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When To Call Your Physician

In addition to other specific circumstances listed under their respective headings in the Information section of this site, the following are some other occasions when you should call:

Vaginal bleeding

It is not uncommon to see a small amount of blood-streaked mucous after intercourse. If it is heavier bleeding, persists more than a few hours after intercourse, or is unrelated to the timing of intercourse, call.

Burning with urination

Decreased fetal movement

After 24 to 26 weeks you should expect periods of fetal activity every day. Some movements are more intense than others and some babies are generally more active than others. It is not true that babies stop moving before you go into labor. If you are concerned that your baby is not moving enough, drink some fluid, lie on your left side and concentrate only on the baby's movement; don't read or watch television at the same time. If you cannot count ten movements in the next hour, call and report this.

Fever over 101° Fahrenheit

 It is advisable to treat a fever with acetominophen (i.e. Tylenol). It may be necessary, depending on your other symptoms, to discover why you have a high fever.

Persistent headache

In the event of a headache, try rest and acetominophen. If these do not relieve the pain, call.

Rupture of membranes

When the water breaks it can cause a big gush of fluid coming from the vagina but sometimes it is no more than a trickle. It is not always easy to distinguish rupture of membranes from vaginal discharge or leakage of urine. Amniotic fluid (the fluid in the sac around the baby) is very watery, not like mucous. It is usually a pale yellow but can be green or can be nearly colorless. If you notice wetness, dry off and change your underwear. If very shortly thereafter you notice you are wet again, it may be leaking amniotic fluid, call.

Signs and Symptoms of Labor

If you think you are in labor, drink clear liquids - ideally something with sugar (7-Up, ginger ale, tea, Jell-o, frozen fruit juice bars, etc.) In early labor, light solids (toast, fruit, clear soup, crackers) may be eaten.

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After 36 Weeks' Gestation

After 36 weeks' gestation (four weeks before your due date) these are the guidelines to use to decide when to call:
  • When contractions are five minutes apart, regular, and have been with you at least an hour. Call when contractions are intense with any regularity if you have had a very short labor in the past.
  • When your bag of water breaks or begins to leak, regardless of contractions.
  • If you begin to bleed.
  • If you are unsure about what you are feeling and have questions.
When the time is right, you should call day or night. Call our office number [410-531-7557]. In the daytime, during regular office hours, the menu on the phone instructs you to press 1 if you are in labor or have an emergency. Our staff will answer this line preferentially. USE THIS ONLY IN THE EVENT OF LABOR OR AN EMERGENCY.

Outside of office hours, the menu will instruct you to press 1 if you need to reach the provider on call. This forwards your call to our answering service. The menu also gives you the answering service phone number to call directly, if you prefer [301-446-2745]. These numbers are also on your appointment cards.

When you speak to the operator at the answering service, they will ask you a few other questions and then page the provider on call. The physician will call you back as soon as possible. This is usually within a few minutes but it is possible that there may be a delay if, for example, another patient is delivering her baby at that time. Call a second time, if you do not get a timely response. Please keep your line open so that we may reach you when we call. Please be patient if you can, but if you cannot wait, proceed to Howard County General Hospital.

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What To Take Along To The Hospital

Make sure you have identification, for example a driver's license, and your insurance card.

There is very little that you NEED to take to the hospital so don't panic if you labor early and haven't yet prepared a bag. Here are some suggestions of things to take that are nice to have, if you get the chance:
  • Nightgown or pajamas. You can get nightgowns designed to accommodate breastfeeding.
  • Toothbrush and paste. The hospital will supply these to you if you don't have these, but often people prefer one they're used to.
  • Nursing bras.
  • Music and a battery operated CD or cassette tape player.
  • Playing cards or simple games to play in case you're in for a long labor.
  • A focal point; a picture, stuffed animal, or any small item with meaning to you that will help you focus during labor.
  • Camera and film.
  • Toiletry items for your showers postpartum.
  • Slippers and robe.
  • Clothing in which to go home, for you and the baby. These could, of course, be brought in later by a family member or friend in time for your discharge from hospital.
  • Phone numbers of people you'll want to call with your good news!
The one thing that you will NEED in order to leave the hospital with your baby is an approved infant car seat.

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7625 Maple Lawn Blvd., Suite 1
Maple Lawn, MD 20759

410-531-7557

After Hours Emergencies
301-446-2745


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