Prenatal Care
A pregnancy test and finding a physician are just the first steps toward having a healthy baby. Knowing what to expect from your body and how to keep yourself healthy are the next. We give you the knowledge and the emotional support you need, as well as excellent medical care.
At your first visit with us, you’ll receive an OB Packet that includes the book, What To Expect When You’re Expecting. This book answers many of the questions you, as a new mother, may have as your body is changing and your baby grows inside you. We also offer nutritional counseling by our registered dietician, Brooke Douglas, RD.
When you’re ready to deliver, you’ll be at one of the best medical facilities in the area, the new state-of-the-art Good Samaritan Birthing Center.
What is an epidural? How does pitocin work? How long is labor? At what stage of labor do I go to the hospital? We counsel you on delivery room decisions that may come up. Our physicians are always on call for their own pregnant moms and deliver their babies. If for some reason your doctor can’t deliver your baby, you can feel comfortable with the expertise of another physician in the group as they all provide top-notch care.
Prenatal Class Information
Location: Good Samaritan Family Birth Center
Contact Phone: 253-697-5300
Contact Email: childbirthed@goodsamhealth.org
Cost: $85 or medical coupon
Other Prenatal Info
Pregnancy books tell me not to sleep on my back or my right side, but sometimes I wake up that way, what should I do?
When you sleep on your back or your right side, especially towards the end of the pregnancy, you may decrease the blood flow from the legs back to the heart. This can cause dizziness, even when lying down. It may also modestly increase blood pressure. If you are not having problems with blood pressure (noted in the office) or dizziness, then it is ok to sleep on your back or your side. It is hard enough to get comfortable sleeping while pregnant without trying to sleep only on your left side.
Day of Delivery Info
This is a very exciting day. Here are two questions most frequently asked.
When do I go to the hospital? If you are having regular contractions with a sense of urgency, especially if you have had previous fast labors, please go directly to the hospital.
When should I call the office? Call us if you are having regular contractions that do not seem to be progressing in intensity or frequency, a notable decrease in movement by the baby, or if you think your water may have broken.
After Delivery
After your baby is born we have Cyd Marckmann, ARNP, a certified lactation consultant on staff to assist with your breastfeeding questions and concerns.
After delivery we also see your baby within two weeks for his/her first well-baby checkup and again at one month, two months and beyond.
Breastfeeding Resources:
Breastfeeding: Hints to Help You Get Off to a Good Start, from The American Academy of Family Doctors
Breast-feeding: Pumping and maintaining your milk supply, from The Mayo Clinic
Breastfeeding: How to Pump and Store Your Breast Milk, from The American Academy of Family Doctors
Breastfeeding Guidelines, from The Harvard Medical School, Family Health Guide
Well Child Visit Recommendations
Well child visits are an important way for us to help monitor your child's growth and development specific to his/her age. At each visit you can expect to discuss the following topics:
Growth and development of your child
Feeding and sleep schedules.
Measuring height, weight, head circumference and/or blood pressure.
Counseling for nutrition, proper dental health, child safety issues, and parenting strategies.
Schedule your well child appointments at these times in your baby’s life.
Infants
Newborn
Two Weeks
Two Months
Four Months
Six Months
Nine Months
Twelve Months
Fifteen Months
Eighteen Months