Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I have a medical emergency after hours or on weekends?
Call 404-609-0702 and our answering service will page the on call provider. Be sure to remove all call blocks so that we may return your call.Q. Is it safe to color my hair when I'm pregnant?
There is no evidence that the chemicals in the hair dye will harm your baby.The amount of dye you would normally use on your hair is not enough to pose an increased risk to either you or your child.
Q. Are hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms safe during pregnancy?
High temperatures are dangerous for your growing baby. A warm bath is a great way to relax during pregnancy, but don't let yourself get overheated.
Q. Can I paint when I'm pregnant?
It is okay to paint as long as the room is well ventilated. Also, use caution with climbing a ladder due to the shift in your center of gravity and balance.
Q. What is the MSAFP or Quad screen?
Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Screening
MSAFP is a screening test that examines the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the mother's blood during pregnancy. This is not a diagnostic test.Screening tests do not look only at results from the blood test. They compare a number of different factors (including age, ethnicity, results from blood tests, etc...) and then estimate what a person’s chances are of having an abnormality. These tests DO NOT diagnose a problem; they only signal that further testing should be done.
Low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol may indicate that the developing baby has Trisomy 21( Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) or another type of chromosome abnormality.
Q. What is the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for Gestational Diabetes?
The oral glucose tolerance test is used to screen for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop in some women late in pregnancy (usually after the 24th week). Women who develop gestational diabetes do not have diabetes before becoming pregnant.
Q. What is the normal weight gain during pregnancy?
If you began pregnancy at a normal weight, you should gain 25–35 pounds over the nine months. Adding about 300 extra calories a day to your diet will help you reach this goal.
If you began pregnancy underweight, you should probably gain a little more. That's because underweight women are more likely to have small babies. A 28- to 40-pound gain is usually recommended.
If you began pregnancy overweight, you should gain only 15–25 pounds. This means you should put on one pound every two weeks in the second and third trimesters. While you don't want to gain too much weight, you should never try to lose weight during pregnancy because that could harm your baby.
If you're expecting twins, you should probably gain a total of 35–45 pounds.
Q. When can I found out the sex of the baby?
We are proud to make available a 3D/4D ultrasound image for an additional $100.00. These scans are offered anytime after 18-20 weeks. Or the next scheduled ultrasound is between 26-28 weeks.
Q. Can I have sex during pregnancy?
Unless your health care provider advises you otherwise, sex during pregnancy is safe for you and the baby. The baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in the womb and by your abdomen.
Q. What is a healthy diet during pregnancy?
You don’t have to give up all the foods you love when you’re pregnant. You just need to eat smart and make sure that most of your choices are healthy ones. You only need 300 extra calories per day to support your baby’s growth and development.
Q. How often should my baby move?
Your baby's movements can be one of the best signs that your baby is doing well. Most babies establish patterns of movement that the mother becomes familiar with. Changes in these movements will give your doctor and/or your midwife more information about your baby's well being.
After 28 weeks a mother should feel the baby move four to six times an hour at least one hour in a day.
If you are not sure your baby is moving this much or is not moving as usual, do the following:
1. Empty your bladder.
2. Drink a glass of juice.
3. Check the time (DO NO SMOKE FOR TWO HOURS BEFORE THIS TEST)
4. Lie down. Baby should move four to six times in one hour.
5. If you have not felt the baby move after one hour, call the office (770-860-1133).
Q. What is "false labor"?
False labor are contractions that are often irregular and do not get any closer together. The contractions may ease up or stop all together with a change in activity. If you are lying down, get up and move around. If you have been active, take a rest. A warm bath may help relieve the discomforts. Also, false contractions often are felt all over the abdomen. They may feel slightly crampy or just like tightening. False labor can hurt just as bad as true labor.
Q. How do I time my contractions?
When your contractions have progressed to the point where they are lasting 50-70 seconds and are strong enough that you must breathe through them, you should begin timing them. Time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. When the contractions have been strong and every five minutes or less for AT LEAST an hour you can begin to get ready to go to the hospital.
Remember, in early labor it is best for you to remain in your own environment where you can do things that comfort you. Take a warm bath or shower. Walk around. Rest some. Eat lightly. Drink plenty of fluids.
Other signs:
- Water breaking. If you are certain, go on to the hospital. If you are not certain, you may come to the office during regular hours or go to the hospital for evaluation.
- Vaginal bleeding. While bloody show is normal, bright red blood or a flow as heavy as a period is not. Go directly to the hospital.
- Constant pain. If you are having constant, severe abdominal pain do not wait for a whole hour to pass. Go directly to the hospital.
Q. What are the signs that labor may be approaching?
- Feeling as if the baby has dropped or is lower. It is lightening. The baby's head is settling deep into your pelvis. Labor may happen from a few weeks to a few hours.
- Having an increased in vaginal discharge. It may be a thick mucus or more watery. It may be clear, pink or slightly blood tinged. This is show. A thick plug of mucus has blocked the cervix during pregnancy. As the cervix begins to soften and open slightly the plug slides out. It may be tinged with blood from small vessels in the cervix that are breaking. This may happen for some women several days before labor begins. For other women there is no show until they are in active labor.
