Pregnancy FAQs
What do I need to know about my first trimester of pregnancy?
Click here to view our detailed handout given to all new obstetrical patients.
What over-the-counter medications are safe during pregnancy?
Click here to view document. (Microsoft Word required.)
What foods are safe during pregnancy? Click here
Should I receive the flu vaccine? Yes. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the flu vaccine be given in pregnancy to protect both mother and baby. The flu shot (not the nasal spray vaccine) have been given to millions of pregnant women over many years and has not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. For more information, click here to visit the CDC website.
Should I receive the TDaP vaccine (aka "whooping cough" vaccine)?
Yes. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)recommends the TDaP vaccine during each pregnancy, with optimal timing between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation, although the TDaP vaccine may be given at any time during pregnancy. "Cocooning," or giving the TDaP to adolescents and adults who have close contact with an infant < 12 months, is also recommended. For more information, click here to visit the CDC website.
Where do you deliver patients?
We deliver the majority of our patients at SCL Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge. For more information regarding pre-registration, classes, tours and other services, please click here.
Who will deliver me?
Currently, there are 4 delivering physicians in our practice: Dr. Johnson, Dr. Grube, Dr. Hwang, and Dr. Pearce. We share being "on call" together and encourage you to meet each of our delivering physicians during your pregnancy in order to provide you a personal experience and familiar face during delivery.
What if I have vaginal bleeding?
Spotting is not uncommon during the first trimester, especially after a pelvic exam, vaginal ultrasound or intercourse. However, if you experience severe cramping, continued vaginal bleeding requiring pads, or passage of clots, please call us.
When should I call if I am in labor?
Please call us if you experience regular, painful contractions lasting 30-60 seconds every 3-5 minutes for over one hour or if your water breaks. You may have some vaginal spotting with mucus (also known as "bloody show" or "passing the mucus plug") but this may not correlate directly with labor. Wait for the onset of regular, painful contractions. Call the office at 303-763-5111 during or after office hours if you think you are in labor or have a question for the triage nurse or on-call physician.
What if the baby is not moving well?
If you have noticed the baby is not moving as much as usual, perform "kick counts." Eat or drink something. Monitor all movements. If the baby does not move 10 times in 2 hours, please call us.