Finding a Doctor
Pregnancy: First Things First; Get Thee to a Doctor
Seeing a good doctor is critical to a successful pregnancy. But how do you find the right one? Choosing a doctor is probably one of the most critical factors of your pregnancy, but for many women, it's not an area that they want to address. It just feels too hard trying to figure out where to find a doctor and which one matches you. If you already have an OB/GYN, you're the lucky one. If not, just how do you choose the doctor who is right for you?
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There are many ways to find a doctor, but probably the best way is through word-of-mouth. Talk to your friends who have had babies and get recommendations from them. Did they like their doctor, was he or she easy or difficult to talk to, what are his/her credentials?
Just remember that the same doctor who suits your friend may not be a match for you.
More: Interviewing Your Doctor
Finding a Doctor
Some women may prefer someone other than a physician to care for them. Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are an acceptable alternative to physicians. Rest assured that the majority of nurse-midwives consult with OB/GYNs for any particular patient concerns they may have, but they act autonomously for most uncomplicated pregnancies.
Although some midwives will perform a "home delivery," the majority of them prefer to deliver babies in a hospital setting where there are obvious advantages. In addition, midwives…
Hospitals will give you lists of their doctors, but even better, go to the hospital of your choice and talk to nurses. Nurses always know who the best doctors are. You can check with a hospital to see if they will provide a doctor's credentials and ask if there is any litigation pending against that doctor, but hospitals are not necessarily required to divulge that information.
You can check with your state board of medical examiners to find out if the doctor you've selected has had many complaints filed against him/her. Doctors get on that list when a hospital is compelled to report them. If a hospital deems that a physician has committed an unwarranted act or poses a danger to patients, the hospital can and will suspend a physician's privileges until an investigation is completed. Hospitals don't want to be sued, therefore usually they won't hesitate to suspend a physician if they feel it is justified. However, suspension is a very serious offence, which could adversely affect a physician's career so hospitals will only proceed with this course of action if they deem it necessary.
Next question: Do you want an OB/GYN (obstetrics/gynaecology) or a family practitioner? Both are physicians, but their areas of interest are vastly different.
Family practitioners are primary care physicians, which means they take care of a wide range of medical problems or conditions. Their patients run the gamut of all ages; from babies through geriatrics.
Family practitioners have a breadth of knowledge on most disciplines of medicine, and many of them will manage and deliver generally uncomplicated pregnancies. However, a family practitioner is also trained to know when to consult a specialist, such as an OB. If a pregnancy or labor gets to a point where there are complications, generally a family practitioner will consult an OB for advice, and the OB might assume the care of the patient.
The OB/GYN specializes in women's health and obstetric issues, both low- and high-risk cases. Typically, the OB/GYN will have a significant amount of experience in managing pregnancies and delivering babies, for obvious reasons–that's all the OB focuses on–pregnancy and women's health concerns.
More: What's the Deal with Gender Reveal Parties?
Using “Gender” in Gender Reveal Parties
The term, gender, is not even being used appropriately in reference to gender reveal parties.
Let’s break this down with a review of gender terminology. When people say they are having a gender reveal party for a baby on the way, what they are really referring to is the sex assigned at birth. The sex assigned at birth is based on visible genitalia and is generally female, male, or intersex. The presence of specific genitalia has nothing to do with gender.
Gender really has three categories according to GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. There is gender attribution, which is how your gender is perceived by others. Then there is your actual gender identity, which is how you identify and see yourself. Lastly, there is gender expression, which is how you want to display your gender.
In other words, the presence of specific genitalia, or the sex of your baby, does NOT determine who they will be as a person, and it does not define your child’s gender. As your child grows, they will inherently know who they are. As children develop their gender identity, they may also identify as being gender-expansive or gender creative. This term is used when a person’s identity or behaviour is broader than the commonly held and socially constructed definitions of gender or gender expression in one or more aspects of their life.
What does all of this have to do with your consideration of having a gender reveal party?
It has to do with the fact that you should let your child discover who they are on their own without making them feel that any which way is the norm and what is expected of them. You couldn’t possibly know what a child’s gender is before they are born and have the chance to figure this out on their own
The Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping After Birth
Charise Rohm Nulsen
Updated: April 3, 2019
Cord clamping used to typically happen within the first 15-30 seconds after a baby was born, but today more and more moms are choosing delayed cord clamping. Use this guide to decide if delayed cord clamping is right for you and your baby.
Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life, and preparing for the actual labour and delivery can practically feel like a full-time job. There are so many choices to consider. Natural or medicated delivery? Midwife or doctor? Birthing centre or hospital? The list goes on and on. One particular birthing decision that has become a fairly popular one in recent years concerns whether or not to delay cord clamping after birth.
More: The Role of the Umbilical Cord
More and more moms are educating themselves on cord clamping to make the decision that is best for their personal situations, and the medical community has also stepped up to share their opinions. As of 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends that the umbilical cord should not be clamped earlier than necessary. They specifically recommend that the cord clamping be delayed at least one to three minutes. Many women choose to delay cord clamping until the cord actually st…
Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life, and preparing for the actual labor and delivery can practically feel like a full-time job. There are so many choices to consider. Natural or medicated delivery? Midwife or doctor? Birthing centre or hospital? The list goes on and on. One particular birthing decision that has become a fairly popular one in recent years concerns whether or not to delay cord clamping after birth.
More: The Role of the Umbilical Cord
More and more moms are educating themselves on cord clamping to make the decision that is best for their personal situations, and the medical community has also stepped up to share their opinions. As of 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends that the umbilical cord should not be clamped earlier than necessary. They specifically recommend that the cord clamping be delayed at least one to three minutes. Many women choose to delay cord clamping until the cord actually stops pulsing though.
What exactly is cord clamping?
Cord clamping is the process of stopping the blood flow from the placenta to the baby after the baby is born. This is followed by using a scissor to sever the umbilical cord that connects mama and baby. Cord clamping used to typically be something that happened within the first 15-30 seconds after a baby was born. Either the medical practitioner attending the birth or the father would be the one to cut it. This would happen quickly whether the baby was born via vaginal delivery or C-section. The small place on the baby’s tummy that retains the stump of the severed umbilical cord is where you will soon see your precious baby’s belly button.
pregnancy - Keeping healthy during pregnancy
Summary
All women who are pregnant without complications should be encouraged to participate in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises as part of a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancy.
A goal of aerobic conditioning in pregnancy should be to maintain a good fitness level throughout pregnancy without trying to reach peak fitness.
There are numerous potential health benefits for women who exercise during pregnancy, including better weight control, improved mood and maintenance of fitness levels. Regular exercise during pregnancy can also decrease the risk of pregnancy-related complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Before exercising when pregnant, consult your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional. You may need to modify your existing exercise program or choose a suitable new one if you were exercising very little before getting pregnant.
Benefits of exercise during pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy offers many physical and emotional benefits. Physical activity may also help manage some symptoms of pregnancy and make you feel better, knowing you’re doing something good for yourself and your baby.
Some of the benefits of regular exercise throughout your pregnancy include:
enjoyment
increased energy
improved fitness
reduced back and pelvic pain
decreased risk of pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension
preparation for the physical demands of labour
fewer complications in delivery
faster recuperation after labour
prevention and management of urinary incontinence
improved posture
improved circulation
weight control
stress relief
reduced risk of anxiety and depression
improved sleep and management of insomnia
increased ability to cope with the physical demands of motherhood.
Exercising and changes associated with pregnancy
Your body will undergo many changes during pregnancy. Some will affect your ability to exercise, or require you to modify your exercise routine, including:
Hormones such as relaxin loosen ligaments, which could increase your risk of joint injuries (such as sprains).
As pregnancy progresses, your weight will increase and you will experience changes in weight distribution and body shape. This results in the body’s centre of gravity moving forward, which can alter your balance and coordination.
Pregnancy increases your resting heart rate, so don’t use your target heart rate to work out the intensity of your exercise. In healthy pregnant women, exercise intensity can be monitored using a method known as Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. This measures how hard you feel (perceive) your body is working.
Your blood pressure drops in the second trimester, so it is important to avoid rapid changes of position – from lying to standing and vice versa – so as not to experience dizzy spells.
Exercise suggestions during pregnancy
Pre-exercise screening is used to identify people with medical conditions that may put them at a higher risk of experiencing a health problem during physical activity. It is a filter or ‘safety net’ to help decide if the potential benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for you.
Read through the pre-exercise self-screening tool before embarking on a new physical activity or exercise program.
If you have been cleared to exercise, and you participated in physical activity before you were pregnant, it is recommended that you:
Do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.
Let your body be your guide. You know you’re at a good exercise intensity when you can talk normally (but cannot sing) and do not become exhausted too quickly.
