Question 1

What should I do if I have a positive pregnancy test?

Accepted Answer

If you have had a positive urine pregnancy test, you should call the clinic to set up your first OB appointment! The best time to come in for your first visit is when you are in the first two months of your pregnancy. Please have the first day of your last period available when you call to make your appointment.

Question 2

Who will be at my delivery at Unity-Point Health Meriter?

Accepted Answer

We are a close-knit team of OB/GYN physicians who share call responsibilities in 24-hour shifts, ensuring that a trusted Associated Physicians physician is always available when you need care. Whenever possible, we make every effort to coordinate scheduled inductions and cesarean sections with your primary OB so that a familiar face can be with you for your delivery.

Because babies don’t always follow a schedule, the on-call physician may be the one caring for you during labor and delivery. While this can feel uncertain, please be reassured that our physicians work very closely together and know our patients well. We prioritize clear communication and thoughtful handoffs, so even if your primary OB is not present, your care remains personal, consistent, and centered around you.

During your hospital stay, we also work alongside OB/GYN residents and, at times, medical students as part of a collaborative care team. In partnership with the staff at UnityPoint Meriter, this team-based approach helps ensure you receive safe, attentive, and compassionate care for both you and your baby.

Below is our policy regarding patient requests for gender-specific physicians, which aligns with UnityPoint Meriter.

Policy Statement:
While we understand and acknowledge that there may be many reasons why a patient may prefer female health care workers,  the obstetricians at AP regularly work with male physicians at UPH-Meriter, including male resident physicians, anesthesiologists, maternal fetal medicine specialists, and other specialists/staff.

In addition, as obstetric patients are at risk of needing emergency care and the obstetricians at AP may not be immediately available, we need the entire team to take the best possible care of our patients in the name of patient safety. As a result, we cannot accommodate requests to exclude male physicians or hospital staff. The patient will be advised to transfer care if they refuse care from a male physician.

We cannot recommend a specific group, but the patient may call other offices in the area to determine their policies. Please note, that Associated Physicians policy regarding the inability to accommodate requests to refuse/limit male providers is in line with UPH-Meriter's policy on labor and delivery as well.

Question 3

What should I do if I think I might be miscarrying?

Accepted Answer

If you are pregnant and experiencing vaginal bleeding, menstrual type cramping, or an ache in your lower back, you should call the clinic to be evaluated. If you are bleeding through more than one sanitary pad per hour, you should go to the emergency room. It is normal to have some bloody spotting after sexual intercourse during pregnancy.

Question 4

What should I do if I am pregnant and think that I have a urinary tract infection?

Accepted Answer

If you are having symptoms of a urinary tract infection (i.e., burning with urination, urinary frequency, or lower abdominal pain), you should call the clinic to be evaluated. We may order a urinalysis and urine culture. You may also find it helpful to increase your water intake. Cranberry juice is helpful in preventing future urinary tract infections.

Question 5

What should I do if I think I have a yeast infection?

Accepted Answer

Even if you are pregnant, if you have symptoms of a yeast infection (i.e, vaginal itching/burning and/or "cottage cheese-like" vaginal discharge), you can first try over-the-counter Monistat vaginal cream. We recommend using the 7-day treatment and discourage the use of 1 or 3-day treatments. If your symptoms do not improve by the following day, you should contact the clinic for an appointment. If you are having symptoms of other vaginal infections, such as odorous vaginal discharge you should contact the clinic to be evaluated.

Question 6

What should I do if I think I may be leaking fluid?

Accepted Answer

If you think your water may have broken, either because you are slowly leaking fluid or because you have experienced a big gush of fluid, you should put on a sanitary pad and walk around for a few minutes. If the sanitary pad becomes wet, contact the clinic. Usually if your water has broken, you will continue to leak fluid.

Question 7

What should I do if I don't feel the baby move as often as usual?

Accepted Answer

If you are after 28 weeks we recommend that you, drink a large glass of cold water and eat a snack. Then get into a position where you normally feel your baby move the most, and start counting the number of movements. You should count at least eight movements in two hours. If you get eight movements right away great! If you do not get eight movements in two hours, you should call the clinic to be evaluated (even if it is after hours normal business hours).

Question 8

What should I do if I'm having vaginal bleeding?

Accepted Answer

If you have had sex during the last 48 hours, it is common to experience some red, pink, or brown spotting since your cervix is more vascular during pregnancy. This spotting should disappear within 24 hours and should not be heavier than spotting. If you have bleeding like a normal period or heavier, you should contact the clinic regardless of your stage of pregnancy. If you are past 36 weeks and having spotting, it may be normal. Often when the cervix is thinning or dilating, you will experience some bloody discharge; however, if you are bleeding like a normal period or heavier, you should contact the clinic.

Question 9

How do I know if I've lost my mucous plug and what do I do if it happens?

Accepted Answer

Typically your mucous plug comes out as a thick mucous-like vaginal discharge. It can be clear, brownish, pink or slightly blood-tinged in color. There is no need to call the clinic if you lose your mucous plug. Losing you mucous plug means that your cervix is softening or dilating and preparing you for labor. It does not mean that you will go into labor right away; it could be hours, days, or sometimes even weeks before labor starts.

Question 10

How do I know the difference between regular contractions and Braxton Hicks contractions?

Accepted Answer

Braxton Hicks contractions are typically painless and do not come at a regular frequency. Many people notice them as a tightening in their abdomen. True labor contractions are regular in frequency (usually 2-5 minutes apart) and are usually painful to the point that you cannot walk or talk through them.

Question 11

What should I do if I have contractions? How do I know when to call my doctor?

Accepted Answer

If you are having painful contractions before 36 weeks, drink a large glass of water and lie down to see if they subside. Often the uterus will cramp due to dehydration. If you notice that you are having more than 4 painful contractions per hour before 36 weeks, you should call the clinic to be evaluated (even if it is after normal business hours).

If you are past 36 weeks pregnancy and are having painful contractions, count the time from the beginning of one to the beginning of another to see how far apart they are. Call the clinic if your contractions are 2-5 minutes apart for at least an hour. True labor contractions will not decrease in frequency over time.

Question 12

What medications can I take during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Please click the following link to learn more about Medications During Pregnancy

Question 13

Is it okay to get the flu vaccine during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we actually recommend that you receive the flu vaccine if you are pregnant. You will need to get the flu shot which is an inactive virus, not the nasal spray which is a live virus.

Question 14

Is it okay to get the COVID-19 vaccing during pregnancy/nursing?

Accepted Answer

CLICK HERE for decision making guidance on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and nursing.

Question 15

Can I exercise during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is typically safe to do the kind of exercise that you were used to doing before pregnancy. If you start cramping or spotting while exercising, you should stop, then drink plenty of water and rest. If you want to start a new exercise program, you should discuss it with your doctor first.

Question 16

Is it safe to travel during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but if you are past 24 weeks, we recommend talking to your doctor first.

OB/GYN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS