Pregnancy is an exciting time for you and your partner. Like most future parents, you may be excited and nervous at the same time.

From the beginning, the developing baby causes changes in your body and the way you live everyday life. Being well informed is the best way to approach each stage of pregnancy and delivery.

As soon as you find out that you are pregnant, call us to make an appointment with one of our obstetrician doctors and begin receiving prenatal care.

At Emory Women Clinic we provide you with the medical support you require during the 9 months of your pregnancy and we advise you on lifestyle changes to give your baby a good start in family life.

Finding out that you are pregnant is always surprising. A new life grows inside you, little by little. Along with it, thousands of doubts related to pregnancy arise in our heads. Because of this, we must start planning our first visit to the gynecologist.

Emory Women Clinic has integrated a dynamic group of certified pregnancy specialists, who help you have the best health conditions so that your baby is born healthy and live the experience of being a mother with personalized, progressive and integrative care.

Routine and special exams in pregnancy

During pregnancy, certain laboratory tests are recommended for all women. Although most women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, routine tests help detect potential problems. Your medical and family history, ethnic background, or previous test results will determine if other tests are recommended. The sooner a problem is found, the sooner it can be treated and controlled.

Some of these tests are:

1) in the early stages of pregnancy: blood count or blood count, urine culture, vaginal culture, blood group determination, detection of sexually transmitted diseases (VDRL), HIV and tuberculosis plus tests for genetic disorders or tube defects neural.

2) in the later stages of pregnancy: blood count, glucose tolerance test, Rh antibody test, vaginal culture.

The decision to take these exams is voluntary. Talk to one of our Emory Women Clinic obstetricians if you have questions or concerns about the tests they suggest for you.

Frequently Asked Questions in Pregnancy

We congratulate you. We hope your pregnancy is healthy and happy. You are in a moment of great illusion, but it is normal if you feel a little overwhelmed.

We have compiled the questions that patients ask us the most so that you feel more informed and oriented during the first weeks and months of pregnancy. Of course, do not stop calling Emory Women Clinic when you need to so that we can solve any questions you have.

1. Is it normal to bleed a little?

25% of women bleed during the first trimester. In more than 90% of cases, they are only small losses. If the bleeding is slight, it does not increase the risk of miscarriage, but if you notice that you lose blood, no matter how little it is, you should consult your obstetrician. The most normal thing is that they ask you some questions and that they request a blood test and an ultrasound; You may also be asked to reduce physical activity until the bleeding stops.

2. Is it normal to have cramps or cramps and itches in the pelvic area?

It is normal to have mild pain; they are generally due to the stretching and growth of the uterus as the fetus develops and the abdomen enlarges. Progesterone also causes minor pain. If you have pain associated with bleeding or stronger than normal menstrual pain, notify your obstetrician, as you will need to have an examination or ultrasound.

3. Can you exercise during pregnancy?

It is very important not to stop exercising during pregnancy, but strenuous activities should be avoided. The most advisable thing is to walk, swim and do yoga for pre-mothers, activities that can be done throughout the pregnancy. The thing to remember is that during exercise, the pregnant woman should be able to talk (which shows that her heart is not beating too fast) and should drink plenty of water. The sauna and jacuzzi are contraindicated during pregnancy, as heat sources can be harmful. If you weren't exercising regularly before you got pregnant, check with your obstetrician before starting a new program.

4. Can you have sex?

If the couple has undergone assisted reproductive treatment, we recommend that they abstain until the fetal heartbeat is documented, which occurs 6 to 7 weeks after conception. It is also advisable to abstain in case of vaginal bleeding. If you've had any blood loss, wait for your OB doctor to tell you when you can resume all normal activity, including sexual intercourse. In general, if there are no problems, sexual relations are not dangerous.

5. What medications can be taken during pregnancy?

All medications given to you as part of infertility treatment are safe during pregnancy. The website www.safefetus.com is an excellent reference on over-the-counter medications. Just type the name of a drug to see if it can be taken during pregnancy. All category A and B drugs are considered safe for pregnant women. Regarding prescription drugs, you must consult your doctor in each case.

6. Should I continue to take the hormones for infertility treatment during pregnancy and for how long?

Hormones continue to be given until the 8th or 10th week of gestation, unless the doctor says they are not necessary. Typically, after 8-10 weeks, medication is discontinued and hormone levels are checked.

