Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I’m newly pregnant and am concerned about weight gain during my pregnancy. What should I expect?

Congratulations! This is such an important question, I’m glad you asked. In general, we like for moms to gain between 25-35 lbs during their pregnancy to help ensure that you have a healthy baby. For moms who are starting out under weight, your provider might recommend that you gain between 30 – 40 lbs. For moms who begin their pregnancy with some extra pounds, we recommend a weight gain of 15 – 20 lbs. The other important aspect is what you eat. You only need 300 extra calories each day when you’re pregnant. That’s equivalent to an extra glass of milk and a half a sandwich. It’s important to eat a variety of foods now and avoid empty calories. However, it’s also important not to deprive yourself, so go ahead and have some treats once in a while. Bon Appétite!

Q. I’m 36 years old and 6 weeks pregnant. I’ve heard about the CVS test and amniocentesis, but I’m not sure which test to take (or even if I need to do either one at all). What’s the difference?

Now that you’re pregnant, you’re wise to start researching the various tests that are available so that you have plenty of time to decide which test or tests are right for you. Both CVS and Amniocentesis are tests that detect genetic problems in babies. The most common genetic disorder is Down Syndrome, which is also known as Trisomy 21. Both tests are considered invasive, which means that there is a very slight risk of miscarriage from having the tests. There are a few basic differences in the tests. CVS samples the Chorionic Villus that eventually becomes the placenta. This is performed between 10 and 12 weeks and is 98 to 99% accurate. The risk of miscarriage ranges from 1 in 200 to 1 in 300. This test might be recommended for moms who would like to know about their baby’s health in the 1st trimester. Amniocentesis is performed between 16 and 20 weeks and is over 99% accurate. With an amniocentesis, testing is done to determine whether there are spinal cord or other neural tube defects. The risk of miscarriage is about 1 in 300. This test might be recommended for moms who don’t mind waiting until the 2nd trimester for a little bit more information and slightly higher accuracy.

Q. I am gearing up to get pregnant for the second time and really want a boy. Are there any tips or tricks that I can do to increase my chances?

I love this question, and I hear it all the time from my patients. And the answer is yes, amazingly enough, there are some things that you can do to increase the likelihood that you’ll have a boy baby. First, you must eat lots and lots of broccoli. Just kidding. That’s an old wives tale. The recommendations will increase your chances, but only by about 20%. There is a book you might consider How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby by Dr. Shettles that goes into great detail about how to have a boy or a girl. To increase the chance of having a boy try to time intercourse to be as close to ovulation as possible. Try not to have intercourse any sooner than 24 hours prior to ovulation and no later than 12 hours after. To increase your chances of having a girl try to time intercourse for 3 or more days before ovulation. Remember sperm can live for 5 days. Good luck.

Q. I have been on antidepressants for over 6 years and am concerned about taking them when I get pregnant (my husband and I are trying to conceive). Are they safe to take during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding?

Good luck trying to get pregnant. Many women have been in your same situation and have safe and healthy pregnancies and are able to breastfeed. Because there are so many different types of anti-depressants and each woman and her situation is unique it’s best to have a frank discussion with your psychiatrist and/or OB provider. They can fill you in on the most up to date information about your particular medication(s) and whether it’s best for you to continue or stop while you’re trying, during your pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Fingers crossed for you!

Q. I’ve seen ads for a fertility screening kit called Fertell. Why would I need this, and does it really work?

Wow, this is a great question. When couples want to get pregnant they want to be pregnant Yesterday! It’s so hard to be patient and wait to see if the pregnancy test is positive. Fertell is a great idea. It gives couples a snapshot of where they’re at. If the results are reassuring, they can try on their own, or stay with their regular OB/GYN provider. If the results are borderline or indicate that there may be problems, that’s the time to make an appointment with a Fertility Specialist. You can find fertility specialists at ASRM.com (The American Society of Reproductive Medicine.) Good luck!

Q. I’ve been experiencing terrible heartburn every evening towards the end of my pregnancy. Why do I get it, and how can I make it go away?!

Yikes, I hate heartburn! My Italian grandmother and all the Sopranos calls this “Agita”, or indigestion. As in, “You’re driving me crazy, stop giving Agita.” No matter what you call it, it makes life very unpleasant. In pregnancy, most women experience a surge in their progesterone levels. This hormone helps the pregnancy stay healthy, but has other less welcome side effects. Progesterone relaxes the valve between the Esophagus and the Stomach, causing stomach acid to migrate upwards toward the throat. Combine this with a bigger tummy that pushes the stomach up closer to the lungs, and you get terrible heartburn. Some women experience heartburn in the first trimester and others have to deal with this throughout their pregnancy.

This is just one of the many experiences that no one talks about, but we moms endure. Hang in there. The good news, is that heartburn disappears when you deliver.

Here are some quick tips to help: • Try sipping drinkable yogurt or milk. This coats the throat and esophagus and provides a little barrier to the acid. • Eat smaller meals more frequently • Avoid carbonated drinks, the bubbles make the heartburn much worse • Try chewing some Tums. You and the baby can always use more calcium • Ask your provider about over the counter remedies • When you sleep, lie on your right side. Your stomach empties on the right side, so less acid will be around to irritate you.

Q. Is it true that I am supposed to sleep on my left side during pregnancy? Why?

I love this question because when moms ask, it means that they are doing absolutely everything they can to help them have the healthiest baby possible. Here’s a secret, it’s ok to sleep on your Right or your Left side. It really doesn’t matter which side you choose, as long as you don’t spend too much time on your back toward the 2nd half of pregnancy. Here’s why we recommend that you sleep on your side.

When pregnant moms lie down on their backs, the weight of their tummy and their baby can compress the large blood vessels along her spinal cord. This can result in less blood flow to both mom and baby. Many moms feel lightheaded when they’re on their back, a sure sign that it’s time to roll over.

If you do find that you’re waking up on your back, please don’t lose any sleep over this and don’t worry. If blood flow is decreased, the body will send signals to the brain that it’s time to wake up and roll over.