7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138 • (901) 682-9222 • Open Weekdays 8:00 - 5:00
PATIENT EDUCATION: OBSTETRICS
STAGES OF PREGNANCY: THIRD TRIMESTER
You are in the homestretch! Your baby is almost fully developed and is now busy gaining weight to increase its chances of survival outside the womb. Baby's activity is a lot stronger and he or she will soon be ready to make a personal appearance. Read up on gestational diabetes, which could develop during this trimester, as well as other articles on third trimester conditions.
Changes to Your Body During Pregnancy
Changes to a woman's body begin very early in pregnancy. In fact, it seems that just about everything changes. Understanding these changes is important, as they will help you realize what is normal or abnormal.
Dental Work During Pregnancy
Dental work during pregnancy is safe.
Diseases Targeted by Stem Cell Treatments
Resources such as umbilical cord blood are excellent sources of stem cells. Here are a list of diseases that have seen advancements in treatment using stem cells.
Emergency Baby Delivery Instructions
Instructions for delivering a baby.
External Cephalic Version
External cephalic version, or just plain version, is a procedure that is performed on an expectant mother to rotate her baby that has positioned itself in a breech position (buttock first presentation).
Group B Strep Infections
Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is a bacterial infection that causes 2 of every 1,000 babies born in the United States to become sick or die.
Inducing Labor: Pros and Cons
Many factors come into play when deciding to induce labor.
Intrauterine Growth Retardation
Intrauterine growth retardation is used to describe an infant whose weight is significantly less than expected for its gestational age.
Is the Consumption of Fish Dangerous During Pregnancy?
Healthcare officials have issued a new advisory on the dangers of eating fish. Healthcare officials are concerned that the level of mercury in fish might pose certain risks to a developing fetus.
Keep Your Baby Safe During Pregnancy
Food can be contaminated with a bacteria called Listeria. Learn to protect your food against this common bacteria.
Labor List: What to Take to the Hospital
Pregnant women, use this handy checklist to make sure you take what you need to the hospital.
Macrosomia
Macrosomia is a term used in obstetrics and gynecology to describe large fetuses/infants. The incidence of greater than 4000 gram (approximately 8 pound infants) is approximately 5%, the incidence of greater than 4500 gram infants (approximately 9 pound infants) is approximately 0.5 to 1%.
Medications and Pregnancy
Since 1984, all OTC drug products have carried the following warning: 'As with any other drug, if you are pregnant or nursing, seek the advice of a health professional before using this product.'
Palpitations
Heartbeat sensations involve a regular or irregular pounding of the heart. It is a conscious, unpleasant awareness of one's own heartbeat, or a sensation of skipped or stopped beats. Palpitations can be felt in the chest, throat, or neck.
Perineal Message
Starting around the 34th week of your pregnancy, you could try daily prenatal massage of the perineum (the area around your vagina). Perineum massage may increase the stretching ability of the area, leading to less need for episiotomy.
Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is a condition that occurs during pregnancy when the placenta implants in the lower part of the uterus and blocks the cervical opening to the vagina, therefore preventing normal delivery.
Postdate Pregnancy
An average of 10% of normal pregnancies extend beyond 42 weeks. These are called postterm or postdate pregnancies.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depressions can range from transient "blues" following childbirth to severe, incapacitating, psychotic depressions.
Pregnancy and Eating Disorders
One of the most important things a woman can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy for herself and her baby is to eat a well-balanced diet. Good nutrition during pregnancy is essential to creating an environment that allows the baby to grow and flourish.
Pregnancy and Exercise
The benefits of exercise, good nutrition, and the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle are undisputed as ways to reduce many of the diseases that affect women such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity.
Prenatal Testing
A variety of prenatal tests are available. While not all patients need or will have all the various tests, it is good to know that they are available.
Preterm Labor
Preterm labor is one of the most serious obstetrical problems. Approximately 1 in 10 births results in preterm labor with preterm delivery of a small infant.
Recognizing the Signs of True Labor
Regular contractions and water breaking are signs of true labor.
Round Ligament Pain
Although there are many reasons for abdominal pain during pregnancy, the most common condition is round ligament pain.
Stillbirth
Stillbirth is defined as the death of a fetus between the 20th week (5th month) of pregnancy and birth. This is a particularly devastating problem for the parents and physician.
Tests of Fetal Well-Being
These tests are designed to evaluate the status of the placenta and whether or not oxygen and nutrition transferred to the fetus are being affected.
Travel During Pregnancy
Traveling during pregnancy can be very enjoyable. Through the first two trimesters and into the third, it is perfectly safe to travel as long as you are not experiencing any complications and your doctor has not indicated any reasons for prohibiting travel.
Umbilical Cord Blood
Research has revealed that umbilical cord blood, traditionally discarded at birth, contains special cells called stem cells, which can now be used as part of the treatment therapy for nearly 50 life-threatening diseases. Umbilical cord blood banking allows you to preserve these stem cells for your family's future use if the need arises.
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
The average recommended weight gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds.
7800 Wolf Trail Cove, Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: (901) 682-9222; Fax: (901) 682-9505
