OBSTETRICS
Whether you are planning for your first pregnancy or have had children before, we are ready to care for you throughout every step of the process.
What can I expect at MY first obstetrical visit?
Dr. Drake will review your medical and family history and address any concerns you may have. She will then proceed with a physical exam and an ultrasound to confirm intrauterine position and establish a due date for your pregnancy, as well as order some basic blood work and discuss genetic testing and screening modalities.
You will be provided with a welcome packet that will outline the expectations for the rest of the pregnancy -- how frequently visits are scheduled, when labs are ordered, etc. It will contain a how-to for self-triage, a list of pediatricians, a reference list of safe foods and medications, a breast pump order form, postpartum references, and hospital information. Please don’t hesitate to email or call if you have any questions left after reading your welcome packet!
When to call the office:
Please call if you experience any of the following:
Heavy vaginal bleeding or passage of clots
Passage of gray, pink, or tan tissue
Any bleeding that is accompanied by fever, chills, cramps, or dizziness
Severe abdominal or shoulder pain
Painful urination
Fever > 101 degrees F
The First Trimester
The first three months of the pregnancy are called the first trimester, and during this time many significant changes occur to the body. Pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. For some women, a missed period is the first sign. Other common signs and symptoms include:
Nausea/vomiting/food aversions, enhanced sense of smell
Significant fatigue, needing to go to bed much earlier than in the past
Tender breasts - even going over speed bumps, walking down stairs, or a gentle hug can be too much!
Cramping - the uterus is a smooth muscle organ that stretches to accommodate a growing pregnancy, and this process can be crampy
Spotting or staining
If you have a missed period or any of these signs or symptoms, a home urine pregnancy test is a quick and easy way to determine if you are pregnant. Please call us at your earliest convenience if you have a positive test so that we can arrange your initial pregnancy visit.
Your Baby’s Development in the First Trimester:
During the first trimester, your baby grows the basic building blocks of their body. Your baby starts out ½ inch long and weighs less than an ounce. First the arms, legs, heart, lungs, spinal cord, and brain all start to form. The first “heartbeat” occurs at the end of the first month. Over the rest of the first trimester, your baby grows to about 3 ½ inches long and weighs just over an ounce. Bones, eyelids, the inner ear, genitals, internal organs, teeth, fingers, toes, and nails all start to grow. By the end of the first trimester, your baby’s arms are longer than its legs, and the skin is still forming and see-through.
SECOND TRIMESTER
The second three months of pregnancy are often called the “Golden Trimester.” Many of the more uncomfortable symptoms from the first trimester are eased, such as nausea and fatigue. Many women also experience increased energy. Plus, you’ll feel your baby move for the first time!
Common second trimester symptoms include:
Increased appetite - your nausea may go away
Expanding abdomen - the skin on your abdomen and breasts will stretch, which may create stretch marks
Aching abdomen - the ligaments on either side of your uterus stretch as your uterus grows, which can be achy
Darkening of the skin around the abdomen, areolas, and patches on the face
Swelling of feet and ankles
Possible hip and back pain
There are also some screening tests during the second trimester, including tests for gestational diabetes, anemia, and genetic disorders. During your regular prenatal checkups, Dr. Drake will advise you on which tests are necessary. This is also a good time to start making decisions about your plan for delivery and life after the birth of your baby. Our office can provide you with many resources to help you make these important choices.
Your Baby’s Development in the Second Trimester
In the second trimester, your baby’s inner organs develop rapidly, and many outer features are formed as well. Your baby grows eyebrows, eyelashes, and fingernails, and by the end of the trimester starts to grow hair as well. Outer features like the ear, neck, and external sex organs form, and your baby’s eyes begin to open. At this point your baby can hear you, as well as swallow, and flex their arms and legs. The gall bladder and kidneys are fully functioning, while the lungs are formed but still inactive. Your baby’s brain is quickly developing, and they start to move, sleep, and wake up. By the end of the second trimester, your baby is a foot long and weighs 1.5-2lbs.
THIRD TRIMESTER
During the final trimester, your baby is rapidly maturing and moving, and your body gets ready for delivery. You may experience false contractions during this trimester, before the real contractions when labor begins. Your due date is calculated for week 40 of your pregnancy, but a full-term baby can come anywhere between 37-42 weeks.
Common third trimester symptoms include:
Strong, frequent baby movements
Shortness of breath - your uterus now stretches from your ribcage to your lower abdomen, and it takes up some of the space your lungs usually occupy
Frequent urination - as your baby grows, it rests on your bladder
Nipple discharge - as your body prepares to breastfeed, you may see some thin, yellowish “pre-milk” leak out
Contractions, either false or real
Many women experience discomfort or difficulty moving around as their baby shifts into a labor-ready position. Dr. Drake can offer advice on exercises and lifestyle changes to keep you healthy and as comfortable as possible as you nurture your baby’s development.
Your Baby’s Development in the Third Trimester
During the third trimester, your baby grows in leaps and bounds, developing physically and mentally to prepare for birth. Over the third trimester, your baby will more than double in size, gaining about ½ lb a week during the final month of pregnancy. By the time you deliver, your baby will be around 20 inches long and weigh from six to nine pounds. Their senses and reflexes develop rapidly, so your baby can sense light, respond to sounds, open and close their eyes, make grasping motions, taste sweet and sour, and even hiccup. The lungs are finally fully developed and functional. Your baby’s bones will harden, although the skull stays soft until after delivery. Inside their skull, your baby’s brain is forming separate regions to handle all the new information it will receive.
