Obstetrics
The staff of East Tennessee OBGYN considers it a true privilege to nurture a women’s well-being throughout all her stages of life. From the annual well-woman visit to her journey through pregnancy and even menopause management, our obstetricians and nurse practitioners are prepared to provide exceptional care in each stage. Our team has undergone extensive training and have acquired knowledge and experience throughout the years. We have a team of experienced, compassionate providers who believe in providing you with high-quality obstetrical care you can trust. We consider it an honor to be chosen as your obstetrician and caregiver throughout your pregnancy journey. Our doctors and nurse practitioners take our responsibility as your provider very seriously.
OB Services Include:
• Infertility evaluation and treatment
• State-of-the-art fetal testing and monitoring
• OB exams
• Pregnancy care
• Delivery of baby
• Postpartum care
Breastfeeding Help
As a new mother, breastfeeding your baby can be a wondrous experience that can offer emotional and health benefits for both you and your baby. To help new mothers get ready for breastfeeding, East Tennessee OBGYN refers patients to Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare Systems for a breastfeeding assistance program. With the help of lactation consultants, expectant mothers are given breastfeeding information prior to the arrival of your baby. After your baby’s arrival, the lactation consultants will provide personalized one-on-one instruction. After you take your new baby home, the consultants are easily accessible and are just a phone call away to answer any questions you may have while also providing support and encouragement along your journey.
Obstetric Ultrasound
The advanced technology of an OB ultrasound allows you and your physician to monitor your baby’s growth and progress as he or she gets ready for birth. Most expectant mothers have ultrasounds performed three or four times throughout the pregnancy. This is the usual schedule for ultrasound studies:
• During the first trimester to confirm a uterine pregnancy and to determine the baby’s due date
• At 20 weeks, for a detailed evaluation of the baby’s anatomy. During this ultrasound, gender can be determined for those parents who would like to know.
• Additional studies might be scheduled depending on your personalized care plan.
Additional services, such as a 3D/4D scan and gender scan may be provided for a minimal charge of $100. Technological advancements in the ultrasound field include images that can be made in a three-dimensional or four-dimensional view. The added dimension through a 4-D scan is motion, so it is the same as the 3-D view but includes movement.
Gestational Diabetes
A kind of diabetes some women experience during pregnancy, gestational diabetes is one of pregnancy’s most common health issues. Between 2% and 10% of expectant mothers are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Usually, a woman who has gestational diabetes isn’t diabetic after giving birth. After having had gestational diabetes, you are at a higher risk of having it during future pregnancies and of developing diabetes later in life.
How Is Gestational Diabetes Diagnosed?
There are usually no symptoms to accompany gestational diabetes. For that reason, almost all pregnant women are given a glucose-screening test between 24 and 28 weeks of their pregnancy. If you are at a higher risk for diabetes, or if you are showing signs of diabetes, such as sugar in your urine, your healthcare provider will suggest the screening test at your first prenatal visit If the initial result is negative, it will be repeated between 24 to 28 weeks into the pregnancy.
Who Is At Higher Risk Of Acquiring Gestational Diabetes?
The American Diabetes Association says that you are considered high-risk for gestational diabetes and should be screened earlier if the following apply:
• If you are considered obese (which is a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30)
• If you have had gestational diabetes during another pregnancy
• You have sugar in your urine
• Your family has a history of diabetes
• Ethnicity
Some caregivers might screen you early for gestational diabetes if you have some other risk factors, including:
• You have previously given birth to a big baby – some practices use 8 pounds, 13 ounces as a cutoff while others use 9 pounds, 14 ounces
• You have had an unexplained stillbirth
• You have given birth to a baby with a birth defect
• You have hypertension
• You are older than 35
If you receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes, our practitioners here at East Tennessee OBGYN will discuss in-depth how this will affect your pregnancy, your baby, and you. We will explain which precautions you will need to take during your pregnancy and additional testing that you might need. We promise to maintain an open and honest communication with you – and with every patient we care for. We expect you to feel free to ask us any questions and to share any concerns that you might have regarding the diagnosis and your pregnancy.
