What to expect
The Third Trimester
For most women, the third trimester is full of several different things. There is anticipation and excitement over the coming baby, fear and worry about the thought of labor, and growing discomfort as the baby continues to get bigger. Read "The Third Trimester" to learn more.
Transition
Transition is the phase of labor just before the pushing stage. At about 6 or 7 centimeters of dilation, some of the symptoms of "transition" appear. During transition, contractions become very strong, and often their duration and frequency are less predictable. Read "What to Expect: Transition" to learn more.
Meeting Your Newborn
You have spent months dreaming about what s/he will look like. You may have pictured a chunky, smiling, alert baby similar to what you see in the movies, but most newborn pictures we see in magazines and movies are of babies several weeks old. Your baby may not match that image.Read "Meeting Your Newborn" to learn more.
What to Expect at the Hospital
You have a million questions about labor. How long will it last. How bad will it be. Can I really do this? While there is no way to know the answers to these questions in advance, you can learn about what to expect. Learning about certain procedures now, will help you feel ready for what lies ahead. Read "What to Expect at the Hospital" to learn more.
The First Hour After Birth
What happens after your baby's birth? Read "What to Expect: The First Hour After Birth" to learn more about what you and your baby may experience.
Bleeding: Normal or cause for concern?
Regardless of whether your delivery was via c-section or a vaginal birth, postpartum bleeding will be part of your reality. Immediately following delivery and for approximately 4- 7 days after, your discharge can be expected to be bright red.
Cesarean Section: Recovery Tips
Approximately 20 percent of births in the United States are done by cesarean section. Every woman, no matter how simple her pregnancy, faces the possibility that her labor could end in a C-section.
Your Body's Changes and Baby's Growth, 13-16 weeks
Your baby's head is now about 1/3 of its total body length. The facial features are being defined. The body is growing quickly and the fingernails are developing. The baby's sex can usually be identified by this time period.
Your Body's Changes and Baby's Growth, 0-12 weeks
At the time of conception an egg is fertilized, thereby creating a unique new cell. The cell divides very quickly into many more cells and at about 1 week after conception this tiny mass of cells attach itself to the wall of the uterus (implantation).
Care of your baby while in NICU
The NICU can be a nerve-racking place for mom, dad and baby, with bright lights, beeping monitors and a busy staff. The staff works hard to provide a comfortable and healthy surrounding for your baby, The lights are often times dimmed and babies' isolettes are sometimes covered to decrease the light and noise to help promote that surrounding.
The staff of the NICU does many things to help your baby such as:
- Take your baby's temperature, blood pressure, heart and breathing rate.
- Check your baby's IV and give medications.
What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visits, 33 - 36 weeks
If your pregnancy is progressing normally, you probably will be visiting our doctors and nurses every other week during this time period. At 36 weeks gestation, your provider may schedule weekly visits until your baby arrives. At each visit you can expect the routine:
- Your weight measured
- Your blood pressure taken
- Your urine analyzed
- Your abdomen measured to check you baby's growth (fundal height)
- Your baby's heartbeat listened to
- A vaginal exam may be done at each visit to:
Bleeding: Normal or cause for concern?
Regardless of whether your delivery was via c-section or a vaginal birth, postpartum bleeding will be part of your reality. Immediately following delivery and for approximately 4- 7 days after, your discharge can be expected to be bright red.
What to Expect: The First Hour After Birth
Your baby is here! You've heard a first cry! The announcement of boy or girl has been made. The first test, the Apgar, has been administered and everything is great, but there's more. What can you expect to happen? How might you feel? Find out!
The First Hour After Birth
What happens after your baby's birth? Read "What to Expect: The First Hour After Birth" to learn more about what you and your baby may experience.
Care of your baby while in NICU
The NICU can be a nerve-racking place for mom, dad and baby, with bright lights, beeping monitors and a busy staff. The staff works hard to provide a comfortable and healthy surrounding for your baby, The lights are often times dimmed and babies' isolettes are sometimes covered to decrease the light and noise to help promote that surrounding.
The staff of the NICU does many things to help your baby such as:
- Take your baby's temperature, blood pressure, heart and breathing rate.
- Check your baby's IV and give medications.
What to Expect at the Hospital
You have a million questions about labor. How long will it last. How bad will it be. Can I really do this? While there is no way to know the answers to these questions in advance, you can learn about what to expect. Learning about certain procedures now, will help you feel ready for what lies ahead. Read "What to Expect at the Hospital" to learn more.
Apnea and Bradycardia of Prematurity
What is apnea?
While apnea of prematurity usually resolves itself on its own around the time your premature baby has matured enough to equal the age of a full-term baby at birth. Apnea of prematurity is fairly common. Once it stops though it does not come back. While it's happening it is very frightening.
Apnea is a pause in breathing that has one or more of the following characteristics:
- Lasts more than 15-20 seconds
- Is associated with the baby's color changing to pale, purplish or blue
Meeting Your Newborn
You have spent months dreaming about what s/he will look like. You may have pictured a chunky, smiling, alert baby similar to what you see in the movies, but most newborn pictures we see in magazines and movies are of babies several weeks old. Your baby may not match that image.Read "Meeting Your Newborn" to learn more.
Preemies: Coming Home, A Month-to-Month Guide
Congratulations you have your baby home! You will now be amazed as you watch your baby grow and develop. Your doctor will use the idea of "corrected age". What you have to remember is to also use the baby's "corrected age."
Transition
Transition is the phase of labor just before the pushing stage. At about 6 or 7 centimeters of dilation, some of the symptoms of "transition" appear. During transition, contractions become very strong, and often their duration and frequency are less predictable. Read "What to Expect: Transition" to learn more.
- Apnea and Bradycardia of Prematurity
- Bleeding: Normal or cause for concern?
- Care of your baby while in NICU
- Cesarean Section: Recovery Tips
- Looking ahead: Labor and Delivery
- Meeting Your Newborn
- Preemies: Coming Home, A Month-to-Month Guide
- The First Hour After Birth
- The Third Trimester
- Transition
- What to Expect at the Hospital
- What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visits, 25 - 28 Weeks
- What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visits, 29 - 32 Weeks
- What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visits, 33 - 36 weeks
- What to Expect at Your Prenatal Visits, 37 - 40 weeks
- What to Expect: The First Hour After Birth
- Your Body's Changes and Baby's Growth, 0-12 weeks
- Your Body's Changes and Baby's Growth, 13-16 weeks
- Your Body's Changes and Your Baby's Growth, 33 - 36 weeks
