If so, please tweet, call, text or email them about this link because they may be eligible to participate in an important research study monitoring fetal growth being conducted through the MUSC OB/GYN department and the East Cooper Women’s Center.

STUDY HIGHLIGHTS

• Enrolled patients will undergo 6 ultrasound examinations throughout their pregnancy to follow fetal growth in the womb.

• The purpose of this study is to better understand how normal babies grow and develop inside the womb during an uncomplicated pregnancy.  Developing a normal fetal growth standard will help us better identify growth abnormalities. We will also try to identify causes of growth abnormalities in normal pregnancies.

• Length of participation will vary but will not exceed 9 months.

• Compensation is provided.

Contact Carolyn Williams @ 843-792-0349, Holly Boggan @ 843-876-1434 or Sarah Cordell @ 843-792-6654 for more information. Compensation will be provided to qualified individuals.

If so, you may be eligible to participate in an important research study monitoring fetal growth being conducted through the MUSC OB/GYN department and the East Cooper Women’s Center.

STUDY HIGHLIGHTS

• Enrolled patients will undergo 6 ultrasound examinations throughout their pregnancy to follow fetal growth in the womb.

• The purpose of this study is to better understand how normal babies grow and develop inside the womb during an uncomplicated pregnancy.  Developing a normal fetal growth standard will help us better identify growth abnormalities. We will also try to identify causes of growth abnormalities in normal pregnancies.

• Length of participation will vary but will not exceed 9 months.

• Compensation is provided.

Contact Carolyn Williams @ 843-792-0349, Holly Boggan @ 843-876-1434 or Sarah Cordell @ 843-792-6654 for more information. Compensation will be provided to qualified individuals.

Having a baby is one of the most happiest times in a woman's life, but up to 20% of new mothers also face difficult bouts of depression.  Click here for one woman's story.

Mommy or Daddy-to be?  Check out MUSC Women & Infant Services new birth plan:  http://www.muschealth.com/birthplan/  Tell us what you think!

The national guidelines for weight gain during a pregnancy with twins have been revised and the Medical University of South Carolina was one of four locations to participate in this study.  Read more... 

Dr. Jill Mauldin shared tips for staying cool during a summer pregnancy to the readers of the Moxie section of the Post and Courier.

Read more.

Depression during pregnancy

Depression affects approximately 10 to 15 % of pregnant women.  Sometimes symptoms may be difficult to differentiate from normal changes of pregnancy.  Symptoms of depression include depressed mood, irritability, feeling no pleasure, weight changes, appetite and sleep changes, loss of energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, agitation or suicidal thoughts.  Depression during pregnancy can be caused by increased stress, decreased social support, poor maternal weight gain, smoking, alcohol and drug use.  Untreated depression in pregnant women is associated with an increase in negative pregnancy outcomes such as premature birth, low birth weight infants, poor fetal growth or other complications during the pregnancy. 

Antidepressants:  Are they safe?

Overall antidepressants are safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding and their use has not been shown to cause birth defects with the exception of paroxetine (Paxil) which has been found in some studies to cause heart defects in the fetus and therefore should be avoided in pregnancy.  Several studies have suggested that managing depression in pregnancy is beneficial for neonatal outcomes. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most widely studied and most frequently used antidepressants in pregnancy.  Patients with depression can be managed during pregnancy with or without medication but those with more significant depression will need to continue their medications during pregnancy to prevent relapse of their illness which occurs in about 70 percent of those who discontinue their medication.  Each patient is evaluated individually and should discuss their situation with their doctor.  Currently available data suggests that use of SSRIs during late pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for neonatal complications (jitteriness, gastrointestinal symptoms, irritability, decreased muscle tone, seizures, mild respiratory distress) and probably pulmonary hypertension.  The neonatal complications are temporary and rarely require treatment.  Pulmonary hypertension also appears to be a rare occurrence.  The neonatal symptoms should be discussed with the patient and the potential risks of the medications can be balanced against the effects of untreated maternal depression on the individual patient and her family.

by:  Tameeka Law, M.D.

Request an appointment with a MUSC provider.

Dr. Jill Mauldin shared tips for traveling during pregnancy to the readers of the Moxie section of the Post and Courier.

Read more.

What is a Prenatal Ultrasound?

A prenatal ultrasound transmits high-frequency sound waves through the abdomen. The echoes are then transformed into photographic images of your baby. During pregnancy, ultrasound will be used to evaluate the baby, the placenta, the uterine wall, and even your ovaries. Most major birth defects can be seen on ultrasound.

How is an Ultrasound performed?

The majority of prenatal ultrasounds are performed by scanning through your abdomen.  On occasion, a transvaginal ultrasound is necessary to improve the image quality or to assess different parts of your anatomy or of the baby’s anatomy. Very early in pregnancy, transvaginal ultrasound is the preferred method of evaluating pregnancies because the transducer can get so much closer to the image needing to be studied.

Ultrasounds are typically performed on all pregnant women at 20 weeks gestation. During that ultrasound, it will be confirmed that your baby appears normal and is growing properly. You will be able to see the baby’s heartbeat and see the body, arms and legs move. Gender can usually be determined at 20 weeks. Be sure to tell the sonographer performing the ultrasound whether or not you want to know the gender of your baby!

Is it Safe?

Studies have not found obstetrical ultrasounds to be harmful or hazardous in any way. Remember, ultrasounds do not use radiation – such as X-rays and CT scans. They use sound waves.

How Should I Prepare?

You should drink 4 to 6 glasses of water before your ultrasound, so that your bladder is full. A full bladder will help the doctor view the baby better on the ultrasound.  If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound however, you will probably be asked to empty your bladder before the exam starts.

What Happens?

You will lie on a padded examining table during the test and a small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the skin over your abdomen. The gel does not harm your skin or stain your clothes.

