Posts Tagged ‘Prenatal Care’
When to Call the Doctor
When to Call the Doctor
Two kinds of women drive doctors crazy: those who call for every little twinge and those who wouldn’t call if they were staked to an ant hill because “I didn’t want to bother you.” Here are some hints to help you avoid falling into these two categories.
Any Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding doesn’t automatically mean disaster, but the source of the bleeding needs to be investigated. Panic usually follows if you’re on the toilet when you discover the bleeding because even a few drops will look like gallons as soon as they hit the water. Wipe with toilet paper and make note of the color-bright red or more reddish-brown? Did the bleeding start after some activity, such as intercourse or moving furniture? Is it associated with cramping or localized pain anywhere? Your doctor will ask you these questions and how much blood you think you lost. Just remember the difference between bleeding and hemorrhaging: If blood isn’t running down your leg and filling up your shoe, you’re not hemorrhaging. Keep calm and call your doctor.
Prenatal Care
Choosing a Doctor
Good Vibrations
Choosing a doctor or birth attendant without careful thought has all the pitfalls of an arranged marriage: You don’t know what you’ve committed to until it’s too late. Save yourself and the doctor wasted time and emotional trauma by doing your homework now.
Think about what kinds of personality traits make you the most comfortable. If your doctor is the autocratic type and you want to share in the decision-making process, you’ll be at each other’s throats in no time. If you don’t like to worry about details, a take-charge type may be just your style. Decide what is your style and find someone who’ll “wear well” over the months of your pregnancy. Breaking up after you’re several months into the relationship can be inconvenient, if not painful, for both of you.