Your Pregnancy, Simplified: A Guide from OB-GYN Associates of Advantia
This guide was created by our team at OB-GYN Associates of Advantia so you’re never left wondering what happens next. From your first positive test through your postpartum recovery, it’s meant to be a resource you return to again and again, whether you’re prepping for an appointment or just curious about something you’re feeling.
Disponible también en español. Para descargar la guía en español, haga clic aquí.
Know What’s Coming, Visit by Visit
Pregnancy involves a lot of appointments, and this guide breaks each one down so you know what to expect before you walk in the door — from your first ultrasound and bloodwork panel all the way through your 40-week checks. We’ve even included a “My Dates” tracker so you can jot down appointment times and questions for your provider as they come up, all in one place.
Making Sense of Genetic Screening
Genetic screening decisions can feel overwhelming when you’re presented with a wall of acronyms. This guide lays out your options in plain language — from first-trimester screening and NIPT testing to diagnostic options like CVS and amniocentesis — and explains how our maternal-fetal medicine partners fit into the picture if further testing is ever needed.
The Practical Stuff: Staying Healthy Week to Week
A go-to reference for the everyday realities of being pregnant:
- How much weight gain is typical, based on your starting BMI
- What to eat more of, what to enjoy in moderation, and what to skip entirely (including a clear list of which fish are safe)
- Vitamin, iron, and hydration recommendations
- An extensive medication safety chart, so you’re not left guessing whether it’s okay to take something for a headache or a cold
- Which vaccines are recommended and when
- Why falls happen more easily in pregnancy — and when one is a reason to call us
Knowing What’s Normal (and What Isn’t)
Pregnancy brings a long list of new sensations, and this section helps you tell the difference between common discomfort and something that needs a phone call — covering everything from round ligament pain and swelling to signs of preeclampsia and changes in fetal movement.
Delivery Day, Demystified
We don’t require a rigid birth plan — our approach is simple: help you stay healthy, deliver a healthy baby, and have a good experience along the way. This section walks through our everyday labor practices (think delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, and protecting that first hour together), how to recognize real labor versus a false alarm, what actually happens once you arrive at the hospital, and the pain management options available to you.
Adjusting to Life With a Newborn
Recovery doesn’t stop once the baby arrives. You’ll find guidance on physical healing, returning to intimacy, and what’s normal versus what’s not in the weeks after delivery — plus a reminder that support is available if you’re struggling emotionally. Our practice has a licensed clinical social worker on staff specifically for this, so help is never far away.
Feeding, Your Way
Straightforward information on breastfeeding and bottle feeding alike, including the benefits of breast milk, tips for getting started, and reassurance that however you choose to feed your baby, our team supports you.
Packing Lists and Beyond
A practical checklist for what to bring to the hospital and what to have waiting at home, plus a curated list of trusted websites, books, and apps.
We also want you to know the full range of support available through our office: a licensed childbirth educator for anyone who’d like hands-on classes, and an OB coordinator on staff to help answer insurance questions early in your pregnancy.
Download the English-language version of the guide. Disponible también en español. Para descargar la guía en español, haga clic aquí.
Questions along the way? Call us anytime at (301) 681-6772 — our answering service can always connect you to the provider on call.
