Questions and Answers
  • Can I find out if it's a boy or a girl?
    As long as there isn"t anything blocking our view when a 3-D or 4-D is performed, you will have a good chance of determining your child's sex prior to birth.
  • Should I be taking vitamins?
    Yes, Pregnant women need about 1 milligram of folic acid every day to help prevent birth defects. Folic acid is also important for any woman who could possibly become pregnant. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent serious birth defects of a baby's brain or spine called neural tube defects. Getting enough folic acid can also help prevent birth defects like cleft lip and congenital heart disease.
  • What should I bring to the hosptial on that magic day?
    Robe, slippers various items needed to make yourself comfortable. Also bring you insurance card that processing may be that much more quicker at the hospital. From time to time there are pre-admitted patients where all this would be taken care of prior to going into labor.
  • Can I have someone there during my delivery?
    Yes, you most certainly can. This experience if possible should be shared with someone. We encourage this type of support which can lead to an easier delivery.
  • Drink plenty of water? 
    Pregnant women should drink at least six eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Plus, pregnant women should drink another glass of water for each hour of activity. Water plays a key role in your partner's diet during pregnancy. It carries the nutrients from the food she eats to your baby. It also helps prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, excessive swelling, and urinary tract or bladder infections. Drinking enough water, especially in the last trimester, prevents dehydration. Not getting enough water can lead to premature or early labor. Juices also contain water.
  • Will the doctor be there when I have a baby?
     Dr. Halper has been there for 95% of his patients delivery,should an emergency prohibit him from being there. He will appoint a well experienced associate to fill for him.   
  • How much weight is normal to put on for pregnancy?
    A woman who started pregnancy at a normal weight should be expected to gain about 25 to 35 pounds over nine months. You can easily reach this goal by adding about 300 extra calories to your daily diet. If you were thin when you conceived, you should gain between 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. If you're carrying twins, the recommended weight gain is 35 to 40 pounds.

Baby Being Delivered

 

 

 
 
 

 


What if I start bleeding?
Up to 25 percent of pregnant women have light vaginal bleeding, or spotting, during the first trimester. But any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy or a suspected pregnancy should be taken seriously. If you are pregnant or think you are pregnant, you should always call your doctor if have any bleeding. He will be able to figure out if it is a sign of a problem.

How will I know I'm going into labor?
If you think labor has begun, you should call your doctor. Always notify your Doctor about possible preterm labor.

  • Contractions that come at regular and increasingly shorter intervals. Contractions should also become stronger over time.
  • You have lower back pain that doesn't go away
  • Your water breaks (can be a large gush or a or even a small amount of fluid.
  • You have a bloody (brownish or red-tinged) mucous discharge. This is probably the mucous plug that blocks the cervix. Losing your mucous plug usually means your cervix is dilating (opening up) and becoming thinner and softer (effacing). Labor could start right away or may still be days away.

What are my alternatives for labor pain?
Childbirth is different for everyone. So no one can predict how you will feel. However your doctor can offer an epidural to aid in the pain when delivery your child.
Natural Pain Relief can include the following:

  • use breathing and relaxation techniques
  • take warm showers or baths
  • receive massages
  • have the supportive care or a loved one, nurse, or doula
  • find comfortable positions while in labor (stand, crouch, sit, walk, etc)
  • use a labor ball
  • listen to music

What should I eat during my pregnancy?
Make sure you do not restrict your diet during pregnancy either. If you do, the unborn baby might not get the right amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Low-calorie diets can break down a pregnant woman's stored fat. This can lead to the production of substances called ketones. Ketones can be found in the mother's blood and urine and are a sign of starvation.

Should I Breastfeed my newborn child?
Not only is breast milk nutritionally better (less expensive) for the baby than any other baby food in the market but it also helps create a strong mother-child bond. There is also evidence to show that breastfed babies are less prone to gastroenteritis than bottle fed babies. This may be due to antibodies passing from the mother to the baby through the breast milk. It is recommended that all babies be breastfed for the first 3 months of life. A recent study has suggested that breastfeeding for more than 4 months does not confer any additional advantage to the baby, so it might be a good idea to think about weaning then. One of the most important gifts you could ever give your child is to offer the natural milk your body provides.

Babies Development