Health Chats
Pregnancy: What to Expect from Conception to Birth
Wednesday Aug 11, 2010, 12:00PM - 01:00PM (EST)
Clinical Instructor/Preceptor, and Anatomical Laboratory Instructor
Plano Urogynecology Associates
Obstetrics and Gynecology , Plano, TX
The nine months of pregnancy are a time of excitement and anticipation of the day you greet your newborn, but it can also be a time of change and anxiety as your body adapts to the little one growing inside of you. You've probably received a lot of advice about what you should and should not do during a pregnancy, what is safe for the baby and what isn't, and what is normal and what isn't. Learn all about what to expect and when to expect it - from hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time to feeling that kick from inside, from morning sickness to cravings - and learn to differentiate between old wives' tales and scientific research. From trying to conceive to the first trimester to labor, learn what to expect during your pregnancy in this live health chat with Dr. Kyle Mathews, MedHelp's resident Ob/Gyn expert.<br><br>
MedHelp:
Hello everyone and welcome to today's health chat with Dr. Mathews! We'll be starting in a few minutes, but please feel free to submit your questions now.
MedHelp:
Welcome Dr. Mathews! So glad to have you here today.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Hello everyone and welcome to today's chat!
smith324:
I gave birth 8 weeks ago to my second baby and ever since have suffered with urine retention where i have the feeling to go but cannot empty my bladder and i have an indwelling catheter. How can this be treated so that my bladder works again?
Kyle Mathews, MD:
When urinary retention occurs after delivery, indwelling catheter or Foley catheter is often needed for 10-14 days.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Bladder function usually will return.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
If retention persists, a urology consult should be obtained.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Medications may be helpful such as, Bethanechol, but cannot be used in breast feeding mothers, unless breast feeding is stopped.
pgplanner:
I am recently pregnant after a long haul. I did IVF with a 5 day transfer on July 27th. I am a teacher and go back to school this month. I work in an old brick building facing the east on the third floor. It is extremely hot at the beginning and end of the school year. At times it feels like upper 90s and humid in that room working 8 -9 hour days with only fans blowing hot air around. Any concerns or ideas?
Kyle Mathews, MD:
I would suggest that you stay well hydrated and take frequent breaks as needed.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
By well hydrated I mean a minimum of eight 8-oz glasses of water each day.
indianamomma:
abdominal ultrasound showed that baby was 2 weeks behind in size. I am 9 weeks but baby measured 7. I was told by my friends husband who is a phyisician that they should have done a vaginal ultrasound. Is a abdominal ultrasound this early in pregnanacy able to clearly measure and view baby. It was not a specialized machine, just a normal ultrasound.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Abdominal ultrasound can provide accurate measurements but vaginal ultrasound appears to be better at early gestations.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Ultrasounds done prior to 10 weeks are often done vaginally for this reason.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
I would suggest a second ultasound be done in two weeks to confirm how many weeks along you are.
MrsWoods:
I previously gave birth pretermly at 23 weeks and 4 days April 03,2010. I was told I had the beginnings of some type of infection that started with a C. But further more after leaving the hospital I developed strep throat and Bacterial Vaginosios which me and my husband were treated for. My 6 week check up was said to be normal in May. I didn't get sick with strep and BV until the end of May. In the beginning of July had to be treated for a U.T.I and BV again. So far I haven't had a re-occurrence but I am afraid that the infections may decrease my fertility. I have no previous fertility problems. I am considered High risk though for pregnancy. My doctor says it was no cervical issue just that my body goes into full labor preterm. I am on no birth control and trying to conceive. Any advise on this will be greatly appreciated thanks!
Kyle Mathews, MD:
If your delivery at 23 weeks was not caused by cervical issue then you should be OK for your next pregnancy.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
The infection that started with a "C" may have been cytomegalovirus which is a fairly common virus and I would not expect you to be infected again.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
It also should not affect you future fertility.
victoriasf:
Should I get a seasonal and H1N1 (swine) flu shot when I'm pregnant? Is there a preference for thimerosal free?
Kyle Mathews, MD:
The recommendation is that all pregnant women get flu shots including the H1N1.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Thirmersal has not been shown to cause problems, but there are vaccines available without Thirmersal.
babylis597:
Im 45, had a tubal ligation 16 years ago, what are the chances of getting pregnant again?
Kyle Mathews, MD:
There are ways to test the quality of the remaining eggs in your ovaries.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
I would consult a reproductive endocrinologist who will be able to perform all of the appropriate testing.
MrsWoods:
should i be worried about the infections?
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Group B Strep is present in 25% of women and is considered normal vaginal flora.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
It should not cause any infertility issues.
Kyle Mathews, MD:
BV can be treated easily by your OB/GYN, usually with drugs such as Flagyl.
bekst:
Hello Doctor,,,im 9weeks and 3 days pregnant with my first child,,,my first prenatal visit is in 2 days,,,is it too late for the first visit? and i dont know when they will schedule my first ultrasound,,,when is it normal to have the first visit and the first ultrasound? Another concern i have is that i do have lower abdominal pains probably everyday and in the evening i get bloated. Any suggestion
Kyle Mathews, MD:
Prenatal first visit can occur anytime between 8-12 weeks and initial ultrasound is often done between 8-12 weeks to confirm gestational age (pregnancy due date).
Kyle Mathews, MD:
It is not uncommon to have some cramping as the uterus expands early in pregnancy.
