Pregnancy Passport
>> For Women

This section has information about the following

1. PRETERM LABOR & WARNING SIGNS
2. AM I AT RISK FOR PRETERM LABOR?
3. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR PRENATAL CARE
4. TESTS AND MEDICAL TERMS DURING PREGNANCY
5. HOW TO OBTAIN A PREGNANCY PASSPORT
6. HOW TO USE A PREGNANCY PASSPORT
7. PASSPORT HOLDERS- TELL US WHAT YOU THINK [please take our survey]

1. PRETERM LABOR & WARNING SIGNS
You can play an important role in your prenatal care. Pay attention to your body, learn what is normal for you and be aware of the following warning signs. Report any problems or concerns to your doctor or midwife immediately.

Signs that you may be going into preterm labor:

• Low, dull backache or pressure
• Stomach ache or cramps like a period, with or without diarrhea
• Clear pink or brownish fluid (water) leaking from your vagina
• Contractions more than 4 times an hour- feels like muscles tightening and relaxing when you rest your hand on to of your baby
• Feeling link your baby is pushing down or balling up
• Pain or pressure in your lower abdomen, thigh or vaginal area
• A feeling that something is just not right

Other warning signs to watch for:

• Fever or chills
• Swollen face or hands
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Bleeding from vagina
• Dizziness
• Severe or ongoing headaches
• Change in vision
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Pain when urinating
• Gush or leaking of water from vagina
• Injury or blow to abdomen
• Decrease in fetal movement or no fetal movement

2. AM I AT RISK FOR PRETERM LABOR?

Preterm labor can happen to any pregnant woman. All pregnant women should be aware of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor. If preterm labor is found early enough, delivery can be prevented or postponed in some cases. This delay will give your baby extra time to grow, which means a greater chance for a healthier baby. Contact your health care provider immediately or go to the hospital if you are experiencing any of the signs listed above.

Although it is not possible to predict preterm labor, studies have identified some factors which may put women at a higher risk. Being in one of these categories does not mean that you will have a preterm labor or preterm birth.

Groups of women at higher risk are:

• Women who have warning signs of preterm labor
• Women who are pregnant with more than one baby (twins, multiples)
• Women who have had a preterm birth before
• Women with cervical or uterine abnormalities
• African-American women
• Women younger than 17 years
• Women older than 35 years
• Women who have had one or more second-trimester induced abortion
• Women who have had abdominal surgery or serious infection while pregnant
• Women who have had bleeding in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
• Women who are underweight or weigh less than 100 pounds
• Women who were exposed to DES (diethylstilbestrol, a medication given to many pregnant women in the 1950s and 1960s) as a fetus

Some women are also at risk because of the following lifestyles and health behaviors:

• Late or no prenatal care
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Using drugs such as cocaine
• Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
• Lack of social support
• High stress
• Long working hours
• Low income

There are also some medical conditions during pregnancy that can increase risk of preterm birth. These include premature rupture of the sac in the uterus that holds the baby (PROM), high blood pressure, diabetes, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you are not sure or have concerns, ask your healthcare provider if you are at an increased risk.

The best things you can do to protect you and your baby are:

• Pay attention to your body and take good care of yourself during pregnancy
• Know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor
• Contact your provider (midwife, nurse or doctor) immediately if you experience any warning signs or go to the hospital if you are experiencing preterm labor

Information adapted from March of Dimes
and ACOG educational materials.

3. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR PRENATAL CARE

Prepare for each visit by writing down any symptoms or problems you are experiencing and any questions you want to ask.

Ask for more information about treatments or interventions your provider mentions, including:

• What is the reason for the treatment?
• How serious is the problem?
• How urgent is it to begin treatment?
• Please describe the treatment.
• What will happen next if the treatment does not work?
• What are the risks or side effects?
• Are there any alternatives?
• What would happen if I wait?
  

Ask for more information if a test is suggested, including:

• What is the reason for the test?
• What will the test tell us?
• How accurate are the results?
• If the test finds a problem, what will happen next?
• If the test does not find a problem, what will happen next?
  

Speak up if you don't understand or have any questions.

Remember to ask your doctor or midwife to update your Pregnancy Passport at each visit.

4. TESTS AND MEDICAL TERMS DURING PREGNANCY (click here)

5. HOW TO OBTAIN A PREGNANCY PASSPORT

Ask your prenatal care provider if they are participating in the Pregnancy Passport Program. If you have other questions about the program or would like to receive a Passport, contact Regional Perinatal System at 858-467-4990.

6. HOW TO USE A PREGNANCY PASSPORT

The Pregnancy Passport is designed to help you become more involved in your pregnancy health and prenatal care. It includes important information for the health of you and your baby.

The following is a short description of what is on each page and how you can use each the section:

Welcome card- Introduction about how to use the Passport

Page 1- Record provider and hospital phone numbers, the date of your last menstrual period and your baby's due date.

Page 2- Keep track of your prenatal visits here. Includes appointment date, time, week number, blood pressure and weight. This information will help you keep track of appointments and changes in your body over time. Also record the date of your next routine dental visit.
If you have any questions about your weight or blood pressure, ask your doctor, nurse, or midwife.

Page 3- Routine prenatal test results. Your provider will complete this section (or you can ask them to fill it out).

Page 4- Additional prenatal tests that your provider may recommend. Your provider will complete this section (or you can ask them to fill it out). Ask your provider if you have any questions.

Pages 5- This page lists some suggested ways to become more involved in your prenatal care, including questions to ask about treatments and tests that are offered.

Page 6- This page is a place for you to write down your notes and questions for your provider.

Pages 7 & 8- These pages give you important information about warning signs of pregnancy and signs of preterm labor. Read these pages, pay attention to your body and notify your provider immediately if you experience any of these signs.

Page 9- These are some things you can do to keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy.

Pages 10- This page tells you how to count your baby's movements. This is an important way that you can check on your baby's health after 28 weeks pregnancy. Your provider will give you more information about when to start counting movements and a chart you can use to record movements. Ask your provider if you have any questions.

Pages 11 & 12- These are explanations of some medical terms and abbreviations you will see in the Passport, including prental lab tests.

Page 13- This is a list of local resource telephone numbers that you may need.

Page 14- These are reminders of things that you can do during pregnancy and after your baby is born to help keep him or her healthy.

Back cover- This is your baby's delivery information. You can fill it out or ask a provider to fill it out for you at the hospital. You can also record your baby's doctor and baby's first appointment on this page.

Medical information on this page has been reviewed by a team of health care providers affiliated with the Pregnancy Passport Program.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The opinions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the March of Dimes.