Expecting parents have a lot of questions -- and rightly so. Whether it’s their first miracle or their fourth, every pregnancy and birth is unique. But there are some common concerns that I address daily in my practice.
The first thing every expectant mother wants to know is her due date. We use the LMP method to determine the due date, which means that we calculate the due date based on the beginning of the mother's last period. We add 14 days to this to account for the length of time it takes for ovulation and conception to occur. Finally, we add another 266 days, which is the typical amount of time the baby will spend in the womb. Sometimes we will use ultrasound technology to confirm the due date, but the LMP method is pretty reliable.
Another common question concerns weight gain during pregnancy. I tell my patients to expect a weight gain of approximately 25 pounds during their pregnancy. Weight gain can be a concern for many, but it is a natural component of any pregnancy. If you feel that you are gaining weight too quickly, or are gaining too much weight in general, your doctor should be able to help you normalize the gain.
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Often, mothers-to-be ask if too many sonograms are bad for the baby. When supervised by a medical professional, sonograms are safe and help track the progress and health of your baby. However, I do not recommend the purchase and use of a personal sonogram devise. Sonograms should only be performed when medically advised and under the supervision of a medical professional.
Expecting moms also want to know what kinds of tests they will have to undergo, and which of those are optional. Specific tests a pregnant mom should never forgo include nuchal translucency sonograms (to assess the risk for Down syndrome), pre-natal labs (glucose screenings and so forth) and a 20-week ultrasound for anatomy (to check for any anatomical abnormalities).
While new Dads are extremely concerned about the health and well-being of their partner and baby, questions about sex also tend to come up early on. It is safe to maintain a healthy sex life with your partner while they are pregnant. However, there are some conditions where sex may be problematic for the pregnancy (e.g., placenta previa, ruptured membranes and history of premature deliveries).