7. What foods should you avoid during pregnancy?

Fish that contain a lot of mercury - such as shark, tile, swordfish, and mackerel - should be avoided and no more than 350 g of tuna per week should be consumed. Nor should you eat raw meat, fish or seafood. It is recommended to avoid unpasteurized cheeses, fermented cheeses, and fresh cheeses (ranchero, etc.), as they have been linked to outbreaks of listeria (a bacteria that causes serious pregnancy complications).

You should also not eat precooked food, take out food from fast food places or street stalls, unless they are heated very well before consumption, since otherwise they may contain listeria, salmonella, E. coli and amoebas. It is advisable to reduce artificial sweeteners, since the effects they have on the pregnant woman have not been thoroughly studied.

Healthy eating is very important during pregnancy. Feel free to call the coordinator for an appointment with our nutritionist, Carolyn Gundell, if you have any questions about what to refrain from. This visit is almost always covered by health insurance when the woman is already pregnant, so be sure to take advantage of it to lay the foundations of a healthy diet during pregnancy.

8. Can I color my hair or do highlights?

Studies that have been carried out do not indicate that dyeing or bleaching the hair causes malformations in the fetus. Even so, most hair salons have vegetable dyes that do not contain oxidants. Some gynecologists advise that these be used during the first semester and that they be ammonia-free.

9. Can you consume caffeine during pregnancy?

It is advisable to limit caffeine consumption to 200 mg per day (approximately the equivalent of two cups of coffee). But you have to remember that iced tea, chocolate, and soft drinks also contain caffeine, so you have to reduce your consumption. Some large sodas contain twice the recommended amount of caffeine per day.

10. Can you travel during pregnancy?

You can travel during pregnancy, even by plane: the important thing is to get up and stretch your legs every 2 hours to avoid the risk of complications. To be more relaxed, it is not a bad idea to check where the nearest medical center to the accommodation is located, in case some kind of assistance is necessary. If the pregnant woman has any complications (such as bleeding or pain), it is recommended that she limit movements. The safest stage to travel is the second trimester; without a doubt, if there is a trip to be made, let it be then.

11. Can I get a massage while pregnant?

Massages are very beneficial during pregnancy and many spas offer prenatal massage. There are stretchers specially designed so that the pregnant woman can lie on her stomach. During the second and third trimesters, it is recommended that the pregnant woman does not lie on her back for a long time, since the uterus can make it difficult to breathe by expanding and compressing the blood vessels that provide nutrients to the fetus.

12. Can you consume alcohol during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, you must refrain from consuming alcohol as the fetus can suffer what is called an alcoholic syndrome. Even the smallest amount of alcohol is harmful. And there are delicious cocktail recipes that do not contain alcohol!

13. Can I get a flu shot?

It is recommended that all pregnant women and women seeking to conceive (including H1N1 or swine flu) get a flu shot.

14. Is it normal to have nausea?

Some nausea is normal during pregnancy. Ginger is a natural anti-nausea product that is used as an ingredient in many cookies, candy, and other foods. Some women carry gingerbread cookies or candies with them for the first few weeks to relieve nausea. There are also the Sea-Band acupressure bracelets. In the most severe cases, in which the woman vomits all liquids and food (hyperemesis gravidarum), it is necessary to consult the obstetrician to prescribe antiemetics (anti-nausea drugs that pregnant women can take).

15. Can I continue to have acupuncture during pregnancy?

The pregnant woman can continue to receive acupuncture and even start it after she becomes pregnant. Acupuncture and acupressure can provide relief for many of the symptoms related to pregnancy, such as joint pain, sciatica, and even nausea. The important thing is that the acupuncturist specializes in women's health, because some acupoints can cause uterine contractions and pain. If you are interested in going to one of our Emory Women Clinic acupuncturists, make an appointment through the medical assistant or nurse.

16. When do I have to go to the obstetrician after I get pregnant at a fertility clinic?

From the last ultrasound in week 10, most specialists in reproductive biology recommend that you go for a pregnancy control with the obstetrician. A first obstetric evaluation is usually done between the 10th and the 13th week to arrange the first trimester tests. Remember that you must promptly send the blood tests to our obstetricians: Estudiosemory@gmail.com or use our application (app) to send them.