Obstetrical Care in Birmingham, AL
- Family Planning and Pre Pregnancy Visits
- Reproductive Medicine
- Infertility Testing and Treatment
- Preconception Counseling
- Birthing Options
- Prenatal care and testing
- Preparing for a healthy pregnancy
- Maintaining a healthy pregnancy
- Perinatal Care and Support (for the period 3 months before pregnancy and up to one year after birth)
- High risk pregnancies including blood disorders, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes
- Labor and delivery care
- Postpartum care
- Postpartum depression
- Postpartum bleeding
- Male Infant Circumcision
Information for Our Obstetrical Patients
Medications During Pregnancy: SAFE
The following medications are considered SAFE for use during pregnancy. For greatest effectiveness, use as directed on the package.
Medications During Pregnancy: UNSAFE
The following medications are considered UNSAFE and SHOULD NOT be used during pregnancy.
- Allergies: Claritin, Benadryl
- Congestion: Sudafed (not 1st trimester), Mucinex, Sudafed Shower Soothers, Zyrtec, Allegra, Flonase, Netipot
- Constipation: Any fiber supplement such as Metamucil; Stool softeners such as Colace; Stimulants (use only on occasion) such as Senakot or Milk of Magnesia
- Cough: Robitussin, Robitussin DM, Delsym
- Diarrhea: Immodium
- Gas: Gaviscon, Mylicon, GasX
- Headache/Pain: Tylenol (regular or extra-strength)
- Heartburn: Antacids (liquids work best), Zantac, Pepcid
- Nausea: Emetrol, C Bands
- Sore Throat: Lozenges and sprays (Chloroseptic, Halls)
- Yeast Infection: Monistat, Gynelotrimin
- Fever: Tylenol
- Hemorrhoids: Preparation H, Tucks pads
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes or other tobacco products
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- Naproxyn (Aleve, Anaprox)
- Other anti-inflammatory agents (Celebrex, Relafen, Mobic)
- Tetracycline
- Doxycycline
- Accutane
If you have questions about medications, do not use them until you have discussed them with your physician.
DOs and DON’Ts
Food Restrictions
- DO NOT eat raw meat.
- DO NOT eat raw eggs.
- No unpasteurized dairy products.
- Limit caffeine to two beverages a day.
- Cold cuts are fine if stored properly.
- Hot dogs are fine if cooked.
- Mexican cheese is fine to eat.
- Most fish are fine. Avoid tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish. Limit other fish to two servings (12 ounces) a week.
Sweeteners
- All artificial sweeteners are safe in pregnancy – no limitations
Dental Care
- Continue routine dental care.
- If X-rays are needed, ask that a lead apron be used.
- Local anesthetics for procedures are safe.
- Avoid use of Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas).
Activity and Exercise
- You should continue your normal activities such as household care, errands, and work.
- Exercise is healthy. We recommend low impact exercise three to four times a week.
- If you were conditioned to a regimen before pregnancy, continue your exercise routine. Your heart rate will increase quicker with less effort during pregnancy.
- After 20 weeks, avoid exercises that place you flat on your back.
- Keep yourself well hydrated before, during, and after exercise.
- Allow plenty of time to warm up before exercise AND plenty of time to cool down after exercise.
- Lifting, up to 30 pounds, is safe in pregnancy.
- Painting with latex paint and use of insect repellants or other aerosols is safe if used in well ventilated areas.
- Avoid skydiving, horseback riding, and SCUBA diving.
Sleep
- After 20 weeks, do not sleep flat on your back. This position can compromise blood circulation to yourself and baby.
- It does not matter what side you sleep on.
- Body pillows and Benadryl are safe sleep aides.
Travel
- No limits until the third trimester (around 28 weeks).
- Do not schedule long distance travel after 32 weeks.
- After 34 weeks, it is best to be within two hours of the hospital.
- Be sure to stretch your legs every two hours while traveling.
- Drink plenty of water.
Water Activities
- Avoid water greater than 105 degrees (minimal time in hot tubs and spas).
- Swimming in a pool, a lake, or the ocean is fine.
- Riding in a boat is fine. AVOID dangerous activities such as water skiing, jet skiing, and Seadoos!
- AVOID SCUBA diving.
Beauty
- You may color or chemically treat your hair at any time in pregnancy
- Tanning (outdoors or in a tanning bed) is safe as long as you do not get overheated.
- Sunscreen of SPF 50 or more should be used to protect your skin against skin cancer.
- Spray-on tans are safe.
- Manicures/pedicures are safe.
Sexual Activity
- Intercouse in pregnancy is safe.
- Intercourse does not cause preterm labor or miscarriage; spotting or light bleeding can occur because of intercourse.
- For comfort, different positioning for intercourse in pregnancy may be necessary.
- Call your physician if heavy vaginal bleeding occurs after intercourse.
When To Call the Doctor
Signs of Labor
Rhythmic contractions: Contractions will be irregular at first. When contractions become regular and are 5-7 minutes apart for an hour, please call.
Broken bag of water: With ruptured membranes, you will feel a “gush” of fluid which continues to leak. If your water breaks, call for instructions.
Heavy bleeding: Bleeding heavier than the first day of your period can be significant. Blood mixed with mucus or the “mucus plug” should cause no alarm. Also bleeding after intercourse is typically no cause for alarm.
Decreased fetal movement: If you notice a significant decrease in the baby’s movements from what you are accustomed to, please let us know. A decrease in the intensity of movements near term is normal.
ALWAYS CALL THE DOCTOR ON CALL BEFORE COMING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR TO LABOR AND DELIVERY FOR ANY REASON.
A PHONE CALL MAY SAVE YOU A TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL.
HAVE YOUR PHARMACY TELEPHONE NUMBER AVAILABLE.
IF YOU CALL, BE PREPARED TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL IF INSTRUCTED.
OUR ANSWERING SERVICE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS: (205) 930-4358
(Please reserve routine calls and refills for office hours).