Answers

WWYDD? What would your doctor do?

Pregnancy

Getting Pregnant
	I’d like to start trying to get pregnant. I’m fairly healthy, but are there things you did before conceiving?
	I’m trying to get pregnant, and I’m very healthy and hope to have a healthy pregnancy. I’m considering using a midwife. Did you?
	I’ve been trying to get pregnant for a few months and not having success. Did you have to cope with infertility?
	I’m trying to get pregnant. I’ve heard that caffeine isn’t good in pregnancy. But I’m not sure I can give up my coffee habit. What did you do?
	I just found out I’m pregnant! I really wanted this, but I am suddenly petrified. Is this normal?
	I had such a hard time getting pregnant with my first baby. I have to admit, my husband and I are reluctant to use any birth control. Is this risky?
	I’m taking fertility drugs, and my moods are running amok. Did you have this problem?
	I’m lactose intolerant, so I avoid dairy. I take a prenatal multi, and I bought two different calcium supplements. One has 600 mg calcium and the other has 600 mg calcium with 400 I.U. Vitamin D. Both are supposed to be taken twice daily. I know Vitamin D is good, but the prenatal vitamins already contain 400 I.U. Vitamin D. Which calcium should I take?–D.M., in Spring, TX
	I’m thinking about trying to start getting pregnant. Is there anything I should do now to prepare my body?
	My husband and I are having a hard time getting pregnant. It’s really taking a toll on our relationship. How did you get through this?
	I just found out I’m pregnant! I’d like to do something special to tell my husband. What did you do?

First Trimester

	I just found out I’m pregnant. I see all these lovely baby books in the store, but they look like so much work. What did you do?
	I think I’d like to deliver with a midwife, but my husband would prefer a doctor. Who delivered your baby and where?
	I’m fortunate to have several hospitals in my insurance plan from which to choose. What did you consider when choosing the hospital or birth center to deliver at?
	I’m a few weeks pregnant, and my breasts hurt. How did you cope with this?
	I’m just about through my first trimester and would like to mark that occasion. Did you?
	I’m pregnant, and I wake up with the most horrendous pain my calf. Did you and how did you cope?
	My doctor has recommended a CVS. Did you have one?
	I’m pregnant and I have a two-year-old son. How do you prevent, and then treat, colds in pregnancy?
	I’m in my first trimester, and I am craving mustard-flavored pretzels all of the time. Before being pregnant, I didn’t even like them! Is this normal?
	My doctor is encouraging me to exercise during my pregnancy, but I’m not sure what to do. What did you do?
	I’m so exhausted I can barely string two sentences together. How can I make it through the day?
	I’m in my second pregnancy and so tired. How do you find the energy to make it through the day?
	I just found out I’m pregnant, and I’m beginning to panic. How did you keep your worries and fears at bay?
	I’m newly pregnant and nervous about what I eat. Did you make any changes in your diet, regarding food safety?
	I have heartburn 24/7. How can I cope?
	My doctor has prescribed Zantac for my heartburn, which has been excruciating during my pregnancy. Is this safe for me to take?
	I just found out I’m pregnant. I’d like to do some sort of journaling or scrapbooking. What did you do?
	I’m in my first trimester, and my pants are getting snug. What did you do for maternity clothes?
	I have such terrible morning sickness. How did you cope?
	Oh my, I just found out I’m expecting twins! How do you cope with multiples?
	I’m in my first trimester, and smells really bother me. Is this normal?
	I just found out I’m pregnant and I have two cats. Is it safe for me to change their litter?
	I’ve heard of concerns caring for cats while pregnant, but what about hamsters?
	I’d like to do something special to remember my pregnancy by. Did you take any special photos of your belly?
	I can’t turn on the TV without seeing a commercial for some scary medical problem like conjoined twins. How did you manage to keep fears at bay?
	I just found out I’m pregnant, and I’m beginning to panic. This is a huge responsibility. How did you cope with the weight of that?
	I just found out I’m pregnant, and I’m concerned how this will affect my sex life. What did you find?
	I’m pregnant, and my skin is breaking out like a hormonal teenager! Did you have this and what did you do to clear it up?
	I’m in my first trimester, and it feels like my thermostat has been turned up. How did you cope with this?
	I’m pregnant, and I keep having those odd little floaty things in my vision. Did you have them?
	I know pregnancy isn’t a license to eat as much as I want, but I’m struggling with how much or how little to gain. What did you do?

