Obstetrics

I just found out I am pregnant, now what do I do?
Congratulations, and we are happy to be involved in this exciting event. Please call our office for your first OB appointment. Typically these are scheduled between 8-10 weeks gestation. Make sure you are taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Of course please discontinue any smoking or alcohol. If you have any specific medical questions before your first OB appointment please call our office to speak with a nurse.

How much folic acid do I need?
Make sure you are getting at least 400 mcg or .4 mg. Most prenatal vitamins have this much in them. Patients with a personal or family history of neural tube defects should take 4 mg. If unsure call our office.

What can I do for nausea and vomiting?
Simple measures you can take are to eat small meals and to snack on crackers before getting out of bed in the morning. There are also some OTC medicines that may help.

Vitamin B6, 25 mg every six hours as needed
Unisom, 12.5 mg 3-4 times a day
Dramamine, 50 mg 4 times a day

What can I take for a cold?
Most of the OTC medicines for colds are safe to take including ones combined with Tylenol. Please avoid cold medicines combined with aspirin or Ibuprofen, i.e. Advil Cold and Sinus. Please also avoid pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Examples of medicines that you may take.

Throat lozenges and sprays
Nasal spray – Saline or medicated like Afrin
Cough drops and liquids -Halls cough drops, Robitussin cough syrup
Antihistimines – Claritin, Zyrtec, Chlor-Trimetron, Benadryl, NyQuil

What can I take for heartburn?
OTC meds that you may use include; Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Pepcid

What can I take for constipation?
Increase your water intake. Try to eat a high fiber diet or add fiber with products like Metamucil, Citrucel, Fibercon. If these efforts do not work then you may try stool softners like Colace or MiraLax.

What can I take for sleep?
You may take Benadryl, Tylenol PM, or Unisom.

Gynecology

When should I start getting mammograms?
Routine mammograms should start at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer you may need to start earlier, please discuss this with us.

What is a bone density scan?
A bone density scan is a simple, painless x-ray of your spine and hip to evaluate for bone thinning (osteopenia) and bone loss (osteoporosis). This simple test is done in our clinic. A computerized report is generated and your bone density can then be follow from year to year.

General

If I am a new patient, how early do I need to arrive for my appointment?
If you complete the new patient form on our website there will be minimal paperwork to complete when you arrive. So you will only need to arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment