HealthyLife Articles

Tag: pregnancy

Plan For A Healthy Pregnancy

Women’s Health

To help a pregnancy get off to a good start, take these steps before you get pregnant:

* Get a medical checkup. Discuss your medical history and your family medical history with your doctor.

* Do you have a chronic medical problem, such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure? If you do, ask your doctor if changes need to be made in your treatment plan.

* Find out what medicines you can take. Ask which ones you should not take. Tell or show your doctor all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, etc. that you take. Ask if you need to change any of these while you try to get pregnant.

* Take 400 to 800 micrograms (.4 to .8 milligrams) of folic acid every day. This B vitamin can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Make sure you take folic acid for at least one month before you get pregnant. Women who have had a baby with a serious problem of the brain or spine should take the amount of folic acid their doctors advise.

* Discuss current and past birth control methods. Ask what method you should use until you decide to get pregnant.

* If you or your partner has a family history of sickle-cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, etc., get genetic counseling. Do this, too, if you are older than age 35 or if your partner is age 60 or older.

* Do you smoke? Do you take street drugs? If so, now is the time to quit. Get help if you need it.

* Stop or limit alcohol use. This will make it easier to go without it when you are pregnant.

* Get vaccines, as advised by your doctor.

* Avoid exposure to X-rays.

* Caffeine is okay for women planning to get pregnant, but limit it to 400 milligrams a day. This is the amount in about two 8-ounce cups of coffee. Follow your doctor’s advice for caffeine during pregnancy.

* Get regular exercise.

* If you are overweight, lose weight before you get pregnant.

* Eat healthy foods. These include:

– Fruits and vegetables.

– Whole grain breads and cereals.

– Low-fat dairy foods and other calcium-rich foods.

Resources

March of Dimes

www.marchofdimes.com

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bleeding

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Pregnant women sometimes have light spotting. That’s when a tiny bit of blood leaks from the vagina or the surface of the cervix. It may happen after a vaginal exam. It may also happen after sex. If the blood starts out pink or red and turns dark brown, it is not active bleeding. This is not usually a problem. But let your health care provider know when there is any bleeding. He or she will decide what to do. Bleeding can be a sign of a problem if:

* The blood is bright red.

* Pain or cramps are present, too.

* The bleeding is heavy. Heavy means the bleeding soaks a sanitary pad.

* The spotting keeps going on.

Causes

Before the 20th week, bleeding could be, but is not always, a sign of miscarriage. Other causes of bleeding include:

* Loss of the mucus plug

* Kidney infection

* Preterm labor

* Placenta previa and other problems called vasa previa and marginal previa

* Placenta abruptio

* Swollen cervix

Placenta Previa

The placenta carries oxygen and food to the baby. In most pregnancies, the placenta attaches high in the uterus. In placenta previa, it attaches low, over the cervix. The lower uterus stretches during late pregnancy. Parts of the placenta tear from the wall. That causes bleeding.

Placenta previa is rare. It happens in only 1 in 200 pregnancies. Its cause is not known. Falls and injuries are not factors. Symptoms of placenta previa are:

* Bright red vaginal bleeding. This could start as early as the 24th week. Often, it starts during the 34th or 35th week.

* Usually, there is no pain or cramping.

A woman may not know that she has placenta previa until bleeding happens. Then an ultrasound test can show the problem.

Women with placenta previa have to spend a lot of time in bed. Bed rest may last late into the pregnancy. Bed rest gives the baby time to grow. It prevents stress to the uterus. The goal is to keep blood loss down. A lot of blood loss means danger for both mother and baby. In severe cases, the mother may have to go to the hospital for treatment.

In some cases, the bleeding stops, but the placenta blocks the cervix. The mother will need a Cesarean section (C-section) delivery if the placenta completely blocks the cervix. The mother may need a C-section if the placenta only partly blocks the cervix. When this happens, the mother may have more bleeding after she delivers the baby.

{Note: Some pregnant women may have a “low lying placenta.” This means the placenta lies at the bottom of the uterus (not higher where it should be). An ultrasound can show a “low lying” placenta. If it is found before the 24th week, the placenta can move upward and out of the way of the cervix. If so, there is no longer a problem.}

Placenta Abruptio

There is a right time for delivery of the placenta. That’s after the baby is born. But sometimes it happens another way. The placenta starts to leave the wall of the uterus too early. It starts before the baby is born. This can happen whether the placenta is attached high or low.

