Obstetric & Reproductive Health FAQs

Yes, it can be normal to find that you are spotting, but you should call or message your provider to discuss your symptoms with the clinical staff.

You can start taking prenatal vitamins with Folic Acid as soon as you start to try to conceive, or find out that you are pregnant.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive disease that can affect all organ systems but mainly the pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and reproductive organs are affected. Current median survival is 30 years old. If both parents are carriers of the CF gene, they have a 1 in 4 chance of having a child with CF. Our goal is [...]

While we are unable to test for all types of congenital (inherited), developmental and medical problems that can affect children, you can have testing done to see if you are at increased risk of some abnormalities. The Sequential ScreenSM test is used to screen for Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and spinal [...]

Eat small meals throughout the day so that you’re never too full or too hungry. Try eating high carbohydrate foods (plain baked potatoes, white rice or dry toast) or bland foods (such as saltine crackers, popsicles, chicken broths, ginger ale and pretzels). Avoid rich, spicy, greasy or fatty foods. However, some women find that these [...]

For any of the following reasons, we ask you to come in for evaluation. If during office hours, you may come here. If after hours, proceed directly to The Birth Place at North Collier Hospital. You are in labor: Labor is expected to occur between 37-41 weeks gestation. Signs of labor are persistent painful contractions [...]

The following medications are considered safe to take in pregnancy in limited amounts. If you have any questions or concerns, or if your symptoms are not improving, please call us. Allergies (Runny nose, sinus congestion, itching eyes): Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec Back Pain: Tylenol (acetaminophen); Ice packs, Massage therapy, Biofreeze, Icy Hot Constipation Prevention: Start a [...]

You can continue doing any exercise you were previously doing. However, you should not elevate your core body temperature. General guidelines to help avoid this are to limit your target heart rate to 120-140 bpm or to make sure you can have a full conversation when at your max speed. Drink plenty of fluids before, [...]

Yes, you can occasionally color your hair. We prefer that you not do it during the first trimester.

Eat a healthy well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. If you start the pregnancy at a normal body weight, you need only ~300 extra calories/day. Eat regular meals each day. Try 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day as your growing baby needs a continuous infusion of calories. Eat a variety of feeds [...]