If you are healthy and you are not experiencing complications in your pregnancy, continue this level of activity throughout pregnancy, or until it becomes uncomfortable for you to do so.
Be guided by your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional.
If you have been cleared to exercise, but you were inactive before your pregnancy:
Start with low-intensity exercises such as walking or swimming, and build up to moderate-intensity activity.
Aim to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week. You can start with separate sessions of 15 minutes each, and build up to longer durations.
Let your body be your guide. You know you’re at a good exercise intensity when you can talk normally (but cannot sing) and do not become exhausted too quickly.
If you are healthy and you are not experiencing complications in your pregnancy, continue this level of activity throughout pregnancy, or until it becomes uncomfortable for you to do so.
Be guided by your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional.
Suggested exercise activities during pregnancy
Activities that are generally safe during pregnancy, even for beginners, include:
walking
swimming
cycling – outdoors or on a stationary bicycle
jogging
muscle strengthening exercises, including pelvic floor exercises
exercise in water (aquarobics)
yoga, stretching and other floor exercises
Pilates
pregnancy exercise classes.
Cautions for pregnancy exercise
While most forms of exercise are safe, there are some exercises that involve positions and movements that may be uncomfortable or harmful for pregnant women. Be guided by your doctor or physiotherapist, but general cautions include:
Avoid raising your body temperature too high – for example, don’t soak in hot spas or exercise to the point of heavy sweating. Reduce your level of exercise on hot or humid days. Stay well hydrated.
Don't exercise to the point of exhaustion.
If weight training, choose low weights and medium to high repetitions – avoid lifting heavy weights altogether.
Perform controlled stretching and avoid over-extending.
Avoid exercise if you are ill or feverish.
If you don’t feel like exercising on a particular day, don’t! It is important to listen to your body to avoid unnecessarily depleting your energy reserves.
Don’t increase the intensity of your sporting program while you are pregnant, and always work at less than 75 per cent of your maximum heart rate.
In addition, if you develop an illness or a complication of pregnancy, talk with your doctor or midwife before continuing or restarting your exercise program.
Exercises to avoid while pregnant
During …
pregnancy, avoid sports and activities with increased risk of delivery, or characterised by:
abdominal trauma or pressure – such as weightlifting
contact or collision– such as martial arts, soccer, basketball and other competition sports
hard projectile objects or striking implements – such as hockey, cricket or softball
falling – such as downhill skiing, horse riding and skating
extreme balance, co-ordination and agility – such as gymnastics
significant changes in pressure – such as SCUBA diving
heavy lifting
high-altitude training at over 2000 m
supine exercise position (lying on your back) – the weight of the baby can slow the return of blood to the heart; some of these exercises can be modified by lying on your side
wide squats or lunges.
If you're not sure whether a particular activity is safe during pregnancy, check with your healthcare professional.
Pelvic floor exercises and pregnancy
Your pelvic floor muscles are weakened during pregnancy and during birth (vaginal delivery), so it is extremely important to begin conditioning the pelvic floor muscles from the start of your pregnancy.
Appropriate exercises can be prescribed by a physiotherapist. It is important to continue with these throughout your pregnancy and resume as soon as is comfortable after the birth.
Abdominal exercises and pregnancy
Strong abdominal muscles support your spine. The internal core and pelvic floor abdominal muscles act as a natural ‘corset’ to protect the pelvis and lumbar spine. 
During pregnancy, it is common for women to experience the condition known as diastasis recti abdominis – a painless splitting of the abdominal muscle at the midline, also known as abdominal separation. Traditional sit-ups or crunches may worsen this condition and can be ineffective during pregnancy.
Appropriate core stability exercises are recommended during pregnancy to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen. For example:
Concentrate on drawing your belly button towards your spine.
Breathe out while pulling in your belly.
Hold the position and count to 10. Relax and breathe in.
Repeat 10 times, as many times a day as you are able.
You can perform this exercise sitting, standing or on your hands and knees.
Warning signs when exercising during pregnancy
If you experience any of the following during or after physical activity, stop exercising immediately and see your doctor:
headache
dizziness or feeling faint
heart palpitations
chest pain
swelling of the face, hands or feet
calf pain or swelling
vaginal bleeding
contractions
deep back, pubic or pelvic pain
cramping in the lower abdomen
walking difficulties
an unusual change in your baby’s movements
amniotic fluid leakage
unusual shortness of breath
excessive fatigue
muscle weakness.
Where to get help
Your doctor
Midwife
References
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