Everything you've always wanted to know about pregnancy, labor & delivery and the female reproductive system (...but were too afraid to ask your doctor).
The Midwife Answers
What is a Midwife?
Our Midwife is a health care professional who has been educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery; providing care for healthy women throughout their childbearing experiences, as well as well woman gynecologic services.
A Midwife provides care during pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period, including the immediate care of the newborn. A Midwife also provides the entire spectrum of gynecologic care to women, from annual pap smears and breast exams, to family planning counseling, preconception care, and menopause management.
What is the philosophy of Midwives?
What type of education and experience does the midwife at The Midwives & Associates have?
Why should I seek care from a Midwife?
Why would I need to see a physician during my prenatal, birth or postpartum experience?
Can I continue to see The Midwives & Associates after my childbearing years?
What links do you recommend for mothers?
Dr. Karounos
North American Registery of Midwives
Midwifery Today
Coalition for Improving Maternity Service
Holistic Mom’s Network
International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc
Lamaze
March of Dimes
Parents Place.com
Postpartum Stress Center
Sidelines – Support for High-Risk Pregnancy
La Leche League
When is it important to immediately contact my midwife?
DANGER SIGNS DURING PREGNANCY:
2. Nausea or vomiting that does not stop.
3. A severe headache not relieved with Tylenol or rest.
4. Sudden swelling of the face, hands, feet or ankles that goes along with sudden weight gain.
5. Blurred vision or spots before your eyes.
6. Marked decrease in the amount of urine passed.
7. Pain or burning while passing urine.
8. Fever of 100.4 or higher.
9. Gush or leaking fluid from the vagina prior to your due date.
*Note the color- is it clear, brown, green or blood tinged?
10. Unusual or strong pain in any part of your body.
11. Discharge from the vagina that causes itching or soreness.
12. Decrease in the activity of the baby, after lying down in a quiet place with your hand on your abdomen and drinking some juice. (Applies only after 28 weeks of pregnancy)
What medicines are OK to take during pregnancy?
-Papaya tablets
-Ginger capsules [calcium based] -Mylanta
-Maalox tablets or liquids
-Zantac
-Tagamet
-Tums
*Try small, frequent meals. Less in stomach at bedtime.
Nausea or “Morning Sickness”
-Vitamin B6
-Ginger capsules
-Peppermint
-Flat Ginger Ale
-Coke syrup
-Emetrol
*Eat cracker/toast before getting out of bed.
Constipation
-Metamucil
-Milk of Magnesia
-Colace
-Flaxseed oil
*Increase roughage [i.e. bran, vegetables, fruit]. Increase fluid intake.
Diarrhea
-Pepto Bismol
-Imodium
-Kaopectate
Hemorrhoids
-Warm tub baths
-Witch Hazel Tucks
-Preparation-H
-Anusol
-Arnica
*Avoid straining. Avoid prolong standing
Headaches
-Tylenol
-Ice Pack
*Get adequate sleep. Take frequent breaks
Cold or “Flu” Cough
-Pediatric Dimetapp
-Robitussin Plain
*Rest. Increase fluids.
Hayfever/Allergies
-Benadryl
-Claritin
-Zyrtec
-Allegra
Stuffy Nose
-Ocean Nasal Spray
-Peppermint Oil
Insomnia
-Tylenol PM-2 tablets
-Valerian Root
What should your temperature be after delivery?
Temperature: Take your temperature using an oral glass or digital thermometer if you feel as though you may have a fever. Your range of normal is 96-99 degrees. If your temperature is greater than 100.4 call the midwives. Always recheck an abnormal result.
What should your pulse be after delivery?
Always take your pulse after resting. The normal range is 60-100 beats per minute. If greater than 100 beats, lie down and rest for 20 minutes. Drink a glass of water. If you are experiencing pain from cramps, perineum or muscle aches, take medication and recheck. If your pulse remains over 100 beats per minute, call the midwives.
What should I know about breastfeeding after delivery?
Wearing a bra is optional. If you choose to wear one, make sure it is supportive and does not have under wires. Nipple soreness is expected for the first 3-7 days, but severe pain, cracking and bleeding is not normal. If you experience these symptoms or have other breastfeeding difficulties, call the office of the midwives to speak with our lactation specialist. Express breast milk onto the nipple after each feeding and air dry to relieve soreness and help with healing. Do not allow the nipples to remain damp with pads or a bra. Avoid soap on the nipples. Engorgement usually does not occur if you nurse often enough, long enough and do not miss feedings.
I'm not breastfeeding, how can I avoid engorgement?
Wear a snug bra to help prevent engorgement. Ice, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) will help ease the discomfort of your milk coming in. Do not express out any milk. This will only help to continue milk production. For engorgement, wrap your breast with cold, raw green cabbage leaves. After the leaves have become wet and limp, remove and reapply fresh leaves. Repeat as often as necessary.