PREPARING FOR YOUR PREGNANCY AND
THE JOURNEY

We asked a prominent obstetrician/gynecologist for some simple, basic guidelines to follow when you see that positive pregnancy test. What follows is the information that Dr. Yamaura gives her own pregnant patients.

Prenatal vitamins and calcium supplements started pre-conceptually will help avoid complications associated of vitamin deficiencies. Immunizations should be up to date.

Avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and fish high in mercury content such as shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel is recommended. Limiting all other fish intake to 12 oz. per week is also advisable.

Once pregnant, soft unpasteurized cheeses, coffee, nitrite and nitratecontaining foods (hot dogs, beef jerky, etc.) fast food, sushi, raw fish and meat should be avoided. Hot tubs, saunas, deep sea diving, high impact aerobics and excessive exercise are not advisable. One should monitor one’s heart rate every fifteen minutes while exercising and keep the heart rate below 140 beats per minute.

Wearing sensible shoes and clothes during one’s pregnancy and always buckling up in the car will make it safer for you and your baby. Reassigning the duty of cleaning the litter box to avoid toxoplasmosis infections and postponingtrimester screening- nuchal translucency studies are options for you. Genetic counseling can determine if chorionic villi sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis is appropriate for you. A blood test, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) screening between 15-20 weeks of gestation screens for neural tube defects.

A high resolution structural ultrasound to look for anomalies can be done at 18-20 weeks. A glucose screening test between 26-28 weeks for gestational diabetes. Your OB/Gyn may talk to you about stem cell collection from cord blood. A vaginal and rectal swab to screen for beta strep carriers is performed at 36 weeks to determine if antibiotic prophylaxis is needed at delivery to prevent neonatal beta strep infections.

Regular prenatal visits check maternal weight, blood pressure, urine, fetal heart tones and appropriate fetal interval growth.

Call your doctor immediately for the following symptoms:

1. Vaginal bleeding
2. Leaking of amniotic fluid or excessive vaginal discharge
3. Pelvic or abdominal pressure/pain
4. Constant low, dull backache
5. Uterine contractions (more than 4 in an hour)
6. Dizziness, headaches, vomiting, fevers, right upper quadrant pain
7. Visual changes, spots in front of your eyes
8. Excessive swelling of hands, face or feet
9. Small amount of dark urine, pain with urination or blood in the urine
10. Decreased fetal movement

The journey through a normal pregnancy with the major check points are noted above. However, your OB/Gyn will evaluate you and will custom tailor the care you will need depending on your medical and obstetrical situation.

Janet M. Yamamura, MD is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Santa Monica, CA. Dr. Yamamura can be contacted at (310) 828-7565.