Pregnancy and Labor - Donovan Teel, MD

Ask A Doctor
Donovan Teel, MD
Questions about Pregnancy and Labor

Q: Do I need to have a checkup before trying to get pregnant?
A: A checkup before getting pregnant would be wise. Also, before getting pregnant it would be a plus to stay healthy, eat well and start prenatal vitamins – especially Folic Acid – for at least 3 months before getting pregnant. Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drugs is especially important. Maintaining good control of diabetes, hypertension, thyroid problems and other diseases are equally important.

Q: What can I do to ensure a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby?
A: Unfortunately, nothing can be done to guarantee a perfect outcome; however, you can certainly influence the outcome of your pregnancy by staying healthy, eating appropriately as well as avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Obtaining early, regular and proper prenatal care is equally helpful.

Q: If I am not pregnant after a few months trying, do I need to worry about fertility?
A: Generally, a woman should not worry about infertility until she has been trying to achieve pregnancy for 6-12 months.

Q: Why do I have morning sickness? Will this last my entire pregnancy or is there anything I can do about it?
A: Morning sickness is frequently a problem with pregnancy. Fortunately, most of the time it is relatively short term and generally occurs between 8-14 weeks into the pregnancy. Some women do have morning sickness throughout the entire pregnancy, but most do not. There are medications to help with this if necessary. On the good side, morning sickness is associated with a high pregnancy hormone level which is usually associated with a good outcome for the pregnancy.

Q: How many prenatal visits will I need during my pregnancy? What kind of exams and tests are preformed during prenatal visits?
A: Patients are usually seen every four weeks early in the pregnancy, later every 2 weeks and at the end weekly. Sometimes more visits are necessary depending on problems and complications. Most testing is done early in the pregnancy starting with the routine prenatal testing for blood type, anemia and blood tests for multiple types of infections that you might have or have had in the past. Several blood tests are also recommended for evaluation of possible genetic abnormalities. Also, most patients undergo early ultrasound evaluation to obtain reliable dating for the pregnancy and later ultrasound evaluation to predict appropriate fetal growth as well as evaluate the placenta and intrauterine fluid.

Q: Does pregnancy get easier after your first baby?
A: Typically the first pregnancy is more of a challenge, if for no other reason, because the patient has not been pregnant before.

Q: I am in my early 40s. Do I need to take any special precautions during pregnancy?
A: Genetic abnormalities certainly rise in the 40s, even in the later 30s. Fortunately, testing is available and recommended to assure normal outcomes. Other diseases such has hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid problems are more common as patients get older and will have to be dealt with as well. As a rule, these patients are highly motivated and generally have good outcomes.

Q: How long will I be in the hospital after having my baby?
A: The length of stay before delivery is variable depending on the length of labor. After vaginal delivery patients will usually stay 1-2 days. After a surgical delivery, patients will usually stay for 3-4 days.

Q: What are my options for pain management during labor?
A: Each patient is different regarding the need for pain relief when in labor. Some patients prefer “natural” childbirth and choose to use no pain medications. Intravenous medications are often used and can be repeated and help to control the discomfort of labor. Also available, is a regional anesthetic called “Intra-spinal Narcotic Injections” which are frequently used with excellent pain relief. This can be repeated, if needed, and gives good pain relief to the mother and is extremely safe for the baby.

Q: What conditions can necessitate cesarean section?
A: There are multiple reasons that deliveries occur by cesarean section. Some are related to positioning of the baby (breech or other unusual presentations), fetal size, developing infections, failure to progress in labor, and apparent fetal intolerance to labor. Also, most hospitals feel that if you have had a cesarean section in the past, or any significant surgery involving the uterus, you will need to deliver by cesarean section.

Q: Can mothers elect to have their baby by cesarean section?
A: In the last 5 plus years elective primary cesarean sections or cesarean sections upon request, have become acceptable.

Bio:
Donovan Teel, MD, has been practicing in Sonora since 1977 and has delivered over 6,000 babies. He attended medical school at Loma Linda University and completed his specialty training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Maricopa County General Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Teel and his wife moved to Sonora from Phoenix after he completed his specialty training. They felt Sonora was a good place to raise their two children and they were also attracted by the region’s rural atmosphere as well as abundant outdoor activities such as snow and water skiing/boarding.

Dr. Teel has two children who have followed in his footsteps; both are now physicians and one will be moving back to Sonora in August. In his practice, Dr. Teel has a special interest in treating patients with incontinence and bladder/rectal support issues.