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A Patient’s
Story
Having a Baby – Megan's Story, The Third Tri-mester part
2 of 3
Megan Brunatti, 30, reaches into a small back
pack and pulls out an assortment of Power Rangers and Spiderman action
figures, much to the delight of her son Noah, who is a month shy
of turning three. It is early September and Megan, who is 32-weeks
pregnant, has just arrived at Pavilion Women's Health for a routine
exam.
 Noah enjoys accompanying his mommy to her visits
to the obstetrician. After Megan has her weight checked, Noah steps
on the scale as the nurses playfully check his weight too. Mommy
has gained four pounds, which is good, since she has had trouble
eating of late. However, for the most part, Megan is feeling good,
and is relieved that her pregnancy is progressing normally.
"I spent a lot of time this summer relaxing at home and playing with Noah," said
Megan, who stopped working at her job at the Department of Environmental Protection
a few weeks ago as a result of persistent and painful swelling in her ankle and
knee. Her symptoms are a result of an inflammatory arthritis similar to Rheumatoid
Arthritis, which was diagnosed in May of 2004 after a bout with Lyme Disease.
The arthritis places her in the category of high-risk, so, in addition to seeing
her obstetrician, Megan is also under the care of a rheumatologist.
"I had a hard time with the heat this summer,
and spent most of the time indoors in the air conditioning," said
Megan, who is fast approaching her October 30th due date. She now
sees the obstetricians at Pavilion Women's Health every two weeks.
They are Todd Liu, MD, Morris Gagliardi, MD and Natalia Rezvina,
MD.
Today, as Dr. Liu listens to the baby's heart
beat through the use of a small device called a fetal monitor, Noah
begins to giggle. "He
loves hearing the heart beat," explains Megan. "It is
totally fascinating to him!"
Indeed, there is much to fascinate
this little boy. He has recently learned that his new sibling will
be a little sister, and that mommy and daddy plan to call her Emily! "He
has been so wonderful," said Megan of her son. "I
usually bring him to all of my doctor's visits with me, and if he
is well behaved, he gets a treat afterwards, like donuts."
The incentive is working, as Noah quietly plays with his action figures
while Dr. Liu examines Megan. "At this stage in the pregnancy,
the baby should be head down in preparation for the delivery," explained
Dr. Liu. "We
measure the mother's stomach to make sure the baby is growing. Typically,
the baby should weight about three and a half pounds at this stage."
 During
the exam, Dr. Liu checks that Megan's blood pressure and weight are
normal for where she is in her pregnancy. He will also make sure
she is not experiencing any abnormal bleeding, no leaking of any
amniotic fluid and that she has not had any early contractions. Megan
passes the exam with flying colors.
"The third trimester is also when we talk
to women at length about the deliver of their baby. Of course, many
women and their partners will take childbirth education classes,
but they still have many questions for their obstetrician, and that's
good," said Dr. Liu. "I want my patients to feel comfortable
asking anything about their pregnancy and childbirth. There is no
question that is too minor or insignificant."
Some of the most
frequently asked questions are about pain control during labor and
delivery. "At Southern Ocean County Hospital, women can use
breathing and relaxation technique to help get them through the labor.
We also have the option of a birthing ball, while some women choose
to take advantage of the jacuzzi. And of course, women can have medication
to help with the pain, or an epidural. It's a choice that she makes
in conjunction with her physician," he said. "And,
if a woman needs a c-section, the maternity pavilion is equipped
with an operating room and the latest technology to ensure a safe
delivery and a healthy mother and baby."
As for Megan, who lives
in Manahawkin, she and her husband Brett are counting the days until
their new edition arrives!
"We're really excited," she said. "We can hardly wait!"
The Story Continues: Read
about the birth of Megan's baby in the next and final part of this
story. Click to continue.
For more information about
Maternity Services at SOCH, or to find an OB/GYN, call SOCHConnect
at 609-978-3400.
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