CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group - Obstetrics & Gynecology

We offer complete care for a full range of women’s health needs, including:

• Breast health

• Breastfeeding education

• Cancer screening

• Family planning

• Genetic testing

• Gynecological care

• Maternity care

• Menopausal care

• Minimally invasive surgery

• Onsite ultrasound

• Preventative screenings

• Well-woman care

Receive compassionate care from our gynecology experts for conditions including:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding

• Bladder control issues

• Breast problems

• Infertility

• Menopause

• Menstrual issues

• Osteoporosis & osteopenia

• Pelvic infections

• Pelvic pain

• Pelvic prolapse

Yes. Flaget Memorial Hospital’s birthing center features all-private birthing suites equipped with fetal monitoring systems and plenty of room for the whole family.

Congratulations! We know you may feel both excited and overwhelmed. We’re here to help. Download our healthy pregnancy checklist to learn what you should focus on first.

Download checklist

During pregnancy, you may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• Aches and pains

• Bloody nose

• Constipation

• Cramping

• Discharge

• Dizziness

• Heartburn

• Leg cramps

• Nausea/vomiting

• Spotting

• Swelling

Always consult your provider before taking medicine during pregnancy. Typically, after 12 weeks of pregnancy the following medications are considered safe:

• Pain medicine like Tylenol, Excedrine or Bengay

• Allergy/cold medications including Sudafed, Claritin, Benadryl, Zyrtec and Allegra

• Heartburn/acid indigestion medicine like Tums, Zantac, Mylanta and Rolaids

• Constipation relief including Benefiber, Colace, Miralax, Metamucil and Milk of Magnesia

• Cough suppressants like Robitussin and cough drops

• Gas-X

• Tylenol PM or Unisom for sleep

• Benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid for acne

• Hemorrhoid treatments like Preparation H or Tucks

Yes. You can continue to exercise as long as you are not at risk for falling or being hit in the stomach. This means you should not participate in contact sports, horseback riding or skiing. We recommend 30-45 minutes of walking each day.

You may travel within the United States up to 36 weeks and outside the country  up to 34 weeks. Be sure to stand up and walk every two hours to prevent blood clots.

Yes. Hair coloring, manicures and pedicures are safe in a well ventilated room.

You should avoid raw meat and fish due to the possibility of contamination from salmonella and/or other bacteria.

We do not recommend unpasteurized milk or cheeses. These products increase your risk of listeriosis, which can lead to miscarriage.

There is no safe amount of alcohol when you’re pregnant. Avoid all alcohol throughout your pregnancy.

You should avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. Smoking can double your risk of having a low-birth weight baby. Smoking has been known to slow fetal growth and also increases the risk of preterm delivery. Premature and low-birth weight babies face an increased risk of serious health problems.

We recommend you avoid using tanning beds and spray tanning.

Flu vaccine, Hepatitis B, Tdap and/or TB screening are safe to receive during your pregnancy.

Once you are having contractions strong enough and regular enough to change your cervix, you are considered in active labor. This usually occurs when:

• Contractions are six minutes apart from start to start.

• You cannot have a conversation during your contraction.

• These conditions have lasted one hour.

Once your water breaks, you need to come in regardless of your contractions.

The most common reasons your physician might recommend a C-section include:

• Your baby is too big for your pelvis.

• Your baby does not tolerate labor and it is safer for the baby to be born by cesarean section.

• Your contractions are not strong enough to fully dilate your cervix.