Obstetric Services

OB/GYN Associates prides itself on being the only practice in the area that is able to provide comprehensive obstetrical care to patients. Besides routine obstetrical care, our services include on site Maternal Fetal Medicine with new state of the art ultrasound equipment.

We are very fortunate to have three Certified Lactation Consultants on staff to help new mothers with breastfeeding and we are very proud to be designated by the NYS Department of Health as a “Breastfeeding Friendly Practice”

OB/GYN Associates established its own Baby Café in 2013. On Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm, our Orchard Park Rd location transforms into a breastfeeding drop-in center where new and pregnant moms can meet one another, enjoy refreshments, and get one-on-one support from our Certified Lactation Consultants.

Placental Donation

“Give the Gift of Healing”

The placenta has multiple uses to help patients heal and has been used for years to encourage healing after surgery. Portions of placental tissue can be used to treat patients undergoing various surgeries or with inadequate healing of diabetic ulcers, bed sores, burns, and other types of wounds with complicated healing responses. The physicians at OB/GYN Associates of WNY participate in a placental donation program. At this time, any pregnant patients having a planned cesearean delivery can opt to participate in the program and donate their placenta to TissueTech, Inc. A short health questionnaire and consent form are required to make sure you qualify for participation. Additionally, a blood sample will be collected at the time of admission. There is no additional cost to you for donating and there is no harm to you or your baby from donating the placenta. Medial conditions such as active infection or malignancy will disqualify women from participating. If you would like to “give the gift of healing” or learn more information, visit www.unyts.org

Obstetrics FAQ

Unless you are having complications, your first OB visit should be between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy. Gestational weeks are counted beginning with the first day of your last menstrual period. We typically schedule your first obstetric visit during 10-12 weeks of gestation. However, if you are unsure of your last menstrual period or have had any prior history of miscarriage, we would like to see you for a “confirmation of pregnancy” visit. Please call our office to schedule this appointment during the time that you think you will be 8-10 weeks pregnant.

You can anticipate the OB work-up visit will last about 2 to 21/2 hours. It will entail meeting with the OB coordinator nurse who will explain our practice, complete several forms, and answer any questions you might have; an examination by the doctor or midwife and lab work. You will only have an ultrasound on the first visit if you are scheduled for a “confirmation of pregnancy” visit or if you have had a previous miscarriage.

Pregnant women should be advised to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and typically should increase their caloric intake by a small amount (350-450 calories/day.)
Women with higher pre-pregnancy BMIs do not need to gain the same amount of weight as women with normal or low BMIs.

Fish Consumption

Pregnant women should try to consume two to three servings per week of fish with high DHA and low mercury content. For women who do not achieve this, it is unknown whether DHA and n-3 PUFA supplementation are beneficial, but they are unlikely to be harmful.

Raw and Under-cooked Fish

In line with current recommendations, pregnant women should generally avoid under-cooked fish. However, sushi that was prepared in a clean and reputable establishment is unlikely to pose a risk to the pregnancy.

Other Foods to Avoid

Pregnant women should avoid raw and under-cooked meat. Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed before eating them. Pregnant women should also avoid unpasteurized dairy products. Unheated deli meats could also potentially increase the risk of Listeria, but the risk in recent years in uncertain. Recalled foods for possible Listeria contamination should always be avoided.

We are affiliated with Mercy Hospital of Buffalo and John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Our practice does not support home births because of the risks associated with them. We cannot assume the care for you through your prenatal course.

You should begin folic acid supplementation as soon as you decide you may attempt pregnancy. For more information about folic acid, click here. You can take over-the-counter prenatal vitamins as long as they contain at least 400 mcg or .4 mg of folic acid. Women at increased risk, that is with a family history of Spina Bifida, should take 4 mg (or 4000 mcg) of folic acid.

Pregnant women should also consume the following each day through diet or supplements:

  • Iron: 30mg (or be screened for anemia)
  • Vitamin D: 600 international units
  • Calcium: 1,000mg

Prenatal vitamins are unlikely to be harmful. Therefore, they may be used to ensure adequate consumption of several vitamins and minerals in pregnancy. However, their necessity for all pregnant women is uncertain, especially for women with well-balanced diets. There is no known ideal formulation for a prenatal vitamin.

Many patients have found that Flintstone’s Vitamins are tolerable. Taking two Flintstone’s Vitamins will suffice as a supplement or discuss your nausea with your provider.

Yes, the anesthesiologist will administer your epidural while the physician or midwife continues to manage your labor and delivery.

Yes, but only until you reach 34 weeks of pregnancy for international travel or 36 weeks for domestic travel. Some airlines require a written letter from the physician authorizing travel by air. Remember if you go out of town, take a copy of your prenatal records with you. Each pregnant woman must balance the benefit of the trip with the potential of a complication at her destination. You should be familiar with the infection exposures and available medical care for each specific destination.

After 36 weeks you should go no farther than one hour away from the hospital without your doctor’s permission. You should stop every 1 to 2 hours and walk for about 10 minutes to increase circulation and prevent leg and feet swelling.

Yes, swimming should not be discouraged, provided you have not experienced a rupture of your membranes (water breaking.) Although data is limited, pregnant women should probably avoid hot tub use in the first trimester.

Yes, and we encourage you to do so. Your dentist should use only local anesthesia and must cover the abdominal area during all X-rays. No nitrous oxide may be used.

Yes. Remember, because of the changes in your body related to pregnancy, the perm and/or color may not take well.

No, because it contains potassium salts that could cause problems.

Yes, after the first trimester (13 weeks), but try not to drink more than one per day. If given a choice, use products with Nutrisweet, also known as Aspartame. Data regarding Saccharin are conflicting. Low (typical) consumption is likely safe.

Pregnant women may have caffeine but should probably limit themselves to less than 300 mg/day (a typical 8 ounce cup of brewed coffee has approximately 130 mg of caffeine. An 8 ounce cup of tea or 12 ounce soda has approximately 50 mg of caffeine,) but exact amounts vary based on the specific beverage or food. Low-to-moderate caffeine intake in pregnancy does not appear to be associated with any adverse outcomes.

Although current data suggests that consumption of small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy (less than seven drinks per week) does not appear to be harmful to the fetus, the exact threshold between safe and unsafe, if it exists, is unknown. Therefore, alcohol should be avoided in pregnancy.

Women should not smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. If they are unable to quit entirely, they should reduce it as much as possible. Nicotine replacement (with patches or gum) is appropriate as part of a smoking cessation strategy.
Marijuana use is not known to be associated with any adverse outcomes in pregnancy.
However, data regarding long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes are lacking; therefore, marijuana use is currently not recommended in pregnancy.

Pregnant women should be encouraged to exercise regularly. There is no known benefit to activity restriction or bedrest for pregnant women.

Pregnant women should wear lap and shoulder seatbelts while in a motor vehicle and should not disable their airbags.

Topical insect repellants (including DEET) can be used in pregnancy and should be used in areas with high risk for insect-borne illnesses.

Pregnant women without bleeding, placenta previa at greater than 20 weeks of gestation, or ruptured membranes should not have restrictions regarding sexual intercourse.

It is currently unknown whether, and at what gestational age, pregnant women should be advised to sleep on their side.