Placenta abruptio happens in about 1 in 200 pregnancies. Some cases are more serious than others. Causes might be high blood pressure or a serious blow to the belly. An older mother may be more apt to have placenta abruptio. So are women who use cocaine during pregnancy. Symptoms of placenta abruptio are:

* Bright red vaginal bleeding

* Severe pain in the abdomen. The pain lasts. It doesn’t come and go.

There are no tests for placenta abruptio. Even ultrasound may not show it. Regular prenatal visits help. The health care provider looks for blood in the mother’s vagina. The provider finds out if the uterus is tender.

Women with placenta abruptio need to go to the hospital right away. Some women can have a vaginal delivery. That’s if labor begins on its own and the baby is healthy. Otherwise, a C-section is done. The mother may be given blood.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Watch closely for bleeding. If you see any, call your health care provider.

* Rest in bed for light bleeding.

* Avoid doing things that could injure you. Examples: heavy lifting, hard exercise. Don’t do work, sports, or exercises that could give you a blow to the belly.

* Wear a special seat belt when you drive. You can get one that protects a pregnant woman’s belly.

* Don’t smoke.

* Don’t be exposed to other people’s smoke.

* Follow your health care provider’s advice about sex. You may be told to:

– Avoid sex.

– Use extra caution during sex:

– Your partner can focus on more gentle touching.

– Limit how deeply the penis enters the vagina. Use positions that help control the depth.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safe Pregnancy After Age Thirty-Five

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Age is not the biggest factor in a healthy pregnancy. The biggest factor is the good health of the mother.

Becoming pregnant after the age of 35, however, poses a number of potential problems. Chances for conception decrease with age. The incidence of miscarriage and premature birth is slightly higher in later-life pregnancies. So is the likelihood that the mother will develop diabetes or high blood pressure. The chances that a baby will be born with a genetic defect increases, too. So along with other health considerations, a pregnant woman in her mid-thirties or older should:

* Discuss with her doctor, in detail, her pregnancy plans, risk factors, and measures she needs to take for a healthy pregnancy.

* Talk to her doctor about prenatal genetic tests.

About Amniocentesis

Usually performed at about 16 weeks into the pregnancy, amniocentesis can detect Down’s syndrome, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, Rh incompatibility, and spina bifida. (Amniocentesis will also reveal the sex of the child, but it’s never done for that purpose alone.) The doctor uses a long needle to draw out a sample of amniotic fluid, which is tested for genetic abnormalities. The test itself presents some risk-there is about 1 chance in 100 to 1 chance in 200 that a miscarriage may occur.

Amniocentesis is justified under the following conditions.

* The pregnant woman is 35 years old or older or requests genetic testing.

* Someone in the mother’s or father’s immediate family (a parent, sibling, or child) has a genetic or metabolic disorder.

* There is a family history of hemophilia (a bleeding disorder) or spina bifida (a neural tube defect).

* An earlier pregnancy produced a baby with chromosome abnormalities.

Amniocentesis can’t detect abnormalities such as a club foot or cleft palate, so normal results don’t necessarily guarantee a normal baby. Another technique called chorionic villous sampling (CVS) analyzes a small sample of the placenta and can be performed earlier than amniocentesis, (between weeks 8 and 12 of the pregnancy). The earlier testing is done, the more time the prospective parents and their doctor have to decide on the best course of action.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Bleeding 2

First Aid

Most adults can donate a pint of blood without harmful side effects, but losing a quart of blood, quickly, can lead to shock and even death. In a child, losing a pint (or less depending on the child’s size) can put the child in extreme danger.

Signs & Symptoms

For External Bleeding

* A skin wound.

* Dark red blood gushes or flows from veins.

* Bright red blood spurts from arteries.

* Blood oozes from capillaries. The bleeding usually clots off by itself.

For Internal Bleeding

* Vomiting or coughing up true, red blood. This includes blood-tinged sputum.

* A bruise on the skin of the chest or abdomen, especially if it is in a place where no blow was struck.

* Fractured ribs.

* Dizziness. Fainting. Weakness.

* Lethargy. Excessive sleepiness. Mental status changes. These can occur with trauma to the head, even if it is mild.

* Fast pulse. Cold, moist skin.

* Stools contain bright red blood or are black (not due to taking iron).

Causes

For External Bleeding

* Abrasions (scraped skin). Lacerations (cut skin with jagged edges). Punctures.

* Knife, gunshot, or other wounds can graze or penetrate the skin. These can damage internal blood vessels and body organs.

* Injury wounds.

