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Obstetrics

Our Complete Obstetrics Services

We are honored to be involved in the most wonderful time of your life. We want to make sure that you and your family are comfortable with your care and feel fully informed regarding your important choices during this time. Our obstetrics care includes the following:

  • Routine prenatal care
  • High-risk pregnancies with assistance from maternal fetal medicine specialists nearby
  • Fetal monitoring
  • Blood work (some routine blood work is done in-office)

So that we are easily available for you, we exclusively use Banner Gateway Medical Center, which is very near our office.

It is important to us that you have all your questions answered and feel comfortable in your pregnancy care. We have created a list of Frequently Asked Questions for your convenience. If you don't find the answers you need here, please ask us at your next visit.

FAQs

Can I exercise while I'm pregnant?
Women should not exceed the activity level they maintained before pregnancy. So if you did not run before you got pregnant, do not start now. Also, if any activity during pregnancy hurts, then stop. Walking, swimming and yoga are some of the best exercises for pregnant women. Remember to hydrate yourself before, during and after exercise.

What medications can I take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Dr. Newman approves the following medicines for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • Allergies: Claritin, Benadryl, Zyrtec
  • Antacid: Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, Gaviscon, Pepcid AC, Zantac 75
  • Cough/Cold: Dimetap, Actifed, Sudafed, Drixoril, Robitussin DM, and Tylenol cold preparations
  • Constipation: Colace, Peri-Colace, Senokot, Metamucil, Prune Juice, Miralax
  • Diarrhea: Imodium AD, Kaopectate
  • Gas Pain: Gas-X, Phazyme
  • Headache: Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol
  • Hemorrhoids: Preparation H, Tucks, Americaine, Anusol Cream
  • Nasal Spray: Saline nasal spray
  • Nausea/Vomiting: Dramamine, Unisom, Vitamin B6-25mg every 8 hrs as needed, Emetrol
  • Sleep: Unisom, Tylenol PM, Benadryl
  • Stool Softener: Colace, Senekot
  • Vaginitis/Yeast: Monistat 7 cream, Mycelex 7 Day

Can I dye my hair?
We recommend that pregnant women wait until the second trimester (at least 14 weeks) before coloring their hair.

Can I go to a tanning bed?
Whether or not you are pregnant, we recommend that you refrain from intensive ultraviolet rays because these can result in long term skin damage.

Can I take medications for a headache?
Refer to the FAQ on medications. Most headache medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen, along with most prescriptions for migraines, are not recommended. Consult your doctor if you are prone to migraines. You can try Tylenol or Claritin (for sinus headache).

What foods should I avoid while pregnant?
Pregnant women should limit their intake of tuna, albacore tuna, tuna steak, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish. These fish can have high levels of contaminants that can cross the placenta and be harmful to your baby if consumed in sufficient amounts. The Centers for Disease Control recommend that you only consume soft cheese and dairy products that have been pasteurized. Hard cheese is generally pasteurized and safe during pregnancy. We also recommend that pregnant women not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats unless they are properly reheated. Avoid raw foods like sushi, ceviche and runny eggs.

What helps with nausea during pregnancy?
Eating smaller meals more frequently is a big help. Drink plenty of water. While pregnant you should try to drink one gallon of water per day because dehydration can also cause you to feel nauseous.

Try taking vitamin B6 (25mg every 8 hours as needed) and consider ginger capsules, ginger tea and ginger ale. These are all said to decrease nausea and are perfectly safe in small amounts.

Avoid fried, greasy of fatty foods, especially fast foods. Instead, eat a diet high in protein—things like eggs, tuna (in small quantities), milk and peanut butter.

What should I do when my water breaks?
If your water breaks or you think it has broken, go to the hospital for evaluation. If you are not sure, call our office.

When do I need to stop traveling?
You should not travel on a cruise after 24 weeks or in an airplane after 35 weeks of pregnancy.

When will I be able to tell the gender of my baby?
An ultrasound to monitor the health of your baby is usually ordered between 18 and 20 weeks. In most cases, the physician can determine the gender of your baby from this ultrasound.

When will I be able to feel my baby move?
Women can usually feel their baby move around 20 weeks, although some feel the baby earlier and some later.

How much caffeine can I intake?
You should limit your caffeine intake to 16 oz per day.

What are kick counts and when should I do them?
After 32 weeks the baby takes up more of the space in the uterus, and the movements may change. If you are concerned about the baby's movements, have something cold to drink or something to eat and count the movements for one hour. Movements are any kicks or rolls. If you get to 10, your baby is fine and you can stop counting. If you get to the end of the hour and have not counted 10 movements, go to Labor and Delivery.

If something seems wrong during my pregnancy, when should I call the office?
Most pregnancies are normal and uncomplicated. However, it's important to report certain problems to your physician. Call the office if you experience any of the following:

  • Medium to heavy vaginal bleeding
  • Severe, continuous headache that is not relieved by Tylenol, eating or resting
  • Swelling of the face and hands
  • Dizziness or blurred vision
  • Severe pain in the abdomen
  • Persistent vomiting for more than 24 hours
  • Fluid trickling or gushing from the vagina
  • Decreased fetal movement

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