Dr. Crystal is an OB Hospitalist at El Camino Hospital covering emergencies for all patients in Labor and Delivery at either the Mountain View or Los Gatos hospital locations for any physician or midwife. Because of this, Dr. Crystal has agreed not to see pregnant patients in the office after the first trimester because of a conflict of interest with her other hospital position.
Dr. Crystal will be happy to see you for your first OB visit at 8 weeks gestation and then you would follow up with our other physicians Dr. Teng and Dr. Azad for the rest of your pregnancy.
Am I in Labor? video:
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Is this Medication safe in pregnancy?
Can I use this Hair Dye in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Is my acne cream ok?
For all questions regarding the safety of exposures during pregnancy please contact:
California Teratogen Hotline
(866) 626-6847
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Safe Medications in Pregnancy
Pain or Headaches: Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Cough: Robitussin dm (Guaifenesin)
Nasal Congestion: Afrin nasal spray (max 3 days), Steroid sprays (Nasonex, Flonase)
Constipation: Metamucil, Fibercon, Miralax- Also please see below at end of this page.
Sore throat: Ricola cough drops, Halls drops, salt water gargles
Heartburn: Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Zantac (Ranitidine) after 13 weeks, Pepcid (Famotidine) after 13 weeks
Yeast Infections: Gyne-lotrimin, Monistat
Seasonal Allergies: Chlor-Trimeton (Chlorpheniramine), Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, nasal steroids
Insomnia: Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Ambien
Nausea: 25 mg Vitamin B6 plus ½ of a Unisom tablet, seabands, ginger, Diclegis
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Pregnancy Precautions:
- Take your prenatal vitamins with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid (folate) per day.
- Do not smoke.
- Do not use alcohol or recreational drugs.
- Avoid high temperatures (no hot tubs or Jacuzzis).
- Drink plenty of water when exercising. Keep your heart rate about 140 or less. Do not do sports where you could fall (no horseback riding, skiing, skating, etc.)
- Do not eat raw meat or sushi.
- Avoid soft non-pasteurized cheeses (unless they are heated through on a pizza, etc). Heat up deli meats before eating.
- If you have a cat, do not change the kitty litter (risk for toxoplasmosis). Use gloves when gardening.
- Do not eat high mercury containing fish: Shark, Swordfish, King mackerel, and Tile fish. (Tuna depends on where it is caught)
Pregnancy Time line:
(Note: CVS and Amniocentesis can be done for women over age 35)
- 6-8 wks In office ultrasound. Schedule NT ultrasound (or CVS).
- 10 wks Blood tests: Prenatal labs, 1st trimester screen blood test, Harmony Prenatal test (NIPT)
- 12-13 wks NT ultrasound (or CVS) performed. Schedule Level II ultrasound for 18-20 wks.
- 15-19 wks 2nd trimester NT blood test. (Amnio)
- 18-20 wks Level II ultrasound
- 20-22 wks Sign up for Prenatal Classes for 32 wks. (Fetal echocardiograms in certain cases)
- 26-28 wks Glucose Tolerance blood test (Diabetes screen)
- 28-32 wks Rhogham for Rh negative patients. Take Prenatal Classes. Pre-register at the hospital. TDaP vaccine.
- 35-36 wks GBS screen (vaginal swab done in the office).
Prenatal Testing Centers
(Genetic Counseling, NT, CVS, Amnio, Level II ultrasound, Fetal Echo, NST)
Stanford Genetics Counseling (NT, CVS, Amniocentesis) (650) 723-5198
Stanford Perinatal Diagnostic Center (Level II ultrasound) (650) 725-7030
Drs McCallum and Liner (NT, Amniocentesis, Level II ultrasound) (650) 964-1505
UCSF Perinatal Unit (NT, CVS, Amniocentesis, Level II ultrasound) (415) 476-4080
Perinatal Associates SF (NT, CVS, Amniocentesis, Level II ultrasound) (415) 202-1200
Obstetrix (Campbell) (NT, CVS, Amniocentesis, Level II ultrasound) (408) 371-7111
Stanford Pediatric Cardiology (fetal echocardiograms) (650) 721-2121
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Childbirth classes
El Camino Hospital www.elcaminohospital.org (650) 940-7302
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (Stanford) www.lpch.org (650) 723-4600
Birth University (S.F.) www.mcmoylermethod.com (415) 289-0746
SequoiaHospital www.sequoiahospital.org (650) 367-5998
MillsPeninsulaHospital www.mills-peninsula.org (650) 696-5400
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Constipation in Pregnancy
Constipation is very common in pregnancy because the hormone progesterone tends to slow down bowel function. Constipation and straining with bowel movements increases the risk of hemorrhoids.
First Line Therapy:
- Increase water intake
- Increase foods with fiber and try prunes if you are not diabetic
- Exercise such as walking can help the bowels to move regularly
- Metamucil in a big glass of water 1-3x/day
- Miralax
Second Line Therapy:
- Colace (DSS or Docusate Sodium)- 100mg-250mg 1-2x/daily. (There has been a report of a baby with low Magnesium levels in a mother who took more than the recommended dose.)
- Lactulose- by prescription
- Glycerine rectal suppository- No human studies, but per CTIS there are no reports of problems either. Very high i.v. doses caused fetal problems in rabbits.
- Senna laxatives (Ex-Lax)- probably ok but theoretical risk of uterine contractions so only use if you ask your doctor.
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