain 25 to 35 pounds after becoming pregnant. Underweight women should gain 28 to 40 pounds. And overweight women may need to gain only 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy. Tips on Keeping a Healthy Weight During Pregnancy To make sure you’re staying on track with a weight gain that’s right for your body type, here some ideas on maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to “eat for two.” In your first trimester, you only need about 30 extra calories per day, and in the third trimester, only 300 extra calories a day. Adding a healthy, filling snack into your normal routine should cover the need for these extra calories. If you were exercising before your pregnancy, it’s normally OK to maintain your current workout routine (Although make sure you’re cleared by your doctor first). Reduce consumption of sugar, fat and salt. Sugar and fatty foods pack on unwanted extra pounds quickly, and too much salt can increase swelling in your hands and feet. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Plenty of sleep allows for healthier weight gain, improved mood, and may help for easier weight loss after pregnancy. If you have any concerns about how much weight gain is recommended during your pregnancy, be sure to discuss them with your provider at your next visit. To set up your next prenatal visit at either our Woodstock or Canton location, you can contact our office.