A small device, called a transducer, is gently applied against the skin on your abdomen. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the body, which reflect off internal structures, including your baby. The sound waves or echoes that reflect back are received by the transducer and transformed into a picture on a screen.

There is virtually no discomfort during the test. Because a full bladder is required for the test, you may feel some discomfort when the probe is applied over the bladder. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly several times.

An ultrasound takes 30-45 minutes to complete.

Will Insurance Pay?

Insurance will pay for the ultrasound if it is deemed medically necessary. If you have an ultrasound that is not medically necessary (for example, to simply see the baby or find out the baby's sex), your insurance company may not pay for the ultrasound.

What is a 3-D and 4-D Ultrasound?

3-D ultrasound is a picture of the outside surface of the baby. A moving picture interpretation is referred to as a 4-D ultrasound. It’s important for patients to remember that the 3D pictures are fun to have, but they typically tell us very little about the actual structures inside the baby. For that reason, 2D ultrasound is the most accurate method to evaluate the baby for birth defects.

AIUM Certified

In an increasingly competitive health care climate with limited resources, it is imperative that ultrasound practitioners demonstrate excellence in their practices. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) Ultrasound Practice Accreditation Council has developed standards for the accreditation of ultrasound practices. MUSC Women’s Health is proud to say that the Prenatal Wellness Center has been accredited since 2001.

Why MUSC?

- We’ve demonstrated and maintained excellence with AIUM Certification.
- One of 7 registered sonographers will perform your ultrasound.
- A Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist will review your ultrasound and you will be informed of any birth defects or problems on the day of your visit.
- As a keepsake, you will receive a CD of ultrasound images of your baby and several paper prints as well.
- We make every attempt to remain on schedule and our goal is to have your visit completed within 75 minutes of your appointment time. However, unforeseen circumstances can arise which delay our progression. We will make every attempt to notify you if there is a significant delay. Most importantly, we guarantee that you will receive the time attention necessary to meet your needs.

by:  Jill Mauldin, M.D.

Request an appointment with a MUSC provider

Yoga is a form of exercise that builds strength, flexibility and balance.  At MUSC Women’s Health, we encourage patients to obtain optimal health through physical and mental fitness. Yoga is the perfect practice to achieve these goals and can be safely practiced in pregnancy. Before any exercise, pregnant women should eat something, preferably carbohydrates.
 

Why practice yoga during pregnancy?

• Yoga can prepare you for delivery by increasing your body awareness and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles for delivery.
• Through yoga, you can develop or enhance a breathing practice to create a connection between your body, mind and developing baby. A strong breathing practice can assist you during labor.
• A meditation practice developed during yoga can help you remain calm and focused during pregnancy, delivery and parenthood.
 
When should I start?  How long can I continue?
 
If you can find a prenatal yoga class, that’s great; if not, learn about the position modifications and tell the teacher you are pregnant before class begins for additional assistance.  During the first trimester, avoid inversions (being upside down) such as shoulder stands or headstands.  Despite the ability to practice throughout pregnancy, some women opt to stop after their seventh month. 
 
Does yoga strengthen my abs and pelvic floor for labor?
 
Absolutely!  In Anusara yoga, we talk about “drawing in your muscles.”  In pregnancy, you can imagine hugging your baby with your abdominal muscles during the entire class. When coming out of a pose, exhale and draw your belly into the spine.

There’s a yoga term called Mulabandha, which means drawing up the pelvic floor.  By practicing this pelvic locking action (similar to a kegel exercise), you’ll strengthen and bring awareness to your pelvic floor.
 
Are there relaxation poses I can do to help with pain and anxiety?
 
Viparita kirani (legs up the wall) with a blanket under your sacrum is a wonderful relaxation and inversion pose.

Use blankets and bolsters to get comfortable and support all parts of your body that need it. Then, try a variety of restorative poses. Drape your body over the bolster, placing it at the shoulder blades or middle back.  As long as it feels good and isn’t too much of a backbend, which can strain the abdominal muscles, these positions can be very relaxing.

Which poses should be avoided?
 
Generally, if a pose feels comfortable, try it.

There is concern about disastis recti, a weakening of the abdominal muscles in the midline, during pregnancy.  As a result, women may choose to avoid backbends in the third trimester. A modified backbend can be done using a bolster or blanket.

The best inversion to do in pregnancy, if you are practicing it, is Pincha Mayurasana (forearm stand); avoid Sirsasana (headstand).  As a modification after the first trimester, you can try Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) with a blanket under the shoulders to free your neck and walking up the wall to get into the pose instead of Halasana (plough).

Twists should be modified, always doing an open rather than closed twist.  Bharadvajasana (an open seated twist with legs tucked in) is a great one!

When in Savasana (corpses pose) during the late second and third trimesters, place a bolster under the right side to relief pressure from the vena cava.  After Savasana, roll over onto your left side which allows for better blood flow to the uterus and to avoid sciatica. (The teacher will most likely instruct the class to role to the right).
 
Are there any poses to try during pregnancy?

• Try a Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) modification, coming from Tadasana (mountain pose) through Campers’ pose (a squat, with your forearms just above the knees) to hands and knees rather than lying on your abdomen. You can also modify Bhujanghasana (cobra) with a blanket under the top of your thighs so your belly is elevated.
• Dhanurasana (bow pose) should be practiced on your side instead of on your belly in the late second and third trimester.
• During forward folds (standing and sitting), open your legs to make room for the baby before folding.
• Also try Ardha Chandrasana (half moon rising) with your back against the wall. You will feel weightless. Trikonasana (triangle) can also be done against the wall to assist with balance.

by:  Gweneth Lazenby, M.D. and Gail Corvette, MUSC Wellness Center

Request an appointment with a MUSC provider.