Obstetrics Q&A
Obstetrics, a critical area of medicine dedicated to the well-being of expectant mothers and their precious babies, is all about providing comprehensive care throughout the various stages of pregnancy. This includes prenatal care to ensure a healthy start, closely monitoring fetal development, and expertly managing any potential complications that may arise.
From conception to the moment you hold your baby in your arms, Dr. Kevin Weary’s primary mission is to support you in having a positive and joyful pregnancy experience while prioritizing the optimal health of both you and your baby.
Fetal Anatomic Survey
Somewhere between 18 and 20 weeks is when we will do an additional ultrasound. This is called our fetal anatomic survey.
- This is a higher-level ultrasound, where we’re looking at all the baby’s anatomy and getting multiple measurements.
- We’re making sure the baby is growing well and making sure the baby is looking healthy from an anatomic perspective.
- Importantly to patients, this is when we will determine the baby’s gender as well.
Glucola Test
- Around 24 weeks is when I will have the patient come in and do their Glucola test.
- This is done to make sure their body is processing glucose normally and that they do not have gestational diabetes.
Group B Strep Culture
I will obtain a Group B Strep culture for each patient around 35 weeks.
- Group B strep is a bacteria that 25% of adults carry as a natural part of their skin flora. It doesn’t mean much for adults, but it can rarely make babies sick.
- Moms who are carriers will receive antibiotics while they’re in labor, and we watch their babies in the hospital for 48 hours after birth instead of only 24.
- For the moms that are carriers, I will give them antibiotics while they’re in labor, and we watch their babies in the hospital for 48 hours instead of 24.
Make Sure The Baby Is Moving Well
In these final weeks, I always tell women, “Make sure your baby’s moving well. Make sure you’re getting 10 movements of some kind, within an hour’s time, twice a day.”
When is it time to go into the hospital for labor?
I also tell patients that when they’re contracting quite painfully and the contractions are 5 to 10 minutes apart for an hour, that’s when to head on into the hospital to see if you’re in labor.
Certainly, if the water breaks or a woman thinks her water is broken, that is another indication to go into labor delivery to see if it’s time to have the baby.
Common Pregnancy Questions
Q: How Long Should A Pregnancy Last?
A: It’s considered normal and full term to have a baby anywhere from 37 weeks to 41 or even 42 weeks. The due date is based on 40 weeks.
Q: What Is Gestational Age?
A: A woman’s due date is based on 40 weeks from the first day of her last period, which is called gestational age
Q: When Can I Have My Baby?
A: I will often be asked, “can you induce me? And when?” It is very legitimate and safe to do an elective induction of labor after 39 weeks if a woman’s cervix is starting to dilate and her cervix becomes what we call favorable. Elective induction of labor, or choosing a date to have labor initiated, is a legitimate option after 39 weeks with a favorable cervix. This is done at the patient’s request and per her desires, not for the convenience of a physician. Regarding the question, “how long can I wait for natural labor without being induced?” the studies are showing us that somewhere around 41 weeks, the risk of the baby is starting to increase. Somewhere between 41 and 42 weeks, I will recommend what’s called a post-date induction for the safety of the baby.