What are Obstetrical Services?
Obstetrical Services (or Obstetrics) include all care from pregnancy (antenatal care) to delivery and after birth (postnatal care). Obstetricians have the skills to manage complex and high-risk pregnancies and births. Our obstetricians are no exception! Choosing an obstetrician is one of many big decisions you can make as an expecting parent. We understand the importance of feeling comfortable, being cared for, and being heard. At OGA, we work hard to ensure you’ll leave every appointment with this experience.
Our Obstetrical Services
To empower you with personalized treatment options, our highly qualified medical professionals will care for you the “OGA Way.” You’re in the best and most caring hands with our obstetrical team at OGA! We help manage all normal and high-risk pregnancies from pre-conception through postpartum recovery, including:
- Pregnancy Tests
- Vaginal Delivery
- Operative Vaginal Delivery
- Cesarean Delivery (C-Section)
- Vaginal Birth After C-Section (VBAC)
- Hypertension Management
- Diabetes Management
- Biophysical Profiles
- Non-Stress Tests
- Pre-Term Labor Solutions
- Twin Care
- Pre-Eclampsia Solutions
- AIUM-certified Ultrasound Services, including:
- Anatomical Ultrasound
- First Trimester Screening
- Nuchal Translucency
For a list of all OGA Women's Health services, visit our Services page.
Frequently Asked OB Questions
Here are CDC’s answers to some of the common questions regarding the Zika virus.
Is there a vaccine to prevent infection or medicine to treat Zika?
No. There is no vaccine to prevent infection or medicine to treat Zika.
I am pregnant. Should I travel to a country where cases of Zika have been reported?
Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant:
- Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
- Women trying to become pregnant or who are thinking about becoming pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.
CDC will update the travel notice as information becomes available. Check the CDC travel website frequently for the most up-to-date recommendations.
I am pregnant. How will Zika virus affect me or my unborn baby?
CDC has issued a travel notice (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. The most recent alert follows reports in Brazil of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. However, additional studies are needed to further characterize this relationship. Further studies are planned to learn more about the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.
Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant.
Is it safe to use an insect repellent if I am pregnant or nursing?
Yes! Using an insect repellent is safe and effective. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding can and should use an EPA-registered insect repellent and use it according to the product label.
Should a pregnant woman who traveled to an area with Zika virus be tested for the virus?
Contact your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are pregnant and develop a rash, fever, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after traveling to a country where Zika virus cases have been reported. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider where you traveled.
Can a pregnant woman be tested for Zika weeks or months after being in a country with Zika?
At this time, CDC does not recommend routine Zika virus testing in pregnant women who have traveled to a country with known transmission. First, there can be false-positive results due to antibodies that are made against other related viruses. Second, CDC does not know the risk to the fetus if the mother tests positive for Zika virus antibodies. Nor does the CDC know if the risks are different in mothers who do or do not have symptoms due to Zika virus infection.
For more information on the Zika virus and what it means for pregnant women, visit these sites or call us at (208) 888-0909.
- Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Low-impact aerobics
Other activities like jogging may be done in moderation. Activities like tennis and racquetball are generally safe, but changes in your balance during pregnancy may affect rapid movements.
You may want to choose exercises or activities that do not require great balance or coordination, especially later in pregnancy.
Exercise may be harmful to women with the following obstetrical conditions:
- Bleeding or spotting
- Low-placenta
- Threatened or recurrent miscarriage
- Previous premature births or history of early labor
- Weak cervix
For women with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, exercise may not be advisable. In all cases, we advise you to talk with an OGA practitioner before beginning any exercise program. He or she will help identify the type of exercise that is right for you based upon your medical history.
There are certain exercises and activities that can be harmful if done while pregnant. Please avoid the following:/p>
- Holding your breath during any activity
- Activities with a high risk of falling (downhill skiing, horseback riding, etc.)
- Contact sports (softball, football, volleyball, etc.)
- Activities that require extensive jumping, hopping, skipping, bouncing or running.
- Bouncing while stretching
- Deep knee bends, full sit-ups, double-leg raises, and straight-leg toe touches
- Any exercise that may cause even mild abdominal trauma
- Activities that include jarring motions or rapid changes in direction
- Exercise that requires lying on your back for more than 3 minutes (especially after your 3rd month of pregnancy)
- Waist twisting movements while standing
- Heavy spurts of exercise followed by long periods of no activity
- Exercising in hot or humid weather
Healthy eating during pregnancy is important for you and your baby. We encourage you to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, to choose whole-grains (wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, etc.) and to get 4 or more servings of dairy each day. If you eat meat, we encourage you to select lean cuts such as chicken or turkey without the skin.
You can eat fish in moderation. Up to 12 ounces of fish or shellfish low in mercury (shrimp, wild salmon, pollack and catfish are good options) is considered safe. Avoid improperly prepared or under-cooked food items.
Food items to avoid are unpasteurized soft cheeses (they could contain bacteria that are unsafe for your baby) and fish with high levels of mercury such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. Do not eat more than one small can of albacore tuna each week.
Avoid caffeine or limit your intake to about 1-2 cups of coffee or tea each day. Caffeine is also found in many cola products so limit your intake of soda as well.
No amount of alcohol, tobacco or nicotine has been found to be safe during pregnancy.
Babies
• The right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein and minerals
• Easier on digestions – breastfed babies have less gas, fewer feeding problems, and less constipation
• Antibodies that protect infants from certain illnesses such as ear infections, diarrhea, and allergies
• Lowered risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Moms
• Breastfeeding triggers the release of a hormone called oxytocin. It helps the uterus contract and return to its normal size more quickly
• Breastfeeding may make it easier to lose the weight gained through pregnancy
• Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of a baby’s life. This means feeding only breastmilk and no other foods or liquids unless advised by the baby’s doctor.
Because our physicians share this responsibility, we offer the opportunity to meet each member of our team during prenatal visits. Some women choose to do so while others prefer to see the same practitioner throughout the entire pregnancy. Either option is fine. This is your pregnancy and you choose how you want to best learn the information about your care.
At OGA, we put women and their health first. We’ve designed your obstetrical care around evidenced-based medicine. That means throughout your pregnancy, you can be confident that we will provide professional recommendations and will apply sound principles and practices to achieve positive outcomes for you and your family.
Birth parents will receive expert care during childbirth and our commitment to do all we can to meet your individual needs.
Intended parents will receive the same information and education we share with all women who have a new baby and the support and understanding they need to navigate these complex arrangements.
- the nursing care is excellent
- labor rooms and post partum rooms are located on the same floor
- 24-hour access to anesthesia services
- 24-hour access to obstetrical services
- Level II NICU services for infants born 32 weeks and older
Contact our office for information on how to arrange a tour of this beautiful facility or visit https://www.stlukesonline.org/health-services/service-groups/newborn-intensive-care.
- the nursing care is excellent
- labor rooms and post partum rooms are located on the same floor
- 24-hour access to anesthesia services
- 24-hour access to obstetrical services
Contact our office for information on how to arrange a tour of this beautiful facility or visit https://www.stlukesonline.org/health-services/service-groups/newborn-intensive-care.
Call Us Today to Experience the OGA Difference
Because your healthcare needs are often time-sensitive, we do our best to schedule you an appointment quickly and conveniently.
For appointments, please call (208) 888-0909.
If you're an established patient and have a question about your health or medical care, our triage nurse is here to help and can be reached at (208) 888-0909 during normal business hours.
If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 first.