Pregnancy Care

At Women's Health Alliance, we offer a full range of general obstetric services as well as comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options for expecting mothers.

Pregnancy Care

Women’s Health Alliance physicians see both normal and high risk pregnancies. A pregnancy is a joyous occasion and we offer a range of services to address both your physical and emotional needs to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Confirmation of Pregnancy

When you come to the office for your confirmation of pregnancy, we ask that you bring your medical records and health insurance. A sonogram may be performed.

Pregnancy Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Tender or swollen breasts
  • Spotting or slight bleeding and cramping
  • Unusual aversions to food or unusual cravings
  • Headaches
  • Constipation
  • Mood swings

Your First Visit

During your first visit, you will have a physical exam which may include a pap smear. There will also be a series of prenatal labs that will test your blood type and blood count, and screen for infections (syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV and rubella). All of the results will be reviewed with you at your next appointment. The state of Texas requires HIV testing.

Continued Prenatal Care

Between now and 28 weeks, we would like you to schedule a visit every four weeks. Around 28 weeks, your visits will increase to every two weeks, then once a week after 36 weeks until delivery. We will request to see you more frequently if you are high risk. During each visit, you will have your weight, blood pressure, urine and fetal heartbeat checked. Several additional tests are done at scheduled markers throughout your pregnancy.

These include:

  • Anemia and gestational diabetes screening
    This screening is performed between 24-28 weeks. You will be given a sugar drink and instructions for how/when to drink it. One hour after you finish the sugar drink, your blood will be drawn.
  • Third trimester blood work
    At 32 weeks there is a state required lab that is done for HIV/RPR.
  • Vaginal culture for group B strep
    This swab of your vaginal area is performed at your 36 week appointment. Group B strep (GBS) is a normal bacteria that is naturally found in the vagina and is not harmful to women or a developing fetus. However, it can be harmful to your infant if exposed at the time of delivery. If you test positive for this bacteria, you will receive antibiotics during labor and delivery.

Optional Pregnancy Testing Including Genetic Screenings

You will have the decision to test for the potential of genetic diseases with a carrier screening for the mom, like cystic fibrosis and genetic screening options for the baby, like Down syndrome. If you are interested in any optional tests, please check with your insurance plan to see if these tests are covered. Questions you may have regarding these optional tests can be discussed at your first appointment. Please discuss these with your doctor.

 

Birth Plan

If you have a birth plan template or birth plan preferences for your delivery, please share it with your doctor.

If desired, there are several options to provide pain relief while you are in labor. We are supportive of whatever you choose.

IV Narcotics
Narcotic medication is given through injection, IV, or orally and helps take the edge of strong contractions. It can make you sleepy. We avoid giving this near delivery time.

Epidural
This safe and popular option is administered by an anesthesiologist and requires a fine, thin catheter or tube to be placed in your back during active labor. Medicine slowly drips through the tubing to provide pain relief throughout labor. It is removed after delivery.

Local
Many patients deliver without pain medication. Sometimes we need to give a small injection of numbing medicine for stitches called lidocaine. It feels like a small pinprick.

Research Cord Blood Banking

Parents can choose to have their baby’s blood saved; however the decision must be made before birth. Insurance does not generally cover this. If interested, you can order a kit and bring it with you to delivery. In some cases, cord blood can be donated. Ask your doctor for more information.

Attend Birth Educational Courses

There are educational courses on labor and delivery, breastfeeding, infant CPR and baby care available. Consider these classes especially if you are a first time parent! For a schedule of classes and events, go to Medical City Women’s Hospital Dallas.

Choose a Pediatrician

You will need to decide on a doctor for your baby by the time you deliver. The hospital will send your baby’s information and test results to your chosen doctor. Your baby is commonly seen within 1 week after birth. You will need to contact the doctor’s office prior to delivery and make sure they are accepting your insurance and are taking new patients. We can provide you with a list of doctors if you have trouble locating one.

Obtain And Install A Car Seat

You must have a car seat installed in your vehicle before taking baby home. By law, children must be in a federally approved, properly installed, crash-tested car seat for every trip in the car beginning with the trip home from the hospital.

Learn More About Breastfeeding

Breast milk is perfectly designed nutrition for babies. Babies who are breastfed get fewer infections and are hospitalized less. Mothers that breastfeed burn 500 calories a day which can help lose extra weight and reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. After delivery, the nurses and a lactation specialist are there to help you learn the art of breastfeeding.

Consider Circumcision

A circumcision is the removal of excess foreskin from the penis of a baby boy. We can perform this optional procedure for you. It may help reduce infections and penis cancer. Please let your doctor know if you would like to schedule this. We respect your choice if you decide not to.

Registration for Delivery

Having a baby is one of the most memorable and important experiences for a woman. We will do all we can to ensure your pregnancy is safe, healthy, and happy.

In order to better care for you, anticipate your needs, and facilitate the admission process to Labor and Delivery, we ask that you call Medical City Women’s Hospital Dallas at 972-566-2252 to make an appointment for preadmission when you are around 26 weeks into your pregnancy.

Appointment hours are from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They are closed on holidays and weekends. The office is located in Building D, 7th Floor, Suite 730.

The Extras

Medical City Women’s Hospital Dallas offers a number of services for you and your family as you prepare for your pregnancy. From luxury maternity suites to personalized delivery methods, pregnancy and childbirth classes,  you can design a childbirth experience just right for you.

Medications During Pregnancy

All medications and symptoms listed below are meant to be used as a guideline during your pregnancy. The medications listed below are available at your local drugstore. If symptoms continue for more than 5-7 days, please contact the office at (214) 824-3200.

 

Symptom Description / Medication

 

Fever, Headache, Pain – Tylenol (contact office for fever over 100.5 Degrees Farenheit)

 

Cold, Stuffy Head, Runny Nose – Actifed, Sudafed, any Tylenol Products

 

Allergies or Itching – Benadryl – 25mg, Zyrtec, Claritin

 

Sore Throat – Throat Lozenges, Cepacol, Chloroseptic, and Warm Salt-Water Gargle

 

Cough – Any Robitussin Liquid Products, Mucinex

 

Indigestion – Riopan, Maalox Plus (Low Sodium), Mylanta, Tums, Zantac, Pepcid Complete

 

Constipation – Colace/Milk of Magnesia, Metamucil, Surfak, Doxidan, Miralax (Increase Water/Fruit-Juice Intake)

 

Diarrhea – Donnagel, Imodium, Kaopectate (contact office if there is no improvement after 3 doses)

 

Leg Cramps – Tums, Citracel, Oscal/Calcet

 

Hemorrhoids – Anusol HC, Preparation H, Tucks Pads

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