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Prenatal Checkups

  • Pregnant Women, Babies, and the Flu Shot

    Here's what you need to know to protect yourself and your baby from influenza, an illness that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia.

  • This week, Dec. 4-10, is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)!

    Get ready for National Influenza Vaccination Week! NIVW is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance and benefit of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.

  • Flu Vaccine Protects Pregnant Woman's Baby - Doesn't Cause Miscarriage

    The flu vaccination can not only protect you but your unborn child as well! The new finding also suggests there is no increased risk of miscarriage associated with the shot.

  • Understanding an Inconclusive Ultrasound

    It's easy to "fear the worst" following an inconclusive ultrasound result. If you're in this situation we hope this article will encourage and help you understand what an 'inconclusive" ultrasound means.

  • Should Early Fetal Sex Determination Testing Be Used?

    There's now a fetal sex test that can determine the gender of your baby as early as 7 weeks.

  • Is This Shadow a Missed Twin?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,

  • Ultrasound Shows Echogenic Foci in the Heart

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,

  • Larger Uterus Than Expected

    QUESTION

    Hello!
    I am 11 weeks pregnant and had my first doctor appointment this morning. Upon feeling the size of my uterus, my doctor asked me if I was sure about the date of my last menstrual period because my uterus is roughly 2 weeks bigger than it should be.

  • Measurements Decreasing as Pregnancy Continues

    QUESTION

    I am 31 weeks they say right now. Two appointments ago I measured right at 29 cm. and then I went back two weeks later and measured 28. They sent me for ultra sound and it came back good. I went to my two week appointment today and measured at 25. They have me going to other ultrasound.

  • Rh Incompatibility and Why You Need RhoGAM

    In cases of Rh incompatibility, a baby's red blood cells have a substance called the Rh D factor, and the mother's blood cells do not. In medical terms, the baby is Rh positive and you are Rh negative. If some of the baby's red blood cells leak into your system, your body may produce antibodies to the Rh D factor. These antibodies can affect your unborn baby or the next Rh-positive baby you have.

  • All Pregnancies Should be Screened for Down Syndrome

    Nuchal translucency (NT), a non-invasive screening for Down Syndrome, measures thickness at the neck of the fetus.

  • Doctor Unsupportive in Twin Pregnancy

    QUESTION

    I went for an ultrasound at 5 weeks and 4 days (baby A's measurements) baby B was 5 weeks 2 days. All that was showing on the transvaginal ultrasound were the 2 sacs -- no yolks, poles or heartbeats which the technician said is very normal for that early on.

  • Is a Transvaginal Ultrasound Dangerous?

    QUESTION

    I am 37 years old, 4 weeks pregnant, and have scheduled my first appointment with my OBGYN who will only see me at 6 weeks. I was told that my doctor will do a urine test and a transvaginal ultrasound at this first appointment to confirm the pregnancy and take a measurement.

  • Non-stress Test: Monitoring Your Baby's Well-Being

    Due to special situations like high blood pressure, premature rupture of membranes, twins or triplets, your provider may decide to order a non-stress test (NST). An NST monitors a baby's health by showing his/her baseline heart rate and also any increases in the heart rate due to movement. It's an easy, painless, non-invasive test that allows your providers to monitor baby's well being in the womb.

  • Is Debris in the Amniotic Fluid Dangerous?

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    I'm 36-weeks pregnant and had an ultrasound done yesterday. The report said there was a small amount of debris in the fluid. Can this debris harm the baby?

    My mom said the baby could swallow it and choke? Is she over reacting, or do I need to be concerned?

  • Excluded by the O.B.

    I'm really excited about my wife's pregnancy and started to go to the doctor's appointments with her. But the doctor basically ignores me or gives me a silly looking smile. I want to stay involved but I'm getting really angry. Is there anything else I can do?

  • Choosing a Hospital and Doctor

    There are major differences in the way doctors and hospitals approach pregnancy and delivery. I'd like to spend the next few minutes making you a savvy consumer. The hospital is the most important choice you will make with regards your pregnancy. Is it baby friendly? Can it care for preterm babies? Take these and more into consideration when making your decision.

  • Quad Screen Test Results Reliable?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,

  • Larger Uterus Than Expected

    QUESTION

    Hello!
    I am 11 weeks pregnant and had my first doctor appointment this morning. Upon feeling the size of my uterus, my doctor asked me if I was sure about the date of my last menstrual period because my uterus is roughly 2 weeks bigger than it should be.