For Internal Bleeding

* A bruise. This is bleeding from and damage to tissues beneath the skin.

* Damage to blood vessels and/or internal structures. This includes a blunt injury that does not break the skin, a bleeding ulcer, and an aneurysm.

* Bleeding disorders.

Taking blood-thinning drugs can result in both internal and external bleeding.

Treatment

When bleeding occurs, the goal is to find the source, stop or lessen the bleeding, and help the body cope with the loss of blood.

* For severe bleeding, treatment includes first aid measures and emergency medical care.

* For minor bleeding, treatment depends on the cause and other medical conditions present.

* Bleeding disorders need to be treated by a doctor.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / First Aid

For Severe Bleeding

* Without delay, apply direct pressure to the wound using a sterile dressing or clean cloths. {Note: If the cut is large and the edges of it gape open, pinch the edges of the wound while you apply pressure.}

* Call 9-1-1 or take the person to nearest hospital emergency department.

* Do not remove an object that is stuck in a wound. Pack it in place with padding. Put tape around the padding so it doesn’t move.

* If bleeding continues before getting medical help, put extra cloths, etc. on top of existing ones. Keep putting pressure on the wound until bleeding stops or until medical help takes over.

* The most important thing to do is to apply direct pressure on the bleeding site. Some health experts advise to do these things, too, if needed:

– Elevate the wounded area higher than heart level while applying pressure. Do this if no bone is broken.

– Apply pressure to a “pressure point” if bleeding still continues after 15 to 20 minutes of direct pressure. Use the pressure point closest to the bleeding site that is between the wound and the heart. (See Pressure Points.)

* Don’t apply a tourniquet except to save a life.

* While giving first aid for bleeding, keep looking for signs of shock.

For an Amputation

* Control bleeding.

* Wrap the severed part in a clean, dry (not wet) cloth or sterile gauze. Place the wrapped part in a plastic bag or other waterproof container. Put these on a bed of ice. Do not submerge the severed part in cold water or ice.

For Bleeding from the Scalp

* Use a ring pad to apply pressure around the edges of the wound, not on the wound. Make a ring pad (shaped like a doughnut) with a bandage of narrow, long strips of cloth. Start with one end of the narrow bandage and wrap it around all four fingers on one hand until you form a loop. Leave a long strip of the bandage material to weave in and around the loop so it doesn’t unravel.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

How can you find out for sure if you are pregnant? Do a home pregnancy urine test. You can do one yourself. Facts about these tests:

* They test for a hormone called HCG. HCG is present in the urine only during pregnancy.

* You can buy them over-the-counter. Look for them at the drug store or supermarket.

* They are 95 to 100% error-free. But you have to do what the label says.

* They come in many brands. Some brands include a second test in the package.

* They are not all used the same way. Read the label to find out what to do. Some can be used the day after you miss a period. That’s about 14 days after conception. Some have you wait 3 to 5 days after you miss a period. Some have you use your first morning urine sample.

{Note: If your test is positive, call your health care provider. Make a date to be seen. Ask what prenatal vitamins (vitamin pills) you should take. Do this if you are not already taking them. It is a good idea to start taking prenatal vitamins before you get pregnant and right at the start of pregnancy. Doing this, especially getting enough folic acid, may prevent some birth defects. Prenatal vitamins will supply the minerals you need, too.}

* Get a lab or in-office urine test. Ask your health care provider to order one. Facts about these tests:

– They test for HCG in the urine.

– They are nearly 100% error-free.

– They can confirm pregnancy 7 to 10 days after conception.

* Get a blood test. Ask your health care provider to order it. Facts about these tests:

– They test for HCG in the blood.

– They are 100% error-free.

– They can confirm pregnancy 7 days after conception. That’s even before you miss a period.

Always follow up your pregnancy test with a medical exam. Your health care provider can see signs of pregnancy by or even before the 6th week!

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How Your Body Changes, How Your Baby Grows

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. You begin counting from the start of your last menstrual period. That’s about 9 calendar months. The 9 months are divided into 3 parts. Each part is called a trimester. The trimester charts that follow show changes in your body. They show how your baby grows.

First Trimester

(Months 1-3, Weeks 1-13)

Changes in Your Body

* Your hormones change.

* Your body makes more blood and body fluids.

* You may feel very tired.

* You pass urine more often.

* You may have an upset stomach, or throw up (morning sickness). This can happen any time of the day.

* You may feel light-headed or dizzy.

* You gain a few pounds. The average is 3 or 4 pounds. Your clothes begin to feel a little tight.

* Your moods can vary. You may feel happy and elated. You may also feel sad, cross, or anxious.

* Your breasts may change.

– They may get bigger.

– They may get sore and tender.

– Your nipples get darker. They may stick up more.

How Your Baby Grows

Your baby starts out as a single cell. The cell is formed when your egg and your male partner’s sperm meet. That one cell divides into many cells. These attach to the wall of your uterus. Some of the cells form the placenta. The rest become the embryo. That’s what the unborn baby is called from week 4 to week 8. After 8 weeks, it is called a fetus. By the end of the first trimester, your baby:

* Is about 3 to 4 inches long

* Weighs about 1 ounce

* Has all its internal organs and limbs. Its heart beats.

* Has a large head compared to the rest of its body. Its eyes are closed.

* Begins to develop sex organs

* Has well-formed fingers and toes. Fingernails and toenails are forming.

* Can move in the uterus. You can’t feel that yet, though.

Second Trimester

(Months 4-6, Weeks 14-27)

Changes in Your Body

* You probably feel really good during this trimester. Most women do.

* You start to look pregnant as your belly expands. You gain about a pound a week. Loose or maternity clothes feel best.

* Your heart beats stronger. This helps push the extra body fluids around your body. It helps push them into the placenta, too.

* You start to feel your baby move. This usually starts between weeks 15 and 20 with a first baby. It may come earlier than that with babies after the first one. First you feel flutters. Then you feel kicks.

* Your breasts get ready to make milk.

* Your uterus starts to stretch out and get thinner.

* You may notice that you have:

– Backache

– Constipation

– Headache

– Mood swings

– Braxton-Hicks contractions

– Mild swelling of the ankles and feet

– Less morning sickness or none at all

– Less need to pass urine

– Bigger appetite

– Heartburn

– Larger veins in your hands and arms

– Stretch marks on your breasts and belly

– Leg cramps at night

None of these is apt to change your sense of well-being, though.

How Your Baby Grows

Your baby begins to grow fast. Its organs mature. By the end of the second trimester, your baby:

* Is about 11 to 14 inches long

* Weighs about 2 to 2-1/2 pounds

* Swallows

* Sucks its thumb

* Moves and kicks

* Has wrinkly skin. Its skin is covered by a thick, white coating called vernix.

* Has hair growing on its head

* Has teeth forming in the jawbone

* Can open and close its eyelids

* Has eyes that are almost fully developed. Eyebrows and eyelashes start to grow.

Third Trimester

(Months 7-9, Weeks 28-40)

Changes in Your Body

You gain about a pound a week until the final few weeks. Then you may stop gaining weight or lose a pound or two. As the baby grows, your uterus and belly expand. You feel lots of pressure on your bladder. You need to pass urine more often.

The baby pushes up on the bottom of your rib cage. The baby pushes up on the diaphragm. This can cause you to feel short of breath.

The baby makes stronger movements and moves more often. You can feel its head, elbows, and feet as they push against your belly. You may be able to see the baby’s kicks! You may notice that:

* You feel hot and you sweat more than usual.

* A yellow liquid leaks from your breasts.

* Your hands and feet swell.

* Your navel may look flat or stick out.

* You feel tired.

* You have mood swings.

Toward the very end of this trimester (near your due date):

* You may feel your uterus getting tight and hard.

* You may have “practice” contractions. These stop when you move your body or walk around.

* The baby “drops” into your pelvis. It is easier for you to breathe. It also makes you need to pass urine more often.

* You lose the mucus plug. You usually lose it shortly before delivery. It’s called bloody show then. You may notice it as a thick, stringy discharge for days. Or you may pass a big clump that looks like a wet cotton ball. Some women never notice the bloody show.

How Your Baby Grows

Your baby keeps growing and gaining weight. During this trimester, your baby:

* Grows to about 20 inches long

* Gains weight to 7 pounds or more

* Fills the uterus

* Opens and closes its eyes

* Responds to light and sound

* Moves a lot. Its movements are more like rolls and turns instead of kicks. These may slow down close to labor. But the baby does not stop moving before birth. Tell your health care provider if you notice a big decrease in your baby’s activity.

* Settles further down into your pelvis. Your baby is getting ready to be born!

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Signs Of Pregnancy

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

What to Look For

Do you think you might be pregnant? Here are some signs to look for:

* You have missed a menstrual period. You are at least 2 weeks late. {Note: Stress or illness can cause your period to be late, too. And, some women do not have regular periods. It may be hard for them to know if their period is 2 weeks late. Other women can have a light menstrual period or spotting and still be pregnant. So watch for other signs also listed here.}

* You feel tired. This is the most common sign.

