Early and regular visits to your obstetrician are critically important during your pregnancy. The care you receive throughout your pregnancy is vital to your health and the health of your unborn child. The physicians and staff at  Albany OB-GYN make you and your unborn child our number one priority. We want to  guide you through the most beautiful time of your life and that special day when your baby is delivered.
    Only Board Certified physicians deliver babies at Albany OB-GYN. You can take comfort in the fact that a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, will be with you every step of the way during your pregnancy and delivery.  
    Emotions can run the gamut during pregnancy. Hormone levels change during pregnancy as they  do with other changes a woman experiences which may greatly affect your emotions. These "mood swings" caused by increased hormone levels can make you laugh one moment and cry the next. Being aware of these changes will help you and your partner better cope with these changes  when they occur.

Optimizing Your Chances of Having a Healthy Baby

   Anyone who is out in the world, watches television, reads, listens to the radio or browses the Internet, cannot avoid seeing information warning against using drugs, cigarettes or alcohol during pregnancy. At Albany OB-GYN, we want to continue to educate our patients against these use of the items, especially during pregnancy.

     •  Cigarettes increase the risk of low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirths and premature
        births. Some studies show increased rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
     •  Marijuana is a drug that poses similar risks to the fetus. It is also proven to have damaging
        effects on a number of body systems.
     •  Cocaine (and crack) deprive the fetus of food and oxygen vital to proper development. It can
        also cause premature births. In the mother, this drug can also cause high blood pressure and
        heart rate.
     •  Heroin use puts a woman at increased risk for hepatitis, AIDS and miscarriage. It can also
        cause babies to be stillborn. If a fetus survives heroin use in the womb, the baby can still
        be born mentally retarded, with long-term learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Heroin
        can also contribute to the increased chance of SIDS.
     •  Amphetamine use during pregnancy can cause birth defects. It also affects the baby's heart,
        brain, liver, bones, stomach, kidneys and intestines. These babies can also be low-birth
        weight babies and have ten times greater risk of SIDS. As these babies get older, learning
        disabilities can also appear.

   If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and are using any of these items or alcohol,
please don't be ashamed to speak with your physician about this immediately.

Other Cautions During Pregnancy

     • Avoid aerosols, insecticides and paint as these can enter the bloodstream and pass to the baby
     • Avoid eating raw meat and prolonged exposure to cat feces when pregnant as they both can
       carry "toxoplasmosis", an infection which can cause birth defects. If you handle a cat, wash your
       hands thoroughly. Wear gloves while gardening to avoid touching cat feces.
     • If you feel you are getting a cold or flu, check your temperature twice daily, if it goes over 100°F
       call your physician; increase your fluid intake and rest; maintain balanced nutrition and use a
       cool-mist humidifier when sleeping.
     • You should also call your obstetrician if your cough, congestion or sore throat continues for
       more than 24 hours or if you feel that you may need to use medication for your illness.

Dental Work

     Because your mouth's bacteria and acid/alkaline balance changes during pregnancy, you may be more prone to cavities. It is a good idea to have your teeth cleaned early in pregnancy to prevent inflammation of gums that many women experience. Be sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant before having any dental work X-rays should be avoided if necessary. If you are planning a pregnancy, some dentists recommend that you have a thorough dental examination and get your dental needs taken care of before you become pregnant.
    The care you receive throughout your pregnancy is important to the health and well being of both yourself and your baby. It is also important to the physicians at Albany OB-GYN that you receive good care during your pregnancy. If you have further questions concerning how you can take better care of yourself and your unborn child, please feel free to ask.