Advanced Women’s Healthcare (AWHDALLAS.com) is intended to inform and educate our patients and visitors. If you have any questions that arise during your pregnancy or medical treatment that are not covered in this Web site, please do not hesitate to ask us during your normal office visit or call the office in order that we may help you. Our phone number is 214-238-7888.

Visit Frequency

  • We will see you about every 4 weeks

Baby Movement

  • Many women begin to notice movement at about this time
  • First movement described as “bubbles” or “butterflies”

Financial/Insurance Overview

  • Usually conducted at your second OB visit.

Prenatal Class Information

Hospital Registration

  • In order to better care for you, anticipate your needs and facilitate the admission process to Labor and Delivery, we ask that you call and schedule an appointment with an Obstetric Nurse so that she may obtain your medical history and sign the necessary permits required for delivery.
  • Please call to make an appointment around 26 weeks of pregnancy.
    Phone: 972-566-2252 or 972-566-2073
    Appointment Hours: 7am-7pm Monday through Friday
    Closed on Holidays and Weekends

Common Discomforts

Breast Leaking

Cause

  • Normal response to hormones in preparation for breastfeeding
  • May start as early as the end of the first trimester

What to do

  • Keep breasts dry
  • Breast shields

Dizziness

Cause

  • Drop in blood pressure due to the cardiovascular changes in pregnancy

What to do

  • Rise from laying down position slowly
  • Rise from sitting position slowly

Frequent Yeast Infections

Cause

  • Higher levels of the hormone estrogen
  • Higher levels of glucose in vaginal discharge
  • Looks like a white, cottage-cheese discharge that itches.

What to do

  • Monistat antifungal cream (over the counter), insert applicator only 1/2 way
  • Cotton panties
  • Keep area dry
  • No panty hose

Heartburn

Cause

  • Increased hormone production of progesterone
  • Relaxation of opening between esophagus and stomach
  • Slowed emptying of stomach and intestines
  • Increase in uterine size
  • Worse in 2nd and 3rd trimester

What to do

  • Small, frequent meals
  • Low-fat meals (fat slows emptying of stomach and intestines)
  • Decrease cold drinks with meals
  • Sit upright for at least 3 hours after eating
  • Sleep with 2-3 pillows at night
  • Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta or Tums for symptom relief
  • Zantac or Tagamet over-the-counter for symptom prevention

Painful Sex

Cause

  • Pelvic and vaginal swelling due to growing uterus
  • Fear “hurting” the baby

What to do

  • Positional changes are ok
  • Lubrication (Astroglide)

Round Ligament Pain

Cause

  • Stretching and pressure of heavy uterus on ligaments that support uterus

Symptoms

  • Sharp pain shoots into groin area
  • May have vaginal pain or pressure
  • Worsened by activity

What to do

  • Bend knees onto stomach
  • Support uterus with pillow
  • Warm baths
  • Change positions
  • Heating pad
  • Maternity support belt (can be found at maternity clothing stores or Babies “R” Us)

Vaginal Discharge

Cause

  • Higher levels of the hormone estrogen
  • More mucus is made leading to more vaginal discharge that is white and thick

What to do

  • Good hygiene
  • No panty hose
  • Cotton panties

What is Happening?

  • Baby is putting on more fat tissue
  • At about 20 weeks may feel the baby move
  • Muscles continue to develop as baby moves
  • Nails begin to form
  • External sex organs become distinctly male or female
  • Facial features become more distinct
  • Teeth are growing underneath the gums
  • The ear drums and bones of middle ear are formed so that the baby will begin to hear and react to the noisy world of the uterus
  • Hair begins to grow on baby’s body and eyebrows are growing
  • During the 4th month your baby is 5 inches long and weighs about 4 ounces
  • In the 5th month you baby’s brain cells increase rapidly
  • Your baby’s sucking reflex is stronger and may suck his thumb
  • Vernix begins to form which is the fatty, cheesy, yellowish substance that covers the skin
  • By the end of the 5th month your baby is about 7 inches long and weighs 10-12oz