* You feel sick to your stomach. You may even throw up. This is called “morning sickness.” But it can occur any time of day or night.

* You need to pass urine more often.

* You have food cravings.

* Your taste for certain foods changes.

* You have a metallic taste in your mouth.

* There are changes in your breasts.

– They feel tender.

– They feel tingly.

– They are swollen.

– The dark areas around your nipples are darker than before.

– The tiny glands around your nipples stick up.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Breast Care For Nursing Mothers

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Breast-feeding your baby is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life. But if nursing leaves your breasts tender and sore, satisfaction gives way to discomfort. Proper breast care can minimize this problem, though.

* Wear good support bras throughout your pregnancy.

* Wear a nursing bra day and night as long as your baby is breast-feeding.

* Avoid wearing bras that have a plastic liner.

* Change your bra or breast pads when they become damp or wet.

* Alternate breasts when nursing.

* Avoid nursing your baby more than 20 minutes at a time on each breast.

* Don’t pull the baby away from your breast. Instead, break the suction by gently inserting your finger between the baby’s mouth and your breast.

* Expect some temporary swelling for the first few days you breast-feed. Warm showers and ice packs can relieve discomfort.

* Wash your breasts daily, using warm water and a soft cloth. Don’t use soap; it can dry your skin and irritate your breasts.

If your breasts are red, inflamed. and painful despite precautions, consult your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Tips For A Healthier, Easier Pregnancy

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Healthy moms tend to have healthy babies. If you plan to become pregnant, take the following steps to help your baby get off to a good start.

* Have a complete medical exam, including a gynecological exam. A number of medical conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, nutritional deficiencies, and Rh negative blood factor (after the first pregnancy) can jeopardize the health of mother and child.

* Check with your doctor about the effects of any prescription or over-the-counter medication you take.

* If you have a chronic medical condition, ask your doctor how it may affect your pregnancy and whether or not you should change or adjust your medication.

* If you use an IUD or take birth control pills, use an alternative form of birth control for 1 to 2 months before trying to become pregnant.

* If you’re markedly overweight, plan to lose excess pounds before becoming pregnant.

* Exercise regularly.

* Consider genetic tests or counseling if you or your husband has a family history of genetic disorders, if you are 35 or older, or if your husband is 50 or older.

You and your baby will do best if you follow these guidelines.

* Ask your doctor or a dietitian to outline a meal plan that meets the special nutritional needs created by pregnancy.

* Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and illicit drugs, as they can harm you and your unborn baby.

* Consult your doctor before taking any medication.

* Ask your doctor what prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement you should take.

* Follow your health care provider’s advice about weight gain. The amount of weight you gain should depend on your pre-pregnancy weight and health status, as well as your ethnic background. If you are very overweight, plan to lose excess pounds before you get pregnant.

* Continue to exercise in moderation.

* Practice relaxation and other stress management techniques. (Doctors think emotional stress may constrict the blood supply to the uterus and placenta, the baby’s only source of oxygen and nutrients.)

* Enroll in childbirth preparation classes.

* If you own a cat, arrange for someone else to empty the litter box. Cat excrement can transmit a disease called toxoplasmosis. If you’re infected while pregnant, your baby may be stillborn, born prematurely, or suffer serious damage to the brain, eyes, or other parts of the body.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Choosing Your Health Care Provider

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Read the options below. Discuss them with your health insurance carrier. Do this before you get pregnant. Who you choose will partly depend on:

* Your health insurance coverage.

* You may need to choose from a certain list. Find out who is on it. Ask if there is a waiting period for maternity coverage.

* The health care providers in your area

Your personal wishes are important, too. For example, do you prefer a female or a male provider? Do you want a provider who works alone? Or do you want one in a group practice?

Where You Can Give Birth

Where do you want to have your baby? These are places to think about:

* Hospitals. There may also be choices within hospitals. These could be:

– Regular delivery room. Your family may be able to be with you here.

– Birthing center or birthing room. Your family can be with you here.

– Special high-risk pregnancy section. Sometimes mothers and newborns need high-risk care. Some hospitals offer high-risk care. Find out what services local hospitals can offer.

* Birthing centers not inside hospitals. These are sometimes called alternative birthing centers. They are for low-risk pregnancies. Find out what hospital is used when special needs arise.

