Pregnancy Education
This is an exciting, and sometimes nerve-wracking, time in your life. Whether this is your first pregnancy or your last, our dedicated team is here to support you. We are committed to providing personalized, high-quality care that exceeds your expectations. Our staff is ready to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and build a partnership with you to guide you through this life-changing experience. We encourage you to be an active participant in your prenatal care and to involve your family and partner along the way.
Prenatal Care
Your first appointment will be a thorough one. We will perform a physical and pelvic exam and review your medical history. We will also conduct an ultrasound to help determine your accurate due date. Additionally, we will draw your blood to check your blood type and screen for anemia, chronic diseases or infections. This visit is a great opportunity for education to help you grow a healthy baby. We also offer optional genetic testing during your first or second trimester.
After this initial visit, we will see you monthly, or every four weeks, until you reach your third trimester at 28 weeks.
You will continue to have monthly appointments during this trimester. Around 20 weeks, we recommend another ultrasound to check on your baby’s growth and organ development. This is often a favorite visit for many parents, as you can typically find out the sex of your baby at this appointment!
Towards the end of the second trimester, usually between 24 and 28 weeks, we will screen you for gestational diabetes and anemia.
During your third trimester, you will come in for appointments more frequently. We will see you every two weeks after 28 weeks, and then weekly after 36 weeks. Between 35 and 37 weeks, we will collect a vaginal/rectal culture to check for Group B Strep. This is also when we perform one more ultrasound before birth, verifying position and evaluating fluid level and fetal growth. While fewer tests are typically needed in this trimester, it is important to keep your appointments so we can monitor your pregnancy’s progression and screen for any potential problems.
If a high-risk condition arises, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, or diabetes, we may refer you to a perinatologist, or high-risk pregnancy specialist, for a consultation and possible co-management. Additionally, these high-risk conditions may indicate the need for more testing during the final weeks leading to delivery.
Delivery Information
Our providers are Dr. Christy South and Margaret Awadalla, PA-C. We have admitting privileges at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC), located at 2500 S Woodward Loop in Palmer. The hospital’s main number is 907-861-6000, and you can reach Labor & Delivery directly at 907-861-6645.
While we hope to be there to share in the experience of welcoming your new baby, we cannot always guarantee that we will be present for every delivery. We rotate on-call coverage with other women’s health providers in the community. This means a trusted, highly respected, and qualified provider from a community practice may attend to your delivery or emergency needs should we be unavailable.
Vaginal Birth
A vaginal birth is the delivery of a baby through the birth canal. It is the most common method of childbirth. The process is typically divided into three stages: labor, pushing and birth, and delivery of the placenta.
Shorter Hospital Stay & Faster Recovery — Recovery is often quicker compared to a surgical birth, with a typical hospital stay of 24-48 hours.
Lower Risk of Infection — There is generally a lower risk of infection for the mother.
Baby’s Health — Babies born vaginally may have a lower risk of certain respiratory problems as the process helps clear fluid from their lungs. They are also exposed to beneficial bacteria in the birth canal, which can help build their microbiome.
Immediate Bonding — You can often hold your baby and begin breastfeeding immediately after birth.
Perineal Tearing — The perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) can stretch and tear during delivery. Stitches may be required.
Unpredictable Timeline — The duration of labor can vary significantly, from just a few hours to more than a day.
Pelvic Floor Issues — There is an increased risk of weakened pelvic floor muscles, which can lead to temporary or long-term incontinence.
Pain — Labor and delivery are physically intense and painful, but many pain management options are available.
You have many choices for managing pain during a vaginal birth, ranging from non-medicated to fully medicated.
Non-Medicated Options — These include breathing techniques, relaxation, changing positions, walking, and hydrotherapy (laboring in a tub or shower).
Nitrous Oxide — An inhaled gas (a mix of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen) that you control yourself. It doesn’t eliminate pain but can reduce anxiety and help you cope. It wears off very quickly.
IV Pain Medications — These are typically opioids administered through an IV. They can help take the edge off pain and promote rest, but they can also cause drowsiness in both you and the baby and may not be given close to delivery.
Epidural Block — This is the most common form of pain relief for labor. An anesthesiologist inserts a tiny tube (catheter) into the epidural space in your lower back. Medication is delivered through the catheter, numbing the lower half of your body while allowing you to remain awake.
- Benefits — Provides significant, continuous pain relief.
- Risks — May slow down labor, requires you to stay in bed with a urinary catheter, can cause a drop in blood pressure, and in rare cases, can lead to a severe headache after delivery.
Caesarean Section (C-Section)
A Caesarean section is the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. A C-section can be planned (elective) or unplanned (emergency).
- The baby is in a breech (feet-first) or transverse (sideways) position.
- You have placenta previa (the placenta is covering the cervix).
- You are carrying multiples (twins, triplets).
- You have a health condition that would make vaginal birth risky.
- Labor isn’t progressing.
- There are concerns about the baby’s heart rate (fetal distress).
- There is a problem with the umbilical cord or placenta.
Life-Saving — It can be a necessary, life-saving procedure for both mother and baby in high-risk situations.
Scheduled — A planned C-section provides a predictable birth date and time.
Avoids Labor Stress — For some, it avoids the physical stress and exhaustion of a long labor.
For the Mother — Increased risk of infection, blood loss, blood clots, reactions to anesthesia, and a longer recovery period (typically a 2-4 day hospital stay and 4-6 weeks of recovery at home).
For the Baby — Higher risk of transient tachypnea, a temporary breathing issue after birth.
For Future Pregnancies — A C-section can increase the risk of certain complications in future pregnancies, such as issues with the placenta.
Vaginal Birth After C-Section (VBAC)
If you have had a C-section in the past, if you wish, you may be a candidate for a vaginal birth in a subsequent pregnancy. This is called a Vaginal Birth After C-section, or VBAC. The process of laboring is often called a Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC).
Your provider will determine if you are a good candidate based on several factors:
- The type of uterine incision from your previous C-section.
- When your previous c-section was performed.
- The reason for your prior C-section (e.g., a breech baby vs. labor that did not progress).
- You have no other major uterine surgeries (like fibroid removal).
- Your current pregnancy is healthy and without complications that would prevent a vaginal birth.
Avoids Major Surgery — All the benefits of a vaginal birth apply, including a shorter recovery time and lower risk of surgical complications.
Experience Vaginal Birth — For many women, it provides the opportunity to experience a vaginal delivery.
Uterine Rupture — The primary risk of a VBAC is the rare but serious complication of uterine rupture, where the C-section scar on the uterus tears open during labor. This is an emergency that requires an immediate C-section and can be dangerous for both mother and baby.
Emergency C-Section — If the trial of labor is unsuccessful, you will need to have a repeat C-section.
Making Your Decision
This information is a starting point. The most important step is to discuss these options thoroughly with your healthcare provider. Remember that childbirth is unpredictable. By staying informed and working with your healthcare team, you can feel confident and prepared for a safe and positive birth experience, no matter how it unfolds.
Childbirth or ‘birthing’ classes are a great resource to learn about delivery and see the hospital facility. We recommend attending them any time after 20 weeks gestation. Classes are scheduled through the Labor & Delivery department at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Please call 907-861-6645 (Labor & Delivery) to schedule your childbirth class.