- A gush or continual trickle of watery fluid from the vagina. This is rupture of the membranes. The fluid filled sac that surrounded the baby during pregnancy has broken open. This may happen from several hours before labor begins to any time during labor.
- Feeling a regular pattern of cramps, a backache, or a sensation like a band tightening around your middle. This is contractions. Your uterine muscle is tightening and relaxing. These contractions may ease up and go away entirely after an hour or two. Or they may become progressively closer and stronger. This may happen with false labor or true labor.
Q. Should I pre-register at the hospital?
We suggest you pre-register before your delivery in order to simplify your registration. It is best to do this at the beginning of your third trimester (around your 28th week).
For Rockdale Medical Center go to the website:
www. rockdalemedicalcenter.com
The printable/pdf version of the registration form can be found at this website. Once you fill out the form you can mail it in, email it back or drop it by any registration area at the hospital.
For Newton Medical Center go to the website:
Q. What is the time allowed on FMLA paper for maternity leave after a C-sections and vaginal delivery?
The average recovery time for a C-section or vaginal delivery is 6 weeks.
Q. What is morning sickness? What can I do for morning sickness?
"Morning sickness" can actually occur at anytime throughout the day. Some causes can be odors, hunger, getting up to quickly or just being pregnant.
Some things to try:
- Suck on lemon drops or smell a lemon fragrance
- Eat small frequent meals
- Eat something before you get out of bed
- Drink ginger ale or ginger tea
- Take ginger capsules twice a day (available where vitamins are sold)
- Take 25mg of vitamin B6 2-3 times a day
- Take 25mg of vitamin B6 and 1/2 of a Unison tablet (over the counter sleep aid) twice a day
- Take Emetrol or Dramamine
- Wear "sea bands"
- Avoid drinking fluids while you are eating
- Eat whatever sounds appetizing. You can worry about good nutrition in a few weeks.
- Avoid drinking juices. Water is best. Also diluted Gatorade is fine.
- Eat ice or ice pops
- Drink peppermint tea
If you are unable to keep any fluids down for 24 hours, please call the office at 770-860-1133.
Q. What is a midwife?
It is the hope and philosophy of Midwives to provide personal, loving, educated and competent obstetric and gynecological care to all women. This not only includes the hands on treatment but also the emotional and supportive aspects of care. They listen and hear their patients. They empathize with and understand women.
A Certified Nurse Midwife is licensed and registered by a State Board of Nursing. In order to obtain these credentials she must complete a nursing program and then continue with graduate studies specifically in the field of Midwifery. Midwifery education consists of the complete knowledge of the female reproductive system. she is taught to diagnose and treat (including writing prescriptions). After her schooling, a graduate Nurse Midwife must pass a national exam. Relative to the role in the health care system, she receives as stringent an education as a physician only not in the medical school tract. In fact, Ivy League schools such as Columbia and Yale University have Midwifery programs.
A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is able to give care to the essentially healthy woman for her obstetrical and gynecological care. She can render complete prenatal, intrapartum and post partum care as well as the diagnosis and treatment of the many common gynecological problems that affect women. In fact, Midwives manage women in all areas of the OB?GYN health including annual exams, pap smears, birth control, hormone replacement, infertility, and of course, all aspects of pregnancy and delivery.
Midwives do not do surgery and they not manage high risk problems. They work within a collegial relationship with a physician with whom they can consult or refer a patient. By law, a Midwife must have a physician to back her up for emergencies.
Q. Is it okay to travel during pregnancy?
Yes. However, we suggest that you not travel after 36 weeks.
- Try to limit the amount of time you are cooped up in the car, bus, or train. Keep travel time around five to six hours.
- If you have flexibility in your travel plans, mid pregnancy (14 to 28 weeks) may be the best time to fly.
- Buckle up. During the trip, fasten the lap belt under your abdomen and across the tops of your thighs.
- Promote circulation. If possible, get out of your seat for a short walk every half-hour or so. If you must remain seated, flex and extend your ankles often. This keeps the blood circulating and helps prevent blood clots.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Low humidity in an airplane is dehydrating
Q. What over the counter medications are safe during pregnancy?
Please refer to our Approved Medication List under the Forms tab.
Q. What if I have a medical emergency at night or weekends?
Call 404-609-0702 and our answering service will page the on call provider. Be sure to remove all call blocks so that we may return your call.
Q. Does our office fill out FMLA forms?
We will be happy to complete Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or Disability forms. All FMLA and Disability forms will be completed within 7-10 business days from the date submitted to our office. We will contact you upon completion. There is a $25.00 CASH fee for completion of each form.
Q. How are medical records requests and transfers handle in our office?
Medical records requests will be processed within 7 to 15 business days upon a signed medical record request received in our office. There are copying cost for records in paper form. Per page for pages 1-20 are $0.93 per page and $0.80 for pages 20-100. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Please see a member of the front office for the necessary form.