Second Trimester
	I’m in my second trimester, and my husband and I are starting to talk about baby names. How did you and your husband choose your babies’ names?
	I’m in my second trimester, and I haven’t felt the baby move. At least I don’t think I did. What does it feel like?
	My doctor has recommended I have an amniocentesis. I’m very scared. What was your experience?
	I’m in my second trimester, and I’m so excited–I’m going to go register for my baby soon. Can you tell me about your experience?
	I’m in my second trimester and feeling pretty good! What should I be doing now to get ready for the baby?
	I’m in my second trimester, and we just bought our baby’s car seat. But I think it requires a degree in engineering to install. How did you do this?
	I’m considering banking my baby’s cord blood. Did you?
	I’m in my second trimester and starting to check into day care. How did you do this?
	I’m in my second trimester, and my husband and I are trying to decide whether or not to circumcise our son. What did you do?
	I expected pregnancy to be this serene, blissful time. But it is not! How did you make it through all of these discomforts?
	I’m in my second trimester, and I have bad headaches. Did you and how did you cope?
	I’m in my second trimester and planning my maternity leave. What did you do?
	Even though I’m out of my first trimester, I still have such terrible morning sickness that I carry a bag with me everywhere I go. My friends are stockpiling them and pass them along to me. How did you deal with the nausea and vomiting?
	I’m pregnant and getting tons of attention, but my husband looks a little lost. What did you do to help support your husband during your pregnancy?
	I’d like to take a prenatal class, but my husband is reluctant. Did you take one?
	I’m in my second trimester, and I can’t stop moving my legs, especially at night. I think it’s restless legs syndrome. Did you have it, and how did you cope?
	I’m in my second trimester, and people keep telling me their scary birth stories. How did you tune them out?
	I have two daughters and a baby on the way. When did you tell your older kids the good news?
	I’m so swollen my ankles have completely disappeared. Should I be concerned and what can I do about it?
	My ultrasound is coming up, and husband wants to know our baby’s gender. I do not. What did you do?
	I have to pee all of the time, and it burns when I go. Did you have a urinary tract infection and did it feel like this?
	I’m in my second trimester, and I think I have a yeast infection. The discharge and itching are making me nuts. What did you do for them?

Third Trimester
	I’m in my third trimester. My baby is very active. She moves and kicks a lot. Do you think this suggests she’ll be an active baby?
	I’m in my third trimester and having terrible back pain. How did you deal with this?
	My doctor just prescribed at-home bed rest for the last two months of my pregnancy. How will I make it through this?
	I’m in my third trimester. When did you pack your birth bag and what did you put in it?
	I feel pressured to breastfeed, but I’m not sure I want to. What did you do?
	I’ve never had a problem with carpal tunnel syndrome, but now in my third trimester my fingers and hands hurt. Did you have this?
	I’m in my third trimester and starting to check into babysitters for my baby. Do you have any advice from your own experience?
	I’ve really been struggling lately with constipation. Is there anything you can suggest to help?
	I’ve never had hemorrhoids, but I’m in my third trimester and they appeared out of nowhere. Did you have them?
	I’m in my third trimester and really having trouble with leg and back pain. What did you do to ease these pregnancy complaints?
	I feel badly even thinking this, but I’m pregnant with my second child and I wonder, how could I ever love this baby as much as I do my daughter? Did you feel this?
	I’m in my third trimester and checking into pediatricians. What would you consider when choosing your children’s doctor?
	I’m in my third trimester, and we have a dog. Did you do anything to prepare your dog for the new baby?
	I’m in my third trimester and concerned about preterm labor. Did you have it and what did you do?
	I’m in my third trimester and my shoes no longer fit. Do I need to buy new shoes or can I live in flip flops?
	I’m in my third trimester, and I’m having such a hard time sleeping. How did you cope?
	I’m in my third trimester and really showing, People keep telling me horror stories and giving me advice. How did you cope with this?
	I’m in my third trimester, and I’m starting to get varicose veins. Did you get them and how did you cope?

Labor and Delivery
	My due date is approaching, and I just don’t know what to expect. Do you go to the hospital as soon as you start labor?
	Like most people, I’m only permitted a short hospital stay after my baby is born. But I think I’ll be itching to go home. What did you think?
	I can hardly wait to meet my baby! How did you feel the first time you saw your baby?
	This is embarrassing: I’m concerned about having a BM while I’m in labor. Did you worry about that?
	I’m so worried about labor that a part of me is wishing for a C-section. Is that a good idea?
	My doctor is recommending I have a C-section. What can you tell me about the recovery?
	I think I’d like to have an epidural. Can you tell me anything about your experience with it?
	Part of me wants to have a natural delivery, but the other part says, sign me up for that epidural now! What did you do?
	I really think I want to have an epidural, but I’m afraid if I can’t feel the pain, I also won’t be able to feel how I’m pushing. How does this work?
	I’m in my third trimester and really scared about labor. How did you make it through?
	I really think I want to have an epidural, but I’m terrified of needles. Will that matter when I’m in labor?
	I think I’d like to have a natural delivery, with no pain medication. Did you and how did you make it through?
	Do you think it’s a good idea to have an older child in the room for the birth of her sibling?
	My husband is a nervous wreck that I’m going to call him home from work thinking I’m in labor but it will be a false alarm. Did that happen to you?
	I’ve read that a lot of women need to have their water broken. I’m more worried about this than the labor itself. What was it like?
	I’m terrified my water is going to break in the grocery store. How likely is that, really?

Adoption
	My husband and I would like to adopt a baby from China. How did you get started?
	My husband and I are adopting a baby from China. How did you communicate with your child when you brought her home?
	My husband and I have been struggling with infertility. We’re starting to think about adopting. How did you decide?
	My husband and I are adopting a baby. What did you do to prepare for your baby’s arrival?
	My husband and I are adopting a baby from China. What was your trip to China like?

Baby’s First Year
	My baby was just diagnosed with acid reflux. How did you cope with this?
	I’m not able to nurse my baby, and I am so upset. How do you deal with the guilt?
	My baby is a few weeks old, and I have a high fever and pain in my right breast. I think it might be mastitis. Did you get it?
	My baby has been diagnosed with an allergy to my breast milk. I’m crushed. How did you cope with this?
	I really want to nurse my baby, but I didn’t expect it to be so hard. Were you able to do it?
	I nursed my first baby, but it was so hard. I’m pregnant again, and I want to nurse this baby, too, but I have to admit I’m scared. Was it as difficult for you with your second baby?
	I’m breastfeeding my 10-week-old daughter and have always noticed a white tongue due to the breast milk. For two days now, I have noticed small black dots on her white tongue. Is this a symptom of thrush?
	My baby is a few weeks old, and I’m dreading going back to my full-time job. How did you manage to go back to work?
	I’m going back to work part-time soon, and I need to find a babysitter for my baby. How did you go about finding one?
	My maternity leave is almost over, and I have to put my baby in daycare. How you do deal with the guilt?
	My baby is five months old, and I’m back to work. A babysitter comes to our home to watch my daughter, and I know she’s doing a good job, but I don’t get much information about their day. What did you do?
	My baby is five months old. He doesn’t sleep well, and his crib is in our room. Is it time to move him out?
	My baby cries—make that screams—for hours every day. Did you have a fussy baby? How did you make it through?
	My son is a few months old and not sleeping well. I’m so tired. How did you cope?
	I worry so much about my baby: Is that sneeze the start of the swine flu? Yikes, are those dots chicken pox? How do you contain your fears?
	My baby is two weeks old. I didn’t expect this to be so hard! How did you make it through?
	My baby is a few weeks old. I just don’t feel like myself. I’m so tired, and I cry at the drop of the hat. I fear it might be post-partum depression. Did you have it?
	I have a 3-month-old daughter, and caring for her takes so much time and energy, I have little left for anyone else, especially my husband. But he’s a grown-up, right, he can cope! How did you and your husband make it through this hard time?
	My baby is six months old and still not sleeping through the night. I’m exhausted! Did you try sleep training your baby?
	My son is four months old. When did you begin giving your children solid food?
	I make considerably more money than my husband, so he’s considering staying home with our baby while I go back to work? Did you try that?
	My husband and I enjoy traveling; it’s a huge part of our life together. I fear that will all end when our son is born. Did that happen to you?
	Now that my daughter is here, I am desperate to get back into shape. How did you do it?

Toddler Years
	My son is three years old, and I’m considering signing him up for karate. Did you do this?
	My husband believes in spanking. I do not. What do you do?
	I have a toddler and just found out I’m pregnant! What have you found to be the hardest thing about adjusting to having two kids?
	I feel like I spend a lot of time getting angry with my kids. Do you have any advice for keeping my cool?
	My son is two, and I would like to really start emphasizing good manners. How did you instill them in your children?
	How do I give my 14-month old an iron supplement?
	I have a toddler and a baby on the way. How do I get them started on the right foot to a good relationship?
	My toddler hardly eats anything. Her weight is fine. Should I be concerned?
	I have a toddler and a new baby. I was hoping to start potty training my toddler. Is this a bad time?
	My toddler is three years old, and we just finished swimming lessons. We go to a neighbor’s pool often. What precautions did you take with your little ones?
	I am having trouble with my three-year-old daughter getting to bed before 10:30 p.m. How did you do this?
	My two-year-old son has really started to have temper tantrums. What do you do to get your toddler through this?
	My three-year-old son has discovered the fun of saying words like stupid and poopy. It’s making me crazy. Did you have to deal with that?
	I can’t get my toddler to drink anything but juice. How do you get your children to drink water?

School Years
	I’m concerned my kids will catch H1N1, which is going around their school. What do you do to protect your kids?
	Does eating chicken soup really help prevent colds and flu?
	My eight-year-old daughter is struggling a bit in school. I’m very worried. Did this ever happen to you?
	We don’t live in the best school district, and I’m thinking about home schooling. Is that something you considered?
	I’ve been catching my elementary school–age daughter lying. How do I handle this?
	My daughter is in 2nd grade, and she has a hard time transitioning between school and home. How do you help your kids with this?

Teen Years
	My son is turning 13, and the one thing I worry most about is drugs. What have you learned as a parent?
	I have two preteenagers. I thought parenting would get easier as they get older. But it hasn’t. What do you find to be the biggest challenge?
	I have two teenagers. Just when my husband and I think we had it all figured out with our oldest, our youngest acts completely different. How did you cope?

Grandchildren
	My daughter is about to have my first grandchild. I’m so excited! How did you prepare to be a Grandma?

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If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or your emergency services number. We are unable to provide immediate medical advice on particular medical situations. We answer general medical questions, from the unique experience and perspective of doctors who are also mothers.