{Note: Your special needs during pregnancy may determine where you can have your baby. Do not plan a home birth. It is not safe for you and your baby.}

Types of Providers

* OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist). This doctor gives prenatal and delivery care. That care ends 6 weeks after delivery. The OB/GYN treats women when they’re not pregnant, too. You may already have an OB/GYN. If you do, you could choose this provider for your pregnancy. Most women choose an OB/GYN. If you belong to an HMO, you may need a referral for an OB/GYN. A referral is when your primary care provider says you need a special doctor. You don’t need a referral if the OB/GYN is your primary care provider. You also don’t need a referral if your HMO lets you pick an OB/GYN plus a primary care provider.

* Family practice doctor. A family practice doctor can act as an OB/GYN, an internist, and a pediatrician. That means the provider can give you prenatal care and deliver your baby. You and your child can both go on seeing this same provider afterward. But if you need a cesarean section (c-section), you will need an OB/GYN.

* Maternal and fetal medicine specialist. This provider may be needed to help with high-risk pregnancies. Your primary care doctor or your OB/GYN would give you a referral if he or she can’t provide the care needed for your high-risk problems.

* Infertility specialist. This provider helps persons who want to get pregnant, but haven’t been able to after trying for a year. You may want to see this doctor if your regular OB/GYN cannot help you with your needs.

* Certified nurse-midwife. This provider cares for women with low-risk pregnancies. The nurse-midwife is trained to handle low-risk births. Be sure he or she works with a medical doctor. A lay midwife cannot provide total care. Find out if your insurance will pay for a nurse-midwife. Be sure the midwife is certified. Call the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) at 866.366.9632 or go to its Web site:www.amcbmidwife.org.

How to Find a Provider

There are a lot of ways to find providers who might suit you:

* Look in the directory of providers from your health insurance carrier.

* Ask your regular doctor or specialist.

* Do you have any friends who had a baby recently? Are their ideas about having babies like yours? Ask them.

* Call information at the hospital you want. Ask for the name and phone number of the nurse in charge of the maternity section. Ask for the name and phone number of a resident in obstetrics who works at that hospital. A resident is a doctor who is in training. Ask for the “Physician Referral Service.” Call any or all of them and ask what doctor(s) they recommend.

* Call the medical school closest to you. Ask which obstetricians it recommends.

* Ask your county medical society.

* Look in the Directory of the American Medical Association. Ask for this at your doctor’s office or library.

* Look in the Directory of Medical Specialties for OB/GYNs. Your doctor’s office or library should have this, too.

* Look for a doctor who can take care of special needs you may have.

* Do you want a doctor with a high interest in prepared childbirth? Prepared childbirth is a special approach. The pregnant mother goes to classes. Her partner or other childbirth “coach” goes with her. They both learn ways of helping the birth happen, like special breathing. The doctor works with the mother in this approach to childbirth.

How to Follow Up with a Provider

Have you found some likely prospects? Now you can:

* Call the American Board of Medical Specialties at 866.275.2267 or go to its Web site:www.abms.org. Find out if the provider is properly trained and licensed.

* Ask yourself some questions.

– Do you think you could work well with the provider?

– Does the provider’s office seem to be managed well?

* Ask the provider some questions. You may be able to do this on the phone. (You may be charged an office visit for the phone call.) Or you may need to make a date to meet in person. Here are some questions to ask. You will think of others.

– Does the provider accept your health insurance? What do services cost? How must payment be made? How much do you have to pay?

– What hospital(s) does the provider use?

– Is the hospital accredited? The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) does this.

– Does the hospital have a birthing center or birthing room?

– Does it have a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)?

– Can fathers and other persons be with you in the delivery room? In the operating room?

– Will the provider be the one who delivers your baby?

– Does the provider have partners who share the practice? If so, what would their roles be?

– Would a resident deliver your baby? A resident is a doctor in training.

– How would you reach your OB/GYN or health care provider? Would this differ at certain times of day or night? For emergencies?

– Who would take care of you when your health care provider is away?

– What is the provider’s Cesarean section (C-section) rate? If the rate is more than 35%, ask why.

– For what reasons does the provider do a C-section?

– Does the provider prefer a certain form of pain relief? If so, what and why?

– At the place you will deliver, can you get anesthetics for an epidural any time of the day or night? An epidural is an anesthesia that can block most of the pain during labor and delivery.

– What else can be given for pain?

You can talk to two or more providers. Compare the answers you get. Then you can decide who will give you care and deliver your baby.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026