New Beginnings: Pregnancy Guides - Mission Health

S PECIAL S ERVICES
Being pregnant is not like being sick.
Most women are healthy during their
pregnancy. However, things can happen.
The mother or the baby can have
health problems that make the pregnancy
“High Risk.” Mom may need to
see her care provider more often during
the pregnancy. She might not be able to
work or may be put on “bed rest” during
the pregnancy.
When something “goes wrong” during
pregnancy, it can be very hard on the
mother and her family.
O UR S PECIAL S ERVICES
“Our baby died”
A baby born before 20 weeks is called a
miscarriage. Babies born this early are not
able to live. A baby born after 20 weeks
that has died in the uterus is called a
stillborn. There are many reasons why a
miscarriage or stillborn might happen.
Your care provider may be able to help
you learn more about what happened.
If your baby dies any time during your
pregnancy, it can be very sad and hard
to deal with. Some women want to be
alone after their baby dies. Other
women need to be with people like
other mothers who have had a baby die.
Hospital staff or your care provider can
help you.
While you are in the hospital, our
D ID YOU KNOW...
staff, including chaplains, can help
comfort you and give spiritual care.
Your nurse can call the chaplain for you.
After you go home, Mission Hospital
offers group support to families whose
baby has died. This includes
miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of
baby during the first year of life.
A Love Not Forgotten support group
meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each
month. Call 213-8246 or 213-0369 for
more information.
“Does it run in our family”
Some conditions or birth defects can be
passed from parent to child. Other birth
defects can happen by chance.
The Fullerton Genetics Center helps:
• Families with health conditions
caused by a genetic problem
• Families whose baby has died
• Families whose baby is born with a
birth defect
The staff at the center will look for
different reasons for the problem.
They may offer testing to look for a
genetic cause. If a genetic cause is
found, they will:
• Share information to help you
understand
• Listen and answer questions
• Help you find services that might
be helpful
Your care provider will set up the visit
with the center.
“Something might be wrong”
When a mother or a baby has a health
problem, mom may be sent to a special
doctor. This doctor is called a Maternal
Fetal Medicine Specialist. This doctor
is an Ob-Gyn who has special training
and special equipment for checking
your baby. You might see this doctor
one time or several times during your
pregnancy. You will also have regular
check-ups with your care provider. Your
care provider will set up the visit with
this doctor.
“I have to go to the hospital”
Some mothers need care during their
pregnancy that can only be given in the
hospital. At Mission, we have a unit set
up for pregnant mothers who need that
special care. It is called the Maternal
Fetal Medicine Unit. The nurses have
special training in caring for pregnant
women with special needs. All of the
rooms are private and family/friends are
welcome to visit. When a mother has to
stay for a long time, we encourage her
to bring things from home that will
make her room feel less like a “hospital.”
Special pillows, blankets and pictures of
other children can help mom feel less
alone. We have a “day room” on the unit
where the mothers can meet each other
and spend time together.
Preterm labor can happen to any woman. We do not know what causes preterm labor.
But...new research shows that as many as 45,500 of the 250,000 premature births each year may be caused by gum
disease. The bacteria P. gingivalis is the main cause of gum infections. This bacteria can get into your blood and travel
to your uterus. Your body may react to this bacteria by producing a substance called prostaglandin. Prostaglandins may
be the cause of the premature labor and birth.
What do you need to do
✓ See your dentist regularly throughout your pregnancy (if you do not have a dentist, talk with your healthcare provider)
✓Call your dentist immediately if your gums have: 1) Tenderness 2) Bleeding 3) Swelling
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