The Medical City Holds Webinar for Expectant Moms

By The Medical City (TMC), Ortigas | June 29, 2020

What does it take to ensure safety for both mother and child during the course of pregnancy? Read more:

What does it take to ensure safety for both mother and child during the course of pregnancy?

The Medical City (TMC) Institute for Women’s Health conducted a webinar titled “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” on June 20, 2020 with obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Giancarlo Santos and anesthesiologist Dr. Vanessa Ocampo as speakers. Dr. Santos gave a lecture on “I’m Pregnant…What Now?” while Dr. Ocampo talked about “Anesthesia Options.”

Dr. Santos described the normal anatomy of a woman’s reproductive system and enumerated the changes that occur during pregnancy. As he further discussed about pregnancy, he shared some health tips for the expectant mothers.

Nutrition – Eat a rainbow of different colored fruits and vegetables to ensure you and your baby get the nutrients you need for your journey to delivery. Remember to eat when hungry and stop when full.
Exercise − Pregnancy is not an illness so exercise should not be stopped. However, it is important to start slowly and gently then increase the activity gradually. Keep yourself hydrated and stop the moment you feel any discomfort.
Weight Gain – The maximum weight gain varies per pregnancy depending on the woman’s pre-pregnancy weight.

He also talked about the red flags during pregnancy that would warrant immediate consultation. These include premature rupture of the bag of water, bloody vaginal discharge, contractions, and decreased movement of the baby. At the first sign of any of these, seek immediate consult.

Dr. Ocampo then discussed the anesthesia aspect of labor and delivery including the different anesthesia options available for normal and cesarean delivery. “A pain-free labor experience will help the mother conserve her energy for when she bears down,” says Dr. Ocampo.

The best type of anesthesia to be used varies per patient depending on the pain tolerance of the mother and the progression of the labor. As such, it is best to discuss your options with your doctor as you go along your journey to give you time to prepare and manage your expectations.

During this time when traditional clinic visits may be a challenge, it is the best opportunity for women to be more attuned with their bodies and for their partners to be more engaged during the pregnancy journey. However, it is still important to get in touch with your healthcare provider because some concerns need a physical visit to the hospital.

Apart from this, protocols for prenatal check-ups and delivery were explained to help manage expectations during hospital visits. As a protective measure, consults are scheduled ahead of time and companions are discouraged during this time.

With the safety protocols in place at TMC and the expert and compassionate care of the doctors and staff, a total of 254 babies were safely delivered during the enhanced community quarantine which spanned from March to May 2020.

For inquiries regarding prenatal care and other pregnancy concerns, contact the Institute for Women’s Health at 8-988-1000/8-988-7000 Ext. 6338. The institute also offers monthly prenatal classes to continue providing expectant mothers the information they need throughout their pregnancy.