Pregnancy Guidelines

At Gaia Obstetrics & Gynecology, we offer a range of women's medical services including contraception, infertility, pregnancy / obstetric / prenatal care, post partum care, gynecologic care, sick visits, hormone replacement therapy, menopause management, platelet-rich plasma regenerative therapy (such as the "O-shot"), and annual wellness visits.

In addition to services at her medical offices, Dr. Mateer and her all-female team proudly deliver your little angels into the world at Tampa General Hospital North (Spring Hill) in Hernando County, Florida.

We are open from Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, and Friday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Yes.  At Gaia, we have an all-female team of physicians, midwives, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants.

Generally, 20 to 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercises is permissible. Any exercise must be individually tailored to your specific capabilities and the natural changes occurring within your body as the pregnancy progresses. It is recommended to consult with your obstetrician regarding the start or continuation of any exercise program. For further details, please refer to the “Exercise During Pregnancy” at page 4 of the Pregnancy Guidelines information sheet. 

 Air travel is often a concern of patients who are newly pregnant and planning to travel. The risk of complications- such as miscarriage, tubal pregnancy, effects of ovarian hyperstimulation- occurring in any pregnancy while away from your physicians/medical care should be weighed against the need to travel. Generally, occasional air travel early in pregnancy is acceptable, but should be discussed with your obstetrician. 

The preferred time to travel is usually between 14 to 28 weeks of pregnancy as this tends to be the timeframe in which fewer problems arise. Foreign travel can be challenging due to the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, food-borne illnesses, the need for immunizations, alone with fatigue and stress, which often accompany traveling across time zones. Prior to travel, it is a good idea to locate the nearest health care facility in the event that you have an emergency. You should also be aware of possible travel restrictions due to risk of infection such as Zika virus or toxins following a disaster. With any form of travel, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, wear loose fitting clothes, and walk and stretch at regular intervals. 

Nausea in early pregnancy is common and may occur at any time during the day. Treating nausea and vomiting earlier rather than later is recommended. As the pregnancy progresses, controlling symptoms may be more difficult if not treated when the nausea and vomiting started. 

Non-prescription methods generally may be attempted at first. We recommend small and frequent meals (every 1-2 hours). Avoidance of fatty, spicy, and excessive dairy foods may be helpful.  If you find that your prenatal vitamin is contributing to your nausea, try taking your vitamin with food or at another time of day, such as prior to bed. Bland foods containing starches and foods higher in protein are recommended. Stay hydrated with fluids even if you have difficulty with solid foods. Sucking on ice may be more palatable when nauseated. For additional information on diet changes, please see the "Pregnancy Anti-Nausea Diet and Lifestyle" section at page 5 of the Pregnancy Guidelines information sheet. 

Additionally, natural ginger or ginger capsules can be effective for nausea: 250 mg capsule three times a day after meals and one capsule prior to bed. 

In the event that non-prescription methods do not help, medications may be warranted.  If your nausea is extreme or persistent, please make sure to speak with your healthcare professional.

Hot Tubs (aka jacuzzies or spas) are not recommended during pregnancy. 

Sauna and steam baths should only be used with moderation.  If you do use saunas or steam baths, you should stay well hydrated with balanced fluids, and take great care not to overheat. 

On the other hand, swimming pools are typically maintained below normal body temperature. The use of swimming pools does not appear to be associated with any birth defects or adverse outcomes.  

 Topical insect repellants can be used in pregnancy 

 Sexual intercourse and orgasm are not associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications or preterm birth. For women with vaginal bleeding or ruptured membranes, it is unknown whether sexual intercourse increases the risk of bleeding or infection. Any type of placenta previa, please ask your provider before resuming sexual activities.  

 Do not use herbs or herbal supplements unless approved by your physician. Many herbs contain the same chemicals or hormones as prescription medications. In addition, their purity and potency are usually unregulated and often are not known.   

 Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been increasing in popularity due to its claimed health benefits. Due to the variable methods in production of the tea and the potential for variable alcohol content, it is recommended to avoid this beverage.  

 The FDA regulates dietary supplements; however, supplement regulations are not as stringent as they are for prescription and over the counter drugs. Any dietary supplement you desire to take should be discussed with your obstetrician prior to consumption.  

We generally recommend that pregnant women consume the following vitamins each day:  Folic Acid, Iron, Vitamin D, and Calcium.

Over the counter prenatal vitamin will usually suffice. Speak to your provider about the possibility of getting a prescription and to ensure everything you need is in your current vitamin. 

 Whether being used recreationally or medicinally, marijuana use is discouraged pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy. Primary concerns regarding its use include impaired development of the fetus’ neurological system and maternal and fetal exposure to the adverse effects of smoking.  Please discuss any medical marijuana usage with your OB provider.  

 Pregnancy is a time of many physical changes, including in the oral cavity. Pregnancy changes include pregnancy gingivitis, dental caries, tooth erosion, tooth mobility, and periodontitis. Due to these potential changes, routine dental care is recommended during pregnancy. Dental procedures and x-rays are not contraindicated with appropriate thyroid and abdominal shielding. Lidocaine or other local anesthetics used for dental procedures are safe as well. Local anesthetics with epinephrine should be avoided.  Please ask our staff to provide you with a dental letter for acceptable services. 

You should always inform the physician ordering the test and the radiologist performing your procedure that you are pregnant before any imaging study is performed, to determine if the need for the X-ray is greater than the risks to the pregnancy.  Generally, however, the medical need for such testing, such as an injury, will far outweigh any potential risks. X-Ray studies of the body, including arms, legs, and chest, are generally considered safe in early pregnancy with abdominal and thyroid shielding. 

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ultrasound techniques are safe in pregnancy. 

Prior to the use of CT (computed tomography) and use of the associated contrast during pregnancy, a discussion should be had with the physician regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure. 

Nuclear Medicine Imaging may be acceptable in pregnancy depending on the type of isotope used.  

We will typically offer certain tests that can help determine if your pregnancy is at risk for having a chromosomal abnormality regardless of your age. There are several screening tests, most of which are offered in the first trimester starting around the 10th week of pregnancy and are non-invasive. They typically include the First Trimester Screening and the cell-free DNA screening, also known as the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing. 

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is usually performed any time after 10 weeks, although it can be done as early as 9 weeks in some cases. During pregnancy, some of the DNA from the fetus crosses into the mother’s bloodstream. NIPT uses the maternal blood to look at this DNA to see if there is evidence of certain conditions that could affect the baby’s health. NIPT has the ability to evaluate for Trisomy 13, 18, 21, Down Syndrome and X and Y (the sex chromosome).  

You should discuss this with your obstetrician before taking any medications, and if your symptoms last longer than three days, or are more severe than usual.  That said,  we have compiled a list of over-the-counter medications that are generally safe during pregnancy if used as directed.  You may find it at page 7 of the linked Pregnancy Guidelines.