Pregnancy Information
Welcome to our practice. We are pleased that you have chosen The Women’s Center for your OB care. Our practice consists of Douglas Gearity, M.D., Yasmine Kareem, M.D., Wilfredo Vega, M.D., Shéne Dozier-Allen, M.D., Linda Kenney-Peterson, PA.-C., Kriselle Ruiz MSN, A.R.N.P,, and Caprice Wright.
Integrated Screen
Every year that a woman gets older, her risk for chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancy goes up. The Integrated Screen is a series of blood tests, together with an ultrasound measurement of the back of the baby’s neck, which give us an estimation of the chances that THIS PREGNANCY has a chromosomal problem. One chromosomal problem that people are familiar with is having a third copy of chromosome 21. This is commonly known as Down’s Syndrome. There are other, more dangerous, chromosomal problems as well, but they are more rare.
Fetal Movement Counts
It is normal for your healthy, growing fetus to move frequently in your womb (uterus). You can help look out for the health of your baby by recording a count of the number of times your baby kicks, twists, or turns. Doing this is called the fetal movement counts. You should begin your baby’s movement counts by the 27th or 28th week of pregnancy.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that when contracted by a pregnant woman can pose serious risk to the unborn baby. Up to one in 1,000 babies in this country are born affected with toxoplasmosis. Fortunately, a pregnant woman can follow some simple precautions that can reduce the risks from infection.
Prevention of Deep Venous Thrombosis
DVT or blood clots in your vascular system can be life threatening if they occlude a vessel to your heart, brain, or lungs. Pregnancy, obesity, smoking, immobilization, cancer, and recent surgery are all risk factors for developing a blood clot. The incidence of a venous blood clot in pregnancy is 0.5-3 per 1000 pregnancies, and it occurs